The Daily Sun-Up

Historian Scott Spillman discusses his book Making Sense of Slavery: America’s Long Reckoning, from the Founding Era to Today, which traces how scholars have studied and interpreted slavery throughout American history.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners are scheduled to discuss a potential ban on the recreational shooting of prairie dogs. Rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about the issue and how it’s another example of the divide between hunting and animal agriculture groups and wildlife welfare groups. https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co

Today, reporters John Ingold and Michael Booth talk about a ballot measure that would ban certain gender-related surgeries, as well as new drought rules from Denver Water https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co

In part two of Purplish Live’s “Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama,” reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance take on some of the state’s trickiest ballot measures in a live game-show format. Topics include fentanyl crime penalties, social issues and election rules, followed by a bonus round and a final showdown to crown the Ballot-O-Rama champion. https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co

Colorado voters face a crowded ballot this November, with measures addressing criminal penalties, taxes, wildlife policy and constitutional rights. In the first of two episodes, reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance take the stage for “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama,” a live game-show-style breakdown of the issues. The team tackles proposals involving fentanyl-related crimes, government revenue and the right to hunt and fish. https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co

G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, talks with Kevin Simpson about 150 Colorado music mileposts. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Weiser makes his case for leading Colorado in a live conversation with Colorado Sun Elections Editor Jesse Paul. Weiser discusses his plans to address affordability, health care, water, transportation and the state’s budget challenges. He also weighs in on ballot measures, Medicaid spending and the importance of public engagement. The conversation comes as Republican nominee Victor Marx declines The Sun’s invitation to participate in a live interview or debate. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support

Colorado’s 8th Congressional District is one of the nation’s most competitive House races, with an outcome that could help determine control of Congress. Colorado Public Radio’s Mateo Schimpf talks with Colorado Sun elections editor Jesse Paul about the candidates, key issues and what to watch as voters head to the polls. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/16/colorado-labor-force-shrinks-lowest-jobs-numbers-unemployment/ Colorado’s labor force participation rate is down to levels last seen in 1979. More Colorado workers left the state’s labor force last month, likely due to retirement, moving away or possibly just giving up the search. Sun business and tech reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down what it means for Colorado. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support

Drivers along I-25 south of Denver might have noticed few backups in the past 10 months and a lot of that can be attributed to new wildlife passages that were constructed to give animals from toads to elk a safer way to navigate the area. Today, Sun reporter Olivia Prentzel breaks down the $15 million project and the impressive results. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/14/i25-wildlife-overpass-collisions-drop/ Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support

Author Cam Torrens joins the podcast to discuss his journey from a career in the military to writing fiction. He shares what inspired him to become an author, the challenges of transitioning to a creative career, and the story behind his latest novel, HAVOC: Trouble on the Trail, a Colorado Book Award finalist. Sponsor: https://honestlygood.org

Two influential hunting organizations are suing the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, saying a new rule reducing the daily limits on killing Colorado furbearers violated the State Administrative Procedure Act and its statutory wildlife management obligations. Today, rural reporter Tracy Ross breaks down the lawsuit and the pending implications. Story link: New lawsuit: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/13/hunting-groups-sue-colorado-parks-wildlife-over-bag-limits/ July decision:  https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/18/colorado-wildlife-commission-reduces-number-of-fur-bearing-animals-trappers-can-kill/ March CPW meeting: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/tension-over-furbearer-hunting-prompts-increased-security-at-cpw-meeting/

Today, reporters Michael Booth and John Ingold discuss rising flu cases in Colorado as well as a state-sponsored fish giveaway.

The struggle continues with downtown Denver office vacancies, but it’s certainly not all bad news. Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about companies that are moving or expanding in downtown and the metro area and why they are setting up shop in Colorado.  https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/10/denver-workforce-wages-tech-employers-relocation/ https://honestlygood.org

The pending sale of Eldora ski area in Boulder County to the town of Nederland has been going on for roughly two years. Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down the latest updates from the town, their change in strategy, and if the patience of the seller is wearing thing. https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/08/nederland-eldora-ski-area-purchase-donations-bonds/ aarp.org/co coloradosun.com/support

Communities in the struggling Colorado River Basin looking for ways to shore up water supplies after decades of drought are turning to new forms of cloud seeding. Is it snake oil or science? And check out more on our series "Can Colorado do more with less water?" https://coloradosun.com/more-with-less-water-series/ energyoutreach.org/give  

Katie Rizzo, author of "The Trimesters of Grief", sit's down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss the loss of her son and her new book. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co

Tracy talks to Amanda McCracken, a Boulder-based writer, runner, mother and author of When Longing Becomes Your Lover: Breaking from Infatuation, Rejection, and Perfectionism to Find Authentic Love: A True Story of Overcoming Limerence. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co

Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor Justin George sits down with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her recent visit to Littleton. Pelosi was in Colorado for a fundraiser supporting U.S. Rep. Jason Crow’s reelection campaign in the 6th Congressional District. In this special edition of The Unaffiliated, George talks with Pelosi about the political landscape in Colorado and across the country heading into the 2026 midterms. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/03/opportunity-zones-low-income-colorado-investors-tax-break/  Colorado is working on its next round of incentives to help low-income communities with its “opportunity zones” program, which first launched in 2018. Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about the program’s 2026 plans and her conversation with Gov. Jared Polis. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co

Before the ski lifts start turning, there’s another Colorado tradition that will hit Colorado communities in the hills and on the Front Range: ski swaps. Parker Yamasaki looks into the history of swaps and the more than 20 going on across Colorado this fall. Sponsors: denverartmuseum.org, aarp.org/co

Author Krista Hanley sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss her Columbine experience and "How to Survive a Mass Shooting". https://honestlygood.org

Today the Sun's Tracy Ross talks to Annette McGivney and Betsy Gaines Quammen about their new books Plastic Shaman and This Haunted Land as well as the importance of representation, why Western women writers matter and a haunting in the Hemingway House. They'll be in discussion about their books at Boulder Bookstore on Wednesday, Oct 7th. https://honestlygood.org

Today, Sun events specialist Kristina Pritchett and politics editor Justin George give us a preview of the Colorado Sun debates and candidate conversations as we head into the midterm election season. Events schedule: https://coloradosun.com/events/  Election coverage: https://coloradosun.com/colorado-election-2026/  https://honestlygood.org

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down a new multimillion dollar marketing campaign dubbed “Denver: The best return on life.” Funded by local business leaders, the campaign is leaning into the good things that are going on. https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/26/denver-business-leaders-best-return-living-working/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/14/downtown-denver-commercial-real-estate-market/  https://honestlygood.org 

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins gets us caught up on a variety of news coming from the outdoors, including a liability lawsuit dismissed, river permitting proposal, daylight saving pushback and more. Daylight saving time pushback: https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/21/ski-resort-industry-urges-lawmakers-to-reject-daylight-saving-bill/  Liability lawsuit dismissed: https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/25/colorado-supreme-court-liability-waivers-resorts/  https://honestlygood.org

Stephen Collector sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to talk about the outdoors and his new book, "No Do-Overs in Paradise". Original Thinkers: https://www.originalthinkers.com/  NE Water Event: https://coloradosun.com/events/ 

The Colorado Broadband Office has canceled numerous contracts totaling more than $100 million that had been awarded to a Parker-based company to build fiber internet to rural households. Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks at the allegations surrounding Maverix Broadband and their response. https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/21/colorado-broadband-office-rescinds-millions-federal-investigation/ Original Thinkers: https://www.originalthinkers.com/  NE Water Event: https://coloradosun.com/events/ 

Today the Colorado Sun takes you inside a dark tent in the middle of the night at a remote Colorado campground, where an animal attack forced a resourceful camper to draw on her skills and fight back. Join us to hear Kathleen Baran in her own words. Original Thinkers: https://www.originalthinkers.com/  NE Water Event: https://coloradosun.com/events/ 

Today, Colorado Sun Parker Yamasaki talks about the latest round of Michelin star awards in the state, how it works and how one husband-and-wife team is taking the Colorado culinary scene by storm. https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/21/meet-the-denver-chef-who-opened-three-michelin-restaurants/ https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/14/one-michelin-star-for-colorado-restaurants/ Original Thinkers: https://www.originalthinkers.com/  NE Water Event: https://coloradosun.com/events/ 

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins gets into the origins of the 50-year-old Pearl Pass Klunker Tour, which many consider to be the start of modern-day mountain biking and put Crested Butte on the map as a destination for the mountain biking community. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/18/crested-butte-klunker-tour/ Original Thinkers: https://www.originalthinkers.com/  NE Water Event: https://coloradosun.com/events/ 

G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to chat about Tim Curry, Big Head Todd and The Tragically Hip.

There has been a lot of news recently around water sharing responsibilities of the Colorado River as states fight over how to best manage the basin. Today, Sun water reporter Shannon Mullane rolls through some of the highlights and what it means to Colorado. https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/24/nevada-lawsuit-colorado-river-federal-court/   https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/09/united-states-mexico-colorado-river-deal/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/15/colorado-river-emergency-release-flaming-gorge-lake-powell/  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-colorado-river-water-cuts-hit-lower-basin-state/id1529487340?i=1000785440105 

Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor Justin George and Colorado Sun Elections Editor Jesse Paul discuss the 8th Congressional District and Republican Gabe Evans’ assertion that Colorado Democrats are to blame for high gas prices. Later they shift to the 5th Congressional District, where Democrat Jessica Killin has launched attack ads against Republican Jeff Crank involving wedding gifts.

Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor Justin George and Colorado Sun Elections Editor Jesse Paul discuss the 8th Congressional District and Republican Gabe Evans’ assertion that Colorado Democrats are to blame for high gas prices. Later they shift to the 5th Congressional District, where Democrat Jessica Killin has launched attack ads against Republican Jeff Crank involving wedding gifts.

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins talks about a new avalanche mitigation system being developed on the Western Slope that will help bring even more safety to the dangerous work at ski resorts in Colorado and the West.

Author Wayne Hicks discusses Did All My Friends Have Fun at Play?, his oral history of the beloved children’s television program “Romper Room.” Hicks shares the stories of the teachers who hosted the show and helped make it a childhood institution for generations of viewers.

Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about how the Colorado ranching community is adjusting to the latest Trump administration moves affecting the beef industry and one ranchers approach in Boulder County.

John Ingold and Michael Booth offer insights into a key upcoming court date in a battle between Children's Hospital and parents of transgender children, and a report highlighting how important clean energy jobs have become on the Eastern Plains.

Today, Colorado Sun arts and culture reporter Parker Yamasaki catches up with Amy Redford to talk about the humble beginnings of the now world-famous Sundance Film Festival, which moves to Boulder in January, and her father Robert Redford’s connection to Boulder.

Today Colorado Sun reporter Parker Yamasaki gives her take on the recent North South bike race, a self-supported 643-mile race that started Aug. 28 in Fort Collins and ends when the last finisher rides into Trinidad.

Author Chris Vanjonack sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss creating his speculative short story collection "Out of Body".

Today Sun reporter Jennifer Brown interviews Publisher Larry Ryckman about the Sun's upcoming 8th birthday and our future plans.

Today Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor, Justin George, and reporter Colleen Slevin are talking about a story that reframes how we think about the state and its history before it became a top destination for craft beer drinkers and mountain bikers. What many might now know is that towns such as Estes Park and Fruita carry histories of racism and discrimination, pasts that a group of researchers have been digging up for the Legislature.

Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about how the growth in northern Colorado spurred a push to create a chamber of commerce in the once sleepy town of Timnath and also team with nearby Severance and other area communities. https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/29/rural-chamber-of-commerce-timnath-severence/

Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins has covered the evolution of lift ticket pricing for decades and today he breaks down three antitrust lawsuits filed in Denver against the ski industry’s four largest players, arguing the operators conspired to inflate lift ticket prices. https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/27/antitrust-lawsuit-targeting-resort-operators/

G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss Harry Tuft, Dolly Parton and Colorado music history.

The Colorado Sun's rural reporter Tracy Ross talks with rangeland conservationist and wolf advocate Matt Barnes about the new film documentary In the Company of Wolves, some interesting evidence he's seen around using cattle to fend off wolves, and how he thinks Colorado's wolf reintroduction is going, coming on three years after Colorado Parks and Wildlife brought the first 10 wolves from Oregon to the state.

Today reporters John Ingold and Mike Booth have tips for keeping you safe around bears, as well as an update on a tuberculosis investigation at the immigration detention center. https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/19/geo-group-lawsuit-tuberculosis/  https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/20/geo-group-immigrant-detention-center-public-health/ 

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang gives us her first-person account of riding in a new driverless Waymo vehicle, which will be available to the general public soon in the downtown Denver area. https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/21/waymo-cars-denver-map-laws-autonomous/