KRCC News

GOP State Convention

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:53:48 -0700

Former Massachusetts Governor Mit Romney's keynote address over the weekend at the state Republican Convention capped quite a week on Colorado's political scene... one that included visits from presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama.

Romney solidly captured Colorado during the February caucus before dropping out of the race. As KUNC's Kirk Siegler reports, Senator McCain still has some convincing to do amongst right leaning voters in Colorado, and GOP party activists.

Queer Inclusion in the United Methodist Church

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:45:12 -0700

Amanda Udis-Kessler, Colorado College's Director of Institutional Research and Planning, just published a new book titled Queer Inclusion in the United Methodist Church. Noel Black spoke with her about her about her approach to the subject and why she chose to write about it.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Thu, 29 May 2008 17:15:27 -0700

Colorado's quarter century old lawsuit against the Federal government and Shell Oil has finally come to an end. Both have agreed to pay 35 million dollars to help restore the environmental damage they caused at Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Obama Visits Colorado School

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:04:33 -0700

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama outlined his education policy at a high school in the Denver suburb of Thornton on Wednesday. The Illinois senator says he wants schools to be innovative, and to reward good teachers with higher salaries. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Bio-Terror Lab at CSU

Wed, 28 May 2008 13:01:03 -0700

A new high-security laboratory opens today at Colorado State University. Researchers there are experimenting with some of the most dangerous microbes on the planet. The lab is the first of 13 new facilities the federal government is building nationwide. Their charge is to prepare for and respond to attacks with weaponized versions of biological agents like anthrax, plague and cholera. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney visited the lab and brought back this story.

McCain in Colorado

Tue, 27 May 2008 12:55:49 -0700

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain was in Colorado on Tuesday to give a speech on nuclear disarmament at the University of Denver. He then went to a lunch-time fundraiser. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

National Libertarian Party Convention

Thu, 22 May 2008 14:17:20 -0700

The Democrats aren't the only National Convention coming to Denver this summer. The Libertarian party is also holding its national convention in the mile high city. This weekend 14 people will vie to be the party's presidential nominee. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

State Democratic Convention

Mon, 19 May 2008 12:49:09 -0700

Thousands of Democrats descended on Colorado Springs last weekend for the State Democratic Convention. Party leaders say it was their largest convention ever. Democrats picked 12 delegates to go to the national convention this August, but the crowd wasn't always united. Bente Birkeland reports from Colorado Springs.

Gail Schwartz Interview

Sat, 17 May 2008 12:32:33 -0700

Democratic state senator Gail Schwartz from Snowmass village recently completed her second legislative session. Bente Birkeland sat down with her to get her take on how it went.

Personhood Amendment

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:13:04 -0700

A citizen initiative that would define personhood as starting from the moment of fertilization is one step closer to getting on the state's election ballot this fall. Opponents say it'll be a contentious campaign issue because it could eventually ban abortions in Colorado. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Checkers

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:56:40 -0700

Sixty six year-old John Cardie is on a one man crusade to get more kids to play checkers. The retired chemist speaks at schools and libraries; wrote a book titled "How to Beat Granddad at Checkers" – and even has a website called "Checkers Creates Kings." Bente Birkeland visited with him at his Westminster home.

Capitol Conversation

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:58:53 -0700

Lawmakers debated hundreds bills, heard hours of testimony and now Colorado's 119 day legislative session has come to an end. In our last installment of this year's Capitol Conversation series, Bente Birkeland takes a look back at the session and a look ahead.

EPA Air Quality Standards for Colorado

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Colorado will likely have more high-pollution days in the years to come thanks to new air quality standards recently set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Efforts are in the works to curb the emissions that cause ozone -- but as KUNC's Brian Larson reports -- it could be awhile before everyone along the Front Range feels the impact...

Walking Off the Worry

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:32:48 -0700

Troops from Ft. Carson have been busy in recent weeks in Iraq. They've been seeing combat every day after a period of relative calm.

Families back home are ticking off the fifth month that their loved ones have been away. It will be another ten months before they come home.

Recently some soldiers families got together to celebrate a new program that helps them fight the long deployment blues, and keep them in shape at the same time. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has the story.

Transportation Gridlock

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:23:00 -0700

Governor Bill Ritter has finished his second legislative session since getting elected to office. Some Republicans say he's hit a sophomore slump, failing to provide leadership on key issues such as transportation. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.