Colorado Today

Colorado’s broken child care system; Air National Guard members in limbo; remembering a chile-growing legend

We look into childcare, why it’s becoming unaffordable for a growing number of Coloradans, and how it could get worse. Then, Colorado’s Congressional delegation wants answers about hundreds of Colorado Air National Guard members' jobs. Plus, we celebrate and remember the life of an essential part of Pueblo's spicy history.  A Correction: The original audio of this show included an incorrect number for how many Air National Guard members have lost their positions in Colorado; the total is 393, not 339. The show has been updated. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org [coloradotoday@cpr.org]. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members [https://donate.cpr.org/give]. Read more on the stories in today’s show: * CPR’s Jenny Brundin’s series on Colorado’s child care system, Raising Colorado [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/20/colorado-childcare-system-broken/] * CPR’s Caitlyn Kim on Colorado’s congressional delegation pushing for answers on 100s of state Air National Guard jobs [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/19/lost-colorado-air-national-guard-jobs/]. * CPR’s Bente Birkeland’s story on the chile-growing Pueblo family [https://www.cpr.org/2021/09/24/pueblo-chile-season-musso-farms/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

CO Dems punish Polis for Peters clemency; will Colorado ban surveillance pricing; breweries see a boost

Less than a week after Gov. Jared Polis granted clemency to former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, Polis’ own party has made its displeasure known with a censure vote Wednesday night. Then, a bill on Polis’ desk would prevent companies from using your personal data to determine how much you pay for their products, but will he sign it? And, beer production is down nationwide, but Colorado breweries are largely bucking the trend. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org [coloradotoday@cpr.org]. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members [https://donate.cpr.org/give]. Read more on the stories in today’s show: * CPR's Stina Sieg on the reopening of Independence Pass [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/19/independence-pass-opening-date-2026/], and the NPS on the status of Trail Ridge Road [https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/road_status.htm]. * CPR’s Bente Birkeland on Colorado Democrats censuring Gov. Polis * Denver Post’s Seth Klamann on the bill to limit surveillance pricing [https://www.denverpost.com/2026/05/07/surveillance-pricing-bill-passes-veto/] * CPR’s Haylee May on Colorado breweries bucking the national trends [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/14/colorao-craft-beer-brewing-industry-trends/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Political unknown shakes up GOP primary for gov.; climate-proofing Denver's urban trees; fighting the 'tree of heaven'

Victor Marx is a new name in Colorado politics, but he arrives with a big backstory, and the potential to shake up the Republican primary for governor. Then, it's a tree two-fer. First, the hunt is on for trees that can endure the Denver of the future, as climate change makes conditions on the Front Range even more extreme. And then, meet the tree that's too resilient -- the invasive, and nearly-unstoppable tree of heaven.  Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org [coloradotoday@cpr.org]. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members [https://donate.cpr.org/give]. Read more on the stories in today’s show: * Details on this year’s commencement ceremony [https://www.usafa.edu/vice-president-jd-vance-named-commencement-speaker-for-u-s-air-force-academy-class-of-2026-graduation/] at the Air Force Academy. * CPR’s Ben Markus on Victor Marx and the other Republicans in the governor’s race [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/20/colorado-gop-governor-primary-candidates/]. * CPR’s Sam Brasch on the search for Denver’s next great shade tree [https://denverite.com/2026/05/20/denver-shade-tree-canopy-research/]. * Denverite’s Paolo Zialcita on efforts to eradicate the tree of heaven [https://denverite.com/2026/05/14/tree-of-heaven-denver-invasive-species/]. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Children’s Hospital Colorado must continue gender-affirming care, more clemency outrage, CO Hantavirus case

Children’s Hospital Colorado must start offering gender-affirming care again, according to the state Supreme Court. But it could face federal consequences if it does. Then, Governor Polis is under fire for commuting an inmate’s sentence – and it’s not Tina Peters. And, public health officials say a recent hantavirus death in the state is a reminder to be cautious, but not afraid.  Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org [coloradotoday@cpr.org]. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members [https://donate.cpr.org/give]. Read more on the stories in today’s show: * CPR’s John Daley reports on the Colorado Supreme Court ruling on gender-affirming care [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/18/colorado-supreme-court-trans-youth-gender-affirming-care/]. * CPR’s Ava Kian reports on outrage over Polis clemency in Douglas County conviction [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/18/governor-polis-shortens-sentence-man-who-shot-at-deputies/].  * CPR’s John Daley reports on Colorado hantavirus death [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/18/douglas-county-hantavirus-death/]. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Republican gubernatorial primary debate; Tina Peters granted clemency; controlling computers with your brain

Colorado hasn’t elected a Republican governor in more than 20 years, but the Republicans competing to be their party’s nominee each believes they could be the one to break that streak. Then, Governor Polis explains his controversial decision to let Tina Peters get out of prison years early. Plus, hear how a Colorado man is helping develop technology that lets people control computers with their brain. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org [coloradotoday@cpr.org]. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members [https://donate.cpr.org/give]. Read more on the stories in today’s show: * CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Anthony Cotton on the GOP Gubernatorial Debate [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/14/barbara-kirkmeyer-scott-bottoms-governor-gop-debate/] * And Bente Birkeland on Tina Peters being granted Clemency [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/15/tina-peters-sentence-shortened-jared-polis/] * CPR’s Tom Hesse on the reactions to Peters’ commutation [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/15/tina-peters-sentence-commuted-reactions/] * The Denver Post’s Meg Wingerter on the Colorado man helping test the brain-computer interface [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/15/tina-peters-sentence-commuted-reactions/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Bazi Kanani. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.