Massive hailstorms on the Plains; FEMA funding delays; Aurora teen stars in a Netflix film

Three firefighters die fighting Western Slope blaze; Aurora homeless shelter guests claim underpay; leaving no trace

Tragedy as crews fight a massive wildfire near the Utah border where multiple firefighters died after the blaze got out of control. Then, residents at an Aurora homeless shelter make less than the federal minimum wage to clean it. They think they should be paid more. And, we’ve all heard the reminder to ‘leave no trace’ when we camp and hike … but it’s so much more than that. 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: * Find all of CPR’s wildfire coverage here. [https://www.cpr.org/tag/wildfires/] * CPR’s Stina Sieg on the three firefighters who died fighting a fire on the Utah border [https://www.cpr.org/tag/wildfires/] * CPR’s Jenny Brundin on the ongoing Title IX feud between Jefferson County Public Schools and the Federal Government. [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/jeffco-governor-ag-help-federal-warning-letter-transgender-athletes/] * Denverite’s Kyle Harris on the homeless shelter pay dispute in Aurora [https://denverite.com/2026/06/25/aurora-homeless-shelter-below-minimum-wage/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel & 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.

Lawsuit over election timing; eating disorder clinic treating younger patients; get paid to find a climate-friendly job

A coalition of voting rights organizations wants Colorado cities to re-schedule their local elections to match statewide and federal ones. The organization says it disenfranchises non-white voters. Then, a rise in children and tweens with eating disorders has one clinic changing its approach. Plus, the city of Denver is trying to encourage the next generation of climate workers by offering them cash. 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: * Denver Botanic Gardens' heavy metal send off to its blooming (and dying) agave [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZ42nCdR44k/] * KRCC’s Briana Heaney on the lawsuit over Colorado Springs’ local elections [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/colorado-springs-voting-rights-groups-suing-city/] * CPR’s Andrea Dukakis on Denver Eating Recovery Center’s new clinic [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/25/eating-recovery-center-unit-for-younger-children/] * CPR’s Sam Brasch on Denver’s climate job rebate program [https://denverite.com/2026/06/23/denver-climate-career-training-grants/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee, Jack Armstrong, and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Massive hailstorms on the Plains; FEMA funding delays; Aurora teen stars in a Netflix film

Colorado’s summer weather is ramping up, and with that, so is the damage from Colorado’s most expensive type of natural disaster: hail. Then, hear about how federal changes are making it harder for communities and utilities to prepare before natural disasters do strike. And, a movie starring an Aurora teen with Down Syndrome is now in global release. 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 and Molly Cruse on fire conditions in Garfield and Mesa counties [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/23/fires-garfield-mesa-county/] * CPR’s Tony Gorman on this week’s damaging hailstorms [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/24/softball-sized-hail-front-range-eastern-plains/] * CPR’s Ishan Thakore on the changing relationship between FEMA and Colorado emergency management. (Coming soon) * Colorado Matters’ Chandra Thomas Whitfield talks with Jeremiah Daniel and his parents about his role in ‘Color Book’ [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/19/netflix-movie-aurora-teen-down-syndrome/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Primary races go negative, DNA scientist plea deal, sorbet pop-up shut down

Colorado’s airwaves are starting to fill up with negative ads, as Democrats in particular duke it out in some bitter primaries. What do the attacks say about the state of those races, and how are voters making up their minds? Then, former CBI forensic scientist Missy Woods has taken a plea deal that could put her in prison for several years. And the story of how a popular free sorbet pop-up in Englewood ran afoul of regulators and found itself iced out.  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: * Find primary election coverage [https://www.cpr.org/category/politics/] from CPR’s Bente Birkeland [https://www.cpr.org/author/bente-birkeland/] and Caitlyn Kim [https://www.cpr.org/author/caitlyn-kim/] * CPR’s Primary Voter Guide [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/29/vg-2026-colorado-primary-election-voter-guide/] * CPR’s Ava Kian on Missy Woods’ plea deal. * Colorado Matters’ Chandra Thomas Whitfield talks with Jeremiah Daniel and his parents about his role in ‘Color Book’ [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/19/netflix-movie-aurora-teen-down-syndrome/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Stephanie Wolf, Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Aurora mayor sleeping at homeless shelter; the San Luis Valley’s unlikely DA, Denver Pride preview

Every Friday, when the official work is done, Aurora mayor Mike Coffman heads to the city’s 600-bed homeless shelter, where he volunteers and sleeps in order to keep a closer eye on one of his administration’s signature efforts. Then, after complaints forced out the San Luis Valley’s last district attorney, his replacement on the job is someone no one saw coming. And, from location to length, this weekend’s Denver Pride festival is a break from the past. 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 primary election guide [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/29/vg-2026-colorado-primary-election-voter-guide/] * Listen to interviews with the candidates for top primary races on our series: Who’s Gonna Govern? [https://www.cpr.org/podcast/whos-gonna-govern/] * Denverite’s Kyle Harris on Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman’s weekly stays at a homeless shelter [https://denverite.com/2026/06/18/aurora-mayor-mike-coffman-sleeping-in-homeless-shelter/]. * CPR’s Ava Kian on San Luis Valley DA, Ann Kelly [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/18/anne-kelly-district-attorneys-office-alamosa/]. * Denverite’s Kiara DeMare on the changes to Denver Pride this year [https://denverite.com/2026/06/05/how-to-celebrate-pride-in-denver-2026/]. * Details on Sunday’s Pride events here [https://denverpride.org/]. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.