Colorado Today

What Melat Kiros’s victory says about the power of Democratic Socialists; new laws take effect; chasing bats

Denver is poised to send a Democratic Socialist to Congress, what does that mean for the city, and the movement? Then, Colorado is getting two new gun laws this week. And even in our biggest cities, bats are a common sight at night, but where do they go when the sun comes 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 drone shows and other events to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday [https://www.colorado.com/am250-co150-events]. * Denverite’s Andrew Kenney on the DSA and Melat Kiros [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/01/what-is-the-dsa-who-is-melat-kiros/] * Rae Solomon on the new laws taking effect in Colorado [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/01/colorado-new-laws-july-1/] * CPR’s Jenny Brundin on where Denver’s bats go during the day [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/29/denver-bats-night-sky-roosts-daytime/]  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.

Primary election results; fire updates

An upset in Denver’s Congressional race is sending shockwaves through Colorado’s political establishment and adding more fuel to the debates over the future of the Democratic party. Plus, where the primaries for Governor and other statewide offices stand. And, the latest from the devastating Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado. 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 election results and CPR’s political coverage here [https://www.cpr.org/category/politics/] * Find all of CPR’s wildfire coverage here [https://www.cpr.org/tag/wildfires/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Mateo Schimpf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Wildfires rage around state; Primary Day arrives; controversial oil and gas project moves forward

Rural communities around Colorado are on edge, as fire crews try to stop the spread of multiple wildfires, with dangerous conditions expected to continue through the week. Then, we take you door to door with the last-ditch efforts from campaigns. And we hear how the Draco development, a large oil and gas project on the border between Weld and Boulder counties, cleared its final major hurdle to development.  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/] * Still haven’t voted yet? Consider checking out CPR’s 2026 Primary Voter Guide [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/29/vg-2026-colorado-primary-election-voter-guide/] * Keep an eye on CPR’s Politics page for election updates [https://www.cpr.org/category/politics/] * CPR’s Caitlyn Kim on the campaigns’ final get-out-the-vote efforts [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/29/candidates-last-minute-pitches/] * Rae Solomon on the Draco Well Pad moving forward [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/26/erie-draco-well-pad/] 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.

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.