Surveying damage from the Aspen Acres fire; lawmakers look into Medicaid costs; a new way to clean up bike lanes

Marx wins GOP gov. primary; firefighting resources focused on Colorado; a new step for Waymo

Political newcomer — and self-described ‘high-risk humanitarian’ — Victor Marx will face Attorney General Phil Weiser in the governor’s race. Then, as wildfires continue to blaze around Colorado, officials say the state has the firefighting resources it needs. But if big fires start in other states, that could start to change. Plus, autonomous taxi startup Waymo is one step closer to rolling out their fully self-driven service in Denver. 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 Ben Markus and Caitlyn Kim on Victor Marx’s victory in the GOP primary [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/09/victor-marx-wins-gop-governor-primary-race/] * Find all of CPR’s wildfire coverage here [https://www.cpr.org/2026-wildfires/] * Denverite’s Andy Kenney on Waymo’s next steps in Denver [https://denverite.com/2026/07/08/denver-waymo-driverless-starts/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Jack Armstrong, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Surveying damage from the Aspen Acres fire; lawmakers look into Medicaid costs; a new way to clean up bike lanes

New drone footage reveals a patchwork of destruction in the community hardest hit by the Aspen Acres fire. Then, lawmakers want to hear from stakeholders about the state’s public healthcare system, as they look for ways to cut costs. Plus, Denver’s bike lanes have a trash problem. Could a cute little bike-powered sweeper be the answer? 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 Chandra Thomas Whitfield on this weekend’s Black Arts Festival [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/10/colorado-black-arts-festival-marks-40th-anniversary/] * KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin on the drone footage showing damage from the Aspen Acres fire [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/08/aspen-acres-fire-southern-colorado-updates-july-8/] * CPR’s John Daley on the state’s new Medicaid Commission [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/07/colorado-commission-scrutinize-medicaid-program/]  * Denverite’s Paolo Zialcita on the volunteer effort to sweep up Denver’s bike lanes [https://denverite.com/2026/07/08/denver-bike-lane-sweeping/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Melat Kiros on her congressional hopes; ‘hyperscale’ data center in Aurora; Colorado at the American State Fair

After pulling off a surprise upset in Denver’s Democratic congressional primary, Melat Kiros talked to CPR about how she’d approach the office, and her past comments about the war in Gaza. Then, the development of a ‘hyperscale’ data center project in Aurora has implications for metro air quality. And CPR’s congressional correspondent gives us a tour of the Colorado pavilion on the National Mall. 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: * Check out the Colorado 150 Film Festival's movie list here [https://colorado150film.com/]. * Colorado Matters’ full interview with CO-1 Democratic candidate Melat Kiros (Available at noon 7/8) * CPR’s Sam Brasch on the air quality implications of a major data center development [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/08/qts-aurora-data-center-diesel-generators/] * CPR’s Caitlyn Kim on Colorado’s entry to the Great American State Fair. [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/06/colorado-great-american-state-fair-washington-dc/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

The conditions driving this year’s wildfires; housing activists buy infamous Aurora apartments; Mud Day!

It’s sadly no surprise that Colorado’s historically dry, warm winter has led to such an intense wildfire season. But climate change is also driving other factors contributing to the many blazes around Colorado.  There is some good news though: the quirky Bishop Castle appears to have survived the Aspen Acres fire so far.  Then, an Aurora apartment building that went viral after claims it had been taken over by Venezuelan gang members is under surprising new ownership. Plus, we look at how an early learning center celebrates an unusual, and messy, holiday. 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: * KRCC’s Aeva Dye on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s new grizzly cubs [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/05/grizzly-cubs-cheyenne-mountain-zoo-colorado-springs/] * CPR’s wildfire coverage [https://www.cpr.org/2026-wildfires/] * Bishop Castle website and donation link [https://thebishopcastle.com/we-need-your-support/] * Denverite’s Kyle Harris on the future of the Edge apartments [https://denverite.com/2026/07/06/aurora-venezuelan-gang-apartments-whats-next/] * CPR’s Jenny Brundin on how playing in the mud benefits preschoolers [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/07/playing-with-mud-benefits-preschoolers/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Firefighting, evacuations continue across Colorado, Buc-ee’s development drama, Aboriginal art at DAM

It was a fiery 4th of July weekend across the state, with major fires burning near numerous rural communities, including Colorado City, Wetmore, Leadville and Ouray. We catch you up on where things stand and hear from those affected. Then, the land where Buc-ee’s wants to build a travel plaza in northern El Paso County has been cleared, but the fight continues. And at the Denver Art Museum, contemporary art from the world’s oldest continuous culture. 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 CPR’s latest fire coverage on our news page [https://www.cpr.org/all/]. * KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin on Buc-ee’s hitting a hurdle with the planning department [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/02/buc-ees-el-paso-county-colorado-palmer-lake/]. * CPR’s Elaine Tassy on the Australian Indigenous art exhibit at the Denver Art Museum [https://www.cpr.org/2026/07/03/australian-indigenous-art-front-and-center-at-denver-art-museum-exhibit/]. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Megan Verlee. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.