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

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.

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.