How are Colorado’s kids doing? Paint that can cool its surroundings, a music lift from May Be Fern

The three-way primary race to represent Denver; Xcel rate hike sees resistance; Colorado horror author wins a Nebula

Denver’s longtime representative in Congress faces two primary challengers arguing it’s time for a change. Then, Xcel Energy wants to bump up their rates, but that proposal is getting a cold reception from consumers. Plus, a Colorado Author wins a prestigious award shared by some of the greatest fiction writers of all time. 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 out more about the opening ceremony for the Poudre River Trail [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-communities-a-poudre-river-trail-celebration-tickets-1987100535192] * Read Denverite’s Kiara DeMare’s coverage of the CD-1 Democratic Primary:   * Rep. Diana DeGette [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/18/cd-1-race-diana-degette-democrat-interview/] *   * Wanda James [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/18/cd-1-race-wanda-james-democrat-interview/] *   * Melat Kiros [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/18/cd-1-race-melat-kiros-democrat-interview/] *   * CPR’s Ishan Thakore on the proposed rate increase for Xcel customers. [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/11/xcel-big-rate-hike-opposition/] * Listen to Denverite’s Kyle Harris’s 2025 interview with Stephen Graham Jones. [https://www.cpr.org/show-episode/oct-31-2025-denverfright-terrifies-at-the-bug-theatre/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Madilyn Rose. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Hazel Feldstein, Corey H. Jones, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

How are Colorado’s kids doing? Paint that can cool its surroundings, a music lift from May Be Fern

Two new reports try to quantify how the youngest Coloradans are fairing, when it comes to everything from their mental and physical health, to their family’s economic situations. Then, Boulder is trying out a high tech type of paint that may be able to cool buildings, without warming the surrounding area. And we revisit the Colorado group, May Be Fern, and their song about moving beyond trauma. 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: * More about Englewood’s Second Saturday bert free shuttle [https://www.englewoodco.gov/our-city/community/bert-free-shuttle] * CPR’s Jenny Brundin on the 2026 Kids Count report [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/10/annual-kids-count-report-youth-colorado/] * The 2026 Kids Count Databook [https://coloradokids.org/kids-count-in-colorado/] * CPR’s John Daley on the 2026 Healthy Kids Colorado survey [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/09/colorado-kids-statewide-health-survey/] * The Healthy Kids Colorado survey [https://cdphe.colorado.gov/healthy-kids-colorado-survey-information/2025-healthy-kids-colorado-survey-results] * Colorado’s May Be Fern [https://maybefernband.co/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted and produced by Madilyn Rose and Mateo Schimpf, with audio production by Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

GEO Group fights facility inspections; the impossible math child care; a former World Cup player looks back

The company behind the Aurora ICE Detention Center is suing to stop a new law that would open it to more inspections, and potentially, new penalties. Then, when it comes to paying their teachers, Colorado's child care centers face a nearly impossible math problem. The state is trying to help, but will it make a difference? Plus, we hear from a former US Soccer and Colorado Rapids player about what makes this year’s World Cup special. 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: * Denverite's Paolo Zialcita on the City Park bandstand needing a replacement [https://denverite.com/2026/06/08/city-park-bandstand-reconstruction-fire/] * CPR’s John Daley and Bente Birkeland on the GEO Group lawsuit against Colorado [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/08/geo-group-sues-colorado-health-inspections-ice-center/] * Listen to Colorado Matters [https://www.cpr.org/show/colorado-matters/] to hear the full interview between CPR’s Tony Gorman and Marcelo Balboa * CPR’s Jenny Brundin on the difficulties of running a child care center [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/28/colorado-childcare-underpaid-workers-pay/] * Find the full Raising Colorado series here [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/20/colorado-childcare-system-broken/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Mateo Schimpf and Madilyn Rose. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Hazel Feldstein, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Colorado vigilant for New World Screwworm; a Denver suburb wants to block drivers; CO Springs author wins a Golden Quill

A damaging parasitic fly is back in the U.S., and officials  are working to keep it out of Colorado. Then, it’s a duel of the gates as a suburb southwest of Denver contemplates restricting access to their public roads. Plus, a children’s author in Colorado Springs is honored for her decades of work. 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 Haylee May on the New World Screwworm [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/05/colorado-parasitic-screwworm-detected-texas/] * Denverite’s Andy Kenney on the gate debate in Bow Mar [https://denverite.com/2026/06/08/bow-mar-sheridan-boulevard-gates/] * Learn more about Colorado Springs author Nancy Bentley [https://www.nancybentley.com/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, and Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Hazel Feldstein, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

EV battery disposal challenges; underage scooter injuries; more pay for cafeteria workers

More electric vehicles on roads is good for the climate, but it could also be a future headache for junk lots. Then, rental scooters are proving a little too tempting to underage riders in Denver. And, Colorado’s cafeteria workers could finally see a little extra cheddar in their paychecks, years after voters approved it. 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: * Welcome to CPR's 'Who's Gonna Govern?' podcast [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/08/cpr-whos-gonna-govern-podcast-back-2026-election/] * CPR’s Sam Brasch on the law to boost EV battery recycling [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/04/colorado-ev-battery-recycling/] * CPR’s Haylee May on the pay boost coming to Colorado cafeteria workers [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/02/wage-increases-for-cafeteria-workers/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Mateo Schimpf.  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.