Political unknown shakes up GOP primary for gov.; climate-proofing Denver's urban trees; fighting the 'tree of heaven'

Veto-rama from Gov. Polis; diversifying the golf scene

From tailored prices to takeout condiments, Governor Polis has been giving his veto pen a workout. Then, Denver plays host to the Sapphire Golf Tour, which aims to increase the sport’s diversity. 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 Molly Cruse on the turtle racing backlash at Charlie’s Denver [https://denverite.com/2026/06/02/charlies-denver-turtle-racing/] * CPR’s Rae Solomon on Gov. Polis’s latest round of vetoes [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/03/polis-vetoes-progressive-bills/] * Details on the Sapphire Women’s Golf Tour [https://sapphiregolftour.com/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Madilyn Rose, Stephanie Wolf, Hazel Feldstein, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

New restrictions on sports betting; public Christian school closes; judge pauses NCAR dismantling

Colorado is putting new restrictions on online sports bets, in the hopes of heading off problem gambling. Then, a Christian public school in Pueblo that aimed to challenge education funding laws has closed, but the fight will go on elsewhere. Plus, a legal battle to keep a climate research hub in Boulder open got a big boost from a federal judge. And learn about an opportunity to send a message into the future. 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 on the new changes to sports betting [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/02/sports-gambling-restrictions-law/] * Find Ben’s previous coverage here [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/08/colorado-sports-gambling-kalshi-prediction-market/] * Chalkbeat’s Ann Schimke on the closure of Riverstone Academy [https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2026/06/02/christian-public-school-riverstone-academy-closed-permanently/] * Find Ann’s previous coverage here [https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2026/02/18/christian-public-school-riverstone-academy-sues-state/] * CPR’s Sam Brasch on the order blocking the Trump Administration from dismantling NCAR [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/01/federal-judge-blocks-trump-ncar-dismantle-plan/] * Find Sam’s previous coverage here [https://www.cpr.org/2026/03/16/trump-lawsuit-tina-peters-ncar/] * Details on how to submit material for Loveland’s Colorado time capsule [https://visitloveland.com/colorado-capsule/]. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by 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.

Tina Peters released; CO representatives weigh in on housing reform; celebrating yard art in Colorado Springs

Tina Peters is officially free, more than half a decade before the end of her full original sentence. You’ll hear her first public remarks, and reactions from Coloradans. Then, housing prices have long run amok. Can Congress come together and do something about it? Or will a division that runs even deeper than party lines derail it? Plus, an exhibit at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs celebrates the freedom and expression of yard art. 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 details on Boulder’s 30th annual Jewish Community Festival, Sunday June 7 [https://www.boulderjcc.org/boulder-jewish-festival/]. * CPR’s Bente Birkeland with reactions to Tina Peters’ release from prison [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/01/former-mesa-county-clerk-tina-peters-released-from-prison/]. * CPR’s Ryan Warner interviews the head of the Clerks Association about Peters’ release [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/02/colorado-county-clerks-association-head-matt-crane-on-tina-peters/]. * CPR’s Hayley Sanchez on the ‘Art From the Yard’ show in Colorado Springs [https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/01/colorado-springs-fine-arts-center-yard-art/]. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.

Polis vetoes video game and social media bills; measuring psychedelic-assisted therapy; accelerated medical school

Find out which new bills have been rejected by Gov. Jared Polis. His vetoes include a bill supported by Evergreen families after the shooting at their school. Then, a company in Denver is getting millions in federal funding to track what psychedelics do to your biometrics. Plus, we look at an effort to get doctors through medical school and into practice faster. 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 Bente Birkeland and Ava Kian on Gov. Polis’s first vetoes from the 2026 session. [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/29/gov-polis-vetoes-first-bills-of-the-colorado-session/] * CPR’s John Daley on CU Anschutz’s accelerated med school program [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/28/accelerated-program-colorado-medical-students-3-years/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Bazi Kanani. 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.

Denver homicides up; meatpackers locked out in Fort Morgan; a Colorado rover on the moon?

Homicides are way up in Denver this year so far, compared to last year, and that has community members asking whether the city is doing enough to prevent youth violence in particular. Then, the Cargill meatpacking plant in Fort Morgan is sitting idle, while workers picket outside. Plus, NASA has picked a Colorado-built rover as part of its future lunar base. 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 CPR’s primary election voter guide [https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/29/vg-2026-colorado-primary-election-voter-guide/] * Denverite’s Kyle Harris on the shooting inside the Montbello Rec Center [https://denverite.com/2026/05/26/montbello-rec-center-closed-indefinitely-after-a-shocking-youth-killing/] * Colorado Sun’s Tracy Ross on the situation at the Cargill meatpacking plant [https://coloradosun.com/2026/05/27/cargills-lockout-of-workers-sends-ripples-through-supply-chain/] * CPR’s Dan Boyce got a ride in Lunar Outpost’s earlier rover prototype [https://www.cpr.org/2025/08/24/lunar-outpost-new-terrain-vehicle-prototype-testing-colorado/] This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Madilyn Rose. 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.