Today on Colorado Edition: we'll learn about a program that is using music to help people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Plus, a look at what an Equity Resolution means in Boulder. Plus, we'll get gift ideas for the foodie in your life, and we'll revisit a reporting project from earlier in the year with KUNC's Stephanie Daniel.

Today on Colorado Edition: A year ago, Apple announced it would be bringing jobs to our reigion, but little is known about the work they're doing here. We take a look at what we do know. We also learn about a program that aims to use employment as a way help people with mental illness. Plus, we offer book suggestions for holiday gift giving and look back on the year in reporting from our Mountain West News Bureau reporter, Rae Ellen Bichell.

Today on Colorado Edition: we'll learn about discussions about the impact of the oil and gas industry on air quality in Colorado. Plus, a look at school finance reform. We'll also get some advice about some of the best Colorado music to gift this year, and look back at our Capitol reporter's favorite projects from 2019. 

Today on Colorado Edition: we hear a special investigation into concussions in youth sports in Colorado with KUNC's investigative reporter Michael de Yoanna.

Today on Colorado Edition: what's next for the negotiation over the management of the Colorado River. Plus, what algae blooms mean for humans and animals. We'll also learn about Colorado's Safe Haven Law, and look back at some of our reporters' favorite stories from 2019.

Colorado River Management  

After years of negotiation, water managers in the Southwest finally signed off on the Drought Contingency Plan, a temporary patch to the region's long-term imbalance between water supplies and demands. Starting next year, they'll be tasked with an even tougher lift: renegotiating overarching guidelines for the Colorado River's management. 

That's the topic of debate at the Colorado River Water Users Association Conference this week in Las Vegas. KUNC's own Luke Runyon is there, and joins us to get us up to speed on the negotiations. 

Algae Blooms

They grow rapidly and are increasingly popping up in lakes, ponds and other bodies of water in our area. They're called toxic algae blooms.

The harmful toxins they produce can devastate fishing and tourism economies, make your drinking water unsafe and — as Maggie Mullen reports for KUNC — they can also be harmful to humans and deadly for animals.

Safe Haven Law  

After a pair of similar, infant homicide cases unfolded in Colorado in the '90s, state lawmakers passed a law that sought to bring an end to the abandonment of infant children. But since 2000, only 66 infants have been turned over to authorities under the Safe Haven law.

And despite the promised anonymity and success stories under the law, babies in Colorado are still being abandoned, including two high-profile newborn deaths in Denver in recent years — deaths that could have been prevented had the mothers in question turned over the newborns under the Safe Haven law.

All of this led Erin Udell, a reporter for the Coloradoan, to take a larger look at the law and the battle to keep it in the minds of Coloradans. She joins us to explain what she found. 

Looking Back At 2019  

As the year comes to a close, we are going to look back at some of our reporters' favorite stories from 2019.

Today, we hear from KUNC's Morning Edition host, Kyra Buckley, and KUNC's All Things Considered host, Desmond O'Boyle, about their favorite reporting, including a story about housing in Steamboat Springs, and a piece about recycling. 

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Today on Colorado Edition: We discuss the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP25. Plus, a conversation with a state representative trying to keep healthcare costs down across the state. We also explore the future of the meatless meat market and hear about a classic tale being told in a new way for the first time.

News Of The Day:

• BLM Critics - Retired top officials from the Bureau of Land Management are criticizing the agency's planned relocation to Colorado. A group is urging lawmakers in D.C. this week to defund the move. The BLM says its planned relocation of more than 150 top employees to Grand Junction and other locations in the West will bring regulators closer to the lands they manage. But the former BLM officials believe the move will dismantle the agency and result in brain drain.  
• Prison Pregnancies - There's wide variability in state policies about what care to give to women who are pregnant and behind bars. That's according to a new report from the Prison Policy Initiative, which looked at all 50 states and found that "in spite of national standards, most states lack important policies on prenatal care and nutrition for pregnant women." All states in the Mountain West do have policies limiting the use of restraints on pregnant women who are behind bars. But a number of states — including Nevada and Utah — lack policies on nutrition for pregnant women, and specialized care for high-risk pregnancies. Surveillance footage shows that last year, a woman in Denver gave birth alone in a jail cell.  
• Estes Park - Estes Park will remain free of marijuana stores. In a special election yesterday, voters rejected a citizen initiative that would have allowed a limited number of marijuana retail, medical and cultivation facilities to operate within the city. Unofficial returns show more than 2,500 Estes Park residents cast ballots, and more than 1,800 voted "no" on the initiative. 

United Nations Convention On Climate Change

Leaders from around the world are gathering this week at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP25, which is being held through Friday in Madrid, Spain. In addition to world leaders and other stakeholders, youth have been at the forefront of calls for action on climate change.

In this segment, you'll hear from a Colorado State University student who is in attendance to present her research. We also spoke to Michelle Betsil, a political science professor at CSU, about the conference and how it affects Coloradans.

Keeping Healthcare Costs Down In The Next Legislative Session

Healthcare will be a big topic of debate in Colorado's next legislative session, as lawmakers work to create a new form of health insurance. Supporters of the so-called public option say it will offer cheaper premiums on the individual market.

KUNC's Scott Franz spoke with Democratic Rep. Dylan Roberts about his proposal to drive down costs.

The Future Of Meatless "Meat"

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made headlines over the summer, when, while eating an Impossible Whopper in his office, he suggested that Colorado encourage the agriculture community to look into the production of meatless meat.

That suggestion was controversial in a state that exports nearly $4 billion in beef. But alongside the strong market for agriculture and beef in our state, Colorado is increasingly becoming home to companies that are producing plant-based meats and milks.

Dan Mika from BizWest joined us to walk us through what's happening with these two industries.

A Christmas Carol

"A Christmas Carol" is a holiday classic. This week the play will be performed at the University of Denver. But this show is unique — the cast and crew are 40 incarcerated women from the Denver Women's Correctional facility. This is the first-time incarcerated individuals will take a theatre production outside prison walls and perform in public.

KUNC's Stephanie Daniel joined us with more about the unique arts collaboration between the University of Denver Prison Arts Project and the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music this week by Blue Dot Sessions:

• "Town Market" by Onesuch Village
• "Horizon Liner" by The Pine Barrens
• "Steadfast" by K2
• "Thannoid" by Bodytonic

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Today on Colorado Edition: we'll hear how Colorado beer drinkers are thinking about Fort Collins-based New Belgium brewery as the company faces a sale to a Japanese beer conglomerate. Plus, what qualifies as a mass shooting? We'll also hear about an investigation into school rating systems and look back at some of our favorite pieces of reporting from 2019. 

News of the Day: 

• Space Force - Congress is expected to approve the creation of a U.S. Space Force this week. The force's top general would be based at the Pentagon. But it's anticipated that Colorado will be at the heart of the force's initial operations. The Gazette reports that many of the force's 15,000 troops would come from local Air Force bases, including Buckley in Aurora, and Schriever and Peterson in Colorado Springs.  
• Wolf Ballot - There's an initiative in Colorado to bring wolves back to the state. Now, those backing the initiative say they have the signatures they need to get the issue on the 2020 ballot. On Tuesday, the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund announced it has collected over 200,000 signatures — well over the requirement of 125,000. Now it's up to the secretary of state to review them.    
• E-Bike Lawsuit - The National Park Service is facing a federal lawsuit over its electric bicycle policy. Under the policy, e-bikes are regulated the same way as human-powered bikes in national parks. The five conservation groups behind the suit say the agency violated the law when it adopted a new policy without preparing an environmental assessment or gathering public comment. 

New Belgium 

Fort Collins craft brewer New Belgium is expected to close on its sale to Japanese beer conglomerate Kirin this month. The deal is still awaiting approval from the company's employee-owners. But, as KUNC's Matt Bloom reports, some local beer drinkers are already questioning their loyalty to the brand. 

Mass Shootings

How many mass shootings have we seen this year in the U.S.? Anywhere from a dozen to well over 300, depending on where you look. Guns and America's Hady Mawajdeh set out to understand the discrepancy. And he says it starts with what seems like a pretty simple question.

School Rankings

Last week, a team of Chalkbeat reporters published a new investigation that looked at a popular rating system used to help parents decide where to send their children for school.

GreatSchools, a national nonprofit, uses a 1-to-10 scale to show parents the best schools in each area. However, the investigation found that ratings are significantly lower for schools that serve largely low-income students and those serving largely black and Hispanic students. This is despite data from GreatSchools that shows many of those schools are doing well in helping students learn math and English. 

Erica Meltzer, bureau chief at Chalkbeat Colorado, joined us to talk about that investigation and about school ratings in general.

Our Reporters' Favorite Stories From 2019

Colorado Edition is only possible with the work of the KUNC newsroom. And what a great newsroom it is! That's why starting today through the end of the year, we are going to be pulling back the curtain to talk about some of our reporters' favorite pieces of reporting from this past year. 

First up: Luke Runyon, KUNC's Colorado River Basin reporter joined us, to tell us about a series he produced about the Colorado River's endpoint. 

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Today on Colorado Edition: We look at report on the state of Colorado's business economy. Plus, today was the deadline for candidates to get on Colorado's 2020 primary ballot. We learn how the process works. We'll also hear the story about a Colorado musician who lost her hearing at the height of her study and explore court-ordered gun safety courses in our state.

News Of The Day:

• New Federal Charges - A man who has been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial in state court for the 2015 killing of three people at a Colorado Planned Parenthood Clinic is now facing federal charges. Robert Dear already faces 179 state charges, including murder and attempted murder. The new charges include 68 counts, including use of a firearm during a crime resulting in death and violating a law ensuring access to clinic entrances. Dear has publicly acknowledged the killings. If convicted of the federal charges, he could face the death penalty.  
• CU Independent - The University of Colorado Boulder's student-run news outlet, the CU Independent, will have to find another source of funding. The College of Media, which oversees the publication, announced it will stop financing it at the end of the school year, in favor of a more faculty-led media enterprise. Robert Tann, the Independent's editor-in-chief, says they plan to continue publishing, and find a new source of funding. He says in a changing media landscape, the CU Independent is vital to providing students with an independent, student voice. However, Tann says he understands the College of Media's belief that there should be a faculty-controlled media outlet. CU's College of Media, Communication and Information said in a press release that the move will offer students an academic experience featuring a strong faculty mentorship component. Students currently working for the Independent are being encouraged to design and join the new faculty-led media enterprise.  
• Home Values - Homes located near oil and gas wells see a value decrease of about $3,000, according to a recently published study from professors at West Virginia University and Akron University of Ohio. Home sales were analyzed between 2006 to 2014 in counties with an abundance of oil and gas wells throughout Colorado. The study also notes that the surge of shale drilling in northeastern Colorado, along with the resulting population growth, have driven up land values and home prices overall.  
• Wolf Reintroduction - Colorado residents trying to bring wolves back to the state say they have reached an important milestone. A conservationist group says it has gathered enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot next year. Rick Ritter, a spokesman for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund, says his group will turn in more than 195,000 signatures to the secretary of state this week. And if voters say yes next year, gray wolves could eventually return to the state for the first time since the 1940s. The reintroduction effort has sparked a debate between ranchers who fear for their livestock and residents who think wolves would benefit the environment by controlling the deer population.

A Look At Colorado's Business Economy

Today, the Leeds Business Research Division at the University of Colorado Boulder released their 55th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forecast.

To walk us through the report and what's ahead for our state's economy in 2020, we spoke with Richard Wobbekind. He is the executive director of the Business Research Division and senior economist at the University of Colorado Boulder.

How To Get On Colorado's 2020 Primary Ballot

Although the 2020 presidential primary will not be until March 3, today is the deadline for candidates to get their names on Colorado's ballot.

To better understand how that process works, we spoke with Judd Choate, director of elections at the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.

You can find the list of candidates on Colorado's primary ballot here.

Court-Ordered Gun Safety Courses

Finnegan Daly, a senior at Colorado State University, died in 2018 from a gunshot wound to the head. Last week, Coleman Carver, Daly's roommate who owned the gun, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence in the case.

As John Frank reports for the Colorado Sun, Daly's mother spoke out against the National Rifle Association at that hearing, and as part of Carver's plea deal, the NRA might benefit financially. John Frank joined us to explain.

Mandy Harvey's Journey

As a music student at Colorado State University, Mandy Harvey suddenly lost her hearing. Devastated, she left school and took a break from music. But when she returned to the stage, Harvey found a new world that eventually led to being a finalist on the TV show "America's Got Talent."  

KUNC arts reporter Stacy Nick caught up with her to find out what the last two years since the show have been like.

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music this week by Blue Dot Sessions:

• "Horizon Liner" by The Pine Barrens
• "Great Great Lenghts" by The Balloonist 
• "Waterbourne" by Algea Fields

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Today on Colorado Edition: we'll discuss the state of local journalism after an announcement of layoffs at The Greeley Tribune. Plus, a look at what's going on in the town of Nederland. We'll also learn about climbing's Olympic debut, and talk with the founder of a fantasy climbing league.

News of The Day:

• Mental Health Services - New data from a healthcare nonprofit shows many Coloradans are visiting hospital emergency rooms for mental health services. In 2018, mental illness was the primary diagnosis for nearly 17,000 visitors, a quarter of which were children. The most frequent visits are for anxiety, panic and major depressive disorders. The Center for Improving Value in Healthcare says the report reflects a lack of access to comprehensive mental health care services in the state. In Greeley and Fort Collins more than 2,000 mental health emergency room visits were reported in 2018. 
• Invasive Species - A new study shows that invasive animals are a major problem throughout the National Park Service. After hearing back from 81% of parks, the report concluded there are more than 300 invasive animal species across the country, with only 11% under control. In the Mountain West region, the top invaders are the European Starling, Rainbow Trout and the Eurasian Collared-Dove.   
• Gondola - After a week of being shut down for repairs, Steamboat's new gondola has reopened. The $15 million gondola broke down a day after it opened, stranding several employees. No one was injured. The Steamboat Pilot and Today reports repairs have been made to the main gearbox, the part of the gondola that failed. Crews have also taken steps to improve the design flaw that was causing a constant vibration. 

Local Journalism in Colorado

Earlier this week, the Greeley Tribune announced it would be letting go of two sports reporters in a move to switch up their sports coverage. The paper's publisher wrote in an op-ed on Wednesday afternoon that the changes are based on data from things like reader surveys. But there's been pushback from the community about the future of local sports coverage. 

Corey Hutchins, journalism instructor at Colorado College, joins us to discuss the impact of these changes. 

What's Going On In Nederland?

Southwest of Boulder, the small mountain town of Nederland can appear quaint and idyllic. But as small as it is — its population is around 1,500 — the community has faced its share of political conflict in recent months, from a recall campaign to the sudden resignation of a town trustee. 

Charlie Brennan, a reporter for The Boulder Daily Camera, reported on how the town is grappling with these issues. 

Climbing In The Olympics

Rock climbing will make its debut in the Tokyo Summer Olympics next year, and the U.S. team is training right here in the Mountain West. For those climbers competing, the games represent a high point in their career. But not everyone is a fan of making it an Olympic sport. 

Nate Hegyi reports for KUNC.  

Fantasy Climbing

If you're not officially part of any climbing team, like that Olympic one, but still want to get involved in the sport, why not join a fantasy league?

Ari Schneider, the founder of Fantasy Sport Climbing, joins us to explain how the league works. 

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Today on Colorado Edition: We check in on the race for Sen. Cory Gardner's seat, get the latest on the housing market in Colorado, dive into the push to get wolves reintroduced to our state, and look back at the successful reintroduction of lynxes in 1999.

News Of The Day:

• 2019 Election - The 2019 election has been deemed official by the Colorado Secretary of State's office. While most local elections wrapped up last month and were tallied, all results must be certified. There are a handful of recounts currently being conducted in local municipal races that are not overseen by the Secretary of State's office. More than 1.5 million Coloradans voted in this year's election. Secretary of State Jena Griswold says that is "considerable turnout" in an odd-year election. More Republicans voted compared to Democrats and unaffiliated voters, and more women voted than men.   

• Newborns - The number of babies born addicted to opioids is growing in the state. These newborns are normally separated from their mothers, taken to the intensive care unit and given morphine or methadone to treat their withdrawal. A group called the Colorado Hospital Substance Exposed Newborns, or Chosen, is changing that. Dr. Sunah Hwang is a neonatologist at Children's Hospital of Colorado and the group's lead physician. Since the group started, she says the number of infants receiving medication has dropped 85% and hospital stays have been shortened. The collaborative includes nearly 25 hospitals. 

• Broomfield Moratorium - The Broomfield city council has extended its moratorium on oil and gas drilling applications. The extension means the Denver suburb won't approve any new projects until next summer at the earliest. It doesn't affect any active oil and gas sites, only those in the pipeline, so to speak. The moratorium extension, according to city council documents, will give officials more time to put together the new regulations. Industry groups are calling Broomfield's move disappointing.

State Of The Senate Race

Last week, Colorado state Sen. Angela Williams announced she was dropping out of the Democratic primary race for Sen. Cory Gardner's seat. She is the sixth candidate to drop out of the race since former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper entered it in August. To get the latest on the state of the senate race, we spoke with Kyle Saunders, professor of political science at Colorado State University.

A Look At The Year In Colorado's Housing Market

Lucas High, a reporter for BizWest, joined us to look back at the Colorado housing market in 2019 and to give us a forecast for the year ahead.

The Debate Surrounding Wolf Reintroduction

On Friday, Dec. 13, signatures are due for petitioners who are hoping to re-introduce wolves to our state. If they get enough signatures, the question will be posed to Colorado voters during the 2020 election. Wolves were last known to be living in Colorado in the 1940s.

To explore the debate surrounding the issue, we were joined by Ali Budner, a reporter for the Mountain West News Bureau, based out of KRCC in Colorado Springs.

1999 Lynx Reintroduction: A Success Story

If Colorado voters decide to reintroduce wolves to our state, it wouldn't be the first time that an animal has gone through the process. In 1999, lynxes were successfully reintroduced to Colorado. To learn more about that reintroduction, we spoke with Eric Odell, species conservation program manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music this week by Blue Dot Sessions:

• "LaBranche" by Bayou Birds
• "Great Great Lengths" by The Balloonist
• "Brass Buttons" by Nursery

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Today on Colorado Edition: we'll learn how to survive avalanches in Colorado. Plus, we will learn about the Colorado Ballet's efforts to raise money for new Nutcracker costumes and sets, why one woman is making sure immigrants learn their rights, and take a look at unaccompanied minors in Colorado. 

News of the Day:

• Sen. Kamala Harris Drops Out - Sen. Kamala Harris has dropped out of the Democratic Primary, but Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet remains in the race. Despite low polling numbers and low campaign funds, Bennet continues to campaign, even though he has failed to qualify for the last two televised debates. Bennet recently launched a five-day tour in New Hampshire and continues to tout his appeal to moderate Democratic voters.  
• Solar Gardens - Colorado regulators may fast-track proposed rules for solar gardens, a move that would provide a boost to the industry. The Denver Post reports that the State Public Utilities Commission is taking public comment on the proposal through Friday. The move to increase solar farms is the result of a recently passed state bill that increases the size of an installation from 2 megawatts to 5.   
• Boulder Beer - Colorado's oldest craft brewery, Boulder Beer, will continue distribution. The news comes after an October announcement that the company would downsize and only sell beer in its Boulder-based brewpub. Now, through a partnership with Denver-based Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, the brewery will produce beers for distribution there. Boulder Beer owner Gina Day said in a press release that they are "thrilled to have the brand continue its legacy."

Transportation Announcement

Across Colorado, public bus routes are expanding, but available funding for maintenance and upgrades is tight. That's why several communities are celebrating a new package of federal grants announced in Denver today. KUNC's Matt Bloom was there and joins us to break it down. 

Avalanche Advice

Recent storms have brought a lot of snow to Colorado. And with snow, comes the danger of avalanches. Since last week's winter storm, over 80 avalanches have been observed in our state.

Ethan Greene is the Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. He joined us to give us tips on avalanche preparedness and the season ahead. 

New 'Nutcracker'

Colorado Ballet wants to replace its beloved "Nutcracker" — or at least parts of it. The organization hopes to raise $2.5 million to commission new sets, props and costumes in time for the ballet's 60th anniversary next year. 

KUNC Arts Reporter Stacy Nick spoke to the ballet's artistic director, Gill Boggs, about the toll hundreds of performances has taken.  

Immigrant Rights

There are small pockets of undocumented communities across rural America and right here in Colorado. Isolated from the resources of larger cities, many of these individuals are unaware of their rights, should federal immigration agents knock on their door. But one woman has taken it upon herself to change that. 

KUNC's Esther Honig reports. 

Unaccompanied Minors in Colorado

Back in September, the Colorado Media Project and the University of Denver launched a project to focus on the data behind immigration to our state. As a part of that project, Yesenia Robles looked at the data surrounding unaccompanied minors, children who cross the border into the U.S. without a parent or guardian. 

She joins us to discuss the project and her reporting on solo immigration. 

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a daily news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.