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January 27, 2006
Ryan Saint Onge Profile
January 27, 2006 2:40 PM
archivesRYAN SAINT ONGE PROFILE
Ryan St. Onge is one of several Coloradans who was officially named to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team on Wednesday. The Connecticut native moved to Winter Park and later Steamboat Springs in the 1990s and spent his formative years clomping around in ski boots more often than shoes. KUNC's Nancy Greenleese reports talked to St. Onge and has this report. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:40 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Interview , Regional
Japanese Beef Embargo Returns
January 27, 2006 2:38 PM
archivesJAPANESE BEEF EMBARGO RETURNS
In this second and final part of our coverage of the beef industry, we take a look at an ongoing trade dispute with Japan. The Japanese embargo on U.S. beef that was lifted several weeks ago is back, due to problems with U.S. meat inspection. Stephen Raher reports. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Politics
Capitol Coverage
January 27, 2006 2:36 PM
archivesCAPITOL COVERAGE
In our regular legislative coverage, Dan Costello and Eric Whitney report on a quartet of education bills. And legislation to deal with dangerous dogs. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:36 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Legal , Politics
Stormwater Enterprise Not Attracting Attention...Yet
January 27, 2006 2:33 PM
archivesSTORMWATER ENTERPRISE NOT ATTRACTING ATTENTION...YET
Many homeowners and businesses in Colorado Springs may have a rude awakening in store for later this year. The City will be charging them for the stormwater that runs off of their property. The idea is to fix the crumbling infrastructure that handles sudden surges of water during storms. Despite the fact that the new stormwater enterprise fee was authorized in November, many residents still haven't heard of it. Stephen Raher reports. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Legal Affairs , Politics
Rodeo Queen Interview
January 27, 2006 11:30 AM
archivesRODEO QUEEN INTERVIEW
Last month, 22-year old Tressie Knowlton of White Rock, Colorado (between Walsenburg and La Junta), was crowned Miss Rodeo America. She'll spend the next year traveling a hundred thousand miles and prettying-up America's pro rodeo circuit. Kara Luger had the chance to meet Tressie recently, and has this interview on what rodeo queenhood is all about. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:30 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Interview
High Country News Interview - Coal Plant Shutdown
January 27, 2006 11:29 AM
archivesHIGH COUNTRY NEWS INTERVIEW - COAL PLANT SHUTDOWN
Earlier this month, one of the biggest and dirtiest coal burning electricity plants in the West shut down. That means the coal strip mine that supplies it had to shut down, too. Joining us to explain what it all means is Greg Hanscom, editor of High Country News, the bimonthly newspaper about the West, published in Paonia. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:29 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Environment , Interview
Capitol Coverage
January 27, 2006 11:29 AM
archivesCAPITOL COVERAGE
The Colorado legislature has been dealing with risky business in recent days. Measures dealing with car insurance and exposure to germs when staying in a hospital have been on the agenda, as well as risks from secondhand smoke. Eric Whitney and Dan Costello have our coverage. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:29 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Health , Politics
Packers and Stockyards Enforcement Problems
January 27, 2006 11:28 AM
archivesPACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS
Cattle ranchers in Colorado received a double dose of bad news over the past few days. Japan announced a revival of its ban on US beef; and, federal investigators said last week that the Agriculture Department has been asleep at the switch when it comes to protecting ranchers. In the first of two reports, Stephen Raher examines how these events are impacting Colorado's $3.3 billion cattle industry. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:28 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor , Colorado
January 20, 2006
Pike Centennial Kick-Off
January 20, 2006 12:07 PM
archivesPIKE CENTENNIAL KICK-OFF
On Saturday, the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs will kick off a year of events and exhibitions for the two-hundredth anniversary of Zeublon Pikes' expedition up the Arkansas River and partially up the mountain that still bears his name. Eric Whitney reports on the museum's plans. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , History , Memorial
Capitol Coverage
January 20, 2006 12:07 PM
archivesCAPITOL COVERAGE
Two legislators announced their intention to ask voters to approve same sex civil unions. And Sen. Ron Tupa once again tries to crack down on unregulated cash gifts to elected officials. Dan Costello reports from the capitol. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Gay & Lesbian , Politics
Christo Scoping Meetings
January 20, 2006 12:07 PM
archivesCHRISTO SCOPING MEETINGS
Stephen Raher reports on a series of public meetings this week to gather input on Christo and Jeanne Claude's proposed art installation Over the River. The Bureau of Land Management is conducting an environmental assessment of the projects potential impacts. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Environment
Newscast
January 20, 2006 12:07 PM
archivesNEWSCAST
Eric Whitney reports from Bob Beauprez's latest campaign appearance, where Congressman Joel Hefley said he plans on running for reelection. And Maeve Conran talks to mental health workers in Denver who are protesting plans to cut their healthcare benefits. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:07 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Health , Politics
Alterni-Tees
January 20, 2006 10:09 AM
archivesALTERNI-TEES
Jeff Briggs reports on a pocket of dissent in Colorado Springs that uses T-shirts as a form of political expression. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:09 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Colorado Springs , Politics
Building Pueblo's Steelworks Museum
January 20, 2006 10:08 AM
archivesBUILDING PUEBLO'S STEELWORKS MUSEUM
Eric Whitney has the story of the Bessemer Historical Society, which is working to preserve and share the history of Colorado Fuel & Iron, once a dominant industrial force in Colorado. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:08 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , History
Capitol Coverage
January 20, 2006 10:07 AM
archivesCAPITOL COVERAGE
Dan Costello reports from the state capitol on a Republican effort to offer seniors on Medicaid a new option; and, the ongoing crusade to save school children from junk food. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:07 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Health , Politics
Newscast
January 20, 2006 10:06 AM
archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on the court martial of Chief Warrant Officer Lewis Welshofer, accused of murdering an Iraqi detainee in 2003. And Victoria Rios has coverage of Colorado Springs' annual celebration of the life and work of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:06 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Legal , Military , Regional
January 13, 2006
Capitol Coverage
January 13, 2006 1:17 PM
archivesCAPITOL COVERAGE
Wednesday marked the first day of the four month marathon known as the 2006 session of the state legislature. Democrats remain in control of both the House and the Senate, and Republicans are already gearing up to regain control in November. The opening day of the session is taken up by ceremonies, housekeeping, and plenty of speeches. Daniel Costello has the first installment of our regular coverage of the 2006 session. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Denver , Politics
Renewable Energy Summit - Part 3
January 13, 2006 1:17 PM
archivesRENEWABLE ENERGY SUMMIT - PART 3
One topic that was not on the formal agenda of the summit, but was a big buzz among the attendees, were newly announced budget cuts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden. NREL is a globally recognized source of innovations in alternative energy technologies. In December, the lab learned that about one hundred of its 950 employees would be cut from the budget. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Energy , Politics
Owens Delivers Final State of the State Address
January 13, 2006 1:17 PM
archivesOWENS DELIVERS FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
Governor Bill Owens promised a productive session during his final state of the state speech today. The Republican leader's agenda focused on restoring money to programs slashed during the state's budget crisis. Nancy Greenleese reports from the state capitol. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Politics
Renewable Energy Summit - Part 2
January 13, 2006 1:16 PM
archivesRENEWABLE ENERGY SUMMIT - PART 2
Eric Whitney talks with Hunter Lovins, one of Colorado's leading energy thinkers, to get some perspective on the energy summit. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:16 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Energy , Interview
Renewable Energy Summit - Part 1
January 13, 2006 1:16 PM
archivesRENEWABLE ENERGY SUMMIT - PART 1
Eric Whitney reports from a renewable energy summit organized by Senator Ken Salazar. A diverse group of over five hundred people gathered in Denver to talk over what the senator called "an imperative" - making the United States energy independent. In this segment, we examine the business interest in renewables. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:16 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Denver , Energy , Politics
Newscast
January 13, 2006 1:16 PM
archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on the newest candidate in the Fifth Congressional District race, the latest news on the Mauricio Canyon Fire in southern Colorado, and an upcoming court martial at Fort Carson. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:16 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Military , Politics , Regional
January 11, 2006
Fruitcake Tossing
January 11, 2006 5:24 PM
archivesFRUITCAKE TOSSING
Anita Miller reports from the Eleventh annual Manitou Springs Fruitcake Toss, which attracted dozens of competitors and hundreds of spectators to its new location at Manitou High School's athletic field. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:24 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Holiday , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Manitou Springs
Salida Oral History Project
January 11, 2006 5:22 PM
archivesSALIDA ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
Stephen Raher reports on a project by the Salida Public Library to record interviews with longtime residents of the Upper Arkansas Valley about the region's past. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to History , Media
Roadless Area Public Hearing
January 11, 2006 5:20 PM
archivesROADLESS AREA PUBLIC HEARING
Last Friday more than two hundred fifty people went to the Pueblo Convention Center for a public comment meeting on over four million acres of roadless federal lands in Colorado. Eric Whitney was there and has this report. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:20 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Environment , Politics , Pueblo
Mauricio Canyon Fire
January 11, 2006 5:18 PM
archivesMAURICIO CANYON FIRE
Eric Whitney reports from Aguilar, in Huerfano County, where five houses were destroyed by the 4,500 acre Mauricio Canyon fire. Firefighters received a little help from sustained snowfall. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Wildfires
Newscast
January 11, 2006 5:16 PM
archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on a neighborhood group that's protesting a new Wal Mart proposed for southern Colorado Springs. And Anita Miller talks to residents of Pueblo's East Side neighborhood about continued sewage spills into Fountain Creek. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:16 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Health , Regional
January 6, 2006
Immigration Preview
January 6, 2006 11:23 AM
archivesIMMIGRATION PREVIEW
With a potential 2006 ballot initiative looming, illegal immigration remains a hot button issue in Colorado, even though the legislature's ability to do anything about immigration is limited. Maeve Conran attended a recent meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures that featured discussions of immigration policy. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:23 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Immigration , Latino/a
Pueblo Vox Pop
January 6, 2006 11:21 AM
archivesPUEBLO VOX POP
We hear more from our two political experts. Then, Anita Miller goes to Pueblo to talk to people on the street about what they want to see from state lawmakers this year. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:21 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Interview , Politics , Pueblo
Eminent Domain Debate Continues
January 6, 2006 11:19 AM
archivesEMINENT DOMAIN DEBATE CONTINUES
Eminent domain was a big issue last year, thanks to the proposed Super Slab highway, and a U.S. Supreme Court decision that enraged property rights activists on the right and the left. Eric Whitney reports on the eastern Colorado citizens who are preparing once again to fight the Front Range Toll Road Company, which wants to condemn land to build a privately-operated toll road. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:19 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Legal Affairs
Budget Challenges
January 6, 2006 11:18 AM
archivesBUDGET CHALLENGES
Even with the passage of Referendum C, crafting a state budget will be a challenge this year. Sam Fuqua talks with three members of the powerful Joint Budget Committee. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:18 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Politics
Legislative Session Preview
January 6, 2006 11:16 AM
archivesLEGISLATIVE SESSION PREVIEW
We devote today's edition of Western Skies to discussing the 2006 session of the Colorado legislature, which starts next week. In this opening segment, Stephen Raher talks with two experienced observers of Colorado politics, Bob Loevy and Jason Bane, about what to expect from lawmakers this year. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:16 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Politics
January 4, 2006
Anti-War Art Interview
January 4, 2006 5:39 PM
archivesANTI-WAR ART INTERVIEW
KGNU's Shelly Schlender speaks with George Rivera, a University of Colorado art professor. Rivera is curating a new art exhibit by Chicano and Latino artists that opens this Friday in Denver. The theme of the show is opposition to the war in Iraq. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:39 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Denver , Latino/a
Dark Skies, Part 3 - Moab Canyon
January 4, 2006 5:37 PM
archivesDARK SKIES, PART 3 - MOAB CANYON
Regional folklorist and expert hiking guide Rory Tyler of Moab says what you see in the night sky depends on what you're looking for. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:37 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Education , Interview
Dark Skies, Part 2 - Wet Mountain Valley
January 4, 2006 5:36 PM
archivesDARK SKIES, PART 2 - WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY
Shanna Lewis has the second of our dark skies stories. She explores the dark skies of the isolated Wet Mountain Valley and learns about some of the threats to the pristine night skies. [LISTEN] []
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:36 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Education , Environment
Dark Skies, Part I - Urban Moab
January 4, 2006 5:33 PM
archivesDARK SKIES, PART I - URBAN MOAB
Out West, property rights are a pretty big deal. In general, we're loathe to let somebody else tell us what we can and can't do with our land. But lately, there's a growing movement for neighbors to tell one another to turn off the damn lights. Independent producer Jon Kovash has the first of three stories on dark skies. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Environment , Legal
Religious Bickering Goes Electronic
January 4, 2006 5:32 PM
archivesRELIGIOUS BICKERING GOES ELECTRONIC
Eric Whitney talks to blogger John Sonderickter about a recent email-exchange-gone-awry between Mike Weinstein and New Life Church Pastor Ted Haggard. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:32 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Media , Religion
Roadless Meetings Come to Colorado
January 4, 2006 5:31 PM
archivesROADLESS MEETINGS COME TO COLORADO
As part of an initiative by the Bush Administration to re-open millions of acres of roadless areas to motorized vehicles, federal officials are holding public comment meetings throughout the country. Eric Whitney reports on those that have taken place so far in Colorado. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:31 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Environment , Politics
Newscast
January 4, 2006 5:29 PM
archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher and Eric Whitney report on two efforts to place constitutional amendments on the November 2006 ballot. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:29 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Politics
Revisiting Dragon Man
January 4, 2006 3:42 PM
archivesREVISITING DRAGON MAN
Just for fun, we wrap up this show by revisiting Dragon Man's Machine Gun shoot, which took place in eastern El Paso County on September 11, 2005. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to El Paso County , Humor , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation
Year in Review: Hurricane Katrina in Colorado
January 4, 2006 3:42 PM
archivesYEAR IN REVIEW: HURRICANE KATRINA IN COLORADO
Even though Hurricane Katrina made landfall over a thousand miles away, it impacted the whole country. In September, evacuees started arriving in Colorado Springs, and Western Skies covered the resulting challenges. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Health
Year in Review: TABOR and Referendum C
January 4, 2006 3:42 PM
YEAR IN REVIEW: TABOR AND REFERENDUM C
November's election on Referendum C meant that a lot of Coloradans spent an unusual amount of time this year discussing the state budget. This segment looks at the ongoing debate over the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado , Politics
Year in Review: Gay Rights
January 4, 2006 3:41 PM
YEAR IN REVIEW: GAY RIGHTS
During 2005, Fred Phelps (of "God Hates Fags" fame) visited Colorado Springs twice. We look at how his visits sparked a community dialogue about conflict and tolerance. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:41 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Gay & Lesbian , Religion
Year in Review: Education
January 4, 2006 3:41 PM
YEAR IN REVIEW: EDUCATION
On this show, Western Skies looks back at some of the big stories from 2005. We begin with education, including the District 11 school board race and settlement of the long-running conflict between Palmer High School and the school's gay-straight alliance. [LISTEN] []
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:41 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Gay & Lesbian