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February 27, 2008

Economic Stimulus Package
February 27, 2008 2:03 PM

The old adage about the check being in the mail is almost a reality with the recent passage of an economic stimulus package. The President and members of Congress moved quickly on the relief measure-- but as KUNC's Brian Larson reports-- it's anyone's guess if the 168-billion dollar plan will have people spending the nation out of its current economic downturn...








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December 6, 2007

Local News Roundup, Thurs., Dec. 6, 2007
December 6, 2007 5:06 PM

Arrest in Soldier's Shooting Death

Workplace Deaths Rise Again

19 Illegal Immigrants Arrested on I-70

Frontier Cutting Staff

Dems Hire "Greening" Director for '08 Convention

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:06 PM| | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Crime , Elections , Environment , Immigration , Politics , Regional

December 5, 2007

Single-Payer Healthcare for Colorado?
December 5, 2007 5:16 PM




Photo from Michael Moore's Sicko

There's a proposal to implement a single-payer health plan in Colorado. That would mean that instead of paying premiums to insurance companies, we'd pay higher taxes. That money would be combined with public dollars to create a single fund to pay doctors and hospitals. The state wouldn't adminster the program, it would be a separate non-profit. Advocates of single payer say it would lower administrative costs, guarantee coverage for everyone in the state, and still offer plenty of choice. Colorado Public Radio's Andrea Dukakis has more:

[Listen]

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Rising Price for Molly Means Uncertain Future for Mountain Towns
December 5, 2007 10:51 AM


KRCC's Michelle Mercer interviews Rico Mayor Joe Croke

One of the world's biggest copper mining companies says it will spend half-a-billon dollars to reopen the historic Climax molybdenum mine southwest of Denver. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. says it will hire from 150 to 500 workers between now and next spring. After the initial construction phase, the work force will level off at about 350 when production begins in 2010. The decision to re-open the mine comes as international demand has grown for molybdenum, which is used primarily for strengthening steel. There are at least two other potential molybdenum mines that could open in Colorado in the near future. One, near Crested Butte, faces lots of local opposition. The other could open near the little town of Rico, in the far southwestern corner of the state. KRCC's Michelle Mercer reports on how the town is reacting.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:51 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Environment , Regional

December 4, 2007

Should Health Insurance Be Mandatory?
December 4, 2007 6:02 PM

We're continuing our look at some of the proposed Health Care reforms that could be enacted in the upcoming legislative session. This time, we'll hear about the so-called "individual mandate," that's where everyone in Colorado would be required to have health insurance, or face some kind of penalty, probably on their taxes. Ryan Warner of Colorado Public Radio talks the concept over with Len Nichols, Health policy director at the Washington, D.C. - based New America foundation, and Kelly Shanahan, policy director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

[LISTEN]

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November 26, 2007

Healthcare Reform In Colorado Part Two: Individual Mandates
November 26, 2007 5:14 PM

After more than a year of input and analysis, Colorado's bi-partisan Blue Ribbon Commission on Healthcare Reform has recommended the state adopt a Massachusetts-style "individual mandate." That means everybody has to buy health insurance, or face a fine. The state subsidizes the cost for those with low incomes. KCFR had reporter Martha Bebinger see how the idea is working out in Massachusetts.
[LISTEN]

PART ONE: Employer Mandate
In just over a month, Colorado's legislative session will convene. One of hottest topics will be health care reform. This week on KRCC, we're going to dig in to some leading reform ideas. One of those ideas is the so-called "employer mandate," that's where businesses have to provide insurance for their employees, or face a fine. KCFR's Andrea Dukakis has more.

[LISTEN]

Andrea's report is part of a larger series on health care reform produced at Colorado Public Radio. It includes other stories, and interviews with leaders in Colorado's reform efforts. To hear more, click HERE.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:14 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Business/Labor , Health , Religion

November 7, 2007

GOP Vows to Overturn Gov.'s Order Authorizing State Employee Unions
November 7, 2007 5:34 PM


Republican State Rep. Bob Gardner, Colorado Springs

Republican lawmakers say theyll try to overturn the Governors executive order that allows state workers to join unions. They say it will lead to strikes and drive up government costs. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

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October 19, 2007

Local News Round-Up for Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
October 19, 2007 5:04 PM




State Senator Ron May

Springs Senator Ron May Resigns - Bruce to Statehouse?

Accused Springs Cop Killer Asks for Venue Change

State Unemployment Rate Ticks Up Slightly

Bones From Pueblo Frontier Days Found in Vermont

Sewage Spill at Camp for Gas Workers

CU President Brown's "Ghetto" Comment Criticized

[LISTEN]

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October 2, 2007

Five Xcel Workers Die in Underground Accident
October 2, 2007 5:48 PM


photo courtesy Xcel Energy

GEORGETOWN, Colo. (AP) _ Several state agencies started their own investigations today into Tuesday's fire at a hydroelectric plant near Georgetown, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Division of Mine Safety, the state water engineer, the Division of Emergency Management and the Public Utilities Commission. Five people died after the fire at an Xcel Energy plant. It's unclear whether they were burned, suffocated, or were overcome by fumes from a burning chemical. Governor Ritter's spokesman, Evan Dreyer, says the agencies involved are either responsible for emergency response, investigation of incidents involving the industry, or regulation of the industry. Dreyer says such inquiries are routine. The men were employees of the private contractor RPI Coating in Santa Fe Springs, California. Their names have not been released. Dreyer says ``Governor Ritter is extremely saddened by the tragic turn of events. He expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the five workers who were killed. ``He will ensure that the appropriate state agencies are fully involved so that we gain a quick and thorough understanding of what happened and we can prevent something like this from ever happening again.'' Nine workers survived the fire, and four who were working below the blaze were able to scramble out of the bottom of the 4,000-foot-long tunnel. The other five, working on the other side of the blaze, rushed uphill to get to an area further away from the flames. About eight hours after the fire erupted, authorities said last night that the men had been found dead by crews sent in to fight the fire. The men were more than 1,500 feet below ground when the blaze broke out.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:48 PM| | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Energy , Regional

August 22, 2007

Energy Tax Reforms Sought
August 22, 2007 10:45 AM

When it comes to offsetting the impacts of energy development in Colorado, places near coal mines are getting shortchanged compared to communities that are home to a lot of oil and gas workers. That's according to a new state audit of severance tax money earmarked to offset negative energy impacts. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:45 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Energy , Politics , Regional

July 27, 2007

ICE Raid's Aftermath in the San Luis Valley
July 27, 2007 4:56 PM

Colorado made national headlines last December, when federal Immigration agents raided the Swift meatpacking plant in Greeley, arresting 261 people.

Less well publicized was an immigration raid in April in the San Luis Valley. In the tiny town of Center, Colorado, federal agents arrested a couple of dozen undocumented workers at a potato plant.

The aftermath of the fallout is chronicled in the latest issue of High Country News. Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siegler recently spoke with reporter Eric Mack, who covered the raids. Mack says immigrants in the valley are living in anxiety in the aftermath of the enforcement action.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:56 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor , Colorado , Crime , Immigration , Regional

July 25, 2007

Counties Want More Money to Mitigate Oil and Gas Boom
July 25, 2007 3:21 PM

There are now some three thousand active oil and gas wells in Garfield County, a number that's projected to rise to 15-thousand by 2015.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:21 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Education , Energy , Politics , Utilities

July 11, 2007

New College Admission Standards
July 11, 2007 4:15 PM

Getting into college in Colorado just got tougher. But it's not as tough as some would like it to be. In three years incoming college freshman will face stricter standards to get into college than students do today. But the state's higher education commission rolled back some of the admission requirements and didn't make the standards has tough as they could have. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

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June 28, 2007

Gov. Ritter on Fighting the Feds, Education and Immigration
June 28, 2007 2:05 PM

In our monthly conversation with Governor Bill Ritter the chief executive discusses recent disagreements with federal land management agencies, meetings with leaders in higher education, and his interest in Congress' efforts to craft immigration reform legislation.

These monthly conversations are produced for, and come to us courtesy of KCFR in Denver, they're conducted by Ryan Warner, host of the KCFR program "Colorado Matters."

[LISTEN]

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June 26, 2007

Michael Moore Promotes New Film in Denver
June 26, 2007 9:27 AM

Filmmaker Michael Moore stopped in Denver over the weekend to promote his new documentary Sicko, a critique of the American health care system. The film opens nationwide Friday and Moore held a rally on the state capitol steps. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:27 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Health

May 31, 2007

Gov. Signs Mental Health Parity Bill
May 31, 2007 1:02 PM

Governor Ritter has signed a new law that expands health care coverage for people with mental illnesses such as depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:02 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Drug Use , Health , Politics , Poverty

May 22, 2007

Healthcare Commission Final Four
May 22, 2007 9:47 AM

Everyone in Colorado would have health care coverage within three years, under new proposals from the state's blue ribbon healthcare commission. The commission will issue final recommendations to the legislature next year. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

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May 21, 2007

Colo Senators Optimistic for New Immigration Bill
May 21, 2007 4:56 PM

It looks like Congress is taking seriously a new round of debate about immigration in the coming weeks. Democrats have advanced a new bill that observers are calling a mixed bag with something for everyone to love, or hate.

Colorado Senator Ken Salazar was a leading proponent of comprehensive immigration reform last November. A bill to overhaul immigration laws died for lack of action. The Democrat say the new bill achieves the same goals he set last time.

Republican Wayne Allard has been critical of proposals to bring the estimated 12 million undocumented workers in the U.S. into the light of citizenship ahead of a backlog of some 8 million trying to enter legally.

[LISTEN]

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May 17, 2007

Customers Demand Locally-grown Food
May 17, 2007 4:50 PM

To offer customers the lowest prices, U.S. food retailers need to buy in volume, and that often means turning to producers who are thousands of kilometers from where shoppers fill their grocery carts. But as consumers grow more concerned about fossil fuel consumption and sustainable agriculture, they're demanding more locally grown food on their store shelves. And some retailers are responding. Reporting on how this trend is taking hold in Colorado, here's Shelly Schlender.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:50 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Animal Rights/Wellfare , Business/Labor , Colorado , Environment

May 3, 2007

CSU-Pueblo President on Affirmative Action
May 3, 2007 5:41 PM

In 2008, Colorado voters may be faced with a ballot initiative that would amend affirmative action out of the state constitution in 2008. The initiative aims to remove employment, education, and contracting from current affirmative action policy. Colorado Unity, a non-profit and non-partisan organization that defends affirmative action, hosted an open forum at Colorado College May 3rd to talk about affirmative action, panelists included CSU-Pueblo President Joe Garcia, who spoke with KRCC's Eric Whitney.

[ LISTEN]


Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:41 PM| | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business , Business/Labor , Colorado , Elections , History , Latino/a , Legal Affairs , Politics , Pueblo , Visiting CC

May 2, 2007

Matthiessen: "The Ice is Melting, So They're Losing Their Culture."
May 2, 2007 6:27 PM

Legendary American author Peter Mathiessen spoke May 2nd at Colorado College. Matthiessen has written more than 30 books, and his fiction and non-fiction have appeared in leading magazines like the Atlantic Monthly and the New Yorker. He won the National Book Award in 1979 for his novel The Snow Leopard. Matthiesson recently spoke with Colorado College student Jaimie Stevenson.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:27 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Arts & Culture , Business/Labor , Energy , Environment , Visiting CC

May 1, 2007

Activist: Immigrants Not Going Away, Still Want Reform
May 1, 2007 6:09 PM

More than 1,500 people marched in Denver today to call for reform of America's immigration policies. The turnout, estimated by the Denver Post, was far smaller than last year, when an estimated 75,000 people marched in Denver. Nationwide it's estimated that more than a million people gathered to call for immigration reform last year.

Among those at the March in Denver today was Joe Barrera, co-chair of the Colorado Springs Black Latino Leadership Coalition. We talked to him at the event a little after one this afternoon.

[LISTEN]

Read More --> Continue reading "Activist: Immigrants Not Going Away, Still Want Reform" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:09 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor , Colorado , Denver , Immigration , Legal Affairs , Politics

April 30, 2007

New Immigration Law Frustrates Local Non-Profits by Sarah Hughes
April 30, 2007 7:40 PM

The Catholic Charities based in Glenwood Springs helps newcomers to the United States. One of its programs, the immigrant advocacy project, helps immigrants through tough times...regardless of their legal status.

On a recent afternoon, a soft-spoken man named Eduardo pays a visit to the project. He's lived in the valley over ten years, has a decent job, and is in the process of obtaining legal status.

[LISTEN]

Read More --> Continue reading "New Immigration Law Frustrates Local Non-Profits by Sarah Hughes" »

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April 26, 2007

ICE Office to Open in Colorado Springs
April 26, 2007 5:13 PM

[LISTEN]

WHITNEY: Colorado Springs is getting an ICE office. ICE being the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Some local elected leaders, including Sheriff Terry Maketa, have been lobbying for a federal Immigration enforcement office here for more than a year. Today Senator Wayne Allard said he received a report from the agency saying it plans to open ICE offices in Colorado Springs and Greeley. Allards office says they could open within months. Steve Wymer, a spokesman for the senator, says the agency will use existing funding to shift resources to the Springs and Greeley.

Read More --> Continue reading "ICE Office to Open in Colorado Springs" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:13 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor , Colorado Springs , Crime , Immigration , Latino/a , Legal Affairs

April 13, 2007

Democratic Convention Meeting
April 13, 2007 8:14 PM

Howard Dean came to Denver Thursday to promote the Democratic National Convention in 2008 and meet with state and national labor leaders. It was Dean's first trip to the city since Denver won the bid to host the convention. Some labor groups say Denver is a bad choice because Colorado is not union friendly. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[ LISTEN ]

Posted by Delaney Utterback at 8:14 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Politics

Death in the Energy Fields
April 13, 2007 1:03 PM

The energy boom in the American West is proving dangerous and deadly for its workforce. Ray Ring, editor at High Country News, wrote a cover story about the danger of natural gas industry jobs, he talks to Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siegler.

[ LISTEN ]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:03 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Energy , Interview

December 14, 2006

IMMIGRATION RAID Q AND A
December 14, 2006 7:16 PM


archivesIMMIGRATION RAID Q AND A
On Tuesday federal immigration agents raided meatpacking plants in six states run by Greeley-based Swift and Company, arresting about 1,300 employees for alleged identity theft-related crimes. Swift's facility in Greeley was included in the raids. We talk with Brian Larson of KUNC in Greeley, who was on the scene. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:16 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Immigration

December 1, 2006

SMALL BUSINESSES HOPE TO BENEFIT FROM NEW STATE TOURISM MONEY
December 1, 2006 2:18 PM


archivesSMALL BUSINESSES HOPE TO BENEFIT FROM NEW STATE TOURISM MONEY
With the Christmas holidays coming up, Colorado's winter tourist season is about to kick into high gear. Colorado ranks as one of the top states people say they want to visit, and last year tourists spent more than $8 billion here. But not all parts of the state benefit equally. A new law could help level the playing field and give a boost to less traveled areas. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:18 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Politics

November 29, 2006

GUARDS SAY SUPERMAX IS DANGEROUSLY UNDERSTAFFED
November 29, 2006 4:58 PM


archivesGUARDS SAY SUPERMAX IS DANGEROUSLY UNDERSTAFFED
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has failed to improve security at Supermax after a judge ordered them to do so. That's the contention of a prison workers union. Since the ruling, staffing shortages at the federal prison in Florence have garnered national and international attention. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is facing pressure from both of Colorado's senators and the U.S. Attorney General who is planning to visit Colorado to tour the site. From Denver Bente Birkeland reports. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:58 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Prisons

November 22, 2006

STATE PROPOSES STRICTER AIR QUALITY RULES FOR OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
November 22, 2006 4:08 PM


archivesSTATE PROPOSES STRICTER AIR QUALITY RULES FOR OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
The state estimates that Colorado has more than 25,000 active oil and gas wells. As the number of new permits is rising, so are concerns about air quality and ozone emissions. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:08 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Environment

DEM CONTROL WORRIES GAS INDUSTRY
November 22, 2006 4:07 PM


archivesDEM CONTROL WORRIES GAS INDUSTRY
Energy industry officials say they're worried that big gains by Democrats in state elections this fall could put a damper on Colorado's booming oil and gas development. Kirk Siegler of Aspen Public Radio has this story [LISTEN] []


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November 1, 2006

ARMY INVITES COMMENT ON FT. CARSON GROWTH
November 1, 2006 3:32 PM


archivesARMY INVITES COMMENT ON FT. CARSON GROWTH
Meetings to discuss Environmental Impact studies of Ft. Carson's projected growth, all are 5:30 - 7:30pm; Wed., Nov. 1, Mesa Ridge High School, Widefield; Thurs., Nov. 2, Sullivan Student Center, Trinidad State Junior College, Trinidad; Fri., Nov. 3, Student Center Banquet Room, Otero Junior College, La Junta. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:32 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado Springs , Military

October 13, 2006

COLORADO'S MINIMUM WAGE BALLOT ISSUE
October 13, 2006 2:31 PM


archivesCOLORADO'S MINIMUM WAGE BALLOT ISSUE
One of the most hotly contested of the 14 state ballot measures voters will face this November is one that would amend Colorado's constitution to raise the minimum wage, and to provide for future raises based on the cost of living. KUNC's Brian Larson reports. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:31 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Politics

August 10, 2006

SPINNING - IT'S NOT JUST FOR GYM JOCKS ANYMORE
August 10, 2006 9:25 AM


archivesSPINNING - IT'S NOT JUST FOR GYM JOCKS ANYMORE
A report from the Pacific Northwest says the ancient craft of turning wool, and even roadkill, into yarn, is making a comeback. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:25 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor

August 8, 2006

MINIMUM WAGE HIKE LIKELY ON COLORADO'S BALLOT THIS FALL
August 8, 2006 9:50 AM


archivesMINIMUM WAGE HIKE LIKELY ON COLORADO'S BALLOT THIS FALL
Colorado will likely get to vote on increasing the minimum wage in the state. Backers of an initiative to raise the wage presented some 120,000 petition signatures to the secretary of state to put the question to Colorado voters this fall. KGNU's Sam Fuqua spoke with Bill Vandenberg, a member of the Colorado Progressive Coalition and a steering committee member of Coloradoans for a fair minimum wage, which coordinated the petition drive. [LISTEN] []


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July 20, 2006

WAR EFFORT MEANS BELT TIGHTENING AT FT. CARSON
July 20, 2006 12:09 PM


archivesWAR EFFORT MEANS BELT TIGHTENING AT FT. CARSON
Since September 11 of 2001, Congress has approved $432 billion for military operations and other costs related to the war on terror. And now, all that spending is starting to have impacts on U.S. Army bases around the world, including Ft. Carson. About ten percent of civilian jobs on base are going unfilled, and more cuts are expected in the future. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:09 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado Springs , Military

July 7, 2006

LOVINS, WAL-MART LOVES TO SAVE ENERGY
July 7, 2006 9:48 AM


archivesLOVINS, WAL-MART LOVES TO SAVE ENERGY
Talk about strange bedfellows - the Snowmass-based Rocky Mountain Institute, a think tank devoted to saving energy and preserving the environment, has taken on a new client - Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer. From Aspen Public Radio, Jessica Harris reports. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:48 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Environment

June 30, 2006

PRIVATE PRISON CELLS TO DOUBLE IN COLORADO
June 30, 2006 9:13 AM


archivesPRIVATE PRISON CELLS TO DOUBLE IN COLORADO
Colorado has awarded private prison contracts to three companies the same week it fined one of the companies for understaffing problems. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:13 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Prisons

May 5, 2006

LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE BILL ADVANCES
May 5, 2006 12:59 PM


archivesLOBBYIST DISCLOSURE BILL ADVANCES
There are more than 11,000 registered lobbyists working at the state capitol. A Boulder senator wants them to provide monthly reports on what they're up to. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:59 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Politics

April 26, 2006

GOLD! - PROTEST AT COLORADO MINING FIRM'S SHAREHOLDER MEETING
April 26, 2006 1:32 PM


archivesGOLD! - PROTEST AT COLORADO MINING FIRM'S SHAREHOLDER MEETING
As the price of gold rises more than in decades, a couple of Colorado firms are cleaning up. One does most of its mining overseas, and today protesters from four continents won a meeting with the company's CEO. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:32 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Environment

April 19, 2006

"NEW RANCHERS" TRYING FOR PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH CONSUMERS
April 19, 2006 11:41 AM


archives"NEW RANCHERS" TRYING FOR PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH CONSUMERS
Of every dollar you spend at the grocery store, how much does the farmer get? Half? Hardly. Try 19 cents, and that's down more than a dime since 1980. As making a living in agriculture gets increasingly tough for small operators, many are getting out. But a handful are trying to hang on by marketing their products and services directly to consumers. Colorado College student Molly Adams reports on their reception at this year's state of the rockies conference at CC. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:41 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor , Colorado

March 31, 2006

SLV TO GET HUGE SOLAR PLANT
March 31, 2006 1:44 PM


archivesSLV TO GET HUGE SOLAR PLANT
A huge solar electricity generating station is coming to the San Luis Valley. Xcel energy says it plans to spend $50 to $60 million on the facility, to be completed in 2007. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:44 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Energy

March 29, 2006

STATE WILDLIFE AGENCY HIRES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
March 29, 2006 11:17 AM


archivesSTATE WILDLIFE AGENCY HIRES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Oil and gas extraction is an $8 billion business in Colorado. Worried about the industry's impact on animals, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has hired a special staffer to be their liaison with energy developers. A division manager and a wildlife advocate comment on the new hire. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:17 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Environment

March 24, 2006

Army Loosens Tattoo Regulations
March 24, 2006 12:13 PM


archivesARMY LOOSENS TATTOO REGULATIONS
Facing recruiting shortages, the U.S. Army has loosened its rules for tattoos. Ink is now allowed on soldiers' fingers and necks. We talked to soldiers and the tattoo artists who decorate them about what impact the new policy may have. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:13 PM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Military

February 6, 2006

Commentary: The New New Las Vegas
February 6, 2006 11:03 AM


archivesCOMMENTARY: THE NEW NEW LAS VEGAS
Commentator Ian Shoales has some thoughts on the most recent marketing campaign from one of the West's largest tourist destination: Las Vegas. [LISTEN] []


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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:03 AM| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Commentary

January 27, 2006

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| | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business/Labor , Colorado