The Daily Sun-Up

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Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

The Colorado Sun


    • Nov 7, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 16m AVG DURATION
    • 1,287 EPISODES

    4.8 from 96 ratings Listeners of The Daily Sun-Up that love the show mention: local news, way to start the day, great way to start, concise, well produced, morning, daily, high, informative, always, like, listening, love, colorado sun.


    Ivy Insights

    The Daily Sun-Up podcast from The Colorado Sun is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay informed on local news and issues. As an online member of The Colorado Sun, I was thrilled when they started this podcast earlier this year. It has quickly become one of my favorite daily podcasts, alongside national news shows like NPR's Up First and NYT's The Daily.

    One of the best aspects of The Daily Sun-Up is its format. It delivers the news in a concise and digestible manner, making it perfect for those who don't have a lot of time to listen to long podcasts. Each episode packs a punch and covers a range of local headlines and stories. I particularly enjoy the history segment, which adds an interesting depth to the show. Additionally, the production quality is top-notch, with catchy strings music that sets the mood for each episode.

    Furthermore, The Daily Sun-Up does an excellent job of balancing local issues with a nod to the world at large. While it focuses on Colorado news, it connects these stories to broader themes and events happening globally. This approach makes it more than just a local news podcast; it provides context and global relevance to the topics discussed.

    However, there are a few aspects that could be improved upon in The Daily Sun-Up. One suggestion would be to include direct links to the articles highlighted in each episode in the show notes. This would allow listeners who want more information about specific stories to easily access them without having to search separately on The Colorado Sun's website.

    In conclusion, if you're interested in staying up-to-date with what's happening in Colorado or have a general interest in state affairs, I highly recommend listening to The Daily Sun-Up podcast from The Colorado Sun. It offers informative and concise reporting that covers a wide range of topics while maintaining the high quality that we've come to expect from this unique publication. Whether you're a longtime Colorado resident or simply curious about local news, this podcast is a valuable addition to your morning routine.



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    Latest episodes from The Daily Sun-Up

    The Life Lessons Inside Kevin Fitzgerald's “It Started with a Turtle”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025 32:00


    Kevin Fitzgerald, veterinarian and author, sits down with The Colorado Sun's Kevin Simpson to discusses his memoir "It Started with a Turtle"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Time to go behind Colorado's child care crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025 16:26


    The Colorado Sun is embarking on a yearlong project to take a hard look at child care issues in Colorado. Today, Sun education reporter Erica Breunlin talks about what she and other reporters will dive into and who they are wanting to hear from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Colorado attorney general's lawsuit record against Donald Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025 7:43


    Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has sued the Trump administration more than 40 times since January. Colorado Sun political reporter Taylor Dolven has been tracking the cases and Weiser's win-loss record. She joined fellow political reporter Jesse Paul to talk about what she's found. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/04/colorado-attorney-general-phil-weiser-lawsuits-trump/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How Colorado Gives Day grew from $8 million to $55 million

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025 20:35


    Today Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang about the evolution of Colorado Gives Day, why it’s more than a day and how it went from $8 million in 2010 to nearly $55 million last year. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/01/colorado-gives-day-lasts-39-days-food-bank-snap/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Nederland digging out after fire and looking ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 16:18


    The mountain town of Nederland is regrouping after a major fire destroyed about 30% of the town’s businesses last month. Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross has updates from the community west of Boulder. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/29/businesses-rebuild-after-nederland-fire/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Allyson Reedy on her new F. Scott Fitzgerald-inspired book, "Mrs. Wilson's Affair"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025 20:31


    Today: Author Allyson Reedy chats with Colorado Sun reporter Kevin Simpson about her new F. Scott Fitzgerald-inspired book, "Mrs. Wilson's Affair".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Author Nate Schweber on Bernard and Avis Devoto's Conservation Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 23:00


    Today - Sun reporter Tracy Ross talks to award-winning journalist, Nate Schweber, about his new book “This America of Ours: Bernard and Avis Devoto and the Forgotten Fight to Save the Wild”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Coloradans face sticker shock on the health exchange

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2025 18:51


    Today: our health and environment reporters talk about shockingly high costs for people buying health insurance on Colorado's exchange, and whether climate change is disrupting the schedules of the buds and the bees on Pikes Peak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Rent is dropping in metro Denver. Yes, you read that right.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 18:17


    Today Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down why rent is dropping in the Denver metro area, and what to expect in the next few months. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/22/rent-fall-concessions-denver/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Wading into Colorado's river access debate

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 18:25


    Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks into recent developments in public land access and how river users, landowners and lawmakers are reviving a contentious, decades-long debate over river access in Colorado. cosun.com/mobile-appSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    G. Brown and the Sun's Kevin Simpson talk about KBCO's Studio C

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 14:17


    In this episode, G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, joins The Colorado Sun’s Kevin Simpson to talk about the legacy of KBCO’s Studio C—how it began, the artists who helped define it, and its lasting impact on Colorado’s music scene.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Voters across Colorado face big decisions about child care funding

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 10:58


    Today we're talking to early childhood reporter Ann Schimke from Chalkbeat Colorado about a slew of local ballot measures focused on raising local dollars for child care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Lawmakers and lobbyists mingled in Vail. Who paid the bill?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2025 8:05


    Politics reporters Jesse Paul and Taylor Dolven discuss their recent reporting on a retreat in Vail where a group of Democratic state lawmakers mingled with lobbyists. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/17/colorado-opportunity-caucus-one-main-street/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Old Colorado records get new life online

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 18:25


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/16/colorado-digitize-analog-records-historic/ Today, Colorado Sun business and tech reporter Tamara Chuang discusses the $21 million project across the state to digitize public records dating back to the 1800s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Is a Colorado 14er shrinking?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 13:54


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/17/measuring-14ers-crestone/ Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins discusses the ever-changing dynamic of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks and the push by a group of mountaineering scientists to reclassify a southern Colorado 14er.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Christina Holbrook and Jane Flynn on the Making of "Antiphon: A Call and Response in a Year of Grief and Renewal"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 29:58


    Co-authors Christina Holbrook and Jane Flynn talk about their new book, "Antiphon: A Call and Response in a Year of Grief and Renewal".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Southern Colorado communities regroup from major flooding

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 13:36


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/14/rain-southwestern-colorado-san-juan-river-vallecito/ Today, Sun water reporter Shannon Mullane checks in from southern Colorado following a tour Wednesday of the flood-damaged areas near Vallecito Reservoir where nearly 100 homes were damaged at two destroyed on purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Experiments at Shadow Mountain & Hospital Tools That Give You Chills

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 17:56


    Today, Michael Booth talks about a massive biology experiment in the big fishbowl called Shadow Mountain, and John Ingold describes some spooky hospital instruments that had to be cleaned up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    More federal workers file for unemployment in Colorado

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 16:01


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/11/federal-workers-colorado-unemployment-government-shutdown/ The federal government shutdown is entering Week 3, and now layoffs are starting to happen. Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks at how federal workers in Colorado are navigating the unemployment line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kilian Jornet: The greatest ultrarunner of all-time

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 14:11


    Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down the incredible feat just accomplished by ultra-runner Kilian Jornet, who started on Longs Peak in Colorado and went on to summit 72 14,000-foot mountains across the West in only 31 days. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/29/kilian-jornet-14ers https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/09/kilian-jornet-14ers-2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Author Joel Morris discusses his historical novel "All Our Yesterdays"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 25:04


    Today: Author Joel Morris talks with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about his historical novel "All Our Yesterdays" https://coloradosun.com/colorados-best email: sunevents@coloradosun.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Betsy Gaines-Quammen explores radicalism in the American west

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 22:29


    Today, Tracy talks with Betsy Gaines-Quammen, author of two books about the West -- American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God, and Public Lands -- and True West: Myth and Meaning on the Far Side of America -- about something on many people's minds today: radicalism and how it's changing the American experience. Their focus is Idaho, Colorado and Montana and they get into everything from Mormonism, the takeover of the outdoors by the rich, and wolf reintroduction, one of Tracy's favorite topics. But don't worry if this sounds like heavy stuff. Their conversation ends on an up-note. https://coloradosun.com/colorados-best email: sunevents@coloradosun.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Another Colorado budget crisis is on the horizon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 9:07


    Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul recently joined Colorado Public Radio's Colorado Today podcast to talk about the next state budget crises on the legislature's horizon. He spoke with Colorado Today host Haley May. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/22/colorado-structural-deficit-2026-legislature-budget/ https://coloradosun.com/colorados-best email: sunevents@coloradosun.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    How is Colorado faring one week into federal shutdown?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 19:29


    Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks at the first week of the federal government shutdown and how it’s affected federal workers in Colorado.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    World's best mountain bikers have an eye on Durango

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 11:57


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/03/durango-purgatory-mountain-biking-2030/ Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins discusses the decision to bring the world mountain bike championships back to Durango for the first time in 40 years and what we can expect leading up to the 2030 races. https://coloradosun.com/colorados-best email: sunevents@coloradosun.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Colorado author Caleb Stephens discusses his thriller, "If You Lie"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 18:04


    Today, author Caleb Stephens talks with the Colorado Sun's Kevin Simpson about his thriller, "If You Lie".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    End of the road for Colorado wild horse rehabilitation program

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 13:27


    Today, Sun reporter Jennifer Brown discusses the ending of a decades-old program at a Colorado prison complex that trained wild horses to become adoptable and provided work experience for people returning to life after incarceration. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/01/wild-horses-canon-city-prison-program-closure/ https://friendsofchambermusic.com Promotions Tab; Promo Code: ChamberSunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Matthew Modine joins Original Thinkers Festival after decades on screen and stage

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 17:51


    Actor Matthew Modine joins the podcast to discuss his decades-long career in film, television, and theater, as well as the creative lessons he carries from his childhood running drive-in theaters with his father. He also previews his upcoming participation in the Original Thinkers Festival, where he will share reflections on art, activism, and sustaining creativity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Changes brewing at Denver patent office

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 19:52


    Denver is home to one of just a handful of U.S. patent offices around the country, and today Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about changes coming to the federal agency, starting at the top of the Denver regional office. Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/25/patent-office-denver-regional-director-molly-kocialski/ https://friendsofchambermusic.com Promotions Tab; Promo Code: ChamberSunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Some Colorado counties want to increase taxes on tourist

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 18:03


    Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down upcoming ballot questions asking for increased lodging taxes in some Colorado high country counties to offset the increase in services for their tourism-based communities. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/15/counties-raising-lodging-taxes/ https://friendsofchambermusic.com Promotions Tab; Promo Code: ChamberSunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sue Hinkin on her new novel "The Snake Handler's Wife"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 21:56


    Today, Sue Hinkin talks with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about her new novel "The Snake Handler's Wife".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Inside 'Original Thinkers' with Festival Creator David Holbrooke

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 23:12


    In this episode, The Sun's Tracy Ross and David Holbrooke discuss art-making in the mountains, cultural entrepreneurship and the four-day festival Holbrooke created, Original Thinkers,, which will feature films, performances, panels and “adventures of the soul,” from October 2 through October 5.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    creator festival sun thinkers holbrooke tracy ross
    Expiring Federal EV Credits & Innovative UCHealth Research

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 16:10


    Today: John Ingold and Michael Booth discuss expiring federal electric vehicle credits as well as an innovative research program at UCHealth. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/23/uchealth-biobank-drug-gene-interactions/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    What Michelin awards bring to Colorado restaurants

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 20:51


    Today, Sun cultural reporter Parker Yamasaki discusses the Denver Restaurant Scene after the Michelin awards were announced. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/15/three-denver-restaurants-win-michelin-stars/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Going to great heights to reforest Colorado burn scars

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 15:32


    Today, Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about a program in northern Colorado that has teams of people climbing trees to pull pine cones so they can use the seed in reforesting wildfire burn scars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    G. Brown & Kevin Simpson on an upcoming Jill Sobule event, music icons

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 20:10


    G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, visits with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about upcoming Jill Sobule event and music icons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Shoshone Power Plant rights up for discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 12:16


    Today, Sun water reporter Shannon Mullane has insight from a two-day meeting in Durango of the Colorado Water Conservation Board to review a proposal to change a major water right on the Colorado River. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/15/colorado-water-officials-environmental-benefits-shoshone-colorado-river/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mark McKinnon on Charlie Kirk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 7:55


    Last week, conservative commentator and influencer Charlie Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University. In the wake of the shooting, we're revisiting a conversation we had back in May at SunFest with Mark McKinnon, a Colorado-based political adviser and media personality. Mark spent time with Kirk as part of a documentary he's production on Gen Z. https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/03/watch-the-colorado-sun-discussion-with-mark-mckinnon-at-colorado-sunfest-2025/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Colorado Startup Week has new look

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 19:02


    Today, Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang discusses the changes to the Colorado Startup Week and what’s going on with the event this week in Denver and around the area. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/13/colorado-startup-week-founders/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    BLM auctions will mean more drilling on Colorado public land

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 13:14


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/12/blm-oil-and-gas-leases/ Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at the tens of thousands of acres in Colorado the Trump administration is auctioning off for oil and gas drilling and why change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mark Stevens on his Colorado Book Award-winning anthology "Four Corners Voices"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 21:05


    In today's episode Mark Stevens talks with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about producing the Colorado Book Award-winning anthology "Four Corners Voices".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Road Back to Employment After Incarceration

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 18:31


    Today, the Colorado Sun’s Tracy ross sits down with Mark Smesrud, from the Center for Employment Opportunities to discuss the road employment after incarceration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    COVID shot access explained & A deep dive into the Arkansas River

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 19:02


    Michael Booth and John Ingold talk about your access to COVID shots this season, and a big new Sun project telling the story of the Arkansas River.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Working and aging in Colorado not getting any easier

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 13:44


    Living in Colorado isn’t getting any cheaper, and today Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks into what that means for older Coloradans and some events hosted by the state to help the 50-older workforce. https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/06/aging-colorado-expensive-older-workers/ https://coloradosun.com/aging-in-colorado/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Colorado jury pushes back on liability waivers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 14:07


    Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins delves into the recent $12 million jury award to a woman paralyzed after falling from a chairlift at Crested Butte and what it means for the ski industry and other outdoor companies that rely on liability waivers. Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/04/jury-verdict-against-vail-resorts/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Kevin J. Anderson talks about his sci-fi novel "Nether Station" and how he got hooked on science fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 21:23


    Today SunLit editor Kevin Simpson chats with Kevin J. Anderson about his book "Nether Station." Kevin J. Anderson is a bestselling American science fiction and fantasy author with over 140 books and 23 million copies in print. He is known for co-authoring the Dune prequels with Brian Herbert, as well as Star Wars and X-Files novels, and for original series like The Saga of Seven Suns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Hey, hey, The Sun is having a birthday!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 10:52


    Today, director of development Alyssa Pinkerton and membership director Danika Worthington join us to talk about a few cool events coming up for our members next week and how we’re working to get the word out as we approach our seventh birthday. Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/29/make-colorado-shine-2025/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    A doozy of a special legislative session in Colorado

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 29:47


    Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/27/colorado-special-session-what-happened/ A lot happened during the very tense, six-day special legislative session in Colorado that wrapped up last week. The Colorado Sun's Jesse Paul was on Purplish with Bente Birkeland of CPR News and Lucas Brady Woods of KUNC to break it all down. Purplish is a production of CPR News and the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. The Sun is a member of the alliance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Help (kinda) wanted: Why hiring in Colorado has slowed down

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 17:43


    For the Labor Day weekend, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looked into the current job market and talks about what’s out there, why hiring has slowed and some pro tips for job seekers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Author Brandon Shimoda talks about award-winning book "The Afterlife Is Letting Go"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 26:37


    Today we're talking with Colorado Book Award winner Brandon Shimoda, author of "The Afterlife Is Letting Go."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    In Durango author Kate Siber's new book, animals show us how to be better humans

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 19:10


    Today we're talking with Kate Siber, an award-winning journalist, Outside Magazine correspondent and author of several critically lauded children's books about her new book, The Hidden Wisdom of Animals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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