The Daily Sun-Up

Today, SunLit editor Kevin Simpson chats with one of the writers who contributed to “The Alma Journal,” a Colorado Book Awards finalist in the anthology category.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross interviews Matt Moseley, a Coloradan with three jobs -- communications professional, author of three books including one about the rabble rouser, Hunter S. Thompson, and open-water swimmer in a landlocked state. He recently swam 17 miles of the Colorado River from the put in near Moab, Utah, to the takeout at Potash (pot-ash), to raise money for American Rivers to protect free-flowing rivers throughout the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun reporter Michael Booth talks about a big rule change to forest management, while John Ingold looks at cases of vaccinated people getting measles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enstrom Toffee has been a Colorado staple since the 1960s. Today, Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about her recent trip to Grand Junction to catch up with candy-makers and their expansion project as part of the town’s overall economic development plans. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/14/enstrom-candies-expansion-downtown-grand-junction/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/22/salida-rancher-conservation-easements-colorado/ Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at how conservation easements work in Colorado, what they mean and one longtime ranching family’s plans that were sidetracked because of them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the Sun’s Kevin Simpson chats with G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, about the legacy of the visionary but often troubled leader of the Beach Boys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're talking to Chalkbeat Colorado senior reporter Ann Schimke about early moves some Colorado school districts are taking to roll back protections for LGBTQ students and staff because of fears over losing federal funding. Read more: https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/06/09/rural-district-could-remove-lgbtq-policy-protections-amid-trump-funding-threat/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun membership manager Danika Worthington and co-founder Jennifer Brown talk about our new membership drive and how we don't have paywalls for anyone but members are at the core of our mission. Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/join/?utm_source=daily-sun-up&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=june-2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang has the latest information on the Safeway grocery store worker strike that started over the weekend as well as updates in the King Soopers negotiations after the strike there earlier this year. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/15/colorado-grocery-strike-safeway/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins discusses a record number of chairlift falls this season in Colorado and what skiers and the industry are doing to raise awareness about putting down the restraining bar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, SunLit editor Kevin Simpson chats with the author of a Colorado Book Awards finalist in the novel category for his story that follows a character trying to unravel the mystery behind a remarkable piece of early 20th-century music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun editor David Krause talks about the rental market in Colorado with HUD certified housing counselor Pat Noonan, who was on our Colorado SunFest panel talking about the challenges across the state, including a record level of evictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, health reporter John Ingold talks with Michael Booth about the wholesale firing of a key vaccine advice committee, updates on measles in Colorado, and a sustainable business using coffee in a way you never expected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The job market is getting tighter, and that is a big challenge for recent college grads. Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about why and what options and opportunities are out there for younger folks entering the workforce. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/09/social-skills-key-for-college-grads-entering-a-challenging-job-market/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down the trend behind the 13.8 million skier visits in Colorado this season and what the leadership change at Vail Resorts will mean with Rob Katz returning to the top spot. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/05/colorado-skier-visits-third-busiest-season/ https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/27/vail-resorts-rob-katz-ceo/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, SunLit editor Kevin Simpson chats with the author of a book by a distant relative of one of history’s most notorious pirates who explores the complex narrative behind the man and his exploits on the high seas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outdoor journalist Doug Schnitzspahn joins Tracy Ross to talk about his podcast Open Container, how time outside helps people heal, and why the outdoors remains a steady presence in an increasingly fast-paced world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, we're sharing the latest edition of Purplish, the podcast from Colorado Public Radio and the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. The Sun is part of the alliance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins dissects the recent Supreme Court decision on the proposed Unita Basin rail line and what it means for concerns about the Colorado River and Eagle County, which joined the lawsuit. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/29/uinta-basin-railway-supreme-court-waxy-crude/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun publisher Larry Ryckman and the director of “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” Rick Goldsmith discuss the documentary, the state of media right now and more ahead of Thursday’s screening and panel discussion in Denver.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun writer and editor Kevin Simpson talks to Mark Stevens, longtime Denver journalist and author of the upcoming thriller “No Lie Lasts Forever.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about her latest travels through the San Luis Valley and some of the hidden gems that can be found in southern Colorado.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's podcast for The Temperature environment and health newsletter, Michael Booth introduces voices from the 2025 SunFest talking about the challenges of preserving water, family farms, rural communities and chances for growth in Colorado. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun reporter Jennifer Brown discusses The Sun’s latest series “Aging in Colorado” and how a remote area in southern Colorado has become the state’s oldest county, and one of the oldest in the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Friday, Sun writer and editor Kevin Simpson talks with the author of a book about the pioneering doctors who helped debunk the 19th-century pseudoscience around women’s health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun water reporter Shannon Mullane and Fresh Water News editor Jerd Smith talk about the controversy surrounding Gross Reservoir, a key water storage bank for metro Denver. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/02/gross-dam-expansion-case-heads-for-crucial-federal-hearing-in-denver-tuesday/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, The Colorado Sun hosted an event at the University of Denver recapping the state's 2025 legislative session. On today's podcast, we're featuring an excerpt of that event. Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul and Megan Verlee, public affairs editor at Colorado Public Radio, interviewed Colorado Senate President James Coleman and House Speaker Julie McCluskie live at DU. The Sun and CPR News are partners through the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/09/colorado-legislature-2025-themes/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang explores the differences between Colorado’s state-mandated retirement savings plan and the 401(k) alternative launched by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, and what each option offers to small businesses and their employees. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/17/colorado-springs-retirement-plan-chamber-employer/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Conor Hall, director of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and a Colorado native, talks about leading and growing the state’s $65 billion outdoor economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the Sun’s Kevin Simpson chats with G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, about a local legend whose recent death left a huge void in the music scene.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's edition we're sharing another episode of Purplish, the politics and policy produced by Colorado Public Radio and the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. On it, Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul breaks down Colorado's 2025 legislative session with Bente Birkeland of Colorado Public Radio and Lucas Brady Woods of KUNC. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/09/colorado-legislature-2025-themes/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today: Michael Booth and John Ingold preview some of the wide variety of topics on tap for Friday's in-person SunFest at the University of Denver, from the science of happiness to a live recycling quiz show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross looks at how the national AmeriCorps program helps thousands in Colorado and what the DOGE funding cuts will mean to Coloradans who rely on AmeriCorps' young people. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/11/colorado-americorps-mile-high-youth-corps-doge-cuts/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins takes a look at how the new tariffs could be a boon for Colorado’s secondhand market for outdoor gear. And, start planning now for those ski swaps.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Friday SunLit editor Kevin Simpson talks with a science fiction author and Colorado Book Award finalist about his novel in which artificial intelligence calls all the shots. Get "The Future Lies" here: https://johnbe.com/shop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Colorado Sun education reporter Erica Breunlin outlines the school finance bill the state legislator passed Wednesday on the last day of the session and what it would mean for Colorado’s 178 school districts. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/07/colorado-education-school-funding-legislation-2025/ https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/30/watch-the-colorado-sun-discusses-education-funding/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Colorado legislature is challenging Gov. Jared Polis this year unlike it ever has before. Colorado Sun political reporter Jesse Paul joined Bente Birkeland of Colorado Public Radio on the latest edition of Purplish to explore the dynamics. Purplish is the podcast from CPR and the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/28/colorado-legislature-jared-polis-veto-override-fails/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Colorado Sun tech reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down why a bill addressing how Colorado businesses implement artificial intelligence was pulled from a state legislative committee and what that means for the new AI law set to go into effect Feb 1st. Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/05/colorado-artificial-intelligence-law-killed/ https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfest Promo Code: COSunPodcast10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins discusses what he found while reporting on the number of skier deaths at Colorado resorts this season, and the balance of personal responsibility and why ski resorts don’t have to report deaths. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/02/colorado-ski-deaths-2024-25/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today SunLit editor Kevin Simpson talks with the author of a book that won the 2024 Colorado Authors League award in the Fantasy and Paranormal genre. https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfestPromo code: COSunPodcast10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Fresh Water News editor Jerd Smith joins us to talk about the latest in the battle over the dam and reservoir expansion in Boulder County ahead of a federal court hearing next week in Denver. https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfestPromo code: COSunPodcast10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun reporter Parker Yamasaki has the lowdown on a Colorado project to kill an invasive plant using beetles that is facing serious cutbacks after money promised by the federal government was rescinded by the Trump administration. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/29/trump-cuts-threaten-beetle-yampa-river-invasive-species/ https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfestPromo code: COSunPodcast10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down the recent changes in the rental market and why renters in Denver and Colorado are seeing some relief in monthly charges. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/26/apartment-rents-denver-falling/ https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfestPromo code: COSunPodcast10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sun reporter Olivia Prentzel has made it to the top of more than 30 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks and today she previews a May 21st event on “How to Safely Summit a 14ers” she is hosting in Colorado Springs. https://coloradosun.com/events/#summitsafely2025 https://coloradosun.com/colorado-sunfestPromo code: COSunPodcast10See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun events specialist Kristina Pritchett has updates on a slew of Sun events coming up online, including next week's virtual education formula funding discussion, and in-person — our May 15 end-of-the-session legislative wrap, our 3rd annual Colorado SunFest on May 16, how to safely summit one of Colorado's 14ers event May 21 and an upcoming new homebuyers seminar in June. Daily Sun-Up Podcast listeners can save 10% of their Colorado SunFest tickets by using promo code: COSunPodcast10 https://coloradosun.com/events/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Gottenborg and his wife Jeannie are first-generation ranchers in Park County who recently made history by allowing elk to migrate through their Eagle Rock ranch in exchange for lease assistance. Today, Dave joins rural reporter Tracy Ross to talk cattle, conservation, and two authors they both admire: Aldo Leopold, author of A Sand County Almanac, and Kentucky poet Wendell Berry, whose work Tracy has cherished since high school. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/03/colorado-elk-migration-eagle-rock-ranch-conservation-agreement/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Sunup podcast, John Ingold and Michael Booth talk about potential billion-dollar cuts to Colorado's important Medicaid program, and an update on pine beetle and other forest infestations that have left their mark on mountain counties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun rural Colorado reporter Tracy Ross talks about federal funding cuts to agriculture projects in Colorado focused on fighting climate change and how tariffs are affecting farmers and ranchers across the state. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/19/trump-farmers-ranchers-funding-cuts-tariffs/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariffs enacted by President Trump are disrupting the global markets, and today Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins talks about how Colorado outdoor manufacturing companies are trying to find their way in the changing tides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sun writer and editor Kevin Simpson hosts a monthly chat with G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're talking to Chalkbeat Colorado reporters Melanie Asmar and Jason Gonzales about how federal policy and department changes under President Trump are trickling down to impact Colorado schools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.