The Issue Podcast

#58: Muslims in Colorado Springs

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

Colorado Springs is known for a large military presence, conservatism, and evangelical Christianity. But it's also home to something you might not expect -- a small, but thriving Muslim community. On today's show, Issue intern Ruby Kimberly explores the world of this community, and the challenges they face as a religious minority in Colorado Springs.

#57: Pipes, leaks, and natural gas

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

An energy company is proposing a new 95-mile natural gas pipelines that would run through Colorado and Utah. Similar pipelines crisscross the state, and while they have many benefits, some environmental groups say they pollute the air and post risks of explosions. On today's show, we'll look at the arguments for and against pipelines, and find out that we might be trading one kind of air pollution for another.

#56: Going Back

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 MST

Today's episode looks at two men who went through traumatizing experiences and chose to go back to the places where they happened. We'll hear from a mountain climber who returned to Mt. Everest after losing friends on his first climb. The hosts also speak to a soldier who has gone to Afghanistan twice -- and wants to go back again.

#55: The Power of the Ideas Festival

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

The Aspen Ideas Festival brings together celebrities, luminaries, and top experts from a variety of fields. But what does it do for Colorado as a whole? On today's show, the hosts will preview the festival and try to figure out what tangible benefits it brings to the state -- and the world.

#54: Return to the Snowmass dig

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

What�s shaping up to be one of the most significant fossil finds in the world is right here in Colorado. Paleontologists are now in their final round of digging, and are finding dozens of bones every day. On today's show, we'll hear what that means, and that scientists may not know the value of the bones for years to come.

#53: The Beersue

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

Join the hosts this week as they travel around Colorado's craft breweries to answer one question: why has the beer industry flourished in our state? Along the way, we'll take a trip to the 70's, when Coors was king, and also find out how a tiny piece of state regulation has helped local brewers thrive.

#52: Natural gas industry both draws workers and forces residents from their houses

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 MST

The boom of the natural gas industry in Western Colorado attracted thousands of workers, but when the price of natural gas crashed in 2008, those workers fled. At the same time, nearby residents say natural gas drilling today is causing them health problems and forcing them to leave their homes. On today's show, we'll explore empty neighborhoods, speak with folks on all sides of this issue, and try to figure out what can come next for communities living in the shadow of Colorado's energy industry.

#51: High atop the mountains, there's still high snowpack

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

On this week's show, the hosts head to the top of Independence Pass to find giant walls of snow -- in May. As some prepare to enjoy some late season-skiing, we'll explore what record a record snowpack this late in the season could mean for Colorado's rivers and streams, and for water across the West.

#50: After decades of fighting, still no peace at Big Mountain

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

For decades, energy companies have been trying to relocate the native Navajo population from Big Mountain, Arizona so they can mine for coal. The natives there have been fighting to stay on their land -- spending much of their money, and losing many of their young people to the promise of better places and jobs. Now, just a handful of elders are left. This week's show features an in-depth interview with Danny Blackgoat, who has been involved in this fight for most of his life. We're also joined by Ellie Davis, a Colorado local who has spent years volunteering at Big Mountain.

#49: Colorado's dispensaries may soon go up in smoke

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

Colorado's medical marijuana industry may not be long for this world. The Department of Justice recently sent out letters saying that it may soon start cracking down on medical marijuana dispensaries across the country. On today's show, we'll discuss how the state's dispensaries are reacting to the news, the economic impact of an industry shutting down, and why a Supreme Court challenge might just have to come from Colorado.

#48: Lawmakers try their hand at mapmaking

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 MST

Following the 2010 U.S. Census, state lawmakers are required to redraw Congressional Districts. But the process isn't easy. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Ariana Brocious speak with Joe Hanel of the Durango Herald about why the process is taking so long and what the outcome might look like.

#47: Polis' wilderness bill is back, but can it pass?

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:00 MST

Congressman Jared Polis announced today that he�ll be re-introducing a bill that would give protection hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land in Eagle and Summit Counties. The controversial campaign has been a source of tension across Western Colorado. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz speak with Polis himself, along with wilderness advocates about what's different this time around, why they think the bill will pass, and what this means for similar proposals in other parts of Western Colorado.

#46: Where we're going, we don't need roads

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 MST

The Forest Service recently proposed new rules that would help protect 4.2 million acres of forest land across the state. But the rules have a number of exceptions written into them that wilderness conservationists don't like. Hosts Mathew Katz and Conrad Wilson are joined by contributor Ariana Brocious to explain the new rules, why the Forest Service thinks those coal mines are so important, and how the rules may be like a form of insurance for the state's forests.

#45: Unlike Washington, Colorado parties compromise on the budget

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 MST

It came down to the wire, but Colorado lawmakers have finally come to a consensus on the budget, though it contains many painful cuts. With more cuts likely next year, hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz are joined by Capitol Correspondent Bente Birkeland to explain the budgeting process, discuss the cuts that are coming, and see what lawmakers in Washington might be able to learn from those in Denver.

#44: Commission changes could drastically impact statewide drilling

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 MST

A bill being considered in the statehouse would drastically increase the energy industry's representation on Colorado's oil and gas regulation commission. If it passes, it could mean huge deregulation of an industry that many in the state are concerned about. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz are joined by reporter Ariana Brocious of KVNF to discuss the changes and their impact on energy regulation around the state.

#43: Colorado bands struggle to break out of the state

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Ask music lovers, and they'll likely not be able to point out many iconic Colorado singers and bands. That's exactly what host Mathew Katz found out while he was at Austin's South by Southwest music festival. That's not to say that musicians aren't trying -- they say that being a musician in Colorado comes with many challenges if you ever want to be popular outside of the state. This episode features discussions with members of Colorado bands Wirefaces, Paper Bird, and A. Tom Collins.

#42: Cutting public broadcasting

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

The House has passed a budget that would eliminate funding the corporation for Public Broadcasting. At the same time, numerous executives at NPR have made missteps that have fueled the arguments that public broadcasting should be cut from the budget. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz attempt to take a relatively unbiased look at the scandal, how CPB funding works, how cuts would affect stations, and bring listeners back to the 60's -- when Mr. Rogers helped to save public broadcasting.

#41: The new immigration paradigm

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:00:00 MST

Now that major immigration legislation has failed in Washington, activists and politicians on all sides of the immigration debate are trying to reform immigration -- or enforce it -- by introducing bills at the state level. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz will take a look at some of these new bills, and explain why it's likely that none will pass for another few years.

#40: Xcel rebate reduction could mean sunset for the solar industry

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Xcel Energy is seeking approval to significantly reduce the rebates it offers customers for installing solar panels. Without it, many Coloradoans say they woulnd't be able to afford solar energy. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz are joined by KUNC's Kirk Siegler to discuss what this means for the solar energy industry from the entire state, and for consumers that want to green their houses.

#39: We don't need no education

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Governor Hickenlooper's new budget is cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from both K-12 and higher education in Colorado. This is just the latest in a series of cuts to education over the past few years. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz will discuss what the cuts mean, how they're affecting our schools, and what some are proposing to do to fix our school's funding.

#38: Colorado's avalanche problem

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Colorado's been seeing more erratic avalanches this year than ever before. But the reason why may not be what you think. On this week's episode, hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz try to track down the perp, and also discuss what to do if you're caught in an avalanche.

#37: The downside of death

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 MST

Autopsies and death investigations in the US are unregulated both here in Colorado and around the country. On this week's show hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz speak to long-time investigative journalists Lowell Bergman about his recent Frontline Documentary Post Mortem: Death Investigation in America.

#36: Very Coloradoan housing busts

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

Every state has been affected by the housing bust, but certain industries in Colorado have felt particular pain since the bubble burst. Join Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz as they take an in-depth look at how the housing bust has affected Colorado's second home and timber industries.

#35: The birthplace of Colorado's ski scene

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

Over sixty years ago, thousands of soldiers learned how to ski at Camp Hale, near Leadville. Now, it's Colorado's only nonprofit ski resort. On today's show, Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz explore how skiing evolved at Ski Cooper, and why some people want to make the public resort a bit more commercial.

#34: What's next for Hickenlooper

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

John Hickenlooper became Colorado's governor this week, but after all the pomp and celebration, there's a lot to get done. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz are joined by Denver Business Journal reporter Ed Sealover to discuss what Hickenlooper needs to do to rise above partisanship to help steer the state.

#33: A conversation with Terry Tempest Williams

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 MST

Author and activist Terry Tempest Williams is known for her writings and work throughout the West and the world. On today's show, Host Conrad Wilson sat down with Williams to discuss her experiences in the modern environmetal movement, and where it's headed in the future.

#32: Water in the West

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

Population growth is booming in the West, but we're living like we're next to an ocean -- not in one of the driest regions in the country. On today's show, hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz take a look at how our water use is drying up rivers -- and what we can do with the water we have left.

#31: Profiles in real estate

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

The near-collapse of Colorado's real estate economy has hurt the industry, but also affected individual people -- some for the better, some for worse. Host Mathew Katz speaks with a few people affected by the bust to get their stories of the state's down real estate economy.

#30: Colorado's floundering real estate market

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 MST

Colorado's real estate market isn't looking good: foreclosures are up, property values are down, and even the once-stable second home industry is hurting. Hosts Conrad Wilson and Mathew Katz take a look at Colorado's real estate market, how it got here, and what it will take for it to bounce back.

#29: Digging up mammoths in Snowmass Village

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

An unexpected find next to the Snowmass ski resort has led paleontologists to find a treasure trove of prehistorc fossils, including mammoths, mastadons, and sloths.

#28: Abandoned mines and the problems they cause

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Colorado is covered in tens of thousands of abandoned mines. On today's show, we'll look at their legacy, including dangerous holes, environmental contamination, and even bat habitat.

#27: A new government, a new budget

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MST

Governor Ritter unveiled a brand new budget on election day, but it's the new state legislature and Governor-Elect Hickenlooper that will have to deal with it.

#26: It's Election Crunch Time

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

It's the weekend before the election, but there's still a lot up in the air. Host Conrad Wilson takes a look at what's at stake.

#4: Talkin' 'bout education (REPEAT)

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

This week we're joined by education reporter Maura Walz to discuss the transformational shift at the Department of Education. We'll hear about unions, party squabbles, and why Democrats are acting more like Republicans.

#25: Natural gas drilling and your health

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

With natural gas drilling becoming more common in the west, it's moving closer to populated areas. Hosts Mathew Katz and Marilyn Gleason take a look at the health concerns of natural gas drilling, from chemicals to noise pollution to traffic, and what's being done about it.

#24: The Thompson Divide approach to protecting land

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

Last weekend, Rep. John Salazar announced he'll be drafting a bill to protect the Thompson Divide area from gas drilling. It took years for a nonprofit group of concerned citizens to get a consensus on the issue, but it finally looks like the gas-rich area may be off the table for drilling. Hosts Kristina Tabor from Aspen Public Radio and Mathew Katz from KDNK are joined by Jock Jacober from the Thompson Divide Coalition to find out how they got to this point, and what other efforts to protect land could learn from their efforts.

#23: Dreaming of the DREAM Act

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 MST

The DREAM Act would make it easier for hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants to go to college, and has had bipartisan support in the past, but it failed in the Senate last month. Hosts Kristina Tabor from Aspen Public Radio and Mathew Katz from KDNK take a look at what the act would do, why it failed, and what happens next.

#22: Colorado Election Update

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:00:00 MST

With the midterm elections less than two months away, capitol correspondent Bente Birkeland joins hosts Mathew Katz and Conrad Wilson to take a look at what's been happening in the world of politics.

#21: Explaining those tricky ballot measures

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 MST

Voters will face three ballot measures this fall that could drastically change the way the state does business. Hosts Mathew Katz and Conrad Wilson explain Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101 and how communities across the state will be impacted if they pass.

#20: What the forest fire means for the West

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 MST

With the Fourmile fire still raging near Boulder, we explore the reasons behind the increase in forest fires across the West, and speak to a woman who is in the fire's evacuation area -- and hasn't left.

#19: The challenges to the challengers

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 MST

With a number of third-party candidates running in this year's election, the challenges facing them are finally being highlighted. We'll look at how some at at a disadvantage, and how they're dealing with it.

#18: What the heck is Hidden Gems?

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 MST

Environmental groups in Western Colorado are pushing for hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land to get wilderness protection -- but not everyone is thrilled about the proposal.

#17: Local cops and immigration enforcement

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 MST

As Governor Ritter considers implementing a new program that would tighten ties between immigration enforcement officers and local law enforcement, we take a look at the complications of local Colorado cops that are entangled in what should be a federal issue.

#16: Colorado's primary elections are just the beginning

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 MST

Colorado's primary elections were national news, but what's that mean for November?

#15: The consequences of immigration enforcement.

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 MST

With all the immigration raids in Colorado, there's a lot of room for error, and officials have been mistakenly targeting both legal immigrants and even U.S. citizens for deportation.

#14: Where's our economy at?

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

Colorado thought it could avoid the recession -- until it entered the downturn later than everyone else. Now we're set to stay in a recession longer than a lot of the rest of the country.

#13: The circus that is Colorado politics

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

Colorado politics have seemingly come unhinged over the last several weeks. Some fear that important problems facing the state are being sidelined by efforts to score political points.

#12: The cloudy world of medical pot

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

This week, we look at the confusing new state laws governing medicinal marijuana, and how the weed industry works as a whole. Plus: how medical marijuana is more like booze than medicine.

#11: Pushing to get rid of Salazar

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

A number of environmentalists are calling for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to resign in the wake of the BP spill. We'll look at why, and how realistic that is.

#10: Education in Colorado getting the ax?

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 MST

An indepth look at how further cuts to the state budget are impacting Colorado's schools.

#9: Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During WWII

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:00:00 MST

Basalt resident Norman Gershman is out with a photo book that chronicles Albanian Muslims who protected and hid Jews during WWII

#8: The Colorado River ... A River No More?

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 MST

Author Jonathan Waterman is out with a new book, 'Running Dry, A Journey from Source to Sea Down the Coloraod River.'

#7: Could BP happen here?

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 MST

With all the natural gas development here, could something like the BP spill happen in Colorado? We speak with energy experts about the worst-case scenario and what we can do about it.

#6: Washington's long arm

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 MST

Colorado Democratic Senate contender Andrew Romanoff was kind-of-offered a job by the White House in exchange for not running for senate. Does it really matter, or is it just politics as usual? Special guest Michael Riley, Denver Post political writer, helps us explain.

#5: That big oil spill in the Gulf

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 MST

Top Kill? Deepwater Horizon? These aren't movie titles, they're some of the key terms around the Gulf Oil Spill disaster. We'll chat with energy guru Randy Udall all about the disaster, what's being done to stop it, and who's to blame.

#4: Talkin' 'bout education

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 MST

#3: Another year, another legislative session

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 MST

The state legislature wrapped up this week, and we speak with capitol correspondent Bente Birkeland about medical pot, education cuts, and the upcoming elections.

#2: Solar energy's getting cheaper

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 MST

Solar energy's been getting a lot more affordable lately, especially here in the Roaring Fork Valley. We'll explain why.

#1: Immigration enforcement agents pick up, release local immigration rights-activist

mat@kdnk.org (KDNK News) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 MST

This week, we've changed the format of the podcast to explain the news rather than repeat it. We're going to discuss the case of Edgar Niebla -- a local immigrant rights-activist that was picked up by ICE agents, and later released.