The Daily Sun-Up
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/.
BONUS: Aspen Snowmass hopes to battle warmer winters by storing snow. Here’s how.
Introducing our new podcast, Can Colorado Do More With Less Water? Join The Colorado Sun to explore what may or may not be possible in creating water solutions across the state.
Snow storage has been used as a snow management tool in Europe for decades. Aspen is among a growing number of North American resorts embracing the practice.
Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/more-with-less-water-series/
Music: namebackwards.live/
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Author Samuel Marquis on his new historical narrative, "Empire and Frontier"
Author Samuel Marquis sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss his new historical narrative, "Empire and Frontier".
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Ame Warner helps keep the San Luis Valley economy running
The Colorado Sun's rural reporter Tracy Ross is talking to Ame Warner, Executive Director of Saguache County Sustainable Environment & Economic Development in the San Luis Valley about the joys and perils of living in a remote area where resources can be scarce but the community more than makes up for it.
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ICE's active summer in Colorado
Justin George talks with Colorado Sun reporter Colleen Slevin about ICE’s recent expansion and enforcement activity in Colorado. They also discuss opposition to a proposed detention facility in Glenwood Springs.
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New life for old Colorado public records
Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang discusses the $21 million project across the state to digitize public records dating back to the 1800s.
https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/16/colorado-digitize-analog-records-historic/
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Colorado tourism starting to stall
Today, outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down the 2025 Colorado tourism report and how despite record numbers of visitors and spending, there are concerns about a slowdown and what a rough 2026 could mean.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/30/colorado-sees-record-year-for-tourism/
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Heather Hansman discusses her new book on three women who pioneered the outdoors
Author Heather Hansman sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss her new book about three women who pioneered the outdoors.
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Colorado weather on display
Today, we have a portion of our Colorado SunFest weather panel conversation with local meteorologists Chris Bianchi, Mike Nelson and Joel Gratz as they talk about being weather geeks, how they relay important and sometimes life-saving information to their audiences and the inexact science of forecasting.
Full Sunfest weather panel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIKXAYTuf4E
May 19 Daily Sun-Up on weather forecasting and AI:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-weather-forecasting-and-ai/id1529487340?i=1000768526702
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Colorado Democrats kiss Phil Weiser's ring while Gov. Jared Polis bad talks socialism
Justin George, Public Policy Editor at The Colorado Sun, is joined by Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun’s Elections Editor, to talk about two big Colorado political story lines: How Democrats who backed Michael Bennet are now lining up behind Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Weiser, and why Gov. Jared Polis keeps taking aim at socialism — and members of his own party — on national TV.
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With fishing blocked at two southeastern Colorado reservoirs, local businesses fear devastating economic future
Today, Colorado Sun reporter Tracy Ross explains what the closure of two fishing holes in Southeastern Colorado means to the local economy, especially to one small business that sells fishing supplies.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/25/southeastern-colorado-fishing-economy-water-reservoirs-jobs/
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What’s happening with Sweetwater Lake?
Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins has updates on plans to turn Sweetwater Lake in remote Garfield County into a recreation area in a partnership with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/24/sweetwater-lake-forest-service-study/
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G. Brown and Kevin Simpson on the Grammy maker, Studio C and other music topics
G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, and the Sun's Kevin Simpson discuss the Grammy maker, Studio C and other music topics.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunting decisions spark big debate
Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross breaks down a couple of recent decisions by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife related to the hunting and sale of 17 furbearing animals including coyotes, foxes, bobcats, beavers and martens.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/18/colorado-wildlife-commission-reduces-number-of-fur-bearing-animals-trappers-can-kill/
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Denver Water Users Face Questions & Children’s Hospital Faces an Allegation
Today reporters John Ingold and Michael Booth talk about whether Denver water users are cutting back enough, as well as a contempt of court allegation against Children's Hospital Colorado.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/20/denver-water-drought-shortage-consumers-not-saving/
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/20/childrens-hospital-colorado-contempt-gender-affirming-care/
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/21/2-large-hospital-systems-partner-up-in-colorado/
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Colorado real estate market remains flat
Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang digs into the latest real estate report from the first half of 2026 in the Denver metro area, and talks about why the market continues to be flat across Colorado.
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Too much poop in the Colorado high country
Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks into the growing concerns around hikers relieving themselves in the Colorado mountains and how federal cuts to the Forest Service could mean “wag bags” will have an even greater role in keeping the lands clean.
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The Rev. Dr. Nancy Niero on her connection to Silas Soule and her book "Witness at Sand Creek"
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Niero, author of "Witness at Sand Creek", sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss her connection to Silas Soule and her book "Witness at Sand Creek".
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Colorado River: Tiny bubbles, big problems
Today, Colorado Sun water reporter Shannon Mullane looks at how tiny bubbles in the Colorado River are posing big problems for water officials at the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/06/supercharged-bubbles-are-threatening-lake-powells-dam/
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Did Colorado get hit with an anti-incumbent wave on primary night?
Progressives surprised many in Colorado’s primary elections in late June, including a shocking upset for a democratic socialist candidate who ousted a longtime incumbent in Denver in a race that grabbed national headlines. Did Colorado get hit with an anti-incumbent wave on primary night? Colorado Sun Elections Editor Jesse Paul and Colorado Public Radio Public Affairs reporters Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim discuss what the shakeups say about politics in Colorado in this conversation first broadcast on Purplish. The Purplish podcast is produced by CPR News and the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Ra...
Colorado homeowners hit hard with insurance premiums
Colorado continues to have some of the highest homeowners insurance in the country. Today, business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about why that is, the sharp increases in the past five years and how homeowners are coping.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/10/wildfires-insurance-homeowners-regulations/
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Colorado's outdoor community finding a singular voice
Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins talks about how those who enjoy the outdoors are flexing their collective muscle to have a say in politics related to the trillion-dollar industry, from the local level to D.C.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/08/boulder-open-space-limit-mountain-bikes/
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BONUS: Are less-thirsty crops a solution to Colorado’s growing water problems?
Introducing our new podcast, Can Colorado Do More With Less Water? Join The Colorado Sun to explore what may or may not be possible in creating water solutions across the state.
In this episode we focus on Colorado’s resilient, adaptable farmers who can raise just about anything and use less water doing it. But will enough people buy what they produce?
Learn more: https://coloradosun.com/more-with-less-water-series/
Music: namebackwards.live/
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James Ellroy chats about his latest novel, the L.A.-centered "Red Sheet"
James Ellroy, legendary crime fiction author, chats with the Sun's Kevin Simpson about his latest novel, the L.A.-centered "Red Sheet".
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Colorado ranchers moving herds around wildfires
Today, Colorado Sun rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about how ranchers are dealing with the wildfires burning across Colorado and what might be in store after they return and survey the damage.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/08/colorado-wildfires-ranchers-cattle-livestock-aspen-acres/
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Air Quality Advice for Fire Season & The Surprising History of Colorado’s Moose
On Today's Sun-Up, John Ingold and Michael Booth offer some air quality tips for an unhealthy wildfire season, and introduce a surprising study of exactly how long moose have roamed Colorado.
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AI support coming to a Colorado business near you
Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks into the expanding role of private AI programs and how a southern Colorado hospital is jumping into the artificial intelligence world to help with billing issues.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/06/huerfano-county-health-facility-iterate-ai-trial-recover-insurance-payments/
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More folks getting outside, but Colorado summer comes with warnings this year
Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at the record number of people getting out to enjoy nature but has warnings from local officials as wildfires rage in Colorado and fire restrictions are sweeping across the state.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/02/recreating-during-drought-wildfires/
https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/01/mesa-county-search-and-rescue-ruby-horsethief/
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Progressives and a socialist win big in Colorado's primary election
Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor Justin George, is joined by political reporter Colleen Slevin to discuss the surprising results of Tuesday’s races.
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Colorado has plenty of memorable venues and mining towns
Today, we’re checking in on our Colorado 150 series with culture and arts reporter Parker Yamasaki to talk about some of Colorado’s great venues (think Red Rocks) and mining towns (think Crystal Mill). Our series celebrates 150 awesome things about Colorado as we countdown to the Aug. 1 statehood day.
Colorado 150 landing page
https://coloradosun.com/colorado-150/
Reader suggestions
https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/23/what-do-you-love-about-colorado-audience-callout/
June 4 episode
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-150th-statehood-project-full-steam-ahead/id1529487340?i=1000771127906
May 7 episode
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-150th-birthday-celebration-underway/id1529487340?i=1000766587825
April 23 episode
https...
Author Rachel Feder on the gothic influences in her new novella, "The Turn"
Author Rachel Feder sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss the gothic influences on her new novella, "The Turn".
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Firing up the costs of Fourth of July cookouts
It’s the holiday week, so today Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about the prices for this year’s Fourth of July cookout celebrations and how Coloradans plan to celebrate within their budget.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/27/fraser-arts-center-economic-development/
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Vail Resorts stock sees unexpected jump. Why?
Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down the recent one-day spike in the stock price for Vail Resorts shares and how the company's leader is responding.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/26/takeover-reports-vail-resorts-stock/
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Author John Andrews on his World War I novel, "An American Nurse in Paris"
Author John Andrews sits down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss his World War I novel, "An American Nurse in Paris".
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Colorado school districts enacting cellphone policies
Today, Colorado Sun education reporter Erica Breunlin has updates on the new state law instructing all Colorado districts and charter schools to create a policy that spells out when and how students can use cellphones during the school day.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/18/colorado-school-districts-student-cellphone-policy-state-law/
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3-D Printed Homes & Prescription Drugs From Canada
Today, reporters Michael Booth and John Ingold talk about a new Colorado factory that is 3-D printing homes, as well as a Colorado program trying to import prescription drugs from Canada.
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Beef might be what’s for dinner, but it’s gonna cost Coloradans more
Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang looks into the high prices of beef and the challenges for ranchers and the industry right now.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/20/beef-hamburgers-prices-inflation-agriculture/
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/22/ready-for-your-next-steak-these-ranchers-are-battling-drought-to-bring-it-to-you/
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For some Colorado outdoor businesses, Rural Is Rad
Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at the “Rural Is Rad” collective of Colorado outdoor companies working together to promote their rural Colorado roots around the world while staying grounded in their smaller communities.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/19/rural-is-rad-collective/
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G. Brown and Kevin Simpson talk rock music, books, and more
G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, and the Sun's Kevin Simpson talk rock music books and other goings on.
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Efforts amp up to revive downtown Denver
Today Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about the recent Colorado Sun series looking into the real estate troubles in downtown Denver and how the city and the Downtown Development Authority are trying to revive the heart of Colorado’s biggest city.
What the heck is going on downtown?
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/14/downtown-denver-commercial-real-estate-market/
Civic Center park revamp
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/16/the-plan-for-reviving-civic-center-park-denver/
Denver Pavilions new approach
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/17/denver-pavilions-new-era/
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As Colorado’s pension suffered, investment managers’ bonuses grew
Today we’re talking to Brian Eason, a Colorado Sun investigative reporter and the assistant editor of our politics and policy team. Last week, the Colorado Sun published a stunning investigation by Brian into huge bonuses worth six figures given to investment managers at Colorado PERA, the largest public pension plan in the state.
Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/08/colorado-pera-staff-bonuses-shrinking-pension-fund-analysis/
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