The Daily Sun-Up

Colorado’s ski season is underway after Arapahoe Basin won the race to be the first resort in the state to open. Colorado Sun reporter Parker Yamasaki was there for the opening day runs and today talks about the friendly rivalry among a trio of resorts to try to be the first to open and what those bragging rights come with. https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/29/colorado-ski-season-opens-arapahoe-basin-2026/ Become a member by visiting coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historian Scott Spillman discusses his book Making Sense of Slavery: America’s Long Reckoning, from the Founding Era to Today , which traces how scholars have studied and interpreted slavery throughout American history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners are scheduled to discuss a potential ban on the recreational shooting of prairie dogs. Rural reporter Tracy Ross talks about the issue and how it’s another example of the divide between hunting and animal agriculture groups and wildlife welfare groups. https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, reporters John Ingold and Michael Booth talk about a ballot measure that would ban certain gender-related surgeries, as well as new drought rules from Denver Water https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of Purplish Live’s “Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama,” reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance take on some of the state’s trickiest ballot measures in a live game-show format. Topics include fentanyl crime penalties, social issues and election rules, followed by a bonus round and a final showdown to crown the Ballot-O-Rama champion. https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado voters face a crowded ballot this November, with measures addressing criminal penalties, taxes, wildlife policy and constitutional rights. In the first of two episodes, reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance take the stage for “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama,” a live game-show-style breakdown of the issues. The team tackles proposals involving fentanyl-related crimes, government revenue and the right to hunt and fish. https://honestlygood.org Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

G. Brown, director of the Colorado Music Experience, talks with Kevin Simpson about 150 Colorado music mileposts. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Weiser makes his case for leading Colorado in a live conversation with Colorado Sun Elections Editor Jesse Paul. Weiser discusses his plans to address affordability, health care, water, transportation and the state’s budget challenges. He also weighs in on ballot measures, Medicaid spending and the importance of public engagement. The conversation comes as Republican nominee Victor Marx declines The Sun’s invitation to participate in a live interview or debate. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado’s 8th Congressional District is one of the nation’s most competitive House races, with an outcome that could help determine control of Congress. Colorado Public Radio’s Mateo Schimpf talks with Colorado Sun elections editor Jesse Paul about the candidates, key issues and what to watch as voters head to the polls. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/16/colorado-labor-force-shrinks-lowest-jobs-numbers-unemployment/ Colorado’s labor force participation rate is down to levels last seen in 1979. More Colorado workers left the state’s labor force last month, likely due to retirement, moving away or possibly just giving up the search. Sun business and tech reporter Tamara Chuang breaks down what it means for Colorado. Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drivers along I-25 south of Denver might have noticed few backups in the past 10 months and a lot of that can be attributed to new wildlife passages that were constructed to give animals from toads to elk a safer way to navigate the area. Today, Sun reporter Olivia Prentzel breaks down the $15 million project and the impressive results. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/14/i25-wildlife-overpass-collisions-drop/ Stay informed about the elections at aarp.org/co Become a member at coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Cam Torrens joins the podcast to discuss his journey from a career in the military to writing fiction. He shares what inspired him to become an author, the challenges of transitioning to a creative career, and the story behind his latest novel, HAVOC: Trouble on the Trail , a Colorado Book Award finalist. Sponsor: https://honestlygood.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two influential hunting organizations are suing the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, saying a new rule reducing the daily limits on killing Colorado furbearers violated the State Administrative Procedure Act and its statutory wildlife management obligations. Today, rural reporter Tracy Ross breaks down the lawsuit and the pending implications. Story link: New lawsuit: https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/13/hunting-groups-sue-colorado-parks-wildlife-over-bag-limits/ July decision: https://coloradosun.com/2026/07/18/colorado-wildlife-commission-reduces-number-of-fur-bearing-animals-trappers-can-kill/ March CPW meeting: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/tension-over-furbearer-hunting-prompts-increased-security-at-cpw-meeting/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, reporters Michael Booth and John Ingold discuss rising flu cases in Colorado as well as a state-sponsored fish giveaway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The struggle continues with downtown Denver office vacancies, but it’s certainly not all bad news. Today, Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang talks about companies that are moving or expanding in downtown and the metro area and why they are setting up shop in Colorado. https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/10/denver-workforce-wages-tech-employers-relocation/ https://honestlygood.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pending sale of Eldora ski area in Boulder County to the town of Nederland has been going on for roughly two years. Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins breaks down the latest updates from the town, their change in strategy, and if the patience of the seller is wearing thing. https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/08/nederland-eldora-ski-area-purchase-donations-bonds/ aarp.org/co coloradosun.com/support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communities in the struggling Colorado River Basin looking for ways to shore up water supplies after decades of drought are turning to new forms of cloud seeding. Is it snake oil or science? And check out more on our series "Can Colorado do more with less water?" https://coloradosun.com/more-with-less-water-series/ energyoutreach.org/give See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Rizzo, author of "The Trimesters of Grief", sit's down with the Sun's Kevin Simpson to discuss the loss of her son and her new book. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracy talks to Amanda McCracken, a Boulder-based writer, runner, mother and author of When Longing Becomes Your Lover: Breaking from Infatuation, Rejection, and Perfectionism to Find Authentic Love: A True Story of Overcoming Limerence. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado Sun Public Policy Editor Justin George sits down with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her recent visit to Littleton. Pelosi was in Colorado for a fundraiser supporting U.S. Rep. Jason Crow’s reelection campaign in the 6th Congressional District. In this special edition of The Unaffiliated, George talks with Pelosi about the political landscape in Colorado and across the country heading into the 2026 midterms. denverartmuseum.org aarp.org/co See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.