Jan. 30, 2026: Anti-ICE strike, congressional hecklers, prison funding reversal, ideas to increase teacher diversity

Colorado’s political climate is growing more intense, with protests and public confrontations adding new pressure on its members of Congress. Then, a second fatal crash this winter involving a youth sports team. And Democratic lawmakers approve roughly 800 new prison beds despite no progress on a plan to reduce the state’s inmate population. Plus, most Colorado teachers are white, while most of their students are kids of color. That has one classroom asking whether representation matters… and what could change.Email us at [email protected]. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.Read more on the stories in today’s show: Denverite's Andrew Kenney on DPS participation in Friday's general strike. CPR’s Caitlyn Kim, Bente Birkeland and Denverite’s Kiara DeMare on Colorado congressmembers facing angry crowds. CPR's Tony Gorman on the fatal crash snowplow crash on I-70. KUNC’s Kyle McKinnon on state lawmakers reversing course on prison funding.  CPR’s Jenny Brundin on students taking on the shortage of teachers of color. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Bazi Kanani, Mateo Schimpf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.