PODCAST · news
In The NoCo
by KUNC
KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show explores the big stories of the day, bringing context and insight to issues that matter. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we explore the lighter side of news, highlighting what makes this state such an incredible place to live.
Episodes
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Colorado wildlife officials say they'll stop killing wolves that attack livestock. What's behind the new policy?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials made a major announcement last week: They will no longer kill wolves believed to have repeatedly preyed on livestock. It's a shift in how Colorado has managed its fledgling wolf population. Previously, officials tried to strike a balance between Colorado...
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Why more students with autism are looking to Colorado public schools for special education services
Across Colorado, public schools are serving more students with autism. The increases over the past five years are striking: In Denver Public Schools, the state's largest district, there's been a nearly 75% increase in the number of students with an autism diagnosis who seek help from special...
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Love the sight of aspen trees in the fall? Here’s why you may not want to plant one in your yard
It’s fall in Colorado – which means mountain roads have been filled with people enjoying the sight of all those red, orange and gold aspen leaves that cover the hillsides. And you can bet that quite a few of those tourists will look at those vibrant aspen trees and wonder why they can't just…
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How a unique new library celebrates – and helps Coloradans explore – the great outdoors
A library that’s focused on encouraging people to get outside might feel a bit odd – especially in a state like Colorado with a multitude of ways to hike or camp or spend time outdoors. But getting out into nature isn't always within reach for everyone. For example, a camping trip can require...
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The Colorado Rockies just wrapped up a historically bad season. Here's why fans at Coors Field remain loyal
The Colorado Rockies have some of the most loyal fans in all of baseball. And that might be part of their problem. As we look back on another historically bad season, consider this statistic: The Rockies now have the dubious distinction of being just the fifth team in major league history to lose...
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Sen. John Hickenlooper thinks more transparent pricing could lower healthcare costs. Could it work?
More transparency in healthcare pricing – and fewer surprises from the billing department. Those are the key concepts behind a new Senate bill called the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act. It would require hospitals to be more up-front about what they'll charge you for medical procedures, and to…
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In Colorado author Melissa Payne’s new novel, a tragedy raises questions about how to live a good life
A fictional shooting in a Colorado diner. A protagonist who finds himself in a space in between life and death. And a hero who's forced to grapple with whether or not he's led a meaningful life. These are key elements of a thought-provoking new novel by Colorado author Melissa Payne, called In…
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Hot classrooms affect students’ ability to learn, researchers say. Here’s why those early-dismissal days are helpful
It's become common in recent years: In the first weeks after summer break ends, many educators find themselves dealing with stifling temperatures in the classroom. And a string of early release days often follows. It happened again this year -- at the tail-end of a summer that saw record-breaking...
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An Estes Park filmmaker’s final project examines the ailing Colorado River – and asks if anyone is listening
Director and longtime Estes Park resident Nick Mollé spent decades making documentaries. His subjects include Rocky Mountain National Park, birds of Costa Rica and Australia’s wild animals. And a few years ago, he turned his attention to one of the most prominent environmental crises in the U.S.…
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Historically low water levels at Dillon Reservoir threatened this water taxi business. Here’s how its owner kept it afloat
Capt. Frank Keesling runs a busy operation each summer on Dillon Reservoir in Summit County. Keesling owns the Dillon Water Taxi, which for the past decade has ferried passengers on a scenic journey across the reservoir and back – including people going to concerts at Dillon Amphitheater. But…
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Can researchers link a drought or wildfire to climate change? A CSU scientist says the answer is tricky
That heat wave that broiled Colorado and the U.S. this summer? Scientists are fairly certain it was made worse by climate change. But with disasters like tornadoes or wildfires, drawing a clear connection to climate change is trickier. Connecting those dots is part of a scientific field called...
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Why a Boulder poet coached artificial intelligence on how to write poems for other AI – and what it taught him
In 2026, artificial intelligence can draw a picture for you. Or write you a song. Or a whole novel. And a lot of people have strong feelings about that. Many artists and audiences find it uncomfortable when artificial intelligence replaces human creativity. So, it may be surprising to meet a poet...
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Are doctors who offer gender-affirming care at Children’s Hospital stuck in a no-win legal battle?
Doctors who practice at Children's Hospital Colorado find themselves in court as part of a case focused on one of the most divisive issues in the U.S. Attorneys for hundreds of younger patients seeking gender-affirming care say doctors at the hospital are refusing to provide treatment like…
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In Boulder, pollen collected by thousands of bees will help measure the health of the city’s ecosystems
Using bees to gauge the health of an ecosystem. Scientists in Boulder are testing out an unusual plan to use bees to gauge how plants and other species in the city are thriving. It works like this: A neighborhood group hosts a few hives on their property. Thousands of bees fly around the...
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How towns can be an ‘ecological trap’ for bears during a severe drought
In recent weeks, Colorado has seen record-high numbers of bears roaming in places where they clash with humans: neighborhood streets, trash bins, cars – even people’s homes. Severe drought conditions across the state, along with a late-spring freeze, have decimated the supply of berries and fruit...
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This summer was tough on Front Range lawns. Here’s why autumn is an ideal time to help your landscaping recover
This summer left yards across the Front Range devastated. Brown, dry patches of grass are everywhere – and so are yards that have been taken over by bindweed, thistles, and spurge. Experts at Colorado State University Extension say they've been getting lots of calls from anxious homeowners with...
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A lawsuit claims ski companies collaborated to inflate the price of ski passes
A new lawsuit takes aim at the business model of some major Colorado ski resorts. For years, skiers and snowboarders have watched the price of a one-day lift ticket climb by hundreds of dollars, while more expensive season passes have become the industry’s central product. Now, a group of skiers...
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Hundreds of miles from the ocean, the Butterfly Pavilion is helping to save a threatened coral reef. Here’s why
It's one of the more unusual exhibits on display at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. Stroll past the colorful butterflies and other insects, and you'll find a 250-gallon saltwater tank. It houses part of a nationwide collaboration to save a badly damaged coral reef found off the coast of...
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A nuclear microreactor is planned for Aurora. How safe is the plan?
A small nuclear reactor proposed by the Pentagon may be a reality soon in Aurora. The proposed microreactor would power Buckley Space Force Base and give the site a steady source of electricity. But it would look different – and operate at a smaller scale – than the nuclear reactors built a few...
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The number of kids seriously injured in e-bike crashes is surging in Colorado. Here’s what doctors want you to know
E-bikes and e-scooters are having a moment right now. Battery-powered, motorized transportation is becoming more common on streets and bike paths. E-bikes and e-scooters are considered green transportation, since they don’t emit the exhaust that cars produce. And some cities, including Denver,...
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How political news on TikTok shapes young voters’ views, according to a CU Boulder researcher
TikTok has become a go-to source for news, especially for younger audiences. But short-form videos on the social network don’t look or sound much like traditional journalism. Users see a stream of bite-size videos that favor strong opinions and controversy over nuance and depth. So, how does...
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After a devastating accident, this Estes Park rock climber moved forward using lessons she’d learned from the sport
Melissa Strong didn't set out to be a writer. In her twenties she was an accomplished rock climber. In her early forties, she was working on a new chapter in her life: opening and running her own restaurant in Estes Park, called Bird & Jim. But in 2017, a devastating accident threw all of her…
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Colorado voters comb through a glut of ballot questions during election season. How did we get here?
Colorado voters have a right that many Americans don’t. Colorado, and 25 other states, allow residents to collect signatures and put questions on the ballot, rather than relying solely on lawmakers to decide whether an initiative goes before voters. And Colorado has been putting that tool to use....
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Ancient dice played a fascinating role in North American commerce and diplomacy, according to a CSU researcher
An ancient collection of dice discovered by archaeologists might rewrite the history of how humans have understood mathematical concepts like probability. A new Colorado State University study examined the earliest known dice in human history. Native American hunter-gatherers across the western...
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Wind or solar? A CU economist set out to determine which type of renewable energy is most beneficial
Renewable energy is becoming cheaper and more common. Just a few months ago, Colorado generated the majority of its electricity from renewable sources for the first time. And that raises questions about which sources do the most good. Wind or solar? Hydroelectric or geothermal? A researcher at…
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Summer rainstorms helped cut water demand. But they're not enough to end Colorado's drought. Here's why
Recent storms have given the Front Range relief after an unusually hot and dry start to the season. Lawns look a little greener – and Denver Water, one of the state's largest providers, says customers' usage actually dropped because of the rain. So, you might think that all these afternoon…
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Research shows aspen trees often slow the spread of wildfire. Should more mountain towns plant aspen groves?
Could planting aspen groves slow the spread of wildfires in Colorado’s forests? It’s an idea that could help some mountain communities seeing increased threats from wildfires. And it’s backed up by several recent studies, including one that looked at 20 years of data from more than 300 wildfires…
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Colorado’s business climate is struggling. Can Gov. Polis, and an economic council, turn it around?
Colorado's business climate is hurting. Over the past 18 months, the state lost more than 6,000 jobs. A CNBC ranking of top states for business saw Colorado slide from a top-10 position four years ago to 25th this year. And a coalition of tech and other business leaders recently issued a letter...
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Colorado gave women the right to vote before the rest of the nation did. A new exhibit explores that history
On Nov. 7, 1893, men in Colorado did something extraordinary for the time: They granted women the right to vote – which made Colorado the first state to do that not by legislative action or executive order, but by a vote of the people. It was a moment of triumph for activists who fought for…
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How filmmaker Warren Miller channeled his love for alpine skiing into a new genre of sports film
For decades, Warren Miller was synonymous with a very Colorado genre of film. In Miller’s films, skiers glide across pristine winter terrain and hurtle down near-vertical slopes. Over the decades, Miller and his film crews turned those images into dozens of feature-length documentaries that...
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With 'Fat Marmot Week,' scientists hope to turn important marmot research into serious fun
Every summer in Colorado’s high country, yellow-bellied marmots race to gain enough weight to make it through months of hibernation. But this year’s meager snowpack and early spring have put that survival strategy under new pressure. Scientists with the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory near...
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How Colorado artist R. Alan Brooks explores culture and politics using comics and graphic novels
If you read the Colorado Sun, you might be familiar with the comic strip called ‘What’d I Miss?’ It follows conversations between Ossie, a young Black man, and Myra, an older white woman who has awakened from a long coma. Together they struggle to understand modern day politics and culture. Ossie...
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Long ago, Mexican workers helped build Colorado’s railroad. A unique exhibit highlights that work
Railroads transformed the American West – and immigrant labor made the railroads possible. But many of those immigrants’ stories haven’t been well documented - including those of the Mexican railroad workers known as traqueros. Beginning in the late 1800s, railroad companies recruited thousands…
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How soldiers from Colorado's Camp Hale transformed outdoor recreation – from gear innovations to ski resorts
The soldiers who trained in Colorado for alpine combat in World War II helped turn the tide of the war. And later, many of them changed outdoor recreation in Colorado as we know it. The U.S. Army built Camp Hale in the high country near Leadville. Thousands of soldiers there trained for skiing,...
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Soldiers who trained at Colorado's Camp Hale played a key role in World War II. A new exhibit explores their impact
During World War II, the U.S. Army built a unique training ground in the mountains outside Leadville. At Camp Hale, soldiers in what would become the 10th Mountain Division trained for combat in extreme alpine conditions. And that led to key victories for Allied forces in the mountains of Europe....
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From low birth rates to fewer international students, here's why Colorado colleges are looking at an 'enrollment cliff'
There's a trend in Colorado that has higher education officials concerned. The number of high school graduates is declining -- and that means the state's colleges and universities are expecting a dropoff in enrollment in the coming years. Colorado is one of three dozen states bracing for what's...
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After years of failed negotiations, can a new federal plan for the Colorado River help states share the water?
The Colorado River has been under strain for years from hotter temperatures and prolonged drought. It supplies drinking water to tens of millions of people and provides irrigation for more than 5 million acres of farmland. And demand has been growing for a shrinking supply. The seven states that...
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A new festival highlights Colorado's cinematic legacy – from 'Butch Cassidy' to 'Dumb and Dumber'
Colorado has played a leading role in many films. The state’s western landscapes can be seen in movies like The Hateful Eight and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Then there’s the famous scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in which Paul Newman and Robert Redford leap off the edge of a...
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Howelsen Hill helped shape Colorado’s ski culture – and Steamboat Springs’ Olympic legacy
In an era of high-speed gondolas and sprawling ski resorts, it's easy to forget how some of Colorado's smaller mountains shaped ski culture as we know it today. Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs is one of those mountains. It's a fraction of the size of the resorts in Aspen or Vail – or the…
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This is the oldest known photograph taken in Colorado. The story behind it is fascinating
Colorado marks its 150th birthday this Saturday, Aug. 1. Experts at History Colorado have been thinking for a while of different ways to help commemorate the state’s anniversary. One idea was to track down the earliest known photograph of Colorado. And what they uncovered is striking: It’s a...
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50 years ago, the Big Thompson Canyon flood killed 144 people – and changed how emergency managers operate
It was one of the deadliest disasters in Colorado history: Fifty years ago, a flash flood swept through Big Thompson Canyon between Estes Park and Loveland. It killed at least 144 people on July 31, 1976. A torrential rainstorm that formed suddenly unleashed more than a foot of rain on the area...
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Using weather forecasts to help fight wildfires? For this meteorologist, it's a typical day on the job
When a wildfire breaks out in Colorado, scores of emergency responders help fight the blaze and protect residents: wildland firefighters, pilots for air tankers, and law enforcement to help evacuate people. There's one job you don't hear about as much — but it plays an integral role in how crews...
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Why Aurora’s mayor spends Friday nights sleeping at a shelter for the unhoused – and what he’s learned from it
On a given night, there are more than 800 people experiencing homelessness in the city of Aurora. That's according to the most recent survey from the Metro Denver Homelessness Initiative. Some of them find shelter and support at a regional center designed to house up to 600 people. On Friday...
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Annoyed that your electronic device is no longer supported? This Colorado consumer group wants to help push back
If you're like most people, you've probably gotten at least one alert over the years saying that your mobile phone or favorite tablet is being put out to pasture. It's that moment when the tech company behind the product is no longer supporting or updating the technology. That's often when you're...
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Why some Colorado ski resorts are storing snow under a blanket this summer
Some Colorado ski resort managers are trying a new strategy as they recover from an unusually warm and dry winter, in hopes of making next season better. The concept is called snow storage. Basically, resorts gather piles of leftover snow from the end of ski season and shield them from the sun…
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Treating postpartum depression with psychedelics? Why researchers say it may be effective
Nearly one in five new moms experiences anxiety or depression during pregnancy or after giving birth. These conditions can lead to difficulty bonding with a newborn, or a higher risk of suicide, if left untreated. But a new experimental treatment is giving some researchers hope. It's a…
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Staying close to home for your summer vacation? Take a spin on these Colorado highways
Summer is a great time to see Colorado by car. And this summer in particular, with high fuel prices pushing up airfares, more Coloradans may decide to keep their summer vacation plans a little more local. Many Colorado highways provide stunning alpine views, scenic forests, wildflowers and...
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For decades, this doctor has tracked the things that poison or kill Coloradans. Here what’s changed
A poison control center is the place to call if your child accidentally swallows something dangerous, like paint or a detergent pod. But the Rocky Mountain Poison Center based in Denver also tracks the things that poison Coloradans. It monitors prescription drug misuse, tracks new substances...
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How to keep yourself healthy when wildfires pollute Colorado’s air
Do your eyes sting? Is your throat sore? Is it happening pretty regularly this summer? You're not alone. It's already been a grueling wildfire season across Colorado: thousands of acres burned, hundreds of structures destroyed, three firefighters dead and a helicopter pilot lost in a fatal crash...
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Why news about the 2030 Winter Olympics caused heartbreak among some of Colorado’s top winter athletes
The winter sport Nordic combined requires intense effort. Athletes launch themselves off towering ski jumps – then push their endurance in cross-country ski racing the same day. But the women's Nordic combined team in Steamboat Springs got attention in recent years for a different kind of effort....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show explores the big stories of the day, bringing context and insight to issues that matter. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we explore the lighter side of news, highlighting what makes this state such an incredible place to live.
HOSTED BY
KUNC
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How many episodes does In The NoCo have?
In The NoCo currently has 979 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is In The NoCo about?
KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show explores the big stories of the day, bringing context and insight to issues that matter. And because life in Northern Colorado...
How often does In The NoCo release new episodes?
In The NoCo releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 979 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
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You can listen to In The NoCo on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts In The NoCo?
In The NoCo is created and hosted by KUNC.
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