Unofficially Summer

Happy Memorial Day, especially to all who serve and their families.

There is still work to be done.

Bell Policy Center President Wade Buchanan brings us current on progress in the governor's TBD project.

The Brothers Valenzuela - Meet Manuel Valenzuela, Marine veteran under threat of deportation, and think about how we are treating our veterans.

If Momma's not happy... Moms in Erie want to shield their children from drilling hazards. Jen Palazzolo tells us we are just getting started here with Erie Rising.

The Affordable Care Act - Obamacare - is already affecting Latino communities. Olivia Mendoza, Executive Director of the Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy & Research Organization (CLLARO,) announces a special training opportunity for community leaders at Plan de Salud in Fort Lupton this Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

And just to be sure, please take a moment to recall why this is a holiday weekend. 

Next weekend make time for the Lyons Studio Tour (click on the logo when the page opens) to meet area artists and enjoy their work, and make your own at the Depot Library.

Weary of the legislature?

I am, especially over the obstruction of progress by a partisan minority.

It took only two sessions, but somehow our electeds managed to find time for some of the people's work. We wrap up the session with Bell Policy Center Director for policy and Research Rich Jones. 

Not all women in America enjoy equal pay, access to health care or protection against violence in the workplace or at home. Helping to define the issues and seek solutions today will be Lorena Garcia, Executive Director of COLORLatina. There is a way for each of us to help.

Look up Sunday! Carefully, or it will hurt! A partial eclipse of the sun will occur, clouds or no. Join Matt Benjamin from the Fiske Planetarium for tips on how to have fun with an eclipse.

We'll see you on the radio!

On Deck: Special Session of the Colorado General Assembly

PeaceJam premieres their new film "Mayan Renaissance" during the United Nation's World Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York next week. Dawn Engle gives us a preview.

House Speaker Frank McNulty orchestrated a filibuster of the civil union bill that had enough votes to pass, so it died along with nearly 30 other bills including funding for water projects in a drought year and insurance reform needed by Colorado businesses to continue our economic recovery. We will talk about collateral damage with Bell Policy Center Director for policy and Research Rich Jones.

For details and strategy for civil unions in the special legislative session that starts Monday we will be joined by One Colorado Executive Director Brad Clark. Hope springs eternal.

Hispanic Women of Weld County continues their work to empower Latinas in northern Colorado. HWWC President Marilena Ortega will share some happy news about their scholarship program.

For information about the South Weld Dems meeting Thursday with RMFU President Kent Peppler click on the calendar at http://www.weldcountydems.org .

Sunny Colorado, Muddy Churchill Downs

Early races at Churchill Downs were cancelled to preserve the track for the Run for the Roses. My picks: Union Rags to win, long shot Rousing Sermon to show, but none of the horses has much experience in the mud. Make your best guess and join me to watch the race after the show at the Kress Lounge (good mint juleps.)

The Latino Chamber of Northern Colorado hosts Greeley's Cinco de Mayo festivities at Island Grove Park today. We'll have an update and reminder of the rest of the days activities.

Bell Policy Center President reviews the last full week of the Colorado legislature.

Joe Perez and friends preview the Obama re-election campaign that kicks off officially today.

Run for the Roses - Thursday Notes

If anyone else in Colorado is writing about the Derby, please drop me a line and let me know who. As for the Denver Post, I am pretty sure none of the Nuggets, Rockies or Broncos will be in Louisville this Saturday.

Here is who I like today but I don't have to decide until late Friday where my money goes.

Union Rags (9-2) - Not the line favorite today, but on or near the top last couple of weeks. He's big, he's tall, he's strong and fast. #4 post is a good place for him to start.

Gemologist (6-1) - With the #15 post position he is is a good place to stretch out in the sweeping turns of Churchill Downs. If it rains (40% chance per Weather Channel) he's pretty well screwed.

Hansen (10-1) - Starting just inside Gemologist, which is an advantage, but doubt about his ability to make the distance. 

Cannot ignore: Take Charge Indy (15-1) under Calvin Borel posts #3. Borel loves the rail and performs magic at the Derby, but the least stumble on the start and he's done.

My favorite long shot - Rousing Sermon (50-1) has finished closely behind some great horses -on shorter tracks. From the #7 position if he can avoid getting blocked out he will be in a position to push at the end when the more favorite sprinters start flagging. Big if, but that's the risk-reward thing. I think I might have another $2. 

I'll make time on the show Saturday to discuss. Then join me to watch the race and enjoy a mint julep at the Kress Lounge.

Cheers!

Post-show links for guests - April 28

We got today's show off okay, but I've been missing my marks all weekend. 

Here are links for today's guests and their organizations or programs.

Bell Policy Center: Rich Jones gave us a post mortem on SB-15 the Colorado ASSET bill that would have enabled thousands of kids without the right documents to continue their educations in Colorado instead of leaving for adjacent states.

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative: Dede de Percin discussed how Obamacare is already helping Coloradoans get better access to more and improved health care.

Latino Chamber of Northern Colorado: Cinco de Mayo! Richard Garcia and the rest of the Chamber Board invite everyone to Island Grove next Saturday May 5 for free fun family friendly activities all day. 

Thanks and stay tuned!

April 21 - I think spring is here to stay

A busy week, and lots coming up.

Something went wrong with printing the ballots for Fort Lupton Fire Protection District. Chief Phil Tiffany explains how district residents can vote on a pair of ballot measures that will enable folks in the Fort Lupton area to continue counting on the service they expect. 

All voting is by mail, so if you need help with voting or getting a ballot contact:

Designated Election Official

Allyson Tkadlec

Fort Lupton Fire Protection District

Administration Office

1121 Denver Avenue

Fort Lupton, CO 80621

Between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Office Number 303 857 4603

More ballot information is available at  citizensforflfd.org. 

The Colorado General Assembly is moving the budget with suspiciously little controversy. Bell Policy Center Director for policy and research explains. Promise - we will make the budget interesting.

Colorado ASSET, a low-cost way to enhance Colorado high school graduates' educational opportunities, passed the Senate and is in the House. It needs a push to get through to the Governor. Erika Blum with the Higher Education Access Alliance tells us how to help. Contact information and an easy email link for key representatives is HERE.

And our friends at the UNCO chapter of Nu Alpha Kappa are hosting their annual NAKLand event tomorrow April 22 for kids and their parents in northern Colorado. Free entertainment, lunch and family time. Rudi Vargas and Cory Wilson join us to invite you personally.

April 14 - Snow in the Forecast

April 14 - Snow in the Forecast

If we are lucky we will get some wet stuff. In the mean time ...

Colorado needs a new budget. It's a moving target and Bell Policy Center President Wade Buchanan gives us an update on what passed the Colorado House, what is good and where are the remaining deficiencies.

We have to talk about this. People of different races and ethnic groups are shooting each other. Incidental or deliberate, the tensions still divide us as communities and as a nation. Former Colorado Speaker Terrance Carroll discusses. Note: We do not conduct trials on ORR - that is for the courts - but the issues are too important to ignore.

Guilt by association in an ideological mashup: Immigrant support group Compañeros is under threat of defunding because they share a partnership with One Colorado. Huh? Right. One Colorado's Brad Clark and Danny Quinlan from the La Plata Unity Project tell us what happened and what to expect.

Getting local. 

Q: If the economy is so bad, haw can anyone ask for a tax increase?

A: It's not bad. In fact it is growing in south Weld County and there is a need for expanded fire protection and rescue services. Fort Lupton Fire Protection District Chief Phil Tiffany explains a pair of ballot measures that will enable folks in the Fort Lupton area to continue counting on the service they expect. 

All voting is by mail, so if you need help getting a ballot contact:

Designated Election Official

Allyson Tkadlec

Fort Lupton Fire Protection District

Administration Office

1121 Denver Avenue

Fort Lupton, CO 80621

Between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Office Number 303 857 4603

More ballot information is available at  citizensforflfd.org. 

One in a Row - April 7 Lineup

ORR returns to a regular schedule for the summer, and I'm glad to be back!

The Affordable Care Act has already benefited millions of Americans. Bob Semro from the Bell Policy Center joins us to discuss how people have been helped and what they lose if it is overturned by the Supreme Court.

Colorado House Republicans decided that banks, mortgage companies and their lawyers deserve to foreclose on homeowners just by saying they want to, without producing any documentation of their right to do so. Corrine Fowler from the Colorado Progressive Coalition will explain a ballot initiative to protect homeowners.

Snowpack in Colorado is below average, but what does that really mean? Find out from Mage Skordahl of the Natural Resource Conservation Service and see if we can make better decisions about managing our water resources.

See you on the radio!

February 18 Lineup
Here we are!

Bell Policy Center President Wade Buchanan on budget issues in the Colorado General Assembly.
Civil unions in Colorado? Update from One Colorado's Brad Clark on progress on that bill for equality.
We get them ready for college, then slam the door in their faces. Wrong answer! Julie Gonzales from Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition updates on the ASSET bill and other immigrant issues.
Finally - helicopter races in norther Colorado, amazing stories and a new variety of seriously hot chili.

Tune in at the usual time of 2:00 p.m. MT. We'll see you on the radio!

Update: Confirming Show on February 11

Vicki Cowart, President & CEO Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, will discuss the evolution of the current status of rules for women's preventive health care.

Confirmed: a visit with Colorado General Assembly Representative Dave Young for an update on the early stages of this year's session.

Tune in at 2:00 p.m. MT, but we may start a little late depending on the preceding basketball game. But we WILL be there!

Cheers!

Hey there!
Schedule change, so here we are on Saturday January 14!

Hollis Berendt, community activist: So how did the economy collapse in 2008, costing Americans $20 trillion? Really. Join other inquiring minds next week January 21 at 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 929 15th Street in Greeley to view and discuss the Academy Award winning documentary "Inside Job." See the trailer.

Rich Jones, Bell Policy Center: Priorities for the legislative session, what curve balls to watch for.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: Tobias J. Guzmán, UNCO Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Access joins us to talk about how northern Colorado builds on the foundation of King's leadership.

2 p.m. MST.
Tune in!

Back in the Saddle Again,
Out where a friend is a friend ...

Lineup for Saturday December 10, 2011

Bell Policy Center President Wade Buchanan opens with some new ways to consider financing higher education, among other topics.

We the People. Hear that before? How about We the Corporations? Not so much? Good!! Daniel Williams joins us in showing the importance of people, not conceptual constructs, determining our future. Move to Amend is on the job.

Hungry? If that is not your choice Weld Food Bank can help. Assistant Director Bob O'Connor tells how all of us can help, if only a little bit. Is some better than none? I think so.

Finally, stay in school. Help a kid stay in school. Hear from some young folks who are making a commitment to keeping kids in school. This is a high risk investment with a nearly unlimited return. The Man calls these kids "At Risk." Can we please call them "With Hope?" Let's all find out how we - all of us have to commit - can improve the odds of success from Ruzan Mistry and Jose Serrano. Real people. Real work. Wow.

Tune in. It's good for you.

Cheers!
Ken

Occupy Something!
Lineup for October 15, 2011

It's rare to get an afternoon to talk about anything important during college football season, but here we are.

Sen. Rollie Heath on Proposition 103 - Colorado still has a 50% high school dropout rate. Proud of that? Or shall we restore funding for education?

Occupations Around the World - Northern Colorado
Jeannie Hartley, Occupy Denver; Daniel Williams, Occupy Fort Collins; Corey Dyben, Occupy Greeley. Sorry, but we just won't have time for the 800-plus manifestations planned around the world Saturday.

Rhonda Solis - remember her?! - and Marilena Ortega representing Hispanic Women of Weld County, building community from a strong foundation.

Tune in at the usual time!