Lineup for July 21, 2012

Life Goes On, War on Voters, Budget Economics, Space

A tragic shooting ended lives and disrupted more in Aurora, Colorado Friday night. Information to give help and to seek help:

Regular updates and links from the Denver Post,

Mental Health America Colorado,

Aurora Mental Health Center.

And if you are among the seven billion other people in the world who are not profoundly affected by this tragedy, that is okay too.

Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler (keep an eye on him here) is a leader in the GOP strategy to deny citizens their right to vote in the coming election. Progress Now Colorado's Joanne Schwartz briefs us on the current state of affairs, and what people can do in their own defense.

Last week we introduced some ways that Colorado's broken revenue system is slowing economic recovery by starving education, infrastructure and other critical resources that should be supporting growth. We are losing ground for Coloradoans' competitiveness and health in the long term. Bell Policy Center Policy and Research Director Rich Jones helps us assemble these divers pieces.

Space is big, hard to see and still a frontier of opportunity for all of us. Bob Stack joins us to talk about how we are learning more about Mars, and why Curiosity is good for you. Things like the International Space Station to look up and see, too!

And a note to save a date: A memorial march commemorating 40 years since the murder of Colorado activist Ricardo Falcón starts in Fort Lupton at 10:30 a.m. August 18. Stay tuned for more details.

ORR is On Air at 2:00 p.m. MDT so tune in at 1310 in northern Colorado, streaming at http://www.1310kfka.com .

Revenue Handicaps, War on Voters, Agriculture, Justice

Lineup for July 14, 2012

Colorado's broken revenue system is slowing economic recovery by starving education, infrastructure and other critical resources that should be supporting growth, and it is impeding Coloradoans' competitiveness and health in the long term. Bell Policy Center President Wade Buchanan helps us start to pull these pieces together.

Some conservative commentators recently have called voting a privilege. They are wrong. Very wrong. Voting is a fundamental right and we must always be on guard against those who would erect barriers where none need exist. Elena Nuñez, Executive Director, Colorado Common Cause joins us to explain strategies and tactics being brought to bear against voters' rights, and what we can all do to ensure every American is able to vote their will.

If you eat, you are involved in agriculture. Every five years the Congress tries to pass a Farm Bill. This year it is hung up in the House of Representatives in a fight over how much to cut supplemental nutrition and school lunch programs, and how much to pay people and corporations not to grow or produce anything. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Executive Director Ben Rainbolt explains why so many of us need the Farm Bill passed sooner than later.

And a note to save a date: A memorial march commemorating 40 years since the murder of Colorado activist Ricardo Falcón starts in Fort Lupton at 10:30 a.m. August 18. Stay tuned for more details when we get closer to the event. 

 

Economy Building, Health Care, Fracking

Lineup for July 7, 2012

Updated revenue estimates for the State of Colorado are optimistic. How do they track economic growth, and are they sustainable? Bell Policy Center Director for policy and Research Rich Jones introduces this multifaceted set of relationships and sets the stage for future discussions.

The US Supreme Court decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has so many ramifications for so many people we need to take our review a few steps at a time. This ruling is especially important to under served populations such as Latinas and their families. Returning to ORR to help us better understand their special issues and potential solutions is Lorena Garcia, Executive Director of COLORLatina. There is a way for each of us to help.

Fracking happens. We continue our discussion with Shane Davis, the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter Oil and Gas Research Manager. What are the contaminants, and who is monitoring them? Why do we have so much water to spare for foreign oil producers but none for Colorado farmers? More information at http://wtfrackorg.blogspot.com/. 

Tune in! 

Greeley Stampede - Weekend 2 0f 2

The 90th Greeley Stampede is building to its grand finale on Independence Day and we are broadcasting from Island Grove Park. 

The Supreme Court of the United States has been busy the past couple weeks, and two major rulings want our attention. 

Most of Arizona's brutal anti-immigrant bill SB-1070 was struck down by the Court. Eddie Soto from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition discusses this important ruling as well as the President's recently announced deferred enforcement policy and what that means for people in Colorado.

In what may prove to be one of the most important decisions in decades, SCOTUS upheld almost all the key elements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which I am quite comfortable calling ObamaCare. We will discuss the ruling on three levels. 

Melissa Hart, Associate Professor of Law, Director of the Byron R. White Center, University of Colorado Law School will cover the constitutional issues.

Courtney Law, Communications Specialist for Strategies 360 on assignment with Know Your Care discusses implications for federal policy in the ruling.

Bob Semro, Policy Analyst for the Bell Center, forecasts state policy direction now that we know better what to expect federally. 

We won't finish the discussion in this show, but we will get it off to a good start. 

Be there!

Stampede - Weekend 1 of 2

The 90th Greeley Stampede is underway and we are broadcasting from Island Grove Park.

Erie Rising among others still struggles to control fracking in their community. Shane Davis, the Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter Oil and Gas Research Manager, joins us for an update. Why do we have so much water to spare for foreign oil producers but none for Colorado farmers? More information at http://wtfrackorg.blogspot.com/.

Mr. Terrance Carroll, past Speaker of the Colorado General Assembly and currently a board member for Metropolitan Stage College of Denver discusses their decision not to make kids wait longer for an opportunity to complete the education we started them on. 

If you missed the TBD Colorado summit in Greeley Saturday morning, Bell Policy Center's Wade Buchanan will fill you in. Me too, since I will be at the KFKA booth in the morning. 

See you there and on the radio!

Hello? There's a Campaign On!

Scholarships, Health, Campaigns, Art

Marilena Ortega, President of Hispanic Women of Weld County, announces their annual pancake breakfast scholarship fundraiser next Saturday at Appleby's in Greeley.

The Bell Policy Center's Bob Semro returns to wrap up our unfinished discussion of the future of long term health care in Colorado and what it means for seniors and folks who want to become seniors.

With Rick Palacio, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, we will highlight major campaign issues and challenges.

We all deserve to make time for art. Wes Jessup tells us about an important exhibit of the life work of American photographer Edward Weston at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center.

Take a break from the heat and tune in!

Aging and Growing

Coming to you from Occupied Weld County, opening commentary on apparent adverse effects of oil and gas development on wireless access. (Why this post is hastily done at the last minute.)

Blues - Greeley Blues Jam.

Bob Semro, Bell Policy Center, on long-term health care. boomers take notice. Links to more information at the end of this post.

Food! Choose your own local favorites. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Bill Stevenson previews this season of markets and co-ops.

The last transit of Venus most of us will see is Tuesday June 5. Matt Benjamin from the Fiske Planetarium tells us how to enjoy it and how to stay interested in astronomy.

Be in tune!

Volunteers of America:  Boomer Bust 2011: Still Unprepared and Unaware

http://www.voa.org/Boomer-Bust-2011

Prudential Research Report:  Long-Term Care Cost Study

http://www.prudential.com/media/managed/LTCCostStudy.pdf

From Bad To Worse: Senior Economic Insecurity On The Rise

http://iasp.brandeis.edu/pdfs/FromBadtoWorse.pdf

Deloitte: Medicaid Long-term Care: The ticking time bomb

http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedStates/Local%20Assets/Documents/US_CHS_2010LTCinMedicaid_062910.pdf

Colorado Health Institute:  Long-Term Services and Supports in Colorado

http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/uploads/downloads/Long_Term_Services_and_Supports.pdf

Colorado Health Institute:  Long-Term Services and Supports in Colorado: A Growing Need

http://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/uploads/downloads/LTSS_2_pager.pdf

Colorado State Demography Office: Colorado’s Aging Trends

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2012a/commsumm.nsf/b4a3962433b52fa787256e5f00670a71/769c5d9a876c99a5872579b90059eca4/$FILE/120306AttachA.pdf

 University of Denver:  Financing Colorado’s Future: An Analysis of the Fiscal Sustainability of State Government

http://www.du.edu/economicfuture/Phase2Summary_v2.pdf

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