COMMENTARY: BEWARE OF BINDWEEDS
Life, it has been said, is a bed of roses, you just have to watch out for the pricks. And, commentator Caroline Vulgamore warns, roses aren’t the only pretty flowers that can conceal a threat. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

COLORADO TOWNS FIGHT FEDS OVER ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
Palisade, Colorado, is more famous for its peaches than natural gas wells, but increasing energy development has growers worried that latter now threatens the former. Kirk Sieger of Aspen Public Radio reports on how Palisade and Grand Junction are trying to keep natural gas wells out of their watersheds. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

COLORADO GOV. CANDIDATES WOO BUSINESS COMMUNITY
In the race for governor, the candidates debated twice August 29th.
It’s unclear whether they’ll debate at all in Colorado Springs. KRCC and Colorado College extended an invitation several weeks ago to both candidates to debate at CC. Democrat Bill Ritter accepted, Republican Bob Beauprez declined.
However, the candidates went toe to toe in front of business groups in Denver and Ft. Collins recently. Our Denver bureau reporter Bente Birkeland went to both events, and has this report.
[LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

HEFLEY: LAMBORN “SLEAZY, DISHONEST,” NO ENDORSEMENT
Retiring Congressman Joel Hefley says that Doug Lamborn, the Republican nominated to succeed him conducted a “dirty” primary campaign, and that he won’t endorse him. That’s good news for Democrat Jay Fawcett, who sees a “perfect storm” building that could sweep him into office. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

WHEN A MASSACRE BECOMES A TOURIST ATTRACTION – COMMENTARY
It’s too soon to say how America’s war in Iraq will be remembered. History has a funny way of transforming violent events of the past into things that don’t always make sense. Commentator Melisa Musick says we need look no farther than our neighbor to the northeast for evidence. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

SOLDIERS MAKE THEIR OWN FILM ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR
A documentary about the Iraq war has just been release. Called “The War Tapes,” it’s different than other war movies, because this one was filmed almost entirely by American soldiers. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

LIFE ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM POVERTY
IT’S ESTIMATED THAT NEARLY 10% OF COLORADO’S POPULATION LIVES IN POVERTY. AND IT’S NOT JUST THE UNEMPLOYED. LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH JOBS EITHER CAN’T AFFORD BASICS LIKE FOOD, SHELTER AND MEDICINE. MANY ARE JUST ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.
THE COLORADO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS LAUNCHED A STATEWIDE TOUR YESTERDAY TO GATHER TESTIMONY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY POOR PEOPLE. THEY PLAN TO REPORT THEIR FINDINGS TO STATE LAWMAKERS EARLY NEXT YEAR.
[LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

ACLU DEMANDS INVESTIGATION INTO COLORADO PHONE RECORDS
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission says it’s not ready to investigate whether phone companies in the state illegally turned over records to the federal government. The American Civil Liberties Union says it should the commission should investigate without delay. From Denver Bente Birkeland reports. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

COMMENTARY: WILDFIRE DANGER STILL STALKS THE HILLS
Don’t let the recent rains fool you, says Fire Information Officer Andy Lyon, serious wildfire danger still lurks in Colorado. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]

TWO OF COLORADO’S BIG CAT SANCTUARIES ARE CLOSING
The state’s largest sanctuary for big cats -and one of the biggest in the country- is trying to find homes for lions, tigers and bears before it shuts down. It’s been open for 26 years. A second, smaller sanctuary plans to close soon, too. Options for the big cats are few.

[LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]