Western Slope Food Bank Sees Increased Demand
The recession is putting a lot of people across Colorado out of work and reducing the hours that others are working. Often, one of the first household budget items that is cut is food, and people are increasingly turning to food pantries and other organizations for help. Food programs across the state have seen a dramatic increase in requests for assistance this fall. As part of a series on the economy from Rocky Mountain Community Radio, KVNF’s Daniel Costello reports from Paonia.
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The Colorado Congressional delegation has had a busy year. Lawmakers worked to revive the state’s economy, reform Wall Street and fix the US health care system. From Capitol Hill, Matt Laslo reviews the highs and lows of the past year.
With the economic downturn, many consumers are looking for ways to ease the burden on their weekly household budget. Activities like clipping coupons, buying store labeled brands are all on the rise, as is another shopping activity.. buying groceries at salvage or discount food stores. As part of a series on the economy from Rocky Mountain Community Radio, 
Demand for emergency assistance programs is at historic highs. Colorado, for instance, has the fifth fastest growing caseload for food stamps in the country. That’s putting a strain on scores of human services agencies. And even as the economy begins to turn around, many worry things will get much worse, before they get better. As part of a series on the economy from Rocky Mountain Community Radio, 
The state’s legislative session convenes on Jan 13th, and we also return to our capitol conversation series with state house correspondent Bente Birkeland. She takes an in depth look at the issues of the day with fellow state house reporters. Today they’re talking medical marijuana.
The economic recession has not been kind to nonprofits – especially as discretionary and leisure dollars have tightened for families. But this trend isn’t uniform across the board. As 
Colorado’s annual legislative session begins January 13th. State capitol correspondent Bente Birkeland is sitting down with legislative leaders to discuss what lawmakers are likely to debate. In this piece, she talks with the new Senate President.
Colorado is facing a budget shortfall of 1.5 billion dollars for this and last year’s budget cycle, and that means furlough days and pay cuts for state workers. As part of a statewide series on the economy from Rocky Mountain Community Radio, capitol correspondent Bente Birkeland talks to government employees to see how the cuts are impacting them.
The Department of Interior has announced oil and gas leases for 2010, and the number of auctions being offered to energy companies is up. Some say it’s in response to criticism from oil and gas companies lobbed at the Obama administration over the last few months. Industry says the government isn’t issuing enough leases, which is hurting profits. But environmental groups and other organizations tell a different story. They say an abundance in supply and low prices brought on by the recession are the reasons for the dip in earnings. From Rocky Mountain Community Radio station