Best KUNC Digital Podcasts (2025)

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Colorado’s owls need a little help. Here’s why your backyard might make an ideal home for one 9:10

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4d ago9:10

9:10

Owls are symbols of wisdom, and heroes of literature – from Greek mythology to Harry Potter. But a leading conservation agency says owls are in trouble along Colorado’s Front Range. They’re losing critical habitat as cities and suburban areas expand. The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies recently launched what it calls the Urban Owl Nest Box program.…

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Ready to ski or snowboard in Colorado this season? These exercise tips will help you feel great on the slopes 9:10

5d ago9:10

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It's December in Colorado. Snowflakes are flying. And ski resorts are open in the High Country. If you're like a lot of skiers and snowboarders, you’ve been eagerly anticipating that first trip to the mountains this winter. But you might not have put much energy into staying in shape during the off-season. My guest today specializes in helping peop…

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This Colorado school has taught thousands of people to play Santa Claus. What makes a great St. Nick? 9:10

6d ago9:10

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Every December, Santa Claus literally does the impossible – delivering presents all over the world with a team of flying reindeer. So when someone becomes a stand-in for Santa at your local mall, or work party, those are big boots to fill. But as it turns out, being Santa is a teachable skill. Susen Mesco founded Professional Santa Claus School in …

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Denver to Pueblo in about 20 minutes? A company working to make it happen just reached a key milestone 9:10

7d ago9:10

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Imagine traveling from Denver to Pueblo in just 20 minutes. And instead of sitting in traffic on Interstate 25, you'd make the journey through a sealed tube moving almost at the speed of sound. That’s the vision behind Hyperloop – an innovative transportation technology that’s being tested right here in Colorado. The Hyperloop works like this: You …

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The facts on ‘scromiting’ – an intense bout of vomiting linked to overindulgence in cannabis 9:10

11d ago9:10

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Scromiting refers to an intense form of illness – a mix of screaming and vomiting – brought on by overindulging in cannabis. CNN recently reported that scromiting is on the rise and quoted one female patient who described the pain as “worse than childbirth.” The New York Post noted that misdiagnosis is common because many doctors don’t know about t…

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The Five Points Nutcracker offers a jazz-infused look at Denver history 9:10

14h ago9:10

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A unique retelling of the holiday classic The Nutcracker explores the history and cultural importance of Denver's Five Points neighborhood. The Five Points Nutcracker replaces the story’s traditional characters with significant figures from Denver’s African American community. Five Points was once known as the “Harlem of the West.” Duke Ellington’s…

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Depression and other mood disorders may have side benefits like creativity and empathy. Here’s why 9:10

13d ago9:10

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A diagnosis of chronic depression or bipolar disorder can be scary. These conditions can come with feelings of sadness or despair, or intense mood swings. But a researcher at the University of Colorado says we might be thinking too simplistically about these disorders. June Gruber is a professor of psychology and neuroscience who runs the Positive …

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Why CU-Anschutz will pay $10 million to settle a case involving COVID vaccine mandates 9:10

5d ago9:10

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The CU-Anschutz medical campus in Aurora recently agreed to pay $10.3 million to settle a lawsuit over vaccine mandates during the pandemic. A group of 18 students and faculty claimed that the school violated their religious liberties by requiring them to receive COVID vaccinations to be on campus in person. CU ultimately settled the case through m…

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A Berthoud writer’s newest horror novel explores the real-life crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women 9:10

18d ago9:10

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Writer Cassondra Windwalker’s new horror novel uses fiction to highlight a real-life crisis that often goes ignored. Ghost Girls and Rabbits touches on the thousands of unsolved cases of Indigenous American and Alaska Native women who were missing or murdered. More than 4,000 cases fit that description, according to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affair…

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Sci-fi author X. Ho Yen’s new book asks readers to solve a series of puzzles to reveal a hidden story 9:10

19d ago9:10

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When Colorado writer X. Ho Yen was a kid, he loved to read science fiction. X. Ho Yen is autistic. He liked how some sci-fi stories, like the Star Trek series, depicted a more enlightened future society where neurodivergent people were treated equally. Eventually he began writing his own science fiction novels. His newest release is titled Space Au…

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A Loveland kindergarten teacher has written more than 20 children’s books. Her newest inspires kids to look for positive moments 9:10

20d ago9:10

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Kindergarten teacher Ellen Javernick has published over twenty illustrated children’s books. The Loveland resident’s first book, What If Everybody Did That? has sold more than a million copies. She just published her newest book titled Awesome of the Day. It tells the story of a boy named Andrew who has one bad day after the next – until he learns …

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A Colorado writer’s family was forced from their homes during WWII. His new book explores the lasting impact 9:10

21d ago9:10

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In February of 1942, not long after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. military removed thousands of Americans of Japanese descent from their homes. Most of them were full citizens who had been born and raised in the United States. Families had only a few days to get their affairs in order before reporting to relocation centers, mostly in Wester…

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Venomous snakes kill thousands of people each year. This UNC researcher’s work could help change that 9:10

27d ago9:10

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For people in much of the world, snakebite is a life-threatening condition. We don't think about it much in Colorado, where a nasty rattlesnake bite might send the occasional hiker to the emergency room. But the World Health Organization estimates that, around the globe, as many as 138,000 people die from venomous snakebites each year. And while an…

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What an ethics complaint against 16 state lawmakers reveals about dark money in Colorado politics 9:10

28d ago9:10

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A gathering of state lawmakers last month at a resort in Vail is drawing attention to ethics and the influence of dark money in Colorado politics. Colorado’s independent ethics commission plans to investigate whether 16 Democratic lawmakers violated a state ban on accepting gifts. The complaints – filed by progressive group Colorado Common Cause – …

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A Colorado artist helped make a tiny book of art designed to be placed on the moon. Here’s why 9:10

1M ago9:10

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An artist in Lakewood who specializes in creating tiny books and illustrations received an unusual offer recently. An art gallery reached out to Evan Lorenzen and asked for his help in creating a book of original art – no bigger than your thumbnail – to be placed on the moon. The Moon Gallery, based in Amsterdam, works to send cultural artifacts in…

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Steam power isn’t as clean as you might think. This new technology hopes to change that 9:10

1M ago9:10

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Steam powers much of the modern world. It drove the Industrial Revolution, and is still widely used to generate electricity, to sterilize equipment used in food production and medicine, and to heat and cool large buildings. However, the traditional method of making steam hasn’t changed in more than 150 years. It involves burning fossil fuels like c…

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Colorado’s wolf reintroduction plans face serious setbacks. Can wildlife officials get back on track? 9:10

1M ago9:10

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Colorado’s program to restore grey wolves hit some surprising roadblocks recently. You might recall that the state’s voters in 2020 passed a measure to reintroduce wolves, which forced wildlife officials to create a plan for bringing them back. That plan has encountered some challenges. So far, 10 of the reintroduced wolves have died. And now, wild…

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Why a unique Colorado program offers new hope for veterans struggling with mental health 9:10

1M ago9:10

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Suicide among veterans is a tragic and persistent issue for the military community. That’s especially true in Colorado. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 178 veterans in Colorado died by suicide in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. Colorado leaders recently created a pilot program called Next Chapter, aimed at l…

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Girls who play sports have unique health needs. A new Children's Hospital program aims to address those challenges 9:10

1M ago9:10

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Young women are more active in sports than ever – and more visible. Think: Naomi Osaka on the tennis court, Caitlin Clark playing hoops or Mikaela Schifrin on the slopes. And overall, young women’s participation in sports continues to increase. But female athletes face different health challenges than their male counterparts. They may grapple with …

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This Colorado author’s new novel reimagines 'The Great Gatsby' from a different perspective 9:10

1M ago9:10

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The Great Gatsby turned 100 this year. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel about wealth and longing has generally been celebrated ever since it was published in 1925. But a Colorado author’s new book asks you to consider the story from a different vantage point. Writer Allyson Reedy recently published Mrs. Wilson’s Affair. It's told from the perspective of…

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Temple Grandin is being honored by the Smithsonian – but she says her work is far from complete 9:10

1M ago9:10

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One of Northern Colorado's most well-known figures is headed to the Smithsonian. Temple Grandin is a professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University. She's highly regarded as an advocate for people with autism, and for the humane treatment of animals. Her life and career have been the subject of two films, including a new documentary rele…

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An Afghan man found refuge in Colorado after helping the U.S. fight the Taliban. Now he’s been detained by ICE 9:10

1M ago9:10

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Several years ago, an Afghan man who helped the U.S. military fight the Taliban fled Afghanistan with his family and resettled in Colorado. Mohammad Ali Dadfar had escaped with his wife and their four children after U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. The Dadfar family made their way to the U.S. and resettled in Boulder County, with help…

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Need a reset? Forest bathing helps people reconnect with nature – and reduce stress 9:10

1M ago9:10

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Maybe you’ve tried yoga to de-stress and found it’s not for you. Maybe you’ve tried foam stress balls. Or a hundred other ways to unplug or relax. Today, we’re talking about a practice that uses nature – and the five senses – to help people slow down and reset. Forest bathing is a restorative practice with roots in Japan that sends people into the …

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A ‘Goldilocks foot’ designed by CSU students could offer new options for people who wear prosthetics 9:10

2M ago9:10

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An innovative new prosthetic foot dreamed up by students at Colorado State University could offer new options to amputees and other people with limb differences. The team behind it calls it the “Goldilocks foot” because it serves as a middle option. It’s more comfortable than cheaper prosthetics but costs less than prosthetics built for running and…

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This Colorado author’s new novel asks thorny questions about who owns a story 9:10

1M ago9:10

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A stolen idea for a novel, an angry social media post and an online backlash that engulfs the main characters: These are the elements of an intriguing new novel by Colorado author R.L. Maizes. The writer says it draws on some of her own experiences. And the novel raises thorny questions about who gets to own an idea, who has the right to tell a par…

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The bombing of Flight 629 shocked the nation 70 years ago. A new memorial in Denver honors the victims 9:10

2M ago9:10

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Seventy years ago, on November 1, 1955, a man planted a bomb aboard a United Airlines plane shortly before it departed from Denver. The plane exploded in midflight over beet fields in Weld County, killing all 44 people aboard. It was a mass murder that grabbed headlines across the country. And viewers saw footage of the trial on TV, which was unusu…

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A conservation group says owls on Colorado’s Front Range need a hand – and they’re enlisting homeowners to help 9:10

2M ago9:10

9:10

Owls are symbols of wisdom, and heroes of literature – from Greek mythology to Harry Potter. But a leading conservation agency says owls are in trouble along Colorado’s Front Range. They’re losing critical habitat as cities and suburban areas expand. The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is about to launch what it calls the Urban Owl Nest Box program…

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How climate change could disrupt the dance between wildflowers and bees, according to a CU study 9:10

2M ago9:10

9:10

It’s a snapshot of climate change in action: Plants and pollinators on the slopes of one of Colorado’s most famous mountains are falling out of sync with one another. Researchers say rising temperatures and early snowmelt atop Pikes Peak are causing some noticeable shifts in the ecosystem and throwing off some important life cycles. Wildflowers on …

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Colorado is building the world’s largest ‘wildlife overpass.’ Here’s how it will help animals – and drivers – along I-25 9:10

2M ago9:10

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The world’s largest wildlife overpass will soon be open for use in Colorado. Wildlife overpasses allow animals to safely cross over highways. And Western states are building more of them to cut down on the number of crashes between vehicles and animals. The Greenland wildlife crossing is being built over a section of I-25 between Denver and Colorad…

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A hiker’s disappearance haunted rescuers for 20 years. Here’s how they finally solved the mystery 9:10

2M ago9:10

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It was a mystery that haunted Colorado search and rescue groups for almost two decades. In September 2005, a 35-year-old woman named Michelle Vanek went missing while hiking on Mount of the Holy Cross, a challenging fourteener in Eagle County. Vanek had been hiking with a friend, but they split up after Vanek grew tired and decided to take an easie…

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A cancer treatment being developed at CU could stick to tumors like glue. The inspiration? Gecko feet 9:10

2M ago9:10

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An innovative cancer therapy inspired by the gripping power of geckos might be on the horizon. Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder recently studied the microscopic structures on gecko toes that allow the tiny reptiles to climb walls and cling to slippery surfaces like windows. That work inspired the development of a new material that c…

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Driving I-70's mountain corridor is a challenge for truckers. This school teaches them to do it safely 9:10

2M ago9:10

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A drive through the mountains of Colorado comes with breathtaking views, occasional glimpses of wildlife and plenty of steep, winding roads. Sometimes that becomes deadly, especially for truck drivers. Even in good weather, mountain highways like Interstate 70 can be uniquely challenging for professional truck drivers. And there’s no specialized tr…

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50 years ago, refugees helped shape Denver’s Little Saigon neighborhood. A new exhibit highlights their stories 9:10

2M ago9:10

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A half-century ago, a mile-long stretch of Federal Boulevard in Denver underwent a quiet transformation. More than 10,000 Vietnamese refugees settled in that corner of southwest Denver after fleeing their home country in 1975. Over the years, these newcomers turned the area into a vibrant hub for Asian culture. Today, it’s known as Little Saigon. T…

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Could these 180-pound dogs hold the key to protecting livestock from Colorado’s wolves? 9:10

2M ago9:10

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Since Colorado began its wolf reintroduction program two years ago, wildlife officials have worked to stop wolves from attacking livestock. Wherever possible, they’ve tried to use nonlethal methods, from hazing wolves with drones to having “range riders” patrol on horseback. One promising strategy is the use of very large dogs as livestock guardian…

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How a new project will use electrical charges to increase rainfall on farms in Weld County 9:10

2M ago9:10

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Science is about to make it rain a little bit more over Weld County – and provide farmers with some extra moisture for their crops. That's the goal behind a plan announced last week to allow a new type of cloud seeding in Colorado on a limited basis. Cloud seeding refers to techniques developed by scientists to make rainfall happen. The plans for t…

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What the history of witchcraft can teach us about the world today, according to a CSU professor 9:10

2M ago9:10

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Witches are having a moment – and not only because Halloween is almost here. A recent Pew Research survey of Americans’ religious beliefs found a growing number of people identify as spiritual but not religious. Crystals, tarot cards, and astrology apps are part of many people’s lives in 2025. And in Colorado, about 1 percent of people in that surv…

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How health officials on the Western Slope used a surprising strategy to detect a measles outbreak early 9:10

2M ago9:10

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On today's episode we’re talking about measles – in the sewer. But we promise – you won’t need to hold your nose. This is actually a remarkable public health success story. Back in August, health officials in Mesa County, on Colorado's Western Slope, fielded a report of a measles outbreak involving seven people. Measles outbreaks have been flaring …

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How do people heal after a mass shooting? The podcast ‘Senseless’ explores that question 9:10

2M ago9:10

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How does a community heal from the shock and grief of a mass shooting? And how can people who have lost loved ones find a way to move forward? That’s the subject of a new podcast called Senseless. In it, journalist Erika Mahoney explores the aftermath of the mass shooting at a Boulder King Soopers grocery store in 2021. And it’s a deeply personal s…

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A unique program at a Cañon City prison prepared hundreds of wild mustangs for adoption. So why’s the program ending? 9:10

2M ago9:10

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For almost 30 years, a little-known program inside a Colorado prison quietly helped wild mustangs find new homes – and helped incarcerated men find new purpose. The wild horse program at a Cañon City correctional facility paired horses rounded up from Western rangelands with incarcerated people who learned to care for, train, and prepare the horses…

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A History Colorado exhibit offers a powerful look at the role women have played in grieving families 9:10

2M ago9:10

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Victorian Death Experiences is a Halloween attraction with a historic twist. The program takes place in the historic home which houses the Center for Colorado Women’s History in Denver. Visitors see rooms decorated for mourning. They hear stories of death in the Old West. And they see fascinating artifacts, like hair jewelry made partly from the ha…

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This composer wrote new music using ancient percussion instruments discovered in Colorado 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Denver composer Nathan Hall’s new album of percussion music focuses on some unique instruments: They’re hand-carved from stone and date back several millennia. Lithophones are polished, resonant rocks shaped like baguettes. Archaeologists say that Indigenous people used the stones somewhere between 2,000 and 6,000 years ago near what’s now Great Sa…

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How a new program hopes to enable teachers to use Colorado's ‘red flag’ law if a student shows troubling behavior 9:10

2M ago9:10

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By KUNC

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Headed out for a fall hike? Here’s how to coexist with elk, bighorn sheep and other Colorado wildlife 9:10

3M ago9:10

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A week ago on the show, we talked about how to stay safe during fall hikes – and more specifically, what to do if you encounter a grumpy, pre-hibernation bear out on the trail. But plenty of other animals in Colorado can dazzle us with their beauty while keeping us on guard as they fatten up for winter or look for a mate. So today, the In The NoCo …

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How a CSU professor uses Taylor Swift’s lyrics to teach the art of translating English into Spanish 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Taylor Swift seems to be everywhere these days. Her new album drops Friday. Her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce is all over the news. And if that weren’t enough, she helps teach students at Colorado State University. Sort of. Spanish for Swiftie Purposes is a course available to students at CSU. It’s been offered once, and the curriculum asks s…

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These cuddly, crocheted monsters at the Denver Art Museum help visitors wrestle with difficult feelings 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Fear. Anxiety. Shame. And a horde of colorful, crocheted monsters. They’re all part of an exhibit at the Denver Art Museum that asks visitors to confront some uncomfortable emotions. Denver artist Sadie Young created cuddly and soft monsters with vivid colors and big eyes. And they’re all crocheted out of thousands of yards of yarn. Some are large …

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Family farms on the Eastern Plains are the focus as KUNC's ‘Colorado Dream’ podcast returns for Season 5 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Many farmers on Colorado's Eastern Plains face uncertain futures. They grapple with unpredictable crop prices, extreme weather that spoils harvests, and siblings with different levels of commitment to maintaining the family farm. In the new fifth season of the award-winning KUNC podcast The Colorado Dream, the show offers a glimpse into the inner w…

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Fall can be a busy – and scary – time for bear encounters. Here’s how to stay safe during hikes 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Fall is here, and the cool, crisp weather can make hiking especially appealing this time of year. But fall is also a time to be especially cautious around Colorado's wildlife – including bears. Black bears are extra-active as they hunt for food ahead of their winter hibernation. And encounters with them are not uncommon. State wildlife officials sa…

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How baseballs with thicker seams could help the Colorado Rockies move past their worst season ever 9:10

3M ago9:10

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The Colorado Rockies are wrapping up their worst season in franchise history – and the second-worst season on record for any baseball team in the modern era. So today, we’re talking about an idea that might hold potential to change the team’s fortunes in future seasons. A big part of the Rockies’ misfortunes is the fact that Coors Field sits a mile…

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Visitors love the hairy, eight-legged stars of La Junta’s annual Tarantula Fest. Here's why 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Every fall in southeast Colorado, hordes of hairy, eight-legged creatures leave their burrows and roam the landscape in search of a mate. The tarantula migration draws hundreds of curious spider-lovers to La Junta around this time each year. The town’s annual Tarantula Fest offers tarantula tours, a parade, and other events to celebrate these overs…

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Can a unique training program at Colorado Mountain College help solve a ski industry shortage? 9:10

3M ago9:10

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Just outside Leadville, there’s a tiny ski hill that just might help keep the ski industry vital in the decades ahead. Students at Colorado Mountain College manage the Dutch Henry ski area as part of courses that train aspiring ski resort workers. And soon, those trainees will include future lift mechanics and operators. The students will practice …