NOTE: Due to staff
and budget limitations, beginning December 2005 we will no longer be making
transcripts of Western Skies available. Transcripts of previous
editions remain available online.
Show Summary – Western Skies #123– June 20, 2006
THE MATO VEGA FIRE
The Mato Vega fire burning near La Veta has doubled
in size today. Reports last night put the fire at approximately 4,500 acres,
the blaze is now estimated to be burning some 8,960 acres in steep, heavily
wooded terrain. [TRANSCRIPT]
BAR OWNERS CHALLENGE STATE SMOKING BAN
On Friday a federal judge will hear a lawsuit challenging
Colorado's new ban on smoking inside bars and restaurants. The ban is scheduled
to go into effect July 1. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.
[LISTEN]
NEW HOSPITAL OPENS IN DURANGO
After years of planning and construction, a new 82-bed
hospital is set to open in Durango. Last week Catholic Health Initiatives,
which will operate the new Mercy Medical Center held a dedication ceremony
with their development partners, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Joan Zwisler
of Four Corners Public Radio was at the event, and files this report. [LISTEN]
FEDS SELL LEASES IN ROADLESS AREAS DESPITE TASK FORCE
Colorado's roadless areas task force is holding its
second to last hearing tomorrow in Glenwood Springs. The final hearing will
be on July 19th in Denver. But as Josh Raulerson of Aspen Public Radio reports,
energy development is poised to encroach into previously protected roadless
areas before the task force completes its work. [LISTEN]
LAWSUIT OVER COLORADO'S ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES
This fall, voters in Colorado could be faced with
new, electronic voting machines. The state is trying to comply with a federal
law designed to help disabled people vote. But 13 people are suing the state,
saying that the new electronic voting machines aren't ready for prime time.
Bente Birkland reports from Denver. [LISTEN]
UTILITIES PAY HOMEOWNERS TO GO SOLAR
As we reported recently on Western Skies, utility
companies in Colorado are starting to pay homeowners to install solar panels
on their houses. Here are more details. [LISTEN]
CORKY GONZALES BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE
MUSIC INTO: In 1969 the Crusade for Justice, a Chicano/Mexicano
civil rights organization began a summer freedom school for disempowered
Chicano youth in Denver, for whom regular school seemed irrelevant. Heavily
involved was Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, an activist who hoped spur pride
in Chicano students, and get them more interested in education through the
study of Chicano literature and history. Last Saturday Latino activists
in Denver celebrated Corky Gonzales' birthday, Claudia Crag has this story.
[LISTEN]
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