Best Aspen Ideas Festival Podcasts (2024)

1
Aspen trees could be a colorful addition to your yard – but experts say you’ll probably regret it 9:35

39m ago9:35

9:35

Fall begins Sunday – which means leaf-peeping season is here in Colorado. Soon the mountains will fill with people looking to drink in the glorious sight of all those orange and gold aspen leaves that cover the hillsides. And you can bet that quite a few of those tourists will look at those vibrant aspen trees and wonder why they can't just plant o…

1
Nearly 1 in 4 college students have limited access to nutritious food. Colorado schools have ideas to fix that 9:36

1h ago9:36

9:36

The college experience can seem like a carefree time, filled with social activities, weekend football games... and, of course, the occasional visit to the library or an all-night study session. But reality paints a very different picture for many students. Federal data shows that nearly a quarter of the nation’s college students struggle with getti…

1
The $38 Trillion Question 55:14

2h ago55:14

55:14

If we do absolutely nothing to mitigate climate change, scientists estimate the toll could be $38 trillion a year in damages. Industrialized countries like the United States, China, Russia and European nations are the biggest contributors to the problem, but as things stand, they probably won’t pay most of the costs from catastrophes that happen in…

1
Many kids born during the pandemic behave differently in the classroom. Here’s how Colorado educators are responding 9:36

4h ago9:36

9:36

Kids who were babies or toddlers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic... are now preschoolers and kindergarteners in Colorado classrooms. And experts see signs that the pandemic changed their behavior compared to older children. A recent round of data from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood seems to confirm that more kids now show signs o…

1
Stress can be quietly devastating for farmers and ranchers. The new documentary ‘Legacy’ looks at how to fix that 9:36

2h ago9:36

9:36

Being a farmer or rancher in Colorado means living with uncertainty on a daily basis. Hailstorms, drought and insects can wipe out an entire season of crops. Diseases and predators can devastate livestock without warning. And then there are other pressures, like holding onto a farm or ranch that’s been in the family for generations so it can be pas…

1
Armando Silva’s vibrant murals adorn walls across Colorado. He hopes a new festival will inspire more outdoor art 9:36

2h ago9:36

9:36

Greeley artist Armando Silva paints some of the most prominent artwork along Colorado’s Front Range. His vibrant, expressive murals depict sugar beet workers who helped establish Fort Collins ... or a steer to honor the Greeley Stampede. And he’s working to create a space for more artists to create more murals. He’s part of the team launching WeldW…

1
Aurora, gangs and immigration: The facts are more nuanced than you may have heard 9:36

22h ago9:36

9:36

If you follow national news, you might think the biggest story in Colorado right now is centered on an Aurora apartment complex that was reportedly overtaken by an armed group of Venezuelan gang members. If you watched the presidential debate this week, you likely heard former president Donald Trump mention that gangs had “taken over” the city. Man…

1
Hope in Troubling Times 54:54

1d ago54:54

54:54

Hope seems like a simple concept, but the feeling can be difficult to hold onto. And when times are difficult and chaos swirls around us, it’s more important than ever. How do we find and practice hope when it’s elusive? Spiritual and religious leaders rely on centuries of experience and wisdom to continually guide people back to hope, and this epi…

1
Think wildfires and hailstorms are raising the cost of home insurance? Technology may be the bigger culprit 9:36

2d ago9:36

9:36

Homeowners in Colorado have been watching their insurance costs increase at rates faster than the national average. On average, they pay more to insure their homes than homeowners in other states – about $1,700 more, according to recent figures. You might hear that and assume it’s because wildfires and hailstorms cause more destruction in Colorado,…

1
Cities like Boulder may have too many parking spaces. Here’s why that's a problem 9:36

3d ago9:36

9:36

Officials in the city of Boulder say they have a problem: too many parking spaces. Some transportation experts believe having too many empty spots is a waste of space, especially considering some of that space could be used for housing, retail, or a park. By some estimates, Boulder has twice as many parking spots as it needs. Some city leaders say …

1
A forgotten hero of Colorado barbecue history is about to get some overdue recognition 9:36

7d ago9:36

9:36

Columbus B. Hill was a pivotal figure in Colorado’s culinary history. He was a Black man originally from Missouri – and he was possibly the most popular barbecue chef in Denver in the late 1800s. His food was so good that it was served to thousands of people at official functions at the state Capitol. But even among hardcore barbecue fans, very few…

1
How a 100-mile run became a ‘lifeline’ for a Colorado athlete who struggles with depression 9:36

14d ago9:36

9:36

Drew Petersen’s career has been marked by extremes. As a professional skier, the Silverthorne native made a living carving turns on some of the toughest terrain in the world. But in recent years, he’s spoken openly, and made two films, about a different part of his life: his struggle with mental health and severe depression, which dates back to his…

1
The First AI Elections 48:12

8d ago48:12

48:12

Almost anyone with a computer can figure out how to make a deepfake photo, video or audio. With a contentious and vitally important election around the corner in the United States, what can we do to prepare for convincing misinformation aimed at voters? Experts around the country and the world have been preparing for this issue, and many have alrea…

1
Colorado’s GOP leadership is divided, and the timing couldn’t be worse. How did this happen? 9:36

9d ago9:36

9:36

Colorado's Republican Party is torn between people claiming to be chairman at the state level. And it's splitting the party leadership into two factions at a critical time. It’s a presidential election year, and a moment when the party is working to regain some of the seats they’ve lost at the state level. The leadership of the state GOP recently v…

1
Four-day school weeks are the norm in many parts of Colorado. But do they set up students for failure? 9:36

10d ago9:36

9:36

Since the 1980s, a growing number of Colorado school districts have adopted a four-day schedule. Currently, about one in seven K-12 public school students in Colorado attends class four days a week rather than five – primarily those in smaller, rural school districts. These districts often have smaller budgets than schools along the Front Range and…

1
Love Palisade Peaches? Here's what makes them delicious, according to science 9:36

21d ago9:36

9:36

The Palisade peach might be one of Colorado's best-kept secrets. Those grocery store peaches from California or Georgia are perfectly fine. But a good peach from Western Colorado is often juicier, sweeter and bigger than its out-of-state competition. As peach season winds down for the year, the In The NoCo team wanted to find out: What makes the Pa…

1
Tourists are flocking to Colorado’s busiest national forest. Can this mountain ‘playground’ be protected from overuse? 9:36

15d ago9:36

9:36

The Colorado Tourism Office recently published a report outlining the economic benefits of travel in different regions around Colorado. And the numbers show that tourism is growing. The report labeled one region the ‘Rockies Playground’ – that's an area that includes parts of Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties. And visitor spending in that region g…

1
At America’s Edge: Border Politics, Policy and People 55:03

16d ago55:03

55:03

It’s been decades since the United States has updated its immigration policies in any sort of comprehensive way, and the problems and suffering at the southern border have persisted. Meanwhile, worsening conflicts around the world push more and more people to leave their homes and try and make their way to America. Immigration is a top concern of U…

1
If deepfakes and other misinformation target Colorado voters, election officials have a plan to respond 9:36

23d ago9:36

9:36

Weld County’s Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes has a noticeable online presence. She posts lots of informational videos around election time telling voters how to cast a ballot or get ready for election day But here’s something that keeps Koppes -- and a lot of other election officials -- up at night. Artificial intelligence is developing so quickly…

1
Can surviving a wildfire actually make a community stronger? This researcher says yes 9:36

17d ago9:36

9:36

Wildfires, like the ones that hit Colorado’s Front Range this summer, rip through communities. They torch homes and disrupt lives. But wildfires can also cause some surprising -- even uplifting -- things to happen. They strengthen the bonds between neighbors. They make people more resilient. And those stronger connections help people prepare for fu…

1
A new podcast unearths Colorado’s forgotten uranium ‘Boom Town’ 9:36

28d ago9:36

9:36

On Colorado’s Western Slope a single sign represents a mining town that was once there. The town helped provide the uranium in the first atomic bomb. The town was called Uravan. Journalist Alec Cowan has long been fascinated by stories of Uravan. Cowan grew up in nearby Grand Junction and remembers hearing urban legends about Uravan. Officials clos…

1
A powerful new technology could transform search and rescue in Colorado’s mountains (Best of ITN) 9:36

29d ago9:36

9:36

In Colorado, there are approximately 3,000 search and rescue incidents each year, according to the state's Search and Rescue Association. And when someone goes missing in the backcountry, every hour counts. Heat, dehydration and exposure to the elements make a person's survival less likely as time ticks by. Rescuers in our state also deal with rugg…

51
AI Superthinker 46:31

24d ago46:31

46:31

Where will artificial intelligence be in five years, or 10 or 20? What happens if the technology is regulated? And if it isn’t? How will it shape the world and the way we live our lives? The CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, has been working in this young field for more than a decade. He knows the AI landscape inside and out, and is a level-he…

1
This technology could save bicyclists’ lives. So why isn’t it mandatory? 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

A year ago last summer, a young bicyclist named Magnus White was struck and killed by a driver on Highway 119 near Boulder. A memorial ride for Magnus earlier this month drew more than 2,000 participants, with hundreds more joining virtually. His parents spoke to the crowd and called for measures that would make roads safer for cyclists – including…

1
It’s a brutal year for grasshoppers in Colorado. Here’s why – and how to deal with them 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

Grasshoppers are everywhere along Colorado's Front Range right now. They blanket the sidewalks and lawns – which makes them a pest. But they also devastate crops, which makes them a real problem for farmers. Our friends at the Colorado State University Extension run a sort of hotline for folks with questions about gardening and lawncare. They confi…

1
What this CSU scientist found beneath Antarctica could offer new clues about climate change 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

A team of scientists, including a CSU seismologist, recently spent years peering beneath the largest mass of ice on Earth. The unique study yielded fascinating insights about the relationship between the massive glaciers that cover much of Antarctica’s surface, and the ground underneath the ice. And the findings may help scientists better predict h…

1
How artist R. Alan Brooks uses comics and graphic novels to dissect culture and politics 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

If you read the Colorado Sun, you might be familiar with the comic strip called ‘What’d I Miss?’ It follows conversations between Ossie – a young Black man – and Myra – an older white woman – who has awakened from a long coma. Together they struggle to understand modern day politics and culture. Ossie and Myra talk about issues like artificial inte…

1
Divorce and single motherhood are funnier than you think. Just ask comedian Stephanie Sprenger 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

Comedian and writer Stephanie Sprenger bares all in her comedy. Through her standup, the Arvada resident broaches subjects that might make people blush -- but are very real portrayals of life as a middle-aged single mom. She jokes about topics like menopause, potty breaks and divorce. Stephanie is part of a group of four comedians and four storytel…

1
Academia at a Crossroads 51:53

1M ago51:53

51:53

The challenges for university presidents keep coming, from Middle East protests to standardized testing and admissions debates, to complaints over classroom content and pedagogical methods. The American public has little faith in college administrators right now, according to polling, and it’s often unclear how institutions can move forward and ass…

1
Could a tax on empty homes help solve housing shortages in Colorado’s mountain towns? 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

As much as 40 percent of the homes in some Colorado mountain resorts sit unoccupied for much of the year. And housing is in such short supply in communities like Breckenridge or Steamboat Springs that many workers find themselves living in hotels, rather than a house or apartment. Leaders in a coalition of ski towns called the Colorado Association …

1
Breaking is about to make its Olympic debut. This CU instructor is watching with pride 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

The 2024 Olympics are underway in Paris. And for the first time, breaking is an official part of the Games. Breaking (or breakdancing as it’s sometimes called) originated in the Bronx during the 1970s, growing within the larger spectrum of hip-hop culture. But it’s more than just the music, the rhythms, and the athletic, visually stunning moves. Th…

1
Five days battling a wildfire in Lyons: A fire chief's perspective 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

Coloradans in recent weeks have seen a barrage of evacuation notices and news updates about four major wildfires along the Front Range. Beyond the ever–changing tallies of acres burned or the latest containment numbers, we wanted to see a wildfire from a fire chief’s perspective – from the first visible plumes of smoke, to when evacuees return home…

1
Colorado is investing in geothermal. Here’s why 9:36

1M ago9:36

9:36

Geothermal is having a moment in the spotlight. It hasn’t gotten the attention that wind and solar have as the ‘powerhouses’ of Colorado’s electric grid. But energy officials say it’s time for the state to start building up other sources – including tapping the heat that’s under our feet. The state is offering grants and tax credits to support rese…

1
Peter Thiel — On the Record with an Iconoclast 1:03:18

1M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Whether they publicly tout it or not, U.S. technology companies play a powerful role in politics, cultural issues and the way we live. Founder and investor Peter Thiel is one of the more visible and outspoken Silicon Valley figures. A member of the so-called "PayPal Mafia," a highly successful group of PayPal founders and employees, Thiel waded int…

1
Urban fires do more than burn structures. They leave a mark in our waterways 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Four major wildfires burned along the front range in the last week. One person reportedly died in the Stone Canyon Fire. Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes and dozens of structures were lost in the four fires. While fire is a normal part of the ecosystem of the mountain west, fires that push into urban areas are destructive to those…

1
Colorado’s newest fire prevention employee is cute, furry, and has a terrific nose 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Ash is a cute yellow lab with a very big job. She is Colorado’s newest employee in the Division of Fire Prevention & Control. Ash started on July 1 as the Division’s newest accelerant detector tool -- meaning she can sniff out if something suspicious was used to start a fire. Her powerful nose can help determine a fire’s cause, often more effective…

1
Could an exclusive new development near Steamboat Springs open the door to more private skiing in Colorado? 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Colorado is home to world class skiing, with dozens of public resorts open to skiers of all levels -- and incomes. Private ski resorts – which tend to cater to the ultra-wealthy – are practically nonexistent here. But a newly proposed private resort could add to Colorado’s short list. Stagecoach Mountain Ranch would create an exclusive enclave of m…

1
Architects used ‘trauma-informed design’ to reimagine a Denver youth shelter 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Architecture can provoke a powerful emotional response in us. Perhaps you've stopped on a sidewalk to stare up in wonder at a massive skyscraper... or stepped inside a beautifully designed building and felt a sense of peace or inspiration. But the reaction to a building isn’t always positive -- particularly for people who have experienced trauma. B…

1
A Revolutionary Age with Fareed Zakaria 50:48

2M ago50:48

50:48

Sizable electorates around the world are flocking to populist candidates who promise power, domination and a return to better times. The global experiment in liberalism seems to be suffering a setback. In his latest book, “Age of Revolutions,” journalist Fareed Zakaria teases apart the foreign policy decisions that got us to this point. Several U.S…

1
Why “mortgage handcuffs” are hurting Colorado’s housing market 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Many people in Colorado bought homes or refinanced during the pandemic, when interest rates were at historic lows. Now, they feel trapped by that low mortgage rate. They might want to sell and move, but can’t afford to buy elsewhere, with interest rates at much higher levels than four years ago. The problem has been dubbed 'mortgage handcuffs.' Thi…

1
This beetle is a voracious, unwelcome invader – and its range is growing 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

Of all the insects that could turn up in your yard, the Japanese beetle is one of the nastiest. Its larvae chew up the roots of your grass, while the mature version of the beetle eats just about every plant in your yard. And worst of all, it’s tough to eradicate. Japanese beetles are an invasive species that turned up across Colorado’s Front Range …

1
Cave crawl leads to a Colorado family’s discovery of a tiny, new scorpion-like species 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science recently made an exciting announcement: A new species of cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion had been discovered in the foothills outside Boulder. Researchers named it Larca boulderica – a nod to the city of Boulder – and say the only place on the planet where you’ll find it is in just two caves near the Boulder Fla…

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