Colorado Edition: What Say You?

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Originally appeared on KUNC

Today on Colorado Edition: We get a look at how ballot signatures are verified in Colorado. We’ll also check in on the race for the state’s third congressional district and we’ll learn more about one of the state ballot questions, Proposition 117. We’ll also hear what local candidates for district attorney and the state board of education are thinking about mental health issues and solutions.

How Your Ballot Signature Is Verified

As the election nears and misinformation about voter fraud continues to spread, KUNC’s Adam Rayes has been going behind the scenes to learn more about your ballot’s journey from the day it gets printed to the day it’s counted. He joined us to break down signature verification, a crucial protection against fraud in our all-mail ballot system.

The Race For Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District

Voters in Colorado’s sprawling third congressional district, which covers western Colorado, including Steamboat Springs, Aspen and Pueblo, have the choice of two very different candidates to represent them in Congress: a young, political newcomer aligned with President Trump and a veteran state lawmaker who believes in pragmatism over polarization. KUNC’s Scott Franz has more on the race between Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush and Republican Lauren Boebert.

Local Candidates Weigh In On Mental Health Issues And Solutions

Over the past few weeks, the advocacy group Mental Health Colorado has held a series of virtual candidate forums on the topic of mental health. On Tuesday, candidates for district attorney and the state board of education discussed issues related to mental health that have come up again and again since racial justice protests began in Colorado back in May. KUNC’s Leigh Paterson has been following the forums and joined us to discuss.

Proposition 117 Primer

State ballot question Proposition 117 asks voters if we should amend the Colorado Statutes to require voter approval for certain new state enterprises. It’s a confusing issue, but luckily Dan Mika from BizWest has been covering it. He joined us to explain what exactly this is asking.

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music in the show by Blue Dot Sessions:

  • “Georgia Overdrive” by Truck Stop

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O’Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman, and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. KUNC news director Brian Larson is our executive producer. We get production help from Rae Solomon.

KUNC’s Colorado Edition is a news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It’s available on our website, as well as on iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC’s air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.