A few inches of snow settled across the state last night, as if to quiet any stress that may have arisen from hosting, traveling to see family or entering what I consider the season of mixed feelings — when everything is gearing up and winding down at the same time. Amid all that, the snow feels like a cozy encouragement to just bundle up and chill this weekend. Maybe that’s why they call it a blanket.
If you want to get out and enjoy the wintery scenery, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering free entry to all 42 Colorado State Parks today. But first, get your hot bev ready. We’ve got some heartwarming stories today.
Reporter
P.S. It’s holiday gift season! Share the gift of great Colorado Sun journalism for 20% off through Monday. Use the code BLACKFRIDAYGIFT at checkout. No wrapping required.
THE NEWS
WATER
Fourth graders in Eagle County take on Colorado River water policy
At Eagle County Charter Academy in Edwards, two teachers found a way to combine key units of fourth grade curriculum, like Colorado history, civics and geography, into lessons about the Colorado River. The result was a handful of deep discussions, a stack of persuasive essays and a rap. “When it gets hotter, there’s less water …” Shannon Mulane has the takeaways, and the rest of the lyrics.
EDUCATION
These Colorado theater kids are learning improv, not to perform on a stage but to rehearse life skills
The nonprofit organization Mirror Image Arts is teaching theater classes to teens, but they’re not working toward a big year-end performance. They’re working on practical life skills. While the props might be as ordinary as a highlighter and a globe, the students are picking up important soft skills like trust, confidence and anger management. Erica Breunlin has more.
ENVIRONMENT
Colorado recycling rates have the holiday blues, but Chook and others are stemming the waste
500,000
The number of plastic bottles that a Breckenridge hotel kept out of the waste stream by switching to refillable shampoo containers
Starting in 2024, Colorado will be the first noncoastal state with a ban on both plastic bags and Styrofoam food containers. Some businesses, like the Chook Chicken chain in Denver, are getting a head start, and getting creative, with reducing their waste. Michael Booth has the story.
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THE COLORADO REPORT
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Kevin Jeffers | Product Team
THE OPINION PAGE
COMMUNITY
CARTOONS
Cartoonist Jim Morrissey figures the Colorado legislature’s special session to address property taxes produced a dish that tastes a lot like what was on the election menu.
In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie explains how the popular ’70s sitcom “Happy Days” served as a connection between him and a postal worker — but not in the way either anticipated.
The Broncos got off to an abysmal start, but cartoonist Drew Litton suggests that, as an improbable winning streak stretches on, maybe it’s time to believe in this team.
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.
Podcast Playlist
Each weekday The Daily Sun-Up podcast brings you a bit of Colorado history, headlines and a thoughtful conversation. We keep it tight so you can quickly listen, or stack up a few and tune in at your leisure. You can download the Sun-Up for free in your favorite podcasting app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts or RSS to plug into your app. This week, topics ranged from our series the High Cost of Colorado to Indigenous history at Winter Park:
Also, remember to ask your favorite smart device to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll be on the speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.
David Krause | Editor
Let it snow.
— Parker & the whole staff of The Sun
