No degree? Try apprenticing as a teacher

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Good morning, Colorado.

Are you catching yourself daydreaming about yard work these days? Me too. The weather in my neighborhood is so distractingly beautiful and summer-like right now that I have to keep reminding myself to focus and to stop thinking “summer thoughts” when I have other tasks that need attention.

We may be heading into a distracting time of year, but we must keep paying attention. With the Colorado primary right around the corner and the increase in misinformation that comes with an election year, we all need to make sure the news we consume is trustworthy and is helping us to make informed decisions about our communities. You’re a Colorado Sun reader, so you’re already getting independent, nonpartisan news you can depend on!

Want to help us grow and reach more Coloradans? If you are not already a member, you can join us today to help us continue covering the topics that matter to you and other Coloradans. If you are already a member or supporter, thank you! We can’t do this work without you.

Have a great weekend, Colorado. I know as Sun readers that you’re paying attention, but remember to enjoy those distracting summer thoughts, too — whether they be dreaming about skipping town or planning your next additions to your garden.

P.S. Our conversation with Gov. Jared Polis,Rep. Iman Jodeh, Rep. Anthony Hartsook, Sen. Jim Smallwood and Sen. Kyle Mullica recapping the 2024 legislative session is available to view:

• Watch: Recapping the 2024 Colorado legislative session. 

THE NEWS

EDUCATION

Colorado is launching a teacher apprenticeship program in race to solve chronic staff shortages

Colorado schools made it through the 2023-24 school year with 635 unfilled teaching positions. But with the pipeline for new teachers looking like it won’t make up for that shortfall, the Colorado Department of Education is launching an apprenticeship program that hopes to bring potential teachers into the profession from a broader set of backgrounds. Erica Breunlin has more.

READ MORE

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FACT BRIEF

Was the recent discovery of 40-pound invasive fish in Colorado the result of a science experiment?

You may have already seen the photos of the massive school of carp that were removed from a pond in Arvada, but as Justin George writes in this fact brief, how they got there in the first place is an interesting story.

READ MORE

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OUTDOORS

Eldora worker crushed by a tree while doing trail maintenance at the ski area

A 52-year-old man — whose identity has not been released — was helping with maintenance along the trails at the Eldora ski area when a tree fell on him. He died before a Flight for Life helicopter arrived.

READ MORE

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MORE NEWS

• Justice Department formally moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in historic shift. The formal announcement by the Justice Department would acknowledge the medical uses for cannabis and put it in the same category as ketamine and anabolic steroids, but would not legalize it generally for recreational use.
• 1 person dead, another hurt after a fiery tanker truck crash west of Denver. The tanker truck was carrying diesel and gasoline and was parked on the shoulder of I-70 near Morrison when an SUV slammed into the back, setting off an explosion and killing the SUV driver.

THE COLORADO REPORT

• Students were asking for a yurt, more pedestrian safety before being interrupted by racism at city council meeting. As two of the 4th and 5th grade students, who are Black, began speaking, they were met with racist language and insults by an unidentified person over Zoom.
  — Denverite
• Rep. Lauren Boebert attends Donald Trump’s hush money trial, taking front-row seat in show of support. Boebert appeared at the courthouse Thursday morning with several fellow Republican House members, including House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good of Virginia and Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona.
  — The Denver Post 🔑
• Check out Colorado Springs’ first-ever downtown dog park. The ADA-compliant space includes two separate play areas — one for small dogs and another for larger dogs — and features a large fence with double gates, synthetic turf, a sitting area, play amenities and a dog water station.
  — KRCC
• Breckenridge staff come up with remedy for the town’s infant care shortage. Town council weighs if it will actually work. The annual subsidy to run the center is estimated at roughly $107,000 to serve up to five infants, with priority to town employees and commission members before the public.
  — Summit Daily

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

THE OPINION PAGE

CARTOONS

In “What’d I Miss?” Myra laments the cases that recently came to light involving adults abusing kids who have disabilities.
CARTOON

Drew Litton channels an old Bee Gees tune in recognizing Nikola Jokic as the Most Valuable Player in the NBA — for the third time, placing him squarely among the all-time greats.
CARTOON

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

CONVERSATION

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, YouTube or RSS to plug into your app. This week we talk jukebox musicals and a cement factory’s fate.

• Colorado Music Experience maestro G. Brown takes first chair. The music man sits in for another session with reporter Kevin Simpson and they chat about the Dead, Huey Lewis’ jukebox musical and a whole lot more.
  LISTEN
• Locals plan for impacts of long-term bridge closure on Blue Mesa Reservoir. There are a lot of summer events around Gunnison and Montrose, and they are getting waylaid by the U.S. 50 closure. Western Slope journalist Nancy Lofholm has more on the frustrations and fears.
  LISTEN
• Does the big Cemex cement factory have a future in Boulder? One of only a few cement plants in Colorado, the facility in Boulder County continues to draw criticism from neighbors. Environmental reporter Michael Booth has the latest developments.
  LISTEN
• Colorado’s new land-use laws and its impact for affordable housing. Politics reporters Jesse Paul and Brian Eason review the bills that made it across the legislative finish line that will affect housing in specific areas of the state.
  LISTEN
• Going behind The Sun’s new Fact Brief feature. Editor Lance Benzel talks about the project to take on viral claims and provide a simple “yes” or “no” answer about the topic using definitive sources to inform the discussion.
  LISTEN

🗣️ Remember, you can ask Siri, Alexa or Google to “play the Daily Sun-Up podcast” and we’ll play right on your smart speaker. As always we appreciate your feedback and comments at podcast@coloradosun.com.

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Thanks for sticking with us all week! Remember to light your St. Nikola candle and think good thoughts on Sunday.

— Lauren & the whole staff of The Sun

Corrections & Clarifications

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.