Today on Colorado Edition: As of today, most of the state is no longer under a stay-at-home order. As we transition to a 鈥渟afer at home鈥� period, we explore how it might impact first responders. We also learn about what employers will have to do in order to keep their employees safe. Plus, we learn about conditions inside Colorado鈥檚 largest prison and we explore what the next few weeks might look like for the state鈥檚 response to COVID-19.
What Safer At Home Means For Colorado Employers
Today, we鈥檙e going to look at what the transition to 鈥渟afer at home鈥� means for employers, many of whom are making decisions about how to re-open safely. We spoke with Tina Harkness, the director of the Employers鈥� Council鈥檚 Northern Regional Office.
Coronavirus-Era Conditions Inside Colorado鈥檚 Largest Prison
According to state data released last week, out of the 2,500 inmates at Sterling Correctional Facility, 138 have now tested positive for the Coronavirus, up from 8 total cases just days before. Inmates and staff have also tested positive at similar facilities in both Weld and Arapahoe Counties, but this is the largest reported outbreak at a jail or prison in the state by far. KUNC鈥檚 Leigh Paterson spoke with a woman named Jada Lee whose husband is an inmate, sentenced to 12 months at the prison in Sterling. Leigh joined us to discuss conditions at the prison.
First Responders In The Middle Of A COVID-19 Hotspot
Times remain uncertain for first responders as 911 calls related to coronavirus keep coming in. But as stay-at-home orders begin to relax, they expect more routine emergencies - like car accidents - to mix back into their work. KUNC鈥檚 Michael de Yoanna wanted to know how that will impact first responders in the middle of one of the state鈥檚 hotspots for the pandemic. You can go further with Michael鈥檚 story here.
Contact Tracing And The Future Of Colorado鈥檚 Coronavirus Response
While relaxed social distancing rules will likely change the daily work for first responders, the average Coloradan鈥檚 life will probably look roughly the same. But we still don鈥檛 know how the transition out of a stay-at-home order will affect the spread of COVID-19 in our state. John Ingold, a writer with the Colorado Sun, joined us to discuss.
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Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs. Other music in the show by :
- 鈥淲aterbourne鈥� by Algea Fields
- "The Bus At Dawn" by Holyoke
Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole () and Henry Zimmerman (), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.
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 , , , or . You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.