‘A Second Try’

‘A Second Try’

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

As President Obama took his second oath of office, several Roaring Fork Valley residents were on hand. A group of Glenwood Springs High School students made the trek. So did the chair of the Garfield County Democrats. Aspen Public Radio’s David Frey caught up with Jack Real on his second attempt to see Mr. Obama’s inauguration.

Listen to the story here: Inauguration (more…)

Colorado Tree Becomes Capitol Tree

Colorado Tree Becomes Capitol Tree

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

Legislators in Washington now can step back from the “fiscal cliff” and take shelter under a Colorado tree. The lights are lit on the Capitol Christmas Tree, which made a 5,000-mile trek from Meeker, Colorado to the West Lawn of the Capitol. In a city better known for legislative fighting, the so-called “People’s Tree” has made the Capitol a setting for a silent night. David Frey reports from Washington.

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Smithsonian Museum Director Faces Mammoth Undertaking

Smithsonian Museum Director Faces Mammoth Undertaking

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Director Kirk Johnson stands in the museum rotunda with Henry, the Smithsonian’s iconic elephant model. David Frey photo.

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

Kirk Johnson went from digging up mastodon bones in Snowmass Village to overseeing the biggest natural history museum in the world. Johnson took over last month as director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. He capped 21 years at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with the Snowmass dig — one of the most important fossil discoveries in the country. His charge at the Smithsonian is to turn the venerable institution into a 21st century museum. David Frey reports from Washington.

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Bennet Strategy Provided Blueprint for Obama

Bennet Strategy Provided Blueprint for Obama

An Obama supporter at a Nov. 1 rally in Boulder, Colo., wears a cowboy hat signed by the First Lady and festooned with Democratic campaign stickers.

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

President Barack Obama’s winning strategy in Colorado relied on an army of campaign workers on the ground and appeals that targeted key groups like suburban women, Latinos and young voters. The Obama team borrowed heavily from Senator Michael Bennet, the Democrat who won in Colorado two years ago using the same model against similar odds. From Washington, DC, David Frey reports.

Listen to the story here: Bennet Blueprint (more…)

Will Fiscal Cliff Break Gridlock?

Will Fiscal Cliff Break Gridlock?

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

Congress resumes today for the first time after the elections. On top of the agenda: dealing with the “fiscal cliff” that would hamstring Washington and could bring on another recession. The election didn’t change the balance of power in Washington. But after years of gridlock in Congress, Colorado’s Senators say legislators needs to find bipartisan solutions, and with the fiscal cliff looming, they can’t afford to wait until the next session. David Frey reports from Washington, D.C.

Listen here: Fiscal Cliff and Gridlock

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Dream Act Faces Battle in Maryland

Dream Act Faces Battle in Maryland

Participants gather for the Salvadorisimo festival in Gaithersburg, Md. David Frey photo.

ASPEN PUBLIC RADIO

For years, immigrant activists in Colorado have tried unsuccessfully to pass a statewide “Dream Act” to allow in-state tuition to students who arrived in this country illegally as children. A dozen states have passed similar laws. One of them is Maryland, where a referendum on the November ballot is asking voters if the law should stay in place. From Gaithersburg, Maryland, David Frey reports.

Listen here: Maryland Dream Act (more…)