In our monthly conversation with Governor Bill Ritter the chief executive discusses recent disagreements with federal land management agencies, meetings with leaders in higher education, and his interest in Congress’ efforts to craft immigration reform legislation.

These monthly conversations are produced for, and come to us courtesy of KCFR in Denver, they’re conducted by Ryan Warner, host of the KCFR program “Colorado Matters.”

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Scientists from across the country came to Colorado this week to discuss the latest research on emerging contaminants found in water. The compounds show up in minute traces and their effect on humans is unclear, but recent studies indicate they’re disrupting fish and frog populations. Bente Birkeland reports from Vail.

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Earlier in June KRCC ran a series of interivews with Maj. Thomas Mowle, a Ph.D. political science professor at the Air Force Academy. We talked to him about his new book, “Hope Is Not A Plan: The War In Iraq From Inside the Green Zone.”

Now, PBS television has released a program online that features Maj. Mowle, as well as Army Col. H.R. McMaster, former commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment when it was stationed at Ft. Carson.

The PBS special is available [HERE]

KRCC’s interviews with Maj. Mowle are available [HERE]

The US House has passed a measure that would that would significantly slow commercial development of oil shale in western Colorado and neighboring states. Colorado congressman Mark Udall added the measure as an amendment to next year’s interior appropriations bill. If approved by the Senate, Udall’s amendment would bar the federal government from preparing regulations necessary to develop commercial oil shale leases.

Another Colorado congressman made news when he sent a head of lettuce and a basket of fruit to the Federal Chief of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff.

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Kathryn Eastburn was the editor of the Colorado Springs Inedpendent when she began working on the story of the Dutcher murders in Guffey, Colorado on December 31st, 2000.

This fall, Eastburn will publish a book about the incident, called, “Simon Says: A True Story of Boys, Guns and Murder in the Rocky Mountain West.” She will read from her forthcoming work Thursday night, June 28th as a part of the Colorado College Summer Arts Festival. Noel Black spoke with her about the book.

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In our second segment this week, Springs Culture Cast producer Craig Richardson visits the Celebration Place and speaks to the executive director of the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration at Colorado Springs.

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Colorado’s senators split their votes on whether to go forward with an immigration reform bill that the White House favors. Those wanting to continue work on the bill carried the day. Twenty-four Republicans joined 39 Democrats and one Independent.

Colorado Democrat Ken Salazar voted to continue with the bill, while his Republican counterpart Wayne Allard voted not to. Allard said he “could not in good conscience support this flawed process,” and that lawmakers can do better than the bill currently before them. He says he will now do all that he can to focus on supporting amendments to address what he calls “serious flaws” in the legislation. There are currently some 26 proposed amendments that the Senate is considering, the bill faces another make or break vote in the chamber as early as Thursday.

The bill in question would provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers already in the country, and proposes a guest worker program. Supporters say it has many practical provisions, critics call it amnesty.

More local news after the jump: Ft. Carson Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Dust is Depleting Snowpack Faster, Greens Skeptical of Oil Shale Study and Granby Fire Now Contained….

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Filmmaker Michael Moore stopped in Denver over the weekend to promote his new documentary Sicko, a critique of the American health care system. The film opens nationwide Friday and Moore held a rally on the state capitol steps. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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It’s too easy to amend Colorado’s constitution. That’s something that both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature agree on, and now they’re on a listening tour to see if the public will support reform of the amendment process. It launched Monday in Colorado Springs.

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In our first segment this week, Springs Culture Cast reporter Dave Voth explores his inner-Liberace at Movin’ On Up 8, the eighth annual Peak Scooter Club rally at the Piano Warehouse.

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Students are taking out an increasing amount of loans to pay for college, according to the latest figures from the College Board. Congress is now considering legislation aimed at cutting the soaring costs of higher education in Colorado and around the country. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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State and federal land managers are in Granby today for the first of a two day meeting on the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic, and just what that means for the state’s forests, the risk for wild fire and the impacts that both could have on future water supplies. Recent legislation paves the way for protection of watersheds, but forest researchers say that may have consequences that are not yet fully realized. In the final part of our series on the beetle, KUNC’s Brian Larson has more.

Part 3[LISTEN]
Missed the earlier segments?
Part 2[LISTEN]
Part 1[LISTEN]

The race is on in Summit County to cut down infected lodgepole pine trees before the next round of pine beetles take flight and attack healthy trees. The U.S. Forest Service manages much of the land in the county so individual communities are doing what they can to stay at least one step ahead of the outbreak and the increased likelihood of wildfires. In the second of our series on the pine beetle and Colorado, KUNC’s Brian Larson has more.

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Colorado’s speaker of the house is hoping you’ll add legislative debates to your winter TV line up. He’s not promising the next Sopranos but says he hopes the proposed legislative channel from the statehouse will still be a hit. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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In Part 1 this week, Springs Culture Cast producer Craig Richardson visits the Western Jubilee Recording Company, smokes a cigarette, and discusses the upcoming Ride for the Brand Ranch Rodeo with three hardcore cowboys.

In Part 2, Springs Culture Cast producer Craig Richardson explores the Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

In Part 3 of this week’s Springs Culture Cast, reporter Sue Spengler interviews some of the talented people behind Menotti’s The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore at the Louisa Performing Arts Center.

In Part 4 of this week’s Springs Culture Cast, reporter Lance von Ende visits the Eichman Gallery in Woodland Park and talks to poet/photographer Patrick Jones.

In Part 5 this week, Springs Culture Cast producer Craig Richardson covers the Colorado College Summer Music Festival production of Little Red Riding Hood.

In our final segment this week, Springs Culture Cast producer Craig Richardson enjoys a rainy “Sunday on the Town.”

[Springs Culture Cast]

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