KRCC’s Michelle Mercer interviews Rico Mayor Joe Croke

One of the world’s biggest copper mining companies says it will spend half-a-billon dollars to reopen the historic Climax molybdenum mine southwest of Denver. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. says it will hire from 150 to 500 workers between now and next spring. After the initial construction phase, the work force will level off at about 350 when production begins in 2010. The decision to re-open the mine comes as international demand has grown for molybdenum, which is used primarily for strengthening steel. There are at least two other potential molybdenum mines that could open in Colorado in the near future. One, near Crested Butte, faces lots of local opposition. The other could open near the little town of Rico, in the far southwestern corner of the state. KRCC’s Michelle Mercer reports on how the town is reacting.

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We’re continuing our look at some of the proposed Health Care reforms that could be enacted in the upcoming legislative session. This time, we’ll hear about the so-called “individual mandate,” that’s where everyone in Colorado would be required to have health insurance, or face some kind of penalty, probably on their taxes. Ryan Warner of Colorado Public Radio talks the concept over with Len Nichols, Health policy director at the Washington, D.C. - based New America foundation, and Kelly Shanahan, policy director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

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Trinidad, Colorado, population 10,000, has a world renowned skate park, rated in pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk’s top ten. So why, many skaters wonder, does Colorado Springs, with over 35 times as many people, lack a professionally built skate park? Well, that’s set to change. The city is planning a new 40,000 sq foot skate park, and this one will be built by people who know what they’re doing. Colorado College student Kate Dawson has this report on what people want.

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The state announced it’s latest round of GO_CO grants this week. This time nearly 60 million dollars is being awarded to counties, cities and trusts across Colorado. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

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With the state legislative session just around the corner we’re looking at some of the health care reform proposals that state lawmakers are likely to grapple with. One that was studied by the bi-partisan Blue Ribbon Panel on Healthcare Reform is a so-called employer mandate. That means businesses would be required to offer health insurance to their employees, or face a penalty. This so-called “pay or play” system for businesses is not being recommended by the Blue Ribbon Panel, but could still end up on the table. Ryan Warner of Colorado Public Radio recently spoke with the Blue Ribbon Panel’s chairman, Bill Lindsay.

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