Erika Highstead and Sarah Musick celebrate their civil union.

Civil Unions Celebrated in Manitou Springs

On May 2, 2013 By

Yesterday, the first day Colorado’s civil unions law went into effect, 20 same-sex couples, their friends and relatives packed into a Manitou Springs art space for a public ceremony. KRCC’s Liz Ruskin reports.

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Governor Signs Civil Unions Measure

On March 22, 2013 By

Colorado is now the 8th state in the country to allow civil unions for same sex couples. Governor John Hickenlooper signed the measure into law yesterday in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Civil Unions Clears State Legislature

On March 13, 2013 By

Civil unions will soon be a reality for gay and lesbian couples in Colorado. The state legislature passed a bill Tuesday allowing civil unions and its now off to the Governor for his signature. As Bente Birkeland reports, it marks the end of a long and often bitter legislative journey.

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Civil Unions Measure Heads to the Governor

On March 12, 2013 By

Colorado is the latest state to pass a measure to allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. The state legislature approved the bill today. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Round-Up: Civil Unions gets initial approval; CS Council to consider employee compensation; Colorado Trail gets new loop option

On March 12, 2013 By

A bill to allow civil unions in Colorado could be headed to the Governor’s desk by the end of the week…Colorado Springs police and firefighters would get a raise, but the whole workforce would have to shoulder more healthcare costs. Those are among the proposals Mayor Steve Bach’s administration presented to City Council…The nearly 500-mile Colorado Trail is adding a new section expected to be ready for hiking this summer.

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Civil Unions Gets Initial Approval

On March 11, 2013 By

A bill to allow civil unions in Colorado could be headed to the Governor’s desk by the end of the week. The full house held a lengthy debate on the measure and is scheduled to take a final vote tomorrow. As Bente Birkeland reports, the debate once again fell along party lines, but this [...]

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Civil Unions Bill Clears House Committee

On March 1, 2013 By

Civil unions supporters in Colorado are entering the home stretch as they move legislation through the state house. As Bente Birkeland reports, a bill to allow civil unions cleared the House Judiciary Committee yesterday with bi-partisan support. It’s expected to pass the full House by mid-March.

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Transgender Group Files Complaint over Fountain-Ft. Carson School Action

On February 27, 2013 By

The New York-based Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, or TLDEF is filing a complaint with the Colorado Division of Civil Rights against Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8. KRCC’s Eliza Densmore reports.

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Sex Ed Bill Draws Debate at the Statehouse

On February 19, 2013 By

A bill to revamp sex education classes for Colorado students has initially passed the house after a rigorous debate. The measure aims to make instruction more culturally sensitive and add information on homosexuality. But opponents say it would take away the rights of parents. Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Military to Extend Some Benefits to Same-Sex Partners

On February 13, 2013 By

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced that the military will extend some benefits to same-sex partners. KUNC’s Grace Hood has more on what the move will mean for the 26-thousand men and women serving at Fort Carson.

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Civil Unions Bill Passes State Senate

On February 11, 2013 By

A bill to allow civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado cleared the Democratic controlled senate today with little fanfare. Unlike last year, the measure’s passage is all but certain. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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State Senate Debates Civil Unions

On February 8, 2013 By

After an emotional debate, a bill to allow civil unions initially passed the state senate today. The vote was largely divided along party lines. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Lawmakers Set to Debate Civil Unions

On February 7, 2013 By

State senators will debate a bill to allow civil unions for gay and lesbian couples tomorrow. The measure is expected to easily pass the Democratic controlled legislature and be signed into law, but as Bente Birkeland reports, the main sponsor says he’s taking a different approach this year.

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Civil Unions Passes First Committee

On January 24, 2013 By

A measure to give Colorado gay couples many of the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples cleared its first committee at the state capitol on yesterday. After being at the center of a political storm last year, the bill passed easily on a party line vote. Bente Birkeland has more from the state [...]

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Civil Unions Gets First Hearing

On January 22, 2013 By

A bill to allow civil unions in Colorado gets its first hearing at the capitol tomorrow. The measure’s passage is certain, but a large crowd is still expected to testify before lawmakers. Bente Birkeland has more from the state capitol.

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Colorado Springs Ranked 13th Gayest City in America

On January 11, 2013 By


Advocate, a national LGBTQ politics and culture magazine, released it’s annual “Gayest Cities in America” list this week, and you’ll be surprised to know that Colorado Springs clocked in at #13 (besting Denver by nearly 10 spots, and only barely trailing Oakland and Minneapolis). The rankings are supposedly based on criteria [...]

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Number of LGBT Elected Officials Reaches Historic Levels

On December 5, 2012 By

During last month’s general election, Americans voted into office more gay and lesbian lawmakers than ever before. And in states like Wisconsin, Oregon and Colorado, gay and lesbian officials will hold some of the highest positions of power. Bente Birkeland takes a closer look at what’s driving the change.

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The Impact of Civil Unions on the Legislature

On November 13, 2012 By

Civil unions supporters in Colorado won big during last week’s election, successfully targeting and ousting three Republican lawmakers over their opposition to civil unions. And as Bente Birkeland reports, many in the GOP feel the issue contributed to their losses.

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Pascoe Gaga

Watch microLecture by CC Prof Named to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation

On November 7, 2012 By

It’s not every day that a local professor gets named to the research advisory board of a foundation created by, arguably, the biggest pop star in the world. Such is life for CJ Pascoe, assistant professor of sociology at Colorado College.

Congratulations to Ms. Pascoe for the great honor! Above you can watch [...]

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Round-Up: Pueblo approves domestic partner benefits; Crews battle wildfire in Rocky Mountain National Park; First Lady opens campaign swing in Fountain

On October 10, 2012 By

Pueblo City Council last night voted to extend benefits to domestic partners of city employees, the Chieftain reports…Dozens of personnel and several fire engines are at work containing a 400-acre wildfire on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park…About 1800 enthusiastic supporters turned out at the Fountain Middle School gymnasium as First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off a two-day campaign swing through Colorado in support of the President.

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Round-Up: 3rd CD candidates to debate; Pueblo council expected to vote on benefits for domestic partners; Vestas issues more CO layoffs

On October 9, 2012 By

Two of the four candidates in the race for the 3rd congressional seat will take part in a debate tomorrow night in Pueblo…Pueblo City Council plans a public hearing tonight on benefits for domestic partners, and is expected to vote on the measure…and, Vestas Wind Systems lays off additional workers in Colorado.

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Round-Up: Pueblo set to consider domestic partner benefits; FAA awards funds for spaceport feasibility study

On September 25, 2012 By

Pueblo’s City Council decides to vote October 9th on benefits for domestic partners…The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded $200-thousand dollar grant to conduct a feasibility study on locating a spaceport in Denver.

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Same-Sex Benefits Back on the Table for Pueblo’s Employees

On September 25, 2012 By

Pueblo’s City Council plans to vote on the issue October 9th.

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News

AFP/Getty Images
WATCH: David Beckham Tears Up At Final Home Game
May 19, 2013 | NPR · The storied midfielder walked off the pitch as fans — and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy — chanted his name.
 

Giant Renaissance Food People Descend Upon New York
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Giuseppe Arcimboldo was a 16th-century artist who liked to play with his food, transforming it into the building blocks of many of his fantastical portraits. Artist Philip Haas has taken those portraits out of museums, reinterpreting them as colossal statues that interact with the natural environment.
 

AFP/Getty Images
Nonconservative Groups Say IRS Scrutinized Them, Too
May 19, 2013 | NPR · The IRS has admitted it flagged tax-exemption requests from groups with “tea party” or “patriot” in their names starting in 2010. But some liberal groups and journalism organizations say their applications also faced long delays during the same period.
 

Arts & Life

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Three-Minute Fiction: ‘Ten Ring Fingers’ And ‘Ghost Words’
May 19, 2013 | NPR · NPR’s Bob Mondello and Susan Stamberg read excerpts of two of the best submissions for Round 11 of our short story contest. They read Ten Ring Fingers by Tamara Breuer of Washington, D.C., and Ghost Words by Matheus Macedo of Winthrop, Mass.
 

Giant Renaissance Food People Descend Upon New York
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Giuseppe Arcimboldo was a 16th-century artist who liked to play with his food, transforming it into the building blocks of many of his fantastical portraits. Artist Philip Haas has taken those portraits out of museums, reinterpreting them as colossal statues that interact with the natural environment.
 

Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics
One Couple, Nearly 20 Years, All ‘Before Midnight’
May 19, 2013 | NPR · We’ve already met Jesse and Celine, twice. In the 1995 film Before Sunset, they had a romantic encounter in Vienna. Nine years later, they found each other in Paris. In a third film, their relationship has progressed another nine years. The romance hasn’t left, says director Richard Linklater, it’s simply changed.
 

Music

Courtesy of the artist
Laura Mvula: A Soulful Voice That Once Answered Phones
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Less than two years ago, Laura Mvula was a receptionist honing her phone answering skills at music organization in Birmingham, England. Now, she’s got a record deal, a lot of critical acclaim and she’s touring around the U.S.
 

Courtesy of the artist
Marques Toliver: An R&B Crooner With Strings Attached
May 19, 2013 | NPR · Toliver’s music is anchored by the violin, on which he is classically trained. He says he discovered the instrument in fifth grade — and that in a way, it chose him.
 

Getty Images
Draco Rosa: A Pop Survivor Returns From The Brink, With Friends
May 18, 2013 | NPR · In the 1980s, he was Robi Rosa, the lead singer of Menudo at the boy band’s peak of popularity. Rosa went on to write hits for bandmate Ricky Martin and develop a solo career. When Rosa was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, some of the biggest names in Latin music assembled to support him.
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