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Critics of Colorado Amendment 80 warn the move would siphon taxpayer dollars away from already underfunded public schools into private religious schools. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

CO Amendment 80 could prompt private school voucher foothold

Colorado voters will decide whether to change the state's constitution to ensure families have school choice as a fundamental right. Kallie Leyba…

Nearly three of four Colorado voters surveyed want lawmakers to ensure full funding for Healthy School Meals for All. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado parents face September 30 deadline to help fund school meals

Colorado students will not go hungry this school year, thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All initiative approved by voters in 2022. Their …

Colorado is investing in key infrastructure to power and maintain electric vehicles, including connecting new solar canopies to the electric grid, and adding more charging stations. (Adobe Stock)

Clean buses coming to Colorado transit systems

The Colorado Department of Transportation is investing nearly $32 million to help local governments and other stakeholders transition to electric vehi…

Colorado ranked 27th nationally for its typical daily incarceration rates, according to a new report by The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)

Youth incarceration dropped 75% between 2000 and 2022

The number of young people locked up in juvenile justice facilities dropped from 108,000 in 2000 to just above 27,000 in 2022, according to a new …

Exposure to smoke from wildfires has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, lung cancer and a decline in cognitive function. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for breathing easier during Colorado’s bad air quality days

Wildfires are becoming bigger and more frequent in Colorado and across the Mountain West, and health experts are offering tips to breathe easy even …

School-based mental and behavioral health services not only help prevent problems, they also improve education and future employment outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

Mental health checklist for Colorado students returning to school

Transitioning back to school can bring as much stress as excitement for many students and a new checklist created by the group Inseparable aims to hel…

A free pop-up farmer's market marks National Health Center Week. Colorado's 20 Community Health Centers operate 243 clinic sites, and serve one in five Child Health Plan Plus enrollees and nearly one in four Medicaid patients in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Celebrating safety-net health centers serving 1 in 7 Coloradans

On Monday, Salud Family Health Fort Collins staff were giving away bags filled with fruits and vegetables at a pop-up farmer's market for National …

The Valdez family of Aurora officially added new family member Xavi through adoption on January 15th, 2019. (Misty Valdez)

Colorado companies recognized for adoption, foster care benefits

Companies in Colorado and across the nation are adding adoption and foster care benefits for workers, according to the 18th annual list of 100 Best …

Rising temperatures can cause spikes in emergency-room visits for heat-related issues and workplace injuries. (Adobe Stock)

Common-sense summer health, safety strategies offered

As a changing climate exposes Coloradans to more days of dangerously high temperatures, health experts are offering common-sense summer safety …

There are no income or registration requirements for kids to participate in the state's Summer Meals program, which serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to all youths up to age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Summer meals for kids available to-go and by delivery in remote rural areas

With school cafeterias closed for the summer, community groups and nonprofits are working to ensure that Colorado's one in five children who go …

No existen requisitos de ingresos ni de inscripci�n para que los ni�os participen en el programa estatal de Comidas de Verano, que sirve desayuno, almuerzo, meriendas y cena a todos los j�venes hasta los 18 a�os. (Adobe Stock)

Comidas de verano para niños disponibles para llevar y entregar en zonas rurales

Con las cafeterías escolares cerradas durante el verano, grupos comunitarios y organizaciones sin fines de lucro están trabajando para …

Research has shown the most effective tutoring is in person, 'high dosage' and tied directly to the school. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado drops two spots to 17th nationally for child wellness

Colorado lost ground - dropping from 15th to 17th overall - in this year's Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which ranks states …

At least half of the $32.8 million to replace lead pipes will be prioritized for areas overburdened by pollution and decades of underinvestment, including communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Infrastructure Law brings $32.8 million to Colorado to replace lead pipes

Nearly $33 million from President Joe Biden's bipartisan Infrastructure Law is headed to Colorado to help locate and remove hazardous lead pipes from …

A 2022 survey found that six in ten LGBTQ youths in Colorado reported experiencing symptoms of depression, and 45% seriously considered suicide. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado first in nation to offer free mental health care to youths

Amanda Dodson first noticed signs for a pilot program called "I Matter" at her ten-year-old daughter Hailey's school. After looking into it, she was …

Both the American Public Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recognized firearm injuries and deaths as a significant public health crisis. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Gun-related injuries on the rise among Colorado children

Firearm-related injuries in Colorado hit a peak in 2022, with over 7,000 health care claims and at a cost of $8.4 million, according to a new …

Tanto la Asociaci�n Estadounidense de Salud P�blica como los Centros para el Control y la Prevenci�n de Enfermedades han reconocido las lesiones y muertes por armas de fuego como una crisis importante de salud p�blica. (Adobe Stock)

Lesiones relacionadas con armas de fuego aumentan entre niños de Colorado

Las lesiones relacionadas con armas de fuego en Colorado alcanzaron su punto máximo en 2022, con más de 7.000 reclamaciones de atenció…

The Denver Post reports the total number of Coloradans with Medicaid health insurance has dropped by 30% since 2023, just below Texas and Utah. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 86,101 Colorado children removed from Medicaid insurance rolls

More than 4 million children in the U.S. lost their health insurance after automatic Medicaid coverage renewals enacted during the COVID public …

El Denver Post informa que el n�mero total de habitantes de Colorado con seguro m�dico de Medicaid se ha reducido en un 30 por ciento desde 2023, justo por debajo de Texas y Utah. (Adobe Stock)

Informe: 86,101 niños de Colorado eliminados de listas de seguros de Medicaid

Más de cuatro millones de niños en los EE. UU. perdieron su seguro médico después de que terminaron las renovaciones automá…

When the school year ends, millions of children from households with low incomes lose access to the school meals they rely on. Help is available. (Adobe Stock)

CO families must sign up to get $120 per child for food through Summer EBT

Colorado families must sign up before the end of April to receive $120 per child to buy food through the new Summer EBT program approved by Congress…

Restorative justice programs have increased the justice system's capacity to meet the needs of those harmed by adolescent misbehavior. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Diverting youth away from the justice system is working

Efforts to keep young people out of the criminal justice system are working, according to a new Sentencing Project report. Elie Zwiebel, attorney …

A new walk-in program provides immediate, in-person support for urgent mental health and substance use needs for anyone, regardless of their ability to pay, whether or not they are an existing client, or speak English. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Mental health urgent-care facility now available in northeast Boulder

Boulder and Broomfield County residents can now access mental health services the same way they can access urgent medical care. Dr. Nadia Haddad…

The Colorado Local Food Program Guidebook can help farmers, ranchers, school districts and parents connect with resources available through organizations supporting the Healthy School Meals for All initiative, state agencies, and U-S-D-A Food and Nutrition Services. (Adobe Stock)

New guidebook aims to help local farmers and schools serve healthy meals

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

La Gu�a del Programa Local de Alimentos de Colorado puede ayudar a agricultores, ganaderos, distritos escolares y padres de familia a conectarse con los recursos disponibles a trav�s de organizaciones que apoyan la iniciativa Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos, las agencias estatales y los Servicios de Alimentaci�n y Nutrici�n de USDA. (Adobe Stock)

Nueva guía ayuda a agricultores locales y escuelas a servir comidas sanas

Colorado está trabajando para impulsar a las comunidades agrícolas del estado mediante la obtención de más alimentos frescos y nut…

Decades of underinvestment in affordable housing, recently cited by outgoing HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, have dramatically impacted families with children. (Adobe Stock)

Renaissance marks quarter century serving homeless, low-income kids

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Renaissance Children's Center, which serves low-income families and those experiencing homelessness with …

Colorado's share of Healthy School Meals for All, approved by voters in 2022, was meant to be paid for by Coloradans who earn $300,000 or more per year. (Adobe Stock)

Healthy School Meals for All program faces $24 million budget gap

Colorado lawmakers are considering ways to address a projected $24 million funding shortfall in the Healthy School Meals for All program, and grants …

Colorado's I Matter program provides adolescents in crisis access to six free mental-health counseling sessions, with referrals for further help if it is necessary. (Pexels)

CO lawmakers ponder several measures to boost children's mental health

Advocates say Colorado legislative leaders are working to make the state a leader in addressing the youth mental health crisis. At least nine bills …

The Colorado Avalanche and Xcel Energy are helping fundraise for Energy Outreach Colorado, a nonprofit that in 2023 helped more than 38,289 Colorado households through energy efficiency gains, connecting with community solar gardens and crisis-intervention services. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Avalanche scores an assist on energy bills

The Colorado Avalanche has teamed up with Xcel Energy to generate funds to help people struggling to pay their energy bills this winter. Every time …

The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, Feeding Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, Nourish Colorado and other advocates across the state are calling on Colorado's Congressional delegation to help avoid massive funding cuts for WIC in the federal government's 2024 budget. (Adobe Stock)

25,000 Colorado families could lose access to food and health assistance

Congress is running out of time to fully fund a program that provides food and health support for breastfeeding moms, and kids up to age five…

Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, Feeding Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, Nourish Colorado y otros defensores en todo el estado est�n pidiendo a la delegaci�n del Congreso de CO su ayuda para evitar recortes masivos de fondos para WIC en el presupuesto del gobierno federal para 2024. (Adobe Stock)

25,000 familias de CO podrian perder acceso a atención médica y alimentaria

El Congreso se está quedando sin tiempo para financiar completamente un programa que proporciona apoyo alimentario y de salud a madres lactantes …

States wanting to implement Summer EBT this coming summer need to have plans in place by early 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Special session could boost food security for kids in summer

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called a special legislative session after voters rejected plans to provide property tax relief. Polis says he also …

Los Estados que deseen implementar el EBT de este pr�ximo verano deben tener planes para principios de 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Sesión especial aumentaría seguridad alimentaria para niños en verano

El gobernador de Colorado, Jared Polis, convocó a una sesión legislativa especial después de que votantes rechazaran los planes para …

Community-based organizations applied for grants from $5,000 to $20,000, to support and actively promote the Healthy School Meals for All program locally. (Adobe Stock)

Free Healthy School Meals for Public School Students Underway

After Colorado voters approved a measure to provide free meals to all public school students regardless of their ability to pay last year, 41 …

Harmful chemicals including lead, particulate matter, pesticides, and phthalates added to plastics, impair brain development in children. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Toxic chemicals stealing kids’ future potential

Children of color and from low-income families in Colorado and across the nation are not only exposed to more dangerous toxic chemicals - including le…

During the 2023-24 school year, cafeterias at Edgewater Elementary, Lumberg Elementary and Jefferson Jr/Sr High School are serving family-inspired recipes once a week. (Adobe Stock)

CO pilot program prioritizes healthy, culturally relevant school meals

Two Colorado mothers are helping lead a school food pilot program within the Jefferson County School District in Edgewater in an effort to not only pr…

Symptoms of asthma are similar to the more common condition of bronchiolitis, and taking medicines designed for asthma alone can be risky. (Adobe Stock)

Low Value Care Costs Patients and Payers $134 Million Per Year

Coloradans received nearly 2 million potentially unnecessary health care services in 2021, at a cost of some $134 million for patients and health …

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics help patients navigate the intersections between behavioral health care, physical health care, social services and other programs. (Adobe Stock)

Clinics Improving Mental and Behavioral Health Standards

A state-federal partnership is helping safety-net mental health centers in Colorado deepen the services they provide, which is improving access and …

El verano pasado, se sirvieron m�s de 2 millones de comidas y refrigerios gratuitos a ni�os en todo Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Programa de comidas gratis de verano para niños en pleno apogeo

El gobernador de Colorado, Jared Polis, proclamó julio como "Mes de concientización sobre las comidas de verano para niños y …

Last summer, more than 2 million free meals and snacks were served to kids across Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Summer Free Meals for Kids Program in Full Swing

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has proclaimed July "Summer Meals for Kids and Teens Awareness Month," and some 645 sites are serving free meals across the …

In no state, metropolitan area, or county in the U.S. can a worker earning the federal or prevailing state or local minimum wage afford a modest two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent by working a standard 40-hour work week. (Adobe Stock)

GOP Budget Cuts Could Push a Million People Into Homelessness

Colorado's minimum wage workers would have to work 94 hours per week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, according to a new report. Even after …

Despite global promises to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, oil and gas production is nearing record levels in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Health Costs of Oil, Gas Production $77B Annually

Air pollution from oil and gas production contributes to thousands of premature deaths and childhood asthma cases each year, according to new …

Young people are learning how to get their peers to open up about mental health and substance use challenges, and how to connect them with trusted adults and mental health professionals. (Adobe Stock)

Tapping Teens to Connect Youth in Mental Distress with Support

One in five teens in the U.S. will experience a mental health challenge before they turn 18, but 64% of them won't seek help. A new training program …

It costs single parents in Colorado $16,333 per year for center-based child care, which is 41% of the state's median income. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Colorado Ranks 15th for Child Well-Being

Colorado moved up one spot overall, from 16 to 15, in this year's Kids Count Data Book published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which ranks states …

Colorado school districts creating a local food advisory council will be eligible for funding to purchase food for school meals directly from local farmers and ranchers. (Adobe Stock)

State on Track to Roll Out School Meal Program

Colorado is one step closer to ensuring all kids can access healthy food at school regardless of their ability to pay, after Gov. Jared Polis signed …

Recognizing urgent maternal warning signs, providing timely treatment, and delivering respectful, quality care can prevent many pregnancy-related deaths. (Adobe Stock)

Drilling Down Into Social Factors Linked to Unequal Health Outcomes

Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women, even though more than eight in 10 pregnancy-related deaths are …

A recent survey found that 65% of parents think their school has done an

New Survey Spotlights Parents’ Mindsets in 2022-2023 School Year

More than half of parents in Colorado and across the nation continue to be concerned about children's mental health, according to the latest survey …

Since the onset of COVID 19, the average American now spends 13 hours each day looking at some kind of blue light-emitting screen. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for Limiting Exposure to Blue Light from Screens

The pandemic forced many Americans to work and learn from home, and health experts are increasingly concerned about the potentially harmful impact of …

It costs taxpayers $13,400 to provide supportive housing per person each year, compared with between $21,000 and $40,000 for medical care, incarceration, detox treatment and shelter services. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Denver Mayoral Candidates Off the Mark on Homeless Crisis

Advocates for people experiencing homelessness are pushing back against proposals by several Denver mayoral candidates who are including forced mental…

De 2016 a 2021, la cantidad de ni�os de Colorado que buscaron atenci�n por razones de salud mental o posible autolesi�n en las salas de emergencia aument� en un 158%. (Adobe Stock)

Salas de emergencia y acceso a la atención de salud mental

Según un nuevo informe, una serie de barreras que dificultan el acceso a la atención preventiva de las personas que padecen problemas de …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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CO: Children's