Face the State

Tune in to 600 KCOL in Northern Colorado Monday-Friday, Dec. 28-31, as Brad Jones and Kate Melvin guest-host "Mornings with Keith and Gail." The program runs from 5-10 am and the 5 o'clock hour is simulcast on NoCo 5 TV. Call in to 866-888-5449 to join the conversation!

A programming note about FTS radio in October: Brad Jones is on vacation, but KNZZ weekend show host Rick Wagner will be in on the FTS Weekend Edition to talk state politics. Speaking of the weekend program, we're happy to announce KVRH in Salida, already an affiliate of the daily Radio Minute, will now carry the FTS Weekend Edition at 7 am Saturdays.

Face The State managing editor Brad Jones will be a panelist on KBDI Channel 12's "Studio 12" program tonight at 8pm. The topic: on the one year anniversary of the Democratic National Convention convening in Denver, what are the long-term impacts? Is Colorado a player on the national scene in a way that wouldn't have been possible without the DNC? And did Denver cash in on the benefits as city leaders thought would be the case? Tune in on cable or over the air in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

Yeah, we're on vacation, but we can be roused to the call of work, especially when the call comes from Mike Rosen at 850 KOA. Tune in at 11 am Wednesday when FTS managing editor Brad Jones will join Mike to discuss the Public Employees' Retirement Association, its dismal financial forecast and what can be done to avoid a future taxpayer bailout. Listen over the air or at 850KOA.com.

Face The State is on vacation through August 24, 2009. Have a great week!

Face The State has obtained a letter (PDF) in which state Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, asks U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey to take part in his town hall meeting planned for Aug. 19 in Fort Collins. Garnder is one of two Republicans hoping to take on Markey in next year's midterm election.

Twitter, the social networking site where users post updates covering everything from politics to what they had for lunch, can also keep you on the right side of the law. The Denver Police Department (@DenverPolice for the Twitter-savvy) posts blotter entries interspersed with occasional citations to the Denver municipal code - did you know bicyclists are required to obey traffic lights just like cars? Perhaps prompted by recent protests at congressional town hall meetings, DPD reminded citizens yesterday it's a no-no to disrupt "any lawful meeting."

State Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, still has a long way to go before possibly facing Congresswoman Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins, at the ballot box next year. But that's not stopping him walking the congressional walk.

Markey has been reluctant to hold open town hall meetings with her constituents during the August recess. Gardner, one of two Republicans currently vying to replace her, is stepping up to the plate and will hold his own, including one in Markey's home town.