The Colorado Dream Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-colorado-dream The Colorado Dream shares stories of Coloradans who are overcoming obstacles to create a better life for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the American Dream. KUNC 2023 e8247130-f6ad-5998-b080-34ec95132a64 no Ending the Hate State: Trailer Season 3 Trailer Newcomers Welcome: Trailer en-us Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:28:35 -0600 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:45:30 -0700 https://www.kunc.org/podcast/the-colorado-dream https://img.transistor.fm/khz_1vqGP1wjTtcZlOCf6QbEp1cx4Nu9EnEK-MJJd-A/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85MjEw/MzQ5YmQxNTU4NGM5/MmRkZDIxYTJkMDU1/YjI0YS5qcGc.jpg The Colorado Dream https://www.kunc.org/podcast/the-colorado-dream episodic KUNC The Colorado Dream shares stories of Coloradans who are overcoming obstacles to create a better life for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the American Dream. The Colorado Dream shares stories of Coloradans who are overcoming obstacles to create a better life for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the American Dream. Colorado,News,Education,Narrative KUNC No No Growing a Future: Will there be enough water to sustain this family farm for the future? 5 5 3 3 Growing a Future: Will there be enough water to sustain this family farm for the future? full a5d0c16b-d209-4945-bf10-a86eff54f494 https://share.transistor.fm/s/101b5ac8 One day, a fourth generation of family members will run Lenz Farms on Colorado’s Eastern Plains. They plan to bring back innovative ideas and implement new things to help the farm continue to grow. But will these fresh ideas be enough to offset a shrinking water supply?

The Colorado Dream shares stories of Coloradans who are overcoming obstacles to create a better life for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the American Dream.

]]> One day, a fourth generation of family members will run Lenz Farms on Colorado’s Eastern Plains. They plan to bring back innovative ideas and implement new things to help the farm continue to grow. But will these fresh ideas be enough to offset a shrinking water supply?

The Colorado Dream shares stories of Coloradans who are overcoming obstacles to create a better life for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the American Dream.

]]> Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:55:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 860 One day, a fourth generation of family members will run Lenz Farms on Colorado’s Eastern Plains. They plan to bring back innovative ideas and implement new things to help the farm continue to grow. But will these fresh ideas be enough to offset a shrinking water supply?

The Colorado Dream shares stories of Coloradans who are overcoming obstacles to create a better life for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the American Dream.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Growing A Future: A unique business model keeps this family farm thriving on Colorado’s Eastern Plains 5 5 2 2 Growing A Future: A unique business model keeps this family farm thriving on Colorado’s Eastern Plains full 4e14b6ef-0898-4249-b1b3-681312549b44 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d089e16a Lenz Farms in Yuma County, Colo., was started by a father and his four sons in the 1970s. They created a unique business model that keeps management and ownership in the family. This has allowed Lenz Farms to survive and thrive over the decades, unlike hundreds of thousands of other family farms.

]]> Lenz Farms in Yuma County, Colo., was started by a father and his four sons in the 1970s. They created a unique business model that keeps management and ownership in the family. This has allowed Lenz Farms to survive and thrive over the decades, unlike hundreds of thousands of other family farms.

]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2025 06:02:15 -0600 KUNC KUNC 851 Lenz Farms in Yuma County, Colo., was started by a father and his four sons in the 1970s. They created a unique business model that keeps management and ownership in the family. This has allowed Lenz Farms to survive and thrive over the decades, unlike hundreds of thousands of other family farms.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Growing a Future: As family farms disappear, one on the Eastern Plains is thriving 5 5 1 1 Growing a Future: As family farms disappear, one on the Eastern Plains is thriving full 3877288f-c140-4e2a-b85a-5309d0a95c45 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6853e6d5 Family farms have been disappearing across the country for decades. From extreme weather to fluctuating crop prices to water scarcity, building a business off the land is hard. But row by row and harvest after harvest, one Eastern Colorado family is bucking that trend. This is their story.

]]> Family farms have been disappearing across the country for decades. From extreme weather to fluctuating crop prices to water scarcity, building a business off the land is hard. But row by row and harvest after harvest, one Eastern Colorado family is bucking that trend. This is their story.

]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2025 06:08:55 -0600 KUNC KUNC 841 Family farms have been disappearing across the country for decades. From extreme weather to fluctuating crop prices to water scarcity, building a business off the land is hard. But row by row and harvest after harvest, one Eastern Colorado family is bucking that trend. This is their story.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Growing A Future: Trailer 5 5 Growing A Future: Trailer full f8b22b0b-a610-41d9-ad37-9f50faffabc4 https://www.kunc.org/podcast/the-colorado-dream Growing a Future: Family farms have been disappearing across the United States for decades. From extreme weather to fluctuating commodity prices to trade policies, building a business off the land is hard. But one Eastern Colorado family is bucking that trend. This is their story of four generations of farming.

The Colorado Dream theme song: Jason Paton
Bue Dot Sessions track Lahaina

]]> Growing a Future: Family farms have been disappearing across the United States for decades. From extreme weather to fluctuating commodity prices to trade policies, building a business off the land is hard. But one Eastern Colorado family is bucking that trend. This is their story of four generations of farming.

The Colorado Dream theme song: Jason Paton
Bue Dot Sessions track Lahaina

]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:52:15 -0600 KUNC KUNC 170 Growing a Future: Family farms have been disappearing across the United States for decades. From extreme weather to fluctuating commodity prices to trade policies, building a business off the land is hard. But one Eastern Colorado family is bucking that trend. This is their story of four generations of farming.

The Colorado Dream theme song: Jason Paton
Bue Dot Sessions track Lahaina

]]> Colorado, farming No Ending the Hate State: Hate State, no more 4 4 5 5 Ending the Hate State: Hate State, no more full 252445a2-95ba-4a65-8c16-4534f731c09e https://share.transistor.fm/s/48a63b0f In the final story in our series, “The Colorado Dream: Ending the Hate State,” we ask Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a police chief and a long-time legislative aide: Where does Colorado stand today with the "Hate State" label? 

]]> In the final story in our series, “The Colorado Dream: Ending the Hate State,” we ask Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a police chief and a long-time legislative aide: Where does Colorado stand today with the "Hate State" label? 

]]> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0700 KUNC KUNC 1598 In the final story in our series, “The Colorado Dream: Ending the Hate State,” we ask Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a police chief and a long-time legislative aide: Where does Colorado stand today with the "Hate State" label? 

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Ending the Hate State: Gender In Schools 4 4 4 4 Ending the Hate State: Gender In Schools full 783a2105-a372-4104-afd9-789bde9fe509 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e6f5e1a7 The handling of gender identity in schools is heating up in communities across the country. Many districts have adopted guidelines detailing how to best support transgender and non-binary students, others lack specific procedures. Some schools are facing lawsuits over their handling of this issue. Meanwhile, students continue to explore who they are. This episode focuses on one family's experience managing gender at home and at school.

]]> The handling of gender identity in schools is heating up in communities across the country. Many districts have adopted guidelines detailing how to best support transgender and non-binary students, others lack specific procedures. Some schools are facing lawsuits over their handling of this issue. Meanwhile, students continue to explore who they are. This episode focuses on one family's experience managing gender at home and at school.

]]> Mon, 28 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1609 The handling of gender identity in schools is heating up in communities across the country. Many districts have adopted guidelines detailing how to best support transgender and non-binary students, others lack specific procedures. Some schools are facing lawsuits over their handling of this issue. Meanwhile, students continue to explore who they are. This episode focuses on one family's experience managing gender at home and at school.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Ending the Hate State: Gender Care 4 4 3 3 Ending the Hate State: Gender Care full 89aee1c4-b4d8-4601-9586-961ed4c90498 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ea82e621 Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Amendment 2 in 1996, Colorado has emerged as a leader for LGBTQ+ rights and laws this includes ensuring transgender and non-binary people have access to the health care they need. Plus a Northern Colorado medical recsidency program is normalizing HIV care in a primary care clinic.

]]> Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Amendment 2 in 1996, Colorado has emerged as a leader for LGBTQ+ rights and laws this includes ensuring transgender and non-binary people have access to the health care they need. Plus a Northern Colorado medical recsidency program is normalizing HIV care in a primary care clinic.

]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1580 Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Amendment 2 in 1996, Colorado has emerged as a leader for LGBTQ+ rights and laws this includes ensuring transgender and non-binary people have access to the health care they need. Plus a Northern Colorado medical recsidency program is normalizing HIV care in a primary care clinic.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Ending the Hate State: Pride 4 4 2 2 Ending the Hate State: Pride full 89854e95-fa6b-4880-880f-d74e3630f3ea https://share.transistor.fm/s/264804bc The number of Pride celebrations are growing across Northern Colorado but in some communities it's still a struggle to hold these events. This includes in Weld County where a local librarian - and their friends - took over organizing Greeley Pride after it was cancelled. We also hear from the organizer of another local Pride event. She was harassed and received death threats online after photos of her - and her kids - at a family friendly drag show were posted on a far-right social media account.

]]> The number of Pride celebrations are growing across Northern Colorado but in some communities it's still a struggle to hold these events. This includes in Weld County where a local librarian - and their friends - took over organizing Greeley Pride after it was cancelled. We also hear from the organizer of another local Pride event. She was harassed and received death threats online after photos of her - and her kids - at a family friendly drag show were posted on a far-right social media account.

]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1564 The number of Pride celebrations are growing across Northern Colorado but in some communities it's still a struggle to hold these events. This includes in Weld County where a local librarian - and their friends - took over organizing Greeley Pride after it was cancelled. We also hear from the organizer of another local Pride event. She was harassed and received death threats online after photos of her - and her kids - at a family friendly drag show were posted on a far-right social media account.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Ending the Hate State: The Hate State 4 4 1 1 Ending the Hate State: The Hate State full d0fd15b7-b054-4be3-a98a-35741763423e https://share.transistor.fm/s/fe7d73cd Colorado is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country. But it wasn't always that way. In 1992, voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that labeled Colorado "The Hate State" and sparked a landmark legal battle for gay rights. 

]]> Colorado is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country. But it wasn't always that way. In 1992, voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that labeled Colorado "The Hate State" and sparked a landmark legal battle for gay rights. 

]]> Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1574 Colorado is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country. But it wasn't always that way. In 1992, voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that labeled Colorado "The Hate State" and sparked a landmark legal battle for gay rights. 

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Ending the Hate State: Trailer 4 4 Ending the Hate State: Trailer trailer 23594f24-ee15-4c55-8114-a97e1851e6bd https://share.transistor.fm/s/4ca17fd0 Colorado is considered one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country, but it wasn’t always this accepting. In 1992, Colorado voters approved Amendment 2 which prohibited protections for queer people in the state. Four years later, the Supreme Court overturned the amendment. In the nearly three decades since, Colorado has done a 180 and is now known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights and laws.


This series investigates this dark time in the state’s history and uncovers the activism and legislation that followed. We’ll share the stories of LGBTQ+ people and the allies who want to make the Centennial State a welcoming place for all.

]]> Colorado is considered one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country, but it wasn’t always this accepting. In 1992, Colorado voters approved Amendment 2 which prohibited protections for queer people in the state. Four years later, the Supreme Court overturned the amendment. In the nearly three decades since, Colorado has done a 180 and is now known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights and laws.


This series investigates this dark time in the state’s history and uncovers the activism and legislation that followed. We’ll share the stories of LGBTQ+ people and the allies who want to make the Centennial State a welcoming place for all.

]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 151 Colorado is considered one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country, but it wasn’t always this accepting. In 1992, Colorado voters approved Amendment 2 which prohibited protections for queer people in the state. Four years later, the Supreme Court overturned the amendment. In the nearly three decades since, Colorado has done a 180 and is now known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights and laws.


This series investigates this dark time in the state’s history and uncovers the activism and legislation that followed. We’ll share the stories of LGBTQ+ people and the allies who want to make the Centennial State a welcoming place for all.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Housing Wanted: Building Homes to Build Community 3 3 6 6 Housing Wanted: Building Homes to Build Community full 91cc3a2f-813f-44ec-8b8c-2c39caee1edf https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb9a747c The town of Breckenridge is building a new neighborhood specifically for local workers. But with just 61-units for sale which residents will end up with a home? Plus, Summit County is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on a first-of-its-kind housing development that’s been 60 years in the making.

]]> The town of Breckenridge is building a new neighborhood specifically for local workers. But with just 61-units for sale which residents will end up with a home? Plus, Summit County is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on a first-of-its-kind housing development that’s been 60 years in the making.

]]> Thu, 09 Nov 2023 23:00:00 -0700 KUNC KUNC 1598 The town of Breckenridge is building a new neighborhood specifically for local workers. But with just 61-units for sale which residents will end up with a home? Plus, Summit County is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service on a first-of-its-kind housing development that’s been 60 years in the making.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Housing Wanted: When Housing Fails Teachers 3 3 5 5 Housing Wanted: When Housing Fails Teachers full 0545adfb-2854-41af-9f6b-a0c8a7739374 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f3f040d5 Episode 5: A lack of affordable housing is causing a severe staffing crisis in schools in Eagle County, prompting the school district to break into the affordable housing development business.

]]> Episode 5: A lack of affordable housing is causing a severe staffing crisis in schools in Eagle County, prompting the school district to break into the affordable housing development business.

]]> Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1560 Episode 5: A lack of affordable housing is causing a severe staffing crisis in schools in Eagle County, prompting the school district to break into the affordable housing development business.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Housing Wanted: Loved to Death 3 3 4 4 Housing Wanted: Loved to Death full a3c7c3a8-b823-4100-9daf-69b3f98bb9f1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d7b2334b Steamboat Springs created three different zones to regulate short-term rentals, including a red zone where no new permits for those rentals can be issued. Three people living within that zone share their experiences with how the regulations have shaped their lives.

]]> Steamboat Springs created three different zones to regulate short-term rentals, including a red zone where no new permits for those rentals can be issued. Three people living within that zone share their experiences with how the regulations have shaped their lives.

]]> Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1561 Steamboat Springs created three different zones to regulate short-term rentals, including a red zone where no new permits for those rentals can be issued. Three people living within that zone share their experiences with how the regulations have shaped their lives.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Housing Wanted: Yampa Valley Curse 3 3 3 3 Housing Wanted: Yampa Valley Curse full d1081d60-36d9-4e78-81e9-6d8cc5483604 https://share.transistor.fm/s/39657431 Steamboat Springs nurse Sanaya Sturm wants to buy a home. She’s put in over a dozen offers but gets outbid by cash offers, or the house she wanted is converted into a short-term rental. Meanwhile, the local housing authority wants to build over 2,000 homes by 2040. Will this plan solve the housing crisis for her and thousands of other residents?

]]> Steamboat Springs nurse Sanaya Sturm wants to buy a home. She’s put in over a dozen offers but gets outbid by cash offers, or the house she wanted is converted into a short-term rental. Meanwhile, the local housing authority wants to build over 2,000 homes by 2040. Will this plan solve the housing crisis for her and thousands of other residents?

]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1586 Steamboat Springs nurse Sanaya Sturm wants to buy a home. She’s put in over a dozen offers but gets outbid by cash offers, or the house she wanted is converted into a short-term rental. Meanwhile, the local housing authority wants to build over 2,000 homes by 2040. Will this plan solve the housing crisis for her and thousands of other residents?

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Housing Wanted: Small Town, Big Answers 3 3 2 2 Housing Wanted: Small Town, Big Answers full 6a351e98-3380-4240-a67d-71c7faab08ed https://share.transistor.fm/s/c9bb83d9 Breckenridge is a little over five square miles. Despite its size, preserving the past is a priority for Breckenridge—the town has 249 Historic District structures and seven historical exhibits and museums. Preservation also is an important part of the town’s plan to curb the housing crisis, now and in the future. One initiative is called Housing Helps, which helped locals Anne and John Lowe buy their dream home. But the town's housing initiatives might not work for everyone.

]]> Breckenridge is a little over five square miles. Despite its size, preserving the past is a priority for Breckenridge—the town has 249 Historic District structures and seven historical exhibits and museums. Preservation also is an important part of the town’s plan to curb the housing crisis, now and in the future. One initiative is called Housing Helps, which helped locals Anne and John Lowe buy their dream home. But the town's housing initiatives might not work for everyone.

]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1556 Breckenridge is a little over five square miles. Despite its size, preserving the past is a priority for Breckenridge—the town has 249 Historic District structures and seven historical exhibits and museums. Preservation also is an important part of the town’s plan to curb the housing crisis, now and in the future. One initiative is called Housing Helps, which helped locals Anne and John Lowe buy their dream home. But the town's housing initiatives might not work for everyone.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Housing Wanted: Mountain Dreamers 3 3 1 1 Housing Wanted: Mountain Dreamers full 1d2158ba-62ce-43fc-9014-31f856013d2e https://share.transistor.fm/s/194c7d5d There is a housing crisis in Colorado’s mountain resort communities And it’s left longtime locals, like 29-year-old Summit County resident Javier Pineda Rosas, unable to find a stable living situation. A recent survey taken by county residents shows just how dire the situation has become. The county will need over 2,300 rental and for-sale units - at all price points - to meet the housing demand. Local officials and employers are working to solve this housing crisis that Pineda Rosas says is “super bad.”

]]> There is a housing crisis in Colorado’s mountain resort communities And it’s left longtime locals, like 29-year-old Summit County resident Javier Pineda Rosas, unable to find a stable living situation. A recent survey taken by county residents shows just how dire the situation has become. The county will need over 2,300 rental and for-sale units - at all price points - to meet the housing demand. Local officials and employers are working to solve this housing crisis that Pineda Rosas says is “super bad.”

]]> Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1557 There is a housing crisis in Colorado’s mountain resort communities And it’s left longtime locals, like 29-year-old Summit County resident Javier Pineda Rosas, unable to find a stable living situation. A recent survey taken by county residents shows just how dire the situation has become. The county will need over 2,300 rental and for-sale units - at all price points - to meet the housing demand. Local officials and employers are working to solve this housing crisis that Pineda Rosas says is “super bad.”

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Season 3 Trailer 3 3 Season 3 Trailer trailer ebd38761-c0ff-4f3c-ac9f-3b3ae56e6611 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dcf4eb25 In the newest season of The Colorado Dream, we examine the affordable housing crisis in mountain resort communities where land and inventory are scarce.

]]> In the newest season of The Colorado Dream, we examine the affordable housing crisis in mountain resort communities where land and inventory are scarce.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:06:59 -0600 KUNC KUNC 127 In the newest season of The Colorado Dream, we examine the affordable housing crisis in mountain resort communities where land and inventory are scarce.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Ethnic Media 2 2 7 7 Newcomers Welcome: Ethnic Media bonus 42399b3a-f35a-4c26-90da-d607b8983f0c https://share.transistor.fm/s/629344b2 Aurora has a large foreign born population and some of them turn to local ethnic media outlets for news and to stay informed about their home countries. There are over three dozen ethnic media organizations that serve the city and the greater metro Denver area. They are print, digital and broadcast outlets that publish in many different languages including English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Polish.

Vera Azuka Idam started Afrik Digest in 2018, a free magazine and online publication, to bring African people together.

“To be their voices, to raise their voices,” she said. “We know what they want. We understand the way to put it that they would understand.”

There are hundreds of ethnic media outlets across the country. They face challenges like evolving digital and social media, loss of in-community businesses, an aging audience and lack of bilingual journalists. Fake news is a big issue too. It can stem from a variety of sources like targeted campaigns in communities of color that hope to influence elections to social media platforms like WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook Groups.One of the biggest challenges in funding.

“For those of us who are doing these things alone, maybe that's because we're struggling with, you know, with support and very minimum financial support,” said KETO 93.9 FM founder Endale Getahun.

KETO is a multicultural immigrant community radio station that primarily serves African immigrants and refugees. The signal originates in Aurora and has a broadcast radius of 10 miles and also streams online. There are shows and music in English, French and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Oromo.

Aurora partners with KETO, Afrik Digest and other ethnic media outlets to ensure the different immigrant groups have equal access to information and resources coming from the city.

“Networking with others is very helpful because you get to share experience,” said KETO-FM 93.9 founder Endale Getahun who attended the event.

“I feel like for many of these communities, they really trust, you know, these ethnic media organizations,” said Ricardo Gambetta, Aurora’s manager of International and Immigrant Affairs. “They know that they want the best for these communities.”

Center for Community Media at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York on social media

  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Facebook
  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Twitter
  •  Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on YouTube

KETO 93.9 FM on social media

City of Aurora on social media

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Sean Corcoran. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Jennifer Coombes is the digital editor.

]]> Aurora has a large foreign born population and some of them turn to local ethnic media outlets for news and to stay informed about their home countries. There are over three dozen ethnic media organizations that serve the city and the greater metro Denver area. They are print, digital and broadcast outlets that publish in many different languages including English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Polish.

Vera Azuka Idam started Afrik Digest in 2018, a free magazine and online publication, to bring African people together.

“To be their voices, to raise their voices,” she said. “We know what they want. We understand the way to put it that they would understand.”

There are hundreds of ethnic media outlets across the country. They face challenges like evolving digital and social media, loss of in-community businesses, an aging audience and lack of bilingual journalists. Fake news is a big issue too. It can stem from a variety of sources like targeted campaigns in communities of color that hope to influence elections to social media platforms like WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook Groups.One of the biggest challenges in funding.

“For those of us who are doing these things alone, maybe that's because we're struggling with, you know, with support and very minimum financial support,” said KETO 93.9 FM founder Endale Getahun.

KETO is a multicultural immigrant community radio station that primarily serves African immigrants and refugees. The signal originates in Aurora and has a broadcast radius of 10 miles and also streams online. There are shows and music in English, French and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Oromo.

Aurora partners with KETO, Afrik Digest and other ethnic media outlets to ensure the different immigrant groups have equal access to information and resources coming from the city.

“Networking with others is very helpful because you get to share experience,” said KETO-FM 93.9 founder Endale Getahun who attended the event.

“I feel like for many of these communities, they really trust, you know, these ethnic media organizations,” said Ricardo Gambetta, Aurora’s manager of International and Immigrant Affairs. “They know that they want the best for these communities.”

Center for Community Media at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York on social media

  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Facebook
  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Twitter
  •  Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on YouTube

KETO 93.9 FM on social media

City of Aurora on social media

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Sean Corcoran. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Jennifer Coombes is the digital editor.

]]> Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:00:00 -0700 KUNC KUNC 748 Aurora has a large foreign born population and some of them turn to local ethnic media outlets for news and to stay informed about their home countries. There are over three dozen ethnic media organizations that serve the city and the greater metro Denver area. They are print, digital and broadcast outlets that publish in many different languages including English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Polish.

Vera Azuka Idam started Afrik Digest in 2018, a free magazine and online publication, to bring African people together.

“To be their voices, to raise their voices,” she said. “We know what they want. We understand the way to put it that they would understand.”

There are hundreds of ethnic media outlets across the country. They face challenges like evolving digital and social media, loss of in-community businesses, an aging audience and lack of bilingual journalists. Fake news is a big issue too. It can stem from a variety of sources like targeted campaigns in communities of color that hope to influence elections to social media platforms like WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook Groups.One of the biggest challenges in funding.

“For those of us who are doing these things alone, maybe that's because we're struggling with, you know, with support and very minimum financial support,” said KETO 93.9 FM founder Endale Getahun.

KETO is a multicultural immigrant community radio station that primarily serves African immigrants and refugees. The signal originates in Aurora and has a broadcast radius of 10 miles and also streams online. There are shows and music in English, French and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Oromo.

Aurora partners with KETO, Afrik Digest and other ethnic media outlets to ensure the different immigrant groups have equal access to information and resources coming from the city.

“Networking with others is very helpful because you get to share experience,” said KETO-FM 93.9 founder Endale Getahun who attended the event.

“I feel like for many of these communities, they really trust, you know, these ethnic media organizations,” said Ricardo Gambetta, Aurora’s manager of International and Immigrant Affairs. “They know that they want the best for these communities.”

Center for Community Media at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York on social media

  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Facebook
  • Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on Twitter
  •  Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY on YouTube

KETO 93.9 FM on social media

City of Aurora on social media

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Sean Corcoran. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Jennifer Coombes is the digital editor.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: The CAAAS (The Cause) 2 2 Newcomers Welcome: The CAAAS (The Cause) bonus 290ca178-ed18-41cd-93f3-845a18886b47 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fe4b68f8 Wed, 22 Feb 2023 23:00:00 -0700 KUNC KUNC 607 Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Entrepreneurship 2 2 Newcomers Welcome: Entrepreneurship bonus 965908e3-60c3-467e-98a4-cf3640fcbe27 https://share.transistor.fm/s/eb55b46e Foreign-born residents have higher rates of entrepreneurship than those born here in the U.S. Aurora supports these business owners as part of its immigrant integration plan. The goal is to increase entrepreneurship by providing information, training and lowering the barriers to entry. There are hundreds of immigrant and refugee owned businesses throughout the city including Msosi Kenyan Cuisine food truck, owned by Kenyan immigrant Josphat Ombacho.


 In 2016, Ombacho and his wife started a traditional catering business. They sold food at events like Aurora’s Global Fest and Taste of Colorado. Eventually, they decided to buy a food truck but they needed some money.


“We went to various banks to see if we can get a loan to buy a food truck because we didn't have enough money,” Ombacho said. “We couldn't get (it) because our credit was low.” 


After getting turned down at traditional banks they heard about CEDS Finance in Aurora and received a loan from the non-profit, federally-funded, small business lender. 


“Our mission is all about how do we help refugees create the American dream? And we define that as financial self-sufficiency,” said Alex Wise, CEDS Finance executive director.


The nonprofit loans up to 100,000-dollars to clients and doesn’t require a minimum credit score. CEDs is also the only lender in the state that offers an Islamic-compliant loan, an alternative type of financing that adds an administrative fee rather than charging interest.


Ethiopian refugee and Aurora resident Ermias Gurmu owns a small trucking business called Line Trucking. He hauls food across the country for big chain stores like Wal-Mart and King Soopers. He’s on his second CEDS loan and is one of more than 300 entrepreneurs the lender has supported.


“I'm planning to get more trucks and to have some more employees to expand my company,” Gurmu said.


Credits: The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Sean Corcoran. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Jennifer Coombes is the digital editor.

]]> Foreign-born residents have higher rates of entrepreneurship than those born here in the U.S. Aurora supports these business owners as part of its immigrant integration plan. The goal is to increase entrepreneurship by providing information, training and lowering the barriers to entry. There are hundreds of immigrant and refugee owned businesses throughout the city including Msosi Kenyan Cuisine food truck, owned by Kenyan immigrant Josphat Ombacho.


 In 2016, Ombacho and his wife started a traditional catering business. They sold food at events like Aurora’s Global Fest and Taste of Colorado. Eventually, they decided to buy a food truck but they needed some money.


“We went to various banks to see if we can get a loan to buy a food truck because we didn't have enough money,” Ombacho said. “We couldn't get (it) because our credit was low.” 


After getting turned down at traditional banks they heard about CEDS Finance in Aurora and received a loan from the non-profit, federally-funded, small business lender. 


“Our mission is all about how do we help refugees create the American dream? And we define that as financial self-sufficiency,” said Alex Wise, CEDS Finance executive director.


The nonprofit loans up to 100,000-dollars to clients and doesn’t require a minimum credit score. CEDs is also the only lender in the state that offers an Islamic-compliant loan, an alternative type of financing that adds an administrative fee rather than charging interest.


Ethiopian refugee and Aurora resident Ermias Gurmu owns a small trucking business called Line Trucking. He hauls food across the country for big chain stores like Wal-Mart and King Soopers. He’s on his second CEDS loan and is one of more than 300 entrepreneurs the lender has supported.


“I'm planning to get more trucks and to have some more employees to expand my company,” Gurmu said.


Credits: The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Sean Corcoran. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Jennifer Coombes is the digital editor.

]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2023 22:00:00 -0700 KUNC KUNC 498 Foreign-born residents have higher rates of entrepreneurship than those born here in the U.S. Aurora supports these business owners as part of its immigrant integration plan. The goal is to increase entrepreneurship by providing information, training and lowering the barriers to entry. There are hundreds of immigrant and refugee owned businesses throughout the city including Msosi Kenyan Cuisine food truck, owned by Kenyan immigrant Josphat Ombacho.


 In 2016, Ombacho and his wife started a traditional catering business. They sold food at events like Aurora’s Global Fest and Taste of Colorado. Eventually, they decided to buy a food truck but they needed some money.


“We went to various banks to see if we can get a loan to buy a food truck because we didn't have enough money,” Ombacho said. “We couldn't get (it) because our credit was low.” 


After getting turned down at traditional banks they heard about CEDS Finance in Aurora and received a loan from the non-profit, federally-funded, small business lender. 


“Our mission is all about how do we help refugees create the American dream? And we define that as financial self-sufficiency,” said Alex Wise, CEDS Finance executive director.


The nonprofit loans up to 100,000-dollars to clients and doesn’t require a minimum credit score. CEDs is also the only lender in the state that offers an Islamic-compliant loan, an alternative type of financing that adds an administrative fee rather than charging interest.


Ethiopian refugee and Aurora resident Ermias Gurmu owns a small trucking business called Line Trucking. He hauls food across the country for big chain stores like Wal-Mart and King Soopers. He’s on his second CEDS loan and is one of more than 300 entrepreneurs the lender has supported.


“I'm planning to get more trucks and to have some more employees to expand my company,” Gurmu said.


Credits: The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Sean Corcoran. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Jennifer Coombes is the digital editor.

]]> Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Live Event 2 2 6 6 Live Event bonus f050b9f6-167c-4fc7-bdd0-d0740bb3dc69 https://www.kunc.org/newcomers-welcome/2022-11-02/newcomers-welcome-live-event KUNC hosted a live community event and panel discussion to talk about the themes explored in The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome podcast.

The panel included podcast host Stephanie Daniel and people featured in the series including Salwa Mourtada Bamba, Mariem Dia and Amanda Blaurock.

The conversation took place at the historic Aurora Fox Arts Center and was moderated by Scott Williams, Museum Director of the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites.

To learn more about The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome, go to our website.

Credits

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was recorded live at the Aurora Fox Arts Center. It was produced by Kim Rais and Kyle Cunningham with help from Connor Bergman. Brandon Case is the technical director, Casey Burnham is the theater and sound technician. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. 

Special thanks to Marcus Burnett, Ashley Jefcoat, Jennifer Orf, Odaliz Gaytan, Sean Corcoran, Mike Arnold and Tammy Terwelp.

]]> KUNC hosted a live community event and panel discussion to talk about the themes explored in The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome podcast.

The panel included podcast host Stephanie Daniel and people featured in the series including Salwa Mourtada Bamba, Mariem Dia and Amanda Blaurock.

The conversation took place at the historic Aurora Fox Arts Center and was moderated by Scott Williams, Museum Director of the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites.

To learn more about The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome, go to our website.

Credits

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. This episode was recorded live at the Aurora Fox Arts Center. It was produced by Kim Rais and Kyle Cunningham with help from Connor Bergman. Brandon Case is the technical director, Casey Burnham is the theater and sound technician. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. 

Special thanks to Marcus Burnett, Ashley Jefcoat, Jennifer Orf, Odaliz Gaytan, Sean Corcoran, Mike Arnold and Tammy Terwelp.

]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:55:59 -0600 KUNC KUNC 4670 KUNC hosted a live community event and panel discussion to talk about the themes explored in The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome podcast. The panel included podcast host Stephanie Daniel and people featured in the series. KUNC hosted a live community event and panel discussion to talk about the themes explored in The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome podcast. The panel included podcast host Stephanie Daniel and people featured in the series. Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Home 2 2 5 5 Newcomers Welcome: Home full b08ed9db-ba7a-40ad-a667-fb2a3590d096 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ddb99532 Aurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an integration plan, one of the first local governments in the country to do so. Aurora has made a conscious decision to welcome foriegn-born residents but should the city get all the credit for embracing newcomers?


 “I think it just happens to be the city that people were relocated to,” said Mathew Mengesha, a policy advocate who works on city and state level policies that support the successful integration of immigrant and refugee communities. “Like it more so had to do with the affordability of Aurora, in my opinion, than it had to do with Aurora wanting immigrants and refugees in their city.”


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode five explores what stands in the way of Aurora being a welcoming home for all immigrants. Also, Salwa Mourtada Bamba achieves one more big milestone.

Credits and links

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora; and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to kunc.org/coloradodream.

Salwa on social media:

Also in this episode:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional audio is from NPR’s Morning Edition. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Thomas Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Race. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s executive news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO. 

]]> Aurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an integration plan, one of the first local governments in the country to do so. Aurora has made a conscious decision to welcome foriegn-born residents but should the city get all the credit for embracing newcomers?


 “I think it just happens to be the city that people were relocated to,” said Mathew Mengesha, a policy advocate who works on city and state level policies that support the successful integration of immigrant and refugee communities. “Like it more so had to do with the affordability of Aurora, in my opinion, than it had to do with Aurora wanting immigrants and refugees in their city.”


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode five explores what stands in the way of Aurora being a welcoming home for all immigrants. Also, Salwa Mourtada Bamba achieves one more big milestone.

Credits and links

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora; and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to kunc.org/coloradodream.

Salwa on social media:

Also in this episode:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional audio is from NPR’s Morning Edition. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Thomas Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Race. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s executive news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO. 

]]> Fri, 02 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1585 The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode five explores what stands in the way of Aurora being a welcoming home for all immigrants. Also, Salwa Mourtada Bamba achieves one more big milestone. The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode five explores what stands in the way of Aurora being a welcoming home for all immigrants. Also, Salwa Mourtada Bamba achieves one more big milestone. Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony 2 2 Newcomers Welcome: Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony bonus bb81a15f-9a8b-4cea-9f40-da6fe41c2ff6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4944f46b Aurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an ambitious integration plan that focuses heavily on supporting foreign-born entrepreneurs. And for good reason; immigrants and refugees have higher rates of starting new businesses than American-born residents. Throughout the city there are immigrant-owned businesses like food markets, restaurants, beauty salons and transportation companies. 


“Aurora, it's welcoming and if you are comfortable, you achieve,” said Ayelech G-Michael. “First impression, you see somebody who look like you, you would be comfortable. I think that's why Aurora (has) a lot of entrepreneur(s).”


G-Michael is one of these entrepreneurs. She came to the U.S. to go to college in 1995 and then moved to Aurora five years later. She has owned a liquor store and a home health agency. Now, she works as an interpreter for medical and law offices, schools and the community. She interprets two Ethiopian languages: Amharic and Tigrinya. 

She also performs Ethiopian coffee ceremonies at events around Aurora, including the city’s annual Global Fest.

“That's how I start serving the coffee,” she said. “To show my culture to other very diverse Aurora.”

Credits and links

To see photos of the tea ceremony and Ayelech G-Michael, as well as other extras from the series, go to the Colorado Dream website.

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor.

]]> Aurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an ambitious integration plan that focuses heavily on supporting foreign-born entrepreneurs. And for good reason; immigrants and refugees have higher rates of starting new businesses than American-born residents. Throughout the city there are immigrant-owned businesses like food markets, restaurants, beauty salons and transportation companies. 


“Aurora, it's welcoming and if you are comfortable, you achieve,” said Ayelech G-Michael. “First impression, you see somebody who look like you, you would be comfortable. I think that's why Aurora (has) a lot of entrepreneur(s).”


G-Michael is one of these entrepreneurs. She came to the U.S. to go to college in 1995 and then moved to Aurora five years later. She has owned a liquor store and a home health agency. Now, she works as an interpreter for medical and law offices, schools and the community. She interprets two Ethiopian languages: Amharic and Tigrinya. 

She also performs Ethiopian coffee ceremonies at events around Aurora, including the city’s annual Global Fest.

“That's how I start serving the coffee,” she said. “To show my culture to other very diverse Aurora.”

Credits and links

To see photos of the tea ceremony and Ayelech G-Michael, as well as other extras from the series, go to the Colorado Dream website.

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor.

]]> Wed, 31 Aug 2022 15:24:27 -0600 KUNC KUNC 424 Aurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an ambitious integration plan that focuses heavily on supporting foreign-born entrepreneurs. And for good reason; immigrants and refugees have higher rates of starting new businesses than American-born residents. Throughout the city there are immigrant-owned businesses like food markets, restaurants, beauty salons and transportation companies. Aurora is home to immigrants and refugees from around the world. To help them succeed, the city created an ambitious integration plan that focuses heavily on supporting foreign-born entrepreneurs. And for good reason; immigrants and refugees have higher r Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Identity 2 2 4 4 Newcomers Welcome: Identity full 9f2ff977-6e8b-46d3-a0b7-dcae27820170 https://share.transistor.fm/s/363547e6 The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. What does it mean for these immigrants, and their kids, to be Black in America? 

“There's a tension between the African immigrant and the Black community. Why? Because of misconception and assumption from both (parties).” said Papa Dai, founder and president of African Leadership Group. “So for me, coming together, being united as Black, as African immigrant, as African in the Diaspora, however you want to identify yourself, it's a must and it's time.”


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode four examines the relationship between Black African immigrants and African Americans. It also shares how Salwa Mourtada Bamba and other Black immigrants in Aurora identify themselves.


“I am Black and proud,” Bamba said. “Yes, it's undeniable.”

Links and credits

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

Also in this episode:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO.

]]> The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. What does it mean for these immigrants, and their kids, to be Black in America? 

“There's a tension between the African immigrant and the Black community. Why? Because of misconception and assumption from both (parties).” said Papa Dai, founder and president of African Leadership Group. “So for me, coming together, being united as Black, as African immigrant, as African in the Diaspora, however you want to identify yourself, it's a must and it's time.”


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode four examines the relationship between Black African immigrants and African Americans. It also shares how Salwa Mourtada Bamba and other Black immigrants in Aurora identify themselves.


“I am Black and proud,” Bamba said. “Yes, it's undeniable.”

Links and credits

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

Also in this episode:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO.

]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1555 The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode four examines the relationship between Black African immigrants and African Americans. It also shares how Salwa Mourtada Bamba and other Black immigrants in Aurora identify themselves. The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode four examines the relationship between Black African immigrants and African Americans. It also shares how Salwa Mourtada Bamba and other Black immigrants in Aurora identify themselves. Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Education 2 2 3 3 Newcomers Welcome: Education full 9bc0aa65-6b64-41c2-8206-373361e9c86b https://share.transistor.fm/s/01ce78b5 English is the “language of opportunity.” That’s a line from Aurora’s 10-year Immigrant Integration Plan. Before creating this plan, the city conducted focus groups in 2019 with community members and found the two top priorities for immigrants and refugees were learning English and finding employment.


Research shows that immigrants who are proficient in English have higher paying jobs. Not only can they better support their families but the city of Aurora benefits too. The more money residents make, the more they can spend, and the more the city prospers.


To help foreign-born residents succeed, Aurora’s integration plan emphasizes education. How well are schools serving Aurora’s immigrant families?


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode three looks at efforts by two educational institutions and some of the unique challenges facing first and second-generation African students.


“A first generation African kid, my child can tell you, that goes to school acting like an American and then comes home and has to act like an African kid,” said Anne Keke, an immigrant from Côte d'Ivoire and Aurora Public Schools Board of Education Director.


Links and credits


To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

Also in this episode:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designedand mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO.

]]> English is the “language of opportunity.” That’s a line from Aurora’s 10-year Immigrant Integration Plan. Before creating this plan, the city conducted focus groups in 2019 with community members and found the two top priorities for immigrants and refugees were learning English and finding employment.


Research shows that immigrants who are proficient in English have higher paying jobs. Not only can they better support their families but the city of Aurora benefits too. The more money residents make, the more they can spend, and the more the city prospers.


To help foreign-born residents succeed, Aurora’s integration plan emphasizes education. How well are schools serving Aurora’s immigrant families?


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode three looks at efforts by two educational institutions and some of the unique challenges facing first and second-generation African students.


“A first generation African kid, my child can tell you, that goes to school acting like an American and then comes home and has to act like an African kid,” said Anne Keke, an immigrant from Côte d'Ivoire and Aurora Public Schools Board of Education Director.


Links and credits


To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

Also in this episode:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designedand mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO.

]]> Fri, 19 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1557 The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode three looks at efforts by two educational institutions and some of the unique challenges facing first and second-generation African students. The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode three looks at efforts by two educational institutions and some of the unique challenges facing first and second-generation African students. Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Integration 2 2 2 2 Newcomers Welcome: Integration full 3f2d717b-5c91-4363-aec5-bf935426fb68 https://share.transistor.fm/s/449eafe8 Aurora is one of the most diverse cities in Colorado. In fact, about one in five residents is foriegn born. Over half came from the Americas, mainly Mexico. After that the largest groups hail from Ethiopia, Vietnam, Korea, El Salvador and India. To help immigrants and refugees succeed, the city created an integration plan. It was among the first in the country to do so.


“Our city leaders at the time, intentionally they (made) a very important decision,” said Ricardo Gambetta, manager of Aurora’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. “They realize that in the last 20 years, we have a new face of the city.”

To implement the integration plan, Aurora partners with dozens of organizations including Village Exchange Center. The non-profit supports immigrant and refugee communities with a range of services including the Natural Helpers Program which is staffed by volunteers who are immigrants themselves.


“The natural helpers are like this bridge between their country and here,” said José Gómez , who manages the Natural Helpers Program. “ I feel that one of the biggest things that has kept our immigrant or refugee community, you can say down, is the lack of knowledge.”


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode two examines the city’s immigrant integration plan. Meanwhile, more than 15 years earlier, Salwa Mourtada Bamba gets a job and enrolls at the local community college as she settles into her new life in Aurora.

Links and credits

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

Aurora History Museum

City of Aurora

Village Exchange Center

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by me, Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO. 

]]> Aurora is one of the most diverse cities in Colorado. In fact, about one in five residents is foriegn born. Over half came from the Americas, mainly Mexico. After that the largest groups hail from Ethiopia, Vietnam, Korea, El Salvador and India. To help immigrants and refugees succeed, the city created an integration plan. It was among the first in the country to do so.


“Our city leaders at the time, intentionally they (made) a very important decision,” said Ricardo Gambetta, manager of Aurora’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. “They realize that in the last 20 years, we have a new face of the city.”

To implement the integration plan, Aurora partners with dozens of organizations including Village Exchange Center. The non-profit supports immigrant and refugee communities with a range of services including the Natural Helpers Program which is staffed by volunteers who are immigrants themselves.


“The natural helpers are like this bridge between their country and here,” said José Gómez , who manages the Natural Helpers Program. “ I feel that one of the biggest things that has kept our immigrant or refugee community, you can say down, is the lack of knowledge.”


The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome episode two examines the city’s immigrant integration plan. Meanwhile, more than 15 years earlier, Salwa Mourtada Bamba gets a job and enrolls at the local community college as she settles into her new life in Aurora.

Links and credits

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

Aurora History Museum

City of Aurora

Village Exchange Center

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by me, Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO. 

]]> Fri, 12 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1524 We examine the Aurora’s immigrant integration plan. Meanwhile, more than 15 years earlier, Salwa Mourtada Bamba gets a job and enrolls at the local community college as she settles into her new life in Aurora. We examine the Aurora’s immigrant integration plan. Meanwhile, more than 15 years earlier, Salwa Mourtada Bamba gets a job and enrolls at the local community college as she settles into her new life in Aurora. Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Arrival 2 2 1 1 Newcomers Welcome: Arrival full b6fa2825-2a9a-4ed4-93f1-9e76884d0bb6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/dbdd33f9 The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. A lot of them have overcome great challenges to emigrate here, including Salwa Mourtada Bamba. 

Salwa was born in Liberia, West Africa and endured the country’s brutal civil war. She was displaced, her sister was murdered and she literally fled for her life, moving to Ghana for four years. But during moments of relative calm she would daydream about coming to the United States.

“To me, the American dream was just being afforded the opportunity to come here and attain the highest level of education that I possibly could,” she said. “It was always touted on television to be this place where you can be and grow and and gain the best at anything and at any dream you wanted to.”

Her dreams became a reality in 1998 when she arrived alone at JFK International Airport in New York City. A year later she was settled in Aurora, Colorado, ready to take on her new world.

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

The Migration Policy Institute on social media:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by me, Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO. 

]]> The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. A lot of them have overcome great challenges to emigrate here, including Salwa Mourtada Bamba. 

Salwa was born in Liberia, West Africa and endured the country’s brutal civil war. She was displaced, her sister was murdered and she literally fled for her life, moving to Ghana for four years. But during moments of relative calm she would daydream about coming to the United States.

“To me, the American dream was just being afforded the opportunity to come here and attain the highest level of education that I possibly could,” she said. “It was always touted on television to be this place where you can be and grow and and gain the best at anything and at any dream you wanted to.”

Her dreams became a reality in 1998 when she arrived alone at JFK International Airport in New York City. A year later she was settled in Aurora, Colorado, ready to take on her new world.

To learn more about Salwa Mourtada Bamba and the city of Aurora, and to see photos of the people included in this episode and other extras, go to the Colorado Dream website.

Salwa on social media:

The Migration Policy Institute on social media:

The Colorado Dream: Newcomers Welcome is a production from KUNC. It was written and reported by me, Stephanie Daniel. Editing by Johanna Zorn. Fact-checking by Cat Jaffee with additional help from Adam Rayes. This season's theme song was composed by Jason Paton, who also sound designed and mixed the episode. Additional music was composed by Matthew Simonson. Ashley Jefcoat is the digital editor. Special thanks to Chandra Whitfield, Robert Leja, Kyle Cunningham and Kim Rais. Sean Corcoran is KUNC’s news director. Tammy Terwelp is KUNC’s president and CEO. 

]]> Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1528 The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. A lot of them have overcome great challenges to emigrate here, including Salwa Mourtada Bamba. The Black immigrant population in Colorado is growing faster than anywhere else in the U.S. They come from Africa, the Caribbean and beyond, and many settle in Aurora, where about one in five residents is foreign born. A lot of them have overcome great ch Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Newcomers Welcome: Trailer 2 2 Newcomers Welcome: Trailer trailer 521f1409-7bee-4f18-b4e8-4b3060c65d0c https://share.transistor.fm/s/2c34ff40 In Aurora, Colorado about one in five residents is foreign born. While most come from Mexico, many hail from other parts of the world including thousands from the continent of Africa. The city created a plan called “Aurora is open to the world” and partnered with dozens of organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. But is the plan helping those most in need? In season two of The Colorado Dream, join host Stephanie Daniel as she explores the Black immigrant experience in Aurora as told through the eyes of one African immigrant living in Aurora as the city – and its residents – strive to become an inclusive home for all.

]]> In Aurora, Colorado about one in five residents is foreign born. While most come from Mexico, many hail from other parts of the world including thousands from the continent of Africa. The city created a plan called “Aurora is open to the world” and partnered with dozens of organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. But is the plan helping those most in need? In season two of The Colorado Dream, join host Stephanie Daniel as she explores the Black immigrant experience in Aurora as told through the eyes of one African immigrant living in Aurora as the city – and its residents – strive to become an inclusive home for all.

]]> Fri, 22 Jul 2022 11:37:57 -0600 KUNC KUNC 174 In Aurora, Colorado about one in five residents is foreign born. The city created a plan called “Aurora is open to the world” and partnered with dozens of organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. But is the plan helping those most in need? In Aurora, Colorado about one in five residents is foreign born. The city created a plan called “Aurora is open to the world” and partnered with dozens of organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. But is the plan helping those most i Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Career Education: Tomorrow Starts Today 1 1 5 5 Career Education: Tomorrow Starts Today full d8cdedb0-22f5-11ec-89b4-3b86a37e6b6b https://share.transistor.fm/s/2a73543e Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:30:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1587 “Tomorrow Starts Today,” is the slogan for Westminster High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The school offers 13 CTE career pathways that are designed to give students both job training and education to prepare them for future success. This episode features current and former students from the aerospace engineering and cybersecurity classes who want to work in some of Colorado’s fastest growing industries. “Tomorrow Starts Today,” is the slogan for Westminster High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The school offers 13 CTE career pathways that are designed to give students both job training and education to prepare them for future succe Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Career Education: Urban Ag 1 1 4 4 Career Education: Urban Ag full 1a8887b0-1d63-11ec-8ba1-ff91584562a4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c121a97e Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1587 Westminster, Colorado began as a small farming community when the first settler arrived in 1870. Today, it is the state’s eighth-largest city. Even though it’s part of the sprawling, urban metro Denver area, Westminster has held onto its agricultural roots. There’s still a working farm about three miles from downtown. So it’s not surprising Westminster High School has a robust agriculture program. This episode features the school’s Career and Technical Education agriculture pathway and two students who’ve found success in the urban jungle. Westminster, Colorado began as a small farming community when the first settler arrived in 1870. Today, it is the state’s eighth-largest city. Even though it’s part of the sprawling, urban metro Denver area, Westminster has held onto its agricultural root Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Career Education: The First 1 1 3 3 Career Education: The First full 2ef0fc00-17f0-11ec-b304-25779eea03c4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8ac73af6 Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:00:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1587 Biomedical Science is the most popular Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway at Westminster High School in Westminster, Colorado. Biomedical Innovations is the final of the four year-long classes. Last semester, students studied how dementia affects the brain and created wellness plans to treat these patients. This episode follows three teens who will be first-generation college students. They are using the Biomedical Science and Health Occupations pathways to prepare for college and careers in the medical field. Biomedical Science is the most popular Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway at Westminster High School in Westminster, Colorado. Biomedical Innovations is the final of the four year-long classes. Last semester, students studied how dementia affect Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Career Education: Wolf Bites 1 1 2 2 Career Education: Wolf Bites full 50383710-1263-11ec-b244-a7b41ce12e18 https://share.transistor.fm/s/60e2a16e Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:15:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 1587 Westminster Public Schools is one of the smallest school districts in metro Denver and has only one comprehensive high school. Westminster High School, or Westy as it's fondly called, houses the district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. In 2019, the district received a CTE grant from the state which paid for Wolf Bites, a food truck run by culinary students. This episode follows them as they prepare for their first paid catering gig and features a video cinema arts student who helped produce the school's Wolf Bites video documentary. Westminster Public Schools is one of the smallest school districts in metro Denver and has only one comprehensive high school. Westminster High School, or Westy as it's fondly called, houses the district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. In Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No Trailer: Introducing the Colorado Dream 1 1 1 1 Trailer: Introducing the Colorado Dream full c9d597c0-0778-11ec-8a58-957213ab20be https://share.transistor.fm/s/2d36e90b Trailer for Season 1 of the Colorado Dream, a KUNC podcast by Stephanie Daniel

]]> Trailer for Season 1 of the Colorado Dream, a KUNC podcast by Stephanie Daniel

]]> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 14:27:00 -0600 KUNC KUNC 60 Trailer for Season 1 of the Colorado Dream, a KUNC podcast by Stephanie Daniel Trailer for Season 1 of the Colorado Dream, a KUNC podcast by Stephanie Daniel Colorado,News,Education,Narrative No