July 24, 2025: Polis’ bridge failure, FEMA disaster funds held back, scientists’ tribute to their favorite musicians

Jared Polis scraps his pedestrian walkway project, siding with big public backlash to it, and says he’ll chain himself to the Capitol plaza to prevent his own idea’s implementation. Then, FEMA money was meant to help a Colorado city that struggled to clean its water after a wildfire, but now the money’s gone, and the plan is on pause. Plus, the Indigo Girls get a strange Colorado tribute from a group of lichen scientists. And you’ll get ideas for your weekend. This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf and Kiara DeMare. The executive producer is Rachel Estabrook. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño. Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members . Read more on the stories in today’s show: CPR’s Ryan Warner interviews Gov. Jared Polis about his reversal on a bridge to commemorate Colorado’s milestone birthday . CPR’s Ishan Thakore reports on FEMA withdrawing disaster preparation funds . CPR’s Lauren Antonoff Hart has the story of scientists who love the Indigo Girls , who are playing at Red Rocks, and Lauren shares more ideas for your weekend .