Dec. 16, 2025: Investigation into troubled state lab, high winds could cut Front Range power, annual Carol Countdown

The investigation into a state public health lab found out-of-date equipment, chronic understaffing, and a culture of fear. What does it mean for the safety of your food and water? Then, we’ll see warm temperatures and wind gusts of up to 75 mph on the Front Range this week. That’s a recipe for dangerous fire conditions, and possibly power cuts. And, from the reigning champion to some intriguing also-rans, it’s CPR's 17th annual Classical Carol Countdown. 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 Ben Markus reports on data manipulation at CDPHE’s water lab . The final results of CPR Classical's 17th Annual Carol Countdown You can listen to Kabin Thomas' Carol Countdown special and find a holiday-free classical stream at our website . Tickets and information for Tuesday night's Holiday Brass concert are at the Colorado Symphony's website . This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Haylee May. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Stephanie Wolf, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.