October 9, 2025: Shutdown unemployment confusion, Native students’ new space, prep plants for cold, new CU mascot

Federal workers are left uncertain about back pay after the shutdown, and you’ll hear from the families who are affected. Then, a classroom is reinvented to help Native students from across Denver. Plus, frost is in the forecast and cold weather is challenging for your plants and trees, but there are things to do now to prepare. And, there’s a new CU buffalo who likes to run, unlike her predecessor. 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 Sarah Mulholland on workers stressed by the gov’t shutdown . CPR’s Sandy Battulga and Elaine Tassy on DPS’s Native American Student Center . CPR’s Hayley Sanchez and Ryan Warner share tips on fall gardening. Get the Ryan Warner mug This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Mateo Schimpf, Stephanie Wolf, Rachel Estabrook and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Rachel Estabrook. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.