The conditions driving this year’s wildfires; housing activists buy infamous Aurora apartments; Mud Day!

It’s sadly no surprise that Colorado’s historically dry, warm winter has led to such an intense wildfire season. But climate change is also driving other factors contributing to the many blazes around Colorado.  There is some good news though: the quirky Bishop Castle appears to have survived the Aspen Acres fire so far.  Then, an Aurora apartment building that went viral after claims it had been taken over by Venezuelan gang members is under surprising new ownership. Plus, we look at how an early learning center celebrates an unusual, and messy, holiday.

Email us at coloradotoday@cpr.org. Colorado Today is supported by CPR’s members.

Read more on the stories in today’s show:

• KRCC’s Aeva Dye on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s new grizzly cubs
• CPR’s wildfire coverage
• Bishop Castle website and donation link
• Denverite’s Kyle Harris on the future of the Edge apartments
• CPR’s Jenny Brundin on how playing in the mud benefits preschoolers

This episode of Colorado Today is hosted by Arlo Pérez Esquivel. It’s edited and produced by Madilyn Rose, Arlo Pérez Esquivel, Megan Verlee and Tyler Bender. The executive producer is Megan Verlee. Theme music by Pedro Lumbraño.