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The number of people who commit suicide with a gun in Colorado is four times higher than the number of gun-related homicides. Public health professionals and gun manufacturers are considering measures to reduce the number of suicides -- including “smart guns” that can only be fired by the owner. Colorado Public Radio’s Rabah Kamal has more.

This story has been updated at 3:00 PM 5/22/13: scroll down to the end for the latest information.

Later today (Wednesday 5/22/13) the Colorado Division of Insurance will release the list of health insurance companies that want to be part of Colorado’s health exchange.  So far 19 companies have applied to be included.  The exchange is mandated by the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, that was signed into law three years ago.  The act requires that everyone have health insurance starting January first of next year.  The health insurance law survived a Supreme Court challenge and Republican efforts to repeal it. Now, it’s coming into force. Over the next several months we will be reporting on how the new law will affect you. We begin with an explanation of the health care exchange.  Aspen Public Radio’s Roger Adams reports.

Colorado is one of nearly twenty states putting together a kind of cooperative health care purchasing program. It’s called an exchange, and it’s starting under the recent health care overhaul often called "Obamacare". Enrollment starts in October and it could mean big changes for Native Americans in Colorado. Aspen Public Radio’s Elise Thatcher recently spoke with Ernest House Junior. He’s Executive Director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. House started by explaining what health care options Native Americans have now.

Are you a musician? Know some folks who are?

Aspen Public Radio is celebrating National Music Day, June 21st, and wants you to share your music with our listeners! Here's an example & explanation on how to do it:

A recent study shows that 40 percent of Colorado high school graduates who go on to college need remedial help with at least one subject.  This high number may in part be the result of problems the kids had as far back as first and second grade.  A major factor, educators believe, is a lack of adequate early literacy.  As Aspen Public Radio’s Roger Adams explains, reading skills must be acquired at a very young age.

A long running civil lawsuit filed by relatives of a family who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at an Aspen vacation home has been resolved. In 2008, Parker and Caroline Lofgren and their young children Owen and Sophie died at a home east of town. Since then, relatives, including the kids’ grandparents, have been in and out of the courtroom. Aspen Public Radio's Marci Krivonen reports.

They sued several parties involved with building and maintaining the home. William Hansen is the family’s attorney.

The apparent early success of Whole Foods Market in Basalt is drawing new attention to the Willits development.  Already some businesses have relocated to Willits from downtown Basalt as the foot traffic there grows.  For some this presents a challenge to downtown where merchants are brainstorming ways to attract more visitors their way.  Aspen Public Radio’s Roger Adams explains.