Rocky Mountain PBS premieres two documentaries exploring pressing Colorado issues
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DENVER — Rocky Mountain PBS (RMPBS) is proud to announce the June 2025 premiere of two original documentaries delving into critical Colorado stories, Sheared: Challenges Facing Colorado’s Sheep Industry (June 12) and Waiting for Justice (June 26). These films exemplify RMPBS’s commitment to in-depth, community-driven storytelling. At Rocky Mountain PBS, we believe in the power of local journalism to illuminate the stories that define Colorado. But some stories can’t be captured in a single headline or a fleeting news clip. They’re layered, evolving, and deeply rooted in our communities, demanding more than just a moment of attention. They deserve depth. They demand time. And that’s exactly why we’re committed to thoughtful reporting on the issues shaping our state.
“We decided to lock in on feature documentaries this year in response to the feedback we received from our viewers that our deep dives into Colorado institutions made them feel more connected and invested in our community. As public media, we always want to invest in storytelling that challenges our ideas about what we thought we knew about one another and that also helps us see our shared histories in a new way," says Gabriela Resto-Montero, Journalism Director for Rocky Mountain Public Media.
"We were especially excited this year to combine our powers with Colorado Public Radio (CPR) in producing a timely look into justice for sexual assault victims because we’re also invested in a media ecosystem that speaks to us all.”
Sheared: Challenges Facing Colorado’s Sheep Industry – Premieres June 12, 7 p.m. MT
Once a pillar of the state’s economy, Colorado’s sheep industry now battles collapsing markets, climate pressures, and even conflicts with wild bighorn herds. Through intimate portraits of ranchers and migrant workers, Sheared reveals how globalization, shifting diets, and environmental changes threaten a way of life. “You can’t understand the history of Colorado without understanding the way sheep have shaped the landscape, economy, and culture of the state,” said producer Cormac McCrimmon.
Once a pillar of the state’s economy, Colorado’s sheep industry now battles collapsing markets, climate pressures, and even conflicts with wild bighorn herds. Through intimate portraits of ranchers and migrant workers, Sheared reveals how globalization, shifting diets, and environmental changes threaten a way of life. “You can’t understand the history of Colorado without understanding the way sheep have shaped the landscape, economy, and culture of the state,” said producer Cormac McCrimmon.
Learn more and watch the trailer here.
Waiting for Justice – Premieres June 26, 7:30 p.m. MT (A Collaboration with CPR)
More than 1,400 sexual assault survivors in Colorado await DNA test results, some for more than 18 months, leaving cases in limbo and victims without closure. Waiting for Justice follows survivors, lawmakers, and forensic experts to expose the backlog’s human toll and the fight for reform.
“Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. But in Colorado, the trauma doesn’t end there,” says Senior Producer Andrea Kramar. “My biggest takeaway from reporting this story was learning the downside of delays in sexual assault results on the judicial system. Years-long plus delays can make it more difficult to prove a case and can raise doubts in jurors' minds about the strength of the case, even though it’s not the victim’s fault, but a breakdown in the system.”
More than 1,400 sexual assault survivors in Colorado await DNA test results, some for more than 18 months, leaving cases in limbo and victims without closure. Waiting for Justice follows survivors, lawmakers, and forensic experts to expose the backlog’s human toll and the fight for reform.
“Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. But in Colorado, the trauma doesn’t end there,” says Senior Producer Andrea Kramar. “My biggest takeaway from reporting this story was learning the downside of delays in sexual assault results on the judicial system. Years-long plus delays can make it more difficult to prove a case and can raise doubts in jurors' minds about the strength of the case, even though it’s not the victim’s fault, but a breakdown in the system.”
Learn more and watch the trailer here.
Tune In: Watch over-the-air via antenna (channel guide) or stream live at rmpbs.org. Follow @rmpbs on social media for updates.
About Rocky Mountain Public Media
Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM) is Colorado’s largest statewide, member-supported multimedia network, home to Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz, and The Drop 104.7. RMPM works to strengthen Colorado communities by offering educational resources, trusted news and information, a stage for local artists, and stories that build bridges to empathy and understanding.
About Rocky Mountain PBS
About Rocky Mountain PBS
Rocky Mountain PBS (RMPBS) is dedicated to inspiring curiosity and fostering lifelong learning through exceptional programming, including acclaimed PBS series, documentaries, local journalism, and its trusted children's channel, RMPBS KIDS. Each month, over a million Coloradans turn to RMPBS for thought-provoking local, national, and international programming, world-class performances, and engaging events. Through our work to educate, inform, and connect, Rocky Mountain PBS remains a vital resource for discovery and meaningful learning opportunities for all.
Type of story: Announcement
Announcements and updates concerning Rocky Mountain Public Media provided by the organization's marketing employees. These announcements are not impartial, fact-checked journalism.
Announcements and updates concerning Rocky Mountain Public Media provided by the organization's marketing employees. These announcements are not impartial, fact-checked journalism.
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