Colorado Matters

Do you dare open the door on Denverite's 4th annual DenverFright? From ghosts to readings to climate horror, plus a little comedy to laugh in the face of fear, nothing is off limits at the Bug Theatre in Denver. 

The race to be the next governor of Colorado has bucked campaign norms; Purplish takes a closer look in the final countdown to Election Day. Speaking of governing, a middle-schooler gets to run the office for a day. Then, voters in Grand Junction will decide the fate of a swimming pool that's been used for generations. And, remembering a San Luis Valley lawyer who was a champion for farmers and ra...

Usually the U.S. welcomes election observers from abroad, but not this time. Meanwhile, the Trump administration wants to send federal observers to Colorado. Then, what to know about how your ballot is counted. Also, a new documentary examines the ongoing evolution of the First Amendment. And the Second Verse choir, featuring people with dementia and memory loss, gets ready for a fall performance.

Colorado's 8th Congressional District is one of the state's most competitive and diverse, designed to be a 50/50 swing district. Democrat Manny Rutinel joins us to discuss why he thinks he's the right person to represent it; incumbent Republican Gabe Evans has declined an interview. Then, we break down Proposition NN and what it could mean for Colorado schools. Plus, the beauty and the danger of t...

Colorado’s 5th Congressional District encompasses most of El Paso County. It’s the only House seat in the state never to elect a Democrat. Could this conservative stronghold be in play this election? Republican incumbent Jeff Crank and Democratic challenge Jessica Killin spoke with CPR's southern Colorado reporter Dan Boyce. 

An unusually warm October is making way for a big cooldown, but for how long? Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo joins Ryan Warner for their monthly chat about Colorado weather and climate. Then, a 78-year-old former priest from Uganda is released from ICE custody after more than a year, but his fight to stay in the U.S. is not over. Also, the debate over a a proposed solar farm near Mesa Ve...

From rolling through nature with the wind blowing through your hair, to senior companionship, and even miniature horses, today we're all about connection and staving off loneliness as we get older in an Aging Matters Special. Experience Cycling Without Age Littleton , the Senior Companion Program , Rhythmic Equine , and Colorado Animal Rescue's "Seniors for Seniors."

Bad management gets called out on social media when leadership expert George Stern, of Snowmass, reads exchanges between bad managers and -- often dumbfounded -- employees. Stern's videos earn him millions of views. Then, children who appear to have had past lives in our monthly series, "Searching for Jobie," inspired by the death of CPR's Andrea Dukakis' daughter. Researchers delve into thousands...

It's estimated nearly 7 in 10 children in Colorado participate in youth sports. And in writing about the $40 billion a year industry and its pressures on kids and families, journalist Kyle Newman had to deal with some uncomfortable feelings about coaching his ten-year-old son. He spoke with CPR's Anthony Cotton about his series for the Denver Post, "Pay to Play." Then, the Aspen Acres fire this su...

When he was 19, Taveuan Williams held up a Radio Shack, shot at police, and took a hostage for hours. Williams got 30 years for the crime. Today, why his prosecutor, Denver's Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Steven Abraham, came to advocate for him to be released from prison early. Plus, CPR's Ben Markus investigates the spending of the Victor Marx gubernatorial campaign. 

We continue our conversations with the major party candidates for Colorado attorney general, who's tasked with handling a wide range of issues from consumer protection to public safety to water rights. Today, it’s Democrat Jena Griswold , who is currently secretary of state. Yesterday we heard from Republican Michael Allen , who is DA in the state’s largest judicial district. You can read and list...

Today and tomorrow we're speaking with the major party candidates for Colorado attorney general, tasked with handling a wide range of issues from consumer protection to public safety to water rights. Today, it's Republican Michael Allen . He's currently the DA in the state's largest judicial district. Tomorrow, it's Democrat Jena Griswold , the current secretary of state. You can read and listen t...

Oct. 14, 2026

We're speaking with the highest-profile candidates for U.S. Senate this week. Today, Republican candidate Mark Baisley . Baisley has served in the Colorado legislature since 2019 and previously worked in the aerospace and technology industries. We discuss a variety of issues including the economy and tariffs, the moving of Space Command, and whether he identifies as MAGA. Monday we heard from Forw...

We speak with the highest-profile candidates for U.S. Senate this week, starting with the Forward Party candidate, Bob Chew . He's spent more than $1 million of his own money on his campaign. We discuss a variety of issues including the one that got him into the race: the national debt. Tuesday on Colorado Matters at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., hear from Republican Mark Baisley and on Wednesday, the incumb...

Stories of women at sea are rare — of Black women even rarer. Yet they were seafarers from the start. In her new memoir, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," Navy veteran, poet, and professor Khadijah Queen writes about service to country, to family and to self. For "Turn The Page with Colorado Matters," we spoke in front of an audience at Library 21c in the military town of Colorado Springs...

Today, we remember an unsung champion for justice and access. The lasting impact of Colorado Supreme Court justice Melissa Hart went beyond the courtroom. She died this month at the age of 57. Then, a long-vacant building in Denver is coming down; does it foreshadow what's to come? Also, the costs to consider when downsizing in Aging Matters. We "Raise the Curtain" on the fall theater season with...

Colorado’s fastest-growing county is facing a growing demand for water as development continues. Then, an attorney investigates what caused pipes to explode in an underground pit at a Weld County dairy farm, killing six workers, and a lawsuit filed by their families could shed new light on what happened. Plus, we dive into the history of one of Colorado’s signature accessories: the bolo tie. 

As winter approaches, enjoy the fall weather, and get vaccinated. That’s the word from an infectious disease specialist. He says the flu seems to be arriving early this season. He recommends people get the COVID vaccine too. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court's considering Boulder's environmental concerns, and a Colorado professor has created a concrete-like building material from a quick-growing bacter...

Today, we visit a library where you don't just check out books, you check out nature. The new Anythink Nature Library is touted as the first of its kind in the nation. The $43 million, 33,000 square foot facility sits on 15 acres in Adams County adjacent to the 140 acre Aylor Open Space and includes trails, gardens, and even a mud pit. Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with Mark Fink, executive direc...

Democrat Phil Weiser has a blueprint for the future of Colorado. Ryan Warner asks how he’d roll out his proposals, wrangle the Colorado state budget and where he stands on a vote to fund a Front Range passenger rail. Then, does a "public education" campaign for COCO skirt campaign finance law? Plus, meet the new co-host of Colorado Today, Jackie Sedley! And remembering the late Colorado Supreme Co...

Today and yesterday, we heard from the men who wish to represent Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District which includes Pueblo, Grand Junction and Durango. Today, Democrat Dwayne Romero. You can also listen to the interview with his challenger, Republican incumbent Jeff Hurd, here. Then, it's technically Colorado's largest reservoir, but drought has drained Blue Mesa. We also remember the musical le...

Today and tomorrow, we hear from the men who wish to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District which includes Pueblo, Grand Junction and Durango. We begin with the incumbent, Republican Jeff Hurd. You can also listen to the interview with his challenger, Democrat Dwayne Romero, here. Then, she traded in the basketball court at CSU for the comedy stage; Ryan speaks with Leslie Jones about her...

The Colorado Book Awards honor our state's authors — in categories ranging from fiction to creative non-fiction, children's to poetry. Winners were announced over the weekend at The Tivoli in Denver. Senior Host Ryan Warner delivered the keynote and takes us on a literary road trip.

What does Crocs, a company based in Colorado, have in common with the tiny European country of Malta? It turns out a lot, if you look at taxes and how companies try to avoid them. New York Times investigative reporter Jesse Drucker spoke with CPR's Andrea Dukakis. Then, FEMA denies a portion of Colorado’s disaster aid request after this summer's wildfires. Plus, Democrats canvas the Western Slope...