Colorado Matters

An estimated 100,000 Coloradans stand to lose health coverage next year amid a 28 percent hike in premiums; Governor Polis holds Congress responsible. We ask about that along with wildfire resources, immigration, and the proposed bridge outside the State Capitol. Then, for Marcus Weaver, surviving the mass shooting inside an Aurora movie theater 13 years ago, was life-changing in ways he never exp...

Wildfires churn on Colorado's Western Slope , leaving evacuees to wonder and worry. Then, in a rare move, a paramedic is charged with manslaughter in Boulder. Plus, nurse-turned-comedian Nancy Norton on "playing with your pain." Also, an invitation to "Turn the Page" with David Baron, author of "The Martians." And, Colorado Wonders about how to pronounce places, and DIA clears its free concert ser...

Gov. Jared Polis is pushing back against what he calls President Trump's "reckless tariff policy." Meanwhile, state lawmakers regroup after federal budget cuts and tax changes. Also, hear from a summer camp operator about wildfire and flood safety. Then, we remember Colorado's poet laureate, Andrea Gibson, who died Monday at age 49 of ovarian cancer. And later, a CU graduate hopes to revolutionize...

Colorado Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen sees little value in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and is bracing for the impact on everything from healthcare to immigration. Plus, the "skinny' Farm Bill continues to leave farmers and ranchers in limbo. Then, a Metro State anthropologist has discovered what may be the world's oldest sign language. And finding harmony in the workplace. 

Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd answers questions about how the "One Big Beautiful Bill," now federal law, will affect people in Grand Junction, Pueblo, and more rural parts of his district. Plus, his high hopes for new drilling, as well as border security under ICE. Then, author Paolo Bacigalupi marks a 10-year milestone with "The Water Knife" which has proven more accurate than he hoped. Plus, drought...

Trauma can be a shared experience, but the journey to process it and overcome is often silenced. A new podcast by journalist Erika Mahoney hopes to change that and create connection. Her father Kevin was killed in a mass shooting at a Boulder grocery store in 2021. Then, rebates for EVs will soon be scaled back. And the Colorado Black Arts Festival returns for a 39th year this weekend! 

As the Creede Repertory Theatre celebrates a milestone — 60 years of performances — it grapples with federal funding cuts to the arts. We also breakdown how the "One Big Beautiful Bill" may impact healthcare in Colorado including Medicaid. Then, what to do about the Emerald Ash Borer, a tiny green beetle that's killing trees along the Front Range. And, an arctic adventurer from Carbondale shares h...

Now that the "One Big Beautiful Bill" has been signed into law, what's next? And what might it indicate for an already-divided Congress moving forward? Then, elevating the past, present and future of Ute culture in Colorado . Plus, the state's embrace of tattoos ahead of the Villian Arts 8th Annual Denver Tattoo Arts Festival . And, our fascination with fireflies. 

Eighty percent of the world's population can't see the Milky Way. Light pollution interferes. Author and adventurer Craig Childs, of Norwood, Colorado, writes about a trek from light to dark in his new book. "The Wild Dark" takes readers from the incandescence of Las Vegas to the spangled skies of rural Nevada. Childs spoke with Sr. Host Ryan Warner at the Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte...

Happy Fourth of July! Today, how the bald eagle finally became the nation's bird after nearly 250 years and the return of the bison to Colorado. Plus, a Fort Collins horticulturalist is preserving the legacy tree of Johnny Appleseed, and the Colorado inspiration for "America the Beautiful." 

For 101-year-old Harold Berger, connecting with people is just one key to longevity and enjoying life. Then, the clean up continues in Galeton, Colorado where there was a massive oil spill two months ago. Also, understanding the impact of "forever chemicals" known as PFAS with climate reporter and author Sharon Udasin. Plus, we revisit how robotics are revolutionizing liver transplants. And Denver...

At the most recognizable intersection in Colorado Springs, where crashes have been frequent, a statue of a man on a horse will remain. So will people's strong feelings. Then, two brothers who never imagined they'd be farming rye for whiskey. Plus, the Sky Sox are back in Colorado Springs, at least for now. Later, a meaningful hike along Fountain Creek with author Jim O'Donnell. Also, Colorado Coll...

"Give Outdoor Learning" is a first of its kind, statewide campaign that creates nature-based outings for the public. And because many programs are at risk due to budget cuts, it's also a fundraising campaign similar to Colorado Gives Day. CPR's Jenny Brundin speaks with an organizer from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education and two young adults who share how nature has changed them. T...

Water problems in the West go deeper than the Colorado River. Beyond reservoir levels, diminishing groundwater is now an important consideration according to new research. Then, Denver's "soul food scholar" delves into the history of Asian chefs who served U.S. presidents, often on the high seas. 

With Colorado's attorney general, we decipher an important Supreme Court ruling today related to birthright citizenship. Then, we take the pulse of conservation under President Trump with Salida journalist Ben Goldfarb. Later, we sit down with the CEO of Colorado's hometown burger chain, Good Times. Thank goodness we had napkins. And new music from Arvada artist Holly Lovell, who was recently feat...

It’s the falsetto that’s captured the hearts of music lovers for more than 5 decades now -- and the long list of awards and accolades behind his name affirms that his fandom comes for, well, good "Reasons." A talk with Denver native and East High School graduate Philip Bailey as he reflects on his life and legacy as lead singer of Colorado’s adopted hometown band, Earth, Wind and Fire. Also, each...

Too much rain fosters growth of grasses and underbrush, and not enough rain makes everything dry out, raising the risk of wildfires. So, is there a "Goldilocks" amount of rain that's just right? That's just one thing we ask Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo in our regular conversation. Plus, a Western Colorado University student on the challenges of forecasting weather in Gunnison. Also, Do...

June is Pride Month, centered on acknowledging the accomplishments and the experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community. And for one Colorado nonprofit, it’s also time to celebrate a big milestone and focus on the work left to be done. Then, Colorado author and history buff Samuel Marquis sets the record straight about his ninth-great-grandfather, the notorious pirate Captain Kidd, who was not a...

The U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend in what our guest calls “a watershed moment.” Now what? And how did we get here? Key questions Ryan asks the head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, Micheline Ishay. Then, Purplish explores the debate over home rule as Douglas County holds a special election Tuesday. Plus, Denver's tall, zigzagging yellow...

A major psychedelics conference wraps up in Denver today. Its mission is to get more people, especially policy makers, comfortable with what has been underground. We speak with the founder of MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Science, about the science and what's left to learn as Colorado licenses psilocybin healing centers. Plus a company in clinical trials, and an awareness...

Today is Juneteenth, a time to celebrate and reflect. We talk with people who took part in Denver's annual celebration and parade. Then we head to the Boulder History Museum where an exhibit called "Proclaiming Colorado's Black History" ends its three-year run in September. Plus, the perseverance of 101-year-old Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. James Harvey of Centennial. And Denver singer JoFoKe shares h...

In her arresting new novel "Penitence," author Kristin Koval creates a plot in which forgiveness is difficult, yet inescapable. The storyline allows her to explore issues of gun safety and juvenile justice, as well. Koval, who lives in the Boulder area, joined us at the 20th annual Lit Fest for our reading series "Turn The Page with Colorado Matters." 

It's a changing of the guard for the group that guides the nation's vaccine policy. We spoke with a Colorado pediatrician who used to be on the panel about how that could reshape guidance and the concerns she has moving forward. Then, a Denver woman unravels the mystery of her mother's past after fleeing Nazi Germany, and the art her family left behind. Plus, "Cycling Without Age" offers freedom f...

The Justice Department wants Colorado's voting records. We ask the Secretary of State and the head of Colorado's County Clerks about the request and the reasons. Then, a new way to measure snowpack from the air could help waters planners make sure there's enough to go around. Plus, the debate over the sale of federal public lands, how the land is managed, and cuts to staffing. Also, Colorado Wonde...

About the same time a man shot flames at Jewish people in Boulder, Rabbi Caryn Aviv hit "send" on the final draft of her new book, “Unlearning Jewish Anxiety.” Aviv is the spiritual leader of Judaism Your Way in Denver and Boulder. Previously she taught Israel-Palestine studies at a university level. Rabbi Aviv is also Sr. Host Ryan Warner's rabbi.