Colorado Matters

 Colorado has released more wolves to the Western Slope, this time in Eagle and Pitkin counties, but the effort to reintroduce the endangered species continues to divide. Then, how the wildfires in California could have a ripple effect on home insurance in Colorado, which is already outpacing the national average. Plus, how a small Colorado business is bracing for tariffs. And former Denver Nugget...

 Donald Trump's inauguration Monday marks a new era. And of all the ways it could affect Colorado, the most immediate might be immigration. Then, Purplish looks at the changing face of Colorado's congressional delegation and the priorities ahead for Congress. Plus, a Colorado Springs violin maker crafts a 300-year legacy with his instruments. 

 The wildfires in California are a haunting reminder of the firestorm that swept through Boulder County here in Colorado. We'll talk about lessons learned as Colorado firefighters respond to help our neighbors in the west. Then, creating "Roads to Recovery" to help people experiencing chronic homelessness. Also, artist Kristopher Wright's new exhibit is all about community. And, a new literary art...

 For a long time, liver donors could expect a big scar and a three-month recovery from surgery. Now, Colorado doctors are using robots to retrieve organs from living donors for transplant. We'll hear why it's a game changer. Then, a new look at old political norms. Plus, how teachers are grappling with cell phones in school. And how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to hear one of his favorite hymns...

 Colorado is once again on the forefront of legalizing another federally-controlled substance: psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms. CPR's Molly Cruse and Alejandro Alonso Galva talk about what's in store with "The Trip: CPR's Coverage of Colorado's Psychedelic Journey." Then, Colorado gets a new judicial district for the first time in 60 years. Plus, Purplish looks at how the legislative ses...

Americans are "swapping revolution for sorting plastic bottles," writes Auden Schendler in his new book, "Terrible Beauty." For decades, Schendler has led sustainability efforts at Aspen One, formerly known as Aspen Skiing Co. He became disillusioned and lays out a more effective course in his new release, including a blueprint to sue ExxonMobil over climate change. 

 From increasing Colorado's stock of starter homes to how the state will cooperate with -- or buck -- the incoming Trump Administration, Governor Jared Polis goes in-depth after his State of the State speech. Then, a drought of more than 3,000 days ends as the Denver Broncos return to the NFL playoffs. A former player rates their chances. Also, Colorado Wonders about cowboy boot etiquette. And, Co...

 Since the war in Ukraine began, thousands of women have lost their spouses. A Colorado counselor just wrapped up a four-day retreat for the women to learn to cope with their grief. Then, a mother’s story about how Electroconvulsive therapy brought her son back. Also, a Colorado Wonders about culling Denver geese and local comedians on avoiding political jokes. 

 Many seniors want to stay in their homes. But what happens if aging in place doesn’t work anymore? Expert advice on our series, Aging Matters. Then, the legislature returns to work facing a budget shortfall of more than $600 million. Our public affairs podcast, Purplish, looks at the impact – and what lawmakers still hope to accomplish. Also, a Western Slope university helps first-generation stud...

 You've likely heard of a food bank, but a furniture bank? We sit on a donated sectional with the founder. Then, a sports journalist seeks to make Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić less enigmatic. Plus, making homes less vulnerable to wildfire. And host Ryan Warner is "Mortified." 

Ira Flatow wants to turn science...into dinner conversation. The host and creator of Science Friday has spent a career quenching our curiosity, and his, and making science accessible. But amidst the fun are serious issues, like water shortages, climate change, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence. We replay a conversation from August, when Flatow was in Colorado and spoke with CPR Sout...

The 119th Congress convenes Friday with new members from Colorado and a busy agenda. Washington, D.C. reporter Caitlyn Kim has a preview.  Then, pollsters look at Coloradans' political engagement and explain how polling helps a Democracy function. Also, Jimmy Carter’s Colorado connections. Plus, 10 years ago acute flaccid myelitis was a mystery; a mom and daughter share their journey navigating th...

On New Year's Day, stories of second chances. Like a Ukrainian couple who fled the war... and resettled in Boulder, where they run a bike shop. And a barbershop in Denver where former inmates offer a shave and a haircut. Plus, migrant farmworkers who hope their children don't toil in the fields as they have. Education is key, and there's a program in Colorado planting those very seeds. 

Today, reflections from Jimmy Carter when he visited Aspen in 2015, including his view on the U.S. as a superpower and helping others. Then, as the year comes to a close, we celebrate some of Colorado's centenarians and their views about life and longevity. And later, how one woman is living with Alzheimer's and refusing to let it define who she is. 

When the ball drops on New Year's, you'll need to drop your phone when you're behind the wheel. Meet an attorney who fought for the state's new hands-free law. Plus, Colorado Springs has grown out more than up, so there's resistance to a proposed skyscraper. Then, remembering the "Children of the Storm" caught in a horrible blizzard on the Eastern Plains in 1931. And later, finding the beauty in s...

As Hanukkah begins, light the shamash with us, the most prominent candle on the menorah that ignites all the others. And in that bright space, enjoy music and conversation about the Jewish festival of lights compiled from our previous Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganzas.  

Relax and escape from your everyday hustle and bustle with the 9th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza! Recorded at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, this year's tradition includes headliner Kayla Marque, a Denver singer/songwriter; Joshua Danger Emerson, a Dine’ Navajo comedian and regular at the Comedy Works who founded the award-winning comedy troupe and production co...

Re-share the music, memories and merriment of the 8th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza. Recorded at Denver's Central Presbyterian Church on December 7, 2023, the show is a celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and of the season featuring singer/songwriter Emelise Munoz; Iraqi-American stand-up comedian Ali Kareem; organist and composer Wil Smith; gospel and jazz musician Ron McM...

Colorado entrepreneur Drew Jarvis co-founded Sunny, which makes a menstrual cup and applicator; the Broomfield startup just won a big grant from the state. Then, ahead of the legislative session young people stage a “Policy Shark Tank” to share their ideas. Plus, the bald eagle is finally poised to become the nation's bird. Later, as holiday travel hits its peak, DIA chief Phil Washington updates...

Relax and escape from your everyday hustle and bustle with the 9th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza! Recorded at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, this year's tradition includes headliner Kayla Marque, a Denver singer/songwriter; Joshua Danger Emerson, a Dine’ Navajo comedian and regular at the Comedy Works who founded the award-winning comedy troupe and production co...

Today's Colorado Matters is a laughing matter. We've sewn together a comedy special that, we hope, will have you in stitches! It's a compendium of Colorado comics from our previous Holiday Extravaganzas, featuring Josh Blue, David Rodriguez, Nancy Norton, Rion Evans, Elliot Woolsey, and the comedic musical stylings of "Swelter and Burn" aka Willow Welter and Lauren Ciborowski. 

Today, world-class musicians serenade and enchant us! We've drawn from the archives of our Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza to create a collection of some of our favorite vocal and instrumental performances from the past 9 years. Celebrate the season with jazz, blues, country, Broadway, and a cappella with Clare Dunn, FACE Vocal Band, the Andy Hackbarth band, Beth Malone, Hazel Miller, Ron Mi...

Colleagues and family honor the legacy of Irving P. Andrews, a Denver lawyer who overcame racism and fought for civil rights. Then, Denver author Laura Krantz asks, "Do You Believe in Magic?" which explores how magic interrelates with science. Plus, an Estes Park man's milestone as a Bears superfan in Aging Matters. And, Santa lands at DIA's new Layover Lounge to make hectic holiday travelling a l...

The Secret Service is spread too thin. That’s one of the findings of a congressional panel that looked into the attempted assassinations of Donald Trump while he was a presidential candidate. We talk with Colorado’s U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, who was the ranking Democrat on the task force. Then, investigating the turnover in RTD's leadership. Plus, books by Colorado authors to consider as holiday gifts...

"The Order" is about the investigation into one of Denver's most notorious murders, the killing of Jewish shock jock Alan Berg, by white supremacists. We speak with Kevin Flynn, the former Rocky Mountain News reporter whose book inspired a new film. Then, Colorado's congressional delegation on what it might take to cut government waste. Plus, Colorado Wonders about the state flower. And homestyle...