Colorado Matters

Coloradans sent Lauren Boebert back to Congress while protecting gay marriage. They passed a gun tax at the same time they boosted law enforcement, and rejected a spin on ranked-choice voting, while sending 10 electoral college votes to Vice President Kamala Harris. Trying to make sense of it? Colorado Matters is here to explain how 'Colorado's gonna Colorado.'

The recent E.coli outbreak at McDonald's has the owner of Colorado-based burrito chain "Illegal Pete's" rethinking food safety. Then, a mother's search for accountability after her son endures years of racist slurs in a Weld County middle school. Plus, a program that helps Native American fathers connect with their families. And Colorado Wonders about grocery bag fees. 

In El Paso County, domestic violence cases are disproportionately high. A new review board will help identify trends and, hopefully, reverse them. Then, ahead of Election Day, “Purplish” explores split-ticket voting. And, a Littleton father's efforts to make the streets safer. 

A swirl of accusations and demands after passwords for election equipment in Colorado appeared online. Then, Donald Trump suggests invoking a centuries-old law to combat a Venezuelan gang in Aurora; the law has a grim history in Colorado though. Plus, 'Seeking Common Ground' looks for connections amid division. And why is Colorado the center for the nation's hurricane forecasting? 

When it comes to elections, Black women are historically a voting block that can wield a lot of power. Evette Dionne, the author of “Lifting as we Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box” joins Chandra Thomas Whitfield at the Blair Caldwell African-American Research Library, along with future voter, 17-year-old Jaci Collins-Falcon, a senior at Manual High School. Plus, how some Denver stude...

In rural Colorado, one in five people is over 65. We'll talk about the challenges of aging in place in a small town, like Rangely, as part of our series, Aging Matters . Then, how climate change is changing evaporation, and what researchers are doing to catch up. Plus, the final push for votes in Colorado's closest congressional race. Also, an electrifying new superhero. And for Halloween, the sci...

For the first time since 1964, Colorado is getting a new judicial district. We'll talk about the impact it could have. Then, the remarkable story of Jeremiah Daniels, an Aurora boy who has Down syndrome who stars in the critically-acclaimed movie, "Color Book" which screens at the Denver Film Festival this weekend. 

Colorado officials have eliminated tainted meat as the cause of an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter pounders. That leaves raw onions as the likeliest source. Food safety expert Alice White explains why raw produce is a particular problem. Then, how Colorado secures the vote with “Purplish." And, in addition to 14 statewide ballot measures, Denver voters have another 12 local ones to d...

For Halloween, the hobgoblins at Denverite present "Denverfright," an evening of spine-chilling stories at The Bug Theatre. Brown Palace Historian Debra Faulkner informs us the call is coming from INSIDE THE HOTEL. Then, a drink with death at a Colfax dive bar. Plus, Denver novelist Kali Fajardo-Anstine shares a multi-generational family ghost story. And something foul from The Denver Museum of Na...

The number of people killed by domestic violence in Colorado is down by more than a third, but the number of cases is still high. Then, the Denver Nuggets open their NBA season tonight. What will it take to be a contender again for the championship? Plus, hometown hero Chauncey Billups gets his Basketball Hall of Fame moment. And later, Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, begins next week. It...

When Russia invaded Ukraine, a young couple fled the home they'd just bought in Kiev with their three young children. Now they're living in Colorado and running a bike shop, but they don't know how long they can stay. Then, a new hotel in Denver hopes to minimize its carbon footprint well beyond its walls. Plus, a Colorado startup offers haunted rail rides for Halloween. And reimagining the oldest...

Homeowners are able to build equity when they pay their mortgages; renters don't have that benefit. A new program hopes to create a different type of incentive. Then, voters in Mesa County will decide on a big interchange project this election that contrasts philosophies and vision. Plus, what we can learn from the highest alpine garden in North America. And a spine-chilling story to get into the...

Fourteen statewide issues crowd the ballot this fall. Our public affairs team explains each of the measures in “Purplish.” CPR's podcast about politics and policy. Then, the personal journey of a CPR News host's decision to reclaim his birth name. 

This country’s nuclear arsenal is “geriatric.” And many of the people who maintain it are heading towards retirement. Worrisome– if you believe, as the U.S. does, that nuclear deterrence keeps us safe. Colorado science writer Sarah Scoles examines the future of nuclear defense in her new book, “Countdown.” She spoke with Ryan Warner at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte during the Mountain W...

There's a saying, "every vote counts." And when an election is too close too call, third party candidates are often labelled as spoilers. A look at how they might affect the race in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Then, creating health equity, advocacy, and supporting the mental health of doctors. Those are some of the priorities of the state's largest group of physicians, the Colorado Medi...

In the last five years, doctors have seen a growing number of patients who need liver transplants because of alcohol use, and sometimes people aren't even aware they're drinking too much. Then, how an indie movie could help Colorado's film industry rebound. Also, stories from a Colorado centenarian about the obstacles he's overcome in his life -- and the rules he lives by. And Colorado Wonders abo...

The Latino Leadership Institute based in Denver, is celebrating its tenth anniversary helping elevate and empower diverse leaders in business and beyond. Then, a court case has philanthropic organizations rethinking how they support diverse communities. Later, why aren't there more community solar gardens in Colorado? And the nation's oldest active band comes to Colorado.

Ballots for the November election went in the mail on Friday. Among the races, all eight of Colorado's Congressional seats will be decided. We take a closer look at some of them with a special episode of Purplish, CPR's podcast about politics and policy . Then, the University of Colorado has become a hub for startups. And a cookbook brings the world to Colorado . 

Hurricanes there. Heat here. Our regular climate and weather chat with Denver7's Mike Nelson seeks to unpack what we're seeing. Then, two astronauts with ties to Colorado made history with the recent Polaris Dawn mission to advance our understanding of space. Plus, your chance to see a rare comet. And, saving Molly Brown's summer house. 

He came to the United States with the dream of becoming a doctor -- instead, Dikembe Mutombo became a basketball star in Denver and around the world. But he always maintained his desire to help. Then, Colorado’s longest-running mining fight is over; locals in Crested Butte celebrated after securing permanent protections for Mt. Emmons, and now they turn to tackling affordable housing. Also, redisc...

Voters in the state's 5th Congressional District, which includes Colorado Springs, have something on the ballot they haven't seen since 2006 -- an open Congressional seat. Today, we hear from the major party candidates: Republican Jeff Crank, a former political consultant and talk radio host; and Democrat River Gassen, a science lecturer and graduate research assistant at the University of Colorad...

Fresh off two Grammy wins, Christian rapper Lecrae talks with Colorado Matters host Chandra Thomas Whitfield about growing up in Denver and growing in his faith, all while getting a unique tattoo that represents far more than art. 

On Purplish, our political reporters take a deep look at Proposition 131, the ranked-choice voting measure on a crowded November ballot. Plus, hundreds of entrepreneurs pitch their products at DIA’s Souvenir and Snack Expo. And, DenverFright returns for Halloween . Plus a re-envisioned, blood-chilling “Dracula” at the Arvada Center.

 When Tina Peters was sentenced to prison, Matt Crane was in the courtroom. He leads the the Colorado County Clerks Association and joins us to talk about election integrity. Then, how Lauren Boebert's departure has changed the political landscape in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Plus, discover a dining gem in Delta. And, the Colorado Symphony's new music director has a global vision for...

 The state's newest congressional district, District 8, was designed to be Colorado's only toss-up seat between the two major parties. Today we hear from the two candidates vying for that seat. Democratic incumbent Yadira Caraveo is a pediatrician and Colorado's first Latina member of Congress. Republican Gabe Evans is a state representative, former police officer, veteran and grandson of Mexican...