Colorado Matters

Come along as Boulder County commissioner and former state lawmaker Claire Levy, who's Jewish, has her German citizenship restored. Then, we hear from the two Democrats vying to be the next governor of Colorado, and we take a closer look at the midterms including how to vote in third party primaries. Then, how a small town public radio station in Colorado is doing after losing a quarter of its bud...

For the first time, the three Republican candidates for Colorado governor took the debate stage together, and the result was unlike any political debate in recent memory. Then, a unique summer camp is supporting families through the complexities of transracial adoption while creating a sense of belonging and safety for adoptees and their parents. Also, the parental paradox of needing child care in...

The first reform to sports gambling in Colorado was signed into law on Monday. It addresses growing concerns about addiction and financial ruin. CPR investigative reporter Ben Markus has covered sports betting since before it was even legal, and spoke about the changes with Ryan Warner. Then, it's a dream come true for Greek and Indigenous artist Anna Tsouhlarakis whose work is now featured in the...

Colorado hasn't elected a Republican governor in nearly 30 years. Three Republicans on the primary ballot are hoping to change that. Purplish takes a closer look at the field ; yesterday, we heard about the two Democrats on the primary ballot. Then, as the average American farmer nears retirement age, there's growing concern about who will take over for them; a new program hopes to inspire and sup...

Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was released from prison today after Governor Jared Polis commuted her sentence. We ask Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, about the release and the Trump administration's pushback against voting by mail. Then, Purplish breaks down the candidates for governor : today, the two Democrats; tomorrow, the three Republicans. And...

It stung to hear. Amanda McCracken’s therapist told her, “longing is your lover.” This followed decades of dates, flings, and fantasies, but no committed relationship. The Boulder journalist turned her search for a solution into a cottage industry. She has a podcast called “The Longing Lab.” She did a popular TED Talk. And her new book is “When Longing Becomes Your Lover.” 

Finding affordable child care is a major challenge for many parents, and it's especially true for essential workers on 12 or 48 hour shifts. The system isn’t built for them. That's just one reason CPR News has launched a new series, "Raising Colorado: The untold costs of a broken child care system." It's led by CPR education reporter Jenny Brundin and we're featuring her work today, taking a deepe...

Julie Gonzales wants to make John Hickenlooper a one-term senator. The state lawmaker is running against him in the Democratic primary and spoke with Ryan Warner about her vision and priorities. Then, a commencement speaker at Front Range Community College who refused to give in to life's obstacles. Plus, how Denver is trying to keep beavers at bay. And meet Lauren Frihauf, the Denver singer/songw...

As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 on July 4th and Colorado prepares to celebrate 150 years of statehood on August 1st, today for our series Aging Matters, we feature “Portraits In Aging,” a series of conversations Chandra Thomas Whitfield had with a diverse mix of Coloradans who talk about what it’s like growing older here. Aging, in...

As Colorado embarks on its psychedelic experiment, people can now receive psilocybin-assisted therapy at healing centers. The state is also grappling with how to enable therapy with the psychedelic ibogaine, which has shown promise for treating addiction. The use of psychedelic-assisted therapy was a component of Colorado’s psychedelic law approved by voters in 2022. We share a conversation from t...

The Democratic Party formally censured Gov. Jared Polis this week after he commuted the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. CPR public affairs Bente Birkeland joins us with context about the censure, and what's next for Peters. Then, Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo has the weather outlook for the Memorial Day holiday weekend and if this week's rain had any impact on the stat...

Ahead of the primary election, we hear from three of the four Democratic candidates for state attorney general. Former federal prosecutor Hetal Doshi, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, and attorney David Seligman. They took part in a candidate forum moderated by Chandra Thomas Whitfield at the Colorado Women's Bar Association conference in Vail on Friday, May 15, 2026. The fourth...

She’s a student of government – and a participant. Melat Kiros is taking a break from graduate school in hopes of pulling off a political victory: Unseating Denver’s longtime congresswoman Diana DeGette. Kiros is our guest today. You can also read and listen to Ryan Warner’s interviews with Wanda James and Diana DeGette . Then, how Steven Ramm , an aerospace engineer at Lockheed Martin, turned spr...

A familiar name will be on the Democratic primary ballot in Denver. Diana DeGette wants to stay in Congress, and today makes her case. You can also read and listen to Ryan Warner's interviews with Melat Kiros and Wanda James now. Then, the cost of child care is akin to the cost of college tuition, and it impacts everyone-- even those without kids. CPR education reporter Jenny Brundin leads the new...

There’s a three-way Democratic primary next month to represent Denver and Glendale in Congress. We hear from them this week. A coin toss determined the order. We start with entrepreneur and current CU Regent Wanda James. You can also read and listen to Ryan Warner's interviews with Melat Kiros and Diana DeGette now. Then, what's next for former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters as reaction comes swift...

Democrat Michael Bennet hopes to leave the US Senate and become Colorado's next governor. Ahead of the June 30th primary, Bennet is our guest today. Yesterday, we heard from his opponent in the Democratic race, Attorney General Phil Weiser. We asked both what their boldest idea is for Colorado, how they'll achieve it, plus healthcare, water, AI regulation, and the state's now perennial budget gaps...

The state's top attorney wants to be its next chief executive. Democrat Phil Weiser is running for governor. Ahead of the June 30th primary, Weiser is our guest today. Tomorrow: his opponent in the Democratic race, Senator Michael Bennet. We'll ask both what their boldest idea is for Colorado, how they'll achieve it, plus healthcare, water, AI regulation, and the state's now perennial budget gaps....

How do you help someone break the cycle of homelessness, if they don't want help? Denverite's Kyle Harris shares one woman's story that raises bigger questions about finding solutions to an issue that can divide communities. Then, a new state law puts portable solar panels within reach, especially for renters. Also, amid drought and water restrictions, one homeowner fights to re-use water. Plus, a...

As much as we hear about Iran, there's a lot we don't know about daily life and politics there. Shideh Dashti is a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. She speaks regularly with her father, who lives in Iran, and spoke with Andrea Dukakis, about what he's experiencing. Then, we meet Sam Nilsson, head grower at Phelan Gardens in Colorado Springs, to talk about planting in a drought amid...

There are new rules of the road for Colorado teens as a new state law requires more training before young drivers can get a permit. There are also new rules for background checks for instructors. Then, hundreds of Colorado moms are dancing their way to better mental and emotional health. We talk with the founders of the Mom Dance Party, back with their 4th annual Mother's Day event on Friday, May...

The Sundance Film Festival relocates to Boulder January 21-31, 2027. What will it be like? Who is welcome? Will there be enough popcorn? At this year's CU Conference on World Affairs, Colorado Matters previewed Sundance and discussed its year-round mission, in front of a live audience. Our guests are director Lulu Wang ("The Farewell"), producer and Sundance Institute trustee Gigi Pritzker, and CU...

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Today,  we talk with the head of one publication that’s been telling stories of that community here in Colorado for two decades. We’ll also discuss some recent big milestones in our state and the challenges that persist. "Asian Avenue Magazine" is part of CEME, the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange, a coalition focused on ele...

State democrats want Colorado to push back against ICE, but how is still up for debate. Purplish explains why coming up with a unified approach has proven to be challenging. Then, Gunnison author C. William Langsfeld's debut novel, "Salvation," explores the feelings that unspool after a murder in a small Colorado town, the pitfalls of westerns masculinity, and isolation. And, Colorado Wonders abou...

ICE deportations mean criminal suspects in Colorado are not always held accountable. CPR justice reporter Allison Sherry shares her investigation. Then, Denver Health serves people across the state as a "safety net" hospital, which makes it particularly vulnerable to federal cuts. Plus, how an atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University is keeping us safe from "rain bombs." And “12 Tableclo...

The 1965 Voting Rights Act was designed to ensure the right to vote for all citizens, regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and background. The Supreme Court rolled back a key provision of the landmark legislation on Wednesday. We talk through what it means, and what protections are in place in Colorado. Then, older Coloradans are especially at risk for scams -- and they can often...