Colorado Public Radio

Colorado Matters

News EN ↓ 600 episodes

Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.

Author

Colorado Public Radio

Category

News

Podcast website

www.cpr.org

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

April 29, 2026: Rain, severe weather, and the summer ahead; 'Dude Talk Dinners' help men connect 29.04.2026

April will end with much-needed rain, and even some snow in the mountains. This also marks the start of tornado and severe weather season. Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo is back for our regular chat about weather and climate. Then, "Dude Talk Dinners" help connect men in a non-judgmental environment. Plus, as more people hop on e-bikes, what to know about safety and the rules of the road...

April 28, 2026: Grand Junction pipe bombings revisited; Exploring racism through theater 28.04.2026

The murder convictions in one of the most notorious criminal cases in Grand Junction history were tossed out, but there are still unanswered questions about the pipe bombings that killed two people in 1991. Today, we hear from the original public defender in the case against James Genrich, who is now eligible for parole. Then, for "Raise the Curtain," the Arvada Center explores racism in America t...

April 27, 2026: Debating state lawmaker pay; Immersive theater explores foster care in Colorado 27.04.2026

Should Colorado lawmakers get a pay raise at the same time the state faces a $1.5 billion dollar budget shortfall? We'll get into the debate today with Purplish, and the reason it could impact policies and laws in Colorado. Then, "Crossroads: The Journey of Becoming," is a new immersive play that explores what it's like to be a child in Colorado’s foster care system. 

April 24, 2026: SCOTUS, voters will decide LGBTQ+ issues in Colorado; Music festival season is back with FoCoMX! 24.04.2026

The US Supreme Court will hear another case from Colorado that pits LGBTQ rights against questions of religious freedom. Meantime, Colorado voters will decide two initiatives on transgender youth this fall. Then, how an artist in Pueblo saved a painting by a Holocaust survivor that faced an uncertain fate. We also re-share the amazing achievement of Durango speed skier Ross Anderson 20 years after...

April 23, 2026: Can the Avs and Nuggets make sports history? 'Raising the Curtain' with kindness at the Arvada Center 23.04.2026

There's never been an NBA and NHL champion that's come from the same city in the same year; as the playoffs begin, the Avalanche and Nuggets hope to change that. Denver Post sports columnist Troy Renck sizes up their chances. Then, a Denver man walks free after 27 years in prison. What his release says about the justice system and reasonable doubt. And, we "Raise the Curtain" on how the latest wor...

April 22, 2026: What makes a vibrant, sustainable and successful downtown? 22.04.2026

What makes a downtown successful? Why are some bustling while others are hollowed out? Downtown Colorado, Inc. came to Main Street in Grand Junction to award innovators across the state. Some of the finalists joined Ryan Warner on stage to discuss delicate downtown ecosystems. Kat Correll is the executive director of Downtown Colorado, Inc., Kimberlee McKee is the executive director of Longmont’s...

April 21, 2026: Primary ballots come into focus; Coloradans' memories of Prince 10 years after passing 21.04.2026

Primary ballots will arrive in mailboxes in a few weeks, and now, we know which candidates will be on them. Today Purplish looks at which candidates rallied enough support at the recent state assemblies and what this method of selecting candidates means in the big picture. Then, today marks 10 years since the passing of pop icon and musical virtuoso, Prince. Chandra shares her personal reflections...

April 20, 2026: Raising awareness about high-potency cannabis; An octogenarian masters the 'dead hang' 20.04.2026

On 4/20, an addiction psychiatrist raises red flags around high-potency cannabis. Dr. Libby Stuyt has particular concerns about psychosis as THC levels increase multifold in today's cannabis and wants to raise awareness about the evolution of the drug. Then, for Aging Matters, Ryan meets an octogenarian who has mastered the "dead hang" at her gym in Woodland Park; it's about more than strength. An...

April 17, 2026: When the world believed Martians were real 17.04.2026

The ultimate goal of Artemis is to get people to Mars. But there was a time, in the early 1900s, when it was widely believed there was already life there and engineered canals to bring water from the poles to cities. There were skeptics, but it’s hard to overstate how ingrained this idea of Martian life became. Former NPR science correspondent David Baron, of Boulder, has written “The Martians: Th...

April 16, 2026: Olathe sweet corn grower at a crossroads; Coaching, sharing life with the Betts sisters 16.04.2026

The Western Slope farming family who introduced the world to Olathe Sweet Corn is scaling back in the face of a rough economy and a pesky crop worm. They talk about the mixed blessing of farming and how you can still get that beloved corn. Then, leading UCLA to a national championship is just the latest chapter in a lifetime of hoops success for sisters Lauren and Sienna Betts. Their coach at Gran...

April 15, 2026: Rancher in La Junta says water is about quality of life; Alamosa farming family brews success 15.04.2026

A water project known as The Arkansas Valley Conduit became a political football, with a presidential veto. But for rancher Kevin Karney, of La Junta, it's about quality of life for his community. Then, we visit the Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa in the San Luis Valley, where a fifth generation farming family brews beer on land that's been in the family for nearly a century. And Boulder author E...

April 14, 2026: Questions to prevent deadly domestic violence; Denver Center Theatre Company's picks for the season 14.04.2026

Eleven questions could save a life. That's the idea behind a bill in the state legislature right now. It would require law enforcement officers to ask the questions to determine if someone is at risk of dying at the hands of a domestic abuser. We'll explore the issue with Purplish. Then, Denver Center Theatre Company announces its new season. We get a glimpse into how those choices are made with a...

April 13, 2026: 'If You Can Keep it' on declining democracy; Colorado Ballet's Gil Boggs on taking chances 13.04.2026

Democracy in the United States is deteriorating according to three studies. We ask about it in "If You Can Keep It," our series about unprecedented presidential policy. Then, the state budget proposal heads to the senate after some drama in the house. Plus, the Republicans hold their state assembly to determine who's on the primary ballot. And, Gil Boggs marks 20 years as the artistic director of...

April 10, 2026: Snow-starved Breckenridge strategizes for summer; Colorado Springs bagelry in the national spotlight 10.04.2026

Business in Breckenridge is borderline after a lack of snow this past winter. And planning for the future of a ski town is tricky business. We speak with the town manager about tax revenue and diversification, whether it's wildflowers or the arts. Plus, we get a read on just how little snow did fall in high country. Then, plans for a train between Denver and northern Colorado cities may be back on...

April 9, 2026: A historical mystery in Grand Junction; The appeal of Colorado's most diverse city 09.04.2026

State officials want to find a troubling piece of history. But they need help. We'll update the yearslong effort to find a cemetery on the grounds of a former Indian Boarding School in Grand Junction. Then, from a new approach to policing and helping the unhoused, to honoring student athletes and everyday heroes, there's a lot going on in Aurora, Colorado's most diverse city. We speak with the edi...

April 8, 2026: Head of Colorado clerks on elections executive order; A picker's paradise on the Western Slope 08.04.2026

A man who tried to overturn a free and fair election now positions himself as the safeguard. Today, we get reaction to President Trump's vote-by-mail executive order from Matt Crane, the head of the Colorado County Clerks Association. Then, some of Grand Junction's streets are lined with garbage these days, on purpose. It's a picker's paradise! And, an Oscar-winning Colorado filmmaker profiles the...

April 7, 2026: A noisy debate at the State Capitol; DU professor and jazz artist wins first Grammy! 07.04.2026

State lawmakers are turning up the volume, so to speak, on noise limits at venues. How much is too much? And how much say should local communities have? We'll get into the debate with Purplish. Then, what's it like to win a Grammy? Just ask first-time winner and University of Denver professor Remy Le Boeuf! The jazz musician and composer talks about the moment he realized he won, his twin brother...

April 6, 2026: Movie premiere deeply personal for Denver comedian Adam Cayton-Holland 06.04.2026

A premiere at the Boulder International Film Festival this Sunday will be deeply personal for Denver comedian Adam Cayton-Holland. "See You When I See You" is based on his book, "Tragedy + Time." It recounts the suicide of his younger sister, Lydia, his struggle to come to terms, and the stigma around mental health. Ryan Warner spoke with Cayton-Holland in front of an audience at the Newman Center...

April 3, 2026: Mesa County DA on Peters' ruling; Measles preparedness; Legacy of women ranchers 03.04.2026

He prosecuted former clerk Tina Peters. We'll get perspective from Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein on the resentencing the Colorado Court of Appeals just ordered. Then, measles lingers in the air for hours. It's why vaccination rates must be really high for herd immunity. They no longer are. Plus, the voices of women who ranch on the Western Slope will be preserved at The Library of C...

April 2, 2026: Decision in Tina Peters appeal; RiNo arts district future; Library connects book lovers and nature 02.04.2026

The Colorado Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters but ruled she was improperly sentenced and has ordered a new sentencing hearing. Then, Denverite asks if artists will still have a place in the RiNo arts district as it's restructured amid growing popularity. Also, a new library project in Adams County connects book lovers with nature. And, with Artemis...

April 1, 2026: Former lawmaker on conversion therapy free speech ruling; A bittersweet farewell to Karla Walker 01.04.2026

The Supreme Court calls Colorado’s conversion therapy ban an “egregious assault” on the First Amendment. We get reaction from the former state lawmaker who sponsored the ban. Plus, AAA on gas prices amid the war in Iran and seasonal fuel changes. Then, a bittersweet farewell to CPR Classical's Karla Walker. Also, Colorado Wonders about the iconic Colorado Trail. And we revisit one of the most pecu...

March 30, 2026: State Medicaid program faces the budget cutting axe; 'Local 303' celebrates Women's History Month 30.03.2026

State lawmakers must cut $1.5 billion to balance the budget. That may come at the expense of  Colorado's Medicaid program. Purplish gets into the complexities. Then, the Democrats' primary ballot is coming into focus after their state assembly. And, for Women's History Month, our colleagues at Indie 102.3 share some sensational musicians in the "Local 303."

March 27, 2026: Cooldown makes way for more dry heat; the Dems vying for AG; 'Appalachia' in the San Juans 27.03.2026

Today's cooldown will be short-lived, ushering in more dry, unseasonably warm weather. We get the impact and the outlook in our regular conversation about weather and climate with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. Then, ahead of the state assembly, the four Democrats who want to be attorney general. And Western Slope singer/songwriter Emily Scott Robinson's new album, "Appalachia." 

March 26, 2026: Marking Women's History Month with remarkable Colorado women 26.03.2026

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women. And what better way to do so, than with a conversation with three remarkable women who've been inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Velveta Golightly Howell, Jill Tietjen, and Dusti Gurule have shaped our state through activism, community building, and fierce advocacy. Then, when Monica Márquez was sworn-...

March 25, 2026: How magic mushrooms are made; Courts rule on vaccine guidance; restricting gambling 25.03.2026

A healing experience with psychedelic mushrooms changed a Colorado woman's life and career. We speak with Rhonda DeSantis, the CEO and founder of Psylutions, one of the first companies to grow and manufacture mushrooms for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Plus, should there be regulations to control noise? Then, the courts push back on the Trump administration's vaccination agenda, but doctors in Colo...

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