Colorado Matters

The history of Colorado and the West is the history of the Black cowboy; now it's inspired the play "Godspeed" which just had its world premiere in Denver. Plus, we visit a museum that shares an often untold and overlooked aspect of the history of the West. Also, about half of counties in Colorado do not have emergency shelters for people trying to leave abusive situations at home. We hear from a...

Even if you think Valentine's is a Hallmark holiday, we think you'll be heartened by a love story that begins in grade school. Then, a castle sits in disrepair in Gunnison. It's just landed on Colorado's Most Endangered Places list. Plus, we "Raise the Curtain," on the Denver New Play Summit. And, Ryan asks, "Would I date that building?"

Colorado is mourning the loss of a radio legend; we remember the life and legacy of James "Dr. Daddio" Walker whose radio station KDKO was long known as "The Soul of the Rockies." Then, how do you recruit more teachers of color? Students at Northglenn High School recently tried to address that concern. Also, black holes, microplastics and new beginnings sound like things that may not go together....

Over the weekend, pairs skaters Danny O’Shea and Ellie Kam helped the U.S. figure skating team win gold. O’Shea graduated from the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs. Kam’s still a student there. Pairs competition begins in earnest this weekend. We reached their coach, Drew Meekins, of Denver, Tuesday, in Italy. Then, Gunnison author Shelley Read's debut novel, "Go As a River," has now topp...

There’s been an evolution in understanding concussions and a Colorado researcher has teamed up with experts worldwide to offer an easy guide for coaches and parents to recognize and to know what to do when a young athlete gets a concussion. Then, a push for juvenile justice reform at the state capitol through the first-hand stories of adults who were incarcerated as children. Also, the unseasonabl...

President Trump has made it clear: He has beef with Colorado, from his ire over the presidential portrait that once hung in the State Capitol to mail-in balloting to immigration policy. We delve into that with Purplish. Then, long before the COVID pandemic, novelist Peter Heller imagined a world wiped out by a virus, and some lonely Colorado survivors, in his debut novel, "The Dog Star" in 2012. N...

He’s been U.S. Senator, Interior Secretary, and Ambassador to Mexico. Now, Ken Salazar is donating his papers and many keepsakes to History Colorado. They paint a picture of his public service and of his family’s deep roots in The San Luis Valley. Then, a promise to high schoolers in the Gunnison Valley of free tuition to Western Colorado University. Plus, we "Raise the Curtain" on the new play "C...

Club 20 has been the political force on Colorado’s Western Slope since the 1950s. The group’s newest leader says he wants to be a lot louder fighting for issues in the region while also being more hospitable to Front Range politicians. Then, for Aging Matters, we share another "Portrait in Aging," celebrating our state's fastest-growing population. Today, an 80-year-old Arvada woman who still love...

The president just suggested nationalizing elections. The constitution has something to say about that. So does our guest, Matt Crane, the head of the Colorado County Clerks Association. Then, two Colorado-based figure skating coaches talk about the artistry, pressure, and finding balance as three of their skaters get ready to compete at the Olympics. Plus, why some parents are opting for landline...

The first healing centers to offer therapy using psychedelics are open in Colorado and they've been a longtime coming. They're meant to treat things like PTSD and depression. For our series, The Trip: CPR’s Coverage of Colorado’s Psychedelic Journey , Denverite's Kiara DeMare visited some of these new facilities. Then, state lawmakers will consider a bill today with the goal of reducing domestic v...

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...

As some Coloradans halt work to protest today, Congress is at work-- to avert a shutdown. The future of ICE is central to both. Then, "I'll consider her case--as I would any other." The governor has said that repeatedly -- when asked about clemency for Tina Peters. We looked into his past pardons for clues. Also, 40 years ago, Americans watched as Challenger broke apart; we speak with a CU Boulder...

Although she's been a theater actress for most of her life, Jenna Bainbridge never envisioned herself performing on the grandest of stages -- Broadway. The issue wasn't one of talent or confidence, but rather, accessibility. Partially paralyzed as a child, Bainbridge didn't think she'd find the accommodations necessary for her to live and work in New York. However she's now performing on Broadway...

Rural life often means being exposed to the sun. With it: the risk of skin cancer. But dermatologists can be hard to come by in the country. At least one practice, though, is making investments in small towns. Then, Colorado has taken some costly hits from the Trump Administration in recent months. It might seem punitive, but the growing number has others seeing a pattern. Also, as a store close t...

Public transit touches nearly every corner of life in Colorado, from how people get to work to how our region grows. But the state’s largest transit agency is facing big questions from riders, workers, and lawmakers about reliability, safety and trust. CPR's Haylee May spoke with RTD CEO and GM Debra Johnson. Then, amid DEI backlash, a statewide coalition is working to share the stories of diverse...

This legislative session is the swan song for Colorado's outgoing governor, Jared Polis. He still has a lot on his "to do" list, but policy clashes within his own party could create some challenges. We explore that today with Purplish. Then, a researcher at the Colorado School of Mines has developed a new way to treat deep wounds, and that could just be the beginning for its use. Also, what Colora...

You can't go home again, as the saying goes. But Denver author Josiah Hesse did. He returned to Mason City, Iowa — with a journalistic lens— to better understand his evangelical upbringing, and the social and economic forces that shaped it. We spoke in front of an audience at the Denver Press Club for the release of "On Fire for God: Fear, Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right – a...

Colorado now has a plan to reintroduce wolverines to the state, but meantime, the reintroduction of wolves is on hold for now. Then, cannabis businesses are still waiting for the executive order to reclassify marijuana to take effect. Also, a milestone for the survival rate for all types of cancer combined. We re-visiting Southern Colorado's "Gathering Place" and celebrate a pop culture moment wit...

An arctic blast is moving into Colorado after months of record warmth; we talk about the impact with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. Then, a survivor of childhood polio shares her story in the face of changing vaccine guidelines. Plus, former Denver Bronco Ryan Harris is back as the team prepares for the AFC championship game without its starting quarterback. And the Local 303 shares new...

Teachers in Colorado are chronically tired, underpaid, and leaving the classroom in record numbers. A new report from the Colorado Education Association shows the situation is more complicated now because of directives handed down by the Trump administration and new conditions in the classroom. Then, how climate change is shaping some students in Boulder. Plus, as the New Year starts, rethinking s...

Spirituals are rooted in a history of pain and hope. Today, Colorado Matters presents an encore episode: "Journey to Freedom" with the Spirituals Project Choir based at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music. Our colleagues at CPR Classical spent 2022 sharing spirituals chosen by the choir's director, M. Roger Holland II. The collaboration culminated in a special event at DU’s Newman Ce...

In his final year as governor, Jared Polis says he wants to "lean into the value of mercy" -- would that apply to jailed former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters? We sat down with Polis after his State of the State address to discuss that as well as housing, healthcare, coal, and why Polis hasn't read the Epstein Files. Then, why the Broncos just might pull off what they failed to do last post-season...

Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters gets her proverbial day in the Colorado Court of Appeals. We'll break down the oral arguments and what happens now. Then, Denver's annual Marade marks a milestone this year, and organizers say Dr. King would see it as a fitting tribute. How the event to honor the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to be, how it got its unique name, and what it took t...

One year into President Donald Trump's second term, he continues to break democratic norms. In our series, "If You Can Keep It," University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket provides context as the president intensifies his punishment of Colorado. Plus, Mary Jane turns 50! Also, a Denver man finds hope with a new program to help break the cycle of addiction. And a food bank café takes an i...

It's a common New Year's resolution to start exercising, but after a few weeks, it's easy to lose motivation and fall back into old habits. A fitness expert has ideas on how to get active at any age. Plus, we share another "Portrait in Aging" featuring people in the state's fastest growing population: those 65 and older. Today, the story of 71-year-old Lucy Guo of Denver. Also, the challenge of st...