Colorado Matters

Artificial Intelligence is permeating many aspects of our lives. Teachers are using it in the classroom, for subjects like history. But does it help, or hurt, learning? Then, how wildfires are raising questions about living conditions in Colorado prisons. Plus, understanding the changes that will soon impact student loans. And Colorado Wonders what happened to downtown Denver's Buskerfest. 

A couple who fled the war in Ukraine and found a home in Boulder is hoping their adaptive efforts with the bike shop they own will help them continue building a life for their family in Colorado. Then, the return of "Sun Day" amid a call for increased solar energy efforts with author Bill McKibben. Also, Colorado's mission to collect stardust. Plus the Local 303 celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month...

After a spinal cord injury from a skiing accident left him paralyzed, Bob Meserve of Fort Collins didn’t abandon the sport he’d fallen in love with as a young kid -- he instead chose to help transform it! The award-winning sit-skier turned adaptive sports industry leader, will be inducted into the Colorado Snowsport Museum Hall of Fame this weekend. We also remember a Vail icon, John Dakin, the lo...

Seed vaults preserve genetic material for crops in case of natural or man-made disaster-- even warfare. The nation's largest repository is in Fort Collins. We speak with an architect of the concept, World Food Prize laureate Geoffrey Hawtin. Then, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo on the recent rain and studies that link climate change to lightning and faster snowmelt. Plus, encouraging lif...

The Trump administration continues to question long-standing science with unproven ties between vaccines, autism, and a popular painkiller. Meantime, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined new recommendations for vaccines. We'll sort it out with CPR's health reporter John Daley. Then, new research looks at if activities, like the way we drive, could be an early indicator Alzhe...

In a small town between Denver and Colorado Springs, a lesson in civics and civility. What's going on in Palmer Lake is about more than a proposed Buc-ee's travel plaza. Purplish explores the debate. Then, CPR's Stina Sieg joins us from Italy where descendants from Colorado are retracing the steps of loved ones who fought with the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Later, does music sooth...

 He says he took over a “beleaguered” department. The new head of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is Armando Saldate. The CBI has had some highly public missteps; Saldate says he’s eager to get to work and to rectify mistakes. Then, moms reflect on their anxiety and how they cope after the school shooting in Evergreen. Later, Colorado Elvis Festival starts Thursday; we re-share some of Elvis'...

Matthew Silverstone was critically injured in the shooting at Evergreen High School. His family wants the community to know who he is as he fights to recover; we share his uncle's message. Then, the Denver Public Library wants to get more people reading by sharing one book to encourage conversation. It's also inspired a photo exhibit. Plus, Sunday is the "21st Night of September," and this year it...

Two decades ago, radio journalist Ryan Warner fled churning hurricanes in Florida for higher, drier ground in Colorado. Warner, Senior Host of Colorado Matters, reflected on his career and on the state of public media recently at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at DU. The moderator is journalism ethicist Bob Steele. 

When it comes to planning for Colorado's fastest growing population, people 65 and older, the state's Senior Specialist on Aging says it needs to be a group effort. "The government can't do all this work, nonprofits can't do all this work, we need the business community involved, we need healthcare involved, we need philanthropy involved," said Kristine Burrows in a discussion with Chandra Thomas...

School shootings reverberate beyond any single classroom or campus or community. We've invited back a family therapist to discuss the violence we've seen here and elsewhere lately. Then, do Democrats take Colorado for granted? It's a question we have for Gov. Jared Polis in the final installment of our special from Grand Junction. Plus, what it takes to convert a vacant office building into homes...

Gov. Jared Polis joins Ryan Warner on stage at the Asteria Theatre in Grand Junction to answer questions in front of an audience about issues affecting the Western Slope as well as statewide and national concerns. In this second part of the conversation, they discuss RFK Jr. and changing vaccine guidance, addressing the high cost of housing, the impact of wildfires, negotiations for water from the...

Gov. Jared Polis joins Ryan Warner on stage at the Asteria Theatre in Grand Junction to answer questions in front of an audience about issues affecting the Western Slope as well as statewide and national concerns. In this first part of the conversation, they discuss "Governor's Safeguarding Democracy," the use of the National Guard, immigration enforcement, convicted former Mesa County Clerk Tina...

First, there were moose. Then lynx. Then wolves. Now, Colorado's planning to reintroduce wolverines to the state. We'll get an update on the plan. Then, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is opening temples around the world, including Grand Junction. Plus, a push to keep coal power in Colorado. Also, answering a Colorado Wonders question about what happens to the invasive smallmouth b...

A remarkable Coloradan - and an American pioneer - celebrates his 92nd birthday today. Ed Dwight was the first Black man to be selected for astronaut training more than 60 years ago. And six decades later, he became the oldest person to go to space. Dwight’s history-making didn’t stop there. He went on to become a celebrated artist, sculpting important monuments to Black legends. His body of work...

 A land trust has helped conserve more than 150,000 acres on Colorado's Western Slope, from fruit orchards in Palisade to ranches on The Grand Mesa. Then, descendants of the 10th Mountain Division of skiing soldiers retrace their fathers' and grandfathers' journey in Italy 80 years after the end of World War II. Plus, we visit a medical clinic in a Grand Junction church that offers free health car...

The Denver Broncos kick-off the regular season Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium against the Tennessee Titans, and hopes for the season are a mile high! We get perspective from former Bronco and sportscaster Ryan Harris. Then, "Soles of a Survivor" recounts a harrowing journey from oppression to freedom, with author Nhi Aronheim of Englewood. The book has just been published in paperbac...

Would Colorado follow the lead of Texas and California and redistrict Congressional seats for political gains? Voters changed the state constitution to make sure that sort of manipulation can't happen here. We speak with the architect of Colorado's effort to take politicians out of re-drawing districts. Then, public school teachers have faced a dizzying array of new directives from the Trump admin...

In the battle to keep Space Command, Colorado has lost. At least for now. We talk through the impact. Then, a Southern Colorado ranch tests the next generation Moon rover. Plus, Colorado author Erika Krouse is racking up accolades for her new short story collection. She shares a doozie and answers questions about it. Later, the evolution of Boulder's genre-defying Gasoline Lollipops. 

Ranchers in our state have a lot to juggle, says the newly-elected president of Colorado's Cattlemen's Association, Curt Russell. Things like drought, wildfire, and wolves; not to mention regulation challenges and the uncertainty of tariffs. Then, from A.I. to filling a nearly billion dollar budget hole to addressing bad behavior in the state capitol, Purplish breaks down the special session. And...

On this Labor Day, labors, of love. Like a budding fruit orchard on property previously ravaged by historic flooding in Lyons. And a barbershop in Denver, where former inmates offer a shave, a haircut, and heart. Plus, Stranahan's celebrates 20 years of tradition where the art of making whiskey is truly a labor of love for the head blender. 

The Tuesday Group formed in Denver when the Trump Administration shut down USAID. Experts in international development are in need of aid themselves-- emotionally and in the job search. Colorado Matters visits this support group at the Posner Center for International Development, which is a nerve center for Coloradans in foreign aid. Then, a Buc-ee's-sized fight in Palmer Lake. And is the Colorado...

Today, the stories of four people who now call Colorado home. They share a common bond: They all survived the American tragedy known as Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans 20 years ago and remains one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history. They share their journey from Louisiana to Colorado and how it forever shaped their lives, in a Colorado Matters special:...

Heading into fall, we get a check-up on COVID vaccines, the seasonal flu, measles, and West Nile with Dr. Ned Calonge, the state's chief medical officer. Then, as Western states divvy up water from the Colorado River, a new documentary wants to make sure the river isn't run dry. Plus, new research from CU Boulder on drought conditions and human-caused climate change. Later, an update on bodies fou...

He's a Denver Broncos original who was a game changer even though he avoided the spotlight. From player to coach, we remember Lionel Taylor. Also, the influence of James Dobson on today's Conservative Christian movement following the evangelical leader's death. Plus, Manitou Springs grapples with the changing cannabis market in El Paso County. Then, Chandra shares her personal family story survivi...