Real Talk

Colorado is trying to help level the playing field for those with previous pot convictions get back on their feet – and into the marijuana industry. This week, we hear from those enrolled in the state’s social equity programs, the challenges they still face, and what can be done to improve equity in the marijuana industry, both in Colorado’s biggest city, and across the state. The efforts are mean...

Women are making a name for themselves, in industries traditionally dominated by men. From firefighters to mechanics to airline pilots, women are climbing the ranks – meaning these industries aren’t just for the boys anymore. This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News we speak with a Lieutenant with the Aurora Fire Department, the city’s first African-American female firefighter, as well as...

Pride is a month-long celebration rooted in protest and authenticity. Denver has one of the largest Pride festivals in the country. This week, we’re having a real talk about Pride in Colorado with the organizer of Denver Pride, as well as an artist exploring the current LGBTQ+ culture across the country. And we travel to Boulder — to the epicenter of LGBTQ+ history there — to explore why it’s so i...

Fresh food sounds delicious, but for Coloradans in food deserts — places with limited access to a variety of healthy and affordable foods — finding those organic apples or fresh pasta is really difficult. Food deserts are found around our state, not just around the Denver metro area. On this Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News, how Colorado is working to make sure everyone in the state has access...

Combatting homelessness in Denver is an ongoing challenge for city leaders, past and present. The two mayoral candidates say they are ready to take on the challenge, but are their plans feasible, practical, and do they do enough to move the needle? This week, a real talk on homelessness — we hear each candidate’s plans to combat homelessness and get reaction from community members doing their own...

Housing, or the lack of it, is an issue impacting everyone across the state, and the Denver Metro. This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News, we’re looking at housing through the lens of Denver’s two mayoral candidates: Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston. Housing was the first issue discussed between the candidates at a recent debate hosted by CPR News, Denverite, Denver 7, and The Denver Post...

Mount Evans looms large over Denver and parts of the Front Range. The famous 14er beckons tourists and locals alike to its beautiful alpine tundras and stunning views. But for Indigenous people, the mountain — and its name — bring up horrible trauma. The mountain was named after Governor John Evans, who in the 1800s created a culture of fear and hate that led to the Sand Creek Massacre, in which U...

Asian Americans have a rich tradition in Colorado, from a bustling Chinatown in lower downtown Denver to an expansive culture across the state. This week on Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News we explore the history of Denver’s once thriving Chinatown neighborhood and the work to remove a plaque that inaccurately portrayed riots that took place there in the 1800s. Then, a muralist works to explor...

Many families with young children are frustrated when it comes to childcare in Colorado. And the frustration isn’t new. At the same time, many early childhood educators are struggling just to get by. On this week’s Real Talk with Denver 7 and CPR News, we hear from parents who suddenly found themselves without childcare after their school suddenly was due to close. Then, what others are doing to h...

Drag shows are being targeted across the country - through legislation. From Texas to Tennessee the goal is to end the shows because of a fear they’ll negatively impact children. However, the LGBTQ+ community says it’s all an attack on self-expression, essentially telling those who dress in drag it’s “illegal to be an artist.” This week, a Real Talk on drag queens, hearing directly from those impa...

Everyone loves Colorado's outdoors, but not everyone can enjoy them in the same way. One state park is leading the way to get people with disabilities outside. This week on Real Talk, accessibility in Colorado — from the trails to the slopes. With Staunton State Park manager Zach Taylor; Heather Kluck, a coach at Special Olympics Colorado; and Angela Wilson, who started exploryst.com. Real Talk ai...

Exploring the great outdoors is why so many choose to call Colorado home. But for some, those wide-open spaces don’t feel as welcoming as they could. This week, we’re having a Real Talk on outdoor equity in Colorado. From the world-renowned ski resorts to the miles and miles of trails and spectacular mountain peaks, we’re looking at efforts to make our beautiful state more welcoming for all to enj...

No heat. No hot water. Black mold and asbestos. That’s what residents of Denver’s Cedar Run Apartments experienced during one of the most frigid cold snaps in years. They banded together – protesting their living conditions. And they’re not alone. Numerous apartment residents are coming together to say enough is enough. This week on Real Talk - Renter’s Rights with Phoelix, a resident of Cedar Run...

The debut episode of Real Talk explores the issue of weapons in schools. Caden Fiala and Beckett Nelson-Gardner share what life is like as students following recent shootings in and around Denver’s East High School and the change they’re advocating for at the state Capitol. Also, two mentors weigh in on their work to address gun violence directly with young folks. Dini Hodge shares why he often br...