

Colorado Matters
Colorado Public Radio
Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 49min
July 24, 2025: Fighting backlash, Denver Pride sends powerful message; Aspen trees as wildfire breaks
Amid DEI cuts, the Center on Colfax was expected to lose money this year. However, the organization that runs Denver Pride saw more than 500,000 people turn out this year, despite the backlash from Washington. We spoke with the Center's new CEO. Then, Colorado's Attorney General files a lawsuit regarding law enforcement's cooperation with ICE, as the state responds to subpoenas. Also, aspen trees' role in wildfire prevention. Plus, a tournament to reel in invasive fish, and a play centering on Black women homesteaders.

Jul 23, 2025 • 49min
July 23, 2025: Planned Parenthood can no longer treat Medicaid patients; Festival honors Chicano culture
Medicaid patients in Colorado cannot go to Planned Parenthood for any type of healthcare under the One Big Beautiful Bill. We talk with the head of the Rocky Mountain region about the impact and what's next. Then, hear from Gov. Jared Polis on the resounding pushback to stop a pedestrian walkway from being built in front of the State Capitol. Also, what's in a name at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel ? And the 29th annual Chicano Music Festival celebrates identity and culture!

Jul 22, 2025 • 49min
July 22, 2025: Rep. Evans on Dignity Act; Molly Brown's great granddaughter on Titanic moment
Republican Congressman Gabe Evans, who represents Colorado's District 8, has signed onto the Dignity Act, which he says will reform the immigration system and give legal status to undocumented people without giving them citizenship or amnesty. We also ask about ICE arrests, international aid, and the economy. Then, the Trump administration wants to stop Colorado from shutting down coal plants in the state. And the great-granddaughter of "the unsinkable Molly Brown" is in Denver to share new history about her legendary great-grandmother.

10 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 49min
July 21, 2025: Public media at a crossroads; How 'One Big Beautiful Bill' could impact Colorado
Tom Hess, a Western Slope reporter, joins Benta Birkeland and Caitlin Kim, both public affairs reporters, along with health reporter John Daly, to discuss the challenges facing Colorado's public media amid federal funding cuts. They explore the implications of the controversial 'One Big Beautiful Bill' on healthcare access and SNAP funding. The discussion reveals how changes to Medicaid could jeopardize care for vulnerable communities while personal stories highlight the anxiety over rising healthcare costs and the effects of new economic policies on essential services.

Jul 18, 2025 • 49min
July 18, 2025: Colorado's split vote on the rescission bill; Overcoming trauma with music; Celebrate 719 Day!
Congress has slashed foreign aid and funds for public media. We talk through how Colorado's delegation voted, the politics and ramifications with our Washington, D.C. correspondent Caitlyn Kim. Then, he survived the Aurora movie theater shooting at age 12; now he's sharing his recovery story through music with "Youth on Record." Plus, would a boycott help Colorado Rockies? And, celebrate 719 Day with us!

Jul 17, 2025 • 49min
July 17, 2025: Gov. Polis on insurance price hikes, wildfires; Shooting survivor on moving forward
An estimated 100,000 Coloradans stand to lose health coverage next year amid a 28 percent hike in premiums; Governor Polis holds Congress responsible. We ask about that along with wildfire resources, immigration, and the proposed bridge outside the State Capitol. Then, for Marcus Weaver, surviving the mass shooting inside an Aurora movie theater 13 years ago, was life-changing in ways he never expected. Also, Indie 102.3 host and local music director Alisha Sweeney joins us to spotlight musicians on Colorado’s indie scene ahead of the Underground Music Festival.

Jul 16, 2025 • 49min
July 16, 2025: Wildfire evacuees thankful for firefighters; Coping with trauma through laughter
Wildfires churn on Colorado's Western Slope, leaving evacuees to wonder and worry. Then, in a rare move, a paramedic is charged with manslaughter in Boulder. Plus, nurse-turned-comedian Nancy Norton on "playing with your pain." Also, an invitation to "Turn the Page" with David Baron, author of "The Martians." And, Colorado Wonders about how to pronounce places, and DIA clears its free concert series for takeoff!

Jul 15, 2025 • 48min
July 15, 2025: Gov. Polis pushes back on tariffs; Summer camp safety; Colorado's poet laureate remembered
Gov. Jared Polis is pushing back against what he calls President Trump's "reckless tariff policy." Meanwhile, state lawmakers regroup after federal budget cuts and tax changes. Also, hear from a summer camp operator about wildfire and flood safety. Then, we remember Colorado's poet laureate, Andrea Gibson, who died Monday at age 49 of ovarian cancer. And later, a CU graduate hopes to revolutionize audio with ethical AI.

Jul 14, 2025 • 49min
July 14, 2025: Pettersen braces for impact of 'Big Beautiful Bill;' Decoding ancient sign language
Colorado Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen sees little value in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and is bracing for the impact on everything from healthcare to immigration. Plus, the "skinny' Farm Bill continues to leave farmers and ranchers in limbo. Then, a Metro State anthropologist has discovered what may be the world's oldest sign language. And finding harmony in the workplace.

Jul 11, 2025 • 48min
July 11, 2025: Hurd on 'Big Beautiful Bill,' from rural hospitals to immigration; 'The Water Knife' proves prophetic
Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd answers questions about how the "One Big Beautiful Bill," now federal law, will affect people in Grand Junction, Pueblo, and more rural parts of his district. Plus, his high hopes for new drilling, as well as border security under ICE. Then, author Paolo Bacigalupi marks a 10-year milestone with "The Water Knife" which has proven more accurate than he hoped. Plus, drought and demand are tapping aquifers in Southeastern Colorado, where tens of thousands of people rely on well water. And a Grand Junction baseball team adopts a rare alter ego.