Colorado Matters

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 lifelong learning, what it takes to come to the U.S. legally, and the legacy of Babi Yar. 

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 Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. 

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 soothe animals' souls? 

 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' Colorado history. And Sunday's Jillith Fair honors Denver-born singer Jill Sobule's life and music. 

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 takes on special meaning for Denver's Philip Bailey and the legendary Earth, Wind and Fire. 

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 Whitfield in front of an audience at CPR News in May. They talk about the state's ongoing efforts to address everything from healthcare and housing to ageism. 

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 in the Denver Tech Center. And a pet project takes sixth graders from the classroom to Fountain Creek. 

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 Colorado River, and transportation infrastructure.

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 Peters and the pardon power, healthcare, and balancing the state budget.