Colorado Matters

Today, reflections from Jimmy Carter when he visited Aspen in 2015, including his view on the U.S. as a superpower and helping others. Then, as the year comes to a close, we celebrate some of Colorado's centenarians and their views about life and longevity. And later, how one woman is living with Alzheimer's and refusing to let it define who she is. 

When the ball drops on New Year's, you'll need to drop your phone when you're behind the wheel. Meet an attorney who fought for the state's new hands-free law. Plus, Colorado Springs has grown out more than up, so there's resistance to a proposed skyscraper. Then, remembering the "Children of the Storm" caught in a horrible blizzard on the Eastern Plains in 1931. And later, finding the beauty in snowflakes. 

As Hanukkah begins, light the shamash with us, the most prominent candle on the menorah that ignites all the others. And in that bright space, enjoy music and conversation about the Jewish festival of lights compiled from our previous Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganzas.  

Relax and escape from your everyday hustle and bustle with the 9th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza! Recorded at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, this year's tradition includes headliner Kayla Marque, a Denver singer/songwriter; Joshua Danger Emerson, a Dine’ Navajo comedian and regular at the Comedy Works who founded the award-winning comedy troupe and production company, DeadRoom Comedy; Scott O'Neil, former Colorado Symphony resident conductor who hosts "Behind the Baton" on CPR Classical; poet, artist and entrepreneur Confidence Omenai of Aurora; and Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel in Denver with an original song for Hanukkah. 

Re-share the music, memories and merriment of the 8th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza. Recorded at Denver's Central Presbyterian Church on December 7, 2023, the show is a celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and of the season featuring singer/songwriter Emelise Munoz; Iraqi-American stand-up comedian Ali Kareem; organist and composer Wil Smith; gospel and jazz musician Ron McMillon; musician, educator and composer Eitan Kantor; and Riley, Myles, Daylen, and Sadie with the meaning of Kwanzaa. 

Colorado entrepreneur Drew Jarvis co-founded Sunny, which makes a menstrual cup and applicator; the Broomfield startup just won a big grant from the state. Then, ahead of the legislative session young people stage a “Policy Shark Tank” to share their ideas. Plus, the bald eagle is finally poised to become the nation's bird. Later, as holiday travel hits its peak, DIA chief Phil Washington updates us on getting to – and through – the airport. 

Relax and escape from your everyday hustle and bustle with the 9th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza! Recorded at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, this year's tradition includes headliner Kayla Marque, a Denver singer/songwriter; Joshua Danger Emerson, a Dine’ Navajo comedian and regular at the Comedy Works who founded the award-winning comedy troupe and production company, DeadRoom Comedy; Scott O'Neil, former Colorado Symphony resident conductor who hosts "Behind the Baton" on CPR Classical; poet, artist and entrepreneur Confidence Omenai of Aurora; and Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel in Denver with an original song for Hanukkah. 

Today's Colorado Matters is a laughing matter. We've sewn together a comedy special that, we hope, will have you in stitches! It's a compendium of Colorado comics from our previous Holiday Extravaganzas, featuring Josh Blue, David Rodriguez, Nancy Norton, Rion Evans, Elliot Woolsey, and the comedic musical stylings of "Swelter and Burn" aka Willow Welter and Lauren Ciborowski. 

Today, world-class musicians serenade and enchant us! We've drawn from the archives of our Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza to create a collection of some of our favorite vocal and instrumental performances from the past 9 years. Celebrate the season with jazz, blues, country, Broadway, and a cappella with Clare Dunn, FACE Vocal Band, the Andy Hackbarth band, Beth Malone, Hazel Miller, Ron Miles and Emelise Muñoz.

Colleagues and family honor the legacy of Irving P. Andrews, a Denver lawyer who overcame racism and fought for civil rights. Then, Denver author Laura Krantz asks, "Do You Believe in Magic?" which explores how magic interrelates with science. Plus, an Estes Park man's milestone as a Bears superfan in Aging Matters. And, Santa lands at DIA's new Layover Lounge to make hectic holiday travelling a little merrier on Concourse B.