
Colorado Matters
Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.
Latest episodes

Nov 5, 2024 • 49min
Nov. 5, 2024: How E.coli outbreak changed a local burrito chain; Embracing fatherhood in Indigenous families
The recent E.coli outbreak at McDonald's has the owner of Colorado-based burrito chain "Illegal Pete's" rethinking food safety. Then, a mother's search for accountability after her son endures years of racist slurs in a Weld County middle school. Plus, a program that helps Native American fathers connect with their families. And Colorado Wonders about grocery bag fees.

Nov 4, 2024 • 49min
Nov. 4, 2024: El Paso County’s new effort to reduce domestic violence; Split-ticket voting
In El Paso County, domestic violence cases are disproportionately high. A new review board will help identify trends and, hopefully, reverse them. Then, ahead of Election Day, “Purplish” explores split-ticket voting. And, a Littleton father's efforts to make the streets safer.

Nov 1, 2024 • 50min
Nov. 1, 2024: Alien Enemies Act; Seeking Common Ground; Why hurricane forecasts come from Colorado
A swirl of accusations and demands after passwords for election equipment in Colorado appeared online. Then, Donald Trump suggests invoking a centuries-old law to combat a Venezuelan gang in Aurora; the law has a grim history in Colorado though. Plus, 'Seeking Common Ground' looks for connections amid division. And why is Colorado the center for the nation's hurricane forecasting?

Oct 31, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 31, 2024: From civil rights to suffragists, the legacy and power of Black women in elections; how to engage young voters
When it comes to elections, Black women are historically a voting block that can wield a lot of power. Evette Dionne, the author of “Lifting as we Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box” joins Chandra Thomas Whitfield at the Blair Caldwell African-American Research Library, along with future voter, 17-year-old Jaci Collins-Falcon, a senior at Manual High School. Plus, how some Denver students are using technology to help people register to vote and to understand the ballot.

Oct 30, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 30, 2024: Aging in rural Colorado; Tracking evaporation; The science of scares
In rural Colorado, one in five people is over 65. We'll talk about the challenges of aging in place in a small town, like Rangely, as part of our series, Aging Matters. Then, how climate change is changing evaporation, and what researchers are doing to catch up. Plus, the final push for votes in Colorado's closest congressional race. Also, an electrifying new superhero. And for Halloween, the science behind scares.

Oct 29, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 29, 2024: Colorado gets a new judicial district; An Aurora boy's journey to the big screen
For the first time since 1964, Colorado is getting a new judicial district. We'll talk about the impact it could have. Then, the remarkable story of Jeremiah Daniels, an Aurora boy who has Down syndrome who stars in the critically-acclaimed movie, "Color Book" which screens at the Denver Film Festival this weekend.

Oct 28, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 28, 2024: Food safety after E. coli outbreak; ‘Purplish’ on election security; Denver’s crowded ballot
Colorado officials have eliminated tainted meat as the cause of an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter pounders. That leaves raw onions as the likeliest source. Food safety expert Alice White explains why raw produce is a particular problem. Then, how Colorado secures the vote with “Purplish." And, in addition to 14 statewide ballot measures, Denver voters have another 12 local ones to decide.

Oct 25, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 25, 2024: Storytellers send chills down your spine
For Halloween, the hobgoblins at Denverite present "Denverfright," an evening of spine-chilling stories at The Bug Theatre. Brown Palace Historian Debra Faulkner informs us the call is coming from INSIDE THE HOTEL. Then, a drink with death at a Colfax dive bar. Plus, Denver novelist Kali Fajardo-Anstine shares a multi-generational family ghost story. And something foul from The Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Oct 24, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 24, 2024: Support for domestic violence survivors as cases remain high; Nuggets are back in action
The number of people killed by domestic violence in Colorado is down by more than a third, but the number of cases is still high. Then, the Denver Nuggets open their NBA season tonight. What will it take to be a contender again for the championship? Plus, hometown hero Chauncey Billups gets his Basketball Hall of Fame moment. And later, Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, begins next week. It's a time of remembrance and a celebration of life. And food... is a central part.

Oct 23, 2024 • 49min
Oct. 23, 2024: Ukrainian family rebuilds life in Colorado; Carbon-friendly hotel takes root
When Russia invaded Ukraine, a young couple fled the home they'd just bought in Kiev with their three young children. Now they're living in Colorado and running a bike shop, but they don't know how long they can stay. Then, a new hotel in Denver hopes to minimize its carbon footprint well beyond its walls. Plus, a Colorado startup offers haunted rail rides for Halloween. And reimagining the oldest continuously-run business in Colorado.