

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

Feb 10, 2025 • 49min
February 10, 2025: State lawmakers change approach on guns; A 'community' newsletter generated by A.I.?
High-capacity magazines are banned in Colorado. And Democratic lawmakers say they're serious about enforcement. ut might their solution go too far? We take a closer look with Purplish. Then, in Pueblo and Fort Collins, a locally-reported newsletter lands in people's inboxes. Except it's neither local, nor reported. Plus, how a small town school district got students engaged again in learning. And how climate change is affecting beer.

Feb 7, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 7, 2025: Assessing the ICE raids and resistance; Colorado sues over Musk access to US Treasury
ICE enforcement this week tested the resilience of migrant communities in Colorado. How they're peacefully resisting, and the many unanswered questions about the actual raids. Then, Colorado joins eleven states in suing the Trump Administration over Elon Musk's and DOGE's access to the U.S. Treasury. Plus, the new species of mammal discovered on Colorado's western slope. And how delicate art became a sanctuary for a Ukrainian couple now in Colorado.

Feb 6, 2025 • 48min
Feb. 6, 2025: ICE roundups in Denver; Studying psilocybin's effect on depression
Early Wednesday morning, immigration agents, along with local and federal law enforcement officers, descended on an apartment complex in Aurora. We look at what happened -- and what happens next. Then, researchers in Colorado want to know if psilocybin – also known as psychedelic mushrooms – can help people process past trauma. And, with a pair of Black quarterbacks facing off in Sunday's Super Bowl, we revisit a book focused on African-Americans and their evolution at the position.

Feb 5, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 5, 2025: Engaging students to achieve success; Safety standards for cannabis?
Today, a check-up on school kids in Colorado. The latest national report card shows they're outpacing the rest of the country in reading and math, but chronic absenteeism remains high. We speak with the state's education commissioner, Susana Córdova, who's spent time in districts large and small, looking for innovation. Then, questions about safety standards amid concern over contaminants like mold and pesticides in cannabis. And how the Trump administration could impact Colorado's energy sector.

Feb 4, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 4, 2025: Legislature debates the Labor Peace Act; Artificial judging and the X-Games
The Labor Peace Act makes it harder to organize unions compared to other states. Now, Purplish weighs in as the legislature is debating if the unique, more-than-80-year-old law should be repealed. Also, this year's X Games competition in Aspen featured something new -- Artificial Intelligence. Could the trial run start a revolution to replace human-judged competitions going forward? And, the 155-acre, former Park Hill Golf Course has been at the center of a years-long battle. Soon it will become Denver’s newest public park. And, tips for decluttering.

Feb 3, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 3, 2025 Federal workers have a decision to make; Remembering the 'Cowboy Chancellor'
Federal employees have until Thursday to resign voluntarily. There are 40,000 U.S. government workers in Colorado. Tom Temin, the host of the Federal Drive and columnist for the Federal News Network, an outlet for government workers, joins us. Then, what do Colorado voters think about the Trump presidency so far? Plus, remembering Daniel Ritchie, a steward of arts and education known as the "Cowboy Chancellor." Later, State Sen. Iman Jodeh breaks down stereotypes about the hijab. And go for another ride in the Great Dale House Car.

Jan 31, 2025 • 48min
Jan. 31, 2025: Paying college athletes; Colorado's most endangered places
College athletics will never be the same; the state legislature may let universities pay players. Federal court settlements are forcing the changes. Then, four historic locations in Colorado have been added to the state's most endangered places list. Plus, it's skijoring season! And the Local 303 shares the top Colorado artists of 2024 as chosen by listeners.

Jan 30, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 30, 2025: Colorado seniors navigate the digital divide; Planning for wildfire before it happens
Healthcare, housing, entertainment, and even friendships are all pretty much managed by technology, whether it's on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many people 65 and older are still on the wrong side of the so-called digital divide, but there are programs designed to help. Then, amid the devastation left by wildfires in California, or the Marshall Fire, an expert weighs in on how your family can plan and prepare before a disaster happens. And, Bill Frisell earns another Grammy nomination.

Jan 29, 2025 • 48min
Jan. 29, 2025: ICE deportation appears imminent in Colorado; Celebrating the Lunar New Year
The long-promised "Operation Aurora" crackdown on unlawful immigration looks like it's about to begin in Colorado. We'll sort through the developments. Then, with or without the United States, the world pursues green energy. Plus a threatened federal funding freeze sheds light on how much the state's largest safety-net hospital relies on federal money. And Colorado marks the Lunar New Year with a state holiday.

Jan 28, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 28, 2025: Transparency, accountability at the state capitol; Courts reject autonomy for elephants
They're called SMART hearings, designed to create accountability for state lawmakers, but do they actually make a difference? We'll explore that with Purplish. Then, a group that wants to remove elephants from a Colorado zoo says it's not giving up, even after the state supreme court rejected the idea. Plus, join CPR's Sam Brasch for a discussion about wolf reintroduction on February 6. Plus, how the country's highest suspension bridge came to span the Royal Gorge. And getting ready to celebrate the state's sesquicentennial.