
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

Jul 24, 2024 • 51min
July 24, 2024: The freedom of cycling is ageless; Ensuring inclusivity in scouting
The feeling of the wind in your hair. That's the freedom the nonprofit "Cycling Without Age Littleton" works to give older Coloradans as a way to combat loneliness and stay active. Then, the fight to ensure inclusivity in Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts. And tracing the history of a long-forgotten amusement park in Denver.

Jul 23, 2024 • 51min
July 23, 2024: Bennet hopeful as Harris gains support; African Grill serves fufu, jollof rice and big smiles
Colorado’s top Democrats are lining up behind Vice President Kamala Harris after Joe Biden announced he’s leaving the presidential race. That includes U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who joined Ryan Warner in-studio Monday afternoon. Then, African Grill in Lakewood cooks up 20 years of cuisine, culture, and camaraderie. Later, ensuring a pivotal moment in Colorado and U.S. history is not forgotten, nor repeated.

Jul 22, 2024 • 52min
July 22, 2024: A Colorado DNC delegate looks forward; Former Olympian on eating disorders, body image
Colorado's top Democrats have high hopes for Kamala Harris. We speak with Erik Clarke, a delegate from Denver who'll be at the convention, about the path ahead. Then, as he marks one year in office, is Denver Mayor Mike Johnston fulfilling his campaign promises? And a former Olympian, in recovery from an eating disorder, has advice for commentators and spectators.

Jul 19, 2024 • 52min
July 19, 2024: What a week in Milwaukee tells us about the GOP; We invented a holiday. 719 Day!
With Donald Trump's first post-assassination speech, the Republican National Convention is a wrap. There was much to learn away from the main stage this week, says University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket. Then, we celebrate Southern Colorado with 719 Day! And Denver is home to one of the country's only treatment centers for elite athletes with eating disorders.

Jul 18, 2024 • 51min
July 18, 2024: How big a concern is the bird flu?; Opening the great outdoors to Colorado preschoolers
The headlines may sound alarming: at least six human cases of bird flu in Colorado. We'll get some context about what that means. Then, Colorado is unique in the nation when it comes to teaching preschoolers outdoors. We'll hear why that can improve their ability to learn. Plus, embracing wellness at a farmer's market that works to eliminate food deserts. And we go on a stravage to benefit the body and the mind.

Jul 17, 2024 • 51min
July 17, 2024: Democratic voters on Biden’s future; A flight to figure out smog; A divine piano
As Republicans move forward with Donald Trump as their nominee, Democrats remain in disarray over their presidential pick. CPR’s public affairs team has been listening to Coloradans. We'll share what they've heard. Then, the political divide inspired a Denver man to visit every U.S. county. Plus, researchers go airborne to get a better grasp on summer smog. And how one particular piano inspired Lumineer Jeremiah Fraites.

Jul 16, 2024 • 50min
July 16, 2024: CU Boulder’s new chancellor on challenges, opportunities; A Winter Park jazz tradition
The University of Colorado Boulder has a new chancellor for the first time in 15 years. Justin Schwartz talks about the challenges and opportunities ahead at the state's flagship university. Then, three players with ties to Colorado lead Team USA's 3X3 Men's Basketball team. And the 41st annual Winter Park Jazz Festival is back! We revisit how it's become a multi-generational summertime tradition.

Jul 12, 2024 • 51min
July 12, 2024: Immigrant recipes from El Salvador to Ethiopia; Paonia author Paolo Bacigalupi’s Italian fantasy
You'll often hear that some immigrants arrive in the U.S. with nothing. But a new cookbook, Cocina Libre defies that, brimming with recipes from Venezuelan, Ukrainian, Afghan and Ethiopian immigrants in Colorado. Then, why the Southern Ute tribe is suing Colorado over sports betting. And, Paonia author Paolo Bacigalulpi takes a break writing about climate change to focus on a fantasy novel, "Navola." Plus, preserving Dearfield, and finding friends through Denverite's Classifieds.

Jul 11, 2024 • 51min
July 11, 2024: Maintaining health, envisioning cooler neighborhoods amidst Colorado’s extreme heat
As extreme heat grips parts of Colorado, we'll ask the state climatologist if triple-digit temperatures are the new norm. And we'll break down the many ways heat can impact our health -- like the difference between heat stress and heat stroke as well as rethinking the way neighborhoods and cities are built to keep them cooler in the future. Also, saving dinosaur ridge and Colorado Wonders about turquoise.

Jul 10, 2024 • 50min
July 10, 2024: Connections between healthcare and Indigenous values; Encounters with Rock ‘n’ Roll royalty
The Cora are an Indigenous people from Nayarit in western Mexico. Gunnison is home to one of their largest populations abroad. A new study looks at considerations they face with health care. And we speak with Marisela Ballesteros-- the first Cora member of Gunnison’s city council. Then, we get context about the ethics violation of a top Democratic lawmaker. Plus, meeting Rock 'n' Roll royalty with music journalist G. Brown.