

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

Jun 14, 2024 • 52min
June 14, 2024: State GOP at odds with itself; Colorado trailblazer makes Broadway debut
It’s not something any political party wants heading into an election but the Colorado Republican Party is embroiled in a very public leadership struggle, with a growing effort to oust state GOP chair Dave Williams. Then, the two people vying to lead the Denver District Attorney's office. Plus, Jenna Bainbridge's trailblazing journey to Broadway. And the FACC Padayon Philippine Festival this weekend!

Jun 14, 2024 • 13min
The race to be Denver’s next District Attorney
For the first time since 2016, voters in Denver are choosing a new district attorney. With no Republican running, the race will effectively be decided in this month’s Democratic primary. The winner will be responsible for prosecuting all felony crimes in the city and county.

Jun 14, 2024 • 10min
Filipino American Community of Colorado celebrates culture and history with annual festival
"Resilience" is the theme of this weekend's Padayon Philippine Festival in Edgewater. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Filipino American Community of Colorado, one of the oldest Asian-American non-profits in the state.

Jun 13, 2024 • 51min
June 13, 2024: A COVID-19 checkup; What it means to be an active and engaged father
There's been a slight uptick of the COVID-19 virus in wastewater around the state. We've tapped an expert to ask why. What's the latest protocol for testing? And what about vaccines? Then, a plan to clean up fossil fuel combustion. Also, Father’s Day is this weekend, but what does it mean to be an active and engaged father -- and why does it matter?

Jun 12, 2024 • 51min
June 12, 2024: Helping veterans find hope for their ‘next chapter’; Creating community through clothing
Of the suicides reported in El Paso County in 2021, roughly a third were military veterans. It prompted a pilot program called Next Chapter, a name carefully chosen to offer hope. The program has already expanded into Pueblo and Teller counties. Then, how a Colorado Springs-based clothier is creating community. And high school biology teacher Colin Prater is heading to the U.S. Open.

Jun 12, 2024 • 16min
A golfer’s education: Colorado Springs teacher tries to solve U.S. Open challenge
Colin Prater is a science teacher at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, but he’s apparently really good at math as well, because recently he solved one of the most difficult equations in athletics…advancing from a field of 10,000 golfers around the world to one of just 156 spots in this week’s U.S. Open.
Prater is one of Colorado's most accomplished amateur golfers, a two-time winner of the Colorado Golf Association's Player of the Year award, but he had to overcome long odds in making the field at venerated Pinehurst, North Carolina. In the final round of qualifying, Prater won one of two available spots for the Open -- in doing so he became one of just 15 non-professionals to make the field.
Colorado will be represented in the event; besides Prater, PGA Tour player Mark Hubbard, a graduate of Colorado Academy high school and Wyndham Clark, a Valor Christian High grad, are playing. Clark is the Open's defending champion after winning last year.

Jun 11, 2024 • 52min
June 11, 2024: Marking a milestone of ideas for a better world; Harnessing the wind in Colorado
This month, the Aspen Ideas Festival marks 20 years of thought-provoking conversation, from students to celebrities to global leaders, exchanging ideas for a better world and human experience. Then, how high-dosage tutoring is helping students rebound from the pandemic learning gap. And answering a Colorado Wonders question about harnessing the wind.

Jun 11, 2024 • 32min
Aspen Ideas celebrates 20th milestone of thought-provoking conversation and inspiration
The Aspen Ideas Festival brings together change-makers -- from singers and scientists to students and Nobel Prize winners -- to share ideas about what's shaping our world: the opportunities, the challenges, and finding common ground.

Jun 10, 2024 • 50min
June 10, 2024: The primary race for the 4th congressional district; Real life inspires ‘Playing with Wildfire’
The stakes are especially high in three of Colorado's congressional districts, where traditionally Republican strongholds will be decided this election year. Today, Purplish looks at CD4. Then, why there's a slowdown on a key RTD light rail corridor. And, how wildfire and the pandemic inspired Laura Pritchett's new novel, "Playing with Wildfire."

Jun 7, 2024 • 50min
June 7, 2024: Helping your garden grow in extreme heat and amidst pests aplenty; Biking the rails near Erie
Gardens are where many of us see the effects of weather and climate up-close. Today, tips on adaptation from Fatuma Emmad of FrontLine Farming in Denver. Then, the state patrol's newest crime-fighting tool, "The Grappler." Plus, you can now BIKE the rails near Erie, Colo.