Colorado Matters

Our series continues about unprecedented politics, named for the famous Benjamin Franklin line in 1787: "A republic, if you can keep it." University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket provides historic context. Then, it takes a lot of work to keep Mustang standing strong outside DIA. Also, tech firm Ibotta makes a 10-year commitment to downtown Denver, which other businesses have fled. And the family stories behind Denver's Little Saigon at History Colorado Center. 

Protecting children from the harmful side of social media has been a years-long fight, but Congress may finally be taking action. Today we hear about one mother's determination to bring change in memory of her daughter. Meanwhile, experts will offer research assistance to state legislators next session. Then, they followed the rules set up by the federal government, but still face deportation. It's just one development in the immigration debate affecting thousands of people in Colorado. And, he's the only Colorado native to play in the Negro Baseball League. Now, a century later he finally gets his due. 

For most state jobs, you don't need a college degree. It's the skills that matter. Governor Jared Polis has championed this change in the private sector, as well. Reporter Lawrence Lanahan writes about this trend in a piece titled, “No college degree, no problem? Not so fast!” Then, comedian Tig Notaro remembers Colorado's late poet laureate Andrea Gibson with the new film, "Come See Me in the Good Light." Also, a mother and daughter from Colorado reconnect with their family's World War II legacy in Italy. Plus, pairing wine and solar on the Western Slope. 

It's one of the darkest moments in Colorado history: the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. Today, through the letters he wrote, we learn about a man who refused to take part: Capt. Silas Soule. Then, from oil and gas drilling to cattle grazing and conservation, the issues facing public lands in Colorado under the Trump administration. And for Aging Matters, free help clearing sidewalks thanks to the Snow Buddies. 

Today, on World AIDS Day, Ryan visits the Colorado AIDS memorial in the heart of Denver with Barb Cardell, program director at the Positive Women's Network USA. They discuss science, stigma, and, for our series Aging Matters, what it means to enter your senior years with HIV. Then, what a trip to the grocery store says about a "silent recession." Plus, a number of craft brewers have closed in Colorado; what does that signal for the industry? Also, calling all book lovers! And a Denver musician goes from busking to Red Rocks.

According to Gallup, barely a third of Americans express a great deal or even fair amount of trust in newspapers, TV, and radio. In the 1970s, trust was as high as 72 percent. At Front Range Community College, students meet the press: Greg Moore, former editor of The Denver Post and recent National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame inductee; Corey Hutchins of the Colorado College Journalism Institute and “Inside the News In Colorado”; and Jeffrey Roberts of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. Our panelists mentioned resources for the community and for journalists at The News Literacy Project and Colorado News Collaborative. This discussion first aired on November 10, 2025. 

A remarkable Coloradan - and an American pioneer - celebrated his 92nd birthday in September. Ed Dwight was the first Black man to be selected for astronaut training more than 60 years ago. And six decades later, he became the oldest person to go to space. Dwight’s history-making didn’t stop there. He went on to become a celebrated artist, sculpting important monuments to Black legends. His body of work appears in Denver and at memorials across the country, and in museums like the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. This year, he was nominated for a Congressional Gold Medal. Chandra met Dwight at his work space in north Denver. This story first aired on September 9, 2025.

For "Turn the Page with Colorado Matters," former NPR science reporter David Baron, of Boulder, talks about his new book, "The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze That Captured Turn-Of-the-Century America." Listen to a captivating conversation in front of an audience at Library 21c in Colorado Springs. This first aired on August 15, 2025. 

November is National Adoption Month. Today, how one Colorado organization is supporting families through the beauty and complexity of transracial adoption and creating a sense of belonging and safety for adoptees and their parents too. Then, a Colorado Wonders question about accountability after wildfires. And Colorado Hall of Fame skier Bob Meserve's remarkable journey on and off the slopes as a pioneering adaptive athlete. 

There's a political power play across the country to redistrict for control of Congress. Purplish explores if it could actually happen here, and whether it should. Then, what do car prices say about a possible "silent recession" in Colorado? Plus, a freshman at Lafayette's Centaurus High School lands in the top ten of the National Civics Bee finals.