Colorado Matters

This year, Colorado lost a man who helped us see where we live more clearly. Not long before his death, landscape photographer John Fielder donated his archive to the people of his beloved Colorado. In January, roughly six months before his death, Fielder invited us into his home near Silverthorne.

For Sheridan Guerin, playing Clara in the Nutcracker is a dream come true as the first Black ballerina to do so in Colorado Ballet history. Then, a Broomfield man shares the story of his dad, Richard Brookins, who became known as the "American St. Nick" in the tiny town of Wiltz, Luxembourg in World War II and years after. And Denver singer/songwriter René Moffatt's new song, "My First Christmas (without you)."

Today, world-class musicians serenade and enchant us! We've drawn from the archives of our Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza to create a collection of some of our favorite vocal and instrumental performances from the past 8 years. Celebrate the season with jazz, blues, country, Broadway, and a cappella.

Today's Colorado Matters is a laughing matter. We've sewn together a comedy special that, we hope, will have you in stitches! It's a compendium of Colorado comics from our previous Holiday Extravaganzas.

Music, memories and merriment return with the 8th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza.

Globally, 2023 was a year of extreme heat; locally, Denver7 chief meteorologist Mike Nelson calls it the year of hail. We talk about weather records, current snowpack, and the outlook for winter. Then, a question about Santa Claus that's close to the heart for Chandra Thomas Whitfield.

As the third criminal trial related to the death of Elijah McClain continues, changes are happening statewide. A look at how law enforcement and lawmakers alike are working to ban so-called "Excited Delirium” here in Colorado. Then, did you know voguing was created by members of the Black and Latino queer community back in the 1960s? We hit the dance floor with Colorado’s ballroom scene.

Where people live has a lot to do with how they get around, which is why the governor is changing tracks, to some extent, when it comes to transit. Then, our series continues on how to save and grow your money with short and long-term strategies, no matter how much or how little money you have. Plus, books with a Colorado connection to read or give this holiday season.

By state law, Colorado is required to release wolves into the wild by the end of the year. But a wolfpack that was already here is mostly gone, shot and killed across the border. What does that say about the reintroduction debate? And, Marlin Briscoe was the first Black quarterback in pro football with the Denver Broncos, but the challenges he faced were just the beginning.

The new documentary, "Join or Die" suggests that joining a club isn't just essential to democracy, it's also good for our health. Then, a new nightclub in Denver that celebrates musical heritage.