Colorado Matters

Holiday travel's taking off, and airports -- from Denver to Grand Junction -- built for a different time -- are trying to keep up. Today, we re-share a holiday travel special, with hacks from airport insiders and Ryan's favorite shortcut. Plus, how fuels made from forests or algae could take some of the guilt out of flying. And the question many are asking: is Denver's airport going to be under construction forever?

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. Light the shamash with us, that most prominent candle on the menorah that ignites all the others.

As the Colorado Supreme Court considers the case to keep Donald Trump off the Republican presidential primary ballot here, a former judge who proposed invoking the 14th Amendment early-on says it's not about politics. Then, why a train between the mountains and Metro Denver may finally be on track. And, if cocktails are a part of your holidays, we have a tingly recommendation.

Her grandfather served on the USS Arizona when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Nikki Stratton will christen its namesake, a new US Navy submarine. Then, a relic of the battleship Arizona is now in Colorado, and we hear what Donald Stratton endured to survive the attack.

They were moved from their resting place, centuries-old graves looted. Now there's a renewed effort to return the remains of Indigenous people to their rightful homes in Colorado. Later, "Off the Walls" with how a mural of Fathima Dickerson, the GM of Welton Street Café, has come to represent community and hope.

No matter what social media tells you, there's no such thing as "the perfect parent." So says Denver author and family therapist Craig Knippenberg whose new book is "Shame-Free Parenting." Then, printing new houses. Also, the 15,000th species boards the Photo Ark. Later, how to make your poinsettias outlast the holidays. And a world of holiday ice at Gaylord Rockies.

Hip Hop marks a major milestone this year: its 50th anniversary! During that time, the musical genre has changed the world, influencing language, dance, education, politics, media, and so much more. But what is Colorado's place in all of this? Chandra Thomas Whitfield asked some of the biggest players in our state to join her in-studio. Radio personality Amerykah Jones (Nikki Swarn) and rappers DJ Cavem (Ietef Vita), Old Man Saxon (Saxon Kincy) and Black Pegasus (Robert Houston II).

They've fled dire conditions in Venezuela, and come to Colorado, but they aren't allowed to work; that could change. Plus, we'll meet two Venezuelan-Americans helping them with everything from applications to education to therapy for trauma. Then, understanding climate threats in Colorado. And later, Colorado wonders, "Where is the Western Slope?"

The new state historian has a vision to diversify our thinking about life in Colorado. Dr. Claire Oberon Garcia is also an English professor at Colorado College. Chandra Thomas Whitfield sat down with her in front of an audience at the Southern Colorado Public Media Center.

Anne Trujillo reflects on life's lessons as she steps down as the longest-serving news anchor in Denver. Then, a new idea to help people experiencing homelessness in Grand Junction. Also, what veterinarians know about respiratory illnesses affecting dogs. And a co-owner of Townie Books in Crested Butte previews his new novel, which shatters Western tropes.