
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

Feb 17, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 17, 2025: 'Give Her Credit' is the story behind The Women's Bank of Denver
Not that long ago, women seeking a loan or line of credit faced invasive questions from bankers. "Are you planning on having children?" "What type of birth control are you using?" "Where's your husband?" Against that backdrop, in the 1970s, The Women's Bank of Denver was founded--changing financial lives for generations. Sr. Host Ryan Warner speaks with financial journalist Grace L. Williams, author of "Give Her Credit," at History Colorado Center.

Feb 14, 2025 • 49min
February 14, 2025: 'Aha Moments' for treating alcohol use disorder; 'Sustained' empowers Indigenous culture, art
Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic could reduce the urge to drink. It’s one of several novel approaches Colorado researchers are studying for alcohol use disorder. Then, Colorado firefighters return home after helping in California. Also, if today's world feels more anxious, a doctor has ways to decompress. Plus, a new exhibit at the Denver Art Museum elevates the Indigenous viewpoint. And for Valentine's Day, "Pitch a Friend."

Feb 13, 2025 • 49min
February 13, 2025: Help for sex trafficking survivors; Colorado Wonders about potholes
Sex trafficking is a growing problem in Colorado -- the state now ranks 10th for the most reported cases. We hear from a survivor who shares how she took back control of her life. Then, imagine driving along a rough road when two of your tires pop. It happened to one Colorado driver -- and he wanted the state to pay for the damage. Also, her mother marched on Washington more than 60 years ago with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We'll re-share her daughter's journey back to D.C. And History COLORADO incorporates works by living artists -- to connect past and present.

Feb 12, 2025 • 49min
February 12, 2025: Where are we with wolves?
White settlers wiped out Colorado's wolf population. In 2010, voters required them to be reintroduced. There are now 29 wolves here. Ranchers -- worried about their livestock and livelihoods -- must adapt. CPR Climate and Environment Reporter Sam Brasch hosts a discussion at Loveland's Rialto Theater about the past, present, and future of wolf restoration.

Feb 11, 2025 • 49min
February 11, 2025: Dean says she was fired for objecting to book ban; A history of pennies
A Black middle school dean says she was fired by a school district in Colorado for objecting to a book ban. Now she's filed a civil rights complaint. Then, President Trump has told the Treasury Department to stop making pennies. They're minted in Denver. We'll talk about the history and cost of the one cent coin. Plus, Chandra tries to up her "Colorado street cred" by taking on skiing thanks the BIPoC Mountain Collective. And author Laura Krantz asks, "Do you believe in magic?"

Feb 10, 2025 • 49min
February 10, 2025: State lawmakers change approach on guns; A 'community' newsletter generated by A.I.?
High-capacity magazines are banned in Colorado. And Democratic lawmakers say they're serious about enforcement. ut might their solution go too far? We take a closer look with Purplish. Then, in Pueblo and Fort Collins, a locally-reported newsletter lands in people's inboxes. Except it's neither local, nor reported. Plus, how a small town school district got students engaged again in learning. And how climate change is affecting beer.

Feb 7, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 7, 2025: Assessing the ICE raids and resistance; Colorado sues over Musk access to US Treasury
ICE enforcement this week tested the resilience of migrant communities in Colorado. How they're peacefully resisting, and the many unanswered questions about the actual raids. Then, Colorado joins eleven states in suing the Trump Administration over Elon Musk's and DOGE's access to the U.S. Treasury. Plus, the new species of mammal discovered on Colorado's western slope. And how delicate art became a sanctuary for a Ukrainian couple now in Colorado.

Feb 6, 2025 • 48min
Feb. 6, 2025: ICE roundups in Denver; Studying psilocybin's effect on depression
Early Wednesday morning, immigration agents, along with local and federal law enforcement officers, descended on an apartment complex in Aurora. We look at what happened -- and what happens next. Then, researchers in Colorado want to know if psilocybin – also known as psychedelic mushrooms – can help people process past trauma. And, with a pair of Black quarterbacks facing off in Sunday's Super Bowl, we revisit a book focused on African-Americans and their evolution at the position.

Feb 5, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 5, 2025: Engaging students to achieve success; Safety standards for cannabis?
Today, a check-up on school kids in Colorado. The latest national report card shows they're outpacing the rest of the country in reading and math, but chronic absenteeism remains high. We speak with the state's education commissioner, Susana Córdova, who's spent time in districts large and small, looking for innovation. Then, questions about safety standards amid concern over contaminants like mold and pesticides in cannabis. And how the Trump administration could impact Colorado's energy sector.

Feb 4, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 4, 2025: Legislature debates the Labor Peace Act; Artificial judging and the X-Games
The Labor Peace Act makes it harder to organize unions compared to other states. Now, Purplish weighs in as the legislature is debating if the unique, more-than-80-year-old law should be repealed. Also, this year's X Games competition in Aspen featured something new -- Artificial Intelligence. Could the trial run start a revolution to replace human-judged competitions going forward? And, the 155-acre, former Park Hill Golf Course has been at the center of a years-long battle. Soon it will become Denver’s newest public park. And, tips for decluttering.