
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 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 Now, Purplish weighs in as the legislature is debating if the unique, more-than-80-year-old law should be repealed.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.

Feb 3, 2025 • 49min
Feb. 3, 2025 Federal workers have a decision to make; Remembering the 'Cowboy Chancellor'
Federal employees have until Thursday to resign voluntarily. There are 40,000 U.S. government workers in Colorado. Tom Temin, the host of the Federal Drive and columnist for the Federal News Network, an outlet for government workers, joins us. Then, what do Colorado voters think about the Trump presidency so far? Plus, remembering Daniel Ritchie, a steward of arts and education known as the "Cowboy Chancellor." Later, State Sen. Iman Jodeh breaks down stereotypes about the hijab. And go for another ride in the Great Dale House Car.

Jan 31, 2025 • 48min
Jan. 31, 2025: Paying college athletes; Colorado's most endangered places
College athletics will never be the same; the state legislature may let universities pay players. Federal court settlements are forcing the changes. Then, four historic locations in Colorado have been added to the state's most endangered places list. Plus, it's skijoring season! And the Local 303 shares the top Colorado artists of 2024 as chosen by listeners.

Jan 30, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 30, 2025: Colorado seniors navigate the digital divide; Planning for wildfire before it happens
Healthcare, housing, entertainment, and even friendships are all pretty much managed by technology, whether it's on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many people 65 and older are still on the wrong side of the so-called digital divide, but there are programs designed to help. Then, amid the devastation left by wildfires in California, or the Marshall Fire, an expert weighs in on how your family can plan and prepare before a disaster happens. And, Bill Frisell earns another Grammy nomination.

Jan 29, 2025 • 48min
Jan. 29, 2025: ICE deportation appears imminent in Colorado; Celebrating the Lunar New Year
The long-promised "Operation Aurora" crackdown on unlawful immigration looks like it's about to begin in Colorado. We'll sort through the developments. Then, with or without the United States, the world pursues green energy. Plus a threatened federal funding freeze sheds light on how much the state's largest safety-net hospital relies on federal money. And Colorado marks the Lunar New Year with a state holiday.

Jan 28, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 28, 2025: Transparency, accountability at the state capitol; Courts reject autonomy for elephants
They're called SMART hearings, designed to create accountability for state lawmakers, but do they actually make a difference? We'll explore that with Purplish. Then, a group that wants to remove elephants from a Colorado zoo says it's not giving up, even after the state supreme court rejected the idea. Plus, join CPR's Sam Brasch for a discussion about wolf reintroduction on February 6. Plus, how the country's highest suspension bridge came to span the Royal Gorge. And getting ready to celebrate the state's sesquicentennial.

Jan 27, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 27, 2025: Preservationist Dana Crawford; 'The Reservoir' takes on tough subjects with comedy
She loved old buildings. And fought to save them from the wrecking ball. Today, we remember Colorado developer and preservationist Dana Crawford who's died at age 93. Then, playwright, and recovering alcoholic, Jake Brasch, takes us inside his mind with his new play, "The Reservoir" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Jan 24, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 24, 2025: Denver7's Lisa Hidalgo on cold, snow, and her love for meteorology; Refugee resettlement stalls
From the bitter cold to wind chill, snowpack, climate science, and her love for meteorology, Denver7's new chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo joins us. Then, refugees find themselves in limbo after their flights are canceled by the Trump administration. We'll hear from one of Colorado's official resettlement agencies. Plus, the world's largest passenger plane is heading to Colorado. And a new play in Boulder weaves together environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and an unlikely romance.

Jan 23, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 23, 2025: Colorado may be in conflict with new immigration directives; Remembering Bill McCartney
New guidelines from the Trump administration regarding federal standards on immigration enforcement could conflict with state laws. Just how far will the new federal directives on immigration enforcement go? And, how far will Colorado go to stop them? Then, the University of Colorado remembers Bill McCartney, the winningest football coach in school history. Also, an up and coming writer and director from Denver talks about his new film, "Breakup Season." And, what a way to "kick off" the year for Colorado born-and-raised jazz musician Tony Exum, Jr.

Jan 22, 2025 • 49min
Jan. 22, 2025: Colorado defends birthright citizenship; January 6th pardons include Coloradans
A day after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, Colorado’s attorney general sued him over changes to birthright citizenship. Phil Weiser joins AGs from Maine to Hawaii in challenging President Trump’s executive order, titled, “Protecting The Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” Then, the January 6th pardons include at least 20 Coloradans. Plus, a DACA recipient on his constant fear of deportation. And how wildfire inspired author Laura Pritchett.