Colorado Matters

A panel of students from Metropolitan State University in Denver recently had the opportunity to question Colorado's U.S. Senate candidates as part of The Solution Studio. They asked Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet and Republican Joe O'Dea about affordable housing, immigration, and homelessness. Today's focus is on immigration. Later, the challenges for social workers in El Paso County.

Coloradans will vote on a statewide measure to address the issue of affordable housing. We’ll break that down along with about a dozen local ballot measures on the issue. Then, voters who don’t fit neatly into partisan boxes. And, remembering a trailblazing female judge. Also, solutions to the rise in car thefts and a new conductor for the Colorado Symphony.

In addition to key statewide races for governor, U.S. Senate, and House of Representatives, there are eleven statewide ballot measures to consider. We break them down with Purplish, CPR's podcast about politics and policy. Then, Indigenous people join in a spiritual walk to save their home for future generations. Later, a love of the Rocky Mountains and of history woven into a series of short stories.

A Colorado Springs Starbucks store is closing, just before members of a union there planned to begin bargaining with the company. Then, U.S. senate candidates Joe O’Dea and Michael Bennet talked about the mental health crisis in a recent debate. Bennet is the democratic incumbent; O'Dea is his Republican challenger.

In 1922, at a time of deep racial segregation, two Denverites realized their dream of building a resort in the Rocky Mountains for middle class African Americans to socialize and, for a time, escape the stress of racism. State historian Jared Orsi joins Chandra Thomas Whitfield as retired Denver county judge Gary Jackson shares his family's legacy on the centennial of the Lincoln Hills resort.

The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, former Colorado Senator Ken Salazar, discusses cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and relations between the two nations. Then, the TABOR check rollout. Also, listening to voter voices before the midterms. Plus, understanding ketamine and its various uses. And, a museum on communication, found inside a library.

As ballots go out in the mail this week, there may be more on voters' minds than just deciding the issues. In CPR's podcast, Colorado In Depth, reporter Matt Bloom takes you behind the scenes of Colorado’s elections to meet the people and systems designed to prevent fraud and count every vote. Then, the convergence of affordable housing and community art spaces.

Former Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen says he often thinks about the protests following the murder of George Floyd. He spoke with CPR justice reporter Allison Sherry about the highs, the lows, and what's next. Then, Purplish explains the affordable housing measure voters will decide this election.

The Colorado Department of Transportation has laid out its plan for the next ten years, from completing the Central I-70 corridor project to re-thinking how people get around. Ryan Warner took a ride with CDOT's executive director, Shoshana Lew. Then, building an affordable home that's climate-friendly and withstands climate hazards like wildfires. Plus, restoring trust in science.

As Colorado's Secretary of State, Jena Griswold has been a persistent voice on issues ranging from ballot access to a woman’s right to choose. Today, we hear from the Democratic incumbent. We heard from her Republican challenger, Pam Anderson, yesterday. Then, author E.J. Levy, who won a Colorado Book Award for best historical fiction for "The Cape Doctor."