Colorado Matters

Episodes

• 
  November 10, 2026: Children as caregivers; 'Running with Lions' an inspiring journey from Kenya to Colorado 10.11.2026 49m

  Imagine being 12 years old and having to rush home from school to make sure your grandmother has eaten or taken her medication. For thousands of Colorado children, that’s not hypothetical; it’s a daily reality. We explore the trend of youth caregivers in Aging Matters. Then, Democrat Eileen Laubacher's in Washington, D.C. for freshman orientation in Congress as CNN calls the race for her against Republican Lauren Boebert in the 4th Congressional District. And, the inspiring journey from seeming hopelessness in Kenya to a life of service in Colorado for Dr. Pius Kamau, whose new memoir is "Running with Lions."
• 
  Nov. 9, 2026: A migrant's journey from Venezuela to Aurora in 'The Whisper Game'; What we can learn from trees 09.11.2026 49m

  He picked up bullet casings outside his Aurora apartment.  Little did he know he'd be swept up in President Trump's mass deportations. We tell his story in a new podcast, "The Whisper Game." Then, the pendulum of extremes, from severe drought to torrential floods. And, trees can teach us a lot about climate change and extreme weather. Forester Elli Morris calls herself a "tree storyteller." She says they make calculated decisions to survive. Morris met our Hayley Sanchez on a river trail near Durango. 
• 
  Nov. 6, 2026: 'If You Can Keep It' on the midterms and what's next; 'Mortified' is comedic, cringy and cathartic 06.11.2026 49m

  What cuts through political polarization? Fighting corruption. Voters are generally disgusted by overt self-dealing, says DU political scientist Seth Masket. This is borne out by the midterm results. Today, a post-election edition of our series "If You Can Keep It," about the state of our democracy. Then, how "Mortified" gets Coloradans to read from their teenage diaries on stage. "Mortified Colorado's" 10th anniversary show is November 19 at Denver's Oriental Theater. Plus, I share my own "Mortified" story in this podcast bonus!
• 
  Nov. 5, 2026: Polis on election impact, mercy, and what's next; Balancing academics, inclusion, and school choice 05.11.2026 49m

  Jared Polis will be governor for two more months; he sits down with Ryan Warner to answer questions after Democrats' big win in the midterm, his support for passenger rail, his legacy with Tina Peters, and what's ahead for Colorado. Then, a New York Times Magazine article has sparked national debate over school segregation, parental choice, and the complexities to achieve academic success. Chandra Thomas Whitfield speaks with a panel of Black parents who've navigated this issue in Colorado. 
• 
  Nov. 4, 2026: This might just be the smartest Colorado election analysis around 04.11.2026 1h 37m

  Democrats swept the statewide offices. They now have a supermajority in the state legislature. In even the reddest congressional districts, races are still too close to call. Meanwhile, voters sent mixed messages via ballot measures. We break it all down with our panel of experts: Democratic strategist Craig Hughes, Republican columnist Krista Kafer, and unaffiliated communications consultant Alton Dillard.
• 
  Nov. 3, 2026: How music helped shape history as a pivotal center celebrates its 5th anniversary 03.11.2026 49m

  Dr. Reiland Rabaka, founder and director of the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder (CAAAS), widely known as "The Cause," joined Colorado Matters host Chandra Thomas Whitfield in August to discuss the Center's fifth anniversary and his work as a scholar and author. The author of the books, The Funk Movement and Black Feminist Funk, Dr. Rabaka shared his reflections (and playlist) that he says trace the cultural and political power of Black music and its role in shaping history. 
• 
  Nov. 2, 2026: A Columbine Memoir 02.11.2026 49m

  Krista Hanley survived the attack on Columbine High School April 20, 1999. For years, she did everything she could to avoid being "the Columbine girl." In her new memoir "How To Survive A Mass Shooting," Hanley comes to terms with her trauma. She joins Senior Host Ryan Warner at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver for the book's launch. 
• 
  Oct. 30, 2026: Ghost stories, star charts, and climate horror; the 4th annual DenverFright! 30.10.2026 49m

  Do you dare open the door on Denverite's 4th annual DenverFright? From ghosts to readings to climate horror, plus a little comedy to laugh in the face of fear, nothing is off limits at the Bug Theatre in Denver. 
• 
  Oct. 29, 2026: Colorado's unusual race for governor; A champion for equity in the San Luis valley 29.10.2026 49m

  The race to be the next governor of Colorado has bucked campaign norms; Purplish takes a closer look in the final countdown to Election Day. Speaking of governing, a middle-schooler gets to run the office for a day. Then, voters in Grand Junction will decide the fate of a swimming pool that's been used for generations. And, remembering a San Luis Valley lawyer who was a champion for farmers and ranchers in a landmark case he took on pro bono for decades. 
• 
  Oct. 28, 2026: Election observation or intimidation? Plus, free speech at a crossroads 28.10.2026 49m

  Usually the U.S. welcomes election observers from abroad, but not this time. Meanwhile, the Trump administration wants to send federal observers to Colorado. Then, what to know about how your ballot is counted. Also, a new documentary examines the ongoing evolution of the First Amendment. And the Second Verse choir, featuring people with dementia and memory loss, gets ready for a fall performance.
• 
  Oct. 27, 2026: Rutinel on why he wants to represent CD-8; 'American Vampires' in Grand Junction 27.10.2026 49m

  Colorado's 8th Congressional District is one of the state's most competitive and diverse, designed to be a 50/50 swing district. Democrat Manny Rutinel joins us to discuss why he thinks he's the right person to represent it; incumbent Republican Gabe Evans has declined an interview. Then, we break down Proposition NN and what it could mean for Colorado schools. Plus, the beauty and the danger of the Million Dollar Highway. And a Grand Junction filmmaker's "American Vampires."
• 
  Oct. 26, 2026: Crank and Killin answer questions about why they should represent the 5th Congressional district 26.10.2026 49m

  Colorado’s 5th Congressional District encompasses most of El Paso County. It’s the only House seat in the state never to elect a Democrat. Could this conservative stronghold be in play this election? Republican incumbent Jeff Crank and Democratic challenge Jessica Killin spoke with CPR's southern Colorado reporter Dan Boyce. 
• 
  Oct. 23, 2026: A fall cooldown; Solar farm proposal near Mesa Verde sows division; COCO ballot measure 23.10.2026 49m

  An unusually warm October is making way for a big cooldown, but for how long? Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo joins Ryan Warner for their monthly chat about Colorado weather and climate. Then, a 78-year-old former priest from Uganda is released from ICE custody after more than a year, but his fight to stay in the U.S. is not over. Also, the debate over a a proposed solar farm near Mesa Verde National Park. Plus, Measure 7A and what it means for the future of passenger rail along the Front Range. And the Local 303 celebrates the old, new, and the reimagined on the Colorado music scene!
• 
  Oct. 22, 2026: Creating connection with a ride through nature and miniature horses 22.10.2026 48m

  From rolling through nature with the wind blowing through your hair, to senior companionship, and even miniature horses, today we're all about connection and staving off loneliness as we get older in an Aging Matters Special. Experience Cycling Without Age Littleton, the Senior Companion Program, Rhythmic Equine, and Colorado Animal Rescue's "Seniors for Seniors."
• 
  Oct. 21, 2026: Bad bosses beware; Kids who seem to have had past lives 21.10.2026 49m

  Bad management gets called out on social media when leadership expert George Stern, of Snowmass, reads exchanges between bad managers and -- often dumbfounded -- employees. Stern's videos earn him millions of views. Then, children who appear to have had past lives in our monthly series, "Searching for Jobie," inspired by the death of CPR's Andrea Dukakis' daughter. Researchers delve into thousands of cases that seem to defy explanation. 
• 
  Oct. 20, 2026: 'Pay to Play' tackles the youth sports industry; Are some areas prone to repeat wildfires? 20.10.2026 48m

  It's estimated nearly 7 in 10 children in Colorado participate in youth sports. And in writing about the $40 billion a year industry and its pressures on kids and families, journalist Kyle Newman had to deal with some uncomfortable feelings about coaching his ten-year-old son. He spoke with CPR's Anthony Cotton about his series for the Denver Post, "Pay to Play." Then, the Aspen Acres fire this summer is the sixth fire to burn in the same area in 20 years; we visit the region to understand why. 
• 
  October 19, 2026: A prosecutor helps the man he put away gain freedom; Marx campaign spending 19.10.2026 49m

  When he was 19, Taveuan Williams held up a Radio Shack, shot at police, and took a hostage for hours. Williams got 30 years for the crime. Today, why his prosecutor, Denver's Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Steven Abraham, came to advocate for him to be released from prison early. Plus, CPR's Ben Markus investigates the spending of the Victor Marx gubernatorial campaign. 
• 
  October 16, 2026: Democratic attorney general candidate Jena Griswold on accountability and standing up to Trump, ICE 16.10.2026 48m

  We continue our conversations with the major party candidates for Colorado attorney general, who's tasked with handling a wide range of issues from consumer protection to public safety to water rights. Today, it’s Democrat Jena Griswold, who is currently secretary of state. Yesterday we heard from Republican Michael Allen, who is DA in the state’s largest judicial district. You can read and listen to both interviews now by clicking on their names. Then, they're playing the sport they love, well into their 80s: hockey! 
• 
  Oct. 15, 2026: Republican attorney general candidate Michael Allen on bipartisanship, public safety 15.10.2026 49m

  Today and tomorrow we're speaking with the major party candidates for Colorado attorney general, tasked with handling a wide range of issues from consumer protection to public safety to water rights. Today, it's Republican Michael Allen. He's currently the DA in the state's largest judicial district. Tomorrow, it's Democrat Jena Griswold, the current secretary of state. You can read and listen to both interviews now by clicking on their names. Then, as Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, we reflect on Chicano history in Colorado. 
• 
  Oct. 14, 2026: US Senate candidate John Hickenlooper on healthcare, ICE and standing up to Trump 14.10.2026 49m

  We're speaking with the highest-profile candidates for U.S. Senate this week. Today, Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper, who was elected to the position in 2020, following terms as Colorado governor and Denver mayor. We ask about healthcare, ICE, and standing up to President Trump, as well as his approach to political change, efforts to address affordability, and what his goals are if voters send him back to Washington. We heard from Republican Mark Baisley yesterday, and Forward Party candidate Bob Chew on Monday. You can read and listen to all of the interviews by clicking on their names. Then, voters in Pueblo weigh a tax measure to help fund the zoo. Plus, a field day that's tailor made for its participants. Editor's Note: A previous audio version of this story incorrectly stated how much the measure would save the city of Pueblo. The correct figure is around $1 million.