Colorado Matters

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September 25, 2026: Winter outlook as seasons change; Local 303 celebrates artists for September Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Seasons lose their meaning – to some extent – because of climate change. It may be autumn, but Denver will see highs in the 80s this weekend. Then a change is coming. We talk about it with Lisa Hidalgo, chief meteorologist at Denver7, and the prospects for snow this winter. Then, what can Congress do in response to wildfires? Plus crunching the housing numbers. And Indie 102.3 celebrates Colorado artists ahead of the Local 303 Meetup on Monday at Bar 404 in Denver.

Sept. 24, 2026: Changes coming to public lands; tattoo culture; Colorado Wonders about Old West bank robber Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

National Public Lands day is this weekend, and how those lands are managed, could be changing. Public lands writer Jonathan Thompson discusses shrinking monuments, roadless rules and other changes to land policy -- and the future of water tapped from the Colorado River. Then, Colorado's deep-rooted tattoo culture. Also, Colorado Wonders about an Old West bank robber who -- legend has it -- was shot and killed by her sheriff husband.

Sept. 23, 2026: Can tiny homes revitalize tiny Arriba, CO? Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Ben VanderWerf, a scrappy father of four, chose Arriba, Colorado, population 202, to locate his tiny home business and related RV park. He landed a Rural Jump-Start grant from the state— Lincoln County's first. With VanderWerf and local economic development chief Troy McCue, we discuss housing, employment, energy, and water on Colorado's Eastern Plains.

Sept. 22, 2026: 'To live and die as a Colorado farmworker' with Latino USA; Helping hummingbirds Sep 22, 2026

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When six people died on the job at a dairy farm in Weld County last year, it raised questions about both worker safety and dignity. Latino USA takes a closer look at what happened and why in the podcast "To Live and Die as a Colorado Farmworker" hosted by producer Rebeca Ibarra. Then, a Boulder tech company is back to help startups find their footing. And Colorado Wonders about hummingbirds in the wake of wildfires, plus what you can do to help.

September 21, 2026: Candidates, careers and creepy-crawlies Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

It was a weekend of debates and campaigning on the Western Slope, but who wasn't there is also a part of the story. Then, what it's like to be a woman in the trades. You'll meet a welder training at Emily Griffith as the DPS technical school turns 110 years old and welcomes its first president. Plus, he's been Hollywood's bug wrangler for decades; now he's heading to Colorado for the annual Tarantula Festival in La Junta.

‘Dream big’: Refugees, immigrants and adoptees in Colorado share their experiences Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

When your life changes in a big way or uproots you to a new place, how do you find a new sense of belonging? That’s the premise of “Voices Unbound: A Conversation on Identity and Belonging.” Four people — from different places and who’ve lived very different lives — connected with one another to discuss topics like heritage, displacement, assimilation and the desire to belong.

Sept. 17, 2026: When Earthlings aspired to be like Martians Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

There was a time, in the early 1900s, when it was widely believed there was life on Mars, and they'd engineered canals to bring water from the poles to cities. There were skeptics, but it’s hard to overstate how ingrained this idea of Martian life became. Former NPR science correspondent David Baron, of Boulder, has written, “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America." It was recently named a Colorado Book Award finalist in the history category; Ryan will deliver the keynote at the awards ceremony on September 26, 2026 at the Tivoli in Denver. Baron spoke with Ryan last summer in front of an audience in Colorado Springs, where some of the story unfolds.

Sept. 16, 2026: In depth with the candidates for the Secretary of State Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

The general election is coming fast, and, today, Colorado Matters kicks off our signature interviews with candidates. We begin with the candidates who want to run your elections and register your businesses -- the contenders for Secretary of State. Republican James Wiley envisions a return to in-person voting, on election day. He'd make vote-by-mail the exception. Democrat Amanda Gonzalez, meanwhile, is focused on maintaining what she believes is a solid system.

Sept. 15, 2026: 'No Contract' with Alzheimer's; Is table tennis a losing bet for gambling addiction? Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Dementia and caregiving are at the center of the new one-woman show called “No Contract." It opens Thursday at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder. Playwright and performer Kirsten Wilson spoke with Andrea Dukakis about the deep bond she has with her mother and how their relationship evolved as her mother developed dementia. Then, betting on table tennis generates near a million dollars everyday in Colorado. Ben Markus explains why that's raising concerns about gambling addiction. And a century-old venue in Colorado Springs is brought back from the brink.

Sept. 14, 2025: Inside the Broncos ahead of season opener; Denver Water outlook; Michelin recognition! Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

He embedded with the Broncos; today, what ESPN's Seth Wickersham learned about Sean Payton and how it could impact the new season. Then, climate change will force lifestyle and cultural change, says Alan Salazar, the head of Denver Water. Plus, Michelin awards a Denver restaurant with a coveted star while recognizing restaurants in other parts of the state for the first time.

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