Colorado Matters

Latest Episodes:

March 20, 2026: Choir taps music memory in the face of dementia; Spring allergies in full bloom Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Second Verse is a new choir for people with dementia. The choir's also for caregivers. We listen in on a rehearsal for Aging Matters as music taps into long-term memory. Then, the state Republican party is in disarray ahead of the state assembly. Also, Denver renames its park and city holiday that had honored César Chávez. Plus, options for relief with allergies getting an early start on this first official day of spring. And we re-share our conversation with professor Carol Anderson, author of "One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy" as Congress debates the SAVE America Act.

March 19, 2026: Colorado's Italian connections; Kids kicking nicotine; Warm weather birding Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

If you think "The Godfather" only happened in New York, you might need to think again. A new historical novel, "The Descendant" by Linda Stasi, reflects on how Sicilian immigrants helped shape Colorado, from miners to the mafia. Then, one of the founders of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver talks about keeping Italian heritage alive in our state today. Also, kicking the nicotine habit can be tough; we visit a school that's trying to help kids who are hooked. Plus, a lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder. And, the warm weather this winter has one classroom of kids wondering if it's affecting birds.

March 18, 2026: The state of friendship in the US; Breaking the 'starving artist' stereotype Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

There’s a loneliness epidemic. Yet the vast majority of people report having a friend. What gives?! We ask friendship expert Natalie Pennington, assistant professor at Colorado State University and co-founder of the American Friendship Project. Then, families of children with developmental disabilities brace for state budget cuts. Also, Western Slope artist Pavia Justinian on life as a professional artist ten years and counting. And a gift of bison with deep cultural and historical significance.

March 17, 2026: Aging Matters: From safety to fear of losing independence; deciding to stop driving Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

As we get older, it's one of the toughest decisions we face -- when to stop driving. Colorado has nearly a million people over the age of 65 behind the wheel. And although getting older does not automatically make someone a bad driver, AAA says many people are outliving their ability to drive safely by 7 to 10 years. In Aging Matters, we talk through what to look for and how to have what can be a hard discussion within the family. Then, female genital mutilation affects more than 230 million women worldwide, and doctors in Colorado say the see its lasting impact in their own exam rooms. A candid discussion with Vera Idam, founder and publisher of Afrik Digest Magazine based in Denver.

March 16, 2026: When does surveillance tech cross the line?; Ryan tries out the state's first robot massage Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

The technology's supposed to make Colorado safer but it comes with concerns about privacy and misuse. Flock cameras, and other license plate readers, are installed across the state. In Purplish, CPR's Bente Birkeland and Denverite's Andrew Kenney dig into the evolution of surveillance tech and efforts to restrict it. Then, Ryan saw a sign the other day for a "Robot Massage" and had to check it out.

March 13, 2026: SAVE America Act likely can't be saved; Summit FC kickoff; Bye-bye beloved Boulder bar Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

The SAVE America Act is supposed to ensure the integrity of your vote, but President Trump also wants it to eliminate mail-in ballots which are widely popular in Colorado. Our Washington, D.C. reporter Caitlyn Kim updates the chances Congress will take action. Also, what's the impact if after-school funding is cut in Colorado? Then, Colorado's new women's soccer team, the Denver Summit, kicks off its inaugural season. Later, she grew up in Crested Butte, met Philip Seymour Hoffman in New York, and became a Hollywood producer whose film is up for 13 Academy Awards on Sunday. Plus, the lack of snow puts cross-country ski spots on edge, and a memory-filled goodbye to a long-standing community gathering place in Boulder, the World Famous Dark Horse.

March 12, 2026: Amache survivors worry; Renee Good remembered; How special actors are helping doctors Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Survivors of the Amache internment camp in southeastern Colorado worry history could repeat itself. It's why they want to tell their stories, especially now. Then, friends remember Renee Good, who grew up in Colorado and was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Later, as a new hotel oxygenates its rooms in Telluride, it appears to be part of a trend in the high country. Plus, how special actors are helping medical students and doctors test their skills at CU Anschutz. Also, state lawmakers debate restrictions on AI chatbots. We check-in ahead of tomorrow's semifinals with Team USA's Paralympic Sled Hockey team which trains in Superior and features Colorado athletes. And share in the delight of a singing telegram in Denver.

March 11, 2026: Changing worry about climate change into action; Colorado's plan for NFTs to celebrate 150th Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Two-thirds of Americans say they're worried about climate change, but far fewer actually do something about that concern. We speak with climate and atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe about solutions. Then, Colorado plans to auction NFT art to help celebrate its 150th birthday. And a film about Colorado's late poet laureate Andrea Gibson, "Come See Me in the Good Light," is nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The Oscars are Sunday night.

March 10, 2026: Pivotal time for environmental law; Flu season check-up; A fly fishing sisterhood Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

The Trump Administration has revoked the cornerstone greenhouse gas decree. The Endangerment Finding said methane and carbon are a threat to our health. Meanwhile, fossil fuels are intertwined with military interventions in Venezuela and Iran. We get perspective from Chris Winter, executive director of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment at CU Law. Then, a Colorado oil and gas company drills for geothermal energy. We also get a check-up on flu season ahead of Spring Break. And the outdoor adventuring group "Sisters on the Fly" marks 25 years.

March 9, 2026: Neonics protect crops but at what cost to pollinators?; Meet Denver Paralympic curler Dan Rose Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

For many farmers, insecticides known as neonics are a game changer for protecting crops. But they're also blamed for killing pollinators and there's concern about their impact on people. We'll explore the debate with Purplish. Then, getting college credit for work experience. Plus, Dan Rose of Denver is competing in his first Paralympics on the mixed wheelchair curling team.

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