Colorado Matters

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January 8, 2026: Changing role of women in combat; 'Resilient Citizens' prep for potential disaster Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Women have helped in wartime since the nation’s founding, but they've only been allowed to serve in combat for the last 10 years. Today, a call to review the military’s physical fitness standards could lead to fewer women on the frontlines. We look at the changing role of women in the US military. Then, when you hear the word “prepper,” you might picture someone stockpiling supplies for doomsday. But disaster preparedness looks a lot different. Also, Dry January doesn’t have to mean white-knuckling your way through happy hour. And, Colorado Wonders about those mysterious-looking large domes that are often found along highways while driving the Western Slope.

January 7, 2026: Diving into Colorado's record flu numbers; The history of CU's first Black law students Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

The flu picture ain’t pretty in Colorado, with numbers and hospitalizations spiking skyward. But we’re going to look at it anyhow with Dr. Ken Lyn-Kew, a critical care pulmonologist at National Jewish Health in Denver. Then, they were some of the first black law students at CU, but their names had been lost to history. A trip to the law library sheds some light. Also, local companies, from Denver to Creede, produce plenty of top-notch theater -- that's the focus of a new series, which we raise the curtain on today, with Colorado Springs actor Anne Terze-Schwarz in the spotlight.

January 6, 2026: 'Portraits in Aging' features reflections, exploration of what it's like growing older in Colorado Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

The fastest growing population in Colorado is people 65 and older. But we all age differently; today we hear about misperceptions and opportunities from everyday Coloradans who are part of the state’s fastest-growing group, people ages 65 and older. Their personal reflections are featured in a sub-series of our ongoing Aging Matters series, called "Portraits in Aging." Host Chandra Thomas Whitfield takes a closer look at what life is like for older adults across Colorado, exploring how they are living, aging and thriving at this stage of life in their own words.

January 5, 2026: Context for Colorado's citing in Trump's Venezuela action; How we became the 38th US state Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Images of overrun apartment buildings in Colorado -- and severed fingers -- landed in the president's Venezuela speech over the weekend, part of Donald Trump's justification for his actions in Venezuela. Justice reporter Allison Sherry provides some context. Then, Colorado had to try hard to become a state. It took five attempts over two decades. In time for this year’s sesquicentennial, History Colorado lays out the saga. Also, four generations of the Gresham family have weathered blizzards, drought and long nights in the calving barn -- all on the same land for more than a century. The Gresham Farm was recently named a Centennial Farm. And, Ski Mountaineering is new at this year's Olympics. The games take place in February in Italy. Crested Butte’s Cam Smith will be there.

Jan. 2, 2026: Legacy of Cherry Creek: Growing Up Black in Denver’s Transforming Neighborhood Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

The legacy of Cherry Creek is rooted in Black history and it played a pivotal role shaping Denver into the city that it is today. Chandra Thomas Whitfield moderated a panel discussion called "Legacy of Cherry Creek: Growing Up Black in Denver’s Transforming Neighborhood" in front of an audience this past spring. It was hosted by Arapahoe Libraries to reflect and share the personal stories of four life-long Colorado residents whose families called Cherry Creek home, and some who still do: Former Denver County Judge Gary Jackson; his uncle, Warren Scott, a retired U.S. Post Office Manager; Trudi Morrison, a retired lawyer and former Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate; and Cleo Parker Robinson, the renowned founder and artistic director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in Denver.

Jan. 1, 2026: As a new year begins, a fresh start with forgiveness; A rock legend found home in Colorado Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

On the first day of the year, a conversation about fresh starts. Forgiveness is the focus of Kristin Koval's riveting novel, "Penitence." We spoke at Lit Fest last Spring. Then, a final reflection on 2025 with a hall of fame moment for rock legend Joe Cocker who found happiness living in Colorado.

Dec. 31, 2025: Remembering a milestone year with Coloradans who survived Hurricane Katrina Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

As 2025 draws to a close, we revisit the stories of four people who now call Colorado home. They have a common bond: They all survived the American tragedy known as Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans 20 years ago and remains one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history. They share their journey from Louisiana to Colorado and how it forever shaped their lives, in a Colorado Matters special: "After the Storm: Reflections on Hurricane Katrina."

Dec. 30, 2025: Colorado researcher on drug that holds promise for treating Alzheimer's; Denver's missed climate goals Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

There's promising new research out of Colorado in the effort to treat Alzheimer's disease. The study focused on the drug Leukine, which is already on the market to treat other disorders. Andrea speaks with the study's senior author, Huntington Potter, who directs the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center. Then, another study shows how lifestyle can help prevent memory loss. Also, the city of Denver won't meet its first big climate goals. We ask the mayor why the city is falling short, and about the plan moving forward.

Dec. 29, 2025: Colorado's bet on gambling and the impact on addiction; A doctor's journey with cancer Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

The expansion of gambling in Colorado means added temptations for problem gamblers. It’s led the state to invest millions of dollars to treat gambling addictions. We look at the changes to gambling in Colorado and talk with a therapist and a Denver man in recovery. Then, he dedicated his career to treating patients with lung cancer and never expected that one day, he too would be diagnosed with the same disease. Dr. Ross Camidge shared his story with Andrea in October.

Dec. 26, 2025: A Kwanzaa extravaganza and a singer who lives the principles everyday! Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

This is the first day of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African American culture and heritage along with seven guiding principles, such as unity, purpose, and self-determination. Light the kinara with us as we share some of our favorite Kwanzaa memories from our annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganzas! Plus, my conversation from August with Denver musical artist Such, whose passion to help others has been a guiding principle in her life.

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