Colorado Matters

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July 22, 2025: Rep. Evans on Dignity Act; Molly Brown's great granddaughter on Titanic moment Jul 22, 2025

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Republican Congressman Gabe Evans, who represents Colorado's District 8, has signed onto the Dignity Act, which he says will reform the immigration system and give legal status to undocumented people without giving them citizenship or amnesty. We also ask about ICE arrests, international aid, and the economy. Then, the Trump administration wants to stop Colorado from shutting down coal plants in the state. And the great-granddaughter of "the unsinkable Molly Brown" is in Denver to share new history about her legendary great-grandmother.

July 21, 2025: Public media at a crossroads; How 'One Big Beautiful Bill' could impact Colorado Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Public media across the country and here in Colorado are figuring out what their existence looks like without federal funding. Then, before rescission, Congress passed the mega tax and spending package known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." We get perspective on what it could mean in Colorado with "Purplish."

July 18, 2025: Colorado's split vote on the rescission bill; Overcoming trauma with music; Celebrate 719 Day! Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Congress has slashed foreign aid and funds for public media. We talk through how Colorado's delegation voted, the politics and ramifications with our Washington, D.C. correspondent Caitlyn Kim. Then, he survived the Aurora movie theater shooting at age 12; now he's sharing his recovery story through music with "Youth on Record." Plus, would a boycott help Colorado Rockies? And, celebrate 719 Day with us!

July 17, 2025: Gov. Polis on insurance price hikes, wildfires; Shooting survivor on moving forward Jul 17, 2025

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An estimated 100,000 Coloradans stand to lose health coverage next year amid a 28 percent hike in premiums; Governor Polis holds Congress responsible. We ask about that along with wildfire resources, immigration, and the proposed bridge outside the State Capitol. Then, for Marcus Weaver, surviving the mass shooting inside an Aurora movie theater 13 years ago, was life-changing in ways he never expected. Also, Indie 102.3 host and local music director Alisha Sweeney joins us to spotlight musicians on Colorado’s indie scene ahead of the Underground Music Festival.

July 16, 2025: Wildfire evacuees thankful for firefighters; Coping with trauma through laughter Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Wildfires churn on Colorado's Western Slope, leaving evacuees to wonder and worry. Then, in a rare move, a paramedic is charged with manslaughter in Boulder. Plus, nurse-turned-comedian Nancy Norton on "playing with your pain." Also, an invitation to "Turn the Page" with David Baron, author of "The Martians." And, Colorado Wonders about how to pronounce places, and DIA clears its free concert series for takeoff!

July 15, 2025: Gov. Polis pushes back on tariffs; Summer camp safety; Colorado's poet laureate remembered Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Gov. Jared Polis is pushing back against what he calls President Trump's "reckless tariff policy." Meanwhile, state lawmakers regroup after federal budget cuts and tax changes. Also, hear from a summer camp operator about wildfire and flood safety. Then, we remember Colorado's poet laureate, Andrea Gibson, who died Monday at age 49 of ovarian cancer. And later, a CU graduate hopes to revolutionize audio with ethical AI.

July 14, 2025: Pettersen braces for impact of 'Big Beautiful Bill;' Decoding ancient sign language Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Colorado Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen sees little value in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and is bracing for the impact on everything from healthcare to immigration. Plus, the "skinny' Farm Bill continues to leave farmers and ranchers in limbo. Then, a Metro State anthropologist has discovered what may be the world's oldest sign language. And finding harmony in the workplace.

July 11, 2025: Hurd on 'Big Beautiful Bill,' from rural hospitals to immigration; 'The Water Knife' proves prophetic Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd answers questions about how the "One Big Beautiful Bill," now federal law, will affect people in Grand Junction, Pueblo, and more rural parts of his district. Plus, his high hopes for new drilling, as well as border security under ICE. Then, author Paolo Bacigalupi marks a 10-year milestone with "The Water Knife" which has proven more accurate than he hoped. Plus, drought and demand are tapping aquifers in Southeastern Colorado, where tens of thousands of people rely on well water. And a Grand Junction baseball team adopts a rare alter ego.

July 10, 2025: 'Senseless' explores overcoming shared trauma and community resiliency; Celebrating Black Arts! Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Trauma can be a shared experience, but the journey to process it and overcome is often silenced. A new podcast by journalist Erika Mahoney hopes to change that and create connection. Her father Kevin was killed in a mass shooting at a Boulder grocery store in 2021. Then, rebates for EVs will soon be scaled back. And the Colorado Black Arts Festival returns for a 39th year this weekend!

July 9, 2025: 60 years of theater in Creede amid funding cuts; Healthcare impact of 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

As the Creede Repertory Theatre celebrates a milestone — 60 years of performances — it grapples with federal funding cuts to the arts. We also breakdown how the "One Big Beautiful Bill" may impact healthcare in Colorado including Medicaid. Then, what to do about the Emerald Ash Borer, a tiny green beetle that's killing trees along the Front Range. And, an arctic adventurer from Carbondale shares his first-hand view of climate change at the top of the world.

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