Colorado Matters

Latest Episodes:

May 27, 2025: Can psilocybin help veterans overcome PTSD? Black Lives Matters five years after George Floyd's murder May 27, 2025

Show notes

Today, the stories of two Colorado veterans who've had two different experiences with PTSD and how to treat it. Could psilocybin be the answer, and if it is, what are the challenges to getting it? We find out with "The Trip: CPR's Coverage of Colorado's Psychedelic Journey." Then, five years after the murder of George Floyd, where does the Black Lives Matters movement stand? Plus, it's the beginning of the end for the penny. And, the story of a special education teacher in Colorado, and the effort to recruit and train more.

May 23, 2025: Polis on a bevy of lawsuits, federal budget cuts; Severe weather season tears through Colorado May 23, 2025

Show notes

"Cruel" and "disastrous" is how Gov. Jared Polis describes the US House's budget plan. Meanwhile, Colorado cities sue him over housing requirements. Also, Polis on immigration and a pedestrian bridge proposed at the State Capitol. Then, a destructive start to severe weather season. Later, how two rafting companies navigate tariffs. And Joe Cocker joins the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He found inner peace in Colorado.

May 22, 2025: A 'final exam' for education -- in the classroom with Colorado's teacher of the year May 22, 2025

Show notes

Today we go inside the classroom, with Colorado's Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon of Delta High School, an alternative public school in Denver. How growing up in Colorado helped shape her as an educator, plus, her students share the qualities they've learned from her that will help them seize the summer. Also, documentary filmmaker and Colorado College alum Mike Shum speaks at graduation day. Plus, scientists estimate that as many as 75 percent of the insects in the world have vanished over the past 50 years. Among the species hardest hit: the Monarch butterfly. What you can do to help.

May 21, 2025: 'Countdown' examines how the U.S. is updating its ‘geriatric’ nuclear arsenal May 21, 2025

Show notes

This country’s nuclear arsenal is “geriatric.” And many of the people who maintain it are heading towards retirement. Plus, the agency that oversees the nuclear arsenal has not been immune to the possibility of federal staffing cuts. Colorado science writer Sarah Scoles examines the future of nuclear defense in her book, “Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons.” She spoke with Ryan Warner at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte during last spring's Mountain Words Festival.

Ryan will be back at this year's festival on May 24 to interview author Craig Childs, whose new book is "The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light."

May 20, 2025: Empowering and supporting an aging Colorado: the solutions the state’s considering May 20, 2025

Show notes

When it comes to planning for Colorado's fastest growing population, people 65 and older, the state's Senior Specialist on Aging, Kristine Burrows, says it needs to be a group effort that includes government, the business community, nonprofits, philanthropy, and anyone with a vision for big, bold ideas. The state just released a new report called "The Multi-Sector Plan on Aging." Today in a special Aging Matters on Colorado Matters, Burrows speaks with Chandra Thomas Whitfield in front of an audience at CPR, to talk about everything from healthcare and housing, to jobs for older workers and fighting ageism.

May 19, 2025: Polis on vetoes, housing laws; Evolving vision for downtown Denver May 19, 2025

Show notes

Governor Jared Polis is flexing his executive power. He vetoed a priority bill for Democrats and threatens to withhold funds from cities that don't follow new housing laws. Also, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston talks about an evolving vision for downtown Denver and big project investments. Then, Denver Post reporter Sam Tabachnik on his investigation into the death of a 7-year-old Grand County boy and the questions it raises about child abuse investigations. Later, a human trafficking survivor shares a message of strength at the Front Range Community College commencement. And the Green Box Arts Festival is back!

May 16, 2025: Denver mayor on immigration, federal lawsuit, and housing; CSU alum now at MSNBC May 16, 2025

Show notes

It’s been a trying year for Denver’s mayor. Mike Johnston has battled with the Trump administration over the city’s welcoming immigration policies. On the flipside, a top attraction, the 16th Street Mall, is finally reopening. Then, a steel startup in Boulder plans to make climate-friendly iron. And MSNBC's Eugene Daniels returns to his alma matter, CSU, as president of the White House Correspondents' Association.

May 15, 2025: Colorado raft supply companies navigate the uncertain waters of tariffs; Preserving oral histories May 15, 2025

Show notes

Navigating the on-again-off-again tariffs can be like navigating the rapids on a river in Colorado. We hear from two raft supply companies about the impact. Then, words to live by from the student speaker at Western Colorado University's commencement. Plus, how older Coloradans are connecting with kids in the classroom for mutual benefit. And a creative way to preserve oral histories in Denver's Curtis Park neighborhood.

May 14, 2025: Attorney General Weiser on 20 lawsuits and counting; Jewish music for all May 14, 2025

Show notes

President Trump has signed executive orders at a dizzying pace: 152 as of this morning. Any number of them affect Colorado. That has kept Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser very busy -- he's filed filed 20 lawsuits so far challenging some of those orders. Then, cuts to food aid are on the table as Congress considers a new spending bill. Plus, a landmark climate lawsuit moves forward in Boulder. And the second annual KlezKolorado festival is this weekend with Jewish music for everyone.

May 13, 2025: How receiving (and writing) letters brings happiness to seniors; 'The Invisible Patient' May 13, 2025

Show notes

When Angela Lee moved to Life Care Center of Evergreen, she was lonely. Until one day changed it all...Love For Our Elders is a non-profit organization that aims to relieve loneliness among people living in care facilities through letter writing. Then, a new documentary by a retiree in Grand Junction examines "The Invisible Patient" -- stories of families with mentally ill adult children, and a community trying to become a model for mental health care. Also, Seniors for Seniors pairs older pets with older adults.

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