Colorado Matters

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Jan. 31, 2025: Paying college athletes; Colorado's most endangered places Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

College athletics will never be the same; the state legislature may let universities pay players. Federal court settlements are forcing the changes. Then, four historic locations in Colorado have been added to the state's most endangered places list. Plus, it's skijoring season! And the Local 303 shares the top Colorado artists of 2024 as chosen by listeners.

Jan. 30, 2025: Colorado seniors navigate the digital divide; Planning for wildfire before it happens Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Healthcare, housing, entertainment, and even friendships are all pretty much managed by technology, whether it's on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many people 65 and older are still on the wrong side of the so-called digital divide, but there are programs designed to help. Then, amid the devastation left by wildfires in California, or the Marshall Fire, an expert weighs in on how your family can plan and prepare before a disaster happens. And, Bill Frisell earns another Grammy nomination.

Jan. 29, 2025: ICE deportation appears imminent in Colorado; Celebrating the Lunar New Year Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

The long-promised "Operation Aurora" crackdown on unlawful immigration looks like it's about to begin in Colorado. We'll sort through the developments. Then, with or without the United States, the world pursues green energy. Plus a threatened federal funding freeze sheds light on how much the state's largest safety-net hospital relies on federal money. And Colorado marks the Lunar New Year with a state holiday.

Jan. 28, 2025: Transparency, accountability at the state capitol; Courts reject autonomy for elephants Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

They're called SMART hearings, designed to create accountability for state lawmakers, but do they actually make a difference? We'll explore that with Purplish. Then, a group that wants to remove elephants from a Colorado zoo says it's not giving up, even after the state supreme court rejected the idea. Plus, join CPR's Sam Brasch for a discussion about wolf reintroduction on February 6. Plus, how the country's highest suspension bridge came to span the Royal Gorge. And getting ready to celebrate the state's sesquicentennial.

Jan. 27, 2025: Preservationist Dana Crawford; 'The Reservoir' takes on tough subjects with comedy Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

She loved old buildings. And fought to save them from the wrecking ball. Today, we remember Colorado developer and preservationist Dana Crawford who's died at age 93. Then, playwright, and recovering alcoholic, Jake Brasch, takes us inside his mind with his new play, "The Reservoir" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Jan. 24, 2025: Denver7's Lisa Hidalgo on cold, snow, and her love for meteorology; Refugee resettlement stalls Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

From the bitter cold to wind chill, snowpack, climate science, and her love for meteorology, Denver7's new chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo joins us. Then, refugees find themselves in limbo after their flights are canceled by the Trump administration. We'll hear from one of Colorado's official resettlement agencies. Plus, the world's largest passenger plane is heading to Colorado. And a new play in Boulder weaves together environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and an unlikely romance.

Jan. 23, 2025: Colorado may be in conflict with new immigration directives; Remembering Bill McCartney Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

New guidelines from the Trump administration regarding federal standards on immigration enforcement could conflict with state laws. Just how far will the new federal directives on immigration enforcement go? And, how far will Colorado go to stop them? Then, the University of Colorado remembers Bill McCartney, the winningest football coach in school history. Also, an up and coming writer and director from Denver talks about his new film, "Breakup Season." And, what a way to "kick off" the year for Colorado born-and-raised jazz musician Tony Exum, Jr.

Jan. 22, 2025: Colorado defends birthright citizenship; January 6th pardons include Coloradans Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

A day after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, Colorado’s attorney general sued him over changes to birthright citizenship. Phil Weiser joins AGs from Maine to Hawaii in challenging President Trump’s executive order, titled, “Protecting The Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” Then, the January 6th pardons include at least 20 Coloradans. Plus, a DACA recipient on his constant fear of deportation. And how wildfire inspired author Laura Pritchett.

Jan. 21, 2025: More wolves released in Colorado; Ripple effect of wildfires on insurance rates Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Colorado has released more wolves to the Western Slope, this time in Eagle and Pitkin counties, but the effort to reintroduce the endangered species continues to divide. Then, how the wildfires in California could have a ripple effect on home insurance in Colorado, which is already outpacing the national average. Plus, how a small Colorado business is bracing for tariffs. And former Denver Nugget and NBA superstar, the late Dikembe Mutombo, is honored for his humanitarianism.

Jan. 17, 2025: How new immigration policies could affect Colorado; New priorities for a new Congress Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump's inauguration Monday marks a new era. And of all the ways it could affect Colorado, the most immediate might be immigration. Then, Purplish looks at the changing face of Colorado's congressional delegation and the priorities ahead for Congress. Plus, a Colorado Springs violin maker crafts a 300-year legacy with his instruments.

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