Colorado Matters

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June 3, 2026: Colorado reforms sports betting; A dream fulfilled for Greek and Indigenous artist Anna Tsouhlarakis Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

The first reform to sports gambling in Colorado was signed into law on Monday. It addresses growing concerns about addiction and financial ruin. CPR investigative reporter Ben Markus has covered sports betting since before it was even legal, and spoke about the changes with Ryan Warner. Then, it's a dream come true for Greek and Indigenous artist Anna Tsouhlarakis whose work is now featured in the Whitney Biennial. And, what stress levels in a tiny pika can tell us about a changing climate.

June 2, 2026: The Republicans who want to be governor; Who is the future of farming? Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Colorado hasn't elected a Republican governor in nearly 30 years. Three Republicans on the primary ballot are hoping to change that. Purplish takes a closer look at the field; yesterday, we heard about the two Democrats on the primary ballot. Then, as the average American farmer nears retirement age, there's growing concern about who will take over for them; a new program hopes to inspire and support the next generation.

June 1, 2026: Head of Colorado's county clerks on Tina Peters' release; The two Democrats vying for governor Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was released from prison today after Governor Jared Polis commuted her sentence. We ask Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, about the release and the Trump administration's pushback against voting by mail. Then, Purplish breaks down the candidates for governor: today, the two Democrats; tomorrow, the three Republicans. And we share another commencement speech during graduation season; this time, Vice President JD Vance who spoke at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

May 29, 2026: Longing was her lover May 29, 2026

Show notes

It stung to hear. Amanda McCracken’s therapist told her, “longing is your lover.” This followed decades of dates, flings, and fantasies, but no committed relationship. The Boulder journalist turned her search for a solution into a cottage industry. She has a podcast called “The Longing Lab.” She did a popular TED Talk. And her new book is “When Longing Becomes Your Lover.”

May 28, 2026: Finding a fix for Colorado's broken child care system May 28, 2026

Show notes

Finding affordable child care is a major challenge for many parents, and it's especially true for essential workers on 12 or 48 hour shifts. The system isn’t built for them. That's just one reason CPR News has launched a new series, "Raising Colorado: The untold costs of a broken child care system." It's led by CPR education reporter Jenny Brundin and we're featuring her work today, taking a deeper dive into what's happening. She shares the story of firefighter James Ferraro and his wife Chelsea, a nurse. They're trying to balance work and two young kids with no family in town. Jenny also speaks with Denver-based author Elliot Haspel author of "Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American has a Stake in Child Care for All."

May 27, 2026: Julie Gonzales shares her vision for US Senate in primary bid; Colorado's Tiny Desk finalist May 27, 2026

Show notes

Julie Gonzales wants to make John Hickenlooper a one-term senator. The state lawmaker is running against him in the Democratic primary and spoke with Ryan Warner about her vision and priorities. Then, a commencement speaker at Front Range Community College who refused to give in to life's obstacles. Plus, how Denver is trying to keep beavers at bay. And meet Lauren Frihauf, the Denver singer/songwriter who made the finals of NPR's Tiny Desk Contest!

May 26, 2026: 'Portraits in Aging' as Colorado and the US mark milestones May 26, 2026

Show notes

As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 on July 4th and Colorado prepares to celebrate 150 years of statehood on August 1st, today for our series Aging Matters, we feature “Portraits In Aging,” a series of conversations Chandra Thomas Whitfield had with a diverse mix of Coloradans who talk about what it’s like growing older here. Aging, in their own words. And their perspectives are especially relevant and timely; those age 65 and older are the fastest growing population in our state, impacting everything here from housing to healthcare.

May 25, 2026: From helping the brain learn to treating addiction and trauma, exploring the effects of psychedelics May 25, 2026

Show notes

As Colorado embarks on its psychedelic experiment, people can now receive psilocybin-assisted therapy at healing centers. The state is also grappling with how to enable therapy with the psychedelic ibogaine, which has shown promise for treating addiction. The use of psychedelic-assisted therapy was a component of Colorado’s psychedelic law approved by voters in 2022. We share a conversation from the most recent Aspen Ideas Festival as part of our coverage, "The Trip," about Colorado’s psychedelic journey. Krista Tippett, who created and hosts the podcast “On Being,” interviewed Gül Dölen, a psychology professor at the University of California Berkeley and a leader in psychedelics research. This episode of Colorado Matters originally aired on February 2, 2026

May 22, 2026: Backlash after Polis' commutation of Peters; Holiday weather; Denver mayor on homelessness, May 22, 2026

Show notes

The Democratic Party formally censured Gov. Jared Polis this week after he commuted the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. CPR public affairs Bente Birkeland joins us with context about the censure, and what's next for Peters. Then, Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo has the weather outlook for the Memorial Day holiday weekend and if this week's rain had any impact on the statewide drought. Plus, an inspiring commencement speech at Red Rocks Community College. And Ryan sits down with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston to ask about the new homelessness count, data centers, crime, rapid bus transit and courting the DNC.

May 21, 2026: Making their case for Attorney General; Forum features three of four Democrats on AG primary ballot May 21, 2026

Show notes

Ahead of the primary election, we hear from three of the four Democratic candidates for state attorney general. Former federal prosecutor Hetal Doshi, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, and attorney David Seligman. They took part in a candidate forum moderated by Chandra Thomas Whitfield at the Colorado Women's Bar Association conference in Vail on Friday, May 15, 2026. The fourth Democratic candidate on the primary ballot, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, did not participate. The two candidates on the Republican primary ballot, Colorado Springs District Attorney Michael Allen and attorney David Willson, were also invited to take part. Allen declined and Willson was unable to attend at the last minute.

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