Advertise on podcast: Colorado Matters

Oct. 14, 2026

We're speaking with the highest-profile candidates for U.S. Senate this week. Today, Republican candidate Mark Baisley. Baisley has served in the Colorado legislature since 2019 and previously worked in the aerospace and technology industries. We discuss a variety of issues including the economy and tariffs, the moving of Space Command, and whether he identifies as MAGA. Monday we heard from Forward Party candidate, Bob Chew. Wednesday on Colorado Matters at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., hear from the incumbent, Democrat John Hickenlooper. You can also listen to all three interviews now by clicking on their names. Plus, a long-time book store sells in Colorado Springs, along with a commitment to community.

We speak with the highest-profile candidates for U.S. Senate this week, starting with the Forward Party candidate, Bob Chew. He's spent more than $1 million of his own money on his campaign. We discuss a variety of issues including the one that got him into the race: the national debt. Tuesday on Colorado Matters at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., hear from Republican Mark Baisley and on Wednesday, the incumbent, Democrat John Hickenlooper. You can also listen to all three interviews now by clicking on their names. Plus, we "Raise the Curtain" on theater columnist John Moore's new play based on his mother, "The Crime Reporter," which has a reading on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Denver Press Club.

Stories of women at sea are rare — of Black women even rarer. Yet they were seafarers from the start. In her new memoir, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," Navy veteran, poet, and professor Khadijah Queen writes about service to country, to family and to self. For "Turn The Page with Colorado Matters," we spoke in front of an audience at Library 21c in the military town of Colorado Springs. Listen to a playlist of songs Queen invokes in her book by clicking here.

Today, we remember an unsung champion for justice and access. The lasting impact of Colorado Supreme Court justice Melissa Hart went beyond the courtroom. She died this month at the age of 57. Then, a long-vacant building in Denver is coming down; does it foreshadow what's to come? Also, the costs to consider when downsizing in Aging Matters. We "Raise the Curtain" on the fall theater season with critic John Moore. Plus, who should manage the iconic Maroon Bells? And a triumph in Colorado for Oprah Winfrey!

As winter approaches, enjoy the fall weather, and get vaccinated. That’s the word from an infectious disease specialist. He says the flu seems to be arriving early this season. He recommends people get the COVID vaccine too. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court's considering Boulder's environmental concerns, and a Colorado professor has created a concrete-like building material from a quick-growing bacteria that's environmentally-friendly. Plus, we meet a Colorado Springs painter, archiving what time changes through art.

Today, we visit a library where you don't just check out books, you check out nature. The new Anythink Nature Library is touted as the first of its kind in the nation. The $43 million, 33,000 square foot facility sits on 15 acres in Adams County adjacent to the 140 acre Aylor Open Space and includes trails, gardens, and even a mud pit. Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with Mark Fink, executive director of Anythink Libraries. She was joined by Manny Almonte, founder of "Camping to Connect" and some of its young participants for a special tour.

Democrat Phil Weiser has a blueprint for the future of Colorado. Ryan Warner asks how he’d roll out his proposals, wrangle the Colorado state budget and where he stands on a vote to fund a Front Range passenger rail. Then, does a "public education" campaign for COCO skirt campaign finance law? Plus, meet the new co-host of Colorado Today, Jackie Sedley! And remembering the late Colorado Supreme Court justice, Melissa Hart, through poetry.

Today and yesterday, we heard from the men who wish to represent Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District which includes Pueblo, Grand Junction and Durango. Today, Democrat Dwayne Romero. You can also listen to the interview with his challenger, Republican incumbent Jeff Hurd, here. Then, it's technically Colorado's largest reservoir, but drought has drained Blue Mesa. We also remember the musical legacy of Bruce Odland who found wonder inside an old water tank in Rangely. And we visit what was once known as the Fruit Belt of the Front Range ahead of Cider Days in Lakewood.

Today and tomorrow, we hear from the men who wish to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District which includes Pueblo, Grand Junction and Durango. We begin with the incumbent, Republican Jeff Hurd. You can also listen to the interview with his challenger, Democrat Dwayne Romero, here. Then, she traded in the basketball court at CSU for the comedy stage; Ryan speaks with Leslie Jones about her start in Fort Collins to her time on SNL and beyond as she returns to Colorado for shows in Pueblo and Denver Friday and Saturday.

The Colorado Book Awards honor our state's authors — in categories ranging from fiction to creative non-fiction, children's to poetry. Winners were announced over the weekend at The Tivoli in Denver. Senior Host Ryan Warner delivered the keynote and takes us on a literary road trip.

What does Crocs, a company based in Colorado, have in common with the tiny European country of Malta? It turns out a lot, if you look at taxes and how companies try to avoid them. New York Times investigative reporter Jesse Drucker spoke with CPR's Andrea Dukakis. Then, FEMA denies a portion of Colorado’s disaster aid request after this summer's wildfires. Plus, Democrats canvas the Western Slope to get people to vote. And for our series "Aging Matters," a 78-year-old Alamosa man reflects on how his father's small act of kindness had a lifetime of impact.

With just about 40 days 'til the election, the CPR voter guide is here. Ballots go out Friday. Editor Alejandro Alonso Galva helped put it together — with contributions from every corner of the newsroom. Then, Purplish takes a road trip to meet voters in many of the state's congressional districts.

Seasons lose their meaning – to some extent – because of climate change. It may be autumn, but Denver will see highs in the 80s this weekend. Then a change is coming. We talk about it with Lisa Hidalgo, chief meteorologist at Denver7, and the prospects for snow this winter. Then, what can Congress do in response to wildfires? Plus crunching the housing numbers. And Indie 102.3 celebrates Colorado artists ahead of the Local 303 Meetup on Monday at Bar 404 in Denver.

National Public Lands day is this weekend, and how those lands are managed, could be changing. Public lands writer Jonathan Thompson discusses shrinking monuments, roadless rules and other changes to land policy -- and the future of water tapped from the Colorado River. Then, Colorado's deep-rooted tattoo culture. Also, Colorado Wonders about an Old West bank robber who -- legend has it -- was shot and killed by her sheriff husband.