Advertise on podcast: Colorado Matters

President Trump has made it clear: He has beef with Colorado, from his ire over the presidential portrait that once hung in the State Capitol to mail-in balloting to immigration policy. We delve into that with Purplish. Then, long before the COVID pandemic, novelist Peter Heller imagined a world wiped out by a virus, and some lonely Colorado survivors, in his debut novel, "The Dog Star" in 2012. Now it's headed to the big screen. 

He’s been U.S. Senator, Interior Secretary, and Ambassador to Mexico. Now, Ken Salazar is donating his papers and many keepsakes to History Colorado. They paint a picture of his public service and of his family’s deep roots in The San Luis Valley. Then, a promise to high schoolers in the Gunnison Valley of free tuition to Western Colorado University. Plus, we "Raise the Curtain" on the new play "Cowboys and East Indians" with Fort Collins author Nina McConigley. And the Colorado Symphony debuts in NYC! 

Club 20 has been the political force on Colorado’s Western Slope since the 1950s. The group’s newest leader says he wants to be a lot louder fighting for issues in the region while also being more hospitable to Front Range politicians. Then, for Aging Matters, we share another "Portrait in Aging," celebrating our state's fastest-growing population. Today, an 80-year-old Arvada woman who still loves to work. Plus, the pushback and debate over coal power plants in Colorado. Also, Colorado's Great Outdoors is not always inclusive of people with disabilities; a new booking platform works to change that. And, we "Raise the Curtain" on the future of local theater and anticipated shows this season. 

The president just suggested nationalizing elections. The constitution has something to say about that. So does our guest, Matt Crane, the head of the Colorado County Clerks Association. Then, two Colorado-based figure skating coaches talk about the artistry, pressure, and finding balance as three of their skaters get ready to compete at the Olympics. Plus, why some parents are opting for landlines instead of smart phones for children. And the Colorado South Asian artist collective celebrates its first anniversary in Evergreen and looks forward to the future. 

The first healing centers to offer therapy using psychedelics are open in Colorado and they've been a longtime coming. They're meant to treat things like PTSD and depression. For our series, The Trip: CPR’s Coverage of Colorado’s Psychedelic Journey, Denverite's Kiara DeMare visited some of these new facilities. Then, state lawmakers will consider a bill today with the goal of reducing domestic violence fatalities. Plus, still trying to make good on that New Year's Resolution to kick that tobacco habit? The good news is that there's free help available and an extra incentive through Colorado Quitline. And we "Raise the Curtain" with theatre critic John Moore of the Denver Gazette who shares highlights of the recent True West Awards and the healing power of theatre and storytelling. 

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. 

As some Coloradans halt work to protest today, Congress is at work-- to avert a shutdown. The future of ICE is central to both. Then, "I'll consider her case--as I would any other." The governor has said that repeatedly -- when asked about clemency for Tina Peters. We looked into his past pardons for clues. Also, 40 years ago, Americans watched as Challenger broke apart; we speak with a CU Boulder professor who worked for NASA. Plus, we meet Colorado's new poet laureate; Crisosto Apache of Lakewood is the first Indigenous person to hold the title. And, Colorado Wonders about a cluster of curvy courts on Denver's North Side. 

Although she's been a theater actress for most of her life, Jenna Bainbridge never envisioned herself performing on the grandest of stages -- Broadway. The issue wasn't one of talent or confidence, but rather, accessibility. Partially paralyzed as a child, Bainbridge didn't think she'd find the accommodations necessary for her to live and work in New York. However she's now performing on Broadway in the long-running hit, Wicked.

Rural life often means being exposed to the sun. With it: the risk of skin cancer. But dermatologists can be hard to come by in the country. At least one practice, though, is making investments in small towns. Then, Colorado has taken some costly hits from the Trump Administration in recent months. It might seem punitive, but the growing number has others seeing a pattern. Also, as a store close to her heart changes hands, Kali Fajardo-Anstine, bestselling author of "Woman of Light" and "Sabrina and Corina," provides an ode to the independent bookstore. And, meet our new CPR Classical host, Monique Brooks Roberts. 

Public transit touches nearly every corner of life in Colorado, from how people get to work to how our region grows. But the state’s largest transit agency is facing big questions from riders, workers, and lawmakers about reliability, safety and trust. CPR's Haylee May spoke with RTD CEO and GM Debra Johnson. Then, amid DEI backlash, a statewide coalition is working to share the stories of diverse communities here, starting with working to ensure the media outlets they support, stick around. We speak with Brittany Winkfield, the executive director of the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange. 

This legislative session is the swan song for Colorado's outgoing governor, Jared Polis. He still has a lot on his "to do" list, but policy clashes within his own party could create some challenges. We explore that today with Purplish. Then, a researcher at the Colorado School of Mines has developed a new way to treat deep wounds, and that could just be the beginning for its use. Also, what Colorado's two largest cities are doing to send a message to ICE. Plus, we answer a Colorado Wonders question about the impact of moose on our state. 

You can't go home again, as the saying goes. But Denver author Josiah Hesse did. He returned to Mason City, Iowa — with a journalistic lens— to better understand his evangelical upbringing, and the social and economic forces that shaped it. We spoke in front of an audience at the Denver Press Club for the release of "On Fire for God: Fear, Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right – a Personal History." 

Colorado now has a plan to reintroduce wolverines to the state, but meantime, the reintroduction of wolves is on hold for now. Then, cannabis businesses are still waiting for the executive order to reclassify marijuana to take effect. Also, a milestone for the survival rate for all types of cancer combined. We re-visiting Southern Colorado's "Gathering Place" and celebrate a pop culture moment with DeVotchKa. 

An arctic blast is moving into Colorado after months of record warmth; we talk about the impact with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. Then, a survivor of childhood polio shares her story in the face of changing vaccine guidelines. Plus, former Denver Bronco Ryan Harris is back as the team prepares for the AFC championship game without its starting quarterback. And the Local 303 shares new music from Colorado artists for the new year! 

Teachers in Colorado are chronically tired, underpaid, and leaving the classroom in record numbers. A new report from the Colorado Education Association shows the situation is more complicated now because of directives handed down by the Trump administration and new conditions in the classroom. Then, how climate change is shaping some students in Boulder. Plus, as the New Year starts, rethinking sustainability through the clothes we buy. Also, cattle ranchers navigate the hard realities of supply and demand at the Stock Show. Later, restoring the Governor's office to its original grandeur, a chance to get organized, and creating tactile photography.