Colorado Matters

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.

Now that this year's state legislative session has ended, what did lawmakers accomplish? And what did they miss? We'll take stock with "Purplish." Plus two freshman lawmakers reflect on their experience. And a little poetry to sum up the session.

Colorado's a flashpoint when it comes to immigration, especially Aurora and Denver, which the new administration has singled out. CPR justice reporter Allison Sherry and Denverite's Kyle Harris join a roundtable with our colleagues at "The Middle" hosted by Jeremy Dobson. Then, a milestone for construction on Colfax Avenue. Plus, a new passenger train could be on track for the mountains. And changes at Ford Amphitheater to address noise complaints as a new season kicks off.

A bike maker in Colorado Springs has been building Colorado-inspired bicycles for more than a decade, but the reality of tariffs means going out of business. And, from mass layoffs at the Department of Education to a crusade against DEI in schools, the Trump Administration has sent shockwaves through Colorado classrooms. Also, Welcome to the Indieverse!

How much did Colorado lawmakers cross off their "to do" list, and what's left to do as they head into the final day of the legislative session? Then, what potential federal funding cuts could mean to public media in Colorado. Plus, how the Colorado Flower Collective is helping local flower farmers. Later, words to remember to stay safe from lightning this severe weather season. And celebrate 25 years of otherworldly observations in the San Luis Valley.

Federal funding cuts are creating a domino effect for Colorado nonprofits as they work to figure out what's next. Then, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright says he's not a climate change denier; he's a climate change realist. What does that mean for alternative sources of energy? Plus, author Tommy Orange's commencement message for the graduating class of Fort Lewis College in Durango.

It's a rough time for commercial real estate. Could vacant high-rises be turned into apartments? In downtown Denver, a developer has bought two buildings with that in mind. We'll find out what a conversion takes. Then, United's new flight to Rome is the latest example of the airline's investment in Denver. Plus, Purplish explores a rare veto showdown at the state Capitol. And, remembering Denver's Jill Sobule.

Not that long ago, women seeking a loan or line of credit faced invasive questions from bankers. "Are you planning on having children?" "What type of birth control are you using?" "Where's your husband?" Against that backdrop, in the 1970s, The Women's Bank of Denver was founded--changing financial lives for generations. Sr. Host Ryan Warner speaks with financial journalist Grace L. Williams, author of "Give Her Credit," at History Colorado Center. This interview first aired on February 17, 2025.

As President Trump marks 100 days in office, we get a read from Colorado's Congressional delegation and the state's voters. Then, she was the first female professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, but she had a secret that remained hidden for nearly a century. Plus, Colorado Wonders about a disappearing river. And, are you ready to evacuate if there's an emergency? We'll get insight into how to prepare and plan with the start of wildfire season.

We check-in with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo as severe weather season begins, and find out what weather phenomenon fascinates her the most. Then, one family's concern as Congress grapples with the future of Medicaid. Plus, a friendship forged in the aftermath of war 50 years after the Fall of Saigon. Also, in our series Aging Matters, researching robots to fight isolation in senior residential facilities. And, we celebrate International Jazz Day!

For the past 20 years... the Denver-based, grassroots non-profit Africa Agenda has been working to build and elevate relationships between Colorado and the continent of Africa. George Bamu is its founder and executive director and his organization often works closely with state Rep. Naquetta Ricks. Then, an entrepreneur based in Broomfield has a vision to bring authentic fashion from Africa to Colorado. Koya Nyangi is a stylist and fashion blogger from Kenya and the founder of Let Me Show You Different. We spoke in 2024.

Whether it's tariffs, immigration, or the self-proclaimed Department of Government Efficiency, President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office have been a whirlwind. Two lawmakers from different parties and different Capitols share their perspectives: Congressman Joe Neguse, a Democrat, and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Republican. They joined CPR's Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim for a live edition of Purplish recorded in front of an audience at the Buell Public Media Center in Denver.

In his memoir, Oscar "Osi" Sladek shares the unforgettable story of how he and his parents survived the Holocaust, while many other members of their extended family perished. "Escape to the Tatras" culminates in the story of Sladek's folk music career. In an interview with Ryan Warner, Sladek also reflects on faith and continued antisemitism. Sladek celebrated his 90th birthday this spring. This interview originally aired on January 27, 2023.

In World War II, an all women of color battalion solved an enormous backlog of mail between the homefront and the battlefront. Now, they're finally getting recognition with a Congressional Gold Medal. Then, land ravaged by a flash flood in 2013 becomes a budding fruit orchard in Lyons to give back to the community. Plus, training to fight wildfires from the air, the decades-long effort to bring clean water to southern Colorado, and a furniture bank furnishes new starts.

As Colorado looks toward the potential of tapping geothermal energy, we explore where it's being used already and considerations moving forward. Then, an 11th grader is honored for her answer to this question: "What's your message to the president?" Plus, the federal budget cuts hit AmeriCorps. And the husband-wife music duo, Tennis reflect on their final album and their journey through music, marriage, and finding balance.

With all the debate about where to get energy, from oil and coal to wind and solar, there's one source we don't hear a lot about. Hot water. Colorado wants to become a leader in developing geothermal energy, but the debate on how to do that is heating up itself. Colorado In Depth explores what we know, and don't know about this energy resource. Then, Coloradans reflect on the impact of Pope Francis.

Regis University President Salvador Aceves says he was struck by the Pope's humanity when they met last year. Aceves reflects on the Pope's impact and legacy as the world mourns. Then, Purplish looks into the state's protections for immigrants as state lawmakers debate what to do next. Also, "The Trip" explores how psilocybin might treat postpartum depression. And using comedy to offset the anxiety of climate change.

The Colorado Auto Show opens today amid tariffs. We ask the head of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association about car buying in today's economy. Then, a judge on the Western Slope orders ICE to stay out of county courthouses. Also, a man who dresses as a chicken has a serious message about self-care in Colorado's ski towns. Plus, as the Nuggets begin the playoffs, the untold story of star center Nikola Jokić, the FoCoMX music festival begins, and how an ice castle and troll are helping towns in Teller County.

Imagine living abroad, or even in another part of the U.S. for a few months or longer, with your family in tow and using the world as your classroom. It might not be as far-fetched as you think. Three Boulder moms wrote a book on how to do it: "Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling." Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with co-author Julie Frieder in August, as well as a Denver family who took up the adventure. This is an encore episode of Colorado Matters which first aired on August 27, 2024.

Comedian Nancy Norton shares highlights from The Tromedy Podcast. Norton, a former nurse in Boulder, is trained in therapeutic humor. Then, for a second year, Colorado sends a Windsor High School student to the Poetry Out Loud national finals. And, an astrophysicist at NCAR receives one of France's highest honors.