
March 19, 2025: Fighting violent crime in Pueblo; From plants to pests, spring gardening questions answered!
The big city with the highest violent crime rate in Colorado is Pueblo. But they’ve managed to get their murder rate down by cracking down on other offenses. Then, the lure of spring gardening is upon us! Ryan goes to a greenhouse in Colorado Springs to answer listener questions, from plants to pests. Plus, new poetry from Robin Walter, a CSU professor. And “The Middle” comes to Colorado to talk about energy.

By Ryan Warner

Poems about health– both mental and ecological
Colorado State University professor and poet Robin Walter has a new collection. “Little Mercy,” which comes out April 1, 2025, is about ecological and mental health, and their interplay. She previews the release with a reading of “There must be an animal come from there.”

By Ryan Warner

March 17, 2025: Mining politics and policy; It’s crunch time at the state Capitol
From molybdenum to lithium, modern life depends on chemicals. But what the U.S. mines is rarely processed here. We’ll get perspective on how mining could change under the Trump administration amid rare bipartisan agreement. Then, it’s crunch time for state lawmakers as the session reaches the halfway point; Purplish looks at the big issues that still need to be resolved, including a balanced budget. Plus, it’s a buyer’s market in metro Denver.

By Ryan Warner

What a new administration means for mining
Mining policy is likely to change under a new Trump Administration, though perhaps not by as much as would be expected. Morgan Bazilian, a Colorado School of Mines professor and director of the Payne Institute of Public Policy, says a bipartisan effort to boost mining in America was already underway.


March 14, 2025: Wage theft investigation at Denver strip clubs; Step into a storied room at The Brown Palace
They’re being charged… to work. At two Denver strip clubs, employees of all kinds are victims of wage theft, according to an investigation by the city. The clubs say they’re being unfairly targeted. Then, President Trump plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of his deportation plan. The law has a dark history in Colorado. Plus, transparency in state government, The Brown Palace’s place in the 1911 Chinese revolution, and Avourneen celebrates St. Patrick’s Day!

By Ryan Warner

March 12, 2025: ‘Wind phones’ provide unique connection; Turning to town halls for answers, accountability
Russ Young of Littleton, speaks to his late wife in a garden, on a phone that’s not connected to anything. It’s known as a wind phone, a unique way to cope with grief. Then, Coloradans are turning to town halls for answers and accountability from their congressmembers. Later, a Colorado researcher’s groundbreaking research that shows being gay is not a mental illness. And later, a Denver chef will be cooking on TV!

By Ryan Warner

Longing to speak to someone who has died? Pick up one of Colorado’s ‘wind phones’
“This phone is here for everyone who has lost a loved one. The phone is an outlet for those who have messages they wish to share with their lost friends and family. It’s a phone for memories and saying the goodbyes you never got to say.”


March 10, 2025: Pursuit of justice for sex assault survivors amid case backlog; Forests out of carbon balance
Survivors of sexual assault in Colorado often wait more than a year and a half for DNA results in their cases. Without results, criminal investigations may stall. Purplish looks at how state lawmakers hope to fix this problem. Then, the Justice Department examines the conviction of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. And why are Colorado’s forests emitting more carbon than they take in? Plus, tracking illicit drugs through wastewater.

By Ryan Warner

Why is it sometimes colder down in cities on the Front Range than up in the foothills?
The answer lies in which direction the cold air comes from.

By Ryan Warner

March 7, 2025: Life as a trans woman under the Trump administration; The sandhill cranes are back!
In the eyes of the Trump Administration, trans people do not exist. The president signed an executive order declaring, in part, “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.” Reality is more nuanced than that. We get perspective from Rev. Paula Stone Williams, a pastor, therapist, and mayor pro tem of Lyons, Colorado. Then, the sandhill cranes return this weekend to the San Luis Valley. Plus, how USDA cuts are affecting Colorado.

By Ryan Warner

On being trans under Trump 2.0
Speaker, pastor, therapist, and Colorado elected official Paula Stone Williams discusses her experiences as a trans woman under the new administration. Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that trans people do not exist. Williams, mayor pro tem of Lyons, is the author of “As a Woman: What I Learned about Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy after I Transitioned.”

By Ryan Warner

March 5, 2025: What doctors are watching for 5 years after the first case of COVID; Colorado’s Lunar Outpost
Colorado confirmed its first COVID case 5 years ago. Today, vaccination rates are flagging, and so are investments in our health. We’ll get a check-up on COVID and what doctors are watching for now. Then, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testifies in Washington, D.C. about so-called sanctuary cities and immigration. Plus, a Colorado company’s about to make history on the Moon in more ways than one. And, Colorado Wonders about the state’s sugar beet industry.

By Ryan Warner

March 3, 2025: ‘Colorado Today’ a daily dose of news; ‘Buy Colorado Day’ eyes global marketplace
Our coverage of Colorado deepens today with the launch of CPR’s new daily podcast, “Colorado Today.” We share the inaugural episode and meet hosts Bazi Kanani and Arlo Pérez Esquivel. Plus, today is a new state holiday: “Buy Colorado Day.” It elevates supporting local businesses and building Colorado’s brand across the world.

By Ryan Warner

Meet Arlo and Bazi, the hosts of CPR’s new daily news podcast, ‘Colorado Today’
Arlo Pérez Esquivel and Bazi Kanani are the hosts of CPR’s new daily news podcast, “Colorado Today.” They spoke on stage in front of an audience with Colorado Matters Senior Host Ryan Warner.

By Ryan Warner

It’s the first Buy Colorado Day
Today, March 3rd (303) is a new state holiday. The legislature has proclaimed this Buy Colorado Day, and this week, Buy Colorado Week.

By Ryan Warner

Feb. 28, 2025: Rep. Jeff Hurd on DOGE cuts, Medicaid and BLM; Do boycotts make a difference?
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, (R) answers questions about DOGE, possible Medicaid cuts, relocating the BLM, and the fact that people close to the president have made what appear to be Nazi salutes. Then, boycotts in the digital age. Also, a Colorado Wonders question about property taxes. And a Denver filmmaker is up for an Oscar for “Anuja,” his film about sisterly love amid the trappings of child labor.

By Ryan Warner