Colorado Matters

Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.
Airs Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-10 a.m. & 7 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
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Latest Episodes

Podcast host Cody Hufstedler is shown smiling and leaning to the right while seated at a table with Aimee Dokes of Denver, who is also smiling. She is leaning inward from the right side of the photo.

March 20, 2025: Living a full life in the face of death; Senior community rallies around displaced residents

People who are dying have a lot to teach us, according to a Denver palliative care chaplain and host of the podcast, “Dying to Tell You,” which features people confronting death by reflecting on life. Then, the senior community rallies around residents displaced by an explosion at their care facility. Also, how Colorado’s black license plates may become a victim of their own success.
Spring gardening tips from Phelan Gardens in Colorado Springs

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.
LaRonda Jones with a crowd of protestors

March 18, 2025: A mother’s fight for justice; The unseen threat to Colorado’s bighorn sheep

LaRonda Jones, the mother of Kilyn Lewis, wants the new district attorney to reopen the investigation into the death of her son who was shot and killed during an encounter with Aurora police last May. Then, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is keeping a close eye on our iconic state animal, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Plus, how did Colorado’s high country parks come to be? And the legacy of a judicial trailblazer in Colorado.
CLIMAX MOLYBDENUM MINING JOBS

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.

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!
Zev Hauser in the NICU

March 13, 2025: Helping extremely premature babies defy the odds; Historic Park Theater’s haunted history

It used to be a death sentence for a baby born 23 weeks early. But many, like Zev Hauser, now survive. Today, we hear from Zev’s mother about the miraculous story of his birth and from his doctor, who says, with proper treatment, babies like Zev can now thrive. Then, the Historic Park Theater may very well be the oldest single-screen movie theater in the country, and its owner says it’s a real haunt! Plus, the “Color Book” starring an Aurora boy screens at the Boulder International Film Festival this weekend. And, we remember the many R&B and jazz legends who’ve recently passed.

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!

Staff

Tom Hesse.
Colorado Matters Western Slope Producer

Tom Hesse