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

Feb. 4, 2025: Legislature debates the Labor Peace Act; AI judging and the X-Games

Colorado’s Labor Peace Act makes it harder to organize unions compared to other states. Now, Purplish weighs in as the legislature debates if the unique, more-than-80-year-old law should be repealed. Also, this year’s X Games competition in Aspen featured something new — Artificial Intelligence. Could the trial run start a revolution to replace human-judged competitions going forward? And, the 155-acre, former Park Hill Golf Course has been at the center of a years-long battle. Soon it will become Denver’s newest public park. And, tips for decluttering.

Feb. 3, 2025: Federal workers have a decision to make; Remembering the ‘Cowboy Chancellor’

Federal employees have until Thursday to resign voluntarily. There are 40,000 U.S. government workers in Colorado. Tom Temin, the host of the Federal Drive and columnist for the Federal News Network, at outlet for government workers, joins us. Then, what do Colorado voters think about the Trump presidency so far? Plus, remembering Daniel Ritchie, a steward of arts and education known as the “Cowboy Chancellor.” Later, State Sen. Iman Jodeh breaks down stereotypes about the hijab. And go for another ride in the Great Dale House Car.
An oak wood desk displays a light blue and white MacBook desktop and other items from the era. The exhibit is modeled after a bedroom from the time.

Jan. 30, 2025: Colorado seniors navigate the digital divide; Planning for wildfire before it happens

Healthcare, housing, entertainment, and even friendships are all pretty much managed by technology, whether it’s on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many people 65 and older are still on the wrong side of the so-called digital divide, but there are programs designed to help. Then, amid the devastation left by wildfires in California, or the Marshall Fire, an expert weighs in on how your family can plan and prepare before a disaster happens. And, Bill Frisell earns another Grammy nomination.
Kenneth Genalo, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's

Jan. 29, 2025: ICE deportation appears imminent in Colorado; Celebrating the Lunar New Year

The long-promised “Operation Aurora” crackdown on unlawful immigration looks like it’s about to begin in Colorado. We’ll sort through the developments. Then, with or without the United States, the world pursues green energy. Plus a threatened federal funding freeze sheds light on how much the state’s largest safety-net hospital relies on federal money. And Colorado marks the Lunar New Year with a state holiday.
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Jan. 28, 2025: Transparency, accountability at the state capitol; Courts reject autonomy for elephants

They’re called SMART hearings, designed to create accountability for state lawmakers, but do they actually make a difference? We’ll explore that with Purplish. Then, a group that wants to remove elephants from a Colorado zoo says it’s not giving up, even after the state supreme court rejected the idea. Plus, join CPR’s Sam Brasch for a discussion about wolf reintroduction on February 6. Plus, how the country’s highest suspension bridge came to span the Royal Gorge. And getting ready to celebrate the state’s sesquicentennial.
Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo is holding a microphone outside at a weather conference in Steamboat Springs, Jan. 24, 2025.

Jan. 24, 2025: Denver7’s Lisa Hidalgo on cold, snow, and her love for meteorology; Refugee resettlement stalls

From the bitter cold to wind chill, snowpack, climate science, and her love for meteorology, Denver7’s new chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo joins us. Then, refugees find themselves in limbo after their flights are canceled by the Trump administration. We’ll hear from one of Colorado’s official resettlement agencies. Plus, the world’s largest passenger plane is heading to Colorado. And a new play in Boulder weaves together environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and an unlikely romance.

Staff

Tom Hesse.
Colorado Matters Western Slope Producer

Tom Hesse