Colorado Matters

Colorado Public Radio
Colorado Public Radio
  • 4.4 (182)
  • Daily News
  • Updated Daily

Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.

  1. 1d ago

    August 18, 2026: Could rye help farmers weather the drought?; State law targets rideshare safety

    The San Luis Valley grows many of Colorado’s potatoes, barley and wheat. But there's another crop that could help farmers weather the drought. We'll explore the Rye Resurgence Project. Then, rideshare companies have new rules they have to follow in Colorado to keep riders safe. We get context from Purplish. Plus, answering a Colorado Wonders question about what drew Nicola Tesla to the state in 1899.

  2. 2d ago

    August 17, 2026: Victor Marx and a divided state GOP; Converting a coal mine into a solar farm

    Republicans in Colorado are divided over their gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx and over the party's general direction. Then, did White House officials brainstorm ways to punish Colorado? Also, Molson Coors reimagines its coal mine in Keenesburg as a solar farm. Then, the urgent effort to save Bent's Old Fort in the San Luis Valley. And we re-share radio poems with David Rothman.

  3. 5d ago

    August 14, 2026: History Colorado marks the state's 150th with a nod to the Women's Bank of Denver

    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. Their story is now showcased at History Colorado to celebrate the sesquicentennial, with items that include the bank's opening day financial ledger. Senior Host Ryan Warner spoke with financial journalist Grace L. Williams, author of "Give Her Credit: The Untold Story of a Women's Bank That Empowered a Generation" last year at History Colorado Center. We're resharing that conversation as part of the state's 150th birthday.

  4. 6d ago

    August 13, 2026: New state historian; Next chapter for neighborhood of proposed Broncos; Mark Stevens' latest thriller

    Nicki Gonzales, Colorado’s new state historian has deep roots in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. It’s one reason she’s forged an expertise in the history of the American West. Particularly interested in race relations and social and political movements, Gonzales has plans for what she hopes to accomplish during her year-long tenure. Then, the neighborhood next to where the Denver Broncos want to build their new football stadium has seen a lot of changes over the years; recently, the area has housed immigrants from around the world, white-collar workers, and a significant Latino population. But Denverite reports that its next chapter has some longtime residents worried. Also, a conversation with one of the first companies in the state to produce mushrooms for psilocybin-assisted therapy. And, Colorado-based writer is back with the second chapter of his Flynn Martin trilogy, "Two Truths and a Lie."

  5. Aug 12

    August 12, 2026: A protest that helped launch a movement

    You can draw a line between a protest in Denver and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A half century later, the fight for access continues. Today we share some of that history with NPR's podcast, "The Sunday Story," hosted by Ayesha Rascoe with guests Joseph Shapiro from NPR and CPR's Stephanie Wolf, and we look ahead at the current challenges. Then, the world premiere of a play at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts inspired by the movement, called "504: The Musical." Director Ben Raanan and actor Jolee Harston from Phamaly Theatre Company spoke with CPR's Alejandro Alonso Galva for our series "Raise the Curtain."

  6. Aug 11

    August 11, 2026: Why kids are more susceptible than ever before to porn and what parents need to know

    Research finds that kids are exposed to online pornography more often, and at younger ages, than ever before, thanks to technology and social media. The effects are often damaging, negatively shaping how they understand relationships, consent, and even their own bodies. We speak with Craig Knippenberg, a licensed clinical social worker, family therapist and author about the trend and what parents need to know. Plus, we revisit concerns about an increase in motorcycle accidents in Colorado with BikerDown, a Lakewood-based non-profit that helps injured riders and their families recover.

  7. Aug 10

    August 10, 2026: Creating a sustainable golf course that's wildlife, pollinator and plant-friendly

    When it comes to wildlife and water use, golf courses have room for improvement. Today, a one-of-a-kind partnership between golfers and the botanic gardens. Then, the town of Kremmling has pulled itself out of a water crisis, for now. And on her album "Appalachia," a Ouray singer-songwriter contrasts her hometown mountains with her adopted Rockies.

  8. Aug 7

    August 7, 2026: Investigating law enforcement's hiring practices; A sense of place in the San Luis Valley

    A sheriff's office is under federal scrutiny for its hiring practices; the effects could ripple across the state. Then, filmmaker Rick Vigil is preserving the oral history of people who call the San Luis Valley home. Also, what to know about staying safe from lightning. And singer/songwriter Isaac Slade returns to Colorado to wish his home state a happy 150th.

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Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.

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