May 27, 2025: Can psilocybin help veterans overcome PTSD? Black Lives Matters five years after George Floyd’s murder
Today, the stories of two Colorado veterans who’ve had two different experiences with PTSD and how to treat it. Could psilocybin be the answer, and if it is, what are the challenges to getting it? We find out with “The Trip: CPR’s Coverage of Colorado’s Psychedelic Journey.” Then, five years after the death of George Floyd, where does the Black Lives Matters movement stand? Plus, it’s the beginning of the end for the penny. And, the story of a special education teacher in Colorado, and the effort to recruit and train more.
May 22, 2025: A ‘final exam’ for education — in the classroom with Colorado’s teacher of the year; Monarch migration
Today we go inside the classroom, with Colorado’s Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon of Delta High School, an alternative public school in Denver. How growing up in Colorado helped shape her as an educator, plus, her students share the qualities they’ve learned from her that will help them seize the summer. Also, documentary filmmaker and Colorado College alum Mike Shum speaks at graduation day. Plus, scientists estimate that as many as 75 percent of the insects in the world have vanished over the past 50 years. Among the species hardest hit: the Monarch butterfly. What you can do to help.
May 20, 2025: Empowering and supporting an aging Colorado: the solutions the state’s considering
In a special Aging Matters on Colorado Matters, Kristine Burrows, the state’s Senior Specialist on Aging, speaks with Chandra Thomas Whitfield in front of an audience at CPR, to talk about everything from healthcare and housing, to jobs for older workers and fighting ageism.
May 15, 2025: Colorado raft supply companies navigate the uncertain waters of tariffs; Preserving oral histories
Navigating the on-again-off-again tariffs can be like navigating the rapids on a river in Colorado. We hear from two raft supply companies about the impact. Then, words to live by from the student speaker at Western Colorado University’s commencement. Plus, how older Coloradans are connecting with kids in the classroom for mutual benefit. And a creative way to preserve oral histories in Denver’s Curtis Park neighborhood.
May 13, 2025: How letters bring love to seniors facing loneliness; Finding care for ‘The Invisible Patient’
When Angela Lee moved to senior care facility, she was lonely. Until one day changed it all. Love For Our Elders is a non-profit organization that relieves loneliness through letter writing. Then, a new documentary examines “The Invisible Patient” and the challenges parents face finding care for their mentally ill adult children. Seniors for Seniors pairs older pets with older adults.
May 8, 2025: Bike shop rides into the sunset amid tariffs; Federal cuts upend classrooms
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!
May 6, 2025: Colorado nonprofits work to overcome cuts; What ‘climate realism’ means for green energy
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.
May 1, 2025: Voters, Congressional delegation on Trump’s first 100 days; The secret life of Mary Rippon
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.
April 29, 2025: Elevating Africa and the opportunities it creates in Colorado; Authenticity in African fashion
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.
State Rep. Naquetta Ricks sees opportunities in connections between Colorado and Africa
State Rep. Naquetta Ricks of Aurora is a native of Liberia and the first African immigrant to be elected to the Colorado General Assembly. She comments about the Denver-based non-profit Africa Agenda’s 20th year working to elevate connections and economic opportunities between Africa and Colorado and the diversity and representation of Africa in metro Denver’s population, especially in Aurora.
One man’s passion project: cultivating and elevating opportunities between Africa and Colorado
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.
April 22, 2025: The debate over geothermal energy boils over; Colorado reflections on Pope Francis
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.
April 17, 2025: A Colorado Matters encore: Embrace a ‘Wonder Year’ of worldschooling
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.
April 15, 2025: A measles checkup; State lawmakers working to preserve trans rights
For the first time in nearly three decades, Colorado has three confirmed cases of the measles. But it’s not considered an outbreak yet. Then, as the federal government rolls back rights for transgender Americans, Colorado is moving to expand protections. We’ll look at the debate with Purplish. Plus, rural Colorado braces for Medicaid cuts and the impact of tariffs.
April 10, 2025: International torture trial in Denver; Colorado entrepreneur eyes A.I. and audio
A trial is underway in Denver for a man accused of torture in The Gambia. We’ll talk through the accusations and why it’s happening in Colorado. Then, a Colorado entrepreneur is working to bring audio in movies and online content to the next level, using ethically-sourced Artificial Intelligence. Plus, why the pine beetle is spreading again. And a sendoff for a beloved ski lift!
April 8, 2025: Helping student athletes win on the playing field of mental health
Student athletes face a lot of pressure to win. And on the ever-changing playing field of college sports, that can create even more anxiety. Today, we share a panel discussion about stress, students, sports, and solutions, hosted by the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Then, NCAA President Charlie Baker speaks with CSU President Amy Parsons about the changing collegiate sports landscape. Later, preserving the water in the Arkansas River Basin in southern Colorado.
