
‘I went from grief to growth:’ Marcus Weaver finds purpose and platform after surviving Aurora movie theater shooting
Marcus Weaver was shot twice but survived the Aurora movie theater 13 years ago, July 20, 2012. Out of the horrific act of violence, he ultimately found his purpose, and a platform, to advocate for social justice and to help others make better lives for themselves. That includes a workforce training business that taps into a family recipe, and resulted in “The People’s Pickles.”. He spoke with Chandra Thomas Whitfield.

July 15, 2025: Gov. Polis pushes back on tariffs; Summer camp safety; Colorado’s poet laureate remembered
Gov. Jared Polis is pushing back against what he calls President Trump’s “reckless tariff policy.” Meanwhile, state lawmakers regroup after federal budget cuts and tax changes. Also, hear from a summer camp operator about wildfire and flood safety. Then, we remember Colorado’s poet laureate, Andrea Gibson, who died Monday at age 49 of ovarian cancer. And later, a CU graduate hopes to revolutionize audio with ethical AI.

39th annual Colorado Black Arts Festival preserves, amplifies, and celebrates Black arts and culture
This weekend marks the 39th annual Colorado Black Arts Festival. Taking place in the heart of Denver’s City Park, organizers say the free, family-friendly event is focused on preserving, amplifying, and celebrating Black arts and culture in Colorado.

July 10, 2025: ‘Senseless’ explores overcoming shared trauma and community resiliency; Celebrating Black Arts!
Trauma can be a shared experience, but the journey to process it and overcome is often silenced. A new podcast by journalist Erika Mahoney hopes to change that and create connection. Her father Kevin was killed in a mass shooting at a Boulder grocery store in 2021. Then, rebates for EVs will soon be scaled back. And the Colorado Black Arts Festival returns for a 39th year this weekend!

July 8, 2025: What’s next now that ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is law; ‘Until Forever Comes’ elevates Ute culture
Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been signed into law, what’s next? And what might it indicate for an already-divided Congress moving forward? Then, elevating the past, present and future of Ute culture in Colorado. Plus, the state’s embrace of tattoos ahead of the Villian Arts 8th Annual Denver Tattoo Arts Festival. And, our fascination with fireflies.

Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist and Denver native on the ‘reasons’ behind his and the groundbreaking band’s success
Denver native and East High School graduate, Philip Bailey recently spoke about his life and the legacy of the groundbreaking band.

Denver native, Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey answers fans’ burning questions
The legendary band kicked off its recent tour at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater in Greenwood Village over the Father’s Day 2025 weekend.

July 1, 2025: How being outside can shape learning, life skills, and leadership; Tracking use of force stalls
“Give Outdoor Learning” is a first of its kind, statewide campaign that creates nature-based outings for the public. And because many programs are at risk due to budget cuts, it’s also a fundraising campaign similar to Colorado Gives Day. CPR’s Jenny Brundin speaks with an organizer from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education and two young adults who share how nature has changed them. Then, five years after a state law took effect, why is it still a challenge to track use of force by Colorado law enforcement? And later, sorting out senior living options with Aging Matters.

June 26, 2025: Philip Bailey and the ‘Reasons’ behind his, and Earth, Wind and Fire’s, lasting success
It’s the falsetto that’s captured the hearts of music lovers for more than 5 decades now — and the long list of awards and accolades behind his name affirms that his fandom comes for, well, good “Reasons.” A talk with Denver native and East High School graduate Philip Bailey as he reflects on his life and legacy as lead singer of Colorado’s adopted hometown band, Earth, Wind and Fire.

June 24, 2025: Black Pride Colorado marks 5 year milestone; Was Captain Kidd really a notorious pirate?
June is Pride Month, centered on acknowledging the accomplishments and the experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community. And for one Colorado nonprofit, it’s also time to celebrate a big milestone and focus on the work left to be done. Then, Colorado author and history buff Samuel Marquis sets the record straight about his ninth-great-grandfather, the notorious pirate Captain Kidd, who was not at all the pirate legend might have you believe.

Black Pride Colorado marks 5 year milestone
June is Pride Month, centered on acknowledging the accomplishments and the experiences of the LGBTQ-plus community. It’s also a time to acknowledge the challenges that persist, and those challenges are often unique for members of the Black LGBTQ+ community. Tara Jae is the co-founder of Black Pride Colorado, an advocacy organization which is celebrating its 5th anniversary this month.

Captain Kidd’s 9th-great-grandson explores the true story of the pirate wronged by legend and history
He’s a best-selling American history author and advisor to The History Channel who just so happens to be the 9th-great-grandson of one of the most famous pirates in history. But it turns out, his famous, or perhaps infamous, relative, the legendary pirate Captain Kidd, wasn’t really a pirate after all! Colorado’s own Samuel Marquis sets the record straight in his new book, “Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal.”

Colorado’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Janet Damon shares summer success tips, her journey to the classroom
Damon thanks her parents for helping her to understand the importance and value of receiving a quality education.

June 19, 2025: For Juneteenth, a celebration and reflection of Black history in Colorado
Today is Juneteenth, a time to celebrate and reflect. We talk with people who took part in Denver’s annual celebration and parade. Then we head to the Boulder History Museum where an exhibit called “Proclaiming Colorado’s Black History” ends its three-year run in September. Plus, the perseverance of 101-year-old Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. James Harvey of Centennial. And Denver singer JoFoKe shares her music, her message, and her family’s musical legacy that goes back generations in Colorado.

June 17, 2025: Uncertain future for vaccine guidance; On the trail of art stolen by the Nazis; Cycling without Age
It’s a changing of the guard for the group that guides the nation’s vaccine policy. We spoke with a Colorado pediatrician who used to be on the panel about how that could reshape guidance and the concerns she has moving forward. Then, a Denver woman unravels the mystery of her mother’s past after fleeing Nazi Germany, and the art her family left behind. Plus, “Cycling Without Age” offers freedom for people with mobility issues. We go on another ride for “Aging Matters on Colorado Matters.”

June 12, 2025: Deconstructing DEI – the future of diversity initiatives in Colorado
In the wake of 2020’s racial reckoning, DEI initiatives surged across the country, from corporations to the classroom. But that momentum has taken a big hit in recent months under a new presidential administration as evidenced by federal funding cuts, restructured priorities and arguably a growing political backlash against DEI policies. So what’s been learned? And what’s next?