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?
June 10, 2025: Church finds connection through psychedelics; Colorado’s effort to ensure police accountability
As the state allows its first psilocybin healing centers, a church in Colorado Springs is finding connection through psychedelics. We visit the church with “The Trip: CPR’s coverage of Colorado’s psychedelic journey.” Then, Colorado led the nation for police accountability reform in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. We find out how it’s working five years later and what’s still to be done, with Purplish. Plus, for Pride Month, we re-share a conversation about how Scouting America became inclusive for all young people.
June 5, 2025: Supporting Boulder attack survivors; Measles and summer travel; Reimagining fatherhood
We hear from a survivor of the firebomb attack in Boulder as the community gathers to show support and solidarity. Then, what to know about the spread of measles as the busy summer travel season begins. Plus, a summit ahead of Father’s Day aims to “restore, rebuild, and reimagine” fatherhood in a supportive and inclusive way. Later, how federal cuts to arts funding is having a ripple effect on a unique exhibit in western Colorado. And singer/songwriter Kayla Marque kicks off the Cultural Caravan festival.
‘Restoring, rebuilding and reimagining’ fatherhood
Father’s Day is around the corner and the team at one Colorado-based organization has set its sights on getting fathers in the Centennial state to join others from around the world to “ignite healing, connection, and transformation.”
June 3, 2025: Aging Matters explores grief and ways to cope; How Colorado’s policing laws have changed
Today, we explore grief and how to cope with it in Aging Matters. Plus, we visit a clothing and coffee shop in Longmont where they host weekly “grief circles.” Then, how has Colorado state law about policing changed since George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis five years ago. And later, Colorado Wonders about why there aren’t more fruit trees in cities like Denver.
May 29, 2025: The campaign to free Tina Peters; The teeth behind the benefits of fluoride
Due to President Trump’s involvement and a recent high profile pardon, the governor’s office has received hundreds of emails from people wanting to see former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters released from prison. Where does the effort stand? Then, it’s long been shown that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. A young dentist actually discovered it in Colorado Springs in 1901. We get some grounding amid a recent debate about its benefits. And, looking inside oneself to overcome professional barriers. And a unique end-of-the-year school project for students at Warren Tech.
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.
