Colorado Matters

There are new rules of the road for Colorado teens as a new state law requires more training before young drivers can get a permit. There are also new rules for background checks for instructors. Then, hundreds of Colorado moms are dancing their way to better mental and emotional health. We talk with the founders of the Mom Dance Party, back with their 4th annual Mother's Day event on Friday, May 15. Also, it's peak real estate season in Colorado but it's getting harder for home sellers to find buyers. Meanwhile, local colleges and universities are sending graduates out into the world. We're featuring the words of wisdom they hear as they depart: today, a returning graduate at Regis. And, a new wheelchair rugby force to be reckoned with calls Denver home. 

The Sundance Film Festival relocates to Boulder January 21-31, 2027. What will it be like? Who is welcome? Will there be enough popcorn? At this year's CU Conference on World Affairs, Colorado Matters previewed Sundance and discussed its year-round mission, in front of a live audience. Our guests are director Lulu Wang ("The Farewell"), producer and Sundance Institute trustee Gigi Pritzker, and CU-Boulder student filmmaker Kate Yezzi. 

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Today,  we talk with the head of one publication that's been telling stories of that community here in Colorado for two decades. We'll also discuss some recent big milestones in our state and the challenges that persist. "Asian Avenue Magazine" is part of CEME, the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange, a coalition focused on elevating the voices of diverse and often underserved communities. Annie Guo VanDan is the magazine co-founder and president. Nga Vương-Sandoval is featured on the May cover. She is receiving the Asian American Hero of Colorado Award, largely for her extensive work as the founding executive director of "Refugees + Immigrants United," a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to “empowering, advocating for, and celebrating the voices of refugees and immigrants.” And, we revisit the effort to make sure Denver's Chinatown is not lost to history. 

State democrats want Colorado to push back against ICE, but how is still up for debate. Purplish explains why coming up with a unified approach has proven to be challenging. Then, Gunnison author C. William Langsfeld's debut novel, "Salvation," explores the feelings that unspool after a murder in a small Colorado town, the pitfalls of westerns masculinity, and isolation. And, Colorado Wonders about the lakes in Denver's City Park.

ICE deportations mean criminal suspects in Colorado are not always held accountable. CPR justice reporter Allison Sherry shares her investigation. Then, Denver Health serves people across the state as a "safety net" hospital, which makes it particularly vulnerable to federal cuts. Plus, how an atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University is keeping us safe from "rain bombs." And “12 Tablecloths” by artist Chloé Duplessis tells stories long overlooked of labor, resilience and survival. It's now at the Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center through May 30.

The 1965 Voting Rights Act was designed to ensure the right to vote for all citizens, regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and background. The Supreme Court rolled back a key provision of the landmark legislation on Wednesday. We talk through what it means, and what protections are in place in Colorado. Then, older Coloradans are especially at risk for scams -- and they can often suffer in silence. For our series Aging Matters, we talk about efforts to stay one step ahead as scammers get more sophisticated. 

April will end with much-needed rain, and even some snow in the mountains. This also marks the start of tornado and severe weather season. Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo is back for our regular chat about weather and climate. Then, "Dude Talk Dinners" help connect men in a non-judgmental environment. Plus, as more people hop on e-bikes, what to know about safety and the rules of the road. 

The murder convictions in one of the most notorious criminal cases in Grand Junction history were tossed out, but there are still unanswered questions about the pipe bombings that killed two people in 1991. Today, we hear from the original public defender in the case against James Genrich, who is now eligible for parole. Then, for "Raise the Curtain," the Arvada Center explores racism in America through theater. And a project to preserve loving memories, through lullabies. 

Should Colorado lawmakers get a pay raise at the same time the state faces a $1.5 billion dollar budget shortfall? We'll get into the debate today with Purplish, and the reason it could impact policies and laws in Colorado. Then, "Crossroads: The Journey of Becoming," is a new immersive play that explores what it's like to be a child in Colorado's foster care system. 

The US Supreme Court will hear another case from Colorado that pits LGBTQ rights against questions of religious freedom. Meantime, Colorado voters will decide two initiatives on transgender youth this fall. Then, how an artist in Pueblo saved a painting by a Holocaust survivor that faced an uncertain fate. We also re-share the amazing achievement of Durango speed skier Ross Anderson 20 years after his record-setting feat. And today and tomorrow, FoCoMX, the Fort Collins Music Festival, is back with more than 450 artists from around Colorado. We get a preview with the Local 303 from Alisha Sweeny at Indie 102.3.

There's never been an NBA and NHL champion that's come from the same city in the same year; as the playoffs begin, the Avalanche and Nuggets hope to change that. Denver Post sports columnist Troy Renck sizes up their chances. Then, a Denver man walks free after 27 years in prison. What his release says about the justice system and reasonable doubt. And, we "Raise the Curtain" on how the latest work at the Arvada Center is excavating history and providing kindness. 

What makes a downtown successful? Why are some bustling while others are hollowed out? Downtown Colorado, Inc. came to Main Street in Grand Junction to award innovators across the state. Some of the finalists joined Ryan Warner on stage to discuss delicate downtown ecosystems. Kat Correll is the executive director of Downtown Colorado, Inc., Kimberlee McKee is the executive director of Longmont's Downtown Development Authority, Lynn Clark is the executive director of the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority; and from Telluride, but appearing on behalf of a project in Montrose: Jay Raible, who co-owns the new Rathbone Hotel. 

Primary ballots will arrive in mailboxes in a few weeks, and now, we know which candidates will be on them. Today Purplish looks at which candidates rallied enough support at the recent state assemblies and what this method of selecting candidates means in the big picture. Then, today marks 10 years since the passing of pop icon and musical virtuoso, Prince. Chandra shares her personal reflections on what his music meant to her, and speaks with Coloradans about their memories of his visits here and the influence he had on their lives. 

On 4/20, an addiction psychiatrist raises red flags around high-potency cannabis. Dr. Libby Stuyt has particular concerns about psychosis as THC levels increase multifold in today's cannabis and wants to raise awareness about the evolution of the drug. Then, for Aging Matters, Ryan meets an octogenarian who has mastered the "dead hang" at her gym in Woodland Park; it's about more than strength. And Colorado Wonders about finding gemstones in our state. 

The ultimate goal of Artemis is to get people to Mars. But there was a time, in the early 1900s, when it was widely believed there was already life there and engineered canals to bring water from the poles to cities. There were skeptics, but it's hard to overstate how ingrained this idea of Martian life became. Former NPR science correspondent David Baron, of Boulder, has written “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America." He spoke with Ryan Warner last August in front of an audience in Colorado Springs, where some of the story unfolds. 

The Western Slope farming family who introduced the world to Olathe Sweet Corn is scaling back in the face of a rough economy and a pesky crop worm. They talk about the mixed blessing of farming and how you can still get that beloved corn. Then, leading UCLA to a national championship is just the latest chapter in a lifetime of hoops success for sisters Lauren and Sienna Betts. Their coach at Grandview High School in Aurora reflects on their time there as well as the dynamics that drives them. And, Colorado Wonders what state legislators do when they're not in session.

A water project known as The Arkansas Valley Conduit became a political football, with a presidential veto. But for rancher Kevin Karney, of La Junta, it's about quality of life for his community. Then, we visit the Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa in the San Luis Valley, where a fifth generation farming family brews beer on land that's been in the family for nearly a century. And Boulder author Erika Krouse is a finalist for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize for her collection of short stories, "Save Me, Stranger." 

Eleven questions could save a life. That's the idea behind a bill in the state legislature right now. It would require law enforcement officers to ask the questions to determine if someone is at risk of dying at the hands of a domestic abuser. We'll explore the issue with Purplish. Then, Denver Center Theatre Company announces its new season. We get a glimpse into how those choices are made with artistic director Chris Coleman us for our series "Raise The Curtain," about Colorado's vibrant theater scene. 

Democracy in the United States is deteriorating according to three studies. We ask about it in "If You Can Keep It," our series about unprecedented presidential policy. Then, the state budget proposal heads to the senate after some drama in the house. Plus, the Republicans hold their state assembly to determine who's on the primary ballot. And, Gil Boggs marks 20 years as the artistic director of Colorado Ballet. He reflects on the challenges he's faced and overcome, and the evolution of ballet productions and outreach in an age of increased competition for entertainment dollars.

Business in Breckenridge is borderline after a lack of snow this past winter. And planning for the future of a ski town is tricky business. We speak with the town manager about tax revenue and diversification, whether it's wildflowers or the arts. Plus, we get a read on just how little snow did fall in high country. Then, plans for a train between Denver and northern Colorado cities may be back on track. And a Colorado Springs bagel shop will represent our state at a big bagel competition this weekend. A chat amid the morning bagel bustle at Bella's. 

State officials want to find a troubling piece of history. But they need help. We'll update the yearslong effort to find a cemetery on the grounds of a former Indian Boarding School in Grand Junction. Then, from a new approach to policing and helping the unhoused, to honoring student athletes and everyday heroes, there's a lot going on in Aurora, Colorado's most diverse city. We speak with the editor of the Aurora Sentinel which is part of the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange. Plus, a new state law requires schools in Colorado to have policies in place by July about what's allowed for students when it comes to cell phones; some students have thoughts about what to do. And, a pair of sisters from Grandview High School help win the women's college basketball national championship! 

A man who tried to overturn a free and fair election now positions himself as the safeguard. Today, we get reaction to President Trump's vote-by-mail executive order from Matt Crane, the head of the Colorado County Clerks Association. Then, some of Grand Junction's streets are lined with garbage these days, on purpose. It's a picker's paradise! And, an Oscar-winning Colorado filmmaker profiles the singer of what's considered the first gay anthem. Carl Bean would become a minister and a foot solider in the fight against AIDS. The movie, "I Was Born This Way" screens at the Boulder International Film Festival with a panel discussion on Thursday, April 9. 

State lawmakers are turning up the volume, so to speak, on noise limits at venues. How much is too much? And how much say should local communities have? We'll get into the debate with Purplish. Then, what's it like to win a Grammy? Just ask first-time winner and University of Denver professor Remy Le Boeuf! The jazz musician and composer talks about the moment he realized he won, his twin brother who's also a Grammy winner, and what it's like to see his young daughter experience jazz. 

A premiere at the Boulder International Film Festival this Sunday will be deeply personal for Denver comedian Adam Cayton-Holland. "See You When I See You" is based on his book, "Tragedy + Time." It recounts the suicide of his younger sister, Lydia, his struggle to come to terms, and the stigma around mental health. Ryan Warner spoke with Cayton-Holland in front of an audience at the Newman Center in Denver when the book hit shelves in 2018. 

He prosecuted former clerk Tina Peters. We'll get perspective from Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein on the resentencing the Colorado Court of Appeals just ordered. Then, measles lingers in the air for hours. It's why vaccination rates must be really high for herd immunity. They no longer are. Plus, the voices of women who ranch on the Western Slope will be preserved at The Library of Congress. 

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that Tina Peters was improperly sentenced in 2024 and should receive a new sentencing hearing. The former Mesa County clerk, serving a prison sentence in Pueblo for facilitating unauthorized access to Mesa County's voting equipment to try and prove voter fraud occurred in the 2020 election, had challenged the ruling from Judge Matthew Barret. Then, Denverite looks at the impact a major restructuring is having on how the RiNo arts district is run. Also, a new library project in Adams County connects book lovers...with nature. And, with Artemis II rocketing towards the moon, we revisit a conversation with the first Native American to fly into space. 

The Supreme Court calls Colorado's conversion therapy ban an “egregious assault” on the First Amendment. We get reaction from the former state lawmaker who sponsored the ban. Plus, AAA on gas prices amid the war in Iran and seasonal fuel changes. Then, a bittersweet farewell to CPR Classical's Karla Walker. Also, Colorado Wonders about the iconic Colorado Trail. And we revisit one of the most peculiar places to watch a movie: The Movie Manor in Monte Vista re-opens for the season Friday.

State lawmakers must cut $1.5 billion to balance the budget. That may come at the expense of  Colorado's Medicaid program. Purplish gets into the complexities. Then, the Democrats' primary ballot is coming into focus after their state assembly. And, for Women's History Month, our colleagues at Indie 102.3 share some sensational musicians in the "Local 303."

Today's cooldown will be short-lived, ushering in more dry, unseasonably warm weather. We get the impact and the outlook in our regular conversation about weather and climate with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. Then, ahead of the state assembly, the four Democrats who want to be attorney general. And Western Slope singer/songwriter Emily Scott Robinson's new album, "Appalachia." 

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women. And what better way to do so, than with a conversation with three remarkable women who've been inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Velveta Golightly Howell, Jill Tietjen, and Dusti Gurule have shaped our state through activism, community building, and fierce advocacy. Then, when Monica Márquez was sworn-in as the new Chief Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court in 2024, she made history as the first Latina to take on that role. And we also sit down with former state lawmaker and First Lady of Denver, Wilma Webb, who has worked in public service for most of her life. 

A healing experience with psychedelic mushrooms changed a Colorado woman's life and career. We speak with Rhonda DeSantis, the CEO and founder of Psylutions, one of the first companies to grow and manufacture mushrooms for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Plus, should there be regulations to control noise? Then, the courts push back on the Trump administration's vaccination agenda, but doctors in Colorado say the confusion's already taken hold. Plus, some state lawmakers want to restrict some types of gambling; we look at the debate and the realities of gambling addiction. Also, Colorado Wonders about a long-neglected park. 

For Women's History Month, the state of women in the workforce in Colorado. Even as the state ranks relatively strong for female entrepreneurship, new data shows persistent pay gaps, workforce losses and barriers for growth. We talk with Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce CEO, Simone Ross, about what's driving the trends and what the chamber says employers must do now to help retain and advance women in the workplace. Then, Louise Myrland with the Women's Foundation of Colorado discusses a statewide report on pay inequity that shows women in Colorado earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. And we revisit how to be a "changemaker" with CEO and Denver author Danaya Wilson. 

Colorado's prisons are close to capacity. That's been the case for some time now. It raises a host of concerns, not the least of which, is safety. But is the solution to build more prisons? We look into state lawmakers' debate with Purplish. Then, the Pueblo Star Journal's "Prison Journalism Project" marks five years as it trains and publishes writers who are incarcerated. 

Second Verse is a new choir for people with dementia. The choir's also for caregivers. We listen in on a rehearsal for Aging Matters as music taps into long-term memory. Then, the state Republican party is in disarray ahead of the state assembly. Also, Denver renames its park and city holiday that had honored César Chávez. Plus, options for relief with allergies getting an early start on this first official day of spring. And we re-share our conversation with professor Carol Anderson, author of "One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy" as Congress debates the SAVE America Act. 

If you think "The Godfather" only happened in New York, you might need to think again. A new historical novel, "The Descendant" by Linda Stasi, reflects on how Sicilian immigrants helped shape Colorado, from miners to the mafia. Then, one of the founders of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver talks about keeping Italian heritage alive in our state today. Also, kicking the nicotine habit can be tough; we visit a school that's trying to help kids who are hooked. Plus, a lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration's efforts to dismantle NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder. And, the warm weather this winter has one classroom of kids wondering if it's affecting birds. 

There's a loneliness epidemic. Yet the vast majority of people report having a friend. What gives?! We ask friendship expert Natalie Pennington, assistant professor at Colorado State University and co-founder of the American Friendship Project. Then, families of children with developmental disabilities brace for state budget cuts. Also, Western Slope artist Pavia Justinian on life as a professional artist ten years and counting. And a gift of bison with deep cultural and historical significance.

As we get older, it's one of the toughest decisions we face -- when to stop driving. Colorado has nearly a million people over the age of 65 behind the wheel. And although getting older does not automatically make someone a bad driver, AAA says many people are outliving their ability to drive safely by 7 to 10 years. In Aging Matters, we talk through what to look for and how to have what can be a hard discussion within the family. Then, female genital mutilation affects more than 230 million women worldwide, and doctors in Colorado say the see its lasting impact in their own exam rooms. A candid discussion with Vera Idam, founder and publisher of Afrik Digest Magazine based in Denver. 

The technology's supposed to make Colorado safer but it comes with concerns about privacy and misuse. Flock cameras, and other license plate readers, are installed across the state. In Purplish, CPR's Bente Birkeland and Denverite's Andrew Kenney dig into the evolution of surveillance tech and efforts to restrict it. Then, Ryan saw a sign the other day for a "Robot Massage" and had to check it out. 

The SAVE America Act is supposed to ensure the integrity of your vote, but President Trump also wants it to eliminate mail-in ballots which are widely popular in Colorado. Our Washington, D.C. reporter Caitlyn Kim updates the chances Congress will take action. Also, what's the impact if after-school funding is cut in Colorado? Then, Colorado's new women's soccer team, the Denver Summit, kicks off its inaugural season. Later, she grew up in Crested Butte, met Philip Seymour Hoffman in New York, and became a Hollywood producer whose film is up for 13 Academy Awards on Sunday. Plus, the lack of snow puts cross-country ski spots on edge, and a memory-filled goodbye to a long-standing community gathering place in Boulder, the World Famous Dark Horse. 

Survivors of the Amache internment camp in southeastern Colorado worry history could repeat itself. It's why they want to tell their stories, especially now. Then, friends remember Renee Good, who grew up in Colorado and was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Later, as a new hotel oxygenates its rooms in Telluride, it appears to be part of a trend in the high country. Plus, how special actors are helping medical students and doctors test their skills at CU Anschutz. Also, state lawmakers debate restrictions on AI chatbots. We check-in ahead of tomorrow's semifinals with Team USA's Paralympic Sled Hockey team which trains in Superior and features Colorado athletes. And share in the delight of a singing telegram in Denver. 

Two-thirds of Americans say they're worried about climate change, but far fewer actually do something about that concern. We speak with climate and atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe about solutions. Then, Colorado plans to auction NFT art to help celebrate its 150th birthday. And a film about Colorado's late poet laureate Andrea Gibson, "Come See Me in the Good Light," is nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The Oscars are Sunday night.

The Trump Administration has revoked the cornerstone greenhouse gas decree. The Endangerment Finding said methane and carbon are a threat to our health. Meanwhile, fossil fuels are intertwined with military interventions in Venezuela and Iran. We get perspective from Chris Winter, executive director of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment at CU Law. Then, a Colorado oil and gas company drills for geothermal energy. We also get a check-up on flu season ahead of Spring Break. And the outdoor adventuring group "Sisters on the Fly" marks 25 years.