Colorado Matters

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. Sr. Host Ryan Warner speaks with financial journalist Grace L. Williams, author of "Give Her Credit," at History Colorado Center. This interview first aired on February 17, 2025.

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.

We check-in with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo as severe weather season begins, and find out what weather phenomenon fascinates her the most. Then, one family's concern as Congress grapples with the future of Medicaid. Plus, a friendship forged in the aftermath of war 50 years after the Fall of Saigon. Also, in our series Aging Matters, researching robots to fight isolation in senior residential facilities. And, we celebrate International Jazz Day!

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.

Whether it's tariffs, immigration, or the self-proclaimed Department of Government Efficiency, President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office have been a whirlwind. Two lawmakers from different parties and different Capitols share their perspectives: Congressman Joe Neguse, a Democrat, and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Republican. They joined CPR's Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim for a live edition of Purplish recorded in front of an audience at the Buell Public Media Center in Denver.

In his memoir, Oscar "Osi" Sladek shares the unforgettable story of how he and his parents survived the Holocaust, while many other members of their extended family perished. "Escape to the Tatras" culminates in the story of Sladek's folk music career. In an interview with Ryan Warner, Sladek also reflects on faith and continued antisemitism. Sladek celebrated his 90th birthday this spring. This interview originally aired on January 27, 2023.

In World War II, an all women of color battalion solved an enormous backlog of mail between the homefront and the battlefront. Now, they're finally getting recognition with a Congressional Gold Medal. Then, land ravaged by a flash flood in 2013 becomes a budding fruit orchard in Lyons to give back to the community. Plus, training to fight wildfires from the air, the decades-long effort to bring clean water to southern Colorado, and a furniture bank furnishes new starts.

As Colorado looks toward the potential of tapping geothermal energy, we explore where it's being used already and considerations moving forward. Then, an 11th grader is honored for her answer to this question: "What's your message to the president?" Plus, the federal budget cuts hit AmeriCorps. And the husband-wife music duo, Tennis reflect on their final album and their journey through music, marriage, and finding balance.

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.

Regis University President Salvador Aceves says he was struck by the Pope's humanity when they met last year. Aceves reflects on the Pope's impact and legacy as the world mourns. Then, Purplish looks into the state's protections for immigrants as state lawmakers debate what to do next. Also, "The Trip" explores how psilocybin might treat postpartum depression. And using comedy to offset the anxiety of climate change.

The Colorado Auto Show opens today amid tariffs. We ask the head of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association about car buying in today's economy. Then, a judge on the Western Slope orders ICE to stay out of county courthouses. Also, a man who dresses as a chicken has a serious message about self-care in Colorado's ski towns. Plus, as the Nuggets begin the playoffs, the untold story of star center Nikola Jokić, the FoCoMX music festival begins, and how an ice castle and troll are helping towns in Teller County.

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. It might not be as far-fetched as you think. Three Boulder moms wrote a book on how to do it: "Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling." Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with co-author Julie Frieder in August, as well as a Denver family who took up the adventure. This is an encore episode of Colorado Matters which first aired on August 27, 2024.

Comedian Nancy Norton shares highlights from The Tromedy Podcast. Norton, a former nurse in Boulder, is trained in therapeutic humor. Then, for a second year, Colorado sends a Windsor High School student to the Poetry Out Loud national finals. And, an astrophysicist at NCAR receives one of France's highest honors.

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.

She was the first in her family to go to college. Now she's a college president, helping other first-gen students navigate higher ed. We speak with the new president of Fort Lewis College, Dr. Heather Shotton, about job readiness in rural Colorado. Then, the San Luis Valley braces for cuts to Medicaid. And artist and historian Chloé Duplessis' new exhibit, "12 Tablecloths" at the Trinidad History Museum, gives a seat at the table to Black domestic workers whose stories were nearly forgotten.

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!

In rounding up the "worst first," immigration agents also conduct what they consider "collateral arrests." Then, the French ambassador to the US visits Colorado where he discusses aerospace and business opportunities amid tariffs. Also, the region's new EPA administrator on energy, climate change, and clean air & water. And later, creating harmony in the workplace.

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.

As tariffs send shockwaves through world markets, what sorts of decisions should everyday investors make? Then, Purplish on how, in Colorado, both Republicans and Democrats are regrouping, with politics in upheaval. Plus, what's the alchemy that makes a recipe go viral? We'll cook up some theories with food writer Allyson Reedy in her Broomfield kitchen.

Today, we'll bust some myths about young people and reading. As much as kids are on their phones, many crave paper. Plus, book bans, the hottest genres among young adults, and the role of school libraries in 2025. Then, proxy voting on Capitol Hill. Plus, dedicated volunteers are keeping Colorado Springs clean. Later, survivors of sexual assault are empowered with Rise art. And 'Pinch Hitting' tells the story of an unlikely hero in baseball.