Colorado Matters

Colorado's 8th Congressional District is one of the state's most competitive and diverse, designed to be a 50/50 swing district. Democrat Manny Rutinel joins us to discuss why he thinks he's the right person to represent it; incumbent Republican Gabe Evans has declined an interview. Then, we break down Proposition NN and what it could mean for Colorado schools. Plus, the beauty and the danger of the Million Dollar Highway. And a Grand Junction filmmaker's "American Vampires."

An unusually warm October is making way for a big cooldown, but for how long? Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo joins Ryan Warner for their monthly chat about Colorado weather and climate. Then, a 78-year-old former priest from Uganda is released from ICE custody after more than a year, but his fight to stay in the U.S. is not over. Also, the debate over a a proposed solar farm near Mesa Verde National Park. Plus, Measure 7A and what it means for the future of passenger rail along the Front Range. And the Local 303 celebrates the old, new, and the reimagined on the Colorado music scene!

Bad management gets called out on social media when leadership expert George Stern, of Snowmass, reads exchanges between bad managers and -- often dumbfounded -- employees. Stern's videos earn him millions of views. Then, children who appear to have had past lives in our monthly series, "Searching for Jobie," inspired by the death of CPR's Andrea Dukakis' daughter. Researchers delve into thousands of cases that seem to defy explanation.

When he was 19, Taveuan Williams held up a Radio Shack, shot at police, and took a hostage for hours. Williams got 30 years for the crime. Today, why his prosecutor, Denver's Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Steven Abraham, came to advocate for him to be released from prison early. Plus, CPR's Ben Markus investigates the spending of the Victor Marx gubernatorial campaign.

Today and tomorrow we're speaking with the major party candidates for Colorado attorney general, tasked with handling a wide range of issues from consumer protection to public safety to water rights. Today, it's Republican Michael Allen. He's currently the DA in the state's largest judicial district. Tomorrow, it's Democrat Jena Griswold, the current secretary of state. You can read and listen to both interviews now by clicking on their names. Then, as Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, we reflect on Chicano history in Colorado.

We're speaking with the highest-profile candidates for U.S. Senate this week. Today, Republican candidate Mark Baisley. Baisley has served in the Colorado legislature since 2019 and previously worked in the aerospace and technology industries. We discuss a variety of issues including the economy and tariffs, the moving of Space Command, and whether he identifies as MAGA. Monday we heard from Forward Party candidate, Bob Chew. Wednesday on Colorado Matters at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., hear from the incumbent, Democrat John Hickenlooper. You can also listen to all three interviews now by clicking on their names. Plus, a long-time book store sells in Colorado Springs, along with a commitment to community.

Stories of women at sea are rare — of Black women even rarer. Yet they were seafarers from the start. In her new memoir, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," Navy veteran, poet, and professor Khadijah Queen writes about service to country, to family and to self. For "Turn The Page with Colorado Matters," we spoke in front of an audience at Library 21c in the military town of Colorado Springs.Listen to a playlist of songs Queen invokes in her book by clicking here.

As winter approaches, enjoy the fall weather, and get vaccinated. That’s the word from an infectious disease specialist. He says the flu seems to be arriving early this season. He recommends people get the COVID vaccine too. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court's considering Boulder's environmental concerns, and a Colorado professor has created a concrete-like building material from a quick-growing bacteria that's environmentally-friendly. Plus, we meet a Colorado Springs painter, archiving what time changes through art.

Democrat Phil Weiser has a blueprint for the future of Colorado. Ryan Warner asks how he’d roll out his proposals, wrangle the Colorado state budget and where he stands on a vote to fund a Front Range passenger rail. Then, does a "public education" campaign for COCO skirt campaign finance law? Plus, meet the new co-host of Colorado Today, Jackie Sedley! And remembering the late Colorado Supreme Court justice, Melissa Hart, through poetry.

Today and tomorrow, we hear from the men who wish to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District which includes Pueblo, Grand Junction and Durango. We begin with the incumbent, Republican Jeff Hurd. You can also listen to the interview with his challenger, Democrat Dwayne Romero, here. Then, she traded in the basketball court at CSU for the comedy stage; Ryan speaks with Leslie Jones about her start in Fort Collins to her time on SNL and beyond as she returns to Colorado for shows in Pueblo and Denver Friday and Saturday.

What does Crocs, a company based in Colorado, have in common with the tiny European country of Malta? It turns out a lot, if you look at taxes and how companies try to avoid them. New York Times investigative reporter Jesse Drucker spoke with CPR's Andrea Dukakis. Then, FEMA denies a portion of Colorado’s disaster aid request after this summer's wildfires. Plus, Democrats canvas the Western Slope to get people to vote. And for our series "Aging Matters," a 78-year-old Alamosa man reflects on how his father's small act of kindness had a lifetime of impact.

Seasons lose their meaning – to some extent – because of climate change. It may be autumn, but Denver will see highs in the 80s this weekend. Then a change is coming. We talk about it with Lisa Hidalgo, chief meteorologist at Denver7, and the prospects for snow this winter. Then, what can Congress do in response to wildfires? Plus crunching the housing numbers. And Indie 102.3 celebrates Colorado artists ahead of the Local 303 Meetup on Monday at Bar 404 in Denver.

Ben VanderWerf, a scrappy father of four, chose Arriba, Colorado, population 202, to locate his tiny home business and related RV park. He landed a Rural Jump-Start grant from the state— Lincoln County's first. With VanderWerf and local economic development chief Troy McCue, we discuss housing, employment, energy, and water on Colorado's Eastern Plains.