Colorado Matters

Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.
Airs Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-10 a.m. & 7 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
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Latest Episodes

A white woman with short hair and a baseball cap holds a sign that reads "BORN HERE? BELONG HERE!" in a crowd of other demonstrations in front of the Supreme Court building.

June 27, 2025: AG Weiser on birthright citizenship ruling; Challenges facing conservation under Trump

With Colorado’s attorney general, we decipher an important Supreme Court ruling today related to birthright citizenship. Then, we take the pulse of conservation under President Trump with Salida journalist Ben Goldfarb. Later, we sit down with the CEO of Colorado’s hometown burger chain, Good Times. Thank goodness we had napkins. And new music from Arvada artist Holly Lovell, who was recently featured in the Local 303.
A man with sunglasses in a purple and red plaid suit coat with a purple shirt sings into a microphone on stage

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.
Tornado Damage Eastern Plains Bennet Ellizabeth

June 25, 2025: Is there a ‘Goldilocks’ amount of rain?; Douglas County voters reject home rule

Too much rain fosters growth of grasses and underbrush, and not enough rain makes everything dry out, raising the risk of wildfires. So, is there a “Goldilocks” amount of rain that’s just right? That’s just one thing we ask Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo in our regular conversation. Plus, a Western Colorado University student on the challenges of forecasting weather in Gunnison. Also, Douglas County voters reject home rule. Then, what it takes to become a confidential voter in Colorado. Plus, the Boulder Comedy Festival, how to find Indie films in movie theaters, the celebrating Pride with the Local 303.
Two people stand in front of a glass studio window next to a sign that says Colorado Public Radio. One is wearing a white shirt with black pants and the other is wearing a black shirt with jeans.

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.
Man stands at podium flanked by three other men

June 23, 2025: How Iran might retaliate after U.S. bombing; The debate over home rule

The U.S. struck three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend in what our guest calls “a watershed moment.” Now what? And how did we get here? Key questions Ryan asks the head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, Micheline Ishay. Then, Purplish explores the debate over home rule as Douglas County holds a special election Tuesday. Plus, Denver’s tall, zigzagging yellow sculpture celebrates 40 years; we revisit a Colorado Wonders question asking how it came to be.

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.

Staff

Tom Hesse.
Colorado Matters Western Slope Producer

Tom Hesse