- It was an unusual meeting of the minds: In April 2021, the head of Colorado's Department of Corrections read a monologue written by a previously incarcerated man. Daniel Guillory spent more than a decade locked up in the system Williams now leads.
- The film, "The Holly," screening tonight at the Denver Film Festival, is a journey into the underworld of gang violence in Denver and a critique of the city's anti-gang programs. Among its allegations is that the police use active gang members as confidential informants. Julian Rubinstein directed the film and is also the author of the 2021 book "The Holly."
- Joanne Tubbs Kelly and her husband, Alan, had talked hypothetically about their support for laws like Colorado’s End-of-Life Options Act, but they never knew it would be a choice they’d have to make. That changed when Alan Kelly was diagnosed with a terminal illness and decided he wanted to take advantage of the law. The book, "Walking Him Home: Helping My Husband Die with Dignity,” by Joanne Tubbs Kelly, is about that experience.
- Along with the candidates and measures on this year’s ballot is a list of Colorado judges. After each name, voters must decide whether or not a judge should be “retained” and are asked to answer “yes” or “no.” We speak to retired judge Russ Carparelli, who served on the Colorado Court of Appeals for nearly 11 years about the process, which involves comprehensive performance evaluations of each judge.
- Children's hospitals around the country, including those in Colorado, are filling up because of an early surge in respiratory viruses. A key culprit is RSV, which often presents as a common cold but can turn more severe, especially among children and older adults. The situation has alarmed physicians who concerned about a tripledemic if RSV, influenza and COVID-19 converge.
- Former University of Denver chancellor Rebecca Chopp talks about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis and what she’s doing to keep her mind and body healthy. Then, what researchers in Colorado are learning about Alzheimer’s and dementia. And, a spooky ghost town that was once a thriving mining town. Also, a new season for a resilient ballet company.
- In 2019, Rebecca Chopp stepped down as chancellor at the University of Denver after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She's since spoken publicly about her journey with dementia, including in an interview last year on Colorado Matters. She joined us for an update on her journey and said, while she's still in the early stages of the disease, she has lost some of her short term memory.
- We look at some of the research into Alzheimer's and dementia in Colorado.
- In addition to key statewide races for governor, U.S. Senate, and House of Representatives, there are eleven statewide ballot measures to consider. We break them down with Purplish, CPR's podcast about politics and policy. Then, Indigenous people join in a spiritual walk to save their home for future generations. Later, a love of the Rocky Mountains and of history woven into a series of short stories.
- A Colorado Springs Starbucks store is closing, just before members of a union there planned to begin bargaining with the company. Then, U.S. senate candidates Joe O’Dea and Michael Bennet talked about the mental health crisis in a recent debate. Bennet is the democratic incumbent; O'Dea is his Republican challenger.
- Ketamine has been used by doctors as an anesthetic since 1970, yet it's received a lot of attention lately as a therapy for people with anxiety and depression. It's also been abused as a recreational drug and it's been widely talked about in the death of Elijah McClain. We speak with Dr. Andrew Monte, who's an emergency medicine and medical toxicology professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
- The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, former Colorado Senator Ken Salazar, discusses cracking down on fentanyl trafficking and relations between the two nations. Then, the TABOR check rollout. Also, listening to voter voices before the midterms. Plus, understanding ketamine and its various uses. And, a museum on communication, found inside a library.
- Former Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen says he often thinks about the protests following the murder of George Floyd. He spoke with CPR justice reporter Allison Sherry about the highs, the lows, and what's next. Then, Purplish explains the affordable housing measure voters will decide this election.
- Human trials are underway for the drug Leukine, used for cancer patients, to see if it can reduce memory loss for Alzheimer's patients. Dr. Huntington Potter, directs the Alzheimer's and Cognition Center at CU Anschutz, said the drug could also benefit others with memory problems but he cautions that several more years of research are needed to make sure the drug is effective.
- Since war broke out in Ukraine, some Ukrainian citizens have come to the United States to live temporarily under a federal program known as Uniting for Ukraine. They must have someone in this country who will provide financial aid and other assistance while they're here. The small town of Estes Park in northern Colorado has become small haven for some of these new immigrants.
- The childhood vaccination rate – not just for COVID but for a lot of illnesses – is down this year compared to last. Health officials are concerned enough that they sent reminders to parents.
