
Interview: Holding law enforcement accountable goes beyond charging police officers. It’s about stopping harm from happening in the first place
Following the verdict in the first trial of the Aurora officers charged in Elijah McClain’s death, National Police Accountability Project’s executive director spoke with Colorado Matters about the ebbs and flows that come from working to hold police accountable for their actions.

Interview: Why Coach Prime’s arrival at CU is a movement for Black communities in Colorado and nationwide
Deion Sanders and his team represent far more than wins and losses — especially for a Black community searching for signs of empowerment and authenticity.

Interview: Rep. Jason Crow on the push to keep Donald Trump off the 2024 Colorado ballot
The War Between the States dates back more than 150 years, but Jason Crow says the memories of a more recent civil warfare aren’t very far away. turn to the White House. It’s why he thinks there’s merit to a movement that’s taking place in Colorado and a handful of states across the country.

A fulsome experience as CU celebrates 100 years at Folsom Field
Carved from a hillside in 1923, Folsom Field on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder has been the site of game-winning touchdown runs and iconic concerts. As the team prepares to take the field for its home opener against Nebraska, former Buffs’ quarterback Darian Hagan talks about his memories of playing in Boulder. Also, long-time sports information director and historian Dave Plati, who has been at the school for almost a half-century, recalls some of the biggest moments that have taken place at the stadium.

What cannabis reclassification might mean nationally and for Colorado
Cannabis might be reclassified– as a less dangerous drug– similar to ketamine, rather than heroin. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made that recommendation this week. The change could have far-reaching consequences in Colorado, where cannabis is legal under state law, and tightly regulated. John Schroyer is a Denver-based senior reporter for Green Market Report, which covers the cannabis industry. Also, CPR reporter Bente Birkeland gauged reaction from local officials and stakeholders.

New study gives a shot in the arm to declining toddler vaccination rates
When it comes to vaccinating toddlers, there’s huge room for improvement in Colorado — state officials say the numbers for kindergarteners as well as all school-aged children has declined in recent years. Dr. Matthew Daley, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente, is the co-author of a study that looks at that cohort and the reasons why families may not be up to date on their child’s vaccinations.

Home insurance is getting more and more expensive in Colorado. Wildfires and hail are to blame
The costs to insure homes in Colorado has increased of more than 50 percent over the last three years.

How a ‘new normal’ is impacting homeowners’ insurance costs in wildfire-prone areas
In the age of climate change, the idea of a “wildfire season” in Colorado is as antiquated as the horse and buggy. Still, this is the time of year when something as seemingly benign as an unexpected wind shift can spark panic in homeowners. And that’s not the only sense of dread for those living in vulnerable areas; there’s also the rising cost of insuring their residences – if they can find a policy at all.

A Centennial cook’s new take on noodle kugel, a ‘Great American Recipe’ baked in tradition and family
Abbe Odenwalder has been on a quest to literally determine “The Great American Recipe” on the PBS show designed to celebrate multiculturalism.

‘All We Are Is Memory…’ One writer’s look at slavery and its personal legacy
Writer Donna Bryson says the history of slavery, its impact, its legacy, isn’t just the story of the Blacks who were oppressed, but also the white oppressors. A reporter for Reuters, Bryson was part of a comprehensive project that looked at “Slavery’s Descendants,” — the investigation not only looked at slavery from multi-racial viewpoints, but also explored its enduring footprint, via the connection with many of today’s political elites. Bryson spoke with Colorado Matters about her family’s personal story.

Federal judge orders end to ‘Kansas Two-step’ police tactic that a lawsuit alleged unfairly targeted Colorado drivers
The Kansas Highway Patrol uses a tactic dubbed the “Kansas two step” to search vehicles — often from other states — when there is often no legitimate cause for the search, according to the lawsuit.

For lifelong Nuggets fan, the NBA Finals cause exhilaration and appreciation
Nikki Swarn, the general manager and interim program director at KUVO Jazz and hip-hop station The Drop, discusses her life-long love of the Denver Nuggets and her excitement that the team is playing in its first-ever NBA Finals.

Chasing history, establishing a legacy — DU women’s lacrosse embraces lofty goals
The Nuggets aren’t the only Denver team chasing history — last week, the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team became the first women’s collegiate team west of the Mississippi River to advance beyond the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. This weekend, the Pioneers have a chance to win their first championship.

Interview: We talk to the attorney who says Kansas troopers are unfairly targeting Colorado drivers with the ‘Kansas Two-Step’
We also asked for advice for drivers should they find themselves pulled over for stops in the state.

Once quiet and shy, an Overland H.S. student is reciting Poetry Out Loud in national semifinals
There was a time when Hana Kebede struggled with public speaking — “I would stutter, I would be nervous, I would quieten my voice,” she said. That’s not the case now for the 16-year-old junior at Overland High School in Aurora; a speech and debate class at the school helped Kebede come out of her shell. She then won the Colorado Poetry Out Loud competition and she’s now headed to the national semi-finals.

Interview: Rep. Jason Crow on the Afghanistan withdrawal and the Pentagon military document leaks
Congressman Jason Crow, who represents Colorado’s 6th District, spoke to Colorado Matters about a recent report on the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan as well as military leaks from the Pentagon.