Anthony Cotton

Colorado Matters Senior Producer

@AnthonyCottondp[email protected]

Anthony Cotton is a senior producer for Colorado Matters on CPR News.

Education:
Bachelor's degree in journalism, Northwestern University.

Professional background:
Anthony joined Colorado Public Radio in 2016, bringing decades of writing experience ranging from politics to sports. He worked for 14 years for The Denver Post and has also served on the staff of Sports Illustrated and The Washington Post.

Awards:
Anthony was named 2011 Print Journalist of the Year by the Colorado Association of Black Journalists.

Into the ‘Misty’ — New film highlights top-secret missions of Vietnam pilots

During the Vietnam War, a group of fighter pilots volunteered for what was largely seen as an impossible mission – preventing the delivery of weapons and supplies from the North into the South. These pilots were known by their radio call sign: Misty. Close to a dozen of them were from Colorado. A new documentary, “The Misty Experiment: The Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail,” is airing on PBS.

Lessons on how Colorado’s new free preschool will work

After Governor Jared Polis signed it into law, four-year-olds in Colorado will be able to attend preschool for free beginning in 2023. However, families will be limited to 10 hours — which could hamper the schedules of working families. There are also other questions about how the program will actually work, according to Chalkbeat senior reporter Ann Schimke.

Denver photographer captures humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

John Babiak’s parents were displaced from Ukraine during World War II, eventually settling in upstate New York and teaching their children the value of helping others. It’s one reason why the photographer from Denver recently made a trip to Eastern Europe to assist those displaced by the war with Russia. Babiak is working with World Central Kitchen, a global humanitarian group, and has shared some of the photos he’s taken on his journey with Colorado Public Radio.
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Remembering Colorado sports icon Tom Robinson

Colorado lost an important voice this week with the passing of Tom Robinson. In 2001, Robinson became the first Black administrator hired by the Colorado High School Activities Association. Robinson worked as a teacher, coach and referee. He was even the replay official for the 2017 NCAA college football national championship game. The husband of Cleo Parker Robinson, Tom also helped found the iconic Denver dance company. Rashaan Davis is an assistant commissioner with CHSAA who worked with Robinson for years.
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CU’s Conservative Scholar Program aims to broaden thought and policy

It’s fair to say that college professors tend to lean liberal. So, almost 10 years ago, the University of Colorado Boulder embarked on an effort to counter that. It created the position of Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy. Since then, a number of conservatives have taught on campus, including John Eastman. Now, a House committee is looking into Eastman’s role in the JIt’s fair to say that college professors tend to lean liberal. So, almost 10 years ago, the University of Colorado Boulder embarked on an effort to counter that. It created the position of Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy. Since then, a number of conservatives have taught on campus, including John Eastman. Now, a House committee is looking into Eastman’s role in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Robert Pasnau is a philosophy professor at CU Boulder. He directed the conservative scholars program for eight years.

The Smithsonian recognizes women in STEM with their own statues

The Smithsonian exhibit honors female leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with their own safety orange statues. The exhibit, called “If Then She Can,” features 120 women — and six of them are from Colorado, including Jenny Briggs, the assistant dean of the Colorado School of Mines, and engineer Sarah Wilson with Tortuga AgTech.
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Broncos fans get something to cheer about

On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos acquired Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson in a trade that garnered attention across the league and boosted fans’ expectations that the team could come back after several losing seasons. Commentator and former Bronco Ryan Harris has high expectations too.
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Fighting cyber warfare tied to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine is fighting for its life. And the globe is fighting to grasp the repercussions of the Russian invasion. In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis has said he’ll welcome refugees. He also told his IT workforce to shore up cyber defenses. Let’s get perspective from Elizabeth Van Wie Davis, professor of international politics and policy at Colorado School of Mines. She’s the author of “Shadow Warfare: Cyberwar Policy in the United States, Russia, and China.”
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What at-home COVID tests tell us now

Testing was a major part of the strategy to stem the spread of COVID-19. But as the focus shifts to vaccines, what role do tests play now? Data scientist Daniel Larremore from CU Boulder explains how we can use testing as we shift from pandemic to endemic.