
STAR Program works to provide resources to people in crisis without involving police
The STAR Program has been underway in Denver for two years now. STAR stands for “Support Team Assistance Response.” The program sends unarmed trained health experts instead of police officers to certain low-risk 911 calls.

Teens use kindness to improve lives, sense of self, and sense of community
Students at a charter school in New Orleans are used to being written off. What they’re not so used to… is being heard. Yet five of these students got a global audience recently at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. They’re among the teams to win the Aspen Challenge, for developing a program that uses kindness to address mental health.

Colorado narrows the opportunity gap but equity still ‘a dream unrealized’
Ideally, the color of your skin doesn’t determine your opportunities in areas like education or housing, and a new report suggests that Colorado, more than any other state, is inching closer to that goal. But it also finds that equity remains “a dream unrealized.” Host Chandra Thomas Whitfield speaks with reporter Tina Griego of the Colorado News Collaborative.

Denver-born filmmaker helps Buzz Lightyear go to infinity and beyond
The new Pixar movie “Lightyear” is a spin-off of the wildly popular Toy Story franchise…with a twist. The characters are not toys this time around. Denver native Will Ross served as the Editorial Coordinator on the film. He spoke with Colorado Matters co-host Chandra Thomas Whitfield.

June 27, 2022: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ron Hanks on immigration, voting security
Ron Hanks is currently a state representative from Fremont County. He faces Joe O’Dea in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Chandra Thomas Whitfield asks Hanks about a range of topics including inflation, abortion access, gun control, and the January 6th insurrection. Later, the artistry and symbolic meaning behind one of the floats in Denver’s Pride parade.

June 23, 2022: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea on inflation, guns, and abortion access
Colorado businessman Joe O’Dea is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. He’s in a primary race with state representative Ron Hanks. The winner will face the incumbent, Democrat Michael Bennet, in the general election. We ask about issues including inflation, abortion access, climate change, and gun control and crime. Then, a new book explores the history of curanderos. And soap box derby’s young racers.