Chandra Thomas Whitfield

Host/Producer, Colorado Matters

[email protected]

Chandra Thomas Whitfield joined CPR as a host and producer of its daily interview show, Colorado Matters, in 2022.

Professional background:
Whitfield has produced stories for NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Essence, Ebony and a number of other national media outlets. She also hosted and produced the award-winning podcast “In The Gap” from In These Times magazine, which explored how the gender pay gap and pay discrimination affects the lives and livelihoods of Black women who work in America.

A New Orleans native by way of Atlanta and Clark Atlanta University graduate, she is also an alumna of a diverse mix of journalism fellowship programs, including the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at the Ohio University and Ted Scripps Fellowship in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder. Most recently she completed the Medill and The Garage Media Entrepreneur Fellowship with Northwestern University’s esteemed Medill School of Journalism.

Education:
Bachelor's of Arts degree in Journalism, Clark Atlanta University.

Awards/recognition:
Whitfield is the recipient of numerous awards for her writing, including “Journalist of the Year” awards from the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Atlanta Press Club, as well as honors from the Association for Women in Communications, the Colorado Association of Black Journalists and Mental Health America. An award-winning feature story she penned for Atlanta magazine is widely attributed with helping contribute to a change in Georgia law and a young man's early release from a 10-year prison sentence.

A woman is seen working on strips of orange straps. She is standing behind a table that has square measurements on it.

May 15, 2025: Colorado raft supply companies navigate the uncertain waters of tariffs; Preserving oral histories

Navigating the on-again-off-again tariffs can be like navigating the rapids on a river in Colorado. We hear from two raft supply companies about the impact. Then, words to live by from the student speaker at Western Colorado University’s commencement. Plus, how older Coloradans are connecting with kids in the classroom for mutual benefit. And a creative way to preserve oral histories in Denver’s Curtis Park neighborhood.
Just a small handful of the 700 cards and letters 92-year-old Angela Lee has received

May 13, 2025: How letters bring love to seniors facing loneliness; Finding care for ‘The Invisible Patient’

When Angela Lee moved to senior care facility, she was lonely. Until one day changed it all. Love For Our Elders is a non-profit organization that relieves loneliness through letter writing. Then, a new documentary examines “The Invisible Patient” and the challenges parents face finding care for their mentally ill adult children. Seniors for Seniors pairs older pets with older adults.
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May 6, 2025: Colorado nonprofits work to overcome cuts; What ‘climate realism’ means for green energy

Federal funding cuts are creating a domino effect for Colorado nonprofits as they work to figure out what’s next. Then, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright says he’s not a climate change denier; he’s a climate change realist. What does that mean for alternative sources of energy? Plus, author Tommy Orange’s commencement message for the graduating class of Fort Lewis College in Durango.
A woman is sitting on the ground next to a grave marker in a cemetery in Boulder.

May 1, 2025: Voters, Congressional delegation on Trump’s first 100 days; The secret life of Mary Rippon

As President Trump marks 100 days in office, we get a read from Colorado’s Congressional delegation and the state’s voters. Then, she was the first female professor at the University of Colorado Boulder but she had a secret that remained hidden for nearly a century. Plus, Colorado Wonders about a disappearing river. And, are you ready to evacuate if there’s an emergency? We’ll get insight into how to prepare and plan with the start of wildfire season.
Four people are pictured standing side by side smiling at the camera.

April 29, 2025: Elevating Africa and the opportunities it creates in Colorado; Authenticity in African fashion

For the past 20 years, the Denver-based, grassroots non-profit Africa Agenda has been working to build and elevate relationships between Colorado and the continent of Africa. George Bamu is its founder and executive director and his organization often works closely with state Rep. Naquetta Ricks. Then, an entrepreneur based in Broomfield has a vision to bring authentic fashion from Africa to Colorado. Koya Nyangi is a stylist and fashion blogger from Kenya and the founder of Let Me Show You Different. We spoke in 2024.
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State Rep. Naquetta Ricks sees opportunities in connections between Colorado and Africa

State Rep. Naquetta Ricks of Aurora is a native of Liberia and the first African immigrant to be elected to the Colorado General Assembly. She comments about the Denver-based non-profit Africa Agenda’s 20th year working to elevate connections and economic opportunities between Africa and Colorado and the diversity and representation of Africa in metro Denver’s population, especially in Aurora.
A man at the site of a proposed geothermal power plant

April 22, 2025: The debate over geothermal energy boils over; Colorado reflections on Pope Francis

With all the debate about where to get energy, from oil and coal to wind and solar, there’s one source we don’t hear a lot about. Hot water. Colorado wants to become a leader in developing geothermal energy, but the debate on how to do that is heating up itself. Colorado In Depth explores what we know, and don’t know about this energy resource. Then, Coloradans reflect on the impact of Pope Francis.
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April 15, 2025: A measles checkup; State lawmakers working to preserve trans rights

For the first time in nearly three decades, Colorado has three confirmed cases of the measles. But it’s not considered an outbreak yet. Then, as the federal government rolls back rights for transgender Americans, Colorado is moving to expand protections. We’ll look at the debate with Purplish. Plus, rural Colorado braces for Medicaid cuts and the impact of tariffs.
A black and white courtroom sketch of defendant Michael Correa who is on trial in federal court in Denver for acts of torture.

April 10, 2025: International torture trial in Denver; Colorado entrepreneur eyes A.I. and audio

A trial is underway in Denver for a man accused of torture in The Gambia. We’ll talk through the accusations and why it’s happening in Colorado. Then, a Colorado entrepreneur is working to bring audio in movies and online content to the next level, using ethically-sourced Artificial Intelligence. Plus, why the pine beetle is spreading again. And a sendoff for a beloved ski lift!

April 8, 2025: Helping student athletes win on the playing field of mental health

Student athletes face a lot of pressure to win. And on the ever-changing playing field of college sports, that can create even more anxiety. Today, we share a panel discussion about stress, students, sports, and solutions, hosted by the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Then, NCAA President Charlie Baker speaks with CSU President Amy Parsons about the changing collegiate sports landscape. Later, preserving the water in the Arkansas River Basin in southern Colorado.
A woman is seen holding a Chihuahua. Colorful strings of dog biscuit cutouts hang vertically in the background.

April 3, 2025: An Aging Matters special – is a pet right for you? Plus, refocusing life after retirement

A pet dog or cat are often considered part of the family. But for older adults, they can become much more than that. In an Aging Matters on Colorado Matters special, paring up with a pet, and how to make the decision that’s right for you. Then, a group of Latino seniors finds a solution to unexpected isolation. And people talk about retiring, having enough money is often the first thing that comes up, but there’s a lot more to consider. A program through the University of Colorado Denver called “Change Makers” helps navigate the next chapter in life.
Keylonie Fenery (left to right), Dennis Crowley and Veronica Seabron

April 1, 2025: A mother’s search for answers; Is film project in Boulder a sign of things to come?

Her adult son was shot seven times in the back by a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy. Today, a mother’s search for answers. Then, as Boulder prepares to host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027, could a film production there be a sign of things to come? Plus, Colorado Wonders why the school year is shorter than other states’. Also, Colorado will be getting 15 new judges. And a chance to celebrate the artistry and legacy of Selena.