Aug. 10, 2023: Ensuring transparency in the Capitol; Unity through poetry
Just how transparent are the workings inside the state capitol? Despite having one of the most stringent Open Meetings Law in the country, lawmakers still manage to do a lot out of the public eye and it’s led to lawsuits. Then, achieving unity through poetry. Also, why knowing your breast density could save your life. And a troll is moving into the hills west of Pikes Peak.
Aug. 9, 2023: Working to ensure water equity; ‘Denver Star’ preserves Colorado history
When it comes to water, Lorelei Cloud says Indigenous tribes like the Southern Ute don’t just use water; they protect it and treat it with reverence. As the first Indigenous member of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, she is hopeful about ensuring equity in water rights. Then, a pest is threatening one of Colorado’s most beloved crops. And preserving history with “The Denver Star.”
Aug. 7, 2023: What’s next for sexual abuse cases after ruling; A violinist’s journey back from broken
Survivors of sexual abuse are figuring out their next steps after the state supreme court struck down part of a law meant to help them. Then, she was on track to be a professional violinist until debilitating performance anxiety put a wrench in her dreams. Her journey Back from Broken. Plus, love is in the air at the Renaissance Festival! And a rare bloom in Boulder.
‘Play at its core will bring people together’ — the challenges and solutions to create inclusivity in sports
One of the organizations that took part in the recent Project Play summit in Colorado Springs is the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with president and CEO Megan Leatham, about the challenges and solutions toward achieving inclusivity in sports, and about overcoming the undue pressure that’s often inflicted on children to win.
Special Olympics Colorado stretches beyond the playing field
Special Olympics Colorado serves 20,000 athletes in its sports programs but it also provides leadership and health activities and works with hundreds of schools to increase inclusivity. Chandra Thomas Whitfield speaks with the organization’s CEO, Megan Scremin.
Aug. 3, 2023: ‘Project Play’ aims to expand access, equity for kids in sports
The recent Project Play summit in Colorado Springs focused on how to get more kids, especially those from underserved communities, into organized sports. Among the participants, Special Olympics Colorado which serves 20,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.
‘Project Play’ wants to make sports accessible to all children
Hundreds of people from sports organizations across the country gathered on the campus of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs this spring to discuss ways to help more young people gain access to organized sports.
July 25, 2023: Taking a stroll down Welton Street; A ‘Mo’ Betta’ Green Marketplace
The historic Five Points neighborhood in Denver is known for its legacy of jazz music. But it’s also a vibrant business and entertainment district with a longstanding spirit of entrepreneurship. Then, the future for a Gathering Place for some of the area’s most vulnerable people. And, a Mo’ Betta farmer’s market.
A walk in Five Points
The historic Five Points neighborhood in Denver is known for its legacy of jazz music. But it’s much more than that. It’s also a vibrant business and entertainment district with a longstanding spirit of entrepreneurship. Colorado Matters host Chandra Thomas Whitfield toured the area with Haroun Cowans, the newest chair of the Five Points Business Improvement District.
July 20, 2023: Sunny days are nice, but for people of color and skin care, the outlook isn’t always so kind
If you’ve spent any length of time in Colorado, you probably love the mountain views, the outdoor recreation, the low humidity and the daily sunshine. But the latter is often not so kind to the largest organ on the body, our skin. And people of color say they struggle even more with the effects of the arid air. Here’s what a Denver woman did to address the problem.
Colorado’s bright, dry climate poses special skin challenges for people of color
People of color say Colorado’s bright sunshine and dry air pose special challenges for their skin.
July 18, 2023: Key congressional races; Colorado’s new soccer superstar!
The 2024 election is still a year away, but races in two of Colorado’s most competitive Congressional districts are already taking shape. Plus, Denver’s new mayor, Mike Johnston, shares his vision for the city. Then, America’s next World Cup star might be Colorado’s Sophia Smith. Chandra speaks with her parents, Mollie and Kenny, at their home in Windsor.
Winter Park Jazz Festival celebrates 40 years of music and community
What began as a quaint little festival held on the side of a mountain has grown to now draw some of the biggest names in the music industry.
The Winter Park Jazz Festival hits a high note as it celebrates 40 years of music and family tradition
The Winter Park Jazz Festival marks a milestone this weekend as it celebrates 40 years. Becky Taylor is the longtime host and emcee. Tracy Williams and her sister Stephanie Williams, both from Aurora, are life-long fans. They spoke with Chandra Thomas Whitfield about the festival’s longevity and the community it creates.
July 13, 2023: A push to launch LGBTQ+ astronauts; Winter Park Jazz Festival celebrates 40 years
Space may be the final frontier, but some feel it hasn’t been quite as accessible to LGBTQ+ people. Jason Reimuller, the Executive Director of the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences, is on a very personal mission to change that. Then, the Winter Park Jazz Festival, once a sleepy mountain get-together, celebrates its 40th anniversary in grand style with an all-star lineup.
‘Out Astronaut’ hopes to break barriers to reach the final frontier
There has never been an openly gay American astronaut in space. One Colorado non-profit organization provides grants to encourage LGBTQ+ people to explore the fields of science and space. Jason Reimuller is the executive director of the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences and founder of the Boulder-based nonprofit Out Astronaut which is working to increase representation in the industry.
