Dec. 19, 2025: The 10th Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza
A CPR tradition turns 10 this year. The Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza returns with bluegrass, mariachi, comedy and storytime. And as always, we pay homage to Judy Garland.
We got you something special: The 10th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza!
A CPR holiday tradition turns 10. The 2025 Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza is brimming with music, memories, and laughter. Cozy up as we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and togetherness.
Dec. 18, 2025: Deck the halls with ‘Garland’
Today, Colorado muisicians pay homage to Judy Garland, who inspired our annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza. The CPR tradition began after Sr. Host Ryan Warner watched Garland’s 1963 Christmas special. Enjoy covers by Isaac Slade, Neyla Pekarek, Beth Malone, and Ryan himself (cringe).
Dec. 17, 2025: Chances low for a white Christmas on Front Range; Dating apps may have enabled a rapist
A scary puzzle comes together today: We’ve had the warm piece, the dry piece, and now wind. We also ask Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo about the chances for a white Christmas. Plus, Colorado ski resorts rely on human-made snow. Also, women sue a dating app company for allegedly enabling a rapist. Later, Colorado’s state historian on the sesquicentennial. And new holiday music from Denver pianist Annie Booth, with a nod to Charlie Brown.
Denver7’s Lisa Hidalgo on a year of weather extremes
In our last weather & climate chat of 2025, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo reflects on a year of extremes — from heat to drought to twisters. Plus, the chances of a white Christmas.
Dec. 15, 2025: Tackling Colorado’s rising homeowners’ insurance; A Hanukkah song with a twist
Colorado is in the top ten states for the most expensive homeowners’ insurance, thanks to wildfires and hail. Purplish looks at what can be done to bring the cost down. Then, President Trump says he’s pardoned Tina Peters, even though he lacks the jurisdiction to do so; we’ll discuss the reasoning and what happens next. Plus some Colorado ranchers are frustrated with federal policy. Then, why are so many people in China wearing hats that say Colorado? And Farmer Dave helps us celebrate Hanukkah with a song in Ladino.
Farmer Dave celebrates Hanukkah in Ladino
Aurora musician and children’s television host Dave Ladon, aka Farmer Dave, celebrates The Festival of Lights in a language spoken by Sephardic Jews— Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish. Ladon performed as part of the 10th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza.
Dec. 12, 2025: This artist lost his sight, but not his vision; Author reminds children, ‘you are not alone’
The effort to extend the tax credit for the Affordable Care Act stalls in Congress, so what’s next? Then, President Trump claims he pardoned Tina Peters despite lacking jurisdiction; we revisit the state crimes she was convicted of, and why the prosecutor says it wasn’t political. Plus, a new exhibit at the Denver Art Museum features works exclusively by veterans. Also, Longmont author Ingrid Law shares her new book with kids at the Denver Public Library. And the Local 303 for December highlights “high energy emo revival.”
Dec. 10, 2025: In ‘Roam,’ stories of people knitting the natural world back together
Movement is key to life— for people and wildlife. But the way humans live can impede other species. Ryan speaks with Boulder science reporter Hillary Rosner, of CU, whose new book is “Roam: Wild Animals and the Race to Repair Our Fractured World.”
Dec. 5, 2025: ‘If you can keep it’ on unprecedented politics; Maintaining Mustang; Tech firm commits to downtown
Our series continues about unprecedented politics, named for the famous Benjamin Franklin line in 1787: “A republic, if you can keep it.” University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket provides historic context. Then, it takes a lot of work to keep Mustang standing strong outside DIA. Also, tech firm Ibotta makes a 10-year commitment to downtown Denver, which other businesses have fled. And the family stories behind Denver’s Little Saigon at History Colorado Center.
This Vietnam veteran lost his sight, but not his vision. Now, his art hangs in the Denver Art Museum
Jim Stevens directs Denver’s Veterans Arts Council and organized “Beyond the Military: From Combat to Canvas.”
Dec. 3, 2025: No degree? No problem; Tig Notaro grieves Colorado’s late poet laureate Andrea Gibson
For most state jobs, you don’t need a college degree. It’s the skills that matter. Governor Jared Polis has championed this change in the private sector, as well. Reporter Lawrence Lanahan writes about this trend in a piece titled, “No college degree, no problem? Not so fast!” Then, comedian Tig Notaro remembers Colorado’s late poet laureate Andrea Gibson with the new film, “Come See Me in the Good Light.” Also, a mother and daughter from Colorado reconnect with their family’s World War II legacy in Italy. Plus, pairing wine and solar on the Western Slope.
Dec. 1, 2025: Reflections on the past, looking forward on World AIDS Day
Today, on World AIDS Day, Ryan visits the Colorado AIDS memorial in the heart of Denver with Barb Cardell, program director at the Positive Women’s Network USA. They discuss science, stigma, and, for our series Aging Matters, what it means to enter your senior years with HIV.
At Colorado’s AIDS Memorial, 5 things to consider on World AIDS Day
Many Colorado governors have turned to activist Barb Cardell to shape HIV/AIDS policy
Nov. 28, 2025: Trust Matters: A conversation about record-low levels of trust in the media
According to Gallup, barely a third of Americans express a great deal or even fair amount of trust in newspapers, TV, and radio. In the 1970s, trust was as high as 72 percent. At Front Range Community College, students meet the press: Greg Moore, former editor of The Denver Post and recent National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame inductee; Corey Hutchins of the Colorado College Journalism Institute and “Inside the News In Colorado”; and Jeffrey Roberts of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. Our panelists mentioned resources for the community and for journalists at The News Literacy Project and Colorado News Collaborative.
Nov. 26, 2025: When the world believed Martians were real
For “Turn the Page with Colorado Matters,” former NPR science reporter David Baron, of Boulder, talks about his new book, “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze That Captured Turn-Of-the-Century America.” Listen to a captivating conversation in front of an audience at Library 21c in Colorado Springs.
