June 9, 2025: The bestselling novel ‘Go As a River’ weaves an engrossing tale of a watery ghost town
As a girl growing up in Gunnison, Shelley Read swam in Blue Mesa Reservoir. And she knew of the watery ghost town just beneath her. That ultimately led to her writing about it; the novel, now a global bestseller, is called “Go As A River.” A Turn the Page encore. And it’s not just about the disappearance of the town of Iola, Colorado. Then, students creating a workforce for climate resiliency. And, Colorado Wonders why some holders of annual state park passes may have to pay an extra fee to enter.
June 6, 2025: The challenge of tracking federal cuts; Festival Flamboyan creates connection
“The Impact Project” is a tool to track and display cuts to federal agencies; we speak with the founding director. Then, an update on the survivors and the suspect in Sunday’s firebomb attack in Boulder. Plus, a nationally renowned Colorado theater company that makes theater-going more accessible adapts in the face of canceled grants. And Festival Flamboyan is a first-of-its-kind event that hopes to connect Coloradans.
June 4, 2025: A Hiroshima survivor remembers; Challenges for Colorado jobseekers; Thriving with diabetes
Hiroshima survivor Tamayo Terada welcomed us into her Denver home, as her adult children gathered round. Less than a month after that gathering, Terada passed away. Then, advice for jobseekers in uncertain times. Plus, a Colorado woman’s half-century journey with diabetes. And, Colorado country music, according to The Barlow.
Remembering Hiroshima survivor Tamayo Terada, of Denver
Tamayo Terada likely survived the atomic attack on Hiroshima because of a scheduling fluke. She welcomed Sr. Host Ryan Warner into her Denver home, surrounded by her adult children. Shortly after their meeting, Terada passed away. Ryan has this remembrance, now 80 years after the bombing.
June 2, 2025: Attorney General Phil Weiser says Boulder attack is ‘personal’; A shift in immigration protocols?
The Jewish holiday of Shavuot, when Jewish people celebrate the gift of the Torah – the Hebrew bible, was marred by violence as eight people were attacked Sunday in Boulder. Attorney General Phil Weiser provided an update on the latest developments. Then, have immigration protocols shifted from finding criminals to stopping those following the current guidelines? Also, oil companies aren’t always complying with fracking laws. And, how cancelling millions of dollars in grants has impacted addressing environmental inequities.
May 30, 2025: We are starved for stars, says outdoor writer Craig Childs
Eighty percent of the world’s population can’t see the Milky Way. Light pollution interferes. Author and adventurer Craig Childs, of Norwood, Colorado, writes about a trek from light to dark in his new book. “The Wild Dark” takes readers from the incandescense of Las Vegas to the spangled skies of rural Nevada.
May 28, 2025: Investigating ‘welfare checks’ of migrant children; Colorado Symphony and Lettuce mix it up
Federal agents have been knocking on doors in Colorado; n the other side of those doors: kids who crossed the border illegally and alone. CPR Justice reporter Allison Sherry brings us her investigation, a story she broke. Then, could the BLM relocate to Colorado, again? Also, a the case of a Grand Junction man convicted in deadly pipe bombings; we talk with the Innocence Project about faulty forensic science. And later, an unexpected collaboration from the Colorado Symphony, this time with Denver funk band Lettuce.
May 23, 2025: Polis on a bevy of lawsuits, federal budget cuts; Severe weather season tears through Colorado
“Cruel” and “disastrous” is how Gov. Jared Polis describes the US House’s budget plan. Meanwhile, Colorado cities sue him over housing requirements. Also, Polis on immigration and a pedestrian bridge proposed at the State Capitol. Then, a destructive start to severe weather season. Later, how two rafting companies navigate tariffs. And Joe Cocker joins the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He found inner peace in Colorado.
Polis says House budget bill would be ‘disastrous’ for Colorado
In an interview with Colorado Matters, the governor discussed how the so-called ‘big, beautiful bill’ will affect Colorado, plus a lawsuit he faces over housing policy.
May 21, 2025: ‘Countdown’ examines how the U.S. is updating its ‘geriatric’ nuclear arsenal
This country’s nuclear arsenal is “geriatric.” And many of the people who maintain it are heading towards retirement. Plus, the agency that oversees the nuclear arsenal has not been immune to the possibility of federal staffing cuts. Colorado science writer Sarah Scoles examines the future of nuclear defense in her book, “Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons.”
May 19, 2025: Polis on vetoes, housing laws; Evolving vision for downtown Denver
Governor Jared Polis is flexing his executive power. He vetoed a priority bill for Democrats and threatens to withhold funds from cities that don’t follow new housing laws. Also, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston talks about an evolving vision for downtown Denver and big project investments. Then, Denver Post reporter Sam Tabachnik on his investigation into the death of a 7-year-old Grand County boy and the questions it raises about child abuse investigations. Later, a human trafficking survivor shares a message of strength at the Front Range Community College commencement. And the Green Box Arts Festival is back!
Human trafficking survivor is student speaker at Front Range Community College commencement
At graduation this year, students at Front Range Community College heard from classmate Chelsea Carroll. She is a survivor of abuse and human trafficking and intends to turn those experiences into helping others, likely through a career in neuroscience.
Interview: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on standing up to Trump, the housing shortage and 16th Street Mall
Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner spoke with the mayor at his office.
May 16, 2025: Denver mayor on immigration, federal lawsuit, and housing; CSU alum now at MSNBC
It’s been a trying year for Denver’s mayor. Mike Johnston has battled with the Trump administration over the city’s welcoming immigration policies. On the flipside, a top attraction, the 16th Street Mall, is finally reopening. Then, a steel startup in Boulder plans to make climate-friendly iron. And MSNBC’s Eugene Daniels returns to his alma matter, CSU, as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on standing up to Trump; housing shortage; 16th Street Mall
It’s been a trying year for Denver’s mayor. Mike Johnston has battled with the Trump administration over the city’s welcoming immigration policies.
May 14, 2025: Attorney General Weiser on 20 lawsuits and counting; Jewish music for all
President Trump has signed executive orders at a dizzying pace: 152 as of this morning. Any number affect Colorado. That has kept Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser very busy — he’s filed filed 20 lawsuits so far challenging some of those orders. Then, cuts to food aid are on the table as Congress considers a new spending bill. Plus, a landmark climate lawsuit moves forward in Boulder. And the second annual KlezKolorado festival is this weekend with Jewish music for everyone.
