Ari Shapiro will keep considering all things
For the first time, Colorado’s top journalism prize goes to a public radio journalist. All Things Considered Host Ari Shapiro, who has just left NPR, has won The Damon Runyon Award from the Denver Press Club. In a conversation with Ryan Warner at the award dinner, Shapiro reflects on his career, the state of journalism, and his future, which undoubtedly makes room for music.
Oct. 22, 2025: Historical context for this moment in politics; Finding unity across the divide
We continue “If you can keep it,” our series to get historical context about this moment in presidential politics; political scientist Seth Masket from the University of Denver joins us. Then, a Denver man hopes to create a brand for unity in America to show people are less divided than it seems. Later, will Halloween be a trick or a treat this year? It’s just one thing we ask Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo in our monthly weather and climate chat. And the Museum of Contemporary Art’s new director talks about elevating local artists and his vision for the Denver institution.
‘If you can keep it.’ A new series about unprecedented politics and policy
Benjamin Franklin said, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” He was asked – after the constitutional convention – if we were to become a republic or a monarchy? We borrowed from Franklin to name a new series, “If you can keep it.” With the help of University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket, we’ll meet unprecedented moves in government with scrutiny and historical context.
Will Halloween trick or treat us weatherwise?
Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo has a Halloween forecast and insights into a scary phenomenon called “atmospheric thirst.”
Oct. 20, 2025: Two statewide ballot measures on the menu; Authors at odds with AI settlement
There are two statewide ballot issues in the November election. Voters will decide the future of Colorado’s “Healthy School Meals for All” program; Purplish explains both related measures. Then, Colorado authors respond to a massive settlement with an A.I. company that’s been using their work. Plus, the “Wired, Wired West” explores the power needed to support Artificial Intelligence. Then, Coloradans join in the “No Kings” protest, and music from Littleton’s Conrad Mata.
Oct. 17, 2025: Where Hickenlooper won’t budge; Remembering Susan Stamberg
Democratic U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper is a holdout on re-opening government until there’s a plan to keep health insurance premiums down. We ask about paths for compromise and his frustration with cuts to green energy. Then, we remember NPR founding mother Susan Stamberg. Plus, Pueblo-born musician and composer Mary D. Watkins on honoring the Black experience in America. And Wonderbound’s Rock Ballets.
‘We wanted to sound as if we were talking over the back fence to a friend.’ Remembering Susan Stamberg
A journalist who helped forge public media has died. NPR veteran Susan Stamberg passed away Thursday at age 87. In this 2010 interview, she tells Colorado Matters Sr. Host Ryan Warner about the creation of All Things Considered. Stamberg served as host, becoming the first woman in the country to host an evening news program.
Sen. Hickenlooper: Health care stakes warrant shutdown tactics
Democrats have staked reopening the government on an extension of health care tax credits.
Oct. 15, 2025: A Colorado author’s trek to find ‘The Wild Dark’ of the night sky
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 incandescence of Las Vegas to the spangled skies of rural Nevada. Childs spoke with Sr. Host Ryan Warner at the Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte in May.
Oct. 13, 2025: On Indigenous People’s Day, how to get beyond acknowledgments and into action
Respect is the first law of the world’s Indigenous peoples, says a man on a quest to right a historic wrong. On this Indigenous People’s Day, Rick Williams has hope. We learn about his life mission in Colorado In Depth. Then, the two statewide ballot measures that voters will decide in November’s election. And the Denver band, Bison Bone.
We spent the night at a Southern Colorado motel attached to a drive-in theater
The popcorn is pillowside at Best Western Movie Manor in Monte Vista, CO
Boulder restaurateur lands award named for culinary legend Julia Child
Bobby Stuckey, co-founder of Frasca Hospitality Group, is only the 11th person to win the Julia Child Award
Oct. 10, 2025: This café is run by a food bank; We spend the night at a movie motel
A mission-driven restaurant in Grand Junction takes an innovative approach to hunger and nutrition. Then, the plight of federal workers amid layoffs, furloughs and the shutdown. Later, we check in to the Movie Manor in Monte Vista. Also, the filmmakers behind short horror movie “The Ant” who are crawling their way to the top. And, a choreography of hot air balloons from around the world.
Why a Grand Junction food bank opened a restaurant
The Community Food Bank of Grand Junction has opened a cafe to support its mission.
Oct. 8, 2025: Rep. Jeff Hurd on shutdown, militarizing U.S. cities; New Denver City Librarian on book bans
In Rep. Jeff Hurd’s district, which includes Grand Junction and Pueblo, the cost of some health insurance plans is about to be astronomical. But Hurd says the issue shouldn’t be used as leverage in the shutdown. We also ask about militarizing U.S. cities and the Epstein files. Then, Denver’s new city librarian on the evolution of libraries, from digital literacy to distributing food. Then, why the Biennial of the Americas in Denver is going hyper-local. And Colorado Wonders about the Unaweep Canyon’s unique claim to fame.
Shutdowns should not be used as policy leverage, Rep. Jeff Hurd says
Hurd supports an extension of health care tax credits, but not the use of shutdown to get them.
