Colorado Matters

In the latest edition of our series “On Pain,” a veteran and his wife share their frustrating journey seeking relief. Then, families in Commerce City await a decision that’ll determine the fate of their schools. Also, a new sculpture of Denver’s first Black mayor, Wellington Webb, at the downtown municipal building that also bears his name.

The Front Range is in trouble for violating federal air quality standards and the EPA plans to declare the area a “severe” violator. Then, the consequences of “medical gaslighting,” when patients – especially women and people of color – aren’t taken seriously. And, a new poetry collection from an unconventional professor. Also, Congress considers decriminalizing marijuana and schools encourage video games.

With crime on the rise, we talk with Dean Williams, head of the Colorado Dept. of Corrections, about how prisons are responding, from staffing and safety to ensuring inmates are ready for release. Then, the high cost and lack of child care in Metro Denver. Plus, an apology for a dark moment in Denver’s history. And rethinking what American art means is the theme of two exhibits at Denver’s Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

Arvada City Councilwoman Lisa Smith is just back from Poland, where she helped refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

State Democratic leader Morgan Carroll talks about priorities in Colorado and the changing civility in politics. Then, Ukrainians share their realities with a Colorado-based Peace Corps volunteer. Also, a Ukrainian musician from Denver uses the arts to elevate awareness. And, we hike with Nelson Holland, who’s working to make the outdoors more inclusive.

Vanessa Wilson, who tried to restore trust within the community, has been fired from the Aurora police department for not building morale with officers. Then, crime is up in Colorado, but why, and what can be done to reverse the trend? Also, Colorado loses a trailblazer in high school sports.

How does someone serving a long prison sentence find meaning? That’s at the heart of today’s show, which was recorded at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, where a new radio station helps imbue a sense of purpose. Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio is a mix of talk and music. CPR’s Elaine Tassy reported on its launch, but wanted to go deeper.

The conservative scholar program at CU Boulder was created to hire professors with conservative leanings, but John Eastman has been a lightning rod. We speak with the founder of the program, Robert Pasnau. Then, a new U.N. report finds that politics is a major barrier toward addressing climate change. And NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe talks with KRCC’s Abigail Beckman about covering the White House and diversity.