Colorado Matters

Inmate Jabbar Currence spent 11 years in solitary at the federal Supermax prison in Colorado. He was freed earlier this year, and arrested three days later for assault. A Vice News reporter on how the system fails inmates like Currence. Then, the Colorado woman who adapted a little-known WWII story into a comic.

Here’s a tough question: How do you decide how much money to give Coloradans abused as children by Catholic clergy? Attorney Ken Feinberg, who was in charge of distributing money for victims of the Aurora Theater shooting, will help answer those questions for Colorado. And, RTD is proposing temporary — but significant — service cuts.

The head of Colorado’s prison system said he wants to reduce recidivism by doing a better job of preparing inmates for release. Dean Williams said one change he’d make would be to allow inmates to work outside of prison in advance of their release. Williams and Jeff Johnson, a parolee who advocates for prison reform, spoke on CPR’s Colorado Matters.

In the ruins of ancient buildings near Farmington, New Mexico, the ceilings are covered with historic graffiti. Turns out the inscriptions were left by people who explored the site in the early 1800s. A Cortez historian is studying what they wrote.

When the economy’s good, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights gives Coloradans refunds. We host a debate on Prop CC, which would let the state keep that money. Then, children of immigrants may feel caught between different worlds. Two teens document their personal stories. And, “Bears Don’t Care.” Plus, Ginger Baker, famed musician, Colorado polo pioneer.

It’s Columbus Day. But should it be? In Colorado. the debate over the holiday continues. And, a lung disease in young people–it’s not vaping. This has to do with workers who manufacture counter tops. Then, a Colorado woman dedicated to rebuilding housing in Nepal. Also, a couple writes a musical about raising children. It’s called “In The Trenches.”

Hospitals can’t discharge patients who don’t have a safe place to go, so they face the reality of housing people, sometimes for years. Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg is in Colorado for a climate strike; how did she gain worldwide attention? Plus, sports betting and the the state water plan. Then, writing music for the stage, and the story behind the Burroughs.