Colorado Matters

Some people try to pass their dogs off as service animals to get them into apartments and restaurants, but a new Colorado law tries to curb that behavior. Then, if Neil Gorsuch is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he’ll be the second Coloradan to serve on the Supreme Court. Byron White was appointed to the high court in 1962, and we talk with White’s former clerk Dennis Hutchinson. Plus, a kitchy roadside Colorado attraction is endangered of being lost along with other “endangered places” in the state. And, Aurora’s first poet laureate Jovan Mays’ term ends. He reflects on what’s been a bumpy ride.

Tracking down cyber criminals gets harder every day for federal prosecutors; a new unit at the U.S. attorney’s office focuses on cyber crimes and national security. Then, the American bison was recently named the country’s first “national mammal,” but that vision doesn’t sit well with some. Plus, we hear embarrassing childhood memories relayed on stage in front of total strangers. And, as the debate plays out nationally, the battle over Colorado’s health care exchange has already begun. Also, “Those Who Can’t” gets picked up for a third season.

Federal judge Neil Gorsuch of Boulder is in line to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. We’ll learn more about Gorsuch’s record and personality from his former clerk. Then, Denver Police are making a new use of force policy.Lisa Caldaron of the Colorado Latino Forum provides her thoughts on the document. Next, the Trans-Siberian Extreme is the longest cycling race on earth, and the only U.S. male invited to participate in the race across Russia this year is from Colorado. Plus, a Fort Collins man has gone pro in drone racing.

More than four dozen people from around the world were scheduled to arrive in Colorado this week and begin living as refugees, but their trips were canceled after President Donald Trump issued an executive order. The state’s refugee coordinator tells us what’s ahead. Also, the Denver police department recently proposed changes to its use of force policy, but there’s been criticism locally. Then, Littleton “space artist” Michael Carroll and a friend traveled to the top of Mt. Erebus for research on a book about volcanoes in space. And, Pueblo oil painter Teresa Vito could see her artwork cruising Interstate 25 if lawmakers approve a special license plate featuring her painting of Pueblo chiles.

A Boulder man dropped everything to help refugees in Greece after hearing an account of the crisis on CPR’s Colorado Matters. Then, it’s not clear what drugs terminally ill patients would use under Colorado’s new aid in dying law. We hear about experiments in other states. Also, a new play about transgender women stars a Colorado reporter. Plus, the mechanical issues that plagued RTD’s Train to the Plane last year are largely resolved but the A Line is still dogged by crossing gates that don’t work. And, a new satellite built in Colorado promises to improve weather forecasting and is now sending back it’s first pictures.

Female entrepreneurs in Colorado have a tough time getting money to grow their businesses. Two Boulder investors are betting that helping women scale up will pay off. Then, a Colorado sculptor says as she’s gotten older, people treat her differently. She explores that in her latest show. And, Denver architect Curt Fentress, who designed the iconic terminal at Denver International Airport, is being inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame. A look back at Fentress’ 2010 book, “Touchstones of Design: Redefining Public Architecture.” Plus, the Colorado Department of Transportation is experimenting with a tax based on miles driven.

Colorado has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the country. We hear the reasons, and talk solutions. Then, a Denver Post reporter was one of the few journalists inside the White House on President Trump’s first Monday in office. And, much of agriculture is suffering in Colorado, thanks to stubbornly low prices from corn and wheat, to cattle and oil and gas. Colorado’s farm and ranch income has hit its lowest level since 1986. Plus, Kit Winger fronted his own 80’s metal band– now the former Coloradan has turned his attention to classical music, and is nominated for a Grammy.

On Christmas Eve six years ago, Chauncey and Kelli Johnson lost their young daughter in a skiing accident with a snowboarder. The Johnsons have now created a skier safety campaign. Then, asthma is a common disease but a new study finds it’s also commonly misdiagnosed. An article in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association says a third of adults who are told they have asthma actually don’t. Also, a paraplegic athlete from Denver has found a new way to get around the rugged trails of Colorado — she recently started using a new chair that she says has reintroduced her to the world of hiking. And there’s a new musical feature coming to some long-distance passenger trains in the U.S. … a singing troubadour.