Colorado Matters

Famous astronauts Mark and Scott Kelley are identical twins, and part of an ambitious experiment. Scientists studied Mark on Earth, while Scott lived in space for more than 340 days, and the results are surprising. Then, emails between RTD and the Federal Railroad Administration show a troubled relationship with the Train to the Plane. Plus, snowmobiler Colten Moore suffered a spinal cord injury at last month’s X Games. His brother Caleb died after a similar accident in 2013.

As the Dakota Access Pipeline rolls ahead, a look back at an earlier clash between Indian tribes and the federal government, when activist Elouise Cobell filed the largest class-action suit ever against the United States. Then, veterans describe their battlefield experiences in a long-running Regis University program called “Stories From Wartime.” Students learn the history. Vets find it cathartic. And, the rules designed to help communities and industry avoid conflicts over oil and gas drilling are causing — conflict. Plus, an import from Denmark to Colorado: What’s hygge?

The Volkswagen settlement means not just money for car owners and auto dealers but also for the state to pay for clean energy projects. Then, communities quarrel with new oil and gas operations despite state rules intended to ease the tension. Those rules also helped fund a forthcoming study of the potential health effects of living near drilling rigs. Also, the new film “The Space Between Us” is about the first human born on Mars, who wants to travel to Earth. And, an opera written especially for children.

President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban has generated a lot of reaction in Colorado — from approval, to fear. We hear from both sides. Then, for a Colorado curling team, the countdown to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea begins this weekend. Next, we meet an experimental poet, Eleni Sikelianos, who wants readers to tear into her new book “Make Yourself Happy” — literally. She’s included pages that are meant to be ripped out and turned into three dimensional art. And, the story of two Colorado school districts that share a border, but are worlds apart.

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.