Colorado Matters

A former Fort Carson soldier who tackled a suicide bomber in Afghanistan says he doesn’t deserve his Medal of Honor because he just did what any soldier would. A military chaplain offers advice for ministering to veterans and their families. Then, Denver author Adam Makos tells the story of a Korean War plane crash that brought military men of different races together. And, a sculpture in Idaho Springs depicts an adventurer who never lived.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper talked about major Colorado policy issues and offered up personal stories from his new book when Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner traveled with him to Arapahoe County and Colorado Springs May 20, 2016. Also, artist Wayne Gilbert uses art to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Some of our favorite recent Colorado Matters interviews about state history include “Colorado Vanguards,” profiles of people who shaped the state. Then, an effort to revive Colorado’s original state song. And, the state historian on some little-known aspects of Colorado’s past.

Scientists are tweaking human reproductive techniques like IVF and surrogacy in a Northern Colorado bison herd to preserve its stellar genetics and eliminate the danger of a deadly disease. Boulder composer Carter Pann was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for a whirling, rhythmic piece written for saxophone.

The book “Rust” explains why the 6 million aluminum cans made in Colorado every day don’t explode. And, an education professor says the racial bias she faced in kindergarten shaped her efforts to reduce suspension rates among minority students.

Metro Denver’s rail service was designed to reduce road congestion but the biggest benefit has been revitalization of the neighborhoods near its stations, according to a new article by Colin Woodard in Politico. Then, is passenger rail crisscrossing Colorado pie in the sky? And, Colorado’s new public lands day.

Master Sgt. “DT” Del Toro, severely wounded in Afghanistan, won a gold medal in shot put at the recent Invictus Games and hopes to make the U.S. paralympic team in Rio this summer. And, a look at Colorado’s big lineup of summer music festivals.

An expert details the latest hacking tactics after Colorado’s legislature approves $8 million for a cyber security center in Colorado Springs. And, the director of the Folklorico program at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet receives the governor’s award for creative leadership.