Colorado Matters

If someone collapsed in front of you, chances are you’d respond. Maybe even administer CPR. But if that same person were having a mental health crisis, would you know how to help? Turns out there’s a class for that. Then, does Colorado need a lieutenant governor? Two political scientists raised that question recently and we put it to Lt. Governor Joe Garcia himself as he steps down from the role. Also, if you’re frustrated by Congress, listen up. There’s a new idea for governing out of the University of Denver. Plus your feedback: Some listeners find the Stock Show distasteful.

As the president spoke Tuesday about gun safety, a young man in Boulder watched closely. He’s developing technology that makes guns “smart.” Then, with term limits, we find that lobbyists, not lawmakers, are the ones who have the long view of bills at the state Capitol. Also, Conquistador and Cuchara are among the state’s “lost” ski areas; we talk to a couple who tracked them down. And, a Basalt photographer is fascinated by a huge game reserve in Tanzania. Of the countless pictures he took there, one was of a bird with a young crocodile in its talons.

Today, a conversation with Kate Schimel, of High Country News, who looked into why Colorado and other Western states are in the Top 10 when it comes to police officer-involved killings. Then, a Coloradan who’s set on defying the Taliban by teaching Afghan women to climb mountains. Also, a father’s fears inspire his new novel. And, a crazy chapter in the history of the National Western Stock Show, which starts this weekend in Denver.

Houses, cars, duffle bags full of money: These are all examples of property seized in alleged crimes. And law enforcement shares in the profits when the stuff’s sold under a controversial federal program that’s just been suspended. We’ll hear what that means for agencies across Colorado. Then, a Nederland photographer who studied with Ansel Adams is making retro-sytle posters for all 59 national parks. And, from the archives, an interview with the widow of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. She wants to open their home near Aspen to visitors.

To weed out sexual predators in youth sports, two state lawmakers want to require background checks for people who coach, but critics question if screening would do much good. Then, if I ask you to think of artifacts from Colorado’s history, would you picture a tofu cauldron? Also, Denver true-crime writer Harry Maclean thinks people are too quick to separate themselves from animals and how it influences his view of murder. And, 2015 was a big year for classical music in Colorado, with the first new recording from the Colorado Symphony in years.

Today, a wedge issue that whipped state lawmakers into a frenzy last session — we’re not talking about abortion or gun control, but about collecting rainwater. It’s part of our “Zombie Bills” series. Then, a mysterious kidney disease is killing farm workers in Central America, and a CU researcher says climate change may be a factor. Then, the best new music out of Colorado this year, according to our colleagues over at OpenAir.

Three Colorado women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan talk about the challenges and opportunities of a major military policy shift: opening all combat roles to women. Then, a Denver artist who learned she had multiple sclerosis after waking up with distorted vision learned to let her affliction guide her creative vision. And, an 1800s diary sat in obscurity at the Denver Public Library until an archivist picked it up and found tales of Buffalo Bill Cody.

What happens when rape victims are coerced into recanting? We have the story from ProPublica. Then, state lawmakers who want to spur development and bring down housing costs have tried — with no success — for years to make it harder for condo associations to sue over construction defects. Also, some history: Denver had its first electrically-lit Christmas Tree in 1914 in the yard of a local electrician. And, holiday parties can lead you to have one too many and we have some advice on saying “that’s enough.”