Colorado Matters

What makes a downtown successful? Why are some bustling while others are hollowed out? Downtown Colorado, Inc. came to Main Street in Grand Junction to award innovators across the state. Some of the finalists joined Ryan Warner on stage to discuss delicate downtown ecosystems. Kat Correll is the executive director of Downtown Colorado, Inc., Kimberlee McKee is the executive director of Longmont’s Downtown Development Authority, Lynn Clark is the executive director of the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority; and from Telluride, but appearing on behalf of a project in Montrose: Jay Raible, who co-owns the new Rathbone Hotel.

Primary ballots will arrive in mailboxes in a few weeks, and now, we know which candidates will be on them. Today Purplish looks at which candidates rallied enough support at the recent state assemblies and what this method of selecting candidates means in the big picture. Then, today marks 10 years since the passing of pop icon and musical virtuoso, Prince. Chandra shares her personal reflections on what his music meant to her, and speaks with Coloradans about their memories of his visits here and the influence he had on their lives.

On 4/20, an addiction psychiatrist raises red flags around high-potency cannabis. Dr. Libby Stuyt has particular concerns about psychosis as THC levels increase multifold in today's cannabis and wants to raise awareness about the evolution of the drug. Then, for Aging Matters, Ryan meets an octogenarian who has mastered the "dead hang" at her gym in Woodland Park; it's about more than strength. And Colorado Wonders about finding gemstones in our state.

The ultimate goal of Artemis is to get people to Mars. But there was a time, in the early 1900s, when it was widely believed there was already life on Mars. And that the Martians had built canals to bring water from the planet's poles to its cities. There were skeptics, for sure, but it’s hard to overstate how ingrained this idea of Martian life became. Former NPR science correspondent David Baron, of Boulder, has written “The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America." He spoke with Ryan Warner last August in front of an audience in Colorado Springs, where some of the story unfolds.

The Western Slope farming family who introduced the world to Olathe Sweet Corn is scaling back in the face of a rough economy and a pesky crop worm. They talk about the mixed blessing of farming... and how you can still get that beloved corn. Then, Spring is here, and it's nearly time to start gardening. We'll head back to a sprawling greenhouse in Colorado Springs in the coming weeks to speak with a master gardener, but first, please send us your yard and gardening questions. Also, leading UCLA to a national championship was just the latest chapter in a lifetime of hoops success for sisters Lauren and Sienna Betts. Their coach at Grandview high school in Aurora reflects on their time there as well as the dynamics that drives them. And, what state legislators do when they're not in session.

A water project known as The Arkansas Valley Conduit became a political football, with a presidential veto. But for rancher Kevin Karney, of La Junta, it's about quality of life for his community. Then, we visit the Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa in the San Luis Valley, where a fifth generation farming family brews beer on land that's been in the family for nearly a century. And Boulder author Erika Krouse is a finalist for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize for her collection of short stories, "Save Me, Stranger."

Eleven questions could save a life. That's the idea behind a bill in the state legislature right now. It would require law enforcement officers to ask the questions to determine if someone is at risk of dying at the hands of a domestic abuser. We'll explore the issue with Purplish. Then, Denver Center Theatre Company announces its new season. We get a glimpse into how those choices are made with artistic director Chris Coleman us for our series "Raise The Curtain," about Colorado's vibrant theater scene.

Democracy in the United States is deteriorating according to three studies. We ask about it in "If You Can Keep It," our series about unprecedented presidential policy. Then, the state budget proposal heads to the senate after some drama in the house. Plus, the Republicans hold their state assembly to determine who's on the primary ballot. And, Gil Boggs marks 20 years as the artistic director of Colorado Ballet. He reflects on the challenges he's faced and overcome, and the evolution of ballet productions and outreach in an age of increased competition for entertainment dollars.

Business in Breckenridge is borderline after a lack of snow this past winter. And planning for the future of a ski town is tricky business. We speak with the town manager about tax revenue and diversification, whether it's wildflowers or the arts. Plus, we get a read on just how little snow did fall in high country. Then, plans for a train between Denver and northern Colorado cities may be back on track. And a Colorado Springs bagel shop will represent our state at a big bagel competition this weekend. A chat amid the morning bagel bustle at Bella's.

State officials want to find a troubling piece of history. But they need help. We'll update the yearslong effort to find a cemetery on the grounds of a former Indian Boarding School in Grand Junction. Then, from a new approach to policing and helping the unhoused, to honoring student athletes and everyday heroes, there's a lot going on in Aurora, Colorado's most diverse city. We speak with the editor of the Aurora Sentinel which is part of the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange. Plus, a new state law requires schools in Colorado to have policies in place by July about what's allowed for students when it comes to cell phones; some students have thoughts about what to do. And, a pair of sisters from Grandview High School help win the women's college basketball national championship!

A man who tried to overturn a free and fair election now positions himself as the safeguard. Today, we get reaction to President Trump's vote-by-mail executive order from Matt Crane, the head of the Colorado County Clerks Association. Then, some of Grand Junction's streets are lined with garbage these days---on purpose. It's a picker's paradise! And, an Oscar-winning Colorado filmmaker profiles the singer of what's considered the first gay anthem. Carl Bean would become a minister and a foot solider in the fight against AIDS. The movie, "I Was Born This Way" screens at the Boulder International Film Festival with a panel discussion on Thursday, April 9.

State lawmakers are turning up the volume, so to speak, on noise limits at venues. How much is too much? And how much say should local communities have? We'll get into the debate with Purplish. Then, what's it like to win a Grammy? Just ask first-time winner and University of Denver professor Remy Le Boeuf! The jazz musician and composer talks about the moment he realized he won, his twin brother who's also a Grammy winner, and what it’s like to see his young daughter experience jazz.

A premiere at the Boulder International Film Festival this Sunday will be deeply personal for Denver comedian Adam Cayton-Holland. "See You When I See You" is based on his book, "Tragedy + Time." It recounts the suicide of his younger sister, Lydia, his struggle to come to terms, and the stigma around mental health. Ryan Warner spoke with Cayton-Holland in front of an audience at the Newman Center in Denver when the book hit shelves in 2018.

He prosecuted former clerk Tina Peters. We'll get perspective from Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein on the resentencing the Colorado Court of Appeals just ordered. Then, measles lingers in the air for hours. It's why vaccination rates must be really high for herd immunity. They no longer are. Plus, the voices of women who ranch on the Western Slope will be preserved at The Library of Congress.

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that Tina Peters was improperly sentenced in 2024 and should receive a new sentencing hearing. The former Mesa County clerk, serving a prison sentence in Pueblo for facilitating unauthorized access to Mesa County’s voting equipment to try and prove voter fraud occurred in the 2020 election, had challenged the ruling from Judge Matthew Barret. Then, Denverite looks at the impact a major restructuring is having on how the RiNo arts district is run. Also, a new library project in Adams County connects book lovers...with nature. And, with Artemis II rocketing towards the moon, we revisit a conversation with the first Native American to fly into space.

The Supreme Court calls Colorado’s conversion therapy ban an “egregious assault” on the First Amendment. We get reaction from the former state lawmaker who sponsored the ban. Plus, AAA on gas prices amid the war in Iran and seasonal fuel changes. Then, a bittersweet farewell to CPR Classical's Karla Walker. Also, Colorado Wonders about the iconic Colorado Trail. And we revisit one of the most peculiar places to watch a movie: The Movie Manor in Monte Vista re-opens for the season Friday.

State lawmakers must cut $1.5 billion to balance the budget. That may come at the expense of Colorado's Medicaid program. Purplish gets into the complexities. Then, the Democrats' primary ballot is coming into focus after their state assembly. And, for Women's History Month, our colleagues at Indie 102.3 share some sensational musicians in the "Local 303."

Today's cooldown will be short-lived, ushering in more dry, unseasonably warm weather. We get the impact and the outlook in our regular conversation about weather and climate with Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. Then, ahead of the state assembly, the four Democrats who want to be attorney general. And Western Slope singer/songwriter Emily Scott Robinson's new album, "Appalachia."

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women. And what better way to do so, than with a conversation with three remarkable women who've been inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Velveta Golightly Howell, Jill Tietjen, and Dusti Gurule have shaped our state through activism, community building, and fierce advocacy. Then, when Monica Márquez was sworn-in as the new Chief Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court in 2024, she made history as the first Latina to take on that role. And we also sit down with former state lawmaker and First Lady of Denver, Wilma Webb, who has worked in public service for most of her life.

A healing experience with psychedelic mushrooms changed a Colorado woman's life and career. We speak with Rhonda DeSantis, the CEO and founder of Psylutions, one of the first companies to grow and manufacture mushrooms for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Plus, should there be regulations to control noise? Then, the courts push back on the Trump administration's vaccination agenda, but doctors in Colorado say the confusion's already taken hold. Plus, some state lawmakers want to restrict some types of gambling; we look at the debate and the realities of gambling addiction. Also, Colorado Wonders about a long-neglected park.