Colorado Matters

On this Presidents Day, Colorado Matters revisits conversations about the Founding Fathers and the health of a new nation. Plus, how living overseas influenced the vision John and Abigail Adams had for America. Then, confidantes on the White House kitchen staff. And the evolving role of the First Lady.

Aurora Author Patricia Raybon sets her inaugural mystery against the backdrop of a Denver ruled by the Ku Klux Klan. Her detective is a young Black theologian investigating her father’s murder. Raybon takes on faith, racism, and class in “All That Is Secret.” It’s our Feb. pick for “Turn The Page” in which Coloradans read a book with us and meet the author.

Is American democracy in trouble? Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado at the University of Denver’s Democracy Summit. Then, the Ute Mountain Ute tribe wants to save its language. And, “climate gentrification” after the East Troublesome fire.

Whether it's more intense wildfires, super-computers, or hockey, there are commonalities between Colorado and Finland. On a recent visit to the state, we interviewed the Finnish ambassador and we also asked him about the standoff between Russia and Ukraine. Then, we turn our attention to space and Colorado’s ties to a Martian milestone and a lunar return.

For 25 years, Colorado Preservation, Inc. has kept a list of endangered places in the state -- like a homestead on The Plains where Blacks sought respite from racism – in hopes of saving them. Then, the Winter Games in Beijing feature nearly two dozen athletes from Colorado. But they're not the only ones with Olympic aspirations.

As the state and federal government send people free at-home COVID-19 tests, data scientist Daniel Larremore talks about their role in the future, as we transition from pandemic to endemic. Then, the latest episode of Purplish focuses on the state legislators who have thrown their hats in the ring for Congress.

School has been turbulent enough with the pandemic. But over the past couple of weeks, the turmoil has ramped up even more in the Douglas County school district. CPR education reporter Jenny Brundin provides some perspective. Then, Federico Peña’s new autobiography, “Not Bad for a South Texas Boy: A Story of Perseverance."

COVID remains mysterious in many ways, including why some people get over it while others become long-haulers. We speak with a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health in Denver who helped guide new research. He also works with Olympians to improve breathing problems. Then, the satire "Don't Look Up," just nominated for an Oscar, and its Colorado connection.

The massive investment in passenger rail lines in Metro Denver over the last 15 years has done little to shift how people move around here. Why is that? It’s one of the questions driving a new podcast from CPR News, “Ghost Train.” Then, what the pending pending deal between Frontier and Spirit Airlines could mean for low-cost flying.

Congress approved the Child Tax Credit last year but it ended when the Build Back Better bill failed. Democratic U.S. Senator Michael Bennet wants it restored. Then, three county clerks are being investigated for their handling of election software. And, Boulder author Jenny Shank finds common threads in “Mixed Company.”