Colorado Matters

A week from the primaries, we showcase our interviews with the Republican candidates for governor. Listen to the full interviews with Greg Lopez, Victor Mitchell, Doug Robinson and Walker Stapleton at www.cpr.org/news/colorado-governor-candidates-2018. Also check out the CPR podcast “Who’s Gonna Govern?” www.npr.org/podcasts/616863526/who-s-gonna-govern.

The Coffee Joint is the first in Denver to receive a social consumption license. Then, Julia Greeley’s legacy of service could earn her Catholic sainthood. Next, we talk to a woman moving back to Puerto Rico to help rebuild. Then, we learn about a new novel set during the War of 1812. Finally, why artists are putting cats in these alleyways.

Students at two very different schools – one urban and high-poverty, the other suburban and affluent – discuss the ubiquity of cannabis, self-medicating and more. Then, the latest theater experience at Denver Center isn’t in the theater. Next, how green roofs work. Finally, a transwoman and her doctor talk about her gender confirmation surgery next month.

Wildfire season kicked off with a bang this year with the 416 Fire. Here's what you should know about fire evacuation orders. Then, new businesses in the flowering cannabis industry include yoga classes and bus tours. Next, a decline in newspapers correlates to higher interest rates for taxpayers. Finally, we hear from Colorado musician Brent Cowles.

Sen. Cory Gardner says there is “some confusion” about the impact of the North Korean summit and hopes to hear clarification from President Trump soon. Then, three marijuana entrepreneurs weigh in on the past, present and future of the industry. Next, a new play tackles slavery and race with dark comedy. Finally, a composer who writes music about prehistory.

Colorado's black market marijuana problem is often assumed to be connected to recreational legalization, but that's not quite right. Then, we hear from a crisis intervention expert on how to spot and help a loved one, friend or colleague contemplating taking their own life. And, members of the Trump administration headlined the Western Conservative Summit including Attorney General Jeff Sessions and E.P.A. Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Recreational marijuana is a legal, billion-dollar industry in Colorado. President Trump is signaling he's willing to support a move toward the legalization of marijuana federally. But Attorney General Jeff Sessions says in the meantime he intends to enforce federal law. Speaking of weed: Canada approved a measure Thursday to legalize recreational marijuana use and experts say Canadian businesses will soon have huge advantages over your local Colorado head shop.

Comments that Diann Rice made during her tenure on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission weighed heavily in the Supreme Court's Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling. She doesn't regret what she said, and insists she has no religious bias. Then, Wyoming and Colorado collaborated on a new facility that grabs the carbon dioxide from coal before it enters the atmosphere.

The affordable home prices in historically minority or working-class neighborhoods are increasingly drawing in white middle-class families. But they're not as keen on the schools there. Chalkbeat reporter Melanie Asmar explains why. Then, the three court cases that could pick up where Masterpiece left off on the big legal questions.

The Supreme Court’s narrow Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling left some big questions unanswered about religious freedoms and gay rights. We invite one conservative and one liberal Christian into the studio to share their perspectives. Then, a woman who worked on Robert Kennedy’s 1968 campaign shares her memories on the anniversary of his assassination.