Colorado Matters

Donald Trump's list of potential nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court includes three Coloradans. A former state Supreme Court justice, Rebecca Love Kourlis, explains who they are and what their legal careers indicate about how they would rule on the bench. Plus, an investigation into why -- at almost the last minute -- language changed in an EPA report on fracking and drinking water. And, the future of voucher programs in U.S. schools. We also share a new holiday song from The Lumineers, and profile a Denver muralist.

Promises of a renewed coal industry by candidate Donald Trump revved up a Grand Junction crowd in October. But is a coal resurgence possible in Colorado? Meanwhile, new immigrants and refugees wonder how a Trump administration will affect their lives. CPR's Megan Verlee has been listening to their concerns. And beer has been around for 8,000 years -- the Egyptians drank a version of it. A University of Colorado historian, who fancies himself a "beer archeologist," on reproducing ancient beers.

The open enrollment season now underway could be the last for the current Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Republicans have promised to repeal and replace the law -- but what would that look like? Then, an innovative classroom design that includes whiteboard-equipped desks and "wobble chairs." And, "100 Things Avalanche Fans Should Known & Do Before They Die."

A part-time professor at Community College of Aurora complained that a recent change in the school's curriculum made some classes too easy. He says he was fired because of it, but the school says he was dismissed because he didn't implement the curriculum effectively. Then, a 16-year-old from Boulder sued the government for not doing more to stop climate change. Also, Denver is vying to host the Gay Games, a major sporting and cultural event for the LGBT community. And, Denver's Phamaly Theater Company features actors with disabilities. Its new artistic director is believed to be the only person in a wheelchair leading a major U.S. theater group.

Donald Trump says there will be consequences for communities that don't fully cooperate with Federal immigration officials. CPR's Vic Vela reports on what that could mean for places like Denver and Aurora. Then, we talk liability on the slopes -- recently a snowboarder was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for running into a skier. Plus, a stretch of I-70 between Golden and Vail could soon become "smart." What the in-road sensors could mean for traffic to the mountains. And CoverGirl's new mascara model hails from Colorado. She's also the first to wear a hijab.

Robert Blaha, the co-chairman of Donald Trump's Colorado campaign, is now helping the new administration's transition team regionally. Blaha discusses what a Trump presidency could mean for Colorado. Then, the first and only woman to lead the city of Aurora, Norma O. Walker, talks about her administration. The Navy is about to christen a new submarine: The USS Colorado.

Why the ballot effort to eliminate the legal slavery reference from the state constitution went down in defeat. Also, a Colorado pediatrician asked physicians for stories about unforgettable patient recoveries and collected them in a new book. Then, some Colorado entrepreneurs have developed a machine that dries waterlogged electronics. Staples stores across the country have bought the machines and are offering the service to customers.

In our first interview with John Hickenlooper since Donald Trump's election, the governor says if he had Trump's ear he'd urge caution in healthcare, immigration, trade and the nation's power supply. Also, where does the governor find promise in a Trump administration? Then, Joel Gratz has been called "Snowstradamus." He's the founder of the popular snow forecasting website OpenSnow. We get a preview of ski season. Plus, in Nepal elephants trample rice crops, which is what people eat, so the animals are often shot. A Colorado zookeeper may have a way to save the crops -- and the elephants. Hint: it involves bees. And, a Thanksgiving recipe from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.

This'll be the first Thanksgiving in almost 30 years that Clarence Moses-EL won't spend in prison. The Denver man was just cleared of a crime he always said he didn't commit. Then, for those who are about to see relatives for the first time since the election, and dread talking with them about politics, we ask the founder of StoryCorps for tips on asking and listening, even when you hate what you hear. And the Colorado River faces more stresses than ever, like population growth and climate change, but instead of fighting, some Western states are working together to save water, and avoid federally mandated cutbacks.

Eighty percent of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2080. To prepare, Denver is looking to a city planning method based on musical theory. Then, anthropologists from University of Colorado broke down President-Elect Donald Trump's unusual communication style. They say mocking his opponents helped propel him to the White House. Plus, a story from deep in the CPR archives about a supersonic jet that landed in Colorado Springs, as a Colorado company hopes to bring back supersonic passenger travel. The story of Daddy "Bruce" Randolph, who made Thanksgiving a little brighter in Denver. And, Denver Art Museum's director hopes a new "Star Wars" exhibition attracts a lot of visitors, but insists they are not "dumbing down things."