Colorado Matters

Eighty percent of the world's population can't see The Milky Way. Light pollution interferes. Author and adventurer Craig Childs, of Norwood, Colorado, writes about a trek from light to dark in his new book. "The Wild Dark" takes readers from the incandescence of Las Vegas to the spangled skies of rural Nevada. Childs spoke with Sr. Host Ryan Warner at this month's Mountain Words Festival in Crested Butte. 

Due to President Trump's involvement and a recent high profile pardon, the governor's office has received hundreds of emails from people wanting to see former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters released from prison. Where does the effort stand? Then, it's long been shown that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. A young dentist actually discovered it in Colorado Springs in 1901. We get some grounding amid a recent debate about its benefits. And, looking inside oneself to overcome professional barriers. And a unique end-of-the-year school project for students at Warren Tech.

Federal agents have been knocking on doors in Colorado; on the other side of those doors: kids who crossed the border illegally and alone. CPR Justice reporter Allison Sherry brings us her investigation, a story she broke. Then, could the BLM relocate to Colorado, again? Also, the case of a Grand Junction man convicted in deadly pipe bombings; we talk with the Innocence Project about faulty forensic science. And later, an unexpected collaboration from the Colorado Symphony, this time with Denver funk band Lettuce. 

Today, the stories of two Colorado veterans who've had two different experiences with PTSD and how to treat it. Could psilocybin be the answer, and if it is, what are the challenges to getting it? We find out with "The Trip: CPR's Coverage of Colorado's Psychedelic Journey." Then, five years after the murder of George Floyd, where does the Black Lives Matters movement stand? Plus, it's the beginning of the end for the penny. And, the story of a special education teacher in Colorado, and the effort to recruit and train more. 

"Cruel" and "disastrous" is how Gov. Jared Polis describes the US House's budget plan. Meanwhile, Colorado cities sue him over housing requirements. Also, Polis on immigration and a pedestrian bridge proposed at the State Capitol. Then, a destructive start to severe weather season. Later, how two rafting companies navigate tariffs. And Joe Cocker joins the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He found inner peace in Colorado. 

Today we go inside the classroom, with Colorado's Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon of Delta High School, an alternative public school in Denver. How growing up in Colorado helped shape her as an educator, plus, her students share the qualities they've learned from her that will help them seize the summer. Also, documentary filmmaker and Colorado College alum Mike Shum speaks at graduation day. Plus, scientists estimate that as many as 75 percent of the insects in the world have vanished over the past 50 years. Among the species hardest hit: the Monarch butterfly. What you can do to help. 

This country’s nuclear arsenal is “geriatric.” And many of the people who maintain it are heading towards retirement. Plus, the agency that oversees the nuclear arsenal has not been immune to the possibility of federal staffing cuts. Colorado science writer Sarah Scoles examines the future of nuclear defense in her book, “Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons.” She spoke with Ryan Warner at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte during last spring's Mountain Words Festival.

Ryan will be back at this year's festival on May 24 to interview author Craig Childs, whose new book is "The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light."

When it comes to planning for Colorado's fastest growing population, people 65 and older, the state's Senior Specialist on Aging, Kristine Burrows, says it needs to be a group effort that includes government, the business community, nonprofits, philanthropy, and anyone with a vision for big, bold ideas. The state just released a new report called "The Multi-Sector Plan on Aging." Today in a special Aging Matters on Colorado Matters, Burrows speaks with Chandra Thomas Whitfield in front of an audience at CPR, to talk about everything from healthcare and housing, to jobs for older workers and fighting ageism. 

Governor Jared Polis is flexing his executive power. He vetoed a priority bill for Democrats and threatens to withhold funds from cities that don't follow new housing laws. Also, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston talks about an evolving vision for downtown Denver and big project investments. Then, Denver Post reporter Sam Tabachnik on his investigation into the death of a 7-year-old Grand County boy and the questions it raises about child abuse investigations. Later, a human trafficking survivor shares a message of strength at the Front Range Community College commencement. And the Green Box Arts Festival is back! 

The first 100 days of President Trump’s second time as president is seen by many as a good indicator of what is to come. Early on, he set out his agenda to be tough on immigration, reduce the size of government and overhaul education. How has this affected Coloradans so far? CPR News  journalists explain how Trump’s policies are changing lives in Colorado.

Hosted by Caitlyn Kim.   

Reported by Caitlyn Kim, Allison Sherry, Sarah Mulholland, Jenny Brudin, John Daley and Bente Birkland.  

Edited by Jo Erickson, and Megan Verlee   

The executive producers are Kevin Dale and Rachel Estabrook   

Find more information about Trump’s impacts on Colorado here.  For more episodes of Colorado In Depth, follow the show in your podcast feed. 

Colorado in Depth is a production of Colorado Public Radio, which is part of the NPR Network.