Colorado Matters

 Since the war in Ukraine began, thousands of women have lost their spouses. A Colorado counselor just wrapped up a four-day retreat for the women to learn to cope with their grief. Then, a mother’s story about how Electroconvulsive therapy brought her son back. Also, a Colorado Wonders about culling Denver geese and local comedians on avoiding political jokes. 

 Many seniors want to stay in their homes. But what happens if aging in place doesn’t work anymore? Expert advice on our series, Aging Matters. Then, the legislature returns to work facing a budget shortfall of more than $600 million. Our public affairs podcast, Purplish, looks at the impact – and what lawmakers still hope to accomplish. Also, a Western Slope university helps first-generation students stay in school. 

 You've likely heard of a food bank, but a furniture bank? We sit on a donated sectional with the founder. Then, a sports journalist seeks to make Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić less enigmatic. Plus, making homes less vulnerable to wildfire. And host Ryan Warner is "Mortified." 

Ira Flatow wants to turn science...into dinner conversation. The host and creator of Science Friday has spent a career quenching our curiosity, and his, and making science accessible. But amidst the fun are serious issues, like water shortages, climate change, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence. We replay a conversation from August, when Flatow was in Colorado and spoke with CPR Southern Colorado Reporter Dan Boyce in front of an audience. 

The 119th Congress convenes Friday with new members from Colorado and a busy agenda. Washington, D.C. reporter Caitlyn Kim has a preview.  Then, pollsters look at Coloradans' political engagement and explain how polling helps a Democracy function. Also, Jimmy Carter’s Colorado connections. Plus, 10 years ago acute flaccid myelitis was a mystery; a mom and daughter share their journey navigating the illness. 

On New Year's Day, stories of second chances. Like a Ukrainian couple who fled the war... and resettled in Boulder, where they run a bike shop. And a barbershop in Denver where former inmates offer a shave and a haircut. Plus, migrant farmworkers who hope their children don't toil in the fields as they have. Education is key, and there's a program in Colorado planting those very seeds. 

Today, reflections from Jimmy Carter when he visited Aspen in 2015, including his view on the U.S. as a superpower and helping others. Then, as the year comes to a close, we celebrate some of Colorado's centenarians and their views about life and longevity. And later, how one woman is living with Alzheimer's and refusing to let it define who she is. 

When the ball drops on New Year's, you'll need to drop your phone when you're behind the wheel. Meet an attorney who fought for the state's new hands-free law. Plus, Colorado Springs has grown out more than up, so there's resistance to a proposed skyscraper. Then, remembering the "Children of the Storm" caught in a horrible blizzard on the Eastern Plains in 1931. And later, finding the beauty in snowflakes. 

As Hanukkah begins, light the shamash with us, the most prominent candle on the menorah that ignites all the others. And in that bright space, enjoy music and conversation about the Jewish festival of lights compiled from our previous Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganzas.  

Relax and escape from your everyday hustle and bustle with the 9th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza! Recorded at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, this year's tradition includes headliner Kayla Marque, a Denver singer/songwriter; Joshua Danger Emerson, a Dine’ Navajo comedian and regular at the Comedy Works who founded the award-winning comedy troupe and production company, DeadRoom Comedy; Scott O'Neil, former Colorado Symphony resident conductor who hosts "Behind the Baton" on CPR Classical; poet, artist and entrepreneur Confidence Omenai of Aurora; and Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel in Denver with an original song for Hanukkah.