Colorado Matters

Re-share the music, memories and merriment of the 8th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza. Recorded at Denver's Central Presbyterian Church on December 7, 2023, the show is a celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and of the season featuring singer/songwriter Emelise Munoz; Iraqi-American stand-up comedian Ali Kareem; organist and composer Wil Smith; gospel and jazz musician Ron McMillon; musician, educator and composer Eitan Kantor; and Riley, Myles, Daylen, and Sadie with the meaning of Kwanzaa. 

Colorado entrepreneur Drew Jarvis co-founded Sunny, which makes a menstrual cup and applicator; the Broomfield startup just won a big grant from the state. Then, ahead of the legislative session young people stage a “Policy Shark Tank” to share their ideas. Plus, the bald eagle is finally poised to become the nation's bird. Later, as holiday travel hits its peak, DIA chief Phil Washington updates us on getting to – and through – the airport. 

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. 

Today's Colorado Matters is a laughing matter. We've sewn together a comedy special that, we hope, will have you in stitches! It's a compendium of Colorado comics from our previous Holiday Extravaganzas, featuring Josh Blue, David Rodriguez, Nancy Norton, Rion Evans, Elliot Woolsey, and the comedic musical stylings of "Swelter and Burn" aka Willow Welter and Lauren Ciborowski. 

Today, world-class musicians serenade and enchant us! We've drawn from the archives of our Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza to create a collection of some of our favorite vocal and instrumental performances from the past 9 years. Celebrate the season with jazz, blues, country, Broadway, and a cappella with Clare Dunn, FACE Vocal Band, the Andy Hackbarth band, Beth Malone, Hazel Miller, Ron Miles and Emelise Muñoz.

Colleagues and family honor the legacy of Irving P. Andrews, a Denver lawyer who overcame racism and fought for civil rights. Then, Denver author Laura Krantz asks, "Do You Believe in Magic?" which explores how magic interrelates with science. Plus, an Estes Park man's milestone as a Bears superfan in Aging Matters. And, Santa lands at DIA's new Layover Lounge to make hectic holiday travelling a little merrier on Concourse B. 

The Secret Service is spread too thin. That’s one of the findings of a congressional panel that looked into the attempted assassinations of Donald Trump while he was a presidential candidate. We talk with Colorado’s U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, who was the ranking Democrat on the task force. Then, investigating the turnover in RTD's leadership. Plus, books by Colorado authors to consider as holiday gifts. And a special project creates pillows that provide more than the usual comfort. 

"The Order" is about the investigation into one of Denver's most notorious murders, the killing of Jewish shock jock Alan Berg, by white supremacists. We speak with Kevin Flynn, the former Rocky Mountain News reporter whose book inspired a new film. Then, Colorado's congressional delegation on what it might take to cut government waste. Plus, Colorado Wonders about the state flower. And homestyle cooking in Delta. 

With his elaborate feathered headdress and red sunglasses, he goes by the name "NDN Santa"-- that's NDN, a play on "Indian"-- and for more than 25 years, Rick Waters has been celebrating Christmas and culture at the Denver Indian Center. Waters is also the executive director of the center. This interview adds to a journey that began last December when Chandra set out to find diverse Santas in Colorado. 

At Syrian-owned Shish Kebab Grill in Denver, it's as if a weight has been lifted. One man's hope for a country whose future remains in flux. Then, a farewell in Fahrenheit to longtime Denver7 chief meteorologist Mike Nelson. Later, blood medics are coming to four more Colorado counties. And a homecoming for Michael Trent of "Shovels & Rope."