What are some options for Coloradans beyond a traditional 4-year degree?

Colorado’s disability community has led national efforts to create a more accessible country. In the 1970s, advocates surrounded two buses in Denver and demanded the public agency equip the buses with wheelchair lifts. The demonstrations helped bring about the Americans with Disabilities Act. But today, people with disabilities and their advocates are still fighting for access in transportation and other aspects of life in Colorado and the U.S.

You’ll hear from civil rights attorney John Holland, transportation official Gabe Christie, and advocate Jaime Lewis from the Cross-Disability Coalition.

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver 7’s Micah Smith.

If you're in the middle class and in the market for a home, you might be stuck between a landscape rock and a hard place. That often means making too much to qualify for housing assistance but not enough to afford a home in much of the state. There's a shortage of starter homes, according to Peter Lifari, board chair of the Colorado Middle Income Housing Authority. So what can you do? Real estate agent Sam Neumann of the Alchemy Group says has some ideas of where to look in metro Denver. Plus, find out about a new development in Frisco, Colorado.

It’s dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and Republican lawmakers and President Trump promise that plenty of good will come from the new federal tax-and-spening law. Some Coloradans weigh in on the challenges it'll bring across the state.

You'll hear from Monica Buhlig of Food Bank of the Rockies on how changes to SNAP benefits will hit rural areas. Adrienne Mansanares, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rockies, shares how funding cuts to the organization will affect vital health resources. And a Denver restaurateur, Delores Tronco, talks about some limits to “No Tax on Tips."

Real Talk airs on CPR News and KRCC on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The TV show airs on Denver7 on Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. It also airs on Local3 on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

More people are exploring Colorado’s outdoors and camping for the first time. For the state’s LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, gathering in nature is not only rejuvenating, it's validating. A new study from The Dyrt says that since 2021, more than 25 million people have gone camping for the first time. CEO Kevin Long shares more details from that survey.

You'll also hear from Amber Barnett with Colorado’s Outward Bound, who says their programs help new campers learn essential outdoor skills. Jeanette Patterson, who directs Lincoln Hills Cares, says they aim to connect Black Coloradans to the wilderness through the history of Lincoln Hills west of Denver. And Nathan Turner, CEO of Rocky Mountain Diversity Events, previews a new camping weekend event for the LGBTQ+ community.

Real Talk airs on CPR News and KRCC on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The TV show airs on Denver7 on Saturdays at 5:30 a.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. It also airs on Local3 on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, your right to protest is a constitutional guarantee. But there are some limits to this freedom of expression. This week we’re exploring your right to assemble and shout your views publicly.

You’ll hear from Robert Huffman with Rise Up Media; Derigan Silver, a professor in the University of Denver’s media studies department; and Jeff Roberts, who leads the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition.

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver 7’s Micah Smith.

It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but it can happen to anyone. After you lose your job in Colorado, it takes about four to six weeks for unemployment insurance to begin, but the process may take much longer. That happened to Allan Lally of Englewood. He lost his job and it took him more than seven weeks to receive his first payment. He even reached out to his state representative Democrat Meg Froelich - who says there are many reasons why you should contact your representatives in government when you need assistance with government agencies. Financial advisor Bruce Alan also joins the show, with tips to prepare yourself before you lose your job, including how much of a safety cushion to have in reserves.  

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver 7’s Micah Smith.

A potential new treatment for PTSD is showing promise: psilocybin therapy. Essentially the compounds promote something called ‘neuroplasticity,’ which Dr. Scott Thompson, a neuroscientist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, says boils down to the brain’s “capacity for change.” 

But one group who could benefit, veterans, may still not have access to treatment in Colorado, since federal law prevents its use. David Lyons is a veteran who says the VA should look into allowing the treatment for certain vets. But Luke Niforatos, executive vice president of Smart Approaches To Marijuana, is concerned about how the state-approved treatment centers and the lack of clear science from the FDA around psilocybin treatment itself.  

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver 7’s Micah Smith.

June is Pride month, a time for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate and remember the historic struggles they’ve faced. But even within this historically marginalized community, some perspectives are still fighting to be heard. 

We talk with Lucinnia Majik, trans and racial equity program coordinator with Rocky Mountain Equality and Castro, the group’s education coordinator. Then, China Scroggins, director of communications for Black Pride Colorado, speaks about Black queer people and the importance of Black Pride. Then, “GayExTrad” Cade Bradley talks about his journey from being closeted in an extreme part of the Catholic Church, to leaving religion all together, coming out, and calling out Catholic extremists. His social media posts reach thousands on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver 7’s Micah Smith.

The Sundance Film Festival will bring thousands of people to the Flatirons and much of Metro Denver, too. Nicole Nicoletta, who runs Rocky Mountain Women’s Film based in Colorado Springs, says that’s a good thing. Millions in state funds are going to the festival, which is expected to grow in size during its time in Boulder, and at least one state lawmaker, Democrat Bob Marshall from Douglas County, is unhappy about the public spending. However, Governor Jared Polis and Eve Lieberman, executive director of the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, say the festival is well worth the investment.

RealTalk is hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s Nathan Fernando-Frescas and Denver7’s Micah Smith.