Colorado Matters

A healing experience with psychedelic mushrooms changed a Colorado woman's life and career. We speak with Rhonda DeSantis, the CEO and founder of Psylutions, one of the first companies to grow and manufacture mushrooms for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Plus, should there be regulations to control noise? Then, the courts push back on the Trump administration's vaccination agenda, but doctors in Colorado say the confusion's already taken hold. Plus, some state lawmakers want to restrict some types of gambling; we look at the debate and the realities of gambling addiction. Also, Colorado Wonders about a long-neglected park.

For Women’s History Month, the state of women in the workforce in Colorado. Even as the state ranks relatively strong for female entrepreneurship, new data shows persistent pay gaps, workforce losses and barriers for growth. We talk with Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce CEO, Simone Ross, about what’s driving the trends and what the chamber says employers must do now to help retain and advance women in the workplace. Then, Louise Myrland with the Women's Foundation of Colorado discusses a statewide report on pay inequity that shows women in Colorado earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. And we revisit how to be a "changemaker" with CEO and Denver author Danaya Wilson.

Colorado's prisons are close to capacity. That's been the case for some time now. It raises a host of concerns, not the least of which, is safety. But is the solution to build more prisons? We look into state lawmakers' debate with Purplish. Then, the Pueblo Star Journal's "Prison Journalism Project" marks five years as it trains and publishes writers who are incarcerated.

Second Verse is a new choir for people with dementia. The choir's also for caregivers. We listen in on a rehearsal for Aging Matters as music taps into long-term memory. Then, the state Republican party is in disarray ahead of the state assembly. Also, Denver renames its park and city holiday that had honored César Chávez. Plus, options for relief with allergies getting an early start on this first official day of spring. And we re-share our conversation with professor Carol Anderson, author of "One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy" as Congress debates the SAVE America Act.

If you think The Godfather only happened in New York, you might need to think again. a new historical novel reflects on Colorado’s little known Italian connections, and how Sicilian immigrants helped shape the Centennial State. Then, the conversation continues with one of the founders of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver, which continues to keep Italian heritage and culture alive in our state today. Also, Kicking the nicotine habit can be tough; we visit a school that's trying to help. Plus, there's pushback against the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The nonprofit that oversees the research facility in Boulder is going to court to try to prevent the breakup. And, the warm weather this winter has one classroom of kids wondering, how has it affected birds?

There’s a loneliness epidemic. Yet the vast majority of people report having a friend. What gives?! We ask friendship expert Natalie Pennington, assistant professor at Colorado State University and co-founder of the American Friendship Project. Then, families of children with developmental disabilities brace for state budget cuts. Also, Western Slope artist Pavia Justinian on life as a professional artist ten years and counting. And a gift of bison with deep cultural and historical significance.

As we get older, it's one of the toughest decisions we face -- when to stop driving. Colorado has nearly a million people over the age of 65 behind the wheel. And although getting older does not automatically make someone a bad driver, AAA says many people are outliving their ability to drive safely by 7 to 10 years. In Aging Matters, we talk through what to look for and how to have what can be a hard discussion within the family. Then, female genital mutilation affects more than 230 million women worldwide, and doctors in Colorado say the see its lasting impact in their own exam rooms. A candid discussion with Vera Idam, founder and publisher of Afrik Digest Magazine based in Denver.

The technology's supposed to make Colorado safer but it comes with concerns about privacy and misuse. Flock cameras, and other license plate readers, are installed across the state. In Purplish, CPR's Bente Birkeland and Denverite's Andrew Kenney dig into the evolution of surveillance tech and efforts to restrict it. Then, Ryan saw a sign the other day for a "Robot Massage" and had to check it out.

The SAVE America Act is supposed to ensure the integrity of your vote, but President Trump also wants it to eliminate mail-in ballots which are widely popular in Colorado. Our Washington, D.C. reporter Caitlyn Kim updates the chances Congress will take action. Also, what's the impact if after-school funding is cut in Colorado? Then, Colorado's new women's soccer team, the Denver Summit, kicks off its inaugural season. Later, she grew up in Crested Butte, met Philip Seymour Hoffman in New York, and became a Hollywood producer whose film is up for 13 Academy Awards on Sunday. Plus, the lack of snow puts cross-country ski spots on edge, and a memory-filled goodbye to a long-standing community gathering place in Boulder, the World Famous Dark Horse.

Survivors of the Amache internment camp in southeastern Colorado worry history could repeat itself. It's why they want to tell their stories, especially now. Then, friends remember Renee Good, who grew up in Colorado and was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Later, as a new hotel oxygenates its rooms in Telluride, it appears to be part of a trend in the high country. Plus, how special actors are helping medical students and doctors test their skills at CU Anschutz. Also, state lawmakers debate restrictions on AI chatbots. We check-in ahead of tomorrow's semifinals with Team USA's Paralympic Sled Hockey team which trains in Superior and features Colorado athletes. And share in the delight of a singing telegram in Denver.

Two-thirds of Americans say they're worried about climate change, but far fewer actually do something about that concern. We speak with climate and atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe about solutions. Then, Colorado plans to auction NFT art to help celebrate its 150th birthday. And a film about Colorado's late poet laureate Andrea Gibson, "Come See Me in the Good Light," is nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The Oscars are Sunday night.

The Trump Administration has revoked the cornerstone greenhouse gas decree. The Endangerment Finding said methane and carbon are a threat to our health. Meanwhile, fossil fuels are intertwined with military interventions in Venezuela and Iran. We get perspective from Chris Winter, executive director of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment at CU Law. Then, a Colorado oil and gas company drills for geothermal energy. We also get a check-up on flu season ahead of Spring Break. And the outdoor adventuring group "Sisters on the Fly" marks 25 years.

For many farmers, insecticides known as neonics are a game changer for protecting crops. But they're also blamed for killing pollinators and there's concern about their impact on people. We'll explore the debate with Purplish. Then, getting college credit for work experience. Plus, Dan Rose of Denver is competing in his first Paralympics on the mixed wheelchair curling team.

Whether you consider it half over, or half started, there's still a lot to tackle in the legislative session, from agriculture to AI. We get a halftime check-in from our public affairs team. Plus, ensuring the "Colorado Proud" label isn't abused. Then, there are no fewer than four fronts to the war in the Middle East, says Micheline Ishay, the director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver. We talk with her about what could be next for the region. And we "Raise the Curtain" with second generation actor Annie Barbour, currently starring in "Brooklyn Laundry" at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder.

The idea of a nursing shortage may be a little scary to those in need of healthcare. But the head of CSU Pueblo's school of nursing is offering solutions for what has become a national problem. Then, alleged malfeasance in Aguilar, Colorado. Also, textile artist and painter Ana Maria Hernando has opened a new show in Colorado Springs that provides a fabric dreamscape. And, with the prestigious Michelin Guide going statewide, there’s a chance Colorado Springs will see the inspectors who grant stars.

Former University of Denver chancellor Rebecca Chopp made significant life changes when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2019. Now, new tests indicate she may have been misdiagnosed. She shares her journey as she works to raise awareness about preventing cognitive decline and new testing diagnostics as she continues to embrace life to its fullest. Then, the challenges of relitigating the trial of a man convicted more than 30 years ago in a series of Western Slope pipe bombings. Also, Denver Pride's new vision amid construction on Colfax and in Civic Center. And, we remember Colorado centenarian Nancy Tipton.

Colorado dance legend Cleo Parker Robinson is celebrating a dream fulfilled. Her vision? A community gathering place and center for the healing arts, with state of the art design to ensure inclusivity while preserving her original studio's historic integrity. The Cleo Parker Robinson Center for the Healing Arts is a $25 million, 25,000 square foot facility in Denver's historic Five Points neighborhood which incorporates the century-old Shorter AME Church into its lobby. Chandra Thomas Whitfield sat down with Cleo Parker Robinson to talk about this legacy building that's designed to serve the community for years to come.

What are the economic effects of widespread deportations? It’s something CU-Denver economist Hani Mansour studied before the current crackdown, but many of the fundamentals persist. Then, Colorado has a design and merchandising museum in Fort Collins. Its current exhibit is "Thanks! It Has Pockets!" about the politics of pockets, particularly in women's clothing. Plus, an audit raises questions about how "Caring for Denver" is allocating money. And the largest homeless shelter in Western Colorado closes its doors.

Today, we share the latest installment of "If You Can Keep It," our series about unprecedented presidential politics with Seth Masket, of the University of Denver. We take stock of the state of the union and the Supreme Court's tariffs ruling. Plus, people in Douglas County gather to learn their rights as the federal immigration crackdown stokes fear. Later, a live jazz orchestra accompanies the new ballet "Decadent Desires" for Denver's Wonderbound. And Denver's hometown metal violinist Mia Asano shares her creative musical journey as she embarks on her first national solo tour.

Colorado continues to push back against the federal government’s dismantling of science-based health care. Then, tucked away in deep canyons, or even hidden in plain sight, you might find images on rock walls from long ago — made by Indigenous people in what's now Colorado. We go exploring with Colorado Wonders. Plus, we "Raise the Curtain" with actress Annie Barbour, known for her approach to high language. And for Black History Month, we celebrate the legacy of the late jazz icon, Denver's own Purnell Steen.