Colorado Matters

"I'm not an artist." That's something two art instructors who founded Purple Art hear a lot as they visit retirement communities across the Front Range. Many of their clients have dementia. In our series Aging Matters, we speak with art teachers the Colorado's Alzheimer's Association hand-picked. Then, tourists think twice about their vacations because of wildfire. Plus, an effort to make Colorado's Great Outdoors more inclusive and affordable. Also, why it's not only okay, but recommended, for kids to play in the mud. And "Cowboys and East Indians," a play about identity, culture, and belonging, is up for a Colorado Theatre Guild award. 

The mayor of Colorado Springs, who’s independent, hired the Republican he beat as his chief of staff. Today, a conversation about civility, service and even and submission with Yemi Mobolade and Wayne Williams. Then, we visit a fire camp for the Aspen Acres fire near Pueblo. Plus, an adobe labyrinth by the state's oldest church in the San Luis Valley. And a living kidney donor proves you can have a normal life after giving the gift of life. 

As we wait to find out who the Republican candidate for governor will be in Colorado, we speak with Democratic candidate Phil Weiser, the current attorney general. Ryan Warner asks about his statewide strategy heading into the general election as well as gerrymandering and consequential court rulings. Then, we "Raise the Curtain" on theater critics with OnStage Colorado and find out their suggestions for the summer theater season. 

Denver's representative in Congress will, very likely, be Melat Kiros. Fresh off her primary upset, the Democratic Socialist goes in-depth on how she'd legislate with a Republican president. Kiros also tells us her recent comments about the Boulder firebombing fell short. Then, CSU starts a new chapter in sports history as it joins the Pac-12. We speak about the change and the opportunities it presents with CSU athletic director John Weber. And, we share Denverite's "race" to Red Rocks with a new option in public transit. 

The Colorado Black Arts Festival marks a milestone this summer. One of the state's most enduring cultural institutions is celebrating 40 years of showcasing Black art, music, food, and community as the festival returns to Denver’s City Park July 10-12 with the theme, “Through Our Eyes,” a reflection on past, present, and future. We chat with executive director Jaleesa McIntosh and featured artist Keisha Makonese. Then, Purplish takes stock of the primary election and what it may say about the state of politics in Colorado heading into the general election. 

Climate change means stronger winds and more dry lightning, says Senior Editor at Inside Climate News Michael Kodas. The Boulder journalist is the author of "Megafire: The Race to Extinguish a Deadly Epidemic of Flame." Then, Estes Park climber and restaurateur Melissa Strong has written "Climbing Through," about recovering from electrocution. 

In the face of global climate change, what room is there for the concept of "Leave No Trace?" We sit on a riverbank and ask the head of the Boulder-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which is in its third decade. Then, we get a bead on Indigenous designers Adrian Stevens and Sean Snyder who have been celebrated by both Vogue and the Denver Art Museum. 

As America prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July, a Colorado man with ties to one of the Founding Fathers, reckons with the country's complicated history and a family divided. Then, as wildfires continue to burn in parts of Colorado, we hear the stories of people forced to leave their homes at one of the largest, the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray. Plus, a new documentary streaming on HBO Max shares the history of the legendary band, Earth Wind & Fire, featuring Philip Bailey from Denver. And as America marks 250 years, we re-share a musical milestone for Colorado jazz saxophonist Tony Exum Jr. who performed the National Anthem at an NFL game.

With one statewide race still too close to call, we take Colorado's political pulse after the primary election. We dip into victory speeches and get insight from a panel of politicos: Alton Dillard, an unaffiliated communications specialist; Bianca Emerson, a Democratic political strategist and president of Colorado Black Women for Political Action; and Republican Krista Kafer, weekly opinion columnist for the Denver Post. 

At least five major wildfires continue to burn in parts of the state today, prompting some evacuations and air quality warnings. Then, it's Election Day in Colorado; we'll take a closer look at how your vote is counted and why it can take weeks to get final results. Also, as Colorado marks its 150th anniversary, Purplish shares the unique history inside the State Capitol. Plus, Annie Barbour is nominated for a Henry Award from the Colorado Theatre Guild for her work at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder for "Brooklyn Laundry," a role that took on deeper personal meaning. We spoke with her in March for our series, "Raise the Curtain," highlighting Colorado's vibrant theater scene.