Sept. 24, 2024: Chief Justice Monica Márquez on the responsibility of being a role model and pioneering judge
Monica Márquez’s name is synonymous with firsts. In 2010 Governor Bill Ritter appointed her to the Colorado Supreme Court, making her the first Latina and the first openly gay justice to serve on Colorado’s highest court. As of 2021, she is the longest-serving of eleven openly LGBTQ-plus state supreme court justices in the United States. And on July 26 this year, she was sworn in as the chief justice for the state’s high court, again making her the first-ever Latina to serve in that role in Colorado. Chandra Thomas Whitfield sat down with Justice Márquez at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver, to talk about her journey, the responsibility she feels as a role model, and her priorities for the court.
Colorado makes its mark in the evolving culture of tattoos
The 9th annual Colorado Tattoo Convention & Expo is September 27-29, 2024 at the National Western Complex in Denver. Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with the festival’s founder and general manager, Rito Ramirez, about the rich history of tattooing in Colorado and across the Rocky Mountain region!
Sept. 19, 2024: Defense rests in Boulder grocery store shooting trial; Colorado’s tattoo culture
The defense rests in the trial of a man accused of killing ten people at a Boulder grocery store. We’ll get perspective on the case ahead of closing arguments. Then, the owners of a funeral home where nearly 200 bodies were found decomposing avoid a federal trial. Also, climate migrants and the rich, evolving tattoo culture of Colorado.
Sept. 17, 2024: More wolves heading to Colorado; Sharing stories of culture and heritage
More gray wolves are coming to Colorado, nearly four years after voters decided to reintroduce them to our state. But the process has not been without problems. CPR climate and environment reporter Sam Brasch joins us with an update. Then, for Hispanic Heritage Month, we share stories of family, culture, and community with ¿Quién Are We? and one man’s special connection with his father.
Sept. 12, 2024: What’s next for MDMA after FDA rejection? Interpreting a lost Euripidean find
Researchers hoped the FDA would approve the drug commonly known as “ecstasy” to help treat PTSD. But now that the FDA has rejected it in a surprise decision, what’s next for the psychedelic? Then, two CU Boulder scholars interpret what they believe to be previously unknown fragments of two lost tragedies by the Greek playwright Euripides. And, using mammograms to increase awareness of dense breast tissue.
Sept. 10, 2024: Why parents are stressed out, and ways to cope
The U.S. Surgeon General says almost half of American parents report feeling completely overwhelmed by stress. He now calls it an “urgent public health issue.” To get perspective, we’ve asked three parents to join us: Craig Knippenberg of Denver is a dad and family counselor, Kelli Clifton Ogunsanya is a mom and the chief operating officer at local corporation, and Jess Pramov is also a mom and a telecom executive.
Sept. 5, 2024: Clinical trials hope to curb and reverse Alzheimer’s; EVs drive a shift for firefighters
There’s a clinical trial underway in Colorado that is recruiting participants in an effort to treat and reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Then, electric vehicles are changing how firefighters respond to car fires. Plus, Native American skier Ross Anderson from Durango will be inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame this weekend! And, Mount Blue Sky, the highest road in North America, is now closed for repairs until spring of 2026.
Sept. 2, 2024: Labors of love on Labor Day
On this Labor Day, people who work, to make a difference for others, including two artists, whose goal is to “paint the plains” from Bennet to Burlington, Lamar to Limon. Plus, a Colorado non-profit that makes sure working single moms have a reliable car. Also, a men’s clothier that’s making more than a fashion statement. And coffee with a cause.
Aug. 29, 2024: State historian wants Coloradans to think about democracy; Protecting butterflies and bees
Newly-appointed state historian William Wei says Democratic governments are facing the worst crisis since the 1930s. And he hopes to get Coloradans thinking about threats to democracy at home and abroad.
Aug. 27, 2024: Worldschooling encourages families to use the world as a classroom
Imagine living abroad, or even in another part of the country for a few months or longer, with your family in tow and using the world as your classroom. It might not be as far-fetched as you think. Three Boulder moms wrote a book on how to do it: “Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling.” Chandra Thomas Whitfield spoke with co-author Julie Frieder, as well as a Denver family who took up the adventure.
For this Denver family, worldschooling was a life-changing adventure and opportunity
For Marlon and Jouanna Wells of Denver, the chance to spend four months in Mexico with their four children and two cousins was a chance to break from the routine of daily life and give their family a unique experience to learn while immersed in another culture. Chandra Thomas Whitfield talks with the Wells family about their worldschooling experience and their advice for others who want to try it, but might be hesitant to do so.
Making the world a classroom for your children
Worldschooling is when when families, usually those with school-age children, leave their day-to-day lives to live abroad or in another part of the country or a community, using the world as a classroom. Julie Frieder co-authored the book, “Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family and Worldschooling” with fellow Boulder moms Angela Heisten and Annika Paradise.
Aug. 22, 2024: Aging and mental health; A healthcare victory for veterans who served at K2
As people age, physical health is often top of mind, and mental health is overlooked. For “Aging Matters on Colorado Matters,” we’ll talk about ways to cope with the Colorado Gerontological Society, a nonprofit that offers support programs for older adults including free mental health counseling. Then, what’s it like to be a Colorado delegate at the DNC? And, victory for veterans fighting for medical benefits after serving at the K2 military base in Uzbekistan. And a unique trail of dinosaur tracks!
A Colorado Springs veteran helps win the long fight for expanded medical benefits
A huge victory this month for veterans fighting for expanded medical benefits after being exposed to toxic chemicals while serving at an Army base known as K2 in Uzbekistan. Troops say they experienced serious health conditions as a result. And after a decades-long fight, the VA has finally removed barriers to them receiving treatment.
Aug. 20, 2024: DNC delegates have new hope for election; Teachers union head on school year ahead
By day, Colorado’s convention delegates attend meetings to get motivated for the long election season. At night, they hear from the party’s most prominent leaders. Then, as kids return to school the head of the Colorado Education Association outlines the challenges and opportunities ahead. Also, exposure to the sun can be extra hard for people with darker skin. And, why Colorado raised the drinking age.
Aug. 15, 2024: The Museum for Black Girls celebrates artistry, culture and heritage
The Museum for Black Girls in downtown Denver honors the accomplishments, resilience and “magic’’ of Black women around the world and inspires new generations. Colorado Matters co-host Chandra Thomas Whitfield toured the interactive exhibits with students from the Opening Act Theatre Camp.
