Colorado In Depth
Colorado Public Radio
4.8from 10 ratings
- 19
- Episodes
- 10
- Ratings
- 2021
- First episode
About Colorado In Depth
A podcast featuring documentary news, storytelling and special reporting from CPR News. Covering Colorado in depth from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners.
- Publisher
- Colorado Public Radio
- Category
- news
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 9 Dec 2021
- Latest episode
- 13 Oct 2025
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
13 Oct 2025
The quest to restore what was lost for Indigenous people in Colorado
Rick Williams’ Cheyenne ancestors were pushed out of Colorado along with members of dozens of other Indian tribes. They were forced onto reservations out of state, and today, little sign remains of their time living on Colorado’s busy Front Range corridor. Williams is leading an effort to document what was lost, recommend how to restore some of it, and account for atrocities against Indian people. But he’s working towards these goals at a time when many Americans do not want to acknowledge the troubled parts of American history, let alone make amends. Colorado In Depth is a podcast of special reporting, documentary news and investigations from CPR News. Follow the podcast for reporting from the Front Range, the Four Corners, the Eastern Plains and the mountains. Reported and written by Paolo Zialcita Produced by Paolo Zialcita, Rachel Estabrook and Pedro Lumbraño Edited by Rachel Estabrook Mixed by Pedro Lumbraño Music by Pedro Lumbraño and Universal Music Support from Hart Van Denburg Additional reporting by Alejandro Alonso Galva Executive produced by Kevin Dale
19 May 2025
How Trump has changed Colorado in 100 days
The first 100 days of President Trump’s second time as president is seen by many as a good indicator of what is to come. Early on, he set out his agenda to be tough on immigration, reduce the size of government and overhaul education. How has this affected Coloradans so far? CPR News journalists explain how Trump’s policies are changing lives in Colorado. Hosted by Caitlyn Kim. Reported by Caitlyn Kim, Allison Sherry, Sarah Mulholland, Jenny Brundin, John Daley and Bente Birkland. Edited by Jo Erickson, and Megan Verlee. The executive producers are Kevin Dale and Rachel Estabrook. Find more information about Trump’s impacts on Colorado here. For more episodes of Colorado In Depth, follow the show in your podcast feed. Colorado in Depth is a production of Colorado Public Radio, which is part of the NPR Network.
22 Apr 2025
A renewable energy boom boils over near Colorado hot springs
A quirky pair of entrepreneurs want to make electricity using hot water from a mile underground. Hank Held and Fred Henderson have a dream to build Colorado’s first geothermal plant in an idyllic stretch of the central Rockies. The plant could power more than 6,000 homes and lay the groundwork for a renewable energy boom in Colorado. But after the pair has spent years studying old maps and applying for state grants, a group of local activists stands in opposition. Reported by Sam Brasch Hosted by Bazi Kanani Written, produced, sound designed and mixed by Mateo Schimpf Edited by Rachel Estabrook The executive producer is Kevin Dale. Special thanks to Joe Wertz. Find more stories about the future of geothermal energy in Colorado at cpr.org. Colorado in Depth is a production of Colorado Public Radio, which is part of the NPR Network.
13 Jan 2025
Advice for life from Colorado's centenarians
Colorado centenarians share their wisdom on longevity and living well, reminding listeners to prioritize what truly matters in life.
4 Jun 2024
Psilocybin and the Future of Cancer Care
Colorado is home to one of the largest medical trials for psilocybin, the compound in magic mushrooms. One young mom in Denver, who has cancer, is among the first wave of patients to see if the therapy can help her reduce her anxiety and face the prospect that her illness may be terminal. What she and the researchers discover could help people with depression, PTSD, addiction and other conditions. Colorado in Depth is a podcast of special reporting, documentary news and investigations from CPR News. Follow the podcast for reporting from Colorado’s Front Range, the Four Corners, the Eastern Plains and the mountains. Reported and written by Andrew Kenney Edited by Rachel Estabrook Produced, mixed and sound designed by Luis Antonio Perez Executive producer: Kevin Dale Thanks also to CPR’s Lauren Antonoff Hart, Andrea Dukakis, Sam Brasch, Jo Erickson and Hayley Sanchez Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Universal Production Music Follow Andrew Kenney @AndyKnny (https://x.com/AndyKnny) Follow CPR News @NewsCPR (https://www.instagram.com/newscpr/) Show your commitment to independent journalism by making a donation (https://donate.cpr.org/give) today. Colorado in Depth is a production of Colorado Public Radio (https://www.cpr.org/shows-and-podcasts/).
22 Jan 2024
The Colorado clerk on trial for the big lie, and what it means for the 2024 election
Tina Peters goes on trial in February. The former Mesa County clerk faces criminal charges for using her position overseeing local elections to empower a movement that falsely believes U.S. voting systems are rigged to steal elections. Peters' scheme and her evolution from trusting the election system to trying to subvert it from the inside is a warning sign for 2024. This is an installment of Colorado in Depth, a podcast of documentary news, investigations and special reporting from CPR News. Follow the show for stories from the plains to the mountain, the Four Corners to the Front Range. Hosts and reporters: Bente Birkeland and Stina Sieg Producer and editor: Rachel Estabrook Editor: Megan Verlee Scoring and mixing: Shane Rumsey Executive producers: Kevin Dale and Brad Turner Additional support from Caitlyn Kim, Joe Wertz, Anthony Cotton and Nathaniel Minor Artwork by Mia Rincón Music by Blue Dot Sessions
22 Nov 2023
A year since Club Q
Colorado is remembering the five people killed at Club Q a year ago. Dozens more survived that night, and have been trying to figure out life in the aftermath. Stories from four people in their own words remind us that there is no going back to “normal,” and that for each of us, survival has its own meaning. This is an installment of Colorado In Depth, a podcast featuring special reporting and investigations from CPR News. This episode is a collaboration with CPR’s partner KRCC. Reported and produced by Abigail Beckman Edited by Andrea Chalfin and Rachel Estabrook Mixing and sound design by Pedro Lumbraño and Abigail Beckman Music by Universal Production Music Hosted by Rachel Estabrook
21 Sept 2023
The life and death of Elijah McClain: What have we learned?
Elijah McClain was a son, a brother, a healer and a musician. In 2019, police stopped him during a peaceful walk home. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but they violently subdued him. Now, officers and paramedics face criminal charges in his death. McClain’s story has brought about reforms to the rules for police in Colorado, and it has put law enforcement in Aurora under state oversight, to stop a pattern of racist policing. The incident has taught Colorado how to effectively oversee conduct by law enforcement – and what happens when we don’t. Colorado In Depth is a podcast of special reporting, documentary news and investigations from CPR News. Follow the podcast for reporting from the Front Range, the Four Corners, the Eastern Plains and the mountains. Reported by Allison Sherry Written by Allison Sherry and Rachel Estabrook Produced and edited by Rachel Estabrook Mixed by Emily Williams Music by Blue Dot Sessions Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Sherkiya Wedgeworth-Hollowell and Brad Turner Thanks also to Alison Borden, Kibwe Cooper, Erin Jones and Rebekah Romberg
2 Jun 2023
How our wastewater can help the West's water problems
The idea of drinking recycled wastewater, even if it's highly treated, grossed people out for a long time. But increasingly, it's part of the answer for how we can live in the West as the region and its rivers dry out. This episode goes to two Colorado cities, and a home in California, to show how we can reuse more of the water we already use, to make our Colorado River supplies go further. It's part of the CPR News climate solutions podcast, Parched. Host: Michael Elizabeth Sakas Written and reported by Rachel Estabrook Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz Production and Mixing: Rebekah Romberg Theme song by Kibwe Cooper. Additional music via Universal Production Music. Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón Executive Producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner Additional Editorial Support: Alison Borden, Kibwe Cooper, Jo Erickson, Luis Antonio Perez, Taylar Dawn Stagner, Andrew Villegas Thanks also to Sarah Bures, Hart Van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Kim Nguyen, Clara Shelton, and Arielle Wilson.Colorado in Depth and Parched are productions of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio — part of the NPR Network.
23 May 2023
Ideas to save the Colorado River
Today's episode is an introduction to a CPR News podcast called Parched. Hosted by climate reporter Michael Elizabeth Sakas, it's about how we can continue to live in the American southwest as it dries out. A two decade drought is sapping the Colorado River and other water supplies. But there are things all of us who live in the region can do to control how much this drought changes our lives and landscapes. For more CPR News coverage of the Colorado River, visit cpr.org/parched (http://cpr.org/parched). Colorado In Depth is a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting from the CPR newsroom. Subscribe to this podcast for stories from the plains to the mountains, from the Front Range to the Four Corners. Hosted by Michael Elizabeth Sakas Reported and written by Rachel Estabrook Edited by Erin Jones and Joe Wertz Production and mixing by Emily Williams Theme song by Kibwe Cooper. Additional music via Universal Production Music Executive producers: Brad Turner and Kevin Dale Additional production and editing: Alison Borden, Kibwe Cooper, Jo Erickson, Luis Antonio Perez, Rebekah Romberg, Taylar Dawn Stagner, Andrew VillegasColorado In Depth and Parched are productions of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.
29 Mar 2023
Black History, Baseball History, and William 'Bay Bay' Richardson
For decades, the name William Richardson symbolized hope and opportunity in a close-knit northeast Denver community. But Richardson had lived an extraordinary life even before that. This is the never-before-told story of a Colorado family who uncovers their dad’s contributions to sports history, Black history, and American history while playing in the Negro Baseball League, a league born out of a period of racial segregation. Then he went on to touch the lives of hundreds of young people in metro Denver. Colorado In Depth is a podcast of special reporting, documentary news and investigations from CPR News. Follow the podcast for reporting from the Four Corners to the Eastern Plains to the mountains. Reporter and writer: Chandra Thomas Whitfield Editor and host: Rachel Estabrook Sound design, production and mixing: Pedro Lumbraño Artwork: Mia Rincón Executive producers: Kevin Dale and Brad Turner Thanks also to Carl Bilek
17 Oct 2022
How Colorado counts your ballot
Is your vote secure, and properly counted? Since November 2020, election integrity has been under public scrutiny. It’s questioned in the news, by family and friends, and candidates themselves. This episode takes you behind the scenes of Colorado’s elections, to meet the people and systems designed to prevent fraud and count every vote. This is an installment of Colorado In Depth, a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting from the CPR newsroom. Follow the show for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Reporter: Matt Bloom Editor and host: Rachel Estabrook Production and mixing: Emily Williams Artwork: Mia Rincón Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner Thanks also to Matt Moret and Kibwe Cooper.
1 Sept 2022
How three Coloradans found solutions for chronic pain
One in five Americans has dealt with chronic pain. It can be physically, mentally and financially draining. It can lead to addiction, death and even thoughts of suicide. But some Coloradans have found new solutions to manage their pain, like brain therapy and medications other than opioids. We talk with people who experience pain, and physicians, to uncover these solutions and provide hope for pain sufferers and their loved ones who want to help. This is an installment of Colorado In Depth, a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting from the CPR newsroom. Follow the show for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Hosted by Rachel Estabrook Reporters: Ryan Warner and Andrea Dukakis Editor and producer: Rachel Estabrook Production, sound design and mixing: Pedro Lumbrano Artwork: Mia Rincón Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner, Gillian Coldsnow
12 Jul 2022
Embedded with Colorado National Guard troops in Europe
CPR News correspondent Caitlyn Kim travels to Estonia to see Colorado National Guard troops conducting military training exercises with allies, just weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. She found there is a lot at stake for Estonians in the Ukrainian war; a lot at stake for U.S. security and the NATO alliance; and a lot at stake for Coloradans who don't expect to find themselves on the doorstep of a land war when they go on longstanding training missions. This is an installment of Colorado In Depth, a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting from the CPR newsroom. Follow the show for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Hosted by Rachel Estabrook Reporter: Caitlyn Kim Editor: Rachel Estabrook Production and mixing: Pedro Lumbrano and Rachel Estabrook Artwork: Mia Rincón Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner, Gillian Coldsnow
7 May 2022
What the past tells us about the future of abortion in Colorado
Today’s episode is a crossover from CPR News' podcast Purplish. Reporters Bente Birkeland and Andrew Kenney explain that Colorado was the first state to legalize abortion, before Roe v. Wade. They talk to people who have shaped the legal landscape for and against abortion access here. And they explain why this issue is never really settled. To hear other episodes of Purplish, follow this link: https://www.cpr.org/podcast/purplish/ (http://www.cpr.org/podcast/purplish/) This is an installment of Colorado In Depth. It’s a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting, all from the CPR newsroom. Subscribe for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Hosted by Rachel Estabrook Reporters: Bente Birkeland and Andrew Kenney Editor: Megan Verlee Production and mixing: Shane Rumsey Additional production: Jon Pinnow Artwork: Mia Rincón Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner
25 Feb 2022
How the Denver Area's Transit System Took Shape
Today’s episode is a special preview of another CPR News podcast called Ghost Train. Hosted by reporter Nathaniel Minor, it’s about building a greener transportation system in Colorado – and whether the plans of decades ago should still be setting our course for the future. Denver-area taxpayers have made a massive investment in rail transit over the last 17 years. But these billions of dollars have done little to shift how people move around here. Why is that? You’ll hear the complete first installment of Ghost Train in this episode. To hear the rest of the series follow Ghost Train at this link: https://www.cpr.org/podcast/ghost-train/\ (https://www.cpr.org/podcast/ghost-train/%5C) This is an installment of Colorado In Depth. It’s a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting, all from the CPR newsroom. Subscribe for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez Theme song by Daniel Mescher. Additional music via Universal Production Music. Artwork: Mia Rincón Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner Additional editorial support: Jo Erickson, Alison Borden, Rachel Estabrook, Ana Campbell, Sherkiya Wedgeworth-Hollowell, Andrew Villegas, Dave Burdick Archival tape thanks: Heather Dalton and Dominic Dezzutti at CPT-12; Tim Wieland and Steve Vriesman at CBS4 Denver; Kevin Krug at KMGH Denver7. Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg. Ghost Train is a production of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio. Thanks also to Matt Herz and Sarah Bures.
13 Jan 2022
A Day in the Life of a Restaurant Trying to Survive the Pandemic
For a long time, a common refrain has been that more than half of restaurants close before even making it a year. Now think of the chances of survival if you opened one right before the pandemic — right before restaurants around the world had to shut down their in person business. As the virus has ebbed and flowed, the number of customers coming in has fluctuated wildly, but some of these businesses in Colorado have survived through mandates, inflation, supply chain issues, staffing shortages and now omicron. This is the story of Zomo Asian + American Eatery in Englewood. It’s a family story and a survival story. And in the end, it’s an ominous story about how long businesses can really survive in the face of a new, infectious wave of the pandemic. See photos, a timeline and more on this story: https://www.cpr.org/2021/12/13/from-dawn-to-dinner-at-a-family-owned-restaurant-that-has-survived-the-pandemic/ (https://www.cpr.org/2021/12/13/from-dawn-to-dinner-at-a-family-owned-restaurant-that-has-survived-the-pandemic/) This is an installment of Colorado In Depth. It’s a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting, all from the CPR newsroom. Subscribe for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Written and reported by Sarah Mulholland, Ryan Warner Editing: Rachel Estabrook Host: Rachel Estabrook Executive producer: Kevin Dale Mixing and Sound Design: Patrice Mondragon Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Mia Rincon, Matt Herz, Rebekah Romberg, Brad Turner, Hart Van Denburg and Sarah Bures.
14 Dec 2021
Humans Start Most Wildfires in Colorado. Why's It So Easy To Get Away With?
Some of the biggest wildfires in Colorado have cost lives and caused millions of dollars in damage. But without knowing how they started exactly, Coloradans can’t change policies to try to prevent new ones. And no one gets held accountable. CPR reporters Ben Markus and Veronica Penney explain what they found when they analyzed eighteen years of federal wildfire data, and talked to nearly a hundred people to understand the real world consequences of not being able to pinpoint how fires start in the age of climate change. See photos, graphs and more on this story: https://www.cpr.org/2021/11/11/colorados-biggest-wildfires-are-mostly-human-caused-and-unsolved/\ (https://www.cpr.org/2021/11/11/colorados-biggest-wildfires-are-mostly-human-caused-and-unsolved/%5C) This is the first installment of Colorado In Depth. It’s a podcast featuring documentary news, investigations and special reporting, all from the CPR newsroom. Subscribe for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners. Written and reported by Ben Markus, Veronica Penney Additional reporting: Sam Brasch Editing: Chuck Murphy, Rachel Estabrook Host: Rachel Estabrook Executive producer: Kevin Dale Mixing and Sound Design: Pedro Lumbrano Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Mia Rincon, Matt Herz, Rebekah Romberg, Brad Turner, Kevin J. Beaty, Hart Van Denburg and Eli Imadali.
9 Dec 2021
Introducing 'Colorado In Depth'
Reporters at CPR News cover Colorado: its trends, its people, its places. Beyond the headlines of the day, we explain the news to help you understand its relevance and connect you to this community. We want to make it easier for you to find and enjoy our deepest work about big issues in Colorado. So we have a new podcast for you. You’ll hear documentary news, investigations and special reporting, all from the CPR newsroom. Subscribe for stories from the plains to the mountains, the Western Slope to the Four Corners.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.7 / 5
- 6 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 62
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 75
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