Colorado Matters – March 13, 2026: Episode Summary
Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield | Colorado Public Radio

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Colorado Matters dives into several pressing and noteworthy topics affecting Colorado:

• The future (and controversy) of the SAVE America Act and its threat to Colorado’s mail-in voting system
• The kickoff of the Denver Summit women’s soccer team
• The Oscar rise of Colorado native and Hollywood producer Sarah Murphy
• The tough season for cross-country ski resorts due to climate change
• The bittersweet closing of Boulder’s beloved Dark Horse bar

Throughout, the hosts keep a conversational, insightful tone, blending political analysis, personal stories, and community perspectives.

Segment 1: The SAVE America Act & Colorado’s Election System

[00:04 – 08:36]

Key Points & Insights

• Context: The SAVE America Act, endorsed by President Trump, would require in-person proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to actually vote, threatening Colorado’s popular mail-in ballot system.
• Trump’s Demands: Trump wants the law to go further—effectively banning almost all mail-in voting (besides exceptions for illness, disability, military, or travel) and attaching unrelated issues such as restrictions on transgender athletes.
• Colorado’s Current System: Over 98% of Coloradans currently vote by mail, a process praised for its security, cost-effectiveness, and turnout.
• Implementation Hurdles: Changing to all in-person voting would require expensive, wide-reaching changes (more polling places, staffing, voter education). The Act doesn't provide federal funding for this upheaval.
• Lack of Voter Fraud Evidence: Repeatedly, courts and audits have found no significant fraud, despite Trump’s continued claims.

  “Trump lies about mail in voting, saying it leads to massive voter fraud. There’s no evidence of that. No courts, no audit has found it to be true.” — Ryan Warner [02:22]

• Constitutional Limits: The Constitution gives states power over their election systems, which limits what the President can do via executive order without congressional support.
• Political Calculations: The push is driven by a belief that tighter laws will help Republicans win the midterms, despite a lack of evidence this is effective—or even needed, as non-citizens cannot legally vote.
• Senate Prospects: Senate Majority Leader John Thune will bring the Act to the floor, but admits it doesn’t have enough votes to overcome the filibuster.

  “I can, I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation.” — John Thune [07:46]

• Potential for Disenfranchisement: Proving citizenship in person would bar millions who can’t easily access records like birth certificates or passports.

Notable Quotes

• “By any measure, cost, turnout, security, it’s a better way to vote. I’m frustrated and perplexed that it’s become such an issue.” — Sen. John Hickenlooper [03:47]
• "I believe about less than half the American population has a passport. They say [this bill] would unnecessarily disenfranchise people..." — Caitlin Kim [07:04]

Segment 2: After-School Program Funding In Jeopardy

[08:36 – 13:32]

Key Points & Insights

• Budget Gap: Colorado lawmakers are considering slashing after-school funding to close an $850 million state budget gap.
• Benefits: Programs like chess, robotics, leadership, and arts improve attendance, boost test scores, and help parents keep jobs.
• Scope of Impact: Three-quarters of Colorado children who need after-school care can’t get it—350,000 kids.
• Cuts Would Hurt Families: Advocates argue cuts will deepen educational achievement gaps and economic strain, especially for working-class and mountain community families.
• Advocacy: Program directors and partners are fighting for continued support, highlighting economic and social ripple effects.

Notable Quotes

• “This is a must for all kids in Colorado to thrive.” — Kelly Streck, Colorado Afterschool Partnership [10:10]
• “If this didn’t exist, we would see a lot of families leaving our community after school. Childcare has a huge impact on women being able to work.” — Sofia Massaggiani, Project Dream [12:20]

Segment 3: Denver Summit FC Kicks Off

[13:32 – 22:45]

Key Points & Insights

• Launch of the Team: Denver Summit is the newest NWSL franchise, debuting in San Jose against Bay Football Club; expectations are high and home opener at Mile High Stadium (March 28) is expected to break attendance records.
• Local Talent: Lindsey Heaps (formerly Horan), an Olympic and World Cup star, joins midseason, along with other prominent Coloradans like Ali Brazier.
• Ownership and Excitement: Ownership group includes Peyton Manning, Mikaela Shiffrin, and others—a sign of strong commitment from Colorado sports icons and grassroots groups.
• Legacy and Competition: Denver’s soccer roots run deep; landing the franchise was competitive, with cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati in the mix.
• NWSL’s Culture: The league is seen as tough, gritty, and ultra-competitive—a quality both Summit and hometown players embody.

Notable Quotes

• “Considering they signed Lindsay Heaps…they could be a contender for it all at the end.” — Melanie Anzideh, The Athletic [14:45]
• “Tough and grit are good ways to describe it.” — Melanie Anzideh, about the NWSL [16:41]
• “The fact that this team hasn’t even played a regular season match and is able to attract as many fans as they’ve already been able to attract to buy tickets…I think it says a lot.” — Melanie Anzideh [21:50]

Segment 4: From Tap Dancing in Crested Butte to Hollywood Producer – Sarah Murphy

[22:45 – 39:04]

Key Points & Insights

• Background: Sarah Murphy almost became a professional tap dancer or astronaut, instead rising to become a prominent Hollywood producer.
• Oscar Buzz: Her film "One Battle After Another" is up for 13 Oscars, showcasing her ability to shepherd stories from inception to release.
• Producer’s Craft: Murphy describes producing as ensuring the director’s vision is supported from script to distribution—a high-pressure, collaborative, and creative job.
• Authenticity Matters: She emphasizes creating films that are emotionally honest and grounded in real people and places; for instance, drawing on real locations and communities in production.
• Mentorship: Worked closely with Philip Seymour Hoffman for a decade, shaping her understanding of performance and truth in filmmaking.
• Motherhood: Murphy reflects on balancing new motherhood with career demands, pointing to the need for Hollywood (and America) to better support women and integrating family and work.
• Personal Philosophy: She seeks projects she can defend “from start to finish” and feels filmmaking, with its ever-changing demands, is as challenging and rewarding as any childhood dream.

Notable Quotes

• “Stylistically, I’m a director’s producer, and I am there to support the vision of a director.” — Sarah Murphy [25:26]
• “Watching him [Philip Seymour Hoffman]…why Phil was so good…he seeked out emotional truth. And I think he didn’t stand for anything else.” — Sarah Murphy [33:09]
• “You fear that life is gonna pass you by, and I think I’ve realized that it’s only just become richer and...happier. Happier. I feel happy.” — Sarah Murphy [36:14]
• “When I take on a project, understanding that I will be with it for a long time and I want to be able to defend it from start to finish. It has to be something I’m emotionally connected to.” — Sarah Murphy [38:57]

Segment 5: Climate Change Hits Cross-Country Skiing

[39:04 – 43:23]

Key Points & Insights

• Record Low Season: The region is experiencing its lowest snowpack on record—impacting cross-country spots like Eldora and Keystone Nordic Centers.
• Adaptations: Operators use “snow farming,” snow fences, and tech like snow-preserving blankets; limited resources make these options harder for smaller resorts.
• Personal Loss: Ellen Miller Goin, owner of Enchanted Forest ski area, shares the emotional weight of closing after 40 years due to climate-driven droughts—her parents’ legacy and her own dreams at stake.
• Broader Trend: The plight is emblematic of wider challenges for mountain communities as the climate warms.

Notable Quotes

• “My parents and I started this business 40 years ago and this is the worst winner in our history.” — Ellen Miller Goin [42:43]
• “I can’t even go up there without crying…” — Ellen Miller Goin [43:03]
• “Mother Nature is never going to have two years really this [bad] back.” — Jana Havlarti [42:26]

Segment 6: The Closing of Boulder’s Dark Horse Bar

[43:38 – End]

Key Points & Insights

• Bittersweet Farewell: The world-famous Dark Horse is closing after 51 years, making way for CU student housing.
• Shared Memories: Former patrons and staff reminisce about quirky decor, community cleaning parties, and the sense of belonging across generations of CU Boulder students (“Buffs”).
• Cultural Loss: The Dark Horse wasn’t just a bar—it was a rite of passage and intergenerational community hub for Boulder.
• Uncertain Future: There’s talk the bar might relocate, but it’s unconfirmed; for now, old friends gather for one last night, reflecting on change and the passage of time.

Notable Quotes

• “It’s kind of a sports bar, but it’s kind of a neighborhood bar. It’s a place that’s comfortable for people as soon as they walk in the door.” — David Mays [44:44]
• “I just feel like it’s really sad that they’re knocking it down because not only is the Dark Horse like a Boulder staple, but also it brings together, like, generations of Buffs all together under the same room. It’s so rare.” — Sofia Massaggiani [46:19]
• “You can’t live in the glory days forever. Sometimes it’s okay to move on.” — Sydney Hernandez [47:24]

Memorable Moments

• Ryan Warner fact-checking idioms: “It’s not cards. You don’t roll cards. It’s dice.” [24:03]
• Cheerful Closure: The segment ends with an impromptu sing-along to “Love Shack” by the B52s, a song with special karaoke memories for Dark Horse regulars. [47:34+]

Takeaways

This episode encapsulates Colorado’s resilience, creativity, and sense of community through legislative battles, sporting dreams, personal journeys, and the bittersweet churn of local landmarks disappearing. The conversational, sometimes wistful tone connects the state’s present challenges with deeper questions of adaptation, authenticity, and memory.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• SAVE America Act Analysis: 00:04 – 08:36
• After-School Program Funding: 08:36 – 13:32
• Denver Summit Soccer: 13:43 – 22:45
• Sarah Murphy, Hollywood Producer: 22:45 – 39:04
• Cross-Country Skiing & Climate: 39:04 – 43:23
• World Famous Dark Horse Closing: 43:38 – End

For full context, tune in to Colorado Matters from March 13, 2026.