Colorado Matters – November 21, 2025:

A Snowless Metro Denver, New Denver Botanic Gardens CEO, and Local 303 Celebrates 'Autumn'

Overview

This episode of Colorado Matters, hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, covers three main topics:

1. Denver’s historically snowless autumn and changing weather patterns.
2. A conversation with Donna McGinnis, incoming CEO of Denver Botanic Gardens, about accessibility and adapting to federal arts funding cuts.
3. Local 303's November music lineup, highlighting emerging Colorado artists and bands perfect for the autumn season.

The episode also touches on questions about Colorado's current economic outlook—are we stealthily entering a recession?—and a federal mineral survey project in rural Colorado.

1. Denver’s Snowless November & Weather Patterns

Guest: Lisa Hidalgo, Chief Meteorologist, Denver7
Segment starts: 00:47

Key Points & Insights:

• Snow Drought: Denver's autumn continues with almost no measurable snow. Current statewide snowpack is at only 32% of normal (01:42).
• Balmy Weather: The latest storm brought rain to the Front Range instead of snow; mountain snow is also lagging badly (01:42).
• Storm Dynamics:
  • The arriving system was a "closed off low" lacking cold Arctic air, limiting its snow potential (02:21).
  • Absence of a strong jet stream kept winds calm—avoiding fire danger, but also eliminating snow opportunities (02:54).
• Warm & Dry Records:
  • If trends hold, this could be one of the warmest Novembers on record for Denver (03:41).
  • Precipitation for 2025 is slightly above average due to strong spring snows and summer rain, but autumn has dried out.
• Waiting for Snow:
  • This is the second-latest occurrence for the first measurable snowfall, behind only December 10, 2021—the start of the Marshall Fire tragedy (04:39).
• Ski Industry Outlook:
  • The ski season start is unusually delayed, reminiscent of 2016–17, a year that rebounded with late snows; hope remains for a pattern shift bringing more snow (05:15).

Memorable Quotes:

• Lisa Hidalgo (about measurable snow):
  “We are definitely waiting for that... With this system officially at the airport, it now puts us in second place, the second latest snowfall ever on record...” (04:39)
• Lisa Hidalgo on changing climate:
  “As a kid, we grew up in Colorado expecting it to snow on Halloween... The overall picture, it’s become a little harder to predict what’s gonna happen in a season.” (06:20)

Noteworthy Timestamps:

• 01:42 — Explanation of snowpack and the current storm’s limitations.
• 03:41 — Warmest November record; precipitation context.
• 04:39 — Historical context for late snowfall.
• 07:07 — Thanksgiving weather preview (“Weather-wise, like I said, pattern is shifting...better chance for some mountain snow.”)

2. Colorado’s Economic Pulse: Are We in a Silent Recession?

Guest: Brian Lewandowski, CU Leeds School of Business
Segment starts: 08:10

Key Points & Insights:

• No Clear Recession—Yet:
  • Despite volatility in the stock market, economic data doesn’t conclusively point to a national or Colorado-specific recession (08:49).
• Mixed Economic Indicators:
  • National GDP growth remains positive, consumption is up, but job growth has halved compared to previous years (09:40).
  • Average national job growth: 76,000/month in 2025 vs. 154,000/month in 2024.
• Labor Supply Constraints:
  • Immigration policies (including tighter H1B and visa programs) are slowing labor-force growth, presenting long-term risk (12:04).
  • Aging population is a compounding demographic headwind.
• Colorado Specifics:
  • 15 years of top 5 economic performance now shifting to mid-tier rankings:
    • 2025: 22nd in GDP growth, 34th in employment growth, 29th in income growth (13:43).
  • Slower, but still positive, home price growth—now 50th in the nation at ~1% year-over-year (15:04).
  • Positive spin: metrics are improving compared to last year, although growth is slower.
• Other Factors:
  • Effects of federal government shutdown and tariffs have caused measurable disruptions.
  • Ongoing declines in federal employment: 2,700 jobs lost year-over-year in Colorado; government shutdown cost ~$15 million/day in lost wages locally (16:02).

Memorable Quotes:

• Brian Lewandowski:
  “This pace of growing jobs has been cut in half in a single year. And this is the slowest pace of growth that we've seen really since the pandemic.” (10:30)
• On home prices:
  “6% growth is not a sustainable growth rate for home prices in perpetuity… we’re now last in terms of home price growth.” (15:04)

Timestamps:

• 08:49 — Recession assessment.
• 09:40 — Mixed economic indicators.
• 13:43 — Colorado’s economic ranking shifts.
• 16:02 — Impact of government shutdown and federal employment.

3. Federal Mineral Survey Over Rural Colorado

Reporting: Shawna Lewis & Jamie Jones (USGS Earth MRI Project)
Segment starts: 18:36

Key Points & Insights:

• Aerial Mineral Survey:
  • Helicopters equipped with sensors are flying low over Colorado to create detailed geological maps identifying mineral deposits and groundwater flows.
• Critical Minerals:
  • Interest in rare earth elements (critical to modern technology/national security) drives this federal research (19:51).
  • The U.S. currently has only one operational rare earth mine in the West; efforts aim to reduce dependence on Chinese supply and unstable foreign markets (20:10).
• Mine Waste as Resource:
  • Survey also checks if waste from old mines contains valuable minerals.
• Criticism from Environmentalists:
  • Aaron Mintzes (Earthworks) calls it an “unjustified minerals rush fomented by a purported but false emergency fabricated by the president…” (21:10).
  • He argues the mining regulatory system is outdated and fails to protect communities, especially Indigenous groups (21:44).

Memorable Quotes:

• Jamie Jones (USGS):
  “China is the dominant player in the rare earth market, and they have shown through export controls that they are willing to manipulate that market…” (20:10)
• Aaron Mintzes (Earthworks):
  “What we have is an absolute unjustified minerals rush fomented by a purported but false emergency fabricated by the president…” (21:10)

4. New CEO at Denver Botanic Gardens: Donna McGinnis

Segment starts: 22:41

Key Points & Insights:

• Inclusivity & Accessibility:
  • McGinnis discusses how botanic gardens must be “everyone’s garden,” not just for the affluent or botanically literate (23:29).
  • Barriers include cost, transportation, and cultural/language inclusivity.
  • Her previous work in Naples, FL included multilingual signage and outreach (English/Spanish/Haitian Creole), partnerships with community leaders and local clergy, and celebrating diverse cultural events like Dia de los Muertos (25:11).
• Field Trips and Community Trust:
  • Overcoming “is this for me?” by arranging group transportation and collaborating with trusted local nonprofits (27:36).
• Leadership & Legacy:
  • Praise for predecessor Brian Vogt’s ambitious expansion and focus on equity and leadership development in public gardens (31:31).
  • Emphasis on workforce diversity, mentorship, and career pathways within public horticulture.
• Adapting to Funding Changes:
  • With federal arts/science funding shrinking, McGinnis stresses the need for diversifying income streams, focusing on individual donors, sponsors, and foundations (32:57).
  • Denver Botanic Gardens is “better situated than most major gardens” to weather these changes (33:41).

Memorable Quotes:

• Donna McGinnis:
  “It needs to be everybody's garden. It needs to be a garden for all.” (23:29) “You can't just go around town handing out tickets and expect a diverse audience to come.” (24:53) “If I have one piece of advice to share from the tropics, it is don't put an ice cube on your orchids to water them.” (29:51) “...we need to make sure that our workforce matches the people in our community.” (31:31) “It has probably weathered this change better than most of the large gardens in the US who really had all of their eggs in that federal grant basket.” (34:04)

Timestamps:

• 23:29 — Making Botanic Gardens accessible for all.
• 25:11 — Multilingual outreach and cultural celebrations.
• 29:51 — On the trials of growing (and killing) orchids.

5. Local 303: Celebrating 'Autumn' with Colorado Music

Guests: Alicia Sweeney (Indy 102.3 Local Music Director); musical performances by Autumnal, Gasoline Lollipops, Broken Record, Photo Atlas, and Best Man.
Segment starts: 35:22

Key Points & Insights:

• Autumnal:
  • Fort Collins' “fuzz folk” act releases their debut album “The Seed Becomes Exposed”—music described as warm as your favorite fall sweater (36:04).
• Gasoline Lollipops:
  • Gothic Americana, classic Denver band still making an impact (38:38).
  • New record “Kill The Architect” explores singer Clay Rose’s journey of self-acceptance.
• Broken Record:
  • Once a DIY basement emo project, now a full indie band—recent single “T60” is a “total rocker” (41:23).
• Photo Atlas:
  • Dance-punk band reunites after a decade—track "Just Keep Moving On" (43:26).
• Best Man:
  • Heartfelt, folk-inspired singer-songwriter Emily Eicher (Best Man) uses music as therapy and an embrace of vulnerability, highlighted by the song “Look at What You Did” (45:05, 47:46).

Memorable Quotes:

• Alicia Sweeney:
  “It’s like your favorite fall sweater, in my opinion.” (36:31)
  “We contain multitudes, and the Colorado music scene truly contains multitudes.” (42:13)

• Ryan Warner (“Tank Punk” moment):
  “[Broken Record’s] new single: I’m calling it Tank Punk.” (42:07)

• On Best Man’s track:
  “This one ... holds both the ache of loss and the beauty of falling in love ... she started living her own truth, she came out as gay, and this song was born from that experience.” (47:50)

Timestamps:

• 36:04 — Autumnal “fuzz folk” and seasonal music reflections.
• 39:19 — Gasoline Lollipops and gothic Americana.
• 41:23 — “T60” from Broken Record.
• 45:05 — Best Man (Emily Eicher) and “Look at What You Did.”

Notable and Memorable Moments

• Lateest Snowfall Context: “With this system officially at the airport, it now puts us in second place, the second latest snowfall ever on record...” (04:39)
• On barriers to participation in gardens: “Sometimes I don't know if that's for people like me. That can be something that's really important to address is being welcoming in language and culture and food and all of those things.” (23:29)
• Best Man’s theme of vulnerability as power: “She wants to show people that softness isn't weakness. That vulnerability is power...” (45:05)

Musical Interludes:

• Autumnal – “Seed Becomes Exposed” & “Radio Silence” (35:22 – 37:18)
• Gasoline Lollipops – “Humanity” (39:19)
• Broken Record – “T60” (41:23)
• Photo Atlas – “Just Keep Moving On” (43:30)
• Best Man – “Look at What You Did” (45:04, 47:50)

Episode Structure / Timeline

• 00:47 – Denver’s snowless autumn & climate chat with Lisa Hidalgo
• 08:10 – “Silent Recession” with Brian Lewandowski
• 18:36 – Federal mineral survey over Colorado
• 22:41 – Interview with Donna McGinnis, Denver Botanic Gardens CEO
• 35:22 – Local 303 music segment: New bands perfect for Autumn

Overall Tone

The episode combines earnest, thoughtful interviews with a sense of local warmth and gentle humor, particularly in the music segment. Discussions are data-driven yet accessible, and guests frequently share personal insights.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode examined key environmental, economic, and cultural cross-currents in Colorado as 2025 ends: unusual weather, new nonprofit leadership, the complexities of economic uncertainty—and the joys and anxieties of both gardening and local music as the holidays approach. The candid stories from scientists, economists, and artists alike offer a layered portrait of a state in transition.