Guest: Adrian Varney Proceeds Manager

This marks the eighth year the Colorado Lottery has celebrated Conservation Month, highlighting the incredible outdoor spaces and experiences made possible through lottery players and the many partners who help bring these projects to life. The Colorado Lottery is unique in that it directs 100% of its proceeds toward protecting and enhancing Colorado’s outdoor resources. Last year, through the Starburst Awards program, the Lottery recognized a brand-new school and returned $181 million to Colorado communities. On average, 20 to 21 cents of every dollar spent on Scratch tickets goes back to the state, with even higher returns from games like Powerball.

the ColoradoLottery.com

Guest: Amira Watters Executive Director

Spay Today is a nonprofit, low-cost veterinary clinic in Lakewood dedicated to helping Denver-area pet owners access affordable care. The clinic specializes in spay and neuter surgeries for dogs, cats, and rabbits, performs about 30 surgeries each day, and also offers vaccinations and microchipping. By preventing unwanted litters, Spay Today helps address pet overpopulation, crowded shelters, and animal homelessness. Through its Spay It Forward Program, the organization provides reduced-cost or free services to ensure every pet owner can access the care their animals need.

https://spay.today/

Guest: Tim Taravella Executive Director

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Sense of Security is helping Colorado families affected by breast cancer by providing up to $500 per month for six months to help cover essential non-medical expenses such as housing, utilities, and groceries. Since 2000, the organization has assisted more than 2,600 families, but there are currently 176 women and their families on the waitlist for support. To raise awareness and funds, Sense of Security will host Splash of Pink on October 16 at Mile High Station and Pickle Pink, a pickleball tournament, on October 25 at Chicken N Pickle in Thornton. With one in seven Coloradans expected to face breast cancer during their lifetime, these events help provide critical support to families navigating the challenges of a diagnosis and treatment.

Senseofsecurity.org

Guest: Christina Amparon City of Aurora Youth Violence Prevention Program

During the afternoon of Sunday, August 30, over 500 teens descended upon the King Soopers store and the Burger King restaurant in the Aurora Hoffman Heights Shopping Center. It took over 70 police to quell the vandalizing and ripping off of merchandise. These “teen takeovers” have also happened in Chicago and Detroit. This program covers what can be done to end them here.

Guest: Marissa Volpe Associate State Director for Livable & Diverse Communities

AARP is the nation's largest nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people age with dignity and on their own terms. As Colorado's population continues to age, AARP provides a wide range of resources focused on caregiving, financial security, technology skills, workforce readiness, and combating ageism. Across the state, AARP offers educational classes, community meetups, and programs such as Movies for Grownups. The organization also supports age-friendly communities by promoting initiatives that improve digital literacy, pedestrian safety, public transportation accessibility, and overall community livability for older adults.

aarp.org

Guest: Gabriel Guillaume Executive Director

Second Wind Fund works to prevent youth suicide by removing financial and social barriers to mental health treatment. The organization partners with approximately 300 therapists across Colorado who specialize in suicide prevention and connects them with at-risk youth referred by parents, schools, faith-based groups, and other community organizations. Serving 44 of Colorado's 64 counties, Second Wind Fund provides in-person therapy and supports between 600 and 800 young people each year. With Colorado consistently ranking among the states with the highest suicide rates, the need for these services remains critical. In 2025 alone, 65 Colorado youth died by suicide, including 25 children between the ages of 10 and 14.

thesecondwindfund.org

Guest: Pearlanne Zelarney Co-Dir. Communications

There is no higher civic responsibility than voting, with Sept. 16 being National Voter Registration Day. With 800 League Chapters in all 50 states, the League of Women Voters is working feverishly to get Denver and Colorado ready for the forthcoming mid-term elections. From registration to non-candidate ballot insights the League is getting the word out.

https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-denver

Guest: Charles Gilford Chief Executive Officer

Inner City Health is a community-based healthcare center that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services to patients across more than 30 ZIP codes in the Denver metro area. Serving a multigenerational patient base, the organization is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable primary care and provides approximately $1 million in uncompensated care each year. Their annual fundraising event, Jazzed, will take place on September 18 with this year’s theme, “Harmony of Healing.” The event will feature a performance by Hazel Miller, a silent auction, and catering by Spice of Life.

JazzInnerCityHealth.org.