Baby Bonds, Burnham Yard and Colorado’s Changing Front Range | Front Range Exchange

Welcome to Front Range Exchange — a radio show aired on KGNU Community Radio's Metro show that blends the in-depth reporting of Front Range Focus with the thought-provoking perspectives of The Exchange. Hosted by award-winning journalist and publisher, Ruby Jones.

Producer, vocalist and recording artist Chromonicci joins The Exchange to talk about his evolution as an artist, the R&B, neo-soul and electronic influences behind his sound, and the live “sonic adventure” he is bringing to Dazzle Denver with violinist Monique Brooks Roberts on October 1.

Jazz vocalist and recording artist Rajdulari joins Ruby Jones on The Exchange to talk about her musical journey, the jazz, soul and R&B influences behind her sound, and the inspiration for Chaka: A Jazz Introspective, coming to Dazzle Denver on September 5.

This month on Front Range Exchange, Baby Bonds take center stage as Ruby Jones speaks with Esther Turcios of the Colorado Fiscal Institute about investing in children from birth, building generational wealth and what a potential Colorado program could look like.Plus, we catch up on news across the Front Range, including Burnham Yard and the proposed Broncos stadium, Colorado’s life sciences sector, CU’s purchase of Independence Plaza, passenger rail, digital wellness and more.

What if building generational wealth started at birth?In this episode of The Exchange, Ruby Jones talks with Esther Turcios of the Colorado Fiscal Institute about Baby Bonds, publicly funded investment accounts designed to give children a financial foundation that can grow alongside them.They discuss the difference between income and wealth, how Baby Bonds could expand economic opportunity for Colorado families, and why financial education and long-term family stability are critical pieces of the conversation. Esther also explains what research into a potential Colorado Baby Bonds program has revealed and how an investment made early in a child’s life could eventually support wealth-building opportunities such as higher education, homeownership or entrepreneurship.The conversation explores what it means to invest not only in individual children, but in the financial futures of families and communities across generations.Learn more: coloradofiscal.org

Go behind the scenes of "The Sound of Music" with Broadway star Christiane Noll, who portrays Mother Abbess in the national tour. In this conversation, Noll discusses bringing one of musical theater's most iconic roles to life, the artistry behind Climb Ev'ry Mountain, the vocal demands of the production and what continues to make The Sound of Musicresonate with audiences more than 65 years after its Broadway debut.

What goes into bringing Broadway's biggest productions to Denver? In this episode of The Exchange, Ruby Jones sits down with John Ekeberg, Executive Director of Broadway at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, to discuss the 2026–2027 Broadway season. From selecting this year's lineup to the benefits of Broadway subscriptions and the importance of community support, John shares how DCPA continues to anchor Colorado's performing arts scene while creating unforgettable live theater experiences for audiences across the region.

Dr. Fernando Branch, executive director of the Colorado Men of Color Collaborative, discusses leadership, mentorship, mental health and the importance of creating spaces where men and boys of color can find community, support and belonging.

"Next to Normal" is a 3x Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that explores themes of mental health, grief and family dynamics. Actress Aléna Watters brings the leading character to life and shares a behind-the-scenes look at the production. Tickets to "Next to Normal" are available at https://denvercenter.org.

Roz White plays a teacher and mentor in the award-winning show "Hell's Kitchen." Inspired by the life of Alicia Keys, the musical is headed to Denver from April 14-26 on its first national tour. Check out this exclusive interview, and get tickets at https://denvercenter.org.