Coming up in tonight's studio 12.

3D printing is changing the way homes are being built here in Colorado.

We speak to Vero Touch, a Chaffee County company that's leading the way.

Then the power of color in business and how it can shape the way that you think and feel.

Plus, a conversation with a creative twist.

As journalism and drawing collide at the doodle desk.

And one of our Creator Academy interns sits down with Denver comedian Josh blue.

Don't go anywhere.

It all starts right now here on studio 12.

From the Five Points Media Center in the heart of Denver, Colorado.

This is studio 12.

Good evening.

I'm Bosie kanani.

And I'm Ryan Hare.

Welcome to studio 12.

3D printing is beginning to transform the construction industry, but some Colorado companies are thinking even bigger.

In tonight's Business of Colorado segment.

Frannie Matthews sits down with Jake Ricciardi of Vero Touch, a Chaffee County company that uses robotics and automation to print concrete homes, all while developing the technology platform for future advancements in the homebuilding industry.

Here's more with Frannie.

So Jake or Chavi are you?

And I have known each other for a while.

Yes we.

Have.

And I am thrilled to be able to come down and talk about what you're doing in Chaffee County.

One of the issues that we have as an economy in Colorado, like a lot of other places, is affordable housing.

Absolutely.

And so what we're talking about a lot here in Chaffee County is innovation around construction.

Yep.

And tell us about, what your role is at Vera Touch and what Vera Touch does.

Well, and to your point, I think, it has become apparent to me.

I'm sure many other people understand this, too, but housing and housing affordability is the defining issue of this time.

And.

Over again.

A. Career of 15 years of working really closely.

Like seeing under the hood of a lot.

Of start ups.

It was apparent to me that, like, if I was going to make that leap from economic development to the private sector, it had to be more about just a. Great revenue driver.

It's like a for me, it has to have community impact.

And so I about nine months ago joined Vera Touch, As their chief.

Communications.

Officer and chief growth.

Officer.

And that role is essentially helping to support this really amazingly innovative company that came.

From here and came up through this awesome program.

And Vera Touch is essentially a construction technology platform company.

And so we build homes.

We are a home builder in the traditional sense.

We, utilize 3D printing and a couple.

Of other technologies.

To reimagine what the.

Worksite.

Of.

The future is going to.

Look like.

Construction as an industry is probably the last.

Great American industry.

To embrace robotics and automation, and that just can't stand.

How we're going about it as we're utilizing.

Robotics and automation in the.

Context of 3D printing to 3D print homes.

Out of concrete, and that in and of itself is pretty revolutionary.

But the way that we're going about it is.

We're not.

Just utilizing existing technology to build homes in a new way.

But we're.

Actually aiming to build the platform of.

Hardware, software.

Materials, and the processes to utilize them to enable the adoption of those technologies broadly within the the construction industry.

So part of your business plan is IP.

It it's.

Intellectual property on how to do this.

Yeah.

Setting the tone.

In intellectual.

Property drives everything that.

We do.

And not to discount the value of the homes that we're building and delivering and selling.

We've applied for and received 55 provisional patents in the last quarter.

And that is all around that kind.

Of hardware, software, materials and process.

And we think that's necessary because in the timing of the evolution of technology and construction, five years ago, the technology was too nascent.

So it was, you know, it was billed as this savior.

Buy a printer, print a button.

Build a house.

It was nowhere near that.

But the evolution of that technology over the last.

Five years.

Is such that we're getting close.

And the innovations represented by those 55 provisional patents.

It's all about the.

Maturation of.

Those technologies and systems to the point that we firmly believe that within the next.

Five years.

Traditional construction companies and home builders.

Everywhere.

Are going to finally start adopting this new technology.

And we want to be the company that is poised to provide that platform to enable that adoption, by providing them.

Both the hardware, software, materials.

And processes necessary for them to adopt.

It.

I went to your construction site, and, I saw that you're also integrating not only the 3D printing, but also the modular, for a second floor.

Yep, yep.

And that is is key.

So, like, where the technology is and.

Concrete as a material.

It doesn't necessarily.

Although it's possible.

And we've printed a. Second story with 3D brand.

Concrete but it's not as efficient.

And it gets much.

More challenging the higher up you get for a number of reasons.

But marrying.

That with offsite panel construction, so built.

In a factory under controlled.

Conditions and then flatbed shipped to the site and bolted.

Together really.

Quickly, the combination of those two technologies, we think is going to create.

That breakthrough.

On both cost and speed.

Okay.

Let's talk a little bit about workforce.

Yeah.

Because it's a little bit different model.

You know, when you think of building a building a house and in a traditional way, you've got subcontractors, there's a serial, project plan.

And, so in this, you've got employees, right?

Yep.

And so there's challenges and there's benefits to that.

So talk to me about that.

There sure are both.

You know, this is, again.

We're operating.

In a town of 7500, a county of 20,000 people.

So we we do not have the access to the depth of particularly technical.

Workforce.

That we would in a major metro area.

That being said, we have utilized the the amazing qualities of this lifestyle here to, fill in the gaps that we can't meet locally.

We always attempt to.

Hire local first, but for those super technical roles are super specialized.

Roles that we can't find.

We've found this to be a. Super attractive.

Place to attract that talent from elsewhere.

And, you know, on a macro scale, a lot.

Of people are re.

Revisiting the decision to live in major cities at the moment.

So we've really seized on that trend to.

Capture people that are highly trained.

Highly educated, that want a different lifestyle, and that the small town appeal of a place like Salina, kind of checks those boxes for them.

If I were a high school student.

Yeah, that had interest in in staying in this town and not necessarily going to college right away or at all.

What would you what piece of advice would you give them and what are you looking for?

Yeah.

So I mean, the advice is pretty simple.

I mean.

Tourism jobs are not going to.

Provide the wage that you need to.

Live here.

And establish yourself, build a family over the long term.

That's just not going to happen at 20 bucks an hour in a place like this.

So finding these technical.

Career paths.

Is critical, and that's why.

We work super closely.

With, the Colorado Mountain College outpost here in Salina, which has, concurrent enrollment with the local high school.

So we we have employed, probably in the range of, like, 15 high school interns that basically get to come on site with us, earn high school credit, and.

Associates degree credit through.

CMC.

While they're learning.

About this state.

Of the art approach to construction industry work.

And that to us, like.

It's already.

Proven that, you know, we've had multiple people who have forgone going off to college because they.

Feel like they're working.

And the real work here in their community right now.

So, so to provide.

Opportunities for local.

Youth that want to stay here, want to build their.

Lives and their families.

Here, but want to do meaningful work at the same time.

I think that's the key is like.

You know, there are ways to work remote or even work.

Locally and earn a decent living.

But what we feel.

Like as our competitive.

Advantage as a, as a firm is you're doing all of that.

Plus you're having an impact on the most meaningful problem that we're facing as a community, which is that housing.

Affordability.

Crisis.

So what are you looking for?

If you had, if you had five, high school, graduates that you wanted, that you were going to fill a job, who would get the job?

Would've had to be a teacher.

It's it's so interesting.

It is not necessarily technical aptitude, which you might think like.

We're an engineering driven and.

Oriented company, but it's really about.

Personal.

Skills.

And for us, it's like you have to be motivated to make an impact because that's what's.

Going to drive you.

Day in and day out.

We're in an innovation business, and that means we have a lot of bad days too.

There are times when the printer breaks.

The material doesn't show.

Up on time.

Something goes wrong.

You and we found that the people who are most successful with us have that.

Inherent desire to.

Have a positive.

Impact on their community.

And beyond that, it's really about it's about ownership.

Like, can you see as an employee, can you see the positive impact that's possible by doing.

Your particular role in.

This bigger system?

Because that's what's going to drive you day in and day out.

And we you know, we of.

Course, hear.

The kind of.

Prevailing narrative.

About young people today is like, you know, the maybe the work ethic isn't the same as it was a generation or two ago.

We just simply haven't found that to be the case.

If you find the people who are motivated to make an impact, they will find a way to solve problems that as they come up in a way that I think is on.

Par with any other previous generation.

Thank you for saying that.

I think this generational feuding is just, nonproductive.

I thank you for saying this.

What are some of the friction points that you're seeing?

As you progress besides printers breaking?

Yes.

Yeah.

You know, it's, it's not.

So much printers breaking.

As the primary.

Primary problem.

But it is like, how do.

You marry.

These new innovative.

Approaches.

To building with traditional trades?

For example, and, you know, the, the tradespeople here.

And again, we've been wildly successful at finding the right.

Trades.

People that see that bigger vision of like.

Hey, we're we're attempting.

To make a meaningful change in the industry as a whole, and.

Here's a local opportunity to.

Do it.

I think of electricians because we've got a phenomenal in-house electrician who gets the innovation side of this business.

We had to.

Work through.

A few.

Others who were more of that.

Traditional, like, hey, I've been doing it this.

Way for 30 years.

I don't want to learn a new way.

So it's a process of like sifting.

Through the right people and partners.

To get people who are aligned to.

That bigger vision.

Of of industry wide impact.

But it happens.

It it means that the process is slower than we would like it to be, but it's happening.

And I think.

That we are proof of.

That.

Awesome.

Okay, Jake, I have one more question for you.

I'm a genie.

I can give you one wish.

What would it be that would help your business?

There are elements to homebuilding that are beyond our control.

The cost of land has.

Shot up remarkably.

And this valley over.

The last 3 or 4 years.

The cost of labor.

Because we are in a limited labor labor pool.

The the great people you.

Want to work with here are more expensive than they are in a metro area, for example.

The cost of living.

In the area that requires people to make more here.

Than they would elsewhere.

Those are factors that are.

Outside of.

Our.

Control.

We can't solve that within our system.

But those are the things that, you know, that's what would accelerate.

Our growth.

Even more.

Because ultimately, you know, we we have the ability with this technology to build, 4000 square.

Foot McMansion.

That's not what we're about.

We are aiming to develop these technologies and processes and materials to drive down the cost of housing.

And we're making good progress at that.

But we will only be able to get.

So far with those external factors that drive up the.

Cost.

Thank you so much for spending time with us today.

I look forward to continuing the conversation.

I can't wait.

Funding for the Business of Colorado on PBS 12 is provided in part by Collegiate Peaks Bank, Ibotta, and from the generous support of viewers like you.

Thank you.

Affordable housing continues to be a major challenge here in Colorado.

Vero beach believes part of the solution is exploring new ways of building, and that technologies like 3D printing can help improve speed, efficiency and cost.

what happens when you mix meaningful conversation with a little bit of doodling.

You get the doodle desk where the stories are real and the drawings are, we can say, also very real.

In this episode, Kyle Dyer sits down with Colorado inside Out panelist Alvina Vasquez, diving into her passion for telling Colorado's untold stories.

They also talk about parenthood, community, and why local conversations still matter, especially here in Colorado.

And of course, it wouldn't be the doodle desk without a twist.

They'll be drawing each other's portraits along the way, so we'll let you decide who is the better artist.

Here's the doodle desk.

Alvina Vasquez cares deeply.

She cares about Colorado.

About how decisions ripple through communities.

About how people are treated and seen.

She believes in equity.

She believes in solutions, and she is always willing to talk through ideas and challenges.

With honesty and openness and despite a very demanding job, a full family life as a mom and serving on numerous boards, Alvina maintains a remarkable grasp of what's happening across our state and what it means for all of us.

Alena, I'm so glad you're here today.

You're already hard at work over there.

I am.

This is hard.

This is kind of dry each other.

But you say you're a doodler.

I'm a doodler.

So I can do a house with a smokestack.

Really?

Well.

I do faces.

No.

Yeah, I can do that, too.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And cubes.

Yeah.

Well, thank you for doing this today.

I know it's, like, out of our normal element of sitting at the CIO desk for that mix of this is fun.

And we kind of want to know why.

Who the people are that are on our CIO panel and why they're here.

And I think just your depth in our community and what you bring to the community is really what adds to you being on our show.

Thank you.

I really enjoyed it.

You know, I, I worked in broadcasting for a really long time.

For about 15 years.

I was in radio and TV and I really missed the energy that comes with that.

So that's why I like it.

It's just broadcasting is just part of me.

That is awesome.

Yeah.

So what do you wanted to be when you were growing up?

It is.

You're a. Reporter.

I used to associate a koala.

Okay.

As a kid.

Yeah.

There's a radio personality called Rollie James, and I would call it a Rollie James all the time.

I was, like, the only kid calling in.

Oh, really?

Yeah, it was fun.

Oh my gosh.

I would pretend to do radio show, you know, hit play record at the same time.

Oh, yes.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

I used to read the newspaper in front of the mirror and try to, you know, pretend I was an anchor.

Yeah, it was definitely always something that I wanted to do.

Yeah.

Oh, good.

All right, well, let's get started on trying to be artistic for each other.

What made you transition in your career?

I guess TV and radio.

Yeah, I think broadcasting it didn't have the growth opportunity that I wanted to.

I think there's a limit to how much you can do.

I think you can't do so much.

So quickly, but there's also a limit to that as well.

You can't really take political sides.

You can't really advocate.

And so I think that was kind of the missing link in.

Broadcast because that's important to you.

Yeah.

Why is it so important for you to stand up for others?

I just want people to feel like they belong, you know, like they they deserve to be here and and have a good life.

And so many people strive for that.

And there's so many barriers and obstacles.

And, unless we talk about those things, it's just going to be really hard for folks to advance themselves, their families, the community as a whole.

So what is your work now?

How would you describe how you contribute now?

We try to advance, conversations and issues to, like, make communities better and stronger.

So that's creating, infrastructures for community outreach and organizing, helping people talk about issues in a way that connects and that is culturally resonant so that they get the help and the services they need from our state and city government.

What kind of issues do you deal with?

We work on, health care.

Immunization is a big one.

I like to work on issues like immigration and really capturing stories.

I've always felt like storytelling is a really great way to bring people along on an issue, because, you know, we're kind of in a place where facts are questionable, but you can't really disagree with somebody's life experience.

So I think sharing life experiences can really change the way people think about issues.

Yeah, I mean, I've read and I totally feel is the case for me.

Our brains are not wired to remember stats and, you know, statistics.

But we do remember stories and how we felt and we remember the emotion.

So I think that's right on for you to be, you know, trying to make change by sharing people's emotional stories and real stories.

When I worked, when I kind of switched over to political advocacy, that was a lot of the work that I did was helping women of color and, underrepresented communities that usually don't testify or even know how the inner workings of the Capitol, how to train them on how to make their voices heard in those spaces.

And that that brought me a lot of joy, too, because we were able to work on wage theft.

And these are like issues that really impact people.

And we a lot of the new city is focused on our federal government, but our city and our county and our state government has so much more impact on our day to day.

It was really great to get those voices inside the dome and, and, you know, possibly changing people's minds.

And you have a four year old.

And a. Four year old, a little boy, right?

It's a little.

Boy.

Okay.

What do you hope for your son?

What's your in this crazy time that such a joyful time is is a birthday?

Yeah.

So what do you see?

Five, ten.

What do you hope for?

It's going to be tall.

So he's adopted.

Oh, yeah.

So it's kind of a guess.

I'm on his heightened side.

Wow.

Yeah.

So what made you adopt?

He was newborn.

We were there when he was born.

We were?

Yeah.

That's for.

Sure.

It was amazing.

That's.

So.

I hope for him, for him to be accepted as however he presents himself.

Yeah.

How does he present himself now?

What's he like to do?

Oh my God.

Oh, you did it.

He's wrecked it.

Too.

Oh, I'm coming over to give you a hug.

Cute.

Oh.

Sure.

Let's see.

No peeking.

Oh, I didn't, I didn't.

That's not why I didn't.

Just kidding.

So what's he like to do now?

Oh, he.

Loves to dance.

He loves to on stage.

So he's working with.

Or he's not working.

I have him in artistic, which is a for politico Mexican dance company.

Oh.

Had fun.

Oh my gosh.

You love it.

Loves it.

So he's he's been performing for over a year now and he loves to be on stage and dancing.

Oh my.

Gosh.

But the crowd loves him.

He loves it.

Yeah.

Oh what the crowd love.

And he's one of like two boys in the dance troupe.

So in the little toddlers.

Oh, my.

So, you know, you get in touch.

He loves it.

Oh, I bet he does.

That's great.

So he's charismatic.

He's very charismatic, very jokey.

That's good.

Though.

Yeah, he's a happy little kid.

You want kids who are, like, excited to be around other people.

Not afraid.

And.

Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, since I've had him, I've taken them everywhere.

Yeah.

We haven't found the color inside out.

I haven't he probably he wouldn't let me.

Yeah I did take out a channel 912 and Kyle had me on for the political stuff.

But did he get that.

They understand where it's only for.

I mean, he was sitting there.

Yeah.

He was watching.

I don't think he know what was happening.

Yeah.

You may remember you never know.

Yeah.

Round now is when you'll start getting his memories.

But I bet his performances and his costume.

He'll remember all that.

Yeah.

It's such a big experience.

Will he be.

Do you think you're only.

Yeah.

Yeah.

The apple of my eye.

Yeah, we thought about it.

Just, it's just a different dynamic.

Yeah.

When you have, when you go through the adoption process.

Yeah, it's a lot.

It's a. Lot.

And it's inviting a lot of people into your family and into your circle.

Yeah.

So does that hard for, you.

Know, his birth months.

Amazing.

Oh, good.

Yeah.

We sainthood.

Just lastly, what do you think your purpose is you're doing so much for.

So your son, but for so many other people who don't have a voice.

Yeah, it's my purpose.

I mean, I hope I make a positive impact for somebody.

You know, maybe just watching me on the show have an opinion about something.

Will you have on me?

Yeah, that's for sure.

You always come prepared and you speak from your heart.

And that is what I want.

That's great.

What I want with people right?

Yeah, that's what I want.

I want people to see me and say, if she can do it, I can do it.

You do do.

It.

Yeah.

All right, so you ready to.

All right.

Did you draw tears on my.

Bed?

I did it.

You should have.

Okay.

Ready?

Okay.

One, two time.

Oh, look at me.

I look very sophisticated with my cat eye glasses, don't I?

Oh, my gosh.

I'm so I love that look good artist.

You did such a big one compared to.

I took a little tiny little piece and I fell.

I made a big head.

And then I can just make lots of hair.

So I was lucky with you.

So here we are.

I'll be the Vasquez with the cat eyes that are crooked.

It's okay.

I'm here.

I'm so excited.

Us are a little off.

I think I went through a cat eye phase and I did have a study.

I love that cat eyes I can't do.

I love doing makeup, and that's the one thing I miss having a toddler.

I don't get to do makeup.

Like I could make.

I just put it on.

Oh, I love it.

Help!

Okay.

All right.

You're going to help me.

I will, thank you.

Now, this is great to have you on the show and you and your friend.

So thank you so much.

You.

That was just a sneak peek of one of our conversations with our panelists.

For our full conversation with all of our insiders, check out the doodle desk on the passport app, PBS Twelve's YouTube channel, or on our website, PBS 12.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.

We look forward to seeing you the next time at the doodle desk.

We're switching now to another look at the business of Colorado with Franny Matthews.

This story centers around the business and psychology of color.

Why does color really matter?

Franny finds out with the help from the Pantone Color Institute.

Pantone's color of the year often sparked strong reactions.

This year is no exception.

But instead of focusing on the color itself, I wanted to understand the global thinking behind it.

I wanted to find out how insights from around the world turn into decisions that shaped brands, products, and design everywhere.

So I went straight to the source.

I am so excited about today's conversation.

I am here with Lori Pressman, vice president from Pantone Institute.

Lori, thank you so much for joining us.

And I want to tell you that I normally drink out of a mug that has 12 on it, but for you, I have a mug that has the state of new Jersey where you're calling in from.

Yes.

And I believe and I do believe that this is the color of the year.

I'm very close to Cloud Dancer.

Yes.

So I so appreciate you taking the time.

I, I am a quilter, and so color is everything to me.

And when I saw the choice from the Pantone Institute of the color of the year, I was taken back, and I did a little bit of research, and, I'm just happy that you're able to join us.

So tell me a little bit about Pantone in general and how the Pantone Institute fits into the organization.

The goal of the institute has always been to educate the consumer about color, the importance of color, why color matters.

It's almost what we would call the intelligence arm of Pantone.

So if we think about Pantone as its foundational color language, right, that everybody can communicate color around the world using the six digit number or three digit number, and everybody is clear.

Wow, that's quite different than why color matters.

How does color influence us?

What is color say?

Because every color has its own unique message and meaning.

And Pantone Color Institute is really this repository of color information that includes all of our proprietary research on the psychology of color.

Societal trends, the manner in which individuals react to color.

And it's through Pantone Color Institute, which began in the mid 80s, that we started to get involved with New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week to call out the top colors, we introduced our Pantone Color of the year and doing all of the trend work that we do.

So today, while we may have started with all of this consumer color preference study research, it's really morphed into this whole area of, I would say consulting.

It's a global team.

We partner with all these global brands to advise them on colors for their products, colors for their brand, visual identity.

Why did the Pantone Institute start color of the year?

So if we think about the Pantone Color Institute now, focus and mission has always been about education.

Really that's the driving force, right?

The relationship between color and culture.

And we originally created the Pantone color of the year back in 1999.

We thought this would just be for the color of the millennium.

I don't know that we ever predicted it would continue these many years ahead.

I think we're all just astounded.

And the goal was to engage the design community and color enthusiasts around the world into a conversation about color.

We wanted to draw this relationship between culture and color, to highlight to our audience how what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time really gets expressed and reflected through the language of color.

And it's really fascinating, when you think about that, because there really are reasons when why colors become popular, when they do, and it does reflect what's happening.

You have a panel of people that make a decision every year on what the color will be.

This is pretty strategic and it's a big panel.

It's across geographies.

So can you tell me a little bit about not necessarily who's on the panel, but how do you look at the makeup of the panel.

This is a global panel that's out there looking at all the influences across design and tracking everything.

And I think through the years we've seen the shift.

Whereas, you know, if we go back to 1999, social media wouldn't have been involved.

Technology wouldn't have been involved.

So there's so many factors at weigh into, light styles, play styles, art, music, fashion that play into our thinking for this and the emotional aspect of color, of course, plays a very big role, because we really want to make sure that the color that we are, that we select reflects what's happening.

You actually do not publish the actual individuals that are on this.

We absolutely do not publish this.

This is not a commercial decision.

I can tell you that in order for us to maintain the authenticity and the credibility of what the institute, shares out and all of our color intelligence, it has to stay authentic.

And there have been years I've been at Pantone.

I'm going on 26 years.

So I've been with this process and part of the Pantone Color Institute team and color of the year for a long time.

And there have been years at some of our partners and they have said, well, you know, that color may not work well.

Well, that's okay.

We can't change that.

This is what we see happening and this is what we're seeing.

So there's a reason why colors show up at the time.

They tell you some of our perceptions of color or concern.

Some evolve over time.

If you go back 20 years, for example, yellow greens, it might have been, oh, you know, we're not loving this, but look at where we are today with that color family.

So there's reasons why colors become popular one more day.

We're just reading.

We're not predicting.

We're reflecting and highlighting what we're seeing.

Show up across design.

I find it really interesting as a quilter who loves color, loves that just chaos of color.

But I stepped back and and finished a quilt, using, as close as I could come to matching this.

And what I found was it expanded my own palette and, and creativity.

And so, can you talk a little bit about using something that is a white, in the and how, how you're kind of viewing that?

One of the great things about this shade, yes, it's part of the white family, but it's not an optically bright and white.

This is a natural white color.

And because it has that even undertone, it pairs equally well with cool colors as well as with warm colors.

So it's a true versatile neutral shade.

One of the things that you also find with colors in the white family is that they go with everything.

This is a color that provides what we would call scaffolding for the entirety of the color palette.

Because of that, it really lends itself to visual self-expression.

We're living at a time where people are looking to put their own unique stamp on something.

They want to stand out.

It's their brand.

This is my you know, how I see myself or how I see the space that I'm creating or any product them creating for that matter.

And it's also a color that at a time when people are being very careful and considered about their purchases.

So we're looking for things that go trans seasonally.

We're looking for things that have the versatility.

I'd like to hit really briefly on, the emotions of color and the cycle, psychology of color, because it's really it really is something that you can walk in a room and get a different feel based on the colors that are in the room.

You know, color sets, the mood color is the most critical element, especially when you're thinking about a mood and I one of the things I feel like I started to think about when I came to work for Pantone was when it comes to home interiors is how do I want to feel when I walk into my home, right?

How do you want to feel?

And that has to dictate, from my point of view, what colors you bring into the space.

Because home is your refuge, right?

You want to feel, to take a breath, I can relax, I can unwind in whatever colors removed does that for you.

So color is really what sets the mood and the style.

Every color conveys its own unique message and meaning.

I think that's something to really, understand and with 80% of human experience is filtered through the eyes.

Color is vital to creating this mood.

So I think that's that's a very important thing to consider.

And I think the interesting piece about the psychology of color, most of it, I would say about 95% of this almost happens outside of our unconscious awareness, how we react to certain colors.

Some of that is because it could be, evolutionary if we think about that and their environmental and cultural factors that add to that.

Or if we think about, Reds, for example, red is blood, so therefore it becomes the color of life.

Red can also be about fire.

So it can also be thought about as a color of danger to the color of our heart.

It's passion.

You know, there are things that culturally get reinforced that we have these automatic reactions to the delicious fruit and berries.

Some people even say that their mouth waters when they see a red, which I find really fascinating.

We think about the blues color of constancy.

Now, why is that?

We all look out and we see the sky, so it becomes a color of dependability.

True blue loyalty, trust.

So there's certain things that become unconscious reactions.

Green in nature.

I think the root of greens comes from growing.

So it's about growth, yellow in the sun.

So those kinds of things, you can understand why there's a lot of commonality.

And yet at the same time, there's regional perceptions wiping morning or the Reds, in Asia, with prosperity and luck.

I think the one I find most interesting, too, is a memory or an experience.

Right?

You go on holiday and there's a certain color you associate with a certain place, and you bring that back with you, or you had a favorite teacher or your mother or whomever in your life that wears this color, and it brings back such a good feeling.

Laurie.

Wonderful conversation, and I really like how you mapped it back to nature on some of the meaning and that it's just in our, in our natural environment, how some of this, psychologically affects us.

Is there anything that you also would love our, our viewers to understand or, or know about what you're doing at Pantone?

Well, one of the things, again, that I did learn at Pantone, in my years here, is that color not only influences how other people see us, right?

Because people have an automatic reaction to color, it also influences how you feel.

So on those days where you're thinking it's cloudy and it's not so nice and you just want to burrow into that gray shade because you just want to sit here, bring out a red, bring out an orange, bring out a yellow, bring out something that energizes you and actually end up putting you to yourself.

In a different mood, but also how people will look at you and how they will greet you, which of course, we know reinforces the energy that you are putting out.

I just go back to experiment and have fun and explore it.

It doesn't have to be a serious thing.

Don't be afraid to start a little bit at a time.

Thank you so much for your time today.

I think this was very interesting and educational on, regarding the color of the year.

And, I do hope you, visit Colorado sometime soon.

Now, thank you so much for this, I love it.

Thank you.

12 weeks from tonight, we'll be learning the outcomes from Colorado's primary elections and who will be moving on to the November election.

In the meantime, election integrity continues to be a big issue amid ongoing claims of fraud.

Let's check in now with Kyle Dyer and the Colorado Inside Out team for more.

Hi, Bosie and Ryan.

Good to see you.

April sure has started off with a jolt with more election integrity issues being talked about here in Colorado and nationally, and there's a new legal development that has our insiders talking.

So let's listen in.

Election authority fraud claims and a new legal twist for Colorado's most prominent election denier are back in the spotlight.

President Trump has issued an executive order aimed at ending Mail-In voting as we know it.

Here in Colorado, calling for a federal absentee voter lists and limiting ballot mail delivery to anyone who is not on that list.

And then there's the ruling that we have been waiting for in the case of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk will now be will be we'll be keeping her conviction.

But an appeals court has ordered her nine year sentence to be reworked as she remains right now in state prison in Pueblo.

Patti, I will start this week with you.

We have to remember that President Trump has not been using the best legal advice.

Witness Pam Bondi just being booted out as as his chief legal advisor.

So we have his executive order about birthright citizenship.

We saw that in the Supreme Court.

Not the best arguments.

And now we see his executive order against mail in voting against, you know, threatening so many things about our election system that has worked extremely well, particularly here in Colorado.

The last thing we need is more ammo for election deniers like Tina Peters, who we just heard that she is going to get resentenced, that this sentencing, the appeals court decided her sentencing wasn't really fair on that because of the convictions, but because of some issues of First Amendment free speech after she was convicted because she hasn't shown enough remorse.

She's still pushing the election denier issue.

And we need to have faith in our election system.

Colorado's is audited.

I mean, Colorado does a great job with its system.

With regard to Tina Peters.

I'm not surprised by the Court of Appeals ruling.

There were some hints that that's the direction they were going.

And if there's going to be a reduction of sentence, I quite frankly think it's much better happens this way through sending it back to the trial judge than by getting Governor Polis involved.

In fact, I got to believe Governor Polis is breathing some degree of sigh of relief right now of being somewhat off the hook here.

With regard to Trump's executive order, Trump wants to bring everything under his domain, including in states like Colorado, as Patty pointed out, where 98% of people, 99% of Republicans vote by mail.

It's a proven system.

It works well, voters love it, it's reliable and all the rest.

And then just to top it off, we had a court ruling yesterday on proposition 108.

In terms of the Republican Party's constant desire to basically kick unaffiliated voters out of their primary election.

It makes it easier for the Republican Party to limit their primaries to Republicans only.

The only beneficiaries of that will be Democrats, because unaffiliated are 51% of the state right now.

And if you want to flip in the middle finger, let me know how that's going to work out, okay.

All right.

Chris.

Yeah.

Well, really, the controversy comes down to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration creating a national registry of voters.

Supporters of Trump say that really, it's the federal government's role to protect, you know, federal elections and also enforce citizenship laws.

So once again, and we've talked about this many times on this show, the the intersection between state law, state control and federal law.

And federal control.

And clearly, you know, Eric has a great point.

Trump wants to federalize everything.

As far as Tina Peters goes, I also agree with Eric.

This creates a perfect out for Governor Polis.

He you know, he could just say, oh, well, it's been decided.

I think if we saw in this case total clemency for Tina Peters, it would really suggest that, political pressure was interfering with the judicial process.

And I think Governor Polis is probably very happy not to be involved anymore.

And Adam both really touch on election fraud and voter fraud as a broader issue.

I think when it comes to voter fraud, it's a heavily debunked thing we've talked about for a long time in this country.

It's unsurprising that the president is stepping in in this space.

I think Republicans are worried about the midterm elections and and trying to potentially limit some some voter access by doing this.

And that follows the playbook of initiate and then litigate, which is what Trump does.

He passes an executive order that is fairly clearly outside the bounds of traditional legal scope.

And then it drags through the court system.

So unsurprising, obviously, if this were to be upheld, huge impact on Colorado.

Our entire system is based largely now on voter access and voter turnout through mail ballots.

So it's certainly something to watch, though I think it's it's very early to say that this is going to have an impact as we look at future elections.

Okay.

Every show we have four topics.

That was just one of them.

And you can watch our full conversation on Colorado Inside Out by checking out our YouTube channel, the PBS passport app, or the PBS 12 website.

And if you're into podcasts, well, we're also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts now, this week and next, I'll be off with my friend.

Alton Dillard will be leading this discussion with The Insiders here on PBS 12 starting this Friday at eight.

You never know what you'll find on a Colorado road trip.

Yeah, like alligators in the middle of the San Luis Valley.

PBS Twelve's Erica McLarty was driving through the area on a recent family trip when they saw a sign that said Next Exit, Alligators.

What she thought might be a silly roadside hoax turned into a story she knew she had to capture.

If you had also never heard of this place where hundreds of alligators and other reptiles live.

We'll give you an introduction now as Erica takes us along on her surprising journey.

You never know where the road can take you.

We were driving on a family road trip through the San Luis Valley, when a very unexpected find on our trip.

We stopped in Alamosa to find alligators.

What looks like a roadside curiosity in Alamosa turns out to be something much bigger.

I mean, lots of people are very surprised to find that there are alligators out here.

Lots of people are very curious as to why there are alligators out here.

And honestly, there's lots of people who think that it's some sort of joke.

It's definitely not a joke.

It's a rescue.

Alligators are brought here to Colorado by the young family.

They were operating a tilapia farm in 1977.

And, they brought alligators here to eat the waste, right?

They were, cutting the meat off the fish, and that left the carcass of the fish.

And so they brought alligators to dispose of that.

You know, time went on.

People realized, oh, you know, you have alligators here.

That's really cool.

They wanted to come see it.

And then slowly from there, it turned into, you know, the police calling, saying, well, we had to confiscate an alligator over the zoo saying, hey, we got alligators.

We can't handle any more, private owners saying, hey, I've got alligators that I don't want to handle anymore.

They're too big.

They're too mean.

Whatever the case may be.

Over time, unwanted and confiscated animals began showing up, transforming this place into a sanctuary for reptiles.

People tend to to show up and get really excited to see the animals.

Especially having those hands on, educational moments where they can learn a little bit about these animals.

Some of these animals are very mistaken, very misunderstood.

This is an American.

Alligator right here.

He's a year and a half old.

You can tell him you can touch him anywhere except in the face.

This is one of the reasons people buy alligators.

They are kind of cute when they're small.

They're, you know, eight inches long, an ounce and a half out of the eggs.

They grow up to 8 or 10ft long.

And for a girl, ten up to 15ft for the boys.

And so people get rid of them.

And that education is part of the mission, changing how people see animals that are often feared.

But it's not just alligators.

There's a whole world of animals here.

This is a African species of snake.

It's sub-Saharan Africa.

From Atlantic Ocean monkeys to the Nile River, south of the Sahara Desert.

They don't get very big, maybe three foot long for a boy twice that size, up to six foot long for a girl.

Whoa.

And that's what they're normally found like in Africa.

Brown, black and tan on and good camouflage.

I get to say whatever, you know?

Yeah.

Very friendly, very fun.

And hands down, my favorite.

Is these turtles.

You can actually feed them.

And let's just say my kids were all in the pits.

Eat it.

So.

You know, when you put them.

In you, you're hungry.

You.

Favorite part of my job is actually the alligators themselves.

I get in with these guys all the time.

I do feedings with them.

I work on training some of them.

And honestly, I just get in there for fun and you.

Get inside with.

Them?

Yes, I do, all the time.

All right.

Yeah.

And you've been back before?

Many times.

You can see scarring right along there.

But it was.

Worth it.

Crossed here.

Absolutely worth it.

No.

I am not afraid of the alligators at all.

The crocodiles I'm not afraid of it.

Is the caiman the terrifying it.

Why the human?

So alligators are the most placid out of the three of them.

And they're very easy to predict as to what they're going to do next.

I've been around them enough.

I have enough experience with them that it's very easy for me to look at them go, okay, I can kind of see what's going on.

I can read that body language.

And so it's a little bit easier to kind of predict, okay, I can see you're thinking about things and there's a little bit more purpose in their movement where I came in, I find they just explode.

These animals were never meant to be pets.

Oh, it is potentially incredibly dangerous for these animals to be released back into the wild.

They can't go anywhere else.

So people showing up, people seeing the animals, people paying that admission price, that's what keeps them alive.

That's what keeps them fed.

That's what keeps the lights on here so that we can continue to operate as a rescue.

Every ticket, every visit helps keep the rescue running, because once these animals are domesticated.

Once they are pets, once, they've been fed by people, they can't go back into the wild.

They pose a very real threat to human lives.

To that point in time.

This is their home now.

And now I'm wondering who's the favorite.

Elvis is a particular favorite of mine.

He's our biggest alligator, about 13ft long by 800 pounds.

He actually made me a little famous my first year on the job.

We had a little mishap when we try to feed him a turkey that slipped in his back.

Was taking my leg off.

That video went viral.

My overall favorite, unfortunately, did pass away, earlier this year or, last year back in, May.

Yeah.

Unfortunately just got really old.

And, you know, life happens passed away on us there was a heartbreaking moment for us, the alligator.

But, life goes on.

Because beyond the shock factor, beyond the roadside surprise, this is a place built on care.

From an unexpected stop to a deeper understanding of rescue, responsibility and respect for wildlife, this place in Alamosa proves there's always more to the story.

I'm back.

For PBS 12 I'm Erica McClary.

I have never really thought of myself as a reptile person, but, you know, I have to admit, those little tiny gators.

Pretty cute.

Yeah, cute.

Until 12 months later, you have an 800 pound alligator climbing around your backyard.

That's a drop.

So there's that.

Erika said it's something you definitely don't want to miss taking your kids to if you can.

It's full of hands on education.

And of course, the marvel of being so up and close with these huge gators with just a fence between you is pretty incredible and.

A little bit scary.

You can find more information about visiting the Sanctuary at Colorado gators.com.

for a lot of comedians, there's that one place, the stage where it all begins.

For Denver's own Josh blue.

That place became more than a stepping stone.

It became home in this piece.

You'll hear how one moment of belief helped launch a career that now spans the globe.

And this story comes to us from one of our own interns, Seamus Bermingham, from our PBS 12 Creator Academy.

Take a look.

Up there.

You see in the windows there's all the bills of the upcoming comics.

I remember standing in the window looking at a wall and from one day my face is going to be in this window.

And I said, we believe you.

And like they said, in a way that was like, not like me.

Okay, buddy, whatever you say they really like.

It was a weird, like moment that just stuck in my head.

And then within like three months, my face was in that window.

It's 25 years later and it's still.

So coming here every, every chance I get.

And I travel the world, you know, I do 200 shows a year, but I get to come back to this place and it makes me so happy.

Like in the United come here.

You know who's out there?

Probably going to ask me to jump on stage and do five minutes, cause these are where my friends work, and this is my family.

And, you know, you Christmas parties and birthday parties together.

Yeah.

And some of the staff here, the woman that's been here, like, my whole career, but I'm not a 25 year.

So many people are stuck in their own heads and their ruts and their whatever.

I think the key is just to do it.

Obviously, I do stand up because I love doing it, and I kind of don't care whether you come along with me or not.

I'm having a good time.

But I think that's like contagious.

It's like just having fun is contagious.

My name's Josh.

Do, I'm a comedian.

And, tour all over the world doing that.

And, Yeah.

That's all.

You can get more information on comedian Josh blue at Josh blue.com.

He's currently touring outside of Colorado, but take a look for dates as to when he'll be back.

And this is a great example of the kind of storytelling coming out of our Creator Academy.

If you're interested in being part of our next cohort of creator Academy interns, you can email Creator Academy at PBS 12.org.

If you're a fan of Made With Love, PBS is award winning, artisan focused travel show.

You enjoy tuning in to feel the passion behind every craft, from the hands shaping clay to the looms weaving fabric to the recipes passed down through generations.

Now imagine stepping into that world yourself.

That's what we're thrilled to invite you to experience the Made with Love Italy Artisan Tour, a beautifully curated journey inside Italy's richest trade.

This isn't your typical tour to Italy either.

You will have exclusive access to artisans and communities that most travelers never get to see.

Hidden in the heart of Italy.

Behind unmarked doors and tucked away studios, master artisans transformed passion into timeless art.

Now step inside, into their world and meet the most revered makers, designers and chefs.

And this one can be.

This is not a tour.

It's an invitation.

Generations of knowledge passed down through touch.

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And time and design.

That the rubber now doesn't exist here.

You don't just watch.

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From the emerald hills of Umbria to the artistic heart of Florence.

Each step unveils a deeper connection.

Savor the flavors.

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From the producers of the Emmy Award winning show Italy.

Me with love.

This is more than a journey.

It's an experience of the senses.

It's only a rare chance to live and like it.

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So amazing a once in a lifetime opportunity you will not want to miss.

This isn't your usual trip to Italy.

It's limited to just 20 people, making it truly an intimate experience with exclusive access to artisans and Italian culture.

But you should know there are only a few spots left.

So you do want to book now go to PBS 12.org and click on Italy Made with Love to reserve your spot.

Thanks so much for joining us for this edition of studio 12.

And don't forget, you can also check us out on YouTube and on social media.

I'm bazi kanani.

And I'm Ryan Hare.

Thanks for joining us.

We'll see you next week.

But.

You.