Best Colorados Next Governor Podcasts (2025)

1
Crude Signal chats, social media attacks, mistreated aides: lawmaker conduct is back in the headlines 34:11

12d ago34:11

34:11

House Republicans sharing locker room jokes about a Democratic colleague's outfit in a group chat. A former Democratic senator charged with a felony for allegedly forging letters of defense in an ethics probe. A representative accused of bullying and harassing women before taking office. Workplace misconduct at the Colorado State Capitol isn’t new.…

1
Why lawmakers have been eyeing Colorado's $2B in ‘unclaimed property’ 27:45

26d ago27:45

27:45

There’s a secure room in the State Capitol filled with the lost treasures of generations of Coloradans: baseball cards, war medals, even a large yellow diamond ring. Unclaimed property that has come into the custody of the state over the decades. All told, Colorado holds around $2 billion in unclaimed assets, some physical, but even more in the for…

1
What Republicans' ‘One Big Beautiful Bill' means for Colorado 38:53

1M ago38:53

38:53

After a lot of back and forth, Republicans in Congress have passed President Trump’s mega tax and spending package, aka the “One, Big Beautiful Bill.” At almost a thousand pages, the law fulfills a range of Republican campaign promises, from protecting tax cuts to turbo charging immigration enforcement. But many Democrats have called its cuts to pr…

1
Why is Douglas County so worked up about home rule? 30:14

2M ago30:14

30:14

Voters in Douglas County are deciding whether to become a home rule county. With ballots due June 24, the issue is stirring up a lot of strong feelings, amidst competing claims about what it would mean for this fast-growing part of Colorado. County commissioners say home rule status would give Douglas County more legal standing to fight back agains…

1
When Colorado rewrote the rules for policing 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

2020 was an extraordinary year for the Colorado legislature. COVID-19 forced lawmakers to break halfway through session. They returned to work in May with a short list of priorities: balance the budget and respond to the pandemic. But almost immediately, the Capitol became the epicenter of protests over the killings of George Floyd and other Black …

1
Medicaid cuts, AI regs, special session chances: Colorado’s governor and legislative leadership weigh in 39:45

3M ago39:45

39:45

State lawmakers have bid adieu to the Colorado State Capitol — for now. But lots of questions remain. For example, what’s next for Colorado’s controversial artificial intelligence law? What about federal spending cuts? Will state lawmakers have to return to Denver before next January to absorb changes from Washington? And the big question: where is…

1
That’s a wrap, for now. Here’s how the 2025 session ended up 29:17

4M ago29:17

29:17

State lawmakers took it right down to the wire on some of the biggest issues of the 2025 legislative session, including immigration, artificial intelligence, labor unions, rights for transgender Coloradans and rideshare safety. While some are poised to become law, others crashed and burned in the final stretch. And a few made it over the finish lin…

1
A rare veto showdown at the State Capitol 30:02

4M ago30:02

30:02

Lawmakers got behind a bill this session that would have required social media companies like Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram to do more about illegal activity on their platforms. It was a significant policy change, and it seemed poised for success, passing the legislature with broad bipartisan support in both chambers. But then the bill hit the g…

1
100 days of Trump, in the eyes of two Colorado lawmakers from two different capitols 45:51

4M ago45:51

45:51

From tariffs to immigration, the Department of Government Efficiency, and an avalanche of executive actions and policies, President Donald Trump's first 100 days have been a whirlwind. In a special episode of Purplish, recorded before a live audience at the Buell Public Media Center in Denver, two lawmakers — from different parties, different chamb…

1
Colorado answers Trump's immigration crackdown with expanded protections 29:55

4M ago29:55

29:55

Colorado already has numerous laws in place to protect the rights of immigrants. But as President Donald Trump takes unprecedented steps to carry out his campaign promise of mass deportations, Democratic state lawmakers believe those protections might no longer be enough. They’ve introduced an immigration bill that expands and hones numerous polici…

1
As the White House restricts trans rights, Colorado is poised to fortify them 24:40

5M ago24:40

24:40

At a time when the federal government is rolling back rights and recognition for transgender Americans, Colorado is moving to expand its protections in a number of areas, including medical care, harassment, death certificates and more. Democratic state lawmakers and proponents say they want to ensure certain rights for the state’s transgender commu…

1
Colorado's political parties navigate a changed political landscape 27:15

5M ago27:15

27:15

American politics are in a moment of major upheaval: a Republican president and GOP-controlled Congress are reshaping the federal government and expanding the limits of executive power. At the same time, federal Democrats are struggling with how to win back voters who feel their party has failed to deliver. And even as Republicans have this moment …

1
Colorado's budget hits crunch time with ‘painful’ cuts 28:50

5M ago28:50

28:50

A variety of factors have strained the state’s finances as of late, and that meant state lawmakers had to find more than a billion dollars in savings in order to balance the state budget this session. Many legislators described the process as painful, with big-ticket items up for cuts, including Medicaid and K-12 education. And the hand wringing ov…

1
Some Colorado cities plan to ignore new housing density laws 29:01

5M ago29:01

29:01

Cities of a certain size in Colorado have to allow more density, because of a suite of new state development mandates. But several cities, like Westminster, Colorado Springs and Arvada, are pushing back. In some cases, they have said, flat out, that they do not intend to comply with some of the laws. Historically, local governments in Colorado and …

1
Colorado lawmakers hit halftime at the State Capitol 31:04

6M ago31:04

31:04

Colorado lawmakers are just past the halfway point of this year’s legislative session. That means it’s crunch time, with plenty of big, controversial bills still in play on guns, labor, housing and other topics. And on top of all that — the biggest task before lawmakers is finding more than $1 billion in budget savings in order to keep state spendi…

1
The human toll of Colorado’s sexual assault evidence backlog 22:42

6M ago22:42

22:42

As of late February, 1,407 people in Colorado are waiting for DNA results from their sexual assault cases -- some of them for more than a year. Without those results, criminal investigations can stall out and victims are left in a difficult state of limbo. Colorado lawmakers have taken up the issue this legislative session — and one of their own is…

1
Vacancy appointments get lots of lawmakers to the capitol. Is it time for a change? 26:07

6M ago26:07

26:07

A lot of Colorado lawmakers got their foot in the door at the statehouse not through the ballot box, but through a side door, a vacancy committee. State lawmakers leave office early for all sorts of reasons — some get new jobs or retire, occasionally people resign amidst scandal. This session, roughly 25% landed their House and Senate jobs that way…

1
Life as a new state lawmaker 35:10

6M ago35:10

35:10

Nearly a third of Colorado's 65 House members are new to the statehouse this year. They come from all walks of life and bring a variety of experiences to their new jobs, which, in the end, will likely shape the policy proposals they bring to the chamber floor. It’s a demanding job, with a steep learning curve. On this episode, CPR’s Bente Birkeland…

1
The billion-dollar budget hole 20:30

6M ago20:30

20:30

Here's a mystery: Colorado's economy is healthy. It's unemployment rate is low and its tax collections are healthy. So why are lawmakers looking at a recession-sized budget gap? And just as importantly: where are they going to find the savings to close it? CPR's Bente Birkeland and The Colorado Sun's Brian Eason explore the colliding circumstances …

1
An assault weapons ban by any other name... 21:30

7M ago21:30

21:30

Democratic lawmakers say they're getting serious about enforcing Colorado's ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. But their solution would take a wide range of firearms off the shelves of gun stores statewide, including some of the most popular varieties of semi-automatics. Past efforts to ban so-called assault rifles have failed, but this yea…

1
The embattled Labor Peace Act 25:51

7M ago25:51

25:51

Colorado was once the scene of guerilla warfare over labor organizing. This year's fight at the State Capitol isn't as bloody, but it could have far-reaching consequences for Colorado workers. At issue is an 1943 law that makes it harder for workplaces to fully unionize. The last attempt to repeal it died in a surprise veto from a Democratic govern…

1
What are SMART Act hearings? 19:37

7M ago19:37

19:37

Before they can get to the fun stuff -- passing laws and debating policy -- Colorado's legislators spend the start of each session sitting through hours (and hours, and hours) of presentations from all the departments and agencies they oversee, going into exhaustive detail on the work they do. A lot of times, these hearings are long on slide decks …

1
New Congress, old normal (for now?) 31:09

7M ago31:09

31:09

From cute kids and ceremonial photos to the peaceful democratic transfer of power, the opening weeks of the 119th Congress have managed to avoid the drama that marked the start of the 117th and the 118th. But that's not to say there's not a lot going on. Colorado has three new congressmen trying to settle in, at the same time one of its congresswom…

1
A bipartisan tradition fades in the CO House, while Democrats preview both ambitions and fault lines 20:30

8M ago20:30

20:30

Before state lawmakers hit the gas on their new session, we look over its opening days. In the House, strains of national politics wove themselves into long-standing traditions in new ways, while in the Senate, the first few bills illuminate an ambitious Democratic agenda on guns and voting. Plus, why some Democrats left the State of the State addr…

1
Budget cuts on tap for Colorado 28:03

8M ago28:03

28:03

Colorado's General Assembly gavels in on Jan. 8 with one big issue hanging over its head: the state budget. With painful cuts looming, lawmakers have some hard choices to make. They'll also be navigating the start of the second Trump administration as "an island of blue in a sea of red." The new legislature also marks a new beginning for Purplish. …

1
How it all went down 31:12

10M ago31:12

31:12

Election night has come and gone, but when we went to the mics, there was still one race too close to call. Hosts Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim talk about what happened there, plus what the results in Lauren Boebert's districts -- old and new -- say about the future of Republican representation in the state. Plus, editor Megan Verlee joins to go …

1
What will make the difference in this election? 28:53

10M ago28:53

28:53

On the eve of the election, hosts Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim discuss what they've heard from voters, volunteers and campaigns about the top races on Coloradans' ballots. From Pueblo County to Mesa and Weld, we look at how voters' feelings about the presidential race mirror, and diverge from some of the state's most consequential congressional …

1
How Colorado secures the vote 21:18

10M ago21:18

21:18

Once again, conspiracy theories about voting fraud are front and center ahead of a presidential election. Led by their nominee, Republican voters in particular are worried about things like non-citizens voting en masse and bad actors rigging voting machines. Hosts Caitlyn Kim and Bente Birkeland -- with special guest, news fellow Kiara DeMare -- wa…

1
All. The. Ballot. Questions. All of them. 32:25

10M ago32:25

32:25

Grab your ballot and follow along as hosts Bente Birkeland and Megan Verlee introduce you to the dozen-plus questions on the state ballot this fall. From protecting abortion and school choice to banning big cat hunting and taxing guns, they'll provide essential context on all the measures, big and small. If you're left with any questions, more info…

1
River Gassen, Fifth Congressional District candidate 24:42

11M ago24:42

24:42

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Jeff Crank, Fifth Congressional District candidate 24:18

11M ago24:18

24:18

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Jeff Hurd, Third Congressional District candidate 23:18

11M ago23:18

23:18

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Adam Frisch, Third Congressional District candidate 23:04

11M ago23:04

23:04

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Yadira Caraveo, Eighth Congressional District candidate 18:41

11M ago18:41

18:41

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Gabe Evans, Eighth Congressional District candidate 22:46

11M ago22:46

22:46

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Trisha Calvarese, Fourth Congressional District candidate 23:32

11M ago23:32

23:32

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
Lauren Boebert, Fourth Congressional District candidate 24:27

11M ago24:27

24:27

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

1
The Colorado congressional races to know about 35:21

11M ago35:21

35:21

For this episode, we're doing something we never have before: recording the show in front of a live studio audience. Hosts Caitlyn Kim, Bente Birkeland and Megan Verlee discuss what's at stake for congress in the upcoming congressional races. Which party controls the U.S. House could have a lot to do with how voters in Colorado's newest district ar…

1
Will ranked-choice voting rewrite Colorado's elections? Prop. 131 explained. 29:33

11M ago29:33

29:33

Voters this fall will decide whether to change how Colorado selects its leaders in the future, by doing away with partisan primaries and ranking candidates in general elections. These reforms are part of a national effort backers say could help push politics back toward the center, and that opponents warn could further erode trust in elections. Hos…

1
Coming soon: Purplish's 2024 election season 3:09

11M ago3:09

3:09

Purplish is coming back to help you prepare for Colorado's 2024 election, including contentious congressional races and 14 statewide ballot measures. Tune in for the stories behind those initiatives, and to hear arguments for and against them. Also, why Coloradans will choose new representatives in all the congressional seats Republicans hold. Epis…

1
Assessing the primary as the dust settles 31:53

1y ago31:53

31:53

Our hosts discuss the big themes that emerged from Republican primary results and what they mean for the future of the party, and for the general election.By Colorado Public Radio

1
GOP rifts in the Congressional Districts 5 and 8 primaries 28:38

1y ago28:38

28:38

How a pair of two-man races in El Paso County and along the northern Front Range are illustrating the increasingly bitter divisions in Colorado's Republican Party.By Colorado Public Radio

1
The primary fight for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District 22:38

1y ago22:38

22:38

With Rep. Lauren Boebert out of the running, which of the half dozen Republicans trying for the seat is likely to win the primary and take on Democrat Adam Frisch?By Colorado Public Radio

1
In eastern Colorado, a primary and a vacancy election 25:10

1y ago25:10

25:10

What to make of the nine major party candidates -- including Rep. Lauren Boebert -- all running in Colorado's fourth congressional district? And how does the vacancy race to fill out Ken Buck's term factor into it all?By Colorado Public Radio

1
What are Colorado voters worried about? 29:13

1y ago29:13

29:13

From the future of our democracy to the state of their bank accounts, Colorado voters have been telling us about their top concerns for the upcoming election.By Colorado Public Radio

1
Ending on a high note 27:15

1+ y ago27:15

27:15

Lawmakers were in an usually good mood as they wrapped up their session this week, a marked change from recent years.By Colorado Public Radio

1
Drinking at the Colorado Capitol 25:15

1+ y ago25:15

25:15

Lawmakers say sharing an occasional drink can build camaraderie and release stress during long days under the golden dome, but the legislature’s long tradition of social drinking comes with risks […]By Colorado Public Radio

1
The new oil and gas war 23:18

1+ y ago23:18

23:18

Battles over air quality and the future of drilling are threatening to spill out of the state capitol and onto your ballot.By Colorado Public Radio

1
Is Colorado really about to commit to passenger rail? 35:07

1+ y ago35:07

35:07

The state has a “train guy” for governor, and the federal government is offering billions in funding.By Colorado Public Radio

1
Lawmakers’ $1.5B tax credit battle royale 28:28

1+ y ago28:28

28:28

Spending limits make it hard for the legislature to put new priorities in the budget. But the tax code is another matter altogether.By Colorado Public Radio

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Colorados Next Governor Podcasts

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