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Purplish

Colorado Public Radio

Purplish is a podcast about politics and policy and how they shape Coloradans’ lives, hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s public affairs reporter Bente Birkeland and reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. They break down the latest developments at the statehouse, in Congress and in local communities, to find the bigger picture behind the political headlines.

Purplish is produced by CPR News with support from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Colorado Public Radio

Purplish is a podcast about politics and policy and how they shape Coloradans’ lives, hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s public affairs reporter Bente Birkeland and reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. They break down the latest developments at the statehouse, in Congress and in local communities, to find the bigger picture behind the political headlines.

Purplish is produced by CPR News with support from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Colorado Public Radio
67hr 47min
Thumbnail for "Budget balanced (for now), AI decisions punted, relationships ruptured: What went down during special session".
In a tense and, at times, dramatic special session, lawmakers pushed through bills to tackle a billion-dollar budget hole, SNAP cuts, and more.
August 29, 202526min 41sec38.43 MB
Thumbnail for "How a possible Buc-ee’s travel plaza has divided one Colorado town".
The debate over a second Buc-ee’s in Colorado has been heated from the start, with more flavors of political intrigue than its jerky.
September 19, 202535min 7sec50.55 MB
Thumbnail for "Crude Signal chats, social media attacks, mistreated aides: lawmaker conduct is back in the headlines".
Incidents keep happening at the statehouse that show lawmakers still have a ways to go in their quest to set a healthy workplace culture.
August 15, 202534min 11sec49.2 MB
Thumbnail for "Why lawmakers have been eyeing Colorado's $2B in ‘unclaimed property’".
Purplish takes a trip inside the treasure vault at the State Capitol
August 1, 202527min 45sec39.95 MB
Thumbnail for "What Republicans' ‘One Big Beautiful Bill' means for Colorado".
Now that lawmakers in D.C. are done, lawmakers in Colorado’s Capitol will have to figure out how to absorb its many cuts and changes.
July 18, 202538min 53sec56.03 MB
Thumbnail for "Why is Douglas County so worked up about home rule?".
For the first time in 50 years, a Colorado county will vote on going home rule -- but there's a lot of debate about what that really means.
June 20, 202530min 14sec43.52 MB
Thumbnail for "When Colorado rewrote the rules for policing".
In 2020, Colorado became one of the first states in the nation to pass police accountability reforms in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Five years on, where does that effort stand now?
June 6, 202528min 34sec183.88 MB
Thumbnail for "Medicaid cuts, AI regs, special session chances: Colorado’s governor and legislative leadership weigh in".
After so much talk about Gov. Jared Polis on Purplish this year, hear from the governor himself, during a live event hosted by The Colorado Sun.
May 23, 202539min 45sec57.27 MB
Thumbnail for "That’s a wrap, for now. Here’s how the 2025 session ended up".
From AI meltdowns to trans rights, rideshare safety and unions, Colorado’s lawmakers left plenty of big decisions till the very last minute.
May 9, 202529min 17sec42.19 MB
Thumbnail for "A rare veto showdown at the State Capitol".
How a bill about illegal activity on social media turned into a faceoff between lawmakers and Gov. Polis.
May 2, 202530min 2sec43.31 MB
Thumbnail for "100 days of Trump, in the eyes of two Colorado lawmakers from two different capitols".
Recorded in front of a live audience, GOP state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse discuss the impacts of President Trump’s actions in Colorado.
April 25, 202545min 51sec65.97 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado answers Trump's immigration crackdown with expanded protections".
Democrats hope their new bill can stymy some of the tactics they’ve seen deployed by the Trump administration.
April 18, 202529min 55sec43.07 MB
Thumbnail for "As the White House restricts trans rights, Colorado is poised to fortify them".
There are bills on medical care, harassment and more. But each proposal comes with its own round of debate, as opponents argue Colorado is going too far on a polarizing issue.
April 11, 202524min 40sec35.52 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado's political parties navigate a changed political landscape".
Democratic soul searching. A Republican fork in the road. As the nation undergoes enormous political shifts, the parties in Colorado are struggling to find their footing.
April 4, 202527min 15sec39.27 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado's budget hits crunch time with ‘painful’ cuts".
Agonizing decisions kept lawmakers working past deadline on the massive spending package
March 28, 202528min 50sec41.56 MB
Thumbnail for "Some Colorado cities plan to ignore new housing density laws".
A local vs state battle has taken hold over how Colorado will grow. It’s a fight about local control and who gets to decide what’s best for Coloradans.
March 21, 202529min 1sec41.77 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado lawmakers hit halftime at the State Capitol".
With less than 60 days left to go and plenty of big, controversial bills still in play, it’s crunch time for state lawmakers.
March 14, 202531min 4sec44.7 MB
Thumbnail for "The human toll of Colorado’s sexual assault evidence backlog".
It can take over a year to get DNA results in a sexual assault case. Lawmakers want that to change.
March 7, 202522min 42sec32.69 MB
Thumbnail for "Vacancy appointments get lots of lawmakers to the capitol. Is it time for a change?".
Colorado takes a relatively cheap and fast approach for filling statehouse vacancies. What it's not, is democratic.
February 28, 202526min 7sec37.58 MB
Thumbnail for "Life as a new state lawmaker".
Meet two members of the freshman class at the Capitol
February 21, 202535min 10sec50.65 MB
Thumbnail for "The billion-dollar budget hole".
How did state finances end up in such bad shape, and how far will lawmakers go to get back in balance?
February 14, 202520min 30sec29.51 MB
Thumbnail for "An assault weapons ban by any other name...".
Democrats are targeting one firearm feature they say makes the most difference in mass shootings.
February 7, 202521min 30sec30.99 MB
Thumbnail for "The embattled Labor Peace Act".
For 82 years, this law has made unionization more difficult in Colorado.
January 31, 202525min 51sec37.22 MB
Thumbnail for "What are SMART Act hearings?".
Done poorly, they can be Powerpoint Purgatory. Done well, they make news.
January 24, 202519min 37sec28.27 MB
Thumbnail for "New Congress, old normal (for now?)".
After all the drama of recent years, the start to the 119th Congress has been, dare we say it, pretty normal?
January 17, 202531min 9sec44.87 MB
Thumbnail for "A bipartisan tradition fades in the CO House, while Democrats preview both ambitions and fault lines".
What the first days might say about the 2025 state legislative session
January 14, 202520min 30sec29.51 MB
Thumbnail for "Budget cuts on tap for Colorado".
Plus, what else to watch for as lawmakers convene under the Capitol dome in 2025
January 3, 202528min 3sec192.07 MB
Thumbnail for "How it all went down".
From tight congressional results to a grab-bag of ballot measures, here's what the election delivered for Colorado
November 8, 202431min 12sec44.91 MB
Thumbnail for "What will make the difference in this election?".
Across the state, candidates and campaigns are making their final pitches to Colorado's voters.
November 1, 202428min 53sec41.57 MB
Thumbnail for "How Colorado secures the vote".
From keeping noncitizens from registering to what's inside the vote-counting machines.
October 25, 202421min 18sec30.66 MB
Thumbnail for "All. The. Ballot. Questions. All of them.".
Your ballot includes fourteen law change and constitutional amendments and we explain them all
October 18, 202432min 25sec46.65 MB
Thumbnail for "The Colorado congressional races to know about".
From the absolute toss-up to the pro-normal face-off, here are the races we're watching most closely.
October 11, 202435min 21sec50.87 MB
Thumbnail for "Will ranked-choice voting rewrite Colorado's elections? Prop. 131 explained.".
An experiment in democracy is on the ballot this fall.
October 4, 202429min 33sec42.61 MB
Thumbnail for "Coming soon: Purplish's 2024 election season".
Also: Participate in a Purplish taping!
September 27, 20243min 9sec4.56 MB
Thumbnail for "Assessing the primary as the dust settles".
Assessing the primary as the dust settles
June 28, 202431min 53sec45.88 MB
Thumbnail for "GOP rifts in the Congressional Districts 5 and 8 primaries".
GOP rifts in the Congressional Districts 5 and 8 primaries
June 21, 202428min 38sec41.2 MB
Thumbnail for "The primary fight for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District".
The primary fight for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District
June 14, 202422min 38sec32.58 MB
Thumbnail for "In eastern Colorado, a primary and a vacancy election".
In eastern Colorado, a primary and a vacancy election
June 7, 202425min 10sec36.21 MB
Thumbnail for "What are Colorado voters worried about?".
What are Colorado voters worried about?
May 31, 202429min 13sec42.03 MB
Thumbnail for "Ending on a high note".
Ending on a high note
May 11, 202427min 15sec39.2 MB
Thumbnail for "Drinking at the Colorado Capitol".
Drinking at the Colorado Capitol
May 3, 202425min 15sec36.35 MB
Thumbnail for "The new oil and gas war".
The new oil and gas war
April 19, 202423min 18sec33.54 MB
Thumbnail for "Is Colorado really about to commit to passenger rail?".
Is Colorado really about to commit to passenger rail?
April 5, 202435min 7sec50.51 MB
Thumbnail for "Lawmakers’ $1.5B tax credit battle royale".
Lawmakers’ $1.5B tax credit battle royale
March 22, 202428min 28sec40.97 MB
Thumbnail for "Is Colorado’s medical aid in dying law too hard to use?".
Is Colorado’s medical aid in dying law too hard to use?
March 8, 202431min 20sec45.09 MB
Thumbnail for "What do all the new immigrant arrivals mean for Colorado?".
What do all the new immigrant arrivals mean for Colorado?
February 23, 202431min 45sec45.68 MB
Thumbnail for "The first month of session, down".
The first month of session, down
February 8, 202428min 17sec40.69 MB
Thumbnail for "Inside the fight to keep Space Command in Colorado".
Inside the fight to keep Space Command in Colorado
January 29, 202434min 47sec50.06 MB
Thumbnail for "Tina Peters is headed to trial – how did we get here?".
Tina Peters is headed to trial – how did we get here?
January 23, 202449min 20sec70.95 MB
Thumbnail for "The legislature returns: what lies ahead?".
The legislature returns: what lies ahead?
January 10, 202417min 57sec25.82 MB
Thumbnail for "Could this Colorado case determine Trump’s political future?".
Could this Colorado case determine Trump’s political future?
November 16, 202327min 3sec38.93 MB
Thumbnail for "What’s up with Prop. II?".
What’s up with Prop. II?
October 20, 202310min 59sec15.8 MB
Thumbnail for "What’s up with Prop. HH?".
What’s up with Prop. HH?
October 17, 202326min 6sec37.57 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado Springs’ next mayor is a man few thought would win. What happened?".
Colorado Springs’ next mayor is a man few thought would win. What happened?
June 2, 202329min 8sec41.92 MB
Thumbnail for "Land use, property taxes and party conflicts — how the legislature wrapped up".
Land use, property taxes and party conflicts — how the legislature wrapped up
May 11, 202328min 29sec40.99 MB
Thumbnail for "The legislature’s spending dance".
The legislature’s spending dance
May 4, 202332min 21sec46.54 MB
Thumbnail for "The year that could change how Colorado grows".
The year that could change how Colorado grows
April 21, 202331min 10sec44.84 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado’s blockbuster filibuster (and why it matters)".
Colorado’s blockbuster filibuster (and why it matters)
April 6, 202329min 37sec42.62 MB
Thumbnail for "Xcel’s winter of discontent".
Xcel’s winter of discontent
March 24, 202334min 6sec49.06 MB
Thumbnail for "Disability rights at center stage".
Disability rights at center stage
March 11, 202331min 42sec45.61 MB
Thumbnail for "Rent control in Colorado?".
Rent control in Colorado?
March 3, 202333min 40sec48.43 MB
Thumbnail for "How Colorado’s gun laws have changed from frontier days to today".
How Colorado’s gun laws have changed from frontier days to today
February 10, 202344min 10sec63.54 MB
Thumbnail for "The Polis Agenda".
The Polis Agenda
January 20, 202320min 47sec29.91 MB
Thumbnail for "The legislature is back: what do they want to do?".
The legislature is back: what do they want to do?
January 13, 202330min 1sec43.17 MB
Thumbnail for "Is Colorado a blue state now?".
Is Colorado a blue state now?
November 11, 202225min 20sec36.44 MB
Thumbnail for "What we’re watching for on Election Day".
What we’re watching for on Election Day
November 4, 202230min 4sec43.26 MB
Thumbnail for "What keeps our elections safe?".
What keeps our elections safe?
October 28, 202232min 22sec46.56 MB
Thumbnail for "All your 2022 ballot measures explained (plus a few weird ones from history)".
All your 2022 ballot measures explained (plus a few weird ones from history)
October 22, 202232min 2sec46.08 MB
Thumbnail for "Housing on your ballot".
Housing on your ballot
October 14, 202229min 30sec42.42 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado’s Latino voters and the 2022 races".
Colorado’s Latino voters and the 2022 races
September 29, 202222min 4sec31.75 MB
Thumbnail for "Moderates in the Midterm".
Moderates in the Midterm
September 15, 202228min40.3 MB
Thumbnail for "What did we learn from the primary?".
What did we learn from the primary?
June 30, 202223min 5sec33.22 MB
Thumbnail for "Unaffiliated Voters — the big question mark".
Unaffiliated Voters — the big question mark
June 25, 202222min 27sec32.31 MB
Thumbnail for "The GOP Divide".
The GOP Divide
June 17, 202231min 35sec45.43 MB
Thumbnail for "What lawmakers did with their time".
What lawmakers did with their time
May 14, 202233min 28sec48.15 MB
Thumbnail for "With mental health, can Colorado achieve ‘transformative’ change?".
With mental health, can Colorado achieve ‘transformative’ change?
May 5, 202227min 43sec39.87 MB
Thumbnail for "The fight to ban Menthols and flavored vapes".
The fight to ban Menthols and flavored vapes
April 22, 202230min 53sec44.43 MB
Thumbnail for "Who’s on the primary ballot?".
Who’s on the primary ballot?
April 14, 202225min 46sec37.07 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado at the eye of an election conspiracy storm".
Colorado at the eye of an election conspiracy storm
April 7, 202236min 52sec53.04 MB
Thumbnail for "The past, and future, of abortion in Colorado".
The past, and future, of abortion in Colorado
March 24, 202228min 16sec40.66 MB
Thumbnail for "Crime is rising in Colorado – is justice reform to blame?".
Crime is rising in Colorado – is justice reform to blame?
March 11, 202240min 27sec97.13 MB
Thumbnail for "Lawmakers’ brewing labor battle".
Lawmakers’ brewing labor battle
February 25, 202233min 59sec48.99 MB
Thumbnail for "Serving in the statehouse while running for Congress".
Serving in the statehouse while running for Congress
February 10, 202223min 52sec34.37 MB
Thumbnail for "The housing crisis comes home to the Capitol".
The housing crisis comes home to the Capitol
January 27, 202220min 37sec19.8 MB
Thumbnail for "Back to work at the Capitol".
Back to work at the Capitol
January 17, 202216min 18sec23.46 MB
Thumbnail for "Remembering the January 6th Capitol Riot".
Remembering the January 6th Capitol Riot
January 6, 202221min 10sec30.45 MB
Thumbnail for "What’s ahead when the legislature returns?".
What’s ahead when the legislature returns?
December 9, 202116min 30sec23.75 MB
Thumbnail for "Hey, did you hear there was an election?".
Hey, did you hear there was an election?
November 5, 202124min 21sec35.15 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado Has A Map — If The Court Approves".
Colorado Has A Map — If The Court Approves
September 30, 202116min 58sec24.43 MB
Thumbnail for "Redistricting Deadline Looms".
Redistricting Deadline Looms
September 24, 202114min 55sec21.46 MB
Thumbnail for "Competition Vs Commonalities — A Conundrum For Redistricting".
Competition Vs Commonalities — A Conundrum For Redistricting
September 10, 202119min 54sec28.64 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado’s Got A Brand New Map (But It’s Not The Final Map – Yet)".
Colorado’s Got A Brand New Map (But It’s Not The Final Map – Yet)
September 8, 202114min 49sec21.32 MB
Thumbnail for "Communities Urge Redistricting Commission To Consider The Ties That Bind".
Communities Urge Redistricting Commission To Consider The Ties That Bind
September 3, 202117min 47sec25.6 MB
Thumbnail for "A Road Trip Through Colorado’s (Maybe) 8th District".
A Road Trip Through Colorado’s (Maybe) 8th District
September 1, 202115min21.58 MB
Thumbnail for "Redistricting Highlights Challenges To Latino Representation".
Redistricting Highlights Challenges To Latino Representation
August 27, 202116min 44sec24.2 MB
Thumbnail for "Colorado ‘Nonpartisan’ Redistricting Process Is Still Plenty Political".
Colorado ‘Nonpartisan’ Redistricting Process Is Still Plenty Political
August 25, 202119min 55sec28.66 MB
Thumbnail for "Redistricting: What You Need To Know To Learn The Things You Need To Learn".
Redistricting: What You Need To Know To Learn The Things You Need To Learn
August 20, 202116min 51sec24.25 MB
Thumbnail for "Get ready for Purplish: The Great Redraw".
Get ready for Purplish: The Great Redraw
August 19, 202155sec10.63 MB
Thumbnail for "That’s All, Folks!".
That’s All, Folks!
June 10, 202122min 14sec31.99 MB
Thumbnail for "The Chopping Block".
The Chopping Block
June 4, 202112min 23sec17.83 MB
Thumbnail for "Into The Whirlwind".
Into The Whirlwind
May 28, 202118min 34sec26.72 MB
Thumbnail for "The Big Money Episode".
The Big Money Episode
May 21, 202121min 37sec31.1 MB
Thumbnail for "Race, Politics and Racial Politics".
Race, Politics and Racial Politics
May 14, 202122min 43sec32.71 MB
Thumbnail for "Where Are They Now?".
Where Are They Now?
May 7, 202127min 8sec39.03 MB
Thumbnail for "Justice Reform, A Year After George Floyd".
Justice Reform, A Year After George Floyd
April 30, 202124min 28sec35.21 MB
Thumbnail for "Hot At The Legislature: Housing And Immigration".
Hot At The Legislature: Housing And Immigration
April 23, 202118min 16sec26.28 MB
Thumbnail for "What The Heck Is The Public Option?".
What The Heck Is The Public Option?
April 16, 202115min 47sec22.71 MB
Thumbnail for "Maps, Data And Drama, Drama, Drama".
Maps, Data And Drama, Drama, Drama
April 9, 202121min 32sec30.98 MB
Thumbnail for "Big Changes, Little Attention".
Big Changes, Little Attention
April 2, 202123min 50sec34.3 MB
Thumbnail for "Gun Laws After Boulder".
Gun Laws After Boulder
March 26, 202122min 11sec31.92 MB
Thumbnail for "BONUS: Meet The Jared Polis And Anthony Fauci Of 1918".
BONUS: Meet The Jared Polis And Anthony Fauci Of 1918
March 23, 202113min 52sec19.96 MB
Thumbnail for "Capitol Warming".
Capitol Warming
March 19, 202120min 46sec29.87 MB
Thumbnail for "1.9 Trillion Is An Awfully Big Number".
1.9 Trillion Is An Awfully Big Number
March 12, 202120min 7sec28.93 MB
Thumbnail for "Polis’s Pandemic Year".
Polis’s Pandemic Year
March 5, 202121min 32sec30.98 MB
Thumbnail for "Everything You Need To Know About Transportation Reform".
Everything You Need To Know About Transportation Reform
February 26, 202119min 37sec28.23 MB
Thumbnail for "The State of the State is…".
The State of the State is…
February 19, 202115min 48sec22.75 MB
Thumbnail for "On With The Show".
On With The Show
February 12, 202122min 7sec31.82 MB
Thumbnail for "Two Capitols, One Wild Week".
Two Capitols, One Wild Week
January 15, 202122min 37sec32.53 MB
Thumbnail for "BONUS BONUS EPISODE: An Extraordinary Session".
BONUS BONUS EPISODE: An Extraordinary Session
December 4, 202018min 28sec26.56 MB
Thumbnail for "BONUS EPISODE: Digesting Colorado’s Election Outcomes With Two Colorado Politics Insiders".
BONUS EPISODE: Digesting Colorado’s Election Outcomes With Two Colorado Politics Insiders
November 13, 202020min 49sec29.93 MB
Thumbnail for "What The Heck Just Happened?".
What The Heck Just Happened?
November 6, 202024min 58sec35.9 MB
Thumbnail for "What We’re Watching For".
What We’re Watching For
October 30, 202021min 45sec31.28 MB
Thumbnail for "On Voter Turnout, And Attempted Voter Turn-Offs".
On Voter Turnout, And Attempted Voter Turn-Offs
October 23, 202020min 12sec29.06 MB
Thumbnail for "Election Grab Bag".
Election Grab Bag
October 16, 202023min 48sec34.24 MB
Thumbnail for "So Many Ballot Measures. Like, SO MANY".
So Many Ballot Measures. Like, SO MANY
October 9, 202028min 37sec41.17 MB
Thumbnail for "The One About Debates".
The One About Debates
October 2, 202018min 13sec26.21 MB
Thumbnail for "Ground Game, Grounded?".
Ground Game, Grounded?
September 25, 202020min 51sec30 MB
Thumbnail for "Mail Ballot Blues".
Mail Ballot Blues
September 18, 202019min 26sec27.96 MB
Thumbnail for "Purplish Returns: The Election Season".
Purplish Returns: The Election Season
September 11, 202019min 39sec28.26 MB
Thumbnail for "BONUS: The Democrats Competing To Take On Cory Gardner".
BONUS: The Democrats Competing To Take On Cory Gardner
June 19, 202022min 4sec31.76 MB
Thumbnail for "The End Is Near".
The End Is Near
June 12, 202014min 54sec78.95 MB
Thumbnail for "Protests, Policing, And Education Cuts".
Protests, Policing, And Education Cuts
June 5, 202019min 39sec28.27 MB
Thumbnail for "The Legislature Strikes Back".
The Legislature Strikes Back
May 29, 202018min 38sec98.67 MB
Thumbnail for "You Can’t Kiss Babies Over Zoom".
You Can’t Kiss Babies Over Zoom
May 22, 202018min 58sec100.43 MB
Thumbnail for "Budget Cuts and Building Rules".
Budget Cuts and Building Rules
May 14, 202015min 46sec83.49 MB
Thumbnail for "W(h)ither The Big Bills?".
W(h)ither The Big Bills?
April 16, 202018min 13sec96.44 MB
Thumbnail for "Justice — And Many Other Things — Delayed".
Justice — And Many Other Things — Delayed
April 10, 202019min 55sec28.66 MB
Thumbnail for "Partisan Politics vs. Pandemic Politics".
Partisan Politics vs. Pandemic Politics
April 3, 202019min 50sec28.54 MB
Thumbnail for "The ‘Stay At Home’ Order, Discussed By Three People Staying In Their Homes".
The ‘Stay At Home’ Order, Discussed By Three People Staying In Their Homes
March 27, 202018min 7sec26.08 MB
Thumbnail for "Politics, Policy, and the Pandemic".
Politics, Policy, and the Pandemic
March 21, 202020min 43sec29.82 MB
Thumbnail for "Legislation In The Time Of Coronavirus".
Legislation In The Time Of Coronavirus
March 14, 202017min 31sec25.2 MB
Thumbnail for "Super Tuesday Might Not Mean What You Think In Colorado…".
Super Tuesday Might Not Mean What You Think In Colorado…
March 6, 202017min 2sec24.52 MB
Thumbnail for "Sausage In The Making".
Sausage In The Making
February 29, 202023min 26sec33.72 MB
Thumbnail for "Out Of The Statehouse, Into The National Spotlight".
Out Of The Statehouse, Into The National Spotlight
February 22, 202020min 59sec30.2 MB
Thumbnail for "Family Matters".
Family Matters
February 15, 202020min 25sec29.37 MB
Thumbnail for "Big Ideas Incoming".
Big Ideas Incoming
February 8, 202022min 57sec33.03 MB
Thumbnail for "The Matter Of Life And Death".
The Matter Of Life And Death
February 1, 202014min 23sec76.14 MB
Thumbnail for "The Political Is Personal".
The Political Is Personal
January 25, 202014min 5sec74.56 MB
Thumbnail for "Things Democrats Disagree About".
Things Democrats Disagree About
January 18, 202013min 58sec73.96 MB
Thumbnail for "Trailer: Purplish Reborn".
Trailer: Purplish Reborn
January 11, 20202min 13sec23.55 MB
Thumbnail for "ALL OF THE BILLS!!!!".
ALL OF THE BILLS!!!!
May 9, 201926min12.48 MB
Thumbnail for "The First Fractivist".
The First Fractivist
April 6, 201924min 18sec11.67 MB
Thumbnail for "Electoral College Dropouts".
Electoral College Dropouts
March 2, 201927min 36sec39.9 MB
Thumbnail for "Could Colorado Fix Congress?".
Could Colorado Fix Congress?
February 2, 201925min 56sec37.39 MB
Thumbnail for "BONUS: Hick At High Noon".
BONUS: Hick At High Noon
January 4, 201914min 55sec21.6 MB
Thumbnail for "BONUS: What’s Next for Pur-plish?".
BONUS: What’s Next for Pur-plish?
December 6, 20185min 8sec2.47 MB
Thumbnail for "Blue Avalanche".
Blue Avalanche
November 10, 201836min 2sec51.93 MB
Thumbnail for "The Holdouts".
The Holdouts
November 2, 201825min 31sec36.93 MB
Thumbnail for "You Can’t Hack Paper".
You Can’t Hack Paper
October 27, 201826min 2sec37.81 MB
Thumbnail for "The Prisoner Voting Dilemma".
The Prisoner Voting Dilemma
October 19, 201824min 8sec35.05 MB
Thumbnail for "Purple State Blues".
Purple State Blues
October 12, 201814min 37sec21.16 MB
Thumbnail for "Gerryman-don’t".
Gerryman-don’t
October 6, 201828min 51sec41.85 MB
Thumbnail for "The Forgotten State Of Southern Colorado".
The Forgotten State Of Southern Colorado
September 28, 201828min 29sec13.68 MB
Thumbnail for "Walker Stapleton’s Family".
Walker Stapleton’s Family
September 21, 201826min 52sec12.9 MB
Thumbnail for "Jared Polis’ Money".
Jared Polis’ Money
September 14, 201827min 9sec13.03 MB
Thumbnail for "The Signature Wars".
The Signature Wars
September 7, 201825min 16sec12.13 MB
Thumbnail for "Introducing ‘Purplish’: A Podcast About Colorado Politics And The Forces That Shape It".
Introducing ‘Purplish’: A Podcast About Colorado Politics And The Forces That Shape It
August 30, 20182min 38sec1.27 MB

Budget balanced (for now), AI decisions punted, relationships ruptured: What went down during special session

Thumbnail for "Budget balanced (for now), AI decisions punted, relationships ruptured: What went down during special session".
August 29, 202526min 41sec

The giant tax-cuts-and-spending package passed by Congressional Republicans will have major ramifications for every state in the country, but Colorado is one of the first place it's really being felt. Thanks to the state's unusual way of handling its finances, the federal tax cuts immediately threw Colorado's finances way out of whack.

That was the main reason lawmakers recently came back to the Capitol in August for a high temperature, high stakes special session. But grueling fights over AI regulations and a painful public confrontation between House leaders at times made the budget debates feel like a secondary concern.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woodsdiscuss the bills that did, and did not, make it past the finish line over the six-day special legislative session. They also dig into the growing chasm between the two caucuses in the House, and what it could mean for  the regular session in the new year. 

Read CCNA special session coverage:

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf and its editor is Megan Verlee, sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner.

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Budget balanced (for now), AI decisions punted, relationships ruptured: What went down during special session
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