Purplish

Election night exceeded Democrats’ wildest dreams. In Colorado, the big blue wave swept through all the statewide offices, plus congressional and statehouse districts. The state will send new Democratic representation to Washington, D.C., and enter a new legislative session in the new year with a new Democratic governor and Democratic supermajorities in both chambers. What does that mean for state politics and both parties’ futures in Colorado? CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim are joined by The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul to discuss. They also look at how some of the statewide ballot measure results paint a more complicated, aka purplish, picture.Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded at around 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. Since then, a few races have been called. The Associated Press called Colorado’s fifth Congressional District race for Democrat Jessica Killin and Colorado’s third Congressional District for Republican incumbent Rep. Jeff Hurd.Additionally, opponents of Propositions 134 and 135 conceded defeat Thursday afternoon and supporters of Amendment 87, the graduated income tax ballot measure, claimed victory.Catch up on our other election coverage: The Colorado Sun: Colorado Democrats just won supermajorities in both the state House, Senate for the first time ever. Here’s how The Colorado Sun: Phil Weiser and statehouse Democrats are already planning tweaks to Colorado ballot measures on fentanyl, transgender youth CPR News: This is how Coloradans voted on all 14 statewide ballot questions CPR News: Governor-elect Weiser makes data centers, social media, youth program priorities 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Thanks to KRCC’s Briana Heaney and CPR’s Ben Markus and Molly Cruise, who contributed reporting for this episode.

Much of the focus around Victor Marx’s campaign finance has been on the Republican gubernatorial candidate’s donations. But when CPR’s Ben Markus dug into Marx’s expenditures, it sparked a series of questions that eventually led him out of state, to a suburban area near Las Vegas’ lavish strip. Markus joins CPR’s Bente Birkeland to talk about what he learned, as well as a look at the campaign finance reports of Marx’s Democratic challenger, Colorado attorney general Phil Weiser. CPR's Caitlyn Kim also joins the conversation to talk about the campaign cash flowing in and out of Colorado’s tightest congressional races. Catch up on our latest coverage: Victor Marx’s spending is as unusual as the rest of his campaign Democrats raise the campaign dough in races across the state Victor Marx campaign receives one of the largest fines in state history 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

A political shift is starting to happen on America’s foreign policy in Israel, especially within the Democratic party. That came more into focus within Colorado politics following Melat Kiros’ win in the Democratic primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District. Kiros has called for the United States to stop sending military aid to Israel. Some on the left hope wins like hers signal an ideological shift within the party. Others worry whether intentional or not, that rhetoric could fuel a rise in anti-semitism. One thing is for sure, Colorado politicians can no longer avoid this issue, or give vague talking points. In this episode, CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Denverite’s Kyle Harris, along with CPR Congressional correspondent Caitlyn Kim, give space to hear from different perspectives on the political left. Catch up on our latest coverage: Colorado Democrats flip on Israel aid, reflecting larger divide within the party Colorado lawmakers face angry crowds over ICE actions, Gaza After her primary upset, Melat Kiros shares how she’d legislate What is the DSA and who is Melat Kiros? Independent candidate for CD-1 says he wants to fight extremism CPR’s 2026 Midterm Election Voter Guide 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode comes from Universal Production Music. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts. CPR’s Ava Kian, Rocky Mountain PBS’ Andrea Kramar and Saja Hindi provided additional editorial support on this episode. 

It's been an unusual campaign season as the two major party candidates vie for votes.They’ve never debated in a traditional, moderated setting. They’ve shared the stage only once, during a scripted forum in early October. It’s also lopsided: The Democrat, current state attorney general Phil Weiser, is heavily favored to win. On the Republican side, Victor Marx is a political newcomer putting his faith at the center of his campaign, which has also been mired by questions about his wild backstory as a “high-risk humanitarian.” CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and The Denver Post’s Seth Klamann discuss the difference in background, credentials, campaign style and policy between these two candidates. Catch up on our latest coverage: CPR News’ 2026 midterm elections voter guide CPR News: Colorado Governor candidates Victor Marx and Phil Weiser share stage for a non-debate CPR News: Victor Marx’s spending is as unusual as the rest of his campaign CPR News: How Democrat Phil Weiser says he would govern Colorado The Colorado Sun: Where Phil Weiser, Victor Marx stand on the big issues in Colorado’s race for governor The Colorado Sun: A conversation with Phil Weiser The Denver Post: Victor Marx, an unorthodox candidate, aims to harness AI and bring more accountability to the state as governor The Denver Post: As Victor Marx faces questions about merch sales, he says finance record linking him to site was ‘silly mistake’ 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. CPR’s public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. 

We pick things up right where we left off with Purplish live: “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama.”This week three more reporters sweat it out in the host seat, breaking down tricky ballot measures on topics like penalties for fentanyl crimes, social issues and ballot questions about ballots. Plus, a bonus round and the ultimate burning question: who will be named the hot seat champion?Have more questions about the ballot? Check out CPR’s midterm elections voter guide here. Listen back to “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama” Part I. 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode comes from Universal Production Music. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.Some special shout outs to Rocky Mountain PBS’ Mark Montour-Larson, Sarah Newberry and the entire tech team. Also thanks to CPR’s Brittany Werges, Cayla Montoya-Manzo and Hazel Feldstein, and all of the CCNA reporters who took the heat during the event: CPR’s Dan Boyce, The Colorado Sun’s Jennifer Brown, KUNC’s Kyle McKinnon and CPR’s John Daley.Editor’s note: Once the ballot is set, many of these numbers will change. So while we talk about ballot initiatives like 85 during the live event, the corresponding number you see on your ballot will be different as it becomes a proposition or amendment. But the core issues reporters discussed from the hot seat remain the same.