Purplish

<p>Purplish is CPR News' weekly podcast about state politics, state government, Colorado policy, and political identity. This season the show is hosted by public affairs reporters Bente Birkeland and Andrew Kenney. Each week while the legislature is in session, they'll break down the latest developments, look ahead to what's next, and dive into the bigger picture of what it all means.</p>

How it all went down

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 through all the ballot measures (she couldn't stay away!) and news fellow Kiara DeMare takes us to the 'bittersweet and boozy' Democratic Party's party.This episode was produced by Shane Rumsey and edited by Jo Erickson and Megan Verlee.

11-08
31:42

What will make the difference in this election?

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 contests.This episode was edited and produced by Jo Erickson, Shane Rumsey and Megan Verlee.

11-01
29:37

How Colorado secures the vote

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 -- walk through the safeguards in place that keep those things from happening. The tools are as simple as database searches and double-checking results, but the implications are profound for trust in our democracy.This episode was produced by Shane Rumsey and edited by Megan Verlee.

10-25
21:48

All. The. Ballot. Questions. All of them.

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 information awaits you at our voter guide: www.cpr.org/voterguide2024This episode was produced by Shane Rumsey and Jo Erickson.

10-18
32:55

The Colorado congressional races to know about

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 are feeling about their first term congresswoman, and her law-and-order challenger. Plus, Rep. Lauren Boebert's district-hopping gamble has scrambled the races in two of the state's Republican seats. And, what could a new congress hold for other members of the Colorado delegation?

10-11
36:01

Will ranked-choice voting rewrite Colorado's elections? Prop. 131 explained.

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.Hosts Andrew Kenney and Bente Birkeland explain how Prop. 131 would work, introduce you to the multi-millionaire behind it, and break down how these reforms have worked in other states.This episode was produced by Shane Rumsey and edited by Megan Verlee.

10-04
30:03

Coming soon: Purplish's 2024 election season

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. Episodes start October 4.Plus, you can participate in the first Purplish live taping on October 8 in Denver. Get tickets here: cpr.org/purplishlive.

09-27
03:33

Assessing the primary as the dust settles

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.

06-28
32:17

GOP rifts in the Congressional Districts 5 and 8 primaries

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.

06-21
28:38

The primary fight for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District

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?

06-14
22:38

In eastern Colorado, a primary and a vacancy election

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?

06-07
25:10

What are Colorado voters worried about?

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.

05-31
29:13

Ending on a high note

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

05-11
27:15

Drinking at the Colorado Capitol

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 […]

05-03
25:15

The new oil and gas war

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

04-19
23:18

Is Colorado really about to commit to passenger rail?

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

04-05
35:07

Lawmakers’ $1.5B tax credit battle royale

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

03-22
28:28

Is Colorado’s medical aid in dying law too hard to use?

Each year, hundreds of Coloradans with terminal illnesses use medication to aid their deaths. But guardrails put in to prevent abuse can turn into major roadblocks for patients. Now lawmakers are considering some changes to the policy.

03-08
31:20

What do all the new immigrant arrivals mean for Colorado?

Denver is cutting its budget to keep up with the cost of sheltering the steady flow of arrivals from the southern border, and that's leading to strain between cities, and questions about what role the state should play.

02-23
31:45

The first month of session, down

The session started with a protest over the war in Gaza and the issue has continued to reverberate.

02-08
28:17

ID20119596

So looking forward to your coverage of the midterms. Love your new format, and to be honest, glad Benta's voice fry is gone. Much easier on the ears

09-16 Reply

Isaac Sanchez

Welcome back Sam! Looking forward to the continuation of Purplish! GO CO!

03-02 Reply

David Hough

Glad you guys are keeping Purplish alive!

01-04 Reply

Heather Toyne

Interesting content. The background music is as loud as the dialogue which makes it a bit hard to listen to in some places.

10-23 Reply

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