Purplish

197
Government #220

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.

Recent Episodes
  • When Colorado rewrote the rules for policing
    Jun 6, 2025 – 28:34
  • Medicaid cuts, AI regs, special session chances: Colorado’s governor and legislative leadership weigh in
    May 23, 2025 – 39:45
  • That’s a wrap, for now. Here’s how the 2025 session ended up
    May 9, 2025 – 29:17
  • A rare veto showdown at the State Capitol
    May 2, 2025 – 30:02
  • 100 days of Trump, in the eyes of two Colorado lawmakers from two different capitols
    Apr 25, 2025 – 45:51
  • Colorado answers Trump's immigration crackdown with expanded protections
    Apr 18, 2025 – 29:55
  • As the White House restricts trans rights, Colorado is poised to fortify them
    Apr 11, 2025 – 24:40
  • Colorado's political parties navigate a changed political landscape
    Apr 4, 2025 – 27:15
  • Colorado's budget hits crunch time with ‘painful’ cuts
    Mar 28, 2025 – 28:50
  • Some Colorado cities plan to ignore new housing density laws
    Mar 21, 2025 – 29:01
  • Colorado lawmakers hit halftime at the State Capitol
    Mar 14, 2025 – 31:04
  • The human toll of Colorado’s sexual assault evidence backlog
    Mar 7, 2025 – 22:42
  • Vacancy appointments get lots of lawmakers to the capitol. Is it time for a change?
    Feb 28, 2025 – 26:07
  • Life as a new state lawmaker
    Feb 21, 2025 – 35:10
  • The billion-dollar budget hole
    Feb 14, 2025 – 20:30
  • An assault weapons ban by any other name...
    Feb 7, 2025 – 21:30
  • The embattled Labor Peace Act
    Jan 31, 2025 – 25:51
  • What are SMART Act hearings?
    Jan 24, 2025 – 19:37
  • New Congress, old normal (for now?)
    Jan 17, 2025 – 31:09
  • A bipartisan tradition fades in the CO House, while Democrats preview both ambitions and fault lines
    Jan 14, 2025 – 20:30
  • Budget cuts on tap for Colorado
    Jan 3, 2025 – 28:03
  • How it all went down
    Nov 8, 2024 – 31:12
  • What will make the difference in this election?
    Nov 1, 2024 – 28:53
  • How Colorado secures the vote
    Oct 25, 2024 – 21:18
  • All. The. Ballot. Questions. All of them.
    Oct 18, 2024 – 32:25
  • The Colorado congressional races to know about
    Oct 11, 2024 – 35:21
  • Will ranked-choice voting rewrite Colorado's elections? Prop. 131 explained.
    Oct 4, 2024 – 29:33
  • Coming soon: Purplish's 2024 election season
    Sep 27, 2024 – 03:09
  • Assessing the primary as the dust settles
    Jun 28, 2024 – 31:53
  • GOP rifts in the Congressional Districts 5 and 8 primaries
    Jun 21, 2024 – 28:38
  • The primary fight for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District
    Jun 14, 2024 – 22:38
  • In eastern Colorado, a primary and a vacancy election
    Jun 7, 2024 – 25:10
  • What are Colorado voters worried about?
    May 31, 2024 – 29:13
  • Ending on a high note
    May 11, 2024 – 27:15
  • Drinking at the Colorado Capitol
    May 3, 2024 – 25:15
  • The new oil and gas war
    Apr 19, 2024 – 23:18
  • Is Colorado really about to commit to passenger rail?
    Apr 5, 2024 – 35:07
  • Lawmakers’ $1.5B tax credit battle royale
    Mar 22, 2024 – 28:28
  • Is Colorado’s medical aid in dying law too hard to use?
    Mar 8, 2024 – 31:20
  • What do all the new immigrant arrivals mean for Colorado?
    Feb 23, 2024 – 31:45
  • The first month of session, down
    Feb 8, 2024 – 28:17
  • Inside the fight to keep Space Command in Colorado
    Jan 29, 2024 – 34:47
  • Tina Peters is headed to trial – how did we get here?
    Jan 23, 2024 – 49:20
  • The legislature returns: what lies ahead?
    Jan 10, 2024 – 17:57
  • Could this Colorado case determine Trump’s political future?
    Nov 16, 2023 – 27:03
  • What’s up with Prop. II?
    Oct 20, 2023 – 10:59
  • What’s up with Prop. HH?
    Oct 17, 2023 – 26:06
  • Colorado Springs’ next mayor is a man few thought would win. What happened?
    Jun 2, 2023 – 29:08
  • Land use, property taxes and party conflicts — how the legislature wrapped up
    May 11, 2023 – 28:29
  • The legislature’s spending dance
    May 4, 2023 – 32:21
Recent Reviews
  • Ramses does not dance
    Great resource
    I got my blue book and first thing I did was check to see if their were fresh Purplish episodes explaining the measures.
  • Sarah Moped
    My favorite political podcast
    It can be difficult to find news about local politics but Purplish does a great job doing just that! I learn so much with each episode and am entertained along the way.
  • daveherrald
    Good way to keep up, Megan makes it weird
    This podcast is a good way to keep up on CO politics. Bente and Andrew do a nice job of laying out the issues, contextualizing the news, and keeping biases in check. It’s weird when Megan gets on the mic. She always makes it about how she’s the editor, she’s the boss, she’s in charge. The comment about her new years resolution being “to get performance reviews in on time” is just a way for her to remind everyone she’s a manager. Big whoopi ding dang Megan. Nobody cares. Stop making your appearances on the mic so awky. I cringe for the others. Anyway, keep up the good work Bente and Andrew!
  • tallsally
    Great state legislature coverage
    I was lukewarm about the coverage during the election, but the coverage of the state legislature has been outstanding. Whether or not you think Colorado is still a purple state, the podcast is excellent coverage.
  • bryyyydawg
    Insightful
    Purplish is incredibly insightful for everyone, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum, no matter what level of involvement! I listened when I was an undergrad in PSCI and I listen today as a campaign manager.
  • kdidier12
    Well Done!!
    I have been listening for just over a year now. Great content, keep it up and thank you for all your work. 🙌🏼🥳
  • Luka Mundo
    Must listen for all CO residents
    Everyone in CO needs to listen
  • itzoka
    So Many Ballot Measures :(
    I was excited to see you had an episode on all the Ballot Measures. I wish you would do a more thorough dive into the blue book. Your next episode should be a sit down with a non partisan rep from each side to break it down item by item in laymen’s terms. One problematic example, I read through the Gallagher Amendment and felt lost. You could call it the blue book study group. It could benefit our state greatly. I hope to see it ASAP.
  • 613JIR
    Wonderful and important
    Time flies by listening to this informative podcast. State legislation makes a much bigger impact on our lives than whatever is happening (or not happening) in DC. These podcasters take a topic that might be intimidating and not only make it accessible, but also fun. Not an easy feat.
  • daveo970
    Great Colorado politics listening
    The most direct impact on our daily lives often comes from local, rather than national, politics. This is a fantastic (and entertaining) way to stay up to date on the happenings at the Colorado statehouse during the legislative session. Be informed! Give it a listen!
  • nicoke e
    Quick and informative
    Easy and fun to listen to each week- thanks for the rundown of what’s happening in our state!
  • BruinPioneer
    Good Job Public Radio
    This is phenomenal. I’ve been a public radio supporter for a few years and a podcast listener for the same amount of time. I really enjoyed my NPR podcasts, but to have local stations creating great content is one of the best things I’ve heard. I would love to see more from CPR and more from other public radio stations so I can learn about different experiences.
  • Schmidt Chic
    Thanks
    This podcast was so interesting! Being new to Colorado, I appreciate the historical context and current information. Thank you!
  • lalala122333444455555
    TABOR
    Please have an episode explaining TABOR in depth
  • Seanek14
    Keep it going
    I felt this was a great podcast highlighting local issues from various points of view. Honest media is tough to find and I hope you all continue this podcast soon because we need more of it.
  • mountainview83
    Great insider look at CO politics!
    I have recommended this podcast to friends and family alike - I feel like the Purplish team works hard to give a full, nuanced view of what is going on across CO state politics, Front Range and beyond. Thanks for a good first season, and I hope you bring us more in the future!
  • GJBonnie
    From a geezer
    I so enjoyed this podcast. Not sure I like being called a “geezer” (ha ha) but I truly found the topics timely, informative and well worth listening to. I agree with many others here that it would be great if you could keep going with this, at least in some fashion. We all need to stay informed and educated about issues and this was a good way to help with that. Thanks! Good work!
  • NickDiOrio
    Great Colorado podcast
    As a native of Southern Colorado and resident of the Denver suburbs, I found this to be a highly informative and interesting podcast about Colorado politics. I’d recommend to anyone looking to learn more about Colorado.
  • ErinCC3
    Politics and Consideration - Really Over in November?
    Hi, I love this podcast. Every episode that I've listened to highlights important things to consider and points out both positives and negatives. As a millennial, it makes figuring out how to vote much better. That being said, I think this podcast should continue past November. Being an informed voter means being informed beyond an election. Things happen in Colorado all the time and there are ways to interact as a civically involved citizen. Why stop informing after the election? Please continue - I really look forward to these episodes.
  • mking21
    So great!!!!!!
    This podcast is so informative and refreshing. It is close to home, incredibly professional, and funny!!!!! I love it.
  • nixy_sticks
    Worth a listen
    I enjoy getting to consider local issues in a thoughtful way. Also, I enjoy the length. This covers big topics, but is just enough to chew on for a while. Thanks for putting it out.
  • tmk_7
    Down to Earth
    There’s a particular credibility that Coloradans expect and this team hits it on the nose, covering the Western Slope, Southern Colorado and the Plains. Excellent material I look forward to each episode.
  • lilbavaria
    Super interesting!
    I’m a new Denver resident and this podcast has been super helpful as I try to understand the political landscape of my new state - keep up the good reporting!
  • joish
    It's great!
    Fantastic reporting from some of the CPR crew about political happenings and trends in the state of Colorado.
  • whyareallthenicknamestaken?8
    Generally enjoyable, but more blue with a side of red
    A genuine suggestion: please consider if you are truly representing both Republican and democratic views equally in the content, but perhaps more importantly the tone of your podcast. I have listened to them all at this point and though i see that you aren’t singling out only democratic views, I can hear certain tones in the reporting that seems much more favorable to blue than red. If you triply want to be purple, all I ask is that you consider the flavor and phrasing to match each side. To try to be helpful and give you a concrete example, the episodes about Jared Polis and Walker Stapleton felt very different to me. It felt as though even though Polis dumped 18 times the amount of funding into his own campaign than Stapleton, it didn’t feel phrased negatively. Yet when discussing the family contributions from the Bush family to Stapleton’s campaign, the tone sounded very villainous. The phrasing was more geared towards the positives of self funding than the downsides which were mentioned but not as heavily. Similarly the positive contributions of the Bush/Stapleton families to their communities and Colorado specifically were mentioned but it felt like an afterthought. A second example is that it felt very one sided to have the introduction of the initiative process be focused on entirely 1 ballot initiative that happens to be one sided. The mention was of how much oil and gas companies were funding the Reponse to this initiative. No mention of highly contested liberal ballot initiatives in this or past elections, or the fact that Jared Polis nearly funded the entire campaign FOR a very similar ballot initiative 4 years ago for setbacks on oil and gas...an initiative that today, he publicly opposes. I’m short, the intro to the initiative podcast being so 1 sided was entirely unnecessary. Just one purplish opinion. Thanks for this podcast. It’s been very enjoyable so far.
  • Johnm52
    Super Interesting
    I want to learn more about CO history and gov't. I never knew Teddy Roosevelt cared so much about Progressive CO State measures. Keep going after the election!
  • Ellen in Centennial
    So appreciate this!
    Thank you – the indepth background you are providing is wonderful for all Colorado voters!
  • Gennanicole
    Smart & Engaging
    I really like this podcast. The hosts present complex issues in an engaging and educational manner. I really appreciate the perspectives they share, and I can say that I’ve learned a lot already just by listening. Looking forward to much more!
  • esher
    Pitch perfect podcast
    Sam, Ben, Megan and the crew at Purplish put on a great show that is in depth, fun to listen to, balanced, and well researched. Terrific show about local politics.
  • ryan g in colo
    Important context
    New insights into stuff I thought I already knew about.
  • Rud3Dog89
    Good first episode!
    I love the concept and really enjoyed your first episode. Looking forward to next week!
  • Denver Democrat
    Excellent
    Very impressed by the first episode. It’s refreshing to get an in depth political podcast about my home.
  • whaney0
    Awesome
    Nancy
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