Purplish

Stephanie Wolf, a producer for CPR News, joins Bente Birkeland to explore the heated debate around Douglas County potentially becoming a home rule county. They discuss the complexities of local governance versus state authority, sharing insights on historical contexts from Weld and Pitkin Counties. The conversation highlights resident concerns about local control, the potential for administrative efficiency, and the realities of navigating cumbersome state laws. With competing visions for the future, emotions run high as Douglas County grapples with the implications of this pivotal decision.

Ben Markus, a dedicated reporter from Colorado Public Radio, delves into the transformative police reforms enacted in Colorado following the protests of 2020. He discusses the emotional impact of community advocacy, illustrated by Elijah McClain's story, and the bipartisan legislation that emerged from a tumultuous time. Markus examines the challenges of implementing body camera requirements and ensuring accountability, while reflecting on the ongoing struggles for transparency amidst a polarized political landscape. Community voices play a vital role in reshaping perceptions of safety and justice.

Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado, discusses his policy priorities and his complex relationship with the legislature. Julie McCluskie, the Democratic House Speaker from Dillon, dives into the state budget constraints and the tensions between lawmakers and the governor. They explore the implications of proposed Medicaid cuts, the future of AI regulations, and the impacts of federal spending. Insights into the challenges of TABOR reform and the need for cooperation between state leaders highlight the pressing issues facing Colorado's governance.

Explore the intense final moments of Colorado's legislative session, where lawmakers grappled with hot-button issues like immigration and artificial intelligence. Hear about the successes, such as protecting first responders and tackling the DNA evidence backlog in sexual assault cases. Discover the challenges faced by new lawmakers and the camaraderie built among the Capitol Press Corps. Finally, enjoy some lighthearted haikus reflecting on the bittersweet yet collaborative conclusion of the session.

Jesse Paul, a savvy reporter from The Colorado Sun specializing in state politics, joins Bente Birkeland to dissect a dramatic veto showdown at the Colorado State Capitol. They delve into the controversial social media bill aimed at enhancing safety for youth, sparked by tragic events. The discussion reveals the complex dynamics of lawmakers' responses, the challenges of balancing privacy and accountability, and the newfound willingness of legislators to challenge the governor's authority. A fascinating look into the intersection of politics, policy, and public safety!

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 chambers and different capitols — share their perspectives and insights on this moment in American politics. CPR’s Bente Birkeland and CPR’s Caitlyn Kim interview U.S. Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse, who represents Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, and Republican state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, whose seat is in Weld and Larimer counties. They dive into the many ripple effects of Trump’s first 100 days on Colorado, covering topics like federal funding cuts, trade policy, state's rights, Trump’s immigration crackdown, and, of course, the country’s rapidly evolving political climate.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. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. Our theme music is by Brad Turner. Rocky Mountain PBS partnered on this episode and hosted the live event.

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 policies in direct response to the White House’s crackdown. But state Republicans say their colleagues are overstepping and risk straining state resources further. CPR’s Bente Birkeland and KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods dig into what the proposal would do and what it means to potentially pass something like this in the midst of strong sentiments among voters and politicians, both for and against immigrant protections. They’re later joined by CPR’s Allison Sherry to learn what she’s seen happening on the ground in Colorado while reporting on ICE raids and arrests.  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. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey.  Additional reporting for this episode came from Denverite's Kevin Beaty. Our theme music is by Brad Turner.

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 community get the protection of law. But opponents, including GOP lawmakers, argue the proposals go beyond equality. CPR’s Bente Birkeland and KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods look at the various legislative efforts before Colorado lawmakers this session, how the debates are shaping up at the statehouse and what this could mean for trans Coloradans, against the backdrop of anti-trans rhetoric and actions increasing on the federal level.  And if you've ever wanted to see the Purplish team in action, here is your chance: we're hosting a live taping of the show, the evening of Tuesday, April 22, in Denver. Find all the details, and get your tickets, here.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. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. Our theme music is by Brad Turner.

Jesse Paul, a reporter for The Colorado Sun focusing on state politics, and Caitlyn Kim from CPR News, who analyzes Democratic strategies, dive into Colorado's shifting political landscape. They discuss the Colorado GOP's struggle to unify under new leadership and the challenges of regaining relevance amid national upheaval. Caitlyn highlights the Democrats' efforts to reconnect with voters and communicate their support for working-class families, emphasizing the need for powerful narratives as they approach crucial elections.

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 over the toughest decisions, in the end, led to delays on finalizing the spending package, aka “the long bill.”CPR’s Bente Birkeland and The Colorado Sun’s Brian Eason discuss the powerful body tasked with deciding where to pull back spending, the Joint Budget Committee; what were the most difficult choices before them in this tight budget year; and what it all could mean for Coloradans.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. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. Our theme music is by Brad Turner.