
Purplish
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 21, 2024 • 29min
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.

Jun 14, 2024 • 23min
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?

Jun 7, 2024 • 25min
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?

May 31, 2024 • 29min
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.

May 11, 2024 • 27min
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.

May 3, 2024 • 25min
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 […]

Apr 19, 2024 • 23min
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.

Apr 5, 2024 • 35min
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.

Mar 22, 2024 • 28min
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.

Mar 8, 2024 • 31min
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.