Purplish
Colorado Public Radio
Purplish is a podcast about politics and policy and how they shape Coloradans’ lives, hosted by Colorado Public Radio’s public affairs reporter Bente Birkeland and reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. They break down the latest developments at the statehouse, in Congress and in local communities, to find the bigger picture behind the political headlines.Purplish is produced by CPR News with support from the Colorado 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
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.
Feb 23, 2024 • 32min
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.
Feb 8, 2024 • 28min
The first month of session, down
The session started with a protest over the war in Gaza and the issue has continued to reverberate.
Jan 29, 2024 • 35min
Inside the fight to keep Space Command in Colorado
From fateful tarmac conversations to contentious committee hearings, Colorado leaders tell the inside of story of their years'-long fight to ensure the high tech command stays in the state permanently. And why it may not be over yet.
5 snips
Jan 23, 2024 • 49min
Tina Peters is headed to trial – how did we get here?
Tina Peters, accused of breaching the security of her office's election computers, is a pivotal figure in debunking election fraud claims. The podcast explores her personal journey, concerns and criticisms surrounding her, addressing claims of fraud, and her involvement in the election denial movement.
