

The Get More Smarter Podcast - A Weekly Show About Colorado Politics
Colorado Pols and The Bighorn Company
The Get More Smarter Podcast is a weekly overview of Colorado politics. The podcast is hosted by seasoned Colorado politicos Jason Bane of ColoradoPols.com and Ian Silverii, former 9News talking head, former Denver Post Columnist, former Executive Director of ProgressNow Colorado, and current has-been. Each week they dive into the local and national news, and for some reason, have had Governors, US Senators, Members of Congress, and countless local elected officials as guests over the years. The guys are also frighteningly good at predicting the future. No, really. Are you ready to Get More Smarter?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 30, 2025 • 57min
Gabe Evans Would Deport his own Grandpa for a Seat in Congress
Send us a message! Really!THIS WEEK on the Get More Smarter Podcast, we always said that Gabe Evans would deport his own grandparents if it meant he could get elected to congress, and now we have proof! Then, the Epstein Files finally seem to be the scandal that Trump can’t slither out from…so far. Speaking of which, Lauren Boebert finally got a chance to vote to release those same Epstein Files which she’s been demanding since she first ran for office back in 2020, so, how did she vote? Then, Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser has filed more suits than a Men’s Wearhouse! Then, there’s benzene in the groundwater and arsenic in the soil, can you guess which vaunted and totally safe Colorado industry put them there? Probably the same industry bankrolling Right Wing interest groups to try to fuck up the state budget even worse than it already is! And finally, we’ve got some great listener feedback to share with you, but you’ll have to stick around to the end of the episode to hear it! That’s it for this episode! If you loved watching and/or listening to it as much as we loved recording it, you can thank us by subscribing to the pod wherever you listen, following us over on New Old Twitter AKA Bluesky, subscribing to our shiny new channel on YouTube, smashing that subscribe button on our Substack, and sharing this episode with your friends, your enemies, and your 8th favorite Member of Congress from Colorado! THANK YOU so much for listening, and we’ll see you next time!

7 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
Captain Cankles and Schrodinger's Epstein Files
Political dynamics in Colorado are heating up as candidates vie for the upcoming Democratic primary, with fundraising strategies taking center stage. Meanwhile, families are bracing for steep hikes in health insurance premiums, adding stress to their budgets. The discussion takes a twist with the mysterious Schrodinger's Epstein Files, raising eyebrows about Trump's potential ties. Finally, as gerrymandering battles continue, one state boldly contests efforts for fairer elections, showcasing the complexities of democracy in action.

9 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 58min
Hot Red On Red Action
This week dives into the political circus with a controversial new bill and the dubious claims of notable politicians. The podcast critiques the shifting narratives surrounding the Epstein files, especially with Donald Trump's looming influence. There's a humorous take on Trump’s tariff policies and the lack of meaningful trade deals. The difficulties of third-party candidates in a polarized landscape are explored. Political feuds in Colorado raise eyebrows, questioning accountability and internal party dynamics. Plus, a lighthearted nod to local quirks and achievements.

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 13min
Republicans are Literally Going to Kill People (feat. Karen Middleton)
Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, oh no! The big bullshit bill has hit some serious roadblocks! Wait, sorry, OH YAY! The big bullshit bill had hit some serious roadblocks! And by “some serious roadblocks” we mean “the opinion of the vast majority of voters” How does it play in Paonia? Then, it turns out that cutting healthcare kills people. You mean, you can’t just rub a crystal on it and call it good? Next, the big bullshit bombing of Iran maybe slowed down their development of a nuclear weapon by a few weeks, despite President Trump's claim that he “totally obliterated” their enrichment capacity. We ask, what the fuck, man? Then, your federal lands are safe, for now, sort of...we think...ask us next week. And finally, we go through some updates on the 2026 campaigns even though yes indeed it is still 2025. But first, she’s the President of COBALT Advocates and a friend of the show: Karen Middleton is back on the pod to talk about Colorado’s exceptional progress on abortion rights since the disastrous Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade about three years ago.That’s it for this episode! If you loved watching and/or listening to it as much as we loved recording it, you can thank us by subscribing to the pod wherever you listen, following us over on New Old Twitter AKA Bluesky, subscribing to our shiny new channel on YouTube, smashing that subscribe button on our Substack, and sharing this episode with your friends, your enemies, and your 8th favorite Member of Congress from Colorado! THANK YOU so much for listening, and we’ll see you next time!

10 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 15min
It's All George Washington's Fault (feat. Rep. Jason Crow)
This week’s guest is Congressman Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger and impeachment manager representing Colorado's 6th District. He discusses the complexities of military parades and their connection to political rhetoric. The conversation dives into the implications of a contentious Senate bill on Colorado's economy and social programs, while addressing the dangers of political polarization and violence. They also touch on the alarming trends regarding public lands and the risks posed by proposed sales under current political pressures.

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 16min
In Which Gabe Evans Becomes a Walking Punchline (feat. Jake Williams)
Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, it’s no wonder there’s a clown car of candidates in Colorado’s 8th congressional district because the current incumbent is the biggest clown of them all! Then, that same clown famously promised that it would be “gangsters, not grandmas!” that ICE was going to deport in President Trump’s mass deportation raids; now that the exact opposite is true, Gabe Evans has put his name on a mildly worded letter expressing some concerns! Then, that constitutional crisis we’ve been talking about? Well, it’s exploded into full blown fascism -- who could have guessed that was going to happen? And finally we visit our 8th favorite member of congress from Colorado who gleefully reminded us that all this horrible shit is exactly what she voted for (even if she didn't).But first, with a poll showing Gabe Evans is less popular than Donald Trump in his own district, and some interesting findings about public health, social media, and medicaid, Healthier Colorado CEO Jake WIlliams is BACK on the pod to talk about the recent survey they just published.That’s it for this episode! If you loved watching and/or listening to it as much as we loved recording it, you can thank us by subscribing to the pod wherever you listen, following us over on New Old Twitter AKA Bluesky, subscribing to our shiny new channel on YouTube, smashing that subscribe button on our Substack, and sharing this episode with your friends, your enemies, and your 8th favorite Member of Congress from Colorado! THANK YOU so much for listening, and we’ll see you next time!

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 19min
Yes, We Have No Bananas (feat. Tyler Duncan)
Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, another violent antisemitic attack hits the USA, this time very close to home as Republicans try to politicize the tragedy to gin up anger against immigrants and Colorado Democrats stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. Then, it’s the greatest feud ever on the dumbest timeline imaginable. Will Donald Trump deport Elon Musk? Will Elon start a new party to spite Trump? Will both of them get outed in the Epstein files? Will anyone, anywhere learn anything from any of this? And finally is it getting crowded in here or is it a WAVE YEAR? There are now five legit candidates in the pool to take on Gabe-ish Evans in Colorado’s 8th congressional district. Meanwhile, the AG’s race gets a fourth Democratic candidate and even the Bread Sandwich draws a primary opponent.But first...in our unofficial series “interviewing as many reporters whose editors don’t listen to the show as possible,” we’ve got Tyler Duncan, government reporter for the Greeley Tribune and some other papers on the show this week to talk about Northern Colorado politics, being a young local journalist in the age of AI, and why so many people are moving there despite the…you know…you know what distinguishing feature Greeley has (we don’t have to tell you).That’s it for this episode! If you loved watching and/or listening to it as much as we loved recording it, you can thank us by subscribing to the pod wherever you listen, following us over on New Old Twitter AKA Bluesky, subscribing to our shiny new channel on YouTube, smashing that subscribe button on our Substack, and sharing this episode with your friends, your enemies, and your 8th favorite Member of Congress from Colorado! THANK YOU so much for listening, and we’ll see you next time!

18 snips
Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 36min
Every Day is TACO Tuesday (feat. Mike Littwin)
Mike Littwin, a legendary liberal columnist for the Colorado Sun, dives into the twists and turns of Colorado politics and the state of U.S. journalism. He discusses the chaotic press conference held by a local Congressman facing backlash over unpopular bill cuts. Littwin reflects on the evolving media landscape and the impact of political hypocrisy, especially during the Trump era. With his signature wit, he explains what keeps him hopeful amidst the turbulence in both politics and journalism.

9 snips
May 22, 2025 • 1h 24min
At Last, Rich People Get a Victory (feat. Jeni Arndt and Rahmin Sarabi)
This week’s guests are Jeni Arndt, the Mayor of Fort Collins, and Rahmin Sarabi, founder of American Public Trust and former product manager at Good Eggs. They dive into the transformative power of citizen assemblies in local democracy, using Fort Collins as a case study. The conversation highlights the critical impact of recent Medicaid cuts and critiques the prioritization of wealthy interests over vulnerable populations. Also discussed are the ethical dilemmas surrounding Donald Trump's $400 million jet gift from Qatar, igniting debates on foreign influence in U.S. politics.

May 12, 2025 • 1h 36min
What the Hell Just Happened? (feat. Seth Klamann)
Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, the 2025 legislative session has adjourned 'Sine Die,'which is latin for “a lot of things that happened this year made us want to die.” We check in with the Trump Trainwreck as tariffs, trust, and traitors start to weigh heavy on the regime. Then, Colorado’s future one-term Congressman from the 8th congressional district is writing his own ticket back home...and don’t say we didn’t tell you so. But first, to unpack the legislative session that just ended, we’ve got Denver Post Statehouse Reporter Seth Klamann on the pod!That’s it for this episode! If you loved watching and/or listening to it as much as we loved recording it, you can thank us by subscribing to the pod wherever you listen, following us over on New Old Twitter AKA Bluesky, subscribing to our shiny new channel on YouTube, smashing that subscribe button on our Substack, and sharing this episode with your friends, your enemies, and your 8th favorite Member of Congress from Colorado! THANK YOU so much for listening, and we’ll see you next time!