The Get More Smarter Podcast - A Weekly Show About Colorado Politics

Hetal Doshi, a first-generation American and former senior DOJ official who led high-profile antitrust and corruption cases. She discusses taking on tech giants and big mergers, prosecuting fraud to restore consumer funds, plans to build state capacity for white-collar enforcement, and priorities like healthcare cost transparency, environmental defense, and public safety.

They recap a low‑turnout Weld County debate featuring fringe Republican gubernatorial hopefuls and extreme MAGA rhetoric. They cover shifting poll numbers in Colorado, Hickenlooper’s fundraising edge, and GOP struggles to field statewide contenders. Nationally, they dissect Trump’s troubling public appearances, January 6 revisionism pushback, and legal defenses of related prosecutions. Tina Peters’ conviction and prison incident are also updated.

Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, the legislature is back in session, the first big tranche of bills have been filed, and Colorado Democrats are as ready to do the people’s work as Colorado Republicans seem somehow caught off guard despite the fact that the legislative session starts about the same time every year. Then, do you have your tickets to the gun show? Our guest this week is Jessie Ojeda from GIFFORDS, who stops by to talk about Colorado’s recent spat of gun safety laws and how we can improve our grade (though there isn’t much room to grow!) Later, friend of the pod Jason Crow is being investigated by the Big Orange Guy -- the same guy who claimed Democrats were using “unfair lawfare” to go after him. Then, in our continuing effort to get listeners as Killin' Pilled as we are, we examine how 5th District Republican Congressman Jeff Crank is screwing up his own politics because it turns out that being a right wing radio host for a few years doesn’t exactly prepare you for a competitive congressional. We also check in with the other schmuck who’s gonna lose a November congressional race (his name rhymes with Gabe Evans) and take a look at news in the race for Governor in 2026.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!

The podcast dives into the complexities of a recent shooting involving ICE in Minnesota, scrutinizing the administration's conflicting narrative against video evidence. Discussion heats up around Congress's attempts to resist Trump’s overreach, including failed veto overrides and military action controversies. Legal actions by Colorado's Attorney General Phil Weiser against federal policies are highlighted. The hosts also explore bizarre candidates entering the 2026 race while poking fun at ridiculous comments from political figures. Local activism efforts also get a nod.

In an engaging discussion, hosts dive into the complexities of U.S. involvement in Venezuela and Trump's controversial messaging around it. They highlight the potential political fallout for Republicans as they assess the risk of foreign adventurism in the upcoming election year. Shifting focus to Colorado, the conversation touches on Trump's actions affecting the state and the local GOP's reluctant pushback. The analysis includes a critical look at 2025's challenges and a review of shifting dynamics in Colorado's political landscape.

The tragic passing of State Senator Faith Winter leaves a profound impact on Colorado's political landscape. The hosts reflect on her legacy, highlighting her achievements in paid family leave and transportation. Controversial comments from Secretary Pete Hegseth about lethal strikes raise legal concerns. A discussion on the affordability of household expenses challenges claims made by Trump. The Republican party experiences internal strife, while the implications of upcoming special elections hint at shifting political dynamics.

A bipartisan bill on the Epstein files passes, stirring anticipation for disclosure. Trump's gerrymandering efforts backfire, as a judge blocks their plans for the 2024 elections. Polls reveal dismal approval ratings for Trump, leaving many to wonder if he's hit rock bottom. Tension rises as Trump threatens a Colorado congressman while another faces scrutiny for falsehoods. Additionally, health care subsidies are at risk, and the hosts dive into critical local political dynamics that could shape future elections.

Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, we can finally shut up about the shut down as it has met a rather anticlimactic end right in time for the holiday travel crunch, but, the only thing we care about is…WHO WON, and, hey, what the hell is going on with all those healthcare premiums anyway...and, hey, what's with that multi-milliion dollar payout for Republican senators doing in there? Then, President Trump is totally not worried about the release of more information related to the Epstein files, so he and the White House are doing what totally not-worried people do in this situation: They’re freaking the fuck out. How does that impact our least-favorite members of congress from Colorado? And...you know him as Pollster of the Pod because he’s the pollster we’ve had on the pod more than any other…Andrew Baumann is BACK to discuss the national political environment after the 2025 elections, and a new poll from friend of the pod Jessica Killin, which has us asking: Are YOU Killin Pilled too?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!

Send us a message! Really!This week on the Get More Smarter Podcast, it’s 2017 all over again, but bigger, better, and BLUE-YER as Democrats from all sides of the spectrum ride an anti-Trump wave to huge win margins across the country that are sending Republicans into the long, dark teatime of the soul. We unpack the results of the 2025 election and ask “why the fuck did we have to learn this lesson, again, America?” Then, with SNAP benefits expiring and 1 out of every 10 flights getting canceled over the upcoming holidays, is there an end to the shutdown in sight? And we talk about what this all means for the 2026 midterms! And...our guest today in our seemingly never-ending quest to interview every viable democratic candidate for a major race in Colorado, friend of the pod Jeff Bridges joins us once more to explain his campaign for State Treasurer and his love for "T-pools."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!

Christy Powell, a campaign finance monitor and analyst, joins to dissect Colorado's latest fundraising climate. She reveals how one party is dominating the primary fundraising scene, while the other struggles, highlighting weak Republican contributions. The ongoing government shutdown's impact is discussed, alongside how courts are acting as crucial checks against the Trump administration's overreach. From potential premium increases to the dynamics of various congressional races, listeners gain deep insights into the state of Colorado politics.