LITA 10: AI Regulation, Data Centers, and Running for State Treasurer with Rep. Brianna Titone

In this episode of Left in the Attic, hosts Ana and Deep talk with Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone (HD-27) about her path from tech and public service into politics, flipping a Republican district in 2018 as Colorado’s first openly transgender elected official, and her current run for state treasurer. Titone explains what the treasurer’s office does and her goals. They also dig into Colorado’s first-in-the-nation AI consumer protections bill against algorithmic discrimination, corporate influence, and concerns over data centers like the new one in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea. The episode closes with a call to action to show up, contact legislators, and follow groups like ACLU of Colorado and Towards Justice for AI updates and rallies.

ACLU of Colorado Action Resources: https://www.aclu-co.org/actions/

Towards Justice: https://towardsjustice.org/get-involved/ 

00:00 Welcome + Meet Rep. Brianna Titone (and the Treasurer AI tease)

00:21 Happy Hour Shoe Story

02:40 Who Is Brianna Titone?

03:51 From FBI Dream to Coming Out

07:51 Flipping a Red District

11:40 Why Run for State Treasurer? 

15:26 Unclaimed Property Fund

17:51 Modernizing Treasury Programs

20:21 Top Priorities as Treasurer:

23:18 Going Bold Against Federal Threats

23:57 Tax Withholding as Protest

24:54 Bold Leadership & Speaking Truth in Government

26:13 Colorado’s AI Data Center Boom Hits North Denver

30:14 Inside Colorado’s Landmark AI Discrimination Law (SB 205)

36:12 Why AI Products Are Unsafe

39:06 Data Center Politics: Tax Breaks, Environmental Costs & Right to Repair

42:59 Money in Politics, Corporate Influence & Winning Back Trust

45:27 Call to Action

48:00 Wrap-Up 

Meet Your Hosts

Ana Mitchell, Ph.D., is a former CDC scientist who was swept up in federal cuts and is now reinventing herself as a civic coach and creator. After a decade reducing disparities in health and education, she’s building Civically Fit to make civic engagement accessible, authentic, and sustainable. A proud Latina and Colorado native, Ana is focused on helping people build community and power through everyday civic action. According to Deep, Ana has a dating life that could probably be its own podcast segment.

Deep Singh Badhesha is an attorney, political strategist, and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience shaping political campaigns and policy in Colorado. A former public school math teacher, Colorado Supreme Court clerk, and senior policy analyst, he now works across campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislative fights. He’s South Asian, a new dad, and a longtime organizer who believes community—not saviors—will rebuild the Left. He also has way too many hot takes on everything stemming from food and sports to politics.  

Links:

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