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, 2023 • 28min
Land use, property taxes and party conflicts — how the legislature wrapped up
The end of session brought dramatic developments, bruising disagreements and a few goofy moments.
May 4, 2023 • 32min
The legislature’s spending dance
Here’s a math problem for you: how do you get hundreds of different bills to add up to one balanced budget?
Apr 21, 2023 • 31min
The year that could change how Colorado grows
Single-family homes have ruled Colorado development for a century, but Gov. Jared Polis and his allies believe the future needs to look very different.
Apr 6, 2023 • 30min
Colorado’s blockbuster filibuster (and why it matters)
As Republican lawmakers adapt to their ‘super-minority’ in the House, they’re grappling with a big question: is it better to negotiate when they can, or dig in on delays?
Mar 24, 2023 • 34min
Xcel’s winter of discontent
Sky-high utility bills and record corporate profits have many Coloradans — and lawmakers — asking if it’s time to rethink Xcel’s business model.
Mar 11, 2023 • 32min
Disability rights at center stage
Housing, recreation, government -- advocates for people with disabilities say there are a lot of ways Colorado could be doing more to make those things accessible to all.
Mar 3, 2023 • 34min
Rent control in Colorado?
The policy has been banned in Colorado for four decades, but that could all change this year.
Feb 10, 2023 • 44min
How Colorado’s gun laws have changed from frontier days to today
From the founding of the state to modern mass shootings, we look at the forces that have driven changes to Colorado law over the years, and what it means for this year's brewing debate.
Jan 20, 2023 • 21min
The Polis Agenda
In the first State of the State speech of his second term, Gov. Polis picked a big fight with local governments, while saying little on a major priority for many in his party.
Jan 13, 2023 • 30min
The legislature is back: what do they want to do?
State lawmakers have returned to session in Denver. We cover a bit of DC-style drama on opening day, and hear from congressional reporter Caitlyn Kim how the actual DC drama went down with the many, many Speaker votes.
