Purplish

Much of the focus around Victor Marx’s campaign finance has been on the Republican gubernatorial candidate’s donations. But when CPR’s Ben Markus dug into Marx’s expenditures, it sparked a series of questions that eventually led him out of state, to a suburban area near Las Vegas’ lavish strip.

Markus joins CPR’s Bente Birkeland to talk about what he learned, as well as a look at the campaign finance reports of Marx’s Democratic challenger, Colorado attorney general Phil Weiser. CPR's Caitlyn Kim also joins the conversation to talk about the campaign cash flowing in and out of Colorado’s tightest congressional races.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• Victor Marx’s spending is as unusual as the rest of his campaign
• Democrats raise the campaign dough in races across the state
• Victor Marx campaign receives one of the largest fines in state history

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

A political shift is starting to happen on America’s foreign policy in Israel, especially within the Democratic party. That came more into focus within Colorado politics following Melat Kiros’ win in the Democratic primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District.

Kiros has called for the United States to stop sending military aid to Israel. Some on the left hope wins like hers signal an ideological shift within the party. Others worry whether intentional or not, that rhetoric could fuel a rise in anti-semitism. One thing is for sure, Colorado politicians can no longer avoid this issue, or give vague talking points.

In this episode, CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Denverite’s Kyle Harris, along with CPR Congressional correspondent Caitlyn Kim, give space to hear from different perspectives on the political left.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• Colorado Democrats flip on Israel aid, reflecting larger divide within the party
• Colorado lawmakers face angry crowds over ICE actions, Gaza
• After her primary upset, Melat Kiros shares how she’d legislate
• What is the DSA and who is Melat Kiros?
• Independent candidate for CD-1 says he wants to fight extremism
• CPR’s 2026 Midterm Election Voter Guide

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode comes from Universal Production Music. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts. CPR’s Ava Kian, Rocky Mountain PBS’ Andrea Kramar and Saja Hindi provided additional editorial support on this episode.

It's been an unusual campaign season as the two major party candidates vie for votes.

They’ve never debated in a traditional, moderated setting. They’ve shared the stage only once, during a scripted forum in early October. It’s also lopsided: The Democrat, current state attorney general Phil Weiser, is heavily favored to win. On the Republican side, Victor Marx is a political newcomer putting his faith at the center of his campaign, which has also been mired by questions about his wild backstory as a “high-risk humanitarian.”

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and The Denver Post’s Seth Klamann discuss the difference in background, credentials, campaign style and policy between these two candidates.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• CPR News’ 2026 midterm elections voter guide
• CPR News: Colorado Governor candidates Victor Marx and Phil Weiser share stage for a non-debate
• CPR News: Victor Marx’s spending is as unusual as the rest of his campaign
• CPR News: How Democrat Phil Weiser says he would govern Colorado
• The Colorado Sun: Where Phil Weiser, Victor Marx stand on the big issues in Colorado’s race for governor
• The Colorado Sun: A conversation with Phil Weiser
• The Denver Post: Victor Marx, an unorthodox candidate, aims to harness AI and bring more accountability to the state as governor
• The Denver Post: As Victor Marx faces questions about merch sales, he says finance record linking him to site was ‘silly mistake’

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. CPR’s public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions.

We pick things up right where we left off with Purplish live: “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama.”

This week three more reporters sweat it out in the host seat, breaking down tricky ballot measures on topics like penalties for fentanyl crimes, social issues and ballot questions about ballots. Plus, a bonus round and the ultimate burning question: who will be named the hot seat champion?

Have more questions about the ballot?

• Check out CPR’s midterm elections voter guide here.
• Listen back to “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama” Part I.

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode comes from Universal Production Music. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Some special shout outs to Rocky Mountain PBS’ Mark Montour-Larson, Sarah Newberry and the entire tech team. Also thanks to CPR’s Brittany Werges, Cayla Montoya-Manzo and Hazel Feldstein, and all of the CCNA reporters who took the heat during the event: CPR’s Dan Boyce, The Colorado Sun’s Jennifer Brown, KUNC’s Kyle McKinnon and CPR’s John Daley.

Editor’s note: Once the ballot is set, many of these numbers will change. So while we talk about ballot initiatives like 85 during the live event, the corresponding number you see on your ballot will be different as it becomes a proposition or amendment. But the core issues reporters discussed from the hot seat remain the same.

This year’s ballot is lengthy, very lengthy, and packed with thorny topics.

To help you sort through such a dense ballot this fall, the Purplish team has a little fun explaining the complex and difficult questions you’ll have to answer.

Purplish’s live event at the Buell Public Media Center in downtown Denver is a game show (ish) in which reporters from the Colorado Capitol News Alliance took turns answering burning questions about the ballot in the Purplish hot seat. The goal: to help you better understand the many questions on Colorado’s ballot. Questions like, “Should Colorado increase penalties for fentanyl crimes or raise revenue or enshrine the right to hunt and fish into the state constitution?”

This episode of Purplish features part one of “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama.” This is too much fun to pack into one episode. So we’ll have part two out next week. Enjoy!

Do you have more questions about the ballot?

• Check out CPR’s midterm elections voter guide.
• Subscribe to Purplish so you don’t miss Part II.

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Public affairs editor is Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode comes from Universal Production Music. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Some special shout outs to Rocky Mountain PBS’ Mark Montour-Larson, Sarah Newberry and the entire tech team. Also thanks to CPR’s Brittany Werges, Cayla Montoya-Manzo and Hazel Feldstein, and all of the CCNA reporters who took the heat during the event: CPR’s Dan Boyce, The Colorado Sun’s Jennifer Brown, KUNC’s Kyle McKinnon and CPR’s John Daley.

Editor’s Note: After our Aug. 24 taping, Colorado lawmakers reached an agreement with the backers of Initiative 175 and the question was pulled from the November ballot. The section on that measure has been removed from the podcast and broadcast versions of “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama.”

Additionally, once the ballot is set, many of these numbers will change. So while we talk about ballot initiatives like 195 or 232 during the live event, the corresponding number you see on your ballot will be different. But the core issues reporters discussed from the hot seat remain the same.

Purplish hit the road for a 1,600-mile-plus trip around the state, from Lamar to Greeley and Grand Junction, to rural areas and city centers. Voters shared what they’re worried about and what’s motivating them to head to the polls this November with especially high stakes because control of Congress hangs in the balance.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim hear from voters in the most competitive, or arguably competitive in some cases, congressional districts in the state. They also discuss the Republican and Democratic candidates vying for those votes, and where there’s the greatest chance of a potential upset.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• Can a Democrat flip the state’s reddest seat? Eileen Laubacher is trying
• Rep. Jeff Crank’s resolution condemning socialism passes House
• Beef tariffs are on pause for 90 days. How will that affect Colorado agriculture?
• Can independent candidates gain traction? Maybe not, but it’s not stopping them from trying
• Colorado Rep. Manny Rutinel resigns to focus on Congressional race
• Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd tries to distance himself from Trump in eyes of voters

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this audio misstated Republican congressional votes on Argentine imported beef. That has been updated.

For years, Buc-ee’s has been eyeing a parcel of land off Interstate 25 at Monument Hill to build its second Colorado location.

The travel plaza chain, in late August, made a significant step toward realizing that ambition. Following a packed and, at times, heated public hearing, county commissioners helped set the stage for Buc-ee’s to build on that parcel of land.

The story of Buc-ee’s, Monument Hill and Palmer Lake has been through many twists and turns. The Purplish team updates you on where things stand now and revisits its documentary from last fall: “How a possible Buc-ee’s travel plaza has divided one Colorado town.”

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• KRCC: New proposed Buc-ee’s location in El Paso County will move forward without public hearings after appeal passes
• KRCC: Buc-ee’s hits a hurdle with the El Paso County planning department
• KRCC: State approves two well permits at the site of a potential new Buc-ee’s Travel Center in northern El Paso County

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

A state lawmaker shared her harrowing account of an alleged sexual assault during a Lyft ride. Her personal experience inspired legislation in 2025 to further regulate ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber in the state. Other survivors came to the State Capitol to share their stories and support the legislation. That bill did not become law after the governor’s veto. But lawmakers tried again the following year, and parts of the pared-down version take effect this month.

Uber has publicly said the vast majority, 99.9%, of its rides happen without incident. But when taking scale into account, and how many rides occur each day, that fraction of a percent can add up.

Emily Steel, an investigative reporter for the business desk of The New York Times, has covered this issue extensively. Her reporting into Uber revealed that, between 2017 and 2022, the ride-hailing company received a report of sexual assault or misconduct nearly every eight minutes on average.

She joins CPR’s Bente Birkeland to share her reporting, including a recent investigation about how Uber’s legal team is approaching the mounting number of civil suits against the large company.

Dig deeper into the scope of this issue here in Colorado and across the country:

• CPR News: Colorado lawmaker trying again for rideshare safety policy after original bill vetoed
• CCNA: New Colorado rideshare safety provisions go into effect this month
• The New York Times: Uber’s Festering Sexual Assault Problem
• The New York Times: Uber’s Strategy for Fighting Sexual Assault Suits: ‘What Were You Wearing?’
• The New York Times: Uber Enacts Stricter Background Checks for Drivers
• The New York Times: Second Jury Finds Uber Responsible for Sexual Assault by a Driver

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Since it became a state 150 years ago, Colorado’s political identity has always been hard to pin down. It’s been a lot of things at once, a place of contradictions that, at times, puts the state at the forefront of change including women’s suffrage and civil rights. At other times, political power rested with those interested in turning back the clock.

As the state marks its 150th statehood anniversary, CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Arlo Pérez Esquivel examine two significant chapters in Colorado’s political history that exemplify this push and pull, while also asking what those periods tell us about the present political moment.

Live Event:

Do you want to watch an episode of Purplish get made? Join us for a live event, “The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama.” Get answers to your burning questions about the proposals and issues you’ll see on your ballot this fall from reporters from across the CCNA network, who will sit down in our hot seat, with CPR's Bente Birkeland and Jesse Paul from The Colorado Sun hosting. Look for tickets here.

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Additional reporting from Colorado Matters' Hayley Sanchez and CPR’s Stephanie Wolf. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Progressives sailed through Colorado’s primary elections in late June, including a once-in-a-generation upset for a Democratic Socialist who ousted a longtime incumbent in Denver in a race that grabbed national headlines. There was an upset of a different kind in the Democratic race for governor with a U.S. Senator losing to the state’s Attorney General, while the GOP race was too close to call on primary night. In a big election year, with all of the top statewide elected offices up for grabs, and control of Congress on the line, there is a lot to dissect about what this primary means for the November midterms and the future of Colorado politics.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and CPR’s Caitlyn Kim discuss what the shakeups illustrate about the state of politics in Colorado.

Catch up on our latest primary election coverage:

• CPR News: Is the GOP governor’s primary headed to a recount?
• CPR News: What is the DSA and who is Melat Kiros?
• CPR News: What just happened to Diana DeGette?
• The Colorado Sun: Why Melat Kiros was able to tap into the anti-establishment wave and Julie Gonzales was not
• The Colorado Sun: Phil Weiser overcomes big spending, name ID to beat Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic primary for governor

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Story editing from Nicole Vap. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Additional reporting for this episode from Sandy Battulga, Ishan Thakore, John Daley, Allison Sherry, Kiara DeMare, Ben Markus, Molly Cruse and many others in the CPR newsroom. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

The Colorado State Capitol Building opened its doors in November 1894. A grand neo-classical monument in the West, it used local materials to capture some of the feel of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Over the decades it’s become, like many statehouses across the country, a trove of artwork, history and curiosities. The building is also the frequent site of protests, rallies, celebrations and a variety of other public events, a “People’s House,” if you will.

In this repeat episode of Purplish, which first published last fall, we shift the conversation from the consequential laws and debates that happen in the state’s seat of power to the building itself. CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Stephanie Wolf travel from top to bottom to explore what’s on its walls and in its halls — and phone a friend for a rare look into what’s down below the basement. Their reporting reveals that the building, and its many collections, open up bigger conversations, not just about history but about the state right now.

Read more of our reporting:

• CPR News: Portrait donated by White House will hang temporarily in capitol where painting Trump despised used to be
• CPR News: Should Colorado Display A Rediscovered Portrait Of Its KKK Governor?
• Rocky Mountain Community Radio: How a wonky radiator helped uncover the Capitol’s bygone glory
• Denverite: Meet the ‘Bloody Espinosas’ and other Colorado Capitol legends on these free ghost tours

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Congressional races across the state are heating up: with the gloves coming off in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s newest, and swingiest, district; other longtime Colorado Democrats facing challenges from more progressive candidates; and a Republican freshman trying to defend his seat from his right flank.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Caitlyn Kim, along with Kiara DeMare and Rae Solomon, discuss who’s on the ballot, as well as the dynamics of these races and what it says about politics right now.

Catch up with our latest coverage:

• CPR News: 2026 Colorado Primary Election Voter Guide
• CPR News: A new season of the Who’s Gonna Govern podcast
• CPR News: Melat Kiros says she’ll bring change, lower costs in bid for Congressional District 1 seat
• CPR News: Rep. Diana DeGette is focused on healthcare in bid for 30th year in Congress
• CPR News: Wanda James brings military experience to Congressional District 1 campaign as war in Iran rages
• Denverite: Denver congressional candidate Wanda James sues other CU Regents over censure
• CPR News:What voters in Colorado’s newest and most competitive congressional district are thinking about right now

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Colorado released former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters on parole June 1 from a women’s state correctional facility in Pueblo. She was less than two years into a nearly nine-year sentence for her role in tampering with county voting machines months after the 2020 presidential election, part of an effort to search for election rigging. Peters, who has become a hero among some MAGA voters, wasted no time repeating claims that Democrats are using technology to steal elections.

The decision to free Peters early has potentially upended Gov. Jared Polis’ final months in office, enraging his political allies and disheartening defenders of the election system.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Tom Hesse dig into this long and complicated tale, from the original plot to access Mesa County’s election equipment, to the pressure campaign President Donald Trump launched to free her and Polis’ recent clemency decision. They also discuss what her early release could mean for elections and politics in the state, and elsewhere, going forward.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• Colorado Matters: ‘It brainwashes people:’ Head of Colorado’s county clerks is concerned Tina Peters’ disinformation against elections will continue
• CPR News: Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters released from prison
• CPR News: Colorado Democrats censure Gov. Jared Polis over Tina Peters commutation
• CPR News: Trump hails Peters’ commutation as state Democrats call it ‘a sad day’
• CPR News: The Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ election security controversy, explained (2022)
• Colorado in Depth: The Colorado clerk on trial for the big lie, and what it means for the 2024 election

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Other music in this episode is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions. Additional reporting from CPR’s Kevin Beaty, Sam Brasch, Anthony Cotton and Ryan Warner. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasts.

Colorado’s primary elections are just around the corner. And there’s a lot riding on them — all of the statewide constitutional offices are on the ballot — and thanks to term limits, all of those races are wide open, including Colorado’s top office: governor. The fields include a who’s who of Colorado politics, and one newcomer who may have the potential to shake things up.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland talks with The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and CPR’s Ben Markus about who’s on the Democratic and Republican tickets and the dynamics at play as they vie for votes. The five hopefuls on the ballot are running at a time when both parties are doing a bit of soul searching, and Coloradans on both sides of the aisle seem frustrated with the status quo.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• CPR News: 2026 Colorado Primary Election Voter Guide
• CPR News: Bottoms, Kirkmeyer make their cases to primary voters in CPR News gubernatorial candidates debate
• CPR News: Democratic gubernatorial candidates Bennet and Weiser make their pitches to voters in live debate
• The Colorado Sun: A third of Colorado voters have still never heard of Phil Weiser, poll shows
• CPR News: Colorado GOP governor primary pits MAGA candidates against establishment favorite
• The Colorado Sun: Tina Peters isn’t the first Colorado convict to become a central figure in a governor’s race

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer isStephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering byShane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer.

From speed cameras to vaccine policy to ketchup packets, which of the laws passed by the 2026 legislature will actually be affecting people’s daily lives, five or ten years from now. That’s the question that launches our session wrap up conversation. But in a year when new policies often took a backseat to painful budget realities, there were also lots of politics to keep things interesting.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• CPR News: Lawmakers pass dozens of bills as 2026 session wraps up
• CCNA: 101 bills that passed and failed in Colorado’s legislature this year that you need to know about
• CPR News: Colorado lawmakers ask voters to consider giving up TABOR refunds to fund schools
• CPR News: Polis says he will sign pared down AI bill that passed overnight
• Colorado Sun: Colorado lawmakers reject bill that would have required legislative caucuses to report their donors
• KUNC: Colorado legislature passes bill to allow lawsuits against ICE agents, other immigration officers

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer isStephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering byShane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer.

Many of Colorado’s Democratic lawmakers came into this legislative session determined to push back against the Trump administration, especially on the president’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. They introduced proposals to ban state and local law enforcement from concealing their identity in most situations and to allow Coloradans to sue federal agents who violate their rights. But not all Democrats are on board with these ideas — worried they may harm legitimate law enforcement efforts and fail to keep the community safer. And the legislation raises big questions about the limits of state authority when it comes to how federal immigration agents behave within Colorado’s borders.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Taylor Dolven and The Denver Post’s Seth Klamann discuss the different bills, the potential legal challenges and the politics surrounding this issue, at a time when the stakes feel like they couldn’t be higher.

Catch up on the latest coverage:

• The Denver Post: Judge again blocks Gov. Jared Polis from directing state officials to comply with an ICE subpoena
• The Denver Post: Federal judge criticizes ICE agents at Denver hearing for not knowing about earlier order limiting arrests
• The Colorado Sun: Colorado lawmakers reject bill that would have required police to intervene when ICE agents use excessive force
• The Denver Post: Thousands of immigrants in Colorado were arrested and deported during Trump’s first year
• The Colorado Sun: As some Democratic governors lead on ICE pushback, Jared Polis is taking a hands-off approach
• The Colorado Sun: Democratic lawmakers plan package of bills to further regulate federal immigration enforcement in Colorado
• Denverite: What we saw from inside ICE’s raid at Aurora’s Edge apartments

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer isStephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering byShane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer. Additionally reporting for this episode from Denverite’s Kevin Beaty.

Colorado has a part-time, citizen legislature, driven by the notion that it’s important to have people from all kinds of professional backgrounds bringing their experience to lawmaking. So for four months every year, state legislators pause their regular lives to be at the Capitol. But the flexibility to do that can be hard to come by, and some say the pay — currently around $47,000 a year — makes things even harder. Now, an approach lawmakers hoped would take the politics out of the pay raise process could end up boosting their wages at the worst possible time.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland and KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods lean into the ongoing debate and tension around how much state lawmakers earn, what it means for the legislative process and the variety of fixes, from the financial to the fundamental, some have proposed.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• CPR News: How much are Colorado’s state legislators paid?
• CPR News: Amid budget cuts, legislators and statewide office holders set for pay increases next year
• The Independent Elected State Official Pay Commission’s 2025 Pay Report

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer isStephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering byShane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer. Additional reporting for this episode from Rae Solomon.

Primary ballots will land in Coloradans’ mailbox in a few weeks, and now, voters know which candidates will be on them. Many got there by winning over party activists at the recent Democratic and Republican state assemblies in Pueblo. These were high-stakes gatherings in a high-stakes election year, as hopefuls lined up for all of Colorado’s top offices: U.S senator, governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and CPR’s Caitlyn Kim break down which candidates rallied enough delegate support, what kinds of competitions it sets up for the primary in June, and what this method of selecting candidates means in the big picture.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• CPR News/KRCC: Gubernatorial candidates Scott Bottoms, Victor Marx win slots on GOP primary ballot at state assembly
• CPR News: Democrats gather in Pueblo to select candidates for primary ballot
• CPR News: Kirkmeyer, Marx, Bennet file petitions to get on ballot for gubernatorial primaries
• The Colorado Sun: Colorado’s unaffiliated voters say they’re intentionally not joining a political party. Here’s why.
• The Colorado Sun: Republicans who want to opt out of Colorado’s primaries get major boost from federal judge’s ruling
• The Colorado Sun: State senator defeats two Democratic rivals, securing lone spot on primary ballot for Colorado treasurer
• The Colorado Sun: Diana DeGette narrowly made the primary ballot. Here’s why you maybe shouldn’t read too much into it.

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer. Additional reporting for this episode from KRCC’s Briana Heaney.

A bill advancing through Colorado's statehouse would require law enforcement officers to ask a set of 11 questions — 11 very specific questions, meant to measure someone’s risk of dying at the hands of their abuser. Backers say the change is especially urgent now, because even though homicides in Colorado have gone down in recent years, domestic violence killings have gone up.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, KUNC’s Kyle McKinnon and CPR’s Ava Kian discuss efforts to try to improve how law enforcement across Colorado responds to domestic violence calls, and the unique challenges of addressing domestic violence.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• CPR News: Advocates push for a statewide protocol for domestic violence victims
• KUNC: Colorado lawmakers want police to take new steps when responding to domestic violence calls
• KUNC: Colorado faces domestic violence crisis as survivor danger escalates
• CPR News: Colorado domestic violence deaths rise even as statewide homicides fall

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer.

Decades ago, Colorado lawmakers set statewide limits on noise for different types of areas — lower limits near homes, louder away from them. But a recent court case has upended the status quo around which venues are allowed to be extra loud and how much say local governments have, and that has state lawmakers this year stirring up a noisy debate over noise.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Dan Boyce delve into the complexity of noise and how people experience it, the debate over state limits versus local control, and why the Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs is at the center of this debate.

Catch up on our coverage:

• CPR News: Local noise permit bill passes Senate after contentious committee hearing
• KRCC: Statehouse proposal would allow cities to issue noise permits for properties like the Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs
• KRCC: Ford Amphitheater opponents hope Colorado Supreme Court ruling will bring the noise down
• KRCC: Colorado Springs mayor, city staff will meet with operators of Ford Amphitheater after widespread noise complaints

And check out two past Purplish topics that are back in the news:

• Colorado banned conversion therapy for minors. A U.S. Supreme Court case could upend that
• Tina Peters is headed to trial – how did we get here?

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the 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. Startup funding for the Alliance was provided, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner. Megan Verlee is the executive producer.