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Colorado
Medicaid
Budget Cuts
Republican Party
Gun Control
Education Funding
Colorado Legislature
Colorado Politics
Labor Peace Act
Democratic Party
Immigration
Governor Jared Polis
Lauren Boebert
Trump Administration
Donald Trump
Abortion Rights
Law Enforcement Funding
2024 Election
Colorado's 3rd Congressional District
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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 N... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes199Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for Purplish

Latest Episodes

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... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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 ... more

YouTube

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, a... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Colorado Today
Colorado TodayColorado Public Radio
Colorado Matters
Colorado MattersColorado Public Radio
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

Kyle McKinnon
KUNC Capital Editor
KUNC
Episode: ‘The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama’: Part II
Jennifer Brown
The Colorado Sun reporter
The Colorado Sun
Episode: ‘The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama’: Part II
Dan Boyce
CPR reporter based in Colorado Springs and KRCC
Colorado Public Radio
Episode: ‘The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama’: Part I
John Daley
CPR reporter who covers health
Colorado Public Radio
Episode: ‘The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama’: Part I
Andrea Chelfin
Managing Editor for KRCC, Public Radio for Southern Colorado
KRCC
Episode: What the ‘Buc’? Buc-ee’s back in Colorado headlines
Brianna Heaney
KRCC reporter covering local developments
KRCC
Episode: What the ‘Buc’? Buc-ee’s back in Colorado headlines
Glant Havener
Former Palmer Lake Mayor
Palmer Lake (former)
Episode: What the ‘Buc’? Buc-ee’s back in Colorado headlines
Emily Steel
Investigative reporter, The New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: Rideshare safety in the spotlight and now on the books in Colorado
Arlo Pérez Esquivel
Co-host of CPR's Daily News podcast, Colorado Today
CPR News
Episode: Colorado turns 150 and it’s always been a little bit ‘purple-ish’

Hosts

Bente Birkeland
Host with CPR and public affairs reporting focus; long-running presence in Colorado politics coverage
Ben Markus
Co-host on Purplish; CPR News contributor with political reporting background

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 254 ratings
  • Great resource

    I got my blue book and first thing I did was check to see if their were fresh Purplish episodes explaining the measures.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ramses does not dance
    United States2 years ago
  • My favorite political podcast

    It can be difficult to find news about local politics but Purplish does a great job doing just that! I learn so much with each episode and am entertained along the way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarah Moped
    United States4 years ago
  • Good way to keep up, Megan makes it weird

    This podcast is a good way to keep up on CO politics. Bente and Andrew do a nice job of laying out the issues, contextualizing the news, and keeping biases in check. It’s weird when Megan gets on the mic. She always makes it about how she’s the editor, she’s the boss, she’s in charge. The comment about her new years resolution being “to get performance reviews in on time” is just a way for her to remind everyone she’s a manager. Big whoopi ding dang Megan. Nobody cares. Stop making your appearan... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    daveherrald
    United States4 years ago
  • Great state legislature coverage

    I was lukewarm about the coverage during the election, but the coverage of the state legislature has been outstanding. Whether or not you think Colorado is still a purple state, the podcast is excellent coverage.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    tallsally
    United States5 years ago
  • Insightful

    Purplish is incredibly insightful for everyone, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum, no matter what level of involvement! I listened when I was an undergrad in PSCI and I listen today as a campaign manager.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bryyyydawg
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience often mentions high-quality, balanced coverage and engaging hosts.
Listeners appreciate statehouse focus and cross-collaborations that broaden perspectives.
Some feedback notes lighthearted or critical anecdotes about on-air personalities, but overall positive on depth and usefulness.
Listeners praise clear explainers of Colorado politics and accessible policy context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#40
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#44
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#164
New Zealand/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

‘The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama’: Part I
Q: What makes a constitutional amendment different from other ballot measures?
A constitutional amendment is harder to pass and to change once enacted, requiring a 55 percent majority and creating a lasting change in the foundational legal framework of the state.
‘The Great Colorado Ballot-O-Rama’: Part I
Q: Tell us about this initiative, 177, and why supporters think it's important.
Initiative 177 would give Coloradans the right to purchase natural gas for cooking and heating, with distributors and utilities allowed to sell gas, enshrining access in the state constitution, which proponents argue protects consumers from rising energy costs while reflecting a long-standing energy policy approach.
Rideshare safety in the spotlight and now on the books in Colorado
Q: What did Emily Steel discover about Uber's safety practices and legal strategies?
She found that Uber employed aggressive legal tactics, including digging through private records and pressuring survivors, while publicly claiming survivor-centric safety measures, a dynamic that raised questions about the company's true commitment to safety.
Colorado turns 150 and it’s always been a little bit ‘purple-ish’
Q: How did Colorado's path to statehood influence its modern political identity?
The episode argues that the protracted statehood process, with competing interests and questions of legitimacy, laid a foundation for a political culture that prizes both innovation and friction, a blueprint for Colorado's ongoing debates about representation and policy.
The Democrats and Republicans who want to be Colorado’s next governor
Q: What do you think is driving that tightening dynamic in the Democratic primary between Bennet and Weiser?
Weiser has been closing the gap with heavier advertising and more visible campaigning, while Bennet's centralized Senate profile and organizational backing keep him competitive; the tension reflects questions about whether Bennet's DC-centric approach or Weiser's Colorado-focused experience resonates more with voters.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Purplish

What is Purplish about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides in-depth analysis of state and local politics, policy, and governance with a focus on Colorado. Episodes thread together legislative developments, budget debates, regulatory changes, and election dynamics, often blending investigative reporting, historical context, and on-the-ground voices from lawmakers, journalists, and affected residents. A notable strength is the mix of local reporting, policy nuance, and accessible storytelling that helps listeners understand how decisions at the statehouse and in state government shape everyday life. The format frequently features expert guests and cross-publisher collaboration, which can yield diverse perspectives and timely, data-driven insights for decision-makers and informed vot... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Purplish?

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How many listeners does Purplish get?

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How many subscribers and views does Purplish have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Purplish has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Purplish?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Purplish:

1. Colorado Today
2. Colorado Matters
3. City Cast Denver
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of Purplish are there?

Purplish launched 8 years ago and published 199 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Purplish?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Purplish from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Purplish?

Recent guests on Purplish include:

1. Kyle McKinnon
2. Jennifer Brown
3. Dan Boyce
4. John Daley
5. Andrea Chelfin
6. Brianna Heaney
7. Glant Havener
8. Emily Steel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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