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Artwork for Purplish
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
Abortion Rights
Law Enforcement Funding
2024 Election
Colorado's 3rd Congressional District
Data Centers
Legislation

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes187Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for Purplish

Latest Episodes

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 ... more

YouTube

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 reg... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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 especial... more

YouTube

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

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Colorado Today
Colorado TodayColorado Public Radio
Colorado Matters
Colorado MattersColorado Public Radio
Marketplace
MarketplaceMarketplace

Recent Guests

Taylor Dolven
Reporter from the Colorado Sun
Colorado Sun
Episode: ICE tactics have some Colorado Dems itching to respond. That’s easier said than done
Daphna Michelson-Ginay
Former state senator, Democrat
Colorado General Assembly
Episode: Should Colorado lawmakers get a raise? It’s a politically thorny topic
Larry Don Sucla
Republican Representative, farmer-rancher
Colorado House of Representatives
Episode: Should Colorado lawmakers get a raise? It’s a politically thorny topic
Ava Flannell
Republican Representative, firearms instructor; social media influencer
Colorado House of Representatives
Episode: Should Colorado lawmakers get a raise? It’s a politically thorny topic
Matt Soper
Republican Representative from Delta
Colorado House of Representatives
Episode: Should Colorado lawmakers get a raise? It’s a politically thorny topic
Ava Kian
Justice reporter for CPR
Colorado Public Radio
Episode: 11 questions lawmakers hope could help prevent domestic violence killings
Teddy McCullough
Private citizen, subject of a personal story and candidate
None explicitly stated
Episode: 11 questions lawmakers hope could help prevent domestic violence killings
Holly Rogan
Mayor of Lyons
Town of Lyons, Colorado
Episode: Who should have the power to pump up the volume at Colorado’s venues
Gretchen Ryden
State Representative, House District 38
Colorado General Assembly
Episode: Who should have the power to pump up the volume at Colorado’s venues

Host

Bente Birkeland
Host with long-standing role as public affairs journalist for CPR News; central to coverage and framing of Colorado politics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 252 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 States3 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 States3 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.

Listeners praise accessible, in-depth coverage of Colorado politics and legislation.
Many appreciate balanced, well-researched analysis with practical context for voters.
Some notes about on-air dynamics; overall positive impressions of hosts and quality.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#125
United States/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ICE tactics have some Colorado Dems itching to respond. That’s easier said than done
Q: Can you explain that a little bit more?
The bill says lawsuits can be brought against any official, state or local, to get around federal immunity and to address rights infringements, but opponents fear it could lead to waves of lawsuits against public prosecutors.
Who’s on the primary ballot and what did it take for them to get there
Q: What is the main function of the caucus and assembly process in Colorado elections?
To winnow the field by requiring delegates' support for a candidate to advance to the primary ballot, effectively limiting how many contenders can appear per race and shaping the top-line on election day.
11 questions lawmakers hope could help prevent domestic violence killings
Q: What are the funding challenges behind implementing this policy statewide?
Policy experts note widespread funding gaps, reliance on federal money, and shortages of shelter capacity, which complicate comprehensive rollout and sustained support for victims.
11 questions lawmakers hope could help prevent domestic violence killings
Q: How would the protocol affect police workflow and response times?
It adds an extra step where officers must assess risk and potentially coordinate on-scene with advocates, which could slow responses but is viewed as essential for safety in the long term.
11 questions lawmakers hope could help prevent domestic violence killings
Q: Why introduce a lethality assessment protocol now in Colorado?
Advocates say domestic violence fatalities have risen even as overall homicides fall, and the protocol provides a structured way to identify high-risk victims and connect them with resources immediately.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Purplish

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

A Colorado-focused politics program that breaks down statehouse dynamics, local policy, and political trends through in-depth reporting, interviews, and contextual storytelling. Episodes commonly explore legislation, governance challenges, and the practical impacts of policy on Coloradans, often featuring perspectives from lawmakers, journalists, advocates, and community voices. The show stands out for its clear explanations of complex topics, hands-on reporting, and a willingness to cover both technical policy details (like privacy, education funding, and regulatory issues) and the human side of politics. Listeners are likely looking for accessible, well-sourced analysis of state and local issues with a tangible sense of how decisions affe... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Purplish?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Purplish:

1. Colorado Today
2. City Cast Denver
3. Throughline
4. Colorado Matters
5. Marketplace

How many episodes of Purplish are there?

Purplish launched 8 years ago and published 187 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Purplish?

Recent guests on Purplish include:

1. Taylor Dolven
2. Daphna Michelson-Ginay
3. Larry Don Sucla
4. Ava Flannell
5. Matt Soper
6. Ava Kian
7. Teddy McCullough
8. Holly Rogan

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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