Colorado’s ‘Healthy School Meals for All’ is at a crossroads. Voters will decide where it goes
There are just two statewide questions on the ballot this year, and both are related to a universal school meals program intended to feed all public school students in the state regardless of income.Three years ago, voters approved a tax on wealthier Coloradans to fund the Healthy School Meals program for All. That original measure set out to do several things, with the marquee item being to provide free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 public school students in Colorado. But it’s running short on cash, and lawmakers are going back the ballot again, asking voters to increase that tax to fully fund the program.CPR’s Bente Birkeland and CPR’s Jenny Brundin dig into the original measure and how its promises have matched up with reality so far, why the program is in financial trouble, and how lawmakers on both sides of the aisle feel about going back to taxpayers about the issue. They explain what Propositions MM and LL will do, and why Democratic lawmakers hope they could help with hunger at home as well as school.Read CPR's voter guide for the 2025 election 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. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee, and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. Theme music is by Brad Turner.And a moment of gratitude:Purplish is a Signal Award winner!The podcast won a Gold and Listener’s Choice awards in the Local News show category. Thanks to all who voted! We're honored to have your support; thanks for nerding out on Colorado politics with us.
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Colorado banned conversion therapy for minors. A U.S. Supreme Court case could upend that
In 2019, Colorado Democrats had control of both the House and the Senate. That gave them the momentum they needed to push forward an issue that had repeatedly failed in the statehouse under Republicans: a ban on conversion therapy for minors.The law prohibits licensed therapists from trying to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Even though some conservatives strongly opposed it, the law ended up passing with bipartisan support and a few high-profile Republican backers. It wasn’t seen as hugely contentious. Now a challenge on the ban has made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Oral arguments are Oct. 7. CPR’s Bente Birkeland and CPR’s Caitlyn Kim dive into the Colorado law at the center of the case and the legal arguments that will be before the nation’s highest court. They also get into how this case is one in a string of challenges to Colorado’s LGBTQ protections, all from the same conservative legal powerhouse. Purplish is a finalist for a Signal AwardYou rely on Purplish’s reporters to break down the latest developments at the statehouse, in Congress and in local communities — and to find the big picture behind political headlines.Now Purplish is a finalist for a Signal Award, and the team needs your help. Cast your vote to make sure the podcast takes home the Listener’s Choice Award in the Local News Show category. Vote here. Thanks for your support!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. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee and Rachel Estabrook, and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. Theme music is by Brad Turner. Special thanks to WHYY and Fresh Air for this episode.
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How a possible Buc-ee’s travel plaza has divided one Colorado town
Last year, Buc-ee’s opened its first Colorado location, an expansive 74,000 square-foot outpost in Weld County filled with beaver-branded merch, brisket sandwiches and sweets. Not too long after that, the company began plans for a second store, landing at a parcel of land about a two-hours drive away in northern El Paso County. But the prospect of a Buc-ee’s arriving on the edge of the small town of Palmer Lake quickly became a larger-than-life controversy. CPR’s Bente Birkeland, KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin and KRCC’s Briana Heaney dig into the story behind this big development proposal -- and its big opposition. It's a tale which raises questions around growth, representative government and how communities navigate bitter political divides.Read their coverage:
Colorado’s governor and senators sign letter asking Buc-ee’s to reconsider Monument Hill location
In debate over new Buc-ee’s, early results show Palmer Lake residents want a public vote and recall of two trustees
Buc-ee’s gets a thumb’s down from the Palmer Lake Planning Commission
Here’s what the agreement between Palmer Lake and Buc-ee’s looks like, mostly. The annexation still needs approval
Mayor of Palmer Lake resigns with town divided over possible Buc-ee’s
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. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.You can also help support Purplish, with a gift at cpr.org.Purplish's producer is Stephanie Wolf. This episode was edited by Megan Verlee and sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. Our theme music is by Brad Turner.
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Budget balanced (for now), AI decisions punted, relationships ruptured: What went down during special session
The giant tax-cuts-and-spending package passed by Congressional Republicans will have major ramifications for every state in the country, but Colorado is one of the first place it's really being felt. Thanks to the state's unusual way of handling its finances, the federal tax cuts immediately threw Colorado's finances way out of whack.That was the main reason lawmakers recently came back to the Capitol in August for a high temperature, high stakes special session. But grueling fights over AI regulations and a painful public confrontation between House leaders at times made the budget debates feel like a secondary concern.CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods discuss the bills that did, and did not, make it past the finish line over the six-day special legislative session. They also dig into the growing chasm between the two caucuses in the House, and what it could mean for the regular session in the new year. Read CCNA special session coverage:
From CPR News: Colorado House condemns former GOP lawmaker for unprofessional behavior
From The Colorado Sun: What the Colorado legislature did during its special session to tackle a $750M budget hole
From KUNC News: Colorado Democrats move to protect SNAP benefits and Planned Parenthood care
From The Colorado Sun: Colorado lawmakers abandon special session effort to tweak AI law, will push back start date to June 2026
From CPR News: Are legislative special sessions even special any more?
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. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf and its editor is Megan Verlee, sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner.
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Crude Signal chats, social media attacks, mistreated aides: lawmaker conduct is back in the headlines
House Republicans sharing locker room jokes about a Democratic colleague's outfit in a group chat. A former Democratic senator charged with a felony for allegedly forging letters of defense in an ethics probe. A representative accused of bullying and harassing women before taking office.Workplace misconduct at the Colorado State Capitol isn’t new. But this year has contained more allegations and revelations than usual.Nearly a decade since the #MeToo movement led lawmakers to adopt new policies and protections for those who serve in, and work with, the legislature, some are questioning whether those efforts are due for an update.CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and The Denver Post’s Seth Klamann have all covered various aspects of workplace conditions at the State Capitol. They discuss the efforts the legislature has taken in recent years to improve circumstances and what lawmaker misconduct means for governance, especially now, on the cusp of a special session.Read their reporting:
In private group chat, GOP lawmakers made crude jokes about a Democratic colleague’s clothing
A Colorado lawmaker charged gas to his campaign. Then he asked taxpayers to reimburse his mileage
Two women accuse Republican state lawmaker of making unwanted sexual advances. He denies the allegations
A Colorado lawmaker charged gas to his campaign. Then he asked taxpayers to reimburse his mileage
Colorado House member faced investigation over ignored harassment complaint, aide mistreatment
Colorado lawmaker faces ‘bullying’ claims from past Larimer County post, complaint from fellow legislator
Democratic lawmaker apologizes for Trump tweet, while others debate role of rhetoric in inflaming violence
Lawmakers and lobbyists accuse Steve Lebsock of sexual harassment; speaker calls for his resignation
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. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf and its editor is Megan Verlee, sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner.
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.
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