Colorado Public Radio

Who's Gonna Govern?

Election season is messy. So many candidates. So little time! How to choose? We can’t fill out the bubbles for you, but there are other ways we know how to help. In Colorado Public Radio’s latest season of “Who’s Gonna Govern?” you’ll hear in-depth interviews with candidates in some of our state’s biggest — and most exciting — races. Who will replace Jared Polis in the governor’s mansion? Will Democrats change course from first-term Sen. John Hickenlooper? Can upstart democratic socialist Melat Kiros or CU regent Wanda James beat out super-veteran Diana DeGette in Colorado’s First Congressiona...

Author

Colorado Public Radio

Category

Government

Podcast website

www.cpr.org

Latest episode

Jun 9, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Barbara Kirkmeyer, candidate for governor 09.06.2026

State senator Barabra Kirkmeyer is one of three Republicans running for Colorado governor. She faces state representative Scott Bottoms and pastor Victor Marx in the GOP primary. Colorado hasn’t elected a Republican governor in more than two decades, but Kirkmeyer thinks a laser focus on the state’s finances and regulations will be her path to victory. CPR’s Tom Hesse talked to Bottoms about how s...

Scott Bottoms, candidate for governor 09.06.2026

State representative Scott Bottoms is one of three Republicans running for Colorado governor. He faces pastor Victor Marx and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer. Colorado hasn’t elected a Republican governor in more than two decades, but Bottoms thinks unapologetic conservatism will be the key to changing the minds of primary voters. CPR’s Tom Hesse talked to Bottoms about how he'd plan to govern our...

Forum: Democrat candidates for Colorado Attorney General 08.06.2026

Hetal Doshi, Michael Dougherty, and David Seligman participate in a forum for Colorado attorney general on May 15, 2026 in front of an audience at the Colorado Women’s Bar Association annual conference in Vail. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here .

Debate: GOP candidates for Colorado governor 08.06.2026

It’s been two decades since Colorado elected a Republican governor. But the GOP keeps trying. Colorado Representative Scott Bottoms and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer faced off in a live debate on May 14, 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here .

Debate: Democrat candidates for Colorado governor 08.06.2026

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser faced off in a live debate on May 7, 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here .

Melat Kiros, First Congressional District candidate 08.06.2026

Kiros is one of two candidates challenging incumbent Diana DeGette for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s the first candidate to beat incumbent Diana DeGette during the Democratic Assembly since DeGette joined Congress in 1997. Kiros is a former attorney, grad student, and barista. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to Kiros about what it would mean to have a democratic socialist leadin...

Wanda James, First Congressional District candidate 08.06.2026

James is one of two candidates challenging incumbent Diana DeGette for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s a CU Regent, the first Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in the country, and a former naval officer. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to James about how she wants to shake up the First Congressional District. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here .

Diana DeGette, First Congressional District candidate 08.06.2026

DeGette is seeking reelection in a three-way race against Wanda James and Melat Kiros for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s represented the District for nearly three decades, is the ranking Democrat on the Health and Human Services Committee, and is co-chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to DeGette about where she stands on the issues in 2026. Y...

Julie Gonzales, U.S. Senate candidate 08.06.2026

Gonzales is running against incumbent John Hickenlooper in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. Hickenlooper declined our interview. The winner will face Republican State Senator Mark Baisler in the fall. Gonzales currently represents Colorado’s 34th Senate district, which comprises Denver. CPR’s Ryan Warner  talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You c...

Phil Weiser, candidate for governor 08.06.2026

Weiser is running against state senator Michael Bennet in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. He previously served in the Clinton and Obama Justice Departments. CPR’s Ryan Warner  talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here .

Michael Bennet, candidate for governor 08.06.2026

Bennet is running against state attorney general Phil Weiser in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. He's the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools and former Chief of Staff to a Denver mayor. CPR's Ryan Warner talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here .

River Gassen, Fifth Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Jeff Crank, Fifth Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Jeff Hurd, Third Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Adam Frisch, Third Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Yadira Caraveo, Eighth Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Gabe Evans, Eighth Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Trisha Calvarese, Fourth Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Lauren Boebert, Fourth Congressional District candidate 15.10.2024

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

Jena Griswold, candidate for secretary of state 26.10.2022

In 2022, Jena Griswold is running for reelection as Colorado's secretary of state. The Democrat was elected in 2018, and before that, she was an attorney.

Pam Anderson, candidate for secretary of state 26.10.2022

In 2022, Pam Anderson is running for Colorado secretary of state. The Republican was the clerk and recorder in Jefferson County. She also led the Colorado County Clerks Association.

Barbara Kirkmeyer, candidate for U.S. House 21.10.2022

In 2022, Barbara Kirkmeyer is running for Congress in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District.

Yadira Caraveo, candidate for U.S. House 21.10.2022

In 2022, Dr. Yadira Caraveo is running for Congress in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District.

Michael Bennet, candidate for U.S. Senate 19.10.2022

In 2022, Michael Bennet is running for reelection to the U.S. Senate. The Democrat has held the office since 2009. He was previously superintendent of Denver Public Schools. For more information to help you decide on ballot measures and big races, find the complete 2022 voter guide at cpr.org.

Joe O’Dea, candidate for U.S. Senate 19.10.2022

In 2022, Joe O'Dea is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. He owns a construction company called Concrete Express. He is running for office for the first time. For more information to help you decide on ballot measures and big races, find the complete 2022 voter guide at cpr.org.

Listen to the Who's Gonna Govern? podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.