Advance Colorado Rundown

Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown break down the good, the bad, and the ugly - and everything you need to know - from the most recent legislative session.  Visit our website: advancecolorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Caven interviews Boo Dixon, founder of Ladies for Liberty. She shares what inspired her to start Ladies for Liberty, as well as her journey from managing family life to becoming actively involved in state and local politics, plus simple, realistic ways parents can stay informed, engaged, and impactful.  Visit our website - advancecolorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of the Advance Colorado Rundown, Miki Sedivy shares honest, practical advice for families navigating Colorado's fentanyl crisis. Drawing from her own experience, she offers guidance on how parents can have difficult conversations with their children, and what we can do to protect the next generation. Visit our website: advancecolorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The liberals' attacks on TABOR - our Taxpayer's Bill of Rights - never seem to end in Colorado. In this episode, Kristi Burton Brown breaks down some of the newest attacks and why the Left is pursuing them.  Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Caven interviews Dr. Debora Scheffel about her report on leverage points that can fix the achievement gap in K-12 education. Dr. Scheffel is the Advance Fellow in Education Reform, and her reports present attainable solutions, practical ideas, and documented research on solving problems in the public education system. Visit The Website - AdvanceColorado.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Caven sits down with Senator John Carson from Douglas County to discuss the impacts of this year's $850 million budget deficit, the never-ending attacks on TABOR, and what that means for funding priorities such as public safety. Senator Carson offers his insider perspective as a state senator and a member of the Senate Judiciary committee.   Visit Our Website - AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Caven interviews Julie Wright, the Founder of the Maddie Wright Foundation & Operations Director for the Colorado Coalition for Families Affected by Fentanyl. She shares her family's story, the real-life impacts fentanyl is having across the state, and the policy changes she has spent years advocating for.    Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of the Advance Colorado Rundown, Elizabeth Caven sits down with Representative Ryan Gonzalez from Weld County to unpack the current conversations at the Gold Dome about TABOR, taxes, and the importance of deregulating the state.    Vist the website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown discuss a bill being planned by liberals in the legislature to attack TABOR and completely remove refunds from citizens. Despite multiple losses in recent years, opponents of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights show no signs of stopping. Here are the details you need to know. Visit the website: AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elizabeth Caven, Outreach Director at Advance Colorado, interviews State Representative Rebecca Keltie from House District 16 in El Paso County. Rep. Keltie shares her experience being on the infamous House Judiciary Committee, as well as the current condition of public safety in Colorado. AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown discuss Advance Colorado's 10 key issues from the 2026 Legislative Policy Agenda. The full agenda is available at www.advancecolorado.org, and goes in depth on essential public safety issues, school choice, mental health, and protecting TABOR and taxpayer money from government grabs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Hunter Rivera -- Colorado State Director for the American Conservation Coalition and the youngest county chairman for Colorado Republicans. Kristi and Hunter discuss strategies and issues to reach younger voters as well as keys to discussing environmental issues and conservation. Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown discusses a new Advance Colorado Institute report with Yazmin Navarro -- Colorado State Board of Education member and the Advance Growth and Opportunity Fellow. Yazmin breaks down statistics that show school choice -- and charter schools in particular -- benefit students from minority populations or difficult economic backgrounds. They discuss several clear reasons that explain why vulnerable students thrive when their families are given choices.   Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown discuss the new ballot measure dealing with Colorado's fentanyl crisis. The measure would require jail time for all fentanyl drug dealers and also offer court-mandated treatment for low-level users, combining a tough approach on criminals with a compassionate answer for those stuck in the cycle of addiction. Visit Our Website: advancecolorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields interviews State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, who is also a newly announced governor candidate. Sen. Kirkmeyer explains recent tax grabs by liberals in the legislature, including a tax on overtime, and she shares insights into why people are moving out of Colorado after experiencing the effects of liberal policies.  Visit our website: advancecolorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews District Attorney George Brauchler, who shares a dose of hard reality and gives his perspective on some of the worst crime issues that have made Colorado the second most dangerous state in the nation. Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly about a number of the biggest crime issues plaguing Colorado and contributing to the state's status as second most dangerous in the nation. Sheriff Weekly addresses fentanyl, Colorado's sanctuary state status, mental incompetency laws, and PR bonds that release criminals back on the streets. He also shares his perspective on some of the reasons Douglas County is one of the safest places to live in Colorado. Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Kim Gilmartin, founder and Executive Director of Liberty Schools Initiative. They discuss school choice in Colorado -- including the current landscape, common attacks, and the facts about why school choice benefits families across the state. Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown discuss the newest ballot measure proposed by the far left to raise Colorado's income tax and repeal TABOR's flat tax requirement. The proposal would be the largest tax increase in Colorado history, at $2.3 billion. Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ross Kaminsky, popular 850 KOA morning host and fellow at the Common Sense Institute, joins Kristi Burton Brown to discuss a recent report on health care policy. Ross also offers his predictions -- and better solutions -- for the Colorado special legislative session. Visit Our Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews State Senator Byron Pelton about his bill on reforming fentanyl laws in the state, which would have required jail time for fentanyl dealers. While the legislature failed to move the bill out of committee, it's now a ballot measure. Senator Pelton also discusses rural Colorado and how the state continues to discount and harm his district. Visit Our Site: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown preview Gov. Polis' upcoming call for another special session. It's going to be focused on the budget, but why do liberals want to insist on taxing overtime and tips? What does polling say about this? And, there's no question that a key public safety issue should be added if the legislature returns to the Capitol in August - it's one that District Attorneys across the political spectrum agree must be fixed in state law. Visit The Website: AdvanceColorado.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee. He shares a firsthand account of how the leaders of this committee shut down public safety legislation -- including ideas that are extremely popular with the public. Rep. Caldwell also gives a behind the scenes look at how HB 1312 drew national attention to parents' rights. Click To Visit: Advance Colorado RundownSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Janelle Goodrich, founder of From Silenced to Saved, a third-party case management organization that provides crucial assistance to the FBI and other governmental agencies in domestic sex-trafficking investigations. Janelle discusses the dire situation in Colorado where criminals who buy children online are often only sentenced to probation. A proposed ballot measure from Advance Colorado would require jail time for these offenders and others who prey on children. Visit: AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Rep. Rose Pugliese, the House Minority Leader. She details key battles waged in the House this session -- including the fight over parental rights -- and the successful passage of a new law that will offer the ability for terminal patients to choose experimental medical treatments.  https://advancecolorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, a member of the Joint Budget Committee. Sen. Kirkmeyer details what led to the state's budget crisis this year, attacks on TABOR, and also looks at what's on the horizon as additional budget and spending problems still loom for Colorado. AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Fields interviews Dustin Zvonek, former Mayor Pro Tem of Aurora, one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. They discuss the homelessness epidemic and various attempts to solve it, diving into Aurora's current work-first plan to provide job training, resources, and a place to stay for the homeless in their city. Visit: AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristi Burton Brown interviews Vincent Atchity, CEO of Mental Health Colorado and Wendy Buxton-Andrade, VP of Government Affairs at Mental Health Colorado. They discuss key issues across the state that impact mental health like fentanyl, community response teams, suicide rates, and issues at school. AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advance Colorado President Michael Fields and Executive VP Kristi Burton Brown discuss crime bills that have been proposed in the 2025 legislative session. They tackle the House Judiciary Committee's pro-criminal bent as well as topics like PR bond reform, sanctuary state status, retail theft, and a shocking bill that would remove the crime of attempted first degree murder. AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9News Business expert Ryan Frazier joins Advance Colorado President Michael Fields to discuss the overall business environment in Colorado -- including how the state has fallen in important rankings, critical housing needs, and the plight of restaurants in Denver. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown gives a brief history and explanation of Colorado's unique taxpayer protection: the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. This revenue cap limits the state government's ability to spend taxpayer dollars and requires refunds to be sent to Coloradans when the government collects beyond the limit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown interviews Advance Policy Analyst Michael Tsogt about the newest policy report: What You Pay in Colorado. Fees paid by taxpayers totaled over $23 billion in FY2023, and it's clear the legislature is abusing the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. Find out more in this episode. https://advancecolorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown interviews Cole Anderson, Research Analyst at Common Sense Institute, about the rising administrative spending in Colorado public schools. The percent of education dollars for teacher salaries continues to decline, while admin spending is increasing -- even at schools that are losing students. Cole explains the facts and data and shows that the results are not promising for our children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MOVING COLORADO FORWARD -- Advance Colorado President Michael Fields and Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown discuss Advance Colorado's 2025 legislative agenda on crime, education, economic and mental health issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE YEAR AHEAD -- Advance Colorado President Michael FIelds and Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown discuss what's ahead in Colorado politics and the Legislature in  2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advance Colorado President Michael Fields and Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown recap a year of successes for the center right on property taxes, public safety, legislative accountability and many more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIGHTING THE WAR ON CRIME -- George Brauchler, former 18th Judicial District District Attorney,  joins Advance Colorado Vice President Sean Duffy to discus how Colorado can take common-sense steps to cut the state's high crime rate.  Visit Our Website - http://advancecolorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BACK THE BLUE -- Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly joins Advance Colorado's Sean Duffy to discuss how the specifics of Proposition 130 -- Back The Blue -- can help support law enforcement, reduce crime and provide a $1 million death benefit for families of first responders killed in the line of duty. Visit The Advance Colorado Website #BackTheBlueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why School Choice Matters -- Dr. Brenda Dickhoner, CEO of Ready Colorado joins Advance Colorado's Sean Duffy to discuss the importance of preserving Coloradans' school choice rights in the state constitution -- and the current threats to those rights across the state.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPOTLIGHT ON CRIME IN COLORADO -- Michael Allen, district attorney for the 4th Judicial District (El Paso & Teller counties) joins Executive Vice President Krist Burton Brown to discuss w wide range of crime problems in Colorado  including juvenile crime and the scourge of fentanyl.   They also discuss anti-crime ballot measures including one that would prohibit first-degree murder suspects from being released on bond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Colorado Needs Education Reform -- Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown is joined by Dr. Debora Scheffel, Dean of the School of Education at Colorado Christian University, a State Board of Education member and Advance Colorado's Fellow in Education Reform to discuss the state of education in Colorado and why reforms are urgently needed to help all students succeed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Combatting Colorado's Crime Wave -- Advance Colorado President Michael Fields and Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown join Sean Duffy to discuss Advance Colorado's ballot initiatives that will toughen Colorado's efforts to combat Colorado's rising crime rateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Citizens' Tax Cut -- Advance Colorado President Michael Fields and Vice President Sean Duffy discuss the group's Citizens' Tax Cut -- which will cut and cap property taxes.   They also discuss how liberals are freaking out about how popular the plan is among taxpayers statewide.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colorado 'Devastated' By Fentanyl -- Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown discusses the new film "Devastated: Colorado's Fentanyl Disaster" with Steffan Tubbs, the film's director and longtime Denver journalist and talk show host. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protect Our School Choice Rights in the State Constitution -- Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown  and Vice President Sean Duffy discuss an important ballot initiative to protect our existing school choice rights by placing them in our state Constitution.   Click Here to visit the website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WHAT'S UP WITH OUR PROPERTY TAXES? -- Advance Colorado's  President Michael Fields and Vice President Sean Duffy discuss the group's Citizens' Tax Cut plan to cut and cap property taxes and the Legislature's last minute property tax bill that fell well short of real reform. Click Here To Visit Advance ColoradoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WHY ACADEMIC STANDARDS MATTER -- Advance Colorado Executive Vice President Kristi Burton Brown is joined by Dan Snowberger, Superintendent of the Elizabeth School District for a discussion on the importance of academic standards.  Visit AdvanceColorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PROTECTING COLORADO'S ENERGY FUTURE -- Kristi Pollard, Executive Director of the Colorado Strong Business Alliance is joined by Dan Haley, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) to discuss legislative efforts that threaten the future of Colorado's energy economy -- and how the industry fought back to save thousands of quality jobs.  Colorado Oil & Gas Association - https://www.coga.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS MATTER --  Kristi Pollard, Executive Director of the Colorado Strong Business Alliance talks with prominent Colorado education reformer Yazmin Navarro on legislative threats to school choice including charter public schools.  https://advancecolorado.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On location at the State Capitol, Kristi Pollard, Executive Director of Colorado Strong Business Alliance speaks with Sen. Byron Pelton (R-1) about troublesome legislation that would remove local land use control over the siting of renewable energy projects.   This overreach threatens to eliminate the input from local citizens, and protections provided to neighbors of these proposed projects -- including farms and ranches. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.