PODCAST · business
Common Sense Unfiltered
by Common Sense Institute
When it comes to legislative proposals, ballot initiatives, or economic trends that could have a lasting impact on Coloradans and the state’s economy, where do you turn for unbiased facts and objective analysis? The Common Sense Digest is our regularly occurring podcast featuring policy experts discussing Colorado’s most pressing issues. Debuting the 4th Tuesday of each month, Common Sense Digest’s lively discussions equip you with the most important tool to combat divisive partisanship and shrill rhetoric – Common Sense.
Episodes
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What Colorado Can Do to Bring Back Starter Homes
Colorado’s starter home problem isn’t just “housing is expensive” - it’s zoning, process, and a system that keeps saying yes to big homes and no to first-time buyers. Tune in if you want the simplest breakdown of why starter homes disappeared - and what cities can actually do about it. Don…
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Colorado's Fiscal Reckoning — Inside the 2026 Ballot's Tax & Spending Battle
CSI CEO Cinamon Watson discusses the 2026 Colorado ballot initiatives with CSI's Mike A. Leprino Free Enterprise Fellow, Ross Kaminsky REPORTS REFERENCED • “The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Proposition NN” (CSI, August 2026) —...
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Discover how Common Sense Institute Iowa is shaping the future of public policy in the Midwest
This episode of Common Sense Unfiltered features experts discussing the trajectory of CSI Iowa, the economic impact of restricting interchange fees in Iowa, and analyzing Iowa HSB 324, as well as exploring the broader implications for small businesses, consumers, and the economy. Resources: CSI...
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Common Sense Unfiltered: River and Stream Access in Colorado
CSI CEO Cinamon Watson discusses new CSI report findings with experts Mike King, Greg Walcher, and Cole Anderson. Read the latest report by CSI Fellows Mike King and Greg Walcher unravelling the complexities of river and stream access in Colorado:...
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Homelessness in America— Rethinking Homelessness Policy
CSI's Cinamon Watson, Katie Ratlief, and Kelly Caufield invite Dustin Zvonek onto Common Sense Unfiltered to discuss CSI's latest homelessness research.
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Executive Action & Extraction: Economic Impacts of the Mineral E.O. in the West
On April 15, 2025, the White House issued an executive order (E.O.) 14241 “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” aimed at strengthening the United States’ supply of critical minerals and addressing associated national security concerns. This executive action mandates the...
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Arizona’s Urban Desert Miracle featuring Glenn Farley
Rapid economic and population growth in Arizona’s dry central valley has created tremendous wealth and opportunity. Rapid development also has caused many state and national leaders and several members of the media to declare the region “out of water” and to demand an end to growth as the…
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Homelessness: What Is the Best Approach to Tackling It?
There are two broad approaches to homelessness. Housing first prioritizes providing stable, permanent housing to individuals experiencing homelessness without preconditions such as sobriety, employment, or mental health treatment. The core idea is that housing is a basic human right, and that…
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Where Is Our Transportation Funding Actually Going? featuring Ben Stein
Common Sense Institute recently published a study titled "Highway Detours: The Ongoing Shift of Transportation Dollars." It was authored by our Transportation Fellow Ben Stein, who, in 2006 became the Budget Director for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). At CDOT he oversaw the...
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Could Federal Workers Returning to the Office Boost Downtown Denver?
Our host DJ Summers, Director of Policy and Research for Common Sense Institute, delves deeper into CSI's recent report "Returning Government Employees to Work a Boon for Urban Economy" on this episode of Colorado Clarity. On January 20, 2025, the new presidential administration indicated a…
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs and the Economy - March 4, 2025
In this special edition of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, March 4, Common Sense Institute hosted its quarterly Eggs & The Economy Event. This edition was titled "Over Easy or Overpriced? The Growing Cost of Living in Colorado." Our panelists...
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Iowa’s DOGE Prototype and Its Results featuring Ben Murrey
The state of Iowa does not have a Department of Government Efficiency, however, Iowa lawmakers began improving government efficiency through a state initiative known as “alignment” more than a year before the American public ever heard of a “DOGE” at the federal level. Common Sense Institute...
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The Full Cost of Colorado's Ambitious Energy Goals
Everybody wants cleaner energy – but not everybody is going to be happy about how much clean energy is going to cost them. Our host DJ Summers, Director of Policy and Research for Common Sense Institute, referencing CSI's recent report "The Future of Energy Prices in Colorado," breaks down the...
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The Cost of Crime in Oregon featuring Max Williams and Mark McMullen
Public concern over crime in Oregon has intensified, with a significant majority of residents expressing dissatisfaction with local government responses. A May 2024 poll revealed that 78% of Portland-area voters disapprove of how local authorities are handling crime, reflecting widespread unease...
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Boosting Iowa’s Economy: The Childcare Solutions Fund featuring Sherri Penney
Like other states across the nation, Iowa faces a severe shortage of quality affordable childcare. Research by the Iowa Women’s Foundation found that the annual average cost of infant care in Iowa is 18.4% higher than in-state tuition at a four-year public college and 14.1% higher than annual...
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The CSI 2024 Ballot Guide and Inflation Misery featuring Kelly Caufield and Zach Milne
The Common Sense Institute's 2024 Ballot Guide highlights the potential economic and fiscal impacts of key ballot measures in Colorado. Proposition 127, for instance, could lead to significant revenue losses for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and reduce overall economic output by $61.65 million.…
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Understanding Inflation: How much misery is inflation causing?
In this episode of Colorado Clarity, host DJ Summers sits down with Chris Brown, Vice President of Policy & Research at the Common Sense Institute, to break down the multi-year inflationary cycle that’s become a central issue in the presidential election. Together, they dive into CSI’s recently...
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Reforming Arizona’s Homeless Service Ecosystem featuring Julie Katsel and Ted Maxwell
Earlier this year, the Common Sense Institute released a thorough review of homelessness spending at all levels – non-profits, state and local governments, and federal grants and transfers. The report identified over 200 Arizona providers – public and private - who today spend a collective $1...
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Maternal Care Matters: A Deep Dive into Health Equity
In this episode of Colorado Clarity, we sit down with Dr. Reggie Washington to discuss the critical state of maternal healthcare. As an expert in the field, Dr. Washington sheds light on the challenges, disparities, and advancements in maternal care, both in Colorado and across the nation. Join…
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Iowa’s Healthcare Landscape featuring Dr. Chelsea Lensing
Iowa’s policymakers, providers, and insurers operate within a state comprised of an aging population and large rural areas. According to the Iowa Department of Justice, the state ranks 16th nationally for the number of residents 50-years-old and over. Approximately 18% of Iowa’s...
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Fighting Crime: The Power of Proposition 130
In this episode, DJ Summers is joined by Former Chief of Police Paul Pazen to discuss the pressing issue of rising crime rates and the upcoming November Ballot Initiative, Proposition 130. This critical measure aims to allocate funding to agencies across the state to enhance public safety and...
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Amendment 80: The Future of School Choice in Colorado
In this episode, DJ Summers is joined by Kelly Caufield, CSI Colorado’s Executive Director, to discuss Amendment 80, a key proposition on the upcoming November ballot. If passed, this amendment would embed school choice into the Colorado Constitution. Tune in to learn what this could mean for...
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The Potential Impacts of Oregon Ballot Measure 118 featuring Lynn Snodgrass
This November Oregon voters will decide on Ballot Measure 118, which would increase Oregon’s taxes on corporations six-fold, with the proceeds to be distributed equally across all eligible individuals. Under the proposal, Oregonians would face the most aggressive gross receipts tax in the nation…
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & The Economy - September 10, 2024
In this special edition of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, September 10, Common Sense Institute hosted its quarterly Eggs & The Economy Event. This edition was titled: "Unscrambling the 2024 November Ballot" Our panelists included: Paul Pazen…
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A Chat with CSI’s Daniels Fund Junior Scholars
Our President and CEO Kristin Strohm fills in for Earl Wright on this edition of Common Sense Digest as she welcomes four full-time Daniels Fund Scholars to the show to discuss the work of four remarkable summer interns. These young men and women are working to help advance CSI’s mission of...
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Big Cats, Bigger Debate: Colorado's Ballot Initiative 91
Ballot Initiative 91, a bold move to ban big cat hunting in Colorado. The group "Cats Aren't Trophies" is leading the charge to stop the killing, wounding, pursuing, or trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. This quirky yet crucial issue is stirring up debates across the state…
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Meat, Morals, and Money: Colorado's Slaughterhouse Ban
Deep diving into one of the most contentious issues on Colorado's 2024 state-wide ballot: the proposed ban on slaughterhouses. With only one slaughterhouse in Denver and a wave of complaints driving the proposal, we explore how this ban could impact Coloradans. Is there a tangible benefit to...
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Decoding PERA: The Essential Guide to Colorado's Public Pensions
What exactly is PERA? Are state and public employees getting the short end of the stick? Is PERA financially sound? And how is Colorado managing these challenges? PERA obligations might sound dull at first, but this is a conversation that affects nearly 140,000 public employees in Colorado. Join…
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Mile High Report Card: Denver's State of the City
What is the state of our city? How is Mayor Mike Johnston addressing homelessness? Will housing prices continue to soar unaddressed? Are migrants top of mind for the administration? DJ Summers & Cole Anderson dive into Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's State of the City address, examining the…
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Denver's Multifront Battle: War on Fentanyl, Migrant Influx, and Property Tax Hikes
Welcome to the pilot episode of Colorado Clarity! Join hosts DJ Summers and Cole Anderson from the Common Sense Institute as they dive into the most pressing policy issues impacting Colorado today. In this episode, they tackle the fentanyl crisis sweeping through Colorado, the significant…
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Fentanyl: Our Nation’s Most Devastating Challenge
In this special edition of of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Thursday, June 27, Common Sense Institute hosted an event titled "Fentanyl: Our Nation's Most Devastating Challenge" where speakers from across the country will share research and insights…
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Introducing Common Sense Institute Oregon featuring Mark McMullen
In January, CSI made a bold move to kick off 2024 and launched in two new states: Iowa and Oregon. Both states are already releasing new studies and engaging in the public policy arena. Along with its successful counterparts in Colorado and Arizona, as well as a newly launched chapter in Iowa…
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How DSST Became a Successful Educational Model featuring Bill Kurtz and Van Schoales
Founded in 2004 as a high school in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, Denver School of Science & Technology (DSST) is now nationally renowned for its unique design, diversity, and consistent high achievement—considered one of the leading open enrollment STEM (science, technology, engineering…
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & The Economy - June 4, 2024
In this special edition of of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, June 4, Common Sense Institute hosted its quarterly Eggs & The Economy Event. This edition was titled: "The Colorado Crisis: The Economic Impact of Migrants and the Homeless.." Our...
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What Should We Do To Optimize RTD Ridership? featuring Kelly Brough and Daniel Hutton
What began as a relatively small-scale bus operation, RTD has grown to one of the Denver metro area’s most expansive pieces of infrastructure and a political arena of its own. Increasingly, the public is being asked to put more confidence into an organization of which it has cause to be…
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A Breakdown of the 2024 Arizona Legislative Session featuring Katie Ratlief and Wayne Schutsky
Arizona's legislative session continues, and Common Sense Institute is here to discuss what's already unfolded and what remains to transpire. Specifically, we discuss the state budget and the critical areas of housing and homelessness. These topics are at the forefront of policy decisions and…
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The Issue of Housing in the 2024 Colorado Legislature featuring Peter LiFari
Anybody in Colorado can agree that housing is at the top of the list our most pressing matters. It’s expensive, there doesn’t seem to be enough of it, people are afraid they won’t be able to keep their homes or that they’ll never buy one to begin with, and property taxes are going to make the...
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & The Economy - April 16, 2024
In this special edition of of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, April 16, Common Sense Institute hosted its quarterly Eggs & The Economy Event. This edition was titled: " From the State Capitol to the Kitchen Table: How Colorado Policy is...
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Nearing the Finish Line: A Look Back and Ahead at the Colorado Legislative Session featuring Jake Zambrano
There is no shortage of public policy to pass through in Colorado in 2024. Legislators are trying to address a state in the throes of a housing affordability crisis, an infrastructure crunch, a crime wave, a post-inflation economic climate, a surge in migrants from the southern border, a…
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Caitlin Clarkonomics and the Impact on Iowa featuring Ben Murrey
University of Iowa’s homegrown star, Caitlin Clark, began her college basketball career playing in empty arenas at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she competes in sold-out arenas wherever she goes—and for good reason. During her 4-year college career, Clark has broken countless records…
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Crime Trends in Colorado featuring Paul Pazen
Few people in Colorado have not directly experienced crime. From property offenses to violent crimes, every crime leaves a traumatized victim. Whether the wounds are physical, psychological, or financial, it is important to acknowledge the profound effects that a crime can have on its victims. At...
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Tackling Homelessness in Arizona featuring Tom Simplot
Homelessness – and the provision of related services – has evolved into a substantial economic sector. While services are primarily provided by nonprofits, funding starts at the federal level and flows from federal, state, and local grantors into the nonprofit space. The funding and services are...
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Announcing the Launch of CSI Iowa featuring Joe Murphy and Ben Murrey
In January, CSI made a bold move to kick off 2024 and launched in two new states: Iowa and Oregon. Both states are already releasing new studies and engaging in the public policy arena. Along with its successful counterparts in Colorado and Arizona, as well as a newly launched chapter in Oregon,...
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Eggs & The Economy - February 13, 2024
In this special edition of of Common Sense Digest, we feature discussion from one of our recent events. On Tuesday, February 13, Common Sense Institute hosted its quarterly Eggs & The Economy Event. This edition was titled: "Supply & Demand, What to Know About Today's Degrees and Tomorrow's…
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Diagnosis of Colorado’s Healthcare Industry featuring Dr. Reggie Washington
Colorado’s healthcare industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy. In addition to protecting Coloradans’ personal health and wellbeing, the healthcare industry supports 18% of all Colorado jobs. The underlying economic and policy conditions that impact the healthcare system are more...
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The Economic Costs of Colorado’s Foster Youth featuring John Farnam
Colorado’s foster care youth are a small but troubled section of society. Unfortunately, data is scarce for their life outcomes after they exit the system and, in some cases, when they are still inside it. To illustrate the economic impact of even a small sliver of the foster population, the…
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The Multifaceted Issue of Homelessness in Colorado featuring Donna Lynne
Over the last three years, Colorado has spent nearly $2 billion on homelessness, concentrated largely in the Denver metro region. While metro areas across the country have seen a surge of people experiencing homelessness, the Denver metro has some of the highest levels of growth among the areas…
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Understanding and Solving Arizona’s Budget Deficit featuring Danny Seiden and Glenn Farley
Over the past decade Arizona’s population and economy have grown rapidly, but more recent data suggests this pace is slowing. Today the state is facing the end of its fastest period of revenue and spending growth ever – over the past five years, General Fund revenue collections have grown 52%,...
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The 2024 Free Enterprise Report featuring Lang Sias, Glenn Farley and Dr. Steven Byers
The Free Enterprise Report is a marquis report that provides an objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis of both the Colorado and Arizona economic landscapes and each state’s most pressing issues. The study is a year long undertaking and includes the CSI Economic Performance Index as well as…
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The 2024 National Western Stock Show featuring Paul Andrews
The National Western Stock Show, held annually in Denver since 1906, is known as the Super Bowl of livestock shows, and one of the most prestigious horse shows and rodeos in the world. Initially aimed at demonstrating better breeding and feeding techniques to local stockmen, the show has grown to...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
When it comes to legislative proposals, ballot initiatives, or economic trends that could have a lasting impact on Coloradans and the state’s economy, where do you turn for unbiased facts and objective analysis? The Common Sense Digest is our regularly occurring podcast featuring policy experts discussing Colorado’s most pressing issues. Debuting the 4th Tuesday of each month, Common Sense Digest’s lively discussions equip you with the most important tool to combat divisive partisanship and shrill rhetoric – Common Sense.
HOSTED BY
Common Sense Institute
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Common Sense Unfiltered currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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When it comes to legislative proposals, ballot initiatives, or economic trends that could have a lasting impact on Coloradans and the state’s economy, where do you turn for unbiased facts and objective analysis? The Common Sense Digest is our regularly occurring podcast featuring policy experts...
How often does Common Sense Unfiltered release new episodes?
Common Sense Unfiltered has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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