Crux Politica

Tune in to Crux Politica Episode 7, with Scott Wasserman and Henry Sobanet.  In this episode, we recover from some misadventures in coordinating a guest and talk amongst ourselves. We check in on what will be on the 2026 ballot via citizen initiative and explain how this relatively unknown, but very Colorado process works.  If you have ever wondered how or why we have so many things on our ballots in this state, this is the episode for you.

CEO of Denver Health, Donna Lynne, enters the chat! Donna joins Crux Politica for Episode 6 and gives us some straight talk about what ails the health care system in Colorado and the United States.  

Kelly Brough joins Crux Politica for a deeper look at the business climate in Colorado and Denver, and what it might take to recapture some of the pre-COVID19 mojo. Kelly Brough is currently the President and CEO of the Fitzsimons Innovation Community.  Prior to that, she was the CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of of Commerce for 12 years and also served as Chief of Staff for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.  As the conversation unfolded, the imperative to recapture collaboration from the public, private and non-profit sector became clear, as well as the essentiality of a high-quality and affordable system for grade school through post-secondary education.

The Dynamics of Colorado Politics: Insights from Ian Silveri Henry and Scott interview Ian Silverii, a seasoned political strategist, former executive director of Progress Now, and host of the Get More Smarter podcast.  In this episode, we cover the evolving dynamics of party affiliation and electoral trends in the state. And in particular, is Colorado a “purple” state anymore?  Ian gives his emphatic take on that topic. Other topics in this episode include the shift in party affiliations, the dominance of the Democratic party in Colorado, the evolving role of independent voters, and the impact of economic and demographic trends on the political debate. 

Henry and Scott reflect on Palantir's sudden exit from Colorado, what it means for the "Business Friendliness" debate, and the tensions that exist between attracting corporations and creating a prosperous economy for everyone.

Crux PoliticaEpisode 2: Turns out eating is one of the best way to stay aliveFeaturing: Mike BeasleyDid we mention we're building this podcast plane while flying it? After some, let’s just call them glitches, our second episode is out. This time, we welcome Mike Beasley, a veteran of Colorado's political scene, a former Cabinet Member for Republican Governor Bill Owens turned lobbyist and political consultant who is a fixture at the State Capitol. In this episode of Crux Politica, you will see why he is sought after for his counsel by people across the political spectrum and hear why he just might owe his life in politics to beerIn this episode, we reflect on the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by DHS agents in Minneapolis as an extraordinary and horrific backdrop for the more ordinary, but yet nonetheless pressing issues facing the State of Colorado, and how these national events impact our political moment right here. We discuss our unique budget challenges, how we might harness the ethos ofRotary Club—yes, the Rotary Club—for better relationships, and what's at stake when we look at cutting Medicaid.  We also take a look at how arbitrary rules unique to Colorado make for frustrating and sometimes absurd results. 

The title is inspired by Aristotle’s Ta Politiká. Hosts are Scott Wasserman, political and policy consultant and former President of Colorado’s Bell Policy Center, and Henry Sobanet, two-time director of the Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting (Republican Bill Owens and Democrat John Hickenlooper), now multi-tasking as an executive coach, economic consultant, and Treasurer for the Colorado State University System. Our first guest is Terrance Carroll – a brilliant and dapper human, an attorney who was the first and, thus far, only African American Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, who is also a minister and recently launched, “Faithful Witness for Democracy.” He is especially fantastic. I promise if you watch to the end it is worth it.    Speaker Carroll’s message addresses what Crux Politica embraces as an essential and core value: that if we see each other for what we all have in common  we can move toward solutions that for the moment seem elusive. (You have to watch to get the whole thing!) I dare say you will be a bit inspired. Of course, coming together and working toward solutions for the greater good starts with engaged people having civil conversation  about the real issues, challenges and opportunities at the heart of the matter.