From another big budget shortfall to unsettled business over artificial intelligence to other pressing policy issues, like housing, the environment and surveillance, the 2026 legislative session kicks off in less than a week and Colorado lawmakers already have a lot on their to-do lists.

Plus, while Democrats continue to hold a wide majority in both legislative chambers, tensions between the more progressive and more moderate factions of the party threaten to bubble over. On top of all of that, a big election year that will deliver new leaders for the state.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods and The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul dig into the politics, the policy and the pressures expected to shape a new session.

Catch up on our latest coverage:

• Purplish: Budget balanced (for now), AI decisions punted, relationships ruptured: What went down during special session
• Purplish: Crude Signal chats, social media attacks, mistreated aides: lawmaker conduct is back in the headlines
• CPR: Trump cites Colorado in new executive order banning states from creating ‘cumbersome’ AI laws
• The Colorado Sun: How Medicaid became such a drag on Colorado’s state budget
• KUNC: Democrats, local governments are gearing up for another round of battles over housing in Colorado
• The Colorado Sun: Colorado Ethics Commission advances complaints against Democrats who attended dark money-funded retreat
• The Colorado Sun: Colorado state Sen. Faith Winter was legally drunk when she caused car crash that killed her, authorities say
• Purplish: Drinking at the Colorado Capitol
• CPR: Democratic Sen. Faith Winter changed State Capitol culture in the #MeToo era

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. Megan Verlee is CPR News’ executive producer of podcasting. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey. Purplish’s theme music is by Brad Turner. Additional reporting for this episode from Taylor Dolven of The Colorado Sun and CPR’s John Daley.