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In this week’s newsletter, Nash dives into the federal government’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and what it means to Colorado. Pam shares with readers her latest paper, Establishing New Public Schools of Choice: An Alternative Pathway. Dave gears up to attend a yearlong inquiry held by The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Committee) to investigate if there was or was not antisemitism on Auraria Campus. |
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The Fiscal Policy Center is busy analyzing how the federal government’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will affect all things fiscal in the state of Colorado. While the OBBB will allow most Coloradans to keep more of what they earn, Medicaid and the country’s budget deficits remain the biggest points of controversy. Stay tuned for more analysis on the OBBB and the state government’s response during the inevitable special session.
-Nash Herman, Policy Analyst |
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Last week, the Education Policy Center released our newest publication, Establishing New Public Schools of Choice: An Alternative Pathway, which highlights how educational service agencies can serve as a vehicle for creating new schools of choice. In Colorado, there are 21 such agencies known as Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Created by law in 1965, BOCES are comprised of two or more school districts and may also include a college or university. They share services such as special education, professional development, and cooperative purchasing. Some BOCES also authorize schools that offer students an alternative to district schools.
As so many school districts are unfriendly to authorizing new charter schools, it is necessary to explore alternative pathways to create additional educational options. Although it is rare, a BOCES can be a promising avenue for expanding available educational options. The Education reEnvisioned BOCES (ERBOCES) has done just that. However, ERBOCES faced legal proceedings after it placed a school for children with dyslexia in a non-member school district without permission. There was no suitable facility available within a member district’s boundaries. The lawsuit ended with a defeat for ERBOCES at the Colorado Supreme Court. The good news is that the non-member school district authorized the school as a charter school.
One of the attorneys who represented ERBOCES during the legal proceedings, Eric Hall, from Sparks Willson, and I authored the paper. School choice advocates in other states should consider utilizing educational service agencies to create new schools. Policymakers who support the idea can benefit from the legal insights Eric provided in the paper.
– Pam Benigno, Director, Education Policy Center |
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Dave Kopel will attend a yearlong Commission on if there was or was not antisemitism on Auraria Campus. The yearlong inquiry is hosted by The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Committee). If you would like to view the proceedings, click here. |
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The US Supreme Court has issued a slew of decisions, What does it mean for Colorado? Constitutional expert Rob Natelson interprets it for us. |
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| Colorado has a long history with nuclear energy... some of it good and some of it not so good. PowerGab hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke have a conversation with US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Veteran Nathan Stout about that history and how it impacts energy policy today. |
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Mandy & Deb Show hosts Mandy Connell and Deborah Flora discuss a wide range of topics including the Big Beautiful Bill, gardening in Colorado with special guest Audrey Sharp, and bravery in action with the recent flooding in Texas. |
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| The Twisted View returns with another look at an issue through a different lens. This time, Hosts Leland Conway, Ben Allbright, and Christian Toto discuss if prostitution should be legalized and what the consequences would be. |
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*Available on all major platforms* |
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Did you know 49% of the voters in Colorado are unaffiliated? Have you ever wondered why? Hear from the experts at Independence Institute talk about the issues important to Colorado and how to bring some sanity to this increasingly leftist state. |
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Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara is a current events show not to be missed. Each week it features lively - and sometimes heated - debates between elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens, subject-matter experts, and hard-pressing host Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. Jon is not afraid to express his "free-market" views, and his guests are not afraid to take on those opinions. It all makes for an informative, lively public affairs program. |
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PowerGab focuses on unique energy issues facing Colorado. Hosted by Amy Cooke, Independence Institute's Energy and Environmental Policy Center Director, and Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy. PowerGab tackles the complexities of energy policy and solutions for a broad audience to educate and illuminate all while having a few laughs along the way. |
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Mandy and Deb Show is your go-to source for sharp wit, candid conversations, and unfiltered takes on the latest issues shaping Colorado and beyond. Hosted by seasoned radio host Mandy Connell and policy pro Deb Flora, the show blends humor, insight, and a healthy dose of common sense as the duo tackles politics, culture, and everything in between. |
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Twisted View is a raw, unfiltered roundtable where men say what they mean and mean what they say. Hosted by Leland Conway, Ben Allbright, Marc Mager, and Willie B, this testosterone-fueled series brings a male perspective to the madness of modern Colorado. From rising crime to failed homelessness policies and environmental overreach, Twisted View exposes the real consequences of local legislation—no apologies, no political correctness. If you're tired of sanitized commentary, this is your show. |
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This podcast includes several series of commentaries about the Constitution. Each series will cover a different aspect of the document. This series thumbnails the lives of 14 American Founders and their specific contributions to the Constitution. It covers both well-known Founders, such as James Madison, and those who are lesser known, but who exercised an out-sized influence. |
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Date: September 13, 2025 Time: 7:30 AM to Noon Location: Kiowa Creek Sporting Club 46700 E County Road 30 Bennett, CO 80102 |
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Date: October 29, 2025 Time: 11:30 AM to 2 PM Location: Denver Country Club 1700 East First Avenue Denver, Colorado 80218 |
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