The Straight-Up 30

Ross Izard
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Government

The Straight-Up 30 cuts through the noise and delivers clear, accessible breakdowns of the most relevant policy, political, and governmental issues shaping our world. No partisanship. No spin. No tired talking points. Just straightforward analysis that anyone can understand — in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re a seasoned policymaker, a political professional, or an engaged citizen, The Straight-Up 30 gives you the clarity you need in a world full of confusion. 

  1. 5d ago

    Private Schools, Policy, and Educational Choice

    Summary: In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Weston Kurz, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Private Schools (CAPS), to discuss how private schools operate, why they need representation in policy conversations, and the challenges facing independent schools in Colorado. Ross and Weston explore the role of private schools, the work of CAPS, and how policies around universal preschool, regulation, and educational choice are shaping the future of independent education in Colorado. What we cover: • What CAPS does and why private schools need representation • How private schools differ from public and charter schools • Universal Preschool and religious liberty concerns • The impact of state regulations on independent schools • Educational choice and the future of school policy in Colorado About the guest: Weston Kurz is the Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Private Schools (CAPS) and a longtime private school leader. He works to support and advocate for independent schools across Colorado. Resources: • Colorado Association of Private Schools (CAPS) • Council for American Private Education (CAPE) Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com. Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    27 min

  2. May 19

    Colorado Politics, Independent Voters, and the Future of the GOP

    In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with longtime Colorado political strategist Dick Wadhams to discuss how Colorado shifted from a competitive purple state to a solidly blue one and what that means heading into the 2026 election cycle. The conversation explores the rise of unaffiliated voters, growing frustration with both political parties, and the internal battles shaping the future of the Colorado GOP. What we cover: • Why Colorado became a blue state • The rise of unaffiliated voters • TABOR and Colorado tax politics • The evolution of the Colorado GOP • Internal party fights and election politics • What to expect in 2026 About the guest: Dick Wadhams is a longtime Colorado political strategist and former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party. Over a five-decade career, he has worked on major local, state, and national political campaigns and remains a leading voice in Colorado politics. Resources: • Colorado GOP • Colorado General Assembly Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com. Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    27 min

  3. May 13

    Colorado’s Caucus System and the Fight Over How Candidates Reach the Ballot

    In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Deborah Flora to unpack one of the least understood parts of Colorado politics: the caucus and assembly system. From precinct captains and state assemblies to petitions and primaries, the conversation breaks down how candidates actually make it onto the ballot and why many voters feel disconnected from the process. They also explore the growing debate over whether Colorado’s caucus system still reflects a representative democracy in a state where most voters are now unaffiliated. What we cover: • How Colorado’s caucus and assembly system works • The difference between caucuses, petitions, and primaries • Why voter participation in caucuses has steadily declined • The growing influence of unaffiliated voters in Colorado • The debate over representation, party control, and reform • What a move to a straight primary system could look like About the guest: Deborah Flora is a longtime Colorado radio host, commentator, nonprofit founder, and former congressional and U.S. Senate candidate. Through her work in media, public policy, and civic engagement, she has spent years covering Colorado politics and advocating for greater public understanding of the political process. Resources: • Colorado Secretary of State: Colorado Secretary of State • Colorado Republican Party: Colorado GOP • Colorado Democratic Party: Colorado Democrats Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com. Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    29 min

  4. May 5

    Water, Policy, and the Systems We Depend On

    Water is one of the most critical and complex policy issues in Colorado, yet most people rarely think about how it actually works. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Casey Davenhill of the Colorado Watershed Assembly to break down the systems, history, and policies that govern how water is managed across the state. From the Dust Bowl to today’s drought concerns, the conversation explores how Colorado built a legal and collaborative framework around water, why watersheds shape decision-making, and how competing interests from agriculture to cities to recreation all intersect in one shared system.Because when it comes to water, everything is connected, and understanding that system is the first step to protecting it. What we cover:  • What a watershed is and why it matters  • How Colorado’s water system developed over time  • The concept of “first in time, first in right” water law  • Why water policy is so complex and stakeholder-driven  • How organizations collaborate across regions and interests  • The role of the Watershed Assembly and the Healthy Rivers Fund About the guest: Casey Davenhill is the Executive Director of the Colorado Watershed Assembly, a statewide nonprofit that supports and connects watershed groups across Colorado. Her work focuses on collaboration, funding, and on-the-ground efforts to improve water quality, conservation, and long-term watershed health. Resources:  • Colorado Watershed Assembly: https://www.coloradowater.org/  • Colorado Water Conservation Board: https://engagecwcb.org/  • The Colorado River: https://coloradoriver.com/  • South Platte Basin Roundtable: https://cwcb.colorado.gov/about-us/basin-roundtables/south-platte-basin-roundtable Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Reach out to the team at straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    30 min

  5. Apr 30

    Affordable Housing, Rural Colorado, and the Reality Behind the Crisis

    Housing is one of the most talked-about issues in Colorado, but the reality on the ground is far more complex than most people realize. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Tony Lewis of the Donnell Kay Foundation to unpack what’s actually driving the affordable housing crisis, especially in rural communities. The conversation goes beyond headlines and legislation to explore the real bottlenecks slowing housing development, from financing gaps and workforce constraints to the limits of government-driven solutions. It also highlights an often overlooked truth: building new housing is only part of the solution. Preserving existing affordable housing may be just as critical. Because when it comes to housing, there isn’t a single fix, only a series of interconnected challenges that require new ways of thinking. What we cover:  • Why affordable housing is so difficult to build, especially in rural areas  • The gap between state funding and real-world project timelines  • Why developers, not governments, ultimately build housing  • The role of nonprofit developers and philanthropic capital  • The limitations of policies like Proposition 123  • Why preserving existing affordable housing is just as important as building new About the guest: Tony Lewis is a longtime leader at the Donnell Kay Foundation, where he works at the intersection of policy, philanthropy, and systems change. With more than two decades of experience, he focuses on practical solutions across issue areas including housing, food systems, and education, with a particular emphasis on underserved and rural communities. Resources: • Donnell Kay Foundation: https://dkfoundation.org • Rural Homes Colorado: https://ruralhomescolorado.com/ Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Reach out to the team at straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    28 min

  6. Apr 23

    The Power of Association, Advocacy, and Parent Voice in Education

    In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Cortney Crouch and Rob Moulton of the Education Alliance of Colorado to explore how schools and parents can come together to influence education policy. What started as a small group of charter school leaders looking for better representation has grown into a statewide alliance supporting tens of thousands of students. The conversation breaks down how advocacy actually works, why parent voice matters, and how organizations like EAC are helping schools navigate an increasingly complex policy landscape. What we cover: What the Education Alliance of Colorado is and how it startedWhy schools formed an association to engage in policy and advocacyHow lobbying and grassroots parent engagement work togetherHow EAC supports schools before, during, and after legislation passesWhy empowering parents has become a key driver of policy impactAbout the guests:  Cortney Crouch is Board Chair of the Education Alliance of Colorado and works with charter schools on finance and operations. Rob Moulton is a board member and longtime advocate for charter schools, with experience in school governance and legislative engagement. Together, they help lead EAC’s efforts to support schools and activate parent voices across Colorado. Resources: • Education Alliance of Colorado: edallianceco.org Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    29 min

  7. Apr 7

    Data Centers, Energy Demand, and the Policy Fight at the Capitol

    New data centers are rapidly expanding across the country, driven by the growth of AI and digital infrastructure. But behind that growth are real questions about energy use, water consumption, cost to consumers, and community impact. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Senator Cathy Kipp to break down one of the most complex policy debates of the Colorado legislative session. Two competing bills are shaping the conversation, one focused on incentives and economic growth, the other on guardrails, transparency, and long-term sustainability. Because when new industries move fast, policy has to catch up just as quickly. What we cover: • What data centers are and why demand is growing so quickly • The two competing bills at the Capitol and what each is trying to do • Concerns around energy use, water consumption, and grid expansion • Who should pay for infrastructure, companies or ratepayers • The debate over tax incentives and whether they actually deliver value • Community impacts, including environmental concerns and local opposition • The political challenge of balancing labor, environmental, and economic interests • What happens next as the legislative session moves toward a deadline About the guest: Cathy Kipp is a Colorado State Senator representing Fort Collins and currently serves as Senate President Pro Tempore. She is the sponsor of Senate Bill 102, which focuses on establishing guardrails, transparency, and protections related to data center development in Colorado. Resources: • Colorado General Assembly: https://leg.colorado.gov/ • Senate Bill 102: http://www.leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB26-102 • House Bill 1030: http://www.leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1030 Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com. Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    30 min

  8. Mar 31

    Federalism, Transparency, and the Hidden World of Federal Grants

    Most of us assume government funding is tracked, understood, and easy to follow. But when it comes to federal dollars flowing into states, especially through grants, the reality is far more complicated. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Steven Johnson of the Center for Practical Federalism to unpack how federal money moves, why transparency is so limited, and what it means for taxpayers, lawmakers, and communities. Because if we cannot see where money is going, it becomes nearly impossible to understand what government is actually doing or whether it is working. What we cover: • What federalism means and how power is split between federal and state governments • How federal funding and grants shape state decisions • Why it is so hard to track where federal money actually goes • The lack of transparency around billions in public funding • Why this issue has bipartisan support • How better transparency could improve accountability and decision-making About the guest: Steven Johnson is a Fellow with the Center for Practical Federalism at the State Policy Network. A former Michigan state legislator, his work focuses on restoring the balance of power between federal and state governments and advancing practical solutions like federal grant transparency to improve accountability and decision-making. Resources: • Federalism Scorecard: federalismscorecard.com • State Policy Network: spn.org Leave a review and stay in touch: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com. Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

    23 min
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About

The Straight-Up 30 cuts through the noise and delivers clear, accessible breakdowns of the most relevant policy, political, and governmental issues shaping our world. No partisanship. No spin. No tired talking points. Just straightforward analysis that anyone can understand — in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re a seasoned policymaker, a political professional, or an engaged citizen, The Straight-Up 30 gives you the clarity you need in a world full of confusion. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ross Izard
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Straight-Up 30
  • Show Website
    The Straight-Up 30