Who's Gonna Govern?

Colorado Public Radio

Election season is messy. So many candidates. So little time! How to choose? We can’t fill out the bubbles for you, but there are other ways we know how to help. In Colorado Public Radio’s latest season of “Who’s Gonna Govern?” you’ll hear in-depth interviews with candidates in some of our state’s biggest — and most exciting — races. Who will replace Jared Polis in the governor’s mansion? Will Democrats change course from first-term Sen. John Hickenlooper? Can upstart democratic socialist Melat Kiros or CU regent Wanda James beat out super-veteran Diana DeGette in Colorado’s First Congressional District? “Who’s Gonna Govern?” will be periodically popping into your feed throughout the primary season with new episodes – including GOP candidates for governor. And — before you even have a chance to miss us — we will be back with all new interviews for the general election. For more information about the candidates and their races, check out CPR's entire primary voter guide.

  1. Forum: Democrat candidates for Colorado Attorney General

    1d ago

    Forum: Democrat candidates for Colorado Attorney General

    Hetal Doshi, Michael Dougherty, and David Seligman participate in a forum for Colorado attorney general on May 15, 2026 in front of an audience at the Colorado Women’s Bar Association annual conference in Vail. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    45 min
  2. Debate: GOP candidates for Colorado governor

    1d ago

    Debate: GOP candidates for Colorado governor

    It’s been two decades since Colorado elected a Republican governor. But the GOP keeps trying. Colorado Representative Scott Bottoms and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer faced off in a live debate on May 14, 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    55 min
  3. Debate: Democrat candidate for Colorado governor

    1d ago

    Debate: Democrat candidate for Colorado governor

    U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser faced off in a live debate on May 7, 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    55 min
  4. Melat Kiros, First Congressional District candidate

    1d ago

    Melat Kiros, First Congressional District candidate

    Kiros is one of two candidates challenging incumbent Diana DeGette for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s the first candidate to beat incumbent Diana DeGette during the Democratic Assembly since DeGette joined Congress in 1997. Kiros is a former attorney, grad student, and barista. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to Kiros about what it would mean to have a democratic socialist leading CD-01. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    23 min
  5. Wanda James, First Congressional District candidate

    1d ago

    Wanda James, First Congressional District candidate

    James is one of two candidates challenging incumbent Diana DeGette for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s a CU Regent, the first Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in the country, and a former naval officer. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to James about how she wants to shake up the First Congressional District. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    28 min
  6. Diana DeGette, First Congressional District candidate

    1d ago

    Diana DeGette, First Congressional District candidate

    DeGette is seeking reelection in a three-way race against Wanda James and Melat Kiros for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s represented the District for nearly three decades, is the ranking Democrat on the Health and Human Services Committee, and is co-chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to DeGette about where she stands on the issues in 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    20 min
  7. Julie Gonzales, U.S. Senate candidate

    1d ago

    Julie Gonzales, U.S. Senate candidate

    Gonzales is running against incumbent John Hickenlooper in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. Hickenlooper declined our interview. The winner will face Republican State Senator Mark Baisler in the fall. Gonzales currently represents Colorado’s 34th Senate district, which comprises Denver. CPR’s Ryan Warner  talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    24 min
  8. Phil Weiser, candidate for governor

    1d ago

    Phil Weiser, candidate for governor

    Weiser is running against state senator Michael Bennet in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. He previously served in the Clinton and Obama Justice Departments. CPR’s Ryan Warner  talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Election season is messy. So many candidates. So little time! How to choose? We can’t fill out the bubbles for you, but there are other ways we know how to help. In Colorado Public Radio’s latest season of “Who’s Gonna Govern?” you’ll hear in-depth interviews with candidates in some of our state’s biggest — and most exciting — races. Who will replace Jared Polis in the governor’s mansion? Will Democrats change course from first-term Sen. John Hickenlooper? Can upstart democratic socialist Melat Kiros or CU regent Wanda James beat out super-veteran Diana DeGette in Colorado’s First Congressional District? “Who’s Gonna Govern?” will be periodically popping into your feed throughout the primary season with new episodes – including GOP candidates for governor. And — before you even have a chance to miss us — we will be back with all new interviews for the general election. For more information about the candidates and their races, check out CPR's entire primary voter guide.

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