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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Nov 12, 2026 · 36:00
Could Colorado Kill Your Loyalty Rewards? The Coming Tech Crackdown Could Colorado's next legislative session kill loyalty rewards programs, threaten free speech, expand…
Nov 5, 2026 · 38:15
How do we make sense of this crazy election? Well, we ask Marianne Goodland from the Denver Gazettes and Colorado Politics. Colorado just experienced a political earthquake and…
Oct 29, 2026 · 49:11
So just how bad is the drought situation in Colorado? Well, according to Alan Salazar, the head of Denver Water, real bad. On this episode of **Devil's Advocate**, Jon Caldara…
Oct 22, 2026 · 31:58
Just how bad is this election going to be for Republicans, both in Washington and in Colorado? Republican strategist Dick Wadhams handicaps it and predicts the future.
Oct 15, 2026 · 42:54
Journalist T.R. Reid joins us for a heated debate over Colorado's proposed income tax changes, bracket creep, millionaire flight, and the future of TABOR refunds. Who really…
Oct 8, 2026 · 33:58
What would Teddy Roosevelt do? Would he want a right to hunt and fish? Well, Luke Hilgemann from the International Order of Teddy Roosevelt channels the former president.
Oct 1, 2026 · 49:14
You know, assault weapons are new and modern. There's never been anything like them in American history. Well, at least that's what you thought until you listened to Ashley…
Sep 24, 2026 · 41:05
Who knew Western wear would make Denver famous? Rockmount Ranchwear has been around since the 40s and is still going strong. Not just with ranchers, but with rock stars and with…
Sep 17, 2026 · 38:32
On Colorado's crowded ballot will be a right to hunt and fish. A right. Dan Gates is a lifelong Colorado sportsman who serves as the Executive Director of Coloradans for…
Sep 10, 2026 · 35:46
Colorado employers are facing a crisis. There are not enough qualified, educated candidates to hire. Ed Sealover from the Colorado Chamber explains how job training pipelines…
Sep 3, 2026 · 32:24
Colorado is considering a $4.7 billion passenger rail plan—but will it actually ease congestion, and who ultimately pays for it? Transportation policy expert Randall O’Toole…
Aug 27, 2026 · 43:16
Could an easy Democratic win actually be a political trap? Eric Sondermann explains why victory in 2026 could keep Democrats from learning the hard lessons of 2024.
Aug 20, 2026 · 38:30
Steve Pomerance is a former city council member in Boulder and part of the great old liberal guard. He's getting tired of the duplicity and secretiveness of politicians,…
Aug 13, 2026 · 37:35
Ever wonder why a politician does what he does? Well, he's pushed to do it by something known as the political vice. He answers the pressure put on him. John Tillman explains it…
Aug 6, 2026 · 37:30
Data centers are the worst thing for Colorado. No, data centers are the best thing for Colorado. Which is it? Mark Jaffe of the Colorado Sun Sets Us Straight.
Jul 30, 2026 · 40:20
Over 14,000 jobs have been lost in Colorado because of overregulation. Loren Furman runs the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and shows that nearly 100 companies are leaving because…
Jul 23, 2026 · 40:38
Should children under 18 years old be allowed to get gender affirming surgery? Should boys be able to play in girls sports? These are some of the issues that the Colorado Parents…
Jul 16, 2026 · 41:11
Are you angry that Jared Polis commuted the sentence of Tina Peters? Well, Dougco Sheriff Darren Weekly is more angry that he commuted the sentence of a cop shooter.
Jul 9, 2026 · 35:49
When you think great films, you usually don't think Colorado, you think Hollywood. But Colorado has been the set place for lots of terrific movies. Christopher Getzen from the…
Jul 2, 2026 · 43:05
Denver's business climate has certainly changed and not for the better. Let's get a viewpoint from the left of what needs to be done from writer Erik Clarke.
Jun 25, 2026 · 39:46
My son has down syndrome and I worry about his future. Where will he live? Who will care for him? What kind of work can he do? Fortunately, the Daniels Fund has been worrying…
Jun 18, 2026 · 38:37
I never thought the wild west state of Colorado would lead the nation in gun control. Isn't that California or Massachusetts job? Ray Elliott of the Colorado State Shooting…
Jun 11, 2026 · 42:01
So all the snow falls in Colorado, but we have to give the water to California.
Jun 4, 2026 · 33:17
You can't fight city hall. Well, Brandon Wark of Free State Colorado thinks otherwise. Citizen activism works, and he can prove it.
May 28, 2026 · 38:23
The rumors are true, there is life outside of the Denver Boulder corridor. For the folks down south in places like Pueblo, Colorado's war on energy, well, it's destroying their…
May 21, 2026 · 47:38
Yes, we're losing liberty in the United States and in Colorado, but by comparison to the rest of the world, we're still the gold standard. Brad Lips of the Atlas Network explains…
May 14, 2026 · 30:09
In this conversation, political scientist Lindsey Cormack discusses why America’s civic knowledge crisis may be deeper than most people realize. From students not understanding…
May 7, 2026 · 35:56
How in the world can the Colorado Republican Party be as dysfunctional as it is? I put that question to Brita Horn, the outgoing chair of the state party.
Apr 30, 2026 · 43:15
You might have heard that democracy is under assault by Donald Trump. Oddly, the Democrats in the state legislature who are shouting "no kings" are making Trump look like a…
Apr 23, 2026 · 40:50
Given the media coverage, there's no reason you'd know this, but there's a whole bunch of Colorado that is not on the Front Range. No, really. Wade Haerle of Club 20 even says…
Apr 16, 2026 · 37:23
Why is it the left needs to constantly go out and protest? And why is it getting so, well, mean? Wayne Lagusen of Wayne's Word gives us an answer.
Apr 9, 2026 · 40:00
What if outside organizations could place their own people inside government? We break down a little-known Colorado scheme where privately funded staff are embedded within the…
Apr 2, 2026 · 35:19
If you think both Republicans and Democrats in Colorado are getting a little too extreme, maybe there's a way to bring those candidates back towards the middle, back towards…
Mar 26, 2026 · 38:21
Everybody panic. The state budget is in a deficit again. Watch your wallets. What caused this budget shortfall and how could we get out of it? We put that question to the state's…
Mar 19, 2026 · 43:05
It's not a big surprise that young men have a certain sexual drive. The best way to satisfy that...could it be marriage? Could it be prostitution? We asked that question to…
Mar 12, 2026 · 34:35
What’s really happening inside America’s schools? In this episode, veteran educator Priscilla Rahn—teacher, former principal, and National Board Certified Master Teacher shares…
Mar 5, 2026 · 39:14
When you go to the doctor, do you feel like you're treated like a number? Do you remember doctors spending more time looking at their patients than looking at computer screens?…
Feb 26, 2026 · 34:19
Does local talk radio even matter in today's national media landscape? I mean, how do local stories get the coverage they deserve? I discuss it with Ryan Schuiling, host of 630…
Feb 19, 2026 · 33:23
We often forget Colorado is still a massive agriculture and ranching state. Has the Trump administration been good for our state's farmers and ranchers? Well, we ask former state…
Feb 12, 2026 · 32:49
How is it that we have so much choice inside the public school system in Colorado, but absolutely little choice outside of it? I put that question to Ross Izard, Educational…
Feb 5, 2026 · 39:49
Is It Time to free Tina Peters? I put that question to the one and only Dick Wadhams, Republican Consultant to the Stars.
Jan 29, 2026 · 37:07
In Aurora, Cindy Romero lived in the apartment complex terrorized by Venezuelan gang members. What did the media miss about that episode? And what does she think of Donald Trump…
Jan 22, 2026 · 51:59
Businessman, philanthropist and political activist Kent Thiry is investing in a new model of elections in Colorado, one that recognizes the dominance of independent voters. Here,…
Jan 15, 2026 · 36:18
As Colorado turns 150 years old, you gotta wonder if the same value of rugged individualism that defined the state still exists here. No one better to weigh in than Patty Calhoun…
Jan 8, 2026 · 32:41
Grab your wallets and hold on tight. As the Colorado Legislature gets back in session, Director of Policy for Independence Institute, Jake Fogleman forecasts the session and…
Jan 1, 2026 · 33:04
We just passed the tax increases prop LL & MM to force Colorado's rich guys to continue to buy lunches for just slightly less rich families. We were told if we didn't, the…
Dec 18, 2025 · 45:54
A 12 year old daughter was invited to art club at school only to find out it had nothing to do with art. It was a transgender indoctrination session. Now her mother, Erin Lee, is…
Dec 11, 2025 · 32:06
Is there any place more accepting of diverse ideas than a college campus? Well, just look at Colorado's own Western State College for proof as students try to open up a…
Dec 4, 2025 · 32:42
After all the years warning us of the upcoming energy disaster that is Colorado's energy policy, Amy Oliver Cooke tells us there might be a little bit of hope. Just a little bit…
Nov 27, 2025 · 35:23
Is the golden era of local radio and local news television stations over. Is there any way to make sure that these treasures for the community actually stay alive and viable?…
Nov 20, 2025 · 34:15
How about we take urban at risk kids and teach them to shoot guns? Well, that's exactly what my friend Mike Mills does with his charitable organization, Clay Connections. And the…
Nov 13, 2025 · 35:11
Another Colorado election and another sweep for the left. Marianne Goodland from the Gazette Newspapers dissects the results.
Nov 6, 2025 · 44:35
After Charlie Kirk's assassination, what's left of the organization he built into a political machine. Spencer Walker runs Turning Point USA in the Denver area. He sees…
Oct 30, 2025 · 34:02
Is school choice only for those who have money? For over 20 years now, Parents Challenge has been helping poor families get the educational services that are right for their…
Oct 23, 2025 · 30:34
Is there anything like taxing rich people to buy free lunches for just slightly less rich people? Our own Nash Herman dives into the details of ballot issues LL and MM.
Oct 16, 2025 · 45:55
Over 50% of all Colorado voters are now unaffiliated or independent voters. Does the old model of Republican and Democrat no longer apply? Dave Ryan of the New Forward Party…
Oct 9, 2025 · 40:15
Is Donald Trump trying to take over the United States government? Is our republic in danger? Or is it possible that the Congress over time has just given him the power to act…
Oct 2, 2025 · 43:22
CompleteColorado.com has been publishing news and views for Colorado for 17 years. What's the secret of their success, and is local media even viable in today's environment? We…
Sep 25, 2025 · 43:06
While we worry about the state of liberty here, it's worth comparing ourselves to those in other countries. Tom Palmer from the Atlas Network travels the globe working with…
Sep 18, 2025 · 34:30
The Regional transportation district covers 2,300 square miles. Kathleen Chandler is on their board of directors and tries to explain how in the world they can do their job.
Sep 11, 2025 · 40:38
Just two days before the shooting at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Jon Caldara sat down with Laura Carno, Executive Director of FASTER Colorado, which trains armed…
Sep 4, 2025 · 43:46
Another Colorado legislative special session or not so special session? There's been four of them in five years, and this one was a mess, as veteran reporter Marianne Goodland…
Aug 28, 2025 · 50:44
Utility companies are having record profits, our energy bills are skyrocketing even though we're using less energy. And Colorado supposed to meet some renewable mandate without…
Aug 21, 2025 · 59:35
Erik Voorhees is a renowned crypto entrepreneur and early Bitcoin advocate who has long championed the digital currency as a revolutionary tool for financial sovereignty. As the…
Aug 14, 2025 · 34:24
Writer Stephen Green and his wife were drawn to Colorado to raise their family here. Now the changes in Colorado culture is pushing them to leave. Why?
Aug 7, 2025 · 32:49
Grandparents love to spoil their grandkids, but they also want them to get a better education than what they're getting now. Linda White founded Grandparents for Kids to recruit…
Jul 31, 2025 · 42:14
Anders Ingemarson is the kind of capitalist that scares your progressive friends. His latest book, Think Right or Wrong, Not Left or Right, is a full throated argument for…
Jul 24, 2025 · 35:43
It's not just the federal government that carries a lot of debt. So do most all big cities, and Denver is no exception. Except, of course, Denver's going to be asking you soon…
Jul 17, 2025 · 42:28
I mean, come on, who hasn't wanted to kick Jeff Hunt right up the backside? I mean, isn't that what that social conservative and 710 KNUS talk show host deserves? Well, that's…
Jul 10, 2025 · 44:14
The US Supreme Court has issued a slew of decisions, what does it mean for Colorado? Constitutional expert Rob Natelson interprets it for us.
Jul 3, 2025 · 44:22
Raised in a Colorado Jewish family, Dave Kopel made Boulder his home decades ago. He's noticed the town and the state is growing more hostile to Jews.
Jun 26, 2025 · 33:30
Is it possible that Colorado's legislature did not make things worse for consumers of energy this last session? Energy expert Jake Fogleman explains there's still an energy…
Jun 19, 2025 · 34:41
How do a few random posts on social media grow into a machine for political activism? Jessica Fenske's journey started with a few tweets as Forest Mommy.
Jun 12, 2025 · 29:22
As we all know, conservatives, especially the young ones, hate the environment and want to pollute it. Not so fast, says Hunter Rivera from the American Conservation Coalition.
Jun 5, 2025 · 34:21
How does a conservative college student survive on today's progressive university campus? If she's Joelle Webb, she writes a book to tell her progressive friends why she values…
May 29, 2025 · 48:08
Veteran Capitol reporter Marianne Goodland is tired of the state legislature dodging Colorado's open meeting laws, and they didn't make things any better this last legislative…
May 22, 2025 · 41:17
Helen Raleigh escaped Communist China for the promise of America. She found an America obsessed with racial victim ideology for every minority except, surprisingly, for Asians.…
May 15, 2025 · 45:43
Isn’t the purpose of research in colleges and universities to challenge the status quo, rather than be constrained by it? Robert Maranto, who holds the 21st Century Chair in…
May 8, 2025 · 1:00:32
Ted Trimpa is one of the prime architects of the progressive left's takeover of Colorado. When he says they've gone too far, you might want to listen.
May 1, 2025 · 41:29
In places like Ghana and Kenya, most families cook on an open wood burning fire that pollutes not only their families air, but the planets. How would their lives and the planet's…
Apr 24, 2025 · 42:53
By law, children must go to school, and if parents can't afford a private school or to home school, children must go to government run schools. That makes our children's safety…
Apr 17, 2025 · 53:24
Within six years, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed 23 anti gun bills into law. His most recent, Senate Bill 3 (SB25-003), creates the country's most restrictive…
Apr 10, 2025 · 36:11
The Colorado Legislature exempted themselves from our open meetings laws. Denver's mayor used encrypted messages that self delete. What happened to governmental transparency?…
Apr 3, 2025 · 32:52
What happens when a school district has a process to decide what books should and shouldn't be in the school library? A process that includes the community? Well, they get sued,…
Mar 27, 2025 · 43:01
There is a growing unease inside Colorado's progressive machine. Are the Democrats in power running faster to the left than voters want? Political strategist Deep Singh Badhesha…
Mar 20, 2025 · 45:50
Is the city of Denver dying? With crime, a high minimum wage and stifling regulations, over 200 restaurants have gone out of business. Andrew Feinstein, proprietor of EXDO, which…
Mar 13, 2025 · 32:27
It is still possible for state legislators to have real jobs, you know, working in a factory. Representative Ryan Gonzalez, a freshman, lets us know what it looks like on the…
Mar 6, 2025 · 36:28
The courts have been very, well, terrible to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. But wait, we have a victory! Tyler Martinez from the National Taxpayers Union explains that he got all…
Feb 27, 2025 · 39:04
New regulations and high demand have caused steak prices to skyrocket. Dr. Chuck Duray shares what it's like to be a rancher in Colorado.
Feb 20, 2025 · 37:46
Are Unions pushing back against Colorado Progressives? Public Affairs Editor Jon Murray of the Denver Post discusses the bills being proposed in the 2025 Colorado State…
Feb 13, 2025 · 33:42
Are Coloradans experiencing buyers remorse when it comes to releasing killer wolves into our backcountry? County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf details the reality of dropping…
Feb 6, 2025 · 40:53
Transparency is a key to government accountability. Often judges have to order that public information become, well, public. How very odd then, that many judges refuse to follow…
Jan 30, 2025 · 34:41
Ed Warner is an engineer, scientist, conservationist, and philanthropist. Back in the day, he even used a slide rule. He learned understanding how to measure something isn't just…
Jan 23, 2025 · 54:37
Jon Caldara asks longtime Colorado political strategist Eric Sondermann why the democratically controlled state government is passing so many anti liberty and anti business laws…
Jan 16, 2025 · 44:49
What's it like going into the state legislature as a newbie representative walking right into GOP dysfunction in a brewing progressive civil war? Well, Jarvis Caldwell is about…
Jan 9, 2025 · 42:36
Are Colorado's laws making the state an illegal immigration magnet? With over two decades experience working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, John Fabbricatore has seen…
Jan 2, 2025 · 46:35
Cory Gaines is a political influencer and activist. Through his Colorado Accountability Project, he shines light on government abuses big and small. Could you imagine doing…
Dec 26, 2024 · 42:25
Ed Warner is an environmentalist, conservationist and philanthropist who has served on many nonprofit boards, including one that kicked him off because he said something someone…
Dec 19, 2024 · 56:13
Kyle Clark of 9 News is arguably the most influential political commentator in Colorado. Is he a journalist? Is he an opinion maker? And with such a powerful microphone, does he…
Dec 12, 2024 · 50:39
Remember when liberals used to defend free speech instead of canceling people for saying something they find offensive, like the wrong pronoun? Famed lawyer, law professor, and…
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