Engage The Rockies Podcast

Kristi Pollard, a longtime Colorado resident and leader in economic development, heads the Metro District Education Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to educating Coloradans about metro districts—special local governments that finance and maintain public infrastructure like streets, sewers, and parks. Drawing on decades of experience in government and nonprofit sectors, Kristi is passionate about helping residents understand how these districts operate, how taxes are levied and managed, and how local citizens can get involved—ensuring transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making across Colorado communities.

The Bill of Rights Institute is shaking up civics education by making American history personal, practical, and rooted in gratitude. With free, engaging resources for teachers and students across Colorado and the nation, BRI empowers young people to build real knowledge, develop essential skills, and become engaged citizens ready to make a difference in their local communities.

https://billofrightsinstitute.org/

Erin Lee, a Northern Colorado mother, became an advocate for parental rights after discovering her daughter was secretly exposed to gender ideology and encouraged toward medical transition at school without parental consent. Now executive director of Protect Kids Colorado, Lee and her coalition are challenging state laws like HB 25-1312 and spearheading three citizen ballot initiatives to ban child sex trafficking, protect girls’ sports, and prohibit irreversible gender procedures on minors, aiming to give Colorado voters a direct say on these controversial issues.  

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 4th week of June 2025.

To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.engagetherockies.com and we'll provide them monthly on a Monday.

Homelessness in Denver has reached record levels, with more individuals experiencing homelessness than ever before, yet recent efforts have led to a significant decrease in the number of people sleeping on the streets as more are moved into shelters. Despite this progress, the number of chronically homeless individuals—those cycling between shelters and the streets—continues to rise, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the ongoing debate over the most effective long-term solutions. DJ Summers walks through the latest CSI Report.

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 3rd Week of June 2025.

To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.engagetherockies.com and we'll provide them monthly on a Monday.

Republican Minority Leader Rose Pugliese reflects on the Colorado legislative session, emphasizing the caucus’s commitment to affordability, parental rights, and grassroots engagement as key priorities shaped by constituents’ concerns at their doors1. Despite setbacks on issues like retail delivery and grocery bag fees, she highlights successes in mobilizing public opposition to challenging the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and reshaping controversial bills through robust grassroots activism.

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 2nd week of June 2025.

To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.EngageTheRockies.com and we'll provide them monthly on Mondays.

Former Colorado State Senator Mark Hillman discusses the Colorado Civil Justice League’s (CCJL) efforts to limit frivolous lawsuits and promote fairness in the state’s civil justice system, noting a significant rise in legislation that expands opportunities for litigation. He explains how recent legal trends and legislative changes have made Colorado one of the most expensive states for lawsuits, impacting both businesses and consumers, and emphasizes the need for balanced reforms to restore predictability and accountability in the enforcement of laws. 

Engage covers the top headlines from around Colorado for the 1st Week of June 2025.

To receive the full articles covered in today's episode, sign up to our emailing list at www.EngageTheRockies.com and we'll provide them on alternate Mondays.