Shows / Devil's Advocate
Devil's Advocate
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.
Episodes
Devil's AdvocateColorado's Drought Could Get Much Worse
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…
Devil's AdvocateRepublican Bloodbath Coming to Colorado?
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…
Devil's AdvocateHe Denies Bracket Creep Exists in Colorado's Amendment 87
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…
Devil's AdvocateCould Colorado Hunting Bans Backfire?
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…
Devil's AdvocateWorst Gun Ever?
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…
Devil's AdvocateI Asked Ringo To Take Our Picture
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado Hunters Kill What They Love?
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado's Parents Are Making Kids Poor
Colorado employers are facing a crisis. There are not enough qualified, educated candidates to hire. Ed Sealover from the Colorado Chamber explains how job…
Devil's AdvocateI Love Trains But...
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…
Devil's AdvocateCould Colorado Democrats Win Too Easily?
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado's Elected Dictatorship
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…
Devil's AdvocateWhat Colorado Politicians Actually Fear
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…
Devil's AdvocateCan Data Centers Cut Colorado Bills?
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.
Devil's Advocate14,000 Jobs Left Colorado
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…
Devil's AdvocateSchools Hid This From Parents
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado Governor Jared Polis Free a Cop Shooter?
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…
Devil's AdvocateThe Dark Side of Colorado
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…
Devil's AdvocateWhy Companies Are Fleeing Colorado
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.
Devil's AdvocateFrom Expelled Autistic Student to Master Welder
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…
Devil's AdvocateOne Colorado Law, 900 Guns Affected
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…
Devil's AdvocateThey're Taking Colorado's Water!
So all the snow falls in Colorado, but we have to give the water to California.
Devil's AdvocateCitizens Beat City Hall
You can't fight city hall. Well, Brandon Wark of Free State Colorado thinks otherwise. Citizen activism works, and he can prove it.
Devil's AdvocateRegulators Robbed Pueblo
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…
Devil's AdvocateShe Won Then Disappeared
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…
Devil's AdvocateThe "Expert Class" Problem
In this conversation, political scientist Lindsey Cormack discusses why America’s civic knowledge crisis may be deeper than most people realize. From students…
Devil's AdvocateInside the Colorado GOP Meltdown
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.
Devil's AdvocateThey Won't Let You Vote
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…
Devil's AdvocateThey Know Blackouts Are Coming
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…
Devil's Advocate"They Tore The Papers From My Hands"
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.
Devil's AdvocatePeople Planted In Colorado Legislature
What if outside organizations could place their own people inside government? We break down a little-known Colorado scheme where privately funded staff are…
Devil's AdvocateCrazy People Are Taking Over Politics
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…
Devil's AdvocateIs Colorado Broke?
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…
Devil's AdvocateDating Apps Trick Women?
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…
Devil's AdvocateWhat Happened To Teaching Teachers?
What’s really happening inside America’s schools? In this episode, veteran educator Priscilla Rahn—teacher, former principal, and National Board Certified…
Devil's Advocate$19 Test...$800 With Insurance
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…
Devil's AdvocateCancel Culture's Dirty Secret
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…
Devil's AdvocateWar on Rural Colorado
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…
Devil's AdvocateWho Blocks Charter Schools?
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…
Devil's AdvocateFree Tina Peters?
Is It Time to free Tina Peters? I put that question to the one and only Dick Wadhams, Republican Consultant to the Stars.
Devil's AdvocateAurora Apartments Under Siege
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…
Devil's AdvocateTyranny of the Minority
Businessman, philanthropist and political activist Kent Thiry is investing in a new model of elections in Colorado, one that recognizes the dominance of…
Devil's AdvocateColorado's Second Ambassador?
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…
Devil's AdvocateIs Jared Polis Breaking Rank?
Grab your wallets and hold on tight. As the Colorado Legislature gets back in session, Director of Policy for Independence Institute, Jake Fogleman forecasts…
Devil's AdvocateThe Lie That Sold LL & MM
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…
Devil's AdvocateEducation to Trafficking Pipeline?
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…
Devil's AdvocateTurning Point USA Denied After Shooting
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…
Devil's AdvocateGas Appliance? Confiscated!
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…
Devil's AdvocateHidden Risks of Internet Outages
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…
Devil's AdvocateWhy Arm School Kids?
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…
Devil's AdvocateRich Folks Robbing The Slightly More Rich
Another Colorado election and another sweep for the left. Marianne Goodland from the Gazette Newspapers dissects the results.
Devil's AdvocateTurning Point Colorado: After The Assassination
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…
Devil's AdvocateHow $2,000 Changes Futures
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado's LL & MM: The $95,000,000 "Free" Lunch
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…
Devil's AdvocateCan Jungle Ballot Move Forward?
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…
Devil's AdvocateIs The Constitution Failing?
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado News Dying?
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…
Devil's AdvocateLeft or Right Power Will Turn On You - Tom Palmer
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado RTD Board, Puppets of Legislature? - Kathleen Chandler
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…
Devil's AdvocateProtectors Shackled - Laura Carno
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…
Devil's AdvocateColorado's "Messy" Special Session - Marianne Goodland
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…