In this episode of Unleashed, Heidi sits down with Brandon Wark, founder of Free State Colorado, for a deep dive into what’s really happening at the Capitol—and what it will take to turn Colorado around.

From major tax threats to razor-thin legislative margins, Brandon breaks down the most critical issues coming out of this year’s legislative session, including efforts to eliminate TABOR refunds and increase fees on businesses and families.

But this conversation goes beyond policy—it’s about strategy. Heidi and Brandon tackle the hard truth about Colorado politics: winning statewide races may be an uphill battle, but real change is within reach at the local level—where a few hundred or thousand votes can flip seats and reshape the direction of the state.

They also dig into the challenges facing Republicans heading into 2026, including fundraising gaps, media bias, internal party struggles, and the importance of building a clear, compelling vision for voters.

The bottom line?
👉 If Colorado is going to change, it won’t happen from the top down—it will happen precinct by precinct, neighborhood by neighborhood.

🔥 Topics Covered

🔹 The biggest threats from this legislative session—including attacks on TABOR
🔹 How “fees” are being used to bypass voter-approved tax protections
🔹 Why businesses are leaving Colorado—and what that means for voters
🔹 The reality of statewide races vs. local legislative opportunities
🔹 Key State House and Senate seats that could flip with small margins
🔹 The importance of turnout, grassroots organizing, and precinct leadership
🔹 Concerns about GOP unity, fundraising, and messaging heading into 2026
🔹 Why Colorado’s future depends on local engagement—not national politics

💥 Key Takeaway

“If we all did our small little piece… we could turn this whole state around.”

📲 Get Involved

✔️ Find your precinct leader and get connected locally
✔️ Volunteer for a state house, senate, or congressional campaign
✔️ Follow Free State Colorado for real-time legislative updates
✔️ Support independent media like Rocky Mountain Voice
✔️ Start in your own neighborhood—that’s where change begins

📩 Subscribe for more: rockymountainvoice.com
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