LITA 21: Western Colorado Held Ransom: Alex Kelloff on CD-3, Public Lands, Healthcare and Affordability
Ana and Deep head "west and south" to break down Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, the largest and most overlooked race on the June 30 ballot. They're joined by Democratic candidate Alex Kelloff, whose family roots in the district go back 130 years. The episode walks through CD-3's wild political saga and what Kelloff is actually hearing at the doors after 13 months of grassroots campaigning. They name the Tina Peters water hostage deal, FEMA's no-show in Meeker, rural hospital closures from the Big Ugly Bill, data centers straining Western Slope water, the 5-1 Garfield County vote against an ICE detention facility, and the Hope Shuffleman bribe that proves Trump will invent fake government jobs to bend a primary his way. Ballots due 7pm June 30. (This episode was taped on June 5th)
Alex Kelloff’s website: https://alexkelloff.com/
Colorado Where to Vote: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/VIP.html
Timeline:
Monday, June 8 - Last day for voters to change party affiliation; ballots mailed out and 24-hour drop boxes open
Monday, June 15 - Voter Service and Polling Centers open
Monday, June 22 - Last day to mail your ballot back and ensure it arrives on time; last day to request a replacement ballot be mailed to you
Tuesday, June 30 - Election Day; ballots must be in possession of the Clerk & Recorder by 7 p.m.
00:00 Western Colorado Held Ransom
00:23 Road Trip Playlists And Big Head Todd
01:35 Campaign Life On The Road
02:38 Rentell Sponsor Read
03:26 Meet Alex Kelloff
04:16 130 Years In The District
06:39 The CD-3 Saga: Boebert, Frisch, And Hurd
12:17 53,000 Square Miles And 51% Unaffiliated
14:28 What Voters Are Saying At The Doors
16:31 Project 2025 Comes For Public Lands
18:06 The Tina Peters Water Hostage Deal
19:32 The Polis Commutation Question
20:43 Punishing Colorado From Washington
21:02 Meeker Burned. FEMA Never Came.
21:47 Gas Prices And The Iran War
23:01 Colorado Water Law, Explained
25:31 Data Centers Are A Water Problem
27:03 Rural Hospitals After The Big Ugly Bill
29:14 The Case For Universal Healthcare
30:48 Tariffs, Iran, And What Congress Can Fix Now
33:58 The 5-1 Garfield County Vote
35:43 Immigrant Communities And The Latino Vote
37:23 13 Months In, A Last-Minute Opponent
40:13 The Hope Shuffleman Bribe
43:04 Vote By June 30
45:22 Outro And Subscribe
Meet Your Hosts
Ana Mitchell, Ph.D., is a former CDC scientist who was swept up in federal cuts and is now reinventing herself as a civic coach and creator. After a decade reducing disparities in health and education, she’s building Civically Fit (see civicallyfit.org) to make civic engagement accessible, authentic, and sustainable. A proud Latina and Colorado native, Ana is focused on helping people build community and power through everyday civic action.
Deep Singh Badhesha is an attorney, political strategist, and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience shaping political campaigns and policy in Colorado. A former public school math teacher, Colorado Supreme Court clerk, and senior policy analyst, he now works across campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislative fights. He’s South Asian, a new dad, and a longtime organizer who believes community—not saviors—will rebuild the Left. He also has way too many hot takes on everything stemming from food and sports to politics.
Links:
Website: www.LeftInTheAttic.com
Instagram: @leftintheatticpod
TikTok: @left.in.the.attic
Email: LeftInTheAtticPod@gmail.com
Voicemail: (303) 416-2846
