In Episode 4 of Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Derek Okubo, former Executive Director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships, about why community engagement is essential to effective local government. Derek shares how Denver’s approach to human rights and community partnership has deep historical roots, what it looked like to lead the agency under Mayor Michael Hancock from 2011 to 2023, and why the best solutions come from doing work with communities, not for them. The conversation also highlights how community-led efforts shaped real policy outcomes in Denver and why preserving history, including the story of Amache, matters for civic progress today.

What we cover:

• Why community engagement matters in local government
• How Denver’s human rights and community partnerships work in practice
• Why communities are diverse and not one-size-fits-all
• Examples of community-led solutions, including Denver Days and COVID vaccination outreach
• Preserving history through Amache and why it matters today
• How community voices can drive local ordinances and real policy change

About the guest:
Derek Okubo served from 2011 to 2023 as Executive Director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships, overseeing community-focused offices, advisory commissions, and citywide partnerships. He continues to serve the community through multiple boards and Japanese American civic organizations, including efforts connected to Amache and Japanese American history, now a National Historic Site.

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If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com.

Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

In Episode 3 of Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Sami Davis, Vice President of State Affairs at Sewald Hanfling, about what lobbying actually is and what lobbyists really do day to day during the legislative session. They break down the role lobbyists play in turning policy ideas into statutory change, how the work happens inside and outside the Capitol, and why lobbying in Colorado is far more regulated than most people assume. The episode also explores who hires lobbyists, how smaller organizations and rural communities can have a voice at the Capitol, and why waiting until a crisis hits is the worst time to start.

What we cover:
• What lobbyists actually do and why the role is misunderstood
• How lobbying works day to day at the Capitol
• The rules and ethics that govern lobbying in Colorado
• Who hires lobbyists and why representation matters
• Why engaging early beats waiting for a crisis

About the guest:
Sami Davis is the Vice President of State Affairs at Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs, where she represents clients at the Colorado Capitol during the legislative session and helps translate organizational priorities into effective policy strategy and action.

Leave a review and stay in touch:
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com.

Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

In Episode 2 of Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard sits down with Jake Fogelman, Policy Director at the Independence Institute, to break down what “policy” actually is and how it differs from politics. They explain how public policy shows up in daily life, where laws and regulations live, and what policy professionals really do between elections. The conversation also offers a concrete example of policy work in action through Colorado’s clean energy definitions and the effort to include nuclear energy.

What we cover:
• What “policy” means, and how it differs from politics
• How laws and regulations shape daily life
• What policy work looks like behind the scenes, from bill language to rulemaking
• A real example of micro policy change through Colorado’s clean energy definition
• What Independence Institute is tracking in the 2026 session, including TABOR, the budget, and energy targets

About the guest:
Jake Fogelman is the Policy Director at the Independence Institute, a Denver-based free market think tank. His work focuses on state policy issues, including energy and fiscal policy, and translating technical policy details into public-facing insights.

Resources mentioned:
• Independence Institute: thinkfreedom.org
• IITV on YouTube
• PowerGab (energy podcast): powergab.org
• Complete Colorado

Leave a review and stay in touch:
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com.

Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.

In the first episode of Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard introduces the podcast and its purpose: helping people make sense of the most pressing policy issues so they can be better informed and more engaged. This episode sets the tone for the show and explains why engagement matters and why policy is not something to tune out.

What we cover:
• WhyThe Straight-Up 30 exists
• How policy affects people’s daily lives
• Why being informed leads to better engagement
• What listeners can expect from future episodes

About the host:
Ross Izard is the host of The Straight-Up 30 and brings years of experience breaking down complex policy issues into clear, human-centered conversations.

Leave a review & stay in touch:
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show. It helps more listeners find us. Have feedback or questions? Email straightup30@xiphosstrategies.com.

Straight facts. Straight talk. Straight to the point.