Politically Divided Talk-Radio Team Has Denver Firmly in Its Grip

In a city steeped in talk radio lore, two of Denver's most popular hosts have changed their focus. With the city abuzz over the Democratic National Convention coming to town this month, the co-hosts of the "Caplis & Silverman" show, both prominent lawyers, have all but stopped debating the regular lineup of salacious Colorado stories and instead taken to arguing over the presidential election. Politically charged talk radio is nothing new to Denver. This is the city where Alan Berg, a talk show host who was Jewish, was gunned down in his driveway in 1984 by white supremacists who wanted to silence him. His death became the inspiration for Eric Bogosian's play "Talk Radio" and Oliver Stone's movie of the same name. A memorial plaque hangs near the Clear Channel-Denver studio where Mr. Caplis, 51, and Mr. Silverman, 52, broadcast. Colorado has been a crucible of dynamic news over the years, and the resulting headlines — from the Columbine High School killings to the Kobe Bryant rape trial — have provided fodder for Mr. Caplis, a personal injury lawyer, and Mr. Silverman, a former chief deputy district attorney turned defense lawyer.