City Cast Denver

It’s wedding season in Colorado, and that means… your $2-million Aspen wedding could be ruined by a crappy sound system and an inconvenient gondola schedule? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk epic weddings in the Centennial State. Then they take a look at local wins and fails of the week — like that brunch place Paul can’t stop gushing about and why Colorado politics Twitter basically disappearing sucks for everyone. As always, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins the crew to share her best bets for your weekend. Got a crazy Colorado wedding story of your own? We want to hear it. Maybe you’ll help someone else avoid their own CO wedding fail. Text or leave us a voicemail on the Wedding Fail Hotline: 720-500-5418 Bree and Justine praised trash service being offered to some encampments, and Bree talked about the death of Darrius Davis as he was being evicted. Paul talked about Denver marriage registrations and the new Broncos coach’s recent interview with USA Today. This episode mentions a death by suicide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can always call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. There's help available 24 hours a day. For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Free concerts at Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We love talking about cool events and things to do around Denver. But there are so many to choose from! Which ones are truly worth your time? Which ones are going to leave you with lasting memories? And which ones are gonna give you so much FOMO? Host Bree Davies and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia each picked four awesome August events to share, and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love join to help narrow the field down to our best bet of all — the one August event where you’re most likely to see us. Here are links to all the events Bree and Peyton recommended: Bree Picks Listening Lawn, August 5 (Carpio Sanguinette Park, Globeville) Hip Hop 'til Infinity, August 11 (Five Points) Globeville Neighborhood Bike Ride, August 20 (Globeville) 5th Annual La Raza Park Day, August 27 (Sunnyside) Peyton’s Picks Meow Wolf Monster Battle, August 10 (Cheesman Park) ElevAsian Night Market Fundraiser, August 19 (Auraria) Summer Scream at Lakeside Amusement Park, August 24 (Lakeside) Chicken Fight!, August 24 (Elitch’s) For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on the formerly known Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Free concerts at Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s summertime and we’re thinking about what else — hot dogs. Does the Mile High actually have a hot dog scene? Is a hot dog a sandwich? Can you put ketchup on a Chicago-style dog if you’re not in Chicago? To answer these questions and more, the City Cast Denver team met up with our hometown dog dude, Biker Jim, to survey the wiener scene. Host Bree Davies, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia, and producer Olivia Jewell Love took a tour de hot dog from Lakewood to Northfield with Biker Jim himself to learn more about Denver’s place in hot dog culture, how he became so dang successful at slinging franks, and his famous meeting with Anthony Bourdain. Places we visited: Chicago Style Beef and Dogs (Lakewood) Mustard’s Last Stand (DU) The Dog Haus (Central Park) Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs (Ballpark) Did you catch Biker Jim’s recent appearance on Good Morning America? It was really something. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Got a favorite Denver hot dog? Or a response to something you heard on the show? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on a future episode: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Are drivers more aggressive in Denver than they used to be? Has it become the norm to speed on neighborhood streets? And most important: Why do people keep crashing their cars into stuff? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the bad driving problem, plus a new study that shows traffic downtown is back to pre-pandemic levels. Is there life downtown again? Then, we share listener voicemails about your favorite neighborhood rec centers and a Lowry resident wonders why we aren’t showing more appreciation for local liquor stores. Paul mentioned Xcel’s new back-to-the-office policy. Bree mentioned friend of the show, reporter John Moore’s post about someone crashing into a Lakeside Amusement park building. Paul and Bree also discussed “Welcome to My Office” a new addition to DIA’s massive — and kinda weird — art collection. What should we actually call DIA’s new bronze business man? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your suggestion on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion “Pioneer Music of the Mountain West” at American Museum of Western Art, presented by Swallow Hill Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

When it comes to climate change, Governor Jared Polis and the Democrats in control of the statehouse are betting big on electric vehicles, or EVs. Earlier this month, they increased the state incentive for residents purchasing an EV from $2,000 to $5,000, but that’s just the tip of this melting iceberg. CPR climate reporter Sam Brasch says there is “no better state in the country to buy an electric car than Colorado.” Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Sam to break down all the money available to EV-curious Coloradans, his personal experience owning a Chevy Bolt, and the complicated politics of EVs. Learn more about our state’s EV incentive programs. Bree mentioned Naloxone at AEG venues and KeepThePartySafe.org. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We’re less than a month into Mike Johnston’s first term as mayor, and things are already off to a bumpy start — some media outlets reported this week that the mayor would not enforce homeless encampment sweeps. Turns out that wasn’t quite the case. Plus, Suncor continues to fail, RTD is actually winning, and Denver Parks and Rec gets a well-deserved pat on the back. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer and chief conspiracy theorist Paul Karolyi and regular fave Joshua Emerson, comedian and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission. And as always, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her best bets for your weekend — think brewery birthdays, vegan mania, Aurora chef celebrations, and more! For more on the rollout of Mayor Johnston’s homelessness plan, check out this helpful piece from our pal Kyle Harris at Denverite. Paul mentioned the Aloft Hotel’s new vacancies, Cultivando’s air monitoring program in Commerce City and a new local investment opportunity. Bree talked about that big green building on Kalamath, her love for the Northside’s Ashland Rec Center, the Denverite piece on The Gathering Place-operated motel shelter shutting down, and her husband’s UMS party this weekend. Josh talked about RTD’s historic rate decrease and the prospects for this year’s sweet corn harvest. For more on Suncor — the recent shutdown and its enormous economic impact — check out our episode from back in February with Denver Post reporter Noelle Phillips. Here are links to all the events Peyton recommended: Colorado VegFest Tattered Cover: City Silhouettes Avery Brewing 30th Anniversary Aurora Chef Speaker Series For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend, featuring none other than our guest Joshua Emerson! Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence. Earlier this week on our episode about self care, we recommended a solo hike via the Brothers Lookout Loop in the Alderfer Three Sisters Park in Evergreen. Not long after, we learned about a sexual predator at-large who has been targeting women hiking alone in the Evergreen and Conifer areas, including the park we mentioned. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Olivia Jewell Love to discuss what we know so far and how to best protect yourself if you are hiking alone. If you have any information on the situation, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department: 303-271-0211. Resources for survivors can be found at the Blue Bench.

Who makes the best ice cream in town? Is it the parlor with the best vibes? Or does it all come down to who accidentally spilled a bunch of salt on their Oreo cookies? We got tons of suggestions from readers and listeners, and we narrowed down the field to four ice-cold contenders — Em’s, Liks, Sweet Action, and Little Man. Who will we crown Mile High’s best ice cream? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi, newsletter editor and resident foodie Peyton Garcia, and ice cream aficionado JD Lopez to eat way too much ice cream and pick the best in town. Did we get it wrong? Or maybe we missed your favorite local ice cream? Don’t let your neighborhood parlor be forgotten! Call or text the Cool Treats Hotline at (720)500-5418 and leave us a message with your name, neighborhood, and pick for the best ice cream in town. You might hear it on the show soon! When he’s not seeking out his next triple scoop, JD hosts the podcast Left Hand Right Brain, an exploration of creativity featuring local comedians, artists, and other creative types. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend Simple Steps, Better Air - Regional Air Quality Council Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Our friends at City Cast Salt Lake picked this fight, and we’re finally hashing it out. Can Salt Lake City really stack up to the Mile High when it’s only situated at a paltry 4,265 feet above sea level? Who has better transit, anyway? And what is with SLC’s cookie obsession? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi plus a couple of special guests — City Cast Salt Lake’s host Ali Vallarta and producer Emily Means — to dig into the myths and facts, and determine once and for all whether we’re really rival cities — or just regional siblings who like to argue. Bree mentioned Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Utah Governor Spencer Cox's recent plea for Americans to "disagree better." For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Neighbors in Congress Park and Country Club say that new infrastructure meant to keep cyclists safe is making their neighborhoods “ugly.” But is this change in our built environment really about aesthetics or more about who “owns” the road? Then, the Casa Bonita saga continues as management responds to concerns of employees who have been organizing with ROC United, and the rest of us try to figure out if we’ll ever get a table at CB again. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi tackle these stories, plus a look at Barbie mania in the Mile High and a comment from a listener about what we talk about when we talk about downtown. Paul quoted a 9News story about the bike lane drama; Bree mentioned Kevin Beaty at Denverite’s story on the Casa Bonita drama that continues to unfold. We played a very sweet ode to a very sweet cat at the end of today’s show, which you can find on musician Marty Jones’ bandcamp. Thanks to the Denver Post for this article about Smokey the cat’s retirement. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Today is International Self-Care Day, and what more prompting do any of us need than to spend some time with just us? From bike trails and other outdoor adventures to concert series and day trip destinations, producer Olivia Jewell Love and Demi Harvey, host of “Serve It!” on Indie 102.3, share their favorite places for self-care in the Mile High. UPDATE 7/27/23: Jeffco Sheriff’s Office released a warning to hikers two days after airing this episode to be on the lookout for a sexual predator wanted in the Conifer and Evergreen area. The suspect has been targeting solo female hikers in the area, with incidences at this park—so please hold off on solo hiking for now and remain vigilant! Bree mentioned what’s bothering the workers at Casa Bonita and the halfway point of Zero Fare for Better Air. Olivia and Demi talked about these cool spots: Denver Botanic Gardens (Cheesman Park) Hike/bike/swim at the reservoir (Cherry Creek State Park) Brother’s Lookout trail, Willow Creek Restaurant (Evergreen) Women in Sustainability's clothing swap on August 27 (Boulder Bandshell and Central Park) Concerts at Levitt Pavilion (Ruby Hill) Old Crows Antiques (Littleton) For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It was a raucous night on Colfax last night -- as usual -- and the renovated garage behind Bruz Off Fax was no exception. A distinguished panel of Colfax aficionados inaugurated the first class of five Colfax icons to our new Colfax Hall of Fame in front of a crowd at the Colfax Indie Bash. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi were joined by Westword founder and editor Patricia Calhoun, Sie FilmCenter artistic director Keith Garcia, and owner and bartender of the Oak Creek Tavern, Skyler McKinley. Together this motley crew weighs in on the people, places, and things that embody the spirit, grit, and magical weirdness of our massive main street! For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: “Independents Day” on Colfax Ave. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Next time you find yourself in LoDo or wandering around near Union Station, look down. Just below the streets of downtown, there’s a maze of old, out-of-commission tunnels that used to connect our hotels, restaurants, and stores of yore. Glimpses of these alternative pathways still exist at street level, if you know where to look. Back in January, host Bree Davies spoke with Tracy Beach, author of “The Tunnels Under Our Feet: Colorado’s Forgotten Hollow Sidewalks,” about this turn of the last century phenomenon. Beach explains what the tunnels were used for, who used them, and how to spot the remnants of these lost transit spaces today. This interview first aired on January 5, 2023. Bree and Tracy discussed the racist anti-Chinese riot of 1880 (which Bree talked with Dr. William Wei about on this show in 2021). Bree also mentioned Children’s Hospital’s new policy on gender-affirming surgery and “Casa Beer.” What do you think about Salt Lake City? Are they worthy of being our rival? Hit us with your hottest take on SLC, and you might hear it on the show soon. Text it to us or leave us a voicemail at the SLC Hotline: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: “Independents Day” on Colfax Ave. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Robert Speer. Michael Hancock. Benjamin Stapleton. Federico Peña. Wellington Webb. Each mayor of Denver leaves their mark on the city — for good, for bad, and often for both. So what can we expect from Mike Johnston? He is the latest to lead the massive, unwieldy bureaucracy that is our city government. How will his administration bend the arc of Denver history? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi speak with Nicki Gonzales, a professor of history at Regis University and former state historian, to help us set expectations for the Johnston Era. Paul mentioned Denver’s role in the brilliant utopian sci-fi novel “New York 2140” by Kim Stanley Robinson, one of the modern masters of science fiction. Bree talked about Mayor Johnston's emergency declaration on homelessness. What do you think about Salt Lake City? Is it our rival city? Or would some other city be a more suitable rival? Text or leave us a voicemail with your SLC take, your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: “Independents Day” on Colfax Ave. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Mayor Mike Johnston was inaugurated yesterday, with an inspiring speech and… a killer music festival? It’s Tuesday, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about all the local stories that mattered this week, from outgoing Mayor Michael Hancock’s last kiss goodbye to the vibes of Johnston’s first day in office. Plus, we respond to your comments on yesterday’s Colfax meme and some not-so-nice comments that our colleagues at City Cast Salt Lake made about Denver. Wanna see our Colfax meme? Check out @colfaxthings on Instagram to see our “Colfax Starter Pack” and peep some more hilarious comments. Also, come out on Thursday, July 20, for a live recording where we’re going to induct the first class of Colfax icons — people, places, and things — to a Colfax Hall of Fame. RSVP here. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Independents Day on Colfax Ave. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Do you remember your first time on Colfax Avenue? It was probably equal parts exhilarating, interesting, confusing, and entertaining, as Denver’s most famous strip tends to be. But we wanted to get to the heart of what makes a true “Colfaxian experience” — like, why does this particular street attract and inspire so much weird wonderfulness? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love decided to go right to the source, calling up Ashley, the human behind Colfax Things, an awesome Instagram account devoted to the wild, wacky, and wonderful nature of the Mile High’s most misunderstood place. Together, the crew builds a “First Time on Colfax Starter Pack” meme, in an attempt to distill the street’s glory into prime — and hopefully, viral? — internet content. Check out the meme we made with Colfax Things on her Instagram or the official City Cast Denver IG! Bree mentioned Nathaniel Minor’s reporting for Denverite on the failure of Vision Zero, and the 42 traffic deaths this year already. Special thanks to our sponsor, Colfax Ave, the Colfax Ave Business Improvement District. Join us for a LIVE recording of City Cast Denver this Thursday, July 20th, from 6-9 p.m. at Bruz Off Fax as part of the Colfax Ave Indie Bash! Bree will be joined by a special guest panel on stage live to help nominate and select the first-ever “Colfax Hall of Fame”. RSVP for free and we will see you there! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Colfax Ave Business Improvement District Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

With our first new mayor in 12 years set to be inaugurated on Monday, we’re running out of time to resolve the most pressing issues of the Hancock Era. One of the most persistent sources of tension? Those iconic green-and-white “Denver Native” bumper stickers. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi talk it out with returning favorite Joshua Emerson, stand-up comic and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission. Then, a round of wins and fails from the week and Peyton is out, so Bree is sharing her top picks for your weekend. Paul mentioned “zombie buildings,” the Great American Beer Fest, and the true story of the transplant behind the “Native” stickers. Bree mentioned water fountains without water, the El Chapultepec Legacy Project, and the celebrated Clara Brown. Josh talked up Jamal Murray and rising rents. We all praised John Wenzel’s work with The Denver Post. Here’s his profile of Josh from earlier this year. Meet us on Colfax! RSVP here for our live recording on the ‘Fax next Thursday, July 20, and bear witness to the induction of the first class of the Colfax Hall of Fame. And if you think you know who should be on that list, send us a text or leave us a voicemail with your nomination, name, and neighborhood, and we might play it at the show: 720-500-5418 Here are links to the events Bree recommended: Wakanda Forever INSIDE the Historic Elitch Theater Friday Night Bazaar in the River North Art District Taylor Swift Eras Before, During, and After Parties New Moon Magick Makers Market And Josh recommended Chelsea Kaiah and Cody Norton’s opening at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder on Friday and DeadRoom Comedy live at Leon Gallery on Saturday. For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council Colorado Wine Board Denver Art Museum presents “Desert Rider” Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Is there anything worse than a bad hike? Maybe you ran out of water. Maybe you didn’t pack the micro-spikes. Maybe you’ve been walking for 6 hours straight and you’re just plain sick of it! But this is Colorado, and we’ve got tons of great hiking trails for all occasions and skill levels. Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to dish on the latest hiking news and share some favorite hiking trails — whether you’re answering the call to adventure, hoping for more of a stroll, or if all you really care about is that nice, cold beverage waiting for you at the end. UPDATE 7/27/23: Jeffco Sheriff’s Office released a warning to hikers two days after airing this episode to be on the lookout for a sexual predator wanted in the Conifer and Evergreen area. The suspect has been targeting solo female hikers in the area, with incidences at this park—so please hold off on solo hiking for now and remain vigilant! It’s time to talk Colfax. RSVP here for our live recording on the ‘Fax next Thursday, July 20, and bear witness to the induction of the first class of the Colfax Hall of Fame. And if you think you know who should be on that list, send us a text or leave us a voicemail with your nomination, name and neighborhood, and we might play it at the show: 720-500-5418 Paul mentioned the fundraiser to support police sergeant Justin Dodge and his family, declining crowds on 14ers, and CPR reporter Nate Minor’s coverage of that dang empty lot at Colfax and Broadway. Here are links to all the hikes we mentioned: South Loop Trail at Elk Meadow Park (Near Evergreen) Enchanted Mesa behind Chautauqua Park (Boulder) Fountain Valley Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park (Near Morrison) Brother’s Lookout and Three Sisters Loop (Near Evergreen) Trail to the A (Outside Fort Collins) Picketwire Canyon Trail (Near Rocky Ford) Silverdale Heritage Trail (Near Georgetown) Sky Pond (Rocky Mountain National Park) Fancy Pass and Missouri Lakes Loop (Near Leadville) For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council Colorado Wine Board Denver Art Museum presents “Desert Rider” Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Mike Johnston will be sworn in as Denver’s 46th mayor on Monday, and he’s already making moves. He hired a transition team and packed his calendar with community listening sessions. But will he roll out his “micro-communities” plan for homelessness that he campaigned so hard on? What about handling the perceptions and realities of public safety that Denver has been struggling with? And our most pressing issue: Can Mike make downtown cool again? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and returning fave, Westword editor Patty Calhoun, to talk through this week’s cover story on how Denver’s new belt buckle-wearing mayor could really help Denver get its mojo back. Patty mentioned Kyle Harris’s reporting for Denverite on the status of the permit for the Park Hill Golf Course, the Museum of Illusions coming to 16th St. Mall, and 9News’ recent reporting on 911 wait times. Patty also talked about Stephen Brackett’s idea to start a city office of a “night mayor.” He was on our show sharing more of his ideas to turn around Denver’s nightlife back in April. Where do you think Taylor Swift will be spotted around town this weekend? She’s playing two sold out shows at Empower Field, but she’ll probably see some sights, right? Call in to the Denver Era Hotline, text or leave us a voicemail with your name, neighborhood and best guess for where to spot T Swift, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council Colorado Wine Board Denver Art Museum presents “Desert Rider” Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

¡Viva! Streets! took over Broadway once again, literally intersecting with the Lowrider Show and Shine event outside the Denver Art Museum. And that had us wondering: Could this new clash of pedestrian life and car art culture start a new conversation about transit in Denver? Then, the Denver Post reported on how the Mile High stacks up when you compare rent hikes with average income increases — meaning, your housing nightmares were real all along. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi to talk about all the local stories that mattered this week, plus a question for local Swifties ahead of the Eras Tour stop at Empower Field this weekend and some commentary from you, our dear listeners! We shared some questions and comments on our recent episodes about police returning to DPS and local beverage trends this summer. Our Question of the Week: Where would Taylor Swift take John Mayer out to dinner before her shows at Empower Field? Text or leave us a voicemail with your answer, name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council Colorado Wine Board Denver Art Museum presents “Desert Rider” Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

To the chagrin of many summer lovers, Denver’s public pools are once again operating with limited hours, due to — you guessed it — staffing problems. And that’s after they raised wages last summer! So why, as the Colorado Sun recently reported, are Denver teens increasingly skipping out on summer jobs? Host Bree Davies sits down with our official teen correspondent Shana Saint-Phard, who just graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and is not working this summer, to ask the big question: Why aren’t teens working anymore? Before she graduated, Shana was a reporter with The TJ Journal. Check out her work here. Bree mentioned the end of toll-free travel on I-70’s new express lane and the reduced toll program for neighbors affected by the highway expansion. Who do you think should be in a Colfax Hall of Fame? We’re collecting nominations ahead of our live Colfax event on July 20, and we want to hear from you! We're looking for true Colfax icons -- be they people, places, or things that embody everything Colfax. Leave us your name, neighborhood, and nomination in a text or voicemail, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council Colorado Wine Board The Denver Art Museum’s new exhibit “Desert Rider” Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday and we’re talking about all the news that mattered this short, holiday week. From our expansive craft brew scene and the burgeoning world of kombucha to Boulder’s historic — and celestial — tea empire, Colorado is a big player in the beverage world. Could kava be next? A new piece in Westword about the rise of ceremonial drink has us curious. Producer Olivia Jewell Love joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk all things drinks, plus wins and fails of the week, and then newsletter editor Peyton Garcia hops on the mic to help us pick our City Cast Denver “maybe” event of the weekend, as in maybe you’ll see us there! We want to know what kind of cold ones are in your cooler this summer! Leave us a text or voicemail with your fave bev’, and your name and neighborhood on the Tell Us What Your Sippin’ On Hotline: 720-500-5418 If you enjoyed Helen Xu’s piece on kava as much as we did, check out her interview from last December with Paul when they discussed the Leprino family cheese dynasty drama. Bree mentioned a great episode from Gastropod about the origins of coffee’s popularity and Meow Wolf’s upcoming Monster Battle. Olivia wrote about Colorado’s mocktail scene. Paul mentioned Celestial Seasonings’ backstory and promised he’d share listener Cory P.’s vegetarian green chile recipe: CORY P'S VEGETARIAN GREEN CHILE 12 roasted Anaheim or Pueblo chiles, peeled & chopped. 1 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 Roma tomatoes, diced 6 cups vegetable stock (I use Better than Bouillon, mixed in hot water) 1 tsp cumin 2-8 Tbsp Cornstarch to thicken Directions: Saute onion & garlic in olive oil until soft in a 5+ quart pot. Add stock, green chiles and bring to a boil. Add tomatoes. Simmer for 1 hour. Add cornstarch mixed with water (2 tbsp or more as needed) to thicken. Serve on everything! A note on chile heat: medium chiles are usually plenty of heat for this dish. If you’d like it a little milder, a mix of mild and medium (or even just mild chiles) is fine. Peyton was stoked about the book, The Herbalist’s Happy Hour. Plus, here are some links to the events Peyton recommended: DBG’s Garden to Glass (Congress Park) Live art at Federales (Five Points) Colfax Art Jams - Taste the Fax (East Colfax) Crosscurrents (Downtown) For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Downtown Denver is definitely not the hellhole that some suburban Republicans think it is, but since the pandemic it’s certainly seen better days. The work-from-home boom means fewer and fewer people traversing the city’s core and, in turn, fewer customers for downtown shops, bars, and restaurants. But even with many eateries shuttering in the last few years — The Market, The Paramount Cafe, The Hard Rock Cafe, and even McDonald’s! — has come opportunity. Host Bree Davies is joined by Westword food editor Molly Martin and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia for lunch at one of the most exciting new spots — Little Finch on 16th Street Mall — and a conversation about the potential for a downtown dining rebirth. Check out Molly’s write-up on Little Finch for Westword; she also mentioned Sofia’s and Dragonfly Noodle. Bree talked about the recent Supreme Court ruling on a local website designer’s refusal to serve the LGBTQ community. Don’t miss our episode on the case from last December! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Did you keep a diary as a kid? Did you have that safe place where all of your teenage thoughts and daydreams lived on paper, never to be seen or read by anyone but you? Host Bree Davies certainly did — but instead of leaving her early 90s teenage musings behind lock and key, she joined a handful of fellow brave souls and read directly from her journals at Mortified Colorado a few weeks ago. Today, we’re bringing you the live recording of that fateful night on the Oriental Theater where rockstar fantasies, shopping mall dreams, and teenage drama come to life in front of hundreds of strangers. Do you have a teen diary stashed somewhere in your attic? Maybe some salacious creative writing or drawings you turned in as homework in high school? What about notes you passed to friends between periods? Mortified Colorado would love to have you be a performer at their next show — find them on Facebook or fill out this form and you could be featured! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Every city has its unwritten rules, and when Politico published its rules for surviving Washington DC, we figured why not share our tips for surviving Denver? Being new to this place can be daunting, so we wanted to answer some of those burning questions, like — does the altitude really matter? How much is too much when it comes to edibles? Why is everyone carrying around a giant water bottle? Earlier this year, Bree Davies chatted with producer Paul Karolyi and fave guest, former Westword staff writer Conor McCormick-Cavanagh, and compiled some helpful and fun tips on making your way around the Mile High City. We talked about The Gathering Place losing its lease on a motel being used for temporary housing — learn more about how to support the nonprofit on their website. Bree mentioned City Cast Denver’s next live event, the Colfax Indie Bash, happening on July 20 with our friends at the Colfax Ave BID. We’re compiling submissions for a yet-to-be-realized “Colfax Hall of Fame” and we want to know the people, places, and things you nominate. Send us your ideas via [email protected] or leave us a voicemail on the Colfax Hall of Fame Hotline at 720-500-5418! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday and we’re talking about the big local stories this week. Casa Bonita continues to dominate the news cycle but this time it isn’t all roses and sopaipillas — the company changed its tipping policy last minute and many servers and bartenders are not ok with it. All this comes as a new study ranks Denverites among the highest tippers in the country. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by podcast host and multimedia producer Graffiti to talk wins and fails: Will RTD’s zero fare summer mean better working conditions for drivers? What happened to BCycle, the Mile High’s OG bike share? And why oh why do the Rockies have to suck so bad? Plus, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her list of fun stuff to do and the City Cast Denver crew picks our official “Maybe” event rec for the weekend, as in maybe you’ll see us there. Here are links to the events Peyton recommended: FanExpo Denver 2023 (Downtown) Cherry Creek Arts Festival (Cherry Creek) Goat Head Weed Removal with Goathead Greg (Windsor) Mo’Betta Green Marketplace (Five Points) Plus, Graffiti is co-hosting Drake Night this Saturday at Ophelia’s if you want to go ‘Into the Aubrey-Verse.” Paul mentioned Albert Edwin “Pinky” Roadhs and his cousin Riley’s barber school graduation. If you’re looking for a good haircut, check out queer.clips on Instagram. Bree talked about RTD’s woes and the possible renaming of the Ross-Barnum Library. Graffiti talked about the Rockies and Detour’s amazing Nuggets mural. For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Starting in July, the City of Denver is officially launching its free composting program, which will serve more than 180,000 households across the Mile High. This means that now, along with your recycle and trash bins, you’ll also have a composting bin to help cut down even more on what goes into the landfill. But the rules of compost are tricky and ever-changing. So what exactly goes into that big green bucket on wheels anyway? Are apple cores ok? What about tea bags? Or coffee grounds? Host Bree Davies is joined by City Cast Denver’s official gardening and dirt expert Ann Marie Awad to get the down and dirty details on what you can — and can’t — put in the compost. Looking for more info on on the basics of composting? Check out the CSU Extension’s Composting 101 Guide. The City of Denver has an FAQ page with helpful tips; you can also download the Denver Trash and Recycling App for collection reminders, holiday trash schedules, and to play the trash, recycle, or compost game! Bree mentioned DIA’s security wait time checker, new reservation system, and the Denver Post’s recent report on local liquor stores’ recent sales slump. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

In the wake of the March 23 shooting at East High School, thousands of students walked out of class in protest, and the school board started what became an emotionally charged, highly controversial, three-month debate on the possible return of police to Denver Public Schools. They ultimately voted, 4-3, that police should be a “persistent presence” in our schools, but not everyone is happy with that outcome. So today on the show, host Bree Davies speaks with the board's vice president, Aoun’tai Anderson, about how the debate played out and why he thinks his fellow board members reversed their position since police were removed from schools in 2020. Bree mentioned Bike to Work Day and DPD’s new anti-theft bike registration system, as well as the official designation of La Raza Park as a historic cultural district. For a deep dive into the last three months of debate on the role of police in schools, Melanie Asmar has been covering all the twists and turns for Chalkbeat. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Tuesday, and we’re talking about all the local stories that matter this week. First up, RTD’s “Zero Fare for Better Air” promotion is back! Local public transit will be free in July and August this year, but is this really going to lead to better air quality? Host Bree Davies and Producer Paul Karolyi are talking transit and responding to some listener comments and questions about tourist traps, public art, and Stephen King’s Colorado connections. In case you missed it, here’s a link to the episode we made last week about local tourist traps. Paul mentioned RTD’s report on last year’s free-fare month, David Zipper’s piece on free transit, and this deep dive from DPL into the controversy over Buffalo Bill’s real burial site. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

After a wet winter and super rainy spring, our rivers and creeks are running high. Does that mean we’re about to witness the best tubing season ever? Lead Producer Paul Karolyi is joined by Rocky Mountain PBS reporter and tubing buff Alison Berg to break down what those high water levels mean for your summer floating plans, as well as her expert tips on the best tubing spots, safety tips, and the unspoken rules of the river. Paul mentioned the city auditor’s report on Denver Police Department and Interim Police Chief Ron Thomas’s comments on the likelihood of another “Summer of Violence.” For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday and we’re talking about all the the stories that mattered this week. The big Pride weekend is finally here, but what is the state of our LGBTQ community in Denver right now? Some residents in Douglas County are (again) clamoring for libraries to ban queer books; meanwhile, the state legislature has seen major strides in LGBTQ representation. Host Bree Davies is joined by returning fave Ann Marie Awad and City Cast first-timer Demi Harvey, who hosts Indie 102.3’s “Serve It!” The trio also discuss the Red Rocks hail disaster, Detour’s epic new Nuggets mural, and of course, Casa Bonita. Then, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins to share the best bets for your weekend plans. In addition to the many PrideFest weekend activities, here are all the weekend events Peyton recommended: Health and Fitness Expo (Barr Lake) Plant Swap and Giveaway (Sun Valley) Beer and Ice Cream Pairing (Various) Larimer Square Summer Market Series (Downtown) For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

There are lots of glitzy attractions around Denver — but which ones are really worth it? Which destinations are just tourist traps, and which ones are the real gems, you know — the tourist treats? In this final installment of our Summer Entertainment Guide, host Bree Davies is joined by newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to break down their can’t-miss and definitely-pass attractions from downtown D-town to ski towns of the Rockies. We want to hear from you, too! What are the Denver-area tourist attractions that you really unabashedly love? And which made you feel empty inside? Leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood on the Tourist Trap Hotline, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Here are links to all the places we mentioned: Royal Gorge Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave The Denver Zoo Downtown Aquarium Water World Manitou Cliff Dwellings Tiny Town Winter Park Peyton mentioned a 2022 Westword investigation into the Downtown Aquarium — we chatted with reporter Catie Cheshire about her findings. Bree also mentioned our tour of Water World last summer. Paul brought up Raven Payment’s Twitter thread on the Manitou Cliff Dwellings Every weekday, you can get even more recommendations for fun stuff to do in our Hey Denver newsletter! Subscribe here or by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Colorado’s most infamous Republican, Rep. Lauren Boebert, won re-election last November by a mere 546 votes, shocking the unsuspecting Denver public and the national press. Something was clearly changing in Boebert’s mostly rural, southern and western Colorado district, and now the Democrats have a plan to take advantage of the moment. Producer Paul Karolyi sits down with the new chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, Shad Murib, to talk about “The 546 Project,” his massive new effort to unseat Boebert in 2024, and why her vulnerability and her fame combine to make her the perfect next target for the Democrats’ push to turn Colorado blue once and for all. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

You ever see one of those signs that say “We Buy Ugly Houses” stapled to a telephone poll? Or plastered in giant block letters up on a billboard? Did you ever wonder what happens when someone calls that phone number? ProPublica investigative reporter Anjeanette Damon cracked the story wide open, and she’s on today with host Bree Davies to explain how the mysterious HomeVestors’ business model works, how they scoop up the deeds to so many perfectly good looking houses, and who is paying the price. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Nuggets are finally world famous! Denver’s hometown ballers won their first NBA Championship in franchise history, and the city has been celebrating all week. Everything culminated with a big parade downtown on Thursday, and the City Cast Denver team was there to take it all in. But of course, the Nuggets aren’t all the news — it’s Friday, so we’re talking about a new queer cultural district, a rash of shootings on the city’s streets, and question whether Trinidad has lost its shine. Diné comedian Joshua Emerson is back with producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to break down all the local stories that mattered this week. Plus, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her best bets for this (hopefully sunny) summer weekend. Bree mentioned the walking tour of Cap Hill’s queer history that we did last June with local comics artist and historian B. Erin Cole. We didn’t see this until after we recorded, but past guest and local author Jenny Shank wrote a beautiful commentary on the Nuggets’ win for her newsletter this week. Check it out and subscribe! A programming note: We are taking Monday off in honor of Juneteenth. So there won’t be another new episode in your podcast feed until Tuesday. Our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver is also off on Monday. Here are links to all the events Peyton suggested: Veggie Viernes (Westwood) Monster Truck Charity Palooza (Aurora) Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura Square) Juneteenth Festival (Five Points) For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is full of dioramas depicting wolves in the arctic, rare birds from across the U.S., and… people. Since 1978, millions of Denverites have walked through the North American Indian Cultures Hall and seen indigenous people — who come from hundreds of diverse tribes, cultures, and communities — depicted behind panes of glass. As the museum prepared to close the exhibition for good this week, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi met up with Diné comedian and Denver American Indian Commission co-chair Josh Emerson to tour the hall with DMNS curator of anthropology Chris Patrello to learn more about why this big change is happening now and how they are reimagining this space for the future. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Every Friday on City Cast Denver, our newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins the crew to offer some event recommendations, and we collectively pick the Official City Cast Denver Maybe For Your Weekend — aka the one weekend event where you’re most likely to see us. So for this second installment of our summer entertainment guide, City Cast editor Adrian González returns to help Peyton, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi pick City Cast Denver’s Ultimate Summer Maybe. Because there’s a zillion cool things happening around Denver this summer, and we narrowed it down to one rock solid recommendation. Here are all the events Peyton recommended: Arts Colorado Native: A Native American Comedy Showcase, August 24 (Highland) REVEALED: John Fielder’s Favorite Place, July 22 (Golden Triangle) Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion, July 9 (Golden Triangle) Food Strawberry Days Festival, June 16-18 (Glenwood Springs) Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, August 4-5 (Olathe) Blues and BBQ Festival for Better Housing, July 15 (Edgewater) Mountain Adventure Fibark, June 15-18 (Salida; Paul wants you to know that the pizza place he likes in Salida is Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub) Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, July 7-16 (Crested Butte) Mushroom ID Foray, July 8 (TBD) Misc. Pollinator Palooza Festival, June 25 (Westminster) Georgetown Loop Old West Days, August 19-20, 26-27 (Georgetown) Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, June 23-25 (Estes Park) For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

UPDATE 6/13/23: After this episode was published, we learned that the location of the Jor'Dell Richardson community memorial and procession planned for Friday 6/16 has been moved to Aurora Municipal Center. The event is still set to begin at 5 p.m. It’s Tuesday and we’re breaking down all the local stories that matter. First, the Aurora Police Department released bodycam footage of the killing of 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson, but questions still remain as to what happened. Also, Denver School Board director Auon’tai Anderson announced that he won’t be running for re-election; instead, he’ll be running for House District 8, where Democratic representative Leslie Herod is term-limited. Speaking of politicians, a new Colorado law says your elected officials can block you from their personal accounts on social media if they want to — but legal or not, the ACLU still thinks it's a free speech issue. Plus, producer Paul Karolyi tells host Bree Davies about a new brunch spot in LoHi that he’s excited about, which comes from Denver celeb chef (who beat Bobby Flay!) Carrie Baird. We mentioned the GoFundMe for Jor’Dell Richardson’s family, as well as a community gathering and memorial for Jor’Dell on the steps of the capitol. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

AI is everywhere right now — at least that’s how it seems. The technology has a lot of people worried, but we wanted to know: What does it actually mean for us as Denverites? Will our jobs be taken over by AI? How will it impact our daily lives? One local company has been on the cutting edge of this technology for years before the recent hype, and they recently deployed their AI at four local fast-food restaurants. So today on the show, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi take a trip to the Carl’s Jr. drive-thru in Lakeside to test out “Holly.” Then, Bree chats with Rob Carpenter, the CEO of Colorado’s Valyant AI, to learn more about how Holly works, how worried you should be about her taking your job, and what this technology is going to mean for Denver’s future. Bree mentioned the Marshall Fire investigation findings. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: badboyboards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday and we’re talking about all the local stories that grabbed our attention this week — aka, the election. Mike Johnston is officially Denver’s mayor-elect, and he made a lot of promises along the campaign trail, so which ones will he keep? Plus Casa Bonita gets a write-up in a little paper called the New York Times, Governor Jared Polis vetoes a housing bill, and the last drive-in theater in the Denver metro is closing. Producer Paul Karolyi is joined by host Bree Davies and founder of investigative news outlet The Lever and Academy Award nominee David Sirota for a rundown of everything Denver’s talking about. As always, stick around until the end for a round-up of the coolest events happening this weekend in the Mile High, curated by Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia. If you haven’t read the Times’ take on Casa Bonita, here’s a link. Paul talked about Colorado’s changing drive-in movie theaters, including this one in the San Luis Valley, and predatory towing. Bree mentioned about a story from Nate Minor in Denverite about RTD’s bad bus stop management. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! P.S. CONGRATS ON GETTING MARRIED, ANDY!!!!!! Here are links to the weekend events Peyton recommended: Lighthouse Writers Workshop Grand Opening Summer Farm Fest The Taylor Swift Party Denver Chalk Festival (Watch out for the weather forecast though!) Five Points Jazz Festival For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 or by visiting our website. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council badboyboards Energize Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

When nightclub owner Steven Alix bought the old Irish Snug, he didn’t know anything about Sid King or his famous Colfax strip club, Crazy Horse. But he soon learned that the bar at the corner of Colfax and Marion had been a staple of the strip’s infamous — and often debaucherous — nightlife scene from the 1940s to the 1980s. A few decades have passed, but now the man behind Colfax’s hottest LGBTQ bars is bringing Crazy Horse Kitchen + Bar back to life, complete with King’s original Googie-style neon sign. Host Bree Davies is joined by Steven and Keith Garcia, a fellow Colfax aficionado and artistic director at the Sie FilmCenter, to dig into the myths and magic of Colfax, Sid King’s lasting imprint on the street, and why Crazy Horse (and its companion basement nightclub) are important to the current landscape of Denver’s queer-welcoming establishments. Plus, Keith and Steven share their recs for celebrating Pride Colfax-style. Did Playboy actually call Colfax the “longest, wickedest street in America”? Bree mentioned this Denverite article investigating the infamous claim. Keith mentioned Sie FilmCenter’s slate of Pride events all month long, including a block party with Black Pride Colorado, and teased the return of the CinemaQ Film Festival in August. Steven highlighted the week of events planned at X Bar, Tight End, and Crazy Horse. Bree commented on the protests outside the new Drip Café on Santa Fe and recommends listening to our episode on Denver’s best coffee shops. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council badboyboards Energize Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The people of Denver have elected Mike Johnston to become their first new mayor in 12 years. While the results won't be official until June 20, former CEO of the Denver Chamber of Commerce Kelly Brough conceded after the belt buckle-wearing former state senator won a majority of the votes counted by 10 p.m. on Tuesday. “Tonight we start a chapter about a city that is going to be big enough to care for all of us, to support all of us, to house all of us,” Johnston declared in his victory speech. “That is our dream of Denver.” Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi discuss the results of the mayor’s race and what to expect from mayor-elect Johnston, as well the City Council runoffs in districts 8, 9, and 10. Follow Denver Elections for future updates on the races that were still too close for us to call. What are your hopes and dreams for mayor-elect Johnston? The Mayoral Madness Hotline is still open... for now. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your comments on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council badboyboards Energize Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Summer is finally here! But no need to stress if your calendar’s not already full of summer fun. Over the next three weeks on the podcast and in our newsletter Hey Denver, we’re presenting our Summer Entertainment Guide to help you make this a season to remember. First up, John Moore has been covering local arts and culture for decades, and he’s got a voracious appetite for all kinds of entertainment, from tiny backyard plays to blockbuster arena-filling concerts. He’s on today with host Bree Davies to share his personal recommendations and a heads-up about that local staple you might want to skip. Read John Moore’s work in the Denver Gazette, including this recent piece he mentioned about Denver’s many outdoor film series. Here are links to all of John’s other recommendations: Colorado Shakespeare Festival (Boulder) Oddities Alley (Victor) City Park Jazz (City Park) Five Points Jazz Festival (Five Points) Blues & Barbecue Festival for Better Housing (Edgewater) The Lyric Theater (Fort Collins) Film on the Rocks (Morrison) Phamaly Theater Company’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Downtown) Denver Fringe Festival (Five Points) Thingamajig Theatre Company (Pagosa Springs) Creede Reperatory Theater (Creede) Lake Dillon Theater Company (Silverthorne) Little Theater of the Rockies (Greeley) Goatflix & Chill (Various) Do you have a summer entertainment rec? Text it to us or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council badboyboards Energize Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Yes, Red Rocks is a world-famous concert venue, drawing music-lovers from all walks of life to the Denver suburbs. But there’s plenty more great venues in town to catch any kind of concert you want. So which one has the best sound? The best vibes? The best seating? Host Bree Davies sits down with two local musicians — Kalyn Heffernan and Gregg Ziemba of Wheelchair Sports Camp — who know all these venues inside and out to get their hard-earned tips for enjoying any kind of show and how to do Red Rocks right. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Denver an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council badboyboards Energize Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

What will the next mayor do when it comes to housing and homelessness? There are so many important issues at stake in this election, but those two might be the biggest. That's why we're so grateful that our friends at Elevated Denver were ready to go deep. Their organization aims to humanize the issue of homelessness and bring new ideas to the table through relationships with our unhoused neighbors. So please enjoy this episode of their podcast featuring in-depth interviews with the two remaining mayoral candidates — Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston -- on housing and homelessness. Here’s how they described this episode: “The Elevated Denver team is bringing you an extra special, time-sensitive, bonus episode. In Denver, we are in a runoff Mayoral election, with ballots due on June 6th. We spoke with each candidate — Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston — specifically focusing on housing and homelessness in Denver. The questions were deeply informed by our unhoused neighbors and this conversation answers questions about each candidate’s values and philosophies about this crisis in our community. Read the full transcript here.” New episodes of the Elevated Denver podcast drop biweekly. You can learn more and subscribe to Elevated Denver at elevateddenver.co. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday and we’re chatting about all the local stories that caught our eyes this week. With Election Day looming, the mayoral mudslinging has begun, and both the Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston camps are getting messy with their ads. Will these late-in-the-game attacks matter to Denver voters? And why go negative now? Producer Paul Karolyi is joined by host Bree Davies and City Cast Denver politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to parse the unfolding election drama. Plus, the crew picks their Mile High wins and fails of the week, then Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her recommendations for your weekend. Paul mentioned a Western Slope graduate and the new culture of the Broncos’ locker room. Bree talked about D3 Arts. Justine shared the mystery of the missing hat and good news from RTD. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Denver an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: badboyboards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The mayor’s race is grabbing all the headlines lately, but what about Denver City Council? With contested runoffs in Districts 8, 9, and 10 and many new faces already elected, this key branch of our local government is poised for some big changes. Incumbents Candi CdeBaca (District 9) and Chris Hinds (District 10) are both fighting to retain their seats, while District 8 is a battle between two new contenders, Shontel Lewis and Brad Revare. But these votes are about more than who gets onto City Council, they could lead to a major ideological swing and a new approach to how lawmaking gets done in Denver. Host Bree Davies and Producer Paul Karolyi break down the races and talk about what’s at stake ahead of Election Day on June 6. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: badboyboards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

While Denver’s dining scene has attracted top chefs from all over the world, it’s our mom-and-pop shops and holes in the wall that tell a deeper culinary story. Like Noodles Express, a nondescript eatery in a strip mall on Colorado Boulevard that happens to serve up some of the best Szechuan cuisine in town. We stopped by the recently a lo-fi feast of sweet, salty, and tongue-numbing spice with our fave gastro guide, Westword food editor Molly Martin. Today on the show, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and host Bree Davies celebrate the last day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Molly as they dine on mapo tofu and dish about their fave Asian restaurants across the Mile High. Molly mentioned the Crazy Hungry Asians of Colorado group on Facebook, the Westword profile of Adam You, You’s Denver Chinese Source blog and the return of Mile High Asian Restaurant Week. Here’s Molly’s original review of Noodle Express, as well as her story on the restaurant bouncing back from the brink of closure. All the great places we mentioned: Noodles Express (Colorado Blvd.) New China (Alameda & Pearl) Chada Thai (Uptown) 303 Ramen (Arvada) Szechuan Tasty House (College View) Meat and Eat Bistro (Hampden) Meta Asian Kitchen (Highland) Pho King Rapidos (Highland, for now) Yuan Wonton (Food Truck) CoArk Food Hall (Centennial) Tommy’s Thai (Congress Park) Pho Hong (Alameda & Federal) Tí Cafe (South Broadway) Please take our listener survey! We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast Denver an even better, more useful podcast for you. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 5 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsor of this episode: badboyboards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Shinesty CEO Chris White got his start selling thrift store finds to his fellow CU Boulder students hoping to stand out at parties. Thanks to a surprise shout-out from Al Roker, Shinesty is now the fastest growing apparel company in Denver, with millions in venture-capital investment, new retail deals with Zoomies and Buckle, and their own MTV docu-series to boot. But they’ve captured Coloradans’ attention not with a better puffer jacket or cowboy hat, but with novelty underwear and raunchy, irreverent, and over-the-top designs for the kind of theme parties millennials love. Host Bree Davies sits down with White in Shinesty’s Highland office to ask how he made millions with products like the “Daytona Dong Sarong,” where to find the best thrift shops and estate sales across the Front Range, and what Shinesty’s success says about Coloradans’ taste in fashion. Paul mentioned the e-bike rebates re-opening today at 11 a.m., Mayor Hancock’s bike lanes, and layoffs at Twitter and Guild. The “Year of Efficiency” Hotline is Open! Have you or someone you know been affected by layoffs in the tech industry? We’d love to hear what’s happening inside these local tech companies. Send us a text or leave us a voicemail at (720)500-5418. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsor of this episode: badboyboards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The mayor’s race is getting spicy! No, we’re not talking about the latest attack ad; we’re talking about hot wings. Earlier this week, host Bree Davies moderated a Hot Ones-style forum featuring candidates Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston eating progressively spicier wings while answering progressively spicier questions. Since there’s less than two weeks until Denver elects Brough or Johnston as its first new mayor in 12 years, we’re proud to share a recording of that event here with you today. And just a note, this episode has some explicit moments, but only because those wings were really hot. Huge thanks to our partners New Era Colorado, ONE Colorado, Cobalt, and COLOR for making this a mayoral forum to remember! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise