City Cast Denver

Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia got a sneak preview of the new Casa Bonita this morning, and she’s calling in from that strip mall parking lot in Lakewood to dish on everything the “South Park” guys cared to reveal — a new ticketing system, the chlorine smell, the sopaipillas, and how they plan to open to the public, and more! Subscribe to Hey Denver to see all of Peyton’s photos and more from inside the Pink Palace. All you’ve got to do is text “Denver” to 66866. Sign up for the Casa Bonita email newsletter list for further updates: https://www.casabonitadenver.com/ 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 all the local stories that mattered this week. After sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers, our Denver Nuggets are waiting to tip off in their first-ever NBA Finals. But are they really “our” Nuggets? Or are they billionaire owner Stan Kroenke’s Nuggets? And what exactly is he planning to build in the 55 acres of empty parking lots around Ball Arena? “Silent Stan” never talks to the press, so producer Paul Karolyi is sitting down with DNVR Nuggets co-host Adam Mares and Denverite senior reporter Kyle Harris to talk about what the Nuggets’ playoff run means for the whole city — even non-basketball fans. They also dig into the planned demolition of the 1stBank Center, a new inflatable amusement park in Lafayette, and the state GOP’s fundraising troubles. Then, Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her recommendations for your long weekend. We’re off on Monday for Memorial Day, so don’t expect a new episode in your feed until Tuesday morning! Here are some links to the weekend events Peyton recommended: Ice Cream, BBQ, Live Blues (Englewood) Boozy Book Fair (Platt Park) Kickoff to Summer - Street Festival (Historic South Gaylord Street) 57th Annual Memorial Day Parade (Commerce City) For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866 If you’re as excited about the Nuggets’ run as we are, definitely do yourself a favor and subscribe to the DNVR Nuggets Podcast for daily commentary and analysis. Kyle mentioned this tweet from transit advocate Emily Kleinfelter. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Ullr’s Garden BadBoyBoards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

A nostalgia bomb is about to go off on West Colfax, because the long-awaited return of Casa Bonita is expected any day now. That means Denver’s favorite birthday party venue is back, but so are the tax revenues for the City of Lakewood (and likely crowds in a janky strip mall parking lot). While we wait for the Pink Palace to announce a re-opening date, we called up the mayor of Lakewood, Adam Paul, to talk about how much this actually matters for the local economy and culture. Mayor Paul mentioned Lauren Coleman’s purchase of the White Swan Motel on West Colfax. 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: Ullr’s Garden BadBoyBoards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

After a historic 12 years in what he calls the “best political job in Colorado,” Michael Hancock is ready to say goodbye to the mayor’s office. His administration was defined by growing pains, with explosive population growth outpacing Denver’s housing supply. But through it all he has maintained a single vision: Make Denver into a “world-class city.” So now that he is leaving office and Denver’s population growth is waning, we ask: Did he do it? And what does it mean to be a world-class city anyway? Overlooking Civic Center Park from his office, mayor Michael Hancock joins host Bree Davies to discuss growth, his legacy, and the race to succeed him. Bree mentioned 9News’ coverage of the Christian Glass settlement and the big announcement from United Airlines. 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: Ullr’s Garden BadBoyBoards 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 breaking down all the local stories that matter this week. First, Colorado Springs has a brand-new mayor and a brand-new narrative — could this be an opportunity for Democrats? Also, the Denver Art Museum has, for the first time, exhibited art made with AI — does it matter? And finally, the Casa Bonita hype has reached a fever pitch, with Les Claypool concert rumors and and opening date possibilities swirling. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi respond to a listener’s criticism of our “breathless” CB coverage, and Bree plays the quizmaster with the Ultimate Old Denver Gatekeeper Trivia. Bree mentioned the digital art of a Colorado-born artist, Milton Melvin Croissant III, who was also a founder of Rhinoceropolis. 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: Ullr’s Garden BadBoyBoards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

More than 10,000 migrants from Central and South America have arrived in Denver since December, seeking opportunity, shelter, or just a friendly pitstop on the way to a new home. Denver’s support services were already straining to manage the unexpected influx of people in need, but now that a key pandemic-era border restriction has been lifted, no one knows how many more migrants we can expect this summer. So today on the show, host Bree Davies sits down with Denver Post reporter Saja Hindi who tracked this recent wave of migration from Venezuela all the way to Denver, where our local officials are scrambling to plan for an uncertain future. There are lots of ways to support migrants arriving in Denver: Donate or volunteer through the City and County of Denver Donate through the Rose Community Foundation. Bree mentioned The Denver Post story on the DMNS’s closure of the North American Indian Cultures Hall and the museum’s “healing statement.” 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: Ullr’s Garden BadBoyBoards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We love having Denver Post columnist Jo Ann Allen on our Friday shows, but did you know she makes a podcast of her own? This weekend, we’re delighted to share an episode of “Been There Done That” that we think you’ll love. It features Jo Ann’s interview with Rick Waters, the executive director of the Denver Indian Center. Subscribe to Been There Done That wherever you get your podcasts! 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 all the local stories that caught our eyes this week. First, we talk a lot about downtown. Is it safe? What’s going on down there? Is the Cheesecake Factory still open? But the real question is: What’s going on with all that empty office space? Are we looking at a commercial real estate crisis brewing or a big juicy opportunity? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and returning favorite Jo Ann Allen to hash out the vacancy situation, dish on the mayor’s race, and break down all the other stories that matter. Finally, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins in to share her picks for the best events this weekend! Here are the events we discussed: Northglenn Food Truck Carnival Colfax Marathon The Sun Valley Viaduct Night Market Taste of Yoga For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866. Bree mentioned a CBS4 piece on people traveling from all over the country to come to a little restaurant in Colorado called Casa Bonita that isn’t even open yet. Even more Mayoral Madness! And don’t miss the mayoral forum Bree is hosting on May 22 with Brough and Johnston. It’s Hot Ones-style, so they’ll be answering progressively tougher questions while eating progressively spicier wings. The event is sold out, but you can RSVP for the watch party or watch the live stream on Facebook. Should be fun! 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 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: The North Face BadBoyBoards Ullr’s Garden Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Twenty-seven Denverites ran for mayor. Seventeen made the ballot. Now it’s down to two: Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston. Ballots are in the mail this week ahead of election day on June 6, and Denverites will decide. Will our first new mayor in 12 years be the snowplow-driving former CEO of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce or the belt buckle-loving former state senator? Today, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Johnston to hear what he’d say to one of his many wealthy donors if they asked for a favor; how he’d bring downtown back to life; where he’s gonna put the “micro-communities” he promised for people experiencing homelessness; whether or not he’s worried about Denver’s stagnant population growth; and if he’d support a bid for a Denver Olympics. Mike mentioned Stephen Brackett’s proposal to create an Office of the Night Mayor. Bree talked to Stephen a few weeks ago about what a night mayor is and more of his big ideas for the future of Denver’s nightlife. Don’t miss yesterday’s episode with Johnston’s opponent, Kelly Brough! Correction, May 18, 2023: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this interview excluded a moment where Johnston emphasized how important to him the diversity of his voters was. That portion of the interview has since been reinstated. This is a re-uploaded, correct version. Even more Mayoral Madness! And don’t miss the mayoral forum Bree is hosting on May 22 with Brough and Johnston. It’s Hot Ones-style, so they’ll be answering progressively tougher questions while eating progressively spicier wings. The event is sold out, but you can RSVP for the watch party or watch the livestream on Facebook. Should be fun! 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: The North Face BadBoyBoards Ullr’s Garden Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s time to vote for a new mayor… again! Ballots for the June 6 runoff are in the mail this week, and Denverites are deciding who will succeed Michael Hancock as Mile High’s first new mayor in 12 years. After months of campaigning, we wanted to check back in with the two finalists — because we still had questions. Today on the show, producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies sit down with Kelly Brough to hear the real snowplow story; why she’s gone back and forth on bike lanes; how she plans to handle potential conflicts of interest around her longtime partner, lobbyist David Kenney; how her personal experience guides her on safe injection sites; and her trick for baking at altitude. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s conversation with Brough’s opponent, Mike Johnston! If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and take in Brough’s snowplow ad. Bree also mentioned safe injection facilities reducing overdose deaths — that information came from the American Academy of Family Physicians. Even more Mayoral Madness! And don’t miss the mayoral forum Bree is hosting on May 22 with Brough and Johnston. It’s Hot Ones-style, so they’ll be answering progressively tougher questions while eating progressively spicier wings. The event is sold out, but you can RSVP for the watch party or watch the livestream on Facebook. Should be fun! 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: The North Face BadBoyBoards Ullr’s Garden Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Three miles of Broadway and Welton were shut down for the inaugural ¡Viva! Streets Denver last weekend, as pedestrians and cyclists took over the asphalt for a rainy day of car-free wandering through the city — so, how did it go? Speaking of getting around sans cars, RTD is looking at another fare-free summer with the prospect of expanding the program to go through July and August. Oh and yes, ballots are in the mail so you’ll soon be able to get this mayoral runoff over with — but not before the Johnston and Brough campaigns unleash a plethora of commercials. It’s Tuesday and producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are breaking down all the local stories that matter, including our weekly Casa Bonita countdown! We talked about pics from the first Viva Streets event last weekend, a LinkedIn post from Eric Anderson (which we first got wind of from Cory Hutchins’ newsletter), a new ad from the Kelly Brough campaign, and the GIFs Casa Bonita released of the restaurant’s remodeling progress. 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: The North Face BadBoyBoards Ullr’s Garden Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Planning on buying tickets to your favorite show? Good luck! If you happen to be a Swiftie, a member of the Bey Hive, or a big fan of The Cure, you’ve probably seen artists and fans going head-to-head this year with ticketing giants like Ticketmaster. Colorado lawmakers passed a bill recently that could ease some of your ticket-buying woes, but does it go far enough? And is it too soft on ticket marketplaces like Ticketmaster? Producer Ann Marie Awad talks with Colorado Politics Business Reporter Hannah Metzger about the ins and outs of the bill, its surprise supporters, and whether or not Gov. Polis will sign it into law. Link to the bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB23-060 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 digging into all the local stories that mattered this week. First, state lawmakers are officially done lawmaking for the year. And this session, we learned that politics is like jazz. Sometimes it’s about the laws you don’t pass. But it come down to the wire on a “chaotic” Monday night, featuring some harsh name-calling, last-minute dealings, and a full-on GOP walkout. CPR politics reporter Andy Kenney was at the Capitol, and he’s back on today with producer Paul Karolyi and Westword editor Patty Calhoun to sort through the wreckage and share some underreported stories of the week (Migrants! Moths! Money!). Plus, Adrian González is back to give us his weekend recs. For a thorough breakdown of all the bills heading to Governor Jared Polis’s desk, check out the coverage from our friends at the Denver Post, CPR, and the Colorado Sun. Paul mentioned the shape of our state and his first miller moth sighting of the year (The CSU Extension has plenty more info about miller moths and how safely remove them from your home). Patty talked about the recent wave of migrants arriving from South and Central America. Andy questioned the impact of the Fair Elections Fund. Anyone remember our "War of the Moths" from 2021? That was a crazy fun day. Major hat tip to producer Lizzie Goldsmith on the idea and the mix. Here are the events Adrian recommended for your weekend: Bitchin’ Stitchin’ @ The Thompson Hotel Denver Urban Gardens Spring Plant Sale Global Big Day birding holiday, Bird Walk @ DeLaney Historic Farm in Aurora ¡Viva! Streets first Sunday 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: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Ask any Denverite what they’d guess is the most popular car in Colorado, and nine times out of ten they’ll tell you, “Subarus!” And it makes some sense. Designed for adventure, Subarus fit perfectly with Colorado’s image as the rugged mountain state. Throw your gear in the back and you’re ready to go! But are Subarus really the most popular cars in Colorado? Host Bree Davies takes on the Subaru stereotype with recent Subaru convert Ann Marie Awad and reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, who dug into the data for the Denver Post. Megan mentioned the myth that Denver gets 360 days of sunshine per year. If you’re in the mood for more local myth-busting, our weather guy Andy Stein busted that one for us back in 2021. We also discussed the surprising origin of those NATIVE bumper stickers. 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: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We all know Denver isn’t the super affordable city it once was. But we’re all still here, trying to get by and enjoy that Mile High life. So we challenged ourselves to find the best ways to enjoy a day in Denver on the cheap — and by cheap we mean, how can a Denverite pack a whole day of fun around the city for $52.80 or less? Host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval each schemed, plotted, and planned a great Denver day without breaking the bank. Today, join them as they talk through the best eats, events, and entertainment Denver has to offer, with a slim budget of $52.80! Got a favorite local discount, happy hour deal, or bargain? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Enter the Spoiler Zone below at your own risk! Paul suggests you take advantage of Denver Public Library’s free museum pass program, the great prices at El Taco de Mexico, this hot tip for cheap drinks at Coors Field. Justine includes a RiNo weed deal, the best way to enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art, a free trip to her favorite park, and plenty of bus rides (which will be free again in August!). Bree’s got her eye on bánh mì bargains on Federal, movies on Colfax, concerts at Ruby Hill, and tacos on Alameda. 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: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Mother’s Day is just around the corner — have you made plans with your mother yet?! This holiday often centers on going out for a nice brunch but in this town, getting reservations can feel nearly impossible. You still have a few days to plan that big bash for mom this Sunday, and the City Cast Denver crew is here to help. We’ve rounded up some of our most favorite brunch spots across the city, from old favorites to innovative ideas for redefining your typical weekend meal spot. This conversation originally aired on November 16, 2022. Make a day out of it and take your mom to one of our favorite local garden shops! Bree mentioned the Denver Public Schools board’s consultant costs. 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: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Colorado was lucky to have a particularly wet winter in 2023, meaning water runoff from the mountains is really strong right now. But does that mean we can stop worrying about the Colorado River and that pesky 20-year megadrought? KUNC reporter Luke Runyon has a new podcast out, “Thirst Gap,” exploring the precarious state of our water supply. So producer Paul Karolyi sat down with Luke to talk about the new podcast, the latest politics of water at the Capitol, and the prospect of another hot, dry summer. Paul mentioned some New York Times coverage that addressed recent developments with the Colorado River, and you can subscribe to “Thirst Gap: Learning to Live With Less on the Colorado River” wherever you listen to podcasts. 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: The North Face The Jewish Community Center of Denver 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 mattered this week. Way back in November 2019, Colorado voters narrowly approved the legalization of sports betting, taking the illicit hobby out of the shadows and on to our phones! And on billboards! And everywhere else! Sports betting is now a multi-billion-dollar industry with Coloradans chasing the adrenaline rush from the Broncos and the Nuggets to late-night prop bets on the pro cornhole championship. To mark the three-year anniversary of our state’s first legal sports bet, Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are chatting with 5280 Magazine editor Lindsey B. King, who reported this month’s cover story on how sports betting is going mainstream. Then they each share an underreported story from the week and invite Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia on to share her best bets for your weekend. We talked tofu, new speed limits, healthcare transparency, and the New York Times’ take on Blucifer and DIA. 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: Backyard Pitmasters of Colorado The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s not just you— trying to get a camping spot in Colorado feels impossible these days because it kind of is! New data reported by the Denver Post shows it was five times harder in 2022 to secure a campsite in this state than it was pre-pandemic. So, how do you get your outdoors on when the competition is so fierce? Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia — the City Cast Denver camping authority — takes our producer and camping novice Paul Karolyi through her best outdoor enjoyment hacks and secrets to making the most of Colorado’s greatest asset. Peyton made this handy dandy camping checklist so you can be fully prepared to set up shop in your favorite mountainside spot. This conversation originally aired on June 29, 2022. Bree mentioned how busy Colorado’s campgrounds are, why the gig driver transparency bill went down this week, and Lunar New Year! Here are a couple links to our past coverage of Lunar New Year in Denver and CAPU’s work to commemorate Denver’s old Chinatown: The Epic Family Saga Behind Denver’s Biggest Lunar New Year Celebration Reclaiming Denver’s Lost Chinatown 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: Backyard Pitmasters of Colorado The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

There didn’t used to be a place in Denver called RiNo. So it wasn’t a problem when a bunch of artists found some space and made dusty, industrial Brighton Boulevard… cool. But now art is big business in RiNo, and several rising entertainment companies — Vinyl Me, Please; Victrola; AEG Presents: Rocky Mountains — are building Denver’s next “music district” right there on Brighton. So where does that leave the artists? And how is the local music business reshaping Denver? Host Bree Davies sits down with The Denver Post’s arts reporter and critic John Wenzel to get the scoop. Don’t miss Wenzel’s deep dive into the companies forming a new music district in RiNo. Bree mentioned the last-gasp effort to pass Governor Jared Polis’s big land-use bill at the state legislature this week. The Subaru Hotline is Open! Maybe it’s a stereotype, maybe it’s true: Coloradans love their Subarus. But what about you? Do you drive one? Do they bug you? We want to hear what Subarus mean to you. 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 sponsors of this episode: Backyard Pitmasters of Colorado The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

With 2023 state legislative session almost over, the race is on to get these bills outta the house — but what will our lawmakers focus on with their final week? The fact that our property taxes are going through the roof? Or that the Suncor oil refinery continues to emit toxic chemicals? Or are they just focused on fighting their own trolls on social media? It’s Tuesday, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are breaking down all the local stories that matter this week. Plus, of course, the latest on Casa Bonita. Paul mentioned how Colorado stacks up to other states when it comes to property taxes on residential real estate and the reasons Colorado voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment back in 2020. Bree mentioned a Zillow listing in West Colfax that touted the home’s proximity to Casa Bonita. Give us a ring on the Always-Open, Always Hot, Casa Bonita Hotline! Text or leave us a voicemail: (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: Backyard Pitmasters of Colorado The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Nuggets are having a history-making season, and — knock on wood! — Denver could be on its way to our first NBA Championship in franchise history. But sports teams are so much more than the athletes. Coaches, scouts, analysts, trainers, and many many more work together to get those wins — like today’s guest, Kyle Speller. He’s a PA announcer now in his 18th season with the Nuggets, and his voice, energy, and excitement are crucial to getting 20,000 fans on their feet and cheering at Ball Arena every game. Host Bree Davies talks with Kyle about how he came up with his now-infamous “To the window/to the wall!” call-and-response, the call Nikola Jokić asked him to stop, and other secrets for driving Nuggets fans wild. (And if you’re curious, Bree also asked Kyle about his homage to Guy’s “Teddy’s Jam.”) Bree mentioned the settlement in the Coffee at the Point dispute and Colorado’s new gun laws. 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: The North Face Backyard Pitmasters of Colorado 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 rounding up the stories that caught our eye this week. Housing has been top of mind for Coloradans and finally, Governor Jared Polis was poised to do something about it — in the form of a massive housing and land-use bill. But SB213 was gutted this week, thanks to Republicans and Democrats standing up for “the Colorado Way,” as they put it. So what went wrong? Producer Paul Karolyi is joined by host Bree Davies and returning favorite Jo Ann Allen to chat all things housing, along with a rousing round of Two Truths and a Lie inspired by Denver hosting the inaugural Cities Summit of the Americas this week. Then newsletter editor Peyton Garcia has some sweet recs for your weekend! For the full backstory behind Governor Polis’s big push for housing density, catch up with all our coverage of housing at the Capitol this year: What You Need to Know About the ‘More Housing Now’ Bill (4/13/23) Does Denver Need Rent Control? (2/15/23) Can Governor Polis Fix Our Housing Problem? (1/30/23) Paul mentioned Nick Campion’s concession video in the D7 City Council race, and Bree mentioned an editorial in the Aspen Daily News about the supposed “Californication” of Colorado. Check out Jo Ann Allen’s podcast, Been There Done That! Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Here are the events we discussed happening this weekend: REI Pancake 5k and Nutrition Fair (Sat) Denver Astronomical Society open house at Chamberlin Observatory (Sat) Día del Niño (all weekend) Healthy Kids Day (Sat) We are so sad to be saying goodbye this week to our producer Erin O’Toole. Erin helped us uncover the mystery of Denver's lost tunnels and took us inside Denver’s many sex rooms. We’ll miss you, Erin! For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver online 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 sponsor of this episode: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Are the stars more beautiful from Denver? We are one mile closer, after all. But seriously, after the surprise Aurora Borealis sighting in Colorado last weekend, we are determined not to miss another epic cosmic show. So we posed that Mile High query and all our other starter stargazing questions to Ron Hranac of the Denver Astronomical Society. Producer and certified star-liker Paul Karolyi sat down with Ron to get to the bottom of the altitude question, some insider tips to find the darkest skies (including one inside city limits), and his best bets for the next cosmic event you don’t want to miss. If you cant make the DAS’s open house this Saturday, check out their whole list of upcoming events. You can also join to gain access to the DAS’s own dark sky site east of the city. Or, you can “Just Look Up”! Paul mentioned the fate of Rep. Javier Mabrey’s rent control bill and our topsy turvy housing market. Now we want to hear from you! There are lots of dramatic headlines, but only you know what it’s really like trying to find a good place to live in Denver. What are the real problems you’re dealing with? Send us a text or leave us a voicemail at (720) 500-5418‬, and you might hear your crazy housing story on the show soon. 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: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Gardening in Colorado comes with a unique set of challenges. Between our clay-heavy soil and our seriously dry climate, getting anything other than weeds to poke up out of the ground takes some special know-how. Host Bree Davies sits down with gardening enthusiast Ann Marie Awad to answer Denver’s most pressing gardening questions directly from you, our listeners! Ann Marie covers everything from from how to raise tomatoes in plots surrounded by concrete to where to get free and cheap supplies to keep your urban gardens healthy year-round. A few places & things Ann Marie mentioned: Wompost: Women-Owned Composting City of Denver mulch giveaway happening May 6 Nick’s Garden Center CSU Extension guide to ground cover 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: The North Face 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 looking at all the important stories shaping Denver this week. With only a few weeks left in the legislative session, the Democrats in power at the state Capitol are still divided on new gun laws. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the politics of guns, a new lawsuit over “abortion reversal” drugs, and why Bandimere Speedway is closing this year — its 65th season. Plus, we have an exclusive story about a new social impact program for the local cannabis industry, which prompts a bigger discussion about how entrepreneurs are pushing up against our weed laws. We discussed the City of Denver’s new Cannabis Cares program. For more details about the planned May 4 launch, check out their website. Bree mentioned a few sources for better understanding the “abortion reversal” conversation — Bente Birkland covered the latest ruling for CPR; NPR explains the origins of the abortion pill Mifepristone’s approval in the U.S. more than 20 years ago and also covered the dangers of the study conducted on the controversial “abortion reversal” treatment. 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: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Way back in 1981, a humble New York transplant named Jimmy Lambatos opened an innovative toasted sub shop at the corner of 13th Avenue and Grant. Denverites quickly fell in love with Quiznos, fueling the rise of a sandwich empire to more than 5,000 locations around the world by the mid 2000s. But now, as Westword’s food editor Molly Martin reported last week, Quiznos is on the ropes, and that first location has been shuttered due to non-payment of taxes. So today, Molly returns to the show with producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia to talk through the rise and fall of Quiznos and the surprisingly Denver story of founder Jimmy Lambatos. We discussed Molly’s interview with Quiznos founder Jimmy Lambatos and Peyton’s deep dive into the fall of Quiznos. Paul mentioned the recent auditor’s report on Denver’s response to the homelessness crisis. All the other great local sandwich places we mentioned: Subculture (Cap Hill) Snarf’s (Various) Cheba Hut (Various) Carmine Lonardo’s Meat Market (Lakewood) Spinelli’s (Park Hill) Little Arthur’s Hoagies (Food Truck) Olive & Finch (Uptown and Cherry Creek) Marczyk Fine Foods (Cap Hill, Hale) Curtis Park Deli (Curtis Park, Cherry Creek, Boulder) Leven Deli Co. (Golden Triangle) For even more local sandwich goodness, we settled the great Snarfs vs. Cheba Hut debate on the show last fall. Do you have nostalgia for Quiznos’ early years? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your story 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 sponsor of this episode: The North Face Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s time for the thrilling conclusion to Cherry Creek Week! All week long, we’ve been talking about one of Denver’s most divisive neighborhoods: Cherry Creek. How will the community deal with the vexing problems brought by an imminent wave of development? Can it find a solution to the ongoing fight — and current impasse — over transportation infrastructure? As the historians taught us, change is inevitable. So how can we make the most of all this interest in Cherry Creek? At the annual Transportation Solutions conference Wednesday morning, host Bree Davies talked through some real solutions with a panel of experts, including SEIU Local 105 political director True Apodaca, the City of Denver’s city-wide manager for transit-oriented development Chris Nevitt, and the man Westword dubbed “the good developer” David Zucker of Zocalo Community Development. We’ll be back with our usual Friday news round-up next week! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our 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 Got thoughts or feelings about Cherry Creek Week? 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: Transportation Solutions Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Cherry Creek Week, Day Four! The story of Cherry Creek is the story of big dreams, yet with each exciting new project, the clash of old vs. new continues. Today, we’re examining what one developer has planned for that abandoned sea of parking lots just to the west of the mall. Amy Cara talks with host Bree Davies about her vision for Cherry Creek West — what could be multiple towers of offices, housing, retail, and some needed green space. Then we (virtually) travel all the way to the outskirts of Washington D.C. to check out Tysons — a suburban mall formerly surrounded by parking lots, much like our beloved Cherry Creek. Tysons is well on its way to becoming a true 15-minute city, where thousands of people can live, walk, ride, roll, and take the train anywhere they need to go in no more than 15 minutes. Bree talks to an insider with the Tysons project, Justin Schor, to get some insight on how density can be done right. 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: Transportation Solutions Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Cherry Creek Week — Day Three! When Denverites talk about Cherry Creek, the conversation often goes to the neighborhood’s multi-million dollar homes and high-end shops like Hermés, Louis Vuitton, and Neiman Marcus. But what about the people who make the community, well, work? As one of the largest private employers in the city, Cherry Creek Shopping Center and neighboring Cherry Creek North couldn’t function without the salespeople, janitors, hotel clerks, hairstylists, restaurant hosts, and valets who come to work every day. Today, host Bree Davies — a former mall employee of 17 years — talks with her friend and former coworker David Casados about why workers just like them are a crucial part of the Cherry Creek story. Got a question or comment about what’s going on in Cherry Creek? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ You may have recognized David Casados’ voice from a previous City Cast Denver episode — he joined us for a meal at Fuel & Iron, a downtown Denver bar that was Pueblo-themed. Bree mentioned Dominion Voting Systems’ high-profile settlement with Fox News. For more on the local angle to the Dominion story and misinformation surrounding the 2020 election, check out our interview with Westword editor Patty Calhoun from last November. 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: Transportation Solutions Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Cherry Creek Week continues! Sometimes it feels like the only constant in Denver is change. And that feeling is especially present in Cherry Creek, a community that today is known as a high-end shopping destination — but it wasn’t always this way. The neighborhood is named for the waterway running alongside it, a natural resource that has been attracting people for hundreds of years. Back in the mid-1800s, settlers came from all over the country to make a home in Colorado, including many Black families and homesteaders who put down roots in what at the time was known as the town of Harman. Today, host Bree Davies hears from Terri Gentry of History Colorado and retired judge Gary Jackson about the Black families of early Cherry Creek, as well as the area’s evolution under Temple Buell’s vision from farmland to city dump to the wealthy neighborhood of this century. Don’t miss the $15 million real estate listing Bree cited for the home that was once Harman Town Hall! Bree also mentioned the original Quiznos, on 13th Ave., and the Nuggets opening playoff win. 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: Transportation Solutions Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Welcome to Cherry Creek Week! Density. Growth. Infrastructure. Housing. Overcrowding. These words represent our biggest challenge as a city: How can Denver grow without changing all the things that make it great? All this week on the show — and in our newsletter Hey Denver — we’re exploring that question in one neighborhood that’s near and dear to our hearts (and the city’s tax base): Cherry Creek. For decades, Cherry Creek has grappled with what it means to not only become a shopping destination, but a rival of downtown, an epicenter for international business, and a very desirable place to live. And today, we’re kicking things off by looking at the imminent wave of development that could reshape Cherry Creek forever. Join us in person to continue the conversation about transportation and density in Cherry Creek! Our sponsor, Transportation Solutions, is hosting us for a discussion with a panel of expert guests this Wednesday morning at the University of Denver. Get your tickets here! Have thoughts on the future of Cherry Creek? Text 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: Transportation Solutions Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Nuggets are having one of their best seasons in decades as they take the number one seed in the Western Conference Finals. But after years of negotiations between Comcast and Altitude Sports, many Nuggs fans still can’t watch the team legally. Host Bree Davies is joined by Altitude sportscaster Vic Lombardi and our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk #nugglife, plus their shared love of Denver’s Northside, since both Vic and Justine grew up there. And of course, we’ve got our favorite picks for your weekend plans — newsletter editor Adrian González is joined by our returning editor Peyton Garcia, who’s back on the show after maternity leave. Welcome back, Peyton! Northside spots mentioned in this episode: Chubby’s Tamales by La Casita Lechugas Italian Rocky Mountain Lake Park Berkeley Lake Park Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Here are some links to the cool events and things to do that we talked about on the show: Bigfoot Days (Estes Park) Denver Auto Show (Downtown) Swap n’ Sip (RiNo) Women + Film Festival (Congress Park) XicanIndie Film Festival (Santa Fe Art District) Subscribe to Hey Denver, our kickass morning newsletter, 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

Is the Polis administration’s “More Housing Now” proposal the solution to our state’s affordable housing woes? Some think it’s a step in the right direction, while others are skeptical. This sweeping plan — Senate Bill 213 — could end single-family-only zoning across Colorado and move some aspects of decision-making power from the local to the state level. One of the sponsors of the bill, House District 2 Representative Steven Woodrow, joins host Bree Davies to talk about what’s in the proposal, and what it means for our neighborhoods, the climate, and the future of affordable housing options in Colorado. You can find out more about the bill from the governor’s office, including the results of a housing policy study. CPR also has a comprehensive breakdown of the proposal. Yesterday, Mayor Hancock and City Council President Torres issued a statement regarding the City and County of Denver’s opposition to SB 213. You can read that statement here. Tonight’s the night! Come see Bree read from her teenage journals at Mortified Live at 8pm! Grab your tickets here. To help you get into the right headspace, check out Bree’s Very ’90s Mortified Teenage Mixtape on Spotify! 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

Sam Tallent is kind of a big deal — the Denver metro-raised comedian has been touring the stand-up circuit for years, honing his act and making a name for himself outside Colorado. He’s also recorded his own comedy special, made appearances on WTF with Marc Maron and Bert Kreisher’s Bertcast, and even found time to write Running the Light, a book fellow comedians have praised as the best depiction of the life of a stand-up on the road. Tomorrow night, Sam headlines a sold-out show at Comedy Works, his old stomping grounds. But first, he chats with host Bree Davies about the Denver DIY scene he cut his comedic teeth in, and why this is such a unique city for great comedy to thrive. Find Sam TaIlent on Instagram and Twitter, and check out Chubby Behemoth, his podcast with fellow comedian Nathan Lund. Venues we discussed: Denver Comedy Underground, Comedy Works, and The Squire Lounge. R.I.P.: Old Curtis Street, Rhinoceropolis, Mouth House, Rockaway, and Deer Pile. 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 the big stories around Denver this week, especially what’s happening with Denver Public Schools. On Wednesday, a high school student was forcibly removed from the House gallery in the Capitol, which comes on the heels of the protests and concerns about gun violence in schools in light of the recent shootings. Meanwhile, more drama for the DPS school board: Former Tattered Cover CEO and mayoral candidate Kwame Spearman announced a possible November bid for the at-large seat on the board — a seat that’s currently held by Auon’tai Anderson, who is himself potentially facing another censure. Farther afield, mountain pie slinger Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs turns 50 and will be transitioning to an employee ownership model. Host Bree Davies and producer Erin O’Toole are here to break all of this down, plus talk about the latest Casa Bonita news, including this trip down memory lane. Check out the Denver Post article we mentioned, which dives into the expulsion rates at DPS and how that fits into the school safety conversation. Listen to our interview with Melanie Asmar last year, where she walked us through the school board drama. And in case you missed it, here’s our 2021 interview with new Casa Bonita chef Dana Rodriguez. If you’re interested in running the Colfax Marathon in May, you can register here (prices go up Thursday). Want to volunteer and get one of those limited-edition Casa Bonita shirts? You can find out more about volunteering and sign up here. It’s not too late to get tickets for Mortified Live on April 13! Find out more and grab your ticket 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

From the Illuminati and the New World Order to the runways and some weird art, there are too many conspiracy theories about DIA to count. We’re diving into some of the most popular ones today, though, and what the true story is behind them. Host Bree Davies talks with Denver Public Library’s Chris Root about Blucifer, the Leo Tanguma murals, and much more, as well as why DIA has been such a hotspot for conspiracy theories over the years. Read Chris Root’s extensive research on DIA conspiracy theories in his blog post for DPL. And you can dive even further into the weirdness with this 2007 Westword article. In the newscast, Bree mentioned videos showing the protests inside the Capitol last week, where students were pressing legislators to address gun violence. Thanks to the Denver Post for their reporting. She also talked about Denverite’s coverage of the recent Chubby’s inter-family lawsuit; this Westword piece from many years back will give even more backstory on that drama. Plus, Bree mentioned the Pasquini’s drama too! So much drama! Come watch Bree read excerpts from her angsty teenage diary at Mortified Live on Thursday, April 13. Tickets are available 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday! Although election night is behind us, we’re still waiting for all the ballots to be counted. We know for sure that Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough will face off in the June mayoral runoff and that Lisa Calderón officially conceded. But the outcomes in several city council seats are still too close to call. Host Bree Davies is joined by our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, and Jason Bane, co-host of the Colorado politics podcast Get More Smarter, to discuss the state of the progressive vote in the Mile High, and how negative narratives about crime and homelessness impacted the election. Then it’s all about that dark money already flowing into next year’s state election from a group that’s aiming to unseat Lauren Boebert. Plus, newsletter editor Adrian González joins the crew to share the best bets for the weekend. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Here are some links to the cool events and things to do that we talked about on the show: First Friday on the Art District on Santa Fe (La Alma Lincoln Park) Rockies games all weekend long (Ballpark) Phamaly Theatre’s “Spring Awakening” (Northglenn) Carnitas Don Juan Fundraiser (Thornton) Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings (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 us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsor of this episode: JCC Denver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Denver’s LoDo neighborhood has long been a magnet for nighttime revelry, with its concentration of restaurants, breweries, shops, and nightclubs. But the area has also become known as a hotspot for trouble and occasional crime — especially late at night when the bars let out, spilling thousands of patrons into the streets with nowhere to go. Is it possible to foster a safer nightlife scene while keeping downtown’s party vibe? Host Bree Davies sits down with Stephen Brackett, co-founder of Flobots and Youth on Record, to talk about his new foundation, what’s next for the old El Chapultepec spot, and how Denver can re-envision its nighttime scene. 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 Join us for Mortified Live — https://getmortified.com/live/

For the first time in 12 years, Denver will have a new mayor. And now we’ve officially narrowed the field from 16 contenders down to two: Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough are set to campaign head-to-head in a runoff leading up to June 6. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi stayed up late to bring you up-to-date reactions and analysis of all the election results — from the mayor’s race to the new faces coming to City Council, those two zoning questions, and, of course, the future of the Park Hill Golf Course. Note: As of our taping time — around midnight — there were roughly 65,000 ballots still to be counted. Denver election officials say they’ll have updated results at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll let you know more as soon as we do. Thinking about getting into gardening this summer? Whether you’re looking for a new project or some advice on a tricky situation, our gardening expert is ready to help. Text the Gardening Hotline or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your question 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Election Day! We’ll be back to dig into the results on tomorrow’s episode. But for now, we’re digging into a whole mess of overlooked stories: First, a mysterious rumor that Denver is home to one of the first fully automated fast food joints. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi take on the “Case of the Robot-Run McDonald’s” with the help of a listener. Plus, Denver has built parks on top of graveyards, but did you know we’re also home to an amusement park built on top of an old power plant? And, the days of ample, free parking near Colfax may be ending, and why a thousand passionate pickleballers got the boot from Congress Park. Here’s some of the late-breaking election news we’re NOT talking about: “Denver mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón, Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca named in campaign finance violation complaints” [The Denver Post] “Big out-of-state money is flowing to support Mike Johnston again” [Denverite] Voter turnout is looking low! [Denver Elections] Still need to drop off your ballot or you’d like to vote in person? The Clerk and Recorder’s office has all the info you need to know! 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 interviewing almost all of the original 17 candidates for Denver mayor, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi have a pretty good sense of the race ahead of Election Day on April 4. So we were delighted when our pals at the Get More Smarter podcast -- Ian Silverii and Jason Bane -- invited us on to dish on the interviews, the ads, and everything else. Please enjoy this bonus look inside Mayoral Madness, and we'll see you for the run-off! 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

Last month, the City of Denver transferred 35 bison from our historic herd at Genesee Park outside Golden to the Northern Cheyenne, Eastern Shoshone, Yuchi, and Tall Bull Memorial Council. It was the third annual transfer of bison to indigenous tribes who once lived on the land that became Denver, but it’s far more than a symbolic gesture. Host Bree Davies sits down with Parks and Recreation’s deputy director Scott Gilmore and the executive director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, Jason Baldes, to talk about how this unique program started, why it matters, and how these buffalo are creating real opportunities for the recipient tribes. Have you voted yet? The deadline to mail in your ballot has passed, so here’s where you can find your closest ballot box. Are you excited about spring? We want to help take your Denver garden to the next level, and we’ve got a gardening expert ready to dispense the wisdom of the earth. So if you’re new to Denver and wondering what to do with our soil, or maybe you’re a renter looking for indoor-gardening inspo, we can help. Email your gardening questions to us at [email protected], or leave us a voicemail on the Denver Garden 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: New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s the Friday before election day and these races are heating up. Or are they? Low voter turnout for mail-in and drop-off ballots indicate low interest, or maybe voters are just overwhelmed with 16 candidates for mayor? But not to worry. Producer Paul Karolyi, host Bree Davies, and Westword editor Patty Calhoun are going to tell you who they think you should vote for. Plus, rumors are swirling about the Park Hill Golf Course becoming a Topgolf — or an In-N-Out? Patty’s got the scoop, plus newsletter editor Adrian González joins to share a boatload of great events happening around Denver this weekend. Paul and Bree are going to be on the excellent Get More Smarter podcast this weekend talking about the mayoral election. Subscribe and listen here: https://getmoresmarter.com/ Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein! Here are links to our weekend recs. Looking for more? Sign up for our Hey Denver newsletter! Dabin at Red Rocks (Morrison) Cervecería Colorado’s Mi Vida IPA Release & Photography Exhibition Party (LoHi) Patty’s Pick: Alan Prendergast Book Release, in Conversation with Patty Calhoun (Congress Park) Grand Reopening of Russell Square Park (Cole) Charcuterie Making Class (Park Hill) 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 us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsor of this episode: New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Short-term rentals — like AirBnB or VRBO — may be controversial, but after a pandemic downturn, they’re back and more popular than ever! They generated record revenues in 2022, and the number of active licenses is once again on the rise. So what’s it like renting out space on AirBnB in Denver? And how is the recent surge shaping our city? Host Bree Davies sits down with two veteran AirBnB hosts Pam Vanderpool and Pam Clifton to swap crazy stories and talk through the impact on our housing market. As we were putting this episode together, our friend Megan Ulu-lani Boyanton at the Denver Post reported a story about 20 local luxury apartment buildings recently allowing their tenants to rent out their units as AirBnBs. Here’s the link for more: “Denver luxury apartment complexes make rare move of allowing tenants to rent units as Airbnbs.” 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: New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Can you stand the heat? It takes a lot of gastrointestinal fortitude to taste test dozens of local hot sauces, but that’s what we did — all to narrow it down to five top contenders: Sauce Leopard, Merf’s, Oso Rojo, Danny Cash, and The Heat. Each one deserves a shot at being named the best hot sauce in Denver, but only one will win! Our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins newsletter editor Adrian González and producer Paul Karolyi to rate our contenders on heat level, flavor, and versatility before they pick the best of the best. For even more food 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: New Era Colorado 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 digging into all the local stories that matter this week. First up, the beloved Japanese restaurant Domo is reopening! But will TikTok ruin it again? Then, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi check in on the state legislature, where debates are heating up around Governor Jared Polis’s big housing proposal and guns in the wake of the East High School shootings. And finally, can anyone trust the developers promising big things for the Park Hill Golf Course? Their plan for parkland, housing, and commercial development is on our April 4 ballots, and we got tons of feedback from listeners who’ve worked with Westside Investment Partners. For more details on the Park Hill Golf Course Community Benefits Agreement, one of the signatories made this website to share the text of the document and explain some of its key provisions. If you have more questions before you vote on 2O, let us know! We’ll try to help figure them out. 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: New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

During this school year alone, East High School has been the site of swattings, violent threats, and multiple shootings — some ending in death. The students have led walkouts and protests at the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to confront the issue of gun violence face-to-face. Clara and Gracie Taub are East High sophomores and members of their school’s chapter of Students Demand Action. After a recent demonstration at the Capitol, they sat down with host Bree Davies to talk about what it’s like to be at East High right now, as well as their efforts to end gun violence in schools and across the country. The tweet discussed in this episode came from Colorado State Senator Larry Liston. 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: New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

This year alone there have been two shootings at East High School, prompting mass student walkouts, renewed calls for gun control, and, in a surprising turn of events, the return of police to Denver schools. So we are channeling our outrage with one of our favorite returning guests, Ann Marie Awad, and digging into gun laws, school safety, mental health, and more. Plus, underreported stories from the week and then Hey Denver editor Adrian González joins us to recommend some cool events for your weekend. Read more about the stalled appointment of DIA CEO Phil Washington to run the FAA; and the show Bree mentioned featuring teen photography at PlatteForum. Here are some links to the weekend events we discussed: Una Historia de la Cumbia! with Ciudad Reina (Five Points) Beginner Mushroom Cultivation Class (Wheat Ridge) Elephant Revival Reunion Show (RiNo) Brunch Run Club (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 us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Or instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Acappellooza! Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Between the mayor’s race and the Park Hill Golf Course, our ballots for the April 4 election are jam-packed! But don’t overlook the two innocuous-looking zoning questions 2M and 2N. They may seem insignificant, but they could have big implications for the literal shape of our city. Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval (District 1) helped get 2M and 2N on the ballot, and she sits down with host Bree Davies to explain where they came from, what they’d change, and why they matter. To catch up on the full backstory behind Councilwoman Sandoval’s effort to reform the Zoning Board of Adjustment, you can hear our episodes tracking the story here: Why Can’t This Northside Couple Build an ADU for Their Disabled Mom How an Obscure Zoning Board Got Reformed (And Why It Matters) 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