City Cast Denver

Fall is in the air… and by that, we mean the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of roasting chiles, ready to be bought by the bushel from farmers markets and roadside stands all over the state. But how did this become such a time-honored tradition in Colorado? Today on the show, we’re revisiting our conversation with Ron Morales, whose family has been roasting green chiles in a parking lot at 52nd and Sheridan for almost 30 years. Ron shared his story last October with producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Morales Family Chile Store. Plus, our producer Lizzie Goldsmith caught up with Ron this week to see how the 2022 chile season is going, and hint: It. is. hot! Get a glimpse of the Morales Family Chile Store in this CBS report from last week. If this episode gets you in the mood to buy some fresh roasted chiles of your own, there’s a helpful list of where to do that at denvergreenchili.com. (But really, all you need to do is stop at the next stand you see on the side of the road!) Bree mentioned a survey from the Denver Public Library, which is taking responses until Oct. 6. Find it here: denverlibrary.org/survey Our newsletter is chock-full of useful news - subscribe here! https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Tweet us your green chile recipe: @citycastdenver 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: How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

A Proud Boy spotted at a Northside supermarket. Local elected officials and law enforcement found on a leaked Oath Keepers email list. Members of the Far Right are still here and more visible than ever. So what is to be done about the white supremacists among us? Our pal Theo Wilson went undercover in the Alt Right a few years ago. (Maybe you were among the millions to see his TED talk?) But his thinking has evolved since then. So with another contested election a month away, Theo is on the show today with host Bree Davies to talk it out. Bree mentioned the infamous Denver cop Buster Snyder, who she discussed with historian and comics artist B. Erin Cole on our walking tour of Queer Cap Hill. In the newscast, we mentioned the closing of Japanese restaurant Domo. Former City Cast Denver guest Gil Asakawa wrote a lovely piece on it for Westword. Campaign season is definitely ramping up, and we’ve got lots more politics news in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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: How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The epic conclusion of Pizza Week is here! With our host Bree Davies out with COVID, it’s up to producer and Denver Pizza Podcast co-host Paul Karolyi, newsletter writer and resident foodie Peyton Garcia, and a special guest pizza expert to pick the best pizza in Denver. Will it be the Old Denver champion that’s been slinging New York-style pies for 28 years from the south suburbs? Or the heavily favored Blue Pan Pizza, the best in class of New Denver’s pizza renaissance? There is such thing as life after Pizza Week! Fill your weekend with cool events and happenings with today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What do you think of Megan’s hub-and-spokes pizza theory of Denver pizza? Let us know on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Colorado Tattoo Convention (9/29 - 10/2) Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Welcome to Pizza Week: Day 3! What is the deal with all these local pizza parlors offering honey for your crust? That simple question launched producer Paul Karolyi on a five-year quest to the original Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs and deep into the darkest corners of Denver’s pizza ovens. Today, host Bree Davies teases apart Paul’s complicated relationship with Beau Jo’s and “Colorado-style pizza.” Plus! Paul’s been doing some more reporting since we initially published this episode in April, and he’s got a major update to the story. More police blunders and more pizza in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Do you like to eat your crust with honey? Let us know on Twitter @citycastdenver 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

Pizza Week continues! Our producer Paul Karolyi is a certified pizza obsessive, searching low and Mile High for the most tantalizing combinations of cheese, crust, and sauce. But that search has yielded more questions than answers, especially around authenticity and Beau Jo’s, the infamous Front Range pizza chain that trademarked the phrase “Colorado-style pizza.” Today, Paul poses his most vexing pizza questions to local pizza expert Carol Helstosky. She’s a professor of history at the University of Denver, author of “Pizza: A Global History,” and fellow traveler on the never-ending quest for perfect pizza. All the pizza places we mentioned today: Marco’s Coal-Fired (LoDo) Domino’s (Various) Pizza Hut (Various) Beau Jo’s (Idaho Springs, etc.) Anthony’s (Various) And today’s listener recs: Pizzeria Leopold (Lakewood) Pizzeria Lui (Lakewood) Cosmo’s Pizza (Various) Carol also has a hot tip for the home pizza chefs out there: “Before you put the pizzas in, when your oven’s as hot as it will go, throw in 3-4 ice cubes. It really makes a difference in the crust.” We’ve got sooooo much more pizza goodness in today’s CCD newsletter, plus some real news and useful info: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Tell us all your deepest, darkest pizza secrets on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Colorado Tattoo Convention (9/30 - 10/2) Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Welcome to City Cast Denver’s Pizza Week! We’re kicking off our week-long celebration of (and descent into madness through) Denver’s best crust, sauce, toppings, and cheese with a wide-ranging chat on the precarious position of Denver pizza today. Even before the pandemic, the Mile High City’s pies were wildly underrated, and we think it’s time to stand up and be proud of all the awesome pizza that we have! Westword’s food editor Molly Martin joins host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia to chew on some local pizza history and lay down a roadmap for Denver’s shining pizza future. Paul mentioned the Denver Pizza Podcast that he co-hosts with his wife Megan Arellano. All the pizza places we mentioned in this episode: Cart Driver (RiNo) Redeemer (RiNo) The Greenwich (RiNo) Joy Hill (South Broadway) Blue Pan Pizza (West Highland, Congress Park) Big Bill’s New York Pizza (Centennial) ShowBiz Pizza (RIP) Little Caesar’s at (Kmart [RIP]; Various other locations are still open. The mascot had his chest hair removed, too.) Domino’s (Various) Anthony’s (Various) Pizza Hut (Various) Carl’s Italian (West Highland) Lechuga’s (Highland, Lakewood) Organ Grinder (RIP) Beau Jo’s (Idaho Springs, etc.) Pizza Pals Playzone (Inside Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station; Designed by Everything is Terrible) Crush Pizza + Tap (RIP) Rosalee’s (Longmont) All the other pizza places listeners and readers recommended: Everyday Pizza (RiNo) Mod Pizza (Lowry, etc.) Papa Murphy’s (Various) Osteria Marco (Larimer Square) Funky Flame (Sunnyside) Pietra’s (Wheat Ridge) Patxi’s (Uptown, Cherry Hills, etc.) Kaos Pizzeria (South Pearl) Pie Hole (South Broadway) Walter’s 303 (Lowry, Uptown, Littleton) Ester’s (Virginia Village, Park Hill) Pizzeria Lui (Lakewood) Brooklyn’s Finest (Downtown, Regis) Denver Pizza Co. (Various) Hops & Pie (Berkeley) Pizzeria Locale (Various) Oblio’s (Recently redesigned their menu away from pizza, but still open in Park Hill) Grabowski’s (RiNo) Even. More. Pizza. Plus, some real news and useful info in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Talk pizza to us: @citycastdenver 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

On June 10, 2020, Isabella Thallas was out for a walk in the Ballpark neighborhood with her boyfriend Darian Simon and his dog, Rocco. Out of nowhere, Bella — as friends and family called her — was killed and Darian was seriously injured. The couple was shot in broad daylight by a man they had never met. Peter Sagal is the longtime host of NPR’s “Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me” and a Chicago resident, but he was so compelled by the lack of coverage of this particular Denver shooting that he decided to write about it himself. Host Bree Davies sits down with Sagal to discuss his recent report for The Atlantic, “Killed For Walking a Dog: The mundanity and insanity of gun death in America.” Bree mentioned the response we got to our recent e-bikes episode from Denver’s Climate Action Office, which operates the city’s wildly popular e-bike rebate program. Here are a couple of key comments from the spokesperson’s response: "I wanted to take a moment and share that our [Office of Social Equity and Innovation] team has actually pointed to our agency as an example of how to fold equity into this work, not as an afterthought. We’re pretty proud of that, and of the fact that most of the funding for e-bikes has gone towards the income-qualified program." "Ben Chavez brings up a good point about access, and I think we collectively – in the city and beyond – are thinking about the many ways people need to get around. The Office of Climate Action weighs in on some of the how. E-bikes are a cleaner option and can often replace car trips; we don’t intend for everyone to adopt e-bikes. They are one part of the broader mobility puzzle. We will probably need cars for a good number of decades ahead us (hopefully mostly EVs soon enough), and the driving experience for people who need cars, such as larger families or multigenerational households, should improve as other options emerge." Catch more news from across Colorado in the City Cast Denver newsletter. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We are on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Colorado Tattoo Convention (9/30 - 10/2) Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Has Houston been so good at tackling its homelessness problem that Denver can take a page from its playbook? Last week, a group of local politicians and staff made a trip to Texas to see exactly how the country’s fourth-largest city has housed 25,000 people in the last decade. But while they were out of town, the Mile High was shoved into the spotlight when Fox News got wind of the soon-to-be-launched Denver Basic Income Project, a pilot program that would put cash directly in the hands of Denverites in need. Today on the show, host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and Westword staff writer Conor McCormick-Cavanagh to dig into these stories and discuss what it all could mean for the future of Denver’s housing situation. Paul mentioned the recent kerfuffle over Douglas County’s approach to homelessness and friend of the show Chris Walker’s recent interview with Councilman Chris Hinds about his trip to learn more about the “Houston model.” Looking for something fun to do this weekend? City Cast Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia has you covered. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We are on Twitter: @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Colorado Tattoo Convention (9/30-10/2) Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Much of who and what has been depicted as Colorado history paints a picture that is not very diverse, let alone accurate. Recently, History Colorado has been on an inward and outward journey of course correction — questioning everything we think we know about how we as a state came to be. Today on the show host Bree Davies talks with Dexter Nelson II, History Colorado’s new associate curator of African American History and Cultural Heritage, about The Dry — a Black homestead that dried up long ago and a story of Black excellence and perseverance in the face of harsh environmental and social conditions. You can learn more about the Black History Trail and download the new History Colorado app. Additional music in this episode is by Jason Shaw and adapted here under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. 🍕 Calling all pizza freaks! 🍕 We want your hottest takes! 🍕 We're working on something big and very cool. So leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show next week: (720) 500-5418‬ Get even more news and ideas for your weekend in our daily morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What do you think about The Dry? Let us know on Twitter @citycastdenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Fall officially begins this Thursday, September 22. But what makes fall in Colorado so special? How do we celebrate the changing of the seasons? Today on the show, host Bree Davies chats with producer Erin O’Toole and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia about all things fall — from the best drinks to sip to the best corn mazes to explore, and all the ways to really soak in those autumnal feels, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the farms, corn mazes, and festivals we’re looking forward to: Pumpkin Harvest Festival, October 8-9 Pumpkin Nights, October 17-November 3 Fritzler Farm Park, through October 30 7th Generation Farm We also mentioned last year’s pumpkin-themed conversation, this interview with scare actor Danielle Look (plus other spooky Halloween tales), and this episode about the Morales family, who have been roasting green chiles for almost 30 years. Peyton has also rounded up some of your comments on our past episodes. Tap into the hot goss by reading and subscribing to the City Cast Denver newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We are on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Colorado Tattoo Convention (Sept. 30 - Oct. 2) Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s election season and there’s some big ticket races going down in Colorado. But the one to watch? Congressional District 8. This newly drawn district stretching from Commerce City to Greeley is getting a lot of attention as Democrat Yadira Caraveo and Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer battle for the brand-new seat. But this race is also about representation: The district is home to many voters who identify as Latino and Hispanic, and the race is on to win their votes. But what matters to these voters? Host Bree Davies is joined by City Cast Denver state politics contributor Justine Sandoval to break down the nuances of this voting bloc — and why such an ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse population shouldn’t be treated as a monolith. (Just a note of transparency: Justine is a political strategist who works for various Democratic campaigns, offices, and efforts. The views expressed on City Cast Denver are her own.) A new poll of Colorado Latino voters finds the economy and inflation, gun violence, and climate change are among the issues they find most pressing ahead of the November election. You can read more here. Bree mentioned this article from CPR: Latino voters could be decisive in Colorado’s biggest races, and the campaigns know it Learn all about tarantula migration in La Junta from our weekday newsletter! Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We are on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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

On June 11, 22-year-old Christian Glass called 911. His car had gotten stuck just outside of Silver Plume and he needed help. He told the operator that he was scared. Police responded — and just a few hours later, he was dead. The story came to light again this month when police body camera footage was released, raising new questions about how a man who called 911 himself asking for help ended up dying at the hands of police. Today on the show, host Bree Davies walks through the situation with Colorado Public Radio’s criminal justice reporter Allison Sherry, and talks about the larger implications of what happens when law enforcement approach someone in a mental health crisis. Read Sherry’s latest reporting on Christian Glass’s killing here. We’ve got even more news Denverites are talking about in today’s newsletter. Subscribe here: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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: Colorado Tattoo Convention (Sept. 30 - Oct. 2) Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Earlier this week, Bree sat down for an emotional conversation about walking with Jonathon Stalls, the man behind the wildly popular @pedestriandignity TikTok account and author of a new book, “Walk: Slow Down, Wake Up, And Connect At 1-3 Miles Per Hour.” His book is full of meditations and visualizations drawing on his experiences walking across Denver, and in this bonus episode we’re proud to share a recording of Jonathon reading one of those visualizations.

The summer of the e-bike is over. Thousands of Denverites are now happily zipping around on these climate-friendly fun machines, thanks to the city’s wildly successful rebate program. But will the energy stick around when Hot E-Bike Summer turns into a wet, cold, snowy winter? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi tested out a couple of e-bikes earlier this week, and today they’re going inside the mind of a Big E-Bike Guy, Westword reporter and friend of the show Conor McCormick-Cavanagh. Also in this episode, you’ll hear a few clips from our ride with past guest Avi Stopper of Bike Streets and MacKenzie Hardt of Hardt Family Cyclery, who generously lent us the bikes and would happily set you up with a test ride for yourself. Paul mentioned Conor’s recent story about the drastic increase in car thefts in Denver, and Conor spoke about his experience buying and riding an e-bike, which he documented here for Westword. Don’t miss Conor’s latest story on self-proclaimed made man and mayoral candidate Valentes Corleons, including those killer photos we talked about. And of course, if you haven’t heard our episode with Conor about Valentes, don’t miss it. What’s at the other end of this weekend’s bike ride? We’ve got a big list of cool stuff to do this weekend in today’s newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What do you think about e-bikes? Let us know at @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We talk about transit a lot — but how often do we talk about, well, walking? The pedestrian experience is often overlooked in the modern city, but Jonathon Stalls is working every day to change that. In his new book, “Walk: Slow Down, Wake Up, And Connect At 1-3 Miles Per Hour,” he offers meditations and visualizations about getting around in the world, and shares his own challenging life experiences that caused walking to become his “medicine.” Stalls joins host Bree Davies to dig into the whys of walking — and how he has used social media to bring others into the world of pedestrian advocacy. Check out Jonathon’s wonderful TikTok, Pedestrian Dignity. It’s Thursday, which means Peyton’s Plate is serving up a new hot & tasty dish! Read all about it in the City Cast Denver newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We are on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

From the conspiracy theories to the seemingly endless construction, there’s never been a shortage of issues at Denver International Airport. And just this week, we learned that regulators have, for 12 years, looked the other way when it comes to an elevated risk of mid-air collisions at two of DIA’s runways! Host Bree Davies gets into the good, the bad, and the weird at DIA with Westword editor Patty Calhoun, from the political climate that led to DIA’s construction in the 90s to its controversial public art and those runways that are just a little too close together. Bree and Patty talked about the sounds you hear riding the train to and from the terminal. You can learn more about that here. Here’s the Colorado Sun article Bree mentioned about the FAA’s recent notice concerning potential mid-air collision risks at DIA. Fly above the fray and get the Denver news you need in our daily morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What’s your take on DIA? Let us know on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Japanese food has always been a deeply personal obsession for local author Gil Asakawa. He grew up in Japan and made his way to Denver in time to witness first-hand what he calls a “cultural evolution — nay, revolution” in the availability of Japanese food in America. Now with ramen shops and sushi bars drawing crowds all across Denver, Asakawa’s got a new book out combining memoir with history, called “Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! A Tasty History of Japanese Food in America.” So we invited Asakawa back to the show to go deep on his love of Japanese food in Denver, from Benihana and Sakura Square to his family’s unique relationship with the defunct Denver Tofu company. Plus, don’t miss Asakawa’s personal recommendations for the best Japanese food in town. Looking for even more inspiration for your next night out? Chow down on our daily morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What’s your favorite Japanese restaurant in Denver? Tweet at us @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s the end of an era for Denver — Rocky’s Autos has closed its doors for good after 40 years. So, the north Federal staple is out of the car game — but the thing we’ll miss the most? The dealership’s crazy TV commercials featuring the adventures of Audra, Officer Odell, and of course, The Shagman. After we heard the news about Rocky’s going dark, we called up Ron Vigil — the Shakespearean actor behind the infamous Shagman — to get his final thoughts on playing a uniquely Denver-famous character for more than two decades. Keep up with The Shagman’s shenanigans on Instagram or check out his production company. Bree mentioned a previous City Cast Denver episode with reporter Yesenia Robles about the Adams 14 school district drama. More news you can use. Subscribe to the City Cast Denver newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Tweet us your favorite Rocky’s Autos commercial! @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home Podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Denver’s minimum wage is going up to $17.29 starting in January, and with restaurants already on the brink, Denverites can. not. stop. talking about tipping. Many local restaurants are adopting service fees to balance things out, but according to a new survey, Denverites are feeling “tipping fatigue.” What can be done? Host Bree Davies, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia, and producer Paul Karolyi are digging into this multi-faceted problem and looking at some new ideas local restaurants have tried to fix it. Plus! We debut a new segment. There’s tons of cool stuff happening around the city this weekend, but only one event will get the official City Cast Denver stamp of approval. Stick around to the end of the show to find out where you’re most likely to find us this weekend! We previously discussed tipping on the show last summer, when producer Paul Karolyi interviewed Elle Taylor, co-founder of Amythest Coffee, about their decision to eliminate tipping and pay all their employees a living wage. Paul made a joke about the Palisade peach grower who also happens to be a 9/11 truther. Read all about him in this great story from friend of the show Andrew Kenney, politics reporter with CPR. Peyton mentioned this funny video that lays out an argument against tipping and the Bonanno Concepts’ explanation of their service fee. Peyton’s got even more awesome recommendations for your weekend in today’s newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Are you a big tipper? A begrudging tipper? A cow tipper? Let us know on Twitter @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Colfax Crawl, presented by the 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

Denver has a trash problem. And so far, efforts to improve recycling and composting rates have fallen far short of the city’s goals. In June, city council adopted a plan to make recycling and composting easier for homeowners. And this November, voters will have their say on a ballot initiative that would require businesses and apartment buildings to provide compost and recycling pickup. Ean Thomas Tafoya —co-founder of Headwaters Protectors, co-chair of the Colorado Environmental Justice Action Taskforce, and state director of GreenLatinos— stopped by to chat with host Bree Davies about the Waste No More initiative and his run for mayor. Oh and Bree mentioned some Rocky’s Autos commercials you might enjoy. RIP Rocky’s! Peyton’s got allll the food news to get you through to the weekend! Read and subscribe to the City Cast Denver newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Hi. We’re on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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 Colfax Crawl, presented by the 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

Denver’s Chief of Police Paul Pazen is retiring. After 28 years on the force, Chief Pazen was appointed to the position in 2018 by Mayor Hancock. Since then, he’s faced increasing scrutiny for the police’s behavior under his leadership — including a $14 million settlement for police brutality against protestors during the George Floyd uprisings and, most recently, police shooting and injuring six innocent bystanders on a crowded street in LoDo. Today on the show, Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to discuss Pazen’s departure, what the new chief is walking into, and what the next state and city elections have to do with the police’s role in Denver. For more on Chief Pazen, check out Bree’s interview with the man himself from earlier this year. Patty mentioned her last appearance on the show, when she told the story of Elvis the cop lover’s admiration for Denver’s own Fool’s Gold sandwich. Hey! We have a newsletter. It’s great. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We’re on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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 Colfax Crawl, presented by the 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

For the entire month of August, public transportation was completely, utterly FREE. The no-cost ride effort was in part meant to lure drivers out of their cars and mitigate our annual, late-summer problems with air quality. We wanted to know how this $14-million “Free Fare for Better Air” experiment actually worked for people, so producer Lizzie Goldsmith spent the month riding buses and light rail, and talking to dozens of RTD riders about their experience. Today, she chats with host Bree Davies to share some stories and try to answer the big question: Was the free fare worth it? Get all the news you need here in the City Cast Denver newsletter. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Tweet us pics of your RTD transit stop @citycastdenver 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 Avenue BID presents The Colfax Crawl Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Labor Day weekend is upon us! We put our heads together and came up with our favorite places around Colorado to fill that one extra day. We’re talking tourist traps, killer hikes, dynamite vistas, and an Estes Park salt water taffy hack that you’ll never forget. Host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia are gossiping about the very best day trips that are a less than two-hour car ride outside Denver. Bree mentioned this recent Colorado Sun story about Leadville’s recent transformation. Patty Calhoun wrote in to suggest the one-of-a-kind World’s Wonder View Tower, which she co-owns. Looking to catch up on some news before clocking out for the long weekend? Check out our morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What great day trips did we miss? Let’s talk. We’re on Twitter @citycastdenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

There’s a new space race on, and getting back to the moon or Mars is only part of the fun. There’s money to be made out there! At least, that’s what a lot of smart people in Colorado are banking on. They’re still sorting out little stuff like how and why. So today, producer Paul Karolyi sits down with Denver Business Journal senior reporter Greg Avery to talk about what’s fueling the country’s second-biggest commercial space industry and introduce us to the Colorado-born Orion spacecraft, which is currently sitting on the launchpad in Florida awaiting takeoff after an aborted launch Monday morning. Here’s Greg’s latest on the Orion launch, now planned for this coming Saturday. Catch up with all the Denver news you need to know in our morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Blast off with us to Planet Twitter: @citycastdenver The 150th Colorado State Fair is open through Monday, and we want to know if it’s worth the trip! Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts, 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

When the very first Chipotle opened on E. Evans Ave. in 1993, hungry DU students fueled the restaurant to world domination, ushering in a new fast yet casual style of dining along the way. Nearly thirty years later, the dining experience is once again at a turning point, with eaters still unsure what exactly they want out of a post-pandemic night out. Westword’s food & drink editor Molly Martin recently stopped by two new fast-casual chains that just opened right across from the original Chipotle on Evans — BirdCall and Next Level Burger. Both are hoping to attract DU students with new types of service and climate-conscious menu options. So producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia tried both and invited Molly on the show to compare notes. Check out Molly’s first impressions at Next Level Burger and BirdCall. There’s so much more interesting stuff happening in Denver. Subscribe to our morning newsletter and don’t miss a beat! https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Have you tried Next Level Burger or BirdCall? We want to hear what you think! Tweet at us @citycastdenver 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: Legal Help in Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

There’s no faster route to a bad day than having your car towed. And especially in the last few years, complaints of predatory towing have been on the rise across the Denver metro area. State lawmakers have been debating the problem, and earlier this month they enacted a new “towing bill of rights” that promises to shift the balance of power away from the towers. Community organizer, journalist, and City Cast Denver contributor Theo Wilson is back to explain why he’s optimistic about this new law and what can happen when a “poverty tax” like predatory towing gets out of hand. What exactly is in the new towing law? Check out this full breakdown from our friends at CPR: https://www.cpr.org/2022/06/08/tow-companies-give-notice-new-law/ Paul mentioned a CBS Colorado story about the new towing law, the Coors family’s big plans for Golden and Denver Water’s latest conservation pledge. Fill your week with curated event recs, new restaurants and food trends, and more with our daily newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Hang out with us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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

Ever since Denver Water was founded in 1918, the agency has demonstrated enviable foresight, building out a massive infrastructure across 4,000 square miles to ensure Denver’s population (and economy) can continue to grow. But now that reservoirs and rivers are drying up across the West, is it time for Denver to share the wealth? Today, Colorado’s top water reporter, Luke Runyon of KUNC, joins producer Paul Karolyi to explain where Denver fits into the recent conflict over the Colorado River and offer an outsider’s perspective on Denver Water’s ambitious growth. For more from Luke Runyon, you can find all his water reporting for KUNC here. Paul mentioned his June interview with Denver Water’s chief planner Greg Fisher, Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir Expansion Project, and the Denver Post’s report on mosquito problems in southeast Denver. Thirsty for more Denver happenings to start your week? Take a big sip from our daily morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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: Legal Help in Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

On July 17, Denver police shot into a crowd of hungry club-goers waiting for a bite to eat around let-out time in LoDo, injuring seven people. And in response, the city decided to ban… food trucks. So with our host Bree Davies out for a few days, we wanted to share this episode from last December, when the city took a very different approach to keeping the peace in LoDo. It’s a profile of nightclub kingpin Valentes Corleons, who believes he was railroaded by the city — just like the food truck operators now. It also features Westword reporter and friend of the show Conor McCormick-Cavanagh. Oh, and we added some extra good stuff to this version. Call it a director’s cut. For more on the LoDo let-out situation, check out our recent episode with Westword editor Patty Calhoun where she breaks down some alternatives the city isn't trying. Still looking for fun stuff to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered with a curated events round-up in today’s newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter! @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Could it be true? Could Colorado really be working toward our climate goals… and actually stop widening our highways? According to a new plan in front of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), yes. After a state mandate set new standards for greenhouse gas emissions related to our transit habits, DRCOG could vote to shift hundreds of millions of dollars toward better public transit infrastructure, bike lanes, sidewalks, and more. Colorado Public Radio’s transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor is back on the show today to talk about why this could mark a “seismic shift” for our transit system and, for the first time in Host Bree Davies’ life, stop the expansion of I-25 and C-470 in the city. DRCOG is currently looking for public comment on this big new plan. Submit yours here ahead of their board’s vote scheduled for Sept. 21. Bree mentioned that the City of Denver is looking for your input on the “shared streets” idea. You can do that here. And you can read more about the downtown highway that almost happened here. More news you can use in the City Cast Denver newsletter: Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We’re on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The secret is out: Denver is an awesome place to live. But in the past 15 years, that’s led to a massive influx of new residents who collectively pose an essential Denver question: How do we get bigger without sacrificing what made this city great? Fortunately, there’s an iconic local institution that answers that question every day in the form of great burgers, good vibes, and a consistently high quality experience — despite a similarly massive expansion over the past few years. So today, host Bree Davies visits the original “Black Sheep of Cherry Creek,” AKA the Cherry Cricket, to uncover the secret to managing growing pains. Get all the news you need and a bunch of fun things to do and places to eat in our daily newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ We want to hear what you think about the Cherry Cricket! Got a favorite burger topping combo? Let us know on Twitter @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Legal Help in Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

When the Denver Broncos open their regular season on September 12 against the Seattle Seahawks, they’ll look completely different than last year. They’ve got a new celebrity quarterback, a new goofball head coach, and a brand new ownership group — led by one of the richest people in the world, Rob Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune. Our sports guy Jake Shapiro from Denver Fan 104.3 is back to introduce host Bree Davies to the new Broncos and explain why local football fans are so optimistic. Bree mentioned this editorial from Colorado Newsline about the new Broncos’ ownership group. 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: How to Buy a Home podcast Trade Coffee Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Students head back to Denver Public Schools today — but what in the heck is going on with the district’s school board? DPS’s governing body has been all over the news lately, and for all the wrong reasons. Infighting, accusations of misogyny and racism, and power struggles have plagued this teachers’ union-backed slate of elected officials, and there are fears their personal disagreements are impacting students and teachers. Today on the show, host Bree Davies talks with Chalkbeat Colorado’s senior reporter Melanie Asmar about what the heck is going on with Denver’s divided school board. Check out Melanie’s reporting for Chalkbeat Colorado on the ongoing Denver school board drama. Melanie mentioned DPS board president Xóchitl "Sochi" Gaytán’s recent interviews with Westword and Denver7, which we excerpted in this episode. We want to hear your favorite way to enjoy a Palisade peach! Leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Find more news you can use. Read and subscribe to the City Cast Denver newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Legal Help in Colorado How to Buy a Home podcast Trade Coffee Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Which four people embody the spirit of Denver? Which four represent the very highest of our ideals? Which four represent us to the world? Community organizer and all-around Denver OG Ben Chavez joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi for the Friday news round-up, then we grab our granite chisels and duke it out over who should be repped on Denver’s Mt. Rushmore. Ben is co-organizing La Raza Park Day, going down this Sunday, August 21, from 1pm to 5pm. It’s free and families are welcome! Paul mentioned e-bike mania, Hickenlooper and the climate bill, and Aurora’s latest backasswards proposal to “help” our unhoused neighbors. What are you doing this weekend? Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia has a big ol’ list of cool stuff for you to do. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Who did we forget to put on our version of a Denver Mt. Rushmore? Let us know on Twitter: @citycastdenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Stuck between highways and hidden under a viaduct, the Sun Valley community has quietly gone about its business — until a few years ago, when it started getting a lot more attention and big money interest in its land. Meow Wolf has moved in, a new Latino cultural museum is on the way, and lots of big housing developments are in going up. But what do the people of Sun Valley want? On the show today, Glenn Harper, Manuel Aragon, and Lindsay Miller of Sun Valley Kitchen explain what makes Sun Valley so wonderful — and why they are inviting people to not “discover” this neighborhood, but come celebrate it at this weekend’s Sun Valley Rising Night Market. Bree mentioned a 5280 Magazine interview with local activist and educator, Tim Hernandez. Pull up a chair for newsletter editor Peyton Garcia’s Denver food news round-up. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Find us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Around 1:30 a.m. on July 17, just as the bars and nightclubs were letting out in LoDo, Denver police confronted an allegedly armed man and shot into a crowded street in LoDo, injuring 6 innocent bystanders. The city’s response? Ban food trucks from the neighborhood. Host Bree Davies sits down with Westword founder and editor Patty Calhoun to get some historical perspective on the persistent late-night issues in LoDo and hear her thoughts about what’s actually causing the problems — and how to fix them. Plus, to commemorate this week’s 45th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, Patty shares the real Denver story behind Elvis’s famous peanut butter and bacon sandwich. Bree mentioned that law enforcement officials released body cam footage from the July 17 shooting. You can watch that here, via the Denver Post. We’ve got even more about the LoDo situation and the fallout from the July 17 shooting in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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: Legal Help in Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Ever since South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker bought Casa Bonita last year, Denverites have been worrying, speculating, and looking forward to the day when the pink palace on West Colfax will re-open. Stone and Parker say they want to “change nothing, improve everything,” but what exactly does that mean? 9News investigative journalist Jeremy Jojola recently set his sights on the South Park guys’ Casa Bonita renovation project, and he’s on the show today to share all the juicy, insider details he uncovered. Here’s a link to Jojola’s report on the documents outlining the Casa Bonita renovation, and here’s a recent interview Matt and Trey gave to the Denver Post on their investment in this project. We’ll be following every twist and turn in the Casa Bonita saga as it develops. Subscribe to our daily newsletter and you’ll never miss a beat: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ How do you feel about the changes happening at Casa Bonita? Tweet at us @citycastdenver 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 no secret: most Denver neighborhoods have sidewalks that are pretty terrible. In fact, around 40 percent of sidewalks around the city are either nonexistent, in bad shape, or are not accessible for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Part of the reason our sidewalks suck? The city doesn’t have a dedicated funding stream to pay for construction or maintenance. But this November, voters will decide if a new ballot initiative, Denver Deserves Sidewalks, can change our mobility fate — by asking property owners to chip in a little each month. On today’s show, host Bree Davies talks with Molly McKinley of Denver Streets Partnership to learn more about why they hope voters will say YES to sidewalks this November. Got a janky sidewalk in your neighborhood? Tweet a pic to us @citycastdenver! Or share your worst sidewalk experience by leaving us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Sign up for our morning newsletter here. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Legal Help in Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The City Cast Denver crew is back at the table with a new local food challenge and this time, we’re taking on sandwiches. While the Mile High is overflowing with great grinders, subs, hoagies, and tortas, today’s showdown is all about two out-of-town chains that Denverites have embraced as our own: Cheba Hut vs. Snarf’s Sandwiches. Which tasty sub will reign supreme? Host Bree Davies is joined by newsletter editor Peyton Garcia, plus producers Paul Karolyi and Erin O’Toole for a great debate over who puts the best meat and cheese (or guacamole and cream cheese???) between two perfectly toasted pieces of bread. Looking for more City Cast Denver food battles? We’ve also taken on the best burger, enjoyed the local delicacy of breakfast burritos, taste-tested fried chicken, indulged in Denver’s most decadent donuts, and compared Illegal Pete’s and Chipotle! Peyton mentioned a story she wrote on Quizno’s earlier this year: https://denver.citycast.fm/2022/03/07/the-rise-and-fall-of-a-denver-sandwich-empire/ Paul quoted from this Celebstoner.com interview with Cheba Hut founder Scott Jennings: https://www.celebstoner.com/news/celebstoner-news/2021/03/04/cheba-hut-founder-scott-jennings-interview/ And finally: some Casa Bonita news!!!! Read and subscribe to the City Cast Denver newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Tell us about your dream sandwich on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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

More than 3 million Coloradans are receiving $750 checks in the mail this week, but who’s to thank? Is it Governor Jared Polis and the Democrats, who re-branded and re-worked our tax policy to create this ‘Colorado Cashback’? Or is it the conservatives who convinced Colorado voters to approve the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (aka TABOR) in 1992 and have defended it ever since? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dive into the politics of TABOR to figure out the real story behind these $750 checks. For an even deeper dive, Bree recommends The Taxman, CPR’s podcast series about the origins and lasting impact of TABOR. Want to get more plugged in to all the cool stuff happening in Denver? Subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ What are you doing with your $750? Tell us on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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

On July 15, Ma Kaing was shot and killed outside her home in the East Colfax neighborhood. The mother, restaurateur, and beloved community member was the latest victim of gun violence in Denver. But soon after Kaing’s death, her community came forward with serious concerns over the effectiveness of 911 calls made from the Denver neighborhood that sits on the border of Aurora. Today, host Bree Davies sits down with Denver Post reporter Noelle Phillips to talk 911 call centers, emergency response, gun violence, and East Colfax’s unsteady relationship with their councilwoman. Read more of Noelle Phillips’s reporting on the East Colfax community tragedy in the Denver Post. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Ma Kaing’s family. For more on the removal of the racist Chinatown plaque Bree mentioned, here’s the report from Rocky Mountain PBS. Listen to our episode with Dr. Wei from last August to learn more about Denver’s lost Chinatown. Casa Bonita is back in the news this week, and you know we’re all over it. Get the latest in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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

South Park, AKA the show that introduced the world to Casa Bonita, is celebrating 25 years on TV this week. That’s hundreds of episodes packed with thousands of jokes made at the expense of politicians, pop stars, and us, the faithful residents of Colorado. Host Bree Davies sits down with her friend and South Park superfan Kalyn Heffernan to talk all things Kenny, Stan, Kyle, and Cartman. A musician, artist, former mayoral candidate, and disability rights activist, Heffernan has a deep love for South Park’s irreverent humor and the version of Colorado portrayed on the show, and Bree wanted to get to the bottom of that love. If you want to join the 25-year anniversary celebrations, there’s a two-night live music extravaganza happening at Red Rocks with creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, along with their band-friends Ween and Primus. Of course, South Park is also cashing in on the immersive experience trend with a shipping container wrapped in Cartman’s image, peddling photo-ops and memorabilia for fans to see and pose with. That’ll be outside the concert and at McGregor Square this weekend. More on that here. Bree offered an update on BALLOT TRIP, our four-part investigation into the future of psychedelics in Colorado. To hear the whole series, here’s where you can find part one, part two, part three, and part four. Catch up on all the Denver news with the CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Got a favorite South Park joke about Colorado? Let us know on Twitter @citycastdenver 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

***This is the final episode in our four-part series on the future of psychedelics in Colorado. To get the rest of the story, here’s where you can find part one, part two, and part three. ***UPDATE (9/21/22): This episode has been updated to correct our characterization of SPORE's position. SPORE is not neutral. In fact, after this episode was originally published on 8/8/22, Matthew Duffy published an op-ed in the Denver Post urging voters to reject the Natural Health Medicine Act in November. Who will decide the future of psychedelics in Colorado? Is it the big-money, out-of-state campaign with nationwide ambitions? Or the grassroots-driven Decriminalize Nature measure that wants to take things a little slower? In this final episode of our four-part series Ballot Trip, award-winning investigative reporter Chris Walker highlights the grassroots approach and why their organizers are wary of moving too fast. Get all the Denver news you need, plus cool events happening this week and more in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Hang out with us on Twitter! @citycastdenver 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 only been six weeks since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ripple effects are still being felt across the country — including here in Colorado, where surprising new fronts have opened in the battle to keep reproductive healthcare safe, legal, and accessible. Today, host Bree Davies sits down with two Colorado experts on abortion issues: Denver Post reporter Elizabeth Hernandez shares insight from her reporting on healthcare providers and Coloradans looking for reproductive healthcare, and Justine Sandoval, a political insider who’s been working on abortion rights legislation for close to a decade. Find all of Elizabeth’s fantastic reporting on the local ripple effects of the Roe decision via The Denver Post. Justine mentioned supporting abortion access advocates already doing the work, like: Cobalt, COLOR Latina, and National Abortion Funds. Looking for fun stuff to do this weekend? Check out the City Cast Denver newsletter for editor Peyton Garcia’s handpicked list: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Find us on Twitter: @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Denver is home to many neighborhoods, cultures, and people. But lately, our host Bree Davies has been stuck on a certain kind of Denverite: the Denver Foo. Thanks to the @DenverFoos303 Instagram account, you can stay up-to-date on where local Edgars get their Polo shirts, what’s really going down in LoDo after let-out, and who serves the best tacos on a paper plate in the city. Bree sat down with Benny, one of the guys behind the IG account, to talk about what makes a true Denver Foo, what this particular subculture says about Denver, and why this account is an appreciation — not an appropriation — of a certain style of Mile High human. More news you can use in our daily City Cast Denver newsletter. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Give a shout out to the Denver Foo in your life on Twitter, bud: @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The journalist and community organizer Theo Wilson is fresh off a high-profile new gig, hosting his own show for the History Channel. On “I Was There,” Theo explores the history you know from an angle you don’t know. So we invited Theo to give the “I Was There” treatment to an issue many Denverites are dealing with in different ways: our housing crisis. It turns out Theo is in the market to buy a home himself, and he’s got tons of insight from history, his research into other housing models around the world, and his own personal experience to help point us in the right direction. Theo mentioned that he is taking advantage of a new housing equity program called the Dearfield Fund. Check out our episode from March 9 with another beneficiary of the program and one of the folks who designed it to learn more. Craving more Denver news? Subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter! @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

For the first time in the history of legal weed, sales are falling. It’s an unthinkable turnaround for an industry that was once seen with limitless potential, and it’s going to mean a loss of tax revenue for all the public services funded by cannabis sales. So why are weed sales dropping? Ricardo Baca is the founder and ceo of Grasslands, a cannabis-focused PR agency. He’s been digging into the numbers, and he sees more than what’s on the surface. Host Bree Davies sits down with the veteran cannabis journalist-turned-weed biz insider to parse out what, exactly, is going on with cannabis in Colorado. Oh, and- We’re doing another food battle! This time, it’s a showdown between Denver’s favorite sandwich chains: Snarf’s vs. Cheba Hut. So which colorful sub-maker will reign supreme? Or is there another local sandwich maker that deserves a spot in this battle? Leave us a voicemail with your take, name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Bree mentioned Mutiny Information Cafe’s GoFundMe, which you can support here. Get all the Denver news you need, plus event listings and more fun tidbits and bobs in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Hang out with us on Twitter @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

***This is the third episode of a four-part series on the future of psychedelics in Colorado. To hear the whole story, you can find part one here and part two here. Recently, news broke that at least one of the dueling campaigns to get a psychedelics measure on the November ballot has been successful. This means Colorado voters will decide on Initiative 58, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act, which is the one that aims to to legalize psychedelics, but also regulate their distribution at licensed “healing centers.” It’s a controversial proposal with big money behind it. This time on BALLOT TRIP, investigative journalist Chris Walker explores the origins of this scheme, including its surprising financial backer, and looks at how a similar initiative is already playing out in Oregon. We’ve got all the news you need to start your week right here: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter! @citycastdenver 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: Trade Coffee How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s been all over the news: RTD is going FARE-FREE for the entire month of August! Our elected officials pushed for the transit agency to adopt a month of no-cost rides in an effort to combat Denver’s chronic smog problem. But the move also comes as the metro area grapples with a decades-old traffic congestion issue that many think could be solved if car drivers would just fundamentally change everything they know about their own transit habits. Today on the show, producer (and bike-loving) Paul Karolyi sits down with host (and unabashed single-occupant car driver) Bree Davies and special guest, retired public radio heavyweight (and public transit lifer) Jo Ann Allen to get deep on RTD. Don’t miss Jo Ann’s new column for the Denver Post! The first one is out now, and it’s all about Black generational wealth. We are also delighted to recommend Jo Ann’s podcast, Been There Done That! Paul mentioned a couple of articles about RTD’s month of free fares: this one from the Washington Post profiling a Denver bus driver, and this one from friend of the show Nate Minor for CPR about the time RTD offered free fares in the 70s. Looking for something fun to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered in today’s newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter! @citycastdenver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Control Group Productions presents THE END How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

After our episode yesterday with Planterra CEO Darcey Macken, City Cast Denver’s resident vegetarian, producer Paul Karolyi, and “flexitarian” host Bree Davies were itching to talk more about protein. Today on the show, Paul and Bree discuss their experiences with non-meat, plant-based, and animal-alternative options in Denver and tackle the big question: does the Mile High’s reputation as a literal cow town still hold true? Or are we a city that can celebrate an array of culinary, veg-friendly options that go beyond the “meat and potatoes” stereotype of our past? If this episode has you hungry, check out today’s City Cast Denver newsletter, where editor Peyton Garcia digs into her fave dish at Tamayo. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Tell us your fave vegetarian/non-meat restaurant or menu item on Twitter: @citycastdenver 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: Denver Film presents Summer of Soul How to Buy a Home podcast Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Plant-based protein is all the rage, with Beyond- and Impossible-branded products popping up in grocery stores and on fast food menus across the country. But there’s a plucky new local startup, Planterra, angling for its share of this new market, and they’ve got a not-so-plucky parent company lurking behind the scenes, armed with data and know-how from running a global “protein” business. That company? JBS, the largest meat producer in the world. Producer Paul Karolyi sits down with Planterra CEO Darcey Macken to hear all about JBS’s first step into the plant-based arena, starting with a production plant here in Denver. For more on Planterra’s business plans, here’s the Denver Business Journal story where we first learned about the company. All Coloradans can expect TABOR refunds in the mail soon. Wanna know why? We’ve got a full breakdown in today’s newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/ Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenver 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 How to Buy a Home Podcast Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks: Summer of Soul Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise