City Cast Denver

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Denver State Senate Candidates Beef over Dark Money, Data Centers, and RTD's Budget Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

While there’s been plenty of coverage of the gubernatorial, congressional, and U.S. Senate primaries, smaller but equally important battles are also being fought in Denver – like the race to represent Colorado Senate District 34 (a seat currently held by Julie Gonzales). Two Democrats are vying to represent the downtown and northwest Denver district: Andrés Carrera and Chela Garcia Irlando. They engaged in a heated forum last week on stage at Su Teatro, with our producer Paul Karolyi moderating. With the primary election just eight days away, we’re sharing this live recording of Carrera and Garcia Irlando, who fiercely debated everything from data centers and the city’s handling of the migrant crisis to RTD’s budget issues and the role of dark money in this very race.

A quick clarification on the “dark money” exchange: After the forum, Conservation Colorado Victory Fund reached out to let us know that they had reported spending on the mailers Paul mentioned, but that the secretary of state’s office had not yet updated its database at the time of the forum. For more, the Colorado Sun reported last Thursday a breakdown of all the spending from groups that don’t disclose their donors in support of candidates in state legislature races, including SD34.

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Would you vote for Chela or Andrés? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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New Rules for City Council Lobbyists, Primary Ballot Conspiracies, and Winning Wontons Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

This week Denver City Council passed new lobbying rules aimed at increasing transparency and tracking who lobbyists work for, how much they are being paid, and what issues they are advocating for. The new ordinance also requires former elected officials and city appointees to take a break between leaving office and becoming a lobbyist. Denver Post city hall reporter Elliott Wenzler joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to talk about what really goes down at the City and County Building, plus discuss the latest election fraud conspiracy theory involving colored envelopes, and as always, wins and fails of the week!

Plus, if you’re a City Cast Denver neighbor, you get a special bonus segment where the gals share the who, what, where, when of their ultimate World Cup watch party!

Bree talked about Bow Mar officially becoming a gated community and this year’s Bonfils-Stanton Social Impact Awards. Olivia discussed the trout saved from the Antero Reservoir and the lack of a craft store at DIA. Elliot talked about chef Penelope Wong’s James Beard Award.

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What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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Why Some Cherry Creek Trail Art Got 'The Landlord Special.' Plus, Downtown's Perception Problem and Our Summer Concert Picks Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

What makes a piece of public art “legitimate”? Denverite recently profiled artist Tom Dorsa, an appliance repairman by day who also installs his own artwork when and where he likes. “27 PACKETS OF TACO BELL DIABLO SAUCE” was a fixture on the Cherry Creek Trail – set amongst 48 other city-approved pieces – for more than two years before it was covered up. Podcast host and regular guest Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into the idea of sanctioned vs. unsanctioned art in public spaces. They also discuss how personal perceptions of the state of downtown can overshadow the actual experience of being there, plus the trio shares their can’t-miss concerts for the summer season!

Bree mentioned the Amyl and the Sniffers show tonight at Red Rocks, as well as Sierra Ferrell’s appearance in August. Olivia talked about concert pianist Yuja Wang’s concert at Chautauqua Auditorium in July. Michelle discussed the free Flobots show on the 4th of July at Levitt Pavilion.

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If you enjoyed this interview with Kelsey Simpkins, the Communications and Programs Manager at the Regional Air Quality Council, learn more here.

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Central City Opera

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Why Three Venues Cancelled on The Kiros/Piker Rally, a Conservative's Tour of Downtown, and Juneteenth Expands Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Over the weekend, a rally featuring congressional candidate Melat Kiros and leftist political pundit Hasan Piker was booted from three locations before settling on the steps of the Capitol. By the time the gathering kicked off Sunday afternoon, Piker had dropped out and Kiros accused her challenger, incumbent Diana DeGette, of sabotaging the rally. So, what really happened? Westword editor-in-chief Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to talk through what we heard from both campaigns, plus discuss Juneteenth’s celebration expanding and Patty’s tour of Denver’s alleged “Mad Max-esque” downtown with conservative talk show duo Jeff and Bill.

Bree also mentioned the Wall Street Journal’s story and the Colorado Sun’s reporting on the state of downtown.

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Learn more about the sponsors of this June 16th episode:

Energy Outreach Colorado
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off

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How to Survive a Denver Summer Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

The National Weather Service and Climate Prediction Center are forecasting a warm and wet summer this year. So, how do you cope with increasingly higher temps as we move into this sweltering season? We’re revisiting a conversation we had a while back about the best places to go, things to do, and products to buy on a budget to keep you and the fam cool all summer long.

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What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Denver Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

Do you know how many parks Denver has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs.

Mentioned on the show:

Every Park SLC - The First-Ever Guide to Every Park in Salt Lake County (City Cast Salt Lake)

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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Kyle Clark on GOP Exorcisms, CD-8 Switcheroos, and Tornado False Alarms Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Can Victor Marx conduct exorcisms over the phone? The ordained minister and front-runner in the GOP primary for governor says so, and made national news when HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver picked up 9News’ debate between Marx, State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, and State Rep. Scott Bottoms. Journalist Kyle Clark joins host Bree Davies and politics contributor Adrian Felix to dig into that unhinged Republican rodeo Kyle and colleague Marshall Zelinger moderated, plus discuss CD8 primary candidate Manny Rutinel’s sudden switch on fracking and veganism, and of course our wins and fails of the week.

Plus, if you’re a City Cast Denver Neighbor, you get a special bonus segment where the trio discusses Bow Mar’s dystopian dream of building a wall around the tiny town and what it says about humanity.

Come see us at Denver Bike Fest, this Saturday, June 13, from 3-9 p.m. at York Street Yards!

Bree mentioned her interview with reporter Logan Davis about Advance Colorado, scooter accidents and kids, and DIY venue, The D.M.V. Kyle talked about the tornado false alarm and Tina Peters’ appearance at “Freedom Fest.” Adrian discussed DPD’s proposal to replace discipline with training, the return of City Park Jazz, and Kyle’s Word of Thanks fundraising for the City Park Bandstand.

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What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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Senator Michael Bennet on Housing Affordability, Redistricting, and How He’s Different From Gov. Polis Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in congress since 2009. Now, the U.S. senator is running for governor – and is in the midst of a heated democratic primary against fellow candidate, Attorney General Phil Weiser. Last fall, Bennet sat down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about everything from housing affordability and rent algorithms to pushing back against Trump. Just a note: we reached out to Bennet’s campaign, but were not able to get an interview ahead of this month's primaries. For more on Bennet, listen to our past episode with local historian Phil Goodstein, who shared more of the the senator’s backstory.

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What are you thinking about this year’s governor’s race? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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Attorney General Phil Weiser on Data Center Moratoriums, Bike Lanes, and His Run for Governor Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Governor Jared Polis is serving his final term and the Democratic primary race to replace him is heated. Attorney General Phil Weiser joins host Bree Davies to discuss his run for the highest office in the state and dig into everything from his position on highway expansions and zoning reform to where he stands on felonies for drug possession and data center moratoriums. Plus, they talk about Weiser’s opponent Senator Michael Bennet and his claims that the AG has accepted corporate money.

Be sure to tune in to the podcast tomorrow to hear our interview with Sen. Bennet.

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Ballots are in the mail! Which primary race are you watching? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

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UMS or Blucifer's First Rodeo? Plus, Bike Fest, CD1 Primary Challengers, and More From the Mailbag! Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Host Bree Davies and Producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening up the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear listeners’ thoughts on everything from our interviews with Rep. Diana DeGett’s primary challengers to the pedestrian walkways coming to DIA’s underground tunnels and how friendships blossom in the Red Rocks parking lots. Plus, Bree and Olivia answer the question of the summer: Underground Music Showcase or Blucifer’s First Rodeo?

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Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

What do you think? 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: