City Cast Denver

Latest Episodes:

Where Denver Falls in the Harm Reduction Conversation Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

When it comes to numbers, the story of drug-related overdose deaths in America is simple. They increased slowly and steadily through the early Trump years until a big jump during the pandemic. But that’s where Colorado is diverging. The Denver Post recently reported on preliminary numbers from the CDPHE that show overdose deaths increasing here in 2025, when most of the rest of the country was declining. Harm Reduction Action Center’s Executive Director, Lisa Raville, joins host Bree Davies to talk about why.

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What do you think about the harm reduction approach Raville espouses? 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': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Denver Jun 07, 2026

Show notes

Denver recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with ⁠⁠City Cast Las Vegas⁠⁠ podcast host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities’ water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos?

Mentioned on the show:

⁠⁠"Reality Check - There are Big Fines If You Don’t Change Your Watering Clock"⁠⁠ (Southern Nevada Water Authority)

⁠⁠"Federal Regulators Cut Lake Mead Water. Can Vegas Handle It?"⁠⁠ (City Cast Las Vegas)

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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Council Loses a Progressive Champion, Gay Bar Turtle Drama, and the Summer Mosquito Forecast Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

The Colfax staple Charlie’s got into trouble this week after a video posted to social media showed six little turtles “racing” on the legacy gay bar’s patio. So, was it a case of animal cruelty, a misunderstanding or something else? Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dissect the turtle debacle – plus Councilmember Sarah Parady’s decision to step down and what the future holds for Denver City Council, and of course our wins and fails of the week.

There’s more: In a special Neighbors-only bonus segment, the crew discuss Elliott’s reporting on a new program from the City of Denver that hopes to bribe folks to get out of their cars and walk, bike, or scoot instead. Not a member yet? Join the City Cast Denver neighborhood and get access to this segment!

Bree mentioned dog attacks on mail carriers and the campus abortion medication access bill. Olivia discussed the mosquito season ahead and a wage theft case at Atomic Cowboy. Elliott talked about a new baby animal at the Denver Zoo (whose name you can help pick!) and a mother charged with murder.

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What do you think will happen with Denver City Council after the next at-large race? 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 June 5th episode:

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Wanda James on Working for Barack Obama, Being Censured, and Running for Congress Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Diana DeGette has been representing Denver in congress since 1997, winning reelection 14 times in nearly 30 years on the job. The 1st Congressional District is comfortably blue, but two challengers have lit a fire in this race that is getting a lot of attention. Today, host Bree Davies sits down with Wanda James – a CU Regent, former navy officer, and the country’s first Black dispensary owner – to learn more about what James sees for Colorado’s future if she’s elected. Please check out our conversation with challenger Melat Kiros earlier in the week and note that we did invite Representative DeGette for an interview but she was not available.

James discussed images from the “Tea on THC” campaign that the Colorado School of Public Health published in December 2024.

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What do you think about Wanda James’ campaign for Congress? 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 June 4th episode:

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Melat Kiros on Money in Politics, Antisemitism, and Her Run for Congress Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Could Denver see a new face in congress in 2026? Diana DeGette has held the 1st Congressional District seat for nearly thirty years, handily winning reelection 14 times since 1997. But this year, she’s facing two challengers. We invited all three candidates for interviews to discuss how they want to represent Colorado under Trump. For this first conversation host Bree Davies is joined by Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros, a former lawyer and barista who could be one of only a handful of Gen Zers in the U.S. House of Representatives if elected. Representative DeGette declined our invitation, but stay tuned for our conversation with candidate Wanda James tomorrow.

Kiros discussed the MIT Living Wage calculator.

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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

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 3rd episode:

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Will the Broncos Stadium Actually Get Built By 2030? Plus, AI Backlash in Englewood and Which Congressperson Snubbed Us? Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Last week the City of Englewood shared a video about the work they are doing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But the municipality was swiftly chastised online for creating said video using AI – and causing carbon dioxide emissions. Westword Editor in Chief Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to talk about the the potential for city governments to erode trust by using AI, plus the latest on the newBroncos stadium development, and what it means when a politician turns down an interview with a local media outlet (ahem, like City Cast Denver).

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What do you think about the City of Englewood’s use of AI? 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 June 2nd episode:

Denver Art Museum
Energy Outreach Colorado
Denver Botanic Gardens
Vail Wine Classic
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Your Guide to June 2026 in Denver Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

The sun is out, and we’re ready to take a dip! From a cool way to rent a boat to the best spots to get in – or near – the water on a day trip to the mountains, we’re rounding up our fave things to do, see, eat, drink, and explore around the Mile High City this June. Our contributor and editor-in-chief of The Lever David Sirota joins to swap Pride recs, a DIY beer-arepas-ice cream crawl, and our pick for the best Red Rocks show of the summer.

Bree mentioned our new weekly newsletter, Keep It Local! Check out the latest edition featuring a great list of Denver metro shops for swim gear (like Swim N’ Things) and educational spaces that teach swimming, diving, and more!

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Denver community.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm.

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

What are you looking forward to in June? 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 1st episode:

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'Your City Could Be Better': How Chicago's Libraries Meet Community Needs — Presented By City Cast Denver May 31, 2026

Show notes

Where would Denver be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana?

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

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Gov. Polis is Trolling Again, Pattie Gonia vs Patagonia, and How to Be a Water Narc May 29, 2026

Show notes

Gov. Jared Polis has been the talk of the town since he commuted the sentence of noted 2020 election denier and former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters, and he’s handling all the attention the way only he could – trolling the press, sticking to his guns, and finding some time for a very jovial bill-signing on an RTD bus. City Cast Denver’s reigning Hater of the Year Adrian Felix and HD5 candidate Sterling Simms join producer Paul Karolyi to get into the weeds of that big RTD reform bill and dissect all Polis’ latest antics. Plus, one of the most highly anticipated performers at Denver PrideFest is “breaking her silence” about a legal dispute with one of Denver’s favorite clothing brands; Sterling addresses his opponent (aka, green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval); and all our wins and fails of the week.

That’s not all! If you’re a City Cast Denver Neighbor, you’ll also get a bonus segment where we respond to some very fun listener comments and questions about DIA’s new plan to divert waylaid travelers into its infamous underground tunnels.

Paul mentioned Pattie Gonia’s online merch store, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s comments about sanctuary cities, and Elijah Wood’s vaguely Lord of the Rings-themed DJ sets this weekend. Sterling talked about his campaign for HD5 and Colorado’s latest PIRG report on clean energy. Adrian discussed a clip of his costume on our Instagram last Halloween, Denver Water’s new anonymous reporting form, and the photos of State Sen. Matt Ball and Polis at the RTD bill signing.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm.

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

What do you think about Governor Jared Polis’ latest antics? 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 29th episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

What Are Colorado's 'Unlikeliest' Places to Find Love? Plus, Denver's Tapas Moment May 28, 2026

Show notes

From Chef Theo Adley’s French-inspired small plates at Heretíc to Johnny Curiel's Spanish bistro bites at Mar Bella Boqueria, tapas are having a moment. But are these petite dishes all they’re cracked up to be? Food and culture writer Sara Rosenthal joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into the debate over small plates, plus discuss a new survey that ranks the top five “unlikely” places that Denver singles are going to find love these days.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm.

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

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

Did you enjoy this interview with Elizabeth Martinez from Compass Real Estate? Learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 28th episode:

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