City Cast Denver

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‘Your City Could Be Better’: DC’s Plan To Hold Federal Agents Accountable — Presented By City Cast Denver Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

Denverites are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud.

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Are Dems Done With Polis? Plus, A Massive Meatpackers' Strike and the Case of the Missing Pothos Plant Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

The Tina Peters saga drags on – Governor Polis says he will not make a decision on clemency for the disgraced elections official until a ruling on her case comes down from Colorado Court of Appeals; not to mention every Democrat in the legislature signed a letter this week urging Polis not to free her. So, will he or won’t he? Politics contributor Adrian Felix joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to discuss Polis’s mixed signals, plus dive into the impending strike at the JBS meatpacking plant, and of course, our wins and fails of the week.

Bree discussed the Racines memorabilia gifted to the Denver Public Library and the update in the Jax Gratton murder case. Paul talked about RTD expanding service for the G and B lines and the loss of the pothos plant at the old Amethyst Coffee. Adrian discussed City Council postponing a vote on the proposed new surveillance camera provider Axon.

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What do you think about Governor Polis and the Tina Peters clemency question? 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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Dueling Music Festival Drama, Noise NIMBYs, and How Much for Gorillaz Tix? Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

A new music festival, Blucifer’s First Rodeo is coming to South Broadway this July! But the fest’s dates overlap with the Underground Music Showcase, the area’s former big summer fest, which is now set to take place in RiNo. Are these two concert events competition for each other or just a sign of an evolving music scene? Denver Post arts reporter John Wenzel and comedian Miriam Moreno join host Bree Davies to dig into the dueling festival drama, plus talk through the fight over decibel levels at an outdoor amphitheater and debate the right price for a concert ticket.

Grab tickets for Good Night Denver, Miriam’s live late night show at Dude IDK Studios next Friday!

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What do you think about Blucifer’s First Rodeo vs. UMS? 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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Dumping RiNo for Downtown, Women’s Hockey vs. ‘Heated Rivalry,’ and a South Denver History Spotlight Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

The new-ish Professional Women’s Hockey League is taking over Ball Arena for the second year in a row this weekend, hoping to break another attendance record and set the groundwork for a possible expansion franchise here in Denver. Contributor Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how the “Heated Rivalry” craze might affect the PWHL’s prospects and play a guessing game about hockey’s weird year. Plus, the staple RiNo community hub Green Spaces is closing ahead of a move downtown and a history-loving Denverite has got some exciting new plans for a museum dedicated to South Denver.

Paul and Michelle discussed Canadian tourism to Colorado. Here are the facts, courtesy of TravelPulse Canada. Michelle also mentioned her podcast, Square State.

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

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What do you think about Green Spaces moving downtown? 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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What Should We Name the New Front Range Train? Plus, Veo’s Scooter Takeover Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Big changes might be coming to Denver’s scooter and bike share scene – the city chose a new operator, Veo, and if city council signs off on the deal, Lime and Bird are out of the picture. Joining host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi is Andy Cushen, co-host of the Denver Urbanism podcast, to discuss what this impending shift means for everyday scooter and bike share users, plus the future of Lime’s very popular equity access program. Then, a sales tax increase could land on November’s ballot that would fund a Front Range Passenger Rail – but before that happens, boosters want Coloradans to pick a name for the train. Will having a cute moniker for the rail line endear voters to say yes to a sales tax increase?

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What do you think? Do you like any of the names for the yet-to-be-built Front Range Passenger Rail? 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 March 10th episode:

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

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Can Speed Cameras Save Lives? Plus, Wi-Fi-Free Coffee Drama and RockBar Survival Stories Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Is a speed camera coming to your street? Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure shared preliminary plans to install cameras along parts of Federal Blvd. and Alameda Ave. with more coming soon. So, host Bree Davies and producers Olivia Jewell Love and Paul Karolyi are talking about how these new cameras are supposed to work, the surveillance question, and why these streets are getting them first. Plus, we respond to listener questions and comments about Wi-Fi in coffee shops, bored teenagers, and the lost but not forgotten indie sleaze hotspot that was RockBar.

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

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What do you think about Denver’s new speed cameras? 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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'Your City Could Be Better': What Denver Needs To Know About Utah's Controversial 'Homeless Campus' Plan Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Denver are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers.

Mentioned on the show:

Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake)

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Local Coffee Shop Cuts Wi-Fi, Waymo Snow Training, and Lowry Stinks! Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Despite this season’s lack of snow, Waymo, the autonomous ride share company, says their robotaxis-in-training are still learning how to drive in Denver winters. Then, Stella's Coffee Haus recently announced they are cutting off Wi-Fi at their shop, which has us wondering — should coffee shops even have Wi-Fi? And what’s the etiquette for working-from-coffeehouse? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love and contributor Michelle Jackson to dish on these stories, and of course deliver the wins and fails of the week.

Bree talked about the dangerous intersection in Cherry Hills and Dyketopia’s March 22 show. Olivia mentioned Denver’s bison transfer to Native tribes and the stinky smells at the Lowry Town Center. Michelle discussed the impending snowfall and Colorado’s tourism attention on Canada.

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

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Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by CEO David Plotz, this week's episode features Salt Lake City!

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 March 6th episode:

Multipass

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Will Gov. Polis Free Tina Peters? Plus, Why Civic Center Park Needs a Taco Bell Cantina Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Earlier this week, Governor Jared Polis made a post on X comparing the sentences of former Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis and former county clerk Tina Peters, both of whom have been convicted of attempting to influence a public official, among other charges. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are joined by comedian Kate McLachlan to dig into what Polis is – or isn’t saying – about President Trump’s calls to pardon Peters. Plus, they discuss the city’s plans to host a restaurant inside the McNichols Civic Center Building and pitch their dream eateries for this parkside spot.

After our recording, Sen. Michael Bennet made a post on X about his position on clemency for Tina Peters.

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

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What do you think Gov. Polis is saying with his X post? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

If you enjoyed today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here.

Check out upcoming Multipass events below:

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 5th episode:

Multipass

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Can Tattered Cover's Ex-CEO Find Bookstore Redemption? Plus, Denver Pride Is on the Move Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Kwame Spearman wants you to buy books from him again. The 2023 mayoral hopeful and former CEO of The Tattered Cover opened Denver Book Society last month and he’s hoping for a redemption arc. But social media chatter shows some Denverites feeling skeptical of his second try at book selling, accusing him of being a catalyst for Tattered’s failure at retaining local ownership and calling into question comments he made about ICE and immigration during his run for mayor. Can Spearman and co-owner Rich Garvin create the “third space” they hope to bring with this new venture? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are joined by green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to discuss the future of the new indie bookstore, plus dig into the news that Denver Pride is shrinking down to a single day celebration and will move from Civic Center Park to 16th Street.

Bree mentioned Spearman’s comments on immigration, as reported by 9News and Denverite’s conversation with Kim Salvaggio, CEO of The Center. Olivia read from Instagram posts from both Denver Book Society and Denver Book Swap Society.

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? 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 March 4th episode:

Multipass

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

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