City Cast Denver

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Dark Money in the Gov’s Race, Ski Strike Fallout, and a Surprising New Trump Lawsuit Against CO Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

New campaign finance reports just released show a combined $9 million coming in for both Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser’s gubernatorial campaigns. But where all that money is flowing from is a little murky. David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever, joins host Bree Davies to dig into the dark money dirt, as well as President Trump’s recent meddling in Colorado’s attempt to cap credit card interest rates and the financial fallout from the recent Telluride ski patrol strike.

Bree mentioned a post from the ski blog Peak Rankings and The Lever’s excellent podcast and newly released book, Master Plan. Sirota talked about the Clean Campaign Act of 2019.

What do you think about Sirota’s dark money loophole proposal? Should legislators close it? 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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Gov. Polis Backtracks on ICE, a New Pet Deposit Payment Plan, and Your Takeout Tricks Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Anti-Trump protesters gathered outside the Capitol last Saturday, but the turnout paled in comparison to the bigger demonstrations we saw last year. Producer Paul Karolyi joins host Bree Davies to talk about the past year of anti-Trump resistance in Denver as we watch violence play out on the streets of Minneapolis. Plus, a Denver city council member has a big new idea to help out pet owners and we hear a couple of listener hacks to navigate the rising cost of takeout.

Paul talked about this betting market for the CD8 Democratic primary and the Colorado Sun’s coverage of Gov. Polis’ State of the State speech last week.

What’s the best happy hour in town? We want to hear about your fave! 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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Will People Keep Moving to Colorado? The State Demographer Tells All Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

A moving company recently published data showing that fewerpeople are movingto Colorado than moving away — but should our state really be concerned about becoming “the New Jersey of the West”? Factors like aging, housing affordability, international migration, and falling birthrates paint a more complex picture. Host Bree Davies sits down with State Demographer Kate Watkins to discuss everything from the impacts of a slowing economy to declining school enrollment, and what really contributes to growth or decline of our population. Kate also shares some future forecasting on what the population of the Mile High City could look like in 2060.

Kate talked about the State Demography Office’s 2025 report on Colorado’s housing shortfall.

We’re hiring for an Audience Development Manager! If you want to help us take our social media and marketing to the next level, check out the full job description to see if you’d be a good fit.

What do you think about Colorado’s changing population? 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

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

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 20th episode:

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

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Is Takeout Too Expensive? Plus, a Controversial Shelter Change and Aldi Enters the Grocery Wars Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Will Aldi conquer Denver’s grocery market? After the national chain announced plans to open dozens of new locations in Colorado, Denverites have been champing at the bit for a new supermarket option. Then, landlords of now-closed Secret Garden Bar & Café in Cheesman Park are on the hunt for a new restaurant operator, but where does that leave union negotiations with the former staff? Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into these big stories, plus discuss a homeless shelter provider’s decision to take away room keys from residents, one food writer’s concerns about takeout meals becoming too expensive to be worth it, and wins and fails of the week.

Bree talked about the the Colorado Symphony’s new bus ads and the GoFundMe for Angelo Simpson, who lost his life in an unsolved hit and run. Olivia talked about a new stamp and how lawmakers talk about Gov. Polis. Justine discussed the Nuggets new tactile broadcast technology for blind and low vision fans and the truck that hit the RTD’s A Line.

Just a note — we will be off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so no new podcast episode on Monday. Oh and check out our photo gallery from the 2025 Denver-est Denver Awards show!

What do you think about getting takeout? Worth the convenience or getting too expensive? 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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Trump’s Threats to Child Care Funding Could Hurt More Than Just Colorado’s Kids Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

After President Trump ordered a freeze on tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for child care and low income family support programs in Colorado, Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit against the administration to block it. Then, a judge issued a temporary restraining order, meaning the funding freeze has been halted temporarily. As this issue winds its way through the court system, thousands of families are at risk of losing support and some child care providers say they are worried about shutting down altogether. Host Bree Davies sits down with Mathangi Subramanian, Director of Early Childhood Policy at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, to understand what the loss of federal dollars could mean for families and child care providers, and how the cuts could impact the state’s economy for years to come.

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What do you think? Are you a parent or child care provider navigating this system in Colorado?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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Inside Denver’s Biggest Debates: Unmasking ICE, Soccer Stadium Pros and Cons, and Flock’s Future Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

Earlier this week, a Denver City Council committee discussed a potential proposal to ban law enforcement, including ICE agents, from wearing face coverings during arrest or deportation operations. If such legislation did pass, how would it be enforced? Then, hundreds of people showed up to a town hall meeting in December to protest the city’s use of Flock cameras — the contract with the tech surveillance company ends in March, so where does Denver stand? Host Bree Davies sits down with council member at-large Sarah Parady to dig into these topics, plus discuss her thoughts on TABOR, childcare funding challenges, jail sentences, and why she voted against using $50 million of Denver’s money to buy the land for the future National Women’s Soccer League stadium.

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

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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 January 14 episode:

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Is the City Getting Safer? Plus, Grocery Store Competition Heats Up and Denver’s DNC Bid Is Official Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

It’s official: Mayor Mike Johnston confirmed that Denver is throwing its hat in the ring for the 2028 Democratic National Convention. But twenty years ago when the Mile High City previously played host to the DNC, the city and the economy looked a lot different — and the protests were big. Then, German grocery store chain Aldi is coming to Colorado — could more competition mean better prices for consumers? Host Bree Davies is joined by Westword editor in-chief Patty Calhoun to dig into these big stories, plus discuss homicide and car theft rates going down, more thoughts on President Trump and the Tina Peters situation, and hear a comment from a listener on Denver’s department stores of yore.

Bree talked about the “new” Dozens Restaurant location at 14th Street and Court Place and our 2023 interview with the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority. Patty mentioned Westword’s reporting on issues in the Golden Triangle and their paper’s member event tonight at the Westword offices, looking back at 2025 and eyeing this year’s celebration of the state’s 150th birthday.

Check out Mark Barnhouse’s books on the heyday of shopping in the Mile High: Lost Department Stores of Denver and The Denver Dry Goods: Where Colorado Shopped with Confidence.

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

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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:

American Red Cross
Denver Health
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off

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AG Phil Weiser Is Suing Trump Again. He’s Also Running for Governor. Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed his 50th lawsuit against the President Trump last week, this time pushing back on the administration’s freezing of millions in childcare funding and support for low-income families. It’s just the latest in the AG’s maneuvers to resist what he calls a “revenge campaign” by Trump against our Democrat-dominated state. Today we’re revisiting a conversation host Bree Davies had nearly a year ago with Weiser after he announced his run for governor, discussing everything from rental market price fixing and deportation laws to cell phone bans and youth mental health issues.

For more on the governor’s race, we also recently spoke with Weiser’s main opponent in the Democratic Party’s primary, Michael Bennet. That primary election is coming up this June.

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

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What do you think about Phil Weiser’s run for governor? Would you vote for him? 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 January 12th episode:

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ICE Shooting Protests, Trump’s Childcare Cuts, and Which Denver Celeb Hates Dogs? Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

An ICE officer shot and killed a Colorado woman on the streets of Minneapolis on Wednesday, sparking protests and renewed debate here in Denver over President Trump’s crackdowns on immigration and fraud. Comedian Joshua Emerson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about ICE in Denver, Trump’s retaliatory cuts to childcare and other social services, and his other recent comments about Colorado. Plus, does the quarterback of the Denver Broncos hate dogs? And finally, our wins and fails of the week.

We’re hiring! Do you want to be City Cast Denver’s new audience development manager? Or do you know someone who’d be a perfect fit? Check out the full job listing and apply here.

What do you think about Bo Nix’s relationship with dogs? Is he being weird? Does it not matter to you? 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

Joshua talked about Team Nonexistent, Gov. Polis’ latest controversial tweet, and the monthly clavé jam at Manos Sagrados. Bree mentioned the Corporation for Public Broadcasting dissolving and Kokoro’s 40th anniversary. Paul talked about a recent Colorado youth hockey scandal, Denver’s new micro-mobility operator, our episode about Lime scooters from last March, and Bo Nix’s new line of “Overdogs” merch in support of Denver Rescue Mission.

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

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Learn more about the sponsors of this January 9th episode:

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Should Denver Host Another Democratic National Convention? Plus, Drinking in RiNo and ‘Where Am I’? Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Could Denver host the Democratic National Convention in 2028? Colorado’s Congressional Democrats already signed a letter of support for Denver’s bid, but is the Mile High City — and the local Democratic Party — a good candidate for the big event? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by Denver Post City Government Reporter Elliott Wenzler to discuss the bid. Plus, City Council approved a new common consumption area in RiNo this week, but why aren’t there free-drinking zones all over the city by now? Finally, as a special bonus in the members-only version of this episode, Elliott joins us for the debut of a new game we’re trying out that’s all about our mental maps of the city.

Become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today! Get that special version of this episode and plenty more perks and insider benefits by becoming a member for only $10 per month. Sign up now at membership.citycast.fm.

What do you think would be the best spot for a common consumption area? 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

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

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 8th episode:

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