City Cast Denver

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RTD’s CEO Debra Johnson on Lagging Ridership, a Looming Budget Crunch, and Denver’s Car Culture Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

Denver’s public transit agency RTD has had a rough couple of years. Almost a full year of track maintenance and slowdowns led to a nearly 20% decline in light rail ridership, but ridership across the network overall is down, too. With even more light rail maintenance expected in the next few years, RTD’s budget is projected to hit multi-billion deficits in the early 2030s. So what’s the plan to get back on track? And if the answer is more money, who will pay? RTD CEO and General Manager joins producer Paul Karolyi to discuss what she thinks the biggest problems are, her plan for the budget deficit, and what she does when her train is late.

Paul referenced Nate Minor’s reporting for CPR about the senior leaders who left RTD in recent years and quoted the emailed statement Johnson shared with the Denver Post for this recent story. Johnson quoted some recent data on ridership numbers and talked about RTD’s new tap-to-pay technology.

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 should be done to improve RTD? We want to hear from you! Would you pay higher sales taxes? Or would you prefer to pay more at parking meters? Or do you think RTD is going well enough as it is? 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 December 3rd episode:

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Is Colorado Having a Shoplifting Crisis? Plus, the Tipping Debate Returns and the Scoop on a New Museum Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

A fleet of 600 drones is putting on a holiday light show every night over downtown Denver, but that’s not the only big new idea Denverites have for downtown. Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the Museum of Ice Cream, giant TV screens, the latest developments for the Denver Pavilions, and more. Plus, a new report finds that Colorado is suffering from record high levels of shoplifting. But is it a crisis? And will lawmakers act? And finally, Edgewater is poised to modify their minimum wage rules, and Mayor Johnston is reportedly interested in doing the same in Denver. Can he convince City Council?

What do you think is Denver’s Word of the Year 2025? 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 December 2nd episode:

The Delores Project
The People Park
Colfax Ave BID
Multipass
Ballpark Denver
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off

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Your Guide to December 2025 in Denver Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

The days are getting short and the nights are getting long, but Denver is already feeling the holiday spirit. And we’re back with our monthly guide to the best of Denver. That means we’ve got plenty of recs for how to make the most of your Mile High December, from a cozy greasy spoon cafe in Lakewood to a Christmas-y comedy show sure to make you bust a gut.

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.

Also, check out Market in the Park-et’s Sweater Fest this weekend! It’s a great place to get started on your holiday shopping, and we’re sponsoring the “Beautiful Sweater Contest” — Send us your pics!

For even more tips on how to make the most of December in Denver, check out our newsletter Hey Denver’s take on what to do this month.

If you enjoyed today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here. Check out their upcoming events below!

Learn more about the other sponsors of this December 1st episode:

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Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here citycast.fm/advertise.

Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at denver@citycast.fm

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The Must-Buy Gift From Every City Cast City (Including Denver!) Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Join City Cast Denver host Bree Davies alongside fellow hosts from Austin, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities for a special episode that’ll help you knock out your holiday shopping early and support small businesses around the country. From a handlebar mount (and app!) that’ll turn your phone into a bike cam, to a mustard-of-the-month subscription box, our hosts are here to tell the stories of local businesses in their cities making cool stuff that you can order online right now.

Visit our website to find the full list of recommendations with links for holiday shopping!

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

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 November 26th episode:

Blue Sky CBD - Use promo code CITY CAST DENVER to receive 30% off.
AEG Presents
Ballpark Denver

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What Are Coloradans Thinking? Plus, Fake Snow, Rent Algorithms, and Bennet vs. Weiser Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Are Denverites going to be talking politics at their Thanksgiving tables or chatting about more palatable topics like the gritty details of Blucifer’s backside? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk about Colorado Polling Institute’s new poll on Coloradans’ outlook on the economy, elected officials, and rise in political violence. Plus, we hear from listeners about the Winchell’s Donuts in Longmont and wack people at the airport.

Paul mentioned our interview with senator and gubernatorial candidate Michael Bennet and Bennet’s housing platform. Bree mentioned our new video out with Dave Chung in the tunnels at DIA.

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 the direction Colorado is going? 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 November 25th episode:

Blue Sky CBD - Use promo code CITY CAST DENVER to receive 30% off..
AEG Presents
Ballpark Denver

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Two Mayor Mikes. Two Wildly Different Approaches to Homelessness. Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

The Denver metro area has two mayors named Mike who have made homelessness a top priority. Johnston, the Denver liberal, has pursued a “housing first” strategy as he attempts to end unsheltered homelessness in our city, but recently he’s been branching out, including a proposal for $11 million to fund a new street ambassador program. Coffman, the Aurora conservative, just opened a new shelter with a support model that features a twist on his “work first” approach. Denverite’s Kyle Harris has reported on both, and he’s on today with host Bree Davies to compare and contrast.

Be sure to grab a ticket to our first-ever The Denver-est Denver Awards, presented by our friends at Denver Health!You’re cordially invited to attend a fancy holiday party slash formal awards show celebrating the very best of Denver on Dec. 18 at The Oriental Theater. City Cast Denver Neighbors will have received a discount code in the inbox, but everyone can buy tickets now! And we need your help picking the winners, too! Nominate your faves in our six big categories!

What do you think about the two Mayor Mikes and their divergent strategies? 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 November 24th episode:

Blue Sky CBD - Use promo code CITY CAST DENVER to receive 30% off.
AEG presents upcoming concerts at Red Rocks

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

Dark Money Divides Dems, Clorox Takes the Spotlight, and Record-Breaking Drug Busts Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

The Democrats of Colorado are divided this week over a brewing scandal around a swanky “retreat” to a luxury hotel in Vail and who paid for it — a so-called dark money group called One Main Street. 9News anchor Kyle Clark joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how the Dems are navigating a touchy ethics investigation. Plus, we talk through the viral video of a local food inspector pouring bleach on food at a taco stand and, of course, all our wins and fails of the week.

We also discussed the recent fentanyl and meth busts. Paul talked about the Yates Theater project and the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail. Kyle discussed Lauren Boebert and speed traps in Kersey. Bree mentioned Purnell Steen (who you can hear on this classic episode of the pod), Christmas lights at Civic Center, and the DOTI advisory committee.

What do you think about the Dems’ ethics scandal? 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.

Watch clips from the show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver or Instagram @citycastdenver

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

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Why DIA’s Conspiracy Theories Matter to Locals Just Trying To Catch a Flight Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

The Denver International Airport is famous all over the world for conspiracy theories and unsolved mysteries in the tunnels underground — and that’s without even mentioning Blucifer! But Thanksgiving is coming up, and tens of thousands of holiday travelers really just need to get to their gate on time. So how does DIA make it all work? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking to YouTuber Dave Chung about our recent investigation behind the scenes at DIA and what we learned about how the infamous airport actually works.

Follow Dave Chung on YouTube and check out the videos he made of our visit to DIA! Paul mentioned this petition circulating among airport workers calling for a dedicated security line.

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

What do you think about the role conspiracy theories play at DIA? 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 November 20th episode:

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Why Did the Health Dept. Dump Bleach Into Food at a Popular Taco Stand? Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

In a video that went viral on Monday, two people wearing City of Denver uniforms can be seen at a roadside taco stand dumping bleach into big jugs of agua frescas, radishes and pickled onions. The video attracted tens of thousands of likes, shares, and outraged comments. But what’s the real story behind the shocking imagery? Host Bree Davies talks to Mario Martinez, who documents and promotes Denver’s Mexican food scene on Instagram (now as @AnunciosDenver) and then Danica Lee, the longtime director of the Public Health Investigations Division of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

Danica asked that we share this recent video that her office made with basic food safety tips. Westword reported on the food safety regulations around al pastor a few years ago.

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

What do you think about the viral bleach video? 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 November 19th episode:

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

Could Denver Lose Its New Women’s Soccer Team? Plus, a True Jolly Rancher and Our Snowless Streak Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

When it was first revealed that Denver was getting a new professional women’s soccer team, many Denverites were thrilled! Including Mayor Mike Johnston, who has become Denver Summit FC’s chief cheerleader. But he’s been in hot water lately with city council, and now they’re throwing the brakes on public subsidies he wants for a new soccer stadium. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi have been following the project, and they’re breaking down all the latest twists and turns. Plus, some listener questions on bike lanes and Colorado’s claims to food fame; and, when is it going to snow already?

What do you think about the stadium politics? Should council put up the money? Or should Denver risk losing the NWSL franchise to Lone Tree or Centennial? 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 November 18th episode:

Simply Eloped
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Health
Cozy Earth - use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more

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

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