City Cast Denver

Latest Episodes:

Viral Clash at ‘No Kings,’ Englewood’s NIMBY Election, and a Calzone Clapback Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Denverites have been protesting Trump all year, but no demonstrations have been bigger than the ‘No Kings’ rallies in June and this past weekend. So what does that say about the local fight against Trump? Host Bree Davies and Producer Paul Karolyi are talking about some Giants fans who went viral for the wrong reasons, and everything else they saw and heard at ‘No Kings’ — plus, we take some great listener questions and talk about our experience doing four hours on KNUS conservative talk radio, debating issues and fielding calls from people who called us “snowflakes” and worse.

Check out the whole four hours on The Jeff & Bill Show’s YouTube page. Bree talked about Costco’s inflatable slides. Paul cited Colorado Community Media’s Englewood election coverage and discussed the last few years of debate over density in Englewood. Ben Todd from Full Afterburner Calzones linked to this Jon Stewart video.

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? 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 October 21st episode:

Arvada Center
Denver Art Museum
Denver Health
Denver Film
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

Every Issue on Denver’s 2025 Ballot, Explained Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

There are only two weeks left until election day! It may not be the most important one of our lifetimes, but Denverites have some really important decisions ahead that will shape the future of our city. At a packed City Cast Denver Neighbors-only live recording last Thursday, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi were joined by Westword editor Patty Calhoun and our capitol insider Deep Singh Badheshwest a to discuss the biggest issues on our ballots, from the economics of the flavored tobacco ban to the Vibrant Denver bond. Plus, plenty of predictions, gossip, and insider info.

For more background on the Department of Excise and License’s proposed name change, here’s the website they prepared to explain. Paul mentioned our episode with two vape shop owners advocating against the flavored tobacco ban.

What do you think about these issues? Do you have a passionate case to make for any of them, one way or another? We’d love to hear it! 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 October 20th episode:

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

Replacing Cops With Drones, Cheap yet Controversial Calzones, and the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Fail Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Should law enforcement employ drones to respond to 911 calls? DPD has already signed a free-trial contract with Flock, but how these drones will actually be used isn’t clear. Then, even as restaurants say they are struggling to stay open amid rising costs, labor issues, and concerns about crime, one calzone shop owner on South Broadway has chosen to drastically lower his prices. Producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love are joined by Denverite reporter Kyle Harris to talk about automating law enforcement and a very iconoclastic calzone maker, plus their wins and fails of the week.

Tomorrow, call in to our guest-hosting stint on The Jeff & Bill Show. Bree & Paul are on KNUS from 6am to 10am in the morning of Friday the 17th. Call (303) 696-1971 and give us your name and neighborhood!

Paul talked about the mayor’s latest affordable housing proposal downtown, Beyonce, and Chef Jose Avila’s new spot, Malinche Audio Bar. Olivia mentioned Fox31 meteorologist Kylie Bearse’s stalking case, Evergreen shooting survivor Matthew Silverstone, and some of Gov. Polis’ recent social media posts. Kyle discussed the Pentagon’s new press rules.

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 Denver employing police drones? 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:

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Denver Film
Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment.

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

Will Littleton Vote for Housing Density? The Fight Is Getting Nasty! Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

A big fight over housing density has been brewing in Littleton for years, and with voters set to decide the fate of Mayor Kyle Schlachter’s “missing middle” housing reforms early next month, the debate is getting nasty! A rival mayoral candidate, Patrick Driscoll, was recently caught on a Ring camera swiping Schlachter’s campaign materials. So, what’s got Littleton so heated? We’re revisiting a conversation host Bree Davies had with Mayor Schlachter earlier this year about where this push for density in Denver’s south suburbs came from and why some of his constituents are so upset.

Housing density is certainly a major issue in Littleton’s mayoral election, but it’s specifically at issue in Ballot Question 3A. If that passes, the city charter would lock in historic zoning rules. That question was placed on the ballot by a citizen-led group called Rooted in Littleton, which Mayor Schlachter discusses in this episode at length.

This episode originally aired on June 25, 2025.

What do you think about the housing fight in Littleton? 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 October 16th episode:

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Denver Film

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

The Secret Garden’s Sudden Closure, DIA Mutes Kristi Noem, and Love Is Blind Gossip Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

What in the heck happened to the Secret Garden Cafe & Bar? We broke the story of the very popular spot’s sudden closure last week — and staff are wondering if it was connected to their recent unionizing efforts. Then, DIA and the Colorado Springs Airport have chosen not to air a new video of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blaming the government shutdown on Democrats, but each for different reasons. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love dig into these stories, plus share some listener comments on coffee and a Love is Blind contestant’s allegedly bad driving.

Bree mentioned the Hatch Act and artist Cal Duran and the Denverite profile of his mentor, Rita Flores de Wallace, Denver’s “First Lady” of Mexican folk art. We also talked about previous City Cast Denver episodes on coffee shops, Love is Blind, and Casa Bonita’s roaming characters.

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? 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:

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Denver Film

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

Has Denver Lost Its Swag? Fmr. Mayor Webb on the Park Hill Park, the Stadium Deals, and Mayor Johnston’s Bond Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Wellington Webb served as Denver’s mayor from 1991 to 2003. In those 12 years, he oversaw the expansion of the Denver Art Museum, the construction of DIA and Empower Field at Mile High, and many more city-defining projects. After a long political career, he started his own PR and economic development consulting firm — and was one of the biggest voices in the successful opposition to proposed housing development on the Park Hill Golf Course. Today, the former city leader joins producer Paul Karolyi to talk about that legacy and share what he thinks of the current administration’s work and the nearly $1 billion bond package voters will be deciding on in November.

After we recorded this interview, BusinessDen reported that Mayor Johnston has finally closed the deal for the city to take ownership of the Park Hill Golf Course land.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOwDYj8gNXV/?hl=en

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? 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 October 14th episode:

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Cozy Earth - use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more
Denver Film

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

Casa Bonita’s Spooky New Labor Dispute, DCPA’s Latest Flop, and Den-Mex Redemption Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts announced this week that it was ⁠shutting down Off Center⁠, its immersive theater programming. Meanwhile at Casa Bonita, the restaurant unveiled its “Casa Boonita” theming for the Halloween season, which ⁠sparked a labor complaint⁠ over the associated reduction in roaming characters. So, is Denver over immersive art? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by returning fave, comedian Joshua Emerson, to dig into the local art scene and the unclear future for immersive performers. Plus, our wins and fails of the week.

Bree discussed the ⁠Denver cop who was fired⁠, as well as Gustavo Arellano’s ⁠latest thoughts on Den-Mex⁠ in Westword — you can also hear ⁠his conversation about regional cuisine⁠ on our show from a few years ago. Paul mentioned ⁠fears of ICE showing up⁠ at Ball Arena, Avalanche player Brent Burns’ ⁠hilarious looks⁠, and Bree’s bestie Karma Leigh’s amazing ⁠Av’s jersey design⁠. Joshua talked about ⁠union issues at Casa Bonita⁠, the Denver American Indian Commission’s ⁠internal turmoil⁠, and ⁠the Av’s return⁠.

Do you think immersive art is dead or very much alive? 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

Chat with other listeners on reddit: ⁠r/CityCastDenver⁠

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 10th episode:

⁠Denver Film⁠
⁠Wise⁠
⁠Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate⁠ - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez ⁠HERE⁠, and she might answer in next week’s segment.

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

Why Firefighters Are Getting Raises When the City Is Doing Layoffs Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

City Council is meeting today to debate amendments to the mayor’s proposed budget for 2026, and it could get spicy! Because Mayor Mike Johnston been facing a lot of criticism for the way he’s handled the city’s $250 million shortfall lately. He laid off workers. He asked every department to look for cuts. Clerk and Recorder Paul López even said the mayor’s proposed cuts represent ”a threat to democracy.” And as López and other critics have pointed out, the mayor did not ask police or firefighters to delay raises. Producer Paul Karolyi gets the rare chance to hear directly from the chief of the Denver Fire Department, Desmond Fulton, about why his department’s proposed budget for 2026 is actually increasing and what that has to do with the past few years of political upheaval inside his department.

Paul referenced CBS reporter Brian Maass’s ongoing investigation into Chief Fulton’s comp time scandal, which Brian came on the pod to talk about in March after the firefighters’ 64% no-confidence vote. Maass also reported on the contract negotiations in May that resulted in the firefighters getting 10% raises over the next two years. Paul also mentioned the recent reporting from the Denver Post on how the city’s elevator permitting process is letting some broken elevators slip through the cracks.

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? 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 October 9th episode:

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

Is ‘Love Is Blind’ Doing Denver Dirty? Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

The Netflix dating show “Love Is Blind” has descended on Denver, but just how much of Denver really shines through in the contestants? We binge-watched the first six episodes to suss out these Colorado blind daters and decide: is Sparkle Megan really that sparkling? Is Jordan more than just the chicken-in-a-blender guy? Do any of these people scream Denver when it comes to their personalities and interests? Host Bree Davies is joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval and political spectator Adrian Felix to dish on all things Love is Blind: Denver Edition.

Catch up with us now before the next batch of episodes drops today!

Who are you rooting for? Will any of the Love is Blind couples last? Are these people tried and true Denverites? 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 October 8th episode:

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

Could Conversion Therapy Return to CO? Plus, the Avs’ Betrayal and Another Diner Gets Bank-ified Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

The conservative legal activists at Alliance Defending Freedom are taking another Colorado case to the Supreme Court this week. Will conversion therapy for minors — which has been illegal in this state since 2019 — be reconsidered as a free speech issue? Then, “gonzo journalist” and longtime Woody Creek resident Hunter S. Thompson’s widow is asking the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to reopen the case of his death in 2005, which was ruled a suicide, but why she’s requesting the probe remains murky. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dive into these stories plus new information on Pete’s University Park Cafe, the Avs’ questionable allegiance, and a listener question about a Denverite on “Survivor.”

Paul mentioned Hunter S. Thompson’s famous Rolling Stone article “The Battle of Aspen.” After we recorded this episode, Cale Makar answered a reporter’s question about the view of him wearing an LA Rams uniform.

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 Hunter S. Thompson’s legacy in Colorado? 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 October 7th episode:

Denver Film
Wise
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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected