City Cast Denver

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Downtown's Ups and Downs, Liquor License Losers, and Mesa Verde's Massive Repatriation Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Thirty-six years after the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Mesa Verde National Park is returning more than 4,000 objects and remains of family members to their rightful Native American communities. So, what took so long? Westword Editor Emeritus Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to talk about these repatriation moves and what it means in the bigger picture of how Colorado honors its Native history. Plus, they discuss Alterra’s move to the old Denver Post building, the brawl that got the Nativ Hotel and Gatsby’s Social shut down, and how much they wish the old Hard Rock Cafe would become a local music venue.

Bree talked about Sam Tabachnik’s reporting for the Denver Post on the looted relics from southeast Asia once in the Denver Art Museum’s possession. She also mentioned a story she wrote about 16th Street back in 2014 for Westword and our podcast episode on the now-closed North American Indian Cultures Hall at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Patty has written extensively about the Sand Creek Massacre and History Colorado’s ongoing work to get the story straight.

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What do you think about Mesa Verde’s repatriation of Native objects? 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 September 15th episode:

Arvada Center
Denver Health
Denver Botanic Garden
Clyfford Still Museum
Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off

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Will Denverites Move Downtown For This Developer's Utopian Dream? Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

While office vacancies remain high downtown, one developer thinks this excess of commercial real estate could be better used as housing. Asher Luzzatto has bought multiple office towers in Denver over the last year with the help of a $63 million loan through the Denver Downtown Development Authority. But will Denverites be clamoring to move into converted aging office buildings? Luzzatto sits down with host Bree Davies to explain why he’s taking such a big financial gamble on a city he just moved to.

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What do you think of Luzzatto’s big bet on downtown? 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 September 14th episode:

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‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Denver Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Denver, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizzling city, Vegas has continued to experience record-breaking heat in recent years, essentially forcing it to lead the charge in protecting residents from increasingly rising temperatures. City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick talks with David about the bold moves of Nevada’s lawmakers, like mandating heat mitigation and giving away trees, and how some time-tested strategies still need to be tweaked as rising global temperatures present new problems every day.

Mentioned on the show:

Europe’s 10,000 recorded deaths during June 2026 heatwave

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

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Anti-Trans Hysteria Coming to Your Ballots, Victor Marx's AI Fail, and No Comedy Fest This Year Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Ballots will be in the mail in less than a month, and there are a lot of initiatives for voters to consider – including Proposition 134, which aims to ban trans athletes’ participation in girls’ sports, and Proposition 135, which would ban doctors from performing any surgery on a child quote “for the purpose of altering biological sex characteristics.” Comedian and sports correspondent Kate McLachlan joins host Bree Davies to parse out the motives behind these measures. Plus, they discuss Wild Tulips, the new sapphic bar coming to Cap Hill, and share their wins and fails of the week! Oh, and if you’re a City Cast Denver Neighbor you get a special segment just for members where Bree and Kate reminisce about High Plains Comedy Festival, Denver’s music, art, and comedy scenes’ rise during the early 2010s, and Colorado audiences’ love for local art.

Bree talked about Victor Marx’ AI-generated photo and the early leaf-peeping season. She also mentioned Erin Lee’s appearance on the Defense of Freedom Institute podcast and the Diabolical Lies podcast episode “What Trans Athletes Actually Mean for Women’s Sports.” She shared this data on trans people in sports and read a quote from Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. In Bree & Kate’s accidental book club corner, Kate talked about reading “A Little Life”; Bree talked about ”Educated” and “American Fantasy”.

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What do you think about the ballot issues targeting trans kids? 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 September 11th episode:

Blue Sky Plumbing

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Who's Ready for Another Mayor's Race? Plus, a DPS Phone Ban Mega-Mailbag Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Mayor Mike Johnston officially rolled out his campaign for reelection earlier this week with a big party at Town Hall Collaborative and an interview with Kyle Clark on 9News. Considering this race is half a year and an election away, political commentator Adrian Felix and host Bree Davies discuss what Denverites are looking for, if anything, in a battle for mayor right now. Then, they talk about DPS’ cell phone ban and react to your thoughts and feelings on what it means for Denver students to have limited access to personal technology during the school day.

Bree also talked about this clip of Mayor Johnston’s appearance on On with Kara Swisher and data on overdose deaths in Denver from this spring.

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Are you thinking about the mayor’s race yet? 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 September 10th episode:

Blue Sky Plumbing

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10 Years in Prison for Manipulating More Than a Thousand DNA Investigations Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

After pleading guilty to four felonies in June, a Jefferson County judge sentenced former Colorado Bureau of Investigation scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods to 10 years in prison this week. Woods was accused of deleting, omitting, and falsifying data related to DNA investigations in more than 1,000 cases across the state, including dozens related to sexual assault. Host Bree Davies sat down with Denver Gazette investigative Jenny Deam last April after a series of major revelations in the case.

This episode originally aired on April 16, 2025

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What do you think about the Missy Woods case? 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 September 9th episode:

Blue Sky Plumbing

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The Aurora Report: New Data Center Regulations, a Massive 'Teen Takeover,' and City Council Hijinx Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

What’s up in Aurora lately? Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has been taking a new and low-key approach to homelessness; data center regulations are on the table, teens are taking over shopping centers, and one person is going “BYO gavel” at City Council meetings! Aurora Sentinel reporter (and former City Cast Denver newsletter writer) McKenna Harford joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to talk about Mayor Coffman’s Friday night plans, kids jumping on tables at Burger King, and so much more.

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What have you seen happening in Aurora lately? 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 September 8th episode:

Blue Sky Plumbing
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 City Could Be Better’: How Nashville Is Beating Flock — Presented By City Cast Denver Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Denver? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying no to surveillance.

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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De-Gooping Sloan's Lake, Going Viral in Denver, and Water Narcs: Data Center Edition Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Denver is finally getting serious about saving Sloan’s Lake, with Mayor Johnston announcing Wednesday a new $50 million proposal to dredge the lake and protect it for future generations. Contributor and Sloan’s Lake neighbor Sara Rosenthal joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to talk about what the de-goopification could look like (and smell like). Then, a local woman invited all of us to come watch her learn to roller skate, and the internet loved it! We break down how a funny local video went mega viral, and what it says about Denverites. Finally, we round out the week with Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows.

But that’s not all! City Cast Denver Neighbors will get a tasty treat in a bonus segment just for them, make sure to sign up now at membership.citycast.fm to hear all about our best bites!

Olivia mentioned our episode going deep on the Sloan’s Lake quagmire, this TikTok from an Elyria-Swansea neighbor, and MCA’s Shrek drag show. Sara talked about the planned school walkouts.

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Are you excited about a deeper Sloan’s Lake? 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 September 4th episode:

Sunnyside Music Festival

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Previewing Friday’s Anti-ICE Walkout, a Creepy New Meme, and 'Governor for a Day' Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

With school starting and phone bans going in effect, kids in Colorado already have a lot on their plates this fall. Over 160 schools across the state are participating in a walkout on Friday to protest ICE activities at schools across the country. Regular contributor Adrian Felix joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to discuss how ICE policies are affecting kids in Colorado schools and why some people online are hoping for the protest to be called off. Then, a new creepy trend online has already got one student in Colorado into legal trouble. Plus, the governor’s office is inviting middle schoolers to apply to be “governor for a day,” and we discuss what should be in a submission video that Polis simply couldn’t refuse.

Here’s the link to apply to be “kid governor.” Subscribe to Keep it Local, our shopping guide newsletter all about supporting local businesses.

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What do you think is in Polis’ secret room? 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 September 3rd episode:

Sunnyside Music Festival

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

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