City Cast Denver

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Should Denver Buy an Old Power Plant? Plus, CO’s Biggest Election Denier on Trial Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

It’s Tuesday, and we’re digging into the biggest stories of the week. First, what should the City of Denver do with a decommissioned, old power plant? The clock is ticking for a potential purchase, so producer Paul Karolyi is sitting down with Westword editor Patty Calhoun to discuss why Xcel Energy hasn’t demolished the plant in Sun Valley and the possibility that it could be converted into a new food hall, as neighbors have been hoping for years. Plus, Colorado’s most famous election denier could be going to prison. As the jury deliberates in the case of former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters, Paul and Patty review the arguments on both sides and the implications for November’s election.

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

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

If you enjoyed the interview with Jacob Smith, the executive director of National Organizations for Youth Safety, learn more here.

Learn more about the other sponsors of this August 13th episode:

Choir League
See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
Denverse
PineMelon: Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery

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

The Mayor’s Big Idea for Affordable Housing, Explained Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

When Mayor Mike Johnston took office last year, he focused on Denver’s homelessness crisis, then the strain caused by thousands of migrants arriving from South and Central America. Now, he’s turning his attention to affordable housing, with a proposal that will likely be in front of Denver voters in November: Should Denver increase sales taxes by 0.05% to raise as much as $100 million per year for affordable housing? Robin Kniech led the charge on affordable housing as at-large member of city council for 12 years, and she’s on today with host Bree Davies to talk about the gaps she sees in the mayor’s proposal and how she thinks it could reshape our city.

What do you think about a sales tax hike to fund affordable housing? Will you vote for it? Or not? 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: https://membership.citycast.fm/denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Choir League
See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
Denverse
PineMelon: Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery

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

Venezuelan Gang Hysteria, Declining Birth Rates, and a Blow to S. Broadway Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

It’s Friday, and we’re breaking down the biggest stories of the week. First, a notorious Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua has reportedly arrived in Denver, and they’ve already been connected to a violent jewelry store robbery, a condemned apartment complex in Aurora, and some rumored violence at a political rally. So is this gang a big problem or just another scapegoat? City Cast newsletter editor Adrian González joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about newcomer narratives, a report about plummeting birth rates, and our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.

We’re giving away tickets to see some awesome chamber music! If you want to support us and see a great concert, sign up to become a member of City Cast Denver today. We’re giving away a free pair of tickets to any show on the Friends of Chamber Music’s fall season to each of the first four people who become members today. Sign up for as little as $8/month right here: https://membership.citycast.fm/denver

Paul mentioned Bree’s interview with César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández, author of “Welcome the Wretched: In Defense of the ‘Criminal Alien.’” He also talked about the new gondola project in Idaho Springs and the Chez Artiste closing. Bree mentioned Mutiny Information Cafe moving to Englewood and Wash Park’s 125th anniversary. Adrian discussed llamas in the San Luis Valley and bike lane plans.

Paul also recommends this recent analysis of the effects of U.S. sanctions foreign economies and politics from the Washington Post.

What do you think about Tren de Aragua? We’d love to hear your thoughts. 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/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
Regional Air Quality Council - Sign up for summer ozone text alerts
Incogni - Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.
PineMelon: Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery

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

Is This Finally the End of Predatory Towing? Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

More than 200 new laws went into effect in Colorado this week, touching on everything from concert ticket pricing transparency to gig driver protections, and each of those laws has a backstory. One in particular comes after years of back and forth between lawmakers and Wyatt’s Towing, the company Attorney General Phil Weiser found guilty of “deceptive and unfair business practices.” So will this new law finally protect Denverites from predatory towing? Denver Post reporter Sam Tabachnik has been reporting on Wyatt’s for years, and he joins host Bree Davies to explain what you need to know about this new law.

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

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

If you enjoyed the interview with Daniel Marginson, the director of R&D with Wana Brands, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Try the new Wana Optimals from Wana Brands
See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
Regional Air Quality Council - Sign up for summer ozone text alerts
Incogni - Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.

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

9 Fun Tourist Attractions Without Huge Crowds Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

A record 37.4 million domestic tourists visited Denver last year, according to new data from the city’s tourism office. But with all the crowds at Red Rocks and Rocky Mountain National Park, it feels like those people just hit all the same spots! So whether you’re entertaining visitors or looking for somewhere off the beaten path to explore for yourself, we’re here to help. Stand-up comedian JD Lopez joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to swap stories and share recs for family-friendly, outdoorsy, and adult-oriented destinations we love around the state.

Don’t miss JD perform at Comedy Works’ New Faces contest next Wednesday, August 14. You can also follow JD on instagram and his podcast Left Hand Right Brain.

What are your off-the-beaten-path spots in Colorado? We want your help to beat the crowds! 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: https://membership.citycast.fm/denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
Regional Air Quality Council - Sign up for summer ozone text alerts
Incogni - Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.

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

The New Scooter Debate, Lakeside’s Nepotism Problem, and Strippers at First Friday Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

It’s Tuesday, and Westword editor Patty Calhoun is joining us to help break down the biggest stories of the week. First, who is responsible for e-scooters unsafely zipping down sidewalks? Denverites have been having that debate ever since the scooter companies first arrived in 2018, and now City Councilman Chris Hinds has a new idea to promote safe scooting. So we’re talking e-scooters, the nepotism scandal rocking Denver’s tiny suburb of Lakeside, and an interesting new vendor that made an appearance at First Friday on Santa Fe last week.

Bree mentioned this past episode about Denver’s legendary lost music venue, The Family Dog. Paul quoted from this article on municipal firefighter budgets: “As Wildfires Burn, Are U.S. Cities Spending Too Much on Their Fire Departments?”

What do you think about scooters on the streets of Denver in 2024? 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

If you enjoyed the interview with Jacob Smith, the executive director of National Organizations for Youth Safety, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

National Organization of Youth Safety - #NYTEC2024 (Sept. 20 and 21)
See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
Regional Air Quality Council - Sign up for summer ozone text alerts
Incogni - Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.
PineMelon: Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery

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

Denver's Best Cheap Eats Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Denverites are fed up! And not well fed. Because the price of going out to eat feels like it keeps going up! After scouring the city for an affordable breakfast sandwich, the owner of a local ice cream shop recently started selling his own at a Saturday morning pop-up, proclaiming “the city desperately needs this!” So we felt inspired to help, too. One of our favorite regular guests — stand-up comedian Joshua Emerson — joins today to share recommendations for the best cheap eats in Denver.

We’ve got the full list of our recommendations on our website: denver.citycast.fm. But we want to hear from you, too! Where is your favorite affordable meal in Denver? 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Arvada Center
Regional Air Quality Council - Sign up for summer ozone text alerts
Incogni - Use code CityCast for 55% off the annual plan.

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

Fires on the Front Range, a Chocolate Heist, and Hundreds of Dead Fish Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

It’s Friday, and we’re digging into the biggest stories of the week. First, wildfire smoke shrouded the Mile High skyline all week long as multiple wildfires on the Front Range spread to more than 9,000 acres, as of Thursday afternoon. CSU climate geographer Lauren Gifford joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how climate change is moving so fast that even the fish in Sloan’s Lake are feeling the heat. Then, to celebrate Colorado’s 148th birthday, we’ve got another installment of our famous “1-Star Review Game” where we guess what local something disgruntled internet reviewers are complaining about! Finally, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.

It's not too late to win cool prizes and have fun on your bike in our Bike Scavenger Hunt! We partnered with Bike Streets to share riddles every week in our newsletter, and all you have to do for the chance to win is snap a selfie at the secret bike-friendly destination around Denver. Sign up now!

The Kiltro song we played at the end of this episode is “The Drunk.”

Bree talked about Cultura Craft Chocolate. Paul mentioned a lawsuit against DPD, our limited-run special series about Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert, and played a funny reel shared by a fav librarian follower on our Instagram about the Rockies.

Paul also recommends this article on the question of firefighting budgets in cities like Denver: “As Wildfires Burn, Are U.S. Cities Spending Too Much on Their Fire Departments?”

We need your help! Do you have a favorite off-the-beaten-path tourist destination? Denver saw record tourism last year, and the hot spots are packed. So we’re compiling a list of underrated destinations to take out-of-towners. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your take 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/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Culinary Dropout
PineMelon: Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery

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

Your Guide to August in Denver Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

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.

School is starting up again soon, but it’s not too late to squeeze a few last drops out of summer. To get in the Olympic spirit, we’re putting an international twist on our monthly guide to the city, with tons of insider tips on how to make the most of August in Denver, from a mouth-watering Hong Kong-style french toast at a buzzy new restaurant to a scary cool new exhibit at one of our favorite local museums.

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

City Cast Denver is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Culinary Dropout.

And we’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more membership.citycast.fm about how to become a member of City Cast Denver.

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

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

Will Colorado Lead On Abortion Again This Year? Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

Colorado has long been a stronghold for people across the country seeking abortion access — and when Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, local reproductive health care providers began to see an unprecedented amount of patients seeking care. But there’s still a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and anything could happen in November, so local reproductive health care advocates are rallying to strengthen Colorado’s protections even more. Our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval — who has also been a reproductive justice advocate for more than a decade — joins host Bree Davies to go back through Colorado history to explain how we got here, and why she’s working on a new ballot measure to further defend abortion access.

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

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 July 31st episode: