City Cast Denver

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The Hidden History of Early Denver's Sex Workers Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

Thoughts of the Wild West illicit imagery of cowboys, miners, railroad workers, land speculators; jobs often held by men. But in the early days of Denver women were also working — businesswomen, called madams, ran parlor houses and brothels that served the growing city, and many women were employed as sex workers at these Lower Downtown establishments. Host Bree Davies sat down last year with History Colorado’s Assistant Curator of Serials, Ann Sneesby-Koch, to dig into the nuanced, complicated, and fascinating world of early sex work in late 1800s Denver.

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

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Your Guide to July in Denver Jul 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.

July in Denver means it’s time for hot dogs, swimming pools, and summer fun! We’ve got plenty of super local recs, hidden gems, and some tips for keeping cool in the Mile High, like taking a dip at an off-the-radar reservoir or hitting up an indoor art show with prints inspired by cats!

Come party with us at the Colfax Indie Bash! We’re doing a live podcast recording on July 18 with a very special guest, and we’d love to see you there. There’ll be food, drinks, and plenty of Colfax-y goodness. RSVP here!

For even more tips on how to make the most of July 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 PineMelon and Central City Opera.

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

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Why Progressives Lost, Dems’ Cringey Stunt, and Colorado’s Scariest Animals Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

It’s Friday, and we’re rounding up the news of the week. First, the primaries are over! Now it’s time for the Democrats and Republicans to do some soul searching — where will these two internally divided parties go from here? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by our politics and green chile correspondent, Justine Sandoval, to dig into the details of the big losses and surprising wins from this primary. Then, it’s really summer now and that means lots of outdoorsy activities and chance encounters with wild animals. Producer Olivia Jewell Love joins to share her list of the top five scariest creatures in Colorado. And of course, our wins and fails of the week.

The team talked about Tiffany Caudill’’s post on X on election night and this video of the Colorado Democrats trolling GOP party chair Dave Williams. Bree mentioned Jason Sheehan’s brilliant tribute to Biker Jim. Paul discussed our interview with Congresswoman Lauren Boebert and Bennito Kelty’s piece for Westword about Bike to Work Day. Justine talked about the first case of West Nile in Colorado this year.

We want to hear from you! Who would you nominate to be on Denver’s culinary Mt. Rushmore? 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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The Antisemitic Assassination That Shocked Denver Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Forty years ago, a group of white supremacists calling themselves The Order of Death gunned down one of Denver most beloved talk radio hosts, Alan Berg, in the driveway of his home on Adams St. off Colfax. The antisemitic attack was a shock to our city, but as antisemitism and far-right extremism have surged once again, it’s more important than ever to understand what happened and why. KNUS host Peter Boyles was Berg’s colleague and friend, and he’s on today to share his story of the attack and explain how it shaped the radio business to this day.

Don’t miss Peter’s piece on the 40-year anniversary of Berg’s assassination that ran in The Denver Post earlier this month.

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

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The Primary Election Results You Need to Know Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Coloradans voted in primary elections all across the state yesterday, with hotly contested races deciding the future of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Here in Denver, voters picked our next district attorney and decided the political future of two firebrand progressive legislators in House Districts 4 and 6. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi were up late watching the results roll in, and they’re breaking down everything you need to know.

Find the latest local results at Denver Elections and statewide results at the secretary of state’s website.

Bree mentioned this Denver Post article on dark money in these primaries.

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 about the results? 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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16th St. Blues, Losing Neighborhood Restaurants, and a Ranked Choice Clap Back Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

It’s Tuesday, and we’re digging into the biggest stories of the week. The 16th Street Mall is still under construction, tourists have yet to return in full, and office vacancies remain high, leaving some local business owners to wonder if they can survive. Plus, the Harvey Park Grille looked to be the beginning of a neighborhood renaissance — until it closed after just four months in business. Was southwest Denver not ready for such a hip restaurant, or were there more factors at play? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the latest on the 16th St. Mall and dish on neighborhood restaurants. Plus, a listener’s spicy comment on ranked choice voting.

Also, it’s election day! Don’t forget to vote!

Paul and Bree discussed past guest (and Bree’s former boss) Brad Segal, who guested on our episode from last year about converting downtown office buildings to residences.

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 is the best restaurant in your neighborhood? We want to hear about the spot that does everything right! Or the spot that just does enough. 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:

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

How to Beat The Heat This Summer Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Summer in Denver has officially begun and temps are hitting the 90s. So where do you go in this city for a chilly respite? Host Bree Davies is joined by newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to share their favorite places to cool off — from cheap or free options to some pricey picks if you’re really desperate to beat that heat!

Some links to learn more about all the things we talked about:

National Science Foundation Ice Core Facility (Lakewood)
Colorado Ice Works (Englewood)
Hessaire MC18M Swamp Cooler
IKEA Scavenger Hunt
Free days at various museums
Tubing in Golden, The Golden Mill (Golden)
Great Wolf Lodge (Colorado Springs)
Go dip your feet in a mountain creek (Maybe Estes Park?)
Ride the Pegasus Shuttle

This episode originally aired on August, 17, 2023.

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode:

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

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

Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose: New District, New Boebert Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

This is the fifth episode of a special, limited-run podcast series, Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose, from City Cast Denver. Catch the first four episodes on our website: denver.citycast.fm!

When Lauren Boebert announced late last year that she was moving to run for Congress in a whole new district, the experts all thought she was toast. But here we are on the eve of Colorado’s Republican primaries on June 25, and she is the clear frontrunner to win. She’s polling 35% ahead of her closest opponent, and she raised more money than all five of them combined. So on the fifth episode of this limited podcast series, we’ve got the story of how she came back from the Beetlejuice scandal stronger than ever.

Heidi Beedle mentioned evangelical leader Lance Wallnau’s description of Trump as a “modern-day King Cyrus.” For more from Heidi, you can find their latest reporting at the Colorado Times Recorder.

Bree Davies is our host. Paul Karolyi reported and produced this episode with tons of support from the rest of the team at City Cast, including but not exclusively Wil Fulton, Olivia Jewell Love, Andi McDaniel, Xandra McMahon, David Plotz, Andrea Silenzi, and Noah Sniderman. Our music is by Don Chicharrón and Los Mocochetes. Thanks also to Joshua Emerson for production support.

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 about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert? 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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Barnes & Noble & Tattered Cover, Pride So Corporate, and Our Pride Guide Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

It’s Friday, and we’re digging into the biggest stories of the week. First, Barnes & Noble put in the most competitive bid to purchase Tattered Cover, which is facing bankruptcy after more than 50 years as Denver’s most iconic, independent bookstore. Plus, as Denver Pride celebrates 50 years this weekend, we wonder: Is this celebration of a revolution too corporate? Host Bree Davies is joined by Kate McLachlan of the Dyketopia podcast and the Sie FilmCenter’s Keith Garcia to talk big money influence in Denver and share their top picks for how to celebrate Pride right in the Mile High.

Bree mentioned the latest Masterpiece Bakeshop legal case, the LGBTQ+ community’s boycott of Coors, and local artist Sofie Birkin’s work for Starbucks. Keith shouted out the Playhaus and Junk Drawer parties, both happening this weekend, and CinemaQ going down in August. Kate talked about children’s camp classic “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme” — catch her at Pride Comedy Night and the Dyke Drama movie series.

What do you think about corporate money in Pride? 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 June 21st episode:

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The Living Legacy of Denver's Forgotten Amusement Park Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

How did an entire amusement park, one complete with a zoo, a steamboat on Sloan’s lake, and death defying stunts, seemingly disappear out of Denver’s memory? Manhattan Beach opened in 1890 and set the groundwork for the parks we love today like Elitch Gardens and Lakeside. Host Bree Davies sits down with David Forsyth, author of “The Amusement Park at Sloan's Lake: The Lost History of Denver's Manhattan Beach,” to chat about Manhattan Beach in its heyday, the fierce amusement park rivalries of the 19th and 20th centuries, and how Manhattan Beach’s legacy continues to shape Denver.

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 episode:

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