City Cast Denver

Latest Episodes:

Is Utah Luring One of Denver's Biggest Companies? Plus, a Huge City Council Shake-Up and the Science of 4AM Bars Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Denverites will vote in both a special election in November and municipal election in April as at-large councilmember Sarah Parady steps down from her seat for health reasons. Will candidates want to run twice for the same job? And will voters have the appetite to pick twice from an already crowded field? Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to explain the many complications of this important seat, plus they speculate on why the city and the state are both throwing money at ski industry behemoth Alterra and what it means for RiNo and downtown. Then, Bree chats with Rebecca Green, the state executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving about why the organization strongly opposes a proposal going before city council that would mean some Mile High bars and clubs could potentially stay open until 4 A.M.

Rebecca mentioned a study on extended business hours for alcohol sales related to first time drunk driving offenses.

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

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What do you think about the city and state giving millions to ski industry giant Alterra? 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 28th episode:

Colorado Lottery
Denver Art Museum
Colfax Ave BID
Curious Theatre
Denver Public Library
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

City Cast vs. Denverite: Who Knows Colfax Best? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Colfax Avenue is undoubtedly one of Denver’s most infamous and storied streets. It’s got so much gritty charm that it’s practically a rite of passage for local journalists to cover the strip’s unique weirdness in some way or another. So for our annual live show at the Colfax Ave BID’s Indie Bash last week, we challenged our friends at Denverite to a trivia contest to see once and for all, who knows Colfax best? Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun came up with a batch of tough questions, and we recorded the whole thing in its hilarious, chaotic goodness.

Patty mentioned Denverite’s reporting on the oft-quoted claim that Playboy Magazine called Colfax the “longest, wickedest street in America.”

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

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Do you have a favorite piece of Colfax trivia? 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 July 27th episode:

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‘Your City Could Be Better’: The Trick to Getting People To Volunteer — Presented By City Cast Denver Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

It’s not a given that every Denverite will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional incentives could be the missing link in traditional systems of donations and volunteering. Inspired by a waste exchange program in Curitiba, Brazil, Lahey is working to create circular systems that effectively incentivize donations and just as effectively get them into the hands of those who need them. When investment and morale are low, sometimes an unconventional approach is the right way to go.

Want to hear your question on an upcoming episode of Your City Could Be Better? Submit your city dilemmas for our upcoming call-in show by using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/45X33jhGHf8BYDM5A

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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How Denver Chefs Are Changing Our Mexican Food Scene Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

For a long time, Mexican food in Denver was seen as an unchangeable, untouchable cuisine. While Den-Mex is still king, local chefs are breaking with tradition and plating up fresh twists on everything from tacos to pozole to birria. In this conversation from last summer, cook and influencer Mario Martinez shares with host Bree Davies how the city’s changing tastes are being reflected everywhere from award-winning fine dining establishments to parking lot food trucks.

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

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Where’s your fave place in Denver to get pozole? 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 24th episode:

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Are Mayor Mike’s Big New Promises Enough to Win Him Reelection? Plus, Coloradans Think This Place is Pretty OK! Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

On Tuesday night, Mayor Mike Johnston delivered his annual State of the City address, which included a pilot program for universal childcare, plans for supporting developers in building 20,000 housing units across Denver, and more. Will listening sessions and task forces lead to a more affordable city? Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler was at the speech and is on today with host Bree Davies to parse the details – or lack thereof – in the mayor’s major plans. Then they discuss Council member Shontel Lewis’s entrance into the 2027 mayor’s race, what the democratic socialism wave could mean for Denver politics, and why a new poll shows Coloradans are “somewhat” proud to live here.

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

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What did you think of Mayor Johnston’s big plans? 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 July 23rd episode:

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Is the Front Range Train Actually Happening? Plus, Denver's Water Fails and Our Water World Speedo Mystery Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Denverites can’t seem to stop watering their lawns. Amid a drought, Denver Water says they’ve asked customers to cut water usage by 20%, yet the city is “far behind” on that goal so far. Could government intervention, better incentives, or higher fees be the answer to shutting off the taps? Editor and founder of The Lever David Sirota joins host Bree Davies to talk through our 99 water problems, plus they look at the new draft plans for the Colorado Connector aka CoCo aka Front Range Passenger Rail – what it could cost, where it would go, and when it could be in operation. They also hear from a listener who answers David’s burning question: Why are there so many Speedo-wearers at Water World?

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

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What is your approach to dealing with the drought? 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 22nd episode:

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Inside the Shooting at Aurora's Immigration Detention Facility. Plus, Gov. Polis vs. Socialism Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Gov. Jared Polis popped up on both CNN and Fox News this weekend to talk about his unfavorable view of socialism. In the wake of democratic socialist Melat Kiros winning the Democratic primary in Congressional District 1, is Colorado’s outgoing governor out of step with Denverites? Green Chile correspondent Justine Sandoval chats with host Bree Davies about Polis’s comments, plus the tuberculosis cases, mail issues, and recent shooting at the Geo Group’s immigration detention facility in Aurora.

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

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member!

What do you think about Polis’ comments on socialism? 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 this interview with Tom Seaver, the director of Colorado Lottery, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this July 21st episode:

Denver Century Ride
Colorado Lottery
Blue Sky
Breck Create
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

Could Your Next Apartment Be on Colfax Avenue? Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Sure, the new BRT line gets all the headlines these days as transit construction dominates Colfax, but this corridor is always changing. From new businesses opening (and some beloved spots closing) to the hundreds of apartment units coming to the lots that dot the strip, there’s so much to talk about. Frank Locantore, executive director of the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District (a sponsor of this show), takes host Bree Davies on a walking tour of the famous street during a sweltering summer day to show and tell it all – including his desire to see affordable housing be incorporated in the construction of a new police station.

Join us for Colfax Indie Bash! It’s this Wednesday July 22, from 6-9 p.m. in the parking lot behind Pete’s Satire Lounge, where we will be recording a live podcast! The City Cast Denver crew will go head-to-head with the reporting team at Denverite as Westword’s Patty Calhoun tests our Colfax knowledge with a live quiz show. This celebration is free, but you must RSVP. See you there!

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

We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast Denver swag.

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member!

Would you live on Colfax? 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 20th episode:

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’: Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? — Presented By City Cast Denver Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes it can feel like the Denver government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers.

Mentioned on the show:

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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Is This the End of the 16th Street FreeRide? Plus, Another ICE Detention Center and an Influencer Disses Denver Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Could the 16th Street shuttle disappear for good? As RTD grapples with a quarter-billion dollar budget shortfall, dozens of light rail lines, bus routes, and shuttle services could be on the chopping block. Public transit fan and City Cast Denver regular Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies to talk about RTD’s uncertain future. They also open the mailbag to hear from listeners about everything from farmers markets to apple pie, and, of course, share their wins and fails of the week. Plus, a bonus segment only for City Cast Denver Neighbors about an Instagram influencer from Australia who really did Denver dirty!

Join the Neighborhood to get all the goss and support this show by signing up to become a member today!

See all of RTD’s service change proposals in advance of the agency’s finance committee meeting next week. Bree talked about the new ICE facility planned for Hudson, the immigrant support organization Casa de Paz, and the Colorado Trans Immigrant Fund’s fundraiser tonight at Fort Greene. Michelle discussed Colorado’s road rage problem and local artists Mac D and DNA Picasso’s double album collaboration and the listening party at UMS next weekend.

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

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member!

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 17th episode:

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

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