City Cast Denver

Latest Episodes:

Unmasking the 'Rat' in the Weed Biz, Bye Bye Ken Buck, and Is Denver Unfriendly? Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Epic weed drama erupted this week, with the outing of a “rat in the community” who allegedly made dozens of complaints about public consumption to city officials, which led to the massive crackdown on not-quite-legal weed parties over the summer. With weed sales still trending down, we’re asking: Is this the last gasp of the Green Rush? Or a mess we voters made for ourselves? Our green chile and politics correspondent Justine Sandoval joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to sort through the drama and the state of legal weed. Then, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.

This episode features very explicit language. It also features a clip from this episode of the Stoned Appetit podcast.

Paul mentioned former Denverite Eric Michiels, The Tank, and The Tank’s Grammy contender “Slow Beethoven.” Justine talked about Ken Buck and the TikTok restaurant drama in Atlanta.

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

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:

The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

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Japanese Food Old and New, the Rise of Bodegas, and Cozy Vibes Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

It’s Thursday, and we are so ready for the weekend. So as usual, newsletter editor and our resident foodie Peyton Garcia joins to talk through Denver’s hottest food news: first, a Japanese restaurant that claims to be the oldest in the state is closing in Cherry Creek, while a hot new Japanese place called Kumoya is promising to change the game in Highland. And speaking of everything old being new again, we dig into the recent explosion of interest in neighborhood markets, aka bodegas, and ask: can they thrive in car-centric Denver? Finally, we share our picks for your weekend.

Bree mentioned past guest Gil Asakawa’s excellent book “Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! A Tasty History of Japanese in America” and DeVotchka’s upcoming shows at The Stanley Hotel. Paul mentioned Rhein Haus (downtown) and Ay Papi (Cherry Creek). Peyton recommended this event for Native American Heritage 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

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

Your Guide to November in Denver Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to November, the month of 5 p.m. sunsets, extended family visits, early holiday shopping, and colder temps. Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producer Olivia Jewell Love rounded up their top picks to help you figure out how to entertain that random cousin visiting for a long weekend and drum up some unique ways to make this the best Friendsgiving yet! Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi weigh in to help decide on our official City Cast Denver “Maybe” for November — as in maybe you’ll see us there!

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:

The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

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

Dark Money, the Scammer Running Unopposed, and Is Denver in the Midwest? Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Election day is just a week away and while it’s an off-year, there are plenty of important races and issues at stake across the metro area. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the unique character running unopposed in Englewood, a potentially pivotal measure on homelessness in Boulder, and all the dark money swaying the races for the Denver Public Schools Board. Then, Paul and Bree respond to your comments on Hawaiian food, Fort Collins, and whether or not Denver is part of the Midwest.

For more on the DPS board races, our friends at Chalkbeat have a breakdown of who’s running and what’s at stake.

Do you think Denver is in the Midwest? We want to hear from you! Shoot us a text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show soon: 720-500-5418

Help us celebrate our 700th episode and become a member of City Cast Denver today! It’s the best way to make sure we’re around for another 700 at least. Plus, members get access to an ad-free podcast feed, which is pretty cool! Learn more and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

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:

The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

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

How To Save Denver’s Nightlife Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

With Halloween coming up tomorrow, we’re thinking about everything that goes bump in the night. But the importance of Denver’s nighttime economy far exceeds the one-night-only, trick-treat trading that’ll be going down tomorrow evening. For years our nightlife has been both a big business and the scene of high-profile violence — particularly around let-out time late at night in LoDo. Youth on Record co-founder Stephen Brackett saw the nightlife conundrum first-hand coming up in Denver’s music scene — then he picked up some innovative ideas while touring the world with his band Flobots. Now he’s bringing it all together with ONE Denver (formerly 87 Foundation), a new non-profit working to create a safer (and more profitable) nightlife scene for everyone. Host Bree Davies sat down with Brackett a few months ago inside ONE Denver’s HQ, aka the old El Chapultepec to learn more.

For the latest on Brackett’s quest to create a formal Office of Nighttime Economy, Westword recently reported on the name change and Brackett’s experience on Mayor Johnston’s transition committee for arts & venues.

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:

The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

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

BONUS: What Bree Learned at MSU Oct 28, 2023

Show notes

Our friends at Metropolitan State University of Denver (aka MSU or just plain “Metro”) recently hosted our very own Bree Davies on their podcast spotlighting notable alumni. Bree discusses her time as a roadrunner and the impact MSU had on her career in the media. We thought it was a great conversation, so we’re delighted to share it with you.

You can subscribe to MSU Denver Alumni Bird Talk wherever you get your podcasts.

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

The Big Police Reform Report, Club Q Reborn, and the Nuggs Are Back, Baby! Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Four years after the killing of Elijah McClain, Aurora police are finally on trial. But what about the systemic injustices embedded within our law enforcement system? Reporter Andrew Fraieli spent months investigating a law that was supposed to help track police conduct across the the state, but he found loopholes, glaring omissions, and missing records of dangerous on-duty behavior. Andrew joins host Bree Davies to talk about this explosive piece of collaborative reporting along with state representative Tim Hernández, a fierce critic of the system. Plus, the Rocky Mountain highs of being a Nuggets fan and the lows of local governments weighing into global politics.

Andrew mentioned Colorado joining a lawsuit against Meta and the Aurora City Council’s statement on Gaza. Tim talked about a court ruling in Buena Vista over universal pre-k funding and the Nuggets season-opening win. Bree mentioned Club Q’s reopening as “The Q” inside the Satellite Hotel in Colorado Springs.

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

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

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

Inside Baker’s New Chinese Spot, Boulder Bites, and the ‘Hawaiian Plate Lunch’ Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

We’re talking noodles, dumplings, and cocktails unapologetically seasoned with MSG as host Bree Davies chats with newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producer Olivia Jewell Love about their preview of the new MAKfam restaurant in Baker (Opening Nov. 1). Then, it’s all about that Spam musubi — Denver has seen a welcome proliferation of Hawaiian restaurants serving up their own version of Pacific Island cuisine lately. So, what’s bringing so many Hawaiians to Colorado in the first place? Plus, the best place to see a dancing ghost, Boulder’s big bite night, and more events for your weekend.

Check out this piece from the New York Times for more background on the “Hawaiian Plate Lunch.”

Here are links to all the events Peyton mentioned:

First Bite Boulder (Boulder)
Monster and Horror Art Expo (Lakewood)
Dancing in the Dark: A Haunted House Experience (Aurora)
TurkeyU BBQ Class (Fort Collins)

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

Mayor Johnston on Angry Neighbors, Canceled Micro-Communities, and Meeting Travis Scott Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Can you believe it’s already been 100 days since our new mayor Mike Johnston was inaugurated? He hasn’t even had time to put art up on the walls of his office! But he has been hard at work trying to deliver on his pledge to get 1,000 unhoused people off the streets by the end of the year. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Johnston to talk about some of the controversies he’s stirred up so far, his decision to cancel a planned micro-community in the Golden Triangle, and what he’s been up to apart from homelessness and housing.

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 our work and become a member today: 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

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

Polis’ Transit Fail, Shenanigans in the ’Burbs, and Bagels Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

It’s Tuesday, and we’re talking about all the stories that matter this week. First up, Governor Jared Polis made a tone-deaf statement about transit, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi talking transit and digging into a pile of fresh data from RTD’s Zero Fare for Better Air months this past summer. Then, Denverites aren’t the only ones gearing up for an election this month, so we’re surveying the wildest election-related shenanigans playing out across the suburbs, from the NIMBY recall in Englewood to a Fort Collins city council candidate with white nationalist ties. Finally, we respond to a question about Bree’s latest beef with McDonald’s.

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

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