City Cast Denver

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What You Need to Know About Migrants Arriving in Denver May 22, 2023

Show notes

More than 10,000 migrants from Central and South America have arrived in Denver since December, seeking opportunity, shelter, or just a friendly pitstop on the way to a new home. Denver’s support services were already straining to manage the unexpected influx of people in need, but now that a key pandemic-era border restriction has been lifted, no one knows how many more migrants we can expect this summer. So today on the show, host Bree Davies sits down with Denver Post reporter Saja Hindi who tracked this recent wave of migration from Venezuela all the way to Denver, where our local officials are scrambling to plan for an uncertain future.

There are lots of ways to support migrants arriving in Denver:

Donate or volunteer through the City and County of Denver
Donate through the Rose Community Foundation.

Bree mentioned The Denver Post story on the DMNS’s closure of the North American Indian Cultures Hall and the museum’s “healing statement.”

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

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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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‘Been There Done That’ with Jo Ann Allen May 20, 2023

Show notes

We love having Denver Post columnist Jo Ann Allen on our Friday shows, but did you know she makes a podcast of her own? This weekend, we’re delighted to share an episode of “Been There Done That” that we think you’ll love. It features Jo Ann’s interview with Rick Waters, the executive director of the Denver Indian Center.

Subscribe to Been There Done That wherever you get your podcasts!

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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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How Empty Is Downtown? Plus, the Most Mayoral Madness Yet May 19, 2023

Show notes

It’s Friday and we’re talking about all the local stories that caught our eyes this week. First, we talk a lot about downtown. Is it safe? What’s going on down there? Is the Cheesecake Factory still open? But the real question is: What’s going on with all that empty office space? Are we looking at a commercial real estate crisis brewing or a big juicy opportunity? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and returning favorite Jo Ann Allen to hash out the vacancy situation, dish on the mayor’s race, and break down all the other stories that matter.

Finally, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins in to share her picks for the best events this weekend!

Here are the events we discussed:

For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866.

Bree mentioned a CBS4 piece on people traveling from all over the country to come to a little restaurant in Colorado called Casa Bonita that isn’t even open yet.

Even more Mayoral Madness! And don’t miss the mayoral forum Bree is hosting on May 22 with Brough and Johnston. It’s Hot Ones-style, so they’ll be answering progressively tougher questions while eating progressively spicier wings. The event is sold out, but you can RSVP for the watch party or watch the live stream on Facebook. Should be fun!

Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!

Or Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Mayoral Madness: Mike Johnston Makes His Final Pitch For Your Vote May 18, 2023

Show notes

Twenty-seven Denverites ran for mayor. Seventeen made the ballot. Now it’s down to two: Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston. Ballots are in the mail this week ahead of election day on June 6, and Denverites will decide. Will our first new mayor in 12 years be the snowplow-driving former CEO of Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce or the belt buckle-loving former state senator? Today, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Johnston to hear what he’d say to one of his many wealthy donors if they asked for a favor; how he’d bring downtown back to life; where he’s gonna put the “micro-communities” he promised for people experiencing homelessness; whether or not he’s worried about Denver’s stagnant population growth; and if he’d support a bid for a Denver Olympics.

Mike mentioned Stephen Brackett’s proposal to create an Office of the Night Mayor. Bree talked to Stephen a few weeks ago about what a night mayor is and more of his big ideas for the future of Denver’s nightlife.

Don’t miss yesterday’s episode with Johnston’s opponent, Kelly Brough!

Correction, May 18, 2023: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this interview excluded a moment where Johnston emphasized how important to him the diversity of his voters was. That portion of the interview has since been reinstated. This is a re-uploaded, correct version.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Mayoral Madness: Kelly Brough Makes One Last Case For Your Vote May 17, 2023

Show notes

It’s time to vote for a new mayor… again! Ballots for the June 6 runoff are in the mail this week, and Denverites are deciding who will succeed Michael Hancock as Mile High’s first new mayor in 12 years. After months of campaigning, we wanted to check back in with the two finalists — because we still had questions. Today on the show, producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies sit down with Kelly Brough to hear the real snowplow story; why she’s gone back and forth on bike lanes; how she plans to handle potential conflicts of interest around her longtime partner, lobbyist David Kenney; how her personal experience guides her on safe injection sites; and her trick for baking at altitude.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s conversation with Brough’s opponent, Mike Johnston!

If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and take in Brough’s snowplow ad. Bree also mentioned safe injection facilities reducing overdose deaths — that information came from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Car-Free Streets, Brough's New TV Ad, and So. Much. Rain. May 16, 2023

Show notes

Three miles of Broadway and Welton were shut down for the inaugural ¡Viva! Streets Denver last weekend, as pedestrians and cyclists took over the asphalt for a rainy day of car-free wandering through the city — so, how did it go? Speaking of getting around sans cars, RTD is looking at another fare-free summer with the prospect of expanding the program to go through July and August. Oh and yes, ballots are in the mail so you’ll soon be able to get this mayoral runoff over with — but not before the Johnston and Brough campaigns unleash a plethora of commercials. It’s Tuesday and producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are breaking down all the local stories that matter, including our weekly Casa Bonita countdown!

We talked about pics from the first Viva Streets event last weekend, a LinkedIn post from Eric Anderson (which we first got wind of from Cory Hutchins’ newsletter), a new ad from the Kelly Brough campaign, and the GIFs Casa Bonita released of the restaurant’s remodeling progress.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Are Colorado Lawmakers Letting Ticketmaster Off the Hook? May 15, 2023

Show notes

Planning on buying tickets to your favorite show? Good luck! If you happen to be a Swiftie, a member of the Bey Hive, or a big fan of The Cure, you’ve probably seen artists and fans going head-to-head this year with ticketing giants like Ticketmaster. Colorado lawmakers passed a bill recently that could ease some of your ticket-buying woes, but does it go far enough? And is it too soft on ticket marketplaces like Ticketmaster? Producer Ann Marie Awad talks with Colorado Politics Business Reporter Hannah Metzger about the ins and outs of the bill, its surprise supporters, and whether or not Gov. Polis will sign it into law.

Link to the bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB23-060

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Chaos at the Capitol, Miller Moths, and an Exclusive Mayoral Endorsement May 12, 2023

Show notes

It’s Friday, and we’re digging into all the local stories that mattered this week. First, state lawmakers are officially done lawmaking for the year. And this session, we learned that politics is like jazz. Sometimes it’s about the laws you don’t pass. But it come down to the wire on a “chaotic” Monday night, featuring some harsh name-calling, last-minute dealings, and a full-on GOP walkout. CPR politics reporter Andy Kenney was at the Capitol, and he’s back on today with producer Paul Karolyi and Westword editor Patty Calhoun to sort through the wreckage and share some underreported stories of the week (Migrants! Moths! Money!). Plus, Adrian González is back to give us his weekend recs.

For a thorough breakdown of all the bills heading to Governor Jared Polis’s desk, check out the coverage from our friends at the Denver Post, CPR, and the Colorado Sun.

Paul mentioned the shape of our state and his first miller moth sighting of the year (The CSU Extension has plenty more info about miller moths and how safely remove them from your home). Patty talked about the recent wave of migrants arriving from South and Central America. Andy questioned the impact of the Fair Elections Fund.

Anyone remember our "War of the Moths" from 2021? That was a crazy fun day. Major hat tip to producer Lizzie Goldsmith on the idea and the mix.

Here are the events Adrian recommended for your weekend:

For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

The North Face

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

Fact or Fiction: Subaru is Colorado’s Favorite Car May 11, 2023

Show notes

Ask any Denverite what they’d guess is the most popular car in Colorado, and nine times out of ten they’ll tell you, “Subarus!” And it makes some sense. Designed for adventure, Subarus fit perfectly with Colorado’s image as the rugged mountain state. Throw your gear in the back and you’re ready to go! But are Subarus really the most popular cars in Colorado? Host Bree Davies takes on the Subaru stereotype with recent Subaru convert Ann Marie Awad and reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, who dug into the data for the Denver Post.

Megan mentioned the myth that Denver gets 360 days of sunshine per year. If you’re in the mood for more local myth-busting, our weather guy Andy Stein busted that one for us back in 2021.

We also discussed the surprising origin of those NATIVE bumper stickers.

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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 North Face

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

Denver on the Cheap: A Great Day for Only $52.80 May 10, 2023

Show notes

We all know Denver isn’t the super affordable city it once was. But we’re all still here, trying to get by and enjoy that Mile High life. So we challenged ourselves to find the best ways to enjoy a day in Denver on the cheap — and by cheap we mean, how can a Denverite pack a whole day of fun around the city for $52.80 or less? Host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval each schemed, plotted, and planned a great Denver day without breaking the bank. Today, join them as they talk through the best eats, events, and entertainment Denver has to offer, with a slim budget of $52.80!

Got a favorite local discount, happy hour deal, or bargain? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬

Enter the Spoiler Zone below at your own risk!

Paul suggests you take advantage of Denver Public Library’s free museum pass program, the great prices at El Taco de Mexico, this hot tip for cheap drinks at Coors Field. Justine includes a RiNo weed deal, the best way to enjoy the Museum of Contemporary Art, a free trip to her favorite park, and plenty of bus rides (which will be free again in August!). Bree’s got her eye on bánh mì bargains on Federal, movies on Colfax, concerts at Ruby Hill, and tacos on Alameda.