City Cast Denver

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Students Encounter Police at the Capitol, DPS Expulsion Rates Under Scrutiny, and Big Pizza News Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

It’s Tuesday and we’re talking about the big stories around Denver this week, especially what’s happening with Denver Public Schools. On Wednesday, a high school student was forcibly removed from the House gallery in the Capitol, which comes on the heels of the protests and concerns about gun violence in schools in light of the recent shootings. Meanwhile, more drama for the DPS school board: Former Tattered Cover CEO and mayoral candidate Kwame Spearman announced a possible November bid for the at-large seat on the board — a seat that’s currently held by Auon’tai Anderson, who is himself potentially facing another censure. Farther afield, mountain pie slinger Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs turns 50 and will be transitioning to an employee ownership model. Host Bree Davies and producer Erin O’Toole are here to break all of this down, plus talk about the latest Casa Bonita news, including this trip down memory lane.

Check out theDenver Post article we mentioned, which dives into the expulsion rates at DPS and how that fits into the school safety conversation.

Listen to our interview with Melanie Asmar last year, where she walked us through the school board drama.

And in case you missed it, here’s our 2021 interview with new Casa Bonita chef Dana Rodriguez.

If you’re interested in running the Colfax Marathon in May, you can register here (prices go up Thursday). Want to volunteer and get one of those limited-edition Casa Bonita shirts? You can find out more about volunteering and sign up here.

It’s not too late to get tickets for Mortified Live on April 13! Find out more and grab your ticket here.

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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Blucifer, the New World Order, and Other DIA Conspiracy Theories Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

From the Illuminati and the New World Order to the runways and some weird art, there are too many conspiracy theories about DIA to count. We’re diving into some of the most popular ones today, though, and what the true story is behind them. Host Bree Davies talks with Denver Public Library’s Chris Root about Blucifer, the Leo Tanguma murals, and much more, as well as why DIA has been such a hotspot for conspiracy theories over the years.

Read Chris Root’s extensive research on DIA conspiracy theories in his blog post for DPL.

And you can dive even further into the weirdness with this 2007 Westword article.

In the newscast, Bree mentioned videos showing the protests inside the Capitol last week, where students were pressing legislators to address gun violence. Thanks to the Denver Post for their reporting.

She also talked about Denverite’s coverage of the recent Chubby’s inter-family lawsuit; this Westword piece from many years back will give even more backstory on that drama. Plus, Bree mentioned the Pasquini’s drama too! So much drama!

Come watch Bree read excerpts from her angsty teenage diary at Mortified Live on Thursday, April 13. Tickets are available here.

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

Dark Money From Dems in CD3, More Election Updates, Plus Our Weekend Recs Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

It’s Friday! Although election night is behind us, we’re still waiting for all the ballots to be counted. We know for sure that Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough will face off in the June mayoral runoff and that Lisa Calderón officially conceded. But the outcomes in several city council seats are still too close to call. Host Bree Davies is joined by our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, and Jason Bane, co-host of the Colorado politics podcast Get More Smarter, to discuss the state of the progressive vote in the Mile High, and how negative narratives about crime and homelessness impacted the election. Then it’s all about that dark money already flowing into next year’s state election from a group that’s aiming to unseat Lauren Boebert. Plus, newsletter editor Adrian González joins the crew to share the best bets for the weekend.

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

Here are some links to the cool events and things to do that we talked about on the show:

First Friday on the Art District on Santa Fe (La Alma Lincoln Park)
Rockies games all weekend long (Ballpark)
Phamaly Theatre’s “Spring Awakening” (Northglenn)
Carnitas Don Juan Fundraiser (Thornton)
Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings (Downtown)

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

Or Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsor of this episode:

JCC Denver

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

Can We Reimagine Denver’s Nightlife? Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Denver’s LoDo neighborhood has long been a magnet for nighttime revelry, with its concentration of restaurants, breweries, shops, and nightclubs. But the area has also become known as a hotspot for trouble and occasional crime — especially late at night when the bars let out, spilling thousands of patrons into the streets with nowhere to go. Is it possible to foster a safer nightlife scene while keeping downtown’s party vibe? Host Bree Davies sits down with Stephen Brackett, co-founder of Flobots and Youth on Record, to talk about his new foundation, what’s next for the old El Chapultepec spot, and how Denver can re-envision its nighttime scene.

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

Join us for Mortified Live — https://getmortified.com/live/

How Denver Voted for Mayor, Council, and the Golf Course Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

For the first time in 12 years, Denver will have a new mayor. And now we’ve officially narrowed the field from 16 contenders down to two: Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough are set to campaign head-to-head in a runoff leading up to June 6. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi stayed up late to bring you up-to-date reactions and analysis of all the election results — from the mayor’s race to the new faces coming to City Council, those two zoning questions, and, of course, the future of the Park Hill Golf Course.

Note: As of our taping time — around midnight — there were roughly 65,000 ballots still to be counted. Denver election officials say they’ll have updated results at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll let you know more as soon as we do.

Thinking about getting into gardening this summer? Whether you’re looking for a new project or some advice on a tricky situation, our gardening expert is ready to help. Text the Gardening Hotline or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your question on the show: (720) 500-5418‬

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

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

Pickleball Problems, A Robo-McDonald's Mystery, and No Elections Talk at All Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

It’s Election Day! We’ll be back to dig into the results on tomorrow’s episode. But for now, we’re digging into a whole mess of overlooked stories: First, a mysterious rumor that Denver is home to one of the first fully automated fast food joints. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi take on the “Case of the Robot-Run McDonald’s” with the help of a listener. Plus, Denver has built parks on top of graveyards, but did you know we’re also home to an amusement park built on top of an old power plant? And, the days of ample, free parking near Colfax may be ending, and why a thousand passionate pickleballers got the boot from Congress Park.

Here’s some of the late-breaking election news we’re NOT talking about:

“Denver mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón, Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca named in campaign finance violation complaints” [The Denver Post]
“Big out-of-state money is flowing to support Mike Johnston again” [Denverite]
Voter turnout is looking low! [Denver Elections]

Still need to drop off your ballot or you’d like to vote in person? The Clerk and Recorder’s office has all the info you need to know!

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

Mayoral Madness: Paul and Bree on 'Get More Smarter' Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

After interviewing almost all of the original 17 candidates for Denver mayor, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi have a pretty good sense of the race ahead of Election Day on April 4. So we were delighted when our pals at the Get More Smarter podcast -- Ian Silverii and Jason Bane -- invited us on to dish on the interviews, the ads, and everything else.

Please enjoy this bonus look inside Mayoral Madness, and we'll see you for the run-off!

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

Why Denver is Raising Bison... And Returning Them Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Last month, the City of Denver transferred 35 bison from our historic herd at Genesee Park outside Golden to the Northern Cheyenne, Eastern Shoshone, Yuchi, and Tall Bull Memorial Council. It was the third annual transfer of bison to indigenous tribes who once lived on the land that became Denver, but it’s far more than a symbolic gesture. Host Bree Davies sits down with Parks and Recreation’s deputy director Scott Gilmore and the executive director of the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, Jason Baldes, to talk about how this unique program started, why it matters, and how these buffalo are creating real opportunities for the recipient tribes.

Have you voted yet? The deadline to mail in your ballot has passed, so here’s where you can find your closest ballot box.

Are you excited about spring? We want to help take your Denver garden to the next level, and we’ve got a gardening expert ready to dispense the wisdom of the earth. So if you’re new to Denver and wondering what to do with our soil, or maybe you’re a renter looking for indoor-gardening inspo, we can help. Email your gardening questions to us at denver@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail on the Denver Garden Hotline: (720) 500-5418.

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

New Era Colorado

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

Mayoral Madness: Who You Should Vote For If... Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

It’s the Friday before election day and these races are heating up. Or are they? Low voter turnout for mail-in and drop-off ballots indicate low interest, or maybe voters are just overwhelmed with 16 candidates for mayor? But not to worry. Producer Paul Karolyi, host Bree Davies, and Westword editor Patty Calhoun are going to tell you who they think you should vote for. Plus, rumors are swirling about the Park Hill Golf Course becoming a Topgolf — or an In-N-Out? Patty’s got the scoop, plus newsletter editor Adrian González joins to share a boatload of great events happening around Denver this weekend.

Paul and Bree are going to be on the excellent Get More Smarter podcast this weekend talking about the mayoral election. Subscribe and listen here: https://getmoresmarter.com/

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

Here are links to our weekend recs. Looking for more? Sign up for our Hey Denver newsletter!

Dabin at Red Rocks (Morrison)
Cervecería Colorado’s Mi Vida IPA Release & Photography Exhibition Party (LoHi)
Patty’s Pick: Alan Prendergast Book Release, in Conversation with Patty Calhoun (Congress Park)
Grand Reopening of Russell Square Park (Cole)
Charcuterie Making Class (Park Hill)

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

Or instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsor of this episode:

New Era Colorado

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

How to Make Money (And Not Ruin Your 'Hood) On AirBnB Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Short-term rentals — like AirBnB or VRBO — may be controversial, but after a pandemic downturn, they’re back and more popular than ever! They generated record revenues in 2022, and the number of active licenses is once again on the rise. So what’s it like renting out space on AirBnB in Denver? And how is the recent surge shaping our city? Host Bree Davies sits down with two veteran AirBnB hosts Pam Vanderpool and Pam Clifton to swap crazy stories and talk through the impact on our housing market.

As we were putting this episode together, our friend Megan Ulu-lani Boyanton at the Denver Post reported a story about 20 local luxury apartment buildings recently allowing their tenants to rent out their units as AirBnBs. Here’s the link for more: “Denver luxury apartment complexes make rare move of allowing tenants to rent units as Airbnbs.”

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 sponsor of this episode: