
City Cast Denver
Join Host Bree Davies and the City Cast Denver crew every weekday morning as we celebrate, explore, and challenge an ever-changing Denver. It’s the daily news podcast for all Denverites — whether you’ve been here for six months or six generations. We’ll break down the news you need (and want) to know with journalists and culture makers; activists and artists; neighbors and ne’er-do-wells — and John Elway, if he ever returns our calls. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/denver.*Named Westword's Best Podcast of 2021, 2023
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 48min
Is Denver the Best Summer City in the US?
Bree Davies and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle festivals to Elvis impersonators driving pink convertibles, our hosts are bringing the best of the best of what their city has to offer. Did your city win?
Take our interactive quiz to see which city best fits YOUR vibe!
Learn more about the sponsors of this July 3rd episode:
City & County Denver Tech
Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 27min
UMS Is Ending! Here’s What We Know So Far
Huge news for local music lovers broke on Tuesday: The Underground Music Showcase is ending “in its current form” after this year. The festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary later this month with three days of live music and the usual debauchery on South Broadway, and it’s unclear what exactly led to this decision. Host Bree Davies has been hearing from musicians, business owners, promoters, and UMS insiders since the news broke, and she’s on with producer Paul Karolyi for a bonus episode to dissect the news and the rumors of what’s really going on.
What do you think about UMS ending? 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
Come see us live at the Colfax Indie Bash on July 10! We’ll be on stage with Mayor Mike Johnston on the patio at Champagne Tiger, and tickets are FREE. All you need to do is RSVP and come out for some good food, great people, and a live podcast with the mayor. RSVP here.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 59min
Could a Zohran Mamdani Moment Happen Here? Plus, ‘La Migra’ on the Menu and Busking on 16th St.
New Yorkers shocked the country last week when they picked a Democratic Socialist TikTok star as the Democratic Party’s nominee for mayor. So could a Zohran Mamdani-type phenomenon happen here? Our politics contributor Deep Singh Badhesha joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to talk about how our local politics are different. Plus, a food influencer shared a traumatizing and seemingly racist experience at Morning Story in DTC and our wins and fails of the week.
Come see us live at the Colfax Indie Bash on July 10! We’ll be on stage with Mayor Mike Johnston on the patio at Champagne Tiger, and tickets are FREE. All you need to do is RSVP and come out for some good food, great people, and a live podcast with the mayor. RSVP here.
UPDATE: After we recorded this episode, the owners of Morning Story released another statement with more details about the incident with @UnfocusedFoodie.
Bree talked about UMS’s big announcement, Bar Bar’s wall, and Bruce Brown’s return to the Nuggets. Paul mentioned this Colorado Sun story about budding local entrepreneurs, 9News’ recent interview with DOTI director Amy Ford, the NYT's interview with Trump's border czar Tom Homan, and the sword of Damocles. Deep discussed the Boulder attack victim who passed this week and his personal restaurant guide to Denver.
What do you think about a Zohran Mamdani-style candidate emerging in Denver? Could it happen here? Who might that be? 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
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver
Learn more about the sponsors of this July 2nd episode:
City & County Denver Tech
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 1, 2025 • 33min
Your Guide to July 2025 in Denver
July is here, and it’s a hot one! From cooling down in the lazy river at Pirate’s Cove to sitting on perfect patio with misters, we’ve put together a fun list of the best ways to enjoy this sweltering summer month in the Mile High.
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.
Come see us live at the Colfax Indie Bash on July 10! We’ll be on stage with Mayor Mike Johnston on the patio at Champagne Tiger, and tickets are FREE. All you need to do is RSVP and come out for some good food, great people, and a live podcast with the mayor. 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.
Our monthly guides are brought to you by Multipass! If you enjoyed the sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here and check out all the events he recommended in this episode:
Colorado Burlesque Fest
LingeRave
Colorado Bassheads
Nova Studios
City Cast Denver is also made possible by our awesome sponsors, like City & County Denver Tech and Cozy Earth, and we’re 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
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2025 • 31min
Not Everybody Hates Gov. Polis’ Big Bridge Idea
When 9News’ Kyle Clark was on the podcast last week talking about Governor Jared Polis’ new proposal to build an elevated pedestrian walkway outside the Capitol, he said that the most telling weakness of the proposal was the fact that no one was making a good argument for it. So we found two people who are really excited about the project to make the case. Host Bree Davies sits down with local AAA spokesperson and Capitol insider Skyler McKinley and Bree’s friend, artist Moe Gram, who is contracted for community engagement work on the bridge project.
Skyler mentioned a proposal for a different kind of pedestrian bridge in Civic Center Park from back in 2006.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: 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
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 30th episode:
City & County Denver Tech
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 27, 2025 • 55min
A Precarious Pride Weekend, DougCo’s ‘Home Rule’ Flop, and the Federal Theatre’s Rebirth
The latest battle in Colorado’s age-old power struggle between the state government and local municipalities played out in Douglas County this week, with surprising results! A vast majority of residents opposed the conservative county commissioners’ bid for “home rule” authority, but what does that vote mean for the rest of the Denver metro area? Former DougCo politics reporter McKenna Harford joins host Bree Davies and one of our favorite regular guests, Keith Garcia, artistic director for the Sie FilmCenter, to talk about the shocker in DougCo, as well as the drama around PrideFest this weekend, and share their wins and fails of the week.
Are you celebrating Pride this weekend? Where? How? We want to hear about the highlights, lowlights, and all your Pride weekend stories! Save the City Cast Denver hotline in your phone now — 720-500-5418. Call or text this weekend, and you might hear your message on the show!
Bree talked about the Federal Theatre. Keith mentioned Rosenburgers and the Pride parade being rerouted. McKenna talked about teens in Northfield and the Denver Animal Shelter. We also mentioned our guide to Pride this year.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode:
RAQC
City & County Denver Tech
Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 26, 2025 • 20min
Is Governor Polis’ New Bridge Project Really That Ugly?
Governor Polis wants to build a bridge — a long winding walkway that will stretch from the steps of the State Capitol, over four lanes of traffic on Lincoln Street, and all the way to Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park. And he wants it built before Colorado’s 150th birthday next summer. But how much will it cost? Who will pay for it? Will it match the classic architecture and City Beautiful Movement-era park design? And does anyone else besides the governor want this walkway in the first place? 9News’ Kyle Clark tried to answer these questions and he joins host Bree Davies to share what he found — and how he feels about the governor’s plans for a legacy project.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverSupport City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fmWhat do you think? Is Governor Polis’ big bridge idea a good one? Shoot us a text or leave us a voicemail, and you might hear it on the show! 720-500-5418Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
RAQC
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 29min
Will Littleton's Future "Protect Single Family Residential Zoning"?
A local activist group, Rooted in Littleton, recently conducted a survey of more than 1,000 Littleton voters about housing density — and found that 49% of those polled think the city is in a housing shortage. But that same survey found that more than half of respondents oppose increasing housing density. Kyle Schlachter, the mayor of Littleton, took the survey himself, and has a lot of thoughts about preserving the charm of Littleton while making sure people have access to housing. He joins host Bree Davies to talk about the city’s current approach to “gentle density”, what could happen if Rooted in Littleton’s current petition to change land use makes it to the ballot in November, and what the effect of “protecting single family residential zoning” could have on the future of this suburb.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverSupport City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fmWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode:
RAQC
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
Denver’s Got a New Music Venue! Plus, Trump’s Portrait Replacement and a Flock Camera Fail
The Federal Theatre joins Denver’s list of vintage movie palaces turned music venue after the folks behind The Oriental Theater recently announced they were taking over the space. Could this be a new catalyst for more business along this Northside strip? Then, after President Trump complained that his portrait at the state capitol was “truly the worst”, it was removed — but legislators and History Colorado are trying to decide if the paintings should be replaced by something different altogether. Host Bree Davies is joined by Westword editor in chief Patty Calhoun to dig into these stories, plus producer Olivia Jewell Love pops by to share listener comments on everything from flock cameras to witchcraft.
Bree talked about the Federal Theatre’s fundraiser to get the old venue running again and our episode with conservative talk radio host Jeff Hunt. After our show with Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, listener Fiona had questions about other police departments having access to Denver’s flock camera data. Patty mentioned Governor Polis’ “Colorado 150 Bridge”.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: 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
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode:
RAQC
Xcel Energy
Cozy Earth - use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 26min
Our Famous 1-Star Review Game: Summer Fun Edition
A local law firm recently sued Google to have a nasty one-star review removed from their profile, according to BusinessDen. It sounds like a pretty terrible situation, but it reminded us just how powerful the humble user review can be! So today we’re going inside the minds of the people leaving negative reviews for local faves with another round of our famous one-star review game. Quizmaster slash producer Paul Karolyi puts returning champion slash host Bree Davies to the test against a new challenger — comedian Kate McLachlan of Dyketopia — to see once and for all: Who knows Denver’s haters best?
If you are craving more of our one-star review game, check out the first time we played and the haunted edition we did for Halloween. Kate talked about the short story “A&P” by John Updike.
Have you ever left a local business a one-star review? What happened? Did the owner clap back? We want to hear about it! 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.
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 23rd episode:
RAQC
City & County Denver Tech
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices