City Cast Denver

You know that busted old building down the street? Why does it feel like nothing’s being done about it? Turns out, there are 285 of these derelict or abandoned properties across Denver, and that number is on the rise! Westword’s Catie Cheshire has been reporting on the city’s abandoned buildings issue, and she’s on today with host Bree Davies to talk about some particularly wild stories and break down City Council’s new plan to fix the problem. We are off tomorrow for Juneteenth! So no new episode until Friday, when we’ll be back with something fun and different.  Do you have an abandoned building in your neighborhood? 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 18th episode: Xcel Energy Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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

Hundreds of “No Kings” rallies took place across the state over the weekend, with an estimated 20,000 people converging on Civic Center Park for marches and a “People’s Fair” put on by a coalition of progressive organizations. Producer Paul Karolyi was there to witness it all, and he’s on today with host Bree Davies to talk about where all the anti-Trump, anti-ICE energy will go from here. Plus, our local billionaires are negotiating some potentially monumental land deals, and we heard from a listener from Littleton about their local housing density debate.  We talked about Westword and Denverite’s reporting on the Rive Mile land deal and BusinessDen’s reporting on the Broncos potential interest in Denver Water’s land. Bree mentioned our episodes with Councilmember Jamie Torres about Stan Kroenke’s plans for development in the Ball Arena parking lots and Professor Geoff Propheter about the proposed public subsidies to support the construction of a professional women’s soccer stadium. Paul talked about Dr. Erica Chenoweth’s ‘3.5% rule.’ What do you think about the recent wave of anti-Trump, anti-ICE protests?Do you have a protest story to tell? 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. 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 other sponsors of this June 16th episode: Xcel Energy Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for 40% off all men's 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

Anti-Trump protests have been escalating in Denver, especially as the president ratchets up his immigration crackdown. While no Waymos have been torched here in the Mile High, there is a still an open question about violence. Eighteen protesters were arrested last Tuesday after a confrontation with police, and one conservative talk show host was kicked. 710KNUS’s Jeff Hunt has been attending protests in Denver all year, and he caught his alleged assault on video. So host Bree Davies spoke with Jeff about the kick, his self-described “gotcha”-style videos,” the question of violence, and why, through it all, he says he still loves Denver.  Check out Jeff Hunt’s protest videos for yourself!  Here’s the one from the conservative “March for Life” This one is from the Bernie/AOC rally in March This is the one he referenced featuring protesters warning others not to talk to him And here’s the one where he gets kicked  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 about Jeff Hunt's "gotcha" videos? Or the violence at the protests? 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 Grace Ramirez the Senior Manager of Xcel Energy, learn more here. Learn more about the other sponsors of this June 16th episode: Xcel Energy Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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

Protestors took to the streets downtown on Tuesday in solidarity with demonstrations in LA over ICE raids, and more protests are planned across the metro over the weekend. But will protesters — and police — keep it peaceful? Then, Mayor Mike Johnston celebrated the “largest multi-year reduction in unsheltered homelessness in American history,” but the data leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Westword editor-in-chief Patty Calhoun joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to discuss whether the mayor should be touting such a milestone, what we saw at the protests, and wins and fails of the week.   Bree talked about Jax Gratton and Casa Bonita’s Founders Club. Paul mentioned BusinessDen’s report on the Broncos’ secret land deals, hilarious local comedian Liv Carter, the AID Center closing, Jovanina’s fight with the city, the new foie gras ballot effort. Patty talked about Juneteenth, Aurora City Council’s new meeting policy, and Stan Kroenke’s latest move on the River Mile development. We also talked about our episodes earlier this week with DPD chief Ron Thomas and AG candidate David Seligman. What do you think about the protests this week and Trump’s escalating crackdown on immigration? 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 We’re giving Neighbors the chance to win a couple pairs of tickets to Mortified Live: Pride Edition! All you have to do to enter is be a part of our membership program and send “your favorite place to celebrate Pride in Denver and why” to denver@citycast.fm by Monday morning. That’s when we’ll pick our two favorite entries. You can also leave a voicemail — if you include the email address you used to become a member — at 720-500-5418. Join now and enter at Membership.citycast.fm! 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 other sponsors of this June 13th episode: RAQC Central City Opera Denver Health Multipass Edgewater Music Festival 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

A senior state employee filed a lawsuit last week alleging that Governor Jared Polis has violated state law by cooperating with a subpoena for information from ICE. Anti-ICE protesters have been marching in Denver’s streets all week and Polis was already in hot water with Democrats after he set his personal record for vetoing bills, so why would he do this now? David Seligman is a candidate for state attorney general and the executive director of Towards Justice, a non-profit law firm that just joined the lawsuit against Polis, and he’s on with host Bree Davies to break down the case and try to imagine what the governor is thinking. After we recorded this conversation, we heard back from Governor Polis’s spokesperson. She send us the following statement:  “The Governor is committed to preventing the illegal exploitation and trafficking of children. This lawsuit is unfortunately delaying an investigation focused on looking into child exploitation and trafficking. The decision to respond to this federal subpoena to support the investigation into crimes against vulnerable minors was carefully considered in accordance with Colorado law, which allows for sharing information to support timely criminal investigations. Keeping kids safe is a top priority, child exploitation is a deeply concerning issue, and has no place in our state. Complying with this federal subpoena meets the requirements laid out in state law and providing this information is in service of investigating and preventing  criminal activity, which Governor Polis is deeply committed to.”  What do you think about this lawsuit? Or about the anti-ICE protests playing out in Denver right now? 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. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm If you enjoyed this interview with Kelsey Simpkins from Regional Air Quality Council, learn more here. Learn more about the other sponsors of this June 12th episode: RAQC Central City Opera Denver Health Multipass Edgewater Music Festival 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

Denverites are paying higher rates for water this year, in part, to fund construction on the expansion of Gross Reservoir in Boulder County. But longtime Denverites will be forgiven for asking: Didn’t dam-building in the West go the way of the dodo decades ago? Producer Paul Karolyi sits down with Denver Water’s new CEO/Manager Alan Salazar to talk about the legal battle his agency has been waging with environmentalists over the expansion of Gross Reservoir in Boulder County and how he’s thinking about Denver’s future growth.  For more on the details of the legal fight over Gross Reservoir, we recommend the Colorado Sun’s ongoing coverage. And if you haven’t seen it, you should really check out “I water that way” by the Splashstreet Boys.  What do you think about Denver Water’s expansion of Gross Reservoir? 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 other sponsors of this June 11th episode: RAQC Central City Opera Denver Health Multipass Edgewater Music Festival 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

The podcast dives into the fierce housing debates erupting in Denver's suburbs, focusing on the clash between YIMBYs and NIMBYs. It examines a major lawsuit against Governor Polis’ push for increased housing density and the community's response to proposed developments in Littleton and Lakewood. Listeners will hear about the impact of zoning laws, grassroots activism, and local concerns over parking and environmental implications. The conversation sheds light on the ongoing struggle to balance growth with community preservation.

Depending on who you ask, Denver is either a great place to live or a crime-ridden hellhole. So how does the Denver Police Department approach such a problem of perception versus reality? Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas has an answer. He sits down with host Bree Davies to discuss the ongoing battle of narratives around safety in the city, as well as the recent controversy around DPD’s use of Flock surveillance cameras and whether ICE can access that surveillance data. Plus, the chief addresses DoBetterDNVR’s constant complaining and answers listener questions on everything from “bad apple” cops to graffiti problems in RiNo. 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 about the job DPD Chief Thomas has been doing? 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 other sponsors of this June 9th episode: RAQC Central City Opera Denver Health Multipass Edgewater Music Festival 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

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is in Denver this week for a defamation trial over his claim that a local election worker rigged the 2020 presidential election. His antics inside and outside the courtroom are getting lots of attention, and he’s calling it the “trial of the century.” But what’s really at stake? Then, will the Rockies continue their historic losing streak? Regardless of how much they suck, Coors Field is still drawing big crowds. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by capitol insider Deep Singh Badhesha to dig through all the news, plus our wins and fails of the week.  What do you think about the Rockies? Boycott or buy a ticket to watch the historic ineptitude for yourself? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Deep talked about a previous episode involving Aaron Gordon’s chicken parties. Bree mentioned 9News’ coverage of the Mike Lindell trial, Adam Cayton-Holland’s piece on the Rockies, and the newish skatepark in Barnum Park. Paul talked about former mayor Wellington Webb’s ideas for the old Park Hill Golf Course and alluded to some concerns raised about the Denver NWSL’s new general manager.  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 episode: Denver Botanic Gardens 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

Can you really beat a simple bomb pop on a hot summer day? These days in Denver, you definitely can! The Mile High is chock full of chocolate, bursting with boba, and overflowing with all kinds of over-the-top ice cream confections. So now that summer temps are here, producer Olivia Jewell Love and our food contributor Helen Xu join host Bree Davies to swap recommendations of their favorite indulgent, nostalgic and just plain delicious cool treats from across the metro area.  By coincidence, Denverite published a profile of one of Olivia’s picks yesterday — Ichigo Matcha.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. What’s your favorite cool treat for summer? We want to hear about your fave! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 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 other sponsors of this June 5th episode: Denver Botanic Gardens 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