

City Cast Denver
City Cast
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 15, 2021 • 14min
At 142 Years Old, History Colorado is Still Finding New Stories to Tell
History Colorado has been documenting the state’s stories since 1879, just three years after Colorado became a state. And the way we teach history has changed a lot in the last 142 years. In the organization’s recent past, controversy around a 2013 Sand Creek Massacre exhibit propelled History Colorado towards a more community-centered mission. And just this past week, the organization announced a new executive director, Dawn DiPrince. City Cast Denver producer Xandra McMahon sits down with Dawn to talk about History Colorado’s past, present, and future. Like the show? Have an idea of how we could make it better? Take our listener survey and get a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card: https://denver.citycast.fm/survey/Want even more City Cast Denver in your life? Subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/And don’t forget about the tweets! @citycastdenver

Jul 14, 2021 • 15min
The Forgotten Music Venue That Hosted The Greats
What do Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Grateful Dead have in common? If you guessed music, good for you, that’s correct. But more specifically, they all played shows at a long-forgotten hippie rock club in southwest Denver that was only open for 10 months in 1967 and 1968. DU professor Scott Montgomery and filmmaker Dan Obarski made a documentary, The Tale of the Dog, which argues that without that short-lived little club, Denver would never have been able to attract such high-profile acts and become the live music destination we know it as today. City Cast Denver producer Xandra McMahon sits down with Scott and Dan to talk through the six years of research that went into their documentary, the Family Dog’s lasting legacy, and the real story behind Canned Heat’s famous run-in with Denver police. The Tale of the Dog is available for streaming now. Find out more at thetaleofthedog.com.Do you love the show? Are there things we’re doing you want more of? Less of? We want to hear from you! Take our listener survey and be entered for a chance to win $100. It’ll only take a few minutes. Here’s the link: https://denver.citycast.fm/survey/ Want even more City Cast Denver in your life? Subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/And don’t forget about the tweets! @citycastdenver

Jul 13, 2021 • 15min
Did the MLB All-Star Game Prompt Homeless Sweeps?
Housing activists and our unhoused neighbors say that the City of Denver has been increasing sweeps of homeless encampments ahead of today’s MLB All-Star Game at Coors Field, and many have accused Mayor Michael Hancock of attempting to whitewash our housing crisis for the TV cameras. But there’s more to this story than meets the eye. Denverite reporter Kevin Beaty filed records requests to get a better picture of the underlying data, and he sits down with City Cast Denver producer Xandra McMahon to unpack it. For an even deeper dive into the data Kevin dug up, here’s his report for Denverite. Get the newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Get the tweets: @CityCastDenver

Jul 12, 2021 • 16min
Land Reparations at the National Western Center?
The Globeville and Elyria-Swansea (GES) neighborhoods never seem to get a fair shake. Hemmed in by industrial polluters, highways, and massive commercial real estate developments, the area has long been among the poorest and most marginalized in the city. So when the City of Denver suspended work on one piece of the redevelopment of the new National Western Center during the pandemic, they saw an opportunity to claim some community control. City Cast Denver producer Xandra McMahon sits down with the director of the GES Coalition Organizing for Health and Housing Justice, Nola Miguel, and GES Coalition organizer and lifelong resident Alfonso Espino to talk about reparations and their new campaign to establish a “community-driven” planning process for that land.Read the GES Coalition’s whole plan for The Triangle right here. Have you been hoping for a way to support your favorite local daily news podcast? We want to make the best show we can, and we could use your help. Take just a few minutes to fill out this listener survey, and you’ll be entered to win $100: https://denver.citycast.fm/survey/ Want even more City Cast Denver in your life? Subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/And don’t forget about the tweets! @citycastdenver

Jul 9, 2021 • 16min
Mud Slides, Ketamine, and Beer for Life
Happy Friday! We’re shaking things up a bit and have 15 minutes of news catch-up for you. City Cast Denver producers Paul Karolyi and Xandra McMahon chat about the top stories from the week, that huge upcoming sporting event, and the news that made them feel “meh.” Want a shot at a $100? All you’ve got to do is fill out our new listener survey here: https://denver.citycast.fm/survey/ It’ll take 5 minutes, and no matter what we’ll be grateful! And you can get some sweet City Cast Denver swag FOR FREE if you refer some of your friends to subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter. If just one of them signs up, you get our personal recommendations for summer in the city. How cool is that! Grab your referral link and get started here: https://denver.citycast.fm/referrals/Subscribe to the newsletter and be caught up on the news all the time: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastDenver

Jul 8, 2021 • 15min
A Case of Alleged Police Brutality and the Fight for Justice
Earlier this week, City Cast Denver listeners brought to our attention the story of Lakewood resident Ameer Allen and the alleged police brutality he experienced in February. He says he was the victim in an altercation with a tow truck driver, but when the police arrived, they too assaulted him. He was arrested and now faces four misdemeanor charges. Since then, a Lakewood city council member who heard his story has taken up his case, which goes to trial in August. City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi talked with Ameer and Moe Clark, the journalist who broke the story, about the incident itself and its aftermath.Want a shot at a $100? All you’ve got to do is fill out our new listener survey here: https://denver.citycast.fm/survey/ It’ll take 5 minutes, and no matter what we’ll be grateful! Hey, do you think some of your friends or family members would enjoy the podcast and our awesome newsletter? Refer them with this link: https://denver.citycast.fm/referrals/ and get hooked up with swag!Subscribe to the newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/And find the tweets here: @CityCastDenver

Jul 7, 2021 • 15min
Lions, Moose, and Bears, Oh My! Your Summer Wildlife Guide
We are smack in the middle of Great Outdoors Season, and it might be a good time to remind you that no, you should not touch that cute baby animal. City Cast Denver Producer Paul Karolyi sits down with Jason Clay of Colorado Parks and Wildlife to talk this year’s wildlife trends. Plus, a new VOICE on the Street! This time, Denver VOICE vendor Raelene Johnson shares a poem she wrote about gun violence. The Denver VOICE provides opportunities to Denverites experiencing homelessness and other forms of economic inequity. If you’d like to support VOICE vendors like Raelene, head over to denvervoice.org/donate. They even have Venmo, so if you want to get a little help directly to Raelene, follow this link and add her name to the note attached to your transfer.Subscribe to the newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Feast your eyes on the tweets: @CityCastDenverHey, do you think some of your friends or family members would enjoy the podcast and our stellar newsletter? Refer them with this link: https://denver.citycast.fm/referrals/ and get hooked up with swag!

Jul 6, 2021 • 16min
Lisa Calderón Wants to Break the Glass Ceiling for Women in Politics
Lisa Calderón is one of those people in Denver politics that everybody knows. Whether she’s running to be Denver’s first female mayor or making change by working as Chief of Staff for her friend, Councilperson Candi CdeBaca, she’s built power around her name. And now she’s taking that power and reputation to Emerge Colorado — an organization that trains Democratic women on how to run for office. City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi sits down with Lisa to chat about her plans as the organization’s new executive director and why, in 2021, women still aren’t equitably represented in politics. Get the newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Get the tweets: @CityCastDenver

Jul 2, 2021 • 10min
War of the Moths
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of moths? We know.It’s that time of year, when the miller moths complete their annual migration from the plains to the mountains, wreaking havoc on Coloradans along the way. This year, we caught it all on mic … except, not really. Enjoy this dramatic audio presentation from the City Cast Denver crew, which is a loose adaptation of Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds.For moth removal tips, check out this article. To learn more about the miller moths in particular, this CSU fact sheet should answer all your questions. Looking for some fun stuff to spice up your summer? Sign up for our new perks program and get personal summer recs from the City Cast Denver crew if JUST ONE of your friends subscribes with your referral link. Get your link here, and start sharing now! Learn more and get started: https://denver.citycast.fm/referrals/The tweets! Won’t someone please think of the tweets!? @citycastdenver

Jul 1, 2021 • 16min
Hancock's Pick To Run DIA Has Baggage
When longtime CEO of Denver International Airport Kim Day announced her retirement back in May, Mayor Michael Hancock called up an old friend and colleague to see if he wanted the job. That friend, former RTD CEO Phil Washington, jumped at the chance to move back from Los Angeles — can you blame him? But now that some pretty serious allegations about his time with LA Metro have come to light, Phil has got some explaining to do. Axios Denver’s Alayna Alvarez has been covering the allegations, and she chats with City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi to break it down. Plus, producer Xandra McMahon was there yesterday when City Council members questioned Phil Washington on his record, the allegations, and his plans for the future of the airport. For more on Phil Washington’s record with RTD and LA Metro, past and future City Cast Denver guest Jon Murray has the story for the Denver Post.Want to get your hands on some ferociously cool City Cast Denver swag? Sign up for our new perks program. Get your personal referral link here, and start sharing with friends you think would appreciate a little more Denver in their days. If just one person uses your link to sign up, we’ll send you our personal recommendations for summer fun in Denver. Learn more and get started: https://denver.citycast.fm/referrals/And if you’re not already getting the City Cast Denver newsletter, you can subscribe right here: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/