City Cast Denver

Amid last year’s national hysteria over Tren de Aragua — the Venezuelan gang that had allegedly “taken over” several apartment buildings in the Denver metro — then-presidential candidate Donald Trump came to Colorado to announce his plans for a massive crackdown on immigration, dubbed “Operation Aurora.” Now that Trump is in office, social media is rife with stories of ICE raids, security breaches, and people being detained — so how can you tell what’s fact and what’s fiction? Host Bree Davies sits down with Westword staff writer Bennito Kelty, who has been covering the immigration issue in his hometown of Aurora, to discuss the actual impacts of a second Trump presidency and if any of the rumors are true.Bree mentioned Bennito’s deep dive on GEO Group, the for-profit prison company running the Aurora ICE facility. She also mentioned Congress’s request for Mayor Johnston to come and testify on Denver’s sanctuary city policies in February. For more, the Colorado Sun recently reported that Trump’s Department of Justice recently ordered several local non-profits to stop their work, which will leave many people in the ICE facility in Aurora and at the immigration courts in Denver without access to legal representation. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast Denver swag.Get your tickets to HEYDAY now! We’re putting on an indoor fair with urban flair, like a classic county fair but with a very cool Denver twist. Join us on March 8 for classic carnival games, vintage arcade games, Denver-themed balloon art, and a full day of grandstand entertainment, featuring some of your favorite guests from the podcast. It’s family friendly, too, if you wanna bring your kids. Get those tickets now at www.heydaydenver.com.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 January 29th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Denver Art Musseum Clear Peak Fertility 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

Grocery workers at King Soopers are on the brink of another strike as contract negotiations stall. Meanwhile, a historic drop in Denver rent prices brings hope to frustrated locals. The emergence of pink cocaine ties into a recent federal crackdown, revealing the broader implications on crime and community. Addressing what it means to be part of a community, hosts ponder the intricacies of governance and representation. Listeners are encouraged to weigh in on their grocery shopping habits amidst this evolving labor landscape.

In this conversation, Sarah Wells, a Realtor and co-buying expert, discusses the rising trend of communal living as a solution to Denver's housing crisis. She shares insights on transforming historic buildings into affordable cooperative spaces and the benefits of fostering strong community connections. The talk unveils the unique dynamics of group living, challenges of communication, and the growing acceptance of shared spaces among unrelated individuals. Sarah also highlights upcoming opportunities for people interested in co-buying and communal living.

Sam Brasch, CPR’s climate reporter, dives into the rising tide of electric vehicle adoption in Denver amid Trump’s potential cuts to EV rebates. He explores how this political shift might affect the state's love for gas-free cars. The discussion also tackles the reintroduction of gray wolves, highlighting the clashes between ranchers and wildlife advocates. Alongside these hot topics, listeners hear about a new play by Sam's brother and local responses to misinformation around ICE raids.

In this discussion, Jake Browne, a writer and former fine-dining server, critiques the hype surrounding restaurant awards like those from the James Beard Foundation. He questions whether accolades truly matter in today’s inflated dining landscape. The conversation highlights the dual role of foodies versus casual diners, the impact of Michelin stars, and how chef transitions affect restaurant identity. They also explore the value of dining experiences in Denver, emphasizing sustainability and authenticity in the ever-changing culinary scene.

Now that Donald Trump has been sworn back in as president, Denverites are bracing for change, especially on the issue of immigration. The Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that the president is getting to work on his mass deportation plan, with ICE raids potentially happening in Denver as soon as this week. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about how the mayor, Denver Public Schools, and the conservative suburbs are responding. Plus, we have been getting tons of great questions and comments, so we’re responding to a few of our favorites on crime downtown, the appeal of the suburbs, and “Class Traitor Joe’s.”Bree talked about Casa de Paz. Paul recommends this explainer for the rights you should know when it comes to possible ICE raids and deportations, as well as some of the Denver Post reporting on Mayor Johnston and Douglas County, Superintendent Marrero’s letter to DPS principals, and our friends at City Cast Chicago’s take on the immigration situation. He also mentioned this breakdown of Trader Joe’s legal actions against the NLRB.Get your tickets to HEYDAY now! We’re putting on an indoor fair with urban flair, like a classic county fair but with a very cool Denver twist. Join us on March 8 for classic carnival games, vintage arcade games, Denver-themed balloon art, and a full day of grandstand entertainment, featuring some of your favorite guests from the podcast. It’s family friendly, too, if you wanna bring your kids. Get those tickets now at www.heydaydenver.com.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 January 22nd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTLooking 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

In the spring of 2022, baristas at the Starbucks on Rock Creek Circle in Superior became the first Colorado location to unionize. Liza Nielsen was on the front lines of that union battle as a barista and shift organizer. Fast forward to today — she’s taking the cause to the Colorado Senate where she will be testifying in favor of the Worker Protection Act. Host Bree Davies sits down with the former barista-turned-labor-activist to talk about the fight labor organizers have been itching to have with Governor Jared Polis and what a change in our unique labor laws could mean for local Starbucks employees.Bree mentioned this poll that the Colorado Chamber of Commerce commissioned earlier this month. For more data and background research on the effect of Colorado’s unique second-election system, we recommend this terrific article from Tamara Chuang and Parker Yamasaki at The Colorado Sun. What do you think about this new labor fight? Should Colorado abolish the second election? 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: 720-500-5418‬Get your tickets to HEYDAY now! We’re putting on an indoor fair with urban flair, like a classic county fair but with a very cool Denver twist. Join us on March 8 for classic carnival games, vintage arcade games, Denver-themed balloon art, and a full day of grandstand entertainment, featuring some of your favorite guests from the podcast. It’s family friendly, too, if you wanna bring your kids. Get those tickets now at www.heydaydenver.com.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.fmLearn more about the sponsors of this January 21st episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTLooking 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

Lisa Calderón, a criminal justice reform advocate and former mayoral candidate, joins the discussion on recent stabbings at the 16th Street Mall, raising concerns about downtown safety. She critiques the mayor's needle exchange veto and the slow response to community needs regarding crime and homelessness. The conversation also delves into the Park Hill Golf Course redevelopment and its implications for gentrification and local politics. Calderón emphasizes the importance of harm reduction and community voices in shaping Denver’s future.

Ali Vallarta, host of City Cast Salt Lake and a former Sundance Film Festival staffer, dives into the thrilling potential of Boulder becoming the new home for Sundance. She shares insider perspectives on why the festival might leave Utah, discussing its significant impact on local film culture and the competitive landscape of festivals. Vallarta also addresses the political dynamics at play, with millions in tax incentives being proposed, and the importance of community engagement in shaping the future of this iconic cultural event.

Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis is term-limited, and the election to replace him is still 23 months away. But that didn’t stop Attorney General Phil Weiser from jumping in to the race to replace him! Just a couple weeks off his campaign announcement, Weiser returns to the show today to talk to host Bree Davies about his early-bird strategy, how he’d bring a Denverite’s perspective back to the governor’s mansion (where Polis doesn’t even live!), the latest updates on his biggest lawsuits and investigations, and his favorite flavor of La Croix.Get your tickets to HEYDAY now! We’re putting on an indoor fair with urban flair, like a classic county fair but with a very cool Denver twist. Join us on March 8 for classic carnival games, vintage arcade games, Denver-themed balloon art, and a full day of grandstand entertainment, featuring some of your favorite guests from the podcast. It’s family friendly, too, if you wanna bring your kids. Get those tickets now at www.heydaydenver.com.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 about Phil Weiser’s run for governor? Would you vote for him? 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 January 15th episode:Denver HealthLooking 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