City Cast Denver

Ask diners. Ask servers. Ask restaurateurs. You can even ask the governor! They’ll all tell you it's time to talk about the crisis happening in Denver’s restaurants. But everyone defines it a little differently. Some are sick and tired of paying $20 for a mediocre cheeseburger. Others point to recent reports of restaurants closing — more than one in five since 2021 — and no one can agree on what to do. One of city’s most successful restaurateurs, Culinary Creative Group founder and CEO Juan Padró, has been lobbying local politicians, and he joins producer Paul Karolyi alongside former president of Bell Policy Center Scott Wasserman to talk through a big idea they think can help. For background, Culinary Creative Group owns more than a dozen bars and restaurants in Denver, including A5, Mister Oso, Bar Dough Fox and the Hen, and the various Tap & Burgers. If all this jargon about Colorado’s minimum wage law is still confusing, we recommend this helpful breakdown from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and this glossary from our newsletter Hey Denver. What do you think should be done about Denver’s restaurant “crisis”? 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 February 5th episode:Arvada CenterLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

In an email sent late Friday, the RiNo Art District announced that cars would be returning to the 2900 block of Larimer Street, ending a nearly five-year experiment born early in the pandemic. So as the pedestrian-friendly open space went back to traffic as usual over the weekend, urbanists organized a protest, and producer Paul Karolyi was on the scene. He joins host Bree Davies to talk about who’s responsible for this turnaround and all the other big stories of the week — from the appearance of a second swastika in the window of a building on East Colfax to some upcoming Trump protests and the King Soopers strike set to begin this Thursday. Plus, we have an answer to our question of just how many unpaid parking tickets are floating around out there?Paul mentioned the 50 Protests 50 States protest planned for February 5th at the Colorado State Capitol.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 car-free streets? 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: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this February 4th episode:Arvada CenterLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Explore the challenges facing Denver's tech industry, including layoffs and remote work trends. Hear insights about the influence of AI on startups and the need for job security. Dive into the effects of industry leaders like Elon Musk and how they shape the local economy. Discover ideas for reimagining Denver's downtown to foster community engagement and support local businesses. Finally, envision a future where small enterprises thrive amid changing dynamics.

Stand-up comedian Joshua Emerson, known for his work at Casa Bonita, and Denver7 reporter Brandon Richard join the discussion. They dive into Mayor Johnston's ambitious 2025 goals amid looming ICE raids and the political climate surrounding immigration. Brandon shares insights from Johnston’s press conference and addresses community concerns about recent hate incidents. Plus, they touch on local union negotiations and an upcoming indoor fair, adding layers of humor and insight to the pressing issues facing Denver.

This week features Olivia Jewell-Love, a music producer and contributor, alongside Paul Caroli, a passionate producer known for his insights on Denver's happenings. They dive into unique February events like tarot readings at a cat cafe and a quirky metal-heating experience at a brewery. The duo also uncovers hidden gems like the speakeasy-style bar Williams and Graham and highlights Black History Month celebrations. Listeners will love their recommendations for food, community engagement activities, and the upcoming HEYDAY fair.

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

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.