City Cast Denver

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

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

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

The mayor is in the final stages of negotiating a future for the Park Hill Golf Course, according to CBS Colorado. But would a major land swap change much for the neighbors living around this 155 acres of dead grass? Then, City Council voted on some big changes to needle exchange sites in Denver last night, but the mayor still has final say. It’s Tuesday, and Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are digging into the biggest stories of the week -- plus, they answer one listener’s question: What is with those quirky buildings around town that look like they’ve been swallowed by another structure? Bree mentioned our coverage of the ongoing Park Hill Golf Course saga, which we summed up in this episode from January 2023. 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.What is your “toxic Colorado trait”? We want to hear from you! Anonymously or not, text or leave us a voicemail, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬For 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 14th episode:Denver HealthLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Deep Singh Badesha, a seasoned politics contributor and lobbyist, discusses Colorado's legislative landscape as lawmakers tackle a $750 million budget deficit. He dives into the complexities of new housing bills, spotlighting a controversial rent algorithm aimed at making rental pricing more transparent. The conversation also touches on voter engagement with fiscal policies and hints at a quirky possibility of Colorado creating its own DOGE. Badesha’s insights shed light on the political maneuvering necessary to balance fiscal responsibility with public needs.

The Denver Broncos are finally headed to the playoffs, sparking a debate on whether taxpayers should foot the bill for a new stadium. The conversation dives into the complexities of stadium funding while pondering the local identity tied to sports. Amidst this, there’s a whimsical exploration of mythical blue creatures that could adorn the city’s skyline. The hosts also tackle Colorado's budget deficit, local music tributes, and community developments, keeping the discussions lively and engaging.

Terrence Carroll, a lawyer, ordained minister, and former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, shares his insights on the National Western Stock Show and its deep roots in Denver's culture. He discusses the event's emotional significance for locals and reflects on its historical impact. Carroll reveals the community's outrage over past relocation attempts and highlights the show's transformation from a traditional gathering to a vibrant urban celebration. Tune in for a lively exploration of Western traditions and the Stock Show's future in Denver!

What will 2025 yield for Denver? When it comes to new trends, spicy predictions, and future forecasts, there’s a lot on the horizon for the Mile High City. Will psychedelic-assisted therapy finally go mainstream? Are immersive art experiences played out? Will local politicians stop embarrassing themselves on Twitter? Host Bree Davies and producers Olivia Jewell Love and Paul Karolyi lay out what’s in — and what’s out — for Denver this year.Paul mentioned local journalist Scott Carney’s book about Wim Hof. Bree talked about Jonathan Shikes’ piece about the green-and-white license plates for The Denver Post. 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.What do you think is IN or OUT in Denver in 2025? 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: 720-500-5418‬For 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.fmLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise