City Cast Denver

Donna Lynne, the CEO of Denver Health, sheds light on the hospital's staggering $155 million deficit largely due to uncompensated care for vulnerable populations. She discusses the urgent need for a 0.34% sales tax increase to sustain essential healthcare services. Lynne also compares Denver's funding challenges to those of other safety-net hospitals nationwide. The conversation delves into the community's role in supporting accessible healthcare and the potential consequences if taxes aren't raised, including serious cuts to services.

This week, the focus is on crime and community dynamics along Colfax Avenue, especially following the closure of Natural Grocers due to safety concerns. The discussion highlights rising crime rates and the varied responses from local businesses. Additionally, employee ownership is gaining traction in Colorado, showcased through compelling stories from local establishments like Beau Jo’s and Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-op. The conversation delves into the complexities and challenges of transitioning to employee ownership, raising questions about worker engagement and community support.

Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Chicago's own Jacoby Cochran along with hosts from our daily local shows in Austin, Boise, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Salt Lake.City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our member community is the best way to support what we do. Get all the details and sign up here.Looking to advertise on City Cast? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, Oct. 7, in conjunction with the Denver Press Club, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi moderated a forum for the candidates running to represent central and southeast Denver on the RTD Board — Kiel Brunner, Bob Dinegar, and Chris Nicholson. Please enjoy this recording of our live conversation with the RTD District A candidates, and don’t forget to vote!There are several RTD Board seats up for grabs this election — find out which district you live in and more information on the RTD Board before filling out your ballot!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.fm/denverLooking 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

Justine Sandoval, a politics and green chili correspondent, joins the discussion to unpack the heated Congressional District 8 race, revealing fascinating dynamics in Denver politics. They chat about Trump's upcoming visit to Aurora and speculate on its implications for local sentiment. The conversation also addresses Ink! Coffee's bankruptcy, linking it to broader gentrification issues and community activism. Sandoval's insights shine a light on the pressing need for authentic political representation amidst demographic shifts in the city.

Get ready for a Cosmic Howl! It’s that time of year at Convergence Station when the veil between worlds becomes thin and all sorts of spooky creatures slip into our world. We heard rumors about a particularly rare beast haunting Eemia, and today you’re invited to join host Bree Davies on a search for the elusive garbage loving Yawlp. Meow Wolf is hosting a month of spooktacular events and activities at Convergence station, including the big Cosmic Howl Celebration on Oct. 31!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 internet is abuzz with allegations that a local food influencer has been ripping off restaurants and stealing from other creators. 9News investigative reporter Jeremy Jojola dug into The Denver Foodie’s alleged scamming and even convinced the guy behind the account, Jonathan Davis, to do a phone interview. But things only got weirder from there. New accusations are flying, including at Jojola himself, and Davis is facing a lawsuit with another huge local instagram account. Host Bree Davies sits down with Jojola to lay out the facts and explain what he found when he went behind the Instagram filter.We talked about Jeremy’s initial investigation and reporting on the alleged food influencer scam. Earlier this week, The Denver Foodie (@WhatsUpDenver303) released a video in response to the 9News piece. Bree also interviewed local creators Amanda Bittner (@TheAmandaBittner) and Ashley (@ColfaxThings) about the business of influencing in Denver.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/CityCastDenverWhat 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 October 10th episode: Denver Film Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Meow Wolf BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.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

Coming up on October 21, City Council is going to make its biggest decision of not just the year, but probably the entire decade, with ramifications every Denverite who spends time downtown will feel. One of our local billionaires, Stan Kroenke, is proposing to build what could become a new downtown neighborhood, and this vote is council’s opportunity to check his plans for 6,000 residences, new bike and pedestrian bridges, and a 3-acre “signature park.” Will there be enough affordable housing? Bike lanes? Private security? And what will we call the area? City Councilmember Jamie Torres represents the area, and she joins host Bree Davies to take us inside the negotiating room ahead of the vote later this month. City Council is hosting a public hearing on Kroenke’s plans ahead of the vote on Oct. 21, so you have a chance to make your voice heard! Councilmember Torres mentioned our explainer of Denver’s 14 historic “view planes.”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/CityCastDenverWhat do you think we should call it? We like KroenkeTown, but 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 October 9th episode: Denver Film Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Meow Wolf BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.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

It’s Tuesday, and we’re digging into all the stories Denverites are talking about this week. First, The Denver Post published a sensational op-ed from a whistleblower who used to work at the slaughterhouse in Globeville that animal welfare advocates are trying to shut down with an upcoming ballot measure. So is this guy legit? Or just a political pawn? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are talking about Paul’s recent sit-down with the whistleblower in question, Jose Huizar. Plus, Denver’s last lesbian bar is closing (or maybe just rebranding?), the blowback from last week’s local influencer expose, and a listener puts us on a parking mystery at Mission Ballroom. Come see us live! Join us on Oct. 17 for “Ballots & Beverages” at Town Hall Collaborative. We’ll be breaking down all 12 questions in front of Denver voters with some special guests. RSVP today!Bree mentioned this reporting from Out Front on the rumors that Jody Bouffard is planning to reopen Blush & Blu as a gay bar. What do you think about Blush & Blu’s potential rebrand? 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.fm/denverLearn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode: Denver Film Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Meow Wolf PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.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

Denver’s biggest strip club operator, RCI Holdings, sued Denver Labor last week in an attempt to block wage-theft investigators from looking at their internal company documents. The club owners allege that the investigators are using “overreaching and unjustified” subpoenas in an “alarming abuse of power.” But in fact, there are plenty of reasons to believe the workers at these clubs aren’t getting a fair shake. Denver Post reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton joined host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi last year to give us the inside scoop on Denver’s precarious strip club industry. This episode originally aired on August 7, 2023.Join us live and in person TONIGHT! We are moderating a forum of candidates running in the most exciting and dramatic RTD Board election… maybe ever? The forum starts at 7 p.m. at the Buell Public Media Center, and it’s free and accessible. RSVP here. 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/CityCastDenverDo you have a great Denver strip club story? We want to hear it! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬If you enjoyed the interview with Jess Welser, B:CIVIC'S Director, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode: Denver Film Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Meow Wolf BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.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