City Cast Denver

It’s Friday, and we’re rounding up the news of the week. First, grocery stores across the metro area are locking down everything from laundry detergent to coloring books. But is the shoplifting hysteria just a symptom of the hypercharged political climate? Then, Lyft is “exploring alternatives for our dockless bikes and scooters” and being vague about if they will continue to operate in Denver at all. Denver Post neighborhoods reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to dig into the biggest stories of the week plus loud trash trucks, a comic book store’s big milestone, former president Trump talking about Aurora at the presidential debate, and more wins and fails of the week. Paul talked about the Tren de Aragua hysteria, Mile High Comics’ 50th anniversary, and Redeemer Pizza’s third anniversary party. Bree mentioned an article on the failure of self-checkouts and a piece on digging into the actual data on organized retail crime. She also talked about goth-punk shop FashioNation, which we profiled back in 2022. Megan talked about Lincoln’s, the new downtown speakeasy with $5 drinks.Have you seen any new anti-theft measures in local stores? We want to know what you think about the alleged rise in shoplifting. 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 September 13th episode: Levitt Pavilion Life Surge Arvada Center PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

For the last few weeks, Denver’s top elected officials have been debating a very big new idea: What if Denver didn’t allow for the construction of any more gas stations in certain parts of the city? Amanda Sawyer, Diane Romero-Campbell, and Paul Kashmann have touted the proposal as a step toward making the Mile High more walkable, more amenable to new housing, and less car-reliant. But how would banning one type of business lead to a more pedestrian-friendly Denver? Senior associate and urban planner at Progressive Urban Management Associates Naomi Grunditz Lacewell joins host Bree Davies explain how making moves to change the built environment could impact the way Denver neighborhoods look, feel, and function. 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 September 12th episode: Levitt Pavilion Life Surge Arvada Center Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Casa Bonita finally opens reservations to the public — no special invitation needed — this month! But before the new chapter begins, we’re revisiting the whole CB saga with the new documentary “¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!” From the cliff divers’ death trap and a rooftop graveyard full of murdered pigeons to an ancient and dangerous HVAC system and the health department nightmare that was Casa’s kitchen, the doc exposes just why, exactly, Matt Stone and Trey Parker had to dump $40 million into the strip mall restaurant to save it. Producer Paul Karolyi and Host Bree Davies are joined by City Cast Denver regular and CB entertainer Joshua Emerson to dig into the surprising story of one of the greatest second acts in Colorado history.¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor! is showing at the Alamo Drafthouse locations all across the metro area and is coming to Paramount+ later this fall. Did you see ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!? We want to know what you think! How many sopaipillas would you give it out of 5? 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/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this September 11th episode: Levitt Pavilion Life Surge Arvada Center Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Exactly one year after giving out its first stars to Colorado restaurants, the Michelin Guide is back with an updated guide to our local restaurant scene in 2024. So we’re skipping our usual Tuesday news round-up, and Westword food editor Molly Martin is joining producer Paul Karolyi to dish on the most surprising winners, biggest snubs, and what Monday's announcement means for Denver chefs, restaurateurs and eaters. Molly has a list of all the new winners, and the article she wrote last week with her predictions. We also discussed Jake Browne’s hilarious review of Brutø and our conversation with Jake about it on the podcast last week. What do you think about the new winners this year? Do you have a fave that got snubbed? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your take 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 September 10th episode: Levitt Pavilion Life Surge Arvada Center PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

In the past few weeks, we’ve heard concerns over Governor Polis’s property tax deal being done “behind closed doors.” We watched as the GOP barred the press from covering controversial leadership votes. And now some Democratic lawmakers who were accused of shutting out reporters are simultaneously being honored as “defenders of the free press.” What is going on with Colorado politicians and transparency — or a lack thereof? Colorado Politics reporters Marianne Goodland and Ernest Luning join host Bree Davies to talk about what local elected officials are keeping from the press and why voters should care. 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/denverWhat do you think about transparency in our politics? 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 September 9th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Levitt Pavilion Life Surge Arvada Center YMCA of Denver - Sign up for a free 7 day trial membership Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday, and we’re rounding up the news of the week! First, Denver Police are banning food trucks in LoDo on the weekends in an effort to curb late-night violence, and the mayor has a new $500-million plan to fix downtown. But will these moves make the city center any better? Then, the brand new Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs just opened in August, and the noise complaints are piling up — is the venue exceeding decibel limits or are the neighbors just grouchy? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by former journalist and local history aficionado David Gilbert to discuss these topics plus the downfall of the Brown Palace, the city’s top sandwich artists, and more wins and fails of the week. We talked about an excellent piece on the past and present of downtown by Robert Sanchez for 5280 Magazine. David mentioned a talk he’s doing next year for the Englewood Historical Society. How do you feel about downtown? Are you hopeful? Do you like the mayor’s plans? We want to hear your stories and hot takes! 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 September 6th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Colfax Ave BID - Get your tickets to the Colfax Crawl! YMCA of Denver - Sign up for a free 7-day trial membership All American Reptile and Plant Expo - Use code City for 10% off PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Michelin Guide returns to Colorado next week to award its highly-anticipated stars to local restaurants with the right kind of high-end culinary chops. So, who will make the cut? Can last year’s winners retain their glory? And what does it all mean for Denver’s dining scene anyway? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by writer and former fine-dining server Jake Browne to dig into the Mile High’s more recent foray into the world of Michelin glory and what Colorado has to gain from rockstar chefs and big-ticket culinary tourism.We discussed Jake’s review of BRUTØ for Westword. Paul mentioned this great article from The New York Times about how the Michelin Guide has changed and why Michelin came to Colorado last year. What do you think about the Michelin Guide on its first anniversary in Colorado? We want to hear your predictions, hot takes, and feelings about food media! 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: https://membership.citycast.fm/denverLearn more about the sponsors of this September 5th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Colfax Bid - Get your tickets to the Colfax Crawl! YMCA of Denver - Sign up for a free 7 day trial membership All American Reptile and Plant Expo - Use code City for 10% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Wednesday, and we’re talking about the biggest news of the week. First, no more waiting for that elusive email invite — starting September 16, Casa Bonita will be open to anyone who wants to make a reservation. But old school CB fans are in store for some big changes with even bigger implications for the workers. What does it mean for the longevity of the Pink Palace? Then, the alleged takeover of some poorly managed apartment buildings in Aurora by the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela made national news, but there’s a lot of confusion over what’s really going on. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into these stories, plus those racist signs that appeared around Denver over the weekend. Bree talked about past guest Alfonso Espino’s interviews with renters at one of the buildings allegedly “taken over” by Tren de Aragua and her interview with “professor of fun” David Thomas on what makes Casa Bonita textbook fun. We also talked about an interview Mayor Mike Coffman and Mayor Mike Johnston did with Kyle Clark on 9News. 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 about tipping at Casa Bonita? 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 September 4th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Colfax Ave BID - Get your tickets to the Colfax Crawl! YMCA of Denver - Sign up for a free 7 day trial membership All American Reptile and Plant Expo - Use code City for 10% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Denver community. Welcome to September, our gateway month to the fall season full of opportunities to see beauty in Colorado! We’re taking you through some of our best picks of stuff to do, see, eat, and drink this month — like a hot new “carbon positive” bar opening with a killer view of the city, a quirky miniatures show, the best spot for leaf-peeping, and more.For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Denver, check out our newsletter Hey Denver’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Denver is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Colfax Ave BID, PineMelon, Babbel, YMCA of Metro Denver, and the All American Reptile and Plant Expo! And we’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more membership.citycast.fm about how to become a member of City Cast Denver.Member ticket giveaway! If you are a member and you want a chance to win two free tickets to the Shake and Break Showdown cocktail competition at Denver Food + Wine Fest this weekend, fill out this form!Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here citycast.fm/advertise. Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at denver@citycast.fm Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Friday and we’re talking about the biggest stories of the week. First, is the big exodus of businesses from South Broadway really that bad for Denver and good for Englewood? Times are always changing in the Mile High City, but the vibe shift is real. Then, the New York Times took another stab at its visitor’s guide to “36 Hours in Denver,” and we have thoughts. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by Westword staff writer and returning fave Catie Cheshire to dig into these stories — plus our wins and fails of the week. Paul talked about the time he accidentally almost joined the Clayton Members Club; he also mentioned some hope for downtown, and an AI true crime story. Bree talked about Westword’s profile of an unhoused handyman who died by suicide, country music star Scott McCreery, and local author Manuel Aragon’s stunning photos of Lakeside. Catie mentioned the power outages along Broadway. Denver Food + Wine Fest ticket giveaway! If you are a member and you want a chance to win two free tickets to the Shake and Brake Showdown cocktail competition this weekend, fill out this form. We’re also giving away a pair of tickets to new members who join before Sept. 4. So if you want ad-free listening, a weekly members-only events newsletter, and the chance to win two tickets, become a member today!What do you think about Englewood? 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 August 30th episode: Denver Health PineMelon - Use promo code LABORDAY for $100 off your first delivery “Colfax Crawl” with the Colfax Ave BID All American Reptile and Plant Expo Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise