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City Cast Denver

Latest episodes

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May 21, 2025 • 30min

Which Titanic Exhibit Is Better? We Went to Both To Find Out

Last month marked the 113th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic in the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. While the tragedy struck more than 2,000 miles from Denver, the story of the “unsinkable” ship has always struck a special chord here in Mile High, where historic preservationists saved the home of famed survivor Margaret “Molly” Brown. Right now, there are two very different Titanic exhibitions happening — one, a technologically enhanced immersive experience immersive and the other, an intimate look at Brown herself. Politics and green chile correspondent (and Molly Brown fan) Justine Sandoval joined host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi on a tour of both Titanic shows and to discuss which one they think is the best bang for your buck. Have you been to either of the Titanic exhibitions? 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: 720-500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode: Denver Health “Meet Sunny!” - City & County Denver Tech 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
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May 20, 2025 • 32min

Is King Soopers Overcharging You? Plus, Illicit Deals at the Colfax McDonald’s

Thousands of local grocery workers could be back on the picket lines by the end of the month, and a new investigation from Consumer Reports into alleged “price tag errors” at King Soopers is changing the narrative around another possible strike. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the shifting politics of your grocery bill and other big stories of the week — from Mayor Johnston changing his mind on raises for his top deputies to some really shady deals going down inside the McDonald’s at Colfax and Pennsylvania. And of course, we hear from you! This time, a listener has a new theory for why YIMBYs tend to be nerdy white guys.  We talked about our coverage of the King Soopers strike back in February, featuring interviews with UFCW Local 7’s Kim Cordova and King Soopers president Joe Kelley. Paul talked about the New York Times’ coverage of digital price tags.  What’s your favorite grocery store and why? We want to hear about Denver’s best grocery stories, from the specialty markets to the places with the best deals. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: Denver Health “Meet Sunny!” - City & County Denver Tech 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
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May 19, 2025 • 28min

Could a Gondola Save Downtown?

Ryan Ross is a Denverite with a big idea. As a private investigator with an office right on the 16th St. Mall, he’s watched downtown go through it all over the past few years — from the pandemic to seemingly endless construction to whatever 16th St. is becoming now. But instead of just grumbling about it all, Ryan has put together an ambitious plan of his own, chock full of big ideas to address concerns about public safety, slow business, and inconvenient transit options. Host Bree Davies sits down with Ryan to hear about how a gondola is just the beginning.   For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Denver Health City & County Denver Tech 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
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May 16, 2025 • 1h 2min

The Big Soccer Stadium Vote, Flip-Flopping on Surveillance Cams, and Rolling Back Recycling

It has been a very eventful couple of weeks for City Council, so we are skipping past the monotonous procedural blah blah blah to the decisions that matter — money, politics, power, and womens professional soccer. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by environmental advocate Ean Thomas Tafoya to talk about Council’s moves to approve the plan for a new NWSL stadium in Baker, delay a vote on expanding the National Western Center, and all the recent drama around proposed exceptions to the voter-approved expansion of composting and recycling in Denver. Plus, our wins and fails of the week! What do you think about the new exceptions to Waste No More? Is the mayor right to be loosening the requirements? 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: 720-500-5418 We talked about license plate cameras. Bree discussed the city’s climate rebates and our episode with Councilmember Jamie Torres about the Ball Arena development’s CBA. Ean talked about the proposed raises for Denver’s cabinet members and the DIA execs’ work trip to Spain, which we discussed on the podcast a few days ago. Paul discussed AG candidate David Seligman and Morris the Alligator passing away. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: CU Denver's Jake Jab Center for Entrepreneurship Levitt Pavilion Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment. 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
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May 15, 2025 • 27min

Is Denver Done With Suncor? It’s Complicated.

Is the tide turning against oil and gas in Colorado? Last week, Denver City Council turned down a $25 million contract with Suncor, the Commerce City oil refinery that has been the subject of scrutiny by neighborhood groups and climate activists for decades over pollution issues. But one industry leader dismissed the move as “political grandstanding.”  So host Bree Davies is talking to Denver Post environmental reporter Noelle Phillips, who has been covering the Suncor debate for years to talk about why the pushback is coming now and what it’s really going to mean for Denverites.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think should be done about Suncor? Shut it down and risk higher gas prices? Or let the market do its work? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this May 15th episode: CU Denver's Jake Jab Center for Entrepreneurship Levitt Pavilion Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off 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
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May 14, 2025 • 26min

43,000 Newcomers Arrived in Denver. Where Are They Now?

In 2023 and 2024, the Denver metro area saw an influx of nearly 43,000 newcomers from Central and South America. But the encampments full of families that were a common sight 18 months ago have mostly disappeared, and the window washers are all but gone from Denver’s intersections. So, now that the newcomers are no longer making headlines, where did they all go? ⁠Westword staff reporter Bennito Kelty⁠ sits down with Host Bree Davies to discuss ⁠his latest reporting⁠ on the status of the newcomers, and what the City of Denver does — or doesn’t know — about where all of these folks ended up.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at ⁠denver.citycast.fm⁠. Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@citycastdenver⁠ Chat with other listeners on reddit: ⁠r/CityCastDenver⁠ Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠ What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this May 14th episode: ⁠CU Denver's Jake Jab Center for Entrepreneurship⁠ ⁠Levitt Pavilion⁠ ⁠Babbel⁠ - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST ⁠Prolonlife.com/city ⁠- Use this link for 15% off 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
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May 13, 2025 • 34min

DIA Execs Fly First Class, Gov. Polis Does the Math on Rent Algorithms, and Rockies Making History

DIA executives flew first-class to Spain earlier this year and, according to a new investigation from CBS Colorado, the work trip cost about $165,000. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are looking a little closer at the airport’s spending and the big raises Mayor Mike Johnston wants to give his top lieutenants, including DIA CEO Phil Washington. Plus, will Governor Jared Polis veto the big rent algorithm bill that the state legislature passed? We’re tackling all the biggest stories of the week and answering listener questions about speeding enforcement, the Rockies’ historically bad record, and movie soundtracks.  Paul mentioned our interview with Drew Hamrick of the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.  Are you a member of City Cast Denver? We’re giving away two tickets to bRUNch Running's "Brunch at Night" event, a pre-Colfax Marathon Shakeout Run and party at Snooze Union Station this Thursday May 15. If you’re a City Cast Denver member, send us your “Snooze hack” — the thing you do to get the most out of a trip to Denver’s most popular brunch destination. Text or leave us a voicemail at 720-500-5418 or email us via denver@citycast.fm, let us know you’re a member, and tell us your “Snooze hack” and you might win! What do you think about the DIA execs’ trip to Madrid? 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: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this May 13th episode: CU Denver's Jake Jab Center for Entrepreneurship Levitt Pavilion Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off 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
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May 12, 2025 • 26min

Our Favorite Bars in Denver

It’s no secret — Denverites love a good drink! From neighborhood watering holes to craft cocktail lounges, there’s a place for every kind of imbiber. So, how do you choose? We’re revisiting a conversation from last year with host Bree Davies and two City Cast Denver regulars, Westword food and drink editor Molly Martin and our own politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, to parse through the dozens of options and come up with the ultimate list of the Mile High’s best taverns, taprooms, lounges, and pubs! This conversation was based on Molly’s “Best Bars We Can’t Live Without” for Westword. If you would like to help support Molly as she goes through cancer treatments, check out this GoFundMe.   Do you have a favorite bar that didn’t make the list? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: CU Denver's Jake Jab Center for Entrepreneurship Levitt Pavilion Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off  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
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May 9, 2025 • 1h 7min

Denver’s Next Big Housing Fight, Legislative Madness, and a DoorDasher in Detention

After five months of debate and debauchery, Colorado’s state lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session in Denver on Wednesday. So what passed? What failed? And what is Governor Polis going to veto next? Our capitol insider Deep Singh Badhesha was there for all the madness, and he’s on today’s Friday news roundup with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to give us the scoop. Then, the advocacy group YIMBY Denver has a new survey out showing broad support for more housing, but the numbers show a more complicated picture. And of course, our wins and fails of the week.  You can check out the cross-tabs for the YIMBY Denver survey for yourself. Bree mentioned FLOCK cameras, a DoorDasher in detention, and the immigration support group Casa de Paz. Paul talked about Clever Girl at Zeppelin Station and a prized green chile recipe. Deep discussed the Nuggets big loss against Oklahoma and the judge who extended a restraining order against the Trump administration in a local immigration case.  Paul also talked about Hold On to Your Butts, his new Jurassic Park rewatch podcast with friend of the show JD Lopez, which you can subscribe to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.  What do you think about Denver’s push for housing density? Would you like fourplexes in your neighborhood? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver Learn more about the sponsors of this May 9th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Regional Air Quality Council Colfax Ave BID Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment. 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
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May 8, 2025 • 25min

Arts Funding in Colorado Was Already Scarce. Then Trump Slashed $500K in Grants.

It feels like every week Denverites are grappling with some shocking new way that President Trump is using the power of the federal government to reshape life here in the Mile High. This week, it’s art. Trump’s National Endowment for the Arts cut almost a half-million dollars in previously awarded grants last Friday to 22 local arts organizations, including the Denver Art Museum and Su Teatro, because their programs didn’t conform with the president’s new “priorities.” So host Bree Davies is talking to Youth on Record executive director and veteran arts fundraiser Jami Duffy about the impact on the local arts community, how much leverage Trump really has, and how the local arts world is pushing back in all different ways.  In response to Trump’s NEA grant cuts, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation announced this week a new 2025 Arts & Culture Rapid Response Grant program to help make up the shortfall for the local organizations that lost money.  What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this May 8th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Regional Air Quality Council Colfax Ave BID 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

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