
City Cast Denver
Join Host Bree Davies and the City Cast Denver crew every weekday morning as we celebrate, explore, and challenge an ever-changing Denver. It’s the daily news podcast for all Denverites — whether you’ve been here for six months or six generations. We’ll break down the news you need (and want) to know with journalists and culture makers; activists and artists; neighbors and ne’er-do-wells — and John Elway, if he ever returns our calls. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/denver.*Named Westword's Best Podcast of 2021, 2023
Latest episodes

Apr 29, 2024 • 20min
Your Denver Gardening Questions, Answered
It’s that time of year to start digging around in the dirt and laying the foundation for a bountiful summer garden. But our arid, urban environment presents some unique challenges, so how do you actually decide what to grow where? What if you don’t have much space? Or any outdoor space at all? Host Bree Davies is joined by our favorite gardening expert Ann Marie Awad to answer listener questions about shade, ground cover, tomatoes, and everything in between. Ann Marie sung the praises of CSU extension, a great resource for all your questions about Colorado’s unique natural environment. Also, here’s the hookup for the “Instagram tomato lady” we raved about and a great list from the Denver Post for some upcoming plant sales! 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 episode:Fetch! Pet Care 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

Apr 26, 2024 • 47min
How Faster Buses Will Reshape Denver As We Know It
Construction is set to begin this summer on one of the biggest transportation infrastructure projects Denver has ever seen: BRT, also known as Bus Rapid Transit. It’s a nifty name for a simple concept — buses that go faster and arrive more frequently — but the implications for how Denverites could move around our city are mind-boggling. At the annual Transportation Solutions conference yesterday, host Bree Davies sat down CDOT BRT program manager Ryan Noles, Minneapolis-St. Paul’s arterial BRT director Katie Roth, and executive director of National Organizations for Youth Safety Jacob Smith to talk about what’s gonna happen when the rubber hits the road.Do you have questions about BRT? Are you excited? Are you dreading the traffic during construction? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and we’ll do our best to get you answers: 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 episode:
104.7 The Drop
Monarch Casino
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Apr 25, 2024 • 24min
Why Conservatives Can’t Stop Talking About Trans People
Conservatives have been ramping up their attacks on trans people across the country, including right here in Colorado. But local Democrats just passed two big bills advancing trans rights, despite hours of testimony that included dehumanization and deadnaming (i.e. calling someone by their birth name after they’ve gone through a gender transition). Colorado Times Recorder reporter Heidi Beedle has been on the anti-trans hate beat for years, attending far-right rallies and talking to conservatives across the Front Range — she’s on with host Bree Davies to discuss these latest attacks, how Democrats are pushing back, and how she expects this issue will play into the big elections later this year.For more, check out Heidi's latest reporting on the far-right’s anti-trans efforts. 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 episode:
104.7 The Drop
Monarch Casino
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

Apr 24, 2024 • 23min
Is the State About To Boost Funding for RTD?
After years of rumors and speculation, Governor Jared Polis and some of the leading Democrats in the statehouse put forth a serious proposal a couple of weeks ago to reform the Denver metro area’s public transit operator, RTD. It turns out that many Denverites agree that RTD could be better, but no one agrees on how to fix it! So producer Paul Karolyi is sitting down with one of the primary sponsors of the big RTD reform bill, Rep. Meg Froelich of Englewood, to talk about why the initial proposal flopped, what Polis and his allies are thinking now, and where the calls for reform go from here. Rep. Froelich mentioned the bill to eliminate parking minimums in new development projects. When we last talked about that proposal on the podcast, our guest Dr. Ken Schroeppel said we could go even further. 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 should be done to fix RTD? We want to hear from public transit users! 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 episode:
104.7 The Drop
Monarch Casino
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

Apr 23, 2024 • 30min
Rockies’ Viral Fail, Polis Sides With Renters, and Local Startup Strikes Gold!
It’s Tuesday, and host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are rounding up the biggest stories in Denver this week. We’re talking about why even the FAA is now trying to figure out what’s wrong with the Colorado Rockies, Colorado’s new law protecting renters from “discriminatory evictions,” and what a Denver startup’s big IPO means for the city. Plus, we answer a listener question about the WNBA coming to 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 episode:
104.7 The Drop
Monarch Casino
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

Apr 22, 2024 • 31min
The Battle for Denver's Best Bagel is On!
Denver’s never really been a big bagel town… until now! In the past year, several hot new bagel shops have opened their doors, offering carb-tastic delights the Mile High has never tasted before. So how do some of these buzzy new bagel-makers stack up to the OGs? Host Bree Davies and our resident foodie slash newsletter editor Peyton Garcia are joined by two bona fide bagel fanatics — Denverite transportation reporter Rebecca Tauber and listener Shira Weiner — to taste test Moe’s, Rosenberg’s, Call Your Mother, and Rich Spirit. 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 episode:104.7 The DropLooking 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

Apr 19, 2024 • 47min
Meow Wolf Layoffs, Nightmare Denver Blunt Rotations, and To Catch a Predator
It’s Friday, and we’re looking back at the biggest stories of the week. First, Meow Wolf announced 165 layoffs this week, including 50 at Denver’s Convergence Station, which turns three years old in September. So host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and one of our favorite regular guests — stand-up comic and Casa Bonita entertainer Joshua Emerson — are talking about where Meow Wolf goes from here. Plus, we’re celebrating 420 early with our dream (and nightmare) blunt rotations, Denver style. And as always, our wins and fails of the week. Bree mentioned our episode with David Thomas, the professor of fun; our visit to the nightclub inside Convergence Station; the Lost Highways episode on the DPD; our walking tour of Cap Hill’s LGBTQ history; her interview with former Miss America Marilyn Van Derbur; and our coverage of the allegations facing Jay Bianchi. Paul talked about Colorado’s new neural data protection law and Mayor Johnston’s latest encampment sweep. Joshua discussed DU’s big hockey win. Bree mentioned the charges against Jay Bianchi and a child sex abuse vote at the statehouse.Bree asked which legislator was the only one not to vote for the neural data bill. Check out all the votes on all the different versions of the bill here. How do you feel about Meow Wolf after almost three years in Denver? 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 episode:
Museum of Outdoor Arts presents “La Primavera Festival”
PineMelon
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

Apr 18, 2024 • 25min
A 420 Friendly Guide to Denver’s Best Munchies
Producer Olivia and politics correspondent Justine share top Denver munchies, including deluxe nachos, unique chip combos, oysters, and mochi donuts. They discuss sweet treats, satisfying sips, and favorite munchy meals around the city.

5 snips
Apr 17, 2024 • 20min
Denver’s Best and Worst Streets to Bike On
Experienced bike courier Matt Sanchez shares insider tips on biking in Denver, discussing hidden gems, routes to avoid, and a fresh perspective. They explore the evolution of bike couriers, efficient cycling challenges, Denver's bike paths, and bike-friendly streets. Plus, a sneak peek of the upcoming live podcast with Mayor Mike Johnston.

Apr 16, 2024 • 28min
Could the Assault Weapons Ban Pass? Plus, Shelter Security Concerns and John Leguizamo
It’s Tuesday, and we’re rounding up the stories that matter in Denver this week. First, the Colorado House of Representatives passed a bill on Sunday that would ban the sale of assault weapons. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the changing debate around guns and the battle to come in the Senate. Plus, Mayor Mike Johnston offered some harsh words to Salvation Army over escalating security concerns at the former DoubleTree shelter, and a major celebrity sighting in Westwood. Finally, your comments on the Xcel blackouts last week. Bree talked about The Pest. Axios Denver’s Alayna Alvarez has more details on John Leguizamo’s visit to Westwood. 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/Denver What do you think about an assault weapons ban? Would you like to see the state senate pass it? Or not? 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 episode:
Museum of Outdoor Arts presents “La Primavera Festival”
PineMelon
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