City Cast Denver

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

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.

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.

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

Guests Ann Marie Awad and Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton discuss the Denver Subaru stereotype. They debunk the myth that Subarus are the most popular cars in Colorado. The podcast explores alternative popular vehicles like Ford F-150 trucks. They also delve into the cultural identity associated with Subarus in Colorado.

It’s Friday and we’re looking back at a big week in Denver. First, the wind! Xcel Energy preemptively shut off power to thousands of residents of the metro area ahead of last week’s windstorm, and that… didn’t go over well. So we’ve got CSU climate geographer Lauren Gifford joining producer Paul Karolyi and politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk about Xcel, some controversial proposals to change public comment at Denver City Council, as well as this week’s wins and fails. Justine talked about The Village and La Plaza CO. Lauren mentioned about this First Friday staple. Paul discussed the “chile crunch” trademark, Nathan MacKinnon’s MVP night, the Drip Coffee protests, and native plants in city parks.What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Wanna win a couple of free VIP tickets to an amazing new wine fest? Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour in Denver on May 11, and we want to see you there! All you’ve got to do is join our membership program today. We’ll select the 5th new member to win the tix. But every single member will receive a discount code for $100 off the price of admission on Monday. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/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/CityCastDenverSupport City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/DenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode:Visit Meow Wolf!Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Colorado recorded a record-high number of gun deaths in 2021, according to the Colorado Sun. While gun violence has waned since then, it’s not decreasing fast enough for many Denverites, including Mayor Mike Johnston. He announced last week his new plan to reduce gun crime in Denver by 20% in 2024 by expanding the city’s focus on high-crime areas known as “hot spots.” So host Bree Davies is sitting down with former mayoral candidate and criminal justice professor Lisa Calderón to talk about how Johnston’s strategy compares with his predecessor and what she’d be doing differently. Bree mentioned the new plan Mayor Mike Johnston announced Wednesday to fund newcomer response, including budget cuts to many city departments. Lisa talked about this community event coming up on May 13. Do you have a question for Mayor Mike? We’re sitting down with the mayor later this month, and we want your help! Do you have a question you want to ask him? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your question 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 episode:Visit Meow Wolf!Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Colorado state demographer Elizabeth Garner discusses Denver's population trends, including declining growth, outflux of demographic groups, and housing challenges. They explore historical growth patterns, migration trends, and the importance of accurate data for funding and competition in the city.

Over the weekend, Colorado Sun politics reporter Sandra Fish was asked to leave the Colorado GOP’s big assembly in Pueblo after party chair Dave “Let’s Go Brandon” Williams deemed her reporting “unfair.” But is it fair to boot a journalist from an event just because you don’t like their reporting? Then, the downtown doldrums saga continues as Cherry Creek’s real estate attracts national attention. How can two areas of the same city less than five miles from each other have be experiencing such drastically different economic outlooks? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi tackle these questions and take a moment to reflect on a long-running pizza beef that may have finally come to an end. We mentioned both our Cherry Creek Week series from last year about the tension around growth and development in the area, as well as our our Pizza Week series from 2022.Do you have Denver gardening questions? Our gardening expert can help! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it an upcoming episode: 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 episode:Meow WolfLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

In 1965, a massive flood devastated the Mile High City. Auraria was hit particularly hard and plans were put in motion to demolish the mostly Hispanic neighborhood and replace it with a college campus. By 1972, the whole blocks were scraped away and hundreds of Aurarians had been moved out Then, it seemed that most people forgot it existed at all. But more than 50 years later, the displaced Aurarians haven’t forgotten. Host Bree Davies sits down with Denver Post reporter Elizabeth Hernandez to discuss the community’s latest battle with the college campus.Elizabeth’s recent reporting on the displaced Aurarians covers the meeting where the latest version of the Auraria Community Master Plan was discussed. The Denver Public Library also offers a full timeline and history of Denver’s oldest neighborhood prior to and after displacement.  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: Colorado Wine Board Urban Bush Women at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts PineMelon Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise