City Cast Denver

We love talking about cool events and things to do around Denver. But there are so many to choose from! Which ones are truly worth your time? Which ones are going to leave you with lasting memories? And which ones are gonna give you so much FOMO? Host Bree Davies and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia each picked four awesome August events to share, and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love join to help narrow the field down to our best bet of all — the one August event where you’re most likely to see us.Here are links to all the events Bree and Peyton recommended:Bree Picks Listening Lawn, August 5 (Carpio Sanguinette Park, Globeville) Hip Hop 'til Infinity, August 11 (Five Points) Globeville Neighborhood Bike Ride, August 20 (Globeville) 5th Annual La Raza Park Day, August 27 (Sunnyside) Peyton’s Picks Meow Wolf Monster Battle, August 10 (Cheesman Park) ElevAsian Night Market Fundraiser, August 19 (Auraria) Summer Scream at Lakeside Amusement Park, August 24 (Lakeside) Chicken Fight!, August 24 (Elitch’s) For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on the formerly known Twitter: @citycastdenverOr Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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: Free concerts at Levitt PavilionLooking 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 summertime and we’re thinking about what else — hot dogs. Does the Mile High actually have a hot dog scene? Is a hot dog a sandwich? Can you put ketchup on a Chicago-style dog if you’re not in Chicago? To answer these questions and more, the City Cast Denver team met up with our hometown dog dude, Biker Jim, to survey the wiener scene. Host Bree Davies, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia, and producer Olivia Jewell Love took a tour de hot dog from Lakewood to Northfield with Biker Jim himself to learn more about Denver’s place in hot dog culture, how he became so dang successful at slinging franks, and his famous meeting with Anthony Bourdain.Places we visited: Chicago Style Beef and Dogs (Lakewood) Mustard’s Last Stand (DU) The Dog Haus (Central Park) Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs (Ballpark)  Did you catch Biker Jim’s recent appearance on Good Morning America? It was really something.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverGot a favorite Denver hot dog? Or a response to something you heard on the show? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on a future episode: (720) 500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:Levitt PavilionLooking 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

Are drivers more aggressive in Denver than they used to be? Has it become the norm to speed on neighborhood streets? And most important: Why do people keep crashing their cars into stuff? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the bad driving problem, plus a new study that shows traffic downtown is back to pre-pandemic levels. Is there life downtown again? Then, we share listener voicemails about your favorite neighborhood rec centers and a Lowry resident wonders why we aren’t showing more appreciation for local liquor stores. Paul mentioned Xcel’s new back-to-the-office policy. Bree mentioned friend of the show, reporter John Moore’s post about someone crashing into a Lakeside Amusement park building. Paul and Bree also discussed “Welcome to My Office” a new addition to DIA’s massive — and kinda weird — art collection. What should we actually call DIA’s new bronze business man? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your suggestion on the show: (720) 500-5418‬For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Levitt Pavilion “Pioneer Music of the Mountain West” at American Museum of Western Art, presented by Swallow Hill 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

When it comes to climate change, Governor Jared Polis and the Democrats in control of the statehouse are betting big on electric vehicles, or EVs. Earlier this month, they increased the state incentive for residents purchasing an EV from $2,000 to $5,000, but that’s just the tip of this melting iceberg. CPR climate reporter Sam Brasch says there is “no better state in the country to buy an electric car than Colorado.” Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Sam to break down all the money available to EV-curious Coloradans, his personal experience owning a Chevy Bolt, and the complicated politics of EVs.Learn more about our state’s EV incentive programs. Bree mentioned Naloxone at AEG venues and KeepThePartySafe.org. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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:Levitt PavilionLooking 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

We’re less than a month into Mike Johnston’s first term as mayor, and things are already off to a bumpy start — some media outlets reported this week that the mayor would not enforce homeless encampment sweeps. Turns out that wasn’t quite the case. Plus, Suncor continues to fail, RTD is actually winning, and Denver Parks and Rec gets a well-deserved pat on the back. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer and chief conspiracy theorist Paul Karolyi and regular fave Joshua Emerson, comedian and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission. And as always, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her best bets for your weekend — think brewery birthdays, vegan mania, Aurora chef celebrations, and more!For more on the rollout of Mayor Johnston’s homelessness plan, check out this helpful piece from our pal Kyle Harris at Denverite. Paul mentioned the Aloft Hotel’s new vacancies, Cultivando’s air monitoring program in Commerce City and a new local investment opportunity. Bree talked about that big green building on Kalamath, her love for the Northside’s Ashland Rec Center, the Denverite piece on The Gathering Place-operated motel shelter shutting down, and her husband’s UMS party this weekend. Josh talked about RTD’s historic rate decrease and the prospects for this year’s sweet corn harvest. For more on Suncor — the recent shutdown and its enormous economic impact — check out our episode from back in February with Denver Post reporter Noelle Phillips.Here are links to all the events Peyton recommended: Colorado VegFest  Tattered Cover: City Silhouettes Avery Brewing 30th Anniversary Aurora Chef Speaker Series For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866.Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend, featuring none other than our guest Joshua Emerson! 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

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence.Earlier this week on our episode about self care, we recommended a solo hike via the Brothers Lookout Loop in the Alderfer Three Sisters Park in Evergreen. Not long after, we learned about a sexual predator at-large who has been targeting women hiking alone in the Evergreen and Conifer areas, including the park we mentioned. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Olivia Jewell Love to discuss what we know so far and how to best protect yourself if you are hiking alone.If you have any information on the situation, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department: 303-271-0211. Resources for survivors can be found at the Blue Bench.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who makes the best ice cream in town? Is it the parlor with the best vibes? Or does it all come down to who accidentally spilled a bunch of salt on their Oreo cookies? We got tons of suggestions from readers and listeners, and we narrowed down the field to four ice-cold contenders — Em’s, Liks, Sweet Action, and Little Man. Who will we crown Mile High’s best ice cream? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi, newsletter editor and resident foodie Peyton Garcia, and ice cream aficionado JD Lopez to eat way too much ice cream and pick the best in town. Did we get it wrong? Or maybe we missed your favorite local ice cream? Don’t let your neighborhood parlor be forgotten! Call or text the Cool Treats Hotline at (720)500-5418 and leave us a message with your name, neighborhood, and pick for the best ice cream in town. You might hear it on the show soon!When he’s not seeking out his next triple scoop, JD hosts the podcast Left Hand Right Brain, an exploration of creativity featuring local comedians, artists, and other creative types. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend Simple Steps, Better Air - Regional Air Quality Council 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

Our friends at City Cast Salt Lake picked this fight, and we’re finally hashing it out. Can Salt Lake City really stack up to the Mile High when it’s only situated at a paltry 4,265 feet above sea level? Who has better transit, anyway? And what is with SLC’s cookie obsession? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi plus a couple of special guests — City Cast Salt Lake’s host Ali Vallarta and producer Emily Means — to dig into the myths and facts, and determine once and for all whether we’re really rival cities — or just regional siblings who like to argue.  Bree mentioned Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Utah Governor Spencer Cox's recent plea for Americans to "disagree better."For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend 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

Neighbors in Congress Park and Country Club say that new infrastructure meant to keep cyclists safe is making their neighborhoods “ugly.” But is this change in our built environment really about aesthetics or more about who “owns” the road? Then, the Casa Bonita saga continues as management responds to concerns of employees who have been organizing with ROC United, and the rest of us try to figure out if we’ll ever get a table at CB again. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi tackle these stories, plus a look at Barbie mania in the Mile High and a comment from a listener about what we talk about when we talk about downtown. Paul quoted a 9News story about the bike lane drama; Bree mentioned Kevin Beaty at Denverite’s story on the Casa Bonita drama that continues to unfold. We played a very sweet ode to a very sweet cat at the end of today’s show, which you can find on musician Marty Jones’ bandcamp. Thanks to the Denver Post for this article about Smokey the cat’s retirement.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend 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

Today is International Self-Care Day, and what more prompting do any of us need than to spend some time with just us? From bike trails and other outdoor adventures to concert series and day trip destinations, producer Olivia Jewell Love and Demi Harvey, host of “Serve It!” on Indie 102.3, share their favorite places for self-care in the Mile High. UPDATE 7/27/23: Jeffco Sheriff’s Office released a warning to hikers two days after airing this episode to be on the lookout for a sexual predator wanted in the Conifer and Evergreen area. The suspect has been targeting solo female hikers in the area, with incidences at this park—so please hold off on solo hiking for now and remain vigilant! Bree mentioned what’s bothering the workers at Casa Bonita and the halfway point of Zero Fare for Better Air.Olivia and Demi talked about these cool spots: Denver Botanic Gardens (Cheesman Park) Hike/bike/swim at the reservoir (Cherry Creek State Park) Brother’s Lookout trail, Willow Creek Restaurant (Evergreen) Women in Sustainability's clothing swap on August 27 (Boulder Bandshell and Central Park) Concerts at Levitt Pavilion (Ruby Hill) Old Crows Antiques (Littleton) For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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: Wana Brands “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend 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