

City Cast Denver
City Cast
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 newsletter at denver.citycast.fm..
Named Westword's Best Podcast of 2021, 2023
Named Westword's Best Podcast of 2021, 2023
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 14, 2023 • 24min
The Fate of Car-Free Streets, Lemonade Scandal Hits Local Paneras, and French Fries!
This podcast episode covers the controversy surrounding Panera's charged lemonade, including lawsuits and memes. They also discuss car-free streets in Denver and recommend a holiday show, places to get delicious french fries, and a winter solstice market.

Dec 13, 2023 • 21min
Should Denver Open Emergency Warming Shelters Sooner?
Exploring the issue of emergency warming shelters in Denver, this podcast discusses the need for a policy change to open shelters before temperatures reach dangerously low levels. It highlights the scientific justification for a higher activation threshold based on frostbite and hypothermia data. The potential long-term effects and complications of frostbite and burn care are examined, alongside the cost analysis. The episode also compares the thresholds for opening warming shelters in Denver and New York, emphasizing their importance for homeless individuals. The speakers discuss the cost effectiveness of preventing overdoses and propose changes to emergency warming shelters in Denver. They also invite listener input on significant events in Denver in 2023.

Dec 12, 2023 • 23min
Neighbors Rally To Support Migrants, Hotel Shelter Mix-Up, and Blucifer’s Nemesis
Since Central and South American migrants started arriving in Denver almost exactly one year ago, more than 30,000 people have arrived looking for support, housing, and all kinds of other help. While city officials are scrambling, everyday Denverites are stepping up — but still, the struggle to help migrants is clashing with Mayor Mike Johnston’s last-minute push to house 1,000 people already living in Denver by the end of the year. Host Bree Davies is joined by green chile and politics correspondent Justine Sandoval for a ground-level look at the neighborhood aid work happening across the city. Plus, a listener question pits Blucifer against the Big Blue Bear. And could the solution for our empty office buildings be daycare? Bree mentioned the City of Denver’s Newcomers Fund to help migrants, where you can find the city-run toy drive, and Justine mentioned this Denver Post article about Tamales by La Casita. 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 are the biggest Denver wins and fails of 2023? We want to hear what you think are the wins and fails that defined the year in Denver. 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:
“Bag of Colfax” from the Colfax BID
Museum of Illusions
DCPA presents “A Christmas Carol”
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Dec 11, 2023 • 17min
Did Colorado Fix Its Auto Theft Problem?
The numbers are in and it’s official, Denver is not the car theft capital of the country. Car thefts are even down at DIA! So how did that happen? Host Bree Davies sits down with Director Robert Force and Cale Gould of the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority to talk about how new legislation and a mission from the governor’s office gave them the tools to turn around not just Denver’s auto theft problem, but to bring down year-over-year auto theft rates across Colorado in 2023 by 23%.To see an auto theft heat map of Denver and learn more about decreasing your risk of car theft, check out the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority. The City of Denver also offers several crime dashboards and information on its car theft tracking system, DenverTrack. Bree mentioned the “Denver Boot.” 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:
Grab a “Bag of Colfax” Today!
Purchase tickets to Museum of Illusions Denver
“A Christmas Carol” at DCPA
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Dec 8, 2023 • 42min
What’s Denver’s Word of the Year? Plus, the Nutcracker’s Cheap Seats and Dyketopia!
Colorado Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is a popular Denver holiday tradition, but ticket prices have barely increased in the last 25 years. So who’s really paying for it? And as the end of the year approaches, the Oxford English Dictionary has chosen “rizz” as the word of 2023. We want to know: If Denver had a word of the year, what would it be? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by Lee Robinson and Kate McLachlan, co-hosts of the Dyketopia podcast and monthly comedy show, to discuss ticket pricing, Denver words, and of course, their Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week. Lee and Kate’s A Very Merry Dyketopia live show this weekend is sold out, but sign up for their mailing list to get a heads-up on future events. Paul mentioned the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia across Denver, Adam Sandler, and Gov. Polis’s Dyketopia shout-out. Bree talked about a new DIY space. Lee discussed Front Range Passenger Rail and straight pride flags in schools. Kate talked about the Broncos and Call Your Mother.What do you think should be Denver’s Word of the Year? Should it be “unhoused” or “micro-community” or something else entirely? 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:
Grab a “Bag of Colfax” Today!
“A Christmas Carol” at DCPA
My Denver Therapy
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Dec 7, 2023 • 22min
The Best Holiday Pop-Up Bars
The hottest trend in Denver dining right now is the holiday pop-up. These timely takeovers have been popping up everywhere over the past few years, but this year it’s a bona fide eruption of campy, Christmas-y fun, with new stand-outs, contrarians, and even a Tiki-themed trend within a trend. Food writer Linnea Covington is Denver’s go-to holiday pop-up enthusiast, reporting on the trend for Westword and the Denver Post, and she’s on today with host Bree Davies and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia to talk about what’s hot and what’s not. Plus, they share their picks for your weekend.Linnea mentioned her reporting on the Call to Arms Brewery’s pop-up “Big Holiday Energy.”Here are some links to our weekend picks:
4th Annual Five Points Holiday Stroll (Five Points)
Denver Zoo Lights (City Park)
Saturdays with Santa! at the Little Man Ice Cream Factory (West Colfax)
Yule Night Market (Wheat Ridge)
What’s your favorite holiday pop-up bar? We need to know! 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 episode:
“A Christmas Carol” at DCPA
My Denver Therapy
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Dec 6, 2023 • 22min
Your Guide to December in Denver
The holidays are in full swing, but December is just getting started! From holiday markets in picturesque mountain towns to daytime New Year’s Eve parties for kiddos, there’s a lot happening in and around Denver before 2023 comes to an end. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love share their picks for fun ways to spend your days and nights in December. Here are some links to our picks:
Georgetown Christmas Market (Georgetown)
Evergreen Ice Fest on NYE (Evergreen)
Saturday Night Lights (Cherry Creek)
Aura Readings (Platt Park)
Noon Year’s Eve (Jefferson Park)
Bree mentioned RTD’s final report on the ‘Zero Fare for Better Air’ program. For more, our pal Nate Minor at CPR has a helpful breakdown. 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:
“A Christmas Carol” at DCPA
My Denver Therapy
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Dec 5, 2023 • 24min
Red Rocks Hailstorm Texts Revealed. Plus, Did ‘Zero Fare for Better Air’ Work?
Over the summer a show at Red Rocks was hit by a hailstorm that injured several people and left hundreds scrambling for cover. A lawsuit filed by 9News and reporter Steve Staeger reveals text messages between Red Rocks and city employees and law enforcement were not so sympathetic to the situation. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the texting drama plus other stories that matter this week, like the latest in findings around RTD’s Zero Fare For Better Air campaign and a new building the City hopes to buy.Paul mentioned RTD’s final report on the Zero Fare for Better Air months this year and last. 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:
“A Christmas Carol” at DCPA
My Denver Therapy
Savio House
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Dec 4, 2023 • 25min
Will Rep. Tim Hernández Lose His Seat Over Gaza Protests?
Teacher, Tim Hernández, discusses his viral comments on the Hamas attack on Israel and the aftermath. He reflects on standing in solidarity at a protest, apologizing for his controversial tweet, facing backlash and isolation, and House Speaker Julie McCluskey's response.

Dec 1, 2023 • 46min
Gaza Protests Escalate, the Mayor’s Plan for Downtown, and El Tepehuan Closing
Ever since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict have been on the rise in Denver, with reports of hate crimes, protests and counter-protests, and several high-profile politicians clashing. It all came to a head this week, with the Jewish National Fund-USA conference in town. So Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking it through with Denver Post reporter Joe Rubino, who was at City Council when Palestinian solidarity protesters disrupted the proceedings Monday evening. Then, we break down Mayor Mike Johnston’s big plan for “revitalizing” downtown and share our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week. We discussed this New York Times article on the “instagrammable design” for office space. Paul talked about President Biden’s visit and Dr. Martin Lockley. Bree mentioned the Hi-Dive’s 20th anniversary. Joe talked about Mayor Johnston’s latest housing hire, the Denver Post’s reporting on the local Palestinian community, and El Tepehuan’s expected closure.Breaking downtown news! After we recorded, Joe reported that Mayor Johnston has struck a deal to buy the former Denver Post building at Civic Center for $89 million. What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418For 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:Savio HouseLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise


