City Cast Denver

Cherry Creek Week continues!Sometimes it feels like the only constant in Denver is change. And that feeling is especially present in Cherry Creek, a community that today is known as a high-end shopping destination — but it wasn’t always this way. The neighborhood is named for the waterway running alongside it, a natural resource that has been attracting people for hundreds of years. Back in the mid-1800s, settlers came from all over the country to make a home in Colorado, including many Black families and homesteaders who put down roots in what at the time was known as the town of Harman. Today, host Bree Davies hears from Terri Gentry of History Colorado and retired judge Gary Jackson about the Black families of early Cherry Creek, as well as the area’s evolution under Temple Buell’s vision from farmland to city dump to the wealthy neighborhood of this century. Don’t miss the $15 million real estate listing Bree cited for the home that was once Harman Town Hall!Bree also mentioned the original Quiznos, on 13th Ave., and the Nuggets opening playoff win. 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 sponsor of this episode:Transportation SolutionsLooking 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

Welcome to Cherry Creek Week!Density. Growth. Infrastructure. Housing. Overcrowding. These words represent our biggest challenge as a city: How can Denver grow without changing all the things that make it great? All this week on the show — and in our newsletter Hey Denver — we’re exploring that question in one neighborhood that’s near and dear to our hearts (and the city’s tax base): Cherry Creek. For decades, Cherry Creek has grappled with what it means to not only become a shopping destination, but a rival of downtown, an epicenter for international business, and a very desirable place to live. And today, we’re kicking things off by looking at the imminent wave of development that could reshape Cherry Creek forever.Join us in person to continue the conversation about transportation and density in Cherry Creek! Our sponsor, Transportation Solutions, is hosting us for a discussion with a panel of expert guests this Wednesday morning at the University of Denver. Get your tickets here!Have thoughts on the future of Cherry Creek? 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 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:Transportation SolutionsLooking 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

The Nuggets are having one of their best seasons in decades as they take the number one seed in the Western Conference Finals. But after years of negotiations between Comcast and Altitude Sports, many Nuggs fans still can’t watch the team legally. Host Bree Davies is joined by Altitude sportscaster Vic Lombardi and our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk #nugglife, plus their shared love of Denver’s Northside, since both Vic and Justine grew up there. And of course, we’ve got our favorite picks for your weekend plans — newsletter editor Adrian González is joined by our returning editor Peyton Garcia, who’s back on the show after maternity leave. Welcome back, Peyton!Northside spots mentioned in this episode: Chubby’s Tamales by La Casita Lechugas Italian Rocky Mountain Lake Park Berkeley Lake Park Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!Here are some links to the cool events and things to do that we talked about on the show: Bigfoot Days (Estes Park) Denver Auto Show (Downtown) Swap n’ Sip (RiNo) Women + Film Festival (Congress Park) XicanIndie Film Festival (Santa Fe Art District) Subscribe to Hey Denver, our kickass morning newsletter, by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLooking 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

Is the Polis administration’s “More Housing Now” proposal the solution to our state’s affordable housing woes? Some think it’s a step in the right direction, while others are skeptical. This sweeping plan — Senate Bill 213 — could end single-family-only zoning across Colorado and move some aspects of decision-making power from the local to the state level. One of the sponsors of the bill, House District 2 Representative Steven Woodrow, joins host Bree Davies to talk about what’s in the proposal, and what it means for our neighborhoods, the climate, and the future of affordable housing options in Colorado. You can find out more about the bill from the governor’s office, including the results of a housing policy study. CPR also has a comprehensive breakdown of the proposal.Yesterday, Mayor Hancock and City Council President Torres issued a statement regarding the City and County of Denver’s opposition to SB 213. You can read that statement here.Tonight’s the night! Come see Bree read from her teenage journals at Mortified Live at 8pm! Grab your tickets here. To help you get into the right headspace, check out Bree’s Very ’90s Mortified Teenage Mixtape on Spotify!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) 500-5418‬Looking 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

Sam Tallent is kind of a big deal — the Denver metro-raised comedian has been touring the stand-up circuit for years, honing his act and making a name for himself outside Colorado. He’s also recorded his own comedy special, made appearances on WTF with Marc Maron and Bert Kreisher’s Bertcast, and even found time to write Running the Light, a book fellow comedians have praised as the best depiction of the life of a stand-up on the road. Tomorrow night, Sam headlines a sold-out show at Comedy Works, his old stomping grounds. But first, he chats with host Bree Davies about the Denver DIY scene he cut his comedic teeth in, and why this is such a unique city for great comedy to thrive.Find Sam TaIlent on Instagram and Twitter, and check out Chubby Behemoth, his podcast with fellow comedian Nathan Lund.Venues we discussed:Denver Comedy Underground, Comedy Works, and The Squire Lounge. R.I.P.: Old Curtis Street, Rhinoceropolis, Mouth House, Rockaway, and Deer Pile.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) 500-5418‬Looking 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 Tuesday and we’re talking about the big stories around Denver this week, especially what’s happening with Denver Public Schools. On Wednesday, a high school student was forcibly removed from the House gallery in the Capitol, which comes on the heels of the protests and concerns about gun violence in schools in light of the recent shootings. Meanwhile, more drama for the DPS school board: Former Tattered Cover CEO and mayoral candidate Kwame Spearman announced a possible November bid for the at-large seat on the board — a seat that’s currently held by Auon’tai Anderson, who is himself potentially facing another censure. Farther afield, mountain pie slinger Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs turns 50 and will be transitioning to an employee ownership model. Host Bree Davies and producer Erin O’Toole are here to break all of this down, plus talk about the latest Casa Bonita news, including this trip down memory lane. Check out the Denver Post article we mentioned, which dives into the expulsion rates at DPS and how that fits into the school safety conversation.Listen to our interview with Melanie Asmar last year, where she walked us through the school board drama.And in case you missed it, here’s our 2021 interview with new Casa Bonita chef Dana Rodriguez.If you’re interested in running the Colfax Marathon in May, you can register here (prices go up Thursday). Want to volunteer and get one of those limited-edition Casa Bonita shirts? You can find out more about volunteering and sign up here.It’s not too late to get tickets for Mortified Live on April 13! Find out more and grab your ticket here.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) 500-5418‬Looking 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

From the Illuminati and the New World Order to the runways and some weird art, there are too many conspiracy theories about DIA to count. We’re diving into some of the most popular ones today, though, and what the true story is behind them. Host Bree Davies talks with Denver Public Library’s Chris Root about Blucifer, the Leo Tanguma murals, and much more, as well as why DIA has been such a hotspot for conspiracy theories over the years. Read Chris Root’s extensive research on DIA conspiracy theories in his blog post for DPL. And you can dive even further into the weirdness with this 2007 Westword article.In the newscast, Bree mentioned videos showing the protests inside the Capitol last week, where students were pressing legislators to address gun violence. Thanks to the Denver Post for their reporting.She also talked about Denverite’s coverage of the recent Chubby’s inter-family lawsuit; this Westword piece from many years back will give even more backstory on that drama. Plus, Bree mentioned the Pasquini’s drama too! So much drama! Come watch Bree read excerpts from her angsty teenage diary at Mortified Live on Thursday, April 13. Tickets are available here.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) 500-5418‬Looking 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 Friday! Although election night is behind us, we’re still waiting for all the ballots to be counted. We know for sure that Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough will face off in the June mayoral runoff and that Lisa Calderón officially conceded. But the outcomes in several city council seats are still too close to call. Host Bree Davies is joined by our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, and Jason Bane, co-host of the Colorado politics podcast Get More Smarter, to discuss the state of the progressive vote in the Mile High, and how negative narratives about crime and homelessness impacted the election. Then it’s all about that dark money already flowing into next year’s state election from a group that’s aiming to unseat Lauren Boebert. Plus, newsletter editor Adrian González joins the crew to share the best bets for the weekend. Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!Here are some links to the cool events and things to do that we talked about on the show: First Friday on the Art District on Santa Fe (La Alma Lincoln Park) Rockies games all weekend long (Ballpark) Phamaly Theatre’s “Spring Awakening” (Northglenn) Carnitas Don Juan Fundraiser (Thornton) Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings (Downtown) For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday 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 sponsor of this episode:JCC DenverLooking 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

Denver’s LoDo neighborhood has long been a magnet for nighttime revelry, with its concentration of restaurants, breweries, shops, and nightclubs. But the area has also become known as a hotspot for trouble and occasional crime — especially late at night when the bars let out, spilling thousands of patrons into the streets with nowhere to go. Is it possible to foster a safer nightlife scene while keeping downtown’s party vibe? Host Bree Davies sits down with Stephen Brackett, co-founder of Flobots and Youth on Record, to talk about his new foundation, what’s next for the old El Chapultepec spot, and how Denver can re-envision its nighttime scene.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) 500-5418‬Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertiseJoin us for Mortified Live — https://getmortified.com/live/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in 12 years, Denver will have a new mayor. And now we’ve officially narrowed the field from 16 contenders down to two: Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough are set to campaign head-to-head in a runoff leading up to June 6. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi stayed up late to bring you up-to-date reactions and analysis of all the election results — from the mayor’s race to the new faces coming to City Council, those two zoning questions, and, of course, the future of the Park Hill Golf Course. Note: As of our taping time — around midnight — there were roughly 65,000 ballots still to be counted. Denver election officials say they’ll have updated results at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll let you know more as soon as we do.Thinking about getting into gardening this summer? Whether you’re looking for a new project or some advice on a tricky situation, our gardening expert is ready to help. Text the Gardening Hotline 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 by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverOr instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLooking 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