
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

Mar 12, 2023 • 41min
Mayoral Madness: Terrance Roberts on Gun Violence, the Park Hill Golf Course, and Jake Jabs
Terrance Roberts is a former gang member-turned-Park Hill community and civil rights activist. He sits down with host Bree Davies to explain his goal of making Denver a 24-hour city, why he thinks we need public banking, how he’d try to stop youth gun violence, and why he’s a “no” on the proposal to redevelop the Park Hill Golf Course.We are inviting all 17 candidates for interviews before Election Day on April 4. So far, we've talked to:Renate BehrensLeslie HerodLisa CalderónEan Thomas TafoyaTrinidad RodriguezThomas WolfChris HansenMike JohnstonKelly BroughJames WalshKwame SpearmanKeep up with Mayoral Madness on our site! And if you’ve got a question you’d like us to ask the candidates, or one candidate in particular, email it to us at denver@citycast.fm.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

Mar 11, 2023 • 42min
Mayoral Madness: Kwame Spearman on Psychedelics, Tattered Cover, and the Downtown Dilemma
Kwame Spearman is on leave from his job as CEO of Tattered Cover, which is also co-owns, and he wants to be mayor. He sits down with host Bree Davies to talk about his plan to make Downtown a better place to do business, he personal experience with psychedelics, and how he’d bring his experience running Denver’s most iconic bookstore to the mayor’s office. We are inviting all 17 candidates for interviews before Election Day on April 4. So far, we've talked to:Renate BehrensLeslie HerodLisa CalderónEan Thomas TafoyaTrinidad RodriguezThomas WolfChris HansenMike JohnstonKelly BroughJames WalshKeep up with Mayoral Madness on our site! And if you’ve got a question you’d like us to ask the candidates, or one candidate in particular, email it to us at denver@citycast.fm.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

Mar 10, 2023 • 50min
What is "Public Safety," Dog Poop Problems, and a Weirdly Political Drag Show
It’s Friday and we’re rounding up the stories that caught our eyes — and noses — this week. Producer Paul Karolyi is joined by host Bree Davies and returning favorite, public radio vet and podcast host Jo Ann Allen. First, the issue of public safety in Denver in 2023 has gotten a lot of attention from mayoral candidates on the campaign trail in the last few weeks. A recent piece in Colorado Newsline from Chase Woodruff has us wondering: what does “safety” even mean? Then, in a recent op-ed for the Denver Post, Jo Ann asks a very stinky question: Why can’t Denverites seem to scoop up their own dog’s poop? Finally, newsletter editor Adrian González rounds up the best stuff going on in Denver this weekend! Paul mentioned this episode from earlier in the week about the state of the film industry in Colorado.Check out the latest season of Jo Ann’s podcast “Been There Done That.”Wanna follow our weather expert? Rain or Shine, he’s Andy Stein on TikTok and all socials.Hang out with us in person and hear Bree read her high school journals at the next edition of Mortified Live, happening April 13th! And if you want a chance to win a pair of free tickets to the event, leave us a voicemail with your own angsty, cringey, embarrassing teenage memory — bonus points if it’s got a Denver twist! The number to call is 720-500-5418.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 sponsor of this episode:Hey Girl FridayLooking 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

Mar 9, 2023 • 21min
Meet the Dinosaur That Changed Colorado History
Of all the dinosaurs, we Coloradans have a special connection to the Stegosaurus. So much so that in February, state lawmakers introduced a bill to create a new license plate honoring the 1876 discovery of our favorite ancient armored herbivore. But that’s not the only reason why our state — and the Front Range in particular — has had such a huge impact on the discovery and study of dinosaurs globally. Host Bree Davies sits down with Dinosaur Ridge’s Erin LaCount, one of Colorado’s foremost dinosaur educators to unearth the story of "the bone rush" and explain how Morrison became one of the most important sites for dino-lovers everywhere.For even more local dino stories and facts, check out Dinosaur Ridge’s new podcast!We want to know: What does “safety” mean to you? It’s become one of the biggest debates in the mayoral race, so we want to talk about what safety means to real Denverites. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your answer on the show soon: (720) 500-5418Subscribe 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:Hey Girl FridayLooking 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

Mar 8, 2023 • 22min
Can Republicans Ever Win in Colorado Again?
The Republican Party of Colorado is in tough shape. They’ve been on a major losing streak since Cory Gardner was elected to the Senate in 2014, and it’s unclear if they can turn things around. But that’s the job six senior Republicans are vying for this weekend as the state GOP convenes to elect a new leader. So host Bree Davies called up one of the last successful Republican strategists in Colorado, Dick Wadhams. He managed statewide campaigns for senate and governor, chaired the state GOP from 2007 to 2011, voted for Trump twice, and he has a lot to say about what the GOP could — and should — be doing to win over Colorado voters. 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) 500-5418City Cast Denver is hiring! We’re looking for a Senior Account Executive and an Audio Producer to join the Denver team.Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:Hey Girl FridayLooking 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

Mar 7, 2023 • 25min
Denver at the Oscars, CO's Lagging Film Incentives, and the Local Theater Landscape
The 95th Academy Awards will be presented this Sunday in Los Angeles, and at least a couple Coloradans are up for an Oscar. But why not more? And why are so many theaters closing across the metro area? To help celebrate the biggest week in Hollywood, producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Adrian González are surveying the local film landscape, from big changes that could be coming to our state film incentive program to the recent string of theater closings to the secret Canadians who saved The Mayan.Are you going to be watching the Oscar’s on Sunday? Join the official City Cast Denver Oscar’s Pick ‘Em Pool and see how your predictions stack up against Paul and Adrian’s. Sign up and make your picks here. This episode was recorded on location at the Jewish Community Center during their Tzedakah 4 Kids fundraiser supporting the JCC’s ESL and summer programming. If you’d like to support those programs, you can make a donation here: https://www.jccdenver.org/tzedakah-4-kids/We discussed the new Denver Arts & Venues/CineFe study on the local film and TV industry and the recent Regal and Elvis Cinemas closings. 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:Hey Girl FridayLooking 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

Mar 6, 2023 • 28min
What if Denver Was Nuclear-Powered Again?
Between the high price of natural gas and the push for green energy, conservatives in Colorado have in the last few years become increasingly interested in nuclear power. They have called to replace the old coal plant in Craig with a new small-scale reactor, and GOP state lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would have reclassified nuclear as “clean energy.” Across the country, people are reconsidering the highly stigmatized and highly powerful technology. So today, we are revisiting the story of Colorado’s first and still only nuclear power plant, Fort St. Vrain.Our producer Paul Karolyi first reported this story for Colorado Public Radio in 2019. This episode features an extended version that ran on the podcast Range & Slope. It also features an original, explicit song by Jesse Wooten of the local band Creekbed.Bree mentioned the GoFundMe for Luis Garcia. 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

Mar 5, 2023 • 26min
Mayoral Madness: James Walsh on Worker Power, Harm Reduction and UBI
James Walsh is a professor of political science and labor history at CU Denver, and he wants to be mayor. He talks to host Bree Davies about how he’d make Denver the most worker-friendly city in the country, universal basic income, and what he learned riding his bike to all 77 neighborhoods. We are inviting all 17 candidates for interviews before Election Day on April 4. So far, we've talked to:Renate BehrensLeslie HerodLisa CalderónEan Thomas TafoyaTrinidad RodriguezThomas WolfChris HansenMike JohnstonKelly BroughKeep up with Mayoral Madness on our site! And if you’ve got a question you’d like us to ask the candidates, or one candidate in particular, email it to us at denver@citycast.fm.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

Mar 4, 2023 • 37min
Mayoral Madness: Kelly Brough on e-Scooters, STAR, and the Downtown Dilemma
Kelly Brough served as president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and chief of staff for then-mayor John Hickenlooper, and she wants to be mayor. She sits down with producer Paul Karolyi to talk about fixing Denver’s downtown problem, expanding the STAR first responder program, and keeping reckless scooter drivers off the sidewalks.We are inviting all 17 candidates for interviews before Election Day on April 4. So far, we've talked to:Renate BehrensLeslie HerodLisa CalderónEan Thomas TafoyaTrinidad RodriguezThomas WolfChris HansenMike JohnstonKeep up with Mayoral Madness on our site! And if you’ve got a question you’d like us to ask the candidates, or one candidate in particular, email it to us at denver@citycast.fm.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

Mar 3, 2023 • 45min
Is Denver That Great for Gen Z? Plus, 303 Day and an Elusive 'Dream House'
It’s Friday, and we’re rounding up all the local stories that mattered this week. At the top of that list: Denver is the third best place in the country to live if you’re Gen Z, according to a recent survey. But what the heck does that mean? We invited Shana Saint-Phard, a young reporter from the TJ Journal, Thomas Jefferson High School’s student paper, to give us an inside look at Gen Z life in Denver, swap some overlooked stories of the week, and help us pick the Official City Cast Denver Maybe For Your Weekend.Check out Westword’s piece on how to celebrate today — 303 Day.Read Shana Saint-Phard’s work in the TJ Journal, from Thomas Jefferson High School. 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