City Cast Denver

For the first time in his now five years as governor, Jared Polis is focusing on housing. Whether its an urban, rural, or suburban community, every part of Colorado is just too expensive. So how does our uber-popular, tech-loving, libertarian-leaning governor plan to tackle the housing issue? And what would a hypothetical future Polis-opolis look like? CPR state politics and housing reporter Andy Kenney is on today with our chief Polis watcher and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how the Governor thinks about housing and how he could re-shape our cities. Hear more from Andy and the CPR politics team as they cover the housing debate at the Capitol on the Purplish podcast. Andy mentioned State Sen. Julie Gonzales and the rare moment of bipartisanship over housing at last year’s legislative session. Don’t miss our interview with Gonzales about how that all went down. Paul mentioned the recent closure of the Tea with Tae shop at 16th and California. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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 and we’re rounding up the stories that caught our eye this week. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by Denver Post reporter Elizabeth Hernandez to chat all things fowl and lewd (as in crude license plates!) Demand for chicks and home hen house supplies has skyrocketed as consumers reel from the egg shortage, and Elizabeth has the inside scoop. We’re also talking about personalized license plates and what the DMV has decided which ones are too hot for your Honda — sorry FASTMFR and SHAGWEL, you’re not getting those plates! Stay til the end for our recommendations on the best things to do this weekend in Denver with newsletter editor Adrian González!Plus, Paul and Bree talk about the mayor’s race and how, exactly, City Cast Denver hopes to best inform voters on this crowded field of 17 candidates. We want to hear from you, too! Do you have a question you’d like every candidate to answer? Or one question for a specific candidate? Leave us your name, neighborhood, and question in a text or voicemail at 720-500-5418.Paul mentioned Colorado’s slowing population growth and the full list of rejected personalized license plates. Subscribe to Hey Denver, our kickass morning newsletter, by texting “Denver” to 66866]Follow us on Twitter @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

They say that necessity is the mother of invention. And boy, do we in the West really need to figure out how to use less water. The federal government has imposed a February 1 deadline for the seven Colorado River Basin states to come up with a new conservation plan, so what would be realistic for us in the Denver metro area to contribute? Colorado Sun environment reporter Michael Booth is on today to talk about two new innovative water projects — a “MacGuyver-esque” wastewater recycling system in Aurora, and the new “cloud seeding” effort outside Longmont. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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

On our hunt for Denver’s best street tacos, we stumbled on a story we had to share:After decades working in other peoples’ restaurants on the Northside, Jose Ramirez ventured into the suburbs to open Los Dos Potrillos in 2002. Serving his version of Colorado’s famed green chile alongside dishes reflecting his hometown of Jerez, Zacatecas in Mexico, Jose gained a loyal following. Now Jose’s sons, Luis and Daniel, have taken over Los Dos with big dreams to become the “Shake Shack of Mexican food.” The brothers now oversee four locations across the metro area, have launched a brewery, are planning a fast-casual spin-off, and have their sights set on 20 more new locations across Colorado in the next few years — including a massive, 8,000-square-foot Los Dos flagship in Castle Rock. So ahead of their next opening in Northglenn next month, host Bree Davies sits down with the Ramirez brothers to talk about their take on Den-Mex.What do you think? Does Los Dos Potrillos make the best street tacos in Denver? Or is there somewhere else we absolutely have to try? Leave us a voicemail with your name, neighborhood, and your favorite local street taco purveyor, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬. Bree mentioned the launch of universal preschool in Colorado. Click here to learn more and check your child’s eligibility. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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’ve got everything you need to know about the local stories Denverites are talking about: Meth residue found inside libraries in Englewood, Boulder, and Littleton is causing concern, the gun debate heats up at the Capitol after another mass shooting, and we regret to inform you that the Aurora police department is at it again. Plus, all the taco news you can use — first, Westword’s deep dive into the Taco Bell-rat poisoning scandal exposes some flimsy evidence; and second, we hear from a listener about his favorite immersive street taco experience in Westwood.Two recent Aurora Sentinel op-eds encapsulate the frustration with Aurora’s police department: Dave Perry’s “Aurora Police Department problems are so bad, someone should call the cops — somewhere else” and “Stop protecting Aurora police from themselves — the city must protect the public first” from the Sentinel Editorial Board.We’re going to have a full update on Monday evening’s Park Hill Golf Course vote at City Council later this week, but don’t miss our breakdown of the whole saga on Monday’s episode. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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

For almost 100 years, the Park Hill neighborhood has featured an 18-hole golf course. But then a major developer, Westside Investment Partners, bought the land and put forth ambitious plans to redevelop the site into a walkable new community and park. The purchase sparked a neighborhood fight that’s escalated into a city-wide debate over housing, growth, and change. And if City Council approves Westside’s rezoning request tonight, Denver voters will decide on the defunct golf course’s future on April 4. It’s a complicated and controversial situation, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are sharing some clips from past interviews and catching you up on the saga of the Park Hill Golf Course. Check out our past coverage of the Park Hill Golf Course fight: WTF is Happening with the Park Hill Golf Course? (Part One) Park Hill Gold Course (Part Two): The Developers Speak! If you want to learn more about Westside Investment Partners’ vision for the Park Hill Golf Course, here’s a link to their website. Friend of the show Conor McCormick-Cavanagh reported more details about the 303 ArtWay Heritage Trail for Westword.Bree mentioned the Beast Fingers Climbing Gym in Globeville needing support, which you can do on their website. Read the full saga of the gym in this Westword piece from Catie Cheshire.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter @citycastdenverWe want to hear about your moments of joy in Denver! Leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your story 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 and that means we’re looking back at the local stories that mattered this week. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by returning fave Sam Brasch of Colorado Public Radio. We discuss the hot topic of gas stoves and how Colorado got tangled up in what at first seemed to be a very Florida mess. Plus, our resident nerd Paul runs a game of “Did Governor Polis Actually Say That?” as Sam and Bree try to guess which geeky pop culture references came out of the governor’s mouth. As always, newsletter editor Adrian González joins the crew to share some fun things to do this weekend around the Mile High. Don’t forget to send us your street taco recs! Text or leave us a voicemail with your favorite spot, your name and neighborhood at 720-500-5418.Paul mentioned the alleged rat poisoning at a local Taco Bell.Learn more about the Denver climate rebates for electrification on the city’s website. Read guest Sam Brasch’s reporting on the Healthy Homes Program over at Denverite. Looking for more ideas for your weekend plans? Subscribe to Hey Denver, our kickass morning newsletter, by texting “Denver” to 66866, or click here. We are on Twitter: @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsor of this episode:How to Buy a Home PodcastLooking 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

Once upon a time, New Belgium Brewing ruled the craft brew scene in Colorado, and Fat Tire was its flagship beer. When the Fort Collins–based brewmasters debuted their signature amber ale in 1991, it inspired imitators, dominated shelves, and satisfied beer lovers for decades… until it didn’t. This week, New Belgium announced they were giving Fat Tire a whole new look and taste. Today on the show, host Bree Davies talks with Denver Post editor and unofficial Colorado Beer Man Jonathan Shikes about what it means for an old favorite to be reformulated, repackaged, and re-introduced to a new generation of craft beer drinkersDenver Post’s cannabis and beer reporter Tiney Ricciardi wrote about the big changes at New Belgium earlier this week. And Jonathan mentioned Axios reporter John Frank’s assessment of the new Fat Tire.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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:How to Buy a Home PodcastLooking 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

Mayoral hopefuls are rolling out their strategies to tackle public safety and homelessness, and others have set social media abuzz with plans for more snow plowing — in other words, the race is on! But there’s still a crucial hurdle to clear before the dozens of aspiring leaders make the ballot: 300 verified, unique signatures from registered Denver voters. With that deadline coming up this Thursday, some candidates may not end up running after all. Today on the show, host Bree Davies chats with Westword editor in-chief Patty Calhoun about who’s saying what, whose ambitious plans she’s watching, and the historic precedent for snowplows swaying mayoral elections.Bree mentioned Kelly Brough’s comments on sweeps (9News) and the comments from one of her supporters (Denverite). For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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:How to Buy a Home podcastLooking 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 National Western Stock Show has been an annual attraction in Denver since 1906, bringing cowboys, cowgirls, farmers, ranchers, and agri-business titans here to buy, sell, show, and celebrate all things agriculture. But the big question is, how relevant is this famous show to an evolving modern city like Denver today? We wanted to understand what it meant to one Arvada family, so today on the show, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi tagged along with the Leathermans on a trip to the National Western Complex to meet their goat farmer daughter and watch her (and her goat) in the junior market goat show.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLeave 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: How to Buy a Home Podcast Mortified Live: DOOMED VALENTINE'S 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