City Cast Denver

May is almost here! There’s so much to do, see, eat, and more around Denver as we look forward to warmer temps. So, how do you choose? From music bingo at a tucked-away brewery to the best ways to connect with your neighbors, we’ve rounded up our best picks and tips for enjoying the Mile High. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Denver community.  For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Denver, we’ll have even more tips and suggestions in our newsletter Hey Denver later this week.  City Cast Denver is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Choir League, Regional Air Quality Council, Energy Outreach, JCC Denver, and Aura Frames (Get $35 off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST). And we’re also powered by our neighbors, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about becoming a City Cast Denver Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here citycast.fm/advertise.  Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at denver@citycast.fm.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It looked like this year’s big trans rights bill was going to sail through the state legislature, despite the usual conservative Christian opposition, but now the local LGBTQ community itself is divided. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the changing local politics around LGBTQ rights and why the Kelly Loving Act might not pass. Plus, a beloved Mexican restaurant is paying out a massive settlement to former employees and we hear from listeners about “suspicious” bike riding, Tacos Rapidos, and a little hidden gem you might not have heard of — Wynkoop Brewing.  Bree mentioned the origin of “Tacos Raps,” from the song “Danver” by Fed Rez. Paul quoted from a recent op-ed titled, “Hell is Empty, and All the Devils Are in Denver” and highlighted the wage theft enforcement of Denver Labor. Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm  What do you think about the debate over the Kelly Loving Act? Should Colorado push forward on trans rights even if it means risking a major lawsuit? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode: Choir League Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Regional Air Quality Council Energy Outreach JCC Denver Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s finally farmers market season! And there’s no shortage to choose from in the Mile High, but the local politics and regulations around homemade foods could put some vendors in a tight place. Plus, changing ideas of what “belongs” at a farmers market could mean different, and maybe even AI generated, goods for sale. Host Bree Davies sits down with our regular food contributor Helen Xu to learn more about the intriguing business of farmer’s markets, the recent attempt to reform the Cottage Foods Act and how that debate will affect your favorite tamale seller. Finally, Helen gives some of her picks for Mile High Asian Food Week, which is happening right now!  Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. This is the "Expanding Cottage Foods Act" that Helen talked about dying this session in committee.   For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Have you ever bought prepared food off of Facebook marketplace? We want to know how it went! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Choir League Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Regional Air Quality Council Energy Outreach JCC Denver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

9News obtained footage of US marshals boarding a crowded RTD bus on Colfax to capture an escapee from Aurora’s ICE detention facility. So on this week’s Friday news round-up, our politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins us to talk about the latest local developments in the federal immigration crackdown — from the ACLU’s legal challenge to deportations to the precarity of transportation funding. Then a listener asks: Do you have to be “quirky” to become governor of Colorado? Plus, Juneteenth’s funding cuts, a major abortion clinic closes, and more wins and fails of the week. Bree mentioned the Westword story “Satan Sheets,” an immersive Titanic exhibit, theFat & Fresh market happening this weekend, the Throughline episode on the Alien Enemies Act, Dr. Warren Hern’s retirement, and the documentary “After Tiller.” Paul referenced this NYT article about John Hickenlooper’s 2020 presidential campaign, the Juneteenth Music Festival’s funding trouble, and Rep. Emily Sirota’s work to pass CO’s new “junk fees” law. Justine talked about the National Womens Soccer League stadium’s funding getting one step closer to a full City Council vote. Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenverFollow 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: PineMelon - Use code CITYCAST for 75% off! Denver Art Museum Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The 16th St. Mall is in the middle of an identity crisis. The City of Denver has now spent more than $175 million to renovate the downtown commercial corridor, but many businesses have closed since construction started in 2022 and perceptions of crime linger. And now apparently we’re supposed to stop calling it a “mall”? With the not-a-mall set to reopen fully this summer, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are sitting down with our green chile and politics contributor Justine Sandoval to brainstorm ideas to make 16th St. appealing — and lucrative — for locals and tourists alike. Bree mentioned this thread on reddit and our hot dog tour of Denver with Biker Jim. What local business would you want to see open a location on 16th St. Mall? 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.fmLearn more about the sponsors of this April 24th episode: PineMelon - Use code CITYCAST for 75% off! Denver Art Museum Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s that time of year when Denverites all seem to be asking the same question: When are we going to see the spring’s final frost? But for gardeners, it’s not just small talk. They need to know! So while we refresh our weather forecasts, host Bree Davies is sitting down with City Cast Denver’s resident gardening expert, Ann Marie Awad, to talk about when it’ll be safe to put your plants in the ground and answer all your other burning questions about Denver’s dense soil, favorite perennials, the ever-present menace of squirrels, and more!Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm For more gardening fun with Ann Marie Awad, check out her past appearances answering listener gardening questions in 2024 and 2023. She will also be hosting an event with ColoRadio this Friday at the Denver Press Club with a couple of vendors from the Denver VOICE.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/CityCastDenverSupport City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fmWhat’s your favorite garden store? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418If you enjoyed this interview with Jennifer Gremmert, the CEO of Energy Outreach Colorado, learn more here.Learn more about the sponsors of this April 23rd episode: PineMelon - Use code CITYCAST for 75% off! Denver Art Museum Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Mayor Mike Johnston just finished touring Denver’s neighborhoods pitching his next big proposal to voters: An $800 million bond. Nearly 6,000 people have responded to the city’s survey asking for specific ideas and priorities, but not everyone is excited about the city taking on all that new debt. So will voters go for a third huge bond in 8 years? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are digging into the Vibrant Denver bond roadshow — plus, listener questions and comments on what’s dividing local liberals and RTD scofflaws. It’s time for our spring membership campaign! Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm Paul quoted Nate Minor’s 2020 article about RTD fare-evaders, shared from this Denver Post article about the Vibrant Denver bond, discussed the results of the survey the mayor’s office did on how Denverites would want to see that $800 million spent, and mentioned Greeley’s new arena-centric entertainment district project. There’s also a breakdown of the 2017 bond that voters passed and where that money has been spent so far. What do you think about how RTD charges for fares? 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.fmLearn more about the sponsors of this April 22nd episode: PineMelon - Use code CITYCAST for 75% off! Denver Art Museum Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Downtown Denver has seen better days. A new Gensler survey shows only 55% of Denverites reported having a “great experience” downtown in 2024, down from more than 70% in surveys conducted in 2021 and 2023. But construction on the 16th St. Mall is supposed to be finished soon! And the mayor has a big, complicated plan to give the recovery an even bigger boost. So host Bree Davies is sitting down with Brad Segal, the founder and president of PUMA, a real estate economics and planning firm that consulted on the plan, to explain how the Denver Downtown Development Authority is supposed to bring life back downtown — and why its success matters to all Denverites. It’s time for our spring membership campaign! Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm You may remember Brad from his previous appearance on City Cast Denver discussing downtown’s many empty office buildings and the prospect for converting them into housing. Brad discussed how “tech-heavy” downtown business is and that particular industry’s recent dynamics. For more on that, check out this episode with our favorite local tech analyst Jeff Casimir. 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/CityCastDenverSupport City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fmWhat do you think about the state of downtown Denver? Are you optimistic about the mayor’s plan? We want to hear from you! 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 April 21st episode: PineMelon - Use code CITYCAST for 75% off! Denver Art Museum Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We’ve got something special for you this weekend. It’s a special bonus episode from our friends at Denverse Magazine. They recently launched a podcast called Denverse: Locals Aloud, featuring loose, long form, weekly conversations with Denver locals from all walks of life. The guest on this one is local illustrator Karl Christian Krumpholz, who offers his personal guide to Denver’s storied bar scene. New episodes of Denverse: Locals Aloud are released weekly on Spotify, Apple Music, and Substack, where paid subscribers get access to exclusive episodes and the full Denverse Magazine archives. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

After a couple of hard pandemic years and a few more of slow recovery, the big story this week was Mayor Mike Johnston’s work to open Denver for business. On this week’s Friday round-up, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by former councilmember Robin Kniech to talk about the substance and politics behind his new Denver Permitting Office, as well as the “plummeting” corporate sponsorship of Denver Pride, how this year’s Pride Parade might feel different, and all our wins and fails of the week. How do you feel about corporate support for Pride this year? We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418Bree talked about the documentary Secret Mall Apartment, playing at the Sie FilmCenter this weekend. She also mentioned the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the 5-4 podcast on Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. Paul talked about Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog, the mods of r/Denver, and recommends this Denver Post investigation into the permitting backlog from back in 2022. Robin talked about the ACLU’s recent win and the leader of Colorado’s Libertarian Party.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenverFollow 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: The Delores Project Denver Health Energy Outreach PineMelon - Use code CITYCAST for 75% off! Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise