City Cast Denver

Ten years ago, Tom Sullivan lost his son Alex in the Aurora theater shooting. It was a tragedy that sparked a political career, with Sullivan stepping up to run for office and lead a decade’s worth of gun reform campaigns. But those campaigns have had limited success, and mass shootings continue to plague our community. So now that the City of Denver is trying to get more guns off the street and Sullivan is campaigning for a seat in the state senate, host Bree Davies sat down with him to discuss the challenge of local gun policy, explain his theory on the political gridlock, and respond to critics who say that Denver’s ban on concealed carry in public buildings and parks will lead to more racial profiling. Bree interviewed one of those critics, Anubis Heru, co-owner of the 1770 Armory and Gun Club, a few weeks ago on the show. You can listen to that episode here. Bree’s also got updates on a couple more past stories, about FashioNation and Denver’s teen drag scene, in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Hang out with us on Twitter @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: The How to Buy a Home Podcast Wonderful Waste  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

Do we really need the moisture? Or is that just something Denverites like to say? Recently, local news has been awash in headlines about the state of Colorado’s water supply, and it’s got us wondering: Is Denver at risk of running out? Are we good or bad at the natural resource game? Are we water suckers or water misers? Today on the show, Producer Paul Karolyi talks with Denver Water’s chief planner Greg Fisher about the Mile High City’s own H2O situation and what — if anything — Denverites could to do better when it comes to our water usage. Paul mentioned several scary water stories, including Governor Polis signing a bill last week offering cash to folks who rip out their water-sucking lawns; Aurora looking at banning future lawns and golf courses; and then there was a potential (but ultimately shelved) plan to pipe water from the San Luis Valley to Douglas County.Learn more about Denver Water’s Garden in a Box program and sign up for their fall sale here: https://www.denverwater.org/residential/efficiency-tip/garden-box-sign-fall-saleThirsty for more water knowledge? Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia has got you covered in today’s edition: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Have you replaced your lawn? Share some pics with us on Twitter! @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode:Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks 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

Ask any Denverite, and they’ll tell you: Everything here is getting more expensive, especially housing. So we’re digging into two stories that could have a huge impact on our real estate market: Walmart heir Rob Walton’s purchase of the Denver Broncos, including a huge parcel of land around Mile High Stadium, and City Council’s approval of a long-awaited, much-talked-about affordable housing policy. Can either bring Walmart-style “great prices” back to Denver? Westword reporter Conor McCormick-Cavanagh is back on the show with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to help get to the bottom of it. Paul mentioned this article from the Denver Post about how Denver took inspiration from Atlanta’s affordable housing policy. Lookin’ to have a kickass weekend? Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia has got you covered: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/What do you think about the Walmart-ification of Denver? Let us know on Twitter: @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsor of this episode:Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks 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

For 13 years, the Black Actors Guild created and performed some of the most provocative and entertaining plays in Denver. They started out as students at Denver School of the Arts and went on to bring in as much as $700,000 per year through their plays and arts education courses. But after a rough couple of years, they’re closing the curtain. So host Bree Davies sat down with her friend and Black Actors Guild co-founder Ryan Foo to talk about the state of theater in Denver and answer some big questions: Is “diversity” still just a buzzword, or are our arts institutions actually doing the work? What can theater companies do to uplift and make space for younger creators — and audiences — of color? If Denver can attract big, sell-out Broadway shows but not support local artists in the same way, has the city become a victim of its own success?We mentioned Ryan Foo’s latest immersive theater-party, IllFooMinati VI, happening tomorrow and Saturday night at the Savoy Denver. Tickets and more information here.More news you can use in our daily City Cast Denver newsletter. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Find us on Twitter: @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks Wonderful Waste 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

It’s outdoor swimming pool season! But Denver Parks and Rec has a shortened operating schedule and Colorado is facing a lifeguard shortage (along with the rest of the country). Still, there’s plenty of reasons — and places — to swim in and around Denver. Today on the show, host Bree Davies chats with producer Paul Karolyi about what’s up with our pool sitch and how the key to your best poolside summer yet may mean looking outside Denver city limits.Paul mentioned this NPR piece with a surprising explanation for the lifeguard shortage and this Denver Post article from City Cast Denver’s favorite meteorologist Andy Stein about how long Denver could keep its outdoor public pools open.Bree talked about a whole gang of good pool options in surrounding municipalities that won’t break the bank: Brighton Oasis (Brighton)The Splash at Fossil Trace (Golden)Pirates Cove (Englewood)The Bay (Broomfield)H2O’Brien Pool (Parker)Island Kingdom at ElitchesCheck out the City Cast Denver newsletter, where today, Peyton digs into the new City Council-approved affordable housing mandate. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Share your best pool recs with us on Twitter: @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: Optimum Joy Wonderful Waste 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

Denver Public Schools let out for the summer last week, which means DPS superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero now has one full school year under his belt — and it was a rough one. Declining enrollment sparked fears of school closures. A beloved Northside teacher was let go, prompting student walkouts and protests. Mass shootings tested DPS’s security plans and resurfaced the debate over cops in schools. And oh yeah, COVID-19. Host Bree Davies sits down with Dr. Marrero to go through the ups and downs, and his plan for the future.For more on the issues Bree discussed with Dr. Marrero, here’s a few links:Recommended school closure criteria presented to Denver school board [Chalkbeat, 6/2/2022]Denver school board votes to phase police out of schools [Chalkbeat, 6/11/2020]He’s a Beloved Northside Teacher. Why Did DPS Let Him Go? [City Cast Denver, 5/11/2022]One Denver Teacher Says They’re Not Just Burned Out, They’re Being Set on Fire [City Cast Denver, 1/11/2022]With the school year wrapping up last week, there’s been a ton of news related to DPS and other schools across the state. Newsletter Editor Peyton Garcia has got all the important stuff rounded up for you in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/What do you think about the possibility of school closures? Tweet at us @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsor of this episode:Rocky Mountain MicroFinance InstituteLooking 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 no secret that Denver’s housing market is nuts. But when we sit down to talk about the causes and solutions for our ongoing issues with housing, things tend to get heated, complicated, and divisive. So, we’re looking to Denverites for their “big ideas” to help steer this and other conversations about our city’s future. What can the Mile High do to make this place better for everyone? Today on the show, Host Bree Davies talks with fellow housing wonk Adam Estroff, member of YIMBY Denver and aspiring politician, about what he thinks we can do right now to put Denver on a better course toward more affordable — and attractive — housing.Check out Adam’s campaign for city council, representing “Lucky” District 7.This is the Denver Post article about the city's landmarks that Adam mentioned in the episode.Colorado primary ballots start arriving in mailboxes this week. Editor Peyton Garcia has all the voting resources you need in today’s City Cast Denver Newsletter. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/We’re on Twitter: @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute 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

Summer’s (almost) officially here, and we’re here for it! Today on the show, Producer Paul Karolyi is joined by Newsletter Editor Peyton Garcia and Host Bree Davies to chat about what makes summer the best season in Denver. From short mountain jaunts to cool new art installations, the City Cast Denver crew has lots of ideas for your next weekend outing. Bree’s Picks: Go for evening bike rides! (Grab some lights at Yawp Cyclery or another local bike shop) Pack a picnic for a summer concert at Levitt Pavilion or the Denver Botanic Gardens Peyton’s Picks: Eat your way through a food festival! Especially Top Taco and Burger Battle  Find your own dang hiking/camping/backpacking spot with help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife Paul’s Picks: James Turrell’s newest Skyspace opens on June 18 at the Green Box Arts Festival.  Go stargazing and spend a single night camping at the Pawnee Buttes Peyton’s got even more fun stuff for your weekend in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Where’s your favorite place to swim in the metro area? Send us an email at denver@citycast.fm, or call us at (720) 500-5418 and let us know! ‬ Catch us on Twitter @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: How to Buy a Home Podcast Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks 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

If I-70 had a mayor, it would be Alejandro Brown. He started the I-70 Things Instagram account a few years ago when he was stuck in ski traffic. It was a fun way to share silly moments and crazy stuff people (and animals) were doing on the side of the highway. But then, something changed — Alejandro realized that the account could also serve as a public service, too. Today on the show, Host Bree Davies talks with Alejandro about why I-70 Things seems to resonate with so many Coloradans (200,000 and counting!), how he’s managed to encapsulate our complex relationship with the well-traveled highway, and why he chose to use his powers for good.Wanna know the latest local restaurant hot goss? Peyton Garcia’s got all you need to know in today’s City Cast Denver newsletter. Read and subscribe: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/We’re on Twitter: @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Wonderful Waste Denver Film presents Film on the Rocks 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

Drag has come a long way in the past century — and more recently, thanks to shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, the culture and art form have fully entered the mainstream. Now, a whole new generation of performers who grew up watching Ru and her kin have created scenes of their very own. Like here in Denver, 17-year-old Jameson Lee and his mom, Robin Fulton, created Dragutante, an annual event spotlighting kid drag performers. Host Bree Davies talks with Jameson and Robin about the new Discovery+ docu-series spotlighting their story and why it is crucial now more than ever to support young people in their quest to express themselves on stage and in life. Watch Generation Drag starting TODAY on Discovery+ (which has a seven-day free trial option!)With Parks & Rec delaying outdoor public pool season to June 13, we want to know: Where are the best places to swim in the Denver metro area? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood at (720) 500-5418, and we might share it on an upcoming episode!Suncor has been polluting neighborhoods around its Commerce City refinery for 90 years, so it might be a bit of a shock to learn about their “climate champion” reputation in Canada. Producer Paul Karolyi has the story in today’s CCD newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/Hang out with us on Twitter @citycastdenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: How to Buy a Home Podcast Wonderful Waste 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