DenverUrbanism

James Flattum, transit advocate and Coloradans for CoCo outreach director, discusses Measure 7A and a proposed passenger rail line linking Denver, Fort Collins, and Pueblo. They explore using freight tracks, dual-mode trains, station upgrades, Denver Union Station’s southbound challenge, future extensions to Cheyenne and Trinidad, and the campaign’s vision for a stronger Front Range rail network.

A lively chat about how neighborhoods evolve and what 'change' really means. They break change into family, physical, and fiscal drivers. Big projects like stadiums and highways and rising incomes get examined. Policy tools like ADUs, repairs, and protections against predatory buyers are discussed. The conversation centers on resident choice amid inevitable change.

A heated debate over Denver housing policy and the merits of broad, modest zoning changes. Discussion of a phased plan to allow more units in single‑unit areas and the specifics of phase one. Tension between aesthetic compromises and practical tools for missing middle housing. Politics, public backlash, and how state laws might interact with local reforms.

A lively dive into why stadiums belong in the city and how their locations shape neighborhoods. They debate name choices, downtown vs suburban siting, and how venues drive redevelopment. Conversation covers transit, walkability, community benefits agreements, and contrasting private profit projects with public-minded plans.

They unpack a City Council vote that could preserve approvals for 20,000 new housing units and why officials chose extension over reapplying. They trace one big project's history and show how a surge in market-rate supply helped push rents down. They debate affordable-unit rules, interest-rate impacts on construction, and how new buildings can free up older homes.

Jason King, a senior associate architect at LOHA known for affordable housing and small-scale urbanism, discusses designing community-driven, street-friendly housing across Los Angeles, Detroit, and Denver. He talks about engaging nonprofits and neighbors, zoning and parking reforms that unlock density, adapting social outdoor spaces to different climates, and why neighborhood-led development matters.

A lively chat about autonomous and electric vehicles and what they mean for city life. Personal Waymo ride stories and how AV testing is unfolding locally. Debates on charging placement, battery recycling, and the land-use effects of clustered chargers. Concerns about heavier EVs, tire pollution, regulatory gaps, deadhead trips, and transit and workforce impacts.

A lively chat about giving existing buildings new life through adaptive reuse. They explore which structures are best suited for conversion and how neighborhood character shapes outcomes. Listeners hear local Denver examples and current office-to-housing projects. The conversation also covers climate benefits, practical barriers like pollution and codes, and policy tools to make reuse happen.

Discover the fascinating history behind why Denver became Colorado's capital and the failed contenders like Colorado City and Golden. Dive into the implications of hosting the capital, from economic boosts to everyday challenges like policing costs. Explore how Denver's capital status has shaped its neighborhoods and attracted investment, while examining the governmental dynamics that come with it. Tune in for quirky comparisons with Rome and the unique opportunities urban planners have in this capital-centric environment.

Ho ho ho! Enjoy our end of the year episode where we don't try very hard! Hope you're having a good holiday and we'll see you for more urbanism in 2026!