City Cast Denver

Unions are all the rage this summer. It’s looking like the busiest summer of labor action since 2000, with 323,000 workers already having gone on strike, according to the Denver Post. But it’s not just grocery store clerks and Hollywood writers, the solidarity is spreading to nontraditional labor hotspots, like homeless shelters and The Mercury Cafe. With The Merc’s employees set to vote on their...

We’re hitting that late-summer stride in Colorado as temps rise into the upper 90s, and being without air conditioning feels unbearable. The public pools close this weekend, so where do you go in this city for a chilly respite? Host Bree Davies is joined by newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to share their favorite places to cool off — from cheap and/...

Denver looks different through everyone’s eyes. So, how do you capture the Mile High City in a way that showcases what makes it special or unique to you? Today on the show, producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love (@wasteofmylife) go behind the scenes and swap recs with local Instagram celebrity Amanda Bittner (@theamandabittner). From the overlooked alleyways to the restaurants poised to lau...

Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are breaking down all the local stories that matter this week — starting with what some Dems have called “careless words” from Governor Jared Polis. First, he raised eyebrows after saying some confusing things about abortion on CNN; later, in an interview with 9News, he made remarks about childcare and the bumpy rollout of the statewide Universal Pre-K pr...

Downtown Denver has a lot of big, beautiful office buildings that are… empty. Simultaneously, the city is facing an ongoing shortage of housing options, particularly affordable ones. Which all leads to one big question: Could some of those vacant office buildings be converted into apartments or condos or some kind of office-shaped domicile? The answer is yes, kind of. Host Bree Davies and producer...

What a week it was in Denver! First, DPS is in the midst of a crisis, this time involving a fired principal, a questionable student “seclusion room” with a lock on the door, and a whistleblower unloading some serious allegations — all centered on the McAuliffe International School, a middle school in Park Hill. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by returning guest, public school...

That Mile High sun is a-blazing, and that can only mean one thing. It’s patio season here in Denver. So where are the best spots to soak in some rays and toss back a margarita? And what if all you’re really looking for is a great view or good vibes? Host Bree Davies and Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shared their favorite patios in this conversation we recorded last summer — from prime...

The Colorado Republican Party sued the state last week in an effort to stop unaffiliated voters — who make up 45% of CO’s registered voters — from participating in GOP primaries. One of the men behind that lawsuit? Attorney John Eastman, who also happens to be wrapped up in former President Trump’s Jan. 6th indictment. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by Westword editor Patty...

Prior to the first sweep of a homeless encampment on his watch, Mayor Mike Johnston made a visit to meet the Denverites living on the street at 22nd and Stout. So, how did it go? And now that the sweep has happened, what’s next? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the details, plus take a look at Johnston’s homelessness plans for the remainder of 2023. Then, another fight over bike...

Is there still a place for strip clubs in Denver’s vast world of entertainment, arts, and “immersive” experiences? Can our local economy still support this kind of entertainment, between changing technology and an increasing cost of living? Denver Post reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton dug into the business of strip clubs, and she sits down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk fi...

It’s wedding season in Colorado, and that means… your $2-million Aspen wedding could be ruined by a crappy sound system and an inconvenient gondola schedule? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk epic weddings in the Centennial State. Then they take a look at local wins and fails of the week — like that brunch place...

We love talking about cool events and things to do around Denver. But there are so many to choose from! Which ones are truly worth your time? Which ones are going to leave you with lasting memories? And which ones are gonna give you so much FOMO? Host Bree Davies and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia each picked four awesome August events to share, and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love j...

It’s summertime and we’re thinking about what else — hot dogs. Does the Mile High actually have a hot dog scene? Is a hot dog a sandwich? Can you put ketchup on a Chicago-style dog if you’re not in Chicago? To answer these questions and more, the City Cast Denver team met up with our hometown dog dude, Biker Jim, to survey the wiener scene. Host Bree Davies, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia, and pr...

Are drivers more aggressive in Denver than they used to be? Has it become the norm to speed on neighborhood streets? And most important: Why do people keep crashing their cars into stuff? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the bad driving problem, plus a new study that shows traffic downtown is back to pre-pandemic levels. Is there life downtown again? Then, we share listener voic...

When it comes to climate change, Governor Jared Polis and the Democrats in control of the statehouse are betting big on electric vehicles, or EVs. Earlier this month, they increased the state incentive for residents purchasing an EV from $2,000 to $5,000, but that’s just the tip of this melting iceberg. CPR climate reporter Sam Brasch says there is “no better state in the country to buy an electri...

We’re less than a month into Mike Johnston’s first term as mayor, and things are already off to a bumpy start — some media outlets reported this week that the mayor would not enforce homeless encampment sweeps. Turns out that wasn’t quite the case. Plus, Suncor continues to fail, RTD is actually winning, and Denver Parks and Rec gets a well-deserved pat on the back. Host Bree Davies is joined by p...

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence. Earlier this week on our episode about self care, we recommended a solo hike via the Brothers Lookout Loop in the Alderfer Three Sisters Park in Evergreen. Not long after, we learned about a sexual predator at-large who has been targeting women hiking alone in the Evergreen and Conifer areas, including the park we mentioned. Host...

Who makes the best ice cream in town? Is it the parlor with the best vibes? Or does it all come down to who accidentally spilled a bunch of salt on their Oreo cookies? We got tons of suggestions from readers and listeners, and we narrowed down the field to four ice-cold contenders — Em’s, Liks, Sweet Action, and Little Man. Who will we crown Mile High’s best ice cream? Host Bree Davies is joined b...

Our friends at City Cast Salt Lake picked this fight, and we’re finally hashing it out. Can Salt Lake City really stack up to the Mile High when it’s only situated at a paltry 4,265 feet above sea level? Who has better transit, anyway? And what is with SLC’s cookie obsession? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi plus a couple of special guests — City Cast Salt Lake’s host Ali Vallar...

Neighbors in Congress Park and Country Club say that new infrastructure meant to keep cyclists safe is making their neighborhoods “ugly.” But is this change in our built environment really about aesthetics or more about who “owns” the road? Then, the Casa Bonita saga continues as management responds to concerns of employees who have been organizing with ROC United, and the rest of us try to figure...

Today is International Self-Care Day, and what more prompting do any of us need than to spend some time with just us? From bike trails and other outdoor adventures to concert series and day trip destinations, producer Olivia Jewell Love and Demi Harvey, host of “Serve It!” on Indie 102.3, share their favorite places for self-care in the Mile High.  UPDATE 7/27/23: Jeffco Sheriff’s Office released...

It was a raucous night on Colfax last night -- as usual -- and the renovated garage behind Bruz Off Fax was no exception. A distinguished panel of Colfax aficionados inaugurated the first class of five Colfax icons to our new Colfax Hall of Fame in front of a crowd at the Colfax Indie Bash. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi were joined by Westword founder and editor Patricia Calhoun, Sie...

Next time you find yourself in LoDo or wandering around near Union Station, look down. Just below the streets of downtown, there’s a maze of old, out-of-commission tunnels that used to connect our hotels, restaurants, and stores of yore. Glimpses of these alternative pathways still exist at street level, if you know where to look. Back in January, host Bree Davies spoke with Tracy Beach, author of...

Robert Speer. Michael Hancock. Benjamin Stapleton. Federico Peña. Wellington Webb. Each mayor of Denver leaves their mark on the city — for good, for bad, and often for both. So what can we expect from Mike Johnston? He is the latest to lead the massive, unwieldy bureaucracy that is our city government. How will his administration bend the arc of Denver history? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul...

Mayor Mike Johnston was inaugurated yesterday, with an inspiring speech and… a killer music festival? It’s Tuesday, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about all the local stories that mattered this week, from outgoing Mayor Michael Hancock’s last kiss goodbye to the vibes of Johnston’s first day in office. Plus, we respond to your comments on yesterday’s Colfax meme and some...