City Cast Denver

It’s a fact: Denver is a coffee town. Whether it’s beloved local chains or third wave cafes, the Mile High City abounds with cozy coffee shops offering all sorts of different experiences. Entrepreneur, content creator, and coffee shop aficionado Michelle Jackson joined host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love last September to talk about the local spots that bring the ambiance, offer creat...

RTD is struggling right now. Denver’s public transit provider is facing low ridership numbers (even relative to peer cities) and a massive projected budget deficit — and that’s without even mentioning the paltry 83% bus on-time percentage. So what should be done? Governor Jared Polis and the legislature brought together a committee of experts last year to do months of research, debate, and come to...

What makes Denver Denver? Better yet, who defines us as a city? Thinking back on the last quarter century, there have been many politicians, personalities, and people with plenty of money to throw around who have shaped the image, built environment, and ethos of the Mile High City. Producer Paul Karolyi presents his list of the “21 Most Influential Denverites of the 21st Century” to host Bree Davi...

It’s February! The season of love. But in this month’s guide to Denver, we’re going beyond flowers and chocolate. Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producer Olivia Jewell Love join host Bree Davies to share the best things to do, see, drink, eat, and explore in and around the Mile High City this month, with some fun twists on the traditional romantic gestures — from a “herstorical” take on Henry...

Many local small business are closing their doors today joining a national strike against President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota and the killing of Alex Pretti last Saturday — and others are offering special promotions and discounts. Comedian power couple Jacob Rupp and Miriam Moreno join host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the “F--- ICE Latte” moment. Plus, an o...

One of Denver’s more conservative south suburbs is abuzz with debate over an unlikely subject — “Shrek: The Musical.” When performers in Parker incorporated a pride flag into the musical, some members of the audience complained, and officials with the Town of Parker shared their concerns with actors. But is that censorship? And more importantly, how would Lord Farquaad handle this? Comedian and co...

The president seems to have changed his mind. While the crackdown in Minneapolis is changing course, many Denverites are still debating the best way to fight back. CU Regent and small business owner Wanda James is challenging Denver’s longtime representative in Congress, Diana DeGette, because she’s got a different approach. She joins host Bree Davies to talk about the latest on the immigration cr...

Along with the rest of the country, Denverites are reeling from the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi discuss the local reactions, including from Pretti’s parents in Arvada. Plus, what’s the deal with the “Ace of Spades” cards ICE agents left on detainees cars after a traffic stop outsi...

2026 is shaping up to be a turning point year for the Democrats in Colorado. Internal disagreements on hot topics like data centers and AI threaten to divide the state’s governing party, while important June primaries for the top statewide offices have many lawmakers looking to the future. So, as the legislature convenes for what will be Gov. Jared Polis’ final session in control of the veto pen,...

The fight over safety on a stretch of Alameda Avenue in Wash Park continues — will the city’s new plan to test an ⁠altered safety plan⁠ make anyone happy? Then, rents are dropping, apartment vacancies are up, and the ⁠mayor is concerned⁠. Why? Politics contributor Deep Singh Badhesha joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to talk about the latest twist in the Alameda sage, the inflection...

New campaign finance reports just released show a combined $9 million coming in for both Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser’s gubernatorial campaigns. But where all that money is flowing from is a little murky. David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever, joins host Bree Davies to dig into the dark money dirt, as well as President Trump’s recent meddling in Colorado’s attempt t...

Anti-Trump protesters gathered outside the Capitol last Saturday, but the turnout paled in comparison to the bigger demonstrations we saw last year. Producer Paul Karolyi joins host Bree Davies to talk about the past year of anti-Trump resistance in Denver as we watch violence play out on the streets of Minneapolis. Plus, a Denver city council member has a big new idea to help out pet owners and w...

A moving company recently published data showing that fewer people are moving to Colorado than moving away — but should our state really be concerned about becoming “the New Jersey of the West”? Factors like aging, housing affordability, international migration, and falling birthrates paint a more complex picture. Host Bree Davies sits down with State Demographer Kate Watkins to discuss everything...

Will Aldi conquer Denver’s grocery market? After the national chain announced plans to open dozens of new locations in Colorado, Denverites have been champing at the bit for a new supermarket option. Then, landlords of now-closed Secret Garden Bar & Café in Cheesman Park are on the hunt for a new restaurant operator, but where does that leave union negotiations with the former staff? Green chile c...

After President Trump ordered a freeze on tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for child care and low income family support programs in Colorado, Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit against the administration to block it. Then, a judge issued a temporary restraining order, meaning the funding freeze has been halted temporarily. As this issue winds its way through the court syste...

Earlier this week, a Denver City Council committee discussed a potential proposal to ban law enforcement, including ICE agents, from wearing face coverings during arrest or deportation operations. If such legislation did pass, how would it be enforced? Then, hundreds of people showed up to a town hall meeting in December to protest the city’s use of Flock cameras — the contract with the tech surve...

It’s official: Mayor Mike Johnston confirmed that Denver is throwing its hat in the ring for the 2028 Democratic National Convention. But twenty years ago when the Mile High City previously played host to the DNC, the city and the economy looked a lot different — and the protests were big. Then, German grocery store chain Aldi is coming to Colorado — could more competition mean better prices for c...

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed his 50th lawsuit against the President Trump last week, this time pushing back on the administration’s freezing of millions in childcare funding and support for low-income families. It’s just the latest in the AG’s maneuvers to resist what he calls a “revenge campaign” by Trump against our Democrat-dominated state. Today we’re revisiting a conversation h...

An ICE officer shot and killed a Colorado woman on the streets of Minneapolis on Wednesday, sparking protests and renewed debate here in Denver over President Trump’s crackdowns on immigration and fraud. Comedian Joshua Emerson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about ICE in Denver, Trump’s retaliatory cuts to childcare and other social services, and his other recent comments...

Could Denver host the Democratic National Convention in 2028? Colorado’s Congressional Democrats already signed a letter of support for Denver’s bid, but is the Mile High City — and the local Democratic Party — a good candidate for the big event? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by Denver Post City Government Reporter Elliott Wenzler to discuss the bid. Plus, City Council appr...

After the wild ups and downs of 2025, we’re looking ahead to another crazy year. But what specific flavors of wild should Denverites expect this year? Producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love join host Bree Davies to swap their biggest and boldest predictions for the Mile High City in 2026. Plus, some bonus forecasts from a bunch of friends of the pod.  What do you think of our predictions? W...

President Donald Trump ordered an attack on Venezuela last Friday and U.S. armed forces have captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro. So, what does Denver have to do with it? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are dissecting all the local connections, from Trump citing Aurora in his justification of the attack and Governor Jared Polis’ controversial response to the possibility tha...

Nobody understands a city’s pulse quite like a City Cast host — and that makes them the best predictors for 2026’s biggest local stories. City Cast Denver host Bree Davies joins CEO David Plotz and the other 12 hosts from across the network to talk about the big changes coming to our cities, from political shifts to data centers. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning ne...

Happy new year! We’re kicking off 2026 with our monthly guide to the best of Denver, with plenty of expert and hard-won tips and tricks for making the most of this Mile High life. City Cast producer Adrian González joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the coolest stuff going on this month. Plus, Paul’s got some personal tips for enjoying everything new at the Stock Show t...

Tens of thousands of Coloradans have protested at anti-Trump rallies this year, and while most of these gatherings have been peaceful, political violence has been on the rise. KNUS conservative radio host Jeff Hunt attended many of these demonstrations throughout 2025, where he recorded self-described “gotcha”-style videos. At an anti-ICE protest in June, he was kicked in the back while recording,...