City Cast Denver

Starting October 1st, Denverites are officially banned from watering their lawns, despite threats of fines and restrictions already being in place. But what about the state’s other big water users? Comedian, Casa Bonita performer, and regular City Cast contributor Joshua Emerson joins host Bree Davies to talk about how much water Colorado’s agriculture industry guzzles, plus they talk about the official launch of Waymo’s driverless vehicles, what a new In-N-Out Burger planned for Colorado Boulevard means for traffic, and more. 

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Summer is lingering and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy all that the Mile High City has to offer. So, how do you squeeze the last moments out of these warm days and nights? Our green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, who happens to also be the Democratic candidate for Colorado’s House District 5, joins host Bree Davies to share their fave spots to enjoy a pint and a scoop on a great patio alongside Clear Creek, catch a coaster ride for a great price, and more.

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How can Denver solve the housing affordability problem? A new poll from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Housing Forward Colorado says more than 60% of Denverites think higher density in their neighborhoods (like more duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) could be the answer. The poll shows support for a proposal soon to go before City Council – “Unlocking Housing Choices,” which aims to address this “missing middle” housing issue through zoning reform. SWEEP’s Smart Growth Senior Program Manager Max Nardo joins host Bree Davies to look at the poll results and discuss the density debate to come. 

Producer Paul Karolyi...

The Denver airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for ever...

This week Denver DSA officially endorsed current District 8 council member Shontel Lewis for mayor – a race voters won’t be deciding until next April. A new poll shows Lewis is far from a household name – is DSA making a big bet early in the season? Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler joins host Bree Davies to talk about the race, the questionable fate of a Broncos parking lot in Sun Valley, and their wins and fails of the week. Plus, a bonus segment only for City Cast Denver Neighbors about Dolly Parton’s local impact through her children’s reading...

New data centers are popping up across the country, including right here in Colorado. Many communities have concerns, including how much energy they will use and what kind of pressure they put on the grid. Xcel Energy has proposed charging these companies for any new infrastructure that could be built to support new data centers. But if that proposal doesn’t go through, will Xcel pass the buck onto consumers? Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy Colorado, joins host Bree Davies to answer that question and talk about the rising costs of electricity and gas on local households, what re...

Denver’s $200 million budget shortfall is impacting everything from city services to road repairs to our parks system – and the latest casualty could be housing, with the city’s ADU program losing a quarter million dollars. Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins host Bree Davies to discuss what the loss of public funding means for this type of affordable homes. Plus, they share information on how to not get caught with expired license plates this week and Bree rants about the AI slop creeping into local businesses.

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Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear from you, our dear listeners. They discuss what the transition from thrift store to thrift outlet means for the ARC on West Alameda, hear listener opinions on Governor Polis’ opinions, talk about the microwavable meal empire that has donated millions to the Denver art scene, and more! 

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RiNo is on the precipice of getting a second grocery store, but Sprouts Farmers Market can’t move into the former Blue Moon property without some financial help. Specifically, $500,000 from the RiNo Business Improvement District to help the developer bring the project closer to completion. RiNo has undergone quite a transformation in the last 20 years, so we are revisiting a conversation host Bree Davies had last year with Daisy Fodness-McGowan, who oversees the Rino Art District, to walk through the changes. 

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How often are you out in nature in Denver? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting, and city rivers get a particularly bad rap. It’s true that cities have had eras of sewage mishandling and high boat traffic — but many have also cleaned up their act, through the tireless work of local advocates and politicians. Portland, OR, is one of those cities, and City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza joins this episode of Your City Could Be Better to debunk the assumptions and fears about her ci...

What does Denver sound like? Many musicians have put their hearts and souls into writing songs about the Mile High City, but which tracks stand out? Denver Post entertainment reporter John Wenzel and local rappers Nelo and Wayne Watts – the artists behind their own ode to D-Town “Next Stop Denver” — joined host Bree Davies last fall to make an epic playlist of all the songs they think make up the sound of the city.

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Multiple bear spottings around the Denver metro have got some conspiracy theories swirling online; is the drought really the reason bears are wandering down into suburban areas, or could there be other factors at play? Contributor Joshua Emerson joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to do some bear myth busting with help from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and they give some tips on what to do if you encounter one! Then, local bartenders sound off on the best (and worst) drink orders, and what they say about the Denverites who order them. 

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Did the brewery scene in Denver age well? What about the whole scooter situation? Molly Smith, host of the “Did That Age Well?” podcast, joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to decide once and for all … has Denver aged well? Then, RTD created a new ambassadors program with opportunities for local riders with “strong connections to their communities” who want to make some cash. But can it help bridge the budget shortfall RTD is facing? Plus, Phoebe Bridgers is headed to Denver for a big Ball Arena show this fall, and her fans are divided. Is a stadium tour a good thing...

The state’s public health department is ordering the GEO Group to provide information about tuberculosis at an Aurora immigration detention facility, but the private corrections company has yet to comply. Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun joins politics contributor Adrian Felix in his last episode filling in as guest host to break down what’s going on at the detention center, discuss the state of downtown in light of the departure of Denver’s Chief Projects Officer Bill Mosher, and chat about the questionable international decisions made by two companies that had their start here: Crocs and Chipotle.

Patt...

Denver might not boast the same star-studded celebrity lists like LA or NYC, but the Mile High has its own group of movers and shakers that have their finger on the pulse in this city. We’re revisiting a conversation where producer Paul Karolyi and Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun sit down with host Bree Davies to hash out who they think are some of the most influential Denverites of the 21st century and why. 

Since this episode first ran on February 3, the City of Littleton approved $5.5 million in incentives for a “Peyton Manning-inspired” restaurant and event venue i...

What will Denver do when it runs out of space for trash? Madison, WI, has a plan, and it’s one that other cities could follow. What could’ve just been another county landfill, slated to open in 2027, will instead be a “sustainability campus”, where local businesses will unite to more intentionally sort incoming waste, increase recycling intake, and generally aim to slow the flow of trash. And Dane County has historically handled waste disposal in a savvy way, making big bucks off of trash collection that they then use to fund future projects like this forthcoming campus. City Cast Mad...

Veo scooters,bikes, and trikes are ready to ride on nearly every corner in Denver, but whose job is it to enforce their rules of the road? Contributor Michelle Jackson joins guest host Adrian Felix to discuss who should be accountable for scooters on the sidewalk. Then, a new program is making the ballet more accessible for everyone. Could other entertainment venues and organizations follow suit? A special members only segment dives into Denverites potentially being burned out on the mayor race already; become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today to listen! Plus, we end the week with a...

Denver is officially entering the “sando” chat. Multiple restaurants around the Mile High are now serving these Japanese milk-bread sandwiches that are just begging you to take an Instagram pic! Producer Olivia Jewell Love chats with contributors Sara Rosenthal and Adrian Felix to hear about the best places to grab one of these viral snacks and what to order. Then, a new networking app is launching in Denver touting itself as the app for “people with ridiculously high standards,” and some rumors on Instagram have people up in arms about it! Sara also brought us an updated summer list of some...

The robotaxi company Waymo has been testing cars around Denver. Last Thursday, one of the autonomous vehicles got itself stuck in the middle of BRT construction on Colfax and took awhile to get out. Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to discuss Waymo in Denver and what these cars full of cameras could mean for Flock-wary Denverites. Then, a local man is excited to invite neighbors to his “celebration of life,” even though he doesn’t have plans on dying anytime soon. The two discuss the latest trend of inviting your community to a hyper-niche event...

Rep. Alex Valdez is coming up on the term limit for his stint as the House District 5 representative, and he’s looking back on some of the highs and lows of his time under the gold dome of the Capitol. He joins guest host Adrian Felix to discuss some of his proudest moments, his regrettable votes, and what’s next for him. The two break down the “DSA takeover” of the left, as well as the future of the graduated income tax ballot initiative. Plus, Rep. Valdez shares some words of wisdom for his expected replacement, Justine Sandoval, and also wel...

The Broncos have released updated renderings of what the new development around new stadium could look like at Burnham Yard. Now, that’s got everyone thinking about what to do with the Empower Field they will leave behind. Mayor Mike Johnston has proposed affordable housing, but it seems like everyone has their own idea. Guest host Adrian Felix is joined by Michelle Jackson to brainstorm some of their ideas for the leftover stadium, plus hear some of Michelle’s hot takes on why she’s only going to one First Fridays Art Walk on Santa Fe. Plus, City Cast Denver...

As much as you love Denver, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today’s very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out.

Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-i...

Why did City Council backtrack on letting bars and nightclubs stay open to 4 a.m.? And who exactly was in favor of later let-out times in the first place? Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler joins guest host Adrian Felix to give us the scoop from inside council chambers. Elliott breaks down what happened to the new nightlife regulations, explains why council is debating a “slavery acknowledgement,” and swaps wins and fails of the week with Adrian. 

Adrian talked about wildfire smoke. Elliott mentioned Denver’s Women's World Cup hopes and the flooding on Colfax.

For e...

Gov. Jared Polis has been raising some eyebrows lately, and not just for his loud outfit at Colorado’s 150th birthday party. The outgoing governor recently joined CPR News’ Ryan Warner to discuss some of his latest controversial moves. Producer Olivia Jewell Love is joined by politics contributor Adrian Felix to discuss his comments on socialism and granting clemency to Tina Peters. Then, Colorado continues to see effects of the drought, including emergency fish salvages at reservoirs and even a dwindling supply of some of our beloved seasonal crops. Plus, Denver Water’s conservation goals seem like a shot in the...

After a bout of heavy rain in Denver last week, The Squire Lounge on Colfax was left several feet underwater, and people online are looking for someone to blame. Politics contributor Adrian Felix is filling in as host this week and is joined by Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun to break down the BRT-blame game, talk about some of their fave new businesses popping up around town, and chat about the state of media in Colorado. 

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‘Tis the season for sweet and icy treats! From a classic mangonada to innovative ice cream nachos, we’ve rounded up a list of great local spots to cool down with delicious desserts. Former food contributor Helen Xu joined host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love last summer to share their picks for the best places to indulge in cold, sugary goodness and make the most of this sweltering summer.

This episode first ran on June 5, 2025. 

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Fol...

Do you know how zoning laws affect Denver’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall buildings downtown, even for housing — that is, until the local government finally aligned to overturn it. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with Eli Sabin, a New Haven native and one of the alders (aka city council members) responsible for passing this change in recent months. Eli spent years working toward this goal, and he talks with David about what now needs to happen to fully realize its pote...

We’re in the thick of the summer season! There’s no end to the high temps in sight, so how do you stay cool and keep your sanity? Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval and man about town Adrian Felix join host Bree Davies to share their picks for everything to do, see, eat, drink and explore this August – like paddleboarding at the Soda Lakes to catching a chill event at your fave air-conditioned Denver Public Library branch. 

Got plans tonight? Be sure to RSVP for Good Trouble Conversations: Changing Lanes Documentary Screening & Panel tonight featuring host Bree Da...

You know that busted old, abandoned home down the block? City officials revamped the regulations around these neglected properties last year with the hope of cleaning them up and stopping the drain on public resources. But according to a new report from the Denver Post, there are still some issues around enforcement, including a loophole one local investor, John Crays, has been exploiting to acquire derelict properties and sell them for a profit. In light of this ongoing quagmire, we’re revisiting a conversation host Bree Davies had with then-Westword reporter Catie Cheshire last June about why these abandoned pr...

The CoreSite data center in Elyria-Swansea is nearly complete, and some skeptical neighbors are already starting to see their concerns manifest at the 170,000-square foot facility. Early worries about environmental and noise pollution are starting to come to fruition, with nearby residents reporting low-frequency generator noises. One local science teacher is even using a grant to study the noise around the site, according to CPR News’ climate reporter Sam Brasch. So, we’re revisiting a conversation from last fall when host Bree Davies sat down with Brasch to talk through everything he had learned about AI data centers.

Th...

Denverites will vote in both a special election in November and municipal election in April as at-large councilmember Sarah Parady steps down from her seat for health reasons. Will candidates want to run twice for the same job? And will voters have the appetite to pick twice from an already crowded field? Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to explain the many complications of this important seat, plus they speculate on why the city and the state are both throwing money at ski industry behemoth Alterra and what it means for RiNo and downtown. Then, Bree...

Colfax Avenue is undoubtedly one of Denver’s most infamous and storied streets. It’s got so much gritty charm that it’s practically a rite of passage for local journalists to cover  the strip’s unique weirdness in some way or another. So for our annual live show at the Colfax Ave BID’s Indie Bash last week, we challenged our friends at Denverite to a trivia contest to see once and for all, who knows Colfax best? Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun came up with a batch of tough questions, and we recorded the whole thing in its hilario...

It’s not a given that every Denverite will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional incentives could be the missing link in traditional systems of donations and volunteering. Inspired by a waste exchange program in Curitiba, Brazil, Lahey is working to create circular systems that effectively incentivize donations and just as effectively get them into the hands of those who need them. When investment and morale are low, sometimes an unconventional approach is the right way to go.

Want to hear yo...

For a long time, Mexican food in Denver was seen as an unchangeable, untouchable cuisine. While Den-Mex is still king, local chefs are breaking with tradition and plating up fresh twists on everything from tacos to pozole to birria. In this conversation from last summer, cook and influencer Mario Martinez shares with host Bree Davies how the city’s changing tastes are being reflected everywhere from award-winning fine dining establishments to parking lot food trucks.

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On Tuesday night, Mayor Mike Johnston delivered his annual State of the City address, which included a pilot program for universal childcare, plans for supporting developers in building 20,000 housing units across Denver, and more. Will listening sessions and task forces lead to a more affordable city? Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler was at the speech and is on today with host Bree Davies to parse the details – or lack thereof – in the mayor’s major plans. Then they discuss Council member Shontel Lewis’s entrance into the 2027 mayor’s race, what the democratic socialism wave could mean for Denver...

Denverites can’t seem to stop watering their lawns. Amid a drought, Denver Water says they’ve asked customers to cut water usage by 20%, yet the city is “far behind” on that goal so far. Could government intervention, better incentives, or higher fees be the answer to shutting off the taps? Editor and founder of The Lever David Sirota joins host Bree Davies to talk through our 99 water problems, plus they look at the new draft plans for the Colorado Connector aka CoCo aka Front Range Passenger Rail – what it could cost, where it would go, and when it could be i...

Gov. Jared Polis popped up on both CNN and Fox News this weekend to talk about his unfavorable view of socialism. In the wake of democratic socialist Melat Kiros winning the Democratic primary in Congressional District 1, is Colorado’s outgoing governor out of step with Denverites? Green Chile correspondent Justine Sandoval chats with host Bree Davies about Polis’s comments, plus the tuberculosis cases, mail issues, and recent shooting at the Geo Group’s immigration detention facility in Aurora. 

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Sure, the new BRT line gets all the headlines these days as transit construction dominates Colfax, but this corridor is always changing. From new businesses opening (and some beloved spots closing) to the hundreds of apartment units coming to the lots that dot the strip, there’s so much to talk about. Frank Locantore, executive director of the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District (a sponsor of this show), takes host Bree Davies on a walking tour of the famous street during a sweltering summer day to show and tell it all – including his desire to see affordable housing be inco...

Sometimes it can feel like the Denver government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (litera...

Could the 16th Street shuttle disappear for good? As RTD grapples with a quarter-billion dollar budget shortfall, dozens of light rail lines, bus routes, and shuttle services could be on the chopping block. Public transit fan and City Cast Denver regular Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies to talk about RTD’s uncertain future. They also open the mailbag to hear from listeners about everything from farmers markets to apple pie, and, of course, share their wins and fails of the week. Plus, a bonus segment only for City Cast Denver Neighbors about an Instagram influencer from Australia who re...