City Cast Denver

City Cast

Denver’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday at 6 a.m.

  • 31 minutes 3 seconds
    Senate Candidate Julie Gonzales on Sexism in the Democratic Party, Working With Trump, and Being a Horse Girl

    Coloradans are increasingly disillusioned with traditional political institutions, including the Democratic Party, which polled at 68% unfavorable in a recent Magellan Strategies survey. So why did current State Senator Julie Gonzales, once a darling of the Democratic Socialists of America, decide to run for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat? Gonzales joins host Bree Davies to discuss her relationship with her party, where she sees opportunities to work with Trump, and how her approach would differ from her opponent, incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper.

    We’ve invited Hickenlooper to come on the pod to discuss his campaign soon. What should we ask him about? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    Today is the last day to vote for the finalists of the Denver-est Denver Awards! Your vote will determine the winners of Best Artist, Best Small Business, Biggest Win, and more. And don’t forget to buy your ticket to the show on Dec. 18 and see the winners announced live on stage at The Oriental Theater. Vote here and get your tickets now!

    Help us hit the goal for our year-end membership drive! You’ll get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor. Enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm 

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 15th episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    15 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Insider Dems Dirty Dealings, RTD’s Disability Access Lawsuit, and the NWSL Stadium Subsidy Vote

    After the announcement of State Sen. Julie Gonzales’ bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, stories emerged alleging Democratic Party insiders tried to deter her from running. Comedian Joshua Emerson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dissect the details of Hick’s primary strategy, as well as Denver’s questionable new homeless service provider contracts, disability activists’ lawsuit against RTD, and more wins and fails of the week. 

    Help us hit the goal for our year-end membership drive! You’ll get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor. Enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm 

    Vote for the finalists of the Denver-est Denver Awards! Your vote will determine the winners of Best Artist, Best Small Business, Biggest Win, and more. And don’t forget to buy your ticket to the show on Dec. 18 and see the winners announced live on stage at The Oriental Theater. Vote here and get your tickets now!

    Paul quoted this Denver Post reporting on RTD’s on-time performance, in which buses “lagged at 83%” as of July of 2025 (On-time performance for light rail recovered to 91% this year). Paul also discussed the Sports Castle and the Denver Summit FC stadium vote.  We mentioned Atlantis ADAPT’s lawsuit against RTD and multiple stories on Denver’s homeless shelter contracts from Denverite’s Kyle Harris. Bree talked about Westwood resident Norma Brambila. Joshua discussed a new Native community-focused housing and healthcare building.

    What do you think about the Hickenlooper vs. Gonzales race? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Watch clips from the show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver or Instagram @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 12th episode:

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    12 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 42 minutes 26 seconds
    A Very Mile High Holiday Gift Guide

    What gift do you get the Denverite who seems to have everything? Or your friend who suddenly became a minimalist and has, like, no material possessions? Fear not, the Mile High is filled with exciting and unique potential gifts — from newly released books from great local authors to quirky classes they can take! Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Olivia Jewell Love and content creator/political candidate Rayna Kingston to share recommendations for some of the best gifts you can find around Denver this holiday season. 

    Help us hit the goal for our year-end membership drive! You’ll get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor. Enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm 

    Vote for the finalists of the Denver-est Denver Awards! Your vote will determine the winners of Best Artist, Best Small Business, Biggest Win, and more. And don’t forget to buy your ticket to the show on Dec. 18 and see the winners announced live on stage at The Oriental Theater. Vote here and get your tickets now!

    Where do you like to shop local for holiday gifts? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    Rayna mentioned these thrifting accounts for bundled gifts: @thriftgirlieclub and @cherrypickedthreads_. Olivia mentioned some of the neurodivergent friendly programming happening at the Autism Community Store. 

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 11th episode:


    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    11 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 35 minutes 49 seconds
    What Did Denver Eat This Year? Martinis, Ham Sandwiches, and Pickled Everything

    Creative takes on the classic martini, pickles on pizza, and … a hotly contested debate over the tipped minimum wage? It was an up and down year for Denverites looking for a good meal at a fair price. ⁠Westword food and drink editor Molly Martin⁠ returns to talk about all the hottest trends, most exciting new restaurants, biggest stories, and best bites of the year with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi. 

    Help us hit the goal for our year-end membership drive! You’ll get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor.  Enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at ⁠https://membership.citycast.fm⁠ 

    ⁠Vote for the finalists⁠ of the Denver-est Denver Awards! Your vote will determine the winners of Best Artist, Best Small Business, Biggest Win, and more. And don’t forget to ⁠buy your ticket⁠ to the show on Dec. 18 and see the winners announced live on stage at The Oriental Theater. ⁠Vote here⁠ and ⁠get your tickets⁠ now!

    What was your best bite of the year? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    Some of the great places we mentioned:

    Paul mentioned ⁠the saga of Clever Girl⁠ and the ⁠record low amount⁠ of American adults who say they drink alcohol. 

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at ⁠denver.citycast.fm⁠.

    Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@citycastdenver⁠

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: ⁠r/CityCastDenver⁠

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 10th episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at⁠ citycast.fm/advertise⁠

    10 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 37 minutes 7 seconds
    Hickenlooper’s New Challenger, RTD’s Rocky Road Ahead, and Secret Influence Over Alameda Ave.?

    State Sen. Julie Gonzales announced yesterday that she’s challenging John Hickenlooper for his seat in the U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a very Denver Democratic primary next June. So, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about how this race reflects the broader divide within the Democratic Party, from Gonzales and Hickenlooper’s respective policy achievements to their approaches to resisting President Trump. Plus, internal city documents reveal just how much influence a wealthy neighbor had over the change to DOTI’s traffic calming plans for Alameda Avenue, and we respond to listener feedback on our interview with RTD CEO Debra Johnson.

    Bree mentioned the potential redesign of the cloverleaf interchange at Federal Boulevard and Colfax Avenue.

    Help us hit the goal for our year-end membership drive! You’ll get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor.  Enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm 

    Vote for the finalists of the Denver-est Denver Awards! Your vote will determine the winners of Best Artist, Best Small Business, Biggest Win, and more. And don’t forget to buy your ticket to the show on Dec. 18 and see the winners announced live on stage at The Oriental Theater. Vote here and get your tickets now!

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    What do you think about Gonzales vs. Hickenlooper? Who will you vote for? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 9th episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    9 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 25 minutes 46 seconds
    Our Best Bets for Mile High Family Fun This Holiday Season

    ‘Tis the season for holiday markets, ugly sweater parties, and pop-up bars aplenty — but what about the kids? Where do parents and caregivers take the little ones to have fun without breaking the bank? Last year, host Bree Davies sat down with fellow parents Linnea Covington, managing editor at DiningOut, and David Gilbert, writer and local history buff, to come up with a killer list of fun and affordable ways to keep kiddos entertained — from seasonal light displays to free visits with Santa and more.

    Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm 

    Bree mentioned a video of the old, elaborate holiday displays at the long-demolished Buckingham Square in Aurora.

    What’s your favorite thing to do with the fam over the holidays? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    There are plenty of things to do for adults, too! Check out our events calendar plus even more news from around the city by subscribing to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm 

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 8th episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    8 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    $5 for a House in Congress Park? Plus, Sen. Winter’s Complicated Legacy and Why China Loves ‘Colorado’

    State Sen. Faith Winter was killed in a car accident last week, and the internet is buzzing with heartfelt tributes, but also rumors about the circumstances and some really nasty speculation. So how should we make terms with her multifaceted legacy? Congressional candidate Melat Kiros joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about Faith Winter and alcohol at the Capitol. Plus, a new local startup wants to sell you a house for $5, a viral video is sparking heated conversations about refugees in Aurora, and the hottest fashion trend in China is “Colorado”? And as always, we wrap with our wins and fails of the week. 

    Paul mentioned Troy Guard’s new restaurant and his previous comments about Denver’s restaurant scene, as well as a new exhibit at History Colorado and this New Yorker article about America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Bree talked about the federal funding cuts for housing, and a cool new building on Speer.

    What do you think about the new real estate sweepstakes? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Watch clips from the show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver or Instagram @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 5th episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    5 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 44 minutes 53 seconds
    And the Nominees Are… Vote Now for the 2025 Denver-est Denver Awards!

    We’re celebrating all the Rocky Mountain highs and lows of the year by giving our the inaugural Denver-est Denver Awards! Join us on Dec. 18 for special celebrity guests, live music, comedy, and a formal awards presentation to the Best Artist of the Year, the Best Bar/Restaurant, the Biggest Win, and more. We received hundreds of heartfelt nominations and today on the podcast, host Bree Davies and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love reveal the finalists for our six categories. Now it’s up to you to vote for the winners! Who will you pick for the Denver-est Denverite of the Year?

    Vote for the finalists now! And get your tickets for the party on Dec. 18 at The Oriental Theater!

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    What do you think of the finalists? Tell us who you’re voting for and why! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your message on the show: 720-500-5418

    If you enjoyed the sponsored segment conversation with Maya Osterman-Van Grack, the Executive Director of Programs for Mirror Image, and their Community Engagement Manager, Michael Board, learn more here.

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 4th episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    4 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 42 minutes 29 seconds
    RTD’s CEO Debra Johnson on Lagging Ridership, a Looming Budget Crunch, and Denver’s Car Culture

    Denver’s public transit agency RTD has had a rough couple of years. Almost a full year of track maintenance and slowdowns led to a nearly 20% decline in light rail ridership, but ridership across the network overall is down, too. With even more light rail maintenance expected in the next few years, RTD’s budget is projected to hit multi-billion deficits in the early 2030s. So what’s the plan to get back on track? And if the answer is more money, who will pay? RTD CEO and General Manager joins producer Paul Karolyi to discuss what she thinks the biggest problems are, her plan for the budget deficit, and what she does when her train is late. 

    Paul referenced Nate Minor’s reporting for CPR about the senior leaders who left RTD in recent years and quoted the emailed statement Johnson shared with the Denver Post for this recent story. Johnson quoted some recent data on ridership numbers and talked about RTD’s new tap-to-pay technology. 

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    What do you think should be done to improve RTD? We want to hear from you! Would you pay higher sales taxes? Or would you prefer to pay more at parking meters? Or do you think RTD is going well enough as it is? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 3rd episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    3 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 31 minutes 13 seconds
    Is Colorado Having a Shoplifting Crisis? Plus, the Tipping Debate Returns and the Scoop on a New Museum

    A fleet of 600 drones is putting on a holiday light show every night over downtown Denver, but that’s not the only big new idea Denverites have for downtown. Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the Museum of Ice Cream, giant TV screens, the latest developments for the Denver Pavilions, and more. Plus, a new report finds that Colorado is suffering from record high levels of shoplifting. But is it a crisis? And will lawmakers act? And finally, Edgewater is poised to modify their minimum wage rules, and Mayor Johnston is reportedly interested in doing the same in Denver. Can he convince City Council?

    What do you think is Denver’s Word of the Year 2025? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

    For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.


    Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

    Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver


    Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

    Learn more about the sponsors of this December 2nd episode:

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    2 December 2025, 10:00 am
  • 29 minutes 48 seconds
    Your Guide to December 2025 in Denver

    The days are getting short and the nights are getting long, but Denver is already feeling the holiday spirit. And we’re back with our monthly guide to the best of Denver. That means we’ve got plenty of recs for how to make the most of your Mile High December, from a cozy greasy spoon cafe in Lakewood to a Christmas-y comedy show sure to make you bust a gut. 

    If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Denver community. 

    Also, check out Market in the Park-et’s Sweater Fest this weekend! It’s a great place to get started on your holiday shopping, and we’re sponsoring the “Beautiful Sweater Contest” — Send us your pics!

    For even more tips on how to make the most of December in Denver, check out our newsletter Hey Denver’s take on what to do this month. 

    If you enjoyed today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here. Check out their upcoming events below!

    Learn more about the other sponsors of this December 1st episode:

    And we’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more membership.citycast.fm about how to become a member of City Cast Denver.

    Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here citycast.fm/advertise. 

    Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at [email protected] 

    Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our xoptions for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

    1 December 2025, 11:00 am
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