What better time than the holidays for another round of the age-old Denver debate of old vs. new? We’re looking back at the biggest stories of the week, from the Landmark Preservation Commission’s ruling on the fate of two rundown yet historic East Colfax mansions to the latest moves to block the construction of new gas stations in Lakewood and Denver. Stand-up comedian and returning guest JD Lopez joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love and brings a heaping helping of holiday hijinks to our last Friday news round-up of the year. And of course, we close it out with a special Xmas edition of our wins and fails of the week: The Naughty and Nice List. 

What’s the historic building you’d hit the streets to defend? 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

How diverse were City Cast Denver’s guests this year? Paul discussed our 2024 diversity report, which we are proud to share every year. 

We are hiring! Are you a great writer who loves Denver? Or do you know such a person? We are looking for a temporary newsletter writer to be the voice of our newsletter Hey Denver. Here’s the link to apply: https://apply.workable.com/city-cast/j/FF0BF9E3A1/

Paul referenced this story about Christmas lights in Castle Rock and the anonymous governors poll. Olivia talked about cows and Arvada’s toppled tree. JD talked about local comedian David Germain and the GoFundMe for his family. 

UPDATE: After we recorded this episode on Thursday morning, an ICE spokesperson said that 16 people have been arrested in connection with the armed home invasion and kidnapping at The Edge at Lowry apartments. "They are suspected of being members or associates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua," the spokesperson said. "They will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings or hearings before an immigration judge."

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/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 20th episode:

• Meow Wolf - Use code 4PACK at checkout when you purchase your tickets online.
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• Denver Health
• University of Denver

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What really goes down inside the shadowy backroom where political deals are made? Nearly a third of our state lawmakers have been elected by small groups of party leaders known as “vacancy committees,” and typically all that wheeling and dealing plays out behind closed doors. So today, as about 110 Democrats in central Denver prepare to elect a replacement for State Sen. Chris Hansen, we’re taking you inside the proverbial shadowy backroom. Our newest politics correspondent Deep Singh Badhesha is on with producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the latest drama surrounding vacancy committees and share highlights, analysis, and predictions from the debate they moderated Tuesday night for the candidates running to replace Hansen in the SD31 vacancy election. 

Paul mentioned Monica VanBuskirk’s shoes, which were made by Nix & Ness. 

The Denver Democrats streamed the debate on YouTube, so if you want to watch and see for yourself what we’re talking about, you can find the video recording here. To hear from Hansen himself, he sat for an interview about his surprise resignation with Denver7 last month. 

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? 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 19th episode:

• Meow Wolf - Use code 4PACK at checkout when you purchase your tickets online.
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• Denver Health
• University of Denver

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With food prices on the rise, it was a challenging year for Denverites who love to eat. But who are we to back down from a challenge! Westword food & drink editor Molly Martin and contributor Jake Browne join producer Paul Karolyi to talk about 2024’s most exciting new restaurants, biggest trends, saddest closings, and their best bites of the year. Plus, a round of predictions for 2025.

Do you have a prediction for how Denverites will eat and drink in 2025? We want to hear it! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬

Molly mentioned her recent list of Denver’s top 100 restaurants and her article comparing local bagel prices. Paul mentioned this New York Times article on how the junk food industry is responding to the rise of Ozempic. If you haven’t heard it already, don’t miss the episode Paul mentioned about Jake’s experience at BRUTØ. 

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 18th episode:

• Meow Wolf - Use code 4PACK at checkout when you purchase your tickets online.
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• Denver Health
• University of Denver

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New data from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business shows that Colorado’s economy — once a national leader — took a big turn this year, with our GDP growth ranking 41st in the country. Maybe that’s why Governor Jared Polis was so eager to take a literal table saw to a pile of regulations last week? Stand-up comic Joshua Emerson joins producer Paul Karolyi to dig into the data. Plus, we want your help picking Denver’s Word of the Year! And we respond to a listener’s fiery hot take on Denver’s proposed flavored tobacco ban.

Paul also mentioned this report saying Colorado is the 6th most regulated state in the country and Vivek Ramaswamy’s response to Gov. Polis’s latest stunt. 

What do you think should be Denver’s Word of the Year? Paul put out the call on the Denver subreddit, but we think you can do better! Text us or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

City Cast Denver is hiring! We’re looking for a temporary newsletter editor to join our team starting in March. So if you’re a great writer who loves Denver (or know someone who might fit the bill), here’s the link to apply: https://apply.workable.com/city-cast/j/FF0BF9E3A1/

Go see Joshua’s fantastic new documentary! For the latest info on planned screenings at Mutiny Information Cafe and the Buntport Theater, follow him on Instagram. He’s also crowdfunding for support finishing the movie and getting more people to see it. You can pitch in here. 

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 17th episode:

• Meow Wolf - Use code 4PACK at checkout when you purchase your tickets online.
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• Denver Health
• University of Denver

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While they may seem like a long-forgotten exploit of our Wild West history, bank robberies are a big problem in Colorado right now. Over the past few years, the local FBI office has cracked down and cut our annual bank robbery total from a nation-leading 191 in 2021 to 104 in 2023. But that still ranks Colorado third in the country behind Illinois and California! So why is this particular crime so prevalent here? And what does a modern bank robbery even look like? Host Bree Davies sits down with Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver office, to understand how he’s working with Denver metro area police to stop bank robberies. 

Mark talked about Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, a program that community members can contact any time if they have information on unsolved crimes in the area. Bree mentioned the recent local case of the “penguin bandit.” 

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

Why do you think so many bank robberies happen in Colorado? We’d love to hear your thoughts. 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 16th episode:

• Meow Wolf - Use code 4PACK at checkout when you purchase your tickets online.
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• Denver Health
• University of Denver

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Denver take the lead and embrace housing density? Or will car lovers prevail and get their coveted parking spots? It’s Friday, and we’re looking back at the news of the week — including Mayor Mike Johnston’s new plan for eliminating minimum parking requirements and CPR’s explosive story on RTD CEO Debra Johnson reportedly “despising” Denver. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by fave guest Deep Singh Badhesha to dig into these parking and the messy politics of transit, as well as the Nuggets’ stinker of a loss, Elon Musk’s comments on a Denver Water project, and more wins and fails of the week. 

Join Paul and Deep next Tuesday, December 17, at Town Hall Collaborative for some festive holiday fun and a live debate with candidates vying for the Senate District 31 vacancy. We’re bringing this traditionally secretive vacancy process out of the shadows! RSVP for free to save yourself a seat!

What do you think about the mayor’s proposal to remove parking minimums? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬

Paul talked about our show with CU Denver professor Ken Schroeppel about why he thinks Denver should enact parking maximums; he also discussed RTD’s new tap-to-pay system. Bree mentioned the passing of Barnum gardener and resident Kurtis Keele, the screening of Joshua Emerson’s documentary this weekend and his crowdfunding campaign, and the Latkes and Lights event at the JCC. Deep talked about the Nuggets’ embarrassing loss and the potential implications of Albertsons pulling out of the merger with Kroger in Oregon.

 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/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 13th episode:

• Office of Climate Action
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• CAP Management

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the big City Cast Denver Year-in-Review Spectacular! Who had the biggest year in Denver? Who made the news for all the wrong reasons? And really, where does Mayor Mike Johnston’s jacket sit in the competition for “Most Denver-est” person, place, or thing of 2024? From a massive W for YIMBYs and land-use nerds to thirsty politicians trying anything to go viral, we’re looking back at this year in the Mile High City. Host Bree Davies and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love share their thoughts on Denver’s biggest wins, most epic flops, and greatest moments in the year that was.

What do you think was the biggest win of the year in Denver? 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 12th episode:

• Office of Climate Action
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• CAP Management

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered in her family’s home in Boulder in 1996, the story made national headlines. Almost 30 years later, the death remains unsolved but the true crime machine has consumed it, producing endless speculation, conspiracy theories, and plenty of sensational media coverage. This month, Netflix released “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey,” putting Colorado and this gruesome crime once again in the spotlight. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by regular guest Justine Sandoval to dig into the controversy around the coverage of this murder and discuss why yet another documentary doesn’t seem to bring anything new to a case that is still unsolved.

We discussed the footage from Geraldo Rivera’s “mock trial” in 1997, but neglected to mention Westword’s report that Rivera recently apologized to John Ramsey for the episode. 

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 JonBenet Ramsey and the true-crime machine? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬

If you enjoyed the interview with Ethan Hemming, the President and CEO of Warren Village, learn more here.

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

• Office of Climate Action
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• CAP Management

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Tuesday, and we’re talking about the biggest stories of the week. First, Mayor Mike Johnston is poised to reverse one of his predecessor’s most controversial decisions and approve City Council’s proposal to ban sales of flavored tobacco, including Zyn. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the changing politics of bubble gum vape juice, as well as some ongoing pizza drama and hear listeners responses to our conversation about CPR’s Caring for Denver investigation. 

Paul discussed the Colorado Sun’s reporting on Beau Jo’s 50th anniversary in 2023 and our episode about the new Zyn plant being built in Aurora and Gov. Polis’s comments about that plant. 

What do you think about the proposed flavored tobacco ban? 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 10th episode:

• Office of Climate Action
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• CAP Management

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Jared Polis is finally turning his attention to an issue guaranteed to divide Denverites: transportation. Last month, he published a beefy new document laying out his vision for how he wants to change the way Coloradans get around over. His ambitious goals over the next decade include reducing the climate impacts of driving, getting more people out of their cars, and making public transit more efficient and useful. So what will this all mean for Denverites’ everyday lives? Southwest Energy Efficiency Project’s Transportation and Land Use Policy Manager Matt Frommer joins host Bree Davies to break down the plan and speculate about how Polis might try to achieve his lofty new goals. 

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? 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:

• Office of Climate Action
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery
• CAP Management

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Friday and we’re looking back at the biggest stories of the week. First, a big new investigation from CPR reveals that a foundation meant to support mental health and substance use treatment problems may be sending millions in taxpayer dollars to some potentially shady places. Then, the new plan for Civic Center Park has sparked controversy over a proposed modern redesign of the historic space. Host Bree Davies is joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval and Westword staff writer Catie Cheshire to dig the oversight scandal and the park plans, as well as the sad ending of Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs, the Parade of Lights turning 50, and more wins and fails of the week.

By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Denver bridges gaps and connects the dots in Denver. Become a member today to support local journalism that connects. 

Catie mentioned fellow Westword writer Jason Heller’s piece digging into the latest chapter in the Tattered Cover saga and a new book on Nikola Jokić from former Denver Post reporter Mike Singer. Justine talked about the new Engines Off For Food Trucks program.

What do you think about the plans for Civic Center Park? We want to hear your take! 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/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 6th episode:

• BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST
• Unit E Records
• Colfax Ave BID
• Office of Climate Action
• Coloradogives.org
• PineMelon - Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $35 off your first delivery

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices