Clouds of pot smoke will undoubtedly be billowing above the annual 420 festival in Civic Center Park this Saturday, but the big downtown concert is far from the only way to celebrate the high holiday. Host Bree Davies sits down with producer Olivia Jewell Love and our politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to share their best bets for the most over-the-top local drinks, meals, and desserts to satisfy your munchies (or if you’re just craving a fun food adventure!) Plus, Olivia shares your responses to her request for Denver’s best nachos.  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 What do you think is the best “over the top” dish 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Museum of Outdoor Arts presents “La Primavera Festival”
PineMelon
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A 420 Friendly Guide to Denver’s Best Munchies

Join Host Bree Davies and the City Cast Denver crew every weekday morning as we celebrate, explore, and challenge an ever-changing Denver. It’s the daily news podcast for all Denverites — whether you’ve been here for six months or six generations. We’ll break down the news you need (and want) to know with journalists and culture makers; activists and artists; neighbors and ne’er-do-wells — and John Elway, if he ever returns our calls. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/denver.
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Daily News

It’s Friday and we’re rounding up the news of the week. First, Kyle Clark’s stellar performance as a moderator for the Congressional District 4 debates caught the attention of Jimmy Kimmel, so we had to ask him about it. The 9News anchor also joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the Colorado GOP’s weird week involving the slandering of Pride and a friendly nod to the Westboro Baptist Church. Then, an epic city council sidewalk disappointment, a celebration of the zipper merge, and more wins and fails of the week. 
 We talked about our special series Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose, as well as both Kyle and Bree’s interviews with congressional district candidate Valdamar Archuleta. Kyle mentioned 9News’ review of the handling of the initial investigation into Elijah McClain’s death and Paul shouted out Representative Steph Vigil’s legislation supporting gig workers. Bree talked about American Culture’s show this weekend at D3 Arts — and you can hear “Hey Brother, It’s Been a While”, the band’s latest release on Bandcamp. 
 For more on the Westboro Baptist Church, Paul recommends this interview with former Westboro member Megan Phelps-Roper. It’s from a podcast he produced a few years ago, hosted by the badass local pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.  
 What do you think about Kyle Clark’s performance at the CD4 debate last week? 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 episode:
Central City Opera
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
Museum of Outdoor Arts 
PineMelon

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Kyle Clark on His Big Week, the GOP’s Pride Fail, and Zipper Merge Fever!

This week, the Colorado GOP sent out an email with the subject line, “God Hates Pride.” The email, containing a picture of a laser-eyed Jesus over a pride flag with the phrase “God Hates Flags”, saw a lot of pushback online — even from within the party. One of the most outspoken critics of the email is Valdamar Archuleta, a gay Republican running to represent Denver in Congress. In a video posted to X, Archuleta condemns the email and rejects the Colorado GOP’s endorsement of his campaign. He joins host Bree Davies to talk about why he felt the email went too far and whether he still feels welcome in his own party. Bree mentioned a CPR News story on the Colorado GOP’s attack on Pride Month; she also talked about the myths around statistics of people who actually perpetrate sex crimes against children.  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 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 episode:
Central City Opera
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
Museum of Outdoor Arts 
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

Why a Gay Republican in Denver is Rejecting His Own Party's Endorsement

For two summers in a row, RTD ran its “Zero Fare for Better Air” free transit promotion to combat emissions. This year riders won’t be so lucky, with state funding for the program going elsewhere. That could be the least of Denverites’ worries however, with multiple central light rail lines downtown being shut down over the next few months for maintenance. And what about Governor Polis’ dream of a Front Range Passenger Rail? CPR growth and transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor joins host Bree Davies to breakdown these big transit stories, plus dig into concerns over a new law targeting cell phone usage while driving and more. Nate’s story on pedestrian activist Phyllis Mack: https://denverite.com/2024/05/17/honoring-late-denver-pedestrian-activist-phyllis-mack/ 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 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 episode:
Central City Opera
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
Museum of Outdoor Arts 

 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

Goodbye Free Fares, Front Range Rail Dreams Deferred, and Banning Cell Phones

Some residents living within smelling distance of the Nestlé Purina PetCare plant in Elyria-Swansea have had enough, and have filed a class action lawsuit against the global enterprise. Could the operation’s odiferous offenses be bad enough to be considered unlawful? Then, Governor Polis signed HB 1051 into law last week, taking aim at the predatory towing practices of Wyatts Towing in particular. Host Bree Davies is joined by Westword editor Patty Calhoun to talk the gentrification of stinky air issues, private business-specific legislation, carpetbagger Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, and more news of the week. Bree mentioned a previous episode about Senator Julie Gonzales’ towing woes and Skyler McKinley’s deep dive into the history and water-conscious future of Riverside Cemetery. Patty talked about her co-ownership of the Wonder View Tower, which resides in congressional district 4.    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 
 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 episode:
Central City Opera
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
Museum of Outdoor Arts 
PineMelon

 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

Odor in the Court! Plus, Predatory Towing Crackdown and a Carpetbagger in Congress

Primary ballots hit mailboxes this week! A record number of incumbents are having to defend their seats, and fundraising numbers are through the roof. Some interesting patterns are emerging too, as both the Democrats and Republicans are seeing more division within their own parties. Colorado Politics statehouse reporter Marianne Goodland joins host Bree Davies to talk about the hottest primary battles to watch, where the money is coming and going, and why so many politicians are eager to oust colleagues from their own parties.  Bree mentioned our previous interview with House District 4 Representative Tim Hernández. 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 Which primaries are you watching? We want to know what 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 episode:
Central City Opera
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
Museum of Outdoor Arts 

 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

A 420 Friendly Guide to Denver’s Best Munchies

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