City Cast Denver

Ballots are still being counted, but there’s no doubt Colorado was definitely part of the national blue wave. How did Democrats manage to flip some of the reddest seats in the state? Today, Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler and The Lever founder and editor in chief David Sirota join producer Olivia Jewell Love to break down what happened in Boebert Country and what passage of the graduated income tax measure could mean for Colorado. Plus, City Cast Denver neighbors get a special bonus segment with a sneak peak of our upcoming Denver-est Denver Awards (grab your tickets here). The crew rounds out the show with a round of wins and fails.

Elliott mentioned the secretary of state’s website’s security breach. David brought up the Nuggets’ current record. Olivia mentioned Ameriquarium, the state fish game, that you can play here. 

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While voters delivered Democrats huge victories across the country this week, Denver voters also elected a new City Council member, Melissa Mejía, who will immediately jump into the fray. She will take her seat as the rest of City Council is deep in talks with Mayor Mike Johnston on his proposed budget for 2027, including the hotly contested line item for eviction defense. So today, we are revisiting a conversation host Bree Davies had with Mejía in 2023 when the future council member was working on eviction defense with the Colorado Economic Defense Project. 

This episode first aired on Dec. 18, 2023.

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Across the country and right here in Colorado, the blue wave materialized! Our state’s Democrats flipped seats, took historically red districts, and solidly sent eight dems to Congress. But statewide ballot measures told a different story with some surprising turns on conservative issues. Meanwhile in Denver, City Council gained another DSA-endorsed member and voters said “no” to foie gras. Producer Olivia Jewell Love and host Bree Davies dig into the results and discuss Colorado’s role in the national 2026 midterms.

Editor's note: We recorded this on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 11:30 p.m. Some of the numbers referenced in the episode may have changed by the time you're listening because votes are still being counted. Stay tuned for more analysis and perspective and check out today’s newsletter for a full breakdown of results. 

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It’s election day! Coloradans are staring down a massive ballot including propositions 134 and 135, which could have drastic impacts on transgender kids and their classmates. But this isn’t the first time voters have made decisions about the human rights of queer people – back in 1992, Amendment 2 passed, which openly allowed discrimination against the gay community. Today Ann Marie Awad and Xandra McMahon, producers and hosts of The Hate State, a limited podcast series on Colorado’s history of Amendment 2 and ongoing LGBTQ rights fights, join host Bree Davies to dig into what they found when researching Colorado’s recent past. 

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TLC dropped a trailer for “The Mad Pooper” last week, a documentary featuring appearances from Colorado Springs reporters, cops, and defecation speculators about a mystery number two-er who terrorized the city for months in 2017. Meanwhile in Castle Rock, a woman known as “the bag lady” has allegedly been accosting people at gas stations and in Walmart parking lots with a smelly scam. Our resident green chile correspondent (and current candidate for House District 5) Justine Sandoval joins host Bree Davies to discuss when a quirky community character becomes a public nuisance. 

Justine mentioned a previous City Cast Denver episode on Colorado’s biggest viral moments. 

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If you enjoyed today’s sponsored interview with Terry Mattson, CEO / President of Galena Country Tourism, learn more here.

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When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Denver. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this loose regulation is good for Texas, particularly its dense capital city, whether local benefit is a priority for manufacturers at all, and how cities can learn from Austin if a similar influx hits their streets. 

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It’s time for our monthly guide to everything awesome going on in Denver! Contributor Michelle Jackson joins producer Olivia Jewell Love and host Bree Davies to swap recommendations for cozy coffee shops, roller derby bouts, and a very special double feature showcasing untold stories from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Plus, we’re talking about our favorite ways to celebrate a Mile High Thanksgiving, including “Daddy” Bruce Randolph’s legacy food drive and some of Olivia’s personal tips for a stress-free trip through DIA. 

But wait there’s more! City Cast Denver Neighbors will get a special bonus segment with Michelle, Bree, and Olivia digging into the unique ways Denverites vote compared to other states. Get access to weekly members-only bonus segments and more perks when you sign up to become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today!

The Denver-est Denver Awards are back! Save the date and join us Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Federal Theatre as we celebrate the people, places, and unforgettable moments that made this past year truly Denver. Expect plenty of laughs, beloved celebrity guests, photo ops, and live entertainment. Check out all the details before tickets go on sale soon.

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What’s your favorite Denver Thanksgiving tradition? 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

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We’re back with part two of our conversation covering all the congressional races happening across Colorado — Republican strategist Kelly Maher and Democratic strategist and co-host of the Get More Smarter podcast Ian Silverii join host Bree Davies to talk through the Democratic Socialist insurgency on the left, what the GOP’s strategy — or lack thereof — seems to be in the state’s more conservative districts, and more. Oh, and be sure to listen to yesterday’s episode with Kelly and Ian for the first half of this conversation!

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What role will Colorado play if the anticipated “blue wave” overtakes this election? It depends on which congressional district you’re looking at. Democratic strategist and host of the Get More Smarter podcast Ian Silverii and Republican strategist Kelly Maher join host Bree Davies this week to dig into the big congressional races happening across Colorado. From the Gabe Evans vs. Manny Rutinel showdown happening in the relatively new CD8 to questions surrounding Rep. Lauren Boebert’s ability to hang on to her CD4 seat in what used to be a guaranteed red district, the trio discuss what early turnout numbers are showing, where all those unaffiliated voters’ votes are going, and what’s still to be determined by Election Day.

P.S. This conversation was a hefty one, so we’re splitting it into two. Tune in tomorrow for the second half of our conversation with Kelly and Ian!

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After years of construction, the new bus rapid transit lane is finally open on one stretch of East Colfax, creating dedicated space for the bus and less room for cars. Federal Boulevard is the next BRT project on the table, and it just received $50 million of the estimated $300 million it will need for build out. Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies to discuss what this massive infrastructure project means for businesses along the corridor. Plus, they correct and clarify a few points from our episode breaking down the statewide ballot measures last week and discuss Tina Peters’ appearance on 60 Minutes.

Patty mentioned Westword’s reporting on traveling the new version of Colfax via BRT. Bree talked about Tommy’s Thai’s new service fee model, and mentioned CPR’s coverage of the Amendment 87 lawsuit at the state supreme court and Colorado Newsline’s reporting on the Denver district court’s dismissal of the case.

Patty mentioned a forum she is moderating on the future Colorado Boulevard BRT project, happening November 12! 

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