City Cast Denver

It’s Friday and we’re digging into all the local stories that mattered this week. First, this week’s influx of Central and South American migrants has put Denver’s shelter system to the test. So, how is the city handling hundreds of arrivals each day, on top of our existing crisis of unhoused people? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by artist Diego Florez-Arroyo to talk through the current migrant situation, along with Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week — which include a bright spot in the ongoing predatory towing industry saga, the epic bummer that is “Red Pant Man,” and a brief foray into the life of an artist under capitalism. 

Catch the debut of Cuauhtémoczin, Diego’s first play, at the Holiday Theater this weekend. 

Looking for ways to support migrants arriving in Denver? Check out the City’s list of donation needs and employment opportunities. 

Paul mentioned DIA’s new growth plans, Denver’s latest response to the increase in migrant arrivals, the “radical” idea to fix towing, and people driving up mountains. Bree talked about Red Pant Man. 

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Are food halls officially over? Axios Denver reports that food halls across the Denver metro are closing or being sold. Is this the end of an era? Or a post-pandemic blip? It’s Thursday, so newsletter editor and resident foodie Peyton Garcia joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to talk food halls and all the latest dining news. Then, Peyton shares some cool events happening this weekend, and the crew picks our official City Cast Denver “Maybe,” as in maybe you’ll see us there. 

Here are links to all the events Peyton mentioned: 

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It’s been more than a month since RTD’s Zero Fare For Better Air promotion beckoned riders to just get on the bus. So, did they? And what about the Johnston administration throwing around the idea of banning all vehicles from making right turns at red lights? Oh, and Governor Polis is getting giddy about a Front Range-serving rail system — but do voters have the appetite for another train project? Host Bree Davies brought these hot topics and more to returning fave, CPR’s growth and transit reporter Nathaniel Minor, for a deeper look behind the big transportation headlines of the last few weeks. 

Check out Nate’s reporting on the dangers of the trend toward bigger, heavier cars (and the possible legislation being proposed to address it), his ride-along with Polis on the possible Front Range train of the future, and the ongoing woes of RTD’s funding for FasTracks.

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Mayor Mike Johnston says he plans to house 1,000 people before the end of 2023, and so far he’s got 119, according to his new dashboard. But some people are already getting mad about it. Producer Paul Karolyi talked to a handful of people behind the scenes and things are, well, complicated. Then, host Bree Davies connects dots in the latest legal entanglements involving school board vice president Auon'tai Anderson, two DPS parents, and Colorado’s new social media law. Plus, a listener responds to our conversation about Colorado’s biggest polluters. 

Paul discussed Westword’s reporting on the pushback to proposed micro-communities in Holly Hills and the Golden Triangle. Bree mentioned the LGBTQ community’s boycott of Florida orange juice in the late ’70s and Anita Bryant’s pie-in-the-face TV moment, as well as Theo Wilson’s comments on this podcast in defense of DPS board vice president Anderson.

Become a member of City Cast Denver today! If you like the podcast and want to keep it going strong for years to come, the best way to support us would be to become a member today. Join for as little as $8 per month and get an ad-free podcast feed as a special thank you from us. Learn more at 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

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‘Tis the spooky season! October is upon us and there are so many cool things to do, see, and imbibe across the metro area this month. From the pumpkin patch to the coffin racetrack — yes, you heard that right — host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love have combed the calendar to handpick eight of the best Halloween-y things to do. Produce Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia join the fun, and by the end of this haunted ride, you’ll have the official City Cast Denver best bet for October!

Here are links to all the events Olivia and Bree recommended: 

Olivia’s Picks:

Bree’s Picks:

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• 4 Noses Brewing

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It’s no secret — Colorado’s air quality is suffering, and last Friday regulators approved yet another new plan to address the state’s biggest polluters. But environmentalists and critics have already spotted several loopholes that could allow companies like Suncor Energy, Molson Coors, and Cargill Meat Solutions to “pay to pollute,” as our guest today explains. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by Denver Post environmental reporter Noelle Phillips, who’s been following Colorado’s ongoing political pollution battle for years. Plus, we wrap up with our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week. 

Become a member of City Cast Denver today! We work hard to make this podcast every day, providing you with useful interviews and our hard-earned recs for the best of Denver. The best way to support our work is to become a member today for as little as $8/month. Plus, you’ll get an ad-free feed to enjoy as our way of saying thanks. Learn more and sign up today at membership.citycast.fm.

Paul mentioned his 2021 interview with Rep. Joe Neguse about the new Climate Corps, as well as cottonwoods and bald eagles at Barr Lake. Bree mentioned Jon Caldara’s poop obsession and Cervantes’ new artist-friendly merch policy. Noelle talked about her work with the Denver Newspaper Guild and pedestrian deaths. 

What do you think should be done about Suncor? We want to hear from you. Would you pay an extra dollar per gallon if it meant Suncor stopped polluting? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your response on the show: 720-500-5418‬

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As we wrap up a week of fall getaways, we wanted to leave you with an enticing list of delicious destinations — restaurants we’d go the extra mile (or hundreds of miles) for! Whether you are looking for perfect pizza a mere 45 minutes away or charcuterie so good it’s worth planning a weekend around, producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia have got you covered. Plus, stick around for a round-up of the coolest events going down this weekend, and Paul and Peyton’s pick for our official City Cast Denver “Maybe” — as in maybe you’ll see us there!

Here are links to the spots we discussed: 

Paul mentioned this New Yorker story about Hell’s Backbone Grill from 2018. 

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

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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

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What’s the most haunted place in all of Colorado? A lot of folks would tell you it’s the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, but is that place really haunted by anything other than Stanley Kubrick’s decision to film “The Shining” somewhere else? So to continue our weeklong celebration of Colorado’s best fall getaways, we called up Thad Mighell, curator of contemporary art at Understudy and paranormal superfan, to run down his list of the most haunted destinations in Colorado. 

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Here are links to all Thad’s haunt spots:

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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

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Pickleball fever has swept the country, and after three years of explosive growth it looks like it’s not going anywhere (much to the neighbors’ chagrin). So how are Denverites learning to live with the distinctive dinks and thocks? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking through the latest pickleball battles in Denver, Glendale, and Centennial, plus the latest on Mayor Mike Johnston’s quest to end homelessness in his first term. Then, we respond to a listener’s critique of our episode on the push to rename six Denver parks. 

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Bree mentioned Mayor Johnston’s new House1000 dashboard, as well as the Denver Post and Denver7’s coverage of this week’s sweep at 8th and Logan. Paul talked about pickleball reporting from Denverite, Westword, and Fox31.

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

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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:

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

All this week, we’re celebrating the gorgeous season that is fall in Colorado. Today, we’re focusing on perfect weekend getaways — the best places to go, things to see and do in just one overnight stay. From mountain towns to chile country, we’ve rounded up all the most charming locales we love for soaking in this cool and colorful season. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are joined by returning fave, Denver Instagram celebrity Amanda Bittner, to map out the best destinations with camping recs, must-try culinary delights, and underrated leaves to peep.

What’s your favorite fall getaway? We want to share all the best road trip destinations, haunted locales, and leaves to peep. So text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬

Wanna support City Cast Denver? The best way to keep this podcast going strong for years to come is to become a founding member today. You’ll get an ad-free podcast feed and the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting local journalism — all for as little as $8 per month. Learn more and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.

For even more news from around the city and links to all our weekend fall getaway recs, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. 

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

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