City Cast Denver

That Mile High sun is a-blazing, and that can only mean one thing. It’s patio season here in Denver. So where are the best spots to soak in some rays and toss back a margarita? And what if all you’re really looking for is a great view or good vibes? Host Bree Davies and Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shared their favorite patios in this conversation we recorded last summer — from prime rooftop party spots to those calm, garden-like hideaways.

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The Colorado Republican Party sued the state last week in an effort to stop unaffiliated voters — who make up 45% of CO’s registered voters — from participating in GOP primaries. One of the men behind that lawsuit? Attorney John Eastman, who also happens to be wrapped up in former President Trump’s Jan. 6th indictment. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by Westword editor Patty Calhoun to talk about all of Eastman’s latest shenanigans and how his lawsuit could reshape our politics. Then, Westword staff writer Bennito L. Kelty joins to discuss his decision to hike a closed-off section of the DeCaLiBron Loop and what the blowback says about who owns Colorado’s 14ers.

We also discussed this response to Bennito’s hike from the executive director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative and the chair of the Fix CRUS Coalition.

What’s the best place to get Palisade peaches? We want to share the love. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your rec on the show soon: (720) 500-5418‬

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What’s the best place to get Palisade peaches? 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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Prior to the first sweep of a homeless encampment on his watch, Mayor Mike Johnston made a visit to meet the Denverites living on the street at 22nd and Stout. So, how did it go? And now that the sweep has happened, what’s next? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the details, plus take a look at Johnston’s homelessness plans for the remainder of 2023. Then, another fight over bike lanes ensues — this time, in Cap Hill — and Palisade peach season is in full effect! 

We mentioned Denverite’s reporting on this sweep, along with his conversations with folks impacted by it. Bree talked a 2017 Westword profile of the Torres family, who lost their home twice to eminent domain. Paul talked about Harrison Ford’s legit aviation experience outside of the movies, recognized how cool Carpio-Sanguinette Park really is, and mentioned the 9/11 truther peaches.

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Is there still a place for strip clubs in Denver’s vast world of entertainment, arts, and “immersive” experiences? Can our local economy still support this kind of entertainment, between changing technology and an increasing cost of living? Denver Post reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton dug into the business of strip clubs, and she sits down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk financials, labor, and regulations of the industry — plus, they dig into the spicy, NBA-related controversy involving Shotgun Willie’s and the mysterious Texan strip club magnate betting big on the Denver market.

Bree talked about Mayor Mike Johnston’s first encampment sweep last Friday.

Oh and hey, check it out! Salt Lake City is still obsessed with us. Their newspaper of record recently printed an editorial calling on their mayor to follow our mayor Mike Johnston’s lead in declaring a state of emergency on homelessness. Check out City Cast Salt Lake for a breakdown of how it’s playing out there. 

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It’s wedding season in Colorado, and that means… your $2-million Aspen wedding could be ruined by a crappy sound system and an inconvenient gondola schedule? Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to talk epic weddings in the Centennial State. Then they take a look at local wins and fails of the week — like that brunch place Paul can’t stop gushing about and why Colorado politics Twitter basically disappearing sucks for everyone. As always, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins the crew to share her best bets for your weekend. 

Got a crazy Colorado wedding story of your own? We want to hear it. Maybe you’ll help someone else avoid their own CO wedding fail. Text or leave us a voicemail on the Wedding Fail Hotline: 720-500-5418

Bree and Justine praised trash service being offered to some encampments, and Bree talked about the death of Darrius Davis as he was being evicted. Paul talked about Denver marriage registrations and the new Broncos coach’s recent interview with USA Today.

This episode mentions a death by suicide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can always call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. There's help available 24 hours a day.

For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866.

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We love talking about cool events and things to do around Denver. But there are so many to choose from! Which ones are truly worth your time? Which ones are going to leave you with lasting memories? And which ones are gonna give you so much FOMO? Host Bree Davies and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia each picked four awesome August events to share, and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love join to help narrow the field down to our best bet of all — the one August event where you’re most likely to see us.

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

Bree Picks

Peyton’s Picks

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It’s summertime and we’re thinking about what else — hot dogs. Does the Mile High actually have a hot dog scene? Is a hot dog a sandwich? Can you put ketchup on a Chicago-style dog if you’re not in Chicago? To answer these questions and more, the City Cast Denver team met up with our hometown dog dude, Biker Jim, to survey the wiener scene. Host Bree Davies, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia, and producer Olivia Jewell Love took a tour de hot dog from Lakewood to Northfield with Biker Jim himself to learn more about Denver’s place in hot dog culture, how he became so dang successful at slinging franks, and his famous meeting with Anthony Bourdain.

Places we visited:

Did you catch Biker Jim’s recent appearance on Good Morning America? It was really something.

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• Levitt Pavilion

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Are drivers more aggressive in Denver than they used to be? Has it become the norm to speed on neighborhood streets? And most important: Why do people keep crashing their cars into stuff? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the bad driving problem, plus a new study that shows traffic downtown is back to pre-pandemic levels. Is there life downtown again? Then, we share listener voicemails about your favorite neighborhood rec centers and a Lowry resident wonders why we aren’t showing more appreciation for local liquor stores. 

Paul mentioned Xcel’s new back-to-the-office policy. Bree mentioned friend of the show, reporter John Moore’s post about someone crashing into a Lakeside Amusement park building. Paul and Bree also discussed “Welcome to My Office” a new addition to DIA’s massive — and kinda weird — art collection. 

What should we actually call DIA’s new bronze business man? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your suggestion on the show: (720) 500-5418‬

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When it comes to climate change, Governor Jared Polis and the Democrats in control of the statehouse are betting big on electric vehicles, or EVs. Earlier this month, they increased the state incentive for residents purchasing an EV from $2,000 to $5,000, but that’s just the tip of this melting iceberg. CPR climate reporter Sam Brasch says there is “no better state in the country to buy an electric car than Colorado.” Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Sam to break down all the money available to EV-curious Coloradans, his personal experience owning a Chevy Bolt, and the complicated politics of EVs.

Learn more about our state’s EV incentive programs. Bree mentioned Naloxone at AEG venues and KeepThePartySafe.org. 

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866

Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver

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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:

• Levitt Pavilion

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We’re less than a month into Mike Johnston’s first term as mayor, and things are already off to a bumpy start — some media outlets reported this week that the mayor would not enforce homeless encampment sweeps. Turns out that wasn’t quite the case. Plus, Suncor continues to fail, RTD is actually winning, and Denver Parks and Rec gets a well-deserved pat on the back. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer and chief conspiracy theorist Paul Karolyi and regular fave Joshua Emerson, comedian and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission. And as always, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her best bets for your weekend — think brewery birthdays, vegan mania, Aurora chef celebrations, and more!

For more on the rollout of Mayor Johnston’s homelessness plan, check out this helpful piece from our pal Kyle Harris at Denverite. Paul mentioned the Aloft Hotel’s new vacancies, Cultivando’s air monitoring program in Commerce City and a new local investment opportunity. Bree talked about that big green building on Kalamath, her love for the Northside’s Ashland Rec Center, the Denverite piece on The Gathering Place-operated motel shelter shutting down, and her husband’s UMS party this weekend. Josh talked about RTD’s historic rate decrease and the prospects for this year’s sweet corn harvest. 

For more on Suncor — the recent shutdown and its enormous economic impact — check out our episode from back in February with Denver Post reporter Noelle Phillips.

Here are links to all the events Peyton recommended:

For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866.

Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

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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