City Cast Denver

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence.

Earlier this week on our episode about self care, we recommended a solo hike via the Brothers Lookout Loop in the Alderfer Three Sisters Park in Evergreen. Not long after, we learned about a sexual predator at-large who has been targeting women hiking alone in the Evergreen and Conifer areas, including the park we mentioned. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Olivia Jewell Love to discuss what we know so far and how to best protect yourself if you are hiking alone.

If you have any information on the situation, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department: 303-271-0211. Resources for survivors can be found at the Blue Bench. 

Who makes the best ice cream in town? Is it the parlor with the best vibes? Or does it all come down to who accidentally spilled a bunch of salt on their Oreo cookies? We got tons of suggestions from readers and listeners, and we narrowed down the field to four ice-cold contenders — Em’s, Liks, Sweet Action, and Little Man. Who will we crown Mile High’s best ice cream? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi, newsletter editor and resident foodie Peyton Garcia, and ice cream aficionado JD Lopez to eat way too much ice cream and pick the best in town. 

Did we get it wrong? Or maybe we missed your favorite local ice cream? Don’t let your neighborhood parlor be forgotten! Call or text the Cool Treats Hotline at (720)500-5418 and leave us a message with your name, neighborhood, and pick for the best ice cream in town. You might hear it on the show soon!

When he’s not seeking out his next triple scoop, JD hosts the podcast Left Hand Right Brain, an exploration of creativity featuring local comedians, artists, and other creative types. 

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Our friends at City Cast Salt Lake picked this fight, and we’re finally hashing it out. Can Salt Lake City really stack up to the Mile High when it’s only situated at a paltry 4,265 feet above sea level? Who has better transit, anyway? And what is with SLC’s cookie obsession? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi plus a couple of special guests — City Cast Salt Lake’s host Ali Vallarta and producer Emily Means — to dig into the myths and facts, and determine once and for all whether we’re really rival cities — or just regional siblings who like to argue.  

Bree mentioned Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Utah Governor Spencer Cox's recent plea for Americans to "disagree better."

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Neighbors in Congress Park and Country Club say that new infrastructure meant to keep cyclists safe is making their neighborhoods “ugly.” But is this change in our built environment really about aesthetics or more about who “owns” the road? Then, the Casa Bonita saga continues as management responds to concerns of employees who have been organizing with ROC United, and the rest of us try to figure out if we’ll ever get a table at CB again. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi tackle these stories, plus a look at Barbie mania in the Mile High and a comment from a listener about what we talk about when we talk about downtown. 

Paul quoted a 9News story about the bike lane drama; Bree mentioned Kevin Beaty at Denverite’s story on the Casa Bonita drama that continues to unfold. 

We played a very sweet ode to a very sweet cat at the end of today’s show, which you can find on musician Marty Jones’ bandcamp. Thanks to the Denver Post for this article about Smokey the cat’s retirement.

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

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Today is International Self-Care Day, and what more prompting do any of us need than to spend some time with just us? From bike trails and other outdoor adventures to concert series and day trip destinations, producer Olivia Jewell Love and Demi Harvey, host of “Serve It!” on Indie 102.3, share their favorite places for self-care in the Mile High. 

UPDATE 7/27/23: Jeffco Sheriff’s Office released a warning to hikers two days after airing this episode to be on the lookout for a sexual predator wanted in the Conifer and Evergreen area. The suspect has been targeting solo female hikers in the area, with incidences at this park—so please hold off on solo hiking for now and remain vigilant! 

Bree mentioned what’s bothering the workers at Casa Bonita and the halfway point of Zero Fare for Better Air.

Olivia and Demi talked about these cool spots:

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It was a raucous night on Colfax last night -- as usual -- and the renovated garage behind Bruz Off Fax was no exception. A distinguished panel of Colfax aficionados inaugurated the first class of five Colfax icons to our new Colfax Hall of Fame in front of a crowd at the Colfax Indie Bash. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi were joined by Westword founder and editor Patricia Calhoun, Sie FilmCenter artistic director Keith Garcia, and owner and bartender of the Oak Creek Tavern, Skyler McKinley. Together this motley crew weighs in on the people, places, and things that embody the spirit, grit, and magical weirdness of our massive main street!

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!

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• “Independents Day” on Colfax Ave.

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Next time you find yourself in LoDo or wandering around near Union Station, look down. Just below the streets of downtown, there’s a maze of old, out-of-commission tunnels that used to connect our hotels, restaurants, and stores of yore. Glimpses of these alternative pathways still exist at street level, if you know where to look. Back in January, host Bree Davies spoke with Tracy Beach, author of “The Tunnels Under Our Feet: Colorado’s Forgotten Hollow Sidewalks,” about this turn of the last century phenomenon. Beach explains what the tunnels were used for, who used them, and how to spot the remnants of these lost transit spaces today. 

This interview first aired on January 5, 2023. 

Bree and Tracy discussed the racist anti-Chinese riot of 1880 (which Bree talked with Dr. William Wei about on this show in 2021). Bree also mentioned Children’s Hospital’s new policy on gender-affirming surgery and “Casa Beer.”

What do you think about Salt Lake City? Are they worthy of being our rival? Hit us with your hottest take on SLC, and you might hear it on the show soon. Text it to us or leave us a voicemail at the SLC Hotline: 720-500-5418

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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Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

• “Independents Day” on Colfax Ave.

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Robert Speer. Michael Hancock. Benjamin Stapleton. Federico Peña. Wellington Webb. Each mayor of Denver leaves their mark on the city — for good, for bad, and often for both. So what can we expect from Mike Johnston? He is the latest to lead the massive, unwieldy bureaucracy that is our city government. How will his administration bend the arc of Denver history? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi speak with Nicki Gonzales, a professor of history at Regis University and former state historian, to help us set expectations for the Johnston Era. 

Paul mentioned Denver’s role in the brilliant utopian sci-fi novel “New York 2140” by Kim Stanley Robinson, one of the modern masters of science fiction. Bree talked about Mayor Johnston's emergency declaration on homelessness.

What do you think about Salt Lake City? Is it our rival city? Or would some other city be a more suitable rival? Text or leave us a voicemail with your SLC take, 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 by texting “Denver” to 66866

Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver

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Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

• “Independents Day” on Colfax Ave.

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

Mayor Mike Johnston was inaugurated yesterday, with an inspiring speech and… a killer music festival? It’s Tuesday, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about all the local stories that mattered this week, from outgoing Mayor Michael Hancock’s last kiss goodbye to the vibes of Johnston’s first day in office. Plus, we respond to your comments on yesterday’s Colfax meme and some not-so-nice comments that our colleagues at City Cast Salt Lake made about Denver. 

Wanna see our Colfax meme? Check out @colfaxthings on Instagram to see our “Colfax Starter Pack” and peep some more hilarious comments. Also, come out on Thursday, July 20, for a live recording where we’re going to induct the first class of Colfax icons — people, places, and things — to a Colfax Hall of Fame. RSVP here. 

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

Or Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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:

• Independents Day on Colfax Ave.

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

Do you remember your first time on Colfax Avenue? It was probably equal parts exhilarating, interesting, confusing, and entertaining, as Denver’s most famous strip tends to be. But we wanted to get to the heart of what makes a true “Colfaxian experience” — like, why does this particular street attract and inspire so much weird wonderfulness? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love decided to go right to the source, calling up Ashley, the human behind Colfax Things, an awesome Instagram account devoted to the wild, wacky, and wonderful nature of the Mile High’s most misunderstood place. Together, the crew builds a “First Time on Colfax Starter Pack” meme, in an attempt to distill the street’s glory into prime — and hopefully, viral? — internet content. 

Check out the meme we made with Colfax Things on her Instagram or the official City Cast Denver IG!

Bree mentioned Nathaniel Minor’s reporting for Denverite on the failure of Vision Zero, and the 42 traffic deaths this year already. 

Special thanks to our sponsor, Colfax Ave, the Colfax Ave Business Improvement District. Join us for a LIVE recording of City Cast Denver this Thursday, July 20th, from 6-9 p.m. at Bruz Off Fax as part of the Colfax Ave Indie Bash! Bree will be joined by a special guest panel on stage live to help nominate and select the first-ever “Colfax Hall of Fame”. RSVP for free and we will see you there!

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

Or Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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:

• Colfax Ave Business Improvement District

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