City Cast Denver

Governor Jared Polis’ controversial decision to commute former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ prison sentence last week is still reverberating through the Democratic Party. More than 400 Democrats signed a letter calling to formally censure the governor, and one congressional candidate even wants him investigated for collusion. Editor-in-chief of The Lever David Sirota is back to chat with host Bree Davies about what Polis’ moves mean for democracy and his legacy – and why Representative Lauren Boebert is taking credit for Peters’ release. Plus, Denver City Council passed a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers, and David has thoughts on why Americans seem to hate these tech centers so much.

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What do you think about Polis and Tina Peters? 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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After decades of super-charged economic and population growth, Colorado is at a turning point. So, is this state growing or shrinking? And why does it matter either way? Earlier this year, host Bree Davies sat down with Colorado’s State Demographer Kate Watkins to hear about how things like declining school enrollment and a slowing economy can play into our population numbers, and we’re revisiting that conversation today about what the ripple effects of all these big-picture changes could mean for you. Kate even gets into a forecast of what Coloradans might expect population-wise in 2060!

This episode originally ran on January 20, 2026.

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What do you think about our state’s demographic changes? 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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Mayor Johnston promised to solve unsheltered homelessness in his first term – nearly three years into it, there are still questions about the success of this costly and ambitious plan. Denverite reporter Kyle Harris recently published two stories highlighting the complexities of the Mile High City’s homeless issue, and he joins host Bree Davies to discuss the conundrum of a woman living in her car in the Washington Park neighborhood and the fate of a weekly free meal and meet-up serving unhoused people in front of the City and County Building. The two consider how these stories connect to the bigger conversation about homelessness in Denver in 2026. 

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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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Would Denver be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital? 

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It’s been exactly one week since a man named Michael Mott jumped over the 8-foot security fence around Denver International Airport and died in a collision with a Frontier plane during takeoff. Each day has brought new headlines, insights, and twists into the shocking incident, including legal action some passengers are now taking against the airport. So was DIA negligent? Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to discuss the accident at DIA — as well as the highs and lows of the state legislative session, which wrapped on Wednesday — and play a listener’s twisted game: Are you actually a Denverite?

Plus, a bonus! City Cast Denver Neighbors are getting a special members-only bonus segment about some new reporting on a major employer that might be ordering workers back to the office soon. Subscribe now to get all the details! Membership.citycast.fm 

Paul mentioned the great early returns already coming in on our Denver Bike Community Poll, which we will reveal around Bike Fest on June 13. Take it now if you ride a bike in Denver! Olivia mentioned the Oatmeal Creme Pie Bandit and the geese outside the Littleton ARC. Justine discussed the smoke rising over Suncor this week.

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What do you think about the accident at DIA? 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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Between Michelin stars and James Beard Awards, it’s safe to say that Denver has secured its place in the food world. But, a lot more goes into making a 5-star restaurant than just awesome food. We are revisiting a conversation from earlier this year where host Bree Davies chats with Kevin Nguyen, the award winning architect behind some of Denver’s most celebrated restaurants, like Brutø, The Wolf's Tailor, Hey Kiddo, Hop Alley, Xiquita, and more. The two parse out what else can really make, or break, an elite restaurant experience.

Paul mentioned our cool new shopping guide newsletter Keep it Local – make sure you’re subscribed to get it in your inbox every Thursday afternoon! A big thanks as well to Keep it Local’s sponsors, the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity office and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

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Which restaurant do you think has the best vibes? 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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Flock cameras have been dominating Denver’s recent conversations about surveillance technology, but since 2008 the city has been watching over us all with nearly 300 High Activity Location Observation cameras around Denver. City government reporter Elliott Wenzler joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to talk about the settlement reached after Denver Police shot at and arrested the wrong people they thought they found via HALO cam. Plus, a dating event later this month for “unvaxxed singles” has people on social media feeling all types of ways, and we are gonna be at Bike Fest and want to hear from you! 

Do you ride a bike in Denver? We want to know what’s important to you! Take our Bike Community Poll, share it with a bike-riding friend (or 100), and we’ll parse through the results together at Bike Fest. 

Paul mentioned this Westword story about Chris Fest this weekend at The Oriental Theater. 

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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 May 13th episode:

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The 2026 Colorado legislative session is in its final week, so we’re looking into the hot-button issue of AI, which continues to divide Democrats. Westword editor-in-chief Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how Colorado’s’ “first in the nation” regulations, passed in 2024, ended up with a “near-total rewrite” this year, according to the Denver Post. Plus, the Trump administration is coming after Denver again – this time with a lawsuit aimed at overturning the city’s ban on assault weapons – so we’re talking about where this attack ranks among all the other times Trump has turned his attention toward the Mile High City. And finally, a listener calls in to talk about their first impressions of Veo scooters.

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What do you think about Veo scooters, bikes, and trikes so far? Have you tried one? We want to hear your thoughts! 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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After City Park’s iconic bandstand was damaged beyond repair in an overnight fire in late March, the park’s neighbors and city leaders have come together to raise money for a replacement. While alternate locations are in place for big events like City Park Jazz this summer, the fire and the outpouring of love sparked new questions about the history and what’s next for the park itself. So today, host Bree Davies is taking a walk through City Park’s past, present, and future with Georgia Garnsey, president of City Park Friends and Neighbors, and Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, a Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist who is working on the new City Park Living Land project.

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What do you think about City Park? We’d love to hear your stories, memories, and hopes for the future! 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 May 11th episode:

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Denverites, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city’s nightlife, and the pros and cons of this extended hours experiment. Plus, how to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary without feeling like you’re serving a Trump narrative.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

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