City Cast Denver

The unionization efforts of sex workers in Nevada might have implications for gig workers in Denver. At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas podcast host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figler about why sex workers are considered independent contractors, what sparked this legal battle, and what happens if they win. Plus, what's different about neighborhoods in Las Vegas?

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Coloradans will vote on two measures impacting transgender kids this fall – Ballot Initiative 109, which aims to prevent trans kids from participating in school sports, and Ballot Initiative 110, which would prohibit access to gender-affirming surgeries. Is Colorado inching backward toward its “hate state” past? Lee Robinson and Kate McLachlan of the live comedy show Dyketopia join host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into these measures backed by anti-LGBTQ group Protects Kids Colorado. Plus, they discuss a Title IX fight going down between JeffCo schools and the U.S. Department of Education, the Mile High City’s first licensed "microdosing cafe," and share their wins and fails of the week. 

Bree talked about a Gallup poll on trans athletes and data from the Williams Institute on trans people living in the U.S.; she also mentioned a state bill that could give victims of conversion therapy the ability to sue mental health providers who perform it. Olivia talked about City Council postponing a vote on the city’s potential new e-scooter provider. This weekend’s Dyktopia show is sold out, but you can still catch Lee on some other great live shows here in Denver before they head back to NYC.

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What do you think about the César Chávez revelations this week? 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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Another No Kings protest is planned in Denver next week, and Colorado is grappling with President Trump’s looming imperial tendencies – what happens if Governor Polis chooses not to grant Tina Peters clemency? What could the state lose in retaliation? In the second season of Master Plan: The Kingmakers, host David Sirota and his team at The Lever dig into a decades-long scheme to make the American presidency more like a monarchy. Sirota joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to explore the local connections to this presidential power grab. Plus, we continue our conversation on “captive pricing,” drilling down specifically into concessions contracts at Denver International Airport, and take a look at an underrated Nuggets player.

We discussed the 9News investigation comparing prices on goods at DIA and the Denver Post’s coverage of the city auditor’s 2022 report on questionable airport concessions contracts. Paul talked about local airport concessions big shot Rod Tafoya.

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Did you enjoy today’s sponsored interview with Elizabeth Martinez from Compass Real Estate? Learn more here.

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What exactly is ICE up to in Denver? And how have ICE operations changed since Trump returned to the White House? Contributor Joshua Emerson joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to discuss some recent reporting from Colorado Times Recorder on ICE “hold rooms” across the state and a recent CU Boulder analysis of 10 years of ICE data on Denver. Plus, Joshua’s list of the best places to be broken up with.

Joshua mentioned a lawsuit against GEO Group over their $1-per-day detainee work program, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on in February. He also talked about the comedy show he’s hosting at The Bug Theater this weekend. 

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What do you think is the best place to be broken up with? 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18th episode:

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What is going on inside Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure? After a string of traffic and safety-related controversies, The Denver Post reports that the department has been experiencing “brain drain,” with turnover in several senior roles in the past six months. So, what does that say about DOTI’s executive director, Amy Ford, and the future of our streets? Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dig into the drama within the department. Plus, congressional candidate Melat Kiros reportedly “trounced” Denver’s 15-term incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic assemblies over the weekend, and why are Denverites mad at Parks and Rec?

Check out our past conversations with District 1’s Democratic congressional candidates Melat Kiros and Wanda James, and current representative, Diana DeGette, plus Mayor Johnston’s recent comments on our show about the Alameda Avenue safety plan. 

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What do you think about the race to represent Denver in Congress? 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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From expensive groceries to costly housing to pricey healthcare, affordability has been top of mind for Colorado legislators – even when it comes down to the price of a hot dog at Ball Arena. Last week, a bill aimed at capping how much businesses can charge in “captive” situations – think places like airports, stadiums, and hospitals where food options are limited – died in a legislative committee. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Yara Zokaie, joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dig into the affordability debate, plus share what she’s hearing from family back home in Iran and which restaurants, bars, and coffee shops near the Capitol are hotspot for the lobbyists and legislators making deals.  

Check out the job listing for our creative producer position with City Cast Denver! 

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What do you think about the price of concessions at stadiums? 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

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 16th episode:

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Denverites are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud.

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The Tina Peters saga drags on – Governor Polis says he will not make a decision on clemency for the disgraced elections official until a ruling on her case comes down from Colorado Court of Appeals; not to mention every Democrat in the legislature signed a letter this week urging Polis not to free her. So, will he or won’t he? Politics contributor Adrian Felix joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to discuss Polis’s mixed signals, plus dive into the impending strike at the JBS meatpacking plant, and of course, our wins and fails of the week. 

Bree discussed the Racines memorabilia gifted to the Denver Public Library and the update in the Jax Gratton murder case. Paul talked about RTD expanding service for the G and B lines and the loss of the pothos plant at the old Amethyst Coffee. Adrian discussed City Council postponing a vote on the proposed new surveillance camera provider Axon. 

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What do you think about Governor Polis and the Tina Peters clemency question? 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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A new music festival, Blucifer’s First Rodeo is coming to South Broadway this July! But the fest’s dates overlap with the Underground Music Showcase, the area’s former big summer fest, which is now set to take place in RiNo. Are these two concert events competition for each other or just a sign of an evolving music scene? Denver Post arts reporter John Wenzel and comedian Miriam Moreno join host Bree Davies to dig into the dueling festival drama, plus talk through the fight over decibel levels at an outdoor amphitheater and debate the right price for a concert ticket. 

Grab tickets for Good Night Denver, Miriam’s live late night show at Dude IDK Studios next Friday!

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What do you think about Blucifer’s First Rodeo vs. UMS? 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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The new-ish Professional Women’s Hockey League is taking over Ball Arena for the second year in a row this weekend, hoping to break another attendance record and set the groundwork for a possible expansion franchise here in Denver. Contributor Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how the “Heated Rivalry” craze might affect the PWHL’s prospects and play a guessing game about hockey’s weird year. Plus, the staple RiNo community hub Green Spaces is closing ahead of a move downtown and a history-loving Denverite has got some exciting new plans for a museum dedicated to South Denver. 

Paul and Michelle discussed Canadian tourism to Colorado. Here are the facts, courtesy of TravelPulse Canada. Michelle also mentioned her podcast, Square State. 

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

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What do you think about Green Spaces moving downtown? 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

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