City Cast Denver

For the first time in 26 years, the Underground Music Showcase will not be taking over South Broadway this summer — but when it moves to RiNo, would the fest lose its cool factor? And will it still be a showcase of local acts or become something more corporate? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love talk through the what-ifs with Shawn King, drummer of DeVotchka, who headlined the first UMS in 2001 and closed out last year’s 25th anniversary. Plus, we talk about another out-of-the-box pitch for 16th Street and our wins and fails of the week. 

Bree talked about The Raven apartments and the proposal to ban face masks worn by law enforcement. Olivia discussed all the bird poop downtown and a change to bike and boat rentals at City Park and Wash Park. Shawn talked about dog parks and La Plaza.

Check out City Cast’s new podcast "Your City Could Be Better"! It’s on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by CEO David Plotz, this week's inaugural episode features the host of City Cast Twin Cities talking about how Minneapolis and St. Paul mobilized so quickly and broadly against the months-long ICE operation there.

What do you think about the future of the UMS in RiNo? 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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Thanks to multiple bond packages, the Sloan’s Lake Boathouse is getting a $7 million makeover and the lake itself is set to receive $5 million in ecological restoration.  But will that be enough to save it? For years, Sloan’s Lake has struggled with low water levels, leading to a toxic algae bloom that threatens the ecological future and public use of this popular body of water. We’re revisiting this conversation from last year with host Bree Davies and Kurt Weaver, executive director of the Sloan’s Lake Park Foundation, to learn more about why it could take a whole lot more money to save this neighborhood treasure.

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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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From gaining Michelin star status to collecting a bounty of James Beard Awards, Denver’s culinary profile keeps rising. But beyond decorated chefs, all star meals, and international media attention lies a low-key secret to the Mile High’s dining out success — a well-designed restaurant. Award winning architect Kevin Nguyen grew up in Aurora and has been the mind behind the look and feel of spots like Brutø, The Wolf's Tailor, Hey Kiddo, Hop Alley, Xiquita, and many more. He joins host Bree Davies to dig into why the placement of a restaurant’s entrance and the sound of a dining room are just as important as what’s on the menu.

A few years ago, we took a tour of Casa Bonita with “Professor of Fun” David Thomas to learn about how the design of this iconic eatertainment space is as much about its built environment as it is the cliff divers.

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What’s your favorite Denver Restaurant? What place makes dining out in Denver worthwhile? 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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2025 was potentially the final year of the Underground Music Showcase — ticket sales were down, money was tight, and the future of the fest was uncertain. But the RiNo Business Improvement District stepped in, Youth On Record sold its share, and now the fest will live in RiNo. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love discuss this new era and potential vibe shift for the 25 year-old event, plus dig into new legislation being proposed that could impact big booze manufacturers, and hear from listeners about their not-so-great RTD experiences. 

Bree mentioned this amazing list coffee shops from City Cast Denver listeners Nate and Marie Evans!

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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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Lisa Calderón thinks Denver is in trouble, and she wants to save it. Last week, the activist and professor of criminal justice announced a bid for mayor in 2027 — her third time running for the position. Lisa sits down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how she would balance the city’s budget issues, what she believes Mayor Johnston has gotten wrong about housing and homelessness, and why she thinks there’s more to the renaming of the 16th Street Mall than just a pricy rebrand.

Learn more about ⁠Lisa’s campaign⁠ here. 

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

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Who do you think should run for mayor of Denver in 2027? 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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Denverites want more affordable housing, but can they agree on how to make it happen? A couple members of YIMBY Denver have a proposal to “upzone” broad swaths of the city to allow more duplexes and triplexes, and their proposal could hit our ballots in November. So, what will Denver decide? RTD Board Director Chris Nicholson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the future of housing density, the big fight over possible RTD reform at the state legislature (Chris already picked his side), and all our wins and fails of the week.

Paul talked about new signage at Rocky Flats, Davon Williams, and Denver Community Planning and Development’s “Unlocking Housing Choices” project. Bree discussed the transportation policies of gubernatorial candidates Phil Weiser and Michael Bennet, as well as Leo Tanguma’s new exhibit, the latest twist with Your Mom’s House, and our episode earlier this week with two of the people proposing a radical RTD reform.

If you’re as curious as we are to hear more from Bennet and Weiser on transportation, YIMBY Denver is hosting a forum with both candidates on Feb. 21.  

What do you think about housing density? Should Denver upzone single-family home lots? 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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It’s a fact: Denver is a coffee town. Whether it’s beloved local chains or third wave cafes, the Mile High City abounds with cozy coffee shops offering all sorts of different experiences. Entrepreneur, content creator, and coffee shop aficionado Michelle Jackson joined host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love last September to talk about the local spots that bring the ambiance, offer creative drink choices, and capture what it means to be the best at the coffee game in the Mile High City. We’re revisiting that classic episode today.

For a true coffee nerd’s take, check out listeners Nate and Marie Evans’ breakdown of their favorite spots. Bree mentioned the lawsuit local baristas had filed against Starbucks corporate’s dress code. Michelle mentioned Weathervane’s “grandma-core” cabins that you can rent in Clear Creek County. She also mentioned the podcast she hosts for Colorado CarShare, “How You Got There.”

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What’s your favorite coffee shop in Denver? 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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RTD is struggling right now. Denver’s public transit provider is facing low ridership numbers (even relative to peer cities) and a massive projected budget deficit — and that’s without even mentioning the paltry 83% bus on-time percentage. So what should be done? Governor Jared Polis and the legislature brought together a committee of experts last year to do months of research, debate, and come to a proposal that might just help get you home on time. Producer Paul Karolyi sits down with the chair of the committee, founding partner of CRL Associates Maria Garcia Berry, and the vice chair, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition’s transportation advocate Jaime Lewis, to get into the details. 

For more background, Paul spoke with RTD’s CEO and GM, Debra Johnson, back in December. 

What do you think about this proposal to reform RTD? 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

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

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What makes Denver Denver? Better yet, who defines us as a city? Thinking back on the last quarter century, there have been many politicians, personalities, and people with plenty of money to throw around who have shaped the image, built environment, and ethos of the Mile High City. Producer Paul Karolyi presents his list of the “21 Most Influential Denverites of the 21st Century” to host Bree Davies and Westword editor Patty Calhoun, and the trio dig in and debate — Who deserves a higher spot? Who should be number one? Who got snubbed?

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Who do you think got left out? Who would you have in the top 10? 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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It’s February! The season of love. But in this month’s guide to Denver, we’re going beyond flowers and chocolate. Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producer Olivia Jewell Love join host Bree Davies to share the best things to do, see, drink, eat, and explore in and around the Mile High City this month, with some fun twists on the traditional romantic gestures — from a “herstorical” take on Henry VIII at the theater to date night at a food court that’s worth a drive. 

Bree mentioned a mini-documentary on the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs. 

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Denver community. 

For even more tips on how to make the most of December in Denver, check out our newsletter Hey Denver’s take on what to do this month. 

If you enjoyed today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here. Check out their upcoming events below!

City Cast Denver is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Arvada Center, South by Southwest, and Multipass. 

If you enjoyed today's interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here.

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