City Cast Denver

Many local small business are closing their doors today joining a national strike against President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota and the killing of Alex Pretti last Saturday — and others are offering special promotions and discounts. Comedian power couple Jacob Rupp and Miriam Moreno join host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the “F--- ICE Latte” moment. Plus, an open carry protest in Castle Rock was planned and abruptly cancelled — why? And we talk about Mayor Mike Johnston’s new goals for 2026, his biggest political liabilities going into a likely re-election campaign, and our wins and fails of the week.

Come see us tonight at Jacob and Miriam’s comedy show! There are still tickets available for “Good Night Denver” at Dude IDK Studios at 8pm. Get yours here!

Bree talked about Dr. Daddio and West Side Books’ new era. Jacob talked about Nikola Jokić’s injury, Duke’s Good Sandwiches and Burgers, and Adam Cayton-Holland’s movie at Sundance. Paul mentioned DougCo’s new public comment policy, Johnston’s latest move to resist Trump, the role of surveillance cameras in the Leetsdale fire investigation, and Sueños Cantina. Miriam discussed Legal Night at Centro San Juan Diego. 

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One of Denver’s more conservative south suburbs is abuzz with debate over an unlikely subject — “Shrek: The Musical.” When performers in Parker incorporated a pride flag into the musical, some members of the audience complained, and officials with the Town of Parker shared their concerns with actors. But is that censorship? And more importantly, how would Lord Farquaad handle this? Comedian and co-mastermind of Dyketopia Kate McLachlan joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dissect the controversy and debate: Is Shrek actually a gay icon?

Do you think Shrek is a gay icon? 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 president seems to have changed his mind. While the crackdown in Minneapolis is changing course, many Denverites are still debating the best way to fight back. CU Regent and small business owner Wanda James is challenging Denver’s longtime representative in Congress, Diana DeGette, because she’s got a different approach. She joins host Bree Davies to talk about the latest on the immigration crackdown, Trump’s threats to invoke the Insurrection Act, and dig into the buzzword of the moment — affordability. Plus, Wanda’s campaign for Congress. 

What do you think about these new ideas on affordability? 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

Bree and Wanda discussed these three new affordability bills Democrats are pushing at the state legislature this session. To hear one of the other candidates challenging Diana DeGette, here’s our episode with Melat Kiros from last month, and here’s our most recent episode with DeGette herself, recorded in 2024 when Democrats were debating whether or not then president Joe Biden should step aside. 

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Along with the rest of the country, Denverites are reeling from the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi discuss the local reactions, including from Pretti’s parents in Arvada. Plus, what’s the deal with the “Ace of Spades” cards ICE agents left on detainees cars after a traffic stop outside Vail? We also talk about the new conservative-backed ballot measure to limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration agents and some good news! Longmont pizzerias are putting on a Colorado Pizza Festival in September. 

Come see us live this Friday! We are the guests for Dude IDK’s monthly late-night talk show Good Night Denver. It’s super funny, and we’d love to see you there. Get your tickets here!

Paul mentioned photographer Drew Kartos (who has photos from last weekend’s protests up on his Instagram), the recent NYT/Siena poll on President Trump’s immigration crackdown, this helpful history of playing cards in Vietnam, and the distinction between ICE and the Border Patrol. Bree quoted this Al Jazeera interview with a former border patrol officer.  

How do you think Coloradans will vote on that ballot measure? We’d love to hear your predictions! 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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2026 is shaping up to be a turning point year for the Democrats in Colorado. Internal disagreements on hot topics like data centers and AI threaten to divide the state’s governing party, while important June primaries for the top statewide offices have many lawmakers looking to the future. So, as the legislature convenes for what will be Gov. Jared Polis’ final session in control of the veto pen, what will the Dems be able to agree on? Politics contributor Deep Singh Badhesha joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about Polis’ last big projects, the internal Democratic divisions, yet another budget deficit, and why everyone can’t stop talking about “affordability.” 

Paul mentioned Sam Brasch’s reporting on the dueling data center bills for CPR and the heavily amended Kelly Loving Act that passed last year. Bree talked about the episode we made with Sam about the data centers already operating in Denver. 

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The fight over safety on a stretch of Alameda Avenue in Wash Park continues — will the city’s new plan to test an ⁠altered safety plan⁠ make anyone happy? Then, rents are dropping, apartment vacancies are up, and the ⁠mayor is concerned⁠. Why? Politics contributor Deep Singh Badhesha joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to talk about the latest twist in the Alameda sage, the inflection point in our rental market, and of course our wins and fails of the week.

Paul talked about our ⁠guest diversity report⁠ for 2025, Colfax Ave BID executive director Frank Locantore’s ⁠push for housing⁠, and a ⁠medicaid fraud scandal⁠. Bree mentioned a Telluride town councilmember’s ⁠hot mic moment⁠. Deep discussed ⁠Bo Nix’s broken ankle⁠ and⁠ YouGov’s poll⁠ on Colorado’s Trump disapproval rating.

What do you think about Alameda Ave.? 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

Come out to our next member event! We’re hosting it at Convivio Café, and if you’re a City Cast Denver Neighbor you’re invited. Sign up now and get the details at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠. 

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

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New campaign finance reports just released show a combined $9 million coming in for both Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser’s gubernatorial campaigns. But where all that money is flowing from is a little murky. David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever, joins host Bree Davies to dig into the dark money dirt, as well as President Trump’s recent meddling in Colorado’s attempt to cap credit card interest rates and the financial fallout from the recent Telluride ski patrol strike. 

Bree mentioned a post from the ski blog Peak Rankings and The Lever’s excellent podcast and newly released book, Master Plan. Sirota talked about the Clean Campaign Act of 2019. 

What do you think about Sirota’s dark money loophole proposal? Should legislators close it? 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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Anti-Trump protesters gathered outside the Capitol last Saturday, but the turnout paled in comparison to the bigger demonstrations we saw last year. Producer Paul Karolyi joins host Bree Davies to talk about the past year of anti-Trump resistance in Denver as we watch violence play out on the streets of Minneapolis. Plus, a Denver city council member has a big new idea to help out pet owners and we hear a couple of listener hacks to navigate the rising cost of takeout.

Paul talked about this betting market for the CD8 Democratic primary and the Colorado Sun’s coverage of Gov. Polis’ State of the State speech last week. 

What’s the best happy hour in town? We want to hear about your fave! 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 moving company recently published data showing that fewer people are moving to Colorado than moving away — but should our state really be concerned about becoming “the New Jersey of the West”? Factors like aging, housing affordability, international migration, and falling birthrates paint a more complex picture. Host Bree Davies sits down with State Demographer Kate Watkins to discuss everything from the impacts of a slowing economy to declining school enrollment, and what really contributes to growth or decline of our population. Kate also shares some future forecasting on what the population of the Mile High City could look like in 2060.

Kate talked about the State Demography Office’s 2025 report on Colorado’s housing shortfall.

We’re hiring for an Audience Development Manager! If you want to help us take our social media and marketing to the next level, check out the full job description to see if you’d be a good fit.

What do you think about Colorado’s changing population? 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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Will Aldi conquer Denver’s grocery market? After the national chain announced plans to open dozens of new locations in Colorado, Denverites have been champing at the bit for a new supermarket option. Then, landlords of now-closed Secret Garden Bar & Café in Cheesman Park are on the hunt for a new restaurant operator, but where does that leave union negotiations with the former staff? Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into these big stories, plus discuss a homeless shelter provider’s decision to take away room keys from residents, one food writer’s concerns about takeout meals becoming too expensive to be worth it, and wins and fails of the week. 

Bree talked about the the Colorado Symphony’s new bus ads and the GoFundMe for Angelo Simpson, who lost his life in an unsolved hit and run.  Olivia talked about a new stamp and how lawmakers talk about Gov. Polis. Justine discussed the Nuggets new tactile broadcast technology for blind and low vision fans and the truck that hit the RTD’s A Line.

Just a note — we will be off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so no new podcast episode on Monday. Oh and check out our photo gallery from the 2025 Denver-est Denver Awards show!

What do you think about getting takeout? Worth the convenience or getting too expensive? 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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