City Cast Denver

What in the heck happened to the Secret Garden Cafe & Bar? We broke the story of the very popular spot’s sudden closure last week — and staff are wondering if it was connected to their recent unionizing efforts. Then, DIA and the Colorado Springs Airport have chosen not to air a new video of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blaming the government shutdown on Democrats, but each for different reasons. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love dig into these stories, plus share some listener comments on coffee and a Love is Blind contestant’s allegedly bad driving.

Bree mentioned the Hatch Act and artist Cal Duran and the Denverite profile of his mentor, Rita Flores de Wallace, Denver’s “First Lady” of Mexican folk art. We also talked about previous City Cast Denver episodes on coffee shops, Love is Blind, and Casa Bonita’s roaming characters.

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Wellington Webb served as Denver’s mayor from 1991 to 2003. In those 12 years, he oversaw the expansion of the Denver Art Museum, the construction of DIA and Empower Field at Mile High, and many more city-defining projects. After a long political career, he started his own PR and economic development consulting firm — and was one of the biggest voices in the successful opposition to proposed housing development on the Park Hill Golf Course. Today, the former city leader joins producer Paul Karolyi to talk about that legacy and share what he thinks of the current administration’s work and the nearly $1 billion bond package voters will be deciding on in November.

After we recorded this interview, BusinessDen reported that Mayor Johnston has finally closed the deal for the city to take ownership of the Park Hill Golf Course land. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOwDYj8gNXV/?hl=en

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The Denver Center for the Performing Arts announced this week that it was ⁠shutting down Off Center⁠, its immersive theater programming. Meanwhile at Casa Bonita, the restaurant unveiled its “Casa Boonita” theming for the Halloween season, which ⁠sparked a labor complaint⁠ over the associated reduction in roaming characters. So, is Denver over immersive art? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by returning fave, comedian Joshua Emerson, to dig into the local art scene and the unclear future for immersive performers. Plus, our wins and fails of the week. 

Bree discussed the ⁠Denver cop who was fired⁠, as well as Gustavo Arellano’s ⁠latest thoughts on Den-Mex⁠ in Westword — you can also hear ⁠his conversation about regional cuisine⁠ on our show from a few years ago. Paul mentioned ⁠fears of ICE showing up⁠ at Ball Arena, Avalanche player Brent Burns’ ⁠hilarious looks⁠, and Bree’s bestie Karma Leigh’s amazing ⁠Av’s jersey design⁠. Joshua talked about ⁠union issues at Casa Bonita⁠, the Denver American Indian Commission’s ⁠internal turmoil⁠, and ⁠the Av’s return⁠. 

Do you think immersive art is dead or very much alive? 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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City Council is meeting today to debate amendments to the mayor’s proposed budget for 2026, and it could get spicy! Because Mayor Mike Johnston been facing a lot of criticism for the way he’s handled the city’s $250 million shortfall lately. He laid off workers. He asked every department to look for cuts. Clerk and Recorder Paul López even said the mayor’s proposed cuts represent ”a threat to democracy.” And as López and other critics have pointed out, the mayor did not ask police or firefighters to delay raises. Producer Paul Karolyi gets the rare chance to hear directly from the chief of the Denver Fire Department, Desmond Fulton, about why his department’s proposed budget for 2026 is actually increasing and what that has to do with the past few years of political upheaval inside his department.

Paul referenced CBS reporter Brian Maass’s ongoing investigation into Chief Fulton’s comp time scandal, which Brian came on the pod to talk about in March after the firefighters’ 64% no-confidence vote. Maass also reported on the contract negotiations in May that resulted in the firefighters getting 10% raises over the next two years. Paul also mentioned the recent reporting from the Denver Post on how the city’s elevator permitting process is letting some broken elevators slip through the cracks. 

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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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The Netflix dating show “Love Is Blind” has descended on Denver, but just how much of Denver really shines through in the contestants? We binge-watched the first six episodes to suss out these Colorado blind daters and decide: is Sparkle Megan really that sparkling? Is Jordan more than just the chicken-in-a-blender guy? Do any of these people scream Denver when it comes to their personalities and interests? Host Bree Davies is joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval and political spectator Adrian Felix to dish on all things Love is Blind: Denver Edition. 

Catch up with us now before the next batch of episodes drops today!

Who are you rooting for? Will any of the Love is Blind couples last? Are these people tried and true Denverites? 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 conservative legal activists at Alliance Defending Freedom are taking another Colorado case to the Supreme Court this week. Will conversion therapy for minors — which has been illegal in this state since 2019 — be reconsidered as a free speech issue? Then, “gonzo journalist” and longtime Woody Creek resident Hunter S. Thompson’s widow is asking the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to reopen the case of his death in 2005, which was ruled a suicide, but why she’s requesting the probe remains murky. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dive into these stories plus new information on Pete’s University Park Cafe, the Avs’ questionable allegiance, and a listener question about a Denverite on “Survivor.”

Paul mentioned Hunter S. Thompson’s famous Rolling Stone article “The Battle of Aspen.” After we recorded this episode, Cale Makar answered a reporter’s question about the view of him wearing an LA Rams uniform. 

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What do you think about Hunter S. Thompson’s legacy in Colorado? 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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Is your neighborhood ready for “gentle density”? The city’s community planning and development office is starting work on a project to bring missing middle housing — duplexes, fourplexes, etc. — to more Denver neighborhoods, and that means some neighbors are gearing up for a fight! City Councilman Kevin Flynn represents southwest Denver and was re-elected after he warned against so-called gentle density. So today he joins producer Paul Karolyi to talk about Denver’s housing challenges and a variety of other hot-button issues facing the city, including the mayor’s controversial budget proposal for 2026 and a couple ballot measures Denverites will be deciding next month.

What do you think about “gentle density” in your neighborhood? 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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One of Mayor Mike Johnston’s biggest priorities this year is showing Denverites how much better 16th St. looks post-construction. And as of Tuesday, he’s got a big new prize to show off: The Denver Pavilions. He’s arranged to buy the 27-year-old “mall on the mall” for $37 million — Coyote Ugly and all. Former Republican congressional candidate Valdamar Archuleta joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to talk about the mayor’s downtown shopping spree. Plus, we debate the latest calls to boycott an allegedly MAGA-owned business in Wheat Ridge and, of course, our wins and fails of the week.

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Paul mentioned a Reddit thread where protesters were discussing their actions against the Rocky Mountain Reckoning event at The Werks last Sunday. He also talked about Bake Fest this Saturday morning, RTD’s Access-on-Demand rate change, and the Starbucks inside REI. Olivia talked about banned books and leaf-peepers in Georgetown. Valdamar discussed the Rockies’ rebuild and recent changes at the airport, as well as this pilot’s frustrations. 

What do you think about the mayor buying the Pavilions? We need to hear your take! 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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Something very weird is happening in Denver’s rental market. For the first time in what feels like forever, the average rent is going down. But at the same time, evictions are skyrocketing! They are set to break records again in 2025 after setting a tragic high-water mark in 2024. And amid the escalating eviction crisis, Mayor Mike Johnston informed eviction defense groups last week that he was cutting their funding. So producer Paul Karolyi is sitting down with the head of one of those groups, Community Economic Defense Project co-founder Zach Neumann, to talk about why evictions are up when average rents are down, and what the mayor’s decision means for the people most at-risk. 

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Paul mentioned his interview a few months ago with Drew Hamrick, the senior vice president of Government Affairs for the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.

What do you think about rising evictions and the mayor’s choice to shift funding? 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 leaves are turning, the temps are dropping, and that 12-foot plastic skeleton is back up in the neighbor’s yard. It’s officially October. So how’re you going to make the most of spooky season in Denver this year? From walking tacos on West Colfax to a chilling history museum exhibit, we’re back with our monthly guide to living the good life in the Mile High City.  

Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/ 

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 October in Denver, we’ll have even more tips and suggestions in our newsletter Hey Denver later this week. 

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

City Cast Denver is made possible by our awesome sponsors, like Wise, Window Nation, and Multipass.

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