City Cast Denver

With office vacancy rates still high and and business owners clamoring for help, one of Mayor Mike Johnston’s biggest priorities is “revitalizing” downtown. Last November voters gave his efforts a big boost by expanding the Downtown Development Authority, giving him approximately $570 million to invest in projects that might give the area a spark. Rumors about the application process had been circulating until last week, when the mayor revealed 10 projects that will get the first $100 million. Westword editor Patty Calhoun has been following the DDA process, and she joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dissect the list and talk about the notable omissions. 

Patty mentioned the raves planned at Civic Center Park and the plans for Civic Center’s “Next 100” redevelopment project.  Paul talked about Westword’s coverage of the Denver Immersive Repertory Theater and our interview with Mayor Mike Johnston last week. 

What do you think about the mayor’s work to revitalize downtown? Are these the projects you were hoping to see funded? 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 the actual person — or people — behind @DoBetterDNVR finally be revealed? The account known for posting photos of unhoused people has grown and made a lot of noise online this week over concerns its contributors’ identities could be exposed by the Denver Post. Then, cyclists claimed victory when two traffic calming projects were added back into the Vibrant Denver bond proposal. But are cars still winning the fight for funding and space overall? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by politics contributor Deep Singh Badhesha to dig into these stories, plus our wins and fails of the week.

Bree mentioned the latest twist in the El Rancho/QuikTrip saga in Evergreen and the plans for an American Indian Cultural Center. Paul talked about Avalanche jersey rumors, QR code scammers, and his recent appearance on the Off the Clock podcast with Jon Eks. Deep talked about the state legislature’s imminent special session and his hope for a state full of big blue animals. 

What do you think about Do Better Denver’s identity being revealed? Is it doxxing or legitimate journalism? 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 summer heat won’t slow us down — from the best bird watching at Barr Lake to our fave iced chai and cookie combo at Tablón Coffee Roasters, we’ve rounded up the best way to enjoy August in the Mile High City.

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

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

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Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at [email protected]. 

Be honest, you know you have one — a habit or guilty pleasure that as a proud Coloradan you know you shouldn’t indulge. When we first put out the call to hear listeners’ “toxic Colorado traits” earlier this year, we were overwhelmed with confessions so hilarious (and honest) that we had to share our own. It’s time to go deep on Mile High “obnoxious lore.” So we are revisiting that conversation with host Bree Davies and two of our favorite regular guests, stand-up comedian Kate MacLachlan and our politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval. 

What’s you toxic Colorado trait? You’ve heard ours and some great ones from other listeners, so it’s your turn to confess! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

This episode first aired on February 24, 2025. 

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President Trump turned his attention to Denver once again last week, with a new executive order meant to end “crime and disorder on America’s streets.” So what will the new order mean for Denverites? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are sorting through the details. Then, Bree spent the weekend talking to music lovers and industry types at the Underground Music Showcase. Will it be the last? Plus, Casa Bonita’s owners Matt Stone and Trey Parker got caught up in a big national political media scandal last week, so what will it mean for your sopaipillas? And finally, your questions and comments about some recent episodes.

Paul mentioned our interview yesterday with Mayor Mike Johnston, in which he addressed possible city support for UMS. We discussed the UMS owners’ announcement a few weeks ago that this would be the last year “in its current form.” Check out Westword and Denverite for more coverage of Trump’s new executive order. 

What do you think should happen with 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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At the halfway point of his four-year term, Mayor Mike Johnston is facing some big challenges. He’s made a lot of progress on his work to end unsheltered homelessness in Denver and overseen reductions in violent crime, but as he himself said in his State of the City speech last week, the work is far from finished. Johnston returns for his regular sit-down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the criticism he’s facing from some of his strongest allies, as well as his plans to convert office space downtown, how much he’s willing to support the Broncos’ new stadium project, and what he’d say if Michael Bennet becomes governor and offers him a vacant senate seat. 

What do you think about what Mayor Mike said? 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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Fights over the mayor’s Vibrant Denver bond proposal are heating up, with some transportation advocates and one city council member concerned that the Broncos’ stadium plans could be impacting who gets the biggest piece of the $935 million dollar pie. Then, Congressman Gave Evans has been a champion of President Trump’s immigration crackdown. But a new investigation from Colorado Newsline revealed a surprising truth behind the legislator’s claims that his family immigrated to the U.S. “the right way.” Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by my musician, artist, and activist Kalyn Heffernan to dig into these stories plus our wins and fails of the week. 

Paul mentioned the new Denver National Women’s Soccer League name and logo and Kyle Clark’s crusade against Polis’ bridge succeeding. Bree talked about Rupp’s Drums closing, a realtor’s claims that Barnum is “rapidly gentrifying,” and UMS partnering with Keep the Party Safe for harm reduction training. Kalyn talked about her Untitled: Artist Takeover show tonight (Friday, July 25) at the Denver Art Museum and the potential end of the UMS. 

What do you think about the Broncos and the Bond? 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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In the most contentious citywide vote in recent memory, Denverites decided back in 2023 that private developers would not be allowed to build housing and retail on the old Park Hill Golf Course. So what is going to happen on that 155 acres of open space instead? Host Bree Davies is speaking with the executive director of Denver Parks and Recreation Jolon Clark about the city’s still-unfinished negotiations to buy the land, his office’s work to design a giant new park, and why the mayor’s Vibrant Denver bond proposal sets aside $70 million for this project when Parks and Rec has so many other sources of funding. 

What do you think about the plans for Park Hill Park? 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 Mike Johnston struck an optimistic note in his second State of the City speech on Monday evening, celebrating a historic drop in unsheltered homelessness and a 45% drop in homicides. But as he hits the halfway point in his four-year term, concerns are mounting about public safety, tax revenue shortfalls, and looming city layoffs. So is Johnston cruising to re-election? Or a one-term flame-out? Producer Paul Karolyi invited one of Johnston’s biggest critics, former mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón, to watch the speech and dissect Johnston’s wins, fails, and plans for the next two years. 

Lisa shared some concerns about equity in DIA contracting, which you can read more about here. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.

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How do you think Mayor Johnston is doing? Would you for for him to get a second term? 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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Mike Johnston marks the halfway point in his four-year term as mayor this week, and some of his campaign’s biggest supporters are now big mad. The bike community, in particular, has been buzzing about the mayor’s decision to remove some bike lane infrastructure, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are looking at how his recent comments around the issue compare to his promises on the campaign trail. Plus, a bike safety campaign takes over Wash Park, an anonymous city staffer shares a comment on a recent episode, and Bree has feelings to share about her recent trip to Lakeside Amusement Park. 

Do you have a question for Mayor Johnston? He’s scheduled to be on the show soon, and we want to know what you think we should ask him about! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

Paul quoted then-candidate Mike Johnston’s responses to the Denver Bicycle Lobby’s mayoral questionnaire. We also discussed the mayor’s recent interview with Denver7 and Lakeside’s “new” roller coaster.

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