City Cast Denver

From taco trucks serving up quesabirria in suburban parking lots to fine dining spots winning awards for elevated tacos and pozole, there is a wide range of Mexican food in Denver. And thanks to a slew of very talented and boundary-pushing chefs, some of Denver’s beloved and distinct Mexican food traditions are being taken in exciting new directions. So what’s hot? What’s new? And where is “Den-Mex” going next? Host Bree Davies is speaking with a man who’s been at the center of it all. Mario Martinez has worked in kitchens with some of these hotshot chefs and now he explores the metro area to find the next great taco truck for his instagram account @TheColoradoFoodies. 

Check out all of Mario’s recommendations:

And here are the chefs that Bree mentioned:

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What’s your favorite local spot for Mexican food? Have they been changing recently? New menu items? New presentation? 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 debate over Gov. Jared Polis’ proposal to build an elevated walkway outside the Capitol has taken a turn, and for the first time he wants to hear what you think. So host Bree Davies is talking about the governor’s new survey with producer Olivia Jewell Love and our politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval about what this new survey is all about. Plus, why are Denverites in particular clamoring to move to Mexico lately? And why are they particularly susceptible to scammers?  Plus, our wins and fails of the week. 

Bree talked about the passing of Colorado poet laureate Andrea Gibson, the California Pizza Kitchen in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, and the Sonic in Edgewater. Justine talked about accessibility at Rocky Mountain National Park, Margaret Atencio, and wildlife crossings, which are increasingly popular across Colorado. Olivia talked about this post on r/Denver about the patios at DIA and EV technician training in Aurora Goodwill.

What do you think we should call the new Rhino 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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At one point last year, Colorado was number one in the U.S. for market share of new electric vehicles, even beating California. But as the state winds down its EV rebates and the Trump administration’s budget bill cuts into federal EV incentives, will Denverites still be enticed to buy eco-friendly vehicles? CPR climate reporters Sam Brasch and Ishan Thakore join host Bree Davies to dig into this issue, plus they discuss Colorado’s foray into geothermal energy, and take a closer look at how a push for electric lawn equipment could be impacted by Denver’s budget shortfall.

Sam mentioned a previous appearance on our show where we talked about the rise of EVs in Colorado.

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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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In a story broken by BusinessDen in early June, it was revealed that some mysterious land deals were happening between property owners in and around Burnham Yard and a big, important entity in the city: the Denver Broncos. Further investigative reporting revealed that Denver Water — whose campus is just north of the defunct trainyard land — was also involved, even sending “intent to acquire” letters to surrounding landowners with hints of the use of eminent domain. 

BusinessDen reporter Justin Wingerter and editor Thomas Gounley join host Bree Davies to share what their investigation uncovered, discuss who else might be involved, and weigh in on whether this means the Broncos and their yet-to-be-built new stadium will stay in Denver.

Historic Denver’s president John Deffenbaugh talked about the historic preservation work he’d like to see at Burnham Yard on our show a few months ago. 

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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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Mayor Mike Johnston is asking voters to approve a massive new bond this November, and we finally have a pretty good idea of which projects will be included. So why is one councilmember “incredibly angry”? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi talk through which projects made the cut, which neighborhoods are getting ignored, and why City Council is divided. Plus, have you been to the Little Man Ice Cream in Highland lately? There’s a really nasty smell around that famous milk jug, and we figured out what it is. Plus, a listener comment on our coverage of the Venezuelan gang “takeover” story. 

Paul talked about the 303 Artway and Pete’s University Park Cafe. Here are some more helpful takeaways about the proposed bond package from Denverite. 

Have you been to the Little Man in Highland lately? We want to know what you think of that smell! 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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Colfax Avenue sure has a lot of haters — people who just don’t get it. But we get it! We love Colfax and wanted to test that knowledge with another round of our famous 1-star review game, Colfax edition. Recorded live at the Colfax Indie Bash last week, Colfax aficionado and host Bree Davies competes against former Colfax-area resident and comedian Joshua Emerson. Quizmaster slash producer Paul Karolyi has some surprises in store! Who knows Colfax’s haters best? 

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What do you think about these Colfax businesses? Let us know your hot 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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It has been almost one year since the first rumors of a Venezuelan gang started circulating in Aurora. A new report from the New York Times Magazine looks back at how those rumors blew up into an election-defining political issue and now unprecedented ICE raids across the Denver metro. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi invited outgoing Denver Post immigration reporter Megan Ulu-lani Boyanton to look back at the whole arc of the story and all the other biggest news of the week — from the local grocery union’s deals with King Soopers and Safeway to new safety concerns at city-run shelters. 

Paul talked about dangerous elevators, Alteño, friend of the show slash CPR reporter Sam Brasch’s coverage of geothermal energy, and Hold On to Your Butts: A Jurassic Park Rewatch Podcast. Bree discussed the local implications of the “Big Beautiful Bill” and the restoration of the “Confluent People” mural. Megan talked about the MCA’s rooftop parties and a tragic accident at a city-run former hotel shelter. 

What do you think about the Venezuelan gang story? 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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Colorado has been a leader in transgender health care and civil rights, but since Trump won back the presidency, this community has been under attack across the country. The question for Denverites and their politicians alike has become: What’s the best way to respond? Representative Brianna Titone of Arvada is Colorado’s first openly trans legislator, and she is on today with host Bree Davies to talk about the federal government’s latest legal attacks on local institutions and share the inside story of the compromise behind Colorado’s new trans rights law, the Kelly Loving Act.

Bree and Rep. Titone discussed the Trump administration’s investigations into East High School’s gender-neutral bathroom and JeffCo’s policy on overnight sleeping arrangements for students. They also talked about the legal challenges to the Kelly Loving Act

Come see us live at the Colfax Indie Bash tonight! We’ll be on stage on the patio at Champagne Tiger, and tickets are FREE. All you need to do is RSVP and come out for some good food, great people, and a live podcast. RSVP here. 

What do you think about the state of trans rights in Colorado? 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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Battles over bike lanes, the uncertain future of Welton Street’s light rail line, and questions about the historic Rossonian hotel ever reopening again — these debates playing out in Denver’s District 9 are a microcosm of issues happening citywide. Councilman Darrell Watson has been representing this district, which covers neighborhoods from Globeville to South Park Hill, for nearly two years. He joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk through all the big topics, plus share his thoughts on impending city layoffs, his staunch stance on the flavored tobacco ban, and his mayoral ambitions. 

Come see us live at the Colfax Indie Bash on July 10! We’ll be on stage on the patio at Champagne Tiger, and tickets are FREE. All you need to do is RSVP and come out for some good food, great people, and a live podcast. RSVP here. 

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

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Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

What do you think about Councilman Watson? We want to hear from you, especially if you live in District 9! 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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There’s been talk about layoffs at the city for weeks, but information on just how many jobs are on the chopping block and when these layoffs are suppose to happen has been vague. One city worker tells us there a lot of concerns internally about how Mayor Mike Johnston has been approaching the city’s budget shortfall. Then, TRVE Brewing is the latest brewery to close up shop. Is South Broadway a victim of its own success? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into these stories, plus more chatter about the potential end of the Underground Music Showcase.

Bree mentioned John Moore’s piece on his co-founding of the UMS in The Denver Gazette and our episode last week on the topic.

Come see us live at the Colfax Indie Bash on July 10! We’ll be on stage with Mayor Mike Johnston on the patio at Champagne Tiger, and tickets are FREE. All you need to do is RSVP and come out for some good food, great people, and a live podcast with the mayor. RSVP here. 

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

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Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm

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

If you enjoyed this interview with Kelsey Simpkins from Regional Air Quality Council, learn more here.

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