City Cast Denver

After pleading guilty to four felonies in June, a Jefferson County judge sentenced former Colorado Bureau of Investigation scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods to 10 years in prison this week. Woods was accused of deleting, omitting, and falsifying data related to DNA investigations in more than 1,000 cases across the state, including dozens related to sexual assault. Host Bree Davies sat down with Denver Gazette investigative Jenny Deam last April after a series of major revelations in the case.

This episode originally aired on April 16, 2025

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What do you think about the Missy Woods case? 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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What’s up in Aurora lately? Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has been taking a new and low-key approach to homelessness; data center regulations are on the table, teens are taking over shopping centers, and one person is going “BYO gavel” at City Council meetings! Aurora Sentinel reporter (and former City Cast Denver newsletter writer) McKenna Harford joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to talk about Mayor Coffman’s Friday night plans, kids jumping on tables at Burger King, and so much more. 

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What have you seen happening in Aurora lately?  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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Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Denver? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying no to surveillance.

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Denver is finally getting serious about saving Sloan’s Lake, with Mayor Johnston announcing Wednesday a new $50 million proposal to dredge the lake and protect it for future generations. Contributor and Sloan’s Lake neighbor Sara Rosenthal joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to talk about what the de-goopification could look like (and smell like). Then, a local woman invited all of us to come watch her learn to roller skate, and the internet loved it! We break down how a funny local video went mega viral, and what it says about Denverites. Finally, we round out the week with Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows.

But that’s not all! City Cast Denver Neighbors will get a tasty treat in a bonus segment just for them, make sure to sign up now at membership.citycast.fm to hear all about our best bites! 

Olivia mentioned our episode going deep on the Sloan’s Lake quagmire, this TikTok from an Elyria-Swansea neighbor, and MCA’s Shrek drag show. Sara talked about the planned school walkouts. 

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Are you excited about a deeper Sloan’s Lake? 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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With school starting and phone bans going in effect, kids in Colorado already have a lot on their plates this fall. Over 160 schools across the state are participating in a walkout on Friday to protest ICE activities at schools across the country. Regular contributor Adrian Felix joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to discuss how ICE policies are affecting kids in Colorado schools and why some people online are hoping for the protest to be called off. Then, a new creepy trend online has already got one student in Colorado into legal trouble. Plus, the governor’s office is inviting middle schoolers to apply to be “governor for a day,” and we discuss what should be in a submission video that Polis simply couldn’t refuse. 

Here’s the link to apply to be “kid governor.” Subscribe to Keep it Local, our shopping guide newsletter all about supporting local businesses. 

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What do you think is in Polis’ secret room? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

Did you enjoy this interview with Elizabeth Martinez from Compass Real Estate? Learn more here.

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Starting October 1st, Denverites are officially banned from watering their lawns, despite threats of fines and restrictions already being in place. But what about the state’s other big water users? Comedian, Casa Bonita performer, and regular City Cast contributor Joshua Emerson joins host Bree Davies to talk about how much water Colorado’s agriculture industry guzzles, plus they talk about the official launch of Waymo’s driverless vehicles, what a new In-N-Out Burger planned for Colorado Boulevard means for traffic, and more. 

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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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Summer is lingering and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy all that the Mile High City has to offer. So, how do you squeeze the last moments out of these warm days and nights? Our green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, who happens to also be the Democratic candidate for Colorado’s House District 5, joins host Bree Davies to share their fave spots to enjoy a pint and a scoop on a great patio alongside Clear Creek, catch a coaster ride for a great price, and more.

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What’s your last summer hurrah you plan to do before fall? 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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How can Denver solve the housing affordability problem? A new poll from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Housing Forward Colorado says more than 60% of Denverites think higher density in their neighborhoods (like more duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) could be the answer. The poll shows support for a proposal soon to go before City Council – “Unlocking Housing Choices,” which aims to address this “missing middle” housing issue through zoning reform. SWEEP’s Smart Growth Senior Program Manager Max Nardo joins host Bree Davies to look at the poll results and discuss the density debate to come. 

Producer Paul Karolyi reported on the budget-related downscaling of the Unlocking Housing Choices project in an episode back in February. Bree mentioned interviews we did with both sides of the Lakewood density debate that went to voters earlier in March.

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What do you think about adding “missing middle” housing to your block? 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 Denver airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for every day.

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This week Denver DSA officially endorsed current District 8 council member Shontel Lewis for mayor – a race voters won’t be deciding until next April. A new poll shows Lewis is far from a household name – is DSA making a big bet early in the season? Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler joins host Bree Davies to talk about the race, the questionable fate of a Broncos parking lot in Sun Valley, and their wins and fails of the week. Plus, a bonus segment only for City Cast Denver Neighbors about Dolly Parton’s local impact through her children’s reading program.

Bree talked about the Federal Boulevard and Colfax Avenue clover leaf interchange, the Ghost Canyon Festival, fundraisers for two North High School students – Giovanni Ramos and Yorbelis Gutiérrez-Arena – both lost to gun violence, and the September 12 fundraiser for the local branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She also read part of Lisa Calderón’s statement about the DSA endorsement of Lewis. Elliott mentioned the lunar eclipse, DPS’ bear warnings for students, and the great podcast Dolly Parton’s America. 

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

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What do you think of DSA’s early endorsement? 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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