City Cast Denver

After a water main break, the rise of streaming, and a global pandemic put the Esquire Theatre on the brink, it looks like the 96-year-old arthouse won’t make it to 100. BusinessDen reported this week that after failing to find a buyer, the owners now intend to redevelop the property at 590 Downing St. into a mix of restaurant, retail, and office space. So producer Paul Karolyi is chatting with fellow film lover Adrian González, formerly of Denver Film and now a newsletter editor with City Cast, to talk about the Esquire closing and share their picks for the best movie theaters in town — from the best popcorn and drinks to the best arthouse and cineplex.

What’s your favorite movie theater in town? And which one’s the worst? Are you loving the new AMC at 9+CO? Or maybe you’ve seen behind the screen at The Mayan? We want to know what you think about Denver’s movie theaters. Leave us a voicemail or send us a text, 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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It’s Tuesday, and we’re talking about all the local stories that matter this week. First, local officials are officially hyped about BRT, aka “bus rapid transit” aka the hottest thing in public transportation! Local, state, and federal officials gathered recently to talk about all the exciting new bus rapid transit projects coming to the Denver metro, but something was missing. Producer Paul Karolyi is looking into the story behind the press conference with our green chile and politics correspondent Justine Sandoval. Plus, they piece together the truth behind all those weird Denargo Market questions that fewer than a hundred Denverites voted on last week. And finally, we address a listener comment on our episode about the crackdown on unauthorized weed parties and ask, are “white weed bros” really the problem?

For more on the old Denargo Market, Paul wrote this short history, including a cameo from Jack Kerouac, for our newsletter Hey Denver recently. We also learned more about how metropolitan districts work and how prevalent they are in Denver in this article from the Denver Post. 

What do you think about BRT? Or the future of RiNo? We would love 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

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The State of Colorado has a lot of big, lofty goals to help stave off climate change. But according to a new analysis, we are collectively pretty far off track — nearly 12 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, to be precise. The State Energy Office is in charge of hitting the numbers, and last week they proposed a batch of fresh ideas. So today, producer Paul Karolyi talks to Colorado Sun climate reporter Michael Booth about why we’re failing, how some of these big ideas on transportation, housing, and natural gas could work — and most of all, how they will affect all of us. 

What do you think Colorado should do to hit our climate goals? We want to hear the boring ideas that’ll make incremental progress, but also the moonshots! 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.

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It wasn’t the biggest election of our lifetimes. It wasn’t even the biggest election in Denver this year! But this past Tuesday’s results will reshape our lives, and our politics, in some big ways. Producer Paul Karolyi is breaking down the results and looking to the future with returning guest Joshua Emerson, a stand-up comic and the co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission, and one of our favorite political insiders — longtime Democratic Party strategist and one of the co-hosts of the Get More Smarter podcast, Ian Silverii. And finally, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the Week.

Paul talked about Mike Coffman and the micro-community in Virginia Village (But he missed the recent cancellation of the one planned for Holly Hills). Joshua mentioned Comedy Works and Spirit Airlines. Ian talked about Lauren Boebert, the Boulder mayor’s race, the school board drama in Woodland Park, and his interview with the reporter behind that Woodland Park story.

What do you think of the election results? We want to know what surprised you, what enraged you, and what you want to hear us talk about next! 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.

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

A few years ago Tom Messina made a deal to sell off his iconic East Colfax building — then known as Tom’s Diner — and ride off into the sunset. But historic preservation got in the way of his retirement plans. The business reopened a little over a year ago as Tom’s Starlight, but it looks as if Tom is thinking about retirement again. Who will take on the stewardship of this Denver institution and take on the lease? Host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia dig into the Colfax drama, along with the prickly story of a Colorado food influencer whose rabid — and sometimes aggressive — fans even got the New York Times’ attention. Plus, our recommendations for fun stuff to do this weekend. 

Our picks for your weekend:

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Voter turnout was unsurprisingly low for yesterday’s off-year election, but we still have plenty of results to dissect from all the hottest statewide and Denver races! Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi break down the initial returns from Tuesday evening, including the fate of Prop HH and the new era for Denver Public Schools. Then, we check in with one of Denver’s new city council members, Shontel Lewis, who tells us that the new-look council’s “honeymoon period is ending.” We talk about their latest battles over Denver’s 2024 budget, her leadership on housing and homelessness, and how she convinced Mayor Mike Johnston to cancel a planned sweep in her District 8. 

What do you think about the election results? We are going to be dissecting the results later this week, and we want to hear what you think! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text with your thoughts or questions, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418.

Paul mentioned the time Colorado’s senior senator Michael Bennet recited his favorite tofu recipe to Bree on our show earlier this year. 

Councilwoman Lewis would like you to know about an upcoming event her office is hosting, because she needs volunteers! The 2023 Hiawatha Davis Jr. Luncheon is coming up on December 8. It’s a free event to celebrate elders in District 8 and connect them with resources. Sign up here to volunteer!

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It might not feel like it, but today is election day. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are sharing a juicy update on the scammer running unopposed for school board in Englewood and talking about what they’ll be watching for as the results come in tonight. Then, the trials over the 2019 killing of Elijah McClain took an unexpected turn last week, with one officer making the unusual move of taking the stand in his own defense. And finally, we respond to your questions and comments about food deserts, vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and trick-or-treat candy policies. 

After we recorded the show yesterday, the Adams County jury delivered its verdict in the case against Aurora police officer Nathan Woodyard -- not guilty.

Don’t forget to vote! 

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Between the ongoing I-70 traffic conundrum, housing affordability issues in basically every ski town, pricey passes to overcrowded lift lines, resort workers unionizing left and right, and, of course, the imminent threat of changing climate, the ski world seems to touch every aspect of life in Colorado. So as resorts open across the state, producer Paul Karolyi sits down with the ultimate ski industry insider, Luis Benitez, to talk through the civic, environmental, and labor issues at stake on the slopes this winter, and share insight into the plans and operations of some of the biggest resort operators in the world. 

Luis mentioned data comparing winter holiday traffic and summer traffic on I -70, per CDOT’s numbers. Paul quoted articles about the latest challenges in the ski industry from Denver Business Journal and 5280 Magazine. 

You can read more about Luis Benitez’s campaign to establish a federal office for the outdoor recreation industry in 5280 Magazine. 

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Epic weed drama erupted this week, with the outing of a “rat in the community” who allegedly made dozens of complaints about public consumption to city officials, which led to the massive crackdown on not-quite-legal weed parties over the summer. With weed sales still trending down, we’re asking: Is this the last gasp of the Green Rush? Or a mess we voters made for ourselves? Our green chile and politics correspondent Justine Sandoval joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to sort through the drama and the state of legal weed. Then, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.

This episode features very explicit language. It also features a clip from this episode of the Stoned Appetit podcast. 

Paul mentioned former Denverite Eric Michiels, The Tank, and The Tank’s Grammy contender “Slow Beethoven.” Justine talked about Ken Buck and the TikTok restaurant drama in Atlanta.

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

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

• The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Thursday, and we are so ready for the weekend. So as usual, newsletter editor and our resident foodie Peyton Garcia joins to talk through Denver’s hottest food news: first, a Japanese restaurant that claims to be the oldest in the state is closing in Cherry Creek, while a hot new Japanese place called Kumoya is promising to change the game in Highland. And speaking of everything old being new again, we dig into the recent explosion of interest in neighborhood markets, aka bodegas, and ask: can they thrive in car-centric Denver? Finally, we share our picks for your weekend. 

Bree mentioned past guest Gil Asakawa’s excellent book “Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! A Tasty History of Japanese in America” and DeVotchka’s upcoming shows at The Stanley Hotel. Paul mentioned Rhein Haus (downtown) and Ay Papi (Cherry Creek). Peyton recommended this event for Native American Heritage Month. 

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

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

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

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

• The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise