City Cast Denver

The new-ish Professional Women’s Hockey League is taking over Ball Arena for the second year in a row this weekend, hoping to break another attendance record and set the groundwork for a possible expansion franchise here in Denver. Contributor Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how the “Heated Rivalry” craze might affect the PWHL’s prospects and play a guessing game about hockey’s weird year. Plus, the staple RiNo community hub Green Spaces is closing ahead of a move downtown and a history-loving Denverite has got some exciting new plans for a museum dedicated to South Denver.  Paul and Michelle discussed Canadian tourism to Colorado. Here are the facts, courtesy of TravelPulse Canada. Michelle also mentioned her podcast, Square State.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think about Green Spaces moving downtown? 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Big changes might be coming to Denver’s scooter and bike share scene – the city chose a new operator, Veo, and if city council signs off on the deal, Lime and Bird are out of the picture. Joining host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi is Andy Cushen, co-host of the Denver Urbanism podcast, to discuss what this impending shift means for everyday scooter and bike share users, plus the future of Lime’s very popular equity access program. Then, a sales tax increase could land on November’s ballot that would fund a Front Range Passenger Rail – but before that happens, boosters want Coloradans to pick a name for the train. Will having a cute moniker for the rail line endear voters to say yes to a sales tax increase?  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think? Do you like any of the names for the yet-to-be-built Front Range Passenger Rail? 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 March 10th episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Is a speed camera coming to your street? Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure shared preliminary plans to install cameras along parts of Federal Blvd. and Alameda Ave. with more coming soon. So, host Bree Davies and producers Olivia Jewell Love and Paul Karolyi are talking about how these new cameras are supposed to work, the surveillance question, and why these streets are getting them first. Plus, we respond to listener questions and comments about Wi-Fi in coffee shops, bored teenagers, and the lost but not forgotten indie sleaze hotspot that was RockBar.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think about Denver’s new speed cameras? 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Denver are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers. Mentioned on the show: Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Despite this season’s lack of snow, Waymo, the autonomous ride share company, says their robotaxis-in-training are still learning how to drive in Denver winters. Then, Stella's Coffee Haus recently announced they are cutting off Wi-Fi at their shop, which has us wondering — should coffee shops even have Wi-Fi? And what’s the etiquette for working-from-coffeehouse? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love and contributor Michelle Jackson to dish on these stories, and of course deliver the wins and fails of the week. Bree talked about the dangerous intersection in Cherry Hills and Dyketopia’s March 22 show. Olivia mentioned Denver’s bison transfer to Native tribes and the stinky smells at the Lowry Town Center. Michelle discussed the impending snowfall and Colorado’s tourism attention on Canada.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Check out our new City Cast podcast "Your City Could Be Better" on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by CEO David Plotz, this week's episode features Salt Lake City!  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 March 6th episode: Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Earlier this week, Governor Jared Polis made a post on X comparing the sentences of former Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis and former county clerk Tina Peters, both of whom have been convicted of attempting to influence a public official, among other charges. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are joined by comedian Kate McLachlan to dig into what Polis is – or isn’t saying – about President Trump’s calls to pardon Peters. Plus, they discuss the city’s plans to host a restaurant inside the McNichols Civic Center Building and pitch their dream eateries for this parkside spot.  After our recording, Sen. Michael Bennet made a post on X about his position on clemency for Tina Peters.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think Gov. Polis is saying with his X post? 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 today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here. Check out upcoming Multipass events below: Debbie Check Max Davidson Presents: Strangers and Friends The Afterlove Tour Learn more about the sponsors of this March 5th episode: Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Kwame Spearman wants you to buy books from him again. The 2023 mayoral hopeful and former CEO of The Tattered Cover opened Denver Book Society last month and he’s hoping for a redemption arc. But  social media chatter shows some Denverites feeling skeptical of his second try at book selling, accusing him of being a catalyst for Tattered’s failure at retaining local ownership and calling into question comments he made about ICE and immigration during his run for mayor. Can Spearman and co-owner Rich Garvin create the “third space” they hope to bring with this new venture? Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are joined by green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to discuss the future of the new indie bookstore, plus dig into the news that Denver Pride is shrinking down to a single day celebration and will move from Civic Center Park to 16th Street.  Bree mentioned Spearman’s comments on immigration, as reported by 9News and Denverite’s conversation with Kim Salvaggio, CEO of The Center. Olivia read from Instagram posts from both Denver Book Society and Denver Book Swap Society. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode: Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Mayor Mike Johnston signed an executive order last week that, among other things, bans immigration officials from any city property and requires Denver police to intervene if federal agents are compromising the safety of citizens. Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dig into how this order could play out. Then, a new report on the “structural contraction” of the restaurant industry is sparking a new round of debate about Denver’s tipped minimum wage. Plus, listeners decry the mayor’s use of “Trumpian” in our interview with Johnston last week.  What do you think about Denver possibly lowering the tipped minimum wage? 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 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this March 3rd episode: Multipass Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

March is historically the snowiest month here in the Mile High City, but after the last few weeks of historically high winter temps, who knows what to expect! What we do know is how to make the most of this month — snow or not. Comedian and returning guest JD Lopez joins City Cast’s Adrian González and Paul Karolyi to share insider recommendations for the best things to do, experience, eat, and drink this month. We’re talking about a overlooked museum, an underrated comedy show, and where to find the most colorful paleta carts. Plus, some bonus recs for 303 Day tomorrow.  What’s your favorite way to celebrate 303 Day? We want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show tomorrow: 720-500-5418.  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 December in Denver, check out our newsletter Hey Denver’s take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here.  We’re also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more membership.citycast.fm about how to become a member of City Cast Denver. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here citycast.fm/advertise.  Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at denver@citycast.fm

A lot of cities, including Denver, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

After bubbling up over the last few months, the debate over data centers in Denver boiled over this week. Mayor Mike Johnston imposed a moratorium on new ones being built, then a community meeting erupted in chants to halt construction on one going up in Elyria-Swansea. Our green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval was at the town hall, and she joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to get into it — plus, Douglas County has a new retail theft measure that could lead to fines for businesses that don’t report shoplifting and, as always, our wins and fails of the week. Paul mentioned Greeley’s big arena vote and Humane Colorado. Bree talked about Blucifer’s First Rodeo. Justine discussed the Westernaires dropping Native American dancing and the Garfield County sheriff’s comments about Rep. Elizabeth Velasco. What do you think about data centers being build in Denver? 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 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Watch clips from the show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver or Instagram @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

A moratorium on new data centers. A replacement for Flock surveillance cameras. A reversal in the Alameda Ave. safety plan debate. These are all big issues in the city right now that Mayor Mike Johnston has recently seemed to change his mind about. So, what gives? Johnston sits down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to explain these big recent shifts — plus, what he thinks about one of his big campaign donors showing up in the Epstein Files and a listener question about Denver Public Schools. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Could downtown’s narrative finally be changing? From buying up the Pavilions to renovating Skyline Park, the city has been putting big money and energy toward making Denver’s urban core appealing again. Developers are following suit — real estate investor Asher Luzzatto recently announced plans to spend $300 million on renovating a whole city block, including the conversion of two aging office buildings into new housing, childcare facilities, commercial space, and more. So, what else is missing? We’re revisiting a classic episode from two years ago when we threw out our biggest, craziest ideas to bring life back downtown to see if city leaders took any notes.  Bree mentioned the Cinderella City Project, pencil smokestack art, and Lawrence Halprin’s original Skyline Park design. She also talked about our episode on the likelihood of changing downtown’s empty office buildings into housing.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm How do you think downtown has been feeling lately? Revitalized and cool again? Still not quite back? 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

With the primaries just around the corner in June, Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser are hitting the gubernatorial campaign trail hard. This past weekend, the two leading Democratic candidates joined a forum — put on by Greater Denver Transit, the Denver Bicycle Lobby, and YIMBY Denver — to spar over their positions on everything from Peña Boulevard and rental assistance to allowing apartment buildings to ban dogs. Producer Paul Karolyi was there, and he sits down with host Bree Davies to discuss what he observed from Weiser and Bennet and how the housing and transit crowd reacted.  Paul mentioned this new Denver Post report that DIA officials have “broadened their approach” to their work addressing traffic congestion on Peña Boulevard and will now consider increasing public transit service. Check out our past interviews with AG Weiser and Senator Bennet.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think about Weiser and Bennet? 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this February 24th episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Beau Jo’s is a bona fide Colorado institution, but the full origin story of “Colorado Style Pizza” has not been told until today. Producer Paul Karolyi has been obsessed with Beau Jo’s since moving here in 2015 and seeing Denverites put honey on their pizza crust. Finally, he completed a multi-year investigation of the honey-crust phenomenon and the true meaning of “Colorado Style Pizza” for the James Beard Award-winning podcast The Sporkful, culminating in an interview with Beau Jo’s owner Chip Bair. Today on the podcast, we are presenting that interview in its entirety. Check out that episode of The Sporkful! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think about Beau Jo’s and Colorado Style Pizza? 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Denverites. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down with City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin to weigh the pros and cons of data centers, and debate the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, David and Bianca share must-know tips for making it in Madison and DC.  We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

AI tech giant Palantir moved its HQ from Denver to Miami this week, notifying the world via a single tweet. Was this abrupt relocation in response to ongoing protests outside its Denver office or Colorado’s first-in-the-nation AI bill or something else entirely? Political commentator Adrian Felix joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to dig into the controversial company’s departure, plus the uncertain future of Leven Supply after being seized for unpaid taxes, and our wins and fails of the week. What do you think about Palantir leaving town? 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 Adrian talked about the proposal to legalize prostitution, which we discussed earlier this week on the pod. Bree discussed the hand painted sign stolen from Duke’s Good Sandwiches and Burgers and the local sign painters who created it. Paul mentioned RTD moving forward with its renaming of Civic Center Station despite pushback, Chad McWhinney and Kimbal Musk in the Epstein Files, and the Poetic Kinetics art installation coming to downtown this summer.  For more on Scott Bottoms’ allegation of a “pedophile ring” at the Capitol, Mandy Connell pressed him on it on KOA yesterday.  After we recorded this episode, we heard back from AG Phil Weiser’s office about Palantir and CO’s AI law. His spokesperson says that they have not had any conversations with Palantir and that Weiser’s position on the AI law remains unchanged since the CU Denver Artificial Intelligence Symposium last fall, when he said his office was going to “hold off on any rule making process to implement the law until after the 2026 legislative session concludes and the General Assembly has an opportunity to make substantive changes to the AI law. This approach will allow us to create the initial rules from a place of more certainty and stability in the underlying law as well as enable us to best use and conserve our limited law enforcement resources.” For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Watch clips from the show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver or Instagram @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Love it or hate it, TABOR — the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights — has an ongoing impact on how Colorado handles our taxes. Every few years, an initiative comes along to change this constitutional amendment — like this November, when voters could be deciding whether or not to raise taxes on the rich — but they generally fail. Could this be the one that breaks through? Host Bree Davies sits down with Paul Teske, distinguished professor at Denver’s School of Public Affairs, to learn more about TABOR’s fate in 2026, plus why Dems think Colorado voters are ready to enter the national redistricting fight, and what the Public Utilities Commission role is in your growing Xcel bills.  Coloradans For a Level Playing Field is the organization behind the TABOR income tax reform initiative.  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 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 Did you enjoy today’s sponsored interview with Elizabeth Martinez from Compass? Learn more here. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

A new bill at the state legislature has got Denverites talking — is it time for Colorado to decriminalize prostitution? Poet Suzi Q. Smith joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to look at precedents in Maine and Nevada, and some of the arguments against. Plus, we saw some rumors that the fancy grocery chain Erewhon might be opening in RiNo, the mayor seems to be reconsidering Flock, and we all watched the newly Oscar-nominated documentary about former Colorado poet laureate Andrea Gibson, “Come See Me In the Good Light.” Bree mentioned this Meow Wolf/Casa Bonita prank from 2021.  What do you think we should ask Mayor Johnston when he’s on the pod soon? 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 For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Today we’re opening up the mailbag! Host Bree Davies and producers Olivia Jewell Love and Paul Karolyi hear from listeners about everything from security concerns on RTD buses and trains to mayoral candidate Lisa Calderón’s criticisms of Mayor Mike Johnston’s homelessness plan. Plus, Paul responds to some criticism about his recent comments on Rocky Flats, Bree gets a mall food court recommendation, and Olivia stans rise up!  Paul mentioned this survey from YIMBY Denver.  We’re always listening: Text or leave us a voicemail at 720-500-5418 or shoot us an email at denver@citycast.fm and share your thoughts, concerns, and questions about any episode from the last five years or pitch us your own ideas about Denver, and you might hear it on the show! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter ƒat denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm Learn more about the sponsors of this February 17 episode: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 20% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise