City Cast Denver

It’s no secret — Colorado’s air quality is suffering, and last Friday regulators approved yet another new plan to address the state’s biggest polluters. But environmentalists and critics have already spotted several loopholes that could allow companies like Suncor Energy, Molson Coors, and Cargill Meat Solutions to “pay to pollute,” as our guest today explains. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by Denver Post environmental reporter Noelle Phillips, who’s been following Colorado’s ongoing political pollution battle for years. Plus, we wrap up with our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.  Become a member of City Cast Denver today! We work hard to make this podcast every day, providing you with useful interviews and our hard-earned recs for the best of Denver. The best way to support our work is to become a member today for as little as $8/month. Plus, you’ll get an ad-free feed to enjoy as our way of saying thanks. Learn more and sign up today at membership.citycast.fm. Paul mentioned his 2021 interview with Rep. Joe Neguse about the new Climate Corps, as well as cottonwoods and bald eagles at Barr Lake. Bree mentioned Jon Caldara’s poop obsession and Cervantes’ new artist-friendly merch policy. Noelle talked about her work with the Denver Newspaper Guild and pedestrian deaths.  What do you think should be done about Suncor? We want to hear from you. Would you pay an extra dollar per gallon if it meant Suncor stopped polluting? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your response 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: 4 Noses Brewing Ambient Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we wrap up a week of fall getaways, we wanted to leave you with an enticing list of delicious destinations — restaurants we’d go the extra mile (or hundreds of miles) for! Whether you are looking for perfect pizza a mere 45 minutes away or charcuterie so good it’s worth planning a weekend around, producer Paul Karolyi and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia have got you covered. Plus, stick around for a round-up of the coolest events going down this weekend, and Paul and Peyton’s pick for our official City Cast Denver “Maybe” — as in maybe you’ll see us there! Here are links to the spots we discussed:  Antonio’s Real NY Pizza (Estes Park) Cafe Vino (Fort Collins) The Friar’s Fork & Sanctuary (Alamosa) Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm (Boulder, UT) Check out denver.citycast.fm for host Bree Davies’ two bonus road-trip-worthy restaurants Paul mentioned this New Yorker story about Hell’s Backbone Grill from 2018.  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: 4 Noses Brewing Ambient Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the most haunted place in all of Colorado? A lot of folks would tell you it’s the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, but is that place really haunted by anything other than Stanley Kubrick’s decision to film “The Shining” somewhere else? So to continue our weeklong celebration of Colorado’s best fall getaways, we called up Thad Mighell, curator of contemporary art at Understudy and paranormal superfan, to run down his list of the most haunted destinations in Colorado.  Become a member of City Cast Denver today! Become a member is the best way for you to support all the hard work we put into this show every day. So if you loved Mayoral Madness or appreciate our search for the best of everything Denver has to offer, sign up to become a founding member today. It’s just $8 per month. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. Here are links to all Thad’s haunt spots: St. Elmo Ghost Town (Chaffee County) Hotel Jerome (Aspen) Hotel Colorado (Glenwood Springs) 3rd Bridge (Bennett) UFO Watchtower (San Luis Valley) Cripple Creek (Teller County) 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: 4 Noses Brewing Ambient Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pickleball fever has swept the country, and after three years of explosive growth it looks like it’s not going anywhere (much to the neighbors’ chagrin). So how are Denverites learning to live with the distinctive dinks and thocks? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking through the latest pickleball battles in Denver, Glendale, and Centennial, plus the latest on Mayor Mike Johnston’s quest to end homelessness in his first term. Then, we respond to a listener’s critique of our episode on the push to rename six Denver parks.  Become a founding member of City Cast Denver today! There are four full-time journalists working hard every day to bring you a useful and engaging daily podcast about Denver. If you want to support our work, the best way to make sure we’ll be around for years to come is join now for as little as $8 per month. Sign up and learn more at membership.citycast.fm. Bree mentioned Mayor Johnston’s new House1000 dashboard, as well as the Denver Post and Denver7’s coverage of this week’s sweep at 8th and Logan. Paul talked about pickleball reporting from Denverite, Westword, and Fox31. 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: Denver Walls 4 Noses Brewing Ambient Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All this week, we’re celebrating the gorgeous season that is fall in Colorado. Today, we’re focusing on perfect weekend getaways — the best places to go, things to see and do in just one overnight stay. From mountain towns to chile country, we’ve rounded up all the most charming locales we love for soaking in this cool and colorful season. Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are joined by returning fave, Denver Instagram celebrity Amanda Bittner, to map out the best destinations with camping recs, must-try culinary delights, and underrated leaves to peep. What’s your favorite fall getaway? We want to share all the best road trip destinations, haunted locales, and leaves to peep. So text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬ Wanna support City Cast Denver? The best way to keep this podcast going strong for years to come is to become a founding member today. You’ll get an ad-free podcast feed and the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting local journalism — all for as little as $8 per month. Learn more and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. For even more news from around the city and links to all our weekend fall getaway recs, 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: 4 Noses Brewing — Their new taproom is opening in Park Hill on Oct. 20 Ambient Colorado, a new podcast by nature lovers for nature lovers Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than ten thousand people with big dreams arrived in the Mile High City for this year’s Denver Startup Week, and AI was the talk of the town. So will Denver become a hub for this massive tide-changing trend in technology that has congress confused and tech folks energized? Adeel Khan founded his first startup earlier this year, and he was in the thick of networking-palooza all week long. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Adeel to talk about the debates dividing Denver’s business community, Mayor Mike Johnston’s approach to the economy, and all things AI. Plus, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week touch on a new hotel project that just got new support from City Council, the definition of Colorado green chile, and more.  Become a founding member of City Cast Denver today! It’s the best way to support local journalism and all the hard work that goes into making a daily podcast. Join now for as little as $8 per month and get access to an ad-free podcast feed. Learn more and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Paul discussed this Jam Band Hero, our 2021 episode on the allegations against Jay Bianchi, and forgot to mention this update to the situation with his Grateful Dead-themed bar So Many Roads. Bree talked about her uncle Ed Kutz and his bff Reed Weimer’s role in saving the Sid King’s Crazy Horse sign from going to the dump 40 years ago. She also mentioned a past City Cast Denver episode about the story of Colorado Mexican Food with Patty Calhoun and Gustavo Arellano.  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: “Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile” at the Newman Center (Sept. 30) BadBoyBoards Lighthouse Writers Workshop Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of what our guest calls “Comedy Christmas” — aka, the High Plains Comedy Festival. Returning fave Joshua Emerson, who also co-chairs the Denver American Indian Commission, is telling jokes on stage at High Plains for the second year running. He joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to share his High Plains hacks, recommend a few shows (with tickets still available), and dish on how Denver comedy stacks up to other cities. Plus, Paul takes the reins to share his top event picks, and we make our official City Cast Denver ‘Maybe’ for your weekend. Become a founding member of City Cast Denver today! Between the useful dives into pressing issues and our constant search for the best of Denver, making this podcast every day takes a lot of work. So if you care about local journalism and want to support our work, become a founding member for as little as $8 per month today. Learn more and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.  Here are some links to the events Paul mentioned: National Public Lands Day Coach Prime and the CU Buffs vs. Oregon Ducks (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.) “Making Our Mark: An Exploration of Vandal Futurism” (RedLine Contemporary Art Center) Battle of the (Brewery) Bands (The Crypt) Paul also mentioned 5280 Magazine’s list of the best college football bars in Denver.  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: Denver Walls is a new mural fest coming to RiNo later this month “Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile” at the Newman Center (Sept. 30) BadBoyBoards Lighthouse Writers Workshop Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the height of the racial justice protests of 2020, Denverites — like the rest of the country — reckoned with our past. Statues depicting bigots and racists were torn down, and quietly the City of Denver assembled a commission to examine, research, and reassess the names of our parks — green spaces like Jefferson Park, La Alma-Lincoln Park, but also some lesser known park names with potentially troubled pasts. Today host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi talk through the six park names the commission put up for debate and discuss why they think we should — or shouldn’t — be giving some of these park names the boot. What do you think about renaming these six parks? We would love to hear from you, too. Got a strong defense of Lincoln? Or maybe there’s a park name you’d really like to see go? Leave us a voicemail or a text at 720-500-5418, and you might hear it on the show soon! Paul mentioned past guest Chase Woodruff’s newsletter exploring the literature of the West — “Lit Out West.” 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: “Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile” at the Newman Center (Sept. 30) BadBoyBoards Lighthouse Writers Workshop Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Tuesday, so host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are breaking down all the local stories that matter. First, a report of a so-called “homeless bar” with “prostitution tents” at 23rd and Champa Street had the national tabloids looking Denver’s way. But what was really going on there anyway? Then, overdose deaths are making headlines again in Colorado, this time because more and more of these incidents are happening in public, forcing passersby into the role of makeshift first-responders. Plus, listeners share their comments on a recent guest on our show and debate how CO’s vaping congresswoman’s anti-trans rhetoric can have real-life consequences.  Bree mentioned CBS Colorado’s coverage of Aurora mayor Mike Coffman’s foray into cosplaying the experience of being homelessness.  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 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: “Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile” at the Newman Center (Sept. 30) BadBoyBoards Lighthouse Writers Workshop Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the opening of Yuan Wonton’s new shared brick-and-mortar restaurant in Park Hill, the food trend of the fall is officially the humble dumpling. But what can we consider to be a dumpling? Is it just a pocket of dough filled with … something? Or is it much more nuanced? 5280 Magazine’s assistant food editor Ethan Pan is a bonafide dumpling lover, digging into the hype and searching for Denver’s best in his new column for 5280 Magazine — “In the Fold.” So we sent newsletter editor and resident foodie Peyton Garcia out with Ethan to the trendiest new dumpling spot, then they sat down with producer Paul Karolyi to talk all things dumplings.  Here are some links to all the dumpling places we discussed: Yuan Wonton (Park Hill) Ace Eat Serve (Uptown) ChoLon (Central Park) Oak at Fourteenth (Boulder) Seoul ManDoo (Aurora) Bryan’s Dumpling House (Greenwood Village) Yummy Dumpling (Federal Heights)  The Easy Vegan (City Park Farmers Market + various other locations) Paul also mentioned the latest news about plant-based protein company Meati and its Thornton “mega factory.”  Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Denver today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the deets and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.  Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver 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: “Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile” at the Newman Center (Sept. 30) BadBoyBoards Lighthouse Writers Workshop Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert had a big night out at the theater in Denver this past weekend, complete with vaping, loud singing, and being escorted out. But is this just a case of Big Divorced Energy from the MAGA darling? Or a sign of something bigger? The story (and the surveillance tapes) exploded this week, just as Boebert was attempting to roll out a new image, so we’re breaking it all down. Newly elected state representative Tim Hernández joins our state politics and green chile correspondent, Justine Sandoval, to discuss the congresswoman’s night out in Denver with producer Paul Karolyi. Plus, all the other local stories that mattered this week and this week’s Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows.  Do you want to be a founding member of City Cast Denver? We’ve been publishing a daily podcast for more than two years, bringing you useful interviews with mayoral candidates and deep dives into important subjects like development in Cherry Creek and pizza. Consider joining to support our work, plus get an ad-free version of the podcast for as little as $8 per month. Learn more and sign up today at membership.citycast.fm. Paul mentioned a Politico article on Boebert, Meati’s growth, Thornton’s water woes, the Marijuana Mansion’s sale price, the new design rendering for Cherry Creek West, and our episode with Colorado Springs representative Stephanie Vigil. Justine talked about a bear and state parks passes. Tim discussed the officer who shot Jor’Dell Richardson and this Colorado Politics article about legislator pay.  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: Thirst Denver BadBoyBoards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After months of anticipation and rumors, the Michelin Guide bestowed five local restaurants a Michelin star at an exclusive ceremony in RiNo on Tuesday evening. There were big winners and big snubs. But was this moment the validation for Colorado’s dining scene that we thought? Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to talk about who won, who lost, and talk through a revealing new report from the New York Times about how Michelin really works. Plus, our picks for the coolest events going down this weekend.  Would you hike four miles for Arby’s? We want to know if you’ve ever participated in a stunt like that and what you’d hike four miles to try first. Leave us a voicemail or a text at 720-500-5418, and you might hear it on the show soon! Here are links to the events Peyton mentioned: Hispanic Heritage Celebration (Aurora) Michelada Fest at Mile High Flea Market (Henderson) Sand Creek Mural Festival (Central Park) Hunger Free 303 (Wash Park) For even more news and cool events 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: Thirst Denver BadBoyBoards. The first five listeners who show up to their new retail location’s opening today (Sept. 14) and mention City Cast Denver will get a free cutting board! Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The humble user review — taken alone, is just one person’s opinion. But put a bunch together, and that aggregated star rating can make or break a local business. So today, we’re going inside the minds of the people leaving one-star reviews for some of our favorite Denver places. Producer slash quizmaster Paul Karolyi puts producer Olivia Jewell Love and returning fave JD Lopez to the test. Can they guess famous Denver landmarks based only on one-star reviews? Who knows Denver’s haters best? For more from JD, you can hear him share his ice cream obsession on our ice cream battle episode from July or interview local creatives on his podcast Left Hand Right Brain.  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 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: Thirst Denver BadBoyBoards Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s easy to walk down the streets of Denver and see the major issues facing our city — housing, homelessness, public safety, etc. It’s much less clear how Denverites really feel about those issues. A brand new nonprofit polling group, Colorado Polling Institute, has stepped forward to fill the gap, promising regular surveys of how Denverites feel about their mayor, city council, encampment sweeps, DIA, RTD, and more. Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins producer Paul Karolyi to break down the CPI’s first batch of cold, hard polling facts.  Patty mentioned Westword’s coverage and a piece about the first CPI poll in the Denver Gazette  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 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: BadBoyBoards Thirst Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s easy to forget, but Denver is still a young city, constantly searching for an identity. So it’s confounding why there’s so little research on a characteristic as important as the way we speak. Do Denverites even have an accent? Or maybe there’s more than one? Fortunately, we found some researchers at CU Boulder who are working to cross the t’s and dot the i’s on the particulars of Mile High speech patterns. Host Bree Davies sat down with Jeremy Calder, an assistant professor in the linguistics department, and graduate student Andrew Ting last spring to discuss their “Voices of Colorado” project to hear what they’ve learned about how Denverites speak.  What do you think about the Denver accent? Text or leave us a voicemail at (720) 500-5418‬. Just remember to include your name and neighborhood, and we might play it on the show! Paul mentioned the recent sale of the Milk Market food hall, the new effort to block the expansion of Gross Reservoir, and his interview last year with KUNC water reporter Luke Runyon: “Is Denver Hoarding Water?” For more of our water coverage, check out these episodes: Is Colorado On Its Way to A True Water Crisis? (May 8, 2023) Can Science Fix Our Water Woes? (Jan. 26, 2023) Could Denver Run Out of Water? (June 13, 2022) 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 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: Thirst Denver BadBoyBoards Denver Center for the Performing Arts Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mayor Mike Johnston is tackling Denver’s homelessness crisis head on, but the city might not be able to wait for long. When Denverite reporter Kyle Harris spent 21 hours at a calzone shop on Broadway, he met a business owner who’s been pushed past his limit and heard rumors of a possible violent revolt spreading through encampments. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Kyle to talk about what else he saw that night and what that charged situation on Broadway says about the interconnected nature of our unhoused crisis. Plus, another round of wins and fails of the week — aka, our Rocky Mountain highs and lows.  Paul talked about UFOs in Southern Colorado, the Colorado Doula Project, Deion Sander’s post-game interview last Saturday, and Bomani Jones’ insights in this terrific documentary. Bree discussed sexual assault in the music scene and a local abortion clinic’s major milestone. Kyle talked about Barry’s on Broadway and the new “bike bus” near Sloan’s Lake.  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: Denver Center for the Performing Arts Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a brand new Denver restaurant landed on Bon Appétit’s most anticipated openings list, we were sooooo curious — what’s the big whoop about Sap Sua? Fast-forward to now and the contemporary take Vietnamese cuisine has got people talking. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into all the latest food and dining news with newsletter editor and resident foodie Peyton Garcia, who also gives us an update on what common consumption is — and is not — and ponders whether a new CBD coffee shop popping up in Platt Park is past its prime or right on the mark. Plus, our recommendations for your weekend.  Paul mentioned some Harvard University research on CBD.  We wanna hear from you, dear listeners: What’s the best bakery in the Denver metro? Call our hot pastry hotline and leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show! 720-500-5418. Phone shy? Email us: denver@citycast.fm. And finally, your official City Cast Denver Maybe For Your Weekend.  Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show - our official “City Cast Denver Maybe” pick! Cuisine and Culture — Tracing Andean Culture Wheat Ridge’s International Heritage Festival/Oktoberfest 9/11 Heroes Run 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 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: Denver Center for the Performing Arts Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than 100 years, the brick power plant at Zuni Street and West 14th Avenue generated electricity for Denver using steam. But now that the plant has been retired, it presents a conundrum: Should the crusty old building and its two smokestacks be demolished? Or somehow redeveloped into an asset for the Sun Valley neighborhood? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi visit the defunct Zuni Generating Station with Denver’s first-ever chief urban designer Eugenia di Girolamo to talk about how the building known to some as “The Devil’s Castle” could become Denver’s next iconic landmark.  The Denver Post has more on the old Xcel Generating Station, and the Colorado Encyclopedia has more on the Denver Tramway Powerhouse (Aka, the REI building). Bree talked about the latest development in DPS’s “seclusion room” controversy and flu season.  What non-residential building would you most want to live in? Residential conversions are all the rage, but is everyone thinking way too small! Of all the non-residential buildings in Denver, which would you most want to move into? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your pick 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: Denver Center for the Performing Arts Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denver’s a cool place, full of cool things to do each and every month — and September is no exception. But how do you choose what to fill your calendar with when the Mile High has so much to offer? Host Bree Davies and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia each picked four awesome September events to share, and producer Olivia Jewell Love has the harrowing task of picking the official City Cast Denver “Maybe” for your month — as in “maybe” you’ll see us there!  Here are links to all the events Bree and Peyton recommended: Peyton’s Picks Art Drop Day, TODAY! (Citywide) CHOW in the Park, September 11 (City Park) Bugs and Brews, September 21 (Westminster) Denver Oktoberfest, September 22-24 (Ballpark) Bree Picks Westwood Chile Fest, September 9 (Westwood) Pee Wee’s Big Adventure Screening, September 10 (Congress Park) High Plains Comedy Fest, September 21-23 (South Broadway) Far East Center Mid-Autumn Festival, September 30 (Westwood) Peyton mentioned Mimi Luong — whose family started the Far East Center — and we interviewed her about Denver’s Lunar New Year celebration; she also talked about our interview with John Hinman, founder of CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness). 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 sponsor of this show: -Denver Center for the Performing Arts 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When State Senator Julie Gonzales wrote the Towing Bill of Rights last year, she had no idea that she’d have to get towed herself to find out just how badly tow companies have been skirting her law. The legislator took to social media last week to share a parking saga gone wrong that ended up exposing some shady towing practices. The senator joins host Bree Davies and returning fave, comedian and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission Joshua Emerson, to talk about what happened, and how she’s already working on strengthening the law next legislative session. Plus the crew digs into their wins and fails of the week — Joshua gushes over a new baby orangutan at the Denver Zoo, Bree is weirdly obsessed with Jack Harlow’s new video, “Denver,” and so much more.  Sen. Gonzales mentioned Stop Fraud Colorado, where consumers can report towing issues and fraudulent situations with tow companies. Check out Joshua Emerson at the High Plains Comedy Fest this September. Bree talked about Overdose Awareness Day, and checking out Harm Reduction Action Center for more ways to help.  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: Colorado Restaurant Association “Beautiful: A Carole King Musical” at the Arvada Center Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices