City Cast Denver

Mayor Johnston’s ‘Biggest Fears,’ Rents Keep Dropping, and a Massive Medicaid Fraud

The fight over safety on a stretch of Alameda Avenue in Wash Park continues — will the city’s new plan to test an ⁠altered safety plan⁠ make anyone happy? Then, rents are dropping, apartment vacancies are up, and the ⁠mayor is concerned⁠. Why? Politics contributor Deep Singh Badhesha joins producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies to talk about the latest twist in the Alameda sage, the inflection point in our rental market, and of course our wins and fails of the week. Paul talked about our ⁠guest diversity report⁠ for 2025, Colfax Ave BID executive director Frank Locantore’s ⁠push for housing⁠, and a ⁠medicaid fraud scandal⁠. Bree mentioned a Telluride town councilmember’s ⁠hot mic moment⁠. Deep discussed ⁠Bo Nix’s broken ankle⁠ and⁠ YouGov’s poll⁠ on Colorado’s Trump disapproval rating. What do you think about Alameda Ave.? 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 Come out to our next member event! We’re hosting it at Convivio Café, and if you’re a City Cast Denver Neighbor you’re invited. Sign up now and get the details at ⁠membership.citycast.fm⁠.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver 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

Dark Money in the Gov’s Race, Ski Strike Fallout, and a Surprising New Trump Lawsuit Against CO

New campaign finance reports just released show a combined $9 million coming in for both Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser’s gubernatorial campaigns. But where all that money is flowing from is a little murky. David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever, joins host Bree Davies to dig into the dark money dirt, as well as President Trump’s recent meddling in Colorado’s attempt to cap credit card interest rates and the financial fallout from the recent Telluride ski patrol strike.  Bree mentioned a post from the ski blog Peak Rankings and The Lever’s excellent podcast and newly released book, Master Plan. Sirota talked about the Clean Campaign Act of 2019.  What do you think about Sirota’s dark money loophole proposal? Should legislators close it? 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 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Gov. Polis Backtracks on ICE, a New Pet Deposit Payment Plan, and Your Takeout Tricks

Anti-Trump protesters gathered outside the Capitol last Saturday, but the turnout paled in comparison to the bigger demonstrations we saw last year. Producer Paul Karolyi joins host Bree Davies to talk about the past year of anti-Trump resistance in Denver as we watch violence play out on the streets of Minneapolis. Plus, a Denver city council member has a big new idea to help out pet owners and we hear a couple of listener hacks to navigate the rising cost of takeout. Paul talked about this betting market for the CD8 Democratic primary and the Colorado Sun’s coverage of Gov. Polis’ State of the State speech last week.  What’s the best happy hour in town? We want to hear about your fave! 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 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

Will People Keep Moving to Colorado? The State Demographer Tells All

A moving company recently published data showing that fewer people are moving to Colorado than moving away — but should our state really be concerned about becoming “the New Jersey of the West”? Factors like aging, housing affordability, international migration, and falling birthrates paint a more complex picture. Host Bree Davies sits down with State Demographer Kate Watkins to discuss everything from the impacts of a slowing economy to declining school enrollment, and what really contributes to growth or decline of our population. Kate also shares some future forecasting on what the population of the Mile High City could look like in 2060. Kate talked about the State Demography Office’s 2025 report on Colorado’s housing shortfall. We’re hiring for an Audience Development Manager! If you want to help us take our social media and marketing to the next level, check out the full job description to see if you’d be a good fit. What do you think about Colorado’s changing population? 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 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this January 20th 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 Takeout Too Expensive? Plus, a Controversial Shelter Change and Aldi Enters the Grocery Wars

Will Aldi conquer Denver’s grocery market? After the national chain announced plans to open dozens of new locations in Colorado, Denverites have been champing at the bit for a new supermarket option. Then, landlords of now-closed Secret Garden Bar & Café in Cheesman Park are on the hunt for a new restaurant operator, but where does that leave union negotiations with the former staff? Green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into these big stories, plus discuss a homeless shelter provider’s decision to take away room keys from residents, one food writer’s concerns about takeout meals becoming too expensive to be worth it, and wins and fails of the week.  Bree talked about the the Colorado Symphony’s new bus ads and the GoFundMe for Angelo Simpson, who lost his life in an unsolved hit and run.  Olivia talked about a new stamp and how lawmakers talk about Gov. Polis. Justine discussed the Nuggets new tactile broadcast technology for blind and low vision fans and the truck that hit the RTD’s A Line. Just a note — we will be off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so no new podcast episode on Monday. Oh and check out our photo gallery from the 2025 Denver-est Denver Awards show! What do you think about getting takeout? Worth the convenience or getting too expensive? 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. 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this January 16th episode: American Red Cross Denver Health Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise