City Cast Denver

A Parking Revolution Has Arrived! Plus, Secret GOP Texts and the Hornet’s South Broadway Goodbye

City Council voted to eliminate parking minimums this week — could this open the door for cheaper housing or just cause more traffic? Then, The Hornet announced it was closing after nearly 30 years on South Broadway. Was it rising rents, restaurant operation costs, or something else? At the same time, neighborhood businesses and residents will soon consider a special tax to pay for things like graffiti removal and private security in the hopes of helping South Broadway thrive. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval to dig into these stories plus wins and fails of the week.  Paul mentioned Donald Shoup’s work and his book, “The High Cost of Free Parking,” the new east security checkpoint at DIA, and the Colorado GOP’s gross group chat about a colleague’s attire. Bree discussed the time Big Lots left South Broadway, Tommy’s Thai’s GoFundMe, and Kyle Harris’s reporting on Broadway for Denverite, which he discussed on our podcast. Justine talked about the gluten-free farmers market and the state’s decision to ban the use of SNAP benefits to buy pop. What do you think about parking in Denver? Do we have too much or too little? 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. Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver Follow us on 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 August 8th episode: Regional Air Quality Council Multipass Elizabeth Martinez with PorchLight Real Estate - Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment. Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

What’s Officially in the Bond, Back-to-Office Mandates, and More Mexican Food Recs

We finally know which pricey infrastructure projects Denver voters will be deciding on this November, because earlier this week City Council approved the $950 million Vibrant Denver bond package. Did every neighborhood and community group get what they wanted? We talked about the bond a lot over the last few weeks and listeners, especially transit advocates, had thoughts as well — so host Bree Davies and producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love are reaching into the mail bag. They discuss your takes on bike lanes, back-to-office mandates, Mexican restaurants and issues that could dominate the 2026 elections. Bree mentioned this WHYY article about Philly’s return-to-office mandate last year.  What do you think? We always 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 episode: Regional Air Quality Council Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

How To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse in Denver

Maybe it’s because the best zombie movie in years is still in theaters. Maybe it’s the fact that we just got through a very real global pandemic. Maybe it’s because Westword just found a study ranking MLB stadiums as refuges from zombie attacks. But fears of the walking dead are looming over Denver right now. So if there really was an outbreak of the Rage virus or some other zombification plague here in the Mile High, what’s your plan? Westword’s Catie Cheshire reported on that MLB stadium study, and she returns to the show with producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to swap some disaster prep research and plot out our survival, from the first 24 hours to the best long-term spot to rebuild society.  Olivia talked about Ark Tactical in Lakewood. Paul discussed nuclear missile silos.  Who brought the best survival plan — Catie, Olivia or Paul? We want to know who you’d team up with? Or are you going it alone somewhere else entirely? 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 August 6th episode: Regional Air Quality Council Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Are Denverites Changing Their Minds About Gaza? Plus, the Women Behind Do Better Denver

The Center on Colfax recently announced they would no longer be accepting donations from Chevron, as long as the oil and gas giant was providing fuel to Israel. Meanwhile, Colorado’s senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper voted against a measure that would have stopped some arms shipments to Israel. So are Denverites’ opinions shifting when it comes to the war on Gaza? Then, internet provocateurs Do Better Denver have been exposed — but do the identities behind the account matter in the bigger picture? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi discuss these stories and more news of the week.  Paul talked congressional candidate Melat Kiros, who is challenging Diana DeGette to represent Denver, and her history of speaking out on Gaza.  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 Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Regional Air Quality Council Multipass Cozy Earth - use code COZYDENVER for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Our First Look at Mayor Johnston's Vision for Downtown

With office vacancy rates still high and and business owners clamoring for help, one of Mayor Mike Johnston’s biggest priorities is “revitalizing” downtown. Last November voters gave his efforts a big boost by expanding the Downtown Development Authority, giving him approximately $570 million to invest in projects that might give the area a spark. Rumors about the application process had been circulating until last week, when the mayor revealed 10 projects that will get the first $100 million. Westword editor Patty Calhoun has been following the DDA process, and she joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dissect the list and talk about the notable omissions.  Patty mentioned the raves planned at Civic Center Park and the plans for Civic Center’s “Next 100” redevelopment project.  Paul talked about Westword’s coverage of the Denver Immersive Repertory Theater and our interview with Mayor Mike Johnston last week.  What do you think about the mayor’s work to revitalize downtown? Are these the projects you were hoping to see funded? 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 August 4th episode: Regional Air Quality Council Multipass Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise