City Cast Denver Mayor Mike vs. ICE, 10,000 Missing Restaurant Jobs, and 303 Day!
Mar 3, 2026
Patty Calhoun, Westword editor covering Denver politics, policing, and restaurants. She breaks down Mayor Johnston’s ICE executive order and how Denver police might respond. She explores a new report on the city’s restaurant contraction and the heated debate over tipped wages. Listeners’ reactions to recent mayoral remarks are also discussed.
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Prepare For Lawsuits When City Policies Clash With Federal Agencies
- Expect legal challenges and enforcement uncertainty when municipal rules conflict with federal agencies.
- Paul warns DHS historically ignores local restrictions, so Denver's ICE and mask policies may prompt lawsuits and require clear enforcement plans.
De Escalation Is The Default But Big Unknowns Remain
- DPD Chief Ron Thomas frames enforcement as de-escalation first while acknowledging tough scenarios like arresting federal agents remain unresolved.
- Hosts worry the policy relies heavily on DPD training and could still provoke confrontations with ICE.
Policy Move Also Serves Political Positioning
- The executive order is politically popular and helps Johnston shore up progressive supporters by emphasizing standing up to federal immigration actions.
- Paul and Patty see timing as a strategic repositioning toward the left amid other policy moves like the data center moratorium.