City Cast Denver

A few years ago Tom Messina made a deal to sell off his iconic East Colfax building — then known as Tom’s Diner — and ride off into the sunset. But historic preservation got in the way of his retirement plans. The business reopened a little over a year ago as Tom’s Starlight, but it looks as if Tom is thinking about retirement again. Who will take on the stewardship of this Denver institution and take on the lease? Host Bree Davies, producer Paul Karolyi, and newsletter editor Peyton Garcia dig into the Colfax drama, along with the prickly story of a Colorado food influencer whose rabid — and sometimes aggressive — fans even got the New York Times’ attention. Plus, our recommendations for fun stuff to do this weekend. Our picks for your weekend: Cat Fest at the National Western Center  South Pearl Street Farmers Market Get in the standby line for “I.S.S” at the Denver Film Fest’s closing night. Or just hit the after party at Meow Wolf.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Ednium Podcast  “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” at the Arvada Center Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Voter turnout was unsurprisingly low for yesterday’s off-year election, but we still have plenty of results to dissect from all the hottest statewide and Denver races! Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi break down the initial returns from Tuesday evening, including the fate of Prop HH and the new era for Denver Public Schools. Then, we check in with one of Denver’s new city council members, Shontel Lewis, who tells us that the new-look council’s “honeymoon period is ending.” We talk about their latest battles over Denver’s 2024 budget, her leadership on housing and homelessness, and how she convinced Mayor Mike Johnston to cancel a planned sweep in her District 8. What do you think about the election results? We are going to be dissecting the results later this week, and we want to hear what you think! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text with your thoughts or questions, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418.Paul mentioned the time Colorado’s senior senator Michael Bennet recited his favorite tofu recipe to Bree on our show earlier this year. Councilwoman Lewis would like you to know about an upcoming event her office is hosting, because she needs volunteers! The 2023 Hiawatha Davis Jr. Luncheon is coming up on December 8. It’s a free event to celebrate elders in District 8 and connect them with resources. Sign up here to volunteer!For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board The Arvada Center’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella  Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It might not feel like it, but today is election day. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are sharing a juicy update on the scammer running unopposed for school board in Englewood and talking about what they’ll be watching for as the results come in tonight. Then, the trials over the 2019 killing of Elijah McClain took an unexpected turn last week, with one officer making the unusual move of taking the stand in his own defense. And finally, we respond to your questions and comments about food deserts, vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and trick-or-treat candy policies. After we recorded the show yesterday, the Adams County jury delivered its verdict in the case against Aurora police officer Nathan Woodyard -- not guilty. Don’t forget to vote!  We broke down Prop HH with CPR politics reporter Andy Kenney CPR, The Denver Post and The Colorado Sun have each got a guide for all the statewide issues Denverite has more on the local questions and races And check out our newsletter archived for more stories and context behind all these races: denver.citycast.fm.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board The Arvada Center’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella  Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Between the ongoing I-70 traffic conundrum, housing affordability issues in basically every ski town, pricey passes to overcrowded lift lines, resort workers unionizing left and right, and, of course, the imminent threat of changing climate, the ski world seems to touch every aspect of life in Colorado. So as resorts open across the state, producer Paul Karolyi sits down with the ultimate ski industry insider, Luis Benitez, to talk through the civic, environmental, and labor issues at stake on the slopes this winter, and share insight into the plans and operations of some of the biggest resort operators in the world. Luis mentioned data comparing winter holiday traffic and summer traffic on I -70, per CDOT’s numbers. Paul quoted articles about the latest challenges in the ski industry from Denver Business Journal and 5280 Magazine. You can read more about Luis Benitez’s campaign to establish a federal office for the outdoor recreation industry in 5280 Magazine. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS Board The Arvada Center’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella  Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Epic weed drama erupted this week, with the outing of a “rat in the community” who allegedly made dozens of complaints about public consumption to city officials, which led to the massive crackdown on not-quite-legal weed parties over the summer. With weed sales still trending down, we’re asking: Is this the last gasp of the Green Rush? Or a mess we voters made for ourselves? Our green chile and politics correspondent Justine Sandoval joins producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love to sort through the drama and the state of legal weed. Then, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week.This episode features very explicit language. It also features a clip from this episode of the Stoned Appetit podcast. Paul mentioned former Denverite Eric Michiels, The Tank, and The Tank’s Grammy contender “Slow Beethoven.” Justine talked about Ken Buck and the TikTok restaurant drama in Atlanta.What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode:The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS BoardLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s Thursday, and we are so ready for the weekend. So as usual, newsletter editor and our resident foodie Peyton Garcia joins to talk through Denver’s hottest food news: first, a Japanese restaurant that claims to be the oldest in the state is closing in Cherry Creek, while a hot new Japanese place called Kumoya is promising to change the game in Highland. And speaking of everything old being new again, we dig into the recent explosion of interest in neighborhood markets, aka bodegas, and ask: can they thrive in car-centric Denver? Finally, we share our picks for your weekend. Bree mentioned past guest Gil Asakawa’s excellent book “Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! A Tasty History of Japanese in America” and DeVotchka’s upcoming shows at The Stanley Hotel. Paul mentioned Rhein Haus (downtown) and Ay Papi (Cherry Creek). Peyton recommended this event for Native American Heritage Month. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS BoardLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Welcome to November, the month of 5 p.m. sunsets, extended family visits, early holiday shopping, and colder temps. Newsletter editor Peyton Garcia and producer Olivia Jewell Love rounded up their top picks to help you figure out how to entertain that random cousin visiting for a long weekend and drum up some unique ways to make this the best Friendsgiving yet! Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi weigh in to help decide on our official City Cast Denver “Maybe” for November — as in maybe you’ll see us there! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS BoardLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Election day is just a week away and while it’s an off-year, there are plenty of important races and issues at stake across the metro area. So host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are talking about the unique character running unopposed in Englewood, a potentially pivotal measure on homelessness in Boulder, and all the dark money swaying the races for the Denver Public Schools Board. Then, Paul and Bree respond to your comments on Hawaiian food, Fort Collins, and whether or not Denver is part of the Midwest. For more on the DPS board races, our friends at Chalkbeat have a breakdown of who’s running and what’s at stake. Do you think Denver is in the Midwest? We want to hear from you! Shoot us a text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show soon: 720-500-5418Help us celebrate our 700th episode and become a member of City Cast Denver today! It’s the best way to make sure we’re around for another 700 at least. Plus, members get access to an ad-free podcast feed, which is pretty cool! Learn more and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS BoardLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

With Halloween coming up tomorrow, we’re thinking about everything that goes bump in the night. But the importance of Denver’s nighttime economy far exceeds the one-night-only, trick-treat trading that’ll be going down tomorrow evening. For years our nightlife has been both a big business and the scene of high-profile violence — particularly around let-out time late at night in LoDo. Youth on Record co-founder Stephen Brackett saw the nightlife conundrum first-hand coming up in Denver’s music scene — then he picked up some innovative ideas while touring the world with his band Flobots. Now he’s bringing it all together with ONE Denver (formerly 87 Foundation), a new non-profit working to create a safer (and more profitable) nightlife scene for everyone. Host Bree Davies sat down with Brackett a few months ago inside ONE Denver’s HQ, aka the old El Chapultepec to learn more. For the latest on Brackett’s quest to create a formal Office of Nighttime Economy, Westword recently reported on the name change and Brackett’s experience on Mayor Johnston’s transition committee for arts & venues. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:The Ednium Podcast has interviews with all the candidates running for the DPS BoardLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Our friends at Metropolitan State University of Denver (aka MSU or just plain “Metro”) recently hosted our very own Bree Davies on their podcast spotlighting notable alumni. Bree discusses her time as a roadrunner and the impact MSU had on her career in the media. We thought it was a great conversation, so we’re delighted to share it with you.You can subscribe to MSU Denver Alumni Bird Talk wherever you get your podcasts.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverWhat do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise