City Cast Denver

Unions are all the rage this summer. It’s looking like the busiest summer of labor action since 2000, with 323,000 workers already having gone on strike, according to the Denver Post. But it’s not just grocery store clerks and Hollywood writers, the solidarity is spreading to nontraditional labor hotspots, like homeless shelters and The Mercury Cafe. With The Merc’s employees set to vote on their union next week, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by returning fave Joshua Emerson to talk about the iconic Five Points restaurant and venue and it’s role at the center of the latest labor fight.Joshua is hosting his comedy showcase “Colorado Native” at the Holiday Theater on Aug. 24. You can get tickets here.Paul talked about the amusement park Aurora could have had back in the late ’70s, Roger Zelazny’s classic sci-fi novel “Lord of Light,” and the Colorado Sun report on HOAs. Joshua mentioned secretive judges. Bree talked about Jason Perry, the DJ who was killed outside Dandy Dan’s recently. ICYMI We’re working on an update to our recent episode, “Are Denver’s Strip Clubs Dying?” Check it out if you missed it!For another dispatch from Hot Union Summer, our pal Chris Walker reported a surprising story this week about the local impacts of the Hollywood writers and actors strike. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode:“Simple Steps, Better Air” - Regional Air Quality CouncilLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Discover cool and affordable ways to beat the Denver summer heat, from an IKEA scavenger hunt to visiting the mountains. Find out about fun activities like freezing birthday bashes and tubing down the river. Learn about staying cool with AMC theaters and swamp coolers, and gain recommendations for staying cool in Denver, including the Great Wolf Lodge.

Denver looks different through everyone’s eyes. So, how do you capture the Mile High City in a way that showcases what makes it special or unique to you? Today on the show, producers Paul Karolyi and Olivia Jewell Love (@wasteofmylife) go behind the scenes and swap recs with local Instagram celebrity Amanda Bittner (@theamandabittner). From the overlooked alleyways to the restaurants poised to launch the next food trend, they discuss cool spots and unexpected backdrops that bring the city into focus.Paul talked about Alameda Bridge and John Fielder’s passing. Here are some links to the spots we talked about: The Irish Rover Dairy Block The Mile-High Steps “Wish You Were Here” at the Ramble Hotel Plant Garage Sushi-Rama The Botanical Bakery of Denver Red Rocks Paul’s Secret Bonus Spot 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/CityCastDenverText 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:“Simple Steps, Better Air” - Regional Air Quality CouncilLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are breaking down all the local stories that matter this week — starting with what some Dems have called “careless words” from Governor Jared Polis. First, he raised eyebrows after saying some confusing things about abortion on CNN; later, in an interview with 9News, he made remarks about childcare and the bumpy rollout of the statewide Universal Pre-K program. Then, Paul talks about why some WNBA bigwigs are sniffing around the Mile High and finally, listeners respond to our recent chat with former DPS teacher and HD4 candidate Tim Hernández about discipline and safety in public schools. Paul mentioned Heinie’s Market in Wheat Ridge as a Palisade Peach hot spot. He also talked about big finance dude Robert Cohen, who was on the show a while back to make a case for Denver hosting the Olympics. 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/CityCastDenverText 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:“Simple Steps, Better Air” - Regional Air Quality CouncilLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Downtown Denver has a lot of big, beautiful office buildings that are… empty. Simultaneously, the city is facing an ongoing shortage of housing options, particularly affordable ones. Which all leads to one big question: Could some of those vacant office buildings be converted into apartments or condos or some kind of office-shaped domicile? The answer is yes, kind of. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Brad Segal — urban planner, real estate economist, CU Denver professor (and Bree’s former boss) — to talk about the potential for a vacant-office-to-housing pipeline and the future of downtown. Paul forgot to mention this building on the 16th St. Mall that is being eyed for residential conversion. Brad spoke at length about the revitalization of downtown in the late 80s. To learn more about that, check out our interview with former mayor Federico Peña. The City of Denver is in the midst of studying our office building situation, which Esteban Hernandez at Axios dug into. 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/CityCastDenverText 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:“Simple Steps for Better Air” - Regional Air Quality CouncilLooking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

What a week it was in Denver! First, DPS is in the midst of a crisis, this time involving a fired principal, a questionable student “seclusion room” with a lock on the door, and a whistleblower unloading some serious allegations — all centered on the McAuliffe International School, a middle school in Park Hill. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by returning guest, public school teacher and HD4 candidate Tim Hernández to break down this complicated situation. Then, wins and fails of the week, from some important roller coaster news and new renter protection laws a Boulder case involving the devastating and permanently disabling outcome of solitary confinement. Just a note: This episode contains graphic mentions of self-harm.What do you think about the “seclusion room” at McAuliffe? This is a developing situation, and we’re far from finished talking about it. So we want to hear from you! Tell us what you think in a text or a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show soon: 720-500-5418Find out more about Tim’s run for House District 4 here; and his opponents Rochelle Galindo and Cecilia Espenoza. Paul played a clip of this 9News report on former McAuliffe principal Kurt Dennis’s firing, shared an excerpt from this letter from parent of a student who spent time in the room in question, and talked about the new Department of Public Safety dashboards. We also discussed the 9News interview some say Dennis was fired for giving.For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm.Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverLearn more about the sponsors of this episode: Colorado Wine Board Girl Scouts of Colorado - DreamLab Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

That Mile High sun is a-blazing, and that can only mean one thing. It’s patio season here in Denver. So where are the best spots to soak in some rays and toss back a margarita? And what if all you’re really looking for is a great view or good vibes? Host Bree Davies and Hey Denver newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shared their favorite patios in this conversation we recorded last summer — from prime rooftop party spots to those calm, garden-like hideaways.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/CityCastDenverText 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: Colorado Wine Board Wana Brands Girl Scouts of Colorado - DreamLab Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

The Colorado Republican Party sued the state last week in an effort to stop unaffiliated voters — who make up 45% of CO’s registered voters — from participating in GOP primaries. One of the men behind that lawsuit? Attorney John Eastman, who also happens to be wrapped up in former President Trump’s Jan. 6th indictment. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi are joined by Westword editor Patty Calhoun to talk about all of Eastman’s latest shenanigans and how his lawsuit could reshape our politics. Then, Westword staff writer Bennito L. Kelty joins to discuss his decision to hike a closed-off section of the DeCaLiBron Loop and what the blowback says about who owns Colorado’s 14ers.We also discussed this response to Bennito’s hike from the executive director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative and the chair of the Fix CRUS Coalition.What’s the best place to get Palisade peaches? We want to share the love. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your rec on the show soon: (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/CityCastDenverWhat’s the best place to get Palisade peaches? 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: Colorado Wine Board Girl Scouts of Colorado - DreamLab Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Prior to the first sweep of a homeless encampment on his watch, Mayor Mike Johnston made a visit to meet the Denverites living on the street at 22nd and Stout. So, how did it go? And now that the sweep has happened, what’s next? Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi dig into the details, plus take a look at Johnston’s homelessness plans for the remainder of 2023. Then, another fight over bike lanes ensues — this time, in Cap Hill — and Palisade peach season is in full effect! We mentioned Denverite’s reporting on this sweep, along with his conversations with folks impacted by it. Bree talked a 2017 Westword profile of the Torres family, who lost their home twice to eminent domain. Paul talked about Harrison Ford’s legit aviation experience outside of the movies, recognized how cool Carpio-Sanguinette Park really is, and mentioned the 9/11 truther peaches. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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: Colorado Wine Board Girl Scouts of Colorado - DreamLab Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Is there still a place for strip clubs in Denver’s vast world of entertainment, arts, and “immersive” experiences? Can our local economy still support this kind of entertainment, between changing technology and an increasing cost of living? Denver Post reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton dug into the business of strip clubs, and she sits down with host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk financials, labor, and regulations of the industry — plus, they dig into the spicy, NBA-related controversy involving Shotgun Willie’s and the mysterious Texan strip club magnate betting big on the Denver market.Bree talked about Mayor Mike Johnston’s first encampment sweep last Friday.Oh and hey, check it out! Salt Lake City is still obsessed with us. Their newspaper of record recently printed an editorial calling on their mayor to follow our mayor Mike Johnston’s lead in declaring a state of emergency on homelessness. Check out City Cast Salt Lake for a breakdown of how it’s playing out there. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenverChat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenverText 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: Explore Colorado wine with the Colorado Wine Board Girl Scouts of America — DreamLab Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise