City Cast Denver

Are wildfires a threat Denverites should be worried about? After the urban devastation the Front Range experienced with the Marshall Fire in 2021, Denver is working on its own fire evacuation plans for the first time. Politics contributor Adrian Felix joins host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love to dig into the big environmental stories of the week, plus discuss Mayor Johnston’s approach to homelessness in the context of the 2026 point in time count report, and as always, share their wins and fails of the week! And for a special members-only bonus segment, the trio speculate about why Casa Bonita is such a sore spot for Matt Stone and Trey Parker, beyond costing the billionaires a cool $50 million to buy and renovate. Bree mentioned episodes we did on the Marshall Fire with a fire ecologist and an environmental reporter; she also talked about harm-reduction education in local schools and a Lakewood cop being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct and cybercrimes. Adrian mentioned Denver’s data center moratorium and the state Democratic Party censuring Governor Jared Polis. Olivia mentioned the JeffCo lookout alert system, a checklist for packing a “go bag,” fire prevention tree-cutting along highways, Children’s Hospital resuming gender affirming care for youth, and the lack of booze at the new Taco Bell Cantina in DIA. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 May 22nd episode: Clyfford Still Museum Sphere of Six Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Denver host Bree Davies, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Bree beat out her competitors from Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities? For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 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 May 21st episode: Clyfford Still Museum Sphere of Six Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Governor Jared Polis’ controversial decision to commute former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ prison sentence last week is still reverberating through the Democratic Party. More than 400 Democrats signed a letter calling to formally censure the governor, and one congressional candidate even wants him investigated for collusion. Editor-in-chief of The Lever David Sirota is back to chat with host Bree Davies about what Polis’ moves mean for democracy and his legacy – and why Representative Lauren Boebert is taking credit for Peters’ release. Plus, Denver City Council passed a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers, and David has thoughts on why Americans seem to hate these tech centers so much. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 about Polis and Tina Peters? 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 May 20th episode: Clyfford Still Museum Sphere of Six Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

After decades of super-charged economic and population growth, Colorado is at a turning point. So, is this state growing or shrinking? And why does it matter either way? Earlier this year, host Bree Davies sat down with Colorado’s State Demographer Kate Watkins to hear about how things like declining school enrollment and a slowing economy can play into our population numbers, and we’re revisiting that conversation today about what the ripple effects of all these big-picture changes could mean for you. Kate even gets into a forecast of what Coloradans might expect population-wise in 2060! This episode originally ran on January 20, 2026. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 about our state’s demographic changes? 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 Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Clyfford Still Museum Sphere of Six Cozy Earth - Use code COZYDENVER for up to 30% off Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Mayor Johnston promised to solve unsheltered homelessness in his first term – nearly three years into it, there are still questions about the success of this costly and ambitious plan. Denverite reporter Kyle Harris recently published two stories highlighting the complexities of the Mile High City’s homeless issue, and he joins host Bree Davies to discuss the conundrum of a woman living in her car in the Washington Park neighborhood and the fate of a weekly free meal and meet-up serving unhoused people in front of the City and County Building. The two consider how these stories connect to the bigger conversation about homelessness in Denver in 2026.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 May 18th episode: Clyfford Still Museum Sphere of Six Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise