544 episodes
City Cast Denver City Cast
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- News
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4.5 • 370 Ratings
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Join Host Bree Davies and the City Cast Denver crew every weekday morning as we celebrate, explore, and challenge an ever-changing Denver. It’s the daily news podcast for all Denverites — whether you’ve been here for six months or six generations. We’ll break down the news you need (and want) to know with journalists and culture makers; activists and artists; neighbors and ne’er-do-wells — and John Elway, if he ever returns our calls. Learn more and subscribe to our morning newsletter at citycast.fm/denver.
*Named Best Podcast in Denver of 2021 by Westword
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How to Make Money (And Not Ruin Your 'Hood) On AirBnB
Short-term rentals — like AirBnB or VRBO — may be controversial, but after a pandemic downturn, they’re back and more popular than ever! They generated record revenues in 2022, and the number of active licenses is once again on the rise. So what’s it like renting out space on AirBnB in Denver? And how is the recent surge shaping our city? Host Bree Davies sits down with two veteran AirBnB hosts Pam Vanderpool and Pam Clifton to swap crazy stories and talk through the impact on our housing market.
As we were putting this episode together, our friend Megan Ulu-lani Boyanton at the Denver Post reported a story about 20 local luxury apartment buildings recently allowing their tenants to rent out their units as AirBnBs. Here’s the link for more: “Denver luxury apartment complexes make rare move of allowing tenants to rent units as Airbnbs.”
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
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 sponsor of this episode:
New Era Colorado
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Hot Take! Denver’s Best Hot Sauce
Can you stand the heat? It takes a lot of gastrointestinal fortitude to taste test dozens of local hot sauces, but that’s what we did — all to narrow it down to five top contenders: Sauce Leopard, Merf’s, Oso Rojo, Danny Cash, and The Heat. Each one deserves a shot at being named the best hot sauce in Denver, but only one will win! Our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval joins newsletter editor Adrian González and producer Paul Karolyi to rate our contenders on heat level, flavor, and versatility before they pick the best of the best.
For even more food news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
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 sponsor of this episode:
New Era Colorado
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The GOP's Gun Filibuster Fail, a Beloved Restaurant Returns, and More Golf Course Gossip
It’s Tuesday, and we’re digging into all the local stories that matter this week. First up, the beloved Japanese restaurant Domo is reopening! But will TikTok ruin it again? Then, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi check in on the state legislature, where debates are heating up around Governor Jared Polis’s big housing proposal and guns in the wake of the East High School shootings. And finally, can anyone trust the developers promising big things for the Park Hill Golf Course? Their plan for parkland, housing, and commercial development is on our April 4 ballots, and we got tons of feedback from listeners who’ve worked with Westside Investment Partners.
For more details on the Park Hill Golf Course Community Benefits Agreement, one of the signatories made this website to share the text of the document and explain some of its key provisions. If you have more questions before you vote on 2O, let us know! We’ll try to help figure them out.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
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:
New Era Colorado
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Student Activists From East High School Speak Out
During this school year alone, East High School has been the site of swattings, violent threats, and multiple shootings — some ending in death. The students have led walkouts and protests at the Capitol, forcing lawmakers to confront the issue of gun violence face-to-face. Clara and Gracie Taub are East High sophomores and members of their school’s chapter of Students Demand Action. After a recent demonstration at the Capitol, they sat down with host Bree Davies to talk about what it’s like to be at East High right now, as well as their efforts to end gun violence in schools and across the country.
The tweet discussed in this episode came from Colorado State Senator Larry Liston.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
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 sponsor of this episode:
New Era Colorado
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Fallout from East High, Mushroom Growing 101, and a Cumbia Dance Party
This year alone there have been two shootings at East High School, prompting mass student walkouts, renewed calls for gun control, and, in a surprising turn of events, the return of police to Denver schools. So we are channeling our outrage with one of our favorite returning guests, Ann Marie Awad, and digging into gun laws, school safety, mental health, and more. Plus, underreported stories from the week and then Hey Denver editor Adrian González joins us to recommend some cool events for your weekend.
Read more about the stalled appointment of DIA CEO Phil Washington to run the FAA; and the show Bree mentioned featuring teen photography at PlatteForum.
Here are some links to the weekend events we discussed:
Una Historia de la Cumbia! with Ciudad Reina (Five Points)
Beginner Mushroom Cultivation Class (Wheat Ridge)
Elephant Revival Reunion Show (RiNo)
Brunch Run Club (Downtown)
For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Acappellooza!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Before You Vote on Zoning, Listen to This
Between the mayor’s race and the Park Hill Golf Course, our ballots for the April 4 election are jam-packed! But don’t overlook the two innocuous-looking zoning questions 2M and 2N. They may seem insignificant, but they could have big implications for the literal shape of our city. Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval (District 1) helped get 2M and 2N on the ballot, and she sits down with host Bree Davies to explain where they came from, what they’d change, and why they matter.
To catch up on the full backstory behind Councilwoman Sandoval’s effort to reform the Zoning Board of Adjustment, you can hear our episodes tracking the story here:
Why Can’t This Northside Couple Build an ADU for Their Disabled Mom
How an Obscure Zoning Board Got Reformed (And Why It Matters)
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866
Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Keep up the great work
I’m pretty new to Denver, and I really appreciate getting an insider perspective on local issues, where to eat, and even where to camp. I really like how you seek out differing opinions too.
As someone who also works on a daily podcast, I know it’s a grind and I appreciate the work you all are putting into this! The complaints that how some shows are great and others not so much… yeah that’s how a daily show works and not everything is specifically made for you! Onward!!!
Excited to Exasperated (cont.)
After having listened to CC programs for other communities, I wonder why the execs continue to let the Denver show flounder with the now boring topics and tired groaning host and the predictable guest hosts. These are all journalists I guess but they just express opinions and highlight guests that confirm their biases. And the trend seems to be toward compilation episodes. Have they run out of topics? Time for a refresh.
***
I loved the content and how it was presented in the early days. But even this die-hard progressive is so exhausted listening to Bree Davies’ one-sided grievance coverage of complicated topic such as housing and growth. I no longer subscribe and now just download episodes that focus more on local culture and quirky Denver bureaucracy/characters.
It’s ok-some amazing episodes lots of meh commentary
There are some truly great episodes. But I kind of dread every episode not knowing what I’m getting myself into. Occasionally you learn something really cool. Paul’s enthusiasm and commentary is the best and more of his joy would make the city better and it certainly makes the show better. Erin O’toole has been a nice addition to the show she communicates more factually than Bree, a lot less opinion and very factual.
Maybe they aren’t anti housing but many of the opinions have the resulting outcome of being anti housing. Lots of “housing in Denver is so expensive but I hope no houses are built because of neighborhood character or that diner is essential.” More neighbors can mean more fun, we may lose some things along the way. But in the end we could gain a lot of good. Bree is pretty car centric over people. Recently expressed frustration that Denver doesn’t incentivize people to not drive. And as a result should add meters to civic center. Which would get rid of bus and bike lanes that are incentives to not drive. Of course the biggest incentive of all is making other forms of transportation easier than driving. Which in that sense Bree missed that they were incentivized. Not to mention making transit/mobility a feature leads to better equity. Cars are expensive and do not lead to just outcomes. Having these opinions gets trashed on the show A LOT. With people who express these opinions being labeled elitist or transit-freaks. This show would also be better if it was less depressing. Sometimes it really comes off as the Denver Bummer podcast. More being for things and less being against everything would make this so much more pleasant. At least closer to 50-50 on optimism/pessimism would be uplifting.