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Back in October, rumors circulated that Starbucks was looking to acquire Denver-born mega-chain Chipotle. Turns out the two multi-billion dollar companies will not become one, but it got us thinking – what locally owned businesses, organizations, or agencies would we like to see merge? Comedian Kate McLachlan joins host Bree Davies to design their dream versions of that classic “combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell,” Denver-style! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Send us your nominations for the 2026 Denver-est Denver Awards and buy your tickets to the December 10 show now!  Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member! Which two Denver businesses would you like to see merge? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 If you enjoyed this interview with CEO and President of Galena Country Tourism, Terry Matson, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 12th Episode: Wild Free Colorado Springs Visit Estes Park Denver Botanic Gardens Chalat Hatten and Banker Enjoy Illinois Colfax Ave BID Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Introducing Mary Lawson: “Solace in Winter” | Oprah’s Book Club  from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOK! Solace in Winter by Mary Wallace https://amzn.to/4z3sQE0 New York Times bestselling author Mary Lawson’s new book Solace in Winter is Oprah’s 126th book club pick. The story takes place in 1969 during the dead of winter in the fictional town of Solace located in the Northern region of Ontario, Canada. As the Vietnam War rages on, a mysterious, handsome American draft dodger shakes up the small town when he crashes his car in a near-fatal accident. The themes of loneliness, grief and human connection bring unlikely consequences to each of the characters. Readers ask Mary about her writing process, what brings her solace and how she writes from different points of view. 00:00:00 - Welcome Mary Lawson author of “Solace in Winter”  00:01:00 - Oprah’s 126th Book Club pick  00:02:10 - Mary published her first novel at 55 00:03:55 - Who the book is about  00:07:00 - Finding the dog and the stranger 00:09:09 - Why it was set during Vietnam War 0012:43 - The book's message  00:13:54 - The greatest gift of fiction 00:14:58 - What grief teaches us  00:19:15 - Humor in the book 00:21:50 - Mary writes without a plot or theme  00:25:43 - Small town Northern Canada as the setting 00:29:48 - Father figures in the book  00:38:50 - Solace in the novel  00:41:41 - Mary’s plans for another Solace book DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

For over 50 years, La Loma has been serving its beloved thick green chile to hungry Denverites. But behind the scenes, a bitter divorce put ownership of the restaurant's name and closely guarded green chile recipe in jeopardy. Food reporter for the Denver Post Miguel Otárola and host Bree Davies discuss the future of the La Loma name, a judge’s recent ruling on the claims of intellectual property of a recipe, and the history of “Grandma” Savina Mendoza and the green chile magic that originally put La Loma on the map. Bree mentioned a recent lawsuit, filed since this episode aired, that could put this green chile battle back in court.  This episode originally aired on September 10, 2025. 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! 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 episode: Wild Free Colorado Visit Estes Park Denver Botanic Gardens Chalat Hatten & Banker Enjoy Illinois Colfax Ave BID Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Back in 2018 the New York Times spent “36 Hours” in Denver, offering its readers a perfectly curated guild to the Mile High City. To us at City Cast Denver, this travel guide felt somewhat theoretical, at best, and painfully unaware, at worst. Sooooo, we decided to fix it and make our own! Today on the show, host Bree Davies and executive producer Paul Karolyi are joined by politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval. Together they lay out an alternative version of “36 Hours in Denver,” providing visitors with an on-the-ground guide to the restaurants, attractions, and city-close outdoor excursions that make this place great. This episode originally aired on August 21, 2023. Since this episode first aired, the New York Times has updated their guide. 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! 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 episode: Wild Free Colorado Visit Estes Park Denver Botanic Gardens Chalat Hatten & Banker Enjoy Illinois Colfax Ave BID Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Ski season is upon us, and we’re wondering: Where’s the best place to get a bite after a day on the mountain? Contributor and foodie Sara Rosenthal joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to share some of the best bites in Breckenridge. Then, we hear Sara’s nominations for who she thinks should be up for Best Restaurant/Bar at the Denver-est Denver Awards, coming up on Dec. 10! Finally, we close out with the age old question: pie or cake? And, is Denver a pie city? We drop some of our best pie recommendations ahead of Thanksgiving this year so you can skip the baking and get straight to the eating.  Join us on Dec. 10 for the second annual Denver-est Denver Awards! Grab your tickets here, and submit your nominations for awards here!  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! 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 November 9th Episode: Wild Free Colorado Springs Visit Estes Park Denver Botanic Gardens Chalat Hatten Enjoy Illinois Colfax Ave Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s fall in Denver, but just this week, cities across the country experienced record-high heat. In Somerville, MA, the city government is realizing that rising temperatures deserve their attention and intervention year round — and they’re running a fun, generous program to help. David is joined by Elyse Belarge from the Somerville Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Environment to talk about the city’s pilot to de-pave and re-vegetate residential lots. Elyse shares the jaw-dropping impact of asphalt-free zones, as well as the joy of taking sledgehammers to driveways in your neighborhood. Mentioned on the show: Cooling East Somerville program and application for residents: https://voice.somervillema.gov/cooling-east-somerville   The Barr Foundation, which funds Somerville’s work as part of a cohort: https://www.barrfoundation.org/climate/initiative/community-heat-resilience/  Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Ballots are still being counted, but there’s no doubt Colorado was definitely part of the national blue wave. How did Democrats manage to flip some of the reddest seats in the state? Today, Denver Post city government reporter Elliott Wenzler and The Lever founder and editor in chief David Sirota join producer Olivia Jewell Love to break down what happened in Boebert Country and what passage of the graduated income tax measure could mean for Colorado. Plus, City Cast Denver neighbors get a special bonus segment with a sneak peak of our upcoming Denver-est Denver Awards (grab your tickets here). The crew rounds out the show with a round of wins and fails. Elliott mentioned the secretary of state’s website’s security breach. David brought up the Nuggets’ current record. Olivia mentioned Ameriquarium, the state fish game, that you can play here.  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! 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 November 6th episode: Xcel Energy Arvada Center Blue Sky The Escape Game Visit Estes Park Enjoy Illinois Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

While voters delivered Democrats huge victories across the country this week, Denver voters also elected a new City Council member, Melissa Mejía, who will immediately jump into the fray. She will take her seat as the rest of City Council is deep in talks with Mayor Mike Johnston on his proposed budget for 2027, including the hotly contested line item for eviction defense. So today, we are revisiting a conversation host Bree Davies had with Mejía in 2023 when the future council member was working on eviction defense with the Colorado Economic Defense Project.  This episode first aired on Dec. 18, 2023. 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! What do you think about Melissa Mejía’s new role on City Council? 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: Blue Sky The Escape Game Arvada Center Enjoy Illinois Visit Estes Park Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Across the country and right here in Colorado, the blue wave materialized! Our state’s Democrats flipped seats, took historically red districts, and solidly sent eight dems to Congress. But statewide ballot measures told a different story with some surprising turns on conservative issues. Meanwhile in Denver, City Council gained another DSA-endorsed member and voters said “no” to foie gras. Producer Olivia Jewell Love and host Bree Davies dig into the results and discuss Colorado’s role in the national 2026 midterms. Editor's note: We recorded this on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 11:30 p.m. Some of the numbers referenced in the episode may have changed by the time you're listening because votes are still being counted. Stay tuned for more analysis and perspective and check out today’s newsletter for a full breakdown of results.  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! What do you think about the election results? 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 episode: Blue Sky The Escape Game Arvada Center Enjoy Illinois Visit Estes Park Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

It’s election day! Coloradans are staring down a massive ballot including propositions 134 and 135, which could have drastic impacts on transgender kids and their classmates. But this isn’t the first time voters have made decisions about the human rights of queer people – back in 1992, Amendment 2 passed, which openly allowed discrimination against the gay community. Today Ann Marie Awad and Xandra McMahon, producers and hosts of The Hate State, a limited podcast series on Colorado’s history of Amendment 2 and ongoing LGBTQ rights fights, join host Bree Davies to dig into what they found when researching Colorado’s recent past.  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! 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 November 3 episode: Xcel Energy Arvada Center Blue Sky Plumbing The Escape Game Visit Estes Park Enjoy Illinois Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

TLC dropped a trailer for “The Mad Pooper” last week, a documentary featuring appearances from Colorado Springs reporters, cops, and defecation speculators about a mystery number two-er who terrorized the city for months in 2017. Meanwhile in Castle Rock, a woman known as “the bag lady” has allegedly been accosting people at gas stations and in Walmart parking lots with a smelly scam. Our resident green chile correspondent (and current candidate for House District 5) Justine Sandoval joins host Bree Davies to discuss when a quirky community character becomes a public nuisance.  Justine mentioned a previous City Cast Denver episode on Colorado’s biggest viral moments.  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! Do you know the identity of the ‘Mad Pooper’? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 If you enjoyed today’s sponsored interview with Terry Mattson, CEO / President of Galena Country Tourism, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 2nd episode: Xcel Energy Arvada Center Blue Sky The Escape Game Visit Estes Park Enjoy Illinois Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Denver. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this loose regulation is good for Texas, particularly its dense capital city, whether local benefit is a priority for manufacturers at all, and how cities can learn from Austin if a similar influx hits their streets.  Mentioned on the show: City Cast Austin’s episode on AVs regulation: https://austin.citycast.fm/podcasts/are-texas-schools-using-ai-to-ban-books-plus-driverless-cars-in-austin-and-new-michelin-stars  Waymo blocking emergency response to Austin shooting: https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting  The city of Austin’s public dashboard tracking incidents involving AVs: https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dbd59d9b20634de1afad32a8267b739b# Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

It’s time for our monthly guide to everything awesome going on in Denver! Contributor Michelle Jackson joins producer Olivia Jewell Love and host Bree Davies to swap recommendations for cozy coffee shops, roller derby bouts, and a very special double feature showcasing untold stories from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Plus, we’re talking about our favorite ways to celebrate a Mile High Thanksgiving, including “Daddy” Bruce Randolph’s legacy food drive and some of Olivia’s personal tips for a stress-free trip through DIA.  But wait there’s more! City Cast Denver Neighbors will get a special bonus segment with Michelle, Bree, and Olivia digging into the unique ways Denverites vote compared to other states. Get access to weekly members-only bonus segments and more perks when you sign up to become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today! The Denver-est Denver Awards are back! Save the date and join us Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Federal Theatre as we celebrate the people, places, and unforgettable moments that made this past year truly Denver. Expect plenty of laughs, beloved celebrity guests, photo ops, and live entertainment. Check out all the details before tickets go on sale soon. 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! What’s your favorite Denver Thanksgiving tradition? 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 Oct. 29 episode: Xcel Energy City & County of Denver Technology Services Denver Art Museum Arvada Center New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

We’re back with part two of our conversation covering all the congressional races happening across Colorado — Republican strategist Kelly Maher and Democratic strategist and co-host of the Get More Smarter podcast Ian Silverii join host Bree Davies to talk through the Democratic Socialist insurgency on the left, what the GOP’s strategy — or lack thereof — seems to be in the state’s more conservative districts, and more. Oh, and be sure to listen to yesterday’s episode with Kelly and Ian for the first half of this conversation! 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! 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 Oct. 29 episode: Xcel Energy City & County of Denver Technology Services Denver Art Museum Arvada Center New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

What role will Colorado play if the anticipated “blue wave” overtakes this election? It depends on which congressional district you’re looking at. Democratic strategist and host of the Get More Smarter podcast Ian Silverii and Republican strategist Kelly Maher join host Bree Davies this week to dig into the big congressional races happening across Colorado. From the Gabe Evans vs. Manny Rutinel showdown happening in the relatively new CD8 to questions surrounding Rep. Lauren Boebert’s ability to hang on to her CD4 seat in what used to be a guaranteed red district, the trio discuss what early turnout numbers are showing, where all those unaffiliated voters’ votes are going, and what’s still to be determined by Election Day. P.S. This conversation was a hefty one, so we’re splitting it into two. Tune in tomorrow for the second half of our conversation with Kelly and Ian! 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! 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 October 28 episode: Xcel Energy City & County of Denver Technology Services Denver Art Museum Arvada Center New Era Colorado Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise