🛫 Is your car safe at DIA?

🛫 Is Your Car Safe at DIA?

State investigators have indicted 13 individuals on 121 counts of car theft and burglary at the Denver International Airport. The group of suspects is accused of stealing 59 vehicles. The indictment comes after airport officials confirmed a 28% increase in car thefts earlier this summer. [Denver Post🔒]

• A reader comment: After her car was hit by another vehicle while parked in a DIA lot, Nina M. says, “Can we talk about how if something happens to your car in DIA parking, nobody cares? Not only did DIA Parking charge us for the car that was parked and bashed ($90), they charged us for the tow truck that came and got it ($7), and then the rental car we got to drive home ($7).”

🏠 Housing Advocates Keep Pushing

Housing advocates and council members rallied outside the City and County Building on Monday afternoon, calling for an increase in funding for rental assistance. It’s the main sticking point between Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver City Council as they try to finalize next year’s budget. The mayor has conceded to allocate $15.6 million to the cause, but housing advocates are insisting on nothing less than $17.5 million. [Denverite]

• Hear from the mayor: We talk to Mayor Johnston about this topic and more in today’s podcast episode. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🚔 DPD Wants Your Feedback

The Denver Police Department is inviting the community to fill out a public safety survey on how the department is doing. The questionnaire aims to serve as an “opportunity for all Denverites to influence how Denver Police and the City of Denver will provide safety services and neighborhood-level supports in the future.” [Denverite]

• Worth noting: This survey comes just a week after the Colorado News Collaborative published a concerning report on transparency issues with law enforcement across the state. [COLab]

Hey loyal reader, what’s on your mind? 🤔

📚 Tammy enjoyed hearing local horror novelist Erika T. Wurth on the show, and wrote in with a recommendation:

• “Another local author you should check out for October's horror theme is Andre Gonzalez. His Wealth of Time series is awesome and a bit of a tribute to Denver.”

🫶 Matt O. called in with probably my favorite voicemail of the month:

• “I have listened to every single episode of City Cast Denver. I just wanted to thank you all for what you do. It helps me stay connected with where I grew up, and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

🌶️ Lucas D. answered my callout for best green chile:

• “Every time there’s a Mexican food list, it’s dominated by central and west Denver recommendations. The Mexican food in northeast Denver/northwest Aurora — and green chile that comes on it — is every bit as good. My nominations would be Santos Cafe & Mexican Grill and Los Cuates.”

🧁 After hearing us talk about desserts last week, Adrienne B. says:

• “I recommend y’all order La Bomba at Toro located at Hotel Clio! Think dessert nachos and, ‘Can I lick the table in this type of establishment?’”

😌 Sensory-Friendly Evening | Wednesday | 4-6 p.m.

This evening at the Wings Over the Rockies is set aside for families with sensory sensitivities to enjoy the museum in a softer, quieter, sensory-friendly environment. [Lowry; Free]

📚 Horror Writers Group Discussion | Thursday | 7-8:30 p.m.

Join local horror writers and other scare enthusiasts for an open discussion about the genre at Mutiny Information Cafe. [Baker; Free]

🎟️ Zoo Free Day Ticket Release | Friday | Noon

Set your alarms for the Denver Zoo’s release of limited free admission tickets for Nov. 7.  [Virtual; Free]

Mayor Johnston on Angry Neighbors, Canceled Micro-Communities, and Meeting Travis Scott

Mayor Mike Johnston has been keeping busy over his first 100 days in office. Today on the City Cast Denver podcast, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi sit down with Denver’s commander in chief to talk about everything he’s been up to since taking the helm.