City Cast Denver
🥶 How cold will it get this weekend?
January 12, 2024
Good morning, Denver! Quick programming note: The City Cast Denver team will be off on Monday to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We’ll be back in your inbox with a fresh newsletter Tuesday morning. Looking for ways to honor the holiday? Here are a few, including the city’s annual Marade, which is scheduled to happen regardless of subzero temps 🥶
What's CITY Talking About?
🏛️ Polis’ Priorities for 2024
In the wake of his failed land-use reform efforts last year, housing continues to be Gov. Polis’ primary focus in 2024, according to his annual State of the State address on Thursday. His speech also touched on transportation — with continued promises of a Front Range Passenger Rail — tax cuts, and education funding. [Denver Post]
- Look back: How do Polis’ 2024 housing promises compare to the ones he made this time last year? Take a listen for yourself. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
🚶 Adiós ¡Viva! Streets?
¡Viva! Streets — the popular closed-street, car-free event series from 2023 — will not return this year due to permitting restrictions from the city, the Downtown Denver Partnership announced yesterday. Pedestrian advocacy group Denver Streets Partnership is asking community members to participate in an online petition pushing city officials to clear a path for the people-focused event to resume. [DDP]
🥶 Dangerous Temps Coming to Colorado this Weekend
Weather forecasters are warning about dangerous single-digit temperatures expected to settle over Colorado this weekend — like a wind chill of negative 35 degrees. The Front Range could see some light snowfall, but more notable will be the blast of Arctic air bringing frigid subzero temps. [Denver Post]
- The major concern: City shelters are scrambling to get the hundreds of unhoused migrants and Denverites off the streets before danger sets in. [Axios Denver]
What To Do
Friday, Jan. 12
🤠 = our Stock Show picks
- 🪶 Colorado Indian Market | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | $16+ | Central Business District
- 🤠 Westernaires Trick & Fancy Ropers | 2 /2:45 p.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
- 📺 Music Video Bingo | 7-10 p.m. | Free | Montclair
- 🤠 Monarch Casinos Gambler’s Choice | 7:30 p.m. | $31+ | Elyria Swanse
Saturday, Jan. 13
🤠 = our Stock Show picks
- 🤠 Boer Goat Show | 9 a.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
- 🛩️ Cockpit Demo Day | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $1-$20 | Lowry Field
- 🪶 Colorado Indian Market | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | $16+ | Central Business District
- 🍹 Denver Mocktail Tour | 1-3:30 p.m. | $55 | Five Points
- 🪦 The Scenic Histories of Denver Cemeteries | 2-3:30 p.m. | Free | Berkeley
- 🤠 Wild West Show | 5 p.m. | $32+ | Elyria Swansea
- 🎤 Saturday Night Standup | 6 and 8 p.m. | $14.80+ | Five Points
- 🍿 Denver Film: January Giallo | 7 p.m. | $14 | Congress Park
- ✨ Lumonics Immersed | 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $15-25 | North Denver
Sunday, Jan. 14
🤠 = our Stock Show picks
- 🤠 Cowboy Church | 10-11 a.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
- 🪶 Colorado Indian Market | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | $16+ | Central Business District
- 🐶 Adoptable Puppy Yoga | 1-2:30 p.m. | $15 | Five Points
- 🧀 Mac & Cheese Competition | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Aurora
- 🏳️🌈 Queer Art Club | 2-4 p.m. | Free | Baker
- 🤠 Mutton Bustin’ | 5 p.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
Monday, Jan. 15
🤠 = our Stock Show picks
- 🏞️ Free Entrance in National Parks | All Day | Free | Statewide
- ✊🏾 MLK Day Marade | 9:30 a.m. | Free | City Park
- 🤠 Xtreme Dogs Pat & Chat | 12:30 p.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
- 🤠 Xtreme Dogs | 3 p.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
- 🤠 MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo | 6 p.m. | Free with GA | Elyria Swansea
- 📚 Fiction Beer Co Book Club | 7 p.m. | Free | South Park Hill
- ✏️ Writers Group | 7-9 p.m. | $15 | Civic Center
Sponsored Content
Visit Tecovas in Cherry Creek North today!
Howdy, Denver. Rodeo season is here and the National Western Stock Show is kicking off. Come on by your neighborhood Tecovas Store in Cherry Creek North today, grab a cold one, and shop for a new pair of boots or other quality western goods to get ready for the Stock Show. Don’t Go Gently, y’all!
Where Is It?
Last week’s answer: This cowboy mural at 16th and Wazee Street is by none other than William Matthews, a veteran painter who has been capturing the mythical — and real — characters and narratives of the wild West for more than 50 years.
🤠 Hats off to our correct guessers:
- Alicia K. Young was the first to write in with the correct answer!
- But Leslie M., Lisa R., Holly H., John I., Christine R., and Phoebe F. weren’t far behind!
This Week’s Photo:
🕵️ Do YOU know where this vintage Denver sign is located? Hint: It’s not actually IN Denver … 👀 Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!
Today on City Cast
Yellow Vests Downtown, Johnston and the Arts, and the Truth About Rocky Flats
The Downtown Denver Partnership and the Johnston Administration unveiled a new safety plan this week — could 650 “ambassadors” in yellow vests be one answer to downtown’s safety issues? Plus, Colorado’s hidden alcohol problem, the truth about Rocky Flats, and more news of the week.
The hottest fashion trend of the new year is here. It is the yellow puffer vest.
Sponsored Content
Tecovas Tip: Unique Western Cuisine
Today’s tip is all about eating like a cowboy and cowgirl in Denver. This is a cuisine often born out of necessity, from long packing trips and cattle drives. Here’s where you can have a Western culinary experience.
The National Western Stock Show is in town, so take advantage of the dozens of food vendors participating in the annual event. My go-to is a giant turkey leg, but you can also find some of the best steaks, soups, and BBQ throughout the complex.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try the famous Rocky Mountain oysters — fried bull testicles — at The Buckhorn Exchange. (Wait, fried what?? You read that right. We tried them recently: Here’s the scoop.)
Aaand that's a wrap for Western Week! Did you love it? 🤠
Stay warm out there 🧤🧣❄️ And see ya Tuesday!
— Peyton Garcia
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