📚 Denver Central Library reopening soon!

📚 Denver Central Library Reopening Soon!

After seeing rumors on Facebook, we reached out to the Denver Public Library’s media team, and a spokesperson confirmed: The Central Branch is set to reopen in November. DPL’s largest branch has been closed since 2020 due to the pandemic and is in the process of an extensive renovation. [DPL]

⚖️ What’s Next for Tina Peters?

The disgraced former Mesa County clerk could be sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison after a jury found her guilty of seven criminal charges related to election tampering in the name of the 2020 “stolen election” conspiracies. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 3. [CO Sun]

💰 Affordable Housing Tax Makes Slow Progress

Despite passing with an 8-5 vote from City Council on Monday, Mayor Johnston’s proposal to increase sales taxes by 0.5% to fund affordable housing still faces a lot of lingering questions from city leaders. Ahead of the final vote next week, council continues to grapple with details — like spending oversight and who exactly is eligible for assistance. [Denver Post 🔒]

• Dive deeper: We spoke with former Denver City Council member at-large Robin Kniech to unpack the mayor’s affordable housing tax proposal. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

☢️ Bipartisan Support Grows for Nuclear Power

Amid a deeply divided Congress, Denver’s Rep. Diana DeGette managed to get bipartisan support to pass a bill that eases the restrictions on the construction of new nuclear power plants. The Cold War-era stigmas may be fading, but many challenges remain before Denver can be nuclear-powered again. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🌜Mercury Cafe Back on the Market

After years of struggling to make a new iteration of the beloved Mercury Cafe work, current owner and Old Denver savior Danny Newman has put the place up for sale. He bought the long-running restaurant / music venue with high hopes in 2021, but the changing neighborhood, lingering impacts from the pandemic, and a family emergency made the project too much to fully realize. [Westword]

• Get some background: Newman sat down with us after he purchased the restaurant in 2021 to talk about his plans for the iconic Denver spot. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Hey loyal readers and listeners. We love to hear from you! Got a question about something going on in the city? A spicy take on a trending topic? Commentary on a recent podcast episode or newsletter? We want to hear it 💌 Here’s the latest from the inbox:

🚽 Denver’s Best and Worst Bathrooms

We recently ranked the best and worst restrooms along Colfax Ave. Adrian González (yes, that Adrian, my fellow Hey Denver newsletter writer!) shares some of his personal faves:

• “As someone who must have the drink trifecta with me at all times (one for hydration, one for energy, and one for fun) I've seen a lot of restrooms. I really like the ones at The Crypt on 17th — they have really morbid autopsy and occult photos all under ominous red lighting. I also like the restrooms at TRVE Brewing — there's a funny sign and you can push a button to play dark orchestral music while you're doing your business.”

🗓️ Cool Things to Do This Month

We recently shared our picks for awesome things to eat, see, and do in August. Here’s another rec from a City Cast Denver listener:

• “The East Colfax Community Collective (EC3) will be hosting their final international market (TONIGHT) on August 14. There is food, vendors, performances, music, free childcare ... It’s truly a lovely time.”

📍 Meet the City Cast Family!

Did you know City Cast is a nationwide network?! Though it started right here in Denver (and Chicago), we now have community-centered podcast and newsletter teams in 13 cities across the country! Self-proclaimed City Cast Superfan John G. is a subscriber to all of them (🤯) and made us this really neat City Cast map! 👆

🥡 Denver’s Best Cheap Eats

We shared our favorite affordable bites in the Mile High recently — and you all shared yours! 😋

• “Every gatekeeping bone in my body HATES that I'm doing this but... La Diabla on Wednesday nights for two al pastor tacos and a margarita for $5. Cart-Driver every night at 10 p.m. for $8 pizza, sardines and bread, and a dealer's choice cocktail.” — Anonymous
• “La Tortería on 92nd and Lowell does dollar tacos on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Mondays, Blue Island Oyster in Cherry Creek does $1.25 oysters. If you split between two people, Postino's ‘Board and Bottle’ after 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday includes a bottle of wine and a 4-slice bruschetta board that's basically two deconstructed sandwiches.” — Christine W.
• “There's a new pita place called Pita Central that I've been raving about for how cheap and good it is — $9 falafel pita and around $12 for the meat pitas in a counter-serve Chipotle style. Also the owner is from Greece and is super nice.” — Jordan C.

❓ Ask Us Something!

We are gearing up to drop a special listener mailbag episode in the City Cast Denver podcast feed where we will answer all your burning questions and respond to your commentary on recent episodes. You can email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail or text message at 720-500-5418.