🛻 Wyatt’s Towing gone for good

🛻 A Predatory Tow Company Off the Streets

Wyatt’s Towing, a notorious local tow company with a reputation for predatory business practices, has closed up shop for good. The news comes as thousands of Coloradans begin to receive restitution checks from Wyatt’s as part of a $1 million settlement with the Colorado Attorney General’s office following a year-long investigation. [Denver Post 🔒]

• How we got here: Take a closer look at the AG’s investigation, and how it resulted in a new law to protect Colorado car-owners. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

👀 Why a State Senator Who Just Won is Stepping Down

Despite re-winning his seat by a landslide this month (84% of the vote), State Sen. Chris Hansen (D-Denver) has announced plans to resign from the position. He’s just accepted a new job as CEO of La Plata Electric Association, where he’ll likely make upwards of $400,000 annually, compared to $45,000 as a senator. [Durango Herald]

🐘 How CO Stayed Blue in a Wave of Red

While the rest of the country shifted more red in the recent election, Colorado shifted more blue. What did local dems do right? What did the Harris campaign do wrong? The state chair of the Democratic party explains what happened. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🥧 Holiday Pies

In our recent November Guide to Denver, we recommended stopping by Granny Scott’s Pie Shop in Lakewood for your baked good needs this holiday season. Listener Stan P. also recommends Hinman Pies in Arvada:

• “They do pie pies, hand pies (think upscale hostess pies), and pot pies. What we love about them is that they sell them frozen, so we can buy a bunch of pot pies and hand pies and cook them up when needed.” (Editor’s note: I objectively second Stan’s suggestion 🙋🏻‍♀️)

🦞 Lobster Rolls

In a podcast episode about recent Denver restaurant openings and closings, host Bree Davies and I mourned the closure of Maine Shack. Where will we get our lobster rolls now?

• Johnny Q. says: “Appaloosa Grill has a true Maine lobster roll! One of the partners is a Mainer and the former chef was as well.”
• And local Reddit user atmahn says: “There’s a lobster roll place called Masons in Cherry Creek. It’s not as good as Maine Shack, does a decent happy hour though.”

🍩 Denver’s Best Doughnuts

Our podcast episode on Denver’s Best Doughnuts from two years ago is a little outdated. Is it time for a Denver doughnut rematch? Who should our new contenders be? Brock from Harvey Park suggests Yummy’s in Lakewood:

• “I know people are gonna say their piece, and I'm not saying they're wrong ... I'm just saying they haven't had a donut from Yummy's. Yummy's is the truth, and everyone who knows, knows. Their Apple Fritter will make you believe again; their Maple Frosted tastes like the love child of autumn & brown sugar; you'll never want any one else's Old Fashioned-style again.”

🍿 A Local Flick

Per our recommendation, Neal in Thornton went and saw “Elevation,” a new Boulder-filmed sci-fi starring Anthony Mackey. You can still catch it in local theaters now.

• “Seeing monsters chasing the main character through Chautauqua Park was a blast.”