City Cast Denver
🛒 Is your Safeway striking?
June 27, 2025 · — McKenna Harford
Happy Friday! If you haven’t been recently, the downtown Rio Grande is now rocking a new name — Rio on Wazee — and an updated menu (with the same great margs!) 🌮🍹
What's CITY Talking About?
🕍 El Jebel Venue Suing Over Denied Liquor License
Non Plus Ultra, a California company that owns several local venues, renovated the historic uptown mosque and has been trying to secure a liquor license since earlier this year. However, the city prevents businesses within 500 feet of schools from obtaining a license, and El Jebel is 494 feet away from the closest school. [Business Den 🔒]
⚖️ Judge Rules on Gov. Polis’ ICE Compliance
In the high-profile case over Gov. Jared Polis’ willingness to work with federal immigration enforcement, a Colorado judge agreed Wednesday that state employees can’t be forced to share information with ICE because of state law. However, the judge did not prohibit Polis from personally responding to the subpoena. [Colorado Sun]
🗳️ Why DougCo Voters Rejected A Home Rule Charter
On Tuesday, a huge majority of Douglas County voters rejected a plan that would have offered more local control because of concerns that the conservative county commissioners were angling at a “power grab.” We dig into the results and how the fight connects to conversations in Denver over local control. [City Cast Denver 🎧]
🛒 More Safeway Stores Striking
At least 28 stores are striking, including five in Denver. The workers are asking for better staffing, higher wages, and protections of benefits. More stores are expected to join the strike. [Denver Post 🔒]
Is your Safeway striking? Here are the Denver locations with picket lines so far:
- 3800 W. 44th Ave.
- 2660 Federal Blvd.
- 2150 S. Downing St.
- 560 Corona St.
- 757 E. 20th Ave.
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Leave the car at home and bike!
Leave the car at home and take public transit this summer to help improve Front Range air quality! The Colorado Front Range has multiple public transit choices. Find the right one for you-- and some free options, too!-- at SimpleStepsBetterAir.org.
Where Is It?
Last week’s answer: South Pearl Street
South Pearl Street is dotted with dozens of hidden fairy doors and magical hobbit homes.
📣 A special shoutout for this week’s correct guessers:
- Pamela G. was the first to write in with the correct answer!
- But Allison L. wasn’t far behind!
This Week’s Photo:
🕵️ Do YOU know where this baby head trash bin is? Be among the first to respond with the right answer and you’ll get a special shoutout in next Friday’s newsletter!
📸 Want to submit a photo? Send me a snapshot of somewhere in Denver, and I’ll consider it for an upcoming photo trivia segment!
What To Do
Friday, June 27
- 🎤 River Butcher Pride Comedy Special @ Denver Comedy Underground
- 📸 Colorado Photographic Arts Center Annual Showcase @ Colorado Photographic Arts Center
- 🏳️🌈 Pride at Larimer Square @ Larimer Square
- 🍽️ Family Cooking Class: Caribbean @ CSU Spur
Saturday, June 28
- 🪩 Mile High Queer Club’s Summit Pride Party @ Union Station
- 🏳️🌈 Pride at Larimer Square @ Larimer Square
- 🌛 Havana Street Night Market @ Leezakaya
- 🎤 River Butcher Pride Comedy Special @ Denver Comedy Underground
- 🎶 Blue Eyes and Beyond with Tony DeSare @ Arvada Center
- 🛩️ Warbird Invasion @ Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
- 🏳️🌈 Denver PrideFest @ Civic Center Park
- 🐶 Denver Dog Fair @ National Western Complex
- 🍻 Pride Party @ Federales
Sunday, June 29
- 🎨 Sundays on Santa Fe @ Art District on Santa Fe
- 🏳️🌈 Pride at Larimer Square @ Larimer Square
- 🏳️🌈 Denver PrideFest @ Civic Center Park
- 👠 Drag Bingo Brunch @ Osteria Marco
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Navigating Denver Real Estate
Q - What is mortgage insurance?
— Bree Davies, City Cast Denver podcast host
A: It’s protection for the lender if you put down less than 20%. But here’s the twist— it can help you buy sooner and may get you a better rate, sometimes lowering your monthly payment. Wondering if it makes sense for you? Let’s look at the numbers together.
Do you have a question about Denver real estate? Submit your questions for Elizabeth Martinez HERE, and she might answer in next week’s segment.
Curious about building equity or whether buying makes sense for you? Let’s chat—I'd love to help you explore your options. – Elizabeth
Does downtown need an observation tower? A new proposal would bring an almost 700-foot tower to 16th Street, which some are saying looks suspiciously close to the Eye of Sauron 😂🔍
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