City Cast Denver

🌮 Casa Bonita tries something new

September 16, 2025 · — Peyton Garcia

Good morning, Denver. On the City Cast Denver podcast today, we’re talking through Evergreen’s response to the deadly school shooting last week and how the community has stepped up to help each other. If you’re looking to support students and others impacted during this time, read on for our list of ways to help ❤️‍🩹

Evergreen Picks Up the Pieces, Michelin Guide Surprises, and Listeners Respond to the Recent Shootings

What's CITY Talking About?

A fine dining spread at Restaurant Olivia in Denver. — A fine dining spread at Restaurant Olivia, which was named a Michelin Recommended Restaurant in 2023. Hospitality Manager Heather Morrison also received a Michelin Outstanding Service Award in 2025. *(AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)*

⭐ Denver Has 3 New Michelin Star Restaurants

Kizaki (a Japanese omakase restaurant in Platt Park), Margot (a fine dining counter in the same space as Kizaki), and Mezcaleria Alma (a Mexican restaurant in the Highlands) each received a 1-star rating for the 2025 Colorado Michelin Guide. The Wolf’s Tailor, which first earned a star in 2023, was upgraded to Colorado’s first and only 2-star recipient. [CO Sun]

Get the goss: Ahead of the Michelin announcement, we sat down with Westword food editor Molly Martin to share our predictions and spill the latest tea on Denver’s dining scene.

💼 Let the 2026 Budget Battle Begin!

On Monday, Mayor Mike Johnston offered his first draft for a budget to operate the city in 2026, and it includes big cuts — only $1.6 billion for the general fund (down from $1.76 billion in 2025). City Council will now review the proposal and submit counter-proposals, which could be contentious given the 169 city layoffs last month. [Denver Post 🔒]

Speaking of job losses: On top of the those layoffs and 600-plus eliminated open positions, another 71 positions were cut at independent city agencies, like the Auditor’s Office and the Denver County Court. [Westword]

🏠 The Mayor’s New Approach to Homelessness

The mayor is pivoting away from his signature shelter-first policy to combat homelessness in Denver. The city plans to close some of its shelter sites and shift priority to case management, particularly focusing on employment and mental health / substance use treatment — a strategy that more closely aligns with policies in Aurora and Colorado Springs. [Denverite]

Share your thoughts: The mayor is hosting a community town hall at the Central Park Rec Center on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

🌮 Casa Boo-Nita! But Where’s Black Bart?

Managers at the Pink Palace informed staff on Monday that they will be “piloting holiday-themed life-size figures and photo-op standees” in October — aka, a full-on holiday takeover for Halloween and Día de Muertos. Casa’s regular roving characters will be taking a break — except Moco the gorilla — and restaurant management says they’ve already informed the performers’ union, Actors Equity, of the new creative experiment. [City Cast Denver Exclusive]