🏎️ 💨 Why speeding tickets might save Denver’s budget

We’re back with more recommendations from City Cast Denver Neighbors about their fave local people, spots, and organizations in the Mile High, so they can become your favorites too 💕

📣 Beth K. wants to shout out The LoVVe Project, which launched in the early stages of the pandemic to help feed families and has since expanded. “More than five years later, they distribute food and hygiene supplies to families multiple times per month at local DPS schools.”

📣 Kathryn W. recommends Elevation Community Land Trust, a nonprofit providing accessible pathways to homeownership for working families. They have “new homes and condos for sale regularly!”

Become a City Cast Denver Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast 🎤

♻️ Denver Composting Rules Finally Materialize

It’s been three years since Denver voters approved an ordinance requiring certain apartments, businesses, and events to pay for and provide recycling and composting services. After a back and forth with the Mayor’s office and amendments made to the original initiative, “Waste No More” was approved by City Council and will go into effect Sept. 2026 with additional reporting requirements to monitor its progress. [Denver Post 🔒]

🤑 Your Speeding Tickets Might Help Denver’s Budget

The city is bolstering its traffic and parking violation enforcement as part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposed 2026 budget, hoping to rake in extra cash. The budget forecasts a $2.8 million increase in fines, including an estimated $610,000 of additional revenue through traffic camera enforcement. [9News]

• Speaking of parking tickets: Denver laid off its parking magistrates and is moving operations to a different department, which means you’ll no longer be able to dispute parking citations online. [Westword]

😡 Top Elections Official Accuses Mayor of Threatening Democracy

Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López is calling out Mayor Mike Johnston for declining to give an extra $4.5 million to his office, which oversees local elections. The mayor defended the budget cuts in his proposed budget, but López says Johnston is “stabbing independent agencies in the back.” [Denverite]

🧑‍🎤 The Songs That Embody the Mile High

Does Denver have a unique sound? Is there a song or artist that represents what it means to live in the Mile High City? A local music critic and two musicians weigh in creating the ultimate Denver playlist. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Have something to say about a recent podcast episode or newsletter? Here’s the latest from the inbox 📥

On Waymo Arriving in Denver

Miles M. is a rideshare driver and worries Waymo’s presence in Denver could cut into his income, but he’s not ready to panic:

“I think it’s overall counterintuitive and a little naive to be against innovation completely. I would like a car that drives itself one day, and steps like these are how these technologies become more universally available. Ultimately, its success depends on whether people want to utilize the service…I still want more trains though.”

Hans W. has tried Waymo in San Francisco and thinks this is an opportunity to expand rideshare services for people with disabilities:

“I’m legally blind. I rely pretty heavily on rideshare and the Waymo experience was top notch. As to the premium price, the thing you didn’t consider was that with Waymo you don’t need to tip so when comparing you have to compare an Uber/Lyft price with tip to the base Waymo price. Would I always use Waymo? No. I do like the interaction with a driver but it is nice to have a choice based on the situation.”

On the Broncos Stadium

Carol C. doesn’t mind a new stadium as long as taxpayers don’t have to pay for it:

“I never attend Denver Broncos games in person. I'd rather watch them lose on TV without paying for a ticket and having to travel to the stadium only to be (mostly) disappointed. No doubt ticket prices will go way up when the next incarnation of "Mile High" stadium is a reality. Average-income people will probably never be able to afford a ticket in a new and even more expensive stadium.”

Tim K. from Baker likes the prospect of hosting bigger events in the city:

“I gotta admit, it would be awesome to have the Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four in Denver, and that could happen with this new stadium. It’s entirely self-financed, except for improving infrastructure, which probably should be done anyway. I don’t really see a downside… Yet.”

On Dating in Denver

Jen G. warns against placing all the responsibility of Denver’s dating scene solely on dating apps:

"I think it's easy to blame apps and people who don't want a traditional family experience (stereotypically straight men), but I also know a lot of wonderful single straight men who can't find women to marry either. I don't think the solution is shaming the straight men into wanting to give up their hobbies and settle down, I think the solution is being really clear about what you want, what you won't compromise on, and developing really good skills with boundaries, communication, and community building so that you can actually find and follow through on those things in practice."