72 minOct 24, 2024

All 12 Denver Ballot Measures, Explained

Show Notes

There’s less than two weeks until Election Day, and Denverites have been tasked with deciding a dozen measures and amendments. So if you’re dragging your feet to fill out your ballot, don’t worry — we’re here to help! Last week in front of a sold-out crowd at Town Hall Collaborative, host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi were joined by Westword editor-in-chief Patty Calhoun and political consultant Deep Singh Badhesha to discuss the biggest issues facing Mile High voters. From collective bargaining for city employees to the proposed fur ban, we dug into the ballot, made some predictions, and talked about what the outcomes could say about Denver’s future and our priorities.

Paul mentioned our episode with Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne in which she made the case for a “yes” on Ballot Question 2Q, as well as this article from the New York Times by Ted Genoways about undocumented workers in the meat industry. Mayor Mike Johnston was on the show yesterday advocating for Ballot Question 2R, his sales tax hike to fund affordable housing.

For even more election coverage, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter Hey Denver, where editor Peyton Garcia breaks down everything you need to know about how, when, and where to vote!

What do you think about all these ballot questions? We want to hear your hot takes, questions, or last-minute arguments for or against! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

Denver Public Library - RSVP to the grand reopening here
Denver Art Museum

Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent EpisodesSee all

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Denver

21 minOct 11, 2026

Another Denver school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form . Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

A Cheesy New Ethics Complaint at DIA, CoCo Vote Veers Off Course, and Denver's Best PSL

30 minOct 9, 2026

It might not feel like it, but we are, actually, in the fall season! Contributor Michelle Jackson joins producer Olivia Jewell Love to chat about their favorite fall bevs (don’t worry, they come iced!) and talk shop about Olivia’s hunt for the best PSL in Denver . Then, DIA officials are facing a new ethics complaint about a lavish retirement party , complete with a $3,000 budget for sausage and cheese. City Cast Denver Neighbors will get to hear a special segment with recommendations for great meals under $30, so make sure you sign up right now to hear it! Olivia and Michelle round out the week with a round of wins and fails.  Welcome to Day 3 of our Fall Membership Campaign! We’ve got an ambitious goal of 200 new members, and we need your help. If you want that slick new dad hat and that warm feeling you get from supporting local journalism, now is the perfect time to sign up as a City Cast Denver Neighbor. It’s just $10 per month! Sign up today. Olivia mentioned the CoCo vote oopsie , and the opening of Reclectic over by Colorado Mills. Michelle brought up the allegations at Lutheran High .  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm . Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member ! What’s your favorite fall drink? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬ Learn more about the sponsors of this October 9th episode: Denver Film Enjoy Illinois Xcel Energy Chalat Hatten and Banker Blue Sky Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

How This Election Could Change All Other Elections. Plus, ‘Love is Blind’: Where Are They Now?

37 minOct 8, 2026

It's election season, and those blue books are beefy this year! We’re going one by one through some of the thorniest ballot measures all month, and today creative producer Shane Franklin joins fellow producer Olivia Jewell Love to break down everything you need to know about Amendment 84 , the proposal for new voter ID requirements. Then, contributor Molly Smith joins Olivia to talk about her experience riding the bus in the new BRT lanes on Colfax and mark the one-year anniversary of “Love is Blind.” What are the reality stars up to now, and do they still hang out in the Mile High?  Welcome to Day 2 of our Fall Membership Campaign! We’ve got an ambitious goal of 200 new members, and we need your help. If you want that slick new dad hat and that warm feeling you get from supporting local journalism, now is the perfect time to sign up as a City Cast Denver Neighbor. It’s just $10 per month! Sign up today. Molly brought up our episode reacting to Love is Blind’s Denver season when it came out last year.  For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm . Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member ! Have you taken the bus in the new BRT lane? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode: Denver Film Enjoy Illinois Xcel Energy Chalat Hatten and Banker Blue Sky Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

What Would You Name Dick’s Sporting Goods Park? Plus, Casa Bonita’s Wishing Well and Local Comedy Drama

30 minOct 7, 2026

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park may not be long for this world – well, the name anyway. For the first time in the Colorado Rapids soccer stadium’s 20-year history, the team is looking at new sponsors and a potential moniker change . Comedian and Casa Bonita performer Joshua Emerson joins host Bree Davies to share his top five picks for renaming Dick’s. Plus, they dig into the controversy involving a big-name comedian, Sirius XM, and Denver’s comedy scene and talk about Joshua’s AI concerns about the seasonal Halloween and Dia de los Muertos decor at the pink palace.   It’s time for our Fall Membership Campaign! If you want that slick new dad hat and that warm feeling you get from supporting local journalism, now is the perfect time to sign up as a City Cast Denver Neighbor. It’s just $10 per month! Sign up today. For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm . Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member ! What do you think? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode: Denver Film Enjoy Illinois Xcel Energy Chalat Hatten and Banker Blue Sky Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise