Johnston and the Sweeps, Worms in the Sweet Corn, and RTD's Fare Decrease
We’re less than a month into Mike Johnston’s first term as mayor, and things are already off to a bumpy start — some media outlets reported this week that the mayor would not enforce homeless encampment sweeps. Turns out that wasn’t quite the case. Plus, Suncor continues to fail, RTD is actually winning, and Denver Parks and Rec gets a well-deserved pat on the back. Host Bree Davies is joined by producer and chief conspiracy theorist Paul Karolyi and regular fave Joshua Emerson, comedian and co-chair of the Denver American Indian Commission. And as always, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia shares her best bets for your weekend — think brewery birthdays, vegan mania, Aurora chef celebrations, and more!
For more on the rollout of Mayor Johnston’s homelessness plan, check out this helpful piece from our pal Kyle Harris at Denverite. Paul mentioned the Aloft Hotel’s new vacancies, Cultivando’s air monitoring program in Commerce City and a new local investment opportunity. Bree talked about that big green building on Kalamath, her love for the Northside’s Ashland Rec Center, the Denverite piece on The Gathering Place-operated motel shelter shutting down, and her husband’s UMS party this weekend. Josh talked about RTD’s historic rate decrease and the prospects for this year’s sweet corn harvest.
For more on Suncor — the recent shutdown and its enormous economic impact — check out our episode from back in February with Denver Post reported Noelle Phillips.
Here are links to all the events Peyton recommended:
- Colorado VegFest
- Tattered Cover: City Silhouettes
- Avery Brewing 30th Anniversary
- Aurora Chef Speaker Series
For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866.
Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!
Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
- Wana Brands
- “Untitled” at the Denver Art Museum this weekend, featuring none other than our guest Joshua Emerson!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Kyle Clark on GOP Exorcisms, CD-8 Switcheroos, and Tornado False Alarms
Can Victor Marx conduct exorcisms over the phone? The ordained minister and front-runner in the GOP primary for governor says so, and mad...

Senator Michael Bennet on Housing Affordability, Redistricting, and How He’s Different From Gov. Polis
Michael Bennet has represented Colorado in congress since 2009. Now, the U.S. senator is running for governor – and is in the midst of a...

Attorney General Phil Weiser on Data Center Moratoriums, Bike Lanes, and His Run for Governor
Governor Jared Polis is serving his final term and the Democratic primary race to replace him is heated. Attorney General Phil Weiser joi...

UMS or Blucifer's First Rodeo? Plus, Bike Fest, CD1 Primary Challengers, and More From the Mailbag!
Host Bree Davies and Producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening up the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear listeners’ thoughts on everything fr...

Where Denver Falls in the Harm Reduction Conversation
When it comes to numbers, the story of drug-related overdose deaths in America is simple. They increased slowly and steadily through the...

'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Denver
Denver recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city po...

Council Loses a Progressive Champion, Gay Bar Turtle Drama, and the Summer Mosquito Forecast
The Colfax staple Charlie’s got into trouble this week after a video posted to social media showed six little turtles “racing” on the leg...

Wanda James on Working for Barack Obama, Being Censured, and Running for Congress
Diana DeGette has been representing Denver in congress since 1997, winning reelection 14 times in nearly 30 years on the job. The 1st Con...

Melat Kiros on Money in Politics, Antisemitism, and Her Run for Congress
Could Denver see a new face in congress in 2026? Diana DeGette has held the 1st Congressional District seat for nearly thirty years, hand...

Will the Broncos Stadium Actually Get Built By 2030? Plus, AI Backlash in Englewood and Which Congressperson Snubbed Us?
Last week the City of Englewood shared a video about the work they are doing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But the municipality was...

