City Cast Denver logo
August 12, 2025

Minimum Wage Hike Incoming, City Layoff Rumors, and Will the New Restaurant Help Be Enough?

City Cast Denver

Minimum Wage Hike Incoming, City Layoff Rumors, and Will the New Restaurant Help Be Enough?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Mayor Mike Johnston is set to announce which and how many city employees will be laid off in less than a week, and rumors are swirling! Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins producer Paul Karolyi to speculate about the impacts. Plus, the city’s economic development office just revealed how much the minimum wage will be going up in January, and the city is rolling out a new plan to “support and advance” local restaurants. Will it be enough? Or will we see another push to lower the tipped minimum wage? Plus, Patty responds to listener comments about parking downtown. 

We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/surveyit’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.

Paul discussed Benzina’s instagram account, CBS Colorado’s coverage of Denver’s new city attorney, the Denver Post’s reporting on Jevon Taylor’s big plan for a new Green Spaces on 16th St., this CPR interview with Mayor Johnston and this Denver Gazette report on the bill for the lawyer he hired to help out with the “sanctuary cities” congressional hearing. 

What do you think about the minimum wage going up? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418

For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver 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: membership.citycast.fm

If you enjoyed this interview with Kelsey Simpkins from Regional Air Quality Council, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 12th episode:

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

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 12

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 11

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 10

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 9

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 8

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 7

'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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 5

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 4

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 3

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 2

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...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art