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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Denver

Tips and tricks by Denver locals, for locals.

It’s holiday shopping season! And if you’re looking for a way to shop more responsibly this year — e.g. more locally, sustainably, and equitably — here are some places to start:

 is a local online marketplace that features nearly 200 Colorado businesses that identify as BIPOC-owned. Shoppers can search the directory by business name, zip code, industry, or even BIPOC identity to ensure their money is going toward closing the racial wealth gap among local entrepreneurs. (Learn more about ShopBIPOC in 

If all the wasted plastic and carbon output of holiday gift-giving gets you down, consider making your purchases from 

“certifiably green” Denver businesses

. Shops and entrepreneurs who receive this designation from the city have worked with expert advisors to implement realistic sustainability goals in areas like energy efficiency, water conservation, resource conservation, and alternative transportation. You can find out which businesses are Green Certified using 

Both directories mentioned above feature exclusively Denver or Colorado businesses, but there are countless more independent entrepreneurs and artists you can support this time of year. Our friends at CPR rounded up 

Want more ideas for local spots to shop this holiday season? Listen to 

 of the City Cast Denver podcast for our personal shopping suggestions this time of year!

It’s holiday shopping season! And if you’re looking for a way to shop more responsibly this year — e.g. more locally, sustainably, and equitably — here are some places to start: 

How Denverites Can Shop More Sustainably

Denver Life Hacks

! Here are some tips we’ve collected for green city-living.

If you’re new to recycling, it can be intimidating. Here are a few simple suggestions for getting started:

what can and cannot go into your recycling bin

Local electronics recycling companies, like 

, accept things like old TVs, laptops, printers, and gaming devices.

Consider refilling your cleaning supplies and other household products at places like 

. instead of buying new bottles every time you run out.

Download the Denver Trash & Recycling App

 will send you reminders on trash and recycling pickup days, as well as notify you of special events, like large item pickups. There’s even a sorting game that will help you remember recycling no-nos.

Get to Know Denver’s New Composting Service

Denver continues to roll out its brand new 

, which charges residents for trash services while making weekly recycling pickup and 

 free. Not sure what gets composted and what doesn’t? 

A worm compost bin is easy to make, helps divert food waste, and can be tucked away under your kitchen sink — 

. It’s also a good source of rich potting soil.

Denver Recycling 101

 tonight through tomorrow morning. Whether you’re new to winter in the Mile High, or you’ve been putting snow chains on your tires all your life, everyone could benefit from a reminder on how to safely navigate Colorado’s icy November roads.

Before bad weather really sets in, give your car a preventative once-over — check your battery health, lights, brakes, wipers, windshield fluid, and tire pressure.

Invest in the right tires — either snow / all-season wheels, or get some 

Check the tread on your tires. AAA spokesperson 

 the quarter test: Put a quarter into the tread of your tire and look for George Washington’s head. If you can see any part of the top of his head, you don’t have enough tread, and you should replace those tires.

Keep your gas tank at least half full to decrease the risk of getting stranded in bad weather.

 in your car in the event you are stranded.

Know your route — look at a map before you start driving to avoid having the extra distraction of your GPS or getting lost.

Maintain steady speeds and keep extra space between yourself and other cars — no matter what type of vehicle you have.

Be extra careful on bridges and underpasses, which tend to be the slickest.

Remove all snow and ice from your windows, hood, and roof before you drive.

If you begin to skid, let off the accelerator and brake, then turn your steering wheel in the direction you want to go.

 sums it up nicely: Drive like you have your grandma in the front seat with a hot pot of chili on her lap.

 Whether you’re new to winter in the Mile High, or you’ve been putting snow chains on your tires all your life, everyone could benefit from a reminder on how to safely navigate Colorado’s icy November roads. 

Tips for Winter Driving in Denver

This weekend’s frost was just a taste of what’s soon to come — which is good news for those of you who haven’t winterized your lawns yet. If you act fast, there should be just enough time to get your yard prepped to stay healthy over the winter. Here are some helpful tips:

Contrary to popular belief, a layer of dead leaves doesn’t protect your lawn from the snow — it  can actually trap moisture and smother it.

Leaving your grass too long over the winter can also cause damage. Continue mowing your lawn at regular mowing levels until the grass goes dormant (or stops growing) for the season, usually in late November.

Laying down mulch around the base of trees and other plants will help keep their roots from freezing.

If you have a south or west-facing tree, it could be at risk for sunscald — that’s when the sun thaws the trunk during the day, but then nighttime temps freeze it again, causing cracks and other serious damage. 

Walking too frequently on dormant grass can cause damage that will prevent those trodden areas from greening up in the spring and could promote snow mold.

Be extremely careful to avoid getting melting salts and other snow-melting agents on your lawn — they can cause serious damage.

Your lawn still gets thirsty in the winter. Consider watering it 

 on days over 40 degrees (do NOT turn on your irrigation system). Winter watering also helps avoid mites.

This weekend’s frost was just a taste of what’s soon to come — which is good news for those of you who haven’t winterized your lawns yet. If you act fast, there should be just enough time to get your yard prepped to stay healthy over the winter. 

Cold Weather Lawn Tips

Halloween is next week! Now’s the prime time to carve your pumpkin so it stays fresh and festive looking for trick-or-treaters. Use these creative carving hacks to perfect and preserve your pumpkin masterpiece.

If you haven’t picked your pumpkin yet, make sure you go for one that is firm and ripe (it should sound hollow when you knock on it).

Consider using an ice cream scoop instead of a regular spoon to get the guts out of your pumpkin. Trust us, it will save you a little elbow grease. Also, the thinner you make your pumpkin’s walls, the easier they will be to carve!

Use a dry erase marker to sketch your design (instead of a pen or Sharpie) so you can wipe away leftover markings for a cleaner look. Or, tape a stencil to your pumpkin face, use a thumbtack to poke holes along the outline, then remove the stencil and cut along the holes.

Rub petroleum jelly along the cut edges of your design to help lock in moisture. During the day, keep your Jack-o-lantern out of direct sunlight. And consider an LED candle or string lights instead of a traditional candle, which can dry out your pumpkin quicker.

Send Us Your Pumpkin Pics 🎃

Tips for Carving the Perfect Pumpkin

Forget your four-wheel gas guzzler — electric bicycles are the way of the future! Thanks to the city and the state’s e-bike rebate programs, now is the time to make the switch. Here’s what you need to know.

 to tremendous success last spring. Residents hoping to nab a voucher should set their alarms on application day — slots fill up in mere minutes!

Any Denver resident can qualify for $300-$500 off an e-bike. Low-income residents can qualify for $1,200-$1,400.

Proof of residency, proof of income eligibility (for low-income rebates), and an account at 

The voucher can only be redeemed at select local bike shops (don’t worry, there are plenty of options!). Here is a 

State officials followed Denver’s lead and launched a 

 (the largest in the country!) in August.

Unlike Denver’s program, only low- or moderate-income residents qualify for the state rebate. (

) Qualifying applicants can get $500-$1,100 off their purchase.

At the time of application, all you need is an email address. If you’re selected, you’ll need to provide proof of residency and proof of income eligibility.

 of bike shops where you can redeem your voucher.

You have your voucher — yay! — so now what? Turns out, there are a lot of e-bike options out there: Pedal-assist or full throttle? Hub motor or mid-drive motor? Hydraulic brakes? Removable batteries? Where to start?? Don’t worry, Axios Denver has this 

Judging by Denver’s program, yes. According to 

 earlier this summer, Denver’s program had put nearly 6,000 e-bikes on city streets. Denver’s department of Climate Action, Sustainability, & Resiliency estimated the average e-bike voucher redeemer replaced 3.4 car trips weekly and that e-bikes from Denver’s program “displace 4.1 million vehicle miles, eliminate 1,447 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year and save Denver residents $1 million in fuel and maintenance costs."

Everything You Need to Know About Colorado's E-Bike Rebates

Autumn is almost here and it’s bringing glorious shades of gold and copper all across the Rocky Mountains, so bust out your binoculars, fill up the Subaru, and let’s go leaf-peeping.

Based on the current health of Colorado’s aspens, state forestry experts are feeling especially excited. This year’s cool and wet conditions kept harmful pests and droughts at bay.

Local forestry experts are predicting the following schedule:

Northern mountains (Rocky Mountain National Park, Upper Poudre Canyon, Steamboat, etc.): Mid- to late-September

Central mountains (Vail, Aspen, Crested Butte, etc.): Late September to early October

Southern Mountains (San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountains, Mesa Verde, Durango, Telluride, etc.): Second and third week of October

You can also track the color changes on this interactive 

The Coloradoan whipped up this list of “

Experts warn that Kenosha Pass — normally a leaf-peeper go-to — may offer less than its usual grandeur due to some beetle damage. We should also keep our fingers crossed for no early frosts, which would bring leaf-peeping season to an early end.

) in your leaf-peeping pics on Instagram, and we’ll share them in our stories!

How to Colorado Leaf-Peep Like a Pro

Leaf Peep Like a Pro

Last week, the death of a Denver resident marked the 

 in the state this year. Other deaths have occurred in Weld, Larimer, and Boulder counties. Overall, there have been 103 cases across the state so far this year, with 60 people requiring hospitalization. Here’s what you need to know about the virus:

West Nile is a virus spread through mosquito bites. Most cases occur in August and September, the peak of mosquito season, which ends with the season’s first freeze. But infections can definitely still occur anywhere from May to October.

While anyone can catch the virus, people over the age of 50 or those with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected do not ever develop symptoms, but those who do might experience fever, fatigue, headaches, and body aches.

There is no West Nile cure or vaccine, so experts say to follow these four D’s:

 your property of standing water (kiddie pools, planters, buckets, birdbaths, wheelbarrows, etc.) where mosquitoes tend to gather and breed

🦟 Learn More

Last week, the death of a Denver resident marked the 11th West Nile death in the state this year. Other deaths have occurred in Weld, Larimer, and Boulder counties. Overall, there have been 103 cases across the state so far this year, with 60 people requiring hospitalization. Here’s what you need to know about the virus:

What You Need to Know About West Nile in Denver Right Now

Concert-goers who attended Ed Sheeran’s 

 at Empower Field on Saturday night had to wait out a 

 due to rain and lightning. Attendees were even instructed to shelter inside the concourse for an hour during the worst of it. The incident brought flashbacks of a 

 during a Louis Tomlinson concert at Red Rock Amphitheatre in June, where roughly 100 people were injured.

Summer might be outdoor concert season in Denver, but it’s also rife with wild and unpredictable weather. So before your next outdoor entertainment experience, make sure you’re prepared for any scenario Mother Nature might throw your way with these helpful concert-going hacks:

Don’t be a Colorado noob! Pack a poncho, a rain jacket, or a compact umbrella — you’re almost certainly going to face an afternoon shower this time of year. Just make sure you look up your venue’s bag/prohibited items policy first!

Familiarize yourself with the venue’s emergency protocols and alert systems. You can usually find this information on the venue’s website.

If the venue allows for it, bring a refillable water bottle (collapsible ones, 

, are clutch). If water bottles aren’t allowed, just make sure to hit the water station regularly, especially with these hot summer temps!

Speaking of the heat, Colorado’s high elevation means you should be doubly cautious of sun exposure. Don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, and a generous layer of sunscreen.

You’re out there to have a good time, but it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings. Know where the nearest exit is and establish an exit strategy if things go awry. If you’re with other people, have a plan and a meeting point in case you get separated.

Summer might be outdoor concert season in Denver, but it’s also rife with wild and unpredictable weather. So before your next outdoor entertainment experience, try these helpful concert-going hacks.

Hacks for Surviving Denver's Outdoor Concert Season

A few weeks ago on the City Cast Denver podcast, the team got together to share some of our 

. It got us thinking: Beyond your hiking itinerary, what else do you need to make your trip up the trail fun? Here are a few tips for getting the most out of a good hike.

Weekends and holidays are when most hiking trails are guaranteed to be packed. If you can, try to hit your favorite spot on, say, a Wednesday morning to avoid the 9-to-5 crowds.

Having trouble topping the peak? A little weed goes a looong way. If you’re feeling exhausted, a ganja gummy might be just what you need to get you the rest of the way. (Always practice safe consumption! Consider 

That snack pack of nuts from Trader Joe’s isn’t going to last you all day. Be sure to load up with enough to keep you going for a few hours — Protein bars, dried fruit, and trail mix are lightweight options to throw in a fanny pack and save you from those late-day hunger pangs.

It’s Colorado after all, and elevation dries you out fast. Be sure to hydrate before, during, and after a hike, even if you’re hitting an easy, city-close trail.

Fourteeners too crowded for your taste? Opt for a thirteener. Less people, a similar workout, and same great views 😉

Before you hit the road, look up your hike on 

 to get the deets on length, elevation gain, difficulty level, and everything else you need to know (including maps and photos!) so you’re properly prepared for your impending adventure.

🎧 Hear Our Hike Recommendations

A few weeks ago on the City Cast Denver podcast, the team got together to share some of our fave hikes in Colorado. It got us thinking: Beyond your hiking itinerary, what else do you need to make your trip up the trail fun? Here are a few tips for getting the most out of a good hike.