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City Cast Denver

Shane Franklin

Democrats had a good night last night, with projected victories across all four major state offices and TK of the state’s eight congressional districts. But Election Day was not just about who won top offices. Voters also weighed in on congressional seats and ballot measures that could shape the state’s future. Here’s a breakdown of the results as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 3., according to the 

Colorado Secretary of State’s election results

. Many races are still too close to call. Leading candidates and causes have green checks, though final counts are pending.

Host Bree Davies and creative producer Olivia Jewell Love unpack all the results, share their biggest takeaways and what it all means for Denver.

Mark “Marky Jr.” Elworth - 1.61% (3,788)

Amendment 81: Police cooperating with ICE

Amendment 83: Right to hunting and fishing

Colorado Rides a Blue Wave in the 2026 Mid-Term Elections

How the Blue Wave Rolled Across Colorado in the 2026 Mid-Term Elections

What Denverites have been wondering. We break down why things in Denver are the way they are and how they work.

Denver, Explained

Bree Davies

If your ideal fall Saturday includes food trucks, live music, shopping, and dogs in costumes, 

 understood the assignment. The festival takes over Tennyson Street just between 41st and 43rd avenues on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with local artisans, food, yoga and barre, live music, and a pet parade. It’s free and kid-friendly! But let’s be honest, the pet parade will certainly be the main event!

Grab whatever project has been collecting dust at home and head to the 

 at Moodswing on Oct. 11, from noon to 4 p.m.. Bring whatever you’re working on – crochet, knitting, embroidery, or another craft, and settle in for an afternoon of creating and meeting other crafty Denverites. The meetup is currently sold out, but you can still join the waitlist in case a spot opens up!

☕ Get those old school coffee shop feels

Enjoy a slice of fall in a cup with a pumpkin pie chai from 

. This sweet and mildly spiced seasonal beverage sips nicely within this coffee shop’s throwback vibes – earth tones, dim lights, and soft music make it the perfect place to cozy up with a book or a lowkey chat with a friend.

 in the Highlands with Japanese-inspired dishes like ramen, dumplings, and hand rolls, then take a short walk to 

, a fall collaboration with Legacy Pie Co. Why choose between pie and ice cream when October says you can have both!

Can’t decide between chai and apple cider? 

 in Lakewood said, “Why choose?!” Try the 

, a fall mashup of the two seasonal drinks, and grab a spot on the patio if weather permits. Creative producer Olivia also gives high regards to the friendly staff and perhaps most importantly, the fancy lotion in the bathroom!

🛣️ Learn About Denver’s Beat Poet Past

Prose writer and counterculture purveyor Neal Cassady called Denver home – and his writings and life inspired the likes of Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg to go west. 

Celebrate 100 years of the Mile High’s impact on the Beat Generation

 with an expert panel conversation digging into Cassady’s wild exploits, featuring voices like Westword editor emeritus Patty Calhoun, music impresario Mark Bliesner, and more on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at History Colorado.

Your Guide to Denver in October 2026

Olivia Jewell Love

To celebrate Colorado’s 150th birthday, we decided to ask ourselves…what’s something we would do 150 times in this state because it's

 good? We invited our friend Miriam Moreno, comedian and host of the late night show Goodnight Denver, to help us brainstorm what’s 150-peat worthy in the Mile High.

Olivia’s pick for something worth doing 150 times in Denver is hitting up the Arc Thrift Stores all around the metro. Even though she’s probably already done it 150 times, there’s always something new to find on the next 150 or so trips to check out second-hand wares. Did you know the Arc is one of the largest employers of folks with disabilities in the nation, and 100 million pounds of goods are diverted from landfills each year thanks to Arc? P.S., even on the 4th of July, the weekly 50% off Saturday sale is still happening at Arcs around town!

Bike Rides, Vintage Stores, an Old School Movie House, and Burritos

Paul went wild with this one, because there are a ton of things he’d do 150 times in Denver! Eat Jose Avila’s 

. Wander through the vintage stores on South Broadway. Bike the Cherry Creek Trail all the way to the reservoir. Buy a large popcorn and soda for a show in the big room at 

. And one last, especially personal one: feel a pang of nostalgia walking past the first location of Chipotle on Evans. Hey, the chain’s best days may be behind it, but we’ll always have 1993, right?

A Shady Spot for Hot Springs and Cool Treats

When July rolls around, Miriam is looking for a pool and the 111-year-old 

 south of Boulder is her favorite spot. Nestled in a quiet canyon, Eldorado is peaceful and pretty, with plenty of seating. ”Even if you don't get a good seat by the pool, you can go by the lawn and it's right by the river,” Miriam says. But that’s the reasonable adult in her speaking. “If you would've asked me this question when I was 16, I would have said 

Colorado Things to Do 150 Times

What Colorado Activity Would You Do 150 Times?

Paul Karolyi

Mayor Mike Johnston is not very popular with Denver’s bike community right now, according to the results of City Cast Denver’s first-ever Denver Bike Community Poll — which yielded a veritable peloton of provocative data and fascinating personal stories. Our hope was that these results would elevate the next bike-related policy debate, and we were delighted to find they also tell a broader story about what it’s like to ride a bike in Denver in 2026.

We will have the full results, analysis, and charts available for perusal at 

 Bike Fest is free, with lots of live music and food trucks, and we’ll be emceeing the stage. Come out and say hi!

For additional analysis, we have also invited an independent expert —

 State Director for GreenLatinos Colorado Ean Thomas Tafoya 

– to comment on the results presented throughout. He has worked on a wide variety of public policy issues in the realm of transportation, most recently a years-long effort to create 

A quick note on the methodology before we get into the rest of the results:

 The City Cast Denver team created this survey and distributed it via the City Cast Denver podcast, newsletter, and Instagram account throughout the month of May 2026. The team also reached out to more than two dozen local bike community organizations, shops, journalists, advocates, and social media groups to solicit more responses. Anyone who self-identified as a Denver bike rider was invited to participate, and 460 respondents filled out the survey. According to our independent analyst Ean Thomas Tafoya, that’s a “large sample size.”

Only 15.6% of the 460 respondents to our survey agreed with the assertion that Mayor Mike Johnston has made Denver a better place to ride a bike. A majority of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement, with the most popular answer being “strongly disagree” at 31%.

When asked to elaborate on their response to that question, many respondents who disagreed offered additional criticism. "The Johnston administration and his [Department of Transportation and Infrastructure] team seem actively hostile to Denver cyclists and have worked to reduce planned protected bike lanes and have actually removed existing protections," wrote one respondent. "[DOTI executive director] Amy Ford needs to be fired."

Another wrote: "I certainly didn't think he would be worse than [former mayor Michael] Hancock on mobility issues. But he really is."

The majority of respondents identified their race or ethnicity as white (90.8%), with 8.3% identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 2.9% as Asian, 2.2% as Black or African American, and no other group with more than 10 respondents. That is much whiter than the population of the Denver metro area overall — 64.6%, according to the 

Similarly, the respondents skew more male than the Denver metro overall (respondents were 57% male, 38.3% female, and 6.1% genderqueer, genderfluid or nonbinary). They are also relatively more affluent (51.2% said they make more than $100,000 per year) and more educated (91.9% hold a bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, or PhD).

Just over 80% of respondents said they were not born in the Denver metro area, with 71.2% reporting having moved here since 2010.

A majority of respondents said “no” — 51.4% either disagreed (43.1%) or strongly disagreed (8.3%) with the assertion that riding a bike in Denver is safe, while only 33.9% agreed or strongly agreed. The remaining 11.8% had no strong feelings either way.

In open-ended follow-up responses, riders cited a consistent set of grievances: inattentive and aggressive drivers, unprotected or disconnected bike lanes, and a culture that puts cars first. "Drivers see me as less than human," wrote one respondent. "Paint is not protection," another noted, calling for safety improvements to existing bike lanes. Another noted simply: "I almost get hit by a car somewhat regularly, even with designated bike lanes."

Many respondents drew a sharp distinction between the city's off-street trail network — widely praised — and the on-street bike lane infrastructure, which was frequently described as incomplete, inconsistent, and dangerous at intersections.

One respondent connected safety issues to the demographics of Denver’s bike-riding community: “While I may be fairly comfortable, the fact we don’t see more youth and womxn on bikes is because the infrastructure is disjointed and not high-comfort. Add on the fact we have vehicles getting larger and heavier all over the country and have to fight against car-brain culture.”

While the City of Denver has shifted priorities for 

 (it is now only available to residents making less than 100% of the area media income), the city and 

 have made e-bikes a common sight on Denver streets. But according to our survey, non-e-bikes are still more popular, with 59.3% of respondents reporting that they ride only non-e-bikes and only 11.5% exclusively riding e-bikes.

Tafoya, on the other hand, sees the 40.7% of this sample of bike riders who either said they ride an e-bike exclusively or both. “That feels right to what I see in market adoption in Denver,” he added

He also noted that “the incentives aren't a majority of the purchases,” as you can see in the chart below.

Tafoya also identified one respondent’s comment connecting the proliferation of e-bikes (and other new micromobility options) with the issue of safety: "Rental e-scooters and e-bikes create an environment of inexperienced and reckless riders.”

“I think this is true, and that rider education is important for children and adults alike,” Tafoya added. “Defensive riding, much like defensive driving courses, prepare us all to make it home safely, which is the number one goal of our whole transportation system.”

Most seem to agree on one thing: more money (87.9% said the City of Denver isn’t spending enough on new and improved bike lanes and infrastructure).

But beyond that, the respondents are divided on what they think the bike community should be advocating for – 32.3% said they think advocates should focus on generally getting more bike lanes built, 22.1% favored pushing for funding for 

 of safe streets, 13.1% favored increasing performance, coverage, and frequency of RTD, and 10.4% want to focus specifically on building a North-South bike lane through Cap Hill.

These results offer context for Denver City Council’s decision in 2025 to leave funding to complete the North Broadway bike lane out of the Vibrant Denver bond package — a priority only 31 respondents, or 6.9%, said should be the community’s top priority.

Respondents writing in under "other" called for protected lanes replacing sharrows, diverters on neighborhood bikeways, closing Wynkoop to cars, and better enforcement against cars parked in bike lanes.

Tafoya, these results were not a surprise. “[It is] clear that real protective infrastructure is what people want and have wanted for a long time.”

Tafoya adds, “The incomplete network of bikeways, especially North/South, is something that I have thought/advocated for — for a long time! E-bikes have made traveling the extra distance to a safer path take less time for the detour, which is positive.”

He also pointed to two recent successful ballot measures as possible precedents for obtaining additional funding (e.g., 

). “We really just need political will to push the plans to completion.”

By far the most popular bike trail in the Denver metro area is the Cherry Creek Trail (42.9%), with the South Platte River Trail (24.9%), High Line Canal Trail (12.8%) and Clear Creek Trail (11.9%) rounding out the list.

Interestingly, though, multiple respondents called out one specific stretch of the Cherry Creek Trail — that part along 1st Avenue next to the country club) as the bike infrastructure most urgently in need of a fix. Those respondents are in luck — the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is 

Who is Denver’s Biggest Bike Celebrity?

Many respondents couldn’t name a Denver bike celebrity and others rejected the idea of celebrity in this context entirely, but of the 230 responses to this question, a few names rose to the top. The responses ranged from policy advocates to beloved local characters, which required some aggregation — one person was separately described by name, nickname, and distinguishing characteristic:

 — 34 mentions. The Ruby Hill and Barnum bike park figure dominated the list, reflecting the strong representation of the dirt jump and BMX community in the survey.

 — 25 mentions. The bike advocate and community figure drew consistent recognition across the survey's respondent base. June 

 a run for City Council District 10 (Full disclosure, June also advised on the creation of this survey).

 (aka, Paul Brekus) — 18 mentions. The north Denver fixture, who rides a Victorian-era 

 around the city, was described variously as "the penny farther guy with the tuxedo shirt," "Paul on the penny farthing," and simply "Mr. Pennyfarthing." He was the subject of 

 and may be Denver's most beloved bike eccentric.

 — 16 mentions (tied). The creator of the popular 

 social media account, known for her coverage of Denver cycling. Emily is also the lead organizer of 

 — 16 mentions (tied). The founder of the Bike Streets app and VAMOS Network proposal, cited both by name and by his organization.

 (13 mentions), Amy Kenreich (9), Jude Tibay (9), Brad Evans (6), Alejandra Castañeda (6), Troy McMurray (6).

 There's a clear cultural split in the respondent pool between the road/commuter cycling crowd (mostly focused on protected lanes, VAMOS, Cap Hill) and the dirt jump/park community (e.g., AJ Anaya, Troy McMurray, Ruby Hill, Barnum). They have almost entirely different concerns, and it's worth acknowledging that the poll captured both communities.

What’s So Great About Biking in Denver?

When asked to name their favorite thing about biking in Denver, many respondents mentioned the temperate weather and riding bikes with family, but “experiencing the city” rose to the top as a resonant theme across the responses. Emblematic of this sentiment, one respondent said their favorite thing about biking in Denver is “the way it changed my mental map of the city. I notice and discover so much more than I ever did behind a windshield.”

But there were so many specific and thoughtful responses to this question! We have presented a few of our favorites below, but you are welcome to peruse 

 and find your own takeaways. This survey is meant as a resource to elevate the public dialogue around biking and inform policy-makers, but also a reminder: 

"The thrill of knowing I have once again cheated death whenever I make it to my destination without getting flattened by an SUV"

“Being able to ride from Golden all the way into Denver, and beyond, on a network of (usually) great bike paths and protected lanes. It’s safe, fun, and one of the things that makes Denver special.”

"Seeing the baby geese on the Platte trail and avoiding their angry parents"

"It's flat and it’s great biking weather like eight months out of the year. Even in depths of winter, a lot of those days are actually not terrible unless it is actively snowing. If my destination is in the main core (Cap Hill, Baker, Uptown, Downtown, Highlands, RiNo-ish area) it's genuinely faster for me to bike than drive. the next neighborhoods over (Sloans Lake, Congress Park, Cherry Creek, Sunnyside, etc) it's a little slower but you can almost always park your bike directly in front of the destination, so if parking sucks it ends up being about the same. But I just love how cruisy and fun biking is. You cover way more ground than walking but you're not detached from the world around you like in a car. you can appreciate buildings and things on the street and interact with people that you would just zoom by in a car."

“All three of my kids go to schools downtown and the bike is by far the best way to do school drop off!”

“Zipping by I-25 traffic on the platte trail while trying not to breathe the fumes"

"Being FREE of the shackles of personal automobile ownership. Where to park, gas prices, paying for parking, traffic congestion, insurance, maintenance ... Ohh to never think about those things is heavenly!"

What do you think about these results? 

Denver's Biking Community Sends a Clear Message: More Lanes, More Protection, and More Safe Streets

Peyton Garcia

Playoff games for the NBA, NHL, and NLL all start this month, and Denver is going to all three of them! The Nuggets, the Avs, and the Colorado Mammoth are each coming off incredible regular seasons with promising outlooks for an equally impressive postseason run. All three teams nabbed top four spots in their respective playoffs — and it’s a 

. Need to catch up fast? We’ve got the quick and dirty so you can jump on the bandwagon.

The first game of the Nuggets playoff season will be at Ball Arena against the #6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on 

, heading into their eighth consecutive playoff appearance. They secured the #3 seed following a 54-28 regular season and are currently boasting the 

 Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. [Sports Illustrated]

 — defending champs and heavy favorites at the time — from the 2024 playoffs in a nail-biting seven-game series. Ready for redemption, the Nuggs won this year’s regular season series against the Timberwolves 3-1. [CBS]

The first game of the Avs playoff season will be at Ball Arena against the Los Angeles Kings on 

The Avs are on fire. With a 55-16-11 regular season record, the Colorado Avs are entering the playoffs with the league’s 

 for most points in a single season. [Hockey News; NHL; Reuters]

Ice legends and 2022 Stanley Cup champs, 

While most championship teams rely heavily on a single starting goaltender, the Avs have indicated they will 

 — Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood — a strategy that worked well for them throughout the regular season. [Denver Sports]

Who the Mammoth will face in round 1 of the NLL playoffs will 

 of this Saturday’s season finale. What we do know, however, is that the game will take place on Saturday, April 25, at Ball Arena after the team 

Colorado’s professional indoor lacrosse team 

 in the NLL playoffs in a 13-11 victory over the Saskatchewan Rush last weekend. Riding a three-game win streak, the team is heading into a crucial 

 against the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Should they come out victorious, they’ll nab the #1 seed for the postseason. This will be the team’s first return to the playoffs in three years. [Mammoth]

 Andrew Kew, Will Malcom, and Jack Hannah. [NLL]

This season has marked a notable turnaround for the franchise thanks to an 

Playoff games for the NBA, NHL, and NLL all start this month, and Denver is going to all three of them: the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Mammoth!

What to Know About the Playoffs for the Nuggets, Avalance, and Mammoth

3 Colorado Teams Are In the Playoffs. Here's What You Need to Know.

Following years of declining ridership and a looming budget deficit, the state’s governing transit agency is on the 

. Members of an accountability committee convened by lawmakers last year have suggested reducing the number of RTD’s board members from 15 to nine, and allowing the governor to appoint four of those positions.

The move would have significant impacts on 

who makes RTD’s biggest decisions and how

. It’s a debate that is dividing much of the transit community. So what exactly does RTD’s board of directors do? And how do the board’s decisions impact everyday commuters?

RTD (the Regional Transportation District) provides and 

 across eight Colorado counties — Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Weld. Services include bus, rail, shuttle, ADA paratransit, and more. The agency was 

 and originally governed by an appointed board of directors. In 1980, 

Currently, RTD’s board of directors consists of 

 — though the proposal being considered by local lawmakers right now 

. Each member represents a district (A through O), serves a four-year term, and receives a 

. They can be reelected once. The board meets 10 times a year, usually on the last Tuesday of the month, with the exception of August and December.

➡️ Find out your district and representative with 

 from the public — all of which is done through a 

Anyone interested can attend RTD board meetings, which are 

, as well as the board’s YouTube channel where meetings are streamed. A 

 is usually held at full board meetings. Attendees are invited to 

. You can also submit written comments directly to the board members at 

 is scheduled for next Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Manos Sagrados (9975 E. Colfax Ave.) in Aurora.

This week on the City Cast Denver podcast, we’re following the 

 closely. Yesterday, we spoke with the chair of the RTD accountability committee, Marie Garcia Berry, and co-chair Jamie Lewis (

). Tomorrow, we’ll speak with RTD board member Chris Nicholson. 

Who makes RTD's biggest decisions, and how?

What Does Colorado's RTD Board Actually Do?

What Does the RTD Board Actually Do?

State legislators are currently locked in a heated discussion about how — or even 

they should encourage the growth of data centers in Colorado. The crux of the debate comes down to an 

economic impact versus an environmental impact.

Data centers are facilities that house centralized computing infrastructure that help store, process, and distribute… well, 

They’re “server farms” that power things like video streaming, cloud services, artificial intelligence, and everything that enables online activity. As you can imagine, that requires an 

). Plus now, the current AI boom is creating an 

, with over 40 of those located in Denver alone — and more likely on the horizon.

 being considered by state lawmakers right now during the 2026 state legislative session. Here’s how they differ:

The sponsors of House Bill 26-1030 want to lure data centers to the state by offering tax breaks (something lawmakers have repeatedly shut down in recent years). Otherwise, supporters argue, data center companies will instead go to the many other states that 

offer incentives, leaving Colorado to potentially miss out on 

massive opportunities for economic growth

Opponents worry this bill doesn’t focus enough on curbing data centers’ environmental impact or how data centers could affect utility rates for residential consumers.

 last fall with CPR climate reporter Sam Brasch about the data centers that already exist in Denver.

While an opposing bill hasn’t been formally filed yet, several lawmakers are working on an alternative or companion proposal that would 

put more environmental guardrails in place

, requiring data centers to offset their energy use by using renewable sources and covering their own costs for infrastructure. New data centers could strain the power grid (potentially leading to higher utility rates for residents), pull from Colorado’s dwindling water supply, and slow the state’s progress on its already ambitious climate goals.

Opponents worry such heavy-handed guardrails will deter data centers from coming to Colorado altogether.

We will have to wait and see what lawmakers decide at the end of the session. If one or both proposals move forward, there will need to be committee hearings, amendments, votes, debates, and of course approval from the governor. (If you need a refresher, here’s 

Denver, Explained

How the Blue Wave Rolled Across Colorado in the 2026 Mid-Term Elections

Your Guide to Denver in October 2026

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