City Cast Denver logo
July 9, 2026

Can Mayor Mike Claim a Win on Homelessness? Plus, Same-y Farmers Markets and McDonald's Fried Apple Pie

City Cast Denver

Can Mayor Mike Claim a Win on Homelessness? Plus, Same-y Farmers Markets and McDonald's Fried Apple Pie

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Did Denver really figure out how to solve homelessness? British news magazine The Economist recently touted Mayor Mike Johnston’s long-term initiative to get people into shelter, and the 64% drop in unsheltered homelessness since 2023 – but what did they miss? City Cast Denver regular Michelle Jackson joins host Bree Davies to discuss the mayor’s “all in” shelter plan. They also compare the latest homelessness work in Denver to Aurora’s new tiered shelter and Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman’s decision to sleep at a shelter one night a week since February. Plus, they debate the merits of McDonald’s throwback fried apple pie and talk about the state of vendor variety – or lack thereof – at local farmers markets.

Bree mentioned her conversation about the behind-the-scenes work at farmers markets with City Park Farmers Market co-owner Peter Wanberg.

Sign up for Keep it Local! It’s our weekly shopping guide to Denver’s best local businesses. We pick a timely theme and give you specific recommendations for what to buy and where to eat. This week has got all our favorite places to get a fun, flirty, and most importantly cold drink ahead of this weekend’s heat wave! Sign up for the weekly newsletter now.

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!

Where’s your favorite local bakery to get a handheld apple pie? 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 July 9th 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
July 8

City-Backed Theater Evicted, Casa Bonita Performers Allege Sexual Harassment, and LeBron to the Nuggets?

Since voting to unionize back in November of 2024, Casa Bonita performers have gone to the table 14 times to negotiate wages, security is...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 7

What Cheap Parking Downtown Really Costs. Plus, Can BRT Be ‘Better’ on Colorado Boulevard?

Is the city’s new $5 downtown parking program worth it to Denverites? After Mayor Mike Johnston came on the show last week to talk up his...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 6

A Phone Call With Former Sen. Gary Hart on How Politics Changed Forever

Two years ago, City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi interviewed a bona fide Colorado legend – two-term former Senator Gary Hart. He was...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 3

'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Denver

See if your Denver knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 2

Who Really Won and Lost the Primaries? Dark Money, the DSA, Predictions Markets, and More

The primaries on Tuesday ushered in historic change to our Mile High City, with a 29-year-old Democratic Socialist primed to take over th...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 1

Kiros and Weiser Win As Voters Sour on Colorado's Political Establishment

The eyes of the nation were on Colorado yesterday as “anti-establishment” candidates took on some of Colorado’s longest tenured elected o...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 30

Mayor Johnston on His Big New Idea to Fix Parking Downtown

There’s one issue Denverites can never seem to agree on – parking. Does the city have too much or too little? Is parking too expensive or...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 29

Your Guide to July 2026 in Denver

It’s birthday time in Denver! With America’s 250th birthday on the Fourth of July, and Colorado’s 150th birthday coming up on August 1st,...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 28

'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks

Denver voters approved a tax hike in 2022 to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth from City Council, thos...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 26

Can Kiros Beat DeGette? Plus, AI ‘Polls,’ Astroturfing Local Politics, and Colfax Wins and Fails

Denver is on the precipice of what could be a historic moment; the city’s 30-year incumbent congresswoman, Diana DeGette, is facing a lat...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art