Dark Money From Dems in CD3, More Election Updates, Plus Our Weekend Recs
It’s Friday! Although election night is behind us, we’re still waiting for all the ballots to be counted. We know for sure that Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough will face off in the June mayoral runoff and that Lisa Calderón officially conceded. But the outcomes in several city council seats are still too close to call. Host Bree Davies is joined by our state politics and green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval, and Jason Bane, co-host of the Colorado politics podcast Get More Smarter, to discuss the state of the progressive vote in the Mile High, and how negative narratives about crime and homelessness impacted the election. Then it’s all about that dark money already flowing into next year’s state election from a group that’s aiming to unseat Lauren Boebert. Plus, newsletter editor Adrian González joins the crew to share the best bets for the weekend.
Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!
Here are some links to the cool events and things to do that we talked about on the show:
- First Friday on the Art District on Santa Fe (La Alma Lincoln Park)
- Rockies games all weekend long (Ballpark)
- Phamaly Theatre’s “Spring Awakening” (Northglenn)
- Carnitas Don Juan Fundraiser (Thornton)
- Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings (Downtown)
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 us on Twitter: @citycastdenver
Or Instagram: @citycastdenver
Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver
Learn more about the sponsor of this 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

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

Your Guide to June 2026 in Denver
The sun is out, and we’re ready to take a dip! From a cool way to rent a boat to the best spots to get in – or near – the water on a day...

'Your City Could Be Better': How Chicago's Libraries Meet Community Needs — Presented By City Cast Denver
Where would Denver be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the...

Gov. Polis is Trolling Again, Pattie Gonia vs Patagonia, and How to Be a Water Narc
Gov. Jared Polis has been the talk of the town since he commuted the sentence of noted 2020 election denier and former Mesa County clerk...

What Are Colorado's 'Unlikeliest' Places to Find Love? Plus, Denver's Tapas Moment
From Chef Theo Adley’s French-inspired small plates at Heretíc to Johnny Curiel's Spanish bistro bites at Mar Bella Boqueria, tapas are h...

Has DIA Finally Fixed Its Delayed Train Problem? Plus, the Fight for Police Reform in Aurora
The family of Kilyn Lewis – a 37 year-old unarmed Black man shot and killed by Aurora police in 2024 – filed another lawsuit against the...

2026's Precarious Peach Crop, Immigrant Visa Issues, and More Insider Farmers Market Facts
A warm winter combined with late-spring cold snaps and ongoing drought concerns are impacting Colorado growers across the state. But what...

