City Cast Denver logo
August 2, 2024

Fires on the Front Range, a Chocolate Heist, and Hundreds of Dead Fish

City Cast Denver

Fires on the Front Range, a Chocolate Heist, and Hundreds of Dead Fish

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

It’s Friday, and we’re digging into the biggest stories of the week. First, wildfire smoke shrouded the Mile High skyline all week long as multiple wildfires on the Front Range spread to more than 9,000 acres, as of Thursday afternoon. CSU climate geographer Lauren Gifford joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about how climate change is moving so fast that even the fish in Sloan’s Lake are feeling the heat. Then, to celebrate Colorado’s 148th birthday, we’ve got another installment of our famous “1-Star Review Game” where we guess what local something disgruntled internet reviewers are complaining about! Finally, our Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows of the week. 

It's not too late to win cool prizes and have fun on your bike in our Bike Scavenger Hunt! We partnered with Bike Streets to share riddles every week in our newsletter, and all you have to do for the chance to win is snap a selfie at the secret bike-friendly destination around Denver. Sign up now!

The Kiltro song we played at the end of this episode is “The Drunk.”

Bree talked about Cultura Craft Chocolate. Paul mentioned a lawsuit against DPD, our limited-run special series about Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert, and played a funny reel shared by a fav librarian follower on our Instagram about the Rockies. 

Paul also recommends this article on the question of firefighting budgets in cities like Denver: “As Wildfires Burn, Are U.S. Cities Spending Too Much on Their Fire Departments?”

We need your help! Do you have a favorite off-the-beaten-path tourist destination? Denver saw record tourism last year, and the hot spots are packed. So we’re compiling a list of underrated destinations to take out-of-towners. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear your take 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/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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
October 22

Your Guide to Colorado’s 2026 Statewide Ballot Issues

This year the state printed its largest ballot information guide ever! That means voters are weighing in on a lot of issues – everything...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 21

Republicans for Weiser, Colorado and the Blue Wave, and the Evans-Rutinel Showdown

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at record low, and there are close elections happening across the country this November – cou...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 20

Is Colorado About to Hike Taxes on the Rich? Your Guide to 87, 136 and Prop. NN

Colorado’s midterm election ballots are packed with big decisions for voters, including two competing taxation measures. Dr. Paul Teske,...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 19

How the Broncos Are Buying Up Land for a New Stadium

Ever since Mayor Mike Johnston was inaugurated in 2023, he’s made a priority of both keeping the Broncos in Denver, but also working with...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 18

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Salt Lakers are Adopting Storm Drains — Presented By City Cast Denver

How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of Denver? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm dra...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 16

City Council’s Controversial Votes, a Crowded Race on a Crowded Ballot, and Green Chile Season!

There are ten candidates in the running to fill the vacant at-large city council position. With less than three weeks until election day...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 15

The Politics of Swiping Left or Right, Spooky Season Recs, and the Rise of Vegan Restaurants

Are politics creating a division in Denver’s dating scene? Or are lovers on opposite sides of the political spectrum just really good at...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 14

What's the Denver-est Halloween Costume of 2026? Plus, Your Takes on Compost, Pizza, and Denver's Unwritten Rules

Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening up the mailbag to hear from you, our dear listeners. We’re sharing your idea...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 13

CoCo Ballot Blame Game, Victor Marx's Scandal Streak, and the Viral Punch at DIA

There’s a measure on this November’s ballot that would create a sales tax to support the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail, but around...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
October 11

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Denver

Another Denver school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art