How the Starbucks Union Is Fueling CO’s Big New Labor Fight
In the spring of 2022, baristas at the Starbucks on Rock Creek Circle in Superior became the first Colorado location to unionize. Liza Nielsen was on the front lines of that union battle as a barista and shift organizer. Fast forward to today — she’s taking the cause to the Colorado Senate where she will be testifying in favor of the Worker Protection Act. Host Bree Davies sits down with the former barista-turned-labor-activist to talk about the fight labor organizers have been itching to have with Governor Jared Polis and what a change in our unique labor laws could mean for local Starbucks employees.
Bree mentioned this poll that the Colorado Chamber of Commerce commissioned earlier this month. For more data and background research on the effect of Colorado’s unique second-election system, we recommend this terrific article from Tamara Chuang and Parker Yamasaki at The Colorado Sun.
What do you think about this new labor fight? Should Colorado abolish the second election? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418
Get your tickets to HEYDAY now! We’re putting on an indoor fair with urban flair, like a classic county fair but with a very cool Denver twist. Join us on March 8 for classic carnival games, vintage arcade games, Denver-themed balloon art, and a full day of grandstand entertainment, featuring some of your favorite guests from the podcast. It’s family friendly, too, if you wanna bring your kids. Get those tickets now at www.heydaydenver.com.
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
Learn more about the sponsors of this January 21st episode:
- Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
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
Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Is the Front Range Train Actually Happening? Plus, Denver's Water Fails and Our Water World Speedo Mystery
Denverites can’t seem to stop watering their lawns. Amid a drought, Denver Water says they’ve asked customers to cut water usage by 20%,...
Inside the Shooting at Aurora's Immigration Detention Facility. Plus, Gov. Polis vs. Socialism
Gov. Jared Polis popped up on both CNN and Fox News this weekend to talk about his unfavorable view of socialism. In the wake of democrat...
Could Your Next Apartment Be on Colfax Avenue?
Sure, the new BRT line gets all the headlines these days as transit construction dominates Colfax, but this corridor is always changing....
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? — Presented By City Cast Denver
Sometimes it can feel like the Denver government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Cha...
Is This the End of the 16th Street FreeRide? Plus, Another ICE Detention Center and an Influencer Disses Denver
Could the 16th Street shuttle disappear for good? As RTD grapples with a quarter-billion dollar budget shortfall, dozens of light rail li...
Is Childcare About to Get Cheaper? Plus, Local Venue Workers Unionize and What If Nightclubs Were Open Until 4 A.M.?
Parents and daycare providers have been sounding the alarm that childcare in Denver is expensive, hard to find, or hard to provide. This...
Would You Take the Bus to DIA? Plus, Long Lines at Water World and Colorado’s Road Rage Problem
Widening Peña Boulevard is still very much on the table, but DIA officials have recently agreed to explore options beyond just making mor...
Did the Media Give Sen. Hickenlooper a Pass? Plus, Turnover at Denver Central Market and GOP Voters Choose Victor Marx
Victor Marx is officially the Colorado Republican nominee for governor. The former marine who claims he’s performed exorcisms is now task...
Denver’s Best Burgers, a Jazzy New Wine Bar, and MAKFam’s Anticipated Expansion
Is a burger really a burger without cheese? Can a traditional patty compare to a smash patty? Does a burger taste better when it comes ou...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Denver Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Denver
There’s lots to love about Denver, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livabilit...