City Cast Denver logo
December 19, 2024

How Undemocratic Is Colorado's Legislature? Plus, Inside the Latest Vacancy Election

City Cast Denver

How Undemocratic Is Colorado's Legislature? Plus, Inside the Latest Vacancy Election

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

What really goes down inside the shadowy backroom where political deals are made? Nearly a third of our state lawmakers have been elected by small groups of party leaders known as “vacancy committees,” and typically all that wheeling and dealing plays out behind closed doors. So today, as about 110 Democrats in central Denver prepare to elect a replacement for State Sen. Chris Hansen, we’re taking you inside the proverbial shadowy backroom. Our newest politics correspondent Deep Singh Badhesha is on with producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the latest drama surrounding vacancy committees and share highlights, analysis, and predictions from the debate they moderated Tuesday night for the candidates running to replace Hansen in the SD31 vacancy election

Paul mentioned Monica VanBuskirk’s shoes, which were made by Nix & Ness

The Denver Democrats streamed the debate on YouTube, so if you want to watch and see for yourself what we’re talking about, you can find the video recording here. To hear from Hansen himself, he sat for an interview about his surprise resignation with Denver7 last month. 

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

What do you think? 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 December 19th 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
May 5

BRT Construction vs. Small Businesses, Asia Center Redevelopment Updates, and Little Man Goes National

Construction on the Bus Rapid Transit project on Colfax has officially moved into Aurora, and the end is in sight! So, we are looking ahe...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 4

Conservatives in Colorado Have a Secret Influence Machine. And It Might Be Working.

Democrats in Colorado are expected to retain control of the state legislature, governor’s mansion, and  every statewide office this year,...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
May 1

Who Wants THC Drinks? Plus, Bars Banking on Nostalgia and Our Asian Food Week Recs

It looks like THC-infused drinks won’t be having a moment in Colorado any time soon. A bill to increase levels of THC allowed in beverage...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 30

Your Guide to May 2026 in Denver

It’s May! Here in Denver, that means flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the Rockies are losing – but they have not yet been ma...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 29

A New LoDo Let-Out Fix? Plus, REI Boycott Beef and Denver's Surprising Smell Ranking

For decades, the nightclub district in LoDo has been notorious for violence and other unsavory activities going down around 2 a.m. when t...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 28

Downtown Ice Cream Project Melts, Frank Azar’s Hollywood Connections, and Your Bucket-List Meals

There will be no Museum of Ice Cream in downtown Denver – at least for now. The interactive dairy-themed selfie attraction has become the...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 27

What We Learned While Investigating DIA Conspiracies

The Denver International Airport is well known for all its crazy conspiracy theories and big blue mascot out front. But what’s actually g...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 26

'Your City Could Be Better': Meet Nashville's Rogue Bench Builders — Presented By City Cast Denver

Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Denver? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has bu...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 24

Uproar Over Strip Mall Redevelopment, Bucket-List Restaurants, and Surveillance Tech in Schools

News broke this week that the owner of the Asia Center on Federal Boulevard is ⁠planning to demolish⁠ the strip mall and build in its pla...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 23

Who is Really Winning the Scooter Wars? Plus, a 30-Year Incumbent is On the Hot Seat

Is it time to say goodbye to Lime and Bird? Denver City Council is set to vote Monday evening on a new contract with Veo Micromobility to...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art