Is There a Racist Conspiracy Brewing on the Plains?
When Courtney and Nicole Mallery were thinking about buying a ranch on the Eastern Plains, other Black people in Denver told them to “be careful out there.” But it was the Mallerys’ dream to live off the land, so they bought some land east of Colorado Springs anyway. A simple dispute over their property line quickly escalated with slaughtered livestock, allegations of a racist conspiracy involving the local sheriff, felony charges for the Mallerys, and nearly $200,000 in donations to a GoFundMe supporting their cause. Producer Paul Karolyi sits down with the president of the Rocky Mountain NAACP, Portia Prescott, to talk through the case, the changing shape of racism in rural Colorado, and the legislation she thinks would have ended this whole thing before it started.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department has disputed the allegations of racism at length. For more, 9News covered their press conference earlier this week.
Paul mentioned the rally planned for this Friday at the Capitol in solidarity with the Mallerys and in support of the CAREN Act. It’s set to begin at 9 a.m.
For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our 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
Do you have a Denver moment of joy you’d like to share? We want to share the good vibes. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418
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
The DPS Board’s Half-Decade of Drama, Meet Your Soulmate, and Will a Chatbot Replace Denver's 311 Operators?
Denver Public Schools board member DJ Torres resigned last week, his reasoning being “too much of my time and energy have been consumed b...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Denver
When Denver looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City d...
Privatizing the Trash, Drones Delivering Pasta, and How to PorchFest
Denverites already pay for trash pick-up, but what if that money went to a private company instead of the city? The city’s waste services...
Will Denver Ever Say Yes to the Duplex? Plus, the Ethics Investigation Costing the City $800,000
A proposal to make sweeping changes to the zoning code was sent back to the drawing board by city council – signalling the end of a push...
Your Guide to October 2026 in Denver
Fall is here — and we’re ready for the sweater weather, cozy vibes, and spiced everything! From finding the right craft meetup to enjoyin...
Glendale’s Failed Nightlife Promises, New Live Music Venue in Cap Hill, and Duck Liver on the Ballot
The historically counter-cultural strip of 13th Avenue in Capitol Hill will be home to a concert venue once again! After all the drama an...
Who Is Funding This Year’s Conservative-Backed Ballot Initiatives?
Ballots are hitting mailboxes soon and the campaign money is flowing. But where is it coming from and where is it going? In his investiga...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Denver
What’s a seemingly small project in Denver that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just...
The Unwritten Rules of Surviving and Thriving in Denver
What are the things you need to know to thrive in Denver? You know, like remembering to bring a jacket regardless of the weather – which...
It's Film Fest Season! Plus, Red Rocks Ticket Troubles and Our Concert Recs
Sundance Film Festival’s Colorado debut is just months away, but there are plenty of homegrown film fests happening this fall and winter....