City Cast Denver logo
August 12, 2025

Minimum Wage Hike Incoming, City Layoff Rumors, and Will the New Restaurant Help Be Enough?

City Cast Denver

Minimum Wage Hike Incoming, City Layoff Rumors, and Will the New Restaurant Help Be Enough?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Mayor Mike Johnston is set to announce which and how many city employees will be laid off in less than a week, and rumors are swirling! Westword editor Patty Calhoun joins producer Paul Karolyi to speculate about the impacts. Plus, the city’s economic development office just revealed how much the minimum wage will be going up in January, and the city is rolling out a new plan to “support and advance” local restaurants. Will it be enough? Or will we see another push to lower the tipped minimum wage? Plus, Patty responds to listener comments about parking downtown. 

We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.

Paul discussed Benzina’s instagram account, CBS Colorado’s coverage of Denver’s new city attorney, the Denver Post’s reporting on Jevon Taylor’s big plan for a new Green Spaces on 16th St., this CPR interview with Mayor Johnston and this Denver Gazette report on the bill for the lawyer he hired to help out with the “sanctuary cities” congressional hearing. 

What do you think about the minimum wage going up? 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

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

If you enjoyed this interview with Kelsey Simpkins from Regional Air Quality Council, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this August 12th 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

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