City Cast Denver logo
April 2, 2026

Prediction Markets Hit Local Politics, Axon Replaces Flock, and a Great Local Pet Store

City Cast Denver

Prediction Markets Hit Local Politics, Axon Replaces Flock, and a Great Local Pet Store

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Harbingers of dystopia or the hottest trend in tech — Kalshi, Polymarket, and other prediction market platforms have come for local politics. You can right now bet on buzzy issues the hotly contested race to represent Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, but also on the utterly banal, like the temperature in Denver today. City Cast Denver contributor and founder of investigative journalism site The Lever David Sirota joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to dissect the local prediction markets. Plus, City Council approves Mayor Mike Johnston’s new contract for Axon license plate readers, and Sirota’s got a rec for the best pet supply store in town. 


Subscribe to “Keep It Local,” our new Thursday afternoon shopping guide for curated recommendations of local small businesses. Paul also mentioned the podcast Election Profit Makers and our recent episode with Dr. Paul Teske of CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs.


Do you have a gambling problem? In Colorado, you call the 24/7 confidential hotline or text 1-800-GAMBLER


For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 about the prediction markets for local issues? We want to hear your take on Kalshi and Polymarket! 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 April 2nd 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
August 20

Does Your Bartender Secretly Hate You? Plus, How to Not Get Killed By a Bear

Multiple bear spottings around the Denver metro have got some conspiracy theories swirling online; is the drought really the reason bears...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 19

Can You Help Fix RTD? Plus, Another Round of 'Did That Age Well?' Denver Edition

Did the brewery scene in Denver age well? What about the whole scooter situation? Molly Smith, host of the “Did That Age Well?” podcast,...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 18

Breaking Down the Public Health Fight Over Aurora's ICE Facility. Plus, Crocs' New Tax Haven and Chipotle in Mexico

The state’s public health department is ordering the GEO Group to provide information about tuberculosis at an Aurora immigration detenti...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 17

Are These The Most Influential Denverites of the 21st Century?

Denver might not boast the same star-studded celebrity lists like LA or NYC, but the Mile High has its own group of movers and shakers th...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 14

Who's to Blame for Scooters on the Sidewalk? Plus, Pay What You Can Art and Another Dry Reservoir

Veo scooters,bikes, and trikes are ready to ride on nearly every corner in Denver, but whose job is it to enforce their rules of the road...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 13

Egg Salad But Make it Chic, Summer Coffee Picks, and a New Social App for the Wealthy?

Denver is officially entering the “sando” chat. Multiple restaurants around the Mile High are now serving these Japanese milk-bread sandw...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 12

Is Waymo Watching You? Plus, Doing Boring Things in Public and a Bear Attack!

The robotaxi company Waymo has been testing cars around Denver. Last Thursday, one of the autonomous vehicles got itself stuck in the mid...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 11

Debating Data Centers and Tipped Wages, Boosting EVs, and More Reflections on a Denver Lawmaker's Time in Office

Rep. Alex Valdez is coming up on the term limit for his stint as the House District 5 representative, and he’s looking back on some of th...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 10

What to Do With an Empty Stadium? Plus, First Fridays and Homie the Clown

The Broncos have released updated renderings of what the new development around new stadium could look like at Burnham Yard. Now, that’s...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
August 7

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Denver

As much as you love Denver, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compla...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art