The Mayor’s Big Idea for Affordable Housing, Explained
When Mayor Mike Johnston took office last year, he focused on Denver’s homelessness crisis, then the strain caused by thousands of migrants arriving from South and Central America. Now, he’s turning his attention to affordable housing, with a proposal that will likely be in front of Denver voters in November: Should Denver increase sales taxes by 0.05% to raise as much as $100 million per year for affordable housing? Robin Kniech led the charge on affordable housing as at-large member of city council for 12 years, and she’s on today with host Bree Davies to talk about the gaps she sees in the mayor’s proposal and how she thinks it could reshape our city.
What do you think about a sales tax hike to fund affordable housing? Will you vote for it? Or not? 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: https://membership.citycast.fm/denver
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
- Choir League
- See “Waitress: The Musical” at the Arvada Center
- Denverse
- PineMelon: Use promo code CITYCASTDENVER for $75 off your first delivery
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
Previewing Friday’s Anti-ICE Walkout, a Creepy New Meme, and 'Governor for a Day'
With school starting and phone bans going in effect, kids in Colorado already have a lot on their plates this fall. Over 160 schools acro...

Will a Lawn-Watering Ban Make a Dent? Plus, In-N-Out's Latest Traffic Jam and Waymos Unleashed!
Starting October 1st, Denverites are officially banned from watering their lawns, despite threats of fines and restrictions already being...

Your Guide to September 2026 in Denver
Summer is lingering and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy all that the Mile High City has to offer. So, how do you squeeze the last m...

More than 60% of Denverites Want Denser Housing. Why Is It Still a Big Fight?
How can Denver solve the housing affordability problem? A new poll from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Housing Forward Color...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Is Pittsburgh’s Airport the Gold Standard? — Presented By City Cast Denver
The Denver airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For th...

Is DSA’s Mayoral Endorsement Too Early? Plus, the Broncos' Parking Lot Problems and Dolly in Denver
This week Denver DSA officially endorsed current District 8 council member Shontel Lewis for mayor – a race voters won’t be deciding unti...

Will You Be Paying the Bill For Data Centers? Xcel Energy Has a Plan
New data centers are popping up across the country, including right here in Colorado. Many communities have concerns, including how much...

Is Denver Done With ADUs? Plus, AI Slop is Spreading and Expired Tags Beware!
Denver’s $200 million budget shortfall is impacting everything from city services to road repairs to our parks system – and the latest ca...

Hot Pockets for Art, a Thrift Store Flip, and Polis' ‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’ Vibe
Host Bree Davies and producer Olivia Jewell Love are opening the City Cast Denver mailbag to hear from you, our dear listeners. They disc...

What Does RiNo’s Next Chapter Look Like?
RiNo is on the precipice of getting a second grocery store, but Sprouts Farmers Market can’t move into the former Blue Moon property with...

