City Cast Denver logo
January 5, 2023

The Mystery of Downtown’s Lost Tunnels

City Cast Denver

The Mystery of Downtown’s Lost Tunnels

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

Next time you find yourself in LoDo or wandering around near Union Station, look down. Just below the streets of downtown, there’s a maze of old, out-of-commission tunnels that used to connect our hotels, restaurants, and stores of yore. Glimpses of these alternative pathways still exist at street level, if you know where to look. Today on the show, host Bree Davies talks with Tracy Beach, author of “The Tunnels Under Our Feet: Colorado’s Forgotten Hollow Sidewalks,” about this turn-of-the-last-century phenomenon. Beach explains what the tunnels were used for, who used them, and how to spot the remnants of these lost transit spaces today. 


Bree mentioned our tour last year of the Pueblo-themed Fuel & Iron Bar (which has since rebranded as Honor Farm), the racist anti-Chinese riot of 1880 (which she discussed with Dr. William Wei in 2021), and her interview with Coffee at the Point owner Ryan Cobbins from last year. 


Check out the Hey Denver newsletter for even more news, Denver history, and fun stuff to do! https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/


We are on Twitter: @citycastdenver


Leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬


Learn more about the sponsor of this 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
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
April 22

REI Union Threatens Boycott, Buzzy Ice Cream Blows Up, and Who Won the Milk-Chugging Contest?

A banner appeared outside REI’s flagship store at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River a few days ago, calling on RE...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 21

Should Coloradans Be Concerned About Our Economy? Plus, a New Vision for the Pavilions

A delegation of hotshot urban planning consultants was downtown last week to examine the newly city-owned Denver Pavilions mall on 16th S...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 20

When Water Will Return to Huston Lake, Downtown's Literal New Fabric, and a 'Peyton Manning-Inspired' Restaurant

What’s really going on with the water source that is supposed to fill Huston Lake? Is it legal to ⁠hunt beavers in Colorado⁠? Will Peyton...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 19

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Seattle Gives Every Voter $100 — Presented By City Cast Denver

Could public financing get more Denverites involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouch...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 17

How the Pearl Fell Apart, An Affordable Housing Beef, and Live Nation Ruling Local Reax

One week ago, Denverites crowdfunded $83,000 to save our city’s last lesbian bar. Today, there’s a lock on the door, The Pearl’s instagra...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 16

Deep Lore Behind Idaho Springs’ New Gondola, Another Downtown Closure, and Wacky Weather Wardrobe Essentials

After being in business since the 1980s, Moda Man is closing the doors of its downtown menswear shop. Was the pandemic to blame? Or a los...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 15

Local TV News vs. Instagram Influencers, Avs/Nuggs Playoff Stories to Watch, and Would You Eat a Beaver?

Denver’s local TV news scene is on the precipice of a big shake-up, with Fox31’s parent company Nexstar poised to acquire 9News’ parent c...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
April 14

Can 80k Save Denver's Last Lesbian Bar? Plus, Denver's Big Pitch for the DNC and 'Third Space' Overload

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was in New Orleans last week along with someone dressed up like the Big Blue Bear to help make the case that t...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art