City Cast Denver logo
May 2, 2025

Trump’s $24M Takeback, First Friday 'Cash Grab,' and a Shooting at Union Station

City Cast Denver

Trump’s $24M Takeback, First Friday 'Cash Grab,' and a Shooting at Union Station

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

President Trump ratcheted up the pressure on Denver this week to change its approach to immigration, yanking back $24 million the city already spent sheltering newcomers and signing a new executive order going after “sanctuary jurisdictions.” So producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are talking about the latest twist in Trump’s Operation Aurora with one of our favorite regular guests, comedian and Casa Bonita performer Joshua Emerson. Plus, we dig into the recent turmoil around First Fridays on Santa Fe, Denver’s “budget freeze,” and share all our wins and fails of the week. 

Get more from City Cast Denver when you become a City Cast Denver Neighbor! It’s the last day of our spring membership campaign, so it’s your last chance to get your own City Cast Denver Neighbors mug. Members also enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.

Paul talked about scammers, Altitude Plus, security calls and a tragic shooting at the Union Station bus terminal. Bree talked about Jax Gratton and Huston Lake Park. Joshua mentioned Kent Monkman at the Denver Art Museum, and DOTI, as well as his show Friday night at the Buntport and the screening of his documentary “Bad Indian” at the Sie FilmCenter on Sunday.

What do you think about First Friday on Santa Fe? How do you feel about the changes this year? 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.

Watch the Friday show on YouTube: youtube.com/@citycastdenver

Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver

Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 2nd episode:

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

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
July 8

City-Backed Theater Evicted, Casa Bonita Performers Allege Sexual Harassment, and LeBron to the Nuggets?

Since voting to unionize back in November of 2024, Casa Bonita performers have gone to the table 14 times to negotiate wages, security is...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 7

What Cheap Parking Downtown Really Costs. Plus, Can BRT Be ‘Better’ on Colorado Boulevard?

Is the city’s new $5 downtown parking program worth it to Denverites? After Mayor Mike Johnston came on the show last week to talk up his...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 6

A Phone Call With Former Sen. Gary Hart on How Politics Changed Forever

Two years ago, City Cast Denver producer Paul Karolyi interviewed a bona fide Colorado legend – two-term former Senator Gary Hart. He was...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 3

'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Denver

See if your Denver knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 2

Who Really Won and Lost the Primaries? Dark Money, the DSA, Predictions Markets, and More

The primaries on Tuesday ushered in historic change to our Mile High City, with a 29-year-old Democratic Socialist primed to take over th...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
July 1

Kiros and Weiser Win As Voters Sour on Colorado's Political Establishment

The eyes of the nation were on Colorado yesterday as “anti-establishment” candidates took on some of Colorado’s longest tenured elected o...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 30

Mayor Johnston on His Big New Idea to Fix Parking Downtown

There’s one issue Denverites can never seem to agree on – parking. Does the city have too much or too little? Is parking too expensive or...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 29

Your Guide to July 2026 in Denver

It’s birthday time in Denver! With America’s 250th birthday on the Fourth of July, and Colorado’s 150th birthday coming up on August 1st,...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 28

'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks

Denver voters approved a tax hike in 2022 to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth from City Council, thos...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 26

Can Kiros Beat DeGette? Plus, AI ‘Polls,’ Astroturfing Local Politics, and Colfax Wins and Fails

Denver is on the precipice of what could be a historic moment; the city’s 30-year incumbent congresswoman, Diana DeGette, is facing a lat...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art