'Your City Could Be Better': What Denver Needs To Know About Utah's Controversial 'Homeless Campus' Plan
Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Denver are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers.
Mentioned on the show:
- Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake)
Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!
We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter
Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
De-Gooping Sloan's Lake, Going Viral in Denver, and Water Narcs: Data Center Edition
Denver is finally getting serious about saving Sloan’s Lake, with Mayor Johnston announcing Wednesday a new $50 million proposal to dredg...

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...

