City Cast Denver
City Cast Denver offers a center-leaning local perspective with a focus on Denver's policy challenges, particularly housing affordability.
What This Tone Is Based On
The tone scores on this page come from analyzing how this show covers each political figure it mentions. Below is the breakdown of how many of those reads were positive, neutral, or negative.
Net media tone Neutral across 186 figure-in-episode tone reads (not audience/impressions).
How City Cast Denver Differs from Other Shows
Compared to 209 outlets · Sep 2025–Aug 2026This show's average tone sits near the field, but its coverage is far more split by figure. It rates Bernie Sanders +0.46 above the media average on the figures it favors and Donald Trump -0.13 below it on the ones it criticizes — a 0.59-point gap between its most favorable and most critical coverage that a typical outlet doesn't show.
- Bernie Sanders+0.46more favorable vs. other showsShow↑ +0.42Other shows→ -0.0410 eps
- Donald Trump-0.13more critical vs. other showsShow↓↓ -0.39Other shows↓↓ -0.2521 eps
- Phil Weiser+0.05more favorable vs. other showsShow↑ +0.30Other shows↑ +0.2539 eps
- Mike Johnson-0.01more critical vs. other showsShow→ +0.03Other shows→ +0.0523 eps
Delta = this show's tone toward the figure minus the average across all 209 other tracked outlets that covered them ≥3 times, Sep 2025–Aug 2026.
Positive = friendlier here; negative = harsher.
Editorial Identity
The editorial fingerprint of this center local news show — who it elevates, who it goes after, and where it breaks from the pack.
City Cast Denver is a center-leaning local news program that emphasizes policy discussions, particularly around issues like housing affordability and the economy. The show tends to cover local political figures like Phil Weiser and Mike Johnson, with a generally supportive tone towards Weiser. It also engages with national figures, often critically, such as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. The program's editorial approach is grounded in policy analysis, with less focus on scandal or character-driven narratives.
City Cast Denver champions progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani, covering them more favorably than the broader media landscape. The show also supports local figures such as Phil Weiser, highlighting his legal and policy efforts. It drives discussions on housing affordability and economic issues, often advocating for solutions to these pressing local challenges.
The show is critical of conservative figures such as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, often highlighting their controversial actions and statements. It also scrutinizes local leadership, as seen in its coverage of Denver Mayor Mike Johnson, particularly concerning budget management and public spending decisions.
City Cast Denver stands out in its significant focus on housing affordability, covering this issue much more extensively than the average outlet. The show also diverges from the broader media in its favorable coverage of progressive figures like Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders, contrasting with the generally more critical tone found elsewhere.
Who City Cast Denver boosts and attacks
Tracked figures split by this show's average tone toward them, each with the clips behind the call — tap a quote to jump to the audio.
City Cast Denver is a reliable ally to Phil Weiser, Bernie Sanders; its prime targets are Donald Trump.
“I mean, people like Phil Weiser, who's the attorney general, who, you know, was part of the prosecution of this case.”
“Last Friday, Attorney General Phil Weiser said that he's ready to work with government, with government state officials to force the center to allow an investigation to occur.”
“Phil Weiser, the AG, of the state of Colorado, said what the regents did was trample on my First Amendment rights and what they did was wrong.”
“Last Friday morning, as I was watching posts about a new poll showing Kiros up over to get, the first one I had ever seen. And then this Bernie Sanders endorsement rolling in, I had this feeling that this is a historic moment that we're living in.”
“I am proud to be endorsed by... the people's champion, Senator Bernie Sanders.”
“the ultimate person who has done that effectively is somebody like Bernie Sanders in Vermont, right? Bernie Sanders, well before he ran for president, had established a kind of independent Bernie brand in the state of Vermont”
“this is our version, I think, in Colorado of the economic misery that has elected Donald Trump not just once but twice in this country.”
“the Republican Party in Washington that has become a cult of personality that is serving the kleptocracy of Donald Trump and his family.”
“we have a Democratic Party who has lost two elections to Donald Trump, one of which the American people took four years off in between and still sent Trump back.”
Coverage Volume
Transcribed episodes per week — last 26 weeks
Sentiment Trajectory
Average weekly tone toward figures — green favorable, red critical
Whose coverage is ramping up — and dropping
Cooling on Mike Johnson, Phil Weiser.
Nothing ramping this window.
“Across N days” = distinct days behind the recent count; a single burst means it’s concentrated in ≤2 days — treat as one story, not a trend.
Top Issues City Cast Denver drives
Top Issues ranked by lift — how much harder this show pushes an issue than the average outlet. ≥ 1.25× over-indexes.
City Cast Denver pushes Housing Affordability hardest — 8.3× the average outlet's rate of coverage.
Show organizations & places →Organizations & Places They Focus On
Recent Stories
Representative Alex Valdez reflects on his eight years in the Colorado legislature as he prepares to leave office. He expresses pride in his environmental accomplishments, particularly in promoting electric vehicles and reducing plastic waste, while also acknowledging the challenges he faced, including a controversial bill on data centers and a regret over a drug decriminalization vote.
The discussion centers around the impact of a recent change to tipped wage laws in Colorado, with Valdez noting that local governments are hesitant to adopt the law due to political backlash. He highlights the struggles of Denver's restaurant industry and the need for a competitive wage structure to prevent further closures.
A proposed graduated income tax initiative in Colorado is set to compete with a flat tax proposal. Valdez discusses the potential implications for Colorado's fiscal future, emphasizing that voters typically do not vote against their financial interests, which may influence the outcome of the initiatives.
The discussion centers around the future of Mile High Stadium as the Broncos unveil plans for Burnham Yard. Contributors propose various ideas, including converting the stadium into a facility for women's sports teams and creating a park to benefit the local community. The conversation highlights the need for community input and the potential for mixed-use development in the area.
The conversation shifts to the need for car-free events in Denver, particularly during the popular First Fridays Art Walk. Contributors argue that making these events car-free would enhance safety and enjoyment for attendees, suggesting that the city could partner with event organizers to facilitate this change. The discussion also touches on the potential for marketing these events to tourists.
Listeners discuss the discomfort of seeing a neighbor with open curtains and the social etiquette surrounding it. The hosts suggest that urban living involves a certain level of acceptance and personal responsibility regarding privacy.
A listener questions whether it's appropriate to ask pedestrians to stay out of bike lanes. The hosts agree that cyclists have a right to remind pedestrians of their space, while also acknowledging the need for better infrastructure to accommodate both groups.
A listener raises concerns about unregulated emotional support animals in multi-unit buildings. The hosts debate the need for a verification system to prevent misuse while also considering the implications of privacy and disability rights.
A listener wonders if they should hold the door for strangers entering their apartment building. The hosts discuss the balance between being neighborly and ensuring security, ultimately suggesting caution in such situations.
A listener asks if they should notify neighbors about gatherings in a shared living space. The hosts emphasize the importance of communication but acknowledge that not all neighbors will reciprocate thoughtfulness.
A listener questions whether to park legally close to the curb, which can obstruct visibility. The hosts discuss the systemic issues of parking regulations and the importance of addressing broader city planning problems.
All 64 counties in Colorado are under air quality alerts due to worsening conditions, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. The situation is seen as a concerning trend, with implications for public health and outdoor activities as summer comes to a close.
The Denver City Council voted against a proposal to allow nightclubs and similar venues to remain open until 4 a.m., citing concerns over potential violence and lack of data supporting the change. While the proposal was rejected, the council discussed the possibility of a limited pilot program in specific areas to gather data on the impact of extended hours.
A proposal for a slavery acknowledgement to be read at the beginning of Denver City Council meetings has garnered support and sparked discussion among council members. The proposed wording references historical injustices and aims to address the ongoing legacies of oppression, though some members suggested tweaks to include other marginalized groups.
Rob Cohen from Summit FC is advocating for Denver to host a future Women's World Cup, highlighting the potential economic benefits and excitement it could bring to the city. The proposal has been met with enthusiasm, especially following the recent success of the Women's World Cup.
Governor Jared Polis recently made headlines with his comments on socialism, stating that it dangerously concentrates political and economic power. His remarks came shortly after a Democratic Socialist candidate won a primary in Denver, prompting discussions about the divisions within the Democratic Party and Polis's political future.
Colorado is facing severe drought conditions, leading to drained reservoirs and a significant impact on agriculture, particularly the harvest of Olathe sweet corn. Farmers are adapting by shifting to direct-to-consumer sales, but the overall food supply is expected to decrease, raising concerns about food availability and pricing.
The Squire, a popular bar in Denver, experienced significant flooding, leading owner Sudhir Kudva to blame the ongoing bus rapid transit construction on Colfax for the damage. The flooding caused an estimated $30,000 in damages, and Kudva expressed concerns about the structural integrity of the building if such flooding occurs again.
The episode features discussions about new local businesses in Denver, including a Vietnamese restaurant called Retray and a coffee shop named Friends and Company Coffee. Both establishments are praised for their unique offerings and community engagement, showcasing the resilience and creativity of local entrepreneurs.
The discussion shifts to the challenges facing Colorado media, particularly in light of recent ownership changes and staffing cuts at major outlets. The conversation highlights the decline in local journalism and the impact of conglomerate ownership on news coverage, emphasizing the need for more independent voices in the media landscape.