We Watched All 6 Hours of Mayor Johnston's Congressional Hearing
Mayor Mike Johnston was in DC on Wednesday for a high-stakes congressional hearing as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into “sanctuary jurisdictions.” With threats of federal funding cuts looming, the mayor defended his approach to immigration and faced hard questions from Republicans, including Rep. Lauren Boebert. We watched the whole marathon hearing, and then we sat down with returning guest and State Sen. Julie Gonzales, who has worked on immigration issues for more than 15 years, to decode the political theater and talk about what’s at stake for Denverites and our new neighbors.
We mentioned our interview with Mayor Johnston last week and his comments on how he has been preparing for this investigation. You might also be interested in reading some of the national coverage of Mayor Johnston’s trip to DC, like this report from The Wall Street Journal, or one of these liveblogs of the hearing from our friends at Denverite or The Denver Post. We didn’t even talk about the accusation that Mayor Johnston violated federal law!
Senadora Gonzales mentioned the fact that the conservative-leaning Cato Institute has reported that President Trump’s policies are costly and making America less safe.
How do you think the mayor did in DC? 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
Get your tickets to HEYDAY now! We’re putting on an indoor fair with urban flair, like a classic county fair but with a very cool Denver twist. Join us THIS SATURDAY, March 8, for classic carnival games, vintage arcade games, Denver-themed balloon art, and a full day of grandstand entertainment, featuring some of your favorite guests from the podcast. It’s family friendly, too, if you wanna bring your kids. Get those tickets now at www.heydaydenver.com.
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: membership.citycast.fm
If you enjoyed the sponsored interview with Eliza Voss, Vice President of Destination Marketing for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, learn more here. Eliza also mentioned some tips for hiking Maroon Bells and the ACRA’s new destination management plan.
Learn more about the other sponsors of this March 6th episode:
- Arvada Center
- Clear Creek Makerspace
- Wolf Theatre Academy at JCC Denver
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
The Unwritten Rules of Surviving and Thriving in Denver
What are the things you need to know to thrive in Denver? You know, like remembering to bring a jacket regardless of the weather – which...

It's Film Fest Season! Plus, Red Rocks Ticket Troubles and Our Concert Recs
Sundance Film Festival’s Colorado debut is just months away, but there are plenty of homegrown film fests happening this fall and winter....

A Local Landmark Melts Away, Ball Arena’s New $135M Lobby, and Vegetarian Hot Dogs
Ball Arena is set to get a $135 million makeover, complete with more escalators and a giant LED screen outside for fans to watch the acti...

A New Owner Bought Park Hill's Most Notorious Strip Mall. Is Gentrification Coming Next?
A grocery store or a bar? This is the question at the center of the future of The Holly, a shopping center in Northeast Park Hill. The ge...

The Spicy Story Behind One of Denver's Most Famous Green Chiles
Green chile is a staple of Colorado cuisine – both the pepper itself and the spicy, soupy stew used to smother everything from burritos a...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks — Presented By City Cast Denver
Would Denver be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and...

Could City Workers Get A Raise? Plus, New Buyers for The Mercury Cafe, and Another Bear Attack
The Mercury Cafe is back! Again! This time around, the buyers are asking the community what they want from this legendary space before mo...

Denver’s Shining Star Chefs, Burrito Haters, and Is Downtown a Convention Destination?
Denver chefs and restaurateurs celebrated this week when both the Michelin Guide announced its 2026 winners and the New York Times droppe...

Young Coloradans Really Dislike AI and More Takeaways From a New Poll
A new poll out this week says Coloradans have strong feelings about AI and data centers, offering an interesting look at how age, politic...

Downtown's Ups and Downs, Liquor License Losers, and Mesa Verde's Massive Repatriation
Thirty-six years after the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Mesa Verde National Park is returning m...

