What is Dark Money? And How is it Impacting Our Election?
Denver is in the middle of another election. Did you notice? It’s an off year, but there are still plenty of important issues to decide. We’ll be digging in to all of them as election day approaches, but first the question of Defend Colorado, a so-called “dark money” group that’s poured $540,000 into several different measures so far. So what exactly is dark money? And how is Defend Colorado using it to shape some of the most important issues facing our city? Host Bree Davies sits down with Conor McCormick-Cavanagh, who’s been reporting on Defend Colorado’s dark money spending for Westword, to sort it all out.
For more from Conor, here’s his latest piece on the dark money at play in Denver’s election: https://www.westword.com/news/dark-money-defend-colorado-denver-election-expenditure-12404774
We shared a doozy of a story about some shady dealings at the Parks and Rec Dept. in our newsletter this morning. Did you catch it? Don’t miss another one and subscribe right here: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/
Does knowing about dark money spending affect the way you’re going to vote? Tell us on Twitter @citycastdenver
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Xcel Takes on Data Centers, RTD's Big Shakeup, and Former Mayor Hancock: Real Estate Mogul?
There was a huge shakeup at Denver’s transit provider RTD yesterday as CEO and GM Debra Johnson declined to renew her contract, effecti...

Why are Denver Lakes Disappearing? Plus, Blucifer on Hulu and Disneyland on Colorado Boulevard
What is happening to Huston Lake? The southwest Denver body of water has almost completely dried up, taking with it some of the park’s fl...

Polis and Boebert at the Rockies Game, Denver's Next Top Mascot, and More from the Mailbag!
Could prediction markets in politics mean more participation from voters? What if the Denver Summit FC’s mascot was a giant sun? Where’s...

Are Denver Restaurants Really in Crisis? It’s Complicated.
It feels like every week, another Denver restaurant is closing – Enzo’s End Pizzeria served its last slice on Friday, Imperial Chinese sh...

'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium
If you were one of the over 60,000 fans cheering for the Denver Summit last weekend, you may already know this, but Denver is only the se...

Alamo Drafthouse's QR Code Backlash, Election Denier Reconsidered, and What's So Funny About RTD?
Union workers at Alamo Drafthouse in Sloan’s Lake are walking out today over frustrations with the company’s move to a QR code-based food...

Prediction Markets Hit Local Politics, Axon Replaces Flock, and a Great Local Pet Store
Harbingers of dystopia or the hottest trend in tech — Kalshi, Polymarket, and other prediction market platforms have come for local polit...

Your Guide to April 2026 in Denver
Spring is springing! Flowers are blooming! Who was hoping for a a real winter this year, anyway? Denverites are up and about, and the cit...

Local Dems Playing Dirty, César Chávez Ripple Effects, and Westword's New Era
While many Denverites were protesting at No Kings, watching the Denver Summit FC kickoff, or just enjoying the sun, Democrats from all ov...

How Will Lakewood Vote on Density? And What Will It Mean for Casa Bonita?
Lakewood City Council passed a massive zoning ordinance last year to make it easier to build more types of housing. But implementation is...

