Mayor Johnston’s Secret Group Chat, Homeless Service Cuts, and Taking Down the Trump Portrait

While President Trump is dealing with his own group chat drama, Mayor Mike Johnston is under fire for using the encrypted messaging system Signal to conduct official city communications. But is the mayor’s secret “Strike Force” an issue of transparency or just business as usual? Then, City Council made a surprise move this week, rejecting a $3 million contract with the service provider Salvation Army over safety concerns at one of Denver’s homeless shelters. Producer Paul Karolyi and host Bree Davies are joined by former mayoral candidate and returning fave Lisa Calderón to dig into all the drama — plus, a new food hall, dems respond to the presidential portrait drama, and more wins and fails of the week. Paul talked about Chef Jose Avila’s new spot and the Trump portrait at the statehouse . Bree mentioned the death of Brian Vogt , the CEO of Denver Botanic Gardens, and new speed cameras . Lisa mentioned her organization Women Uprising . What do you think about the mayor’s use of Signal? Should they add Paul to the group chat? 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 . 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 March 28th episode: 5280 Magazine Bookshop.org - Use code CITYCAST to get 15% off your next order Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise