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What’s driving Denver’s spike in fentanyl overdoses, and why does the supply seem stronger than ever? We take you inside the data and the street-level realities: how potency, low production costs, and distribution through a regional transit hub have reshaped the market; why counterfeit pills and polysubstance mixes catch people off guard; and how improved testing revealed the true scale of the problem. From emergency calls to hospital bedsides, you’ll hear how the human impact shows up across families, first responders, and public services.

We share the concrete steps the city is taking under Mayor Mike Johnston’s leadership, blending public health with focused enforcement. That includes expanding naloxone access, distributing fentanyl test strips, supporting syringe services, and increasing low-barrier treatment for opioid use disorder through city clinics, hospitals, and mobile outreach. Public health alerts now flag dangerous batches and counterfeit pills, while investigations target major suppliers. Progress is measurable—more reversals, more treatment access, tighter coordination—but challenges remain: volatile supply, stubborn stigma, and limited capacity slow the pace of change.

Then we pivot to schools, where substance use trends have evolved alongside vaping and high-THC products. Denver-area districts are moving beyond zero tolerance toward approaches that work: evidence-based education, screening and brief intervention, onsite clinicians, family engagement, and restorative discipline that keeps students connected to support. Staff training in naloxone and practical harm reduction messages meet the moment, while data-driven monitoring helps schools adapt to new products and risks. The path forward is clear and compassionate: prevention that resonates, treatment that’s accessible, and enforcement focused on harms, not headlines.

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A short walk down Colfax turned into a crash course on how hope gets marketed where margins are thinnest. We dig into why lottery billboards blanket low income and predominantly Black neighborhoods and rarely appear in wealthier suburbs, and we connect the dots between retailer commissions, billboard economics, and the retail landscapes shaped by redlining and zoning. What looks like neutral market logic—put ads where sales are strong—sits on top of a map drawn by discriminatory policy, creating a cycle where data, dollars, and dreams converge.

We unpack how targeted messaging leverages financial stress, promising escape and instant transformation rather than responsible play. Studies show media aimed at Black and Latino audiences carries heavier lottery ad loads, often alongside payday lending and fast food spots, normalizing high-risk consumption where budgets are tight. The result: lower income players spend a larger share of income on long-shot odds, turning state lotteries into a regressive tax that extracts wealth from the people least able to lose it.

Rather than pointing fingers at individuals, we call out systems that produce racially disparate outcomes without explicit intent. Then we move to solutions: restrict outdoor ads in vulnerable neighborhoods, mandate bold odds disclosures, cap retailer commissions to reduce aggressive upselling, direct lottery revenues transparently into debt relief, savings programs, and small business grants, and require public reporting of ad spend by zip code. If we change the incentives and shine light on the flows of money and messaging, we can shift from selling hope to building opportunity.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review telling us which policy fix you’d prioritize. Your voice helps push this debate toward real change.

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Hunger shouldn’t be part of any family’s routine, and yet tighter SNAP benefits are pushing more neighbors to the edge. We take you inside the fastest, most reliable ways to get food help in the Denver metro, from free school meals available to every student to the regional network that moves groceries where they’re needed most. Think of this as a field guide: what to do first, who to call, and how to navigate pantries with less stress and more dignity.

We start with the three anchors of immediate support: school meals that require no paperwork, the 24/7, 211 helpline run by Mile High United Way, and the Food Bank of the Rockies system that powers local pantries and mobile markets. You’ll learn exactly what to expect on your first pantry visit, which questions unlock better service—like asking about delivery, drive-up options, or culturally preferred foods—and how to prepare even if you don’t have ID. We also map out broader supports, including SNAP enrollment through Denver Human Services, WIC for women, infants, and children, Meals on Wheels for seniors, and the Double Up Food Bucks program that doubles SNAP dollars for fresh produce at farmers markets.

Community action takes center stage with JeffCo Feeds JeffCo and a district-wide food drive on November 8th, 2025, routing donations directly to school-based pantries so families can access help close to home. Along the way, we highlight overlooked tools like the Denver Public Library’s resource pages and faith-based organizations such as Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Service, and the Salvation Army. If you or someone you love needs food today, you can start with one number—211—and a few smart questions to find the nearest support fast.

If this guide helps, share it with a neighbor, post it on your socials to spread the word about the November 8th food drive, and subscribe for more community-focused updates. Your share might be the reason a family eats tonight.

Major Food Banks (drive supply and referral hubs)
1. Food Bank of the Rockies (serves Denver metro and Northern Colorado)
- Services: Food distribution to partner pantries, mobile markets, SNAP outreach and assistance, home delivery for homebound seniors/disabled (via partner programs).
- Phone: 303-371-9250
- Website: foodbankrockies.org
- Notes: Central hub—use website to find local

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A divided world doesn’t fix itself, but it can change when ordinary people choose small, steady acts of kindness. We dive into the power of compassion as a practical tool for rebuilding trust, cutting through polarization, and bringing depth back to our relationships. From the limits of social media to the warmth of face to face care, we share why kindness is contagious, how children mirror what we model, and what it takes to turn good intentions into daily habits that actually stick.

You’ll hear simple, repeatable practices that cost little and matter a lot: holding the door, offering a sincere compliment, checking in on a coworker, or inviting the quiet person to join the table. We talk through the importance of explaining the why behind kind acts so kids and adults alike link behavior to meaning, not just rules. Then we zoom out to the communities that shape our weeks—work teams, families, book clubs, gym crews—and explore how to become a kindness leader who sets the tone, organizes light, high-impact initiatives, and makes generosity feel normal.

The goal isn’t perfection or grand gestures; it’s consistent presence that people can rely on. When you show up with care, others notice, and the ripple effect spreads through your circles. Walk away with a simple challenge: choose one genuine act today, then another tomorrow, and watch your corner of the world grow brighter. If this conversation sparked ideas, subscribe, share it with a friend who could use a lift, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.

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Cats aren’t just internet icons; they’re companions with a deep history and a real need for our care. We take a warm, practical tour through National Cat Day, exploring why this celebration exists, how cats became fixtures in human life, and what we can do—today—to support feline welfare. From the purr that calms you after a hard day to the comic chaos of a living room zoom, we focus on the everyday joy cats bring while grounding the conversation in action that matters.

We talk through the long cultural thread that connects temple guardians and modern tabbies, then pivot into the big three of cat welfare: adoption, spay and neuter, and responsible pet care. You’ll hear approachable, realistic ways to make a difference whether you have a cat at home or you’re just a lifelong admirer. That includes enriching play, vet care, safe indoor spaces, and prepping for adoption with time, budget, and lifestyle in mind. We also spotlight the power of community: local shelters, volunteer shifts, fostering litters, and the social posts that drive real-world help.

If you’re looking for simple steps with a big impact, we’ve got you covered: donate supplies, sponsor a spay, volunteer a few hours, share an adoptable cat, or carve out extra playtime and comfort for your own feline. Celebrate the bond, reduce shelter crowding, and spread practical awareness that leads to more purrs and fewer cages. Want more stories and resources from our crew? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow cat person, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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Grocery bills keep climbing, food banks brace for record demand, and small stores feel the pinch—none of that is accidental. We dig into why cuts to SNAP benefits do more than shrink household budgets; they pull billions from local economies, stress schools and employers, and nudge prices higher for everyone. With clear numbers and plain talk, we connect the dots between food security and the everyday costs that shape life in your neighborhood.

We start with the people most affected—families with kids, seniors on fixed incomes, and neighbors living with disabilities—then follow the dollars as they move through corner grocers, trucking routes, and farms. You’ll hear how each SNAP dollar typically multiplies to $1.50–$1.80 of local activity, why a sudden contraction hits sales tax revenue, and how even a short benefit pause can push grocery prices up while eroding community stability. Along the way, we lay out concrete ways to help now, from volunteering with food assistance groups to pressing policymakers for targeted fixes that protect both family health and local jobs.

Then we widen the lens to Denver’s broader economy. Tariffs raise input costs for manufacturers and aerospace suppliers, uncertainty chills investment, and federal grant delays force hard choices in transit, housing, and public health. Layer on a decade of housing underbuilding, higher interest rates that stall new projects, and a rental market with too little vacancy, and you get two diverging Denvers: some sectors thriving, many households squeezed. We outline pragmatic steps—zoning near transit, faster approvals, supportive housing, and sustained behavioral health funding—that can turn the tide with time and will.

If this conversation sharpens your view of the checkout line and the city budget, share it with a friend, subscribe for future briefings, and leave a review with one idea you want leaders to act on next. Your take could spark the next solution.

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A near miss at Skyline High School puts Colorado’s long shadow back in the spotlight and forces us to ask tougher questions about what truly keeps students safe. We walk through what happened, why “this time” isn’t enough, and how a quarter-century of tragedies and scares—from Columbine to STEM—reveals patterns that policies alone haven’t fixed. Then we pivot to what often gets overlooked: the daily emotional world of kids, the toll of bullying on mental health, and the cultural conditions that let cruelty and despair take root.

We share a clear path forward built on connection, not just compliance. You’ll hear why a trusted adult for every student can be a game changer, how consistent anti-bullying enforcement and restorative practices rebuild trust, and where mental health resources—counselors, peer supports, telehealth, and simple reporting tools—create early, lifesaving intervention. We talk about safe storage, digital citizenship, advisory periods, and how schools can partner with families and local clinics to expand care without burning out staff.

This conversation is about community responsibility as much as it is about school safety. Parents, educators, coaches, neighbors, and lawmakers each hold a piece of the solution—teaching empathy, funding services, enforcing safe norms, and amplifying student voice. If you’re ready to move beyond headlines and drills toward practical, humane changes that make hallways feel safe again, you’re in the right place.

If this resonates, subscribe, share the show with someone who cares about kids’ wellbeing, and leave a review with one action your community can take this month. Your voice helps build the culture where every child feels seen, supported, and safe.

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Think you know Denver’s eastern neighbor? Aurora defies the cliché with a story that runs from prairie tracks to late night karaoke, from Buckley Field’s aviation roots to a modern web of light rail, research labs, craft breweries, and global kitchens that stay open past midnight. We open the map to show how transit, the Anschutz Medical Campus, and mixed use neighborhoods turned a once sleepy suburb into a destination with its own pulse.

We walk through the city’s nightlife corridors—Havana Street’s karaoke and Korean barbecue, the Stampede’s line dancing floor, cozy pubs near Aurora Highlands, and intimate stages where local bands and open mic artists find their crowd. Along the way, we fold in practical tips: how to move around on RTD, when to call a rideshare, where to stay near the airport or campus, and which parks and cultural spots round out a perfect weekend. Cherry Creek State Park, the Plains Conservation Center, and the Aurora Cultural Arts District sit alongside day trips to Denver, giving you both the big city energy and the local flavor in one itinerary.

Then we shift the lens to a vital chapter often overlooked: the African American history that helped shape Aurora’s civic fabric. From pre–World War II rail and agricultural work to the postwar boom, Black families built institutions when policy shut doors—churches that doubled as civic hubs, barbershops and restaurants that spread information, and organizers who pushed back against redlining and restrictive covenants. We unpack the present day pressures on East Colfax, where redevelopment and rising costs risk displacing the very culture that made the corridor vibrant, and we highlight the responses gaining traction: affordable housing, tenant protections, small business support, and community-led planning.

By the end, you’ll have a guide to Aurora’s best nights out, a primer on how the city grew, and a deeper understanding of the people and policies that forged its identity. If you enjoyed this tour, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves late night eats, and drop a review with your favorite Aurora spot—we might feature it next time.

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