EPISODE · Apr 9, 2026 · 38 MIN
Xcel Takes on Data Centers, RTD's Big Shakeup, and Former Mayor Hancock: Real Estate Mogul?
from City Cast Denver · host City Cast
There was a huge shakeup at Denver’s transit provider RTD yesterday as CEO and GM Debra Johnson declined to renew her contract, effectively ending her leadership of the agency after leading it through the pandemic, some costly light rail maintenance projects, and a recent decline in ridership. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi discuss the breaking news before Chandra Thomas Whitfield, a host of Colorado Matters on CPR, joins to talk about Xcel’s latest proposal for data centers and what former mayor Michael Hancock has been up to since he left office in 2023. Today is Local News Day! That means it’s a perfect time to sign up for membership to support City Cast Denver. Help make sure we can keep covering the local stories that matter to you – and get great perks! Sign up now at membership.citycast.fm. Bree also discussed our recent coverage of the turmoil at RTD: Paul’s interview with Debra Johnson Paul’s conversation about the RTD board reform proposal Our Friday show with RTD director Chris Nicholson Paul mentioned a statement RTD shared in response to an interview request for Debra Johnston from RTD Board Chair Patrick O’Keefe: "On behalf of RTD’s Board of Directors, I want to express our appreciation to Debra for her continued dedication and service to the agency, its employees, and our customers. For more than five years, she has diligently led RTD, and the Board looks forward to her continued leadership in the coming year. Debra has agreed to work closely with the Board to ensure there’s a smooth transition after the conclusion of her contract in May 2027. Under her leadership as the General Manager and CEO, RTD has significantly improved personal safety and security, addressed a backlog of maintenance, mitigated workforce vacancy concerns, and implemented several across-the-board customer experience initiatives. The agency is in a much better place because of her dedication, and RTD’s solid foundation she created, including a strong and capable Leadership Team, will support the agency’s ongoing successes." For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 What do you think about Debra Johnson leaving RTD? 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
What this episode covers
There was a huge shakeup at Denver’s transit provider RTD yesterday as CEO and GM Debra Johnson declined to renew her contract, effectively ending her leadership of the agency after leading it through the pandemic, some costly light rail maintenance projects, and a recent decline in ridership. Host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi discuss the breaking news before Chandra Thomas Whitfield, a host of Colorado Matters on CPR, joins to talk about Xcel’s latest proposal for data centers and what former mayor Michael Hancock has been up to since he left office in 2023. Today is Local News Day! That means it’s a perfect time to sign up for membership to support City Cast Denver. Help make sure we can keep covering the local stories that matter to you – and get great perks! Sign up now at membership.citycast.fm. Bree also discussed our recent coverage of the turmoil at RTD: Paul’s interview with Debra Johnson Paul’s conversation about the RTD board reform proposal Our Friday show with RTD director Chris Nicholson Paul mentioned a statement RTD shared in response to an interview request for Debra Johnston from RTD Board Chair Patrick O’Keefe: "On behalf of RTD’s Board of Directors, I want to express our appreciation to Debra for her continued dedication and service to the agency, its employees, and our customers. For more than five years, she has diligently led RTD, and the Board looks forward to her continued leadership in the coming year. Debra has agreed to work closely with the Board to ensure there’s a smooth transition after the conclusion of her contract in May 2027. Under her leadership as the General Manager and CEO, RTD has significantly improved personal safety and security, addressed a backlog of maintenance, mitigated workforce vacancy concerns, and implemented several across-the-board customer experience initiatives. The agency is in a much better place because of her dedication, and RTD’s solid foundation she created, including a strong and capable Leadership Team, will support the agency’s ongoing successes." For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter 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 What do you think about Debra Johnson leaving RTD? 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 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
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Xcel Takes on Data Centers, RTD's Big Shakeup, and Former Mayor Hancock: Real Estate Mogul?
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