Denver Housing is “Severely Unaffordable”

On June 13, 2024, Mark Monson, Valdamar Archuleta, Paige Agostin, Randall O’Toole, and Mary Janssen joined the show. Discussed his Legend of the Eight Isles board game Kickstarter campaign on its final day, emphasizing how tabletop games reconnect families and friends in an era of social media isolation Described his campaign strategy for Denver’s CD1, arguing Republicans must show up in urban communities rather than ceding them to.

Board Games and the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Start listening at 10:26 – Hour 1

Mark Monson discusses his Kickstarter campaign for Legend of the Eight Isles, a physical board game designed to bring families and friends together. The campaign enters its final day with rewards ranging from $10 exclusive items to $40 first-edition game packages. Monson explains how the game combines dice mechanics with character-based strategy, allowing players to work together as teams or compete to eliminate opponents.

The conversation highlights a broader renaissance in tabletop gaming as Americans seek alternatives to social media isolation. Board games offer genuine human connection and table talk that digital platforms cannot replicate.

“I think that people are kind of tired of the social media. You know, you don’t get to actually talk to people, get to know people. But, hey, in a board game, you can learn a lot about somebody just in terms of how they play it.”

Mark Monson, Entrepreneur

Republican Outreach in Urban Colorado

Start listening at 19:53 – Hour 1

Valdamar Archuleta, Republican candidate for Congressional District 1, describes his campaign strategy for Denver’s historically Democratic stronghold. Born and raised in Denver and a George Washington High School graduate, Archuleta argues Republicans have abandoned urban communities by assuming these voters are unreachable.

His campaign began with the Martin Luther King Day parade and has since attended the Pow Wow, Cinco de Mayo events, and Black History Month celebrations. Archuleta reports that when he speaks up at town halls as the sole conservative voice, residents respond with interest rather than hostility. Even on the subject of supporting Donald Trump, Denver voters have been more receptive than his campaign initially expected.

“I have not found that like, oh, you’re a Republican, like that they get mad or treat me poorly. That has not been the case at all. They are kind of interested in what I have to say.”

Valdamar Archuleta, Congressional Candidate

Lawfare and the Administrative State

Start listening at 34:08 – Hour 1

Paige Agostin, Policy Director for the Center for Renewing America, sounds the alarm on the weaponization of government against political opponents. Founded by former Trump OMB official Russ Vogt, the Center prepares policy solutions for a potential second Trump administration while its members face legal persecution for their public service.

Hauser details the cascade of lawfare targeting America First voices: Peter Navarro imprisoned, Steve Bannon ordered to report to jail on July 1st, and colleague Jeff Clark facing disbarment for drafting a never-sent letter about 2020 election irregularities. She urges listeners to call Speaker Johnson at 202-225-2777 demanding he convene BLAG, the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, to challenge the January 6th committee’s legitimacy and defend Bannon against what she characterizes as an illegal subpoena.

“We can’t back down. Now is the time. We need courage. And unfortunately, we have a whole political class in Washington that is either, as you said, afraid, or they’re unwilling to fight.”

Paige Agostin, Policy Director, Center for Renewing America

The Housing Affordability Crisis

Start listening at 73:38 – Hour 2

Randall O’Toole, author of The Anti-Planner, breaks down why housing has become unaffordable in Denver and cities across North America. Using data from Wendell Cox’s June 2024 report, O’Toole explains the three-to-five ratio: when median home prices reach three times median income, a 15-year mortgage is feasible; at four times, 30 years; at five times, homeownership becomes mathematically impossible. Denver now sits at six times income.

The culprit is urban growth boundaries, which artificially constrain land supply. New Zealand offers a model solution, having mandated that cities expand growth boundaries to accommodate 30 years of development and fast-track building permits. Housing prices there are actually declining. O’Toole also demolishes the myth of affordable housing programs, noting the average cost per subsidized unit now exceeds $400,000 due to mandates requiring expensive four-story construction with elevators and hallways rather than efficient two-story walk-ups.

“In Denver, it’s six times right now. And so housing is totally unaffordable in Denver. And it’s typical of places in many places around the world.”

Randall O’Toole, The Anti-Planner

Transit Failures and Smart Growth Mythology

Start listening at 91:02 – Hour 2

O’Toole continues by exposing the failure of Denver’s transit investments. Despite spending $7 billion on new rail lines since 2000, the share of commuters using transit remained stuck at 4.8% through 2019. Post-pandemic, that figure has collapsed to roughly 2.5% as downtown workers, the only population transit was designed to serve, now work from home.

RTD now seeks ballot approval to retain TABOR refunds rather than return them to taxpayers. O’Toole argues this perpetuates a regressive tax structure where 95% of low-income workers pay disproportionately for a system they never use. Transit costs over $2 per passenger mile compared to 25 cents for driving and emits two to three times the greenhouse gases per passenger mile as an SUV.

Preserving Family Memories

Start listening at 104:09 – Hour 2

Mary Janssen of Janssen Photography shares stories from 47 years of capturing family portraits on their historic Lakewood farmstead. A recent session brought together 17 family members across generations, including grandchildren who started shy but soon requested their own poses. The century-old trees on the property provide irreplaceable backdrops unavailable at public parks.

With Father’s Day approaching, Janssen offers gift certificates that can be scheduled when families coordinate their busy summers. The studio also serves candidates and business professionals needing headshots for campaigns and marketing materials.

“I am nonplussed over the onerous policies that the Democratic Party gets passed, but I’m even more nonplussed over the citizens that vote for the Democratic Party.”

Mary Janssen, Janssen Photography