by Mark Smiley | Jul 23, 2026 | Glendale City News
by Mark Smiley
Storm Gloor
Glendale Mayor Pro Tem Storm Gloor has been elected to the Colorado Municipal League (CML) Executive Board, giving the city a stronger voice in statewide discussions on municipal policy and local government issues.
Gloor was elected during the Colorado Municipal League’s Annual Business Meeting on June 24, held as part of the organization’s 104th Annual Conference in Westminster. He joins a 21-member board responsible for overseeing the nonprofit organization’s finances, management, and policy direction while representing the interests of Colorado’s 270 member cities and towns.
His election places Glendale alongside leaders from communities across Colorado who help guide the League’s legislative priorities and advocacy efforts at the state Capitol.
The Colorado Municipal League plays a significant role in shaping legislation that affects local governments. According to the organization’s newly released 2025-2026 Annual Report, CML tracked 218 bills during the 2026 legislative session. The League successfully helped defeat 17 bills it opposed, secured amendments to 18 others, and saw 17 of the 30 bills it supported become law.
Gloor was one of five new members elected to the Executive Board. Others include Boulder Council Member Matthew Benjamin, Northglenn Mayor Pro Tem Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa, Durango City Manager José Madrigal, and Centennial Mayor Pro Tem Amy Tharp.
Also elected to leadership positions for the 2026-2027 term were Golden Mayor Laura Weinberg as president, Breckenridge Council Member Carol Saade as vice president, and Parker Mayor Joshua Rivero as secretary-treasurer. Lone Tree City Manager Seth Hoffman will serve as immediate past president.
The Colorado Municipal League is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to serving and representing Colorado’s municipalities through advocacy, education, training, and legislative leadership. Gloor’s election gives Glendale direct representation on the organization’s governing board as it continues to address issues affecting cities and towns across the state.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 9, 2026 | Travel
By Mark Smiley
Mike Menter, Driver of Tiger Shark
Mike Menter was growing up in Virginia, he spotted a line of monster trucks parked outside the Hampton Coliseum. On a whim, he pulled off the highway, bought tickets to all three shows that weekend and discovered a passion that would shape the rest of his life. “I was absolutely hooked,” Menter said.
Today, Menter is living that childhood dream as the driver of Tiger Shark, one of the fan favorites in Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire, returning to Denver’s Ball Arena for three performances on July 11 and 12.
The award-winning family show, named 2025 Pollstar Family Show of the Year, returns with an all-new attraction for 2026: Rhinomite, a rhinoceros-themed monster truck charging onto the tour for the first time. Fans will also witness never-before-seen stunts, including a spectacular no-handed front flip by the freestyle motocross team.
For Menter, however, the biggest thrill isn’t behind the wheel. It’s watching children experience the show for the first time.
“When you see the doors open and the kids walk through the door for the first time and they’re actually holding a Tiger Shark toy or a Rhinomite toy in their hands, you can see the wheels spinning in their heads,” he said. “Their parents are telling them, ‘Look, this is the truck you’ve seen on TV.’ To see their reaction when that real-life monster comes to life in front of them, it’s kind of hard to describe.”
Unlike many professional monster truck drivers who spend years working as mechanics or crew members before earning a chance to compete, Menter took a different route. Determined to control his own future, he purchased a competition chassis, assembled his own truck using specialized monster truck components and began performing at county fairs across the country.
“I wanted to do it on my schedule, on my time,” he said. “I wanted to be in full control.”
Tiger Shark
years ago, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live came calling, and today Menter spends roughly 34 weekends each year entertaining families across North America.
“This is what I do. This is what I love,” he said. “Going to different cities like Denver and getting to entertain people for two hours and seeing the smiles on the families’ faces and the kids—for me, that’s what it’s all about.”
Every Hot Wheels Monster Truck has its loyal fans, but Menter says Tiger Shark has developed something of a cult following.
“We call it Tiger Shark Nation,” he said with a laugh.
Some children love sharks. Others love tigers. Tiger Shark combines both into one monster truck that has become one of the tour’s most recognizable vehicles.
While spectators see gravity-defying jumps and crushed cars, Menter says most of the work happens long before the engines start.
“It’s a 10,000-pound monster truck,” he said. “You’re flying these things. You’re beating them up.”
Although he only spends about 20 to 25 minutes actually driving during an entire weekend of performances, his team spends countless hours inspecting tires, engines, suspension components and every bolt on the truck.
“The preparation is key,” Menter said.
Even with meticulous maintenance, mechanical failures are simply part of the sport.
“You can do all the preparation, and something can still break,” he said. “It’s just the nature of the beast.”
Competition on the arena floor also gives way to teamwork behind the scenes. Each truck has its own crew, but when another team runs into trouble, everyone pitches in.
“When we put the helmets on, we’re competitive,” Menter said. “But if my truck’s good and another truck is down, everyone’s going over there to help. At the end of the day, the goal for everybody is to see a smile on a kid’s face.”
That family atmosphere extends to Menter’s own family. His 16-year-old son, Mason, travels with him as his crew member, helping prepare Tiger Shark before every show.
“He’s been with me since day one,” Menter said. “I can step away to do an interview, and when I come back he’ll tell me, ‘The tires are on. I did this and this.'”
Mason has already driven a mini monster truck and hopes to eventually follow his father into the sport.
“I can’t wait for him,” Menter said. “It’s going to be something magical.”
This year’s Glow-N-Fire production promises more than just monster trucks. Fans will see seven trucks compete in wheelies, donuts, long jump and freestyle competitions while freestyle motocross riders perform gravity-defying aerial tricks, including the debut of a no-handed front flip.
“Seeing this guy do a front flip is something magical that you have to see in person,” Menter said.
The production also features a fire-breathing, car-crushing robotic dinosaur during intermission, adding another layer of excitement to the family-friendly show.
Fans looking for an even closer experience can purchase tickets to the popular Pre-Show Party, held before every performance. The event allows guests onto the arena floor to see the trucks up close, collect autographs, meet the drivers and snap photos before the competition begins.
“If you have a special question you’ve always wanted to ask, come out to the pre-show,” Menter said. “Bring your toy truck with you and get it autographed.”
New VIP packages for 2026 offer additional behind-the-scenes experiences, including exclusive merchandise, backstage tours and opportunities to meet drivers and freestyle motocross performers.
For Menter, however, the trucks, trophies and packed arenas all take a back seat to one thing. “For me, interacting with the kids and interacting with the fans is something magical,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to describe unless you’re in the moment. That’s what it’s all about.”
If You Go
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire
Where: Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver
When:
- Saturday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. (Pre-Show Party: 9–10:15 a.m.)
- Saturday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. (Pre-Show Party: 4–5:15 p.m.)
- Sunday, July 12, 1:30 p.m. (Pre-Show Party: 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.)
The show features Tiger Shark, Mega Wrex, Rhinomite, Bigfoot, Bone Shaker, HW 5-Alarm and Skelesaurus, along with freestyle motocross riders, spectacular stunts and a fire-breathing robotic dinosaur. Special children’s ticket pricing and VIP packages are available. Tickets and additional information are available at HotWheelsMonsterTrucksLive.com.
