by Mark Smiley | Oct 24, 2018 | Main Articles
Flying Machines Impact Valley’s Workplace, Output; Altering Local Real Estate, Events, Construction, Mining
by Glen Richardson
Drones Over Denver: There are no specific rules for drones in Denver other than they are not allowed in parks or within a five-mile radius of any airport. They are allowed to fly at or below 400 ft., or about as high as a 40-story building.
To be sure drones aren’t yet as American as apple pie. Experts predict, however, that within the next decade unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones will be as indispensable as the cell phones we carry everyday — tools that make us productive, safer and more connected.
Delivery of doughnuts to Denver’s mayor a year ago has thus far been the city’s single significant drone headline. Can’t drones wing it over the Rocky Mountains?
Despite creating little buzz locally, drone dealings are booming and doing double duty in Denver. Consider these examples:
Top Denver Deals
- Xcel Energy is the first utility in the nation to routinely fly drones beyond the operator’s line of sight as it surveys transmission lines around Denver;
- The University of Colorado at Denver offers a Drones 101 course that is the only academic one of its kind in the country;
- Valley drone company Juniper Unmanned has performed unmanned aircraft missions for companies on six continents;
- Drone companies did live demonstr
ations on the roof of the Convention Center when Denver hosted XPONENTIAL, the world’s largest drone expo this summer; and
- Denver-based Lockheed Martin is offering a $2 million prize in its Drone Challenge titled AlphaPilot.
Donut Delivery Dunked
Amazon, Google and Walmart are experimenting with drone delivery but despite the publicity it is not on Denver’s immediate radar. That’s in spite of the successful delivery of donuts to the mayor.
Why? Deliveries require a lot of work, more powerful drones, better battery life and extremely smart systems that can prevent collisions with people, aircraft and power lines.
Drones also need to be able to verify that they’re delivering something to you and that they’re leaving it in a safe place.
Out Of Sight Flights
In January of last year with FAA approval (2017), Xcel Energy began to operate drones within operators’ visual sight for power line inspections. The work established that drones improved productivity and safety without the use of trucks, helicopters or other utility equipment. Xcel inspects more than 320,000 miles of electricity and natural gas infrastructure to ensure the safety and reliability of its energy systems.
This summer the Federal Aviation Administration announced it had also authorized Xcel drone flights out of the operator’s line of sight. The FAA’s decision to allow these flights is unprecedented in the utility industry, the company says. “Xcel Energy is honored to be the first utility to conduct flights that will enhance grid reliability and safety for our employees and the public,” says Ben Fowke, chairman-CEO. “With this groundbreaking decision, we are advancing the use of technology that improves our efficiency and prov
Nation’s First: Xcel Energy is the first in the nation authorized to fly drones beyond the operator’s visual line of sight. Flights are within a designated area north of Denver to inspect assets.
ides cost savings for customers.”
The company is now routinely operating drones beyond the visual line of the operator’s sight within a designated area north of Denver. Licensed pilots remotely operate small, unmanned drones that look like helicopters weighing less than 55 lbs.
Drone Academics
Housed at CU Denver’s College of Engineering & Applied Sciences is a course titled Unmanned Aerial Systems. Often described as Drones 101, it is teaching a new generation of scientists about applications and research opportunities afforded by unmanned aircraft.
Taught by Jeff Cozart who also happens to be the chief executive officer of Juniper Unmanned — the leading drone company in the world — students are taught mission planning, UAS operations, collection procedures, data processing and analysis. Students also study the legal, ethical and economic implications of drone use.
Offered since 2014 and believed to be the only academic course of its kind in the country it has made Denver the nation’s scholastic leader in Unmanned Aerial Systems. Furthermore, Cozart is a member of the Aviation & Aerospace Science faculty at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he teaches undergraduate courses in unmanned aircraft.
Business-Industry Leader
Valley drone company Juniper Unmanned is the world leader in unmanned aircraft missions for business and industry. Named the 2018 Colorado Company to Watch, the Golden-based firm has conducted operations on six of the world’s seven continents. Among the firm’s clients are Disney, AECOM, Caterpillar, Trimble, Rio Tinto, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Office of Surface Mining, the Bureau of Land Management and Department of Energy.
The company has completed work ranging from complex urban centers to remote, environmentally sensitive locations. Work is conducted from roads, bridges, earthen dams and power plants.
The company also provides drone solutions for commercial, federal, state, and military organizations. The company integrates best-in-class aircraft with the most advanced sensors. When combined with Juniper’s engineered processes, advanced software, and analytics, clients receive unmatched data and actionable intelligence to improve their business.
Has World’s Eye
After considering sites in San Francisco and New York, Propeller Aero, an Australian maker of drone software for construction and mining has landed in a 3,200-sq.-ft. space on Larimer St. downtown.
After closing on a $10 million round of funding in June, the Sydney-based company has hired a dozen Denver employees and expects the number to double. The firm was founded as a drone data company for mining, construction and waste-management in 2014.
Now, Propeller helps companies set up and fly a drone, then stitch together the photos it shoots into a 3D model to show customers how deep a hole has been dug, how much dirt is in a pile or the various gradients of a surface. In addition, the company produces AeroPoints, a hardware square plate that surveyors lay down on a site that collects data from drones.
Photos & Prizes
Commercial drones are revolutionizing Valley mining, construction and civil engineering. Drones are being used to survey building and the surrounding landscape. Equipped with cameras, GPS and rangefinder measurement tools they provide a detailed bird’s-eye perspective of projects. Some construction drones also have thermal imaging scanners that identify hot and cold spots on projects. A cold spot could indicate insufficient installation, hot spots an electrical problem. Drones can also inspect hard-to-reach areas such as the roofs of high-rise buildings.
Denver realtors are now using portfolios of drone photography to sell property. Drone film companies or realtors themselves shoot and use a diverse mix of aerial camera work from a variety of altitudes and angles. Drones are also now commonly used to shoot weddings and other Valley special events. Keeping their feet on the ground, companies such as Littleton’s Lupher Arts Wedding Motion Pictures use these flying machines to capture breathtaking shots.
Finally, Denver-based Lockheed Martin is offering drone enthusiasts a $2 million design prize. The Challenge: Design an artificial intelligence and machine-learning (AI/ML) framework capable of flying a drone though several professional drone racing courses without human intervention or navigational pre-programming.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 24, 2018 | Feature Story Bottom Left
by Shideh Kerman, BS, MBA
AFC Urgent Care Denver
Members of AFC Urgent Care Denver’s experienced medical staff.
Approximately 152 million Americans depend on employer-sponsored coverage for their healthcare needs. According to a new report published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, employer-sponsored premiums increased across the board in 2018.
The findings show how healthcare costs have changed in just the past seven months, and review some of the major trends of healthcare costs in recent years.
Trend Alert: Premiums For Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Plans Increased In 2018
The Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey assessed 4,070 randomly selected, non-federal public and private firms with more than 3 employees between January and July of this year. They found that employer-sponsored family health coverage rose by 5% to a dollar average of $19,616. Coverage for single premiums rose 3% to a dollar average of $6,896.
Unfortunately, increasing healthcare costs do not appear to stay in pace with other factors including wages and cost of living. According to the report, average family premiums have increased by over half (55%) since 2008, despite earnings increasing by only 26% and inflation increasing by 17%.
It’s not just premiums that are on the rise, either. 85% of employees covered by employer-sponsored health insurance have to pay a deductible (up from less than 60% one decade ago). And the average single deductible is now $1,573, almost 50% greater than a single deductible back in 2008 ($735). 25% of all covered workers are now expected to pay deductibles of at least $2,000.
This burden can have a significant impact on a person or family’s ability to manage bills associated with medical care.
Changes To Individual Health Insurance Plans Expected In 2019
The open enrollment period for 2019 begins on November 1. At that time, individuals living in the state of Colorado will be able to sign up with one of several different health insurance plan options, whether these are procured through employers or offered on the exchange.
Individual health plan options from major providers including Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Bright Health, Kaiser Permanente CO, and Rocky Mountain Health Plans include HMO or Health Maintenance Organization, PPO or Preferred Provider Organization, HSA or Health Savings Account plans, Tier Plans and/or Catastrophic Plans which are a type of high-deductible health plan for people under 30 or those who qualify for a “hardship exemption.”
Coloradans who may be interested in new individual health plans include those who are self-employed, those who work for an employer who does not offer group plans, those whose benefit needs have recently changed, or those who are enrolled in a group plan or health plan that does not cover spouse or dependents or has high premiums.
Some Coloradans can expect some extra assistance in premium payment in 2019. That is, monthly premium tax credits for individuals in Colorado are expected to increase by 10% in 2019, from $212 in 2018 to $233. This is based on baseline hypothesized data from a 40-year-old non-smoker making $30,000 per year.
Prior to tax credits, 2019 monthly premiums for individuals in Colorado are projected to decrease by 6% for low-tier bronze plans, increase by 6% for middle-tier silver plans, and decrease by 5% for high-tier gold plans.
Employers Strategies In Combating Rising Health Insurance Costs
Many employers plan to incentivize employees to opt for high-deductible insurance plans as a way to control costs. An additional cost-effective approach may include incentivizing healthier life choices, e.g., many employers may contribute to health savings accounts or reimburse employees for gym memberships. Individuals and families can do their part to minimize healthcare costs by taking advantage of employer-sponsored incentives and adopting healthy behaviors as a lifestyle. Research indicates that preventive measures such as proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and disease screening can save thousands of dollars in medical costs.
Some other employers might cover some services offered in low healthcare costs settings. Reports indicate that three quarters (76%) of large companies cover healthcare services that are offered in retail clinics, such as urgent cares. Even a small number of companies provide financial incentives for workers to use these clinics. At AFC Urgent Care Denver with a new location just opened off of Speer Blvd., experienced medical staff is continually doing what they can to stay up-to-date with current changes in the socioeconomic dynamics of this country.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 24, 2018 | Editorials
Penfield Tate
In spring of 2011, the citizens of Denver in their infinite wisdom decided to elect the unintelligent but gregarious Michael Hancock who as The Denver Post stated, had a “feel good story” rising from poverty to become the plaything of Green Valley Ranch developer Pat Hamill who owns Hancock lock, stock, and barrel along with his fellow crony capitalists at Colorado Concern. Of course The Denver Post never revealed who was actually running Hancock as it had become, as the only major paper in the city, as corrupt as the city government itself.
Hancock barely made the 2011 runoff beating out James Mejia by only 1,491 votes for the last spot behind first round leader Chris Roemer. Just think only 1,491 votes and the race would have been between two highly qualified and experienced candidates either of whom would have run Denver a multitude of times better than Hancock. For the last eight years high density developers and the Brownstein law firm have run and raped the city for fun and profit while Hancock has spent his time working out in gyms and chasing skirts.
Four years ago everyone realized what an awful mayor Hancock was but no credible candidate arose to run against him due in large part to the massive fundraising advantage Hancock had over anyone who would run against him. For a while it looked like 2015 would repeat itself with Hancock running essentially unopposed.
But over the last 30 days two highly credible candidates, Penfield Tate and Lisa Calderon, have thrown their hats into the ring for office of mayor of the City and County of Denver which will give Denver real choices.
Penfield Tate III is 62-years-old and an attorney with the national law
Lisa Calderon
firm of Kutak Rock. He was a state representative from 1997 to 2001 and state senator from 2002 to 2003. He represented northeast Denver which is the base of power for Mayor Hancock. He knows what he is up against having run for mayor in 2002, getting beaten out by John Hickenlooper.
He correctly points out how the rapid growth of Denver has been grossly mismanaged by the Hancock administration. The last eight years with all the wealth pouring into the city should have been Denver’s Golden Age, instead it’s been an unmitigated disaster for everyone but developers.
Tate has declared: “Development is out of sync with neighborhoods, disrupting the quality of neighborhoods. It’s imperiling open space and having an impact on parks. It’s driving gentrification. It’s impacting small businesses that are . . . getting driven out of neighborhoods. It is impacting affordable housing.” We could not have articulated some of the major problems of the Hancock administration better.
Lisa Calderon is a longtime community activist from north Denver and presently the co-chair of the Colorado Latino Forum — Denver chapter. Her parents were an African-American and a Latino. She has a law degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as a doctorate in education from CU Denver.
She has been a advocate against the treatment of prisoners at the Denver jail. She has held rallies against Michael Hancock’s harassment of and lying about his relationship with Denver Police Detective Leslie Branch Wise. She recently sued the City and County of Denver for canceling a contract to run a re-entry program for former inmates based on, she alleges, her criticism of the mayor and his harassment of Leslie Branch Wise.
She believes that the city is at a critical juncture: “So, I kept waiting for the candidate to emerge that I would support, who represented my values and my concerns about affordable housing and women’s issues, and concerns about the cultural preservation in our city. And I realized, I was waiting for me.”
Her platform centers around affordable housing, “resident-led” development, decentralizing the mayor’s office, and women and workers.
When asked how affordable housing and “resident-led” development mesh she stated:”We need to look at what does each community need in their neighborhood,” she said. “I can tell you right now I don’t need a big behemoth building shadowing over all of the other units, but there is a way to build for density that still takes into account community.”
She went on to note: “There are ways to do density that really centers a community in it, rather than a developer’s idea about cramming so many people in there.”
Eighteenth century diplomat and philosopher Joseph de Maitre declared that “in a democracy people get the leaders they deserve.” It is hard to fathom that anybody deserves a sexual predator and corrupt mayor like Michael Hancock, but we will find out next spring. Hancock has raised $700,000 from the worst of the worst in Denver, but no amount of money can scrub clean the permanent stains he has made across the city. We will have a choice next year in Denver and it can only be hoped that we choose wisely.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | Main Articles
The Extraordinary Journey Of Richard Robbins
by Charles C. Bonniwell
Watch Expert: Peter James, the worldwide mystery novelist, has utilized Richard Robbins’ expertise on early pocket watches in his book Dead Man’s Time and he recognized him by name as an “expert in timepieces in Denver, Colorado.”
Richard Robbins had lived what it looked like a perfect corporate executive life. After graduating from college he joined Kraft Foods, a Fortune 500 company. He traveled around the country doing important assignments as a key executive for over 20 years. He decided the constant moving was too stressful for his wife and two daughters, so he took a job as the president and CEO of a local bank in the Chicago area.
But after a decade as a bank president, Robbins went through a devastating divorce and he questioned whether he wanted to spend the rest of his productive working life in the role of a button down corporate executive. After a brief stint in New Zealand, he decided to move to the wilds of Colorado, i.e. Cherry Creek.
One of the verities of living a happy life is to find something you love and figure out a way to make money doing it. Robbins’ father had been a highly successful antique furniture dealer and Robbins had retained a love of beautifully made furniture. He
Handmade: Robbins has a passion for crafting walnut furniture and collecting and repairing early pocket watches from the 1700-1800 ca. His businesses can be found on the second floor of The District Shops, formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond at 2500 E. First Ave in Cherry Creek North.
decided to start making desks and tables from the trunks of whole trees. The pieces of furniture can weigh as much as 100 pounds and are built to last generations.
He took space out at The District Shops in Cherry Creek Shopping Center which provides areas for artisans and other small businesses in the old Bed Bath and Beyond store. He crafts the fine furniture in the basement area of the shopping center at Robbins Woods.
In addition to his love of furniture, Robbins had a love for antique pocket watches. While in the Chicago area he had learned the ins and outs of pocket watches from a third generation Middle Eastern pocket watchmaker over a four-year period.
He decided to also turn that knowledge into a business venture. He acquired a large inventory of antique pocket watches from sales across the country and founded The Pocket Watch Shop leasing out separate space in The District. He repairs, buys, sells and trades the very best in antique pocket watches, specializing i
Many Talents: Richard Robbins has an unusual background which began with Kraft General Foods (20 years), followed by bank president in Chicago for 10 years. He now crafts all sorts of items out of different types of woods, including walnut and oak.
n timepieces made in America, England, France and Switzerland.
Robbins makes sure the timepieces are in perfect working order and meticulously researches, in the extensive timepiece library he has collected, the country of origin of each watch and the individual craftsman whose skill and inventive daring resulted in the pocket watch. When you acquires a pocket watch from The Pocket Watch Shop you are acquiring not only a timepiece, but a piece of history which has been carefully documented.
His expertise has become so well known that best-selling novelist Peter James extensively consulted him for his horological knowledge for his best seller Dead Man’s Time which has sold over 13 million copies. James repeatedly acknowledged and thanked Robbins for his help in the introduction to the novel.
Now a full-time Cherry Creek artisan, Robbins lives in a home in Washington Park along with his second wife and soul mate Kerry Moriarity who works as a custom travel agent in Cherry Creek. He stays closely involved with his two daughters, both of whom are graduates from the University of Colorado-Boulder, with one living in Denver and the other in the Chicago area.
To reach Richard Robbins call 847-370-0825, or visit www.antiquepocketwatchbuys.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | Glendale City News
Army Takes Top Military Honors, British Army Secures Overall Tournament Victory
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Glendale’s annual RugbyTown Sevens Tournament took place the last weekend of August, and alongside the Bruises and Brews Beer Festival, the event not only drew national and international fans, but for the seventh year running once again proved that Infinity Park is the beating heart of American rugby. Twenty domestic and international rugby teams competed in more than 60 matches over the weekend, each vying for the $10,000 winner take all championship purse. Representative teams from all five branches of the U.S. Military, as well as the British Army and Royal Armoured Corps, competed alongside participating teams from the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Reaching fans in nearly 60 countries across the globe, this year’s tournament saw a 22% increase in new viewers, as well as a nearly 25% increase in viewer hours — rugby’s meteoric growth in the United States, fueled by events like RugbyTown 7s, shows no signs of slowing. The tournament has historically invited and featured new teams and talent, and 2018 was no exception. Showcasing both new faces and seasoned veterans, the history and world-class facilities at Infinity Park have and will continue to draw teams from far and wide. The Bruises and Brews Beer Festival, which was held over two days for the first time in 2018, celebrates local Colorado brewers and consistently demonstrates the age-old adage: beer and rugby — better together.
Pool play kicked off at 11 a.m. on Friday August 24 and continued well into the evening. In addition to the ultimate winner-take-all tournament purse, U.S. Military teams competed to set the stage for separate Military Championship honors on Sunday. The U.S. Army team ultimately defended their multi-year champion status, having won every year since 2013. The action was hot, humid, and fast-paced. Conditions improved to some extent over the course of the weekend’s play, but every team had to contend with the shining Colorado sun and playing at elevation — a factor that proved difficult for many visiting squads. Competition was noticeably more closely matched on the second day of pool play, with visiting teams likely becomin
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 26: U.S. Army vs Denver Rugby 7s Selects during RugbyTown7s at Infinity Park on August 26, 2018 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
g more accustomed to fast-paced sevens rugby action at a mile above sea level. Sunday saw the conclusion of the RugbyTown 7s at Infinity Park, the final day of the seventh annual tournament reaching its exciting crescendo.
This year’s tournament was characterized not just by the exceptional play from the domestic and international teams, the cheering fans, and the party atmosphere of the two-day Bruises and Brews Beer Festival, but also by the Colorado weather. High temperatures, unseasonable humidity, and smoky conditions from wildfires in the western U.S. made the fast-paced play even more difficult — not to mention thunderstorms threatening game stoppages. Teams coming from overseas or from lower elevations clearly struggled to acclimate to Glendale’s mile-high elevation and the accompanying reduction in oxygen: the setting of this year’s tournament helped separate winners from losers.
Sunday Wrap Up — Tournament Results
Shield Final — Sacramento Eagles Win Shield Over Washington Athletic Club
The Colorado weather once again proved a factor in the final day of the 2018 RugbyTown 7s Tournament, multiple lightning delays postponing the competition for the RT7s Shield. In spite of the possibility of storms, conditions were cooler to begin the contest, though strong breezes complicated conversion kick attempts. The Sacramento Eagles piled on an early offensive burst that Washington Athletic Club was ultimately unable to match. The Seattle team rallied in the second half of play, but the California side took home the shield with a 24-12 victory.
Paula Buitu of the Eagles had nothing but compliments for the team’s first-time tournament experience: “It was fantastic and well organized. We were proud to participate, especially as a first-year team. We came in battling from the first day, and it’s a great moment for us to be Shield Champions. It’s one we won’t forget.”
Bowl Final —
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 26: Washington Athletic Club vs Sacramento Eagles during RugbyTown7s at Infinity Park on August 26, 2018 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Misfits Best Griffins In Bowl Final
The Dark n’ Stormy Misfits took down the Southern California Griffins in a tightly contested match that went to the wire. SoCal made a late effort to overcome the Misfits but were unable to claim the win. The RT7s Bowl will remain in Colorado with a deserving first-year Misfits team.
Plate Final —
U.S. Army Takes Down Denver 7s Selects, Secure RT7s Plate Victory
The U.S. Army battled the local Denver 7s Selects in a close fought and entertaining match for the tournament Plate Title. Army proved too strong for the mile high side, securing a 26-17 win to take the Plate, and adding to an already impressive tournament showing that included a sixth-consecutive U.S. Armed Forces Championship.
Mark Drown, of the U.S. Army 7s side, had high praise for the tournament: “Without question, Rugbytown 7s is the Premier rugby sevens event in North America. The facilities, organization, live stream, and color commentary are all world class,” he said. “The Army’s experience at Glendale has been exceptional. Capturing the Plate was a great culmination for us after a long tournament. We look forward to defending our six consecutive [Armed Forces] championships in the years to come.”
U.S. Army Sergeants Dacoda Worth and Michael Melendez-Rivera, who both play on the Army 7s team, were equally happy with the squad’s tournament experience: “We all know to take nothing for granted,” said Worth. “We all play for each other, and off the pitch we continue to have amazing relationships even though we are all in various locations.” Melendez-Rivera added that RugbyTown is an event the team looks forward to year after year: “It’s an amazing facility with amazing fans. We’re blessed to be able to defend our title and represent our nation. Team member Captain Aaron Retter sums the experience: “Earning our sixth title and the Plate Championship feels absolutely incredible. We play not only for the name on the front of our jersey, but for the flag.”
Third Place —
Collegiate All-Americans Take Third Place Overall In 2018 RugbyTown 7s
Hot on the heels of the contest for the Plate, the Collegiate All-Americans met the Ramblin’ Jesters for the honor of third place in this year’s tournament. With tremendous showings from both teams throughout the weekend, the match was highly anticipated and a crowd favorite as Sunday play wound down. A tight fight saw the young Americans take the third place spot in the 2018 RT7s tournament with a 24-14 win. Breakout stars in this year’s competition, the all Americans overcame the crowd favorite Ramblin’ Jesters to take third place overall.
All-Americans Head Coach Steve Lewis was as impressed as anyone in the stands with his team’s performance: “We made great progress: a great performance by young American players in a field littered with professionals,” he said. “Once again it was a terrific experience for the Collegiate All-Americans and we are grateful indeed to everyone at the City of Glendale for making it possible.”
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 26: Collegiate All Americans vs Ramblin Jesters during RugbyTown7s at Infinity Park on August 26, 2018 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Cup Final —
British Army Secures First RugbyTown 7s Cup Victory, Take Home $10,000 Purse – Favored Tiger Rugby Finish Weekend As Runners Up In Hard-Fought Three Days Of Sevens Play
British Army met Tiger Rugby on the Infinity Park pitch on the evening of Sunday August 26 to decide who would earn the 2018 RT7s Championship in the weekend’s final game. Evenly matched, the two squads played a physical first half. Vying for the tournament’s winner-take-all, $10,000 purse, Tiger went into the break with a 5-0 lead over British Army.
Coming off the half-time rest, the hard-hitting action continued. The British Army side dotted down early and converted to give their team a 7-5 lead, but the tough play wasn’t over. In a defensive second-half shootout, the British Army proved their mettle, securing a tight but definitive 7-5 victory. The U.K. team took home not just the five-digit prize purse, but top honors as Cup winners and the overall 2018 RugbyTown 7s Champions.
RugbyTown 7s epitomizes Glendale’s eponymous title: RugbyTown USA. In 2018, the tournament drew talent from near and far, attracting U.S. military teams, college athletes, and rugby players and fans from across the globe. Embracing Colorado’s seemingly insatiable thirst for craft beer, festivities also included the two-day Bruises and Brews Beer Festival.
As in years past, the competition was fierce, the crowds large and fanatic, and the growth of rugby as a mainstream sport in the United States palpable. Champions were crowned, cold mugs downed, and history once again written for rugby sevens in America.
