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.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 30, 2026 | Uncategorized
by Heather Brecl
Screenshot
When Denver business owners on the Broadway corridor look carefully at their tax bill this year, they may or may not be surprised to see yet another line item for a new tax called the General Improvement District (GID). Though it should come as no surprise, especially in Denver, in November of 2025 the people of Denver with businesses and residences along Broadway through the Baker and Speer areas (stretching about two miles from 6th Avenue south to I-25) voted for an additional self-imposed tax (“assessment”) in the hopes of improving the well-being of their commercial corridor. GIDs have become the latest phenomenon, mechanism and often “bad word” in Denver created to compensate for the City of Denver’s shortcomings and mismanagement of affairs and efforts in making Denver a desirable place to work and live. With few checks and balances, and the small margins by which a GID can be voted into existence, Denver residents and business owners have a bad taste in their mouths. From the GIDs voted in from RiNo to Ballpark to Cherry Creek, where residents defeated the measure recently to get it on the ballot, many view GIDs as an unnecessary additional taxing mechanism to handle issues that should’ve already been addressed by the City and that it was presented with misleading and weaponized surveys, ads and slanted community meetings to gather support.
While the vote for the Broadway GID was passed by a “majority” of voters, as is required, the margin was slim, the vote passed by a mere 23 votes out of 1,200 eligible voters and many business owners lament that they weren’t accurately or fully informed during the election process about what a GID actually means to their future. Out of the 1,200 eligible voters, only 261 people actually voted. Only 51.5% of the voters approved a mill levy tax, meaning that only 126 people wanted a tax increase. Because of TABOR (Tax Payer Bill of Rights), the question for the vote had to be broken up into three questions with the first one specifically asked if voters wanted a tax increase – that passed by a very narrow margin. While the new GID assessment replaces the former assessment that businesses already paid to the LMD (Landscaping Metro District) it is higher than before and is in place for a decade, causing those who were not in favor of the GID grave concern about accountability and that the GID will represent the needs of all in the District.
Broadway GID Election Results
(November 2025)
Formation of the GID
YES 69.3%
NO 30.7%
181 votes 80 votes
Property Tax Increase
YES 51.5%
NO 48.5%
137 votes 129 votes
Debt Authorization
YES 60.4%
NO 39.6%
157 votes 103 votes
Broadway Merchants Association
Call For Revitalization
Known for its eclectic, artsy, trendy vibe with a plethora of independent stores, vintage shops and a strong restaurant and bar scene, the Broadway stretch from the Wizard’s Chest on the north end to the long-standing Army Surplus store on the south side encompassing the South Broadway (SoBo) neighborhoods of Baker, Wash Park, and Platt Park now comprises the new GID. There is a vibrant smattering of music venues, tattoo shops, antiques, and local boutiques, churches, and local businesses that have long been a part of the community. And with heavy car and pedestrian traffic up and down the street and around establishments, there is a pressing need to revitalize the district.
The Broadway Merchants Association “BMA” – a Registered Neighborhood Organization and 501(c)6 non-profit organized a campaign focused heavily on safety, cleanliness, branding, events, and economic support for South Broadway businesses in an effort to pool and leverage resources and make the corridor an attractive place for visitors, residents and business owners alike.
“The Broadway GID brings new energy and real resources to the corridor: more safety, cleaner streets, exciting events, and marketing that puts Broadway on the map. Broadway’s three existing Local Maintenance Districts (LMD’s), created back in the 1970s, have kept the lights on – but their funding only stretches so far, leaving no room for the investment and activation our community deserves.” – www.denverbma .com/broadway-improvement-district
Businesses Question
The Initial Phase Of The New GID
Enticed by the promise of safety, cleanliness, branding, events, and economic support for South Broadway businesses, a handful of business owners now question that the outcome fits the dream. Some business owners express deep concern that the new regime is not following through so far with the promises of a safer, cleaner community but are hopeful that things are moving in the right direction. As they walked up and down the sidewalks along West Alameda Avenue, they pointed out the weeds, dying trees, overflowing trashcans, and graffiti that now mark the public areas in front of their establishments that they say were well-maintained in the previous LMD. They argue that the recently neglected landscaping is causing patrons to question if they are even still open. Other businesses that have been a staple of the community such as the MDLDC (Metro Denver Local Development Corporation) are no longer in business with the change of the new guard. The MDLDC had to close its doors when they lost the contract for the new GID, having been responsible for not only landscape maintenance up and down Broadway in the LMDs but also instrumental in the creation of the districts almost 50 years ago. With the dissolution of the LMDs, those who had contracts to do maintenance were paid through March by initial funds from the GID.
Substantial operating budget changes are also a concern by a handful of business owners who wonder how a GID that is now more than twice the size of the initial three LMDs can possibly serve as adequate to address all of the maintenance and safety issues with a budget that is smaller than before.
The Broadway GID’s Response
To Community Pushback
Running the newly incepted Broadway GID from a small unassuming building off Broadway is former bartender, hospitality expert, and area resident Caitlin Braun, the first paid employee of the GID. Serving as the Executive Director with 10-12 full-time employees being trained to properly handle the workload and demands, Braun speaks vigorously of her commitment to the small businesses and residents of the GID. Known locally for her outspoken grassroots advocacy of the new organization, Caitlin prides herself on both working and living in the community that she promises to help revitalize. She stands firmly behind her conviction in creating a safer cleaner Broadway neighborhood and invites members of the community to bring their concerns and dreams to her at any time. Caitlin prides herself on being readily available for feedback, conversation, and debate, welcoming engagement with the community which she steadfastly believes in. Caitlin pointed out candidly that May is the very first month of fully operating and like all young organizations, there are growing pains but that they are firmly committed to its success.
“We are a Board made up of local entrepreneurs who work with the District and residents who believe firmly in making the neighborhood somewhere we all want to live and do business. We are not like other GIDs – we have our own identity. Every penny that we collect through the GID stays within the neighborhood we serve. We worked tirelessly to get the word out about the GID to voters through tons of outreach and doorknocking. Now we want to hear your ideas and input and welcome engagement. We will have a hotline that we can be reached on in order to stay on top of whatever critical issues need to be addressed in the community. Give us a chance to show you what we can do.” – Caitlin Braun, Executive Director of the Broadway GID.
In regards to budget discrepancies and the switchover to new service providers, Caitlin remarked that there is a new approach to doing business to more efficiently use resources and address the main two areas of focus – a Safe Clean Broadway. The Broadway GID hired a national company called Block by Block, based out of Louisville, KY to take over the reins from the MDLDC. Block by Block specializes in handling the bundle of services including both maintenance and safety for over 200 special districts across the country, including the Ballpark District. Braun shared that their expertise and experience is efficient in not only maintaining the safety, landscaping and maintenance, but also creates some relief for the overall budget.
Braun and the Board encourage everyone to visit their website to stay informed and bring any concerns or questions their way.
Tucked inside an unassuming building off South Broadway, Executive Director Caitlin Braun is the face of the new GID. Advocate, organizer, and neighborhood ambassador, Braun is betting that transparency, accessibility, and visible results will win over even the district’s toughest critics.
Coming Soon is easy. Delivering is the test. Business owners are already asking if those promises will be a reality.
The South Broadway corridor is now a crossroads of old Denver and new development. Is the new Broadway GID part of the solution — or another layer of bureaucracy? Business owners haven’t seen the results yet but Braun says they are just getting started.
Near the heart of the new Broadway GID, areas that merchants say were once carefully maintained in the previous Landscaping Metro District have become a symbol of the district’s growing pains with the return of graffiti, neglected walkways, and trash, making patrons wonder if businesses are even open.
“Safe and Clean Broadway” is the GID’s rallying cry. Business owners say the reality has yet to catch up with the marketing. The GID says they’ll deliver.
by Charles Bonniwell | Jun 30, 2026 | Main Articles
by Charles Bonniwell
Scam: This fake court notice, circulated by scammers posing as Denver County Court officials, used official-looking seals, legal citations, and threats of penalties to trick recipients into providing credit card information.
Many readers in the Cherry Creek Valley assume that the individuals who are convinced by mail and phone scammers to send hundreds or even thousands of dollars to untraceable accounts are either gullible individuals or elderly people with diminished mental capacities. But fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and bright, very capable people are finding themselves duped, to their embarrassment as well as financial detriment.
The Federal Trade Commission states that since 2020, imposter scams reporting losses of $10,000 or more have tripled. The AARP estimates that total losses in the last year have reached as much as $196 billion.
These days, scammers use phone calls, texts, and e-mails to perpetrate many of these crimes. While email, mail, and text messages are the most frequent fraud methods, telephone solicitation is the most profitable vehicle for fraudsters by a two-to-one margin.
Recently, fraudsters have become increasingly effective at pretending they are law enforcement officers or representatives from financial institutions, including credit card companies.
Various Recent Scams
Court Order Scam
One recent successful scheme involved scammers sending a very official-looking text purportedly from the District Court of Colorado for Denver County, informing recipients that they were delinquent on parking, speeding, and toll fines. A fake court order instructed the recipient to pay the fine or appear in court the following Friday morning at 9 a.m.
Two hundred people appeared at the designated time at the City and County Building, only to discover that it was all a ruse. Hundreds more paid the requested $6.00 fee by credit card. The fraudsters were happy to take the small payment, but what they really wanted was the credit card information so they could go on a shopping spree.
Police And Jury Duty Scam
Scammers are now able to make whatever entity or person they want appear to be calling recipients, including banks, police stations, or federal agencies.
In one scam directed at Cherry Creek Valley residents, the caller ID indicated that the Denver Police Department was calling. If the potential victim answered the phone, the scammer would identify himself as a Denver police officer and indicate that the victim had a warrant for arrest for failure to appear in response to a jury summons. The pretend officer would instruct the victim to pay a bond or report to a local police station for arrest.
Call Centers: Many of today’s most successful scams originate from organized call center operations that are often overseas that use convincing scripts, caller ID spoofing, and psychological pressure to persuade victims to surrender money or personal information.
The scammer would direct the victim to obtain hundreds or even thousands of dollars in cash and go to a local Walgreens to wire the funds to a specific account. The potential victim was required to stay on the telephone line to prevent him or her from contacting anyone else. The funds would then go to an untraceable account controlled by the scammer.
Credit Card Scam
Another popular scam involves a fraudster calling from a number that appears on caller ID to belong to a bank or financial institution with which the potential victim does business. The fraudster’s number may even match the one on the back of the victim’s credit card.
The fraudulent caller tells the potential victim there is “suspicious activity” regarding his or her account. The caller may even know the victim’s name, home address, and the last four digits of his or her Social Security number. The fraudster then uses high-pressure tactics to get the victim to hand over key information such as PINs, passwords, or one-time passcodes.
The victim is instructed to send money to a “safe and secure account” that is actually controlled by the scammers and is untraceable.
IRS/Customs Agent Scam
Another successful recent scam involves a fraudster pretending to be an IRS or Customs agent and indicating that the victim is under suspicion of money laundering, or that the government has intercepted a package bearing the victim’s return address that contains drugs or other illegal substances. The caller demands that the victim post a bond over the phone or face immediate arrest.
Fraudsters are also increasingly using AI for their machinations. They can use the voice of a loved one claiming they desperately need help and requesting money be sent to an account controlled by the scammers.
Law Enforcement’s Response
Law enforcement has been slow to combat these cybercrimes. Many of the calls, e-mails, and texts are sent from abroad. Local law enforcement often does not have the resources or expertise to make a meaningful difference.
One encouraging development was the government of India raiding call centers, leading to the arrest of six leaders along with the seizure of laptops, cell phones, cash, and other devices. In the United States, two executives, former CEO Adam Young and a CSO, pleaded guilty to enabling the scam by providing telecommunications and call-routing infrastructure and advising cybercriminals on how to evade detection.
How To Avoid Being Scammed
The first rule in avoiding these scams is understanding that you are capable of being scammed, no matter how intelligent or sophisticated you may think you are.
It is recommended that you:
Avoid answering your telephone unless you know who is calling. If the caller has a legitimate reason for calling, they will leave a message. Scammers seldom leave messages.
Do not disclose your full name, home address, Social Security number, credit card information, banking information, or other personal details to anyone you do not know.
Do not click on e-mails or text messages from unknown sources.
Choose a safe word or phrase (“Mama Bear,” “rubber ducky,” etc.) that family members or loved ones can use to identify themselves in the event of a real emergency.
And finally:
If you are the possible victim of a scam, report it to local law enforcement and to the FBI at IC3.gov.
Whatever you do, remember that scammers are adjusting their schemes every day to ensnare you in their web of deceit, so stay alert.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 30, 2026 | Featured Stories & Advertisers
