by Mark Smiley | Apr 17, 2026 | Main Articles
by Mark Smiley
Family Owned: The Conoco at the corner of University Blvd. and Exposition in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood is for sale. The Wilson family has owned the station since 1942 and the land since the late 1970s.
A familiar fixture in one of Denver’s most charming neighborhoods may soon be changing hands. The Bonnie Brae Conoco, long a staple at the corner of University Boulevard and East Ohio Avenue, is officially up for sale, raising questions about the future of the site and sparking conversation among residents.
For decades, the small gas station has served as more than just a place to fill up. Nestled at the entrance to the Bonnie Brae neighborhood, the Conoco has been a recognizable landmark for locals commuting through the area or stopping in for a quick snack, coffee, or last minute essentials.
For Sale: The sign on the Conoco station at 724 S. University Blvd. has the words “For Sale” below the gas prices. Ken Wilson and his two sisters signed with a real estate agency in February. The Wilson family has owned the gas station since 1942.
A Neighborhood Touchstone
Bonnie Brae is known for its tree lined streets, historic homes, and tight knit community feel. Within that setting, the Conoco has played a quiet but consistent role, providing convenience while becoming part of the neighborhood’s identity.
“It’s one of those places you don’t think much about until you realize it’s always been there,” said a longtime resident. “You pass it every day. It’s part of the rhythm of the neighborhood.”
Its location at a prominent intersection has made it both highly visible and strategically valuable, factors that are likely to attract strong interest from potential buyers.
Prime Real Estate, Uncertain Future
With Denver’s continued growth and rising property values, small parcels like the
Bonnie Brae Conoco site have become increasingly attractive for redevelopment. The listing has fueled speculation about what could come next, whether the property remains a gas station, transitions to a different retail concept, or is redeveloped entirely.
Real estate observers note that corner lots in established neighborhoods often draw interest for mixed use or boutique commercial projects, particularly in areas with strong foot traffic and nearby residential density.
Still, no official plans for the site have been announced.
Community Reaction
News of the sale has prompted a mix of curiosity and concern among neighbors. While some welcome the possibility of new investment, others worry about losing a familiar piece of the neighborhood fabric.
“There’s always a balance,” another resident said. “You want to see the area thrive, but you also don’t want to lose the little things that make it feel like home.”
Old School: The Wilson family-owned gas station also features an old-school auto service garage, where oil changes, tires, and repairs have kept cars, and a neighborhood, running for generations.
The conversation echoes broader trends across Denver, where redevelopment has brought both revitalization and debate about preserving neighborhood character.
What Comes Next
As the property enters the market, all eyes will be on who steps forward and what vision they bring. Whether the Bonnie Brae Conoco continues in its current role or evolves into something new, its next chapter will likely reflect the ongoing transformation of Denver’s neighborhoods.
For Glendale and Cherry Creek readers, the story serves as a reminder that even the most familiar corners of the city are not immune to change, and that community voices will play an important role in shaping what comes next.
by Valley Gadfly | Apr 17, 2026 | Glendale City News
by Glen Richardson
Ryan Tuchscherer
Kim Umbarger
Dario Katardzic
Voters in Glendale have selected four candidates to serve on the City Council following a the April 7, 2026, municipal election that saw tight margins among the top finishers.
Ryan Tuchscherer led the field with 109 votes, followed closely by Kim Umbarger with 104 votes, and Mark Smiley with 102. Dario Katardzic secured the final winning seat with 97 votes.
Elizabeth Bonney, who received 28 votes, was not elected.
The results reflect a competitive race, with just 12 votes separating the top four candidates and underscoring the importance of every ballot in Glendale’s engaged electorate.
The newly elected council members will help guide city policy on key local issues, including development, public safety, and community services. Their terms come at a time when Glendale continues to navigate growth pressures and evolving priorities within the Denver metro area.
Voter turnout remained modest, consistent with past municipal elections in smaller cities, but the close margins highlighted strong community interest in local leadership.
With the election decided, attention now turns to how the incoming council will collaborate on shaping Glendale’s future and addressing the needs of residents and businesses alike.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 17, 2026 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
University of Denver players celebrate on the ice after securing their 11th NCAA National Championship, capping a resilient postseason run with a dramatic third-period comeback. Photo courtesy of the NCAA.
The University of Denver has once again cemented its place among college hockey’s elite, capturing the NCAA National Championship in a thrilling finish to a remarkable season. For fans across the Denver metro area, including the Cherry Creek valley, the victory is both a point of pride and a celebration of one of Colorado’s most storied athletic programs.
For much of the championship game, the odds appeared stacked against the Pioneers. Still feeling the effects of a double-overtime semifinal win over Michigan, Denver struggled to generate offense early. Wisconsin carried a 1-0 lead into the third period and dominated possession, outshooting Denver 26-6 on goal and 58-22 overall. Goalie Johnny Hicks once again faced relentless pressure, turning away wave after wave of scoring chances.
The turning point came midway through the third period.
Senior forward Rieger Lorenz battled in front of the net and capitalized on a rebound off a shot from Garrett Brown. After his initial attempt was stopped, Lorenz stayed with the play and slipped the puck through to tie the game with 12:29 remaining.
The goal shifted momentum instantly.
Just minutes later, Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a slapshot from Boston Buckberger with 5:52 left, giving Denver a 2-1 lead it would not surrender. The late surge secured the program’s 11th national championship.
“It’s a one-shot game after two periods,” head coach David Carle said after the game. “We finally got one to the net, and Lorenz was able to hang around that area. It gave our guys belief.”
Hicks, who anchored the team throughout the tournament, was named the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player. The freshman recorded 29 saves in the championship game, including several key stops in the final period, and finished the season unbeaten since taking over the starting role in January.
Denver reached the title game with a hard-fought 4-3 win over Michigan, where Hicks made a career-high 49 saves. Senior captain Kent Anderson delivered the game-winner, supported by goals from Clarke Caswell, Cale Ashcroft, and Chyzowski.
“We weathered it well,” Carle said. “They threw a lot at us, but we stayed composed. When we had our chances, we made them count.”
The championship marks Denver’s third under Carle, adding to titles in 2022 and 2024, and further extends the program’s lead as the winningest in NCAA men’s hockey history.
Beyond the ice, the victory resonates across the Denver community. Hockey has deep roots in Colorado, and the Pioneers’ success continues to energize youth programs, local rinks, and fans throughout the region. In neighborhoods like Glendale and Cherry Creek, the championship serves as a reminder of the area’s strong connection to top-tier athletics.
As celebrations continue, the Pioneers’ latest title stands as a testament to resilience, teamwork, and a championship mindset, qualities that have long defined Denver hockey.
by Editorial Board | Apr 17, 2026 | Editorials
Editorial —
Increasingly progressive Westword recently declared “good riddance” to Colorado’s largest company (based on market capitalization), Palantir Technologies, after announcing it was moving to Miami. The data-processing giant moved to Denver in 2020 from Silicon Valley in California.
With the company and its highly paid employees — including co-founder Alex Karp — leaving town for the Sunshine State, Westword informs us that “we” won’t miss them. Why? Apparently because the company does work for the federal “military-industrial complex,” including the hated ICE and Department of Homeland Security.
By similar logic, “we” are lucky that the relatively recently formed federal Space Force was moved by Trump from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. In the same vein, hopefully any remaining mining and oil and gas operations in Colorado can be quashed in the name of saving the planet from climate change.
It is not clear whether or not Westword is equally happy about Trump shutting down and dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, with the likely loss of 800 well-paying jobs. NCAR is part of the now-hated federal government under Trump but is not, per se, part of the military-industrial complex.
Exactly what jobs in Colorado Westword does deem acceptable is also unclear, but it is no secret that Westword itself is up for sale, with titular head Patty Calhoun leaving a post she has occupied since 1978.
Westword has its share of challenges, like most print publications in Colorado. The staff, however, is being proactive in ensuring that the publication does not go to the wrong kind of person. It recently featured an article by Hanna Metzger with the headline “Racist, Abusive Son of Former Broncos Owner Offers to Buy Westword.”
It is assumed that John Bowlen was being facetious about an offer, but the publication went out of its way to delineate all of Bowlen’s many faults and failures, with the article’s writer declaring at the end that “Westword is not interested.”
Of course, that leaves open whether someone with the right pedigree is willing to buy the publication and keep the staff employed. Westword, like most publications, is largely dependent on advertising revenue. That revenue is, in turn, dependent on successful private businesses looking for customers they hope ads in the publication will bring them.
Westword’s staffers may be “happy” that various companies are leaving Denver but may find, to their chagrin, that some of the departing jobs may include their own. In case they are not aware, good jobs in journalism these days are very scarce. Perhaps Westword will one day find that Colorado’s largest company leaving Denver was not necessarily a cause for “celebration.”
— Editorial Board
