by Charles Bonniwell | Nov 15, 2024 | Main Articles
A Recent Case Proves This To Be True
by Charles C. Bonniwell
The Legal Losers: The representation by the law firm of Elkus and Sisson of Randy Roedema (at right), on the same charges as Jason Rosenblatt, resulted in their client being found guilty in the death of Elijah McClain, and then sentenced to four years in jail.
Randy Roedema (left) and Jason Rosenblatt (right)
The Legal Winners: The law firm of Springer and Steinberg used their legal talents to obtain a not guilty on all charges for client Jason Rosenblatt (at left) relating to the death of Elijah McCain.
The prosecutions of the two Aurora police officers that Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser say were responsible for the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain seems to indicate that your chance of going to jail may depend less on the application of justice than the quality of the criminal defense attorneys you hired to defend you.
McClain, a black American, was walking home from a convenience store in Aurora when he was stopped by Aurora police officers following a suspicious person report. McClain was put in a neck hold, pinned to the ground by police officers, and given an overdose of the sedative ketamine by paramedics.
The applicable District Attorney from Adams County refused to charge anyone with the homicide based on the fact that the coroner could not determine what exactly killed McClain, the choke hold or the overdose of ketamine or both. The killing occurred in 2019 shortly after the police murder of George Floyd which set off riots across the country.
The Colorado murder case went into media hyper drive when Aurora police officers made fun of McClain’s death by picturing a reenactment of the chokehold that killed and the picture of it that was leaked to the press.
The lack of charges in the McClain case resulted in the unusual move by Governor Jared Polis who appointed Col-
orado Attorney Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor to bring charges against the three police officers and the two medics.
Victim: Twenty-three-year-old Elijah McClain was killed in an encounter with the Aurora police while just walking home from a convenience store in August of 2019.
The police officer who put a choke hold on McClain, Jason Rosenblatt, and the officer who held him down, Randy Roedema, were tried together under a myriad of homicide charges claiming the two men acted in concert to kill McClain. Under this legal theory the bad acts of each officer could be held against the other. Thus, logically and legally it was assumed by court observers that either or both men would be found either guilty or both found innocent.
Since Rosenblatt had applied the chokehold, he was deemed the most legally vulnerable of the two defendants. He hired one of Colorado’s premiere law firms, Springer and Steinberg with Harvey Steinberg, famous for representing sports figures in criminal cases, being the lead attorney. He was assisted by Stephen Burnstein.
Rosenblatt in turn hired a smaller and less well-known firm of Elkus and Sisson from Greenwood Village, both principals Donald Sisson and Reid Elkus splitting trial duties.
Attorney General Phil Weiser was a strange pick for a special prosecutor as he had never tried a criminal case in his life and apparently did not believe any lawyer in his Attorney General’s office could handle the very high publicity case. As AG he therefore went, for the first time in Colorado history, to a national law firm of Quinn Emanuel. They brought in top attorneys from Chicago and Los Angeles and luckily for Rosenblatt and Roedema neither lawyer had ever tried a criminal case in their entire legal careers.
At the trial neither defendant testified in his own defense, and the defense called no witnesses. Therefore, in the end, all that mattered were the opening and closing statements of Harvey Steinberg for Rosenblatt, and Sisson and Elkus for Roedema. If your attorney was brilliant the police officer could be a free man, and if he or they were unconvincing prison awaited. In a shock decision the jury found Jason Rosenblatt not guilty on all charges while Roedema was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault for which he would be sentenced to 14 months in jail. It was a laboratory experiment on the efficacy of an attorney.
After the verdict Rosenblatt and his family cried and all hugged Steinberg thanking him profusely. The reaction from Roedema and his family was understandably markedly cooler to Sisson and Elkus. McClain’s mother Sheneen McClain appeared to refuse to interact with her son’s attorneys and left the courtroom with her right hand held high.
If you are unfortunate enough to be criminally charged in Colorado this may appear to demonstrate that whether you leave that courtroom a free man or shackled off to prison may depend on which attorneys you select to represent you.
by Jessica Hughes | Nov 15, 2024 | Glendale City News
by Jessica Hughes
Hotel Clio in Cherry Creek North makes the perfect staycation this holiday season. Photo by Hotel Clio
Cherry Creek North Lights Up as Colorado’s largest free lights display. Photo provided by Cherry Creek North
Cherry Creek North illuminates the Mile High City with this year’s Winter Wanderland and Holiday Market. The experience begins with the Million Light Plug-in event that lights up the entire 16-block area of Cherry Creek North with a million twinkling lights — making it Colorado’s largest free lights display.
Soon to follow will be the opening of the Holiday Market on Fillmore Plaza, plus a whole host of festive events and activities to round out the holiday season.
“This holiday season we are excited to offer our local community and visitors alike, a full and festive holiday experience that captures the season’s essence,” said Lisa Voss, Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District’s VP of Marketing. “Whether it’s shopping locally during Small Business Weekend, staying in one of our award-winning hotels, strolling during Saturday Night Lights, having a festive dinner with friends, or giving back to the community, there is something for everyone in Cherry Creek North to enjoy this holiday season.”
The Cherry Creek Holiday Market returns for a fifth season, from November 21 through December 24. The market features 40+ rotating vendor booths lining Fillmore Plaza, with a curated selection of Colorado-based companies and artisans. Check everyone off your list while enjoying live entertainment and sipping on your favorite cup of hot cocoa.
Four holiday-giving machines will be available at the entrance to the Holiday Market. Photo provided by Cherry Creek North
The best way to shop local is during the three-day Small Business Weekend, November 24 – 26, with giveaways and deals from 175+ local businesses. It’s the perfect chance to shop small and support local businesses during the holiday season.
The Holiday Market isn’t just about shopping, it’s also about enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. So, this year the market brings back the Mistletoe Lounge. Located next door to the market in Fillmore Plaza, the upgraded two-story holiday pop-up bar features a highly decorated atmosphere, a themed seasonal drink menu, and live music from local acts.
Cherry Creek North Holiday Market celebrates its fifth year. Photo by: Fetch Concepts
Also returning this year are the Giving Machines. The pop-up features 30 donation options for five local and two international charities. It’s an easy way to tap into the true meaning of the season and give back to your community.
Mark your calendars for December 7, 14, and 21 when Cherry Creek North comes alive with Saturday Night Lights. Cozy up with a cup of complimentary hot chocolate and tasty treats while wandering under one million dazzling lights throughout Cherry Creek North. Beyond the lights, dance on a light-up dance floor with live DJs and stroll through a 40-foot tunnel of lights for an immersive holiday experience.
Snow or sun, the Holiday Market is the place to be this holiday season. Photo by: Fetch Concepts
You’ll also have a chance to return to the classics with ice skating at the Halcyon Hotel. Returning for its second year as a completely revamped experience in the clouds, Halcyon on Ice is the quintessential holiday experience. During the holiday season, the hotel’s rooftop lounge transforms into a dreamy winter wonderland with an ice skating rink, cozy holiday cocktails, a specialty food and drink menu, and beautiful city-to-mountain views. This year, Halcyon on Ice is free to attend, and food, drinks, and ice skate rentals are available for purchase.
Make it a staycation and book an overnight at one of Cherry Creek’s award-winning hotels; the Hotel Clio. Recently named, as one of the top 15 hotels in Colorado by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Hotel Clio is a hospitality highlight in Cherry Creek. And this holiday season, Hotel Clio gets festive with its wreath-making class and carolers throughout the month of December. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy all the festivities right from your doorstep with its location next to Fillmore Plaza.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 15, 2024 | General Featured
The Family-Owned Restaurant Makes Big Moves Into The Mile High City After Decades In Surrounding Suburban Cities
by Mark Smiley
Coming Soon: Los Dos Potrillos will open in early 2025 in the space formerly occupied by Hacienda on South Colorado Boulevard. It will be the first restaurant for the family in the city of Denver after decades in the suburbs.
Los Dos Potrillos, the family-owned Mexican restaurant known for its Mexican comfort food, will open its first Denver location near Colorado Boulevard and I-25 at 4100 E. Mexico Avenue. The space was formerly occupied by Hacienda. Los Dos Potrillos aims to open in early 2025 with space for 253 patrons inside and 70 more on its patio.
They have been eyeing locations in Denver over the last several years but could not find the right area. “Whenever we look at any type of location, we always want to make sure it fits our way of going into any type of property,” said Danny Ramirez, CEO of Ramirez Hospitality Group, who owns Los Dos Potrillos. “We look forward to becoming a welcoming haven for our growing community, offering the same quality, consistency, service, and commitment that defines the Los Dos family,” Ramirez.
“Expanding to Denver is an important step for us, allowing us to connect and serve a new group of diners. Our Los Dos family is excited about this growth and cannot wait to bring our delicious food and overall dining experience to a new community in such a centralized location,” added Luis Ramirez, COO and President.
This milestone brings their family recipes and welcoming atmosphere to the heart of the Mile High City, marking a new chapter and the seventh Los Dos Potrillos full service restaurant opening in the Ramirez family’s journey.
Founded by Jose Ramirez in 2002, Los Dos Potrillos has grown from a single restaurant in Centennial to a popular local brand with multiple locations across the Denver metro area. This Denver location represents the seventh addition to their growing family, joining the ranks of their other establishments.
The Denver announcement comes just seven months after the successful opening of their Castle Rock location, featuring a 8,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery. The Colorado Boulevard location will be the second largest footprint for the restaurant family next to the aforementioned Castle Rock location.
The Denver Los Dos Potrillos will uphold the traditions and quality that have made Ramirez Hospitality Group a beloved household name across the region. Customers can expect the same welcoming atmosphere, excellent service, and Mexican comfort food that have earned the restaurant group a loyal following.
Taking over an existing Mexican restaurant makes it a bit easier to move forward. “There is not much to do since it was a Mexican restaurant,” said Daniel Ramirez. “All we have to do is come in and put our touch to it. We are going to change the outside of course and change the interior. The kitchen is in immaculate condition. We just need to add our spice to it, literally,” Ramirez said with a smile.
For more information, visit www.los2potrillos.com.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 15, 2024 | Travel
Over 12,000 Hours Dedicated To Creating Colorado’s Largest Indoor Ice Attraction
by Mark Smiley
Thirty ice artisans from Harbin, China, arrived at Gaylord Rockies to begin the annual carving process for ICE!, a holiday attraction featuring ice sculptures that will bring this year’s theme, The Polar Express, to life. They have transformed 2 million pounds of ice into a 17,000-square-foot display, using chippers, tongs, handsaws, grinders, and chainsaws.
The artisans traveled over 5,700 miles from Harbin, China, famously known as “Ice City,” home to the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival. Since 2001, Gaylord Hotels has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and these talented artists to capture their extraordinary craftsmanship here in the U.S. At Gaylord Rockies, some of the same artisans behind the Harbin festival will sculpt 300-pound blocks of ice into larger-than-life scenes from Warner Bros. The Polar Express™.
The artisans, drawing on generations of expertise, work from a detailed 300-page design book to bring the ice spectacle to life. Each artisan contributes a unique talent — some mastering demolition with chainsaws, while others focus on intricate, precise carvings. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to scenes more than 30 feet tall. A cutting-edge chilling system will keep the entire space at a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit, and guests will stay cozy in the attraction’s signature blue parkas.
This holiday season, guests will embark on a journey through hand-carved ice sculptures depicting nine scenes from The Polar Express. In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, featured scenes include the Polar Express arriving at Hero Boy’s house, passengers enjoying hot chocolate aboard the train, an exhilarating descent through Glacier Gulch, and the enchanting arrival at the North Pole. The attraction will use colored ice, clear ice, and LED lights to create the breathtaking display.
In addition to the awe-inspiring ice sculptures from the beloved Christmas film, guests can take rides down the two-story-tall ice slides, traverse through ice tunnels and arches, and visit the carver showcase to watch artisans perform live carving demonstrations. The ICE! experience concludes
in a separate area dedicated to the Nativity scene, meticulously carved and shaped in a dramatic display of crystal-clear ice. ICE! featuring The Polar Express will run from Nov. 22, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025.
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies packages that include special room rates and admission to select events are now available. Guests are encouraged to book their experiences early, as advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events, and prime dates are expected to sell out. For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, guests may visit ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
