by Editorial Board | Oct 20, 2025 | Editorials
Editorial —
Comrade Polis
One of the keys to progressive left policies is to make sure people do not have any alternatives. When the Soviets imposed their form of communism on East Germany, it had to build the Berlin Wall to prevent the masses from escaping the workers’ paradise to West Germany. The progressives of North Korea attempted to prevent its citizens from escaping not only to South Korea but also to slightly less oppressive China.
Denver has decided it loves maximum density and a minimum number of cars. Afraid that not all Coloradans may want to live in Denver’s “affordability paradise,” the state legislature, as well as Governor Polis, have begun imposing Denver inspired restrictions and mandates on towns and counties across Colorado.
As a practical matter, progressives intensely dislike single family homes and, for that matter, nuclear families. The new law (HB 24-1152) prohibits local jurisdictions imposing mandatory owner occupancy laws and specific minimum square footage for residencies. No more single-family homes with those lots potentially becoming mini apartment buildings with streets jammed with cars. Since progressives can’t just say they hate nuclear families, they say what they are doing is make housing more “affordable” and fighting against “climate change.”
Housing will undoubtably become more affordable due to the legislature’s and the governor’s actions as fewer people will want to live in Colorado. The price of what were once called single family homes will plummet.
Next the state legislature adopted HB24-1313 which prohibits municipalities from adopting or enforcing parking requirements within a quarter mile of various transit stops. The legislature mandated that municipalities allow high density high rises near transit stops. The urbanization of Denver suburbs will, if successful, overwhelm infrastructure, strain schools, and destroy community character. In Polis’ mind what is there not to like?
Unfortunately, the proletariat outside of Denver have not been enamored by the Polis vision. Many communities refused to implement the necessary ADU regulations/ordinances. Moreover, six cities — Glendale, Greenwood Village, Arvada, Aurora, Lafayette, and Westminster — sued the state to stop the implementation of the legislation.
Polis’ vision of what suburbs in Colorado should look like.
Watching the peasant revolt, Governor Polis looked to President Trump’s authoritarian tactics for inspiration. Polis elected to issue an executive order that the rebel cities either comply or face losing out on $277 million in housing grants. Of course, there is nothing in the State Constitution or state statutes giving him the power to do so, but then again where does Trump get the authority for many of his executive orders.
The rebel cities in their lawsuit rely on the over century-old Article XX, Section 6, allowing home-ruled cities to operate free of state control on matters of local concern including zoning and land use. There are no exceptions for affordability and/or climate change. While on the surface the rebel cities appear to have a slam dunk case, Polis knows he has appointed many of the judges who will hear the case at the district court level and on appeal. Colorado courts have already largely gutted large parts of the citizen adopted constitutional amendment called the TABOR amendment. The Colorado Supreme Court was also happy to try to deny Republican voters the right to vote for Trump for President until the U.S. Supreme Court intervened. As a result, few people these days have any trust in the Colorado courts to fairly adjudicate the meaning of the state Constitution or Colorado laws.
It is well known that Polis is seriously looking at running for U.S. president in 2028. He would appear to be a worthy successor to the power-hungry Donald Trump.
— Editorial Board
by Editorial Board | Sep 19, 2025 | Editorials
The Life in Saigon in the 1960s, by François Sully
Seldom, if ever, has Denver’s progressive Mayor and the majority of the City Council annunciated that the solution to a problem in the city is to let the “free market decide.” But now, all of the sudden, they have advocated that the solution to parking woes in Denver is henceforth to let the free market decide. For future developments or redevelopments there will be no city mandated parking minimums. Developers will be the ones to decide what, if any, parking is necessary or advisable for their projects.
What has caused this sudden change of philosophical outlook? The answer is obvious. The powers to be believe that many preternaturally greedy and short-sighted Denver developers will elect to provide the least amount of parking possible hoping to cannibalize off neighboring businesses or on-street parking. That will make automobile use in the city even more problematic.
But why do Denver’s planners and political class dislike cars? They believe, inter alia, automobiles are a major source of carbon dioxide contributing to climate change which will eventually destroy the planet. They also believe that automobile-oriented societies adversely affect the poor who can’t afford a car or drive cars that necessarily reflect their socio-economic status.
Cars also facilitate urban sprawl. Progressives correctly note the densely packed areas tend to be far more likely to lean left and favor increased governmental solutions to societal problems. Cars also provide a certain degree of personal freedom for people to travel where and when they wish. Individual freedom, however, is not a value prized by progressives.
An advantage to Denver’s approach to parking is that the city is looking to let an ever-increasing number of city employees go. Traffic engineers whose job it is to make car traffic flow more easily are now expendable as the city wants to make traffic more congested. As hard as that is to believe in some respects it is obviously exactly what is being planned. The number of traffic lanes on major thoroughfares in the city such as Colfax and Broadway are being reduced. On neighborhood streets, bollards and striping are intended to be “traffic calming devices” making traffic flow more difficult.
In turn dedicated bicycle lanes are expanding across the city. It appears the vision for urban transportation are buses, bicycles, and walking. For those old enough to remember, that was the transportation mode for Saigon, Vietnam, circa 1965.
Do most people want to live in or visit a city whose transportation plan reflects that of 1965 Saigon? Tax revenues for Denver have been steadily dropping but the city does not appear to care. The city depends on Coloradans coming to shop and recreate. By making the city less friendly for cars it makes it less likely people will come visit.
City planners indicate they would like to see Denver be a place where the concept of a “15-minute city” becomes a reality. In such a place daily necessities are all accessible by a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. The peasants in Germany and the serfs in Russia in the 12th century lived in 15-minute communities. American coal miners were forced to live in company towns in the late 19th century.
Throughout history so-called utopian communities turned out to be lousy places to live. Denver’s city planners may be doing the same to Denver in their quest to make it a “15-minute city.” Only time will tell.
— Editorial Board
by Editorial Board | Jun 20, 2025 | Editorials
by Erik Clarke
Denver voters approved the $937 million Elevate Denver Bond Program in 2017 to fund nearly 500 civic infrastructure projects across our city. Nearly a decade later, while many worthwhile improvements have been made, far too many projects remain unfinished, delayed, or over-budget. Now, city leaders are preparing to ask voters to approve another general obligation bond- the proposed “Vibrant Denver” bond package, which could target $800 million in new spending.
Before we issue another nearly-billion dollars in taxpayer-backed debt, Denver residents deserve accountability for how the last billion was spent.
Despite the size and complexity of the Elevate Denver bond program, and a smaller follow-up package, the Auditor’s Office has never conducted a dedicated performance audit of the program. That must change — immediately. We need an independent audit to assess which projects have been completed on time and on budget, which have fallen behind, and whether taxpayer dollars were spent effectively and efficiently. Denver residents deserve full transparency before we make another bond decision.
I am also deeply concerned by the possibility that this new Vibrant Denver bond might be used, either quietly or indirectly, to complete unfinished prior bond projects. If that is the case, the public has a right to know. No Vibrant Denver bond dollars should be used to backfill Elevate or Rise bond cost overruns unless it is explicitly stated, clearly labeled, and fully explained to voters prior to the bond being placed on the ballot. The City should also expand the existing bond dashboard to include a budget-to-actuals for each project, with supporting material, and an estimate of cost to complete.
As of June 2025, 13 projects are still being developed, but 105 projects have not even broken ground. Examples of projects that are not even in production, include transportation projects (62), parks improvements (34), and improvements to city-owned facilities. The unstarted projects even include public safety renovations, like improvements to police district 6 and fire station 40. There are roughly $171 million worth of projects in the in-design phase. This is a significant chunk this late in the game.
Bonds are essential tools for building city infrastructure. I’m far from being anti-bond. But bond projects require strong oversight and transparency. With global economic concerns, questions about public budgets, concerns about construction oversight, and more, the public needs to be able to trust that their taxpayer dollars are being safeguarded.
If Denver voters approve the Vibrant Denver bond, we need more, earlier oversight of these construction projects. That means that targeted project-based audits in the first few years of the bond cycle should be prioritized. If there are delays or cost-overruns early in the bond cycle, then folks should be aware of it. Oversight shouldn’t be an afterthought that comes near the end, once taxpayer dollars are already spent. Construction oversight should be a part of the foundation of good management.
If we want to make Denver a well-run, opportunity city, then we need to invest in Denver’s future. We also need to be sure that our investment is getting results. We need to do our due diligence prior to making voting decisions. The time is now for greater transparency and accountability. You, as taxpayers, deserve it.
Erik Clarke is an Executive Controller in the private sector and was in leadership roles at major accounting firms, specializing in internal audit and financial advisory. He has managed performance, construction, cybersecurity, and financial audits at nearly two dozen organizations.
by Mark Smiley | May 16, 2025 | Editorials
by Mark Smiley
USA: Yoder Smokers are made in Kansas and built with high-quality materials.
Solid Pellet Grill: The Yoder 640s has 1,070 square inches of cook space, combined with nearly 12 inches of headroom which means there is plenty of room for anything from briskets and pork butts to beer can chickens and turkeys.
BBQ season unofficially kicked off on Memorial Day weekend and Cherry Creek valley residents are already grilling tasty items on their respective grills and smokers. If you are in the market for a pellet grill and have considered spending a little more money to have something that is built to last, we invite you to explore the Yoder YS640s. This article is the first of a three-part series that will explore the features of this smoker.
The Yoder YS640s is widely regarded as one of the highest-quality pellet grills on the market, particularly for serious backyard pitmasters and even some commercial applications. The 335-pound grill is made of heavy-duty steel and also built in the United States. They are built in Kansas, which allows for better quality control compared to many imported competitors.
The Yoder YS640s pellet grill does not come fully assembled. Upon delivery, it arrives boxed and requires assembly by the user. For instance, if you purchase the competition cart version, it will arrive on a pallet, wrapped and secured with bands. You’ll need to cut the bands, remove the packaging, and assemble the grill following the provided instructions.
Given the grill’s substantial weight it’s recommended to have at least two people handle the unpacking and assembly process. The YS640s is built with 10-gauge steel for the cooking chamber and 14-gauge steel for the hopper, which is significantly thicker than most pellet grills. This smoker also has welded seams and powder coating contributing to excellent durability and weather resistance.
The Yoder 640s features high-temp powder coating that resists flaking and corrosion, even under high heat and exposure to the elements. It has a stainless-steel front shelf that easily pops into place that is solid and useful for prep work.
The grill is heavy but also includes large, rugged wheels that make moving it relatively easy for such a heavy grill. Although heavy, once in place, the Yoder 640s is a fine addition to any outdoor kitchen or backyard. It comes complete with an Adaptive Control System (ACS) with Wi-Fi connectivity which allows precise control and monitoring via the FireBoard app.
The FireBoard app is a powerful companion for the dual thermometers that come with the Yoder 640s. The app is designed to enhance your grilling and smoking experience with real-time monitoring, control, and analysis. You can monitor live temperature readings from all connected probes and easily switch between chart and detail views, add notes or photos, and share sessions via a link.
The entire smoker is built with high quality materials and anyone who has used an imported smoker, will notice the difference. For instance, the tight tolerances on the lid and doors prevent heat and smoke loss and it features high-quality welds and consistent finishes throughout. There is little to no rattling or loose parts, even after extensive use.
The Yoder YS640s is often considered a tank of a smoker — built for longevity, performance, and consistent results. This smoker is ideal for serious BBQ enthusiasts who want pro-level equipment that lasts decades with proper care. Next month, we will cover more of the cooks and how other wood pellets perform in the Yoder 640s. Also, we will examine the additional wood fired oven attachment which retails for $489. The Yoder 640s are sold for $2,699. More information can be found at www.yodersmokers.com.
Jealous Devil’s Jax Legendary Blend BBQ Pellets are a premium choice for grill enthusiasts seeking exceptional flavor and performance. Crafted in the USA from 100% natural, virgin, bark-free hardwoods — specifically cherry, maple, and hickory — these pellets are designed to deliver a clean burn with minimal ash, ensuring a consistent grilling experience. Notably, they contain no fillers, binders, or additives, preserving the authentic wood flavor in your food.
The Yoder YS640S is designed to work with a variety of hardwood pellets, and Jealous Devil pellets are no exception. These pellets are known for their high-quality hardwood composition, producing a clean burn with minimal ash. We found that Jealous Devil pellets burn slightly faster than some other brands, but they also produced more smoke and a richer flavor profile.
Jealous Devil wood pellets are a suitable and effective fuel choice for the Yoder YS640s pellet grill. Their high-quality composition complements the grill’s advanced features, providing consistent heat and flavorful smoke for your cooking endeavors. As with any pellet choice, it’s a good idea to try a few different brands to see which flavor profiles you prefer for various meats and recipes.
The legendary blend is made up of cherry, maple, and hickory hardwoods. One distinct feature is that is comes in a box with a pour spout making it easy to pour right into the Yoder 640s pellet hopper. The Yoder can support over 20 pounds of pellets so the 20 pound Jealous Devil box is a perfect addition. The box is weather-resistant and also features a carry handle.
These pellets are available at various retailers, including Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart, Buc-ees, and the Jealous Devil Shop. Visit www.jealousdevil.com for more information.
by Editorial Board | Feb 19, 2025 | Editorials
Editorial —
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
This Editorial Board has scant opportunity to support or praise Denver Mayor Mike Johnston since his swearing in as Denver’s 46th mayor on July 23, 2023, other than to say at least he is not Michael Hancock. This difficulty is in large part due to Mayor Johnston spending all of his time his first 19 months in office on the homeless and the “newcomers” and little else.
That leaves the needs of 99% of Denver’s residents unattended to. A mere walk downtown demonstrates a city badly in decay. Mayor Johnston is a self-described “progressive” and like many other big city progressive mayors, like Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Brandon Johnson of Chicago, he is pretty good at theoretical constructs but lousy at governing.
That is why this Board and most of the city was in shock when he announced that the City and County had swapped 144 acres of industrially-zoned land for the 155-acre former Park Hill Golf Course which will now be a regional park to open this summer.
The swap took some doing. Denver took $12.7 million from a voter approved park fund and acquired from the Denver International Airport 144 acres of industrial zoned land located in Adams County. It then swapped it for the 155-acre old Park Hill Golf Course property located by Colorado Boulevard in the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood. The transaction still needs to be approved by Adams County but that is not expected to be a problem.
On the surface this looks like a bad deal for Westside Investment who paid $24 million for the property from the Early Learning Center and is now receiving property worth half that much from Denver.
But don’t worry. The driving force behind the swap was not Mayor Johnston and Denver but Westside Investments who will, behind the scenes, be making out like a bandit as developers usually do.
But we don’t care. Johnston got the deal done for the benefit of all of Denver, and particularly the residents of Park Hill. All his predecessor ever did was destroy every piece of open space he could hand over to developers.
Now what to call the new park? If there has ever been a “Peoples Park” it is this one. The people of Denver fought against their own government and a favored developer hell bent on turning green land into a pavement covered development.
At the front of the park there should be a very impressive statue of Wellington Webb flanked by Penfield Tate and Woody Garnsey. No one in Denver should ever forget what they accomplished for the people of the City and County of Denver.
— Editorial Board
by Editorial Board | Jan 16, 2025 | Editorials
Editorial —
Lisa Raville, aka “Dr. Death”
When Mike Johnston assumed the mayorship of Denver in 2023, he announced that he would make homelessness in Denver the absolute highest priority for his Administration for the first six plus months of his term. In 2024 he expanded the scope of his concentration to include the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants pouring into the city from across the border in Texas. He indicated the City would spend whatever is needed to assist the people he dubbed the “newcomers.”
The two groups will eventually meld into one another, as when the newcomers are cut off from the free rental subsidy the city provides, they too will fit into the category of “residents experiencing homelessness.” So jealously has Johnston guarded his future homeless newcomers that he publicly threatened to send the Denver Police to the Denver border, augmented by ferocious Valkyries from the Highlands neighborhood, to meet and repulse ICE agents coming to Denver to deport any newcomers.
In last Fall’s election Denver voters shot down the mayor’s proposed sales tax increase to help the mayor meet his housing development goals. Instead of modifying and lessening those goals he has told all city departments they must cut their budgets by 12.5%. This should cause all services provided to citizens to significantly drop, but homelessness, of course, supersedes all other needs of Denver’s citizens.
Some Denver residents who are not “newcomers” or homeless have begun to wonder what exactly the city was going to do for them. That is when the Denver City Council had a brilliant idea of expanding the needle exchange centers from three to an infinite amount in every neighborhood. On January 13, 2025, in an 8 to 5 vote, the City Council voted to allow an unlimited amount of these centers and even included a lift on the restriction of no needle exchange centers being within 1,000 feet from a school or daycare center.
At a needle exchange center a drug addict can turn in dirty needles and syringes for new ones along with other drug paraphernalia free of charge. Advocates for this program argue this will limit the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C infections. Of course, an addict could buy his or her own needles and syringes but that would cost money and advocates indicate the program will free up more money for items that drug addicts value, like more drugs.
The best part from the addict’s perspective is that the staff at these sites are forbidden from bringing up the subject of treatment for the addiction unless the addicts foolishly bring up the subject themselves.
The new ordinance also does away with the 1997 law prohibition of having needle exchange centers within a thousand yards of a school or daycare center. Not that the provision was really an impediment as the city simply granted exceptions when asked.
The passage of the needle exchange ordinance is a triumph for Lisa Raville the executive director of The Harm Reduction Action Center. Her critics have dubbed her “Dr. Death.” having earned her doctorate not from an educational center but the mean streets of Chicago and Denver. She views herself as a tireless advocate for intravenous drug users, caring for their needs and wants.
She in many ways resembles John Parvansky the CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. In his 37 years of service from 1985 until he retired in 2022 he grew homelessness from a relatively manageable problem into a behemoth social quagmire that literally has become the primary concern of the entire city government.
Dr. Death has headed up the Harm Reduction Acton Center since 2009. In that time the number of intravenous drug users and drug overdose deaths has steadily increased. In the last four years alone the number of drug overdose deaths has nearly doubled while recently decreasing nationally.
Dr. Death’s needle exchange centers are the first part of a three-part scheme. Next up is turning the needle exchange centers into supervised “safe use sites” which will eventually be provided with a “regulated drug supply” of quality heroin and meth.
Under the full program addicts will have across the city places to go for free drugs, needles, and syringes at taxpayer expense. Addiction and drug deaths should skyrocket.
You do not have to guess what the result will be because the full “harm reduction” program was introduced in British Columbia by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, As a result deaths in British Columbia from drug overdoses have risen to unprecedented levels. The disastrous results of the Canadian “harm reduction” program is one of the reasons the Prime Minister is resigning come this March.
To the shock of some in Denver, Mayor Johnston vetoed Dr. Death’s needle exchange plan on the evening of January 14, 2025. Apparently, the mayor does not want anything to interfere with his homeless and “newcomer” initiatives. Don’t think Dr. Death is going anywhere Like Parvensky, she is in it for the long haul. She will be back next year and the year after until her goal of making Denver the intravenous drug user capitol of the United States. God help us all.
— Editorial Board
