by Mark Smiley | Oct 22, 2021 | Travel
Pitmasters From Across The Country Served Their Award-Winning BBQ To Attendees
by Mark Smiley
Friendly Competition: The two Colorado BBQ restaurants that were part of the 3rd Annual BBQ Festival in Denver posed with Alex Knight, Sales Representative with sponsor Ole Hickory Pits. From left to right: Jodi and Keith Segura, Woodhill Small Batch BBQ; Alex Knight, Ole Hickory Pits; and Jason Ganahl, GQue BBQ.
Some of America’s most award-winning BBQ pitmasters descended upon the Mile High City for the 3rd Annual Denver BBQ Festival which was held September 17-19, 2021, in the parking lot at Empower Field. They served their BBQ to attendees over the course of the weekend.
Ole Hickory Pits was a major sponsor of the event and they provided commercial pits for all pitmasters to cook on throughout the weekend. Ole Hickory Pits manufactures and markets state-of-the-art commercial, competition, and residential barbecue smoker ovens, in addition to barbecue equipment, sauces, seasonings, and lifestyle products.
A total of 12 pitmasters from eight states served over 30,000 pounds of meat. This festival is not a competition, just an opportunity for attendees to purchase BBQ they would not normally be able to acquire in town.
Local Favorite: Jodi and Keith Segura from Woodhill Small Batch BBQ had the longest lines of any of the restaurants in attendance at the 3rd Annual BBQ Festival.
However, two local favorites were on hand, GQue BBQ and Woodhill Small Batch BBQ. Having hometown advantage must have helped Woodhill Small Batch BBQ from Littleton. They were the only BBQ pitmaster that needed extra barricades set up on Friday night due to long lines. “We didn’t anticipate having the longest line last night [Friday, September 17],” said Keith Segura, co-owner of Woodhill Small Batch BBQ. “I guess it was hometown advantage.”
Segura grew up in Sterling, Illinois, in a subdivision of 20 homes on a farm. As a kid, he fondly remembers pig roasts and eating sweet corn with salt and butter. “That memory was always in my mind ever since I was a kid,” said Segura. “I said when I grow up to be an adult, I want to do that same thing.”
And do the same thing he did, along with his wife Jodi, whom he met when she pulled him over for speeding when she was on state patrol. Now, they enjoy running the food truck and catering business together. The name Woodhill comes from Jodi’s family’s farm name in Illinois. And the name Small Batch comes from when they first started out and only did small batch BBQ for breweries such as Breckenridge Brewery.
Now, you can find Woodhill Small Batch BBQ’s truck at Max Taps Brewery in Highlands Ranch (November 13), and Living the Dream Brewery in Littleton (November 20). There you can surely find brisket and ribs which are Segura’s favorite meats to smoke. And you may also find their famous “twinkie” which has jalapeno stuffed inside with bacon wrapped on the outside.
For more information, visit www.woodhillsmallbatchbbq.com or on Facebook and Instagram @woodhillsmallbatchbbq.
Championship BBQ In Colorado: Jason Ganahl, owner of GQue BBQ in Colorado, displays his famous homemade kettle chips at the 3rd Annual BBQ Festival in Denver.
No stranger to great BBQ, Jason Ganahl, owner and pitmaster of GQue BBQ, is proud to be the only championship BBQ restaurant in Colorado. It opened its first restaurant in Westminster six years ago. GQue also has locations inside Empower Field, Park Meadows Mall, and a new location in Lakewood opening next month. “We are out here sharing our food with everybody else,” said Ganahl. “We are spreading the wonderful flavor of smoked meat like BBQ sauce.”
Ganahl rejects the idea that Colorado has a hole in great BBQ in the state. He concedes that the perception is that places like Kansas City, Memphis, and St. Louis have the solid reputation of good BBQ that you can find every five miles. “I think over time, over the course of the next 8-10 years, hopefully more and more people will appreciate what I’ve long appreciated, being from the Midwest, and that’s the flavor you get from a delicious piece of smoked meat,” said Ganahl.
Once that reputation builds it will force each BBQ establishment to elevate its game which Ganahl welcomes. “We eliminate the word complacency from our vocabulary,” said Ganahl. “Success is rented every single day. You have to go out there and earn it. I feel like if we show up every single day and we cook the food the way it’s intended to be cooked, and we deliver it in an inviting and appreciative way, then the sky is the limit. That is the challenge with multiple locations, and lunch and dinner service.”
For more on GQue BBQ, visit www.gquebbq.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @GQueBBQ. Visit their website and sign up for their email alerts to receive a coupon for a free pulled pork sandwich.
Black’s Barbecue: From left to right: Barrett Black, fourth generation owner of Black’s Barbecue; Kent Black, third generation owner of Black’s Barbecue; and Eric Lenderman, Manager, Operations at Black’s Barbecue, served their famous brisket and sausage at the 3rd Annual BBQ Festival at Empower Field.
Another well-established BBQ restaurant with multiple locations in attendance was Black’s Barbecue, the oldest BBQ restaurant in Texas. Black’s was started in 1932 in Lockhart, Texas, which is known as the official barbecue capital of Texas. Black’s Barbecue was originally founded as a meat market and grocery during the Depression after a poor farmer and cattle rancher named Edgar Black made a handshake deal with a friend who wanted to open a meat market.
As third generation pitmaster Kent Black explains, his grandfather Edgar had heart problems and asked his son, who was an accountant for Exxon, to help at the restaurant for six weeks while he recovered. Six weeks turned into 50 years of growing the business. Edgar Sr. died in 1962, at which point Edgar Jr. and his wife Norma Jean took over the business. Edgar Jr., who passed away in 2017 at the age of 91, left the restaurant to Kent who now runs Black’s Barbecue’s four locations along with son Barrett.
Sponsor: Made Here beer was a sponsor of the 2021 Fest
And Kent’s mom, who is 90, still comes into the Lockhart restaurant from time to time. “She’s the boss,” said Kent Black, owner and pitmaster of Black’s Barbecue. “When she walks into the restaurant, it is like Elvis walking in.” All of the side dishes at the restaurant are based on her recipes.
Black claims his father was the first to barbecue brisket in the 1950s. And now, that is Black’s Barbecue’s signature dish. Black’s Barbecue’s homemade sausage was also served at the BBQ Festival. The sausage recipe has remained the same over 90 years and they make it in small 100-pound batches.
For more information or to order meat to be shipped to your home, visit www.blacksbbq.com.
Having generations of pitmasters working side by side and eventually taking over the business is common in this tight-knit world. That is true for Leslie Roark Scott, known as the BBQ Princess, who learned from her dad at a young age. Her dad was an award-winning pitmaster and as a teenager, Roark Scott learned how to cook ribs and would present them to judges. Her dad let her fly on her own and face the judges’ questions by herself.
That built her confidence and allowed her to become the first female to win a grand championship on the Memphis circuit back in 1992. She remembers driving four hours from college to help her dad at a competition. “BBQ is what tied us and kept us tied together,” said Roark Scott, owner and pitmaster of Ubon’s Restaurant in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
BBQ Princess: Leslie Roark Scott from Yazoo City, Mississippi, was among one of the 12 pitmasters serving her BBQ over the September weekend.
Ubon’s opened in 2004 and in 2011, Ubon’s began participating in festivals. “About 10 years ago, we slid into the festival scene because what we figured out is where our joy comes from is watching people get excited about food that they haven’t tried before, and offering them an experience that’s hands-on,” said Roark Scott. “I also have the chance to leave Mississippi and shine a different light on my home state. I really feel like festivals like this make people more aware [of good BBQ]. If you’ve never had really good brisket and you get here and you eat brisket from Black’s, you say I’m not putting up with crap anymore.”
For more information on Ubon’s Restaurant, visit ubonsbbq.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook @Ubons.
Blues Hog Barbecue made a big splash at this year’s festival with music playing and a whole hog on the pit (of which they handed out samples to attendees in line). Blues Hog was the 2021 World Champion in pork shoulder and they served this dish along with a pineapple slaw. Their customers from back home came [Washington, Missouri] to help prepare and serve the food.
“When we go to these regional events, we like to get our customers involved so they can enjoy it,” said Joey Machado, Marketing Director for Blues Hog Barbecue. “Denver is a really nice event. They get about 30,000 people over the whole weekend. I was leery because of the year that it is. That maybe we wouldn’t get as many people as we thought were going to. We honestly have had a ton.”
Blues Hog: Joey Machado, Marketing Director for Blues Hog Barbecue always learns something new at competitions and festivals.
Blues Hog makes sauce, seasoning, and charcoal, which are all available for purchase on their website and select stores in the Denver Metro area. When asked about the secret to good BBQ, Machado had a quick answer. “The secret to BBQ is passion,” said Machado. “The willingness to make mistakes is what makes you really good at BBQ. You can go online, you can watch YouTube videos, you can read books, and do everything else. But if you’re not making mistakes in your backyard and understanding what you have to do, that’s it, that’s the best way to learn BBQ. At the end of the day, I BBQ to put smiles on people’s faces.”
There were plenty of smiling faces at this festival. Mark your calendar for Father’s Day weekend in 2022 as the 4th Annual Denver BBQ Festival will roll into town again. Visit www.denverbbqfest.com for all information and updates.
by Mark Smiley | Sep 27, 2021 | Travel
The renovation brings the hotel in line with the future vision for Sheraton Hotels that is being rolled out at properties around the world.
by Mark Smiley
Unveiling Becomes Official: Mayor Michael Hancock cuts the ribbon to unveil the $80 Million renovation to the Sheraton Denver Downtown. From left to right: Rachel Benedick, Executive Vice President, Convention Sales & Services at VISIT DENVER; Tony Dunn, General Manager of Sheraton Denver Downtown; Mayor Michael Hancock; Steve Arnold, Principal at Sea Hospitality; J.J. Ament, CEO of Denver Metro Chamber. Photo by Photography G, Inc.
On September 16, 2021, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel revealed a full-scale renovation of its guest rooms, lobby, public and meeting spaces as part of Sheraton’s worldwide transformation of its guest experience vision. Drawing on its roots as a community hub for locals and guests at flagship locations globally, the new approach for Sheraton creates an intuitive and holistic experience with places to connect and be productive.
“With the Sheraton and the 16th Street Mall, and some other major investments we’re making, we’re gonna fight like hell to make this a place people want to come to and feel safe and enjoy themselves,” said Mayor Michael Hancock, who attended the reopening event. “Denver is proud of its vibrant downtown. And we may have slipped a little bit with some of the challenges we face, but we never give up in the game of being a destination.”
The completion of this $80 million hotel renovation changes the face of the hotel and Denver’s iconic 16th Street Mall. The city of Denver will begin its $150 million renovation of the 16th Street Mall in the next few months. The goal is to make the corridor more walkable and give more outdoor space to businesses that line the street.
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel has long been a familiar anchor in Downtown Denver, serving as the largest meetings/ events hotel in the City with roots deep in the local Denver community. The transformation journey is now officially complete, with all aspects of the hotel updated and refreshed — including a new arrival experience, 133,000 square feet of renovated meeting space, and 1,238 newly redesigned guest rooms and 138 suites, as well as a new culinary and beverage experience. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is among the first in the country to undergo the larger brand revitalization that will ultimately transform all future Sheraton hotels.
“We are honored to be one of the first hotels to bring the new Sheraton brand to life in the heart of Denver,” said Tony Dunn, General Manager for the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. “The renovation will serve to highlight what is already incredible about the local Denver community — and bring the best of the Sheraton brand to downtown. As travel starts to resume, these changes will strengthen Denver’s position as a global gathering place for groups, conventions, guests, and locals alike, and will act as a public square for our growing, evolving city.”
The renovation was completed in a phased approach over the last two years. The transformation of Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is part of a global project currently being undertaken by Sheraton Hotels & Resorts to bring all of its properties in line with the new vision for the brand, which was first unveiled at the NYU Hospitality Conference in 2018.
For more information, follow the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel on social media on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ SheratonDenverDowntown; Twitter, twit ter.com/sheratondendtwn; and Instagram, www.instagram.com/sheratondenver downtown. Visit their website at www. marriott.com/dends.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 27, 2021 | Travel
Decorated Gymnast: Simone Biles medaled with silver for team competition and bronze for the balance beam in the Toyko Olympics this summer. She is the first woman to capture five All Around World Championship titles, she is the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history.
Straight from the world stage, the best gymnasts in the U.S. featuring the most decorated gymnast of all-time, Simone Biles, will headline the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour coming to Ball Arena on October 3, 2021. Biles, who medaled with silver for team competition and bronze for the balance beam, will be joined by her teammates: Jade Carey who won gold in floor exercise, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum who won silver for team competition, and MyKayla Skinner who won silver in vault.
Tickets can be purchased at www.Ball Arena.com. By purchasing the Gold Squad Premium Upgrade, fans will have an opportunity to dance in the show finale with all the gymnasts.
Produced by MagicSpace Entertainment and promoted by AEG Presents/Concerts West, the show brings all the excitement of a gymnastics competition to hometown arenas nightly as each gymnast performs some of their most famous routines mixed with career highlights, personal videos, and social media interactions.
Silver Medalist: MyKayla Skinner won a silver medal in vault at the Toyko Olympics. She is acclaimed for her indomitable tenacity and daredevil skills. She is the oldest U.S. Olympic gymnast since 2004, with a resilience and competitive spirit that have earned her a reputation as a powerhouse performer and model teammate.
Simone Biles (World Champions)
Previously announced participants include 2016 gold and silver medalist in Rio and Dancing With The Stars champion Laurie Hernandez; All-American, NCAA National Champion, and viral video sensation Katelyn Ohashi; winner of three gold medals in 2019 and 2020 at the Tokyo World Cup Morgan Hurd; elite gymnast Shilese Jones; former USA Gymnastics Women’s Athlete of the Year Chellsie Memmel; 2021 French Olympian Melanie De Jesus dos Santos; and 2018 NCAA National Champion from UCLA where she achieved 10 perfect 10’s Peng-Peng Lee.
“The Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour will match athleticism and entertainment,” said Biles. “The show embodies the themes of empowerment and togetherness which was on display in Tokyo. Together, all the gymnasts on this tour want to inspire the next generation of women and athletes.”
These women are not only athletes at the top-of-their-game, but also the ultimate squad. The show emerges from their personal values of empowerment, friendship, positive body image, mental health awareness, and self-confidence. A crew of gymnastic dancers under eye-popping LED video screens and lights rounds out the experience.
To sign up for more information about VIP packages and a chance to participate in the show finale of the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour, visit www.GoldOverAmericaTour.com. Follow on Instagram & Facebook @GoldOverAmerica Tour, Twitter @GoldOverAmerica and YouTube. #GoldInAllOfUs.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 23, 2021 | Travel
Princess And Pirate Themed Summer Activities
by Mark Smiley and Eleanore Smiley (10 years of age)
Lazy River: Relax on an inner tube as you float around the lazy river and the Colorado sun shines down on you. The lazy river features a rocky grotto, water jets, and bubblers to enhance the fun.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort is now fully open and operational and mask free for those that are vaccinated. The Gaylord always finds unique ways to incorporate fun themes for kids and adults of all ages. The Summer of More has programming to help guests celebrate the upcoming season with a wide variety of family-friendly events and activities including a scavenger hunt, Build-A-Bear Workshop, escape room, roasting s’mores, and an art studio.
“Princesses and Pirates is the theme this summer,” said Eleanore Smiley, 10 years old and recent guest. “10+ year olds might think princesses and pirates are kiddish but it isn’t. I (as a 10-year-old girl) had the best time. Personally, my favorite thing to do out of the theme was the Scavenger Hunt. You will be given a book with clues and during the scavenger hunt you will have to look at the clue very carefully. You will look for a pirate chest with different colored gems and once you find the chest circle the gem color that’s in the chest. Once you finish you will go to the ticket desk to claim your prize.”
Pirate and Princesses Academy is also a fun activity for the kids. It costs $12.99 per person and is a live entertainment show. You will step into a fantasy world and experience the story of the Sword Mistress, Pirates, and Princess Evergreen herself in this interactive show. Become an honorary pirate or princess for the day, take the official oath, and more.
The art studio is an activity that is a must do while at the resort. This fun, interactive family painting activity allows each participant to select a canvas with either a pirate ship or princess castle that they paint to take home and enjoy. Canvas, paint, brushes, and apron are provided. On-site artist available. The cost is $14.99.
Bar & Grill: Conveniently located just steps from the pool and lazy river, Arapahoe Springs Bar & Grill lets you grab a bite without having to leave the fun in the sun. Indulge in All-American favorites and refreshing beverages to quench your thirst during your day.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from at the resort to make it a carefree stay for you and your family. Arapahoe Springs Bar & Grill, Mountain Pass Sports Bar, Vista Montagne, Old Hickory Steakhouse, and Monte Jade all offer a variety of cuisines conveniently located. In addition, The Cocoa Bean, Ski Village Cantina, and Rockies Marketplace offer a quick meal to go. Most of the restaurants accept orders through the Marriott Bonvoy app. Be sure to download the app before your stay to know when your room is ready and familiarize yourself with the resort.
Mountain Pass Sports Bar is a popular dining option inside the resort. They serve burgers, sandwiches, nachos, salads, and draft beer. The 75-foot flat-panel TV is the featured part of this sports bar. Arapahoe Springs Bar & Grill is located near the pools and a convenient way to order lunch while enjoying the pools and slides.
Outdoor Pool: The outdoor pool is heated and open year-round.
The pools are definitely the resort’s main attraction. There is an indoor and outdoor pool (which includes an infinity pool), an outdoor lazy river, and three water slides. This water park is spread out over 22,000 square-feet which allows for proper social distancing. The entire resort is situated on 85 acres of land, so it never feels crowded even under normal circumstances. Guests can reserve a cabana if they want their own dedicated space. Or they may snag a chair by the lazy river and relax.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort is located at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard. For more information about the resort or to make a reservation, visit www.gaylordrockies.com.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 25, 2021 | Travel
by Mark Smiley and Eleanore Smiley (10 years old)
Wave Pool: Catch a wave and splash and play as the swells sweep in from the five-foot deep end to the zero-depth-entry shallows. Wave pools are a fun family vacation favorite for kids of all ages. The rollers flow in every five minutes to lift and transport you on the surge of the ocean’s tide.
Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs, has reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lodge, offers families a viable option for a “staycation.” The family vacation resort opened in January 2016, and features a 50,000-square foot indoor water park. The $100 million resort is situated North of Colorado Springs and is just over a one-hour drive from Denver making it a logistically simple getaway.
The check-in process was seamless with the exception of the room not being ready. However, there is plenty to do while one waits for their room. And, upon check in, all members of your party are given wristbands which serve as your room key.
The main attraction is the indoor water park which has slides and thrill rides for kids and adults of all ages as well as a wave pool. In addition, after checkout, guests can continue to enjoy the water park until it closes at 8 p.m. “In my opinion the water park is the best part of Great Wolf Lodge,” said Ellie Smiley, a 10-year-old guest of the hotel and this author’s daughter. “Once you walk in you will see Fort McKenzie which is fun for any age. There’s a bucket that fills up with water then dumps on your head.”
The surprising part for most guests is there is more to do beyond the water park. The resort features a climbing wall, ropes course, a digital scavenger hunt which electronically captures achievements of its participants with a tracked score, a Build-a- Bear workshop, mini golf, bowling, and an arcade.
In addition to the above offerings, the resort features dance parties and story time. It is an easy way to wind down while having the children in pajamas with a short elevator ride up to the guest room.
Wolf Tail: Once the floor drops out from under you on this adventure ride, you’re hurled into a nearly vertical, 20-foot free fall followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop.
Guest rooms range in size from a standard room to suites including a separate den for the kids to offer privacy for the parents. They include a separate television with plenty of kids’ programming offered. They all offer mini fridges and microwaves. “In my opinion the best room there is the Wolf Den because it has a tiny built-in room called Wiley’s Den for your kids with bunk beds, a TV, and decorated walls with all the Great Wolf Lodge characters,” said Smiley. “There’s also a window which you will find the remote to the TV. Next to Wiley’s Den is the bed for the parents and a TV for them. The room also has a microwave, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker. Though the Wolf Den room costs more money, ages 13 and under will have the best time at Wiley’s Den!”
There are ample dining options inside the resort including pizza, quick appetizers, and a buffet geared mostly to the younger population. Ben and Jerry’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are guest favorites located on the way to the water park. They are convenient options to grab a cup of coffee or a cold treat.
While convenience is one of the selling points to the Great Wolf Lodge, some guests opt to visit nearby restaurants for lunch and dinner for a change of scenery. There are a number of restaurants and businesses nearby including The Summit, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse, and Jersey Mike’s.
The most notable attributes of the resort are the friendly staff members, clean suites, and an immaculate lobby that also has a big fireplace. Big windows give guests nice views of the Rockies as well.
If a family is looking for a quick getaway offering convenience, fun, and thrills, it is tough to beat the Great Wolf Lodge. For more information, visit www.greatwolf.com/colorado-springs. Follow them on Twitter @GreatWolfLodge and Facebook @GWLColoradoSprings.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 2, 2021 | Travel
Here We Are Stuck In The Middle
by Danny Foster and Bob Graham
Imagine, if you will, living in a time when you cannot express your political opinions, or any opinion for that matter, without being attacked, canceled, or dismissed. Imagine a time when loud demagogues control the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, and if you don’t walk in lockstep with the “leaders” of the Party, then you will be marginalized and called a racist or a socialist or an insurrectionist. Well imagine it no longer, this is America 2021, and pragmatism and thoughtful dialogue have left the building. We are all reaping what we have sowed by allowing the loudest voices to control our public discourse and policy. As much as we would like to blame the screeching voices on the Left, or the tin-foil hats on the Right, it is us, the majority of adults in this country, who are to blame. We are guilty of not standing up to the demagogues in the Democratic and Republican parties.
Danny Foster
The demagogues on the Left are no different than the demagogues on the Right. Sure, they have different political ideas, but their tactics are essentially the same. Viciously attack those whose opinions are different and embrace tribalism in its most visceral form. Nothing says “anti-fascist” like throwing bricks at your political opponents. There is great danger in assuming one’s side of an argument is free from fallibility or not otherwise open to question. We can only learn from each other if we are able to exchange ideas openly — without being shouted down by those with whom we disagree (after all we were both politically polarized, but through thoughtful discussion we have brought each other to the Center). When Rep. Ilan Omar and the rest of the Squad have become the loudest voices in the Democratic Party, and Reps. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor-Greene have become the loudest voices in the Republican Party, it leaves a wide gulf of unrepresented opinions in the middle. And on behalf of the Silenced Majority, let us just say that both Parties are collectively bumming out a large percentage of this country and we must stop being silent.
Common sense and maturity have long since abandoned the Parties and created a seemingly binary world. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A recent Gallup poll indicated that 40% of Americans consider themselves politically independent, the highest percentage ever recorded, while those holding themselves out as Democrats or Republicans has dramatically dropped in the past few years. That is because the majority of Americans are fed up with the extreme positions and tribalism sweeping our city councils, state legislatures, and the U.S. Congress. But unless the political mod-erates on both sides start exerting more political muscle and shutting down the polarizing rhetoric, the extremists will win. And we cannot let that happen.
We must refuse to let the fringes of these parties control our political dialogue. We should not be cowed into silence because we believe we will be attacked. If you are a Democrat, you shouldn’t be scared to say that you respect the police and that the De-fund the Police Movement is a terrible idea. Supporting our police doesn’t make you a bad Democrat, it makes you a grown-up. If you are a Republican, you shouldn’t be scared to say you are in favor of reasonable gun restrictions. That doesn’t make you a bad Republican, it makes you a good citizen. After all, 62% of all Americans favor a ban on semi-automatic weapons.
Bob Graham
What can you do? Don’t be afraid to state your opinion, even if your opinion is not the politically expedient one, and listen respectfully to those with whom you disagree. For example, when we see a tent city pop up in our neighborhood, we must treat the occupants of that tent city compassionately, but we also must strongly advocate for its immediate removal. And we shouldn’t feel guilty about saying this because tent cities are inhumane, dangerous, and the quickest way to decimate property values. Denver doesn’t want to be another San Francisco, Seattle, or Portland. Sure there are several local politicians on the Denver City Council who embrace homeless encampments to score political points, but at what cost? Don’t forget that over 80% of the voters in Denver voted to maintain the camping ban, not end it. So why are we all afraid to say it? Because so many are scared to be labeled insensitive, or even racist. If simply defending reasonable positions marks you as a bigot, then civic discourse becomes impossible and there is no way to compromise. You are entitled to your opinion and the Silenced Majority supports you.
We have enormous respect for Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin who have demonstrated true profiles in courage. Rep. Cheney had the guts to call out Donald Trump’s lie about the election being stolen even though it would have been much easier for her to toe the Republican line and Sen. Manchin has the guts to oppose extreme positions in the Democratic Party which has put him at odds with the Progressive wing of his Party.
Disagreements become insults when politics becomes a statement about who you are as a person. The children have been driving the bus long enough and they are steering us into on-coming traffic. It is time for the Silenced Majority to say Enough is Enough and take the wheel. (We’re sorry if this editorial “triggered” you, grow up.)
Danny Foster and Bob Graham have been law partners in Denver since 2000; danny@fostergraham.com, bob@fostergraham.com.
