by Charles Bonniwell | Feb 19, 2026 | Main Articles
by Charles Bonniwell
Divider: Critics say Channel 9 News anchor Kyle Clark has instigated class warfare over Alameda Avenue in order to boost his slumping ratings.
Unlikely Hero: Jill Anschutz, daughter-in-law of Colorado’s richest man, has become a surprising popular advocate for many everyday Denverites.
Denver’s hard progressive left and its media advocates, headed by Channel 9’s Kyle Clark, have decided to flex their increasing muscle to go after and try to crush the middle-class homeowners, small businessmen, and everyday commuters who once were important voices in the city, all over a relatively short one-mile, 10-block stretch of East Alameda Avenue in the East Washington Park area.
Opposing Clark and his powerful allies is an unlikely voice for the middle class, Jill Anschutz, the daughter-in-law of Colorado’s richest man, Phil Anschutz. Although she married into a rich family, she herself did not come from a wealthy background.
She graduated magna cum laude with a journalism degree from Taylor University, a small Christian liberal college in Indiana, before moving to Denver, where she met Christian Anschutz around 2015. They have several children together.
Repurposing Project
“While my name might stand out, this is not about me,” Anschutz has indicated. “It is about hundreds of neighbors and businesses who are concerned about negative unintended consequences from the initial design of the Alameda Lanes Repurposing Project.”
The war between the two sides relates to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) “Alameda Lane Repurposing Project” for Alameda Avenue between Franklin and Downing streets.
On November 7, 2025, DOTI came out with its plan for public comment, with implementation to begin in late 2026. The existing road has two lanes in each direction. It acts as a major thoroughfare for east-west traffic in that portion of the city. The plan would have cut the street down to a single lane each way. It would add dedicated left-turn lanes at various intersections and install medians and bollards at others to eliminate left turns altogether.
DOTI declared the goals of the plan were to reduce crashes, provide pedestrian safety, and improve accessibility, and of course no one believed them. Critics of the city administration believe that many, if not most, of the city’s plans have a real purpose hidden behind politically correct bromides.
Busy Traffic: The one-mile stretch along Alameda Avenue that is subject of DOTI’s repurposing project has many fender bender accidents but no reported fatalities or serious injuries.
The idea that “safety” is the overriding concern of Kyle Clark or his adherents is somewhat ridiculous. Given the number of lights and stop signs on this one-mile track of roadway, cars drive very slowly. While there are various accidents reported, they are overwhelmingly fender-bender-type accidents; there have been no reported fatalities or serious injuries.
The real fight is about competing visions of what kind of city Denver should be.
Ideal Choked-Up City
Some members of the Denver City Council and the City Administration believe cars are a baneful influence on a city. By reducing cars and car traffic, they believe it would help in fighting climate change and create a more egalitarian society where everyone is made to ride bicycles, walk, or take public transportation in the form of buses or trains. That would create an idealized “15-minute city.”
But what about middle-class families for whom cars are an enormous benefit to their lives, along with small businesses that depend on car traffic? To the hard progressive left, they are what the “kulak” farmers were to Stalin’s Russia in the 1920s — an impediment to true progress that needs to be liquidated.
If given their druthers, the hard left would simply ban cars within the confines of the city, but that is not politically viable at the present time. Instead, in the name of “safety,” “sustainability,” “accessibility,” “affordability,” etc., driving in Denver must be made as unpleasant as possible to get people to cease using cars.
One method is making parking as difficult as possible, so Denver did away with an all-parking requirement for any new project. Another method is making driving as unpleasant as possible by creating as much traffic congestion as can be imposed.
On many major thoroughfares in Denver, including Colfax Avenue, Federal Boulevard, and Colorado Avenue, DOTI and/or CDOT have ongoing projects whereby the number of traffic lanes is to be reduced and substituted with bus or bike lanes.
Pitch Battle: Admirers of Jill Anschutz have come to view her as a modern day Molly Pitcher in Anschutz’s battle against what they view as the Godless mercenary hords of Kyle Clark. Shown above is Molly Pitcher in the revolutionary war battle of Monmouth in 1777.
For other thoroughfares such as Alameda Avenue, in the name of “safety,” the number of lanes is reduced to create a left-turn lane and create congestion on the remaining lanes.
Opposition Arises
After the city’s proposed plan was issued in November 2025, a group headed by Jill Anschutz entitled Act for Alameda was formed, representing homeowners in the area, small businesses along Alameda Avenue, and commuters who used Alameda as an east-west corridor to get across the city.
The group sent a letter to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston opposing the plan, indicating that the project would potentially create massive traffic congestion, pouring cars onto residential side streets where families and children would be walking. Moreover, to the extent that safety was actually a concern, there were less disruptive ways to lessen the fender-bender accidents on the road.
Jill Anschutz, who owns a home just off Alameda Avenue, was a logical person to lead the group. She had been a long-time marketing, public relations, and messaging consultant, and was now a freelance communicator and project director. She even hired a lobbyist for the group with experience dealing with DOTI.
Anschutz and Councilmember Kevin Flynn were able to point out that in 2012 the exact same lane reduction was implemented by DOTI and was so disastrous that the road was quickly adjusted back to its present configuration.
Plan Modification
DOTI then came up with a modified plan that kept all four lanes but converted some spans into “turn pockets” for drivers turning left. Advocates indicated the modified plan would provide less congestion while still making the road “safer.”
Normally that would have been the end of the matter, but Channel 9’s Kyle Clark latched onto the fact that Act for Alameda was headed up by Jill Anschutz, a born-again Christian and the daughter-in-law of Colorado’s richest man, Phil Anschutz.
Kyle Clark Weighs In
Channel 9 was for many years Colorado’s leading television station and was dubbed “mommy news” for its female-oriented soft news orientation. But over the last decade, ratings for local television news have dropped precipitously, particularly for Channel 9 News.
In 2016, NBC affiliate KUSA-TV decided to stop being “mommy news” and go hard left, with long-time employee Kyle Clark being the anchor not only for the 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock news but also for his own weeknight show, Next with Kyle Clark. With a hard-left agenda, the station and Clark attracted national attention, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Clark was featured and interviewed on MSNBC by Rachel Maddow and on CNN.
But in recent times, Clark and Channel 9 News fell significantly behind FOX31 KDVR in ratings. Clark reveled in being called “a virulent anti-Christian bigot” and a “commie.” Clark, in order to regain ratings, had to return to his progressive hard edge, and evoking class warfare over Alameda Avenue seemed like a perfect avenue to do so.
His virulent attacks on Anschutz and her use of a lobbyist to plead the homeowners’ case caused a media frenzy. The Denver Post, in an article with a headline “PR Nightmare for Mayor Mike Johnston,” revealed that Clark and Alameda Avenue helped “trigger a maelstrom of critical media coverage, the resignation of a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Advisory Board and, late last month, a formal letter of protest from a majority of the City Council.”
Official Under Fire: DOTI Executive Director Amy Ford seen here at a recent contentious city council meeting in Denver.
But the ugly onslaught on Jill Anschutz did not make her back down as Clark had expected. Her friends indicate that, growing up in a strong Christian family, she was taught that when you stand up to a powerful bully like Clark, you can expect to be persecuted.
One More Plan
Clark, by trumpeting that the city, in coming up with a revised plan, had bowed to Jill Anschutz because she had married into a rich family and therefore the city was “lifting certain voices over others,” used a class warfare tactic that worked to cause DOTI to announce in January that it would backtrack again into demonstrating one, if not both, of the proposals.
But testing the “safety” of both of the proposals is, of course, somewhat useless since safety was never the actual issue. The Alameda Avenue controversy is a clash of political wills between the hard left, who ultimately want a car-free Denver to the greatest extent possible, and middle-class homeowners and small businesses that want a livable city for families, particularly those with children.
For the hard left, Clark is their champion. For everyday Denverites, they finally have their own hero, Jill Anschutz.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 18, 2026 | Main Articles
New Development Will Bring Some Of Cherry Creek’s Largest Office Floorplates
by Glen Richardson
Street Style: Artist rendering shows how development will give Clayton a more commercial business look.
The Broe Group has launched the second phase of its $200 million Cherry Creek North development with construction underway on a new 175,000-sq.-ft. Class A office tower at 250 Clayton St. Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2028.
The building will serve as the new headquarters for The Broe Group, Broe Real Estate Group, and OmniTRAX. The entities are controlled by controversial businessman Pat Broe who is dispised by many in the Denver business community. The site is directly across from the Clayton Members Club and steps from the proposed Timber 225 tower.
After the full leasing of phase one at 200 Clayton, this second phase will bring some of the largest office floorplates in Cherry Creek North, with sizes from 25,000 to 30,000 sq. ft. The Beck design-build development also includes 10,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail.
Home For Affiliates
Outdoor Patio: Project’s many amenities include this 7th floor outdoor patio. Building will also have multiple rooftop features.
The first phase of the Cherry Creek North development comprises 200 Clayton, a 76,000-square-foot office building. The eight-story facility came online in 2023 and is fully leased.
Changing Cherry Creek: The building’s fresh approach will enhance the neighborhood, adding to popularity of the district.
When complete, Broe’s Cherry Creek holdings will exceed $1.5 billion in value. The new building will become the home to key Broe affiliated companies, including OmniTRAX, which collectively account for 24% of the project.
“We continue to invest in our home market and see strong sustained demand for what has become Denver’s top urban market,” suggests Broe Real Estate Group CEO Douglas Wells. “250 Clayton will deliver an unrivaled tenant experience that will redefine Cherry Creek office space,” he declares.
Community Connection
The Broe Group’s core portfolio companies
have already committed to occupying 24% of the new development.
Brianna Broe, a member of the Broe Family Board, reflected on the firm’s long connection to the community.
“For five decades and three generations, The Broe Group and the Broe family have called Cherry Creek home,” she said. “We have taken great care to create a high-quality project that adds to Cherry Creek’s well-earned reputation and inspires what’s to come.”
Amenities
New Headquarters: The building will become the home to key Broe affiliated companies which will collectively account for 24% of the project.
Amenities include outdoor spaces, a building lounge, multiple rooftop features, and a drive-through visitor entry.
The eight-story building will boast floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the vibrancy of Cherry Creek North.
Advanced sustainability and energy efficiency measures in the project are designed to exceed City of Denver codes
Parking Provided
Transition: The quiet of the older Clayton Street neighborhood look is being updated by the latest Broe development project.
Phase two is larger than phase one, covering 175,000 sq. ft. with 10,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail in addition to office spaces. There will be nearly 100 spaces in both above-ground and subterranean parking structures.
In addition to modern office spaces, 250 Clayton will offer tenants curated amenities, including outdoor areas, a building lounge, and rooftop spaces. Projects by the Broe Group in the neighborhood include 200 Clayton, Country Club Towers, and The Seasons of Cherry Creek.
Businesses looking to set up shop in Cherry Creek can also take advantage of the Colorado market’s relative affordability within the U.S. office sector. According to the national office report, Denver is one of just a few markets where listing rates were typically below the national average of $32.81 per sq, ft. in October 2025.
by Valley Gadfly | Feb 18, 2026 | Main Articles
Denver’s Luck Of The Irish Kicks Off March 14 With The Largest Parade West Of The Mississippi Turning Streets Green
by Glen Richardson
Pets Participate: Dress your four-legged furry friend in green for the annual Green Street St. Paddy’s Day Pet Parade on March 14.
As luck would have it, St. Patrick’s Day in Denver centers around the huge annual parade set to start March 14 on Wynkoop Street at 9:30 a.m. and weave through downtown. The actual holiday is Tuesday, March 17.
Presented by Bellco Credit Union, the 2026 theme is Stars, Stripes, and Shamrocks. It is known as the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi. Legend has it that the modern-day parade started when pub-goers at the now-defunct Duffy’s Shamrock Bar took to the streets in 1962.
Running for more than 60 years, nearly half a million people are expected to attend the downtown parade. You’ll want to get a good spot in advance since some people arrive at 6 a.m. to find a prime place for spectating. The parade happens regardless of the weather.
Floats, Dancers
Every year the spirit of the Irish seems to dance its way into town and transform the Mile High City into a vibrant sea of green. Downtown overflows with Irish jig leprechauns, four-leaf clover wearers, Irish lovers, plus those with green clothes, and an affection for green beer.
The parade celebrates Irish culture with vibrant floats, dancers, and bagpipers. It has been a hallmark of The Mile High City since 1962, celebrating a deep love for Irish culture. Whether you’re proudly Irish, or just embracing the luck of the Irish for the day, this family-friendly event is a must attend. Gather your friends, bring the whole family, and don’t forget to wear you best green attire.
More than a parade, it’s a celebration of culture, community, and camaraderie that you won’t want to miss!
Uncertain Weather
Runnin’ of the Green: Bagpipe group plays Irish music as runners compete in the classic Irish jog in Washington Park. This year’s event is March 8, 10 a.m. to noon.
March is known for wildly varying weather. The last time measurable snow occurred on St. Patrick’s Day was in 1922. It might be cold, hot, who knows? Dress in layers and bring plenty of water.
To catch the parade entries’ full performance — dancing, full music sets, etc. — the best spot is south of 20th Ave. on Blake St., which will be renamed Tooley St. for the parade. This is one of the most crowded areas of the parade and is standing room only. Folks arrive as early as 6 a.m. to stake out a spot.
During the parade, you can expect to see floats, dancing, live bands, charities, and local celebrities. Attendees can easily find some green beer to drink at one of downtown Denver’s many bars. The parade itself does not provide food or drink, so if you need to grab a snack or use the bathroom, you’ll have to find a restaurant or bar to do so.
Runnin’ Of The Green
To get in shape for this year’s St. Paddy’s Day activities, participate in the 38th annual Runnin’ of the Green in Washington Park, March 8, 10 a.m. to noon. The Classic Irish jog will have live Irish music, Irish dancers, bagpipes, and a beer garden.
The luck o’ the Irish event is a family- friendly 7K and 2 Mile run-walk celebrating Irish traditions, Saint Patrick’s Day, and Spring. The event includes professional timing and online results. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each age category.
The awards ceremony is at 10 a.m. The event promises to be a day filled with Irish fun, live music, awards, plus cold beer. Don’t forget your bagpipes!
State’s 150 Birthday
Keggs & Eggs: ViewHouse has a four-day lineup of food and fun beginning with Keggs & Eggs on March 14.
The biggest and best St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of the Mississippi, this year celebrates Colorado’s 150th and the Nation’s 250th Anniversaries.
Arrive early to stake out your favorite spot. The best place for families is at the end of the parade on Blake St. from 23rd to 27th Avenues.
Celebrated around the world, many cities offer unique events to mark the occasion. From the green-lit landmarks of Dublin, to Denver’s festive parade, St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage. The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was in 1889, but the event has modernized since the days of gas lamps and the Gilded Age.
Bagpipes, Jigs, Fun
Whether you’re sporting your lucky-charms and shamrocks, or searching for a pint of the finest Irish stout, downtown on parade day is a journey through one of the most celebrated events in Denver. It is a day full of jigs, bagpipes, and fun.
The City of Denver annually paints a green strip down the Blake Street parade path in honor of St. Patrick.
Another custom is the annual changing of the sign, which is when Blake Street is changed to Tooley Street in honor of Dale Tooley, Denver’s former district attorney in the 1970s and 1980s.
Chasing Abbey
Denver’s Dublin Days: The annual parade celebrates Irish culture with vibrant floats, dancers, and bagpipers.
Chasing Abbey, the award-winning trio from Tullamore, Ireland, plays their long-awaited U.S. debut at Globe Hall Bar-B-Q on Logan St. March 6, 8 p.m. With hits like Aris is Airs and Oh My Johnny, the group has earned multiple platinum singles and packed venues across Ireland and the world. Information: 393-296-1003.
Dress your four-legged furry friend in green for the 2nd annual Green Street St. Paddy’s Day Pet Parade on March 14, 2 p.m. The pet parade route runs from 590 29th Street, proceeding down Welton Street, and concluding at Sonny Lawson Park.
The parade will be led by the Denver Brass Band. After the parade, the celebration ends with a bar crawl featuring local establishments, live DJs, performers, and spoken-word artists.
Irishfest Follows
Irishfest Follows: Following the parade, head to the ballpark neighborhood for Irishfest. Dates are March 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and March 15 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Following the parade, head to the ballpark neighborhood for Irishfest. Dates are March 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and March 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a community Irish festival featuring local businesses, community partners, sponsors, vendors, and entertainment.
Event is in Denver’s Ballpark District at 21st Street & Blake in the Rockies parking lot, providing an outlet for parade goers to join the community to keep the festivities going after the last float goes by.
Irishfest will be serving up Irish coffee, other libations, refreshments, and local food starting at 8 a.m. on the corner of 21st and Blake. An all-age Irish festival, it features local food and drink vendors, music, silent discos. Proceeds benefit Ballpark Collective RNO.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 16, 2026 | Main Articles
by Mark Smiley
Retired Glendale Police Chief Joe Haskins (right) passes along a ceremonial sword bearing the engraved names of past chiefs to new Glendale Police Chief Justin Haynes, an enduring tradition that has remained in the chief’s office for decades. Photo credit: Colton Strickler
Retired Glendale Police Chief Joe Haskins is pictured in vintage photos, remembered for his decades of service and leadership in the Glendale community.
After 38 years in law enforcement, including almost 13 years as Glendale’s police chief, Joe Haskins is stepping away from the badge, leaving behind a department he helped fundamentally reshape and a legacy defined by service, accountability, and cultural change.
Haskins’ career with the Glendale Police Department began in 1994, after six years with the Sheridan Police Department. Like many officers of his era, he entered policing with what he describes as an “enforcement-first” mindset, an approach that would later evolve in response to a pivotal moment in the department’s history.
In October 1999, Glendale police were involved in a serious incident during a contact with a man believed to be intoxicated in his vehicle. The situation escalated, and the individual was assaulted by an officer who was later convicted of a crime and permanently removed from law enforcement.
“That incident made it really clear, to the mayor, City Council, and certainly to the police department, that things needed to change,” Haskins said. “We recognized there was a big shift that had to happen.”
The department began moving away from an enforcement-first philosophy toward a model emphasizing judgment, restraint, and decision-making under stress. That cultural shift, Haskins said, did not happen overnight.
“It took years,” he said. “By 2006 or 2007, we were really well on our way, but this is never something that’s ‘done.’ You’re always working at it.”
As he rose through the ranks, promoted to sergeant in 2002, lieutenant several years later, and ultimately police chief in 2013, Haskins became closely involved in training and policy reforms. One of the initiatives he helped pioneer was Glendale’s force-continuum training program, a hands-on simulation designed to replicate the stress and unpredictability officers face in real-world encounters.
“You can teach policy in a classroom and pass a written test,” said Haskins. “But how are you really going to act at three o’clock in the morning when no one is watching?”
The program placed officers in realistic scenarios using protective gear and non-lethal training weapons, allowing supervisors to observe how officers responded under pressure and intervene with retraining when necessary.
“That was one of the key things about
changing the culture,” Haskins said.
In 2013, following the resignation of then-Chief Ross, Haskins was appointed interim chief and later named permanent chief by City Council. His tenure would become the second-longest in department history.
Despite leading a relatively small department, Haskins emphasized that Glendale officers face big-city challenges, from high call volumes to nightlife related incidents, and that proactive policing has long been a hallmark of the department.
“Our officers are busy,” Haskins said. “I’d put their activity level up against anyone in the metro area. They’re proactive, not just waiting for the radio to go off, but making contacts, trying to solve problems, and figuring out whether someone needs help or accountability.”
Throughout his career, Haskins often returned to the idea of policing as a calling rather than a job.
“I’ve always believed law enforcement is a noble profession,” he said. “The nobility comes from the self-sacrifice. You give up some of your rights. You place the will of the public ahead of your own.”
As chief, he reminded officers that the uniform itself symbolized service over self.
“I take away your first name. Your first name is ‘officer,’” he said. “Because it’s not about you, it’s about the service you’re providing.”
Barret O’Brien (left) poses with retired Glendale Police Chief Joe Haskins, lifelong friends whose bond has remained strong through the years of service and community involvement.
While Haskins is retiring as chief, he is not fully stepping away. He plans to continue consulting for the city and police department, offering institutional knowledge built from decades of experience.
“I don’t want to just abandon the cops over there,” Haskins said. “I care deeply for the department and every single member of staff.”
More than anything, Haskins said retirement will allow him to make up for time lost with his family, particularly his wife, Rochelle, who endured years of late nights and constant worry.
“Every night I went to work, she had a pit in her stomach until I got home,” he said. “She lived that life with me.”
Reflecting on his career, Haskins expressed gratitude rather than pride.
“I was trusted with an incredible responsibility,” he said. “It was always a privilege, and I tried very hard to live up to that.”
by Amber Wyatt | Jan 16, 2026 | Main Articles
Fire Threatened Historic Inga’s Alpine Tavern
by Amber Wyatt
Blazing Inferno: The Leetsdale Drive fire was the largest in Denver for decades but fortunately resulted in only one fireman being injured
A five-alarm fire tore through the Harker Heights apartment complex under construction along Leetsdale Drive along the Glendale-Denver border on Friday evening, January 3, sending thick black smoke into the sky, knocking out power for nearby blocks, and forcing evacuations on the border of Denver and Glendale.
The 283-unit development was scheduled to open in May, but officials said the building had not yet been outfitted with a sprinkler system or interior drywall, allowing flames to spread rapidly through exposed construction materials. At one point, the fire sparked a smaller blaze behind the neighboring Sherwin-Williams paint store, which crews quickly extinguished.
Individual Arrested
Suspect: Convicted felon Tony Becerra of Aurora was arrested in connection with the five-alarm fire on Leetsdale Drive.
It was the largest fire in Denver in decades and encompassing an area equal to four football fields. With unusual alacrity the Denver Fire Department (DFD) announced on January 14, 2026, that they had arrested Tony Becerra, 38, of Aurora as a result of a joint arson investigation of the DFD and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Surveillance footage has the suspect entering and leaving the construction site shortly before the fire started and other cameras tracked his movements after leaving the site. He is shown carrying a black bag. The exact origin and cause of the fire have not yet been determined.
Becerra had been previously convicted of felony trespassing and had an active warrant from June 2025 for failing to appear for another trespassing charge. In keeping with Denver city policy his immigration status was not revealed.
Evacuations And Power Losses
Neighborhood Watch: Homeowner watched and worried as the fire roared. Homes on East Dakota Ave. on the north were noticeably damaged.
Roughly 1,000 Xcel Energy customers lost power as firefighters battled the flames, and the Glendale Police Department opened an overnight shelter at the Glendale Event Center for people displaced by the evacuation orders and outages.
Denver Police issued evacuations for residents of about 10 to 15 homes behind the construction site, where residents watched the fire climb high above rooftops.
“It looked like the building was blowing up,” said South Hilltop resident Caitlyn Molner, who lives directly behind the site. “I saw the flames in the reflection of my refrigerator.”
Molner said she and her husband fled with their four-month-old baby and dogs within minutes as the heat intensified near their home.
“I was afraid our house was going to burn down,” she said. “The firefighters did an incredible job keeping it out of our home.”
Historic Tavern Narrowly Spared
Photo by: Caitlin Spano
For many neighbors, the fire carried an additional fear: that it might destroy Inga’s Alpine Tavern, a longtime community fixture next door to the burning complex. The tavern sits in a building that dates back to 1954 and has served multiple generations of residents as both the neighborhood and the surrounding business corridor evolved.
“I’ve never seen one like it in Denver,” said Jeff Hansen, whose family built the structure in the 1950s and now owns it. “We’re just grateful Inga’s made it.”
The restaurant’s owner, Mary McKnabb, said she was not on site when the fire broke out, but her son Peter, the manager on duty, called her shortly after flames erupted nearby.
“About 10 minutes later the police showed up and told them they had to evacuate immediately,” McKnabb said. “Fire trucks were blocking Leetsdale. The parking lot was almost inaccessible.”
McKnabb said her son secured the business quickly before leaving, unsure what would remain by morning.
“He told me, ‘Mom, I thought the place wouldn’t be here tomorrow,’” she said.
Although the building survived, smoke and disruption have affected business operations in the days since. Inga’s lost power and connectivity, forcing the tavern to operate on a limited basis.
“We have a backup internet that sort of works,” McKnabb said. “We can run credit cards, but we can’t print receipts or kitchen tickets. We’re handwriting everything.”
Residents Describe Intense Heat, Smoke Damage
Hose Deployment: Fire engines capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of water a minute had to be refueled at least four times during the night of the fire.
In the South Hilltop neighborhood behind the construction site, residents described flames reaching an estimated 100 feet and heat strong enough to threaten nearby homes. Alan Rivoir, who lives just behind the site, said he was away in Littleton when his landlord called to warn him.
“He said, ‘The building behind us is burning down and the heat is intense,’” Rivoir said.
Rivoir rushed to make arrangements for his three dogs as evacuation orders spread. He said his home did not catch fire, but smoke from burning construction materials caused significant damage and required full remediation.
Fire’s Remnants: Residue from the five alarm Leetsdale fire highlights the destruction and loss brought about by the event. Photo: Kevin J. Beaty
“The wind saved us,” Rivoir said. “If it had shifted, those 100-foot flames would have wiped out our whole block.”
Fire Contained After Heavy Response
Firefighters used heavyweight equipment to move debris as crews worked to fully extinguish hot spots. Officials reported that 156 firefighters responded and that several engines capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of water per minute had to be refueled at least four times overnight due to the scale of the blaze.
Hose Deployment: Fire engines capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of water a minute had to be refueled at least four times during the night of the fire.
Following the fire, nearby businesses began reopening as conditions improved. Inga’s reopened to serve residents returning from evacuations who did not want to cook.
The Jewish Community Center remained closed through January 4 to prevent smoke from entering the building, while air purifiers ran throughout the facility. In a statement, the center thanked first responders and said it was collecting items of appreciation for nearby fire stations, including fresh challah bread.
Frightful Flames: Flames from Leetsdale Drive apartment construction site fire flare above the nearby Greek Orthodox Cathedral
The Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral, located nearby, said it did not sustain smoke damage.
Questions remain as investigation continues
The cause of the fire has not been officially determined. Investigators said they were considering all possibilities, including reports of fireworks in the area.
The property is owned by Embrey, a Texas-based real estate investment company. Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are assisting, deploying a National Response Team that includes certified fire investigators, explosives specialists, engineers, and forensic chemists, along with an accelerant detection canine.
Photo by: Zachary Roulier
Despite the destruction of the unfinished apartment complex, many residents expressed relief that the fire did not spread further into surrounding businesses and homes.
“Thank you to the firefighters, because I don’t know how all of these homes aren’t burned down,” Mark Lampert told Denver7. “I mean, seriously, it’s a miracle.”
For Molner, the memory of the night still feels unreal.
“We were lucky,” she said. “So lucky. And we owe everything to the firefighters who kept it from getting worse.”
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 15, 2025 | Main Articles
Bond’s $1 Billion Package To Fund Streets, Bridges, Parks, And Playground
by Glen Richardson
Walk The Walk: Santa Fe Art District —home of the First Friday Art Walk — will receive just over $29 million in bond funds.
Denver voters approved the November 4, 2025 Vibrant Denver bond package, giving the city $950 million of long-term debt to pay from projects citywide.
The bond bucks will pay for repairs and improvements to roads, bridges, parks, playgrounds, and community spaces without adding new taxes. Mayor Mike Johnston says the package will “create 7,000 new jobs, and generate $1.8 billion in economic activity.” The city is expected to pay off the debt over six years.
The most funding — about $441 million — will go toward transportation and mobility, meaning streets, bridges, and traffic safety improvements. Here’s a look at the projects having the most impact near Cherry Creek North and the Village of Glendale:
Signals, Crosswalks
Big Bucks Change: With $89 million of funding, the eastern portion of the 8th Ave. Viaduct will be removed.
Funding to make traveling through the intersection at 1st Ave. and University safer is budgeted at $5,700,000.
Signal improvements and geometric changes are among the modifications planned. One of Cherry Creek North’s busiest intersections, designs aim to improve safety for people driving, walking, bicycling, and taking transit.
Pedestrian crossing safety improvements citywide will get $3 million. Crosswalk markings, signage, and rapid flashing beacons will be funded.
Santa Fe Upgrades
Upgrades to Santa Fe Drive through the heart of the Santa Fe Art District from 6th Ave. to 13th Ave. is budgeted at $29,085,000. The district comes alive each month as thousands descend upon the street for the First Friday Art Walk from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Wider sidewalks, landscaping, and improved public spaces are planned. Aimed at improving the experience for people walking on Santa Fe, it also seeks to improve safety, while enhancing the district’s identity, history, and culture.
Projects along east-westbound Evans Ave. are budgeted for $18 million. Improvements will design and construct enhancements to signals and pedestrian crossings. Work will be on Evans Ave. from Colorado Blvd. to S. Downing St. and I-25 to Quebec St. Another $1,500,000 will fund neighborhood road safety projects. The project will prioritize, design, and construct improvements on nearly a half-dozen streets. Traffic calming — physical design, signs, and painted markings, and pedestrian safety enhancements — will be constructed on Holly St., 6th Ave., 8th Ave, Uinta St., and Exposition Ave.
Cherry Creek Bridges
Go Broncos: The Denver Broncos plan to make Burnham Yard — less than a mile from Empower Field — their new home. Photo: Gabriel Christus
Denver’s two bridges over Cherry Creek are funded with $29,375,000. Both the Lincoln St. and the 6th Ave. bridges are over 65 years old, and at the end of their serviceable lives.
Both are in poor condition, and on the verge of being load posted with restrictions on emergency vehicle access. The two structures carry major arterial roads through a heavily traveled part of the city.
Moreover, they provide a critical connection to the Denver Health complex. Both are designated as emergency response routes. Replacement of the two deteriorating bridges is critical to maintaining safe and reliable connections.
6th Ave Viaduct
Bond Business: Mayor Mike Johnston talked up the bond initiative prior to the November 4th voter approval. Photo: Kevin J. Beaty
Repairs and access improvements for the 6th Ave. Viaduct are allocated at $50 million. The 6th Ave. Viaduct is one of the busiest roads in Denver’s central core, carrying about 64,000 vehicles a day. It is a critical east-west connection that supports the movement of people and goods between the city, region, and the state.
Piers have deterioration with no load idleness and have high criticality and consequences of failure. Failure of the bridge — or even load rating it — would have major consequences for the region.
Funding will complete structural repairs; create additional connectivity and access points. It will also fund pre-design for the future replacement of the bridge. The project also provides funding for emergency repairs — deck repairs and joint replacements — plus work to maintain connectivity, capacity, and efficiency of the transportation network in the near-term and into the future. Moreover, it will help the city reduce its liability and risk associated with the viaduct.
8th Ave. Viaduct
Boettcher Bucks: Bond funding earmarks $20 million for improvements at Boettcher Concert Hall in the DCPA complex.
The 8th Ave. Viaduct, with $89,200,000 of funding, will leave the western portion of the viaduct and remove the eastern portion. The eastern portion will be reconstructed as an at-grade roadway after it ramps down over the Consolidated Main Line.
The 6th Ave. and 8th Ave. projects will benefit the Denver Broncos’ plan to build a stadium in the area. Denver officials, however, contend the viaducts need fixing nonetheless. The Broncos want the new stadium in Barnham Yard ready for the 2031 season.
The 8th Ave. bridge — it carries about 14,500 vehicles a day — is considered a couplet partner to 6th Ave. that’s essential to connectivity into Denver’s central core during 6th Ave. reconstruction. Work will provide sufficient clearance for Cherry Creek Trail users, and be built in accordance with floodplain requirements.
Boettcher Concert Hall
Bond funding earmarks $20 million to support maintained and improvement projects at Boettcher Concert Hall in the DCPA complex. Tasks include roof repairs, safety system upgrades, plus electrical and mechanical improvements.
The Denver Animal Shelter on W. Bayaud Ave., is allocated $10 million. Included are improvements of the existing animal shelter to mend spaces for dog kennels and-or runs, as well as enhancement to the lobby and clinic spaces.
The Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, and Denver Museum of Nature & Science each receive $3 million. Funding will support repairs and improvements. Included are safety upgrades, roof repairs, plus electrical and mechanical improvements.
