DENVER –The Nuggets have played on Christmas Day 11 times in their storied history. The Broncos have done so only four times. This year is only the second time that both teams are playing on the same Christmas day, and sports bars are getting ready.

“It almost makes you feel like you’re at the game,” said Adis Mizic, Kitchen Manager at Tom’s Watch Bar in Denver, where they’ll be having giveaways and a live DJ to get the crowd feeling festive. “The energy in this, it’s just amazing… that’s kind of the whole point. We want you to feel like you’re at the game.”

At Chopper’s Sports Grill in Denver, Christmas came early. Owner Frankie Schultz and his team just installed a 350-inch LED screen to handle the demand of such successful sports teams.

“Literally, we just got it up this morning,” Schultz said. “It’s pieces that go together, but it’s seamless, and we’re really excited about it.”

Management at both of the sports bars are appreciative of those who volunteered to work on Christmas. Tom’s Watch Bar is supplying their employees with a special meal, and Chopper’s will have their kitchen closed, but with premade snacks available.

Denver7’s Anaya Salcedo

With low staffing, and unsure of how many patrons are going to show up on Christmas, Schultz hopes people will be willing to cut businesses some slack this holiday season.

“We’re going try to do what we can,” Schultz said, laughing. “We don’t know if it’s going to be five people or 200 but… it’s a holiday, so hopefully we get some forgiveness.”

The day of Denver7 Christmas sports starts off tomorrow with three NBA games, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pregame coverage of the Broncos-Chiefs game starts at 5:30, with kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

The Nuggets-Timberwolvse game gets underway at 8:30 p.m. It will start on The Spot Denver3 until the football game is over. Then, it will move to Denver7 for the remainder of the game and news after.

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DENVER — The Denver Police Department (DPD) is looking for the driver in an alleged hit-and-run crash on Monday morning.

Around 7:15 a.m. Monday on westbound Interstate 70, just east of the Sheridan Boulevard exit, DPD said the driver of a newer Jeep Cherokee changed lanes into a motorcyclist in the far-left lane.

The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries as a result of this crash, according to DPD.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee drove away from the scene of the crash without stopping or leaving any contact information, as is required by law. The vehicle was white or light colored with unknown license plates, DPD said.

Anyone with information about the driver, the suspected Jeep Cherokee involved or the crash itself is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867) or submit a tip online here. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a $2,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.

DENVER — The redesigned 16th Street which was completed back in October and has brought in more foot traffic just in time for last minute holiday shopping.

“Mall is alive. We can’t wait for the holiday,” said James Chapman, Denver resident.

That’s how some shoppers that we spoke with feel since 16^th street was reopened.

“It’s so nice, a lot more walkable,” said Alexis Armentrout, Denver resident. 

The three-year long construction helped revitalize the aging infrastructure making it more accessible.

“The redesign is beautiful, especially for people with disabilities. We don’t have a lot of curve cuts. We can, like, go here and there. You can go in and out of this shop, back in the other shop, and do some shopping with our grandkids without running off the curb,” said James Chapman, Denver resident. 

The construction did cause some business interruptions, but one candy shop we spoke with says the end result has helped with their sales.

“We’ve seen so much more foot traffic. Our margins have been through the roof since it actually happened just, I think, our frames, and with the holidays, a lot of people staying around here in the hotels, and just our Denver native people as well are just pouring in the store,” said Victoria Hinojos, Its Sugar assistant manager.

The Downtown Denver Partnership says they saw a 26% year over year foot traffic increase on 16th Street last month.

“It’s been super cool to see it revamped,” said Armentrout.

According to the National Retail Federation, over a trillion dollars is forecasted to be spent this holiday season nationwide.

“We are seeing tons of last-minute holiday shoppers,” said Hinojos.

We asked some shopper what they have on their list to buy.

“Headed down to do some photo cards for my grandkids, and then I’m headed to TJ Maxx to try to find a special gift for a loved one, like a little jewelry box,” said Chapman.

For some shoppers, they say last minute holiday shopping brings them joy.

“The feeling it brings for me this year, on last day holiday shopping is I need to get it and wrap it and present it. So last minute shopping is a beautiful thing,” said Chapman.