Denver, CO

Former state senator now faces investigation by Denver, Boulder district attorneys after resigning amid ethics probe

Published

9 months ago

March 11, 2025

Former state senator now faces investigation by Denver, Boulder district attorneys after resigning amid ethics probe

Former state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis is under investigation by the Denver and Boulder district attorneys’ offices, nearly a month after legislative staff determined the Longmont Democrat had likely forged at least one letter of support in an ethics probe.

Spokespeople for both offices confirmed their involvement in the investigation Tuesday. The Denver District Attorney’s Office began investigating after “the matter was referred to us by the State Senate,” spokesman Matt Jablow said in an email. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Jablow declined to provide additional details, and the exact nature of the investigation is unclear. But Denver Democratic Sen. Julie Gonzales, who chaired an ethics committee investigating Jaquez Lewis’ behavior toward aides, said she spoke with both the Denver and Boulder district attorneys “about the materials we received from (Jaquez Lewis) as part of the Senate Ethics Committee process.”

The Denver DA’s office also requested an interview with Gonzales, she said, as well as copies of the letters Jaquez Lewis submitted to defend herself against an ethics probe into her treatment of her staff. Gonzales said a constituent of Jaquez Lewis previously contacted Boulder prosecutors and then emailed Gonzales to ask if charges would be filed against the now-former senator.

That email, Gonzales said, prompted her conversations with the two counties’ district attorneys.

Jaquez Lewis earlier submitted five letters, purportedly from supporters and former staff members, as part of her defense against the ethics investigation. One was later determined to have been faked, legislative staff told Gonzales and other members of the Senate Ethics Committee last month.

A second person, Tara Mastracchio, confirmed to The Denver Post on Tuesday that she also did not write a letter attributed to her in Jaquez Lewis’ ethics hearing.

“I am disappointed and disillusioned by the behavior of the prior senator over the last few weeks,” Mastracchio said after reviewing the letter. “I maintained my integrity and loyalty standing by her over the last several months, but now feel like I’ve been a pawn in desperate and manipulative tactics.”

Under Colorado law, using deceit in an attempt to influence a public servant is a felony, as is the use of certain forgeries.

In an interview, Jaquez Lewis said she had not been contacted by law enforcement. She reiterated an earlier assertion that she tried to withdraw the first letter from the public record after realizing it was “submitted accidentally.” She declined to comment on the record about the letter from Mastracchio.

“I have not been contacted by a district attorney, and it sounds like Sen. Gonzales is wanting to continue a political fight with me,” Jaquez Lewis said.

Jaquez Lewis resigned her Senate seat last month just hours before the Senate Ethics Committee was set to deliberate about whether she had mistreated her aides. She’d previously been removed as a sponsor of a bill aimed at addressing wage theft because she allegedly refused to sign off on paying her aide. Last year, The Post also reported allegations that she’d created a hostile work environment.

Her resignation ended the probe, but during the committee’s last meeting, senior legislative staff told the committee they had heard from the supposed author of one supportive letter who denied that she had written it.

“Under no circumstances was I the author of the letter that bears my name,” the former staff member told legislative staff, as relayed by Ed DeCecco, the director of the Office of Legislative Legal Services. The staff member said she hadn’t spoken with Jaquez Lewis for a year and that she was “dumbfounded” to have heard her name mentioned during a previous committee meeting, DeCecco said.

The former staff member did not return a message seeking comment Tuesday. Jaquez Lewis, besides saying the letter was submitted by mistake, told legislative staff that the “letter was information she had … from years ago” and that the letter “was based on conversations” between her and the former staff member, DeCecco told the committee last month.

DeCecco also asked Jaquez Lewis to provide evidence confirming that the other four letters, one of which was anonymous, were genuine — or to provide contact information for the letters’ purported authors. The legislative staff had not heard from any of the authors by the last committee meeting on Feb. 18, DeCecco said.

One of the authors of another supportive letter, Denice Walker, confirmed to The Post that she wrote the letter submitted to the legislature. Another purported author did not return messages seeking comment.

Gonzales said she hadn’t yet spoken with investigators, who reached out to her roughly two weeks ago, and she didn’t know if they’d contacted other lawmakers.

“I think that it is incredibly important for us as senators to hold ourselves to account,” Gonzales said. “If district attorneys want to investigate this matter, that is their purview under the law. That is their work to do.”

Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.

Originally Published: March 11, 2025 at 1:59 PM MDT

Source link

Click to comment

Denver, CO

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

DENVER (KDVR) — A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Wednesday as fire danger increases in Denver due to strong wind gusts and dry conditions, with even stronger wind gusts to the west into the foothills.

Denver weather tonight: Mainly clear

Denver weather tomorrow: Warm & windy

Wednesday will be warm and windy.

As high temperatures climb to the mid-60s, wind gusts will pick up to over 40 mph.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued across the urban corridor as strong wind gusts are paired with dry conditions on the ground and low humidity, leading to high fire danger for the potential of rapid fire spread.

The strongest wind gusts will be west of the metro. High wind warnings are set to go into effect Wednesday morning and continue into early Thursday. During this time, gusts could reach 65-85 mph, especially for areas above 6,000 feet.

Above 9000 feet, there is a chance for light snowfall. Even though most places will only see 4″ of snowfall or less, blowing snow from strong wind gusts will lead to limited visibility and difficult driving conditions.

Looking ahead: Staying warmer through the weekend

Temperatures will drop on Thursday to around 50 degrees, which is still more than five degrees above normal for this time of year.

Friday, sunny, breezy and warm weather returns. High temperatures will climb to record range, which in Denver is a high of 67 degrees, last hit in 2023.

More dry and warmer than normal conditions will continue into the weekend, with a high in the mid-60s Saturday, then just shy of 60 degrees by kickoff of the Broncos game. Then the workweek starts with sunshine and high temperatures reaching record levels.

Source link

Denver, CO

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

Published

16 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

For Christmas Eve dinner in Denver, options range from upscale steakhouses like Elway’s and Urban Farmer to Italian spots like Cranelli’s, seafood at Jax Fish House, Mexican at Kachina Cantina, and varied American/international cuisine at places like Tavernetta, Root Down, with many offering both dine-in and takeout for prime rib, seafood feasts, or holiday boxes, but reservations are essential.

Remember to book early, as many of these places fill up fast. Check the websites or call to confirm holiday hours and make reservations.

Steak & Upscale

Elway’s Downtown
Featuring their classic steakhouse menu plus festive additions like Duck Breast and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.
Make a reservation HERE

Urban Farmer Denver
Offers prime rib and Peking duck to-go or dine-in options.
Make a reservation HERE

The Capital Grille
Another upscale steakhouse option for the holiday.
Make a reservation HERE

Italian & European

Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant
Featuring a la carte menu with seasonal luxuries.
Make a reservation HERE

Tavernetta
Featuring a la carte menu with seasonal luxuries.
Make a reservation HERE

Le French – 9+CO
Focusing on decadent food like oysters, foie gras, seafood, turkey/goose, and the iconic chocolate log cake.
Make a reservation HERE

Seafood & American

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Featuring seven Fresh Fishes, Five Golden Courses, and an unforgettable Christmas Eve.
Make a reservation HERE

Local Jones
Savor carving stations, classic holiday favorites, specialty desserts, and more
Make a reservation HERE

Root Down
Creative American cuisine with global influences offering prix fixe or a la carte menue
Make a reservation HERE

Mexican & Latin

Kachina Cantina
Features a Christmas Eve Prime Rib special.
Make a reservation

SOL Mexican Cocina
Featuring Prime Rib served with Truffle Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Bacon Brussels Sprouts & Maple Syrup Glazed Carrots
Make a reservation HERE

Source link

Denver, CO

Keeler: Broncos, Sean Payton reuniting with Justin Simmons would be surprise. Denver becoming AFC West’s next dynasty would not be.

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Keeler: Broncos, Sean Payton reuniting with Justin Simmons would be surprise. Denver becoming AFC West’s next dynasty would not be.

The Grinch has more room for nostalgia in his heart than one Patrick Sean Payton.

Before we get to the good stuff, just know that what applies to Von Miller and Payton absolutely applies to Justin Simmons, too. Even though the Broncos now have a starting safety slot wide open while a former Pro Bowl safety in Simmons is local and looking for a gig, the locker room in Dove Valley might not be big enough for the both of them. Although stranger things have happened, and it’s almost Christmas.

Speaking of presents, the Chiefs finally returned the AFC West throne to the store, receipt and all, after hogging that thing for 3,270 days. Eight years, 11 months, and 14 days, officially.

A child born on New Year’s Day 2017, the actual start of the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC West dynasty, would be halfway through third grade as of Monday. At last, Heaven help us, we can clearly see the end, a light at the end of long, red tunnel of darkness.

The Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the postseason this past Sunday. Kansas City is slated to be $43.8 million over the cap in 2026. Travis Kelce just turned 36. Chris Jones will be 32 next summer. Mahomes will be 31 next September, and his left knee just went kablooey in a home loss to the Chargers. Legends live forever in our hearts, but every anterior cruciate ligament comes with an expiration date.

The second-hardest thing in the NFL is to win a championship. The hardest is to pull it off multiple times. It never ceases to amuse me how the most popular sports league in America, land of me-first, is simultaneously a screaming bastion of socialism and enforced parity. The good of all before the one.

Bad teams get the best draft picks. A salary cap that prevents elite teams from hoarding all the elite players, so long as those elite players want to get paid. And they do.

All that being said, the Broncos (12-2) aren’t just poised to win a division title this fall. They’re in a really good position to follow in the Chiefs’ cleats and go on a little dynastic run of their own. And we’ll give you five reasons why:

1. The Chiefs’ best players are getting old

Even if Kelce, who can become an unrestricted free agent next year, elects to return, the Chiefs’ books are looking fairly lopsided. Per Spotrac, Kansas City will have 44.9% of its cap space for 2026 taken up by four players who will be 31 years or older: Jones ($44.85 million), K Harrison Butker ($7.3 million), LB Drue Tranquill ($7.5 million) and Mahomes ($78.2 million).

The Broncos’ 31-and-older club, depending on what becomes of linebacker Alex Singleton, is slated to take up 24.9% of next year’s cap.

2. The Chargers’ best players are already old

The Bolts have 33.3% of their active roster cap tied up in 17 players who are at least 29 years old. And at least 10 of those guys are scheduled to hit the open market after this season.

QB Justin Herbert is better with one good hand than most NFL signal-callers are with two. He’s just 27. Although working with Jim Harbaugh has been known to age people prematurely.

3. The Broncos’ best players are … not

The Broncos went into Week 1, per PhillyVoice.com, with the eighth fewest number of players among NFL rosters who were aged 29 or older (10).

Bo Nix, the QB1 who keeps rising to the moment, is 25 and on a rookie contract through 2027 (for now).

Also signed through ’27, per Spotrac.com (deep breath): CB Pat Surtain II, RT Mike McGlinchey, DL Zach Allen, WR Courtland Sutton, LT Garett Bolles, OLB Jonathon Cooper, OLB Nik Bonitto, S Talanoa Hufanga, DB Jahdae Barron, DL D.J. Jones, LB Dre Greenlaw, G Quinn Meinerz, DL Malcolm Roach, C Luke Wattenberg, OLB Jonah Elliss, RB RJ Harvey, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, K Wil Lutz and P Jeremy Crawshaw. Oh, and WRs Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant.

Pretty good core, that. Especially when you consider that only five of those guys are 30 years or older — and one of those five happens to be Lutz.

4. GM George Paton has the drafting part down

And he always did. Nine of Denver’s 11 starters are former Broncos draft picks or former collegiate free agents. As are five of the 11 guys who usually start for Vance Joseph’s defense. The more expensive Nix’s contract becomes, the more important hitting on rookies immediately is going to get.

5. Sean Payton has done this before

Yes, Sunshine Sean loves the screen game more than Homer Simpson loves Duff Beer. Yes, he holds fools and journalists in equal disdain. But the man also won seven division titles in New Orleans, including four straight (2017-2020) after his 2012 suspension. From 2018-2022, talk about the Broncos largely focused on the franchise’s sagging floor. Now it’s about the ceiling. Whether you like him personally or not, there’s no denying the degree to which Payton flipped the script.

Tom Brady was 42 when he signed with Tampa Bay and 45 when he retired for the second time. Rob Gronkowski hung ’em up for the USAA life at age 33. Savor the now. When a window opens, you don’t walk through it. You sprint like there’s a raging, snorting Nederland moose in hot pursuit.

In the NFL, age is a running clock. As any Broncomaniac can tell you, there’s one defensive coordinator worse than Belichick, a mastermind not even Mahomes, Brees, Elway or Manning could lick: Father Time. For the first time in a decade, he’s finally on the Broncos’ side.

Source link