Denver, CO
Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper arrested again on four charges, including harassment, violation of protection order
Last weekend, Cooper posted a Bible verse about anger on his Instagram account and wrote, “I apologize to my family and my friends and my community. … And so many others.” He added, “I realize positing a bible (verse) after something very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay.”
In another post, Cooper wrote, “I apologize. This situation is not who I am.”
Cooper is scheduled to have a motions hearing in a Douglas County courtroom on July 6 with the potential for a jury trial on July 22, just before the Broncos report for training camp.
Cooper’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said Monday the defense doesn’t plan to file a motion to dismiss the charges and requested a trial date as soon as possible so that Cooper wouldn’t have to miss any training camp workouts.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, Broncos coach Sean Payton spoke on Cooper’s first arrest, telling reporters that he had not yet addressed the team on the matter.
“I think this: I think the league has done a good job of kind of coming in and really taking over that responsibility,” Payton said. “We had a long visit with Coop, and now the process plays out. The league obviously will be very much involved in that. We’ll stay abreast, but much like you all. I think that’s where it’s at. We just go from there.”
Cooper has been in attendance during Denver’s offseason program. He is subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
A seventh-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2021, Cooper is entering his sixth season with the Broncos. He has started every game since 2023 and has 31.5 career sacks. He’s had at least eight sacks in each of the last three seasons, including a career-best 10.5 sacks in 2024 when he signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension.
The Broncos wrapped up voluntary organized team activities Thursday and will hold their mandatory minicamp on June 16-18.
DENVER (KDVR) — One person was taken to the hospital after a crash involving an e-bike on Interstate 70 in Denver.
The Denver Police Department said the crash happened on eastbound I-70 near Steele Street on Thursday. The crash involved an e-bike and a motorist.
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Crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Denver on June 11, 2026. (KDVR) -
Crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Denver on June 11, 2026. (KDVR)
One person was taken to the hospital, but their condition is unknown.
Some eastbound lanes were closed as police were on scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
With Payton as head coach, the Broncos captured their first AFC West title in 10 years in 2025 after finishing with a 14-3 record in the regular season en route to hosting the AFC Championship Game. Denver also snapped its eight-year playoff drought in 2024 under Payton, earning a wild card berth with a 10-7 mark.
Since 2024, Payton has led the Broncos’ offense to NFL top-10 rankings in fewest sacks allowed (1st, 47) and passing touchdowns (8th, 55) while ranking fifth in the AFC in points (24.3) and touchdowns scored (92). Quarterback Bo Nix, who was selected 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, became just the third quarterback in league history to win at least 10 games and make the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.
Defensively, the Broncos have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (20.3) in the NFL under Payton, while also ranking second during that span in third down percentage (34.8) and third in red zone percentage (48.8). Denver became just the third team in NFL history to eclipse 60 sacks in consecutive seasons, setting franchise records in 2024 (63) and 2025 (68).
Since joining the Broncos, Payton has coached nine different players to a total of 13 All-Pro selections, which is tied for the fourth-most in the NFL in that span. All-Pro honors since 2023 include defensive lineman Zach Allen (2 selections), guard Quinn Meinerz (2), wide receiver/returner Marvin Mims Jr. (2), cornerback Pat Surtain (2), tackle Garett Bolles (1), outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (1), safety Talanoa Hufanga (1), safety Devon Key (1) and safety Justin Simmons (1).
Additionally, Payton has coached eight different Broncos to 12 total Pro Bowl selections, including Surtain (3 selections), Bonitto (2), Mims (2), Allen (1), Bolles (1), Meinerz (1), Simmons (1) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (1).
Surtain became the second player in franchise history to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year after signing a four-year contract extension in 2024. Bonitto earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist status the following year in 2025.
During his 15 seasons as the Saints’ head coach, Payton led New Orleans to nine playoff berths, seven NFC South Division titles and a victory in Super Bowl XLIV (2009). The Saints won 10 or more games in nine seasons under Payton, finishing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed on two occasions (2009, ’18).
Before joining the Saints in 2006, Payton spent three seasons (2003-05) as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach with the Dallas Cowboys and four years with the New York Giants, coaching quarterbacks in 1999 before serving as offensive coordinator from 2000-02. He began his NFL coaching career as quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-98 following nine seasons at the collegiate level.
Yet again, there will be no World Cup action in Denver.
Despite being considered a premier United States soccer market, Colorado’s capital city won’t host any matches in the sport’s biggest global event.
Denver was not selected as one of 16 North American cities (11 in the U.S.) to host games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11-July 19.
This is the fourth World Cup (two women’s, two men’s) with games held on U.S. soil. Colorado has still never hosted a World Cup match.
Denver put in a bid for the 2026 World Cup, with the Denver Broncos’ home of Empower Field at Mile High being the potential host site. FIFA ultimately did not select the Mile High City.
The 2022 announcement was disappointing for one of America’s premier soccer markets.
Colorado has hosted dozens of U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Team matches, many of them at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Empower Field has welcomed soccer events like the CONCACAF Gold Cup, League of Nations and international friendlys.
The state has also produced abundant high-level soccer talent, including impact players like Sophia Wilson (née Smith) and Mallory Swanson (née Pugh) for the USWNT.
However, FIFA chose Dallas; Houston; and Kansas City, Missouri; alongside Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico as a Central Region cluster to minimize travel distance and logistics.
This is the first World Cup since the event expanded from 32 to 48 teams, meaning 104 total matches. Each site will host between four and nine matches during the tournament.
Why isn’t Denver hosting World Cup matches?
Former soccer writer Grant Wahl said Denver’s relative geographic isolation combined with an “underwhelming host committee” were factors working against the city’s host hopes.
Elevation was also floated as a negative factor by Denver’s bid committee back in 2022, according to 9News.
That explanation is unlikely, given that Mexico City (7,350 feet) and Guadalajara (5,138 feet) sit above or comparable to Denver’s famed 5,280 feet of elevation.
Another possible factor? Money.
Several states with host sites approved tax breaks, funding boosts or stadium improvements to match FIFA requests, the Associated Press reported.
Colorado did not. Per CPR, neither Gov. Jared Polis nor then-Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock approved funds or pushed for legislation to lure the World Cup.
Denver’s bid committee estimated a cost of $40-45 million to host matches with an aggressive potential local economic impact estimate of $360 million.
2026 World Cup host sites
Western Region
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
- Vancouver (Canada)
Central Region
- Dallas
- Guadalajara (Mexico)
- Houston
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Mexico City (Mexico)
- Monterrey (Mexico)
Eastern Region
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Miami
- New York/New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- Toronto (Canada)
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
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