Denver, CO

A day at Denver’s Valdez Elementary with 2 newly arrived migrant students

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

A day at Denver’s Valdez Elementary with 2 newly arrived migrant students

Fourth graders streamed one at a time through the playground door at Denver’s Valdez Elementary, a snaking jumble of energy and untied shoelaces.

Most bounded up the stairs to their classrooms. Only a few stopped to give a quick side hug to the staff member who was squinting in the sun and holding the door. Two of the huggers were Jesus and Leiker, who arrived in Denver from Venezuela a few months ago.

The boys, ages 9 and 10, are among the more than 38,000 migrants who have come to Denver in the past year after fleeing political and economic crises in their home countries.

Some of the new arrivals are families with children like Jesus and Leiker. Denver Public Schools has enrolled more than 3,200 of these young people since the start of the school year.

A majority arrived after the October cutoff date that determines how much per-student funding DPS gets from the state, creating a financial shortfall for the state’s largest district and causing schools to scramble for resources.

But not all schools. The new students are concentrated in a couple dozen of DPS’ more than 200 schools, which the district has been calling hotspots. The main reason is because the schools offer specialized instruction in both English and Spanish.

Valdez, also known as Escuela Valdez, has a longstanding dual language program. It’s also right up the street from a city-run shelter inside a Quality Inn, which Principal Jessica Buckley said everyone simply calls “The Quality.” Valdez, which had about 400 students last year, has welcomed more than 100 new students in the past few months.

Jesus and Leiker met at The Quality, where both of their families were staying, and became fast friends. They say they are like brothers: “Somos como hermanos.”

This is what one school day looked like recently for Jesus and Leiker, whose last names Chalkbeat is withholding to protect their identities as they navigate life in a new country.

Read the full report from our partners at Chalkbeat Colorado.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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Denver, CO

1 transported after e-bike crash on I-70 in Denver

Published

5 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

1 transported after e-bike crash on I-70 in Denver

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.

Crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Denver on June 11, 2026. (KDVR)
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.

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Denver, CO

Broncos sign Head Coach Sean Payton to new five-year contract through 2030 season

Published

16 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Broncos sign Head Coach Sean Payton to new five-year contract through 2030 season

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 (1^st, 47) and passing touchdowns (8^th, 55) while ranking fifth in the AFC in points (24.3) and touchdowns scored (92). Quarterback Bo Nix, who was selected 12^th 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.

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Denver, CO

Is Denver hosting 2026 World Cup matches? No, and here’s why

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Is Denver hosting 2026 World Cup matches? No, and here’s why

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.