Denver, CO

CHSAA state basketball Great 8 scouting report: What to watch in Denver Coliseum

Published

1 year ago

March 6, 2025

Press Room

CHSAA state basketball Great 8 scouting report: What to watch in Denver Coliseum

A look at each of the Class 6A Great 8 matchups set for this weekend at the Denver Coliseum:

BOYS

Class 6A

Saturday at Denver Coliseum

No. 1 Rangeview (25-0) vs. No. 9 Regis Jesuit (19-6)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Players to watch: RV — LaDavian King, 6-2, sr. (16.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.4 apg); Marceles Duncan, 6-5, fr. (14.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 2.6 apg); Archie Weatherspoon, 6-3, so. (13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.5 apg). RJ — Eric Fiedler, 6-8, jr. (23.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg); Lucas Dickinson, 6-5, sr. (15.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 apg); Alec Roumph, 6-4, sr. (10.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg).

What to know: The last time Rangeview entered the Coliseum unbeaten, COVID cut its bid for perfection short. Now, the Raiders are back to finish the job with a new cast, including transfer guard LaDavian King, who was on the wrong end of a Final Four heartbreaker last year with Eaglecrest. The other Raiders in this matchup are no strangers to the big stage. Ken Shaw’s Regis Jesuit program reached the Final Four two years ago and is in the Great 8 for the sixth time since 2015. Four of those previous five teams lost in the quarterfinals.

No. 5 Valor Christian (21-4) vs. No. 4 Ralston Valley (23-2)

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Players to watch: VC — Cole Scherer, 6-2, sr. (26.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.0 apg); Brady Wynja, 6-6, sr. (14.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.2 apg); Ryan Mandes, 6-3, sr. (8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 spg). RV — Tanner Braketa, 6-1, sr. (18.7 ppg, 5.5 apg); Caiden Braketa, 6-3, jr. (16.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.4 apg); Zeke Andrews, 6-6, jr. (10.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 apg).

What to know: The defending champion Eagles return with 2024 Mr. Colorado Basketball Cole Scherer on a heater since the start of February (22.5 ppg on 58.5% shooting). The Eastern Washington commit’s one off game during that span? A 5-for-15 night vs. Ralston Valley that ended with Scherer banking in a game-winner. Those heroics ended R.V.’s 19-game win streak to start the season — a run that included a 65-58 win over Valor. Northern Colorado commit Tanner Braketa and brother Caiden have R.V. in the Great 8 for the first time in 17 years and ready to win the rubber match.

No. 2 Eaglecrest (23-2) vs. No. 7 ThunderRidge (20-5)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Players to watch: EAG — Anthony Nettles, 6-0, sr. (15.8 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.3 spg); Garrett Barger, 6-9, sr. (12.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg); Lucas Kalimba, 6-5, sr. (12.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg). TR — Drew Paine, 6-8, jr. (18.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg); Kael Carney, 5-11, sr. (10.8 ppg, 1.1 spg); Ulysses Brown, 6-5, sr. (9.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

What to know: A year ago, these two produced an instant classic in the Final Four decided on a last-second T-Ridge putback. Both teams have retooled since, with transfer guard Anthony Nettles playing the role of LaDavian King for Eaglecrest, and junior big man Drew Paine taking the baton from a talented senior class to lead ThunderRidge back to the Great 8 for the fourth time in five seasons. The Raptors are 23-1 since losing their opener at Regis Jesuit, but played just two games (1-1) against Great 8 qualifiers.

No. 6 Mountain Vista (20-5) vs. No. 3 Chaparral (21-4)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Players to watch: MV — Cal Baskind, 6-0, sr. (20.4 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg); Oliver Junker, 6-8, jr. (15.3 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.7 bpg); Carlos Arocho, 5-11, sr. (7.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.2 rpg). CH — Christian Williams, 6-2, so. (19.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg); Luke Howery, 6-5, so. (17.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 5.6 apg); Luke Williams, 6-9, jr. (8.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 bpg).

What to know: Mountain Vista returns to the Coliseum looking for redemption after last year’s buzzer-beater loss to Smoky Hill in the Great 8. Cal Baskind and Oliver Junker, who were both on the court for that heartbreaker, combined for 50 points in a double-overtime win over Overland in the Sweet 16. Now they get a date with the most talented sophomore duo in the state in guards Christian Williams and Luke Howery. They were also on the losing side of a Great 8 matchup with Valor last winter.

Class 5A

Friday at Denver Coliseum

No. 16 Green Mountain (16-9) vs. No. 25 Sand Creek (20-6)

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Players to watch: GM — Simon Lunsford, 6-4, sr. (17.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Sam Mielenz, 6-3, so. (13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Jake Swanson, 6-4, jr. (10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg). SC — Elijah Brotherns, 6-1, sr. (13.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 spg); Mathew Starks, 6-2, sr. (9.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.6 spg); Josh Kotto, 6-3, sr. (8.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 apg).

What to know: A pair of Cinderellas meet in a Great 8 matchup few saw coming. Green Mountain clinched its first Great 8 trip in 16 years with a 55-42 upset of No. 1 Lutheran in the Sweet 16. Sand Creek beat eighth-seeded Severance (47-40) and ninth-seeded Cheyenne Mountain (59-57) in succession after emerging from the play-in round. The Scorpions’ last win came on a frantic finish that saw Jaylen Brantley sink the go-ahead bucket on one end and Elijah Brotherns make the game-saving block on the other.

No. 21 Falcon (17-8) vs. No. 4 Montrose (19-6)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Players to watch: FA — Tyler Cox, 6-4, sr. (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Jeremiah Potts, 5-10, sr. (11.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg); Aiden Wood, 6-3, jr. (8.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.2 spg). MO — Kaleb Ferguson, 6-5, sr. (16.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.1 spg); CJ Rocco, 6-4, jr. (8.2 ppg, 1.3 bpg); Brody Cooling, 6-2, sr. (4.4 ppg, 3.9 apg).

What to know: The other pair of glass slippers in a topsy-turvy 5A bracket belong to Falcon, which turned a 4-4 December into its first state quarterfinal trip in seven years with wins over No. 12 Eagle Valley (62-56) and No. 28 Mountain View (63-56). Now they face a Western Slope power in Montrose — a program that’s reached the Great 8 three times in five seasons. The Red Hawks allow just 36.68 points/game and appeared to have righted themselves after closing out the regular season 3-4.

No. 2 Mesa Ridge (24-1) vs. No. 7 Standley Lake (20-5)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Players to watch: MR — Bryce Riehl, 6-1, sr. (17.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 spg); Zander Iwanski, 6-3, sr. (11.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg); J’marius Jones, 5-11, jr. (6.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.8 apg). SL — Derrek Sims, 6-1, sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.0 spg); Asher Serlen, 6-8, so. (14.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg); Titus Schrecengost, 5-11, so. (11.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.7 spg).

What to know: Mesa Ridge’s 5A three-peat bid is alive and well, with the Grizzlies entering the Coliseum on a 24-game win streak behind the talents of all-everything guard Bryce Riehl. Only two of those wins came against Great 8 qualifiers, however. Up next is a Stanley Lake squad that’s entering uncharted territory. The Gators have had just two winning seasons since 2012 (the other was last year’s 14-10 campaign) and this is their first trip to the Great 8 in at least two decades. Might as well start against the best.

No. 6 Windsor (19-6) vs. No. 3 Dakota Ridge (19-6)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Players to watch: WI — Madden Smiley, 6-3, jr. (20.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.3 apg); Brady Kingsley, 5-9, jr. (12.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg); John Backhaus, 6-4, sr. (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg). DR — Ethan Berninger, 6-5, sr. (22.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.7 apg); Nathan Esau, 6-4, sr. (14.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.7 apg); Cody Rominger, 6-2, sr. (8.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg).

What to know: Windsor is looking to go one step further after falling just short in the 5A title game against Mesa Ridge last winter. Junior Madden Smiley has scored in double-figures in all but one of the Wizards’ 25 games and reached the 20-point plateau in both of their playoff wins. Dakota Ridge has a deadly scorer of its own in senior Ethan Berninger, who’s reached 30 points three times in the Eagles’ last five games and is shooting 40% (70 of 176) from 3-point range. The Eagles have lost in the Great 8 two years in a row.

GIRLS

Class 6A

Saturday at Denver Coliseum

No. 1 Grandview (22-3) vs. No. 8 Denver East (17-8)

Time: 4 p.m.

Players to watch: GV — Sienna Betts, 6-4, sr. (23.8 ppg, 17.0 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.3 bpg); Ava Chang, so. (14.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.3 spg); Deija Roberson, 5-11, sr. (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg). DE — Evelina Otto, 6-5, sr. (16.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.5 bpg); Grace Hall, 5-7, so. (12.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.0 spg); Mairead Hearty, 6-3, jr. (10.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.3 bpg).

What to know: The Grandview girls juggernaut is back at the Coliseum after a year away looking to reclaim the 6A state title it won in 2023. McDonald’s All-American Sienna Betts is less than 50 points shy of becoming the fourth Colorado prep girls basketball player to record 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds. Three more wins, and the UCLA commit will have a third state title, too. First up is Denver East, which has the size in Evelina Otto and Mairead Hearty to give Betts problems. Since starting the season 1-7, the Angels have lost once.

No. 5 Pine Creek (23-2) vs. No. 4 Cherry Creek (18-7)

Time: 7 p.m.

Players to watch: PC — Brooklyn Stewart, 6-3, sr. (19.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg); Alli Dreessen, 6-1, jr. (12.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Leekaya Burke-Perryman, 5-3, sr. (11.7 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.7 spg). CC — Braelynn Barnett, 6-1, sr. (11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Molly Dorighi, 5-8, sr. (11.1 ppg, 3.1 spg); A’Neya Chambers, 5-10, sr. (9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.3 spg).

What to know: Led by Oklahoma commit Brooklyn Stewart, the Eagles are in the Great 8 for the first time in program history. If they’re to advance, they’ll have to get past a Cherry Creek program with plenty of big-game experience. In fact, this is Great 8 trip No. 4 for Braelynn Barnett and A’Neya Chambers, who’ve started since their freshman seasons. Even with classmate and Alabama commit Tianna Chambers unavailable this winter, the Bruins have proven themselves dangerous with a 5-4 record vs. 5A/6A Great 8 teams.

No. 2 Valor Christian (23-2) vs. No. 7 Legend (20-5)

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Players to watch: VC — Peyton Jones, 5-11, jr. (24.1 ppg, 3.4 spg); Quinn VanSickle, 5-8, sr. (18.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.4 apg); Camryn Gunter, 6-2, jr. (11.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg). LEG — Mason Borcherding, 6-1, sr. (13.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg); Grace Stanley, 5-4, sr. (10.1 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.2 spg); Maley Wilhelm, 5-7, sr. (9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.8 spg).

What to know: Valor enters the weekend riding a 30-game win streak against Colorado competition that dates back to last year’s 6A title run. The Eagles are 5-0 against fellow 6A Great 8 qualifiers this winter, including a 69-42 thrashing of Legend in December. Blue chip prospect Peyton Jones and Pepperdine commit Quinn VanSickle combined for 50 points in that rout. If the Titans are going to reverse that result, they’ll need someone other than Boise State commit Mason Borcherding (24 points, 13 rebounds) to step up.

No. 6 Highlands Ranch (22-3) vs. No. 14 Riverdale Ridge (20-5)

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Players to watch: HR — Ezra Simonich, 5-10, sr. (15.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.8 apg); Jayda Rogers, 6-0, fr. (12.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Tori Baker, 5-7, sr. (9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.7 apg). RR — Brihanna Crittendon, 6-3, jr. (26.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 spg); Chloe Parker, 5-8, jr. (11.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Shay Vigil, 5-4, jr. (11.3 ppg, 3.0 spg, 2.7 apg).

What to know: A year after leading Riverdale Ridge to its first state title in Class 4A, five-star phenom Brihanna Crittendon has the Ravens back at the Coliseum in the program’s first 6A season. Her last-second block sealed a Sweet 16 win over No. 3 Broomfield. Now comes a date with Caryn Jarocki’s Eagles, who are making their 10th Great 8 appearance in 11 seasons. DU commit Tori Baker is the floor general, but a talented trio of freshmen Jayda Rogers and Kimora Banks-Thomas and sophomore Addie Moon gives HR depth.

Class 5A

Friday at Denver Coliseum

No. 1 Air Academy (24-0) vs. No. 8 Durango (19-6)

Time: 4 p.m.

Players to watch: AA — Tatyonna Brown, 6-2, sr. (19.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg); Lydia Flowers, 6-0, sr. (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 spg); Kinley Asp, 5-11, jr. (13.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 apg). DU — Claire Goodwin, jr. (13.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.0 spg); Mariah Maestas, 5-7, sr. (8.1 ppg, 2.3 spg); Ellie White, sr. (6.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg).

What to know: The Coliseum has been a site of heartbreak for Air Academy, with the Kadets squandering double-digit leads in season-ending losses to Northfield (2024) and Roosevelt (2023) the last two years. Now they enter the penultimate weekend eyeing redemption, with Kansas commit Tatyonna Brown and D-I recruit Kinley Asp leading 5A’s lone unbeaten. Durango survived a rock fight against Montrose (32-23) to reach the Great 8 for the second time in three years, but needs to hit another level vs. the Kadets.

No. 5 Green Mountain (23-2) vs. No. 4 Roosevelt (22-3)

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Players to watch: GM — Kantyn Pearson, 5-9, jr. (13.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg); Ella Cockrum, 5-6, so. (12.2 ppg, 2.2 spg); Addie Evans, 5-11, so. (8.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 spg). RO — Kyla Hollier, 6-1, jr. (26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.8 spg); Ryanne Bahnsen-Price, 6-0, sr. (17.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.0 apg); Payton Terry, 5-7, sr. (6.9 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.3 spg).

What to know: Two-time defending 5A champion Roosevelt, led by the D-I tandem of Kyla Hollier and Ryanne Bahnsen-Price, brings its suffocating defense back to the Coliseum eyeing a three-peat. Each of the Riders’ three losses this season came to teams playing in the Coliseum, the last a 65-44 setback at No. 6 Mullen on Jan. 6. Nobody has come within single digits of them since. Although Green Mountain, winners of 22 straight and in the Great 8 for the fourth time in six years, is almost certain to test that.

No. 2 Mead (22-3) vs. No. 7 Frederick (19-6)

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Players to watch: MD — Madi Clark, 5-8, so. (12.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Darby Haley, 5-6, sr. (10.6 ppg, 2.8 apg); Elena Gomez, 5-10, jr. (9.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 spg). FR — Zoe Wittler, 5-6, sr. (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 spg); Rylee Gallegos, 5-3, sr. (7.9 ppg, 3.3 spg); Izzy Howard, 5-9, so. (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.3 spg).

What to know: Mead is back in the Great 8 for the fourth straight season, and this might be the Mavericks’ best shot at a title yet. Madi Clark has gone up a level since last year’s breakout freshman season, and the Mavs are 21-1 against Colorado competition. The lone setback was a Granite Peaks League loss to 6A No. 3 Broomfield. The last time these two teams met, Mead dominated from start to finish in a 54-19 home victory on Jan. 17. Translation: the Frederick Golden Eagles have their work cut out for them.

No. 6 Mullen (16-9) vs. No. 3 Windsor (21-4)

Time: 7 p.m.

Players to watch: MU — Makenzie Jones, 5-11, so. (16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 spg); Tatum Jones, 6-2, sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Keaton Arangua-Egbert, 5-8, sr. (6.9 ppg, 2.5 apg). WI — Reyleigh Hess, 6-0, sr. (15.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg); Nola Greenwald, 5-11, so. (11.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Gracie Worlsey, 5-11, so. (10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg).

What to know: Few teams are more battle-tested in 5A than the Mullen Mustangs, who went 6-3 in the rugged 6A Centennial League and 1-4 in games against 6A/5A Great 8 qualifiers. The last time the Mustangs were one classification below the largest in Colorado, they won three straight contested state titles — the last two capped by wins over Windsor in the championship round. Karin Nicholls’ Wizards have reached the Great 8 in the three seasons since, and now they have the size to match up with Mullen.

* All stats taken from maxpreps.com.

Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.

Originally Published: March 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM MST

Source link

Click to comment

Denver, CO

How Denver’s Ballpark District now has ties to Chicago’s Wrigleyville

Published

4 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

How Denver’s Ballpark District now has ties to Chicago’s Wrigleyville

DENVER — A new Rockies season is on deck, with the team’s first game of the 2026 campaign set for Friday night in Miami. The home opener is next Friday at Coors Field.

It’s also a new season for the Ballpark neighborhood’s General Improvement District (GID) and its street ambassadors.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Those ambassadors, dressed in maroon shirts and jackets, patrol the streets around Coors Field and the Ballpark neighborhood. They are tasked with helping with cleaning, maintenance, security, outreach to those experiencing homelessness, and general hospitality for neighbors and visitors.

How Denver’s Ballpark District now has ties to Chicago’s Wrigleyville

This week, Denver7 spoke with Kate McKenna, who stepped in as the GID’s executive director last summer. McKenna said while she works in the office, the district has six full-time ambassador employees through programming partner block by block. She said the team patrols the area year-round, but adds staffing for big events like St. Patrick’s Day and Rockies home games.

McKenna comes to Denver from a similar role in Wrigleyville, the iconic neighborhood outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. She said that serves as a source of inspiration for the future, but adds that Denver’s ballpark neighborhood has its own unique advantages.

“All of our businesses are independently-owned and operated,” McKenna told Denver7. “There is no chain, there is no commercial sort of large entity here in Ballpark that you’re going to see… To have a true small, hyper-local-owned economy is what really sets this district apart, both in Denver and then nationwide.”

Even after the Rockies set a franchise record with 119 losses in 2025, McKenna said the on-field product does not make the District’s job harder.

“I like to think win or lose, they’re the best neighbor you could possibly have, regardless of their season,” McKenna said. “They continually have one of the highest attendance rates for home games, as well as walk-up ticket sales.

McKenna said there continues to be good conversations between the district and local businesses. Property owners pay a fee based on property value that goes into the GID’s annual budget.

“Folks are coming out. Folks are patronizing local businesses. They’re bringing their families down here, and they’re enjoying their time, which is all you can really ask for in terms of community… Bringing people together is at the core of what we’re doing here.”

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Ryan Fish

Denver7’s Ryan Fish covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in covering artificial intelligence, technology, aviation and space. If you’d like to get in touch with Ryan, fill out the form below to send him an email.

Source link

Denver, CO

State says video shows Denver assisted living center took 13 minutes to find, begin CPR on resident; “He didn’t have a chance”

Published

17 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

State says video shows Denver assisted living center took 13 minutes to find, begin CPR on resident; “He didn’t have a chance”

A state investigation has found that a Denver assisted living facility took 13 minutes to locate a resident who collapsed and begin CPR — failures regulators say placed all residents in “immediate jeopardy.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment concluded that The Argyle assisted living facility violated multiple rules in connection with the January death of 73-year-old Robert Dutkevitch. The violations were classified at the CDPHE’s most serious level, indicating 125 Argyle residents were at immediate risk of harm, according to the agency.

Robert Dutkevitch

CBS

The findings stem in part from the facility’s own surveillance video system, which captured the events leading up to Dutkevitch’s death. CBS Colorado obtained copies of the same videos reviewed by state investigators.

According to police reports, video footage, interviews and the state investigation, Dutkevitch — who used a wheelchair — went outside to a designated smoking patio at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 6. Roughly 2 minutes later, the video shows him slumping forward and falling from his wheelchair onto the ground. He remained there for about 8 minutes before another resident noticed him and alerted staff. Surveillance footage shows several staff members arriving at the patio and determining Dutkevitch had no pulse. However, investigators say staff did not begin CPR immediately, waiting approximately five additional minutes before attempting lifesaving measures.

In total, 13 minutes passed from the time Dutkevitch collapsed to the start of CPR.

State investigators cited the delay as a critical deficiency, noting that trained staff are required to provide CPR promptly. According to Denver police call logs obtained by CBS Colorado, one staff member told a 911 operator she did not want to perform chest compressions because she had the flu.

After CPR was finally initiated, Denver Fire personnel arrived and continued lifesaving efforts for approximately 30 minutes before Dutkevitch was pronounced dead.

The death was later classified as natural, with acute coronary syndrome and atherosclerosis listed as the immediate causes, according to the death certificate.

Colorado investigators finds monitoring problems

The state investigation also found problems with how the facility monitored its outdoor smoking area.

A surveillance camera was positioned on the patio, but The Argyle said the video feed was not continuously monitored. State regulations require that designated smoking areas “shall be monitored whenever residents are present.”

According to the report, the facility administrator acknowledged there was “no official process” in place to monitor the area. The administrator told investigators he was unaware of the regulation and said the facility did not have enough staff to continuously monitor the patio.

The department concluded the facility failed to meet CPR requirements because it “failed to require all staff certified in CPR to provide CPR services promptly.”

Investigators found gaps in training and preparedness. One staff member was described in the CDPHE report as “unaware of how to respond,” while others said they had not been trained on what to do if a resident becomes unresponsive.

“I did not respond very well, I’m sorry,” one staff member told investigators.

CPR delay leaves widow devastated

Dutkevitch’s widow, Sharon Dutkevitch, said the delay in care has left her devastated.

“My heart aches. I cry every night,” she said. “Every second that went by, he didn’t have a chance that way. I wish I had been there to help him.”

After watching the surveillance video, she questioned why staff did not act immediately.

“I don’t understand why caregivers stand around and do not give him CPR,” she said. “Those people are standing around him doing nothing to help him. That’s what really hurts.”

She believes her husband might have survived if CPR had been started sooner.

“You’re losing brain cells every second that goes by without CPR,” she said.

Dutkevitch had been a resident at The Argyle since 2022 and, according to his wife, generally liked living there. He had several health conditions, including high blood pressure and cognitive decline.

He also had written directives on file stating that he wanted life-saving measures, including CPR, performed in an emergency.

Anita Springsteen, an attorney representing Sharon Dutkevitch, said the response by staff fell far short of expectations.

“They took so long to respond and didn’t seem to be aware there was an emergency going on,” Springsteen said. “Once they were aware, they lingered around and didn’t do anything, didn’t immediately give CPR, didn’t do the things you would think a facility like that — with trained staff — would do on an immediate basis.”

CBS Colorado’s Brian Maass interviews Anita Springsteen, an attorney who represents Sharon Dutkevitch.

CBS

Springsteen said a lawsuit is likely.

“It seems like there was a window in there where something could have been done — he could have been saved,” she said.

The state issued an immediate $2,500 fine and ordered The Argyle to correct multiple deficiencies related to the case.

A spokesperson for the facility said those issues were addressed by Feb. 12 and that the “immediate jeopardy” designation was lifted that day.

The Argyle challenges some of state report’s conclusions

Since Dutkevitch’s death, the facility says it is no longer accepting residents who smoke and now closes its outdoor smoking patio each night at 10 p.m.

The Argyle administrators declined an on-camera interview request from CBS Colorado. In a written statement, administrators said they take resident safety and regulatory compliance “extremely seriously” and have implemented additional training, communication protocols, and oversight measures.

The facility said some conclusions in the state report are being challenged.

Argyle officials maintained that staff members who were CPR-certified responded promptly once they became aware of Dutkevitch’s condition, contacted emergency services immediately, and followed instructions from 911 operators.

The Argyle also defended its training practices, saying it maintains comprehensive onboarding and ongoing instruction in CPR certification and emergency response procedures, and is reinforcing those processes.

Regarding the “immediate jeopardy” designation, the facility said it does not reflect the overall safety and care provided and noted it was lifted shortly after the state required the addition of an “Unresponsive Resident Policy.”

The facility also disputed findings related to monitoring the smoking area, stating that regulators agreed a camera system could be sufficient for monitoring during discussions about the rule.

A spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said the investigation is continuing.

“The investigation of Argyle Living Residence is still ongoing,” said spokesperson Alexandrea Kallin. “Until it’s complete, we cannot provide any additional information. Investigations vary in their complexity and can take some time to complete.”

Sharon Dutkevitch said she chose to speak publicly in hopes of preventing similar incidents.

She said she wants accountability and change — “so no one else goes through this.”

Source link

Denver, CO

More record breaking temperatures across the Denver metro area

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

More record breaking temperatures across the Denver metro area

DENVER — It was another record-breaking day in Denver Tuesday as the high temperature topped 80 degrees, crushing the previous record of 76 degrees set in 1896. It’s going to be even hotter Wednesday!

As this ridge of high pressure moves closer into Colorado, temperatures will climb about 30 degrees above normal. It’ll be the hottest day of the week with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s across the plains.

Denver will easily break the current record of 75 degrees, set in 2012. And the city could even challenge its all-time March record high of 86 degrees on Wednesday. It will likely be the fifth record breaking day of the month so far.

Gusty winds, hot temperatures and low humidity values will lead to high fire danger in south central Colorado Wednesday. A Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warning are posted for much of that area.

Temperatures will cool a bit on Thursday as a cold front moves into the state bringing a slight chance of showers, mainly to the mountains. Highs will still stay in the upper 70s to low 80s, with some gusty winds around the Denver metro.

Cooler air will settle in behind the front on Friday. Temperatures will dip into the 50s. It seems chilly compared to what we’ve seen, but it’s very seasonal for late March. Enjoy the brief break from the heat while it’s here. Warmer air and possibly more record-breaking heat return just in time for the weekend.

More record breaking temperatures across the Denver metro area

DENVER WEATHER LINKS: Hourly forecast | Radars | Traffic | Weather Page | 24/7 Weather Stream

Click here to watch the Denver7 live weather stream.

Source link