Denver, CO
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on immigration raids: “We know there’s a lot of fear … we’re not going to be bullied”
In recent years, the City of Denver has served more than 40,000 migrants. Now, Mayor Mike Johnston is being asked to testify in a hearing on immigration and so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
On Wednesday Johnston and CBS Colorado’s Jasmine Arenas discussed how immigration issues have impacted the community. He said it has been difficult to have conversations with families about deportation, but despite the challenges, he stands by his decision to support families with what the resources the city can.
“We didn’t choose this outcome. When the governor of Texas decided to send 40,000 people on buses to Denver, we made sure we were going to serve them,” Johnston said.
Since then, the City of Denver has spent more than $350 million on migrant services. Despite this, Denver has never identified itself as a “sanctuary city.” Johnston is at the forefront of the criticism.
“What does the term ‘sanctuary city’ mean to you?” Arenas said.
“What that means for Denver is we do not ask someone’s immigration status. We don’t know your status, so we don’t share your status with other federal agencies. However, if the federal government, like (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), identifies someone in our jails and wants to deport them or take action when they’re released, we notify them when the person is being released, and they can pick them up at that point,” Johnston said.
Johnston added that, so far, ICE has not directly reached out to his administration for any collaboration on this.
“But if they do send notice requests to the jail, we respond, and we’ve had a few over the last few weeks,” he said.
In the past year, Johnston’s administration has been focused on finding solutions, including launching the Denver Asylum Seeker Program, which has successfully integrated migrants into the workforce.
“They’re now working, paying taxes and supporting their families. We don’t want to see those folks pulled off the job or their kids taken out of school,” he said.
In recent weeks, his office has received a surge of calls from families concerned about their future.
“We know there’s a lot of fear, and we’re having those hard conversations. Denver is not going to change our values. We’re not going to be bullied or blackmailed into changing our approach,” Johnston said.
The mayor remains noncommittal on whether he will testify before Congress but said he is having conversations about it. Today, he also outlined his citywide goals for 2025, including lowering housing costs and increasing public safety.
While the entirety of the Denver linebacker room may be the weakest part of the defense, most of that blame can be directed to what’s happening on the interior as their outside linebackers have been one of the best parts about the defense and they come with a great amount of depth.
The Broncos’ OLB group will remain constant in 2026 with both the starters (Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto) and their backups (Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman) locked down through at least 2027 (besides Tillman). And then there’s Que Robinson who has shown a ton of promise. So with these names, there’s not too much space left on the roster, but Dasan McCullough might have what it takes to make an impact.
McCullough, whose father and grandfather both played in the NFL as running backs before becoming coaches, comes from a family that is all about football, and this has clearly had an impact on how he sees the game. He has been touted by scouts for his high football IQ and instincts that follow.
McCullough, who has spent time with Indiana, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, has had a near-immediate impact on each of those teams and will seek to continue that trend this offseason.
Age: 23 | Experience: R | College: Nebraska | Height: 6’5” | Weight: 240 pounds
Arm Length: 33-7/8” | Hand Size: 9-3/8” | Vertical: 36” | Broad Jump: 10’-3”
40-Yard Dash: 4.59 seconds | 3-Cone: 7 seconds | Shuttle: 4.52 seconds
Parker Robertson’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
While it might be the inside linebacker group that struggles in pass protection, especially against tight ends, McCullough can aid them as an outside guy. In college the incredibly athletic linebacker has spent a ton of time in a hybrid position, especially at Oklahoma where he played a mix of linebacker and safety. That season he would record 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. And when he was a true freshman he was playing on the ball and racked up 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, which would earn him an All-Big Ten honorable mention.
It’s also his frame and mobility that lends to the belief of him being able to fit in on any modern defense. And with Vance Joseph usually running a good mix of defensive looks, McCullough could be a versatile guy that can fit in with that scheme.
Of course, McCullough is not the perfect prospect though. Some struggles include relying on his athleticism as a pass rusher and not having a refined technique, a lack of consistently shedding blocks against teams that like to run the ball, and missing open field tackles. The good news is that these are all techniques that can be coached into him. The only thing that would be left is putting on some more weight as he may struggle against NFL offensive linemen at just 240 pounds.
There is always a demand for young, smart, and athletic talent, especially when it comes to filling up depth spots on the roster. Given what McCullough brings to the table, there is a legitimate chance that he can make this team, and if not the 53-man roster, then the practice squad.
AURORA, Colo. — A pedestrian died Thursday morning after he was hit by a car on southbound E-470, the Aurora Police Department said.
The crash happened around 6:19 a.m. Thursday, according to the E-470 Toll Authority, shutting down the highway between 48th and 56th Aves. for approximately three hours. The stretch of road reopened around 9:24 a.m. Thursday, according to the E-470 Toll Authority.
A 34-year-old man intentionally jumped in front of a white Chevrolet Silverado driving on southbound E-470, according to the initial Colorado State Patrol (CSP) investigation.
- Watch the full Denver7 traffic report in the video player below.
Deadly vehicle, pedestrian crash shuts down stretch of SB E-470: Aurora PD
The driver of the Chervolet was not injured and stayed on scene to assist law enforcement with the investigation, CSP said.
Traffic was diverted off E-470 at 48th Ave. during the closure, the E-470 Toll Authority said, advising drivers to find alternate routes. Northbound E-470 remained open during the fatal crash investigation led by CSP.
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