Denver, CO

Denver’s sheriff, fire and police chiefs reappointed after City Council vote

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2024

Denver’s sheriff, fire and police chiefs reappointed after City Council vote

Denver’s police chief, fire chief, sheriff and public safety director will continue to serve as part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration after the City Council unanimously approved their reappointments on Monday.

Ron Thomas will remain the chief of the Denver Police Department, a role he was first appointed to by Johnston’s predecessor, Michael Hancock, in October 2022. Thomas joined DPD in 1989 and served in various roles over the decades including in the department’s investigations, special operations and patrol divisions.

Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton has 25 years of experience in his department. Hancock first appointed him in 2020.

Elias Diggins remains the city’s sheriff, leading the department that operates Denver’s two jails. He is also a department veteran originally appointed by Hancock. He joined the Denver Sheriff Department in 1994.

Finally, Armando Saldate III will remain in his role as executive director of the Department of Public Safety. Hancock first picked him for that cabinet post in 2022. His department oversees the other three public safety agencies as well as Denver 9-1-1, Community Corrections and other public-safety-related offices and services in the city.

The four appointments passed unanimously as part of the council consent agenda, but Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez did call them out for comments. She emphasized that the council was not rubber-stamping Johnston’s choices for what she considers the most consequential jobs in the administration.

She called for an independent survey to be done of the rank-and-file employees of each of the public safety departments sometime over the next two years so that the public and council can assess the four leaders’ performance.

“I see it as all of our responsibility to take those kinds of assessments and act on them to improve the services for the people of Denver,” she said.

Johnston’s selection process was subject to further scrutiny later in the meeting when Lisa Calderón spoke during the meeting’s public comment period. Calderón, a nonprofit leader and criminal justice reform advocate who came in third place in the 2023 mayoral election, criticized the sheriff and fire departments in particular for alleged sexism that prevented women from moving up the ranks.

She called for changes to the appointment process in the future to give the public a voice.

The four appointees did speak at Monday’s meeting.

“I’m committed to the mayor (and) committed to the city,” Thomas told The Denver Post in an interview earlier in the afternoon. “I intend to be here for a long time and continue to be of faithful service to the citizens of Denver.”

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Denver, CO

Canceled due to high winds: Wednesday’s drone show, holiday tree, Christkindlmarket

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Canceled due to high winds: Wednesday’s drone show, holiday tree, Christkindlmarket

Downtown’s Mile High Drone Show, the Denver Christkindlmarket and access to the Mile High Tree have been canceled for Wednesday, Dec. 17, due to high winds, said producers at Visit Denver.

The city’s tourism arm on Wednesday morning decided to cancel the shows and outdoor holiday market for this evening “due to weather conditions,” as well as cut off access to the 110-foot LED icon known as the Mile High Tree, through which visitors can typically walk and snap selfies.

Denver is forecasted to endure wind gusts of up to 50 mph on Dec. 17, with gusts of up to 75 to 80mph possible in higher elevations. High winds, low humidity and the possibility of wildfire led Xcel Energy to cut power to more than 100,000 Front Range residents by Wednesday morning. Xcel Energy also sponsors the Mile High Tree.

Denver Christkindlmarket is scheduled to run through Dec. 23 at the Auraria Campus.

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Denver, CO

Denver weather: Strong wind and increased fire danger Wednesday

Published

17 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.

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Denver, CO

Where To Eat Christmas Eve Dinner In Denver – 303 Magazine

Published

1 day 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

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