Denver, CO

Embattled Colorado House Republican leader resigns leadership role in fallout of drunken driving arrest

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Embattled Colorado House Republican leader resigns leadership role in fallout of drunken driving arrest

State Rep. Mike Lynch, the embattled top Colorado House Republican whose 2022 drunken driving arrest was revealed to the public and to other legislators last week, said Wednesday he was stepping down as minority leader.

Lynch made his announcement from the House floor, shortly after sending an email to the 18 other members of the Republican caucus. He is not resigning from the House overall. His decision came one week after The Denver Post first reported on his arrest.

He narrowly survived a first no-confidence vote Monday and was facing a second one Thursday, but in his speech, he said that efforts to oust him did not influence his decision.

“I wanted to be clear that I’m not stepping down because I won a close vote of no confidence. I’m not stepping down because a failed state party chair tried to influence the actions in this House,” he said from the House floor. Dave Williams, a former legislator and current chair of the Colorado GOP, was present at a Tuesday meeting at which Republican legislators criticized Lynch. “I am stepping down because it is the right thing to do because I’ve become a distraction for my caucus and that is getting in the way of the hard work.”

A three-term Wellington legislator, Lynch has served as minority leader since November 2022, taking over after the death of then-Minority Leader Hugh McKean. Lynch is also running in a crowded primary for the 4th Congressional District, a race that includes U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert.

Considered a relative moderate in a caucus that’s long been split along ideological fault lines, Lynch’s position as the top Republican in the House has been on the brink of collapse for several days amid fallout from his 2022 arrest.

On Jan. 17, The Denver Post reported that Lynch had been arrested for drunken driving and for a weapons charge in September 2022. During that altercation, he briefly reached for a handgun in his pocket and asked the Colorado State Patrol trooper arresting him to keep the incident quiet. He later pleaded guilty and remains on probation through June.

His arrest was a secret in the Capitol, even among his Republican colleagues. He was elected minority leader just weeks after the incident.

Right-wing members of his caucus, spurred on by Colorado Republican Party chair and former legislator Williams, had moved to oust Lynch from leadership this week. Lynch narrowly survived a 9-9 no-confidence vote on Monday. That vote did not include conservative Republican Rep. Stephanie Luck, who recently had a baby and has been excused from House floor work.

During that Monday meeting, Lynch said he didn’t believe his arrest had negatively impacted his ability to serve as minority leader. But three members of his caucus openly called on him to step down, in part because they felt the arrest had been hidden and also because they felt they were losing a moral high ground to Democrats, who until recently had been plagued with reporting about their own internal turmoil. Democratic House Speaker Julie McCluskie, for instance, told reporters on Tuesday that Republicans needed to get their house in order.

After Tuesday’s vote failed, Rep. Scott Bottoms, of Colorado Springs, called for another caucus meeting Wednesday for another no-confidence vote. Lynch and several other Republican lawmakers refused to attend that meeting, which quickly devolved into right-wing members of the caucus criticizing their leadership.

Williams, who is running for a separate congressional seat, sat in the back of the room and later called out questions to Bottoms that were critical of Lynch.

With more than half the caucus absent, no vote was taken Wednesday. But amid mounting criticism from critics within the caucus, Rep. Richard Holtorf, the House minority whip, announced that the caucus would meet Thursday morning for a second no-confidence vote.

With Lynch now out of leadership, Thursday’s meeting will now be used to elect his replacement from the other 18 House Republicans. His assistant minority leader, Colorado Springs Rep. Rose Pugliese, is one likely replacement. That would open up further jockeying for who would replace her in the no. 2 slot. Rep. Matt Soper, a Delta Republican, is also said to be interested in the role.

Some Republican legislators have privately called for a complete overhaul of their leadership team, including Holtorf (who’s also running for Congress) and caucus chair Rep. Mary Bradfield, who oversaw the contentious and poorly organized first no-confidence vote on Monday.

Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican, said he expected the minority leader race to be contested, and he lamented the spiraling infighting among legislators.

“What’s there to say?” he said. “Just when you think things cant get any worse in this building.”

This is a developing story that will be updated.

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Denver, CO

New video captures deadly shooting at Denver park on Easter Sunday

Published

3 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

New video captures deadly shooting at Denver park on Easter Sunday

DENVER (KDVR) — A new video captured several shots being fired in a deadly shooting in broad daylight at a Denver park on Easter Sunday.

On Sunday, around 6 p.m., the Denver Police Department said it responded to a shots-fired call in the area of the 3600 block of North Vine Street. This is at Russell Square Park in the Cole Neighborhood.

Police said two people were sent to the hospital, and they were still looking for a suspect. On Monday morning, police said a woman was pronounced dead, and they were still working on developing suspect information.

FOX31’s Jim Hooley spoke with neighbors in the area on Monday morning, who captured a video of the shots being fired. On a smart home camera in the area, it showed a video of the park, with the sound of over 20 gunshots.

Neighbors told Hooley there were more than 50 people, as many as 100, at the park celebrating Easter. Neighbors believe it was a drive-by shooting, and they all ran for cover once the shots were fired.

At this time, it’s unclear what led up to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

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Denver, CO

Long Before Messi Came to MLS, These Players Brought Soccer to Denver

Published

15 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Long Before Messi Came to MLS, These Players Brought Soccer to Denver

In 1996, a group of strangers arrived in Denver with their cleats and a common goal: to build professional soccer in America from the pitch up. Two years earlier, the United States had hosted the FIFA World Cup, igniting a national fervor for the sport. That energy helped birth Major League Soccer, with the Colorado Rapids as one of its 10 founding clubs. Players from around the globe converged on what was then Mile High Stadium (where the Rapids played until the 2007 debut of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City).

Thirty years later, the team has drawn stars, hoisted the 2010 MLS Cup, and earned a devoted local following. Ahead of the Rapids’ return to Empower Field at Mile High on April 18 for a special anniversary match against Inter Miami CF, we spoke with players from that first season about the mayhem and mirth that helped bring the world’s most popular sport to America.

Colorado Rapids History: The First MLS Season in Denver

“We literally went to a liquor store [on Federal Boulevard] in rush-hour traffic. We were outside with a table with banners, and we were waving Rapids flags. People would roll down their windows and ask ‘Who are the Rapids?’ as they’re stuck in traffic.” —Marcelo Balboa, center back, 1996–2002

“For the July 4 game, we had a massive crowd. We played the [New York/New Jersey] MetroStars, and it was like, Wow, to be able to play in front of over 20,000 people. The lower bowl was packed and loud.” —Denis Hamlett, defender, 1996

“We trained in the Westminster rec center. I remember the first month we were there, we would walk down the hill from the rec center. It was pretty much an open park…. There’d be people coming from the street to work out, and they [would] look at us like, ‘Are you guys a college team?’ ” —Chris Henderson, midfielder, 1996–1999 and 2002–2005

“After the first few games, we started realizing that people were staying after [for autographs]. Almost every game, I would walk off the field without a shirt and without my socks. Kids wanted socks.” —Balboa

“Being a guy who played on the national team and played in the two World Cups leading up to the league—we were always hoping and praying that we were finally going to be able to get a league in the United States…. So when we all got to the stadium and saw [so many] people there, we were like, ‘OK, we got something here.’ ” —Balboa

“We had a mascot called RapidMan [who would go] on all these appearances with us. His costume was like water inside a river. I remember him high-fiving the fans and taking photos with the players.” —Henderson

Tickets for the Colorado Rapids match at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Empower Field at Mile High start at $100.

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Denver, CO

Denver fans celebrate sports-filled Saturday at Stoney’s with pair of thrilling victories

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Denver fans celebrate sports-filled Saturday at Stoney’s with pair of thrilling victories

DENVER — Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets fans packed Stoney’s Bar and Grill on Lincoln to celebrate a pair of thrilling victories on Saturday.

The venue hosted the official Avalanche watch party as the team shut out the Dallas Stars 2-0.

“Just a great win, great time,” fan Jeff Devries said.

Denver7 was there as the team scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory alongside the team mascot, Bernie.

“When they’re on the road, they make it feel like you’re literally in the arena,” said Cooper Barrash. “Goal horn, announcements, all of it.”

Jacob Curtis, Denver7 Photojournalist

Cooper Barrash, Colorado Avalanche fan

Fans celebrated the win that will likely be a playoff preview.

“When you come to a bar like this, it’s awesome,” fan Dan Sikes said.

► Watch Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio’s report in the player below:

Denver fans celebrate sports-filled Saturday at Stoney’s with pair of thrilling victories

After the excitement of the Avalanche victory, attention at Stoney’s quickly turned to the Denver Nuggets and their matchup against the San Antonio Spurs as fans kept their eyes glued to the televisions.

The Nuggets found a way to pull off an epic overtime win.

“It’s palpable. You can feel it,” Nuggets fan Miriam Hertzler said.

STONEY'S.png — Avalanche fans celebrating Saturday’s win

For fans like Hertzler, Saturday showcased what makes the city special.

“It’s so nice to be a part of a community that loves their sports,” Hertzler said. “And that’s what I love about Denver.”

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Claire Lavezzorio

Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado, but specializes in reporting on stories in the military and veteran communities. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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