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Larry Zimmer dies: Colorado broadcasting legend, longtime voice of the Broncos was 88

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Larry Zimmer dies: Colorado broadcasting legend, longtime voice of the Broncos was 88


Colorado Sports Hall of Famer and longtime Denver Broncos broadcaster Larry Zimmer died Saturday at the age of 88.

Zimmer had been hospitalized for the week-plus preceding his death, according to a news release from the University of Colorado.

Zimmer’s broadcasting career spanned seven decades. He called Broncos games over the course of 26 years for KOA, first as a color commentator and then as the play-by-play man from 1990 to ’96. He worked 536 Broncos games all told, including four Super Bowls. According to CU, he was involved in broadcasting 50 college football seasons, including 486 CU football games and 525 men’s basketball games.

As news of his death circulated, tributes poured in from across the state.

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Current voice of the Broncos Dave Logan told The Post on Sunday he may never have applied for the opening at KOA had Zimmer, handling play-by-play at the time, not called and encouraged him to.

It was part of a decades-long relationship between Logan and Zimmer. Logan, like so many Coloradans, grew up listening to Zimmer on the radio. Then he played at CU and got to know Zimmer before eventually working with him on Broncos broadcasts in the 1990s.

“He was just an excellent broadcaster and even a better person,” said Logan, who visited Zimmer last week and added, “he was sharp as a tack right to the end. He had not lost any of his cognitive abilities. We were talking about games that we did back in the early 1990s and his memory was absolutely fantastic. Just a wonderful person and sad that this day finally arrived.”

Zimmer graduated from the University of Missouri in 1957 and then served two years of active duty in the United States Army.

Zimmer began his work in broadcasting calling high school and Mizzou games before moving to Michigan in the mid-60s and then eventually to Denver to begin working at KOA in 1971.

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From there, he cemented himself as a central part of the state’s sports fabric over decades of work.

“There are so many people, myself included, who grew really familiar with Larry’s voice,” Logan said. “It can jog a memory. It’s like hearing your favorite song. You hear that song and it takes you to a certain moment of your life. Play-by-play voices on radio can have a similar effect on people. I distinctly remember listening to Larry and Bob (Martin) driving home from the AFC Championship game at Mile High when the Broncos beat the Raiders and were going to their first Super Bowl. When I would hear those two, it just brings up just great memories.

“Then having a chance to work with him was just really special to me.”

KOA Broncos sideline reporter Susie Wargin said she’d spent part of Sunday corresponding with several other women in the broadcasting industry and marveling at the impact Zimmer had on their respective careers, whether because he hired them at KOA or simply through is support.

“He just championed women in our industry, especially local women, and it was so cool,” Wargin told The Post. “Here’s this iconic guy that is always super supportive. His wife, Brigette, would always give her support, too, and say, ‘Susie, you do a great job at this and at this.’ They just couldn’t have been more positive at all times in anything we were trying to do. That’s just so special.

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“When he said things to you, it was genuine. If Larry’s saying it, there’s validity to it.”

Zimmer was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, in addition to the Broadcast Professionals of Colorado Hall of Fame in 2009. Zimmer also served on the Broncos’ Ring of Fame committee for more than 30 years.

“A CU institution,” Buffaloes athletic director Rick George said in a statement. “His voice was synonymous with our athletic program and he was most beloved by our coaches, players and fans. Whether it was calling games on KOA or serving as a master of ceremonies for many of our functions, Larry Zimmer was CU.

“He is truly a part of our overall athletic history. We will miss him Zimm and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Zimmer is survived by his wife of 51 years, Brigitte, son Lawrence III (Linda), daughter Tracey Robb (J.C.) and granddaughter Shannon Robb.

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Denver, CO

Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel

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Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel


The Portland Trail Blazers, when healthy, don’t match up well with the Denver Nuggets.

On Monday, the Blazers lost 146-117 at Denver while playing without Robert Williams III and Jerami Grant. Both are questionable for Wednesday night’s rematch.

Scoot Henderson (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (calf) are out.

Should all four miss the game, the Blazers would have virtually zero chance to win.

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Denver destroyed the Blazers in virtually every statistical category on Monday. Losing Ayton and Henderson dramatically impacts the team’s ability to score in the paint, where the Nuggets held an 88-46 advantage in the first game.

The Blazers’ best shot to win would be to get hot from three-point range. Anfernee Simons, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have the ability to do so, but it’s unlikely all three will get going enough on the same night to give Denver much trouble.

Prediction: The Nuggets could take the Blazers lightly, resulting in a relatively close game, if they put forth a better overall effort than they did on Monday.

But it would be reasonable for the Blazers to be cautious and not play Grant or Williams, with this being the final game before the All-Star break.

If just one sits out, along with Henderson and Ayton, the Blazers will absolutely leave Denver with another loss.

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• • •

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT DENVER NUGGETS

What: Trail Blazers (23-31) at Nuggets (35-19), 6 p.m., Wednesday.

Where: Ball Arena, Denver.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

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TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).

How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.

• • •

ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR +295 | DEN -375

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Spread: POR +8.5 | Over/Under: 233

INJURIES

Blazers: Robert Williams III (right knee soreness), Jerami Grant (right knee soreness) and Kris Murray (left quad contusion) are questionable. Deandre Ayton (left calf strain), Scoot Henderson (right ankle sprain) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out.

Nuggets: Jamal Murray (left knee inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management) are probable. Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring tightness) is questionable. Russell Westbrook (left hamstring strain), Peyton Watson (right knee sprain). Vlatko Cancar and (left knee surgery), DaRon Holmes (right Achilles tendon repair) are out.

NEXT UP

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All-Star break. The Blazers host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. Feb. 20.

— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)





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Denver, CO

Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?

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Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?


The San Francisco 49ers have decided to put wide receiver Deebo Samuel on the trade block. He joined Los Angeles Rams standout Cooper Kupp as two veteran wide receivers now on the market. For the Denver Broncos, I think of the two only Samuel could make sense and that’s where our SB Nation Reacts survey is going this week.

Denver is among teams listed as best destinations for Deebo. With Courtland Sutton turning 30 this year, Deebo Samuel isn’t that far behind having just turned 29. Sutton is also entering the final year of his contract. Deebo could be a short-term rental that could enhance the weapons available to Bo Nix next season.

The only question is compensation. Here’s the hypothetical: if the compensation lands in a range that you think is in the value range, should the Broncos pull the trigger on a trade? Vote below and I’ll share the results later this week!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Denver Broncos fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Denver, CO

Denver extends contracts for two homelessness micro-communities, postpones one

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Denver extends contracts for two homelessness micro-communities, postpones one


Denver will continue to operate at least two micro-communities for homeless people after the City Council extended their contracts Monday.

The sites are temporary communities using quick-to-build structures and on-site services. They’re intended as a way to move people living in encampments into safer, more stable housing while the city works to connect them with permanent housing.

The sites are part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s All in Mile High homeless initiative, which aims to bring 2,000 people inside this year and 2,000 into permanent housing, he announced in January.

The city has three of the micro-community sites so far, though more may be eventually built.

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“Additional sites are not off the table but our priority for 2025 is on accelerating housing placements from current locations and then, as a result of that freed up capacity, getting even more people off the streets,” said Jon Ewing, spokesperson for the mayor. “Long-term stability is the goal.”

Contracts for two of the sites, in the Golden Triangle and Central Park neighborhoods, were extended until the end of the year Monday, costing a combined $3.1 million. A third contract for a site on South Santa Fe, which costs another $1.8 million, was postponed until next week.

Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez postponed the contract after asking several questions about how the city would meet its homelessness goals and saying she wanted to follow up with the operator of the site, Colorado Village Collaborative.

The micro-communities have been scrutinized as the council and the community question their efficacy and security so far.

The South Santa Fe location, located at 2301 S. Santa Fe, has capacity for 60 people, according to the city’s website. The Central Park location, located at 12033 E. 38th Ave, has capacity for 54 people. The Golden Triangle location, located at 1375 N. Elati St, has room for 44 people.

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