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‘Local-first’ online grocer PineMelon closes because of financial challenges

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‘Local-first’ online grocer PineMelon closes because of financial challenges


A startup grocery service that provided a pipeline from area farmers and producers to customers in metro Denver has ceased operations after deciding it could no longer make a go of it financially.

PineMelon started business in April 2022, billing itself as a “local-first” online and grocery delivery service. Working out of a 30,000-square-foot warehouse on the north side of Denver, PineMelon featured fruits, vegetables, meat, breads, desserts and prepared meals from clients across the Front Range and on the Western Slope.

PineMelon said suppliers included 400-plus local farmers and makers. The company said its mission was “to build a food system that is better for our environment, builds our community, provides healthier food, and allows local food makers to thrive.”

The online grocer also proved to be an avenue of commerce for area producers once farmers markets closed for the season.

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PineMelon CEO Alex Lee said in a statement Friday that the company was grateful to the local farmers, ranchers and producers who had worked with it and to the customers who took a chance “on a whole new way to shop for groceries.”

But despite efforts “to remedy our current financial situation,” PineMelon would halt all operations Sunday, Lee said. “At this time, we do not know if or when we will be able to resume operations.”

PineMelon said it filled orders for pickup Monday and planned to close out by 6 p.m.

Christopher Ford, PineMelion’s chief marketing officer, said in an email that the company tried to develop a sustainable business model that put more money in the hands of local farmers, didn’t require a subscription and didn’t outsource jobs to gig workers.

“Managing the costs associated with these values has proven challenging,” Ford said.

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Company officials said PineMelon wasn’t able to sustain the high level of scale needed to make its business model work. PineMelon had 43 full- and part-time employees.

“I think I was one of the first local farmers that they brought on,” said Ryan Ericson, owner of Well Fed Farmstead in Fort Collins.

Ericson grows 100 different varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs on about  2.5 acres in the city. He said he made between $500 and $1,000 a week in 2024 by selling his products to PineMelon.

“I don’t really have another wholesale outlet like PineMelon in this area,” Ericson said. “I have a lot of different markets that I sell to, which is very helpful in this case.”

Ericson said he will likely sell more of his products to retail outlets and might go to more farmers markets.

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“I thought PineMelon was really innovative,” Ericson said. “They seemed excited about expanding. I’m sad to see them go.”

Updated at May 13, 2025,  at 11:21 a.m. to correct the number of suppliers that PineMelon worked with.

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Denver, CO

Denver officers cited for separate incidents, 1 fired

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Denver officers cited for separate incidents, 1 fired


DENVER (KDVR) — Two officers, one now formerly of the Denver Police Department, face multiple charges relating to separate incidents in the past two months.

According to a release, now-former Denver Police Officer Gabriel Lucero was issued a citation for third-degree assault, official misconduct and false reporting, while Officer Javon Leach was cited for reckless driving and eluding.

The incident involving Lucero reportedly occurred on May 22 just before 1 a.m. in the 500 block of 16th Street. According to a release, Lucero was involved in an assault at a business, as he allegedly assaulted a person and walked away as others continued to assault the victim.

Security guards and an off-duty officer escorted him and the group out; however, Lucero reportedly identified himself as a Denver police officer and attempted to re-enter by using his police badge.

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Lucero reportedly provided a false name without any other information, and further investigation verified Lucero as the person involved. Lucero was hired in 2025 and, due to his current probationary status, was fired as of Wednesday.

The incident involving Leach occurred around 1:41 a.m. on June 21, when Leach was reportedly pulling out of a parking lot on Larimer Street, attempting to drive against traffic.

Leach reportedly refused commands to stop as he left the area. Officials said he was found just seven minutes later, traveling at high speeds northbound on Park Avenue West.

He reportedly fled a traffic stop and continued to drive away, and officials deemed Leach to be the suspect following an investigation. He was placed in an off-line assignment while the case progresses, as they are considered misdemeanors.

“The Denver Police Department’s administrative review of Leach’s incident will begin once the criminal case is adjudicated, and that process includes the Denver Department of Safety and the Office of the Independent Monitor, a civilian oversight agency,” the release said.

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Denver, CO

Peyton Watson landing spots: Could Nuggets star actually leave Denver?

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Peyton Watson landing spots: Could Nuggets star actually leave Denver?


Denver Nuggets standout forward Peyton Watson could find himself on another team before you know it.

With the Nuggets reportedly open to a sign-and-trade of Watson, could Denver really lose a core piece to their rotation?

It’s hard to imagine many teams being able to shoulder the financial weight of a Watson contract at this point because of the aprons and such, but he’s absolutely an asset to any contending team.

We’ve gone through and identified a few teams that make sense for Watson in the fall… including the one he’s already on at the moment. Hey, he might stay home, you never know!

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The Clippers have been linked to Watson as a possible destination; he could help them immensely.

The Pistons have also been linked to Watson, which would help them a lot to contend for an NBA title.

Look, HYPOTHETICALLY, the Nets could move around some cap space with some player trades and such and get a deal done. They are one of the only teams in the NBA right now not in the negative with cap space.

The Grizzlies are the team with the least amount of negative cap space right now, per Spotrac. If they really wanted to pull off a Watson sign-and-trade… it would be hypothetically possible from a money standpoint.

Denver Nuggts

Look, it’s very possible Watson just stays in Denver on a brand-new deal. Who knows at this point?

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City of Denver says images of piling waste a case of illegal dumping

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City of Denver says images of piling waste a case of illegal dumping


DENVER (KDVR) – A Denver Park Hill Resident says trash in her alley hasn’t been picked up by city-run waste collection in more than 2 months.

“It’s starting to be frustrating because that pile has been there 2.5 months, and I’m not kidding about that,” Andrea Sanders-Childs said.

A spokesperson for Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) says they did receive a call about the address on Krameria in mid-June and are investigating the case as ‘illegal dumping’ versus ‘missed collection.’

The DOTI spokesperson says more information will be available when the inspector assigned to the area returns on Wednesday.

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Sanders-Childs said that the people who live in the home closest to the mess had actually rented a dumpster; however, it was eventually picked up and towed away.

In the meantime, for Denver residents, DOTI provided FOX31 with the following reminders:

  • Carts that are overfilled, stuffed or too heavy cannot be emptied
  • All trash must be inside the cart, and overflow trash cannot be collected  
  • To report illegal dumping, call 311



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