A look at each of the Class 6A Great 8 matchups set for this weekend at the Denver Coliseum:

BOYS

Class 6A

Saturday at Denver Coliseum

No. 1 Rangeview (25-0) vs. No. 9 Regis Jesuit (19-6)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Players to watch: RV — LaDavian King, 6-2, sr. (16.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.4 apg); Marceles Duncan, 6-5, fr. (14.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 bpg, 2.6 apg); Archie Weatherspoon, 6-3, so. (13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.5 apg). RJ — Eric Fiedler, 6-8, jr. (23.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg); Lucas Dickinson, 6-5, sr. (15.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 apg); Alec Roumph, 6-4, sr. (10.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg).

What to know: The last time Rangeview entered the Coliseum unbeaten, COVID cut its bid for perfection short. Now, the Raiders are back to finish the job with a new cast, including transfer guard LaDavian King, who was on the wrong end of a Final Four heartbreaker last year with Eaglecrest. The other Raiders in this matchup are no strangers to the big stage. Ken Shaw’s Regis Jesuit program reached the Final Four two years ago and is in the Great 8 for the sixth time since 2015. Four of those previous five teams lost in the quarterfinals.

No. 5 Valor Christian (21-4) vs. No. 4 Ralston Valley (23-2)

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Players to watch: VC — Cole Scherer, 6-2, sr. (26.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.0 apg); Brady Wynja, 6-6, sr. (14.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.2 apg); Ryan Mandes, 6-3, sr. (8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 spg). RV — Tanner Braketa, 6-1, sr. (18.7 ppg, 5.5 apg); Caiden Braketa, 6-3, jr. (16.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.4 apg); Zeke Andrews, 6-6, jr. (10.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 apg).

What to know: The defending champion Eagles return with 2024 Mr. Colorado Basketball Cole Scherer on a heater since the start of February (22.5 ppg on 58.5% shooting). The Eastern Washington commit’s one off game during that span? A 5-for-15 night vs. Ralston Valley that ended with Scherer banking in a game-winner. Those heroics ended R.V.’s 19-game win streak to start the season — a run that included a 65-58 win over Valor. Northern Colorado commit Tanner Braketa and brother Caiden have R.V. in the Great 8 for the first time in 17 years and ready to win the rubber match.

No. 2 Eaglecrest (23-2) vs. No. 7 ThunderRidge (20-5)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Players to watch: EAG — Anthony Nettles, 6-0, sr. (15.8 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.3 spg); Garrett Barger, 6-9, sr. (12.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg); Lucas Kalimba, 6-5, sr. (12.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg). TR — Drew Paine, 6-8, jr. (18.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.4 bpg); Kael Carney, 5-11, sr. (10.8 ppg, 1.1 spg); Ulysses Brown, 6-5, sr. (9.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

What to know: A year ago, these two produced an instant classic in the Final Four decided on a last-second T-Ridge putback. Both teams have retooled since, with transfer guard Anthony Nettles playing the role of LaDavian King for Eaglecrest, and junior big man Drew Paine taking the baton from a talented senior class to lead ThunderRidge back to the Great 8 for the fourth time in five seasons. The Raptors are 23-1 since losing their opener at Regis Jesuit, but played just two games (1-1) against Great 8 qualifiers.

No. 6 Mountain Vista (20-5) vs. No. 3 Chaparral (21-4)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Players to watch: MV — Cal Baskind, 6-0, sr. (20.4 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg); Oliver Junker, 6-8, jr. (15.3 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.7 bpg); Carlos Arocho, 5-11, sr. (7.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.2 rpg). CH — Christian Williams, 6-2, so. (19.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg); Luke Howery, 6-5, so. (17.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 5.6 apg); Luke Williams, 6-9, jr. (8.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 bpg).

What to know: Mountain Vista returns to the Coliseum looking for redemption after last year’s buzzer-beater loss to Smoky Hill in the Great 8. Cal Baskind and Oliver Junker, who were both on the court for that heartbreaker, combined for 50 points in a double-overtime win over Overland in the Sweet 16. Now they get a date with the most talented sophomore duo in the state in guards Christian Williams and Luke Howery. They were also on the losing side of a Great 8 matchup with Valor last winter.

Class 5A

Friday at Denver Coliseum

No. 16 Green Mountain (16-9) vs. No. 25 Sand Creek (20-6)

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Players to watch: GM — Simon Lunsford, 6-4, sr. (17.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Sam Mielenz, 6-3, so. (13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Jake Swanson, 6-4, jr. (10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg). SC — Elijah Brotherns, 6-1, sr. (13.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 spg); Mathew Starks, 6-2, sr. (9.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.6 spg); Josh Kotto, 6-3, sr. (8.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 apg).

What to know: A pair of Cinderellas meet in a Great 8 matchup few saw coming. Green Mountain clinched its first Great 8 trip in 16 years with a 55-42 upset of No. 1 Lutheran in the Sweet 16. Sand Creek beat eighth-seeded Severance (47-40) and ninth-seeded Cheyenne Mountain (59-57) in succession after emerging from the play-in round. The Scorpions’ last win came on a frantic finish that saw Jaylen Brantley sink the go-ahead bucket on one end and Elijah Brotherns make the game-saving block on the other.

No. 21 Falcon (17-8) vs. No. 4 Montrose (19-6)

Time: 1:15 p.m.

Players to watch: FA — Tyler Cox, 6-4, sr. (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Jeremiah Potts, 5-10, sr. (11.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg); Aiden Wood, 6-3, jr. (8.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.2 spg). MO — Kaleb Ferguson, 6-5, sr. (16.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.1 spg); CJ Rocco, 6-4, jr. (8.2 ppg, 1.3 bpg); Brody Cooling, 6-2, sr. (4.4 ppg, 3.9 apg).

What to know: The other pair of glass slippers in a topsy-turvy 5A bracket belong to Falcon, which turned a 4-4 December into its first state quarterfinal trip in seven years with wins over No. 12 Eagle Valley (62-56) and No. 28 Mountain View (63-56). Now they face a Western Slope power in Montrose — a program that’s reached the Great 8 three times in five seasons. The Red Hawks allow just 36.68 points/game and appeared to have righted themselves after closing out the regular season 3-4.

No. 2 Mesa Ridge (24-1) vs. No. 7 Standley Lake (20-5)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Players to watch: MR — Bryce Riehl, 6-1, sr. (17.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 spg); Zander Iwanski, 6-3, sr. (11.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg); J’marius Jones, 5-11, jr. (6.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.8 apg). SL — Derrek Sims, 6-1, sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.0 spg); Asher Serlen, 6-8, so. (14.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg); Titus Schrecengost, 5-11, so. (11.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.7 spg).

What to know: Mesa Ridge’s 5A three-peat bid is alive and well, with the Grizzlies entering the Coliseum on a 24-game win streak behind the talents of all-everything guard Bryce Riehl. Only two of those wins came against Great 8 qualifiers, however. Up next is a Stanley Lake squad that’s entering uncharted territory. The Gators have had just two winning seasons since 2012 (the other was last year’s 14-10 campaign) and this is their first trip to the Great 8 in at least two decades. Might as well start against the best.

No. 6 Windsor (19-6) vs. No. 3 Dakota Ridge (19-6)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Players to watch: WI — Madden Smiley, 6-3, jr. (20.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.3 apg); Brady Kingsley, 5-9, jr. (12.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg); John Backhaus, 6-4, sr. (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg). DR — Ethan Berninger, 6-5, sr. (22.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.7 apg); Nathan Esau, 6-4, sr. (14.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.7 apg); Cody Rominger, 6-2, sr. (8.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg).

What to know: Windsor is looking to go one step further after falling just short in the 5A title game against Mesa Ridge last winter. Junior Madden Smiley has scored in double-figures in all but one of the Wizards’ 25 games and reached the 20-point plateau in both of their playoff wins. Dakota Ridge has a deadly scorer of its own in senior Ethan Berninger, who’s reached 30 points three times in the Eagles’ last five games and is shooting 40% (70 of 176) from 3-point range. The Eagles have lost in the Great 8 two years in a row.

GIRLS

Class 6A

Saturday at Denver Coliseum

No. 1 Grandview (22-3) vs. No. 8 Denver East (17-8)

Time: 4 p.m.

Players to watch: GV — Sienna Betts, 6-4, sr. (23.8 ppg, 17.0 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.3 bpg); Ava Chang, so. (14.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.3 spg); Deija Roberson, 5-11, sr. (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg). DE — Evelina Otto, 6-5, sr. (16.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.5 bpg); Grace Hall, 5-7, so. (12.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.0 spg); Mairead Hearty, 6-3, jr. (10.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.3 bpg).

What to know: The Grandview girls juggernaut is back at the Coliseum after a year away looking to reclaim the 6A state title it won in 2023. McDonald’s All-American Sienna Betts is less than 50 points shy of becoming the fourth Colorado prep girls basketball player to record 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds. Three more wins, and the UCLA commit will have a third state title, too. First up is Denver East, which has the size in Evelina Otto and Mairead Hearty to give Betts problems. Since starting the season 1-7, the Angels have lost once.

No. 5 Pine Creek (23-2) vs. No. 4 Cherry Creek (18-7)

Time: 7 p.m.

Players to watch: PC — Brooklyn Stewart, 6-3, sr. (19.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg); Alli Dreessen, 6-1, jr. (12.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Leekaya Burke-Perryman, 5-3, sr. (11.7 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.7 spg). CC — Braelynn Barnett, 6-1, sr. (11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg); Molly Dorighi, 5-8, sr. (11.1 ppg, 3.1 spg); A’Neya Chambers, 5-10, sr. (9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.3 spg).

What to know: Led by Oklahoma commit Brooklyn Stewart, the Eagles are in the Great 8 for the first time in program history. If they’re to advance, they’ll have to get past a Cherry Creek program with plenty of big-game experience. In fact, this is Great 8 trip No. 4 for Braelynn Barnett and A’Neya Chambers, who’ve started since their freshman seasons. Even with classmate and Alabama commit Tianna Chambers unavailable this winter, the Bruins have proven themselves dangerous with a 5-4 record vs. 5A/6A Great 8 teams.

No. 2 Valor Christian (23-2) vs. No. 7 Legend (20-5)

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Players to watch: VC — Peyton Jones, 5-11, jr. (24.1 ppg, 3.4 spg); Quinn VanSickle, 5-8, sr. (18.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.4 apg); Camryn Gunter, 6-2, jr. (11.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg). LEG — Mason Borcherding, 6-1, sr. (13.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg); Grace Stanley, 5-4, sr. (10.1 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.2 spg); Maley Wilhelm, 5-7, sr. (9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.8 spg).

What to know: Valor enters the weekend riding a 30-game win streak against Colorado competition that dates back to last year’s 6A title run. The Eagles are 5-0 against fellow 6A Great 8 qualifiers this winter, including a 69-42 thrashing of Legend in December. Blue chip prospect Peyton Jones and Pepperdine commit Quinn VanSickle combined for 50 points in that rout. If the Titans are going to reverse that result, they’ll need someone other than Boise State commit Mason Borcherding (24 points, 13 rebounds) to step up.

No. 6 Highlands Ranch (22-3) vs. No. 14 Riverdale Ridge (20-5)

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Players to watch: HR — Ezra Simonich, 5-10, sr. (15.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.8 apg); Jayda Rogers, 6-0, fr. (12.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Tori Baker, 5-7, sr. (9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.7 apg). RR — Brihanna Crittendon, 6-3, jr. (26.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 spg); Chloe Parker, 5-8, jr. (11.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Shay Vigil, 5-4, jr. (11.3 ppg, 3.0 spg, 2.7 apg).

What to know: A year after leading Riverdale Ridge to its first state title in Class 4A, five-star phenom Brihanna Crittendon has the Ravens back at the Coliseum in the program’s first 6A season. Her last-second block sealed a Sweet 16 win over No. 3 Broomfield. Now comes a date with Caryn Jarocki’s Eagles, who are making their 10th Great 8 appearance in 11 seasons. DU commit Tori Baker is the floor general, but a talented trio of freshmen Jayda Rogers and Kimora Banks-Thomas and sophomore Addie Moon gives HR depth.

Class 5A

Friday at Denver Coliseum

No. 1 Air Academy (24-0) vs. No. 8 Durango (19-6)

Time: 4 p.m.

Players to watch: AA — Tatyonna Brown, 6-2, sr. (19.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg); Lydia Flowers, 6-0, sr. (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 spg); Kinley Asp, 5-11, jr. (13.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 apg). DU — Claire Goodwin, jr. (13.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.0 spg); Mariah Maestas, 5-7, sr. (8.1 ppg, 2.3 spg); Ellie White, sr. (6.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg).

What to know: The Coliseum has been a site of heartbreak for Air Academy, with the Kadets squandering double-digit leads in season-ending losses to Northfield (2024) and Roosevelt (2023) the last two years. Now they enter the penultimate weekend eyeing redemption, with Kansas commit Tatyonna Brown and D-I recruit Kinley Asp leading 5A’s lone unbeaten. Durango survived a rock fight against Montrose (32-23) to reach the Great 8 for the second time in three years, but needs to hit another level vs. the Kadets.

No. 5 Green Mountain (23-2) vs. No. 4 Roosevelt (22-3)

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Players to watch: GM — Kantyn Pearson, 5-9, jr. (13.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg); Ella Cockrum, 5-6, so. (12.2 ppg, 2.2 spg); Addie Evans, 5-11, so. (8.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 spg). RO — Kyla Hollier, 6-1, jr. (26.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.8 spg); Ryanne Bahnsen-Price, 6-0, sr. (17.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.0 apg); Payton Terry, 5-7, sr. (6.9 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.3 spg).

What to know: Two-time defending 5A champion Roosevelt, led by the D-I tandem of Kyla Hollier and Ryanne Bahnsen-Price, brings its suffocating defense back to the Coliseum eyeing a three-peat. Each of the Riders’ three losses this season came to teams playing in the Coliseum, the last a 65-44 setback at No. 6 Mullen on Jan. 6. Nobody has come within single digits of them since. Although Green Mountain, winners of 22 straight and in the Great 8 for the fourth time in six years, is almost certain to test that.

No. 2 Mead (22-3) vs. No. 7 Frederick (19-6)

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Players to watch: MD — Madi Clark, 5-8, so. (12.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg); Darby Haley, 5-6, sr. (10.6 ppg, 2.8 apg); Elena Gomez, 5-10, jr. (9.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 spg). FR — Zoe Wittler, 5-6, sr. (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 spg); Rylee Gallegos, 5-3, sr. (7.9 ppg, 3.3 spg); Izzy Howard, 5-9, so. (7.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.3 spg).

What to know: Mead is back in the Great 8 for the fourth straight season, and this might be the Mavericks’ best shot at a title yet. Madi Clark has gone up a level since last year’s breakout freshman season, and the Mavs are 21-1 against Colorado competition. The lone setback was a Granite Peaks League loss to 6A No. 3 Broomfield. The last time these two teams met, Mead dominated from start to finish in a 54-19 home victory on Jan. 17. Translation: the Frederick Golden Eagles have their work cut out for them.

No. 6 Mullen (16-9) vs. No. 3 Windsor (21-4)

Time: 7 p.m.

Players to watch: MU — Makenzie Jones, 5-11, so. (16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 spg); Tatum Jones, 6-2, sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Keaton Arangua-Egbert, 5-8, sr. (6.9 ppg, 2.5 apg). WI — Reyleigh Hess, 6-0, sr. (15.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg); Nola Greenwald, 5-11, so. (11.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Gracie Worlsey, 5-11, so. (10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg).

What to know: Few teams are more battle-tested in 5A than the Mullen Mustangs, who went 6-3 in the rugged 6A Centennial League and 1-4 in games against 6A/5A Great 8 qualifiers. The last time the Mustangs were one classification below the largest in Colorado, they won three straight contested state titles — the last two capped by wins over Windsor in the championship round. Karin Nicholls’ Wizards have reached the Great 8 in the three seasons since, and now they have the size to match up with Mullen.

* All stats taken from maxpreps.com.

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Originally Published: March 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM MST

The Denver Broncos enter this year’s free agency period with ample cap space for the 2025 season. Additionally, they have plenty of space down the road. But will they make big splashes in free agency like they did in Head Coach Sean Payton’s first year with the team or will they be more measured like last offseason?

General Manager George Paton spoke about the importance of being measured in their free agency decisions at this year’s NFL Combine. Additionally, he reflected on some of the whiffs the team has endured in free agency. However, after a wildcard playoff berth and having quarterback Bo Nix on his rookie deal for the next few seasons, there are some who may believe the Broncos’ window to be aggressive begins now.

With that in mind, I asked the staff at Mile High Report if the Broncos should be aggressive or measured in free agency.

Most of us at Mile High Report advocate for a measured approach

Ross Allen

I’ll stick to a more measured approach. They have a decent amount of cap space but I’d rather that money be spent on a couple of extensions for players already here. But there is enough for one big signing and maybe a couple smaller ones. I’m talking about a Zack Baun or a Nick Bolton and then a vet receiver or a vet center.

Taylor Kothe

My thoughts are similar to what Ross said. At this point, of the arguable top 10 wide receivers available in free agency only 2 aren’t in their 30s. Both of those guys will be 29 before the season begins. The tight end and wide receiver free agent classes aren’t much better, especially considering the rich draft class in the pipeline.

So, if we make one big FA signing, I’d prefer to see it be for a defender and then see it followed up with several good value signings similar to last offseason. Use free agency primarily to reinforce our defense and then go offense-heavy in the draft to build for the long term around Nix.

Tim Lynch

We are not quite ready for the aggressive approach. I feel like you save that for a season you expect to be one of the best teams in the league. I think the Broncos are on the ascent, but still a young and inexperienced team. They are going to get better.

Mike DeCicco

Measured. Find scheme fits like Brandon Jones that can be had for a reasonable contract. We’re not one player away where a splashy move gets us over the top. Depth is the priority.

John Holmes

Extremely measured. I’d rather see money spent on extensions for Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen than big starter salary on free agents. The Broncos have, especially last year, needed to push a lot of salary into future cap years. Taking a year without aggression and trusting the young core to develop sets the team up for success both in 2025 and beyond.

Joe Mahoney

Fill the holes that you don’t think you can fill in the draft with mid-level FAs. Look for value more than the names.

Some advocated for being aggressive, but in varying degrees

Ian St. Clair

How about measured aggressiveness? What everyone else said I’m in agreement but be aggressive in the players the Broncos have identified as targets. Namely the in-house guys and then middle linebacker and safety, maybe receiver or tight end after that. On defense, guys like Nick Bolton and Jevon Holland. Extend your current players and get the guys you want, so measured aggressiveness.

Christopher Hart

I’d prioritize in-house extensions before being aggressive in this year’s market. It’s not a great core of talent. In an ideal world, they’re aggressive retaining top-end players like Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto on the defensive side of the ball. As far as the market goes, do what you can to add a starter at linebacker which they desperately need, a stop-gap defensive lineman, and a safety to compete alongside P.J. Locke. I kind of like Ian’s idea of measured aggressiveness. That’s a good line of thought!

Scotty Payne

Aggressive. Life is short and I could die tomorrow so go big or go home. You have a short window with Nix on a rookie contract, wealthy owners and a raising cap each and every year. Go big and fill some weaknesses

Adam Malnati

Aggressive—with a plan. No point in just spending money for spending’s sake. But if there is a player that fits what the team is doing, go for it. There are positions of need that can be filled in free agency. George Paton has done a very good job working with Sean Payton finding players that can get the Broncos another step closer to the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.

As always, feel free to give your thoughts in the comments section. Also, don’t forget to vote in the poll! I’m interested to hear what Broncos Country has to say about this.

Republican representatives grilled Denver Mayor Mike Johnston during a six hour House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing about immigration policy on Wednesday in Washington, and the timing couldn’t have been worse for the Democratic leader of Colorado’s capital city.

Four days ago, immigration agents say the Denver Jail released Abraham Gonzalez, a suspected Venezuelan gang member charged with violent felonies. The jail was supposed to give federal agents 48 hours notice, but Rep. Jeff Crank, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, says they got one hour, and he says an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was injured during the capture of the 23-year-old.

The congressional committee wanted answers from Johnston and mayors of Boston, Chicago and New York, saying the cities’ policies of not handing over undocumented immigrants picked up for crimes are putting the public and police at risk.

The people who did most the talking during those six hours were committee members, not the mayors.

While the hearing was billed as an inquisition, it was more of a prosecution. Republicans accused the mayors of everything from failed leadership to treason.

Johnston often didn’t get to finish his statements in his testimony, and in some cases it was Colorado representatives doing the questioning.

“Mayor Johnston, is Denver a sanctuary city?” Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee’s chairman, asked.

“A lot of folks use that term … differently. I can tell you what Denver does. We do not…” Johnston replied.

“Okay, I’ll take that as a yes,” Comer interruped.

From the outset, Johnston was on the defense as the members peppered him with questions and in many cases didn’t even wait for his reply. That included the following exchange with Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.

“Thank you congresswoman. Let me…” Johnston said.

“Yes or no,” Boebert interruped.

 “Pardon,” Johnston said.

“Yes or no. Will you join me?”

“I do not believe the detainer law needs to be changed,” Johnston said. “I can tell you what Denver does right now.”

“Okay, so you don’t want them to coordinate with ICE,” Boebert interruped.

Crank was critical of how Johnson’s city dealt with the Gonzalez case.

“Have you apologized to the federal law enforcement agent who was assaulted by a Tren de Aragua gang member because of your failed leadership? Yes or no?” Crank asked Johnston.

“I reached out to the ICE officers yesterday and I’ve asked to sit down with them to talk about this procedure and how we can align system to make sure no other officers get injured,” he said.

Johnston says the city of Denver has made more than 1,200 similar releases with no problems.

The mayor defended his leadership in his opening remarks, saying as the city’s leader he has a duty to protect the health and safety of all people in the city, and that as a many of faith he says he has a moral obligation to care for those in need.

“The question Denver faced was, what will you do with a mom and two kids dropped on the streets of our city with no warm clothes, no food, and no place to stay?” he said.

He told the committee Denver follows all state and federal laws and despite the massive influx of migrants over the last two years, crime is down.

Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, says the city still ranks as the tenth most dangerous and because it doesn’t ask inmates their immigration status — which Evans says is required on FBI fingerprint cards — there’s no way of knowing if migrants are driving crime.

“So not filling out the FBI fingerprint card, which would directly contradict your statement that you want people who are illegally present in the country and committing crimes to be held to account for those crimes.”

Boebert says Denver’s policies are also impacting the neighboring city of Aurora.

“You were shipping illegal aliens to Aurora. Their crime was increasing while you were hiding under laws that you will not demand be repealed,” she said.

Johnston says state and local laws aren’t the problem, Congress is.

“If Denver can find a way to put aside our ideological differences long enough to manage a crisis we didn’t choose or create, it seems only fair to ask that the body that is actually charged with solving this national problem, this congress, can finally commit to do the same,” he said.

Johnston said after the hearing that his goal was to explain why Denver isn’t a sanctuary city and shouldn’t lose federal funding. The city paid a DC law firm up to $2 million to ensure his success, but he says committee members seemed to have their minds made up.

In addition to withholding funding, some Republicans are asking the justice department to investigate the mayors for harboring criminals. Johnston says he’s not worried. Under the law, he would have had to shield the migrants from federal agents — which he didn’t — and he says if Republicans try to withhold funding, the city will sue.