Denver, CO

Nuggets won’t retain assistant general manager Tommy Balcetis, sources say

Published

12 months ago

June 16, 2025

Nuggets won’t retain assistant general manager Tommy Balcetis, sources say

The Nuggets are not renewing the contract of assistant general manager Tommy Balcetis, multiple sources familiar with the situation told The Denver Post on Monday.

Balcetis joined the organization in 2013 under then-general manager Tim Connelly, running the team’s analytics department and eventually rising to the assistant GM role. Born in Lithuania, he’s been highly regarded as an up-and-coming front office mind for years, having been selected for The Athletic’s 40 under 40 list of bright young executives, coaches and agents in 2022.

But when the Nuggets fired Calvin Booth in April, their G League affiliate general manager, Ben Tenzer, was named interim GM rather than Balcetis, revealing how team ownership felt about the front office hierarchy. Balcetis was considered an internal candidate for the vacancy, but not the favorite, before the Kroenkes chose to let his contract expire.

The decision leaves Denver without a full-time general manager or assistant general manager nine days before the first round of the 2025 draft. Tenzer remains in the interim position and was still considered a candidate as of Monday.

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Originally Published: June 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM MDT

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Denver, CO

1 transported after e-bike crash on I-70 in Denver

Published

9 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

1 transported after e-bike crash on I-70 in Denver

DENVER (KDVR) — One person was taken to the hospital after a crash involving an e-bike on Interstate 70 in Denver.

The Denver Police Department said the crash happened on eastbound I-70 near Steele Street on Thursday. The crash involved an e-bike and a motorist.

Crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Denver on June 11, 2026. (KDVR)
Crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Denver on June 11, 2026. (KDVR)
Crash on eastbound Interstate 70 in Denver on June 11, 2026. (KDVR)

One person was taken to the hospital, but their condition is unknown.

Some eastbound lanes were closed as police were on scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Denver, CO

Broncos sign Head Coach Sean Payton to new five-year contract through 2030 season

Published

20 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Broncos sign Head Coach Sean Payton to new five-year contract through 2030 season

With Payton as head coach, the Broncos captured their first AFC West title in 10 years in 2025 after finishing with a 14-3 record in the regular season en route to hosting the AFC Championship Game. Denver also snapped its eight-year playoff drought in 2024 under Payton, earning a wild card berth with a 10-7 mark.

Since 2024, Payton has led the Broncos’ offense to NFL top-10 rankings in fewest sacks allowed (1^st, 47) and passing touchdowns (8^th, 55) while ranking fifth in the AFC in points (24.3) and touchdowns scored (92). Quarterback Bo Nix, who was selected 12^th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, became just the third quarterback in league history to win at least 10 games and make the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.

Defensively, the Broncos have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (20.3) in the NFL under Payton, while also ranking second during that span in third down percentage (34.8) and third in red zone percentage (48.8). Denver became just the third team in NFL history to eclipse 60 sacks in consecutive seasons, setting franchise records in 2024 (63) and 2025 (68).

Since joining the Broncos, Payton has coached nine different players to a total of 13 All-Pro selections, which is tied for the fourth-most in the NFL in that span. All-Pro honors since 2023 include defensive lineman Zach Allen (2 selections), guard Quinn Meinerz (2), wide receiver/returner Marvin Mims Jr. (2), cornerback Pat Surtain (2), tackle Garett Bolles (1), outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (1), safety Talanoa Hufanga (1), safety Devon Key (1) and safety Justin Simmons (1).

Additionally, Payton has coached eight different Broncos to 12 total Pro Bowl selections, including Surtain (3 selections), Bonitto (2), Mims (2), Allen (1), Bolles (1), Meinerz (1), Simmons (1) and wide receiver Courtland Sutton (1).

Surtain became the second player in franchise history to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year after signing a four-year contract extension in 2024. Bonitto earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist status the following year in 2025.

During his 15 seasons as the Saints’ head coach, Payton led New Orleans to nine playoff berths, seven NFC South Division titles and a victory in Super Bowl XLIV (2009). The Saints won 10 or more games in nine seasons under Payton, finishing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed on two occasions (2009, ’18).

Before joining the Saints in 2006, Payton spent three seasons (2003-05) as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach with the Dallas Cowboys and four years with the New York Giants, coaching quarterbacks in 1999 before serving as offensive coordinator from 2000-02. He began his NFL coaching career as quarterbacks coach with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-98 following nine seasons at the collegiate level.

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Denver, CO

Is Denver hosting 2026 World Cup matches? No, and here’s why

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Is Denver hosting 2026 World Cup matches? No, and here’s why

Yet again, there will be no World Cup action in Denver.

Despite being considered a premier United States soccer market, Colorado’s capital city won’t host any matches in the sport’s biggest global event.

Denver was not selected as one of 16 North American cities (11 in the U.S.) to host games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11-July 19.

This is the fourth World Cup (two women’s, two men’s) with games held on U.S. soil. Colorado has still never hosted a World Cup match.

Denver put in a bid for the 2026 World Cup, with the Denver Broncos’ home of Empower Field at Mile High being the potential host site. FIFA ultimately did not select the Mile High City.

The 2022 announcement was disappointing for one of America’s premier soccer markets.

Colorado has hosted dozens of U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Team matches, many of them at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Empower Field has welcomed soccer events like the CONCACAF Gold Cup, League of Nations and international friendlys.

The state has also produced abundant high-level soccer talent, including impact players like Sophia Wilson (née Smith) and Mallory Swanson (née Pugh) for the USWNT.

However, FIFA chose Dallas; Houston; and Kansas City, Missouri; alongside Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico as a Central Region cluster to minimize travel distance and logistics.

This is the first World Cup since the event expanded from 32 to 48 teams, meaning 104 total matches. Each site will host between four and nine matches during the tournament.

Why isn’t Denver hosting World Cup matches?

Former soccer writer Grant Wahl said Denver’s relative geographic isolation combined with an “underwhelming host committee” were factors working against the city’s host hopes.

Elevation was also floated as a negative factor by Denver’s bid committee back in 2022, according to 9News.

That explanation is unlikely, given that Mexico City (7,350 feet) and Guadalajara (5,138 feet) sit above or comparable to Denver’s famed 5,280 feet of elevation.

Another possible factor? Money.

Several states with host sites approved tax breaks, funding boosts or stadium improvements to match FIFA requests, the Associated Press reported.

Colorado did not. Per CPR, neither Gov. Jared Polis nor then-Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock approved funds or pushed for legislation to lure the World Cup.

Denver’s bid committee estimated a cost of $40-45 million to host matches with an aggressive potential local economic impact estimate of $360 million.