Denver, CO

Scooters, construction waste, a couch — Denver park rangers find plenty in Cherry Creek and the South Platte

Published

1 year ago

July 5, 2024

Scooters, construction waste, a couch — Denver park rangers find plenty in Cherry Creek and the South Platte

When Alex Williams starts his shift as a senior Denver park ranger, he rarely knows where the day will lead.

“I just, earlier this morning, found what looks like a whole apartment that was just dumped on the South Platte,” he said Monday as he drove through downtown Denver. “There’s an organ. There’s a couch.”

His usual patrol route for the Denver Department of Parks and Recreation takes him along segments of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek trails. He collects dumped trash, reports electric scooters he finds submerged in the water, and offers garbage bags and socks to people living in encampments before directing them elsewhere.

Denver’s park system is made up of about 20,000 acres of parkland, including more than 250 urban parks and over 80 miles of trails in the city. In such a large system, Williams and about 65 other rangers have amassed anecdotes about strange — and even risky — encounters in their assigned districts throughout the city and county.

And then there are the oddities they find in the waterways.

The list of anomalies removed from Cherry Creek alone include a wheelbarrow and a hairless guinea pig — a pet that escaped its owners on the trail, said Parks and Recreation spokesperson Stephanie Figueroa. The guinea pig was found alive.

Last week, Williams, 36, helped extract a moped from the creek.

“It’s pretty common to see something like that,” he said.

Sometimes, an abandoned vehicle turns out to have been stolen, Williams said. Rangers look up its license plate or vehicle identification number to confirm. Other times, it’s been ravaged for parts, and the remains are left in a local park.

When rangers find Lime and Lyft electric scooters in Cherry Creek — a frequent occurrence — they report the locations through a phone app that alerts company technicians to collect them.

A Lime electric scooter rests on the sandy base of Cherry Creek along the Cherry Creek Trail in Denver on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage/The Denver Post)

Homeowners and contractors also have a habit of dumping construction materials in these public spaces.

“With waste fees and landfills being what they are, it’s just enticing to dump it wherever it seems convenient,” Williams said. “Often, that’s a secluded part of the trails district or another park.”

At the start of July, he was finishing his final week of medication — a cautionary measure after he was poked by a needle. It was hidden in a blanket that he came in contact with during a hazardous materials cleanup in the undergrowth along the Cherry Creek Trail.

“The risks of the job,” he sighed.

On Monday morning, Williams sat behind the wheel of his park ranger car, its lights flashing. In the back seat, park ranger manager Jodie Marozas, 41, was ready for anything they might encounter — with a baton, a can of pepper spray, a flashlight and a radio on her belt, along with naloxone in her bag (to reverse opioid overdoses) and a pocket knife in her cargo pants.

As Williams merged onto the tight path at a junction of the South Platte River and the Cherry Creek trails, he greeted cyclists through his open window. There, he’s a familiar face. Several passersby stopped to chat.

He quickly spotted a violation in Confluence Park: a man throwing a ball to his off-leash dog in the water. Williams recognized him as a repeat offender.

Rangers enforce dozens of park-specific statutes, including rules regulating off-leash dogs, dumping, fireworks, fires and more. They follow a progressive compliance model, leading with education before taking further steps: a written warning, then citations, with fines that can increase.

Williams and Marozas approached the dog owner, who immediately began arguing and cursing. Saying he was a lawyer from Maine, he continued tossing the ball to his dog as Marozas tried to write him a citation. Finally, he put his pet on a leash, yelling as he stormed away.

“Usually, people that are breaking park rules aren’t very happy seeing us,” Marozas said. “In those situations, yeah — that is kind of the reaction we get.”

She emphasized the importance of de-escalation tactics because aggressive interactions aren’t uncommon for rangers. They learn Krav Maga, a self-defense-oriented martial art, with eight hours of training required annually.

Recently, a person chucked a scooter at a ranger, which caused a shoulder injury, Williams said.

“We get yelled at. We get called the meanest things you can imagine,” he added.

During the summer, parkgoers wade into the water at Confluence Park — though, “technically, you’re not allowed to swim in any of the waterways,” Williams said. “I’ll always tell the folks here that the water quality is not particularly good.”

For years, city officials have warned residents about potential exposure to contaminants and other risks, including E. coli, in the river.

In Williams’ opinion, the ideal ranger needs to be outgoing. On a daily basis, he interacts with people from all walks of life, including those experiencing homelessness.

On the Cherry Creek Trail, rangers ask people camping underneath the bridges to relocate because they’re in areas considered closed, in part for safety.

Periodically, rangers have to alert people in encampments about the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ scheduled flushes of the Cherry Creek Reservoir, which can potentially leave them stranded, or worse, when the trail floods.

During his patrol, Williams approached a man sitting in a chair under an overpass, his backpack and rolling suitcase at his side.

Next to him, a sign read: “No overnight camping.”

After Williams informed the man that it’s a closed area, he offered him a bottle of water.

“Is it Fiji?” the man responded, before gathering his belongings.

A foam cup floats down Cherry Creek as a tent sits on the rocks beneath a bridge along the Cherry Creek Trail in Denver on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage/The Denver Post)

Several spots on the waterways are considered “problem areas,” or places with high numbers of violations, such as Creekfront Park near Larimer Square.

Half a dozen men slept on benches or listened to music throughout the park. Marozas approached a person who was holding a glass pipe to warn him about two violations: public marijuana use and glass. But for the most part, the pair of rangers conducted welfare checks.

“When we’re talking to the unhoused community, it’s not because we’re harassing them. It’s typically because we’re giving them resources,” Williams said. Along with water, his team passes out socks. Rangers give out beanies and hand warmers during the winter.

To Denverites who use local parks and trails, Marozas reminds them: “Take pride in the space that you use.”

And also, she says, laughing: “There isn’t a dog poop fairy.”

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Denver, CO

Where To Get Chinese Food In And around Denver On Christmas Day – 303 Magazine

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Where To Get Chinese Food In And around Denver On Christmas Day – 303 Magazine

Chinese food became popular on Christmas Day primarily because Chinese restaurants were among the few businesses open, offering a convenient, affordable, and culturally neutral dining option.

Several excellent Chinese restaurants in the Denver area that will be open on Christmas Day, continuing a holiday tradition. Many of these locations offer both dine-in and takeout options.

We recommend calling ahead to confirm their holiday hours and placing any takeout orders in advance, as availability may change.

We hope this list of our favorite Chinese restaurants is helpful!

Central Denver

Peter’s Chinese Cafe

A local Chinese-American favorite since 1985, famous for its sesame chicken and loyal clientele

Directions: 2609 E 12th Ave

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

Offering takeout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
You can order online at cogreatwalltogo.com.

Directions: 440 E Colfax Ave

Pepper Asian Bistro

This spot has locations in City Park and the Lower Highlands, providing a mix of Chinese and Thai options for dine-in or takeout.

Directions: 2831 E Colfax Ave

Chinatown Bistro

A cozy uptown option located at 1789 Ogden St., serving classic dishes like sesame chicken and Mongolian beef with easy takeout/delivery options.

Directions: 1789 Ogden St

Little Ollie’s

Open for dine-in, takeout, and delivery from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Order online at littleollies.com.

Directions: 2360 E 3rd Ave

South & West Denver/Englewood

Golden Shanghai Restaurant(USHI)

A beloved establishment open from noon to 9 p.m., offering Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese fare.
Order online at goldenshanghai-denver.com.

Directions: 1412 S Parker Rd

Star Kitchen

A large Chinese fixture known for its dim sum and seafood dishes.

Directions: 2917 W Mississippi

Bistro King Asian Restaurant

This family-owned restaurant in Englewood is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Order online via their website bistrokingonline.com.

Directions: 3542 S Fox St

Chopstix Fusion

A highly-praised, small Denver-area restaurant known for authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine, especially clay pots, noodles (like Beef Chow Fun), and incredible house-made Asian desserts.

Directions: 2020 S Parker Rd

Aurora & Nearby Areas

Chef Liu’s Kitchen

Known for its bold Szechuan and Northern Chinese dishes, available for dine-in or takeout.

Directions: 2222 S Havana St

Dillon’s Dumpling House

Open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day for takeout, delivery, and dine-in.
Order online at dillonsdumplinghouse.com.

Directions: 3571 S Tower Rd

Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings

The Aurora location is open from noon to 9 p.m. for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
You can order via their website nanasdimsumanddumplings.com.

Directions: 2495 S Havana St

Shanghai Kitchen

Open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in from 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Order online at shanghaikitchendenver.com.

Directions: 4940 S Yosemite St

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Denver, CO

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets: Recap and final score

Published

17 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets: Recap and final score

In a game that was over in the first quarter, the Denver Nuggets destroyed the Utah Jazz 135-112. The score isn’t even indicative of how the game went. To start the game, the Nuggets went on a massive run, leaving the Jazz down by 27 points in the middle of the 1st quarter. For the Jazz, it’s surprising just how different they are on the road versus at home. At home, the Jazz are 7-9 while they are 3-9 on the road. This game was a perfect example. The Jazz looked like they got Monstar’d in the first quarter, and there was no way for them to recover the rest of the game. It’s a sign that this Jazz team, as competitive as they’ve mostly been at home, is not there yet as a competitive team.

There were a few things on this one to build on, but some things to be concerned about. Keyonte George was able to calm down after a shaky start and was able to shoot a respectable 7/14 from the field and 2/4 from three. He also grabbed 8 boards and dished out 7 assists. George looked the most in control of anyone on the Jazz during the loss. It’s one of those signs that George is evolving into a great player who will perform at a high level regardless of whatever situation he’s in.

For things to be a little concerned about? Lauri Markkanen continues not shoot the three well. Tonight he was 2/9 from three and is now shooting 35.2%. Overall, Markkanen shot it well from the field at 10/20, but it would be nice if that three-point shot started falling more consistently. It’s the skillset that sets Markkanen apart but it’s not really showing up again this season. Last season, Markkanen ended the year at 34.6%. Is this the reflection of a season being thrown again, or is this just what Markkanen is as a shooter?

Probably the biggest concern of everything is the defense. Yes, you’re playing against Nikola Jokic, but the Jazz came into this one as the #29 defense in the league. So many times in this one, you have defenders playing off shooters and not able to defend shooters. And we’re not talking drive-and-kick-type plays, these are one-pass-away possessions that are getting open threes. It’s not the best sign for this team, ever being a high-level defense. Maybe they’re not trying as hard with the obvious tank that now appears to be happening, but it would be nice to see some better outcomes with the defense on nights like tonight. That said, the best thing for this team, after a game like tonight, is to add more talent to the roster. Fixing the defense is something they’ll worry about more next season. But it’s definitely something to watch as the season goes on, and pay attention to who is able to make an impact defensively.

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Denver, CO

Denver Broncos Week 18 opponent just lost a huge defensive contributor

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Denver Broncos Week 18 opponent just lost a huge defensive contributor

The Denver Broncos saw their 11-game winning streak end thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a pretty brutal performance all the way around from Denver, but thanks to that 11-game winning streak, the Broncos were actually able to lose a game – they could afford a loss, if that makes sense.

Even with the Bills, Chargers, and Patriots all winning in Week 16, the 12-3 Broncos are still atop the AFC West and atop the AFC. All Denver has to do is win their final two games, and both things will be clinched. With Denver slowly beginning to battle key injuries, getting that first-round bye could be massive for the health of the team.

With the Kansas City Chiefs likely starting a third-string QB in Week 17, you would like to think that Denver can take care of business and get to 13-3, which could set up a massive showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers for the division title. Well, that game just got a bit more interesting, as a key Chargers’ defensive player was just suspended.

Chargers lose starting linebacker Denzel Perryman to a two-game suspension

Here is the update from Tom Pelissero:

Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended without pay for two games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2025

Denzel Perryman is a starting linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers and was essentially suspended two games for not playing a clean, safe version of football. This obviously means that Perryman is not suiting up for the remainder of the regular season, but will be back in time for the playoffs.

Perryman, 33 years old, is on his second stint with the Chargers and has now played in 10 games this year. In those 1- games, he’s racked up three passes defended, 47 total tackles, and four tackles for loss. Perryman is definitely more of a tone-setter on the defensive side of the ball and not someone who is going to make those hyper-athletic splashy plays that some linebackers can make.

This is huge for the Chargers’ defense, a very good unit thanks to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, but the personnel on that side of the ball aren’t super talented. The Chargers are one of those teams that honestly benefit more from great coaching than they do having more talent than the opponent.

The Bolts can still win the AFC West, but they would have to win their final two games. Not having Denzel Perryman for a massive Week 18 showdown in Denver is flat-out massive and a huge blow to their defense.

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