Angela Rae Harris's Blog, page 35

Utah governor says Charlie Kirk suspect is on the left, has transgender boyfriend

Family and friends of the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk described his politics as veering left in recent years, as he spent large amounts of time scrolling the “dark corners of the internet,” Utah Gov. Spencer Spencer Cox said Sunday.

The suspect has a boyfriend who is “transitioning from male to female,” the governor told NBC News in an interview on Sunday. 

That boyfriend is fully cooperating with investigators and was “shocked” about the alleged involvement of Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of shooting Kirk last week. 

Investigators are still piecing together information about the suspect and not yet ready to discuss a potential motive. But Cox noted that Robinson, who is not cooperating with law enforcement, disliked Kirk and may have been “radicalized” online.

Kirk founded Turning Points USA to bring more young people into politics, and he was a confidant of President Donald Trump, leading to a flood of tributes that included a vigil Sunday night at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, became prominent in part through his speaking tours, and he was shot Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University.

“There clearly was a leftist ideology,” Cox said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” citing interviews with Robinson’s relatives and acquaintances. “Friends have confirmed that there was kind of that deep, dark internet, the Reddit culture, and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep.”

He pointed to references found engraved on the ammunition used to kill Kirk, which included anti-fascist and meme-culture language. Court records show that one bullet casing had the message, “Hey, fascist! Catch!”

A Republican who has called on all partisans to tone down their rhetoric following the attack, the governor added: “I really don’t have a dog in this fight. If this was a radicalized MAGA person, I’d be saying that as well.”

Utah’s governor says a motive still isn’t pinned down

Cox stressed on several Sunday morning news shows that investigators are still trying to pin down a motive for the attack on Kirk, a Trump confidant. The governor said more information may come out once Robinson appears in court Tuesday.

Cox said the suspect’s partner was transgender. Authorities have not said whether it is relevant as they investigate Robinson’s motive.

“The roommate was a romantic partner, a male transitioning to female,” Cox said. “I can say that he has been incredibly cooperative, this partner has been very cooperative, had no idea that this was happening.”

Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and carried out a search warrant at his family’s home in Washington, Utah, about 240 miles (390 kilometers) southwest of Utah Valley University.

State records show Robinson is registered to vote but not affiliated with a political party and is listed as inactive, meaning he did not vote in the two most recent general elections. His parents are registered Republicans.

“We can confirm, again according to family and people that we’re interviewing, that he does come from a conservative family, but his ideology was very different than his family,” Cox said.

Robinson grew up around St. George, in the southwestern corner of Utah between Las Vegas and natural landmarks, including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.

He became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon church, at a young age, church spokesperson Doug Andersen said.

Online activity by Robinson’s mother reflected an active family that traveled widely. In one photo, a young Robinson can be seen smiling, as he gripped the handles of a .50-caliber heavy machine gun outside a military facility.

A high school honor roll student who scored in the 99th percentile nationally on standardized tests, he was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter that was posted to a family member’s social media account.

But he attended for only one semester, according to the university. He is currently enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George.

Cox theorized that his “radicalization” happened shortly after he dropped out of the university.

“We do know,” the Utah governor said, “that this was a very normal young man, a very smart young man.”

“And it seemed to of happen kind of right after (he dropped out),” Cox said of Robinson’s “radicalization.” 

Quarterback Bo Nix: Mounting Broncos errors at end of Colts loss ‘started with my turnover’

Bo Nix sat on the visiting team bench at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in shock over the game’s final moments.

The joy of a missed 60-yard Colts field goal to seal a close win was replaced by disbelief when a penalty on edge rusher Dondrea Tillman for “leverage” gave Indianapolis another attempt. Colts kicker Spencer Shrader didn’t miss twice. The Colts escaped with a 29-28 win over the Broncos.

“You go from feeling like you just escaped after those last few errors, and then (losing),” Nix told reporters in Indianapolis. “I always hate putting the game in the officials’ hands. But a big call there at the end. Sometimes, it doesn’t go your way.”

Just don’t expect Nix to place blame on Tillman or any other teammate who faltered in the fourth quarter. He said: “If this game came down to one play, we would just do that one play, and I’ll go home. Save a lot of guys a lot of grit and effort and a lot of pain from playing the full game.” But the second-year NFL starter is willing to look in the mirror, too.

The Broncos led, 28-23, early in the fourth quarter when Nix led a drive inside the Colts’ 30-yard line. On third-and-short, Nix floated a pass intended for wide receiver Courtland Sutton that was intercepted by Colts safety Cam Bynum. What happened?

“I just missed,” Nix said, and then repeated. “I just missed.”

He later elaborated to reporters in Indianapolis.

“I felt like it slipped away from us. It got away,” Nix said. “We made errors at the end that cost us, and it started with my turnover, and then I felt like that’s when we lost a little bit of our momentum. We lost a chance at, at least three points there when you’re already in the red zone, if not a touchdown. If I just hit that pass. But other than that, we played well for three quarters. But we’ve got to finish in the fourth against a good team like that.”

Yet Nix flourished in the first half. He entered the break 12 of 15 passing for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Nix facilitated a breakout game for wide receiver Troy Franklin — “He’s starting to look like his college self again,” Nix said — with Franklin logging 8 catches for 89 yards and one touchdown. Denver also established the run with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey combining for 17 carries, 96 yards, and a Dobbins touchdown.

“I thought we ran the ball well. Our o-line did really good,” Nix said. “We came out the game with three straight runs. Ran it right at them. I thought out backs ran the ball well. We were able to get first downs in the run game … and that was really good to see. I think that just opened up a few other things on those longer drives. When it looked like we were moving down the field, it was really smooth because of the run game.”

Tight end Evan Engram and Sutton each recorded just a single catch. Nix said the Colts were effective in limiting their success, opening the door for Franklin’s big game and the early run success. But cascading self-inflicted errors following his interception — a missed 42-yard Wil Lutz field goal, a 5-yard penalty on Dobbins for spiking the football, and Tillman’s game-extending penalty — proved too much to overcome.

Nix finished with 206 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one costly pick.

“You could talk about my interception. You could talk about the field goal. You could talk about the missed opportunity on one of the drives,” Nix told reporters in Indianapolis. “We went three and out and could have gone and got points. It’s a whole game that comes down to a few key moments. Unfortunately, we had some negative key moments tonight. We gave ourselves every chance to win the game, and then at the end we just shot ourselves in the foot.

“Good teams bounce back from that, and great teams don’t do that. They don’t beat themselves. We’re growing and developing. We’re still molding as a team. We’ve got a long season ahead of us, and we can’t let this loss turn into two.”

Broncos at Colts: 3 takeaways from Denver’s 29-28 road loss in Week 2

The Broncos lost to the Colts, 29-28, at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.  

Here are three takeaways from the road defeat. 

Surtain injury scare 

Cornerback Pat Surtain suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter. It took place with about eight minutes left in the second quarter, and Denver was leading 14-13. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year held his left leg in pain and went into the sideline medical tent for several minutes. But he missed only one defensive snap. Surtain returned with a heavily taped ankle for the next series. Defensive end Zach Allen also went down in pain in the first quarter. However, just like Surtain, he returned to play a short time later. The Broncos showed a lot of toughness on defense. 

Defensive woes 

The Broncos didn’t sack Colts quarterback Daniel Jones in the first half. He also threw for 236 passing yards over that span. It was a role reversal from Week 1, when the defense carried a lackluster offense, as quarterback Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes on Sunday to give Denver a 21-20 lead at halftime. Give credit to a Colts offense that has beautifully adapted its scheme to fit rookie Tyler Warren’s NFL-ready skillset. But defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit struggled early to find answers in another impressive outing for Jones. The Colts came out with an excellent game plan. 

Franklin breakout 

The training camp hype was real. Second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin is becoming a favorite passing target of Nix. Franklin closed the game with eight catches for 89 yards and one touchdown. He also showed toughness and strength, battling for yards after contact and shedding arm tackles. It’s clear that the Oregon Ducks chemistry he shares with Nix is paying off after Franklin struggled last season at times as a rookie. Franklin’s growth is a credit to the culture and vision established by general manager George Paton. Franklin slid to the fourth round in the 2024 NFL draft. Paton made a smart pick. 

Avalanche prospects make outstanding first impression during Rookie Showcase | Evan’s take

HIGHLANDS RANCH — First impressions still matter, even in the hockey world.

At this weekend’s Rookie Showcase at South Suburban Sports Complex, the Colorado Avalanche went 1-1, beating the Utah Mammoth on Friday before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Results in these tournaments don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but how the players battle and respond to the environment does.

The brutal reality is that most of the players that suited up for the Avalanche over the weekend will never play in the NHL. One of the few who already has some NHL experience under his belt showed well.

Nikita Prishchepov, just 15 months removed from being Colorado’s final pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, suited up for the squad. His first professional season must be considered a success, even it was a bit uneven. The 21-year-old Russian picked up 23 points in 51 games with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL last year, but it was his 10-game tryout with the Avalanche that raised some eyebrows. The stat line isn’t that impressive, but his on-ice play was.

For new Eagles coach Mark Letestu, this weekend was his first up-close-and-personal look at the 6-foot-1 forward. Did he come as expected?

“He’s a big man,” Letestu said Sunday of Prishchepov. “What I’ve heard about him is that he’s a worker, and I think that’s something that showed up. He’s turning into a true professional and I think he’s giving himself a chance. It was good to meet him, see what he’s about, and the reports were true.”

Prishchepov was probably the best player on the ice in Friday’s 5-3 win over Utah. While most of his first professional season was spent on the wing, that’s not where he was used in the tournament. Letestu used him at center, with the Russian sealing the win with an empty-net goal late in regulation.

Where Prishchepov really excelled was on the penalty kill, which is as good a place as any to impress a new coach. He used his speed and tenacity to kill precious second off the clock, often playing keep-away from the Mammoth power play. While his work with the puck left a lot to be desired in the second game, there were plenty of positives for him to take into camp.

Someone who wasn’t making a first impression on Letestu was Gavin Brindley. That’s because the two worked together in Columbus’ system last year, as Letestu was an assistant coach for their AHL team.

Brindley was easily Colorado’s most dynamic player in the opening game against Utah, flashing his puck skills and speed throughout the game. That performance earned him a day off on Sunday, as the organization used that game as an opportunity to get a look at a few other players.

Although his first professional season didn’t go the way he wanted, the lessons he learned last year were already evident to Letestu.

“For Gavin, in particular going into year two, I think this was a good first step,” Letestu said. “The American Hockey League is a really tough league. You’re actually encouraged by some of the adversity, that it doesn’t go so well all the time. He’s taken that challenge, made the adjustments to have a better year this year.”

While Brindley is not a big guy, listed at 5-9, he’s not afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice. He was consistently mixing it up with Utah’s Dmitri Simashev, who is listed at 6-5 and looks every bit of it.

That lack of fear will serve him well if he can carry it into main camp, which starts Thursday morning.

Broncos at Colts grades: Denver’s offense wakes up but defense and special teams falter

The Broncos fell to 1-1 after a 29-28 final-second loss to the Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis. Here are the grades for the defeat:

Offense

After a week full of questions, the Broncos offense came to play against the Colts. Quarterback Bo Nix rebounded with three touchdown passes, but threw a costly interception with the Broncos in field-goal range. J.K. Dobbins got going on the ground with 76 yards and a touchdown. The real offensive star of the game was wide receiver Troy Franklin with eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Grade: B+

Defense

The vaunted Denver defense did not force one punt in the loss. They did hold the Colts to five field goals, including a game-winner as time expired. After six sacks against the Titans, Denver didn’t put much pressure on quarterback Daniel Jones as he threw for 316 yards. Two fourth-down stops were key for the defense, but overall, it was a tough performance. Especially when the offense puts up 28 points.

Grade: D

Special teams

The last 3 minutes of the game were not shining moments for the Broncos’ special teams. First, kicker Wil Lutz missed 42-yard field goal that would have put Denver up five with 3 minutes to go. The Colts offense got one first down and decided to settle for a 60-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader that he missed. But Broncos defensive lineman Dondrea Tillman was called for a 15-yard leverage penalty, which gave Shrader another shot that he hit for the game-winner.

Grade: F

Coaching

Sean Payton’s play-calling was more effective than Week 1. A big concern was Vance Joseph’s defense, as Denver didn’t seem to adjust to what the Colts were doing on offense. And an even bigger concern was that Denver seemed undisciplined at critical times in the game. The Broncos had eight penalties for 83 yards, including a big one on the second-to-last play.

Grade: C-

Adams County celebrates third year of ‘Festival Latino’

One of Adams County’s signature events celebrated Latino culture Sunday.

From a variety of activities for the whole family – Festival Latino has cemented its place in Adams County.

“It’s an opportunity to really elevate the platform of Latino businesses, workers and kids,” Adams County Board of County Commissioner Lynn Baca told The Denver Gazette, helping oversee the third year Festival Latino in Adams County.

Adams County Commissioner Lynn Baca, who has a Latino background, celebrates the 3rd annual Festival Latino at Riverdale Regional Park on Sunday, Sept. 14 in in Adams County, Colorado. (Noah Festenstein/Denver Gazette)

County staff collectively organizes the event.

Coming out of the 2020 census, 51% of Adams County residents identify as part of a minority group, with 43% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino, according to the county commissioner.

Baca, as a Latino with Asian Pacific Islander roots, said it’s a personal occasion, calling it a “signature event” among a few other events Adams County hosts.

“We want to have a safe and inclusive event for all, and that’s all of our residents,” Baca said. “It’s just not Hispanic culture, Latino culture, it’s for all residents.”

Mark Mulyca draws an automobile during the car show portion at the 3rd annual Adams County Festival Latino on Sunday, Sept. 14 in Adams County, Colorado. (Noah Festenstein/Denver Gazette)

Among the activities Sunday was live music, 15 food vendors, a Latino-inspired marketplace, a themed car show, ropes course, ziplining, art and fireworks. Festival Latino also represented the opening to Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans from Sept, 15 to Oct. 15.

As the current presidential administration amps up its immigration enforcement nationwide, uncertainty and pushback amongst the Latino and Hispanic community continues.

“For me, it’s that people are seen and they are heard,” Baca said on how the event brings together the community during this time.

People shop around the marketplace of the 3rd annual Adams County Festival Latino at Riverdale Regional Park on Sunday, Sept. 14 in Adams County, Colorado. (Noah Festenstein/Denver Gazette)

“We have to meet people where they are on their journey,” she said. “The takeaway is to make sure people come out and they feel safe, they see themselves in the music … we might have our differences, but I think this is an opportunity for all of us to come together.”

Why the Broncos can only blame themselves after 29-28 Colts loss | Cheers and Boos

Cheers and boos from the Broncos’ 29-28 loss to the Colts on Sunday:

Boo!

If the Broncos whiff on the AFC West title because of a 29-28 loss to the Colts in Week 2, they’ll have nobody to blame but themselves. Cry foul on the leverage penalty called on Dondrea Tillman that gave the Colts second life and a game-winning field goal try from 45 yards. But the Broncos blew it with a spectacular meltdown in the fourth quarter. Devastating penalties on J.K. Dobbins and Adam Trautman. Junior varsity-level clock management. A missed field goal from 42 yards — a chip shot in today’s NFL. The Broncos deserved to win and earned the loss.

Cheers…

Bo Nix gets knocked down. But he gets up again. If Nix stumbles one week, he’s a good bet to flourish the next. After stinking up the joint with three turnovers against the Tennessee Titans, Nix ripped off three touchdown passes in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts. That follows the Nix script from his rookie season, when Nix trailed a stinker against the Colts with banner showings against the Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs to secure a playoff spot. Is Nix good enough to carry a franchise? Standby. He’s surely resilient and mentally tough enough.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) escapes Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam (52) during the second half an NFL football game Sunday in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Boo!

… the Broncos for dropping $27.5 million in guarantees on a pair of free agents with serious injury histories. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw crushes fools as if he has a personal vendetta against running backs. But he didn’t play again Sunday due to a leg injury. Tight end Evan Engram was born to convert third downs. But he was barely involved in the offense and caught only one pass Sunday after missing most of Week 1 with an injury. The Broncos returned 85% of their roster from 2024. But winning road games against good teams requires more from the offseason additions.

Cheers…

… to a good ol’ fashioned barnburner that reminded of the Peyton Manning era — for both teams. Who doesn’t love a second quarter with four touchdowns? Or a box score with 17 players catching at least one pass? Or Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin doing his best to emulate a young Emmanuel Sanders? (Boy, the Broncos found a gem in Franklin, whose eight catches went for 89 yards and a score.) The Broncos gave away the kind of road win that can lead to a division title. On the bright side, at least the days of 10-9 final scores are in the rearview. 

—Paul Klee, The Denver Gazette

Destination Deep Dive: New Zealand

The land of the long white cloud
is not short on adventures

New Zealand, or Aotearoa, meaning “the land of the long white cloud” in the language of the Indigenous Māori people, is a country that truly lives up to its name.

Stretching roughly 1,200 miles from top to bottom, its unique geography offers a vast array of landscapes with only a slight shift in latitude. On the North Island, there are lush hills, golden beaches, an expansive volcanic plateau, and rolling vineyards. The South Island unfolds an even more dramatic landscape — clear, blue-water inlets, snow-capped peaks, and wild fjords that seem untouched by time. Here, every turn of the road presents a new discovery, a new connection to the land, its people, and the spirit of adventure that pulses throughout New Zealand.

And the best way to soak it all in? On foot or by bike (or kayak!). There’s a reason why New Zealand has been called one of the best hiking destinations on the planet. From hiking along ridgelines to cycling coastal paths, each step (or pedal) brings you closer to the essence of New Zealand. With VBT Bicycling Vacations and Country Walkers’ expertise from local guides, you’ll gain a true sense of this island paradise, with its mix of awe-inspiring nature and vibrant Māori culture.

West Coast Natural Wonders

New Zealand’s South Island is a land of contrasts — soaring mountains give way to quiet coves, and dense rainforests unfold into fertile plains. From west to east, the terrain shifts dramatically, with each landscape more captivating than the last.

This rugged, remote part of New Zealand is best explored with the help of expert local guides. VBT Bicycling Vacations offers a bike-explore-connect style itinerary that blends biking and hiking routes to the island’s most stunning spots, all while being fully supported.

SOUTH NEW ZEALAND

The South Island entices you to step off the beaten track — pedal along forested paths and coastal trails, walk the glaciers to witness their majesty up close, and even learn a bit about glaciology along the way. This is wilderness in its purest form, explored on two feet, two wheels, and wide-open wonder.

Along the way, you’ll encounter…

…a land that shifts beneath your wheels and walking shoes — leafy boulevards in Christchurch, where you warm up your cycling legs on your e-bike, give way to the wild West Coast, where rainforest whispers and melodic bird call echoes through the misty canopy.

Breathe in the salty tang of the ocean, mingling with coastal scrub — a scent that clings to you as you pedal quiet trails by the sea. In the forests, the air turns damp and earthy, thick with the smell of rain on moss and the ancient hush of towering rimu trees.

At Hokitika Gorge, the water glows an impossible shade of turquoise beneath a canopy alive with birdsong courtesy of beautiful birds found only on this island paradise. High above, on Arthur’s Pass, snow crunches underfoot and kea wheel overhead, their raucous cries echoing across craggy peaks. Listen closely and you might hear the tūī, its song a surreal mix of bell tones and human-like phrases — a voice from the bush that makes you stop and smile.

Book a helicopter ride and walk to the face of Franz Josef Glacier, where the air is sharp with cold and the ice groans as it shifts. At Lake Matheson, the scent of damp earth rises as you circle still waters that reflect the towering silhouette of Aoraki/Mt. Cook.

Paddle across black water on underground rivers, walk beneath a living ceiling of green, or simply exhale at the wilderness lodge tucked deep among the trees. After dinner, a glowworm walk turns the forest into a bioluminescent starry night sky.

THAT WĀNAKA TREE, OTAGO REGION

Cycle through golden high country, past fields of sheep and into the alpine town of Wānaka, where you’re welcomed with a home-cooked lunch at a working farm. And in Arrowtown, the trail winds through gold-rush history and riverside quiet, the scent of wild thyme in the breeze, the mountains standing sentinel as your journey ends — but never quite leaves you.

Savor the Flavors

Kiwis are passionate about their food, and New Zealand’s culinary scene is as diverse and vibrant as its landscapes. With a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the country’s food culture invites you to indulge in “pasture-to-plate” experiences that champion sustainability and flavor.

Kai moana—seafood—is a must-try when visiting the city of Christchurch, where seasonal fish and shellfish offer a true taste of the ocean. Local favourites include the subtly sweet snapper and the firm, nutty-flavoured gurnard. For a more down-to-earth experience, nothing beats classic, paper-wrapped fish and chips from a charming small-town shop.

But the flavors don’t stop there. Colorful fruits such as tamarillos, feijoas, and passion fruits are just the beginning of New Zealand’s unique offerings. Refresh yourself with local juices, sodas, or an inventive ice cream, and be prepared to be amazed by the creative flair of Kiwi foodies.

Remember to Slow Down

New Zealand is mostly temperate—think northern California to the Rockies—but be prepared for some changeable weather and varied terrain when you head outdoors. Pack your favorite layers, hiking boots, and waterproof gear, or shop local brands once you arrive.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK, MARLBOROUGH

There’s an amazing amount to do, but the magic often happens when you slow down and follow the rhythm of the place. Ka kite ano! (See you again!)

Best of all, you don’t have to sweat the logistics

Tours of New Zealand with VBT Bicycling Vacations and Country Walkers provide everything you need for a seamless journey — your custom-fit VBT bike and helmet, bilingual local guides, daily GPS routes, a support vehicle, and luggage transport. Cultural experiences are woven into the itinerary, and a welcome reception sets the tone. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit Xanterra.com/stories.

Denver board held behind-the-scenes talks on Marrero’s contract

The Denver school board may have run afoul of Colorado’s open meetings law by channeling discussions about Superintendent Alex Marrero’s contract extension through the district’s attorney and a secret, two-member committee, according to experts.

Among those raising concerns is Steve Zansberg, a First Amendment attorney who represents The Denver Gazette and several other media organizations.

The Denver school board has long faced criticism for operating behind closed doors, which board members have brushed aside, insisting they operate transparently.

In extending Marrero’s contract, the board sidestepped open debate in favor of private channels that shielded Marrero — and the district’s elected leaders — from public scrutiny.

“They play all these games to avoid public scrutiny,” said David Lane, a civil rights attorney representing former McAuliffe International Principal Kurt Dennis, who is suing the district.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero gestures while addressing the board on Thursday, May 2, 2025. (Photo by: Nicole C. Brambila/The Denver Gazette)

Zansberg, the First Amendment lawyer, said the board’s methods amounted to evading Colorado’s open meetings law, which requires the public’s business to be openly conducted.

State law, in fact, permits public entities to receive legal advice in an executive session.

The school board didn’t do that.

A person familiar with the March 20 executive session purportedly to receive legal advice on Marrero’s contract described it as a “high-level” meeting focused on procedure, rather than details.

A planned April 2 executive session to discuss Marrero’s contract was scrapped without a motion after public backlash. Nine parents and former educators spoke during public comment on the early extension — none in favor.

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) board of education never rescheduled the executive session and therefore did not discuss proposed amendment changes to Marrero’s contract.

Instead, Board President Carrie Olson put the contract on the agenda for a vote.

On May 1, the board voted, 5-2, in favor of giving Marrero a two-year extension on his contract, which included significant changes that included a 5-2 supermajority requirement to remove the superintendent without cause and a 90-day notice, up from 60 days previously required.

Marrero’s contract was set to expire next June.

Directors John Youngquist and Kimberlee Sia — both elected two years ago in a sweep that saw the incumbents lose their seats — voted against the early extension.

Both have complained about the lack of transparency in the process.

“I still don’t know how the decisions were made,” Sia told The Denver Gazette.

‘Done in compliance’

Before the vote, Youngquist complained about being excluded from the process — a statement with which Director Michelle Quattlebaum took issue.

Quattlebaum and Vice President Marlene De La Rosa both served on the ad hoc committee.

Denver School Board Director Michelle Quattlebaum motioned with her hand during an April 14, 2025 meeting. (Photo by: Nicole C. Brambila/The Denver Gazette.)

“Every board member had an opportunity to add their own comments, make their own recommendations and strike any recommendations that they did not agree with,” Quattlebaum said before the May 1 vote.

At the time, it was unclear when board members would have had the opportunity to do so.

District officials maintain the process complied with state law.

A screenshot of Director Michelle Quattlebaum’s May 29, 2025 response to an inquiry into the process for amending the superintendent’s contract. (Photo by: Nicole C. Brambila/The Denver Gazette.)

“Dr. Marrero’s contract extension process was done in compliance with the Colorado Sunshine Law,” Bill Good, a district spokesperson, said in an email.  

The Denver Gazette has learned that, behind the scenes, board members routed their feedback on Marrero’s contract through the district’s counsel and the two-member committee — a process the board never acknowledged publicly until June.

Quattlebaum said directors provided input to the district’s legal counsel.

“Every board member received a copy of the contract and discussed the contract in executive session on March 20,” Quattlebaum wrote. “Each board member was responsible for submitting their feedback to our legal counsel, who spoke with the superintendent’s legal representative.”

As DPS’ general counsel, Aaron Thompson reports to Marrero, not the board of education. The school board does not have its own legal counsel.

Although Quattlebaum previously described a process that involved the full board, she did not disclose the two-member committee on which she served.

That wasn’t publicly known until later.

While the board debated new guardrails for its committees in a policy workshop, Director Xóchitl Gaytán let slip an off-the-cuff remark about the committee.

The committee, Gaytán publicly disclosed, was “formed of just two board members to move forward the superintendent’s contract extension work.” Gaytán identified Quattlebaum and De La Rosa as the two committee members.

“So, would that be defined as committee under this policy,” Gaytán asked.

De La Rosa responded, “That’s the way I would read it.”

Marcus Johnson, the district’s senior attorney and policy director, also agreed, saying, “My answer is yes.”

‘Evade a quorum’

Gaytán’s description went unchallenged by her board colleagues and the attorneys in the room.

While no one disputed Gaytán’s account at the time, board members have since offered conflicting accounts of what happened behind the scenes.

Gaytán said she submitted her comments on Marrero’s contract to the committee — specifically to Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum, however, told The Denver Gazette she did not and that feedback was directed to the district’s attorney.

Denver School Board Director Xóchitl Gaytán points during an Aug. 14, 2025 meeting. (Photo by: Nicole C. Brambila/The Denver Gazette.)

Whether the board provided feedback on proposed contract changes to the committee or directly to Thompson, both methods violated Colorado law, legal experts said.

“There are different ways to evade the CORA requirement for having a public meeting,” Zansberg said.

Zansberg added: “It’s clear that regardless the type of method, it was used to evade a quorum requirement.”

In other words, whether through a daisy chain or what’s called a “hub-and-spoke,” the effect was the same — to get around state law, which requires that when a quorum of board members (four for DPS) discusses public business, the meeting must be public and properly noticed.

A “daisy chain” happens when public officials deliberately sidestep open meeting laws by discussing public matters one-on-one or in small groups. The goal is to circumvent the threshold for a quorum — the minimum number of members required for a public body, like a school board, to legally conduct business.

This is what the Douglas County Board of Education did in 2022, when four members discussed firing former superintendent Corey Wise in a series of one-on-one and private meetings. (State Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, later sued the district and won.)

And legislators at the state Capitol changed the law to allow themselves to discuss bills and public policy via email or text message without it being subject to the open meetings law. Those communications could be available through an open records request — assuming the public knows who was in the conversation and when it took place.

But those changes only apply to the Colorado General Assembly, not to any other political subdivision in the state, such as the Denver Public Schools or a county commission.

In a “hub-and-spoke” arrangement, board members pass their proposed contract language through the district’s attorney, instead of debating it in public. Zansberg said what board members did does not amount to legal advice — which is permissible — but policy drafting, which state law requires be done openly.

Attorneys told The Denver Gazette that attorney-client privilege exemption from the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) is reserved for seeking and receiving legal advice — not for hammering out the terms of a contract. Using legal counsel as a go-between to negotiate or draft policy, they said, places the board outside the bounds of the law.

“A communication is not an attorney-client privilege because an attorney is there,” said Tom Kelley, a First Amendment attorney.

Kelley added: “It does sound like this was a successful effort to shield a lot of discussion from the public that should have been done in public.”

‘Out of public view’

Olson defended the process.

She suggested the committee acted appropriately because “no one provided information” to them. But she also struggled to provide any meaningful insight into how and why the committee was formed.

Denver School Board President Carrie Olson gestures during an Aug. 27, 2025 meeting. (Photo by: Nicole C. Brambila/The Denver Gazette.)

The Denver Gazette asked Olson — at her request — nearly two dozen written questions about the committee including: its purpose; when and how frequently committee members met; whether agendas, minutes or recordings were kept and if members briefed other directors between meetings.

The newspaper also inquired as to whether or not Olson believed the committee was subject to state law, the legal rational for the secret committee and whether any recommendations were made.

Olson declined to respond.

Instead, she referred the questions to district officials.

Good, the DPS spokesperson who answers to Marrero, said, “all district policies” were followed.

In Colorado, committees such as the one created to oversee Marrero’s contract, are required to conduct their work in a properly noticed public meeting.

Denver School Board President Carrie Olson asked a Colorado open meeting’s expert in an April 8, 2025 email whether creating a committee would amount to breaking state law.

Zansberg, the First Amendment attorney, said that if three or more members — in this case Olson, Quattlebaum and De La Rosa — discussed forming the special committee, then the matter should have been voted on by a quorum of the board.

“This must be done in public,” Zansberg said.

De La Rosa deflected questions, saying she would have to check her email and then did not respond. Quattlebaum insisted the group was mislabeled as a “committee” — a designation that carries legal obligations — but refused to explain what she believed it should have been called.

There is no evidence that the committee’s formation was publicly discussed nor that it held properly noticed, public meetings.

“It seems like the process that was used was intended to keep the conversation out of public view,” Youngquist said.

This would not be the first time the Denver school board has faced accusations of sidestepping state law to conduct public business out of view.

Two years ago, a Denver district court ruled the board violated the state’s open meetings law by privately debating the return of school resource officers after the East High School shooting and ordered the audio released.

Four current members, including Olson, were present in that session.

The board also has restricted public comment, a forum often critical of its actions. Under a new policy, speakers must sign up before the agenda is even posted.

The district likewise has a history of denying records requests with “no responsive records,” only to later produce them. That happened when an email from Olson’s personal account only surfaced after a second request — and again, when officials withheld records on student pat downs until requesters used the district’s jargon. Those pat downs, conducted at East, were among the practices scrutinized after the shooting that injured two administrators.

The Denver Gazette submitted two CORA requests, the first one having been denied, for the April 8, 2025 email Board President Carrie Olson sent to The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. This is a screenshot of the district’s denial.

“This is not an isolated incident,” Zansberg has said about the board’s actions. “I think it’s irrefutable that there is a pattern of conduct that the district has not abided by the state’s transparency laws.”

Board members shruged off the complaints.

“We are transparent,” Quattlebaum said. “This has been one of the most transparent boards that I can think of.”

‘Done as a board’

It is unclear how often board members receive training on Colorado’s open meetings and records laws.

What is clear is that most of the directors are not new to the job — a majority have served at least four years (three were sworn in two years ago) and Olson, now in her eighth year, has already completed a term as board president.

Given her experience, Olson would have known that a “daisy chain meeting” violates state law, experts said.

And if there were any doubt, Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, told her as much.

The coalition promotes the freedom of the press and open access to government.

About three weeks before the May 1 vote on Marrero’s contract extension, Olson sent an email — from her private account — to Roberts, an expert on Colorado’s open meeting laws, asking if a two-member committee would violate state law.

“If a public school board is discussing a superintendent contract, can the board form a committee of 2 members to gather feedback from the other 5 to present a draft of the revised contract for discussion in a public meeting? Or is this considered a daisy chain,” Olson asked Roberts in an April 8 email obtained under CORA.

Her answer came 14 hours later.

“I believe that would be a daisy chain or serial meeting,” Roberts wrote back.

In an April 9, 2025 email, Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, told Board President Carrie Olson that a two-member committee could amount to a ‘daisy chain’ meeting that violates state law.

Roberts recommended — a week after the board had tried and failed — to convene an executive session for personnel matters.

“Why not get everyone’s thoughts in a properly convened executive session so long as no decision is made in the executive session,” Roberts said. “Then discuss and decide the matter in public.”

That’s how it’s supposed to be done, said Theresa Peña.

Peña previously served on the DPS board of education for eight years, twice as president.

While on the board, Peña went through the contract process with former superintendents Michael Bennet and Tom Boasberg.

“We never set up a committee,” Peña said. “It’s ways always done as a board.”

Woody Paige: It’s time for coach Payton to turn over offensive play-calling duties

Ergo, ego must be let go.

Sean Payton should relinquish his ruling role as offensive play-caller to Davis Webb and concentrate on being Broncos brain trust head coach.

One of Payton’s closest friends told me last week that the coach “wants to do it all instead of sharing the load bearing, and that is not the right solution, especially with a good schedule this year. The defense can’t win every game.’’

It’s not too late for Payton’s place and play sheet poster to be passed over to a prolific prodigy in the game against the Horses of a Different Color Sunday in Indianapolis.

Otherwise, if Sean shillyshallies again and loses to the Colts, the self-possessed Payton must demote himself to challenging officials’ decisions, signaling timeouts and giving pep talks before the game and at halftime. By then, though, the Broncos will let an easy start go astray. They have three tough teams ahead that could result in defeats and a 1-4 record.

The Broncos have to join the mid-2020s stratagems and structures of younger offensive systems.

Payton blamed himself for the last lackluster offensive effort – with good reason. The Broncos should have put away the Titans early and often in the regular-season opener, but left the outcome unsteady against a lethargic, lousy lot from Nashville.

With the game in doubt, Payton turned down a short punt, a field goal or a trick to instead throw a long (incomplete pass) because he had a notion.

The fan base of 75,000 at Mile High is not known as Broncos Notion.

“I don’t know how many games I’ve called, but that’s one of those where I came away like, ‘Man, I’ve got to be a lot better,'” Payton said Wednesday. “If you’re not careful, the game can be over and you’re on to the next game and you haven’t really … had the debrief properly. We’re really trying to pay attention to that.”

The game of inches should have become the game of cinches.

Sean, the smartest man in the stadium he believes, almost outsmarted himself with a ridiculous beginning and a ludicrous ending. He put quarterback Nix in harm’s way, didn’t utilize the “new, improved running game” until it was late and forced once again to rely on the league’s superior defense.

In olden days with Mike Shanahan and John Elawy and Gary Kubiak, and Peyton Manning and John Fox and Kubiak, the Broncos would score 35 and 40 regularly and 50 points multiple times. Now Payton and Nix are scrambling to get 20 points – totals that will not win games. division titles and playoff positions.

Payton has assembled a coaching staff that consists of former quarterback coaches, offensive coordinators and a recent NFL quarterback, and Sean was a (mediocre) quarterback himself. Yet, they seem to manage to kick field goals and pray that the Vance Joseph defense will limit opponents to 12 points.

The once offensive guru has turned into an aging gnu who talked a good game when he was a network NFL analyst.

Payton’s teams will never reach the 480-plus points in a regular season that Peyton’s teams always scored.

So, in the first two exhibition games, Payton permitted Joe Lombardi and Webb to call plays. Both outcoached the head coach, who took over for the final game in his favorite town of New Orleans. Webb especially received high praise and will be an offensive coordinator somewhere else next season and a head coach in the near future. As I wrote at the time Payton finished third-string with the play sheets.

In the opening regular season game the Payton-called offense barely had three turnovers and barely got to 20 at home against the worst team in the league with a rookie quarterback.

Payton rarely accepts the shame and the blame for an anemic offense.

At the least, he should let Lombardi and Webb each take a quarter of choosing the plays in the first half Sunday. Surely they can score more than the 10 points Payton managed in each half vs. the Titans. And, obviously, they will account for more than the eight points the Dolphins scribbled out last Sunday in Indy.

Ergo, If Sean Payton’s ego can’t get to 30 he should consider a corrective call-changer.