The Denver Post Year in Photos | 2022

Editor’s note

This year began in the immediate aftermath of the Marshall fire, which tore through Boulder County in the final few days of 2021, impacting communities for years to come. But as winter faded, it felt like we finally emerged from the darkest clouds of the pandemic and life began returning to relative normal. Denver Post photojournalists compassionately documented the joy and tragedy behind the biggest headlines and the ups and downs of daily life. Presented here are portfolios of the most compelling images of 2022 from our staff and freelancers. This collection would not come to life without hard work behind the scenes from Matt Swaney, Katie Rausch, Donovan Henderson, Maureen Burnett and Chris Paul.

YearinPhotos

Inside

Helen H. Richardson portfolio. » 4-17

Hyoung Chang portfolio » 20-33

Andy Cross portfolio. » 36-49

RJ Sangosti portfolio. » 52-65

AAron Ontiveroz portfolio. » 68-81

The Denver Post photo staff are, back row from left, Andy Cross, Eric Lutzens, Katie Rausch, Hyoung Chang and Helen H. Richardson; front row from left, RJ Sangosti, Patrick Traylor and AAron Ontiveroz. The photo was taken in the newspaper’s press room on Nov. 9. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Cover photo: Willie the horse runs through Grasso Park in Superior during the Marshall fire on Dec. 30, 2021. The horse was later rescued by the Boulder County Mounted Search and Rescue Team. Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

HelenH.Richardson

Fire

Helen H. Richardson has been a staff photographer at The Denver Post since 1992. She has covered large breaking news stories, including the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; the 2004-05 tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand; the death of Pope John Paul II in Rome; and the effects of AIDS and lack of water in African nations. She covered the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, in 2006 and the summer games in Beijing in 2008. In Colorado, she regularly photographs news, features and sports, with a particular interest in wildfire coverage. She also seeks out stories that converge with her interests, which include rock and ice climbing, extreme sports, nature, animals and the environment.

engulfs a house in Superior on Dec. 30, 2021. Fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, whipped the wildfire through neighborhoods of Superior and Louisville as both towns were evacuated. The most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, the Marshall fire killed two people and cost upward of $2 billion in damages, burning 6,000 acres and destroying more than 1,000 homes and businesses. Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

Patrick Richardson, a local resident and husband of the photographer, tries to put out fire around a house near Coal Creek Drive and Mohawk Circle in Superior on Dec. 30, 2021. Fierce winds whipped wildfires in Boulder County, leading to the evacuation of the towns of Superior and Louisville. Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

HelenH.Richardson

Above: Officials direct traffic as fire burns in nearby neighborhoods in Superior on Dec. 30, 2021. Photos by Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

Christmas lights adorn a house as fires rage in the background on Dec. 30, 2021, in Louisville.

A man walks by burned homes in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall fire on Dec. 31, 2021, in Louisville. Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

An aerial photo of a neighborhood near Harper Lake in Louisville shows the destruction left behind from the Marshall fire on Jan. 2. Some homes were a total loss while others were left standing. The fast-moving fire was stoked by extremely dry drought conditions and fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph along the foothills. Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

Jordan Hymes gets a hug from her grandmother Nancy Grignon, left, as her grandfather Guy, right, looks toward their burned-out neighborhood in the Coal Creek Ranch subdivision in the aftermath of the Marshall fire on Dec. 31, 2021, in Louisville. Hymes and her family lost their home of 10 years. The Grignons did not lose their home. Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

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Above: Judy Talley, right, hugs her grandson during the Line of Duty Death Commemoration ceremony for Talley’s son, fallen Boulder police Officer Eric Talley, outside the Boulder Police Station on March 22 in Boulder. At left is Talley’s wife Leah. The commemoration was held to mark the one-year anniversary of the King Soopers grocery store shooting that took the life of Talley and nine others who were shopping or working at the grocery store. Talley’s patrol car is covered with flowers, messages and other mementos honoring his life.

Photos by Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

Right: Judy Talley places her hand on a large photo of her son, Boulder police Officer Eric Talley, next to his patrol car outside the Boulder Police Station on March 22.

Cows graze below a windmill along Colorado 71 as the sun sets Sept. 24 north of Lamar. Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

HelenH.Richardson

A Mexican charro performs with his lasso during the National Western Stock Show’s Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza 2022 at the Denver Coliseum on Jan. 9. The show is a display of Mexican heritage and history. It is directed by Gerardo “Jerry” Diaz. The show features charro-style bareback riding and bull riding, Escaramuza Charra Flor De Aguilena’s sidesaddle riding team, performances by Diaz, his wife Staci and their son Nicholas, mutton busting and Mexican matadors. Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Above: With flames from the propane showing that help a hot air balloon fly, newlyweds Zach Merzel and Jenna Galbut embrace before taking off for an early morning ride with Rocky Mountain Hot Air at Chatfield Reservoir on Aug. 29 in Littleton. The couple, who had been married for four days, wanted to cap off the celebration of their nuptials with the balloon ride over the reservoir.

Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

Left: Bhoopender Singh puts a turban on the head of Avjot Bajwa, 4, before taking part in the Nagar Kirtan Sikh Parade on Aug. 28 in Denver. The Sikh Community of Colorado held its third annual parade at East High School with a program that included Kirtan (spiritual music) and the colorful parade.

Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

HelenH.Richardson

A male tarantula crosses Colorado 71 as dusk approaches on Sept. 24 near Lamar. The males are on the hunt for females to mate with, in what researchers suggest is a “Mate-gration” rather than a migration. The journey for these large fuzzy arachnids can be anywhere from hundreds of feet to several miles in any direction. When the males are lucky enough to find a female’s burrow, they drum their legs at the entrance and wait for the female to come out to breed. Tarantulas start making their appearances in southeastern Colorado around the end of August, roaming throughout the month of September and into early October when the weather starts to get cold. Hundreds to thousands of spiders are killed by cars as they attempt to cross roads while looking to mate. Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

HelenH.Richardson

Colorado State University Ph.D. candidate Jackie Billotte, left, and Rich Reading, vice president of conservation and science at Butterfly Pavilion, use long blades of grass to try to fish female tarantulas out of their dens as the sun begins to set on the Southern Plains Land Trust Heartland Ranch Nature Preserve on Sept. 23 near Lamar. The team conducted a first-of-its-kind study to see the interior structure of the tarantula dens in hopes of understanding how the spiders survive the harsh and varying climate in the area.

A male tarantula moves through grasses while looking for females in their dens on the Southern Plains Land Trust Heartland Ranch Nature Preserve on Sept. 23 near Lamar.

Photos by Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

A male tarantula crawls up the pants of Rich Reading while he’s studying them on the Southern Plains Land Trust Heartland Ranch Nature Preserve on Sept. 23 near Lamar.

HelenH.Richardson

migration.

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Meredith McBurney, left, bander and volunteer coordinator with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, puts a warbler into the hand of Robin Boden to release it during daily banding sessions at Barr Lake State Park on Sept. 27 in Brighton. Bird banding has been used to study wild birds since the late 1800s. Banding stations are placed in areas where birds congregate in large numbers during

These stopovers generally have

habitat that offers food and a safe place to rest. Scientists set up a series of mist nets to harmlessly trap birds. Photos by Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post

Meredith McBurney, center, works with volunteers John Malevich, left, and Dale Campau to carefully remove chipping sparrows from mist nets Sept. 27.

Meredith McBurney carefully holds a northern harrier hawk that had been caught in the mist nets during daily banding sessions at Barr Lake State Park on Sept. 27.

Meredith McBurney talks about a downy woodpecker to a class from the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning on Sept. 27 in Brighton.

After weighing the bird, Meredith McBurney, bander and volunteer coordinator with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, releases a western tanager out of the tube during daily banding sessions at Barr Lake State Park on Sept. 27 in Brighton. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conducts banding of migratory song birds at Barr Lake in the fall. Bird banding has been used to study wild birds since the late 1800s. Data collected at banding stations have greatly increased the understanding of migratory routes and timings, species’ range limits, average lifespans, and how all these life-history characteristics may be changing over time. Banding stations are placed in areas where birds congregate in large numbers during migration. These stopovers generally have excellent habitat that offers food and a safe place to rest. Scientists set up a series of mist nets to harmlessly trap birds. At Barr Lake 25 nets are opened each morning just before dawn. They are closely monitored and checked every 30 minutes by McBurney and her volunteers. When a bird is removed from the net, its leg is fitted with a small metal band, and the bird is weighed and measured to evaluate its condition for migrating such as how much fat is found on the bird. Each band has a unique number on it so that if the bird is recaptured or found later, scientists will know when and where it was first banded. Banding stations also serve as outdoor classrooms to enhance the public’s appreciation of birds and their habitats. The stations provide valuable opportunities for volunteers and students to gain experience in scientific field techniques. In the last 30-plus years that they have had banding stations, the Bird Conservancy has banded more than 100,000 birds. Commonlybanded birds include the house wren, wilson’s warbler, orange-crowned warbler, yellow-rumped warbler and white-crowned sparrow. Banding is done from mid-August to mid-October at the height of birds on migratory routes. Visitors can come for $6 a visit at the Barr Lake Banding Station for one-hour increments.

Helen H Richardson, The Denver Post

KathrynScott

Lawmakers and supporters erupt in applause and cheers after Gov. Jared Polis signs the Reproductive Health Equity Act into law at the Governor’s Residence on April 4 in Denver. Kathryn Scott, Special to The Denver Post

Winemaker Brandt Thibodeaux walks through grape vines at the Aquila Cellars vineyard near Paonia on Oct 12, 2021. As recently as the last decade, the North Fork valley economy ran on coal, then two out of three local mines closed, leaving the area to rely more on its agricultural roots as well as growing wine tourism. William Woody, Special to The Denver Post

HyoungChang

Hyoung Chang has been a staff photographer at The Denver Post since 1997. He covers news, sports and feature stories using both still photography and video. Originally from Tokyo, Chang loves road biking, climbing the mountains of Colorado and exploring the country on a motorcycle. He joined The Post after studying photojournalism at Metropolitan State College

Libbey Burdick, left, from Ohio, her husband Derik, right, and Kevin McGonigle, center, from Virginia, descend 19 miles on Pikes Peak Highway from the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs on July 29. Broadmoor Outfitters leads guided bike tours down the mountain after bringing people up the mountain via the historic Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post

of Denver (Now Metropolitan State University of Denver).

Andy Scahill, left, and drag queen Electra Dupriin were photographed at Happy Camper in Denver on Aug. 9. Scahill, an assistant professor in the English department at University of Colorado Denver, launched a film series with drag queen DuPri at the Sie FilmCenter. The Rainbow Cult series takes an interactive approach to cult-cinema screenings with props, call-backs, singalongs, costumes and live performances. Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post

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Guadalupe Bocanegra, 59, right, and Raquel Tejeda, 49, left, and their daughter Maria Bocanegra Tejeda, 22, celebrate Maria’s graduation from the University of Northern Colorado at their home in Greeley on May 7. She is the first member of the family to graduate high school and now college.

Above: From top left, Kaelani, 9, Kealan, 7, Kenlea, 5, and Kaileia McBride, 3, brush their teeth at their home in Littleton before the siblings leave for Colorow Elementary School on Aug. 31.

Madhvi Chittoor, 11, grows watermelon, beans and wheatgrass with a water dripping system in her her room in Arvada on April 20.

HyoungChang

Becca Jay of Douglas County Collective, front, explains the importance of LGBTQ references for young students in social studies standards at the Colorado Department of Education in Denver on April 13. Board members are from left, Rebecca McClellan, Joyce Rankin, Lisa Escárcega, Steve Durham, Angelika Schroeder, Katy Anthes and Karla Esser.

Lilly Downs, 18, rests in her bed at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver on Aug. 30. Downs has been in and out of the hospital as she continues to battle long COVID even as her friends go on to college.

HyoungChang

Julie Effenmeyer, right, hugs Becky Serratoni, a teammate of her sister, pro cyclist Gwen Inglis, at Confluence Park in Denver on June 7. Inglis was killed by a drunk driver a year ago in Lakewood. Two dozen riders attended a memorial for Inglis.

Greg Johnson rests on his bed after a physical rehab at St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood on July 12. Johnson is a cyclist who was hit by a hit-andrun driver on June 18.

HyoungChang

Sally Glass, left, mother of Christian Glass, is comforted at a candlelight vigil at Citizen's Park in Idaho Springs on Sept. 20. A Clear Creek County deputy shot and killed the 22-year-old on June 11 after Christian called 911 for help after crashing his car into a berm and suffering a mental health episode.

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Kyaw Oo, Ma Kaing’s oldest surviving son, center above, attends a meeting at Hidden Brook Apartment in Denver on July 27. Community leaders of East Colfax held an accountability meeting with law enforcement agencies to highlight the failures to address public safety in East Colfax and call for immediate action following the killing of Ma Kaing who was struck by a bullet outside her apartment building.

Shannon Suburyan, left, of Denver attends a rally and march in honor of National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives at Acacia Park in Colorado Springs on May 5.

HyoungChang

Seth Viddal fills the vessel with straw, soil and organic materials, part of the process for body composting, at Natural Funeral in Arvada on Oct. 21. The Colorado legislature passed a law that would allow people to be composted after they die in the state, following the lead of Washington state.

Election judges Tony Groeger, center, from Republican Party and Ann la Plante, right, from Democratic Party take an oath with Weld Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes before participating in accuracy testing of ballots at the Weld County Clerk’s Office in Greeley on Oct. 5.

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Above: Dakota Archuleta, 17, center, joins other seniors in celebrating at the homecoming assembly at Columbine High School’s gym in Jefferson County on Sept. 16.

Right: Vanessa Diaz, 17, right, and Will Adams, 17, left, were selected as queen and king during halftime of the homecoming football game against Arapahoe High School at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood on Sept. 16. Columbine won 21-0.

Sedna Adams, 14, center, joins her friends at this year's homecoming dance at Columbine High School on Sept. 17.

KevinMohatt

Charlie Billingsley, founder of the Culture Museum pop-up in Denver, poses for a portrait Feb. 10. Kevin Mohatt, Special to The Denver Post

Gaia Williams poses with her artwork at her apartment in Denver on Oct. 23. Rachel Woolf, Special to The Denver Post

AndyCross

Students dressed as American Revolutionary War soldiers fire muskets filled with flour during a 1778 re-enactment of the Battle of Monmouth New Jersey at Chatfield State Park on April 21. Several hundred students from Jefferson and Douglas county schools dressed up and acted the part of Revolutionary soldiers and British soldiers, along with their allies. The event was presented by You Can Live History, a local nonprofit that provided the students with authentic storytelling, uniforms, equipment, muskets, cannons and a film crew to document their experiences.

Andy Cross has been a staff photographer at The Denver Post since 1997. He grew up in Denver and studied photojournalism at both the Colorado Institute of Art and Metropolitan State College of Denver (now Metropolitan State University of Denver). In addition to his daily assignments, Andy has photographed some of the biggest news events in Colorado over the past 25 years, including the Columbine and Aurora mass shootings, forest fires, flooding, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, two Super Bowls, the World Series and the Stanley Cup. He has also worked internationally, covering the War on Terror in Somalia and Sudan in 2002, and the Iraq War in 2003.

Cherry Creek Bruins Angelo Petrides (8), center, gets surrounded by his teammates while holding the 2021 5A State championship trophy after defeating the Valor Christian Eagles 21-0 at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 4, 2021. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

AndyCross

Metropolitan State University of Denver head basketball coach Tanya Haave, center, fires up her players before the game against Regis University on Feb. 5. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Denver Pioneers forward Cole Guttman (19) presents the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four Championship trophy to the team after defeating the Minnesota State Mavericks 5-1 at TD Garden in Boston on April 9. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

AndyCross

Valeri Nichushkin (13) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates after scoring the first goal during the first period of Game 2 in the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Ball Arena on Saturday, June 18.

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Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) hops over Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) after scoring the game-winning overtime goal to win Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals 3-2 at Amalie Arena on June 22.

Photos by Andy Cross, The Denver

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) hands the Stanley Cup over to Nazem Kadri (91) after defeating the Tampa Bay Lighting 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena on June 26. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

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Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog hoists the Stanley Cup on the steps of the City and County Building for the Avalanche championship celebration June 30 Andy Cross The Denver Pos

AndyCross

NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett celebrates with the fans in the winners circle after defeating Shawn Langdon in the final at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway on July 17. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Air Force F-35 pilot from the 419th Fighter Wing, Michael “Flash” McVay, crowd surfs with the cadets during the game against the Navy Midshipman at Falcon Stadium on Oct. 1. McVay was one of four pilots that flew over the stadium for pregame ceremonies. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

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State University horse care and facilities staff member Jill Andrews, left, and CSU's Melissa King, director of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation, guides Goodie, an 18-year-old quarter horse racing champion, into an underwater treadmill during a therapy session at the Equine Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Center in Colorado State's new Vida building, part of CSU's Spur campus on the National Western Stock Show grounds Jan. 7. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Jorge Zaldivar, second from left, gets a loving embrace from his son, Francysco, 12, at the dinner table Nov. 3. Jorge's wife, Christina, left, watches. Zaldivar was deported to Mexico in 2019 but was brought back for an appeals hearing in December because of an ICE administration error in his paperwork. Andy Cross, The Denver Post

AndyCross

Above: A homeowner places the American flag on the back of his burned out truck on Cherrywood Lane near Cypress Lane in Louisville on Dec. 31, 2021. The homeowner lost his home in the Marshall fire, which was fueled by high winds and destroyed over 1,00 houses.

Photos by Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Right: Homeowner Jonathan Vigh holds a bent and burned wok pan from the basement of his burned out home on Jan. 13. Vigh's home, and all of his neighbor's homes, were destroyed in Marshall fire two weeks earlier.

Arvada Police officers stand at attention as the hearse that carries fallen officer Dillon Vakoff drives past at the end of Vakoff’s memorial service at the Flatirons Community Church on Sept. 16. Officer Vakoff, 27, was shot and killed in the line of duty Sept. 11 responding to a family disturbance.

Photos by Andy Cross, The Denver Post

Arvada Police officer pallbearers take fallen officer Dillon Vakoff out of the hearse at the start of Vakoff’s memorial service Sept. 16.

An Arvada firefighter heads down the ladder after securing an American flag between Arvada and Lafayette fire trucks.

EliImadali

N3PTUNE, an up-and-coming Denver musician, dancer and model, poses for a portrait at The Mercury Cafe on May 13. When he was 18 years old in 2016, he would come to the cafe to sing karaoke and get comfortable performing in front of people.

Eli Imadali, Special to The Denver Post

DanielBrenner

Bill Carle, right, embraces manager Denice Mellberg during a party to close out the season on Oct. 2 at Echo Lake Lodge near Idaho Springs. Carle’s family members were concessionaires of the building for 57 years. The city and county of Denver owns the lodge and decided to shutter at the end of the season to explore different options for the space. Daniel Brenner, Special to The Denver Post

RJSangosti

Drought, overconsumption and climate change are main factors dissipating the amount of Colorado River water that will reach the Sea of Cortez on its journey through the Colorado River Delta on Oct. 24 in Baja California, Mexico. The flight for aerial photography was provided by LightHawk. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

RJ Sangosti has worked as a photojournalist at The Denver Post since 2004. In 2020, he became a member of the Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental Journalism program at the University of Colorado. That same year, Sangosti was named The Denver Post Journalist of the Year. During his photojournalism career, Sangosti has received several accolades. In 2012, he was presented the Associated Press Member Showcase Photo of the Year. In 2013, he was named Photojournalist of the Year in the National Press Photographers Association’s competition for large markets. His portfolio included photos of the Aurora theater shooting, which were also part of the winning entry for The Post’s 2013 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. His work was included in the 2012 Time Magazine top 10 photos of the year, and he was honored to be part of the 2016 jury for the centennial year of The Pulitzer Prizes.

A handful of the hundreds of dead fish along the shore of Neenoshe Reservoir were arranged by the photographer for this image on Sept. 20 in Eads. Colorado Parks and Wildlife ordered an emergency public fish salvage for Queens Reservoir in Kiowa County because of declining water levels related to drought conditions. Queens is a warm water irrigation storage that is part of the Great Plains Reservoir system that includes the Neenoshe, Neegrande, Neesopah and Neeskah reservoirs. Because of declining water levels and increasing temperatures, Queens Reservoir is in imminent danger of suffering a catastrophic fish-kill, said Mitch Martin, acting CPW Southeast Region Manager. Hundreds of dead fish line the shores of the lakes. An emergency fish salvage means bag limits, as well as fly-and-lure restrictions, are suspended for Queens Reservoir until this order is lifted. Anglers must use legal fishing methods and a valid Colorado fishing license is required. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

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A good Samaritan tosses buckets of water on a home that was burned in the Marshall fire in Boulder County on Dec. 31, 2021, in Louisville. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

The Marshall fire continued to burn out of control on Dec. 30, 2021, in Broomfield. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

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Farath Gomez walks past a bus stop on Colfax Avenue and Perry Street where the glass has been shattered on Feb. 23 in Denver. The temperature at the time was around 0 degrees. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

The Gillham family recently lost Richard Gillham to COVID-19 and 2-year-old Ben to other ailments. The family visits the spot were the two are now buried on the ranch property on Feb. 3 in Peetz. The family had a frustrating experience with not being able to be with their loved ones in the hospital and on the helicopter flight to the hospital during their final moments. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

Cicii Sunkissed, 17, came from Kansas City, Mo., to stay with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend in a broken down RV parked on 37th Avenue and Quentin Street on July 22 in Denver. Before Kansas City, Cicii said she lived in cities all over the south. She hoped to find work in Denver but now that her car is broken down that task has become hard she said.

A different way to tell important story

In this series documenting the growing population experiencing homelessness in and around Denver, I explored a personal vision, using miscellaneous broken and expired camera equipment. The list included broken cameras, some found in yard sales, expired film, and even a lens with shattered glass. The equipment was inconsistent with a variety of results. But I was able to use the novel approach to connect with people in a unique way and the equipment at some point stopped being a hindrance and became the right tool to tell the story.

Zoe, who did not want to give her last name, waits for her friend to get back with food on July 26 in Lakewood. Zoe watches their stuff in the shade of a car wash bay near Sheridan Boulevard and Colfax Avenue.

A man experiencing homelessness in Denver goes by the street name Chief Little Cody on July 26. He stands for a portrait downtown where he said he sleeps in the streets in different location. He said the hardest part of being homeless is not feeling safe.

Seven-year-old Juniper Link plays outside his home on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation on April 5 in White Mesa, Utah. The elders in his family are worried for Juniper’s future and the future of generations to come. Michael Badback, who is Juniper’s uncle, said that is why they continue to lead the community’s activism against the White Mesa Mill. The family worries that radioactive waste from the mill is contaminating groundwater and the air around their tribal community. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

RJSangosti

Ten-year-old Lily Young puts her shoes back on after climbing into the tanks to grab a small alligator at Colorado Gators and Reptile Park in the San Luis Valley on March 15 in Mosca. Lily’s grandparents started the farm and now her parents run it.

RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

Gators soak up some morning sun at Colorado Gators and Reptile Park in the San Luis Valley on March 15 in Mosca. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

RJSangosti

Yolinda Mejia, of the Navajo Nation, siphons water into a 5 gallon bucket to use for a load of laundry outside her home on the Navajo Reservation on July 4 in Cameron, Ariz. The washing machine is outdoors and is plugged into a generator. When the load is finished the machine dumps the soapy, dirty, water on the ground. Mejia has lived her whole live on the reservation without power, water or plumbing. The family has an outhouse toilet. A large portion of Navajo Nation residents live without running water. Despite living near the Colorado River, the Navajo Nation was left out of talks almost 100 years ago when rule makers were drawing up the Colorado River Compact. In Arizona, the people of Navajo Nation are still looking for a seat at the table. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

A man steps out of the pool at Desert Color, a newly built community surrounding a large beach-like pool, on July 10 in St. George, Utah. The U.S. Geological Survey shows that in Washington County, where St. George is located, residents use an average of 306 gallons per day. In Phoenix, the average per resident is 111 gallons per day. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

RJSangosti

Above: Sarah Roitsch, who runs the petting zoo, takes a photo of U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert as she holds two baby goats during the Colorado State Fair on Aug. 30 in Pueblo.

Photos by RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

Right: Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado’s Third Congressional District carries a handgun during a campaign stop at Wild Beaver Mountain Man Emporium on Oct. 4 in Creede.

Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s mother Shawn Bentz records her daughter as she prays with her supporters during an election night party at Warehouse 2565 on Nov. 8 in Grand Junction. Bentz has a photo of her daughter on her phone. Boebert ran against Democrat Adam Frisch. Boebert was trying for her second term to represent Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

JintakHan

Parisse Flora dips to the floor in one of the voguing performance categories of the Nintendo Kiki Ball at Meow Wolf Denver on Sunday, June 12. Jintak Han, Special to The Denver Post

Derrebear LaBeija hugs LeeLee James LaBeija as they unwind from a practice session at a YMCA in Denver on Wednesday, June 22 for the House of LaBeija's performance at Denver PrideFest. Jintak Han, Special to The Denver Post

Clayton Sellars, of Fruitland Park, Florida, nimbly pulls his boot onto his foot before the Professional Bull Riders Denver Chute-Out on Monday, Jan. 10. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

AAron Ontiveroz has been a staff photographer at The Denver Post since 2010. He specializes in sports and portraiture.

Cole Skender, of Hamburg, Ark., prepares before the Professional Bull Riders Denver Chute-Out on Monday, Jan. 10.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Student Robbie Ziegler gets hyped as the Wyoming Cowboys and Colorado State Rams play the final minutes of overtime during the second half of Wyoming’s 84-78 win at the Arena Auditorium in Laramie on Monday, Jan. 31. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

KJ Hamler (1) of the Denver Broncos sits on the bench after the end of the New York Jets’ 16-9 win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 23. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Bones Hyland (3) of the Denver Nuggets during media day at Ball Arena on Monday, Sept. 26.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets during media day at Ball Arena on Monday, Sept. 26. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Javonte Williams (33) of the Denver Broncos hurdles safety Jonathan Owens (36) of the Houston Texans during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 18. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets is fouled by Klay Thompson (11) of the Golden State Warriors as Draymond Green (23) defends Aaron Gordon (50) during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Sunday, April 24. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets gets ready before a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, Oct. 3. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Russell Wilson (3) of the Denver Broncos kneels on the field after the Indianapolis Colts’ 12-9 overtime win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 6. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Arvada West’s Sara Walker listens to coach Mario Lopez after defeating Chatfield at JeffCo Stadium in Lakewood on Tuesday, Oct. 4. More than 500 athletes in three metro Denver school districts signed up for the inaugural season of high school girls flag football. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a dagger 3-point shot by Gary Payton II (0) of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of Golden State’s 102-98 win at Chase Center on Wednesday, April 27. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Josh Manson (42) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his game-winning goal with teammate Samuel Girard (49) during the overtime period of Colorado’s 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena on Tuesday, May 17. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven conference semifinals series. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Andrew Cogliano (11) of the Colorado Avalanche hoists the Stanley Cup as teammates erupt after Colorado’s 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Sunday, June 26. The Avalanche defeated the lightning 4-2 in the best-of-seven series to clinch the third Stanley Cup title in franchise history. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

EricLutzens

A pensive fan watches the last few minutes of the Avalanche game at a watch party in Ball Arena during the third period of Game 6 of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Finals as the Colorado Avalanche play against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa Bay on Sunday, June 26. The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup with a final score of 2-1 over Tampa Bay. Eric Lutzens, The Denver Post

Helping You Get Past Injury And Back On The Slopes.

Shoulder Dislocation

Wrist/Hand/ Finger Injuries

Ankle Sprains

Elbow Sprains

ACL/PCL Injuries & Tears

Time to break out the boards and head for the hills.

Winter sports season is coming—and with it comes the real possibility of injury. If you get hurt “shredding the gnar” or just making your way to the lift, our highly-skilled and caring orthopedic specialists are standing by every day to provide the best possible patient-focused care in the Front Range. We’re committed to help get you back to living your best life—on the slopes and off.

Better is possible.