Another idea to ease traffic to Denver’s airport — drop-off/pick-up lots
Re: “Widening of Peña gets green light for study phase,” April 2, 2025 news story, and “For $15 million, look at all Peña Blvd alternatives,” April 6, 2025 editorial
After reading two articles in the Denver Post stating Denver City Council had approved a $15 million contract to a consulting firm to find a way to reduce traffic on Peña Boulevard and gave them five years in which to do it, I have presented another option to the Denver City Council, the mayor, RTD Board of Directors, Denver International Airport and the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
My proposal would not only reduce traffic on Peña but would also serve to reduce congestion at the terminal and could be implemented almost immediately at very low cost. Very simply, the existing cell phone lot could be renamed a Drop-Off/Pick-Up lot, where departing passengers could be dropped off and shuttled to the terminal by bus, and arriving passengers could be taken back to the lot for pickup. Also, a strategic location could be found for an additional dedicated Drop-Off/Pick-Up lot that could further reduce traffic on Peña. I could also envision a light rail link to and from the terminal and Drop-Off/Pick-up lots, similar to the one that transports passengers from the terminal to the concourses. So far, I have had no response.
Steve Nash, Centennial
Delusional thinking on gun laws
Re: “DOJ should help us prevent mass shootings instead,” May 10 editorial
I continue to be amazed at how deluded people can be about gun laws. The problem with today’s mass shootings has very little to do with guns and a lot to do with mental illness, and I submit there is no gun law anywhere that prevents a mentally disturbed person intent on doing evil from obtaining a gun in America.
Gun laws (and these editorials) are simply knee-jerk reactions by politicians intent on appearing to be doing something for their constituents, when in reality all they are doing is trying to ensure their own re-election. Gun laws do not prevent crime and do not prevent shootings. Our attention should be placed on the young, radicalized, social-media-addicted, and isolated children of single parents who need our help, not law-abiding citizens with reasonable desires for firearms.
Paul Michael DiMarchi, Whitewater
Political posturing by DOJ
Re: “Assault weapons ban: Administration sues Denver,” May 6 news story, and “DOJ lawsuit targets state ban on large-capacity magazines,” May 7 news story
It takes little imagination to understand the current Department of Justice’s motivation for undoing current restrictions on assault-style rifles and large capacity magazines. Often justified as necessary to defend home and family, it turns out that such instances are extremely rare, averaging only per year in the United States. Compare that to being the weapons of choice for mass casualty events, with Colorado being a notable example. This is just one of many instances of the DOJ wasting taxpayer dollars on political posturing.
James Todd, Denver
There is room for empathy and tolerance in debate over pronouns
Re: “Colorado Democrats cannot force employers to use someone’s pronouns,” May 10 commentary
I don’t agree with all that Krista Kafer writes, but I consider her commentaries insightful and thought-provoking. There is almost nothing in this column that I disagree with. But I am concerned about the lack of empathy, recognizing the need for tolerance in a broadly disparate society.
So, yes, “everyone has the right to express their opinion … No one can use the power of government to silence or force fellow Americans to profess what they do not consider to be true.” But everyone needs to recognize that others can hold opinions different from their own. We can’t tell other people what they have to believe and need to be accepting of these differences.
Free speech is important, and Americans should be allowed to say whatever stupid things they want. But tolerance remains a critical American value, and this column fails to acknowledge that. Its absence is a major element in the fracturing of American politics.
Ed Corcoran, Lakewood
I grew up in the 70s, part of the last generation that believed, for better or worse, that sexuality and gender were something that couldn’t change. When I did become aware, first about gays, then much later about transgender people, I didn’t understand it, but I didn’t feel a huge upwelling of hatred towards them either. “That’s their choice,” I thought.
It took me much longer to realize that it probably isn’t a choice for the vast majority of gay and transgender people out there. It’s a hard life to lead, being judged and hated for everything you do, even how you want to be addressed. Krista Kafer needs to take the journey I did, quickly. Forget the Constitution and the law and the First Amendment for a second — what’s the decent thing to do here? These people have a really, really hard life, without having to contend with someone so selfish that they aren’t willing to murmur a particular salutation.
No transgender person wants to change you or your family one bit — they just want to be able to go to work and not be insulted every time they’re spoken to. Have grace, Kafer, and give them this basic respect as human beings.
Dennis P. Laughren. Golden
Now that we know the costs, lets run wolf reintroduction past voters again
Re: “With new releases on pause, wolf reintroduction is at ‘inflection point’,” May 8 news story
The reporting on Colorado’s wolf reintroduction should raise eyebrows, especially given the well-documented budget shortfalls our state (and its residents) are struggling under. The state auditor needs to gather and calculate the real investment being made (taxpayer money, of course) for the management of this population of 32 wolves.
More than $1 million has reportedly been paid to rancher claimants for wildlife depredation. Teams of scientists “monitor and study” movements and activities, using hundreds of devices. Your May 8 article, certainly not all-inclusive, refers to “thousands of hours” of studies; three-year study windows; a full time “wolf monitoring data coordinator”; 45 miles of cloth “fladry” for wolf-resistant range or ranch fencing (how scenic!); and the hiring of 11 “range riders” to patrol that which needed no “patrolling” before just over 50% of voters passed this dive into a black hole of costs.
Western Colorado voted overwhelmingly against the reintroduction. Perhaps it would make sense to produce and publicize a comprehensive audit and run a new ballot issue on the program’s continuation or termination.
Peter Ehrlich, Denver
Bravo! Now more Colorado Symphony coverage
Re: “A ‘Rhapsody’ with my kids,” May 10 features story
Thank you so much for your recent column on the Colorado Symphony.
The orchestra is an incredible institution and group of individuals, and doesn’t often get the recognition it deserves. Your article emphasized that it is not just for highbrow seniors, but can be enjoyed by listeners of all ages and interests.
We have been pleased to see The Post’s recent articles covering the Front Range fine art scene. There is so much great art to be seen in our area. Now, we just need the same kind of coverage for the Symphony and other local music organizations.
If the paper ran more articles such as yours, more people could learn that music of all types is available and approachable for most Denverites. Please keep writing and encourage your editorial staff to add more coverage of music.
Elyse Tipton and Paul Ruttum, Denver
Driving without traffic enforcement
As we all know, we are in extremely difficult times. However, my exasperation level reached a new high as I was traveling on a Denver street last weekend. A vehicle in front of me was displaying temporary license tags that expired on Nov. 24, 2023. That is correct, 2023. What are the chances that this vehicle has current insurance coverage or the driver has a valid driver’s license? The chances are slim and none and slim just left town.
I observe expired or no tags on a regular basis. In addition, I suspect that all speed limit signs should add the word recommended to them, as non-compliance seems to be normal, as well as cell phone usage.
Where is the enforcement? I have not observed any in many months. Why should law-abiding citizens have to pay for the irresponsible actions of others? I would guess that these issues are low on the priority list until fatalities (motorcycles) rise to a level that our elected officials take notice. Are you listening, Mayor Mike Johnston, or Councilmember Amanda Sawyer (who does not respond to emails)? I will certainly take notice at the ballot box.
Allen Vean, Denver
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