Entertainment Reporter
John Wenzel
John Wenzel joined The Denver Post as an arts and entertainment reporter and critic in 2006. He fell in love with newspapers in the mystical land of Dayton, Ohio, and feels lucky to have spent his adult life exploring Colorado's culture. In addition to contributing to Esquire, The Atlantic and Rolling Stone, he is the author of the nonfiction book "Mock Stars" and has had essays published in music, horror and comedy anthologies. He lives in Denver with his family, a Hobbit garden, and a half dozen overworked gaming consoles.
Featured Stories

Broken family: Sexual assault allegations against Jay Bianchi splinter Denver’s jam-band scene
Two women alleged sexual assault against Denver businessman Jay Bianchi, a longtime Deadhead and bar owner, after a 2020 Halloween party.

Infiltrating Hate: How Colorado Springs’ first black detective joined the KKK — and became the subject of Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman”
Police veteran Ron Stallworth is disturbed by today’s parallels to racial strife of the 1960s and ’70s

The definitive guide to Denver International Airport’s biggest conspiracy theories
To get to the heart of their continuing popularity, a Denver Post team was granted behind-the-scenes (and underground) access to examine the theories, facts and history of Denver International Airport.
All Stories

Country Western crooners, IMAX otters and more things to do in Denver this week
Plus: a protest-music workshop and immersive theater and art from The Impliers.

Photographer John Fielder’s work featured on new U.S. stamp honoring Colorado’s 150th birthday
The late photographer, who shot across Colorado for 50 years, donated much of his work to History Colorado.

Bruno Mars returns to Colorado after eight years — in an unusual venue
The 40-date "Romantic Tour" will stop at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs this fall.

Winter Park’s Mary Jane turns 50, ‘On Fire for God’ and more things to do in Denver
Plus the music of Charley Crockett at Mission Ballroom and hunting-fishing galore

Sandwich shop owed more than $40,000 in taxes before seizure, city says
Mr. Lucky's Sandwiches had locations in Denver's Highland and Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

Living history: National Western Stock Show has grown, and struggled, along with Denver
120 years of history shows the Stock Show's central role in Denver's culture, business

Feds say stickers covering Trump’s face on national parks passes could invalidate them
The Department of the Interior update follows Boulder artist Jenny McCarty selling stickers that cover the president's face on the 2026 America the Beautiful passes.

Every 2026 free day at Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, museums and other cultural hotspots
The SCFD cultural tax district funds the popular all-ages days in metro Denver.

Denver7 reporter Tony Kovaleski on 42 years of life-changing investigations
The investigative giant retired on Dec. 31, 2025, from KMGH Denver7

Things to do: New Year’s Day hikes, Disney’s ‘Frozen’ in Arvada, and more
This week's picks also include comedy galore and a new exhibit about Thornton