Justin Wingerter

Little Bear Saloon is located in downtown Evergreen. The Wild West venue again stands on a financial precipice as a bank threatens to take all that it owns and its partners renew their dustup. (Google Street View)

Bank could take Evergreen saloon after owners鈥� squabble resurfaces

February 6, 2026 at 8:23 a.m.

鈥淭his case has been and continues to be a blatant and ongoing abuse of the judicial process wherein the defendants sacrifice Mr. (JR) Iannaccone to pay for their own debts.鈥�

Brian Watson, center, walks into the Byron G. Rogers Federal Building in Denver on Jan. 28, 2026. His attorney, Paul Vorndran, is on the right and lawyer Javier Heres is in the back. (Photo by Justin Wingerter/BusinessDen)

Denver developer Brian Watson defrauded investors in 11 real estate deals, jury finds after SEC trial

February 2, 2026 at 3:11 p.m.

Brian Watson, who placed faith in nine jurors to see that he had been railroaded by federal investigators working in cahoots with Amazon, found that faith to be misplaced Friday.

鈥楾he federal government was weaponized by Amazon,鈥� Watson says in SEC trial

January 30, 2026 at 3:05 p.m.

鈥淭he blitzkrieg attack by Amazon included the weaponization of the SEC against me,鈥� Brian Watson told jurors in a downtown courtroom.

Northstar鈥檚 last employee says developer Brian Watson strived ‘to protect investor money’ in SEC trial

January 29, 2026 at 4:35 p.m.

For a second day, the developer Brian Watson emotionally detailed Wednesday how allegations that he defrauded investors have wrecked his once-successful real estate firm, accusing the U.S. Securities and Exchange...

Brian Watson, owner of Denver-based Northstar Commercial Partners, has been charged with securities fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission. (BusinessDen file)

Denver developer slams SEC鈥檚 ‘sad and offensive’ fraud claims: ‘I do invest my capital’

January 28, 2026 at 3:01 p.m.

Tearful at times and testy at others, Denver developer Brian Watson defended his actions and those of his company Tuesday, five years after both became surrounded by scandal.

Jurors to decide if Brian Watson defrauded investors or was only 鈥榣ess than perfect鈥�

January 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

鈥淭his case is about a bait and switch that Brian Watson and Northstar used,鈥� Jodanna Haskins, an attorney for the SEC, told jury members in downtown Denver on Monday.

A rendering of the first phase of Hurley Place, to be constructed between the former Blue Moon Brewing and Ironton Distillery buildings. (Provided by Menalto Development)

Chicago firm seeks $18M from RiNo developer in exit from planned residential, office project

January 27, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

A Chicago developer is backing out of efforts to build Hurley Place, a residential and office complex in RiNo, and asking a Denver judge to award it $18 million for...

An image of Scout Motors鈥� Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck. (Photo courtesy of Scout Motors)

VW dealerships sue Colorado to stop Scout Motors from selling direct to consumers

January 24, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Ten Front Range auto dealerships are suing Colorado over its decision to allow Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors to sell its off-road electric vehicles.

Plastic surgeon says producer duped him into investing in Broadway shows

January 21, 2026 at 3:05 p.m.

Angry emails populate much of Dr. Jeffrey Wheeler鈥檚 lawsuit, which spans 44 pages and was filed in federal court in Denver on Jan. 14.

MJM Real Estate Investments, a Nashville, Tennessee-based company, owns 2115 Cresta Road in Edwards, a ski-in/ski-out house by the Beaver Creek Resort. The 9,000-square-foot house has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. (Facebook)

Inspirato neglected Edwards mansion to 鈥榤aximize profits,鈥� owner alleges

January 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

MJM began leasing the house to Inspirato in May 2021 with the understanding that the Denver company would pay rent each month and also keep the property in its same...

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