Lori Punko

Deputy Sports Editor

Lori Punko

A 22-year veteran of The Denver Post sports department, Lori Punko is a proud Coloradoan with Cheesehead roots. She previously worked聽at the Daily Camera and Milwaukee Journal. Lori spends her free time cheering for her son Joey's youth hockey team and baking creations for her home-based baking business.

Pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) of the Colorado Rockies starts the first inning against the San Francisco Giants on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Rockies’ Michael Lorenzen, a West Coast guy, is excited to pitch at ‘home’ against the Angels

June 2, 2026 at 8:02 p.m.

Although starter Michael Lorenzen plays for the Rockies now, he is still a West Coast guy at heart.

Tyla Samuels, 15, holds up a heart sign during warmups before of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Stanley Cup playoff schedule

May 25, 2026 at 4:47 p.m.

When and where to watch as the Avs face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Western Conference Finals.

Maddie Shoup, of CU gets past Landry Grover, of DU. during the DU CU women鈥檚 lacrosse game in Boulder on April 17, 2025.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

CU Buffs, DU Pioneers punch tickets to NCAA lacrosse tournament

May 3, 2026 at 7:52 p.m.

Two teams will represent Colorado in the women鈥檚 NCAA lacrosse tournament.

Finish line at Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado on Thursday, April 9, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

A 2026 guide to race tracks in Colorado

May 1, 2026 at 12:38 p.m.

Got the racing bug? Here are six race tracks in Colorado where you can get into top gear.

Owen Andersen poses for a portrait at Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado on Thursday, April 9, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

New owners keeping Colorado National Speedway on track for the future

May 1, 2026 at 1:06 p.m.

In addition to cleaning up the Colorado National Speedway faster after crashes this season, the new owners are trying to get an average of 5,000 hungry and thirsty fans back...

Coors Field鈥檚 official 9-9-9 challenge is comprised of nine miniature hotdogs, nine flight sized beers, all to be consumed over a nine inning game, as seen on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Coors Field in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Colorado Rockies to debut new food offerings for 2026 MLB season

April 3, 2026 at 7:07 a.m.

Check out the Glizzilla, a a one-pound, 23-inch hot dog on a 19-inch sub roll. It practically needs its own seat.

The Colorado Avalanche's mascot Bernie serves up bacon BBQ chicken melt sandwiches at a preview of Ball Arena's new offerings for the 2025-26 Avalanche and Nuggets seasons. (Lori Punko, The Denver Post)

Ball Arena ups its food game for 2025-26 Nuggets, Avs seasons with Redeemer Pizza, Nola Jane

October 25, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Nuggets fans heading out to Saturday's home opener against the Phoenix Suns will find a new selection of local restaurants at Ball Arena. And, they will find fan-friendly pricing on...

The Denver Broncos highlight the stadium's new food and beverage offerings for the 2025 season at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 2, 2025. Steve Atwater holds an Assassin Burger that will be offered at the new Atwater Grill, in Section 100, features a menu curated by Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Atwater Grill one of six new restaurant offerings at Empower Field at Mile High

September 3, 2025 at 10:29 a.m.

The Atwater Grill, named in honor of Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, features a selection of burgers accompanied by spicy curly fries and crispy onion rings at a stand...

Colorado Avalanche player Miles Wood shows off his toothless smile as he gets ready to tee off on Hole 17 during the Avalanche Charity Golf Classic at The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course in Castle Pines, Co on Sept. 16, 2024. Players such as captain Gabe Landeskog, and former great Joe Sakic played on teams with sponsors and local businesses. The proceeds from the sold-out tournament benefit the community programs of the Colorado Avalanche supported by Kroenke Sports Charities (KSC). (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

How to watch Colorado Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog’s return to the ice tonight with the Colorado Eagles

April 11, 2025 at 2:28 p.m.

Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog makes his much-anticipated return to action tonight with the team's AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.

Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches his team warm up prior to a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

What needs to happen for CU Buffs to make the Big 12 Championship game?

November 30, 2024 at 2:03 p.m.

Even with Colorado's 52-0 victory over Oklahoma State on Friday, the Buffs (7-2) will need some help to make it to the Big 12 Championship game.

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Lori Punko

All Stories

Rockies’ Michael Lorenzen, a West Coast guy, is excited to pitch at ‘home’ against the Angels

Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Stanley Cup playoff schedule

CU Buffs, DU Pioneers punch tickets to NCAA lacrosse tournament

A 2026 guide to race tracks in Colorado

New owners keeping Colorado National Speedway on track for the future

Colorado Rockies to debut new food offerings for 2026 MLB season

Ball Arena ups its food game for 2025-26 Nuggets, Avs seasons with Redeemer Pizza, Nola Jane

Atwater Grill one of six new restaurant offerings at Empower Field at Mile High

How to watch Colorado Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog’s return to the ice tonight with the Colorado Eagles

What needs to happen for CU Buffs to make the Big 12 Championship game?