Ron Zappolo

Marijuana and dogs: Vets warn (again) that you shouldn't give pot to pets

Back in 2010, we published a story in which a veterinarian warned that dogs shouldn't be given marijuana. Shortly thereafter, Fox31 did a lurid version of the same story, complete with imagery straight out of a '60s-era psychedelic flick. Then, last year, CBS4 reported about a vet who'd conducted a ... More >>

Photos: Denver celebrities and icons honor Ron Zappolo -- by borrowing his mustache

Tonight, Ron Zappolo -- who won this year's Best of Denver Best Anchor award -- will step away from the Fox31 news desk that he's occupied since 2000, with the goal of returning to his first love, sports, after a well-deserved break. That means his trademark mustache is at least temporarily availabl ... More >>

Photos: Best hair on Denver TV personalities, just for men edition -- the reigning top five

Best of Denver 2013 is only days away -- which means winners from last year don't have much longer to bask in the knowledge that they're at the top of our personal roster. We've already shared our picks for the ten funniest Best of Denver awards from 2012, as well as the Best Hair on a Denver TV per ... More >>

Libby Weaver says goodbye to Fox31: Did she jump or was she pushed?

Last night, longtime Fox31 anchor Libby Weaver bid the station adieu surrounded by her three kids -- her stated reason for stepping away from the outlet. But even as good wishes stack up on the station's Facebook page, media observers are speculating about whether her decision to leave has to do wit ... More >>

Denver's five best hairdos on TV personalities, just-for-men edition

The 2012 Best of Denver edition gave the much-sought-after prize of "Best Hair on a TV Personality -- Male" to Ron Zappolo, Fox 31 anchor. Zappolo, a longtime sports guy who moved to the anchor's chair years ago, received the award mostly for his mustache, which oozes professionalism and commands yo ... More >>

Denver TV personalities' goofiest Facebook photos

Big photos below.​Even though Facebook is great for sharing oddball photos, many Denver TV personalities aren't interested in playing. Either they don't have a page, or they maintain one that's purposefully dull. But here are some sample shots from folks in the spotlight who aren't afraid to ... More >>

Stephen Colbert reveals Denver Int'l Airport conspiracies -- and phallic symbols! (VIDEO)

Video below.​Denver International Airport conspiracy theories just got a boost from one Stephen Colbert. Last night, as part of The Colbert Report's preview to 2012, and those Mayan prophecies that are supposed to spell our doom, he intoned the phrase, "When the end times come, the last words ... More >>

Shameless self-promotion: Jef Otte makes it on the local news

Feel free to admire my practiced nonchalance.​Just in case you doubted that Westword was the foremost authority on dumb shit that happens in the media, know this: We're such an authority even other media outlets seek our expertise. And when I say "our expertise," I mean "my expertise." Yesterd ... More >>

Alien nation: Colorado's election is out of this world

Gnome thieves described as "pretty low:" Hilarious!

Not Josh McDaniels.​Heads up, producers of The Daily Show. Last night, Channel 31 reported a story about the theft of 150 garden gnomes that's ready-made for your particular brand of satire. Only flaw? The Fox 31 crew isn't as good at keeping a straight face as are Jon Stewart and company.

Where does Fox News anchor Ron Zappolo get his grub on? Venice Ristorante and Wine Bar

Ron Zappolo likes what he likes.​He might hang out at cocaine- and sex-fueled parties on South Park, but in real life, you're more likely to report that local Fox News anchor Ron Zappolo is savoring saltimbocca and sipping red wine at his favorite Denver restaurant, Venice Ristorante and Wine ... More >>

Marijuana can kill your dog -- but Fox 31 turns story into joke

Channel 31 simulates Luke's weed "trip."​The story that led Channel 31's newscast last night -- about dogs eating marijuana edibles -- was remarkable in a couple of ways. The cutesy, goofy opus, which gobbled up the first five minutes of the newscast (see it below), was impossible to parody, ... More >>

Last night's behind-the-scenes glimpse at Channel 31

Ron Zappolo.​We love when performers and public figures go off when they don't realize cameras are rolling and microphones are on. Take, for instance, Christian Bale's astonishing on-set rant or then-President George Bush confiding to veep Dick Cheney that the New York Times' Adam Clymer is an ... More >>

Channel 31, the Ward Churchill trial and shrinking TV-news resources

Channel 31 anchor teammates Ron Zappolo and Libby Weaver. Here's more evidence of how tight things are at local TV stations these days. Last night, Channel 31 offered up a report about the ongoing Ward Churchill trial -- undeniably one of the biggest ongoing stories in town -- during its late newsc ... More >>

Channel 2 general manager Dennis Leonard on layoffs, a prime-time shift and the concept behind "The Deuce"

Dennis Leonard, in a file photo from last October. Yesterday's blog "Channel 2 General Manager Dennis Leonard on rebranding his station The Deuce: 'It's the shit, dude!' " featured an excerpt from a conversation with the aforementioned Leonard, who also oversees Channel 31 as part of merger that to ... More >>

Plug about to be pulled on Channel 2's 5:30 p.m. newscast

The death of Channel 2's 5:30 p.m. newscast, which will occur following Friday's edition, shouldn't shock anyone. In "Channels 2 and 31 Mix It Up in Denver," an October Message column about the new partnership between these longtime rivals, Dennis Leonard, the vice president and general manager of ... More >>

Fox 31's Ron Zappolo struggles to report story of elderly woman squeezing Dick

Kudos to sharp-eyed Denver Post writer David Harsanyi for spotting a hilarious news clip from Channel 31. In it, anchor Ron Zappolo almost but doesn't quite manage not to laugh while reading a story about a naked home intruder in Oregon named Michael Dick, who was arrested after an 88-year-old woman ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, January 5 edition

Today in Cafe Society: • Twelverestaurant introduces its third menu. • Spice Boys to close shop, go all online. • A Milking It review of Blueberry Monster Crunch. Today in Backbeat Online: • A fresh start for Eric Eyl's Mile High Makeout. Today in The Latest Word: • The Rocky Mountain ... More >>

Ron Zappolo Tells Marijuana Advocate to Keep Fighting the Good Fight

Best of Westword 1991 Winners

The Best of Westword 1990

AEG's Mile High Music and Arts Festival

Best of Westword Winners From 1986

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The Rookie

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Vanishing Act

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Kid Stuff

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Early Shift

Best-Dressed TV Personality

Libby Weaver , Channel 31

Off Limits

No parking zone

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Undercover Fox

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Is Channel 9 successful because of its people or its system?

Backwash

Haiku you: The year’s worst records get poetic justice.

Ad Attack

Political commercials outnumber political reports on local television.

Hot Spots

The media play catch-up on the state's largest-ever blaze.

Social Studies

The society columnist for a neighborhood newspaper is the talk of the upper crust.

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Backwash

16 HP rides high with Hoarse, a new collections of live cuts from local performances.

Best Performance by a TV Anchor in a Tough Spot

Jim Benemann, Channel 9

Anchor in Waiting

Sportscaster Les Shapiro is rested and ready. But will TV take him back?

The Story of Adele H

There's a thing or two you don't know about Adele Arakawa.

Letters to the Editor

From the week of August 3

Fox on the Run

During its first week on the air, Channel 31's news demonstrates a little substance and a lot of style.

Best local TV anchor

Adele Arakawa, Channel 9

Best impending entry into the Denver TV news scene

Channel 31

The Message

At 3 a.m., KOA's Rick Barber is the only game in town.

A Word From Our Sponsor

Television keeps moving the line between advertising and editorial.

Sex and the Single Mouse

Radio Disney: Tune in and turn on.

Sportswomen Wanted

Denver's fabulous sports babes still struggle to score in the male broadcast world.

Off Limits

SONNY SKIES