Sports & Recreation

Denver is generously apportioned with dog parks and pet-friendly green spaces, but for smaller breeds who become understandably skittish when faced with a creature ten times their body weight, the options are slimmer. Fortunately, the Berkeley Lake Dog Park, at Sheridan and 46th, features a separate fenced area specifically designed for dogs under 25 pounds, creating an opportunity for off-leash socialization with other pups while keeping their Napoleonic egos intact. Regular visitors are steadfast in their efforts to ensure clean gravel and fresh water for your little corporals. Scenic and easily accessible from downtown, the park is never lovelier than on summer evenings, when the lights of nearby Lakeside Amusement Park ripple across the surface of Berkeley Lake and the merry sounds of roller coasters echo through the night.

Since the Broncos triumphed in Super Bowl 50 earlier this year, a lot of things have happened, many of them troubling. Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan and David Bruton, key role players on the defensive squad that was primarily responsible for the victory, have been lured away by big free-agent bucks, and with Peyton Manning's retirement and the mutiny of Brock Osweiler — the heir-apparent signal caller who wasn't — the quarterback situation is uncertain at best. Yet the team's core talent remains — and remains hungry. Give the brain trust a year to put the pieces back together, then get ready for another run for glory.

We loved Von Miller before loving Von Miller was cool: He first won his Best Bronco award in 2012, when he was a rookie, and we've been on the bandwagon ever since. This year, though, he took his Von-ness to a new level. His hilarious sack dances — including the Key & Peele-inspired routine that earned him a fine from the NFL — prefigured his naming as a contestant on the next edition of Dancing With the Stars; he's a master when it comes to Instagram and Snapchat; and his interviews (about, among other things, his obsession with raising chickens) are consistently bizarre and hilarious. Oh, yeah: He was also the Most Valuable Player during Super Bowl 50 in every way imaginable. No wonder we love Miller time.

You'd think being the best Rockie wouldn't be that tough, given how bad the team was last year. But Arenado would have been the top player on plenty of other, much better squads, too. He hits for power, slugging a team-leading 42 home runs in 2015. But he's also a great situational batter, which explains how he managed to average a very solid .287 even as he racked up an impressive 177 hits and drove in 130 runs. Moreover, his fielding is outstanding, as he demonstrated during a flipping, back-twisting grab last April against the San Francisco Giants that was one of the most frequently replayed defensive highlights of the year.

It was another lost season for the Nuggets, who often looked confused, disinterested or some combination thereof. But Barton was a big exception. When he came to Denver in a 2015 trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, he was a little-known quantity in these parts. But he soon made a name for himself off the bench, bringing much-needed energy, offensive creativity and hops so impressive that he was invited to take part in this year's NBA All-Star slam-dunk competition. And even though he frequently comes off the bench, he's the team's second-leading scorer, behind only the oft-injured Danilo Gallinari. In a unit that has underachieved, Barton's done the opposite.

Matt Duchene comes in for plenty of criticism, in part because he was foreseen to be a truly transcendent player, and thus far he's been only a very good one for a team that seems ready to take the next step quality-wise but hasn't been consistent enough to do it. Still, Duchene is typically the Avs' biggest goal-scorer and points-generator, as well as the one player that opponents must account for whenever he's on the ice. Moreover, he's still a mere 25, meaning that he's got plenty of time to become the difference-maker so many prognosticators envisioned.

You were expecting us to pick someone else? Commentators continue to refer to the 2015-2016 season as a roller coaster, but it came close to being a trainwreck, with Peyton Manning throwing more interceptions than touchdowns as he aged before our eyes. But the defense helped the team win games it should have lost, with a late-season assist from the now-departed Brock Osweiler, who stepped in when Manning's poor play and assorted injuries made benching him a necessity. Then Manning returned in heroic fashion just in time for a march through a killer playoff schedule, capped by the best sort of victory in Super Bowl 50 — one that was both unexpected in many quarters and richly satisfying. Aren't you glad you were there to see it?

The shift to the Pac-12 hasn't been pretty for the CU Buffs football team, which would have to improve measurably to be considered mediocre. But the school's basketballers have become consistently strong performers, regularly besting ranked opponents and challenging for the opportunity to take part in March Madness. And while the outfit is anchored by senior Josh Scott, a mix of promising sophomores and juniors — including George King, Josh Fortune and Dominique Collier — provides hope that the Buffs will continue to get better and better as time goes on.

In the past, this award has always gone to a head coach. But while Broncos boss Gary Kubiak deserves credit for helping his charges navigate a season filled with more than its share of melodrama, the real hero was defensive coach Phillips, who took a group of players that had been good in the past and transformed them into planet-toppers by way of an aggressive philosophy that unleashed their inner beasts. From game one, the D was terrific, which only makes its steady improvement through the regular season and into the playoffs that much more astonishing. Phillips's previous stints with the Broncos, including his two seasons as head coach during the early '90s, hardly prepared us for the majesty he would produce: gridiron brilliance that led directly to a win in Super Bowl 50. And as a bonus, he got to see Lady Gaga!

Before Boyle's arrival, CU basketball had experienced some great moments (a lot of them related to Chauncey Billups's time on the squad), but hadn't become the kind of program that was strong year in and year out. But after turning around the Northern Colorado Bears, he's done the same at CU, where his teams have won more than twenty games — a major-conference mark of excellence — for five of his six years at the helm. No wonder students at the Boulder campus pack every home game. In Tad they trust — as well they should.

Plenty of local media observers were shocked when KOA pink-slipped Roach last year. But he's more than landed on his feet — and his spectacular vocal cords are the reason. His Twitter bio describes his gigs with becoming modesty; it notes that he is "heard at Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, DIA trains, Rio Olympics or anywhere with a script and $50." That apparently includes this year's NFL Pro Bowl and the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony — just two of the national events that have been enhanced by his bottomless tones.

For years, Lombardi was a mainstay on CBS4, and his departure from the station was a dispiriting sign of the times. Fortunately, though, he hasn't disappeared from the Denver sports landscape. By jumping to Altitude, the network home of the Nuggets and the Avalanche, he's found a more wide-open forum for his quick wit and strong opinions — qualities that make him a must-follow on Twitter, too. And while he lost his radio gig on 104.3/The Fan in December, we have a feeling it won't be long before he returns to that medium, too.

Colorado has its share of costumed mascots — men or women inside animal ensembles that would fit in nicely at the next Furries convention. But the state is also blessed with quite a few real animal mascots: Ralphie the buffalo at CU Boulder, Cam the ram at CSU, and Thunder, the Arabian horse that celebrates scores and more for the Denver Broncos. The team is actually on its third Thunder at this point, and seeing the magnificent creature pound across the gridiron is among the greatest thrills involved with being a Broncos fan. Thunder got nearly as big a reaction at the post-Super Bowl 50 victory parade as did Peyton Manning or Von Miller, and appropriately so.

The Drive is among the most addictive sports-talk shows in town, and chemistry is the reason. At least once a show (and often more than that), Darren "D-Mac" McKee will say something that will make you smack your forehead — but his willingness to offer bold proclamations plenty of others would keep to themselves is key to his oddball charm. Former Bronco Alfred "Big Al" Williams is equally opinionated, and his takes on the Broncos, the CU Buffs and plenty of other outfits and athletes on the current scene are informed by his deep knowledge and a zest for life that's second to none. Together, they make a helluva team.

Anyone who's seen the Mile High Tumblers perform at events like Denver Nuggets games can testify to the thrilling nature of their aerial stunts: crazy twists and turns executed with and without the aid of mini-trampolines. But even better is the concept behind the spectacle. Thanks to founder Ozell Williams, who first made his name locally as a cheerleader for the University of Colorado Boulder and an Olympic athlete specializing in the rings, MHT serves as a youth program in which college-agers act as mentors for students in the early years of high school. Their goal: to reinforce positivity and build life skills while defying gravity. Williams is changing Colorado for the better, one flip at a time.

Just three bucks gets you through the gates at Lakeside Amusement Park, which is all the money needed to enjoy a late summer night's stroll through its gorgeous grounds. Drop a few more dollars and get your thrills from the historic wooden Cyclone roller coaster, the daring dips of the Spider or the most famous of the landmark's jittery delights, the Wild Chipmunk. Kids get a miniature version of the amusement park all to themselves, complete with a baby coaster and tethered kiddie motorboats. End the night with a calming ride around the lake on a scaled-down but fully functional steam train, and catch a glimpse of the park's neon at night — a lovely reminder of a simpler time. Being in business for more than a century proves that Lakeside Amusement Park knows how to make fun affordable for everyone.

When Xyla DuVal opened Hyperspace in June 2014, it featured mostly vintage arcade consoles, including a functioning Space War machine, the first stand-up video game. Through the summer of 2015, the arcade was open only for special events, including electronic dance nights and live experimental-music shows — and then it went on a long hiatus. Now Hyperspace is back, though, with a regular schedule and a $10 all-you-can-play fee. No charge for the classic combo of geek-tech culture and weird music in a layout reminiscent of early-'80s strip-mall arcades.

The 20th Street Gym isn't fancy — which is all the more reason to take advantage of this rec center in the city. All of the average gym amenities are here — indoor pool, weight room, cardio equipment — and are paired with a schedule packed with pickleball games, pottery classes and Pilates. Almost as historic as the building itself is the gym's boxing program, offering kids and adults of all skill levels a chance to be trained by professionals and compete in the ring. The soaring windows and wooden rails of the grand staircase are reminders of the gym's antiquity, but it's the no-BS workouts and knowledgeable staff of teachers and trainers that bring the 20th Street Gym into the 21st century.

No private gym can compare with the affordability and accessibility of a Denver Parks and Recreation membership, with its dozens of recreation centers and indoor and outdoor pools in the metro area to choose from. Starting at one dollar for a single visit and topping out at $369 for a year's worth of unlimited access to every center, the city's prices are hard to beat. Financial assistance is available, too, along with discounts for seniors and persons with disabilities, and the city's My Denver card gives free memberships to kids ages five to eighteen. In addition, many classes — from boxing fitness to circuit training — are free once you're a member. The best part? You don't even have to purchase a membership to take advantage of Denver's parks system: Workouts in any of the city's dozens of green spaces are free, year-round.

If you want a quick pickup game or some easy 3-on-3, it's tough to beat one of the dozens of indoor gyms in Denver or popular parks like Sloan's Lake and Washington Park — but when it comes to working on your long-range skills, it's time to try rooftop shooting at 1125 17th Street. You might have to befriend a resident of the adjacent apartment building that owns the court (or find a way to sneak up there, which we would never tell you to do), but after you hit a few 3s in solitude while downtown Denver conducts its business twenty feet below, you'll be on top of the world — or at least the 5280.

Denver is well known for its views of the Rockies, but turn the other direction and we've got a skyline that's well worth gazing at, too. Barnum Park, named after developer P.T. Barnum (yes, that P.T.), takes the cake when it comes to the perfect glimpse of our rapidly growing downtown. Perched high above the madness that is the Sixth Avenue/I-25 interchange, this simple park sits unhindered — no cranes or new development can get in its way — and gives park visitors a full panorama of the Mile High City. What's more, the surrounding highway and Federal Boulevard thoroughfare have created an immovable transit moat around this fortress of green space, making Barnum's look at the city safe from future obstruction. In Denver, any place free from the optical hindrance of towering construction projects is priceless; lucky for us, Barnum Park — and its view — is always free.

In truth, kids just want something to climb on, but parents didn't like it the last time the Cherry Creek mall gave its indoor play area a makeover: The switch from the beloved breakfast-table layout of giant-sized eggs, bacon and pancakes to a fully branded Warner Brothers cartoon-character theme was never a popular move. But when the mall pulled a switch again last November, no one even batted an eyelash. Who wouldn't like Dinosaur Gulch, a fun collaboration with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science featuring climbable dino sculptures — a favorite theme in almost every toddler's heart — that are as educational as they are a blast to scramble over? One prehistoric pat on the back for all!

Plopped down right in the middle of the bustling cityscape, Cheesman Park is Capitol Hill's outdoor refuge and picnic destination for all types of city dwellers. While the gardens and meadows are stately, it's the park's walking trail and driving loop that make this grassy esplanade a people-watcher's paradise. Hard-core marathoners whiz past stroller moms, while professional dog-walkers take the dirt trail and dudes on inline skates cruise by occupied cars parked bumper-to-bumper along the asphalt circle. Cheesman's unique marble pavilion provides a pop-up stage for social theatrics as punks, parents and business-casual types take full advantage of the free performance space. Grab some popcorn, pull up a lawn chair and watch your fellow citizens in action.

The Cranmer Park sundial has been through a lot in its life. Added to the park in the '40s, the sandstone timepiece was destroyed by vandals in 1965. Replaced with a larger version that still stands today, the sundial has come to be a defining piece of the Hilltop neighborhood's history. But its future is still shaky: The flagstone plaza on which the clock rests — built in the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration — is in need of serious repairs. Neighbors motivated to advocate for their special landmark created a local organization, Save Our Sundial, and have organized park parties to raise money. The Cranmer Park sundial is a great example of the pieces of Denver history that can be found tucked away in plain sight in the city's parks.

Lowry and Stapleton contain a range of green spaces that get a workout from families, dog walkers, cyclists and just about everybody else who's moved to the city's quasi-new-urban 'burbs. While modest, the reading garden has a bit more of a community feel than most of these oases. It's not just the choice of seating areas and contemplative nooks, but also the growing collection of book "spines" along a low wall that give the place a personal touch: Locals donate the titles in memory of loved ones, and the dedications, which often describe the dearly departed's relationship to a particular book, make for interesting reading in their own right.

Even if we were dogs — no, wait, especially if we were dogs — Cherry Creek State Park's Dog Off-Leash Area would be our pick for the perfect park. Referred to as "Disney for dogs" by its many fans, the 107-acre, fenced-in doggie dreamland features everything a canine would put on a fantasy must-have list. First of all, Cherry Creek runs through it, so there's plenty of water to slurp, swim and splash in. There's also a wide gravel trail that's easy to follow, and the endless spurs from it wind through acres of brush and small stands of trees, and across the open plains — all ideal for a good, long, fast run or for wrestling with other dogs. And besides other dogs, there are often small critters that need to be investigated. Adults will appreciate the clean restrooms and abundance of bags and receptacles; the level area is accessible and easily navigated year-round; and sunrise and sunset are usually spectacular — though sunrise is generally far less crowded than at the peak times of mid-morning and after humans get off work. At off-peak times, though, it often feels as though you and your pooches are on your own for a great hike. There's a fee — if you plan to go often, it makes sense to buy a state parks pass — but it's well worth the price if it means your dog will snooze for the rest of the day.

Readers' choice: Chatfield State Park

Six years ago, the owners of the doggie daycare and grooming spot Woof in Boots decided to start a painting class for dog lovers that would allow them to mingle with like-minded pet people and their pets while raising money for a local animal-related charity. And thus Paw Prints & Cocktails was born. It has since grown into more than just a First Friday event: Several times a month, Woof in Boots hosts people and their pups for a sometimes raucous mixer that involves a local host artist, live music, beer and wine (for an extra fee), and snacks for all involved. And you'll walk away with a piece of art of your own making — probably of your favorite pooch.

It's like the swimming-pool version of dogs playing poker, and quite the sight to behold: Dogs of every size and breed jumping in and hauling themselves out of the Scheitler rec center's outdoor pool, chasing balls and Frisbees, swimming laps and, yes, even sunbathing along the edge. On the last day of the season every year, Scheitler opens the pool for a pooches-only Pawpalooza (though a few brave people jump in, too). The cost is $5 per dog, and proceeds go to local animal shelters and kids' programs. Bonus: The rec center is located next door to the Berkeley Lake Dog Park, which has plenty of room for the pups to shake off the excess.

When dogs want to watch the big game, they head to the Ugly Dog, which not only has a fenced-in outdoor dog area — complete with fire hydrants and doghouses for them and picnic tables for people — but also allows Fido inside to relax on the floor and check out the score. The employees (all women sporting sleeveless referee shirts, by the way) at this north Denver eatery are generous with the dog treats, too.

Nestled into a strip of Barnum Park running along the north side of the Sixth Avenue highway is the Trestle Bike Skills Course — a series of bumps, berms and jumps made just for bicycles. BMX, mountain-bike and downhill cyclists of all abilities are welcome on this circuit, with man-made dirt hills and wooden ridges created to challenge both first-timers and experienced risk-takers. Maintained by the city and dedicated volunteers, this specialty bike course is like no other in the nation — plus it's part of the Parks and Recreation system, so it's free to use. A treat for both riders and onlookers, the Trestle Bike Skills Course entertains drivers along the congested freeway and allows high-flying cyclists to get air while exercising.

While the rest of the hordes dodge each other on the Cherry Creek Bike Trail, savvier cyclists go for long stretches without seeing another soul on the 21.8-mile Clear Creek Trail, a mostly paved bike path (with a few dirt or gravel sections) that parallels its namesake waterway. With killer scenery regardless of direction, the path makes its way from the South Platte River on one end through residential neighborhoods (many with historic buildings right by the trail), local parks and rural locales before reaching Golden, where the reward for a bit of uphill is a panoramic view of the buttes. There's also plenty of off-bike activity at this end; take a rest at one of the many restaurant and coffee shops and watch the kayakers playing in Clear Creek, or pop in for a tour and a brew at Coors Brewing Company. Occasionally the trail requires a sharp eye to watch for signs connecting pieces of the path over residential streets, but they're mostly in heavily populated areas with plenty of places to take a break and regroup if you get lost. Looking for longer mileage? Clear Creek connects with the Platte River, Ralston Creek, Little Dry Creek and Sixth Avenue trails.