Comment on Sheppard still keeping foes on short leashes

Merry Nixmas. And Happy New Year? Bo Nix and the Broncos have exceeded expectations, posting their first winning season since 2016. But the joy they have brought Broncos Country also makes them prisoners of their success. We are a society defined by instant gratification. Puzzles and government bonds were not under the tree Wednesday.

Here’s a look at what you need to know about the NBA’s Christmas games: San Antonio Spurs (15-14) at New York Knicks (19-10) Time: 10 a.m. MT | TV: ABC, ESPN Line: Knicks -7.5 (via BetMGM) Spurs team leaders: Scoring — Victor Wembanyama (24.8 ppg). Rebounding — Wembanyama (9.9 rpg). Assists — Chris Paul (8.4 apg).

Jen Johnson’s Santa Claus wears gold and doesn’t need reindeer to fly. Gabe Landeskog wiped his nose. Cale Makar shook his hand. But no athlete danced — like, seriously danced — with Jen’s son Porter until Travis Hunter walked into their life. “You know how to do The Griddy?” Porter asked the CU Buffs’ two-way football star. “Show me,” Hunter said. Which is the short version of how a 9-year-old cancer survivor made a Heisman Trophy winner break down laughing. While Hunter watched, young Porter launched into Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson’s trademark touchdown celebration dance, The Griddy.

If you find yourself in a Christmas chariot this week, perhaps a pair of Broncos will be carrying it. Denver inside linebacker Alex Singleton and kicker Wil Lutz looked like pros over the weekend at the Colorado Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker.” The duo made brief appearances in the ballet’s rendition of the Christmas classic on Sunday night at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House downtown. They carried out a chariot with a ballet dancer inside at the start of the Arabian Dance.

If you are curious about the giant construction project surrounding Keystone’s River Run gondola, it’s a village-sized resort that will change the look of the main base area. Kindred Resort, set to open in the spring of 2025, is touted as “the most luxurious new slopeside property in the Colorado Rockies.” Part of Vail Resorts’ RockResorts brand, the property consists of 107 high-end hotel rooms, 95 one-to-four-bedroom residences, a private club, spa, ski valet, the new headquarters for Keystone’s Ski & Snowboard School, upscale retail shops and three restaurants, all within steps of River Run Gondola. “Kindred is going to be a game-changer,” says Ken Riley, the first mayor of Keystone, which became an incorporated town last February. “It does feel like this is a missing link to what a top family-friendly resort can offer.” While Keystone has long since boasted fine dining haunts like the Ski Tip Lodge and (located on one of its two world-class golf courses) Keystone Ranch, as well as a massive conference center and upscale spa at Keystone Lodge, it has always positioned itself as a more affordable family destination than surrounding ski resorts. Despite the upscale developments starting with Kindred, Keystone still offers free parking within walking distance of lifts at River Run and Mountain House, family amenities, and lodging packages, including free lift tickets for kids. Incorporating the town was crucial to Keystone’s journey toward improved infrastructure and offerings.

Though vocally skeptical of the allegations, a Denver judge has agreed to allow an aunt of former Granby Ranch ski area CEO Melissa Cipriani to investigate whether she used the ski area to fraudulently transfer money and evade the aunt’s $19 million court judgment. “I’m frustrated with this case,” Judge David Goldberg said at a Dec.