52
80
N
ow that we have strong evidence from U.S. intel-
ligence agencies that Russia used a sophisticated
and coordinated state-sanctioned program to
inluence the 2016 presidential election, it seems
more than prudent to start considering the other ways
foreign adversaries might attack. One such place the bad
guys could come after us is outer space. No, we’re not
talking about Imperial Star Destroyers and TIE ight-
ers here. he star wars being fought these days are muchless cinematic but no less consequential, as features editor Kasey Cordell details in “Space
Games” (page 106), an in-depth proile of the Space Aggressors at Colorado’s Schriever
Air Force Base. hese men and women are focused on part of the Air Force’s mission
to achieve space war-ighting superiority, or, as Cordell deftly translates, the airmen are
“helping the U.S. military detect and discern when things like GPS and satellite commu-
nication signals are being intentionally disrupted or corrupted—and teaching troops how
to function without them.” But their work doesn’t just help the armed forces; these space
warriors protect the galaxy in the name of your smartphone and DirecTV programming,
too. In reporting “Space Games,” Cordell spent hours at Schriever and did extensive
research into how satellites orbit the Earth (hint: it’s complicated) and how GPS works
(very complicated). Her story will not only surprise and delight your inner tech geek, but
it also illuminates a growing threat most of us don’t think about when we look up at the
night sky. Whether you’re a sci-i aicionado or not, that should matter to you.
GEOFF VAN DYKE
Star Wars
[ FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ]
CONTACT US
Send email to letters@5280.
com or mail your feedback to
Letters, 5280 , 1515 Wazee St.,
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You can also follow us and join
the conversation on Twitter,
Facebook, Instagram, and
Pinterest (all @5280Magazine).“NOLAN”
April 2018During these times of
unending debate and divi-
siveness, it’s reassuring to
know that Coloradans can
agree on one thing: Nolan
Arenado is freaking awe-
some. “Thank you for this
insightful piece on the
best third baseman play-
ing the game!” Heather
Poe responded after reading
5280 ’s revealing proile of
the Rockies star. Other
readers raved about the
article’s author, senior staf
writer Robert Sanchez.
“Best in-depth article
I’ve read on Arenado,”
@thewhipshow wrote.
“You’re good.”“KING OF THE MOUNTAINS”
March 2018If you ski, you know
James Niehues—or at
least his work. he Love-
land artist has skillfully
drawn ski resort trail
maps for Vail, Telluride,
and dozens of other
places around the coun-
try. “It never occurredto me that those maps
were drawn by somebody,”
@erin_cranmer wrote.
“hank you for sharing!”
@liveseasoned was also
pleasantly surprised: “Awe -
some! I just saw his
name on another map
last week and wondered
HQTVJGƂTUVVKOG YJQ
he was/is!” Well, now you
know. We were surprised by
the number of readers who
had already heard about
Niehues and his paintings.
“I have,” @ellison212 wrote.
“What a stud!” Whether
you know Niehues or not,
we suggest copying
@akr305’s interior design
choice: “His maps adorn my
walls—love his work!”“DENVER POST TO CUT 30
NEWSROOM JOBS”
March 14, 20185280.com readers had
little sympathy for Post
casualties. “hey should
have seen the writing
on the wall and gotten
out of print altogether
years ago,” Michael
Beckerman wrote. One
Denverite, though,
mourned the downsiz-
ing. “I hope a smart
new owner will step
forward and reju-
venate the paper,”
Larry Johnson wrote,
“running it eiciently
and providing good
journalism as a service
to the metro commu-
nity and the region.”“MR. JOBLON’S
NEIGHBORHOOD”
April 2018Many don’t like devel-
oper Matt Joblon’s plan
for Cherry Creek, as
outlined by senior editor
Spencer Campbell. “His
vision,” Katy Green-
wood wrote, “is not
the vision of the com-
munity.” Alice Barton
agreed: “It’s complete-
ly lost its charm.”18 | 5280 | MAY 2018
CORRECTION
In April’s “The Truth About
Our Work-Life Balance,” we
reported that Colorado has 8.
craft breweries per capita (i.e.,
per person). Although that
can feel true—what with new
breweries opening seemingly
every day—the state actually
has 8.4 craft breweries per
100,000 adults (21 and older).
We regret the error.Clockwise from top left: Mark Sink; Callie Sumlin; Courtesy of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty@john_finch
wants his last
(tasty) meal to be
at Shake Shack,
whose Colorado
debut, in March,
was chronicled
on 5280.com“THIS WEEK
END BEFORE
MY DIET
STARTS”
“ONLY 5.
MIL? WHY
SO CHEAP?”
Stephanie
Armstrong,
sarcastically
(we think) non-
plussed by the
historic mansion
we showcased
on 5280.com
in March