Rocky writer James Meadow

James B. Meadow, who was hospitalized Friday after a serious bicycle accident at Chatfield State Park, passed away Sunday. Read more on his family’s Facebook page.
James was a true wordsmith and had a gift for storytelling. His unique style brought sparkle to whatever subject he was covering, including the last piece he wrote for the Rocky, about the time capsule that was opened the day the announcement was made to close the paper.
To read the series, Civic Center Blues, for which James and photographer Darin McGregor spent days and nights at Civic Center to document life at the park in the heart of Denver, click here.
Family and friends will celebrate James’ life Saturday, March 14. Click here for details.
A memorial bike ride will take place Saturday, March 21. Click here for details.
The James B. Meadow Tribune Fund has been established at 1s Bank of Cherry Creek. Click here for details.
Sports columnist Sam Adams remembers James Meadow.
Cartoonists Ed Stein and Drew Litton offer their thoughts.
From Michael Roberts of Westword.
Rocky religion writer offers a newsroom memory.
Please join the Rocky family in extending deepest condolences to James’ friends and family.










I typically didn’t have much interaction with James, but for some reason we did have a relatively long chat the last week of the Rocky’s existence, each of us complaining about Scripps’ unseemly haste in ridding itself of the newspaper. I’m glad I had that discussion now. What a gifted writer … and always genuinely nice to me. Here’s to you, buddy — you can rest easy now.
James loved cycling and occasionally would stop by my desk to talk about participating in one century ride or another. I enjoyed listening to his plans and his enthusiasm for the sport that he loved so much. He was also a talented writer who had a gift for storytelling. My condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be missed.
To James:
Always young at heart
with the crazy lampshade on your desk.
I remember sitting across from you
my first summer as an intern in 1995
Your chiding about covering Klondike & Sno leaving the Denver Zoo
A story you gladly and generously gave to us eager-to-write interns.
You’re always young at heart
and always will be
Always a good writer, great work ethic
Always saying “Ona!” out loud to greet me.
And no one I ever worked with was a prouder parent
always talking about his daughter.
Sorry I didn’t say hi at the vigil
thinking, eh, no one remembers me.
But mostly I’m sorry to hear of your passing.
Because you’re always young at heart
That you’ll always be.
Anna Maria Basquez
At our going away party about a week ago, James surprised me by saying “I didn’t give you as much crap as I gave to other people.” I said, “Probably because I didn’t talk much.” I had an uneasy feeling about that exchange, like we were saying goodbye for the last time. I’ll miss the goofy way he would say my name, and his kind gifts of chocolates during the holidays. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I didn’t know James, only friends in common; his work for the Do1Thing project tells me all I need to know.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I did not know James personally, but I knew him through his work for Do1Thing. Any journalist who takes the time to tell stories of the less fortunate is a true human. James was a member of that truly special tribe. I am friends with some of James’ co-workers from the Rocky and they all spoke of how much they loved the people there, James included.
My condolences and best wishes to his family, and his friends at the Rocky.