Denver Mayoral Candidate Threatens Journalist in Chilling Social Media Posts

Robert Preta, an independent candidate, made disturbing threats against a prominent local reporter.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An independent candidate for mayor of Denver, Colorado, Robert Preta, posted a series of expletive-filled social media messages on Monday threatening a prominent local journalist. Preta, a local construction businessman who has advocated for building tiny homes to improve affordability, has a history of making controversial statements and taking aggressive stances against the media.

Why it matters

This incident raises serious concerns about the tone and tenor of the Denver mayoral race, with a candidate making threats against the press. It also highlights the growing trend of political candidates using social media to directly attack and intimidate journalists, which can have a chilling effect on press freedom and the public's ability to access accurate information about candidates and issues.

The details

In his social media posts, Preta repeatedly used profanity and threatened to "destroy" the local journalist, whose name was not released. The posts were described as "chilling" and "expletive-filled." Preta is an independent candidate who has positioned himself as an outsider, advocating for policies like building tiny homes to address the city's affordable housing crisis.

  • Preta posted the threatening messages on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Robert Preta

An independent candidate for mayor of Denver, Colorado, who owns a local construction business and has advocated for building tiny homes to improve affordability in the city.

Local Journalist

A prominent local journalist in Denver who was the target of Preta's threatening social media posts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I will destroy it all.”

— Robert Preta, Denver Mayoral Candidate (Ground.news)

What’s next

The Denver Police Department has launched an investigation into Preta's social media posts and threats against the local journalist.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for political candidates to engage in civil discourse and refrain from using social media to intimidate or threaten members of the press. Voters in Denver will have to carefully consider the conduct and temperament of all mayoral candidates as they make their choices.