“Flying remains far safer than driving” because there were 2100 killed in car accidents vs. 70 in planes?
More car trips in one day in Denver than flights in Colorado for the year. Total lack of statistical awareness.
Love this journalistic gem:
“Centennial Airport south of Denver which is in a fast-growing heavily populated area that is fast growing.”

Marijuana use and flying? Ummmmm I do believe my ratings show Federal Aviation Administration not "State" of Colorado Aviation Administration where marijuana use may be legal. "Cessna 150" selfies by "Passengers" plural. Maybe I am being critical but this seems to be a poorly researched piece of news.

A very poor analysis filled with speculation that does not really help - more aimed at the sensational end of journalism

Was a controller at South Lake Tahoe summer 0f 1975... we had a crash every 2 weeks... Sunday afternoon departures.. ... "Cessna 123, density altitude 9200 feet, wind 180 at 15 peak gust 25, caution turbulence and downdrafts over last 1/3 of runway, cleared for takeoff" then...as the Cessna tried to turn left to avoid downdraft (to the left is a ridge with over 30 crash sites)... "Cessna 123 suggest you continue straight ahead..after passing end of runway make a slight right turn to circle for altitude over the golf course...caution, there are 5 other airplanes circling there" ... was a zoo... biggest threat was first storms of the winter when pilots caught unaware... had a map in the tower...50 mile radius.. crash sites with red X... we'd get calls from pilots reporting debris ... most were from old sites...

Mountains-turbulence-density altitude.....Kowabunga you're dead......

This still inquire for thorough investigation.

It's the mountains

I think many of you missed the point. Read between the lines and it is totally “bad decision making”. VMC into IMC? Flying while impaired? Poor flight planning? No density altitude calculations? Low-flying hot-dogging? I don’t think the journalist was saying flying is bad, just pointing out the stupidity of some individuals who happen to be pilots. Most of us are careful planners, who take flying seriously, and have strict SOPs. I was taught to “fly like the professionals” even in the simplest aircraft. As we see from this article, there are always some who don’t.

Selfies and alcohol while piloting a plane?

The question I have is: was this article the result of an assignment for a particular reporter to at least get something published. It reminds me of what happens when an English student needs to write a 2,000 word theme -- about 1,990 words are useless. Yes, the terrain in Colorado is more challenging because of mountains; but I think everyone knew that before starting to read the article.

A 1.75 liter of Whiskey in the Aero Star....Hmmmmm, it would take half that much for me to even take a ride in Ted Smith's "I wanna be an Aero Commander" machine!
Friend of mine who owned one called his the "Fastest, get ya killed beautiful bird" he ever owned!
Just saying!

Poor reporting

So what is your point as they happen in every state and that one is no different? Pick any state and airplanes crash in them.