Scott Monserud, who built The Denver Post’s sports section into one of the most respected in the country, died Monday at the age of 69.

Monserud worked at The Post for 22 years, including 17 as sports editor, until his retirement in June 2023. He passed away after a nine-year battle with prostate cancer, his family said.

“Scott became the editor of one of the best athletic departments and athletic departments in the country. But that’s not what I remember as I try to absorb this loss,” said Post editor Lee Ann Colacioppo.

“I think about how your appearance at my office door makes me smile. Even though he was sick for the last few months, I think he never failed to check in on me and my family and ask how we were doing.

Under Monserud, The Post’s sports section was considered among the best in the changing industry, receiving yearly recognition for breaking news to award-winning projects to column writing.

Post was awarded the “Triple Crown” award — Top 10 in daily segments, Sunday segments and specials — Associated Press Sports Editors’ annual competition three times during his tenure (2010, 2011 and 2014). APSE recognized The Post’s Sunday section as one of the Top 10 among the competition’s largest newspapers 12 different times between 2001 and 2023. The Post has been rated as a Top 10 daily episode five different times and a Top 10 special five times.

Greg Moore, The Post’s 2002-16 editor, described Monserud as “a truly dedicated, hard-working employee who was interested in elevating sports coverage to an art level and elevating it to the level of respect enjoyed by the news side.”

“He was really, really interested in showing that this wasn’t just about covering the game and the scores. “He loved breaking news and lived for it.”

Native of Monona, Iowa, and an Iowa State graduate, Monserud’s more than two-decade journalism career at The Post spanned 44 years.

Current Post sports editor Matt Schubert, who worked as Monserud’s assistant for four years, said what he will remember most about his former boss is how much he cared about the lives and work of those around him.

“Scott’s impact on sports journalism went beyond the awards and recognition he received from his peers,” Schubert said. “He was a mentor and confidant to many journalists who came into his orbit. He listened. He was empathetic. He built a career. “He served as a role model for me and many others who worked with him on how to do the job well.”

Monserud’s tenure in Denver coincided with one of the most productive periods in Front Range sports history; He helped lead The Post’s coverage of two Broncos Super Bowls, including the victory in Super Bowl 50 in February 2016; First NBA title for Nuggets (2023); Avalanche’s Stanley Cup win in 2022; and the Rockies’ first consecutive playoff appearances (2017, ’18).

Former Post No. 1, who worked with Monserud at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and eventually hired him at The Post. “He was a consummate sports journalist,” said Kevin Dale, executive editor of Colorado Public Radio, who had 2 editors. “He might be the best story editor I’ve ever seen. “He had a knack for working with reporters and getting the best out of them without muting them.”

While Monserud was known by his peers for his writing, editing, leadership, listening and team-building skills, he always had an ear for the questions and topics on the minds of Denver fans. As sports editor, he hired and mentored dozens of award-winning journalists.

“Scott was a quiet man, a man of few words, but he saw a lot and was very understanding. “I can’t tell you how many of my stories he shaped and changed and made better,” said longtime Post sports writer Patrick Saunders. “He was also a tough boss. Demanding, but no one worked harder than Scott. And he was a good friend; very kind and had a great sense of humor. Man, I’m going to miss him.”

“Scott has provided steady support for The Post sports department as it weathers the ups and downs of the newspaper industry,” said Post assistant sports editor Lori Punko. “He always inspired his employees to do more, even when we saw our resources dwindle. Personally, I have always appreciated the freedom it allowed me to be creative and do my job well. “His leadership, friendship and sense of humor will be missed.”

Monserud’s award-winning episodes were noted for their stories and candid narratives from across the Front Range, from prep to professional. Although his own personal triumphs are equally interesting, especially in the last decade.

In August 2015, Monserud was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic prostate cancer, which doctors told him had spread to his skeletal system and lymph nodes. He prepared to fight.

“The pity party is over,” Monserud wrote in a series detailing her journey published by The Post in 2017. “In sports parlance, the game was on.”