Arvada West High School and Jefferson County School District engaged in unethical conduct during the recent Head Football Coach hiring process. Arvada Colorado

Report on Corruption, Discrimination, and Misconduct at Arvada West High School Athletic Department

Introduction

This report presents credible evidence of corruption, discrimination, and unethical behavior within the Arvada West High School Athletic Department. Despite attempts to engage Jefferson County School District leadership regarding these concerns, no action has been taken. As a result, I am sharing my findings publicly to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice for the impacted students, families, and staff.

My investigation has revealed:

• Evidence that the recent hiring process for the Head Football Coach position was manipulated to produce a predetermined outcome.

• Discriminatory behavior by Athletic Director Gordon Volk, including racial bias, exclusion, and retaliation.

• A pattern of negligence by Principal Micah Porter, who failed to act despite being informed of Mr. Volk’s behavior.

• The failure of the school’s leadership to ensure a safe environment for staff and players.

These findings are supported by credible witness statements, text message evidence, and verified communications. The integrity of the school’s leadership and its commitment to student well-being are now in serious question.

Furthermore, this misconduct occurs within a broader pattern of concerning behavior across Jefferson County School District — a district that has repeatedly failed to hold administrators accountable for unethical and inappropriate conduct.

Section 1: Manipulation of the Head Football Coach Hiring Process

In early 2024, Arvada West High School conducted interviews for its vacant Head Football Coach position. A selection committee composed of parents, players, and current Arvada West staff unanimously selected one candidate as the most qualified individual for the role. However, Principal Micah Porter and Athletic Director Gordon Volk disregarded the committee’s decision and selected a different candidate at the final stage.

Key Findings:

• Pre-Determined Outcome: According to multiple sources, the individual who was ultimately hired had prior knowledge of his selection weeks before the hiring process began. A local realtor has confirmed that this individual had already begun making arrangements to relocate, believing the position was secured in advance.

• Candidates Used as Pawns: Witness statements indicate that two candidates were knowingly included in the process for manipulative reasons:

• An African American candidate was added solely for optics. A witness stated that Mr. Volk privately told him that he had no chance of being hired and was only included to “appease” a group of Black players on the team.

• Another finalist was included as a favor to a prominent coach in the state, with instructions that he would not be seriously considered.

This manipulated process disregarded fairness, transparency, and ethical hiring standards, ultimately denying students and the community a fair and just leadership decision. 

Section 2: Evidence of Discrimination and Retaliation

My investigation has uncovered a pattern of discriminatory behavior by Mr. Volk, with multiple credible sources describing his mistreatment of Black players and a female coach.

Key Incidents:

• Witnesses report that Mr. Volk repeatedly referred to Black players using derogatory language. In one instance, following an on-field incident in the 2024 season, Mr. Volk sent a the following text messages about Black players on the team:

“Not surprised, you know how they get when things don’t go their way.”

“These thugs need to understand they can’t act like that here.”

• These messages reflect a clear racial bias that influenced Mr. Volk’s leadership and treatment of certain players.

• A former Arvada West football player reported that Mr. Volk deliberately interfered with his college recruitment. The student, who had been on track to receive a Division II scholarship, saw his opportunities reduced after Mr. Volk provided negative and misleading information to recruiters. This act of retaliation was confirmed by the college coach involved.

• A female coach within the athletic department reported experiencing discrimination under Mr. Volk’s leadership. She described being excluded from important team-related discussions and was repeatedly undermined in her coaching role.

Despite parents and staff raising concerns with Principal Porter, no action was taken to address these issues.

Section 3: Failure to Ensure a Safe Coaching Environment

In addition to unethical hiring practices and discriminatory behavior, Mr. Volk and Principal Porter failed to ensure a safe working environment for Arvada West’s coaching staff.

In the 2024 season, multiple assistant coaches reported being threatened by parents during games. One assistant coach directly informed Mr. Volk that he felt unsafe following multiple confrontations. Instead of addressing the concerns, Mr. Volk dismissed them, reportedly stating that “ensuring safety wasn’t his job.”

This neglect placed staff in an unsafe environment and contributed to a toxic culture within the athletic program.

Section 4: Disturbing Evidence Regarding Principal Micah Porter

During my investigation, additional troubling information surfaced regarding Principal Micah Porter’s questionable conduct and judgment.

I obtained an image shared on social media that raises serious concerns about Mr. Porter’s personal life and professionalism. The image shows Mr. Porter posing shirtless in underwear alongside another individual, posted with suggestive language. While personal choices outside of school should be respected, this public image — circulated with commentary identifying Mr. Porter as the school’s new principal — raises valid questions about his judgment and suitability for a leadership position in a school environment.

This troubling revelation calls into question Jefferson County School District’s vetting process when hiring key administrators.

I will be publishing a follow-up report outlining further details about Mr. Porter’s background and past conduct, which further underscores the district’s pattern of overlooking concerning behavior by leadership figures.

Section 5: District Negligence and Lack of Accountability

Jefferson County School District’s failure to act on these concerns follows a troubling pattern of protecting administrators while neglecting student safety and well-being.

Recent Incidents in Jefferson County School District:

In the past several months, the district has faced multiple high-profile incidents involving inappropriate, unethical, and even criminal behavior by district leaders:

• In one shocking incident, district officials assisted a student in declaring herself homeless before moving in with a teacher, raising serious concerns about the district’s safeguarding practices. Source: CBS News Colorado

• In another deeply concerning case, Jefferson County’s Chief of Schools, Matt Walsh, was found dead during a criminal investigation into his conduct. Source: KDVR News

These incidents reveal a disturbing pattern — Jefferson County School District repeatedly fails to hold administrators accountable, allowing inappropriate and unethical behavior to persist. The district’s protection of individuals like Mr. Volk and Principal Porter only reinforces this pattern.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The actions of Athletic Director Gordon Volk and Principal Micah Porter have created a toxic environment within Arvada West High School’s athletic department. The manipulation of the hiring process, combined with discrimination, retaliation, and neglect, has severely damaged the trust of the school community.

I strongly urge the Jefferson County School District to take the following immediate actions:

1. Place Athletic Director Gordon Volk and Principal Micah Porter on administrative leave pending a full and independent investigation.

2. Conduct an independent review of Arvada West’s hiring practices to ensure transparency and fairness in future decisions.

3. Implement anti-discrimination training for district leadership, athletic staff, and coaches to ensure an inclusive environment for all students.

I also encourage concerned parents, students, and community members to contact Jefferson County School District leadership and demand accountability.

If no action is taken, I will continue to publish these findings and work with local media outlets to ensure these concerns are addressed publicly.

If you or someone you know has experienced similar discrimination, retaliation, or misconduct within the Arvada West community, I encourage you to come forward. The voices of those affected must be heard.

Sincerely,

Shawdow Warden 

Investigative Reporter