\u201cHe\u2019s taking this time, obviously,\u201d Payton said. \u201cThe club is very much in tune to the league office, local authorities here, and we\u2019ve had several meetings. Clearly from an ownership standpoint, head coach, organizationally \u2014 there\u2019s a bar that we have, and an expectation that we have, that\u2019s very high. We\u2019ll consider all of that as we continue to gather the information.\u201d<\/p>\n
In total, Cooper is facing five active charges in Douglas County District Court, including felony second-degree assault by strangulation, misdemeanor third-degree assault, misdemeanor criminal mischief, misdemeanor harassment, and misdemeanor violation of a protection order.<\/p>\n
A source with knowledge of the situation told The Post that Cooper isn\u2019t around the building in any capacity.<\/p>\n
Payton acknowledged that \u201cwe all know the logistics\u201d and declined to answer further follow-up questions about Cooper having meetings with team brass before his second arrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s my place to comment any more right now,\u201d Payton said, \u201cbecause, obviously, it\u2019s a pretty significant issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
If found guilty of criminal assault in an NFL investigation, Cooper could face a baseline suspension of six games, with the number of games increasing or decreasing depending on the NFL\u2019s findings. Payton\u2019s mention of the organizational \u201cbar\u201d marks the first time any team official has hinted at potential consequences for Cooper since his June 4 arrest. The Broncos haven\u2019t dealt with a similar legal case involving a player since owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner took the reins in 2022.<\/p>\n
![\"Pat](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TDP-L-BRONCOSAO1_2811x.jpg\")
Pat Surtain II (2) of the Denver Broncos speaks to media members during minicamp at the Broncos Park in Centennial, Colorado on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz\/The Denver Post)<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, he\u2019s our brother at the end of the day, and we all rally behind Coop,\u201d Broncos All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II said Tuesday. \u201cAnd we just wish him the best with everything. But, just keeping him in good spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to arrest affidavits, Cooper and his girlfriend got into an argument over allegations of infidelity at his Parker apartment on June 4. The felony second-degree assault by strangulation charge was added by the district attorney\u2019s office following a forensic examination on Cooper\u2019s girlfriend that same night by a nurse at Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora. The nurse concluded that Cooper\u2019s girlfriend sustained \u201cstrangulation with hypoxia and traumatic brain injury,\u201d and suffered \u201csubstantial risk of death.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Cooper\u2019s girlfriend was also arrested June 4 by Parker Police for her role in the incident on suspicion of domestic violence and a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. On Tuesday, a Douglas County judge granted the DA\u2019s office\u2019s motion to dismiss charges against Cooper\u2019s girlfriend.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old Cooper is set to make $12 million in 2026, according to OverTheCap, and has two more years remaining on a four-year, $60 million contract extension signed in November 2024. He played the ninth-most snaps of any Broncos defender in 2025, and finished second on the team in sacks.<\/p>\n Cooper has a hearing on advisement \u2014 where he\u2019ll hear the total sum of charges against him \u2014 in Douglas County court Wednesday afternoon. His case is expected to proceed to a jury trial, currently slated to begin July 22.<\/p>\n