Ambitious, Organized, Packed and Ready To Go

By Bill Husted
The Denver Post

Renee Herlocker, 28, is pretty for a living — often referred to as the “legendary Broncos cheerleader Renee Herlocker,” at least by this columnist. She was on the pep squad for six years starting in 2000; in her final year she was team captain. Born and raised in Denver, she went to Smoky Hill High School and then to the University of Northern Colorado, for a cuppa coffee. As a model with Donna Baldwin Talent, she is busy with commercials and appearances. She made a workout video with Paula Abdul dubbed “Cardio Cheer.” And she most notably dated Avalanche star Dan Hinote for a number of years. When we talk, Herlocker is about to leave for Los Angeles for a part in “Ironman 2” as a member of Ironman’s Superhero Cheerleading Team. She orders a split of prosecco.

Herlocker: I like my wine. I like prosecco and Grey Goose soda and Grey Goose water.

BH: I’ll drink to that. And “Ironman 2.” Is that your ambition, to be in the movies?

Herlocker: Does anybody have an ambition to be in the movies? I’m not theatrically trained. I want to be a sports and entertainment reporter, on television and the Internet. I’m moving to L.A. this summer.

BH: Were you a tomboy?

Herlocker: I was a mix. I danced all my life and was into the tutu and the makeup. But I also played sports. I grew up with an older brother and boys in the neighborhood. When we played Army, I was always the hostage. But I can hold my own.

BH: What’s your biggest flaw?

Herlocker: I procrastinate. I’m always 10 minutes late. And I’m bowlegged. I get it from my dad.

BH: What fault are you most tolerant of in others?

Herlocker: Procrastination, flakiness and tardiness.

BH: What was it like to date Dan Hinote?

Herlocker: It was totally normal. He’s a completely down-to-earth guy.

BH: Was it strange when he got married last year?

Herlocker: No. I was really happy for him.

BH: Do lots of guys ask you out?

Herlocker: No. I’m not complaining because I want to be single right now. But guys don’t come up to me and start a conversation. And I’m at a point now where I want my career to come first.

BH: What do you look for in a guy?

Herlocker: Integrity. He needs to have an obscure sense of wit, and he has to be smart.

BH: What kind of men don’t you like?

Herlocker: $30,000 millionaires.

BH: Would you ever pose for Playboy?

Herlocker: No.

BH: Is 28 a good age for you?

Herlocker: Yes. I have my 10th high school reunion coming up. I wasn’t going to go, but now I am. Facebook has ruined reunions.

BH: Do you text while you drive?

Herlocker: Yes.

BH: Oh. That’s worse than driving drunk.

Herlocker: I know. It’s bad.

BH: What’s your idea of misery?

Herlocker: I wouldn’t want to be at a Presidential Ball surrounded by politicians.

BH: My idea of misery is going to the ballet.

Herlocker: I love the ballet. I love plays and musicals.

BH: Favorite musical?

Herlocker: “Rent.”

BH: Sports?

Herlocker: I like them all. I could sit with my boyfriend and watch sports all day Sunday. I even watched the Masters.

BH: Food?

Herlocker: The fattier and greasier the better.

BH: Restaurants?

Herlocker: I like Capital Grille. I cook at home a lot.

BH: What’s your favorite neighborhood?

Herlocker: Riverfront Park. And I live at Stapleton and I love it there.

BH: What about Cherry Creek?

Herlocker: I used to live here. It’s good, but the demographics are a little . . . err . . .

BH: Old?

Herlocker: Yes. Don’t you live in Cherry Creek, Bill?

BH: What age are the men you date?

Herlocker: I dated a 21-year-old and that was a bad idea. When I was 24 I dated a 37-year-old.

BH: You look very young.

Herlocker: I always get carded. And at the community pool at Stapleton yesterday a female lifeguard told me to get out of the pool during adult swim. And I wasn’t playing Marco Polo or anything, I was just hanging out.

BH: You’re too young to have a bucket list.

Herlocker: I have 30 things to do before I turn 30.

BH: What’s left?

Herlocker: Go to the Kentucky Derby. I want to buy a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. They’re hot stilettos. Start a foundation. Be a dog breeder.

BH: Do you have an iPod?

Herlocker: Who doesn’t?

BH: What do you play in the car?

Herlocker: It’s always on shuffle, so it goes from Celtic Woman to Iggy Pop to Lil Wayne.

BH: Favorite band?

Herlocker: Kings of Leon.

BH: What would your house tell me about you?

Herlocker: It’s very organized. And I have a packed, red suitcase always by the front door with my passport in it.

BH: Get out.

Herlocker: You never know when you gotta go.

BH: What about cheerleading?

Herlocker: It’s come a long way, and it has a way to go.

BH: Do you have a motto?

Herlocker: Sleep when you’re dead.

BH: How would you like to die?

Herlocker: When my parachute doesn’t open.