let me please add - yes, it is quite obvious that DEN has luggage/logistic problems - still now.

on our early morning flight (leaving SFO at 6AM) - DEN to Aspen - conection time at DEN was 40 minutes (we arrived on time from SFO).

We arrived at Aspen at 11 AM - and our skis arrived at our hotel at 6PM! The skis and all our luggage didn't make the connection. UA offered ski-equipment- and ski-clothes-rental-vouchers for that day and explained.

So I conclude that DEN can't handle luggage staying at the airport more than 4 hours - nor can they forward luggage if the connection-time is 40 minutes or less: the "time-window" left is quite small FOR A NEW AIRPORT.