B737-800
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 346; Flight Crew Type 346
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors; Procedure
On KOHOE 3 Arrival; descend via clearance; initially controller said delete speed restrictions; then said maintain 280 knots with no fix limit on the speed. We were given; 'expect RNAV Z Runway 35R.' The start of the RNAV is at DOGGG (11;000'/MAX 210 KIAS). Around DHATT we entered light turbulence. Because we needed to lose a minimum of 70 knots; we started slowing and descending (energy management). At 260 knots the controller asked our speed and we told him. The controller reminded us of the 280 knots and to advise him if the ride required a slower speed. We were able to configure in time and the approach and landing was uneventful.
B737-800 Captain reported slowing below an ATC-assigned speed on arrival into DEN.