A320
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 26
Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface; Distraction; Confusion; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors; Procedure
I was working R42 by myself. I noticed a red alert on my URET coming from Denver 9. What a shock! I ran the routes out on both aircraft and noticed that they were on collision courses at the same altitude. I called my Front Line Manager (FLM) over. By this time Denver 9 was handing both aircraft off to me. When [The FLM] looked at it he snickered and said; 'Well; I guess you'll have to call Denver 9 and have them turn Aircraft Y to the left. Aircraft Y was south of Aircraft X and the winds were from the south at 70+ knots. Turning Aircraft Y to the north would increase his speed because the wind would be behind him. So if I told Denver 9 to turn Aircraft Y to the north; and he picked up speed; and we lost separation; then it would be my fault. Besides; I thought that the FLM was supposed to call the Denver FLM immediately upon noticing a Denver Special to bring it to their attention! Nope! [FLM] walked away and left it all up to me. I called Denver 9 and professionally told him that Aircraft Y and Aircraft X were coming together at the same altitude. He said; 'OK.' Denver 9 took the hand off back on Aircraft Y and entered '20L' in the fourth line of the data block. I took the hand off on both aircraft. Aircraft Y passed 7 miles behind Aircraft X 10 miles inside our boundary. If I wouldn't have called Denver 9 and alerted them to the situation and I would have had a 'stuck mic' or Aircraft Y went NORDO we surely would have lost separation!Promote all Denver controllers to FLM's or OM's and replace them with all new controllers.
ZMP Center Controller reported an airborne conflict. Communication with ZDV ARTCC was cited as a contributor to the event.