Just moved to Aurora/Denver area... swim instruction advice?

Didn't even know there was a CO specific forum on here.  Thanks for the heads up Kath2163!

Just moved to Aurora, CO last week.  We had originally had an apartment picked out down by Cherry Creek State Park but when that fell through at the last minute (being #1 on the priority list since April obviously doesn't mean squat) we had to make a last minute decision a week before moving and ended up with a very nice apartment but in a questionable neighborhood (right next to Fitzsimons medical campus).  The Mrs. will be going to pharmacy school there and her building is literally a couple hundred yards across the street from the front door.

Anyways... for those of you who might be familiar with the area... are there any (safe) places around that give adult (beginner) swim instruction.  I'm not opposed to traveling a little bit provided I don't have to go all the way down town.

I'm a bigger guy (5'10" / 260) and really want to get in shape so I can do a triathlon or two.  We've got a great 24 hour cardio theater gym downstairs, I've got my bike and trainer here with me... and the pool is awesome with a couple of lap lanes on one side.  I really REALLY want to learn how to swim.  I've put off thoughts of triathlon because of my inability to swim.  To tell you how good I am... when kicking while holding a kickboard... I go backwards.  I can kick off from the wall and after about 10 or 15 yards of going forward I slow and then actually start going backwards.  Also... I have this thing with putting my face in the water... I hold my breath.  I can't even breathe OUT with my face in the water.

My wife (who is a fish in the water and swam competitively in HS) can't even explain it.  I'm so far beyond abnormal in the water that she can't begin to instruct me.

Anyways... that's the background:  big guy, afraid of water, just moved to Aurora, wants to tri, can't swim, wants to learn, doesn't want to get mugged on the way!  =)

Advice?