Think of it this way, if you are north of the airport, which we know because you are reporting Cherry Creek, and landing on 17L, you are positioned for a straight in.
If you were landing 35, you would need a course reversal that from the north would start with a downwind but the controller would tell you which side you were expected to be on.
If anyone does not know how to see sectionals for anywhere, I hope it is okay to mention Skyvector.com.
I personally don't find it that hard to understand the controller. I do agree he has a little verbal hiccup trying to say "in runway".