Hey.
I started my private training at Jeffco in January 06. I started at AirWest flying club (it was the 3rd club on the field) and it was a great club. About 2 months later, AirWest was bought out my Journeys. I checked out AirWest, Journeys, and McAir before I started. I ranked them Airwest, then Journeys, then McAir. Then number 1 and 2 merged. I got the best of both worlds!
Here is my opinion:
Journey's is a great flight school. The key is their fleet diversity. McAir has mostly 2000 era 172's. They were factory new. I don't see this as a good thing!! To me, that just means they were expensive. I actually prefer the older 172's because they are basically the same airplane for much cheaper. McAir rents their 172's for about $120 an hour. That is a huge difference.
For basic training, Journeys a couple of older 152's for $60 an hour and several older 172's for $80 an hour. Those prices are really reasonable. The newer 172's cost about $100 an hour. Much cheaper than McAir. And you get your choice (frugal 152, middle of the road older 172, or top of the line 172). Want a 172RG? They have it, and the cheapest I have ever seen! Want a low wing? They have Piper Warriors, Archers, Arrows, and two great Seminoles. The multi-engine seminoles rent for $155 an hour. That is the cheapest I have ever found a multi engine airplane. And they have two of them. Want to fly a Katana or a Diamond Star? They have that too! Garmin 1000? Yup!
The owner (Cory) is a mechanical engineer, and a good, smart, and savy owner. The cheif CFI's are very experienced. It is probably the best FBO I have ever researched.
Journeys is a better school than McAir. McAir has a fleet of expensive and new 172's. Journey's has just about anything you could want. I like the owner and the chief CFI's. And I think it will be a better fit for you. You should have more students, thus you will build time faster, and you will have a lot of multi opportunity (with their cheap seminoles).
As a side note, Jeffco is a great airport and it will make you a better pilot. Be careful with the winds that whip through there, and don't go into the mountains unless you have had tons and tons of mountain flying instruction.
Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions.
Ross