thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Tom Seaver, heart and mighty arm of Miracle Mets, dies at 75

NEW YORK — Tom Seaver , the galvanizing leader of the Miracle Mets 1969 championship team and a pitcher who personified the rise of expansion teams during an era of radical change for baseball , has died .
He was 75 .
The Hall of Fame said Wednesday night that Seaver died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19 .
Seaver spent his final years in Calistoga , California .
Seaver ’ s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life .
He continued working at Seaver Vineyards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Award winner and his wife , Nancy , in 2002 on 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in the Calistoga region of Northern California .
Seaver was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1991 , and it reoccurred in 2012 and led to Bell ’ s Palsy and memory loss , the Daily News of New York reported in 2013 .
“ He will always be the heart and soul of the Mets , the standard which all Mets aspire to , ” Mike Piazza , a former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was announced .
Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise , Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year .
For his career , from 1967-86 , he had a 311-205 record with a 2.86 ERA , 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts .
He became a constant on magazine covers and a media presence , calling postseason games on NBC and ABC even while still an active player .
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he appeared on 425 of 430 ballots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was surpassed in 2016 by Ken Griffey Jr. , again in 2019 when Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection by baseball writers , and in 2020 when Derek Jeter fell one vote short of a clean sweep .
His plaque in Cooperstown lauds him as a “ power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.
” He changed not only their place in the standings but the team ’ s stature in people ’ s minds .
Seaver pitched for the Mets from 1967 until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cincinnati after a public spat with chairman M. Donald Grant over Seaver ’ s desire for a new contract .
It was a clash that inflamed baseball fans in New York .
“ My biggest disappointment ?
Leaving the Mets the first time and the difficulties I had with the same people that led up to it , ” Seaver told The Associated Press ahead of his Hall induction in 1992 .
“ But I look back at it in a positive way now .
It gave me the opportunity to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threw his only no-hitter for the Reds in June 1978 against St. Louis and was traded back to New York after the 1982 season .
But Mets general manager Frank Cashen blundered by leaving Seaver off his list of 26 protected players , and in January 1984 he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox as free agent compensation for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to Toronto .
While pitching for the White Sox , Seaver got his 300th win at Yankee Stadium and did it in style with a six-hitter in a 4-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1986 Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Mets in the World Series .
Supremely confident — and not necessarily modest about his extraordinary acumen on the mound — Seaver was a 12-time All-Star who led the major leagues with a 25-7 record in 1969 and a 1.76 ERA in 1971 .
A classic power pitcher with a drop-and-drive delivery that often dirtied the right knee of his uniform pants , he won Cy Young Awards with New York in 1969 , 1973 and 1975 .
The club retired his No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mets player given the honor .
“ From a team standpoint , winning the ’ 69 world championship is something I ’ ll remember most , ” Seaver said in 1992 .
“ From an individual standpoint , my 300th win brought me the most joy.
” Seaver limited his public appearances in recent years .
He did not attend the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America dinner in 2019 , where members of the 1969 Mets were honored on the 50th anniversary of what still ranks among baseball ’ s most unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a celebration of that team , the Mets announced plans for a statue of Seaver outside Citi Field , and the ballpark ’ s address was officially changed to 41 Seaver Way in a nod to his uniform number .
Seaver did not attend those ceremonies , either , but daughter Sarah Seaver did and said her parents were honored .
“ This is so very appropriate because he made the New York Mets the team that it is , ” said Ron Swoboda , the right fielder whose sprawling catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-inning win in Game 4 of the ’ 69 Series .
“ He gave them credibility.
” When the Mets closed their previous home , Shea Stadium , on the final day of the 2008 regular season , Seaver put the finishing touches on the nostalgic ceremonies with a last pitch to Piazza , and the two walked off together waving goodbye to fans .
George Thomas Seaver was born in Fresno , California , on Nov. 17 , 1944 , a son of Charles Seaver , a top amateur golfer who won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain at the 1932 Walker Cup .
Tom Seaver was a star at the University of Southern California and was drafted by Atlanta in 1966 .
He signed with the Braves for $ 51,500 only for Commissioner William Eckert to void the deal .
The Trojans already had played exhibition games that year , and baseball rules at the time prohibited a club from signing a college player whose season had started .
Any team willing to match the Braves ’ signing bonus could enter a lottery , and Eckert picked the Mets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleveland and Philadelphia .
Among baseball ’ s worst teams from their expansion season in 1962 , the Mets lost more than 100 games in five of their first six seasons and had never won more than 73 in any of their first seven years .
With cherished Brooklyn Dodgers star Gil Hodges as their manager , a young corps of pitchers led by Seaver , Jerry Koosman , Gary Gentry and a still-wild Nolan Ryan , and an offense that included Cleon Jones and Tommie Agee , the Mets overtook the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 100-62 record in 1969 .
They swept Hank Aaron and the Atlanta Braves in the first NL Championship Series to reach the World Series against highly favored Baltimore , which had gone 109-53 .
Seaver lost the opener 4-1 in a matchup with Mike Cuellar , then pitched a 10-inning six-hitter to win Game 4 , and the Mets won the title the following afternoon .
Perhaps his most memorable moment on the mound was at Shea Stadium on July 9 , 1969 , when he retired his first 25 batters against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looped a one-out single to left-center in the ninth inning before Seaver retired Willie Smith on a foulout and Don Kessinger on a flyout .
“ I had every hitter doing what I wanted , ” Seaver recalled in 1992 .
“ Afterward , my wife was in tears and I remember saying to her : ‘ Hey , I pitched a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts .
What more could I ask for ?
’ ”

NEW YORK — Tom Seaver, the galvanizing leader of the Miracle Mets 1969 championship team and a pitcher who personified the rise of expansion teams during an era of radical change for baseball, has died. He was 75.
The Hall of Fame said Wednesday night that Seaver died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Seaver spent his final years in Calistoga, California.
Seaver’s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life.
He continued working at Seaver Vineyards, founded by the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and his wife, Nancy, in 2002 on 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in the Calistoga region of Northern California.
Seaver was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1991, and it reoccurred in 2012 and led to Bell’s Palsy and memory loss, the Daily News of New York reported in 2013.
“He will always be the heart and soul of the Mets, the standard which all Mets aspire to,” Mike Piazza, a former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer, tweeted when Seaver’s dementia diagnosis was announced.
Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year. For his career, from 1967-86, he had a 311-205 record with a 2.86 ERA, 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts. He became a constant on magazine covers and a media presence, calling postseason games on NBC and ABC even while still an active player.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he appeared on 425 of 430 ballots for a then-record 98.84%. His mark was surpassed in 2016 by Ken Griffey Jr., again in 2019 when Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection by baseball writers, and in 2020 when Derek Jeter fell one vote short of a clean sweep.
His plaque in Cooperstown lauds him as a “power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.” He changed not only their place in the standings but the team’s stature in people’s minds.
Seaver pitched for the Mets from 1967 until 1977, when he was traded to Cincinnati after a public spat with chairman M. Donald Grant over Seaver’s desire for a new contract. It was a clash that inflamed baseball fans in New York.
“My biggest disappointment? Leaving the Mets the first time and the difficulties I had with the same people that led up to it,” Seaver told The Associated Press ahead of his Hall induction in 1992. “But I look back at it in a positive way now. It gave me the opportunity to work in different areas of the country.”
He threw his only no-hitter for the Reds in June 1978 against St. Louis and was traded back to New York after the 1982 season. But Mets general manager Frank Cashen blundered by leaving Seaver off his list of 26 protected players, and in January 1984 he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox as free agent compensation for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to Toronto.
While pitching for the White Sox, Seaver got his 300th win at Yankee Stadium and did it in style with a six-hitter in a 4-1 victory. He finished his career with the 1986 Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Mets in the World Series.
Supremely confident — and not necessarily modest about his extraordinary acumen on the mound — Seaver was a 12-time All-Star who led the major leagues with a 25-7 record in 1969 and a 1.76 ERA in 1971. A classic power pitcher with a drop-and-drive delivery that often dirtied the right knee of his uniform pants, he won Cy Young Awards with New York in 1969, 1973 and 1975. The club retired his No. 41 in 1988, the first Mets player given the honor.
“From a team standpoint, winning the ’69 world championship is something I’ll remember most,” Seaver said in 1992. “From an individual standpoint, my 300th win brought me the most joy.”
Seaver limited his public appearances in recent years. He did not attend the Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner in 2019, where members of the 1969 Mets were honored on the 50th anniversary of what still ranks among baseball’s most unexpected championships.
Five months later, as part of a celebration of that team, the Mets announced plans for a statue of Seaver outside Citi Field, and the ballpark’s address was officially changed to 41 Seaver Way in a nod to his uniform number.
Seaver did not attend those ceremonies, either, but daughter Sarah Seaver did and said her parents were honored.
“This is so very appropriate because he made the New York Mets the team that it is,” said Ron Swoboda, the right fielder whose sprawling catch helped Seaver pitch the Mets to a 10-inning win in Game 4 of the ’69 Series. “He gave them credibility.”
When the Mets closed their previous home, Shea Stadium, on the final day of the 2008 regular season, Seaver put the finishing touches on the nostalgic ceremonies with a last pitch to Piazza, and the two walked off together waving goodbye to fans.
George Thomas Seaver was born in Fresno, California, on Nov. 17, 1944, a son of Charles Seaver, a top amateur golfer who won both his matches for the U.S. over Britain at the 1932 Walker Cup.
Tom Seaver was a star at the University of Southern California and was drafted by Atlanta in 1966. He signed with the Braves for $51,500 only for Commissioner William Eckert to void the deal. The Trojans already had played exhibition games that year, and baseball rules at the time prohibited a club from signing a college player whose season had started. Any team willing to match the Braves’ signing bonus could enter a lottery, and Eckert picked the Mets out of a hat that also included Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Among baseball’s worst teams from their expansion season in 1962, the Mets lost more than 100 games in five of their first six seasons and had never won more than 73 in any of their first seven years. With cherished Brooklyn Dodgers star Gil Hodges as their manager, a young corps of pitchers led by Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry and a still-wild Nolan Ryan, and an offense that included Cleon Jones and Tommie Agee, the Mets overtook the Chicago Cubs to win the NL East with a 100-62 record in 1969.
They swept Hank Aaron and the Atlanta Braves in the first NL Championship Series to reach the World Series against highly favored Baltimore, which had gone 109-53. Seaver lost the opener 4-1 in a matchup with Mike Cuellar, then pitched a 10-inning six-hitter to win Game 4, and the Mets won the title the following afternoon.
Perhaps his most memorable moment on the mound was at Shea Stadium on July 9, 1969, when he retired his first 25 batters against the Chicago Cubs. Pinch-hitter Jimmy Qualls looped a one-out single to left-center in the ninth inning before Seaver retired Willie Smith on a foulout and Don Kessinger on a flyout.
“I had every hitter doing what I wanted,” Seaver recalled in 1992. “Afterward, my wife was in tears and I remember saying to her: ‘Hey, I pitched a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts. What more could I ask for?’”


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Nancy Pelosi says hair salon should apologize for “set-up” visit

SAN FRANCISCO — A testy Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she takes responsibility for trusting the word of a San Francisco hair salon that it was OK to come in for a solo visit — even though the city still does not allow indoor beauty services because of the coronavirus pandemic .
But the Democratic House Speaker called Monday ’ s visit a “ set-up ” and said the salon owes her an apology for misrepresenting city health orders .
“ I take responsibility for trusting the word of a neighborhood salon that I ’ ve been to over the years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said … we ’ re able to accommodate people one person at a time , and that we can set up that time , I trusted that , ” Pelosi told reporters Wednesday .
“ As it turns out , it was a set-up.
” “ I take responsibility for falling for a set-up , ” she said .
Pelosi is facing fierce backlash after Fox News Channel aired surveillance footage from the salon that showed her walking through the salon with her hair wet and with a mask around her neck rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clip , a masked stylist follows her .
Critics , including President Donald Trump , called her a hypocrite and asked why she did not know the coronavirus-related rules in her home city .
Erica Kious , owner of eSalon in the city ’ s upscale Marina district , told Fox News that she rents chairs to stylists and one of them informed her in advance that Pelosi wanted a wash and blow dry .
California guidelines on salons vary by county , but stringent San Francisco officials have not yet permitted indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered Pelosi getting her hair done “ a slap in the face ” to struggling business owners .
She did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press .
Health order violations can be punished by a fine , imprisonment or both .
But San Francisco has stressed education over enforcement and has been reluctant to penalize businesses and individuals .
Pelosi said Wednesday she would not answer any more questions about the visit and asked at one point whether reporters had any questions “ about the fact that people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act legislation she called the news conference to address .
A reporter asked why she was not wearing a mask in the brief clip .
“ I just had my hair washed .
I don ’ t wear a mask when I ’ m washing my hair .
Do you wear a mask when you ’ re washing your hair ?
I always have a mask , ” Pelosi said .
Associated Press news associate Cheyanne Mumphrey in Phoenix contributed to this report .

SAN FRANCISCO — A testy Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she takes responsibility for trusting the word of a San Francisco hair salon that it was OK to come in for a solo visit — even though the city still does not allow indoor beauty services because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Democratic House Speaker called Monday’s visit a “set-up” and said the salon owes her an apology for misrepresenting city health orders.
“I take responsibility for trusting the word of a neighborhood salon that I’ve been to over the years many times, and that when they said … we’re able to accommodate people one person at a time, and that we can set up that time, I trusted that,” Pelosi told reporters Wednesday. “As it turns out, it was a set-up.”
“I take responsibility for falling for a set-up,” she said.
Pelosi is facing fierce backlash after Fox News Channel aired surveillance footage from the salon that showed her walking through the salon with her hair wet and with a mask around her neck rather than on her face. In the clip, a masked stylist follows her.
Critics, including President Donald Trump, called her a hypocrite and asked why she did not know the coronavirus-related rules in her home city.
Erica Kious, owner of eSalon in the city’s upscale Marina district, told Fox News that she rents chairs to stylists and one of them informed her in advance that Pelosi wanted a wash and blow dry. California guidelines on salons vary by county, but stringent San Francisco officials have not yet permitted indoor salons to open.
Kious said she considered Pelosi getting her hair done “a slap in the face” to struggling business owners. She did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Health order violations can be punished by a fine, imprisonment or both. But San Francisco has stressed education over enforcement and has been reluctant to penalize businesses and individuals.
Pelosi said Wednesday she would not answer any more questions about the visit and asked at one point whether reporters had any questions “about the fact that people are dying,” referring to the HEROES Act legislation she called the news conference to address.
A reporter asked why she was not wearing a mask in the brief clip.
“I just had my hair washed. I don’t wear a mask when I’m washing my hair. Do you wear a mask when you’re washing your hair? I always have a mask,” Pelosi said.
___
Associated Press news associate Cheyanne Mumphrey in Phoenix contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Tennis pro Naomi Osaka wears Elijah McClain tribute mask at U.S. Open

Naomi Osaka , a professional tennis player from Japan , wore an Elijah McClain face mask when she took the @ @ @ @ @ Open in New York City .
Osaka , 22 , has won five titles on @ @ @ @ @ Association tour and she ’ s been ranked No .
1 by the WTA .
@ @ @ @ @ on Camila Giorgi , 28 , of Italy , at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a @ @ @ @ @ won in straight sets , 6-1 , 6-2 .
McClain , a 23-year-old massage therapist @ @ @ @ @ hands of Aurora police in August of 2019 .
He was walking home from a @ @ @ @ @ him because of a suspicious person call .
Nearly 90,000 people donated to an online @ @ @ @ @ s family and more than 5 million people have signed an online petition demanding that @ @ @ @ @ for his death .

Naomi Osaka, a professional tennis player from Japan, wore an Elijah McClain face mask when she took the court Wednesday at the U.S. Open in New York City.
.@naomiosaka walked out in a Elijah McClain mask for her Round 2 match at Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight. pic.twitter.com/PHd7LzF6hO — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2020
Osaka, 22, has won five titles on the Women’s Tennis Association tour and she’s been ranked No. 1 by the WTA.
Very clean first set for @NaomiOsaka 🔥 The 2018 champion takes the first set 6-1 against Camila Giorgi. #USOpen https://t.co/auDpDfw4fI pic.twitter.com/HzwLmd6a8Y — TENNIS (@Tennis) September 2, 2020
On Wednesday night Osaka took on Camila Giorgi, 28, of Italy, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a second round match. Osaka won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist and violinist died at the hands of Aurora police in August of 2019. He was walking home from a convenience store when police stopped him because of a suspicious person call.
Nearly 90,000 people donated to an online fundraiser for the McClain’s family and more than 5 million people have signed an online petition demanding that Aurora officers be held accountable for his death.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--3 more Colorado schools report COVID-19 outbreaks; cluster linked to Cameron Peak fire response

Three more K-12 schools in Colorado have reported outbreaks of the new coronavirus , with a handful of cases in staff and students .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also reported the first cluster linked to fighting the state ’ s wildfires on Wednesday .
Four people involved in responding to the Cameron Peak fire tested positive for COVID-19 .
The state hasn ’ t released information about what kind of work the four did .
The new school clusters brought the total to four K-12 buildings in Colorado with reported outbreaks .
Other schools have reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only declares an outbreak if at least two cases are believed to come from being in the same location within two weeks .
Students and staff who test positive on the first day aren ’ t counted as an outbreak , unless there ’ s evidence of some out-of-school link they shared .
Sand Creek Elementary School , in Highlands Ranch , reported one staff member and two students had tested positive as of Wednesday .
The other two new outbreaks were in Monument .
Bear Creek Elementary School reported one staff case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy reported one case in a staff member and one in a student .
Battle Mountain High School ’ s outbreak is still considered ongoing , but no new cases have been reported since last week , when two staff members tested positive .
CDPHE doesn ’ t consider an outbreak over until four weeks have passed with no new cases linked to linked to a location or event .
One previously reported outbreak , at Compass Montessori in Jefferson County , was reclassified as a child care center instead of a school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since last week , when the state said two staff members had tested positive .
Outbreaks have popped up in 16 other child care facilities , and 10 are still ongoing .
No deaths have been linked to those facilities .
Only one university outbreak is considered ongoing .
Colorado College has reported 14 confirmed or suspected cases among students , and none among staff .
Outbreaks linked to athletic programs at Colorado State University , University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado have been resolved , as have clusters among CSU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The largest outbreaks in the state remained mostly unchanged this week , though the cluster among Denver ’ s homeless population did climb to the fifth-highest spot .
Initially , the state reported outbreaks in homeless shelters separately , but officials changed the counting method as it became clear that the shelters ’ clients often sought help in multiple places where the virus was spreading .
• Sterling Correctional Facility : 611 cases , three deaths ( three new cases since last week ) • JBS meatpacking plant , Greeley : 293 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases ) • Buena Vista Correctional Complex : 212 cases , no deaths ( no new cases ) • Steven Roberts Original Desserts , Aurora : 139 cases , one death ( one new case ) • Elms Haven Center , Thornton : 104 cases , seven deaths ( 44 new cases and two new deaths ) • Denver County Jail : 83 cases , no deaths ( one new case ) The counts include both confirmed and probable cases , for consistency .
At the beginning of the outbreak , shortages made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms of the new coronavirus .

Two more K-12 schools in Colorado have reported outbreaks of the new coronavirus, with a handful of cases in staff and students.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also reported the first cluster linked to fighting the state’s wildfires on Wednesday. Four people involved in responding to the Cameron Peak fire tested positive for COVID-19. The state hasn’t released information about what kind of work the four did.
The new school clusters brought the total to three K-12 buildings in Colorado with reported outbreaks. Other schools have reported cases, but the state health department only declares an outbreak if at least two cases are believed to come from being in the same location within two weeks. Students and staff who test positive on the first day aren’t counted as an outbreak, unless there’s evidence of some out-of-school link they shared.
Sand Creek Elementary School, in Highlands Ranch, reported one staff member and two students had tested positive as of Wednesday. And Bear Creek Elementary School in Monument reported one staff case and two student cases.
The state health department erroneously listed Monument Academy as also having an outbreak, with one case in a staff member and one in a student, but confirmed to The Denver Post on Friday that it had “identified the wrong school.”
Battle Mountain High School’s outbreak is still considered ongoing, but no new cases have been reported since last week, when two staff members tested positive. CDPHE doesn’t consider an outbreak over until four weeks have passed with no new cases linked to linked to a location or event.
One previously reported outbreak, at Compass Montessori in Jefferson County, was reclassified as a child care center instead of a school. No new cases have been reported since last week, when the state said two staff members had tested positive.
Outbreaks have popped up in 16 other child care facilities, and 10 are still ongoing. No deaths have been linked to those facilities.
Only one university outbreak is considered ongoing. Colorado College has reported 14 confirmed or suspected cases among students, and none among staff. Outbreaks linked to athletic programs at Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado have been resolved, as have clusters among CSU fraternity members and University of Denver staff.
The largest outbreaks in the state remained mostly unchanged this week, though the cluster among Denver’s homeless population did climb to the fifth-highest spot. Initially, the state reported outbreaks in homeless shelters separately, but officials changed the counting method as it became clear that the shelters’ clients often sought help in multiple places where the virus was spreading.
The largest outbreaks were:
Sterling Correctional Facility: 611 cases, three deaths (three new cases since last week)
611 cases, three deaths (three new cases since last week) Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Denver: 568 cases, no deaths (16 new cases)
568 cases, no deaths (16 new cases) JBS meatpacking plant, Greeley: 293 cases, six deaths (no new cases)
293 cases, six deaths (no new cases) Buena Vista Correctional Complex: 212 cases, no deaths (no new cases)
212 cases, no deaths (no new cases) People experiencing homelessness, Denver: 156 cases, no deaths (15 new cases)
156 cases, no deaths (15 new cases) Pikes Peak Center nursing home, Colorado Springs: 146 cases, 26 deaths (no new cases)
146 cases, 26 deaths (no new cases) Steven Roberts Original Desserts, Aurora: 139 cases, one death (one new case)
139 cases, one death (one new case) Elms Haven Center, Thornton: 104 cases, seven deaths (44 new cases and two new deaths)
104 cases, seven deaths (44 new cases and two new deaths) Laurel Manor Care Center, Colorado Springs: 86 cases, 14 deaths (no new cases)
86 cases, 14 deaths (no new cases) Denver County Jail: 83 cases, no deaths (one new case)
The counts include both confirmed and probable cases, for consistency. At the beginning of the outbreak, shortages made it difficult to test everyone who had symptoms of the new coronavirus.
For more information, visit covid19.colorado.gov/data.
Updated 11:40 a.m. Sept. 4, 2020 This story and its headline have been corrected to report that there were two, not three, additional K-12 schools added to Colorado’s outbreak list this week. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment erroneously included Monument Academy on its outbreak list.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid turned Kansas City Chiefs into next NFL dynasty?

He ’ s seen the monster up close , lived inside the belly of the beast .
Which is why it probably hurts more coming from Ryan Harris when he says stuff like this .
And says it with a straight face .
“ I do believe Kansas City is going to be at the top for a long time , ” offered Harris , the Altitude talk show host , a starting offensive tackle on the Broncos ’ Super Bowl 50 champs and a member of the Chiefs ’ line in 2014 .
“ And it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their roster.
” The Broncos , post-Peyton , have dropped nine consecutive games to Kansas City , the longest one-way stretch of Chiefs dominance in the rivalry since the late 1960s .
And the New England/Belichick/Brady parallels , at least in terms of personnel , are already enough to keep you up nights .
Franchise quarterback ?
Yup .
Franchise receiver ?
Check .
Franchise tight end ?
Ditto .
Key defensive pieces under contract through at least 2022 ?
They ’ ve got that , too .
Despite the COVID-19 opt-outs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdowns in his last five postseason games , and of starting guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif , the path to a Super Bowl still runs through Arrowhead Stadium .
General managers John Dorsey ( 2013-17 ) and Brett Veach ( 2017-present ) built the foundations for a dynasty through the draft first .
Patrick Mahomes , who gives the Chiefs the John Elway/Peyton Manning/generational quarterback fans had pined decades for , was taken with the 10th pick in 2017 .
Speedster Tyreek Hill , who threw up red flags on character and judgment but had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth-round selection in 2016 , the same draft that saw Kansas City snap up defensive tackle Chris Jones with pick No .
37 overall .
Left tackle Eric Fisher and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce were first- and third-round selections , respectively , in 2013 .
Duvernay-Tardif was a sixth-round choice in 2014 .
“ They ’ ve definitely built a program , ” noted Harris , who played with Kelce , Fisher and Duvernay-Tardif .
“ Look at Travis Kelce , he ’ s a third-round pick .
They ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick .
And they ’ ve been able to find talent .
They took some character-issue guys .
Kareem Hunt was a character-issue guy coming in .
Tyreek Hill as well .
They ’ ve been able to manage those players to have success.
” There are lots of roads to an NFL title , but the two surest paths remain unchanged in the 21st century .
You can ride a historic , elite defense — think the Broncos in 2015 , Seahawks in 2013 or Ravens in 2000 — that suffocates everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the pairing of a legendary quarterback and an iconic coach .
Brady/Belichick .
Elway/Shanahan .
The thing that helps the Chiefs ’ staying power , Harris said , doesn ’ t get as much ink as the individual brilliance of Mahomes , who has a 10-year contract , or Jones , who recently signed a five-year deal .
It ’ s the high floor provided from having Andy Reid , a coach bound for Canton , at the top of the pyramid , along with the consistency of a staff that spawned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peterson ( Philadelphia ) and Matt Nagy ( Chicago ) .
The Chiefs have won at least 10 games in six of Reid ’ s seven seasons in Kansas City ; reached the postseason in six of those seven years ; played in the AFC title game twice ; and , this past February , brought home the franchise ’ s first Super Bowl crown in 50 years .
“ ( Having ) played for Andy Reid , he ’ s one of the smartest offensive coaches in NFL history , ” Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason so many people were rooting for him during the Super Bowl .
He ’ s been responsible for a lot of successful coaching careers .
And he ’ s worked with a lot of great players .
“ He ’ s so smart in how he game plans — ‘ What plays shall we use that we ’ ve never ran before ?
’ How he starts a game is so unique .
He ’ s one of the most brilliant offensive minds in the NFL .
And even without that Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to the Hall of Fame because of it.
” A statistical comparison between the Broncos and Chiefs since the start of 2016 :

He’s seen the monster up close, lived inside the belly of the beast. Which is why it probably hurts more coming from Ryan Harris when he says stuff like this. And says it with a straight face.
“I do believe Kansas City is going to be at the top for a long time,” offered Harris, the Altitude talk show host, a starting offensive tackle on the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 champs and a member of the Chiefs’ line in 2014. “And it’s not just because of who’s on their roster.”
The Broncos, post-Peyton, have dropped nine consecutive games to Kansas City, the longest one-way stretch of Chiefs dominance in the rivalry since the late 1960s. And the New England/Belichick/Brady parallels, at least in terms of personnel, are already enough to keep you up nights.
Franchise quarterback? Yup. Franchise receiver? Check. Franchise tight end? Ditto. Key defensive pieces under contract through at least 2022? They’ve got that, too. Despite the COVID-19 opt-outs of tailback Damien Williams, who scored 10 touchdowns in his last five postseason games, and of starting guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the path to a Super Bowl still runs through Arrowhead Stadium.
General managers John Dorsey (2013-17) and Brett Veach (2017-present) built the foundations for a dynasty through the draft first. Patrick Mahomes, who gives the Chiefs the John Elway/Peyton Manning/generational quarterback fans had pined decades for, was taken with the 10th pick in 2017. Speedster Tyreek Hill, who threw up red flags on character and judgment but had almighty wheels to burn, was a fifth-round selection in 2016, the same draft that saw Kansas City snap up defensive tackle Chris Jones with pick No. 37 overall.
Left tackle Eric Fisher and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce were first- and third-round selections, respectively, in 2013. Duvernay-Tardif was a sixth-round choice in 2014.
“They’ve definitely built a program,” noted Harris, who played with Kelce, Fisher and Duvernay-Tardif. “Look at Travis Kelce, he’s a third-round pick. They’ve got Duvernay-Tardif, he’s a late-round pick. And they’ve been able to find talent. They took some character-issue guys. Kareem Hunt was a character-issue guy coming in. Tyreek Hill as well. They’ve been able to manage those players to have success.”
There are lots of roads to an NFL title, but the two surest paths remain unchanged in the 21st century. You can ride a historic, elite defense — think the Broncos in 2015, Seahawks in 2013 or Ravens in 2000 — that suffocates everything in its path. Or you roll with the pairing of a legendary quarterback and an iconic coach. Brady/Belichick. Elway/Shanahan.
The thing that helps the Chiefs’ staying power, Harris said, doesn’t get as much ink as the individual brilliance of Mahomes, who has a 10-year contract, or Jones, who recently signed a five-year deal.
It’s the high floor provided from having Andy Reid, a coach bound for Canton, at the top of the pyramid, along with the consistency of a staff that spawned future NFL head coaches such as Doug Peterson (Philadelphia) and Matt Nagy (Chicago).
The Chiefs have won at least 10 games in six of Reid’s seven seasons in Kansas City; reached the postseason in six of those seven years; played in the AFC title game twice; and, this past February, brought home the franchise’s first Super Bowl crown in 50 years.
“(Having) played for Andy Reid, he’s one of the smartest offensive coaches in NFL history,” Harris said. “There’s a reason so many people were rooting for him during the Super Bowl. He’s been responsible for a lot of successful coaching careers. And he’s worked with a lot of great players.
“He’s so smart in how he game plans — ‘What plays shall we use that we’ve never ran before?’ How he starts a game is so unique. He’s one of the most brilliant offensive minds in the NFL. And even without that Super Bowl (win), he’s going to the Hall of Fame because of it.”
Chasing the Chiefs
Regular Season Records
Year Broncos Chiefs 2016 9-7 (Third) 12-4 (First) 2017 5-11 (Fourth) 10-6 (First) 2018 6-10 (Third) 12-4 (First) 2019 7-9 (Second) 12-4 (First)
Chasing Kansas City
A statistical comparison between the Broncos and Chiefs since the start of 2016:
Category Broncos Chiefs Scoring 19.3 (30th) 28.4 (Second) Yards 323.9 (26th) 380.8 (Fourth) Yards per play 5.1 (29th) 6.2 (First) Rushing yards 107.9 (19th) 110.5 (15th) Passing yards 216.1 (26th) 270.3 (Fourth) Passer rating 80.7 (27th) 103.2 (Second) Third-down pct. 34.8% (30th) 42.7% (Sixth) Wins 27 (T23rd) 46 (Second) Point differential -111 (21st) +441 (Third) 30-point games 4 29
Head coach
Year Broncos Chiefs 2016 Gary Kubiak Andy Reid 2017 Vance Joseph Reid 2018 Joseph Reid 2019 Vic Fangio Reid 2020 Fangio Reid
Offensive play-caller
Year Broncos Chiefs 2016 Gary Kubiak Andy Reid 2017 Mike McCoy/Bill Musgrave Reid 2018 Musgrave Reid 2019 Rich Scangarello Reid 2020 Pat Shurmur Reid
Week 1 quarterback


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Denver police union contract faces difficult path ahead amid calls for defunding, city budget cuts

A tentative agreement between Denver ’ s police union and the city could be sent back to the bargaining table after several City Council members said Wednesday they did not support it .
The two-year contract would make about $ 5 million in cuts in 2021 by eliminating extra pay for officers working holidays and decreasing city contributions to a retiree health fund .
But in 2022 those cuts would be restored and all union officers would receive a 2.7 % raise , which would cost taxpayers an additional $ 4.4 million a year .
The council ’ s Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted to move the contract to the full 13-member council for a vote , but at least five council members said they did not support the agreement .
They cited concerns that it would be unfair to promise raises to police while the rest of city employees take furlough days and that they were not included at the beginning of the bargaining process , though city charter gives them a seat at the table .
“ I have a problem assuring a raise when we have no assurances for the rest of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The contract ’ s debut before council comes amid a pandemic-induced city budget crisis and in the wake of protests where thousands called for taxpayer dollars to be reallocated from the police department to fund other services .
Each of the nine people who spoke during public comment opposed the contract .
The process should have been public , some said , while others said police should not get raises while the rest of city employees are being asked to take furloughs and pay cuts .
“ They get a 3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Xóchitl Gaytán , a community organizer .
That money could instead be used for other needs in the city , she said .
The Denver Police Protective Association represents about 1,450 members of the department ’ s rank and file , according to its website .
Under the current contract , a police recruit made a salary of $ 58,633 and more experienced officers make up to $ 94,630 .
An officer who achieves the rank of technician , detective or higher makes more than $ 100,000 , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership sent a letter to Mayor Michael Hancock on Aug. 21 committing that they would renegotiate the terms for 2022 if the city is still in financial trouble .
Hancock previously said he supported the agreement .
“ The PPA would like you to know that it is committed to the citizens of this great City and if the economic situation were not to rebound , all that needs to be done is for the City to ask to reopen this contract — as has been done more than once in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure we always do our part to make this City strong again , ” the union wrote in the letter .
Unlike other cities , officers ’ discipline , policing policies and oversight are not part of the bargaining process in Denver and city leadership can change those things without agreement from the union .
The contract also does not prevent layoffs in the department , an avenue that Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca floated during the meeting if more cuts are needed .
“ Perhaps layoffs are the way to defund the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , ” she said .
If the council votes against the contract , the city and the union will resume negotiations , said Rob Nespor , the city ’ s chief negotiator .
If they can not come to another agreement that is different than the first one , the negotiations will go to arbitration .
That means that an independent third party would look at the most recent positions of each side and choose what he or she thinks is fair .
That could be risky for the city because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union that costs more than the current tentative agreement , Nespor said .
“ It ’ s something that we desperately need to solve for the budget gap next year , ” Nespor said of the $ 5 million cuts .
The negotiations will also set the stage for later bargaining with the unions that represent the city ’ s firefighters and sheriff deputies , Nespor said .
Other city employees are prohibited by charter from collective bargaining .
“ I am concerned about the message that this sends to the employees of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I am concerned that this sends the message that everyone should unionize because that ’ s the only way to get a good deal in times like this.
” Three sitting council members have received campaign donations from the Denver Police Protective Association , city records show .
Debbie Ortega received $ 1,000 in 2019 , Christopher Herndon received $ 1,000 in 2019 and Kevin Flynn received a combined $ 1,300 in 2015 and 2016 .

A tentative agreement between Denver’s police union and the city could be sent back to the bargaining table after several City Council members said Wednesday they did not support it.
The two-year contract would make about $5 million in cuts in 2021 by eliminating extra pay for officers working holidays and decreasing city contributions to a retiree health fund. But in 2022 those cuts would be restored and all union officers would receive a 2.7% raise, which would cost taxpayers an additional $4.4 million a year.
The council’s Safety, Housing and Homeless Committee on Wednesday voted to move the contract to the full 13-member council for a vote, but at least five council members said they did not support the agreement. They cited concerns that it would be unfair to promise raises to police while the rest of city employees take furlough days and that they were not included at the beginning of the bargaining process, though city charter gives them a seat at the table.
“I have a problem assuring a raise when we have no assurances for the rest of our workforce,” Councilman Paul Kashmann said.
The contract’s debut before council comes amid a pandemic-induced city budget crisis and in the wake of protests where thousands called for taxpayer dollars to be reallocated from the police department to fund other services.
Each of the nine people who spoke during public comment opposed the contract. The process should have been public, some said, while others said police should not get raises while the rest of city employees are being asked to take furloughs and pay cuts.
“They get a 3% salary increase while everyone else sacrifices,” said Xóchitl Gaytán, a community organizer. That money could instead be used for other needs in the city, she said.
The Denver Police Protective Association represents about 1,450 members of the department’s rank and file, according to its website. Under the current contract, a police recruit made a salary of $58,633 and more experienced officers make up to $94,630. An officer who achieves the rank of technician, detective or higher makes more than $100,000, according to the department’s website.
The union’s leadership sent a letter to Mayor Michael Hancock on Aug. 21 committing that they would renegotiate the terms for 2022 if the city is still in financial trouble. Hancock previously said he supported the agreement.
“The PPA would like you to know that it is committed to the citizens of this great City and if the economic situation were not to rebound, all that needs to be done is for the City to ask to reopen this contract — as has been done more than once in the past — and we will partner to make sure we always do our part to make this City strong again,” the union wrote in the letter.
Unlike other cities, officers’ discipline, policing policies and oversight are not part of the bargaining process in Denver and city leadership can change those things without agreement from the union.
The contract also does not prevent layoffs in the department, an avenue that Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca floated during the meeting if more cuts are needed.
“Perhaps layoffs are the way to defund the police to meet the will of the people,” she said.
If the council votes against the contract, the city and the union will resume negotiations, said Rob Nespor, the city’s chief negotiator. If they cannot come to another agreement that is different than the first one, the negotiations will go to arbitration. That means that an independent third party would look at the most recent positions of each side and choose what he or she thinks is fair.
That could be risky for the city because the arbitrator could choose a proposal by the union that costs more than the current tentative agreement, Nespor said.
“It’s something that we desperately need to solve for the budget gap next year,” Nespor said of the $5 million cuts.
The negotiations will also set the stage for later bargaining with the unions that represent the city’s firefighters and sheriff deputies, Nespor said. Other city employees are prohibited by charter from collective bargaining.
“I am concerned about the message that this sends to the employees of this city,” Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer said. “I am concerned that this sends the message that everyone should unionize because that’s the only way to get a good deal in times like this.”
Three sitting council members have received campaign donations from the Denver Police Protective Association, city records show. Debbie Ortega received $1,000 in 2019, Christopher Herndon received $1,000 in 2019 and Kevin Flynn received a combined $1,300 in 2015 and 2016.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Nuggets’ daunting task vs. Clippers? Avoid a Game 1 “letdown”

After the euphoria and the jubilation of Denver ’ s enthralling Game 7 victory over Utah came the crash .
“ I didn ’ t play one second against Utah , and I woke up this morning really tired , ” said coach Michael Malone on Wednesday , a day after the Nuggets became only the 12th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit .
The Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Clippers starts Thursday .
Imagine what it felt like for Nikola Jokic , who played nearly 39 minutes in Game 7 and whose 17-point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Or Jamal Murray , who played 42 minutes despite taking a knee to a thigh that left him hobbling and not nearly as explosive in the second half .
That doesn ’ t even factor in the emotional demands of 58 days inside the bubble , or the NBA ’ s response to the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin .
Perhaps that ’ s why Murray , in the ecstasy of downing the Jazz , was dumbstruck when he was informed during a live postgame interview that Game 1 vs. the Clippers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We play Thursday ?
” Murray asked ESPN ’ s Scott Van Pelt incredulously , almost praying that Van Pelt was teasing him .
“ Well , that ’ s a bummer , ” Murray said , his mind starting to comprehend that their Game 7 victory was already a thing of the past .
While the Jazz frantically searched for an answer to Murray ’ s first-round explosion , the Clippers rested for three days after downing the Mavericks , re-charging their surplus of options for Denver ’ s rising star .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ na be completely different from the last , ” said Nuggets wing Torrey Craig .
“ I think it ’ s gon na be more grind it out.
” Malone sensed his team was emotionally exhausted and treated Wednesday as a “ mental ” day .
Running through sets on the court , preparing for the two-headed tandem of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George , would ’ ve been counterproductive in his estimation .
Instead , it was about working on his team ’ s psyche .
“ Let ’ s wrap up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare , ” he said .
“ Let ’ s flip the switch .
Let ’ s start thinking about the Clippers ’ play calls .
Let ’ s start thinking about our matchups , the game plan .
Let ’ s start thinking about their personnel and their tendencies , walk through their plays and then get them off their feet.
” What ’ s waiting for the Nuggets in Game 1 is a well-rested , veteran team with legitimate championship pursuits .
With Leonard and George , Patrick Beverley and Marcus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defenders who would feast at the sight of a team emotionally unprepared for the task at hand .
The Nuggets need no reminder .
Back in February , on a nationally televised game , the Clippers plastered the Nuggets in the most demoralizing moment of the season .
The 132-103 shellacking was so thorough , Malone could only describe his team as “ soft.
” Will Barton , who ’ s since left the bubble to attend to a balky knee , told the team how they needed to be mentally tougher and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ These are the teams we have to beat to be elite , ” Nuggets guard Monte Morris said that night .
“ If we talking about championship , we can throw it out the window if we ain ’ t going to show up in those games.
” Redemption can come in many forms .
Emotionally spent and physically drained , the Nuggets have a chance to atone for that showing and re-shape the narrative that they ’ re not in the same category as the Clippers .
That begins with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the recovery time wasn ’ t ideal .
“ You have to be able to run your offense , own your spots , get open on the wing , wherever you ’ re supposed to get open and not give in to their physicality , and that was a big part of their blowout win in L.A. against us , ” Malone said .
“ … We have to come out with a very aggressive mindset , and not allow them to take us out of our offense so easily.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jokic by exploiting Los Angeles ’ thin frontcourt , or forcing switches to free up Murray .
Those are tactical strategies the Nuggets hope to impose early .
But in the intermediary , the Nuggets have mental work to do .
Game 7 is history .
There ’ s a teeming Clippers team waiting to get it on .
“ If there ’ s a letdown , we ’ ve seen what L.A. can do to teams , ” Malone said .

After the euphoria and the jubilation of Denver’s enthralling Game 7 victory over Utah came the crash.
“I didn’t play one second against Utah, and I woke up this morning really tired,” said coach Michael Malone on Wednesday, a day after the Nuggets became only the 12th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit. The Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Clippers starts Thursday.
Imagine what it felt like for Nikola Jokic, who played nearly 39 minutes in Game 7 and whose 17-point second half saved the Nuggets’ season. Or Jamal Murray, who played 42 minutes despite taking a knee to a thigh that left him hobbling and not nearly as explosive in the second half.
That doesn’t even factor in the emotional demands of 58 days inside the bubble, or the NBA’s response to the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin.
Perhaps that’s why Murray, in the ecstasy of downing the Jazz, was dumbstruck when he was informed during a live postgame interview that Game 1 vs. the Clippers was already on the horizon.
“We play Thursday?” Murray asked ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt incredulously, almost praying that Van Pelt was teasing him.
“Well, that’s a bummer,” Murray said, his mind starting to comprehend that their Game 7 victory was already a thing of the past.
Jamal: We won Game 7 and made NBA history. You can't kill my vibe. SVP: Watch me. pic.twitter.com/ew5oeKErQK — Mike Singer (@msinger) September 2, 2020
While the Jazz frantically searched for an answer to Murray’s first-round explosion, the Clippers rested for three days after downing the Mavericks, re-charging their surplus of options for Denver’s rising star.
“I think the series is gonna be completely different from the last,” said Nuggets wing Torrey Craig. “I think it’s gonna be more grind it out.”
Malone sensed his team was emotionally exhausted and treated Wednesday as a “mental” day. Running through sets on the court, preparing for the two-headed tandem of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, would’ve been counterproductive in his estimation.
Instead, it was about working on his team’s psyche.
“Let’s wrap up the Utah series and let’s prepare,” he said. “Let’s flip the switch. Let’s start thinking about the Clippers’ play calls. Let’s start thinking about our matchups, the game plan. Let’s start thinking about their personnel and their tendencies, walk through their plays and then get them off their feet.”
What’s waiting for the Nuggets in Game 1 is a well-rested, veteran team with legitimate championship pursuits. With Leonard and George, Patrick Beverley and Marcus Morris, the Clippers have four edgy defenders who would feast at the sight of a team emotionally unprepared for the task at hand.
The Nuggets need no reminder. Back in February, on a nationally televised game, the Clippers plastered the Nuggets in the most demoralizing moment of the season. The 132-103 shellacking was so thorough, Malone could only describe his team as “soft.” Will Barton, who’s since left the bubble to attend to a balky knee, told the team how they needed to be mentally tougher and not get punked by teams’ physicality.
“These are the teams we have to beat to be elite,” Nuggets guard Monte Morris said that night. “If we talking about championship, we can throw it out the window if we ain’t going to show up in those games.”
Redemption can come in many forms. Emotionally spent and physically drained, the Nuggets have a chance to atone for that showing and re-shape the narrative that they’re not in the same category as the Clippers.
That begins with a physical presence Thursday night, even if the recovery time wasn’t ideal.
“You have to be able to run your offense, own your spots, get open on the wing, wherever you’re supposed to get open and not give in to their physicality, and that was a big part of their blowout win in L.A. against us,” Malone said. “… We have to come out with a very aggressive mindset, and not allow them to take us out of our offense so easily.”
There’s already talk of playing through Jokic by exploiting Los Angeles’ thin frontcourt, or forcing switches to free up Murray. Those are tactical strategies the Nuggets hope to impose early. But in the intermediary, the Nuggets have mental work to do. Game 7 is history. There’s a teeming Clippers team waiting to get it on.
“If there’s a letdown, we’ve seen what L.A. can do to teams,” Malone said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Nathan MacKinnon ties Bobby Orr, Mark Messier with second-longest points streak to begin playoffs

NHL playoffs scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon keeps rolling .
The Avalanche ’ s star center had two points , including a game-clinching empty-net goal , in Game 6 on Wednesday to extend his playoff points streak to 14 games .
MacKinnon , who assisted on Mikko Rantanen ’ s goal early in the third period in Colorado ’ s 4-1 win to force Friday ’ s Game 7 , has the NHL ’ s longest playoff point streak since 2006 when Carolina ’ s Eric Staal reeled off points in 15 straight .
MacKinnon is tied with Mark Messier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second-longest to begin a postseason in NHL history .
Former Avalanche assistant Bryan Trottier holds the record of 18 games in 1981 .
MacKinnon now has eight multi-point games in the playoffs , the most by an Avs skater since Peter Forsberg had 10 in 2002 .
MacKinnon ’ s nine goals are tied for first in the NHL playoffs and the most by an Avalanche player since Joe Sakic and Forsberg each had nine in 2002 , and MacKinnon ’ s 25 points are the most since Forsberg had 27 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MacKinnon ’ s right winger , Rantanen , also had a goal and an assist Wednesday , to climb to second in NHL playoff scoring behind MacKinnon with 20 points .
Rantanen also extended his points streak to nine games .
He has a career-high seven goals this postseason , one more than what he produced a year ago .
Nonfactor .
Special teams didn ’ t play a factor on the scoresheet in Game 6 .
But the Avalanche ’ s five power plays to Dallas ’ one mostly kept the puck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado is now 0-of-11 on the power play in the last two games and just 3-of-28 for the series .
“ We can do a better job , ” Rantanen said of the power play .
“ Some things we do but we need to be more consistent , the chances we get , we get a lot of chances the last two games ( but ) haven ’ t been able to capitalize .
We just have to stay with it .
We can ’ t get down on it.
” Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one power play .
Footnotes .
The Avs ’ Michael Hutchinson is the seventh goalie in NHL playoff history to earn his first two career postseason wins in games while facing elimination .
The others : Jacques Plante ( 1952 ) , Robbie Moore ( 1978 ) , Frank Pietrangelo ( 1990 ) , Wade Flaherty ( 1994 ) , Manny Fernandez ( 2002 ) and Michael Leighton ( 2009 ) .
… Colorado has never forced a Game 7 from a 3-1 deficit .
But it ’ s the fifth time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when trailing 3-2 .
The other four : 2000 conference finals vs. Dallas ; 2001 Stanley Cup Final vs. New Jersey , 2002 conference semifinals vs. San Jose ; and 2019 second round vs. San Jose .

NHL playoffs scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon keeps rolling. The Avalanche’s star center had two points, including a game-clinching empty-net goal, in Game 6 on Wednesday to extend his playoff points streak to 14 games.
MacKinnon, who assisted on Mikko Rantanen’s goal early in the third period in Colorado’s 4-1 win to force Friday’s Game 7, has the NHL’s longest playoff point streak since 2006 when Carolina’s Eric Staal reeled off points in 15 straight.
MacKinnon is tied with Mark Messier in 1988 and Bobby Orr in 1970 with the second-longest to begin a postseason in NHL history. Former Avalanche assistant Bryan Trottier holds the record of 18 games in 1981.
MacKinnon now has eight multi-point games in the playoffs, the most by an Avs skater since Peter Forsberg had 10 in 2002.
MacKinnon’s nine goals are tied for first in the NHL playoffs and the most by an Avalanche player since Joe Sakic and Forsberg each had nine in 2002, and MacKinnon’s 25 points are the most since Forsberg had 27 points in 2002.
Rantanen rises up. MacKinnon’s right winger, Rantanen, also had a goal and an assist Wednesday, to climb to second in NHL playoff scoring behind MacKinnon with 20 points. Rantanen also extended his points streak to nine games. He has a career-high seven goals this postseason, one more than what he produced a year ago.
Nonfactor. Special teams didn’t play a factor on the scoresheet in Game 6. But the Avalanche’s five power plays to Dallas’ one mostly kept the puck in the Stars’ offensive zone.
Colorado is now 0-of-11 on the power play in the last two games and just 3-of-28 for the series.
“We can do a better job,” Rantanen said of the power play. “Some things we do but we need to be more consistent, the chances we get, we get a lot of chances the last two games (but) haven’t been able to capitalize. We just have to stay with it. We can’t get down on it.”
Colorado took just two penalties and gave Dallas just one power play.
“We were disciplined. That’s a good thing, obviously,” Rantanen said.
Footnotes. The Avs’ Michael Hutchinson is the seventh goalie in NHL playoff history to earn his first two career postseason wins in games while facing elimination. The others: Jacques Plante (1952), Robbie Moore (1978), Frank Pietrangelo (1990), Wade Flaherty (1994), Manny Fernandez (2002) and Michael Leighton (2009). … Colorado has never forced a Game 7 from a 3-1 deficit. But it’s the fifth time the club has forced a Game 7 when trailing 3-2. The other four: 2000 conference finals vs. Dallas; 2001 Stanley Cup Final vs. New Jersey, 2002 conference semifinals vs. San Jose; and 2019 second round vs. San Jose.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Guest Commentary: Greenwood Village decision on qualified immunity can’t stand

Earlier this year , the state legislature passed one of the most important anti-racist bills in our state ’ s history with near-unanimous bipartisan support : Senate Bill 20-217 , the Law Enforcement Integrity Act .
Just two weeks later , the City Council of Greenwood Village declared in Resolution 40-20 that it will shield their officers from those provisions of 217 designed to enhance individual police accountability .
The city ’ s resolution undermines one of the most important achievements of this law : the elimination of “ qualified immunity ” for police officers .
Experts across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protects bad actors from answering for their behavior , is a major contributor to police brutality .
Greenwood Village ’ s resolution is dangerous .
It effectively states that , even in the face of overwhelming evidence that an officer has intentionally violated the law and harmed or killed a member of our community , the city will nevertheless protect that officer from the $ 25,000 of personal liability created by 217 .
It ’ s important to know that this $ 25,000 is considerably less than the potential liability faced every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lawyers , and even teachers .
All of these professions perform vital services in our society , and none of them is entitled to a blanket promise of immunity should their actions lead to the physical injury or death of a Coloradan .
We as legislators–one of us the prime sponsor of 217 , the other an original co-sponsor and State Senator in Greenwood Village—reached out to the city for a conversation about their policy .
All we requested was a public statement that the City Council will follow the law by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good or bad faith based on the facts of each case .
Not a single member of the Council will say this publicly .
In principle , we believe in local control .
We always want to leave room for good people to make good decisions .
We also believe that the Greenwood Village Police Department is a model department .
In many ways , it is the model we had hoped to replicate across the state through the law enforcement reforms passed in 217 .
But as people of deep faith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among us can fall short and must be held accountable .
For a City Council to declare that their training is so thorough , their hiring practices so effective , that surely no officer would ever act in bad faith , is either hubris or naiveté .
It also violates the law .
You may have heard that police brutality is simply a matter of a few bad apples .
Ironically , the actions of the Greenwood Village City Council have emboldened other local governments across Colorado to consider similar policies .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loophole-exploiting , is spreading across our state .
If we don ’ t act , it will spoil the bunch .
We are grateful for the outpouring of support from local musicians , Black Lives Matter , Cherry Creek High School students , and members of the Greenwood Village community who joined us at City Hall to peacefully protest Resolution 40-20 .
With their support , we have worked tirelessly for the past month to find a way forward that preserves the local control of city councils like Greenwood Village .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusal to release a statement affirming that they will uphold all of 217 .
But we remain committed to the principle at the heart of the Law Enforcement Integrity Act , which is that all officers charged with the duty of protecting Coloradans can and will be held to the same , high standard .
That is why , when the legislature reconvenes in January , we will introduce legislation to guarantee this .
We took an oath to uphold Colorado ’ s Constitution and Statutes .
We will do our duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council refuses to follow suit , the people of Colorado can rely on their police to serve and protect , and on their elected officials to uphold the rule of law .
Jeff Bridges is a Colorado senator representing Greenwood Village and Leslie Herod is a state representative from Denver .
Both are Democrats .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Earlier this year, the state legislature passed one of the most important anti-racist bills in our state’s history with near-unanimous bipartisan support: Senate Bill 20-217, the Law Enforcement Integrity Act.
Just two weeks later, the City Council of Greenwood Village declared in Resolution 40-20 that it will shield their officers from those provisions of 217 designed to enhance individual police accountability. The city’s resolution undermines one of the most important achievements of this law: the elimination of “qualified immunity” for police officers. Experts across the country have found that qualified immunity, which protects bad actors from answering for their behavior, is a major contributor to police brutality.
Greenwood Village’s resolution is dangerous. It effectively states that, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that an officer has intentionally violated the law and harmed or killed a member of our community, the city will nevertheless protect that officer from the $25,000 of personal liability created by 217.
It’s important to know that this $25,000 is considerably less than the potential liability faced every day by doctors, nurses, emergency responders, lawyers, and even teachers. All of these professions perform vital services in our society, and none of them is entitled to a blanket promise of immunity should their actions lead to the physical injury or death of a Coloradan.
We as legislators–one of us the prime sponsor of 217, the other an original co-sponsor and State Senator in Greenwood Village—reached out to the city for a conversation about their policy. All we requested was a public statement that the City Council will follow the law by deciding whether an officer has acted in good or bad faith based on the facts of each case.
Not a single member of the Council will say this publicly.
In principle, we believe in local control. We always want to leave room for good people to make good decisions. We also believe that the Greenwood Village Police Department is a model department. In many ways, it is the model we had hoped to replicate across the state through the law enforcement reforms passed in 217.
But as people of deep faith, we also know that even the best among us can fall short and must be held accountable. For a City Council to declare that their training is so thorough, their hiring practices so effective, that surely no officer would ever act in bad faith, is either hubris or naiveté. It also violates the law.
You may have heard that police brutality is simply a matter of a few bad apples. Ironically, the actions of the Greenwood Village City Council have emboldened other local governments across Colorado to consider similar policies. A culture of law-breaking, or at best loophole-exploiting, is spreading across our state. If we don’t act, it will spoil the bunch.
We are grateful for the outpouring of support from local musicians, Black Lives Matter, Cherry Creek High School students, and members of the Greenwood Village community who joined us at City Hall to peacefully protest Resolution 40-20. With their support, we have worked tirelessly for the past month to find a way forward that preserves the local control of city councils like Greenwood Village.
We are saddened by the City Council’s refusal to release a statement affirming that they will uphold all of 217. But we remain committed to the principle at the heart of the Law Enforcement Integrity Act, which is that all officers charged with the duty of protecting Coloradans can and will be held to the same, high standard.
That is why, when the legislature reconvenes in January, we will introduce legislation to guarantee this.
We took an oath to uphold Colorado’s Constitution and Statutes. We will do our duty to ensure that even if a local city council refuses to follow suit, the people of Colorado can rely on their police to serve and protect, and on their elected officials to uphold the rule of law.
Jeff Bridges is a Colorado senator representing Greenwood Village and Leslie Herod is a state representative from Denver. Both are Democrats.
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thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Denver weather: Scorching days through Monday before cool blast Tuesday

Dry and hot weather can be expected across the region through Sunday with temperatures climbing above seasonal norms and concerns about fire danger on the rise .
Skies over Denver will be sunny on Thursday as the temperature hits 86 degrees , according to the National Weather Service .
The normal high for the date in Denver is 84 degrees .
On Friday , Saturday and Sunday temperatures will climb into the 90s in Denver as sunny skies linger and scorch the area .
The high temperatures will be 91 , 96 and 93 , respectively , the weather service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there will be a slight cool down in Denver with a high of 87 degrees .
Monday into Tuesday brings a significant forecast change for northeastern Colorado , with cooler weather and a good chance for precipitation .
Snow is expected Monday night into Tuesday in the foothills and mountains with the snow level set between 6,000- and 8,000-feet in elevation , according to the weather service .
High temperatures on Tuesday will be in the 50s on the Eastern Plains and along the Front Range , including Denver , and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high temps in the 30s .

Dry and hot weather can be expected across the region through Sunday with temperatures climbing above seasonal norms and concerns about fire danger on the rise.
Skies over Denver will be sunny on Thursday as the temperature hits 86 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The normal high for the date in Denver is 84 degrees.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday temperatures will climb into the 90s in Denver as sunny skies linger and scorch the area. The high temperatures will be 91, 96 and 93, respectively, the weather service said.
On Monday, Labor Day, there will be a slight cool down in Denver with a high of 87 degrees.
Monday into Tuesday brings a significant forecast change for northeastern Colorado, with cooler weather and a good chance for precipitation.
Snow is expected Monday night into Tuesday in the foothills and mountains with the snow level set between 6,000- and 8,000-feet in elevation, according to the weather service. High temperatures on Tuesday will be in the 50s on the Eastern Plains and along the Front Range, including Denver, and some high mountain cities and towns will see high temps in the 30s.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Colorado construction firms still struggle to find skilled workers

A large share of contractors in Colorado and across the country reported having had projects postponed or canceled because of the pandemic , and the construction industry has shed more than 400,000 jobs nationally since March .
Despite that , many firms say they continue to struggle with labor shortages , especially for skilled laborers , according to a new workforce survey from the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk .
“ Ironically , even as the pandemic undermines demand for construction services , it is reinforcing conditions that have historically made it hard for many firms to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Ken Simonson , the association ’ s chief economist .
In a survey of more than 2,000 firms , a third report having had a project underway halted and 60 % report future projects either canceled or delayed because of the pandemic .
Even with that reduction , more than half of firms report they continue to struggle to find enough skilled craft workers .
Worker shortages have plagued construction firms for several years now .
But some of the new reasons firms cite for shortages are fears among older workers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some furloughed workers to collect additional federal unemployment benefits , which expired in July .
Firms in Colorado , which considered construction an essential activity during the pandemic , are doing better than the national average in filling jobs .
About 44 % of Colorado contractors surveyed described having a hard time filling positions compared to 52 % of firms nationally .
Among the most severe shortages reported in Colorado were for general laborers , carpenters and concrete workers .
About 38 % of Colorado contractors surveyed either furloughed or terminated workers during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hire .
About a quarter of the firms that sidelined workers reported having problems getting them to come back .
There were 228,300 unemployed workers in July in Colorado .
Why not take all those idled hotel and restaurant employees and put them on the job site at a higher wage than what they were making ?
It ’ s not so easy , contractors say .
For starters , some of the skilled trades take years to master .
And even the general labor positions in construction require a certain level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of the work , it is hard labor , ” said Dave Little , chief business development officer for Wolcott-based masonry firm Gallegos Corp. Little estimates the firm could use another 30 workers to keep up with contracts on higher-end custom homes in Denver and Aspen and other locations .
Byron Haselden , CEO and president Haselden Construction in Centennial , said his firm tried to hire out-of-work restaurant cooks and they have struggled .
It has fared better with displaced oil and gas workers .
But there is also less pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
Clients , concerned about the upcoming election , have backed off and the pipeline of future projects is starting to thin .
“ We are burning off a lot of the backlog .
I ’ m more concerned about 2021 , ” he said .
Little also is less optimistic as he looks ahead .
“ We are at the tail end of it .
If we don ’ t see some starts happening , there will be some major impacts , ” he said .
That uncertainty about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be keeping some potential workers away .
Absent an infusion of federal assistance , which the industry is lobbying for , public works projects are likely to get cut as local and state governments and school districts cope with revenue shortfalls .
Less driving has reduced taxes on gasoline sales , leaving the federal trust fund used for transportation projects nearly empty .
Hotels struggle with high vacancy rates and brick-and-mortar retail space is oversupplied , reducing demand for commercial buildings .
Remote working has even made offices redundant .
Renovation work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare them for sale , according to a news call the AGC held .
About the only pockets of strength are single-family residential and suburban apartment construction , although contractors said they have yet to see workers shift from the commercial to the residential side .
Demand remains strong for distribution facilities and for data centers .

A large share of contractors in Colorado and across the country reported having had projects postponed or canceled because of the pandemic, and the construction industry has shed more than 400,000 jobs nationally since March.
Despite that, many firms say they continue to struggle with labor shortages, especially for skilled laborers, according to a new workforce survey from the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk.
“Ironically, even as the pandemic undermines demand for construction services, it is reinforcing conditions that have historically made it hard for many firms to find qualified craft workers to hire,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.
In a survey of more than 2,000 firms, a third report having had a project underway halted and 60% report future projects either canceled or delayed because of the pandemic. Even with that reduction, more than half of firms report they continue to struggle to find enough skilled craft workers.
Worker shortages have plagued construction firms for several years now. But some of the new reasons firms cite for shortages are fears among older workers of catching COVID-19, and a preference by some furloughed workers to collect additional federal unemployment benefits, which expired in July.
Firms in Colorado, which considered construction an essential activity during the pandemic, are doing better than the national average in filling jobs. About 44% of Colorado contractors surveyed described having a hard time filling positions compared to 52% of firms nationally. Among the most severe shortages reported in Colorado were for general laborers, carpenters and concrete workers.
About 38% of Colorado contractors surveyed either furloughed or terminated workers during the pandemic, while 25% continued to hire. About a quarter of the firms that sidelined workers reported having problems getting them to come back.
There were 228,300 unemployed workers in July in Colorado. Why not take all those idled hotel and restaurant employees and put them on the job site at a higher wage than what they were making? It’s not so easy, contractors say. For starters, some of the skilled trades take years to master. And even the general labor positions in construction require a certain level of fortitude.
“It is the nature of the work, it is hard labor,” said Dave Little, chief business development officer for Wolcott-based masonry firm Gallegos Corp. Little estimates the firm could use another 30 workers to keep up with contracts on higher-end custom homes in Denver and Aspen and other locations.
Byron Haselden, CEO and president Haselden Construction in Centennial, said his firm tried to hire out-of-work restaurant cooks and they have struggled. It has fared better with displaced oil and gas workers. But there is also less pressure than in prior years to staff up right now. Clients, concerned about the upcoming election, have backed off and the pipeline of future projects is starting to thin.
“We are burning off a lot of the backlog. I’m more concerned about 2021,” he said.
Little also is less optimistic as he looks ahead.
“We are at the tail end of it. If we don’t see some starts happening, there will be some major impacts,” he said.
That uncertainty about what comes next for the construction industry could also be keeping some potential workers away. Absent an infusion of federal assistance, which the industry is lobbying for, public works projects are likely to get cut as local and state governments and school districts cope with revenue shortfalls. Less driving has reduced taxes on gasoline sales, leaving the federal trust fund used for transportation projects nearly empty.
Hotels struggle with high vacancy rates and brick-and-mortar retail space is oversupplied, reducing demand for commercial buildings. Remote working has even made offices redundant. Renovation work continues on office buildings, primarily to prepare them for sale, according to a news call the AGC held.
About the only pockets of strength are single-family residential and suburban apartment construction, although contractors said they have yet to see workers shift from the commercial to the residential side. Demand remains strong for distribution facilities and for data centers.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Here are the 3 metrics that will help determine when Denver students can return to the classroom

Denver Public Schools is still largely planning to have students learn online through mid-October , but a new set of COVID-related metrics is helping the district determine when it will be safe to host in-person classes again , Superintendent Susana Cordova announced Wednesday .
Following guidance from the Metro Partnership for Denver Health , the district is now eyeing three key figures to determine the safety of welcoming students and staff back to school , which are featured on a publicly available dashboard on DPS ’ website .
• The number of COVID-19 cases in Denver County , based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trends in COVID-19 cases , meaning the degree to which cases are increasing or decreasing in Denver County • And the test positivity rate — the percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive — in Denver County Each indicator has a threshold to determine whether it ’ s safe or possibly unsafe to reopen school buildings .
Much like the state ’ s new reopening rubric , the levels are color-coded : green meaning the safest conditions , yellow meaning conditions call for close attention and red meaning possibly unsafe conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % is in the green or safe zone , while above 7 % is in the red or unsafe zone .
As of Wednesday , Denver County ’ s positivity rate and COVID case trends were in the green zones .
The number of cases , however , was in the yellow zone .
In a news briefing , Cordova said the metrics do not all need to be in the green zone to warrant reopening .
However , “ if any single indicator moves to red , that ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more aggressive measures to contain COVID or if that is a call to move into remote learning , ” she said .
Denver Public Schools meets weekly with the health agency to discuss the data , Cordova added .
The current COVID conditions are welcome news considering several in-person programs begin next week .
Preschools Escalante-Biggs Academy , Pascual LeDoux Academy , Sandra Todd-Williams Academy and Stephen Knight Center for Early Education open on Sept. 8 , followed by all other early childhood education programs in the district on Sept. 14 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where students can come to participate in virtual learning with reliable internet access and staff supervision , are also expected to debut after Labor Day .
Details are still being solidified , Cordova said , but the centers are designed to host about 10 % of each respective school ’ s population .
They ’ ll typically target the highest priority students , such as those who don ’ t have internet at home , those with disabilities , English language learners and elementary students for whom remote learning is a challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear from their child ’ s school soon about whether or not they will be setting up a learning center .
Students who attend in-person must wear a mask , will be screened for a fever and other COVID-like symptoms upon arrival , and must abide by hand-washing protocols , Cordova said .

Denver Public Schools is still largely planning to have students learn online through mid-October, but a new set of COVID-related metrics is helping the district determine when it will be safe to host in-person classes again, Superintendent Susana Cordova announced Wednesday.
Following guidance from the Metro Denver Partnership for Health, the district is now eyeing three key figures to determine the safety of welcoming students and staff back to school, which are featured on a publicly available dashboard on DPS’ website.
They include:
The number of COVID-19 cases in Denver County, based on a two-week average per 100,000 residents
Trends in COVID-19 cases, meaning the degree to which cases are increasing or decreasing in Denver County
And the test positivity rate — the percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive — in Denver County
Each indicator has a threshold to determine whether it’s safe or possibly unsafe to reopen school buildings. Much like the state’s new reopening rubric, the levels are color-coded: green meaning the safest conditions, yellow meaning conditions call for close attention and red meaning possibly unsafe conditions.
For example, a positivity rate below 5% is in the green or safe zone, while above 7% is in the red or unsafe zone.
As of Wednesday, Denver County’s positivity rate and COVID case trends were in the green zones. The number of cases, however, was in the yellow zone.
In a news briefing, Cordova said the metrics do not all need to be in the green zone to warrant reopening. However, “if any single indicator moves to red, that’s a trigger to consider safely being in school with more aggressive measures to contain COVID or if that is a call to move into remote learning,” she said.
Denver Public Schools meets weekly with the health agency to discuss the data, Cordova added.
The current COVID conditions are welcome news considering several in-person programs begin next week. Preschools Escalante-Biggs Academy, Pascual LeDoux Academy, Sandra Todd-Williams Academy and Stephen Knight Center for Early Education open on Sept. 8, followed by all other early childhood education programs in the district on Sept. 14.
Denver Public Schools’ remote learning centers, where students can come to participate in virtual learning with reliable internet access and staff supervision, are also expected to debut after Labor Day.
Details are still being solidified, Cordova said, but the centers are designed to host about 10% of each respective school’s population. They’ll typically target the highest priority students, such as those who don’t have internet at home, those with disabilities, English language learners and elementary students for whom remote learning is a challenge, she said.
Parents should expect to hear from their child’s school soon about whether or not they will be setting up a learning center. Students who attend in-person must wear a mask, will be screened for a fever and other COVID-like symptoms upon arrival, and must abide by hand-washing protocols, Cordova said.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--How do you get a mail ballot in Colorado?

County clerks throughout Colorado will mail ballots to all registered voters about three weeks before the Nov. 3 Election Day .
To ensure you receive yours through the mail , you must be registered to vote at your current address by Oct. 26 , said Steve Hurlbert , spokesperson for Secretary of State Jena Griswold.. You can register or update your address online at govotecolorado.gov .
After Oct. 26 , you can still register to vote or change your address up to and even on Election Day , but it must be done in person at a polling center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found online at sos.state.co.us .
Those who were registered for the last election — even if they did not vote — will still receive a ballot in the mail , according to the Secretary of State ’ s Office .
In the 45 days before the election , county clerks can also issue ballots in person to voters who request them , according to the state ’ s 2020 election calendar .
This year , that period begins Sept. 19 .
Voters can return their ballots through the mail , at 24-hour drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because of the anticipated high volume of ballots returned and possible U.S .
Postal Service delays , Denver election officials recommend that voters submitting their ballots on or after Oct. 26 use a drop box .
The locations of those drop boxes are typically listed on each county clerk ’ s website .
Ballots received after 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 will not be counted .

County clerks throughout Colorado will mail ballots to all registered voters about three weeks before the Nov. 3 Election Day.
To ensure you receive yours through the mail, you must be registered to vote at your current address by Oct. 26, said Steve Hurlbert, spokesperson for Secretary of State Jena Griswold. You can register or update your address online at govotecolorado.gov.
After Oct. 26, you can still register to vote or change your address up to and even on Election Day, but it must be done in person at a polling center. County election offices across Colorado can be found online at sos.state.co.us.
Those who were registered for the last election — even if they did not vote — will still receive a ballot in the mail, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
In the 45 days before the election, county clerks can also issue ballots in person to voters who request them, according to the state’s 2020 election calendar. This year, that period begins Sept. 19.
Voters can return their ballots through the mail, at 24-hour drop boxes or in person at polling centers.
Because of the anticipated high volume of ballots returned and possible U.S. Postal Service delays, Denver election officials recommend that voters submitting their ballots on or after Oct. 26 use a drop box. The locations of those drop boxes are typically listed on each county clerk’s website.
Ballots received after 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 will not be counted.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Inventory shortage in metro Denver drives double-digit home price gains in August

Home and condo sales in metro Denver dropped by nearly a fifth in August from a record-setting July , but not because buyers pulled back .
They had half as many homes and a fifth fewer condos and townhomes to choose from this year than a year ago .
Even with the big monthly decline in closings , the 5,595 homes sold this August was an all-time record for the month in metro Denver , according to the latest Market Trends Report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors .
“ If there were more , we would have sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the DMAR Market Trends Committee and Denver-area Realtor said in comments accompanying the report .
“ Unfortunately , there weren ’ t a lot more homes put up for sale in August .
The active listings at month-end showed how desperate things looked.
” There were 5,496 homes and condos available for sale at the end of August .
That was down 14.8 % from an already tight July and 41.2 % below the inventory available in August 2019 .
When it came to single-family homes , only half as many were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For perspective , the active inventory of homes for sale in August since 1985 has averaged 16,550 and the supply of listings almost always rises between July and August .
The imbalance between supply and demand continued to push prices higher .
The median price of a home sold in August reached $ 510,000 , up 2 % from July and up 12.1 % over the past year .
The average price of a home sold in metro Denver sold crossed the $ 600,000 threshold for the first time , reaching $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t as heated .
The median price of a condo sold in August was $ 325,000 , a 2.4 % drop from July and a more modest 3.7 % annual gain from August 2019 .
One possible explanation could be related to COVID-19 , in that urban condos have lost their allure as buyers seek properties with more space in less dense areas .
The lack of inventory appears to be contributing to a “ vicious circle ” the region suffered a few years ago , Schafer said .
With inventory tight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowners say they would like to move , but the inventory is so low they don ’ t see anything they would like to buy , ” Schafer said , adding their failure to list only exacerbates the problem .
The federal response to the pandemic could also be introducing distortions into the housing market .
Record-low mortgage rates have improved affordability and left younger buyers anxious to lock in a home .
At the same time , owners who can ’ t afford their mortgages , say because of a job loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skip payments , reducing the pressure on them to list their properties .
About 7.2 % of all mortgages nationally are in a forbearance agreement , according to the Mortgage Bankers Association .

Home and condo sales in metro Denver dropped by nearly a fifth in August from a record-setting July, but not because buyers pulled back. They had half as many homes and a fifth fewer condos and townhomes to choose from this year than a year ago.
Even with the big monthly decline in closings, the 5,595 homes sold this August was an all-time record for the month in metro Denver, according to the latest Market Trends Report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
“If there were more, we would have sold more,” Jill Schafer, chairwoman of the DMAR Market Trends Committee and Denver-area Realtor said in comments accompanying the report. “Unfortunately, there weren’t a lot more homes put up for sale in August. The active listings at month-end showed how desperate things looked.”
There were 5,496 homes and condos available for sale at the end of August. That was down 14.8% from an already tight July and 41.2% below the inventory available in August 2019. When it came to single-family homes, only half as many were available this August compared to August 2019. For perspective, the active inventory of homes for sale in August since 1985 has averaged 16,550 and the supply of listings almost always rises between July and August.
The imbalance between supply and demand continued to push prices higher. The median price of a home sold in August reached $510,000, up 2% from July and up 12.1% over the past year. That’s the strongest year-over-year gain since June of 2015, when prices rose at an annual rate of 15%.
The average price of a home sold in metro Denver sold crossed the $600,000 threshold for the first time, reaching $606,330.
The condo market wasn’t as heated. The median price of a condo sold in August was $325,000, a 2.4% drop from July and a more modest 3.7% annual gain from August 2019. One possible explanation could be related to COVID-19, in that urban condos have lost their allure as buyers seek properties with more space in less dense areas.
The lack of inventory appears to be contributing to a “vicious circle” the region suffered a few years ago, Schafer said. With inventory tight, sellers simply stayed put.
“Many homeowners say they would like to move, but the inventory is so low they don’t see anything they would like to buy,” Schafer said, adding their failure to list only exacerbates the problem.
The federal response to the pandemic could also be introducing distortions into the housing market. Record-low mortgage rates have improved affordability and left younger buyers anxious to lock in a home. At the same time, owners who can’t afford their mortgages, say because of a job loss, have up to a year to skip payments, reducing the pressure on them to list their properties.
About 7.2% of all mortgages nationally are in a forbearance agreement, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Gardner, Hickenlooper agree to first televised debate in Colorado’s U.S. Senate race

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper agreed Wednesday to a second debate — the first that will @ @ @ @ @ nationally watched race .
The Denver Post , Denver7 and Colorado Public Radio will host @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Oct. 9 .
It will be held at Denver7 ’ s studio and aired @ @ @ @ @ Post ’ s website .
Because of the pandemic , there will be no in-person @ @ @ @ @ campaigns have been challenging each other to debates since May , with each side putting @ @ @ @ @ invitations .
Previously , the Pueblo Chieftain ’ s Oct. 2 debate was the only @ @ @ @ @ The race is one of the most closely watched in the country as Republicans seek @ @ @ @ @ Senate majority .
Colorado ’ s demographics have edged left in recent years , and @ @ @ @ @ governor , although he was found guilty of two ethics violations just before his Democratic @ @ @

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper agreed Wednesday to a second debate — the first that will be televised — in their nationally watched race.
The Denver Post, Denver7 and Colorado Public Radio will host the in-person debate at 5 p.m. Oct. 9. It will be held at Denver7’s studio and aired live, including on The Post’s website. Because of the pandemic, there will be no in-person audience.
The candidates’ campaigns have been challenging each other to debates since May, with each side putting out a list of accepted invitations. Previously, the Pueblo Chieftain’s Oct. 2 debate was the only one on both lists.
The race is one of the most closely watched in the country as Republicans seek to hold onto their narrow Senate majority. Colorado’s demographics have edged left in recent years, and Hickenlooper is a well-known former governor, although he was found guilty of two ethics violations just before his Democratic primary win.