thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Ask Amy: New mother-in-law wants DIL to love her

We are a close family .
We have always kept in touch with one another on a regular basis , even after the kids left home .
My son and new daughter-in-law live about 90 minutes away .
My daughter-in-law seems content to keep contact to a minimum .
This includes discussing/celebrating important events — both happy and sad .
For example , I am going through a difficult separation from my husband .
I have told my daughter-in-law that it would mean a lot to me to hear from her , to know that she is concerned about me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , she claimed I was telling her “ how ” to love me .
I told her that a loving family should be able to express their needs to each other .
I was not allowed a mother/son dance at their wedding because she lost her father and I was told it would be too difficult for her to watch us dance .
I did dance with my son at the end of the evening , and she mumbled to me that she didn ’ t mean to be “ an ass… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now expecting their first child , and my son called to tell me the baby will be born with a heart defect and will need surgery at some point .
He asked me to wait a day before calling her .
I called her and left a message .
She didn ’ t return the call or text me .
I don ’ t understand why she keeps me at arm ’ s length .
She knows I hold them close to my heart .
She is not close to her mother .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this is fine with both of them , but I am not that kind of mom !
How can I bring her closer to me ?
Dear Heartbroken : First , you need to figure out how to be less heartbroken , and more patient and understanding toward a young woman who might not know how to be intimate in the way that you are intimate .
It is inappropriate for you to share details of your separation from your husband with this new family member , and to ask for ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presumably , the husband you are separated from is her new father-in-law .
Your emotional needs feel like a demand ; this puts a lot of pressure on her .
She has no father and a distant relationship with her mother .
You should not tell her how to love you .
Instead , you should show her how a patient , compassionate , loving and good-humored mother behaves .
You should not expect a call back from an anxious , pregnant daughter-in-law with a frightening diagnosis who has already admitted that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behave .
Approach her with the goal to build a friendship .
Don ’ t pressure her to be a daughter to you .
She ’ s not ready !
Your DIL needs to be able to trust that you won ’ t overreact or transfigure her dramas into yours .
This requires that you both learn to behave differently .
Dear Amy : Is there an acceptable way to ask people on the plane or in a waiting room if they are contagious ?
I ’ m not sure what I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but perhaps they would make more of an effort to cover up their coughs — or use cough drops !
— Rather Not Get Sick Dear Rather Not : As of this writing , the coronavirus , which originated in China , is spreading .
Children are ( quite appropriately ) taught to cough and sneeze into their elbows .
This technique is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( cdc.gov ) .
The CDC also recommends coughing into a tissue and then throwing the tissue away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s waiting room , you should assume that someone near you who is coughing is contagious .
This is from the CDC website : “ Cough etiquette is especially important for infection control measures in healthcare settings , such as emergency departments , doctor ’ s offices , and clinics.
” A polite way to remind someone to cover their cough would be to say , “ It seems that you are sick .
Would you mind covering your cough ?
” Dear Amy : In a previous column , you recommended “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were tormenting a new homeowner .
In many states , it is illegal to relocate wild animals .
The squirrels were there before the homeowner .
They get first dibs .
Dear Lover : Thank you .
These squirrels were being fed by a neighbor .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture strongly discourages feeding wild animals .
If these neighbors didn ’ t feed the squirrels , they might relocate themselves .

Dear Amy: I am a first-time mother-in- law.
We are a close family. We have always kept in touch with one another on a regular basis, even after the kids left home.
My son and new daughter-in-law live about 90 minutes away.
My daughter-in-law seems content to keep contact to a minimum. This includes discussing/celebrating important events — both happy and sad.
For example, I am going through a difficult separation from my husband. I have told my daughter-in-law that it would mean a lot to me to hear from her, to know that she is concerned about me.
When I expressed my feelings to her, she claimed I was telling her “how” to love me. I told her that a loving family should be able to express their needs to each other.
I was not allowed a mother/son dance at their wedding because she lost her father and I was told it would be too difficult for her to watch us dance.
I did dance with my son at the end of the evening, and she mumbled to me that she didn’t mean to be “an ass…” about the dance.
They are now expecting their first child, and my son called to tell me the baby will be born with a heart defect and will need surgery at some point.
He asked me to wait a day before calling her.
I called her and left a message. She didn’t return the call or text me.
I don’t understand why she keeps me at arm’s length.
She knows I hold them close to my heart. She is not close to her mother. They rarely speak, and she has said this is fine with both of them, but I am not that kind of mom! How can I bring her closer to me?
— Heartbroken Mom
Dear Heartbroken: First, you need to figure out how to be less heartbroken, and more patient and understanding toward a young woman who might not know how to be intimate in the way that you are intimate.
It is inappropriate for you to share details of your separation from your husband with this new family member, and to ask for (or expect) her emotional support. Presumably, the husband you are separated from is her new father-in-law. Your emotional needs feel like a demand; this puts a lot of pressure on her.
She has no father and a distant relationship with her mother.
You should not tell her how to love you. Instead, you should show her how a patient, compassionate, loving and good-humored mother behaves.
You should not expect a call back from an anxious, pregnant daughter-in-law with a frightening diagnosis who has already admitted that she doesn’t always know how to behave.
Approach her with the goal to build a friendship. Don’t pressure her to be a daughter to you. She’s not ready!
Your DIL needs to be able to trust that you won’t overreact or transfigure her dramas into yours. This requires that you both learn to behave differently.
Dear Amy: Is there an acceptable way to ask people on the plane or in a waiting room if they are contagious?
I’m not sure what I’d do if they said “yes,” but perhaps they would make more of an effort to cover up their coughs — or use cough drops!
— Rather Not Get Sick
Dear Rather Not: As of this writing, the coronavirus, which originated in China, is spreading.
Children are (quite appropriately) taught to cough and sneeze into their elbows. This technique is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov). The CDC also recommends coughing into a tissue and then throwing the tissue away.
If you are in a physician’s waiting room, you should assume that someone near you who is coughing is contagious.
This is from the CDC website: “Cough etiquette is especially important for infection control measures in healthcare settings, such as emergency departments, doctor’s offices, and clinics.”
A polite way to remind someone to cover their cough would be to say, “It seems that you are sick. Would you mind covering your cough?”
Dear Amy: In a previous column, you recommended “relocating” a trio of squirrels that were tormenting a new homeowner.
In many states, it is illegal to relocate wild animals. The squirrels were there before the homeowner. They get first dibs.
— Squirrel Lover
Dear Lover: Thank you. These squirrels were being fed by a neighbor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture strongly discourages feeding wild animals.
If these neighbors didn’t feed the squirrels, they might relocate themselves.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Avalanche blows 2-0 lead as Capitals snap Colorado’s five-game winning streak

The Avalanche gave Alex Ovechkin ample opportunity to become the eighth player in NHL history to reach 700 goals Thursday .
Ovechkin , who is No .
3 all-time with 259 career power-play goals , was a mainstay in the Washington Capitals ‘ five opportunities with the man-advantage at the Pepsi Center .
The Russian superstar didn ’ t have a point in the game , but he might have been a decoy as the Caps scored two power-play goals to climb out of a two-goal deficit and skate off 3-2 winners — snapping Colorado ’ s five-game winning streak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one fewer than Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon .
T.J. Oshie scored the game-winner at even-strength minutes after Tom Wilson scored a power-play goal on Washington ’ s fifth man advantage at 12:48 .
Avs first-line winger Andre Burakovsky was in the penalty box for high-sticking Oshie , who went on to score at 17:58 .
“ Stupid penalty that I took , ” Burakovsky said .
“ When you take a lot of penalties you lose momentum.
” The Avs also had significant time on the power play but went 1 for 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including hooking ( by Joonas Donskoi ) and slashing ( Ian Cole ) .
Tyson Jost and Erik Johnson also served time for high-sticking .
“ The game became choppy that way , ” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said of the penalties .
“ There was no real rhythm to it .
We wanted to stay on the gas , on the attack and stay in the O-zone but we ’ re you ’ re playing 4-on-5 ( so much ) it ’ s hard to do.
” MacKinnon ‘ s new-configured line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two first-period goals , by Burakovsky ( power play ) and Mikko Rantanen .
Nicklas Backstrom also scored a power-play goal midway through the second period to cut Washington ’ s two-goal deficit in half .
The Avs clung to a 2-1 lead after two periods following a power-play friendly final 10 minutes of the frame in which both teams had giant opportunities on the advantage .
Colorado failed to capitalize on three power plays — including a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:00 .
But the Avs continued to take penalties and Washington got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lip with his stick .
Wilson , from the doorstep in front of goalie Philipp Grubauer , tied it 2-2 by redirecting a long shot from John Carlson .
Washington scored on its first power play to cut Colorado ’ s 2-0 deficit in half midway through the second period .
“ You should expect for the other team to come and push .
We should be ready for it , ” Avs defenseman Nikita Zadorov said of protecting a 2-0 lead .
“ For sure , they came desperate .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They got a second goal their emotion back , their jump.
” The Avs take their home ice to the Air Force Academy , where they will practice Friday afternoon and play Saturday ’ s NHL Stadium Series game against the Los Angeles Kings at Falcon Stadium .
They return to the Pepsi Center for Monday ’ s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning .
Footnotes .
Colorado franchise legend Peter Forsberg was in attendance and will presumably attend Saturday ’ s game with many other Avalanche alumni .
… The Avs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kadri , who will miss 4-6 weeks with a leg injury .

The Avalanche gave Alex Ovechkin ample opportunity to become the eighth player in NHL history to reach 700 goals Thursday. Ovechkin, who is No. 3 all-time with 259 career power-play goals, was a mainstay in the Washington Capitals‘ five opportunities with the man-advantage at the Pepsi Center.
The Russian superstar didn’t have a point in the game, but he might have been a decoy as the Caps scored two power-play goals to climb out of a two-goal deficit and skate off 3-2 winners — snapping Colorado’s five-game winning streak.
Ovechkin finished with seven shots, one fewer than Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon.
T.J. Oshie scored the game-winner at even-strength minutes after Tom Wilson scored a power-play goal on Washington’s fifth man advantage at 12:48. Avs first-line winger Andre Burakovsky was in the penalty box for high-sticking Oshie, who went on to score at 17:58.
“Stupid penalty that I took,” Burakovsky said. “When you take a lot of penalties you lose momentum.”
The Avs also had significant time on the power play but went 1 for 4. Colorado committed five stick penalties — including hooking (by Joonas Donskoi) and slashing (Ian Cole). Tyson Jost and Erik Johnson also served time for high-sticking.
“The game became choppy that way,” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said of the penalties. “There was no real rhythm to it. We wanted to stay on the gas, on the attack and stay in the O-zone but we’re you’re playing 4-on-5 (so much) it’s hard to do.”
MacKinnon‘s new-configured line had a hand in Colorado’s two first-period goals, by Burakovsky (power play) and Mikko Rantanen. Nicklas Backstrom also scored a power-play goal midway through the second period to cut Washington’s two-goal deficit in half.
The Avs clung to a 2-1 lead after two periods following a power-play friendly final 10 minutes of the frame in which both teams had giant opportunities on the advantage. Colorado failed to capitalize on three power plays — including a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:00.
But the Avs continued to take penalties and Washington got the equalizer when Burakovsky caught Oshie in the lip with his stick. Wilson, from the doorstep in front of goalie Philipp Grubauer, tied it 2-2 by redirecting a long shot from John Carlson.
Washington scored on its first power play to cut Colorado’s 2-0 deficit in half midway through the second period.
“You should expect for the other team to come and push. We should be ready for it,” Avs defenseman Nikita Zadorov said of protecting a 2-0 lead. “For sure, they came desperate. (Then) they were one goal behind. They got a second goal their emotion back, their jump.”
The Avs take their home ice to the Air Force Academy, where they will practice Friday afternoon and play Saturday’s NHL Stadium Series game against the Los Angeles Kings at Falcon Stadium. They return to the Pepsi Center for Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Footnotes. Colorado franchise legend Peter Forsberg was in attendance and will presumably attend Saturday’s game with many other Avalanche alumni. … The Avs played their second game without center Nazem Kadri, who will miss 4-6 weeks with a leg injury.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--DU panel discusses rising extremism in Colorado, U.S.

As hate crimes and extremism remain at historic levels in Colorado and across the country , the region ’ s top federal prosecutor said law enforcement has the tools to prevent domestic terrorism — but it ’ s a fine line to walk when people are espousing hateful speech online .
Speaking at a panel Thursday night at the University of Denver titled “ Confronting Hate & Violent Extremism in the U.S , ” Jason Dunn , the U.S. attorney for Colorado , said domestic terrorism has in recent years become the top priority for the Department of Justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign to American soil , the tools used to identify and stop the extremists also have changed , Dunn said .
“ It ’ s tough , ” Dunn said .
“ It ’ s a fine line .
We will often engage with someone online to see if it ’ s just online speech or if there ’ s an actual threat.
” Dunn ’ s comments come three months after federal authorities thwarted a plot by a Pueblo man to blow up a historic synagogue in the southern Colorado city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hateful rhetoric online , and undercover agents ultimately caught him before he was able to carry out his plan .
But unlike combatting foreign terrorists , the First Amendment prevents law enforcement from acting on online speech , Dunn said .
As law enforcement adapts to homegrown extremism , a new program in Colorado is helping identify the root causes and counsel individuals before they get to the breaking point .
The Colorado Resilience Collaborative , based at the University of Denver , launched in October 2017 , seeking to understand what might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremist organization .
The collaborative conducts workshops and research and provides therapeutic services throughout the state .
The program is part of the Department of Homeland Security ’ s efforts to help local communities use existing programs and frameworks to battle extremism .
“ The biggest success story is here in Denver , ” Elizabeth Neumann , assistant secretary for threat prevention and security policy for the Department of Homeland Security , said at Thursday ’ s panel discussion .
Part of that goal is better understanding the people who might get radicalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacist who has now dedicated his life to getting people like him out of extremist organizations .
These people , he said Thursday , are those who have hit potholes in life : trauma , abuse , poverty or joblessness .
“ All those potholes brought people to the fringes , ” he said .
“ They ’ re searching for identity , community and purpose , something everyone wants.
” Colorado has not been immune to the rising extremism taking place nationwide .
A 2019 report from the Anti-Defamation League found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacist propaganda distributions , and the Southern Poverty Law Center tracks 22 active hate groups in the state .
Meanwhile , anti-Semitic incidents are at near-historic highs .
The ADL in 2018 counted more than three-dozen incidents ranging from harassment and threats to vandalism around Colorado .

As hate crimes and extremism remain at historic levels in Colorado and across the country, the region’s top federal prosecutor said law enforcement has the tools to prevent domestic terrorism — but it’s a fine line to walk when people are espousing hateful speech online.
Speaking at a panel Thursday night at the University of Denver titled “Confronting Hate & Violent Extremism in the U.S,” Jason Dunn, the U.S. attorney for Colorado, said domestic terrorism has in recent years become the top priority for the Department of Justice. As the primary threats have shifted from foreign to American soil, the tools used to identify and stop the extremists also have changed, Dunn said.
“It’s tough,” Dunn said. “It’s a fine line. We will often engage with someone online to see if it’s just online speech or if there’s an actual threat.”
Dunn’s comments come three months after federal authorities thwarted a plot by a Pueblo man to blow up a historic synagogue in the southern Colorado city. FBI agents found the 27-year-old man spewing hateful rhetoric online, and undercover agents ultimately caught him before he was able to carry out his plan. But unlike combatting foreign terrorists, the First Amendment prevents law enforcement from acting on online speech, Dunn said.
As law enforcement adapts to homegrown extremism, a new program in Colorado is helping identify the root causes and counsel individuals before they get to the breaking point.
The Colorado Resilience Collaborative, based at the University of Denver, launched in October 2017, seeking to understand what might make someone receptive to recruitment to an extremist organization. The collaborative conducts workshops and research and provides therapeutic services throughout the state.
The program is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to help local communities use existing programs and frameworks to battle extremism.
“The biggest success story is here in Denver,” Elizabeth Neumann, assistant secretary for threat prevention and security policy for the Department of Homeland Security, said at Thursday’s panel discussion.
Part of that goal is better understanding the people who might get radicalized.
Christian Picciolini was a former white supremacist who has now dedicated his life to getting people like him out of extremist organizations. These people, he said Thursday, are those who have hit potholes in life: trauma, abuse, poverty or joblessness.
“All those potholes brought people to the fringes,” he said. “They’re searching for identity, community and purpose, something everyone wants.”
Colorado has not been immune to the rising extremism taking place nationwide.
A 2019 report from the Anti-Defamation League found the Centennial State had the third-highest number of white supremacist propaganda distributions, and the Southern Poverty Law Center tracks 22 active hate groups in the state.
Meanwhile, anti-Semitic incidents are at near-historic highs. The ADL in 2018 counted more than three-dozen incidents ranging from harassment and threats to vandalism around Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Suspect wanted on felony warrant shot by police in Longmont hotel room

A man shot by police in a Longmont hotel room on Thursday afternoon was taken to a hospital .
The @ @ @ @ @ been arrested on a felony warrant , according to a news release from the 19th @ @ @ @ @ .
The shooting unfolded just before 5 p.m. , when a Weld County sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ an Econolodge , 10811 W. I-25 Frontage Road , spotted a vehicle license plate associated @ @ @ @ @ the release said .
The deputy requested assistance , and two Firestone police officers responded @ @ @ @ @ on a felony warrant , was contacted in a hotel room , and shots were @ @ @ @ @ injured .
No charges have been filed in the shooting .
The name of the @ @ @ @ @ the officers were not released .
An investigation is ongoing .

A man shot by police in a Longmont hotel room on Thursday afternoon was taken to a hospital.
The man who was shot has been arrested on a felony warrant, according to a news release from the 19th judicial critical incident response team.
The shooting unfolded just before 5 p.m., when a Weld County sheriff’s deputy on patrol near an Econolodge, 10811 W. I-25 Frontage Road, spotted a vehicle license plate associated with a wanted person, the release said.
The deputy requested assistance, and two Firestone police officers responded. The suspect, wanted on a felony warrant, was contacted in a hotel room, and shots were fired. No officers were injured.
No charges have been filed in the shooting. The name of the suspect, the deputy and the officers were not released. An investigation is ongoing.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Oregon rallies past CU Buffs in top-20 showdown

EUGENE , Ore.— The Colorado Buffaloes have harbored regrets about how they performed in their two toughest road games of the season , losing lopsided showdowns that turned into routs against nationally-ranked Kansas on Arizona .
The Buffs will be a little more satisfied with the effort they turned in during a top-20 battle Thursday night at Oregon , though they will be equally disappointed with the result .
Despite a balanced scoring attack , an often smothering defense in the first half , and a torrid night at the 3-point line , the 16th-ranked Buffs couldn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 68-60 decision against the 17th-ranked Ducks .
Oregon used a late 12-0 run to pull away , earning a split of the season series with CU while pulling into a first-place tie with the Buffs atop the Pac-12 Conference standings .
After a slow start from both sides the Buffs erupted in the middle of the first half , reeling off 20 consecutive points to take a 14-point lead with just under four minutes remaining in the first half .
Six different Buffs players scored during the 20-0 run , during which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed shots out of the Ducks .
Oregon trimmed CU ’ s 14-point lead down to seven , but a McKinley Wright-to-Evan Battey bucket gave the Buffs a nine-point lead at the break .
Oregon gradually cut into the deficit throughout the second half , eventually tying the game at 58-58 on a pair of Will Richardson free throws with 4 minutes , 18 seconds remaining .
CU went scoreless for over four and a half minutes while Oregon put together its game-changing run late in the second half .
Three players scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by 14 apiece from D ’ Shawn Schwartz and Evan Battey .
After holding Oregon to a .323 shooting percentage in the first half , the Ducks shot .467 in the second half .
Oregon ’ s Will Richardson scored 17 of his game-high 21 points after halftime , while Ducks senior guard Payton Pritchard finished with 15 points , 11 rebounds , and six assists

EUGENE, Ore.— The Colorado Buffaloes have harbored regrets about how they performed in their two toughest road games of the season, losing lopsided showdowns that turned into routs against nationally-ranked Kansas on Arizona.
The Buffs will be a little more satisfied with the effort they turned in during a top-20 battle Thursday night at Oregon, though they will be equally disappointed with the result.
Despite a balanced scoring attack, an often smothering defense in the first half, and a torrid night at the 3-point line, the 16th-ranked Buffs couldn’t get it done at crunch time, dropping a 68-60 decision against the 17th-ranked Ducks.
Oregon used a late 12-0 run to pull away, earning a split of the season series with CU while pulling into a first-place tie with the Buffs atop the Pac-12 Conference standings.
After a slow start from both sides the Buffs erupted in the middle of the first half, reeling off 20 consecutive points to take a 14-point lead with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. Six different Buffs players scored during the 20-0 run, during which CU’s defense forced 11 consecutive missed shots out of the Ducks.
Oregon trimmed CU’s 14-point lead down to seven, but a McKinley Wright-to-Evan Battey bucket gave the Buffs a nine-point lead at the break. Oregon gradually cut into the deficit throughout the second half, eventually tying the game at 58-58 on a pair of Will Richardson free throws with 4 minutes, 18 seconds remaining.
CU went scoreless for over four and a half minutes while Oregon put together its game-changing run late in the second half.
Three players scored in double figures for the Buffs, led by 14 apiece from D’Shawn Schwartz and Evan Battey. After holding Oregon to a .323 shooting percentage in the first half, the Ducks shot .467 in the second half.
Oregon’s Will Richardson scored 17 of his game-high 21 points after halftime, while Ducks senior guard Payton Pritchard finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists
OREGON 68, COLORADO 60
COLORADO (19-6, 8-4 Pac-12) Battey 6-10 2-3 14, Gatling 4-14 0-0 11, Wright 3-10 1-2 8, Bey 2-6 0-0 4, Schwartz 5-8 1-1 14, Siewert 3-7 0-0 9, Parquet 0-3 0-0 0, Daniels 0-0 0-0 0, Walton 0-0 0-0 0, Kountz 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-59 4-6 60.OREGON (19-6, 8-4)Juiston 3-9 0-0 6, Lawson 1-2 1-1 3, Duarte 3-10 1-2 8, Pritchard 5-13 3-4 15, Richardson 7-15 4-4 21, Walker 0-3 3-4 3, Mathis 2-4 0-0 6, Patterson 3-4 0-1 6, Okoro 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-61 12-16 68.Halftime – Colorado 35-26. 3-Point Goals – Colorado 10-29 (Schwartz 3-5, Siewert 3-7, Gatling 3-10, Wright 1-4, Kountz 0-1, Parquet 0-2), Oregon 8-24 (Richardson 3-5, Mathis 2-4, Pritchard 2-5, Duarte 1-6, Patterson 0-1, Walker 0-1, Juiston 0-2). Fouled Out – Duarte. Rebounds – Colorado 34 (Battey 11), Oregon 35 (Pritchard 11). Assists – Colorado 14 (Wright 5), Oregon 14 (Pritchard 6). Total Fouls – Colorado 15, Oregon 12..


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Keeler: CU Buffs football needs to find its Tad Boyle

If the check and canvas are blank , you ’ re trying to nail the gridiron equivalent of Tad Boyle .
The next football coach at CU should be someone who raises the floor , and significantly .
All while keeping the ceiling higher , and consistently higher , than it ’ s been over the previous 15 years .
He needs to win with class .
Class , physicality and defense .
He needs to spot pro talent where others don ’ t .
He needs to teach .
He needs to bring the craft and the infrastructure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into four-star resumes .
He needs to see the Buffs as the end , and not the means .
If Mel Tucker taught us anything , it ’ s that the last one ’ s a beast .
Even in basketball circles , Boyle is something of a unicorn .
He wins enough to make CU men ’ s basketball nationally relevant , yet is still chasing his first berth in the Sweet 16 .
The Buffs have racked up 19 victories or more in a season only 16 times in their hoops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the helm for eight of those seasons .
He ’ s also just 1-4 in the NCAA Tournament , lifetime , and hasn ’ t won a tilt in Bracketville since 2012 .
But he ’ s local , someone who grew up seeing Pearl Street as aspirational instead of transactional .
When you ’ ve been to one bowl game in 12 seasons , that matters .
You see 1990 .
The outside world sees Rutgers West .
According to BestPlaces.Net , the cost of living is 45.3 % cheaper in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The median home price is 71.9 % less .
You get to wake up next to those gorgeous Flatiron vistas , yes , but your assistants got ta eat .
So do their wives and kids .
Everybody ’ s got a theory .
It ’ s a money thing .
It ’ s a regents thing .
It ’ s a culture thing .
Boulder is a drinking town with a football problem , the rare college burg where they party hard and recycle harder .
It ’ s not for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold and black is necessarily an automatic .
Eric Bieniemy ’ s closet has skeletons , especially here .
Ditto Vance Joseph .
There are crazier paths than staying the course , and interim coach Darrin Chiaverini ticks some major boxes , right off : Former Buffs player , well-liked by fans , has the hearts and ears of both players and recruits , keeps fruitful recruiting pipelines in California and Texas intact .
Play-calling ?
Not so much .
In a perfect world , you could see pairing a young , driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sage coordinators on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball .
Let Chev do the P.R .
stuff , the media stuff , and offset his inexperience with some veteran chess masters on the headset .
The problem : Egos can chafe , and veteran chess masters tend to want to be well-compensated .
Would CU do million-dollar coordinators ?
Jay Johnson reportedly made $ 550,625 last fall on the offensive side .
His defensive contemporary , Tyson Summers , took home $ 500,625 .
That ’ s $ 1.05 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 1.2 million South Carolina is now paying Mike Bobo just to run the Gamecocks ’ offense .
If you win , the NFL , the SEC or the Big Ten is going swoop in and try to poach you .
If you don ’ t win , and someone from the NFL , the SEC or the Big Ten gets desperate , they ’ re going to swoop in anyway .
Tucker taught us that , too .
But know this : It ’ s awfully hard to rally around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new has to pick the blasted thing up every 18 months .
When you ’ ve gone through five football coaches in 10 years , it ’ s not them , champ .
It ’ s you .

If the check and canvas are blank, you’re trying to nail the gridiron equivalent of Tad Boyle.
The next football coach at CU should be someone who raises the floor, and significantly. All while keeping the ceiling higher, and consistently higher, than it’s been over the previous 15 years.
He needs to win with class. Class, physicality and defense.
He needs to spot pro talent where others don’t.
He needs to teach. He needs to bring the craft and the infrastructure to the table that can mold two-star profiles into four-star resumes.
He needs to see the Buffs as the end, and not the means.
If Mel Tucker taught us anything, it’s that the last one’s a beast.
Even in basketball circles, Boyle is something of a unicorn. He wins enough to make CU men’s basketball nationally relevant, yet is still chasing his first berth in the Sweet 16.
The Buffs have racked up 19 victories or more in a season only 16 times in their hoops history, and Tad’s been at the helm for eight of those seasons. He’s also just 1-4 in the NCAA Tournament, lifetime, and hasn’t won a tilt in Bracketville since 2012.
But he’s local, someone who grew up seeing Pearl Street as aspirational instead of transactional.
When you’ve been to one bowl game in 12 seasons, that matters.
You see 1990. The outside world sees Rutgers West.
According to BestPlaces.Net, the cost of living is 45.3% cheaper in East Lansing, Mich., than Boulder. The median home price is 71.9% less.
You get to wake up next to those gorgeous Flatiron vistas, yes, but your assistants gotta eat. So do their wives and kids.
Everybody’s got a theory. It’s a money thing. It’s a regents thing. It’s a culture thing. Boulder is a drinking town with a football problem, the rare college burg where they party hard and recycle harder. It’s not for everybody.
And not everybody who bleeds gold and black is necessarily an automatic. Eric Bieniemy’s closet has skeletons, especially here. Ditto Vance Joseph.
There are crazier paths than staying the course, and interim coach Darrin Chiaverini ticks some major boxes, right off: Former Buffs player, well-liked by fans, has the hearts and ears of both players and recruits, keeps fruitful recruiting pipelines in California and Texas intact.
Play-calling? Not so much.
In a perfect world, you could see pairing a young, driven figurehead such as Chiaverini with a couple of sage coordinators on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Let Chev do the P.R. stuff, the media stuff, and offset his inexperience with some veteran chess masters on the headset.
The problem: Egos can chafe, and veteran chess masters tend to want to be well-compensated. Would CU do million-dollar coordinators? Jay Johnson reportedly made $550,625 last fall on the offensive side. His defensive contemporary, Tyson Summers, took home $500,625.
That’s $1.05 million, combined. Or $200,000 behind the $1.2 million South Carolina is now paying Mike Bobo just to run the Gamecocks’ offense.
If you win, the NFL, the SEC or the Big Ten is going swoop in and try to poach you. If you don’t win, and someone from the NFL, the SEC or the Big Ten gets desperate, they’re going to swoop in anyway.
Tucker taught us that, too.
But know this: It’s awfully hard to rally around the flag when it feels as if someone new has to pick the blasted thing up every 18 months. When you’ve gone through five football coaches in 10 years, it’s not them, champ. It’s you.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Resilient CSU Rams poised to bounce back in Laramie

Having a short-term memory is essential in the chaotic world of college basketball .
Following Colorado State ’ s Tuesday-night loss against Utah State , postgame media sessions were as brief as imaginable .
Understandably so , considering the Rams erased four double-digit deficits only to fall short in the closing seconds when Adam Thistlewood ’ s game-tying 3-point attempt drew front iron .
Coming oh-so-close versus the Aggies , which would have allowed CSU to maintain possession of second place in the Mountain West , became a tough pill to swallow once the final buzzer sounded .
But after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcome , it appears the Rams are already re-juiced upon flipping the page to this weekend ’ s bout in Wyoming .
“ For the rest of that night , it was hard to swallow , ” freshman guard Isaiah Stevens said .
“ Just the competitor in all of us wanted to win that game really bad .
But you can ’ t dwell on things because the next team wants to beat you just as bad .
I feel like we turned our focus today fairly quickly onto Wyoming.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still sulking in a recent defeat .
Players and coaches are , of course , trained to keep these thoughts to themselves .
Although , in CSU ’ s case , it ’ s safe to assume they ’ ve truly moved on from the deflating loss .
After all , it isn ’ t as if the USU game represents the Rams ’ first heartbreaker this year .
In fact , CSU has dropped quite a few contests that realistically could have deflated the youthful squad .
Instead , the Rams bounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Take back-to-back losses against Arkansas State and New Mexico State , for example .
Niko Medved ’ s group squandered an 18-point lead in the second half when hosting ASU before falling 80-78 .
Then , the Rams forced overtime against NMSU while their late comeback eventually proved insignificant as the Aggies squeaked away with a 78-70 win .
Both defeats were difficult to process in their own respective ways .
But CSU experienced little trouble answering the call thereafter as they then rattled off three consecutive victories .
“ The CU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game at home , ” Medved said .
“ What this team is showing me is that they have learned from those and have continued to grow and get better…You are going to have things that you struggle with .
It ’ s all about if you take that opportunity to try and learn and grow from it .
What I love about this team is that is what they ’ ve done.
” Though the Rams have evidently grown as a team since this early-season instance , their resilient patterns remain unchanged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rams countered a frustrating CU loss with a thrilling triple-overtime win at Tulsa .
Additionally , CSU ’ s previous six-game winning streak in conference play occurred following a hard-fought defeat in Nevada .
Clearly , the Rams don ’ t let negative memories linger .
“ We are resilient and gritty , ” redshirt senior guard Kris Martin said .
“ We are strong .
We know how to play the game , and we know what we are capable of .
So , we aren ’ t ever going to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our goal .
We are ready and focused on bouncing back on Saturday.
” CSU has certainly digested Tuesday ’ s painful result as it prepares to seize its ninth conference victory in Laramie on Saturday .
However , there is one thing the Rams won ’ t leave to the magic of selective memory loss : hanging tight with Craig Smith ’ s NCAA Tournament-caliber program –– which may be on its way to a second consecutive March Madness appearance .
If you watched Tuesday ’ s action , you probably realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of CSU in most phases , from ball-movement to efficacy in transition to perimeter defending .
The key element to observe is that USU was just one step ahead , though .
Not three or four .
Knowing they were right there the whole time while nearly besting a troupe that has solidified its stance as the cream of the crop in the Mountain West supplies the Rams confidence as they embark through the regular season ’ s conclusive stages .
“ There are no moral victories , ” Martin said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can win the game , that we can beat that team .
But it does give us confidence and shows that we are a really good team , and we are capable of playing at a high level with anyone.
” Besides boding CSU ’ s present endeavors well as it guns for a top seed in the Mountain Tournament , barely faltering versus the highly competent Aggies provides yet another optimistic indicator regarding what the Rams ’ future holds .
“ It says that the future is really bright , ” Stevens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that matters is getting the victory on the scoreboard .
That is the only thing we are going to strive for .
We are not going to be content with anything less .
”

Having a short-term memory is essential in the chaotic world of college basketball.
Following Colorado State’s Tuesday-night loss against Utah State, postgame media sessions were as brief as imaginable. Understandably so, considering the Rams erased four double-digit deficits only to fall short in the closing seconds when Adam Thistlewood’s game-tying 3-point attempt drew front iron.
Coming oh-so-close versus the Aggies, which would have allowed CSU to maintain possession of second place in the Mountain West, became a tough pill to swallow once the final buzzer sounded.
But after taking some time to sleep on the outcome, it appears the Rams are already re-juiced upon flipping the page to this weekend’s bout in Wyoming.
“For the rest of that night, it was hard to swallow,” freshman guard Isaiah Stevens said. “Just the competitor in all of us wanted to win that game really bad. But you can’t dwell on things because the next team wants to beat you just as bad. I feel like we turned our focus today fairly quickly onto Wyoming.”
A team will rarely admit if it is still sulking in a recent defeat. Players and coaches are, of course, trained to keep these thoughts to themselves. Although, in CSU’s case, it’s safe to assume they’ve truly moved on from the deflating loss.
After all, it isn’t as if the USU game represents the Rams’ first heartbreaker this year. In fact, CSU has dropped quite a few contests that realistically could have deflated the youthful squad. Instead, the Rams bounced back and responded positively to each scenario.
Take back-to-back losses against Arkansas State and New Mexico State, for example. Niko Medved’s group squandered an 18-point lead in the second half when hosting ASU before falling 80-78. Then, the Rams forced overtime against NMSU while their late comeback eventually proved insignificant as the Aggies squeaked away with a 78-70 win.
Both defeats were difficult to process in their own respective ways. But CSU experienced little trouble answering the call thereafter as they then rattled off three consecutive victories.
“The CU game at home, the Arkansas State game at home,” Medved said. “What this team is showing me is that they have learned from those and have continued to grow and get better…You are going to have things that you struggle with. It’s all about if you take that opportunity to try and learn and grow from it. What I love about this team is that is what they’ve done.”
Though the Rams have evidently grown as a team since this early-season instance, their resilient patterns remain unchanged.
Later in the campaign, the Rams countered a frustrating CU loss with a thrilling triple-overtime win at Tulsa. Additionally, CSU’s previous six-game winning streak in conference play occurred following a hard-fought defeat in Nevada.
Clearly, the Rams don’t let negative memories linger.
“We are resilient and gritty,” redshirt senior guard Kris Martin said. “We are strong. We know how to play the game, and we know what we are capable of. So, we aren’t ever going to let one loss hold us back from reaching our goal. We are ready and focused on bouncing back on Saturday.”
CSU has certainly digested Tuesday’s painful result as it prepares to seize its ninth conference victory in Laramie on Saturday.
However, there is one thing the Rams won’t leave to the magic of selective memory loss: hanging tight with Craig Smith’s NCAA Tournament-caliber program –– which may be on its way to a second consecutive March Madness appearance.
If you watched Tuesday’s action, you probably realized how the Aggies were one step ahead of CSU in most phases, from ball-movement to efficacy in transition to perimeter defending. The key element to observe is that USU was just one step ahead, though. Not three or four.
Knowing they were right there the whole time while nearly besting a troupe that has solidified its stance as the cream of the crop in the Mountain West supplies the Rams confidence as they embark through the regular season’s conclusive stages.
“There are no moral victories,” Martin said. “We come into the game knowing we can win the game, that we can beat that team. But it does give us confidence and shows that we are a really good team, and we are capable of playing at a high level with anyone.”
Besides boding CSU’s present endeavors well as it guns for a top seed in the Mountain Tournament, barely faltering versus the highly competent Aggies provides yet another optimistic indicator regarding what the Rams’ future holds.
“It says that the future is really bright,” Stevens said. “But the only thing that matters is getting the victory on the scoreboard. That is the only thing we are going to strive for. We are not going to be content with anything less.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--CU to analyze grades of incoming students to determine their civics knowledge

A years-long push by University of Colorado regents to mandate a more robust civics education focused on the country ’ s founding documents was reined in Thursday as the Board of Regents voted to instead study incoming students ’ civics literacy and assess the need from there .
The resolution , voted on during the regents ’ meeting Thursday at the University of Colorado Denver campus , passed 7-2 .
Democratic Regents Irene Griego and Linda Shoemaker voted against the measure .
Beginning in the fall of 2021 , CU ’ s Boulder , Denver and Colorado Springs campuses will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incoming and transfer students who : • Pass a Colorado high school civics course with a B- or better • Pass an approved similar course in another state with a B- or better • Pass the AP American history exam with a score of 3 or better • Pass the AP American government exam with a score of 3 or better • Pass the IB standard-level or higher-level History of the Americas exam with a score of 5 or better • Pass a CU concurrent enrollment class or transferred college credit from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courses with a C or better The university also will track enrollment in existing courses that focus on the foundation of the United States and track participation in regent-approved civics initiatives and events on the different campuses .
The collection of data will cost $ 200,000 per year for all three campuses , funded in the first two years by the president ’ s initiatives fund , said Michael Lightner , CU vice president for academic affairs .
After the first two years , the university will evaluate the effectiveness of the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I know it will shock you all , but I do support this , ” said Regent John Carson , R-Highlands Ranch , who has spearheaded the civics discussion for the past few years .
“ It ’ s very consistent with the laws of the regents and guiding principles and mission of the university.
” For years , Carson stressed his concern about college students lacking a fundamental understanding of the United States ’ founding documents , history and political processes .
Last year , the Board of Regents asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to propose a vision for a more robust civics education at their institutions .
Regents gave a thumbs up to Colorado Springs ’ proposal in June .
The proposal featured a seven-component , $ 500,000 yearly program including student trips to Washington , D.C. ; a new minor with certificate options ; and a center dedicated to the study of the development of the American Constitution .
Carson said the proposals from the Boulder and Denver campuses — which proposed courses more focused on social justice — needed to be better fleshed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civics education was paramount for Colorado college students , but worried about regents infringing on academic freedom — the role of the university ’ s academic experts to determine how best to teach students .
The resolution voted on Thursday was a compromise including faculty input along with input from the impacted campuses , Carson said .
Regents Griego and Shoemaker said they voted against the measure because of its expense , its overlap with Colorado ’ s existing high school civics graduation requirement and concern about focusing on certain historical lenses that @ @ @ @ @

A years-long push by University of Colorado regents to mandate a more robust civics education focused on the country’s founding documents was reined in Thursday as the Board of Regents voted to instead study incoming students’ civics literacy and assess the need from there.
The resolution, voted on during the regents’ meeting Thursday at the University of Colorado Denver campus, passed 7-2. Democratic Regents Irene Griego and Linda Shoemaker voted against the measure.
Beginning in the fall of 2021, CU’s Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs campuses will annually track and report the number of incoming and transfer students who:
Pass a Colorado high school civics course with a B- or better
Pass an approved similar course in another state with a B- or better
Pass the AP American history exam with a score of 3 or better
Pass the AP American government exam with a score of 3 or better
Pass the IB standard-level or higher-level History of the Americas exam with a score of 5 or better
Pass a CU concurrent enrollment class or transferred college credit from a list of approved U.S. history or government courses with a C or better
The university also will track enrollment in existing courses that focus on the foundation of the United States and track participation in regent-approved civics initiatives and events on the different campuses.
The collection of data will cost $200,000 per year for all three campuses, funded in the first two years by the president’s initiatives fund, said Michael Lightner, CU vice president for academic affairs. After the first two years, the university will evaluate the effectiveness of the data collection and determine the next steps.
“I know it will shock you all, but I do support this,” said Regent John Carson, R-Highlands Ranch, who has spearheaded the civics discussion for the past few years. “It’s very consistent with the laws of the regents and guiding principles and mission of the university.”
For years, Carson stressed his concern about college students lacking a fundamental understanding of the United States’ founding documents, history and political processes.
Last year, the Board of Regents asked the Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs campuses to propose a vision for a more robust civics education at their institutions.
Regents gave a thumbs up to Colorado Springs’ proposal in June. The proposal featured a seven-component, $500,000 yearly program including student trips to Washington, D.C.; a new minor with certificate options; and a center dedicated to the study of the development of the American Constitution.
Carson said the proposals from the Boulder and Denver campuses — which proposed courses more focused on social justice — needed to be better fleshed out.
CU’s Faculty Council agreed civics education was paramount for Colorado college students, but worried about regents infringing on academic freedom — the role of the university’s academic experts to determine how best to teach students.
The resolution voted on Thursday was a compromise including faculty input along with input from the impacted campuses, Carson said.
Regents Griego and Shoemaker said they voted against the measure because of its expense, its overlap with Colorado’s existing high school civics graduation requirement and concern about focusing on certain historical lenses that could lack diverse perspectives.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Dahlberg: Cheating Astros just don’t seem to get it

Good at stealing signs .
Not so good at pretending they ’ re sorry about it .
The team ’ s official mea culpa Thursday in Florida turned out to be as predictable as it gets .
From owner to star players the message was the same , almost as if it had been rehearsed the night before .
A few words of remorse for the worst scandal to hit baseball since the steroid era .
Then it ’ s on to 2020 and , just maybe , a World Series title without having to cheat to get it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were as bad at stealing signs as they are at apologizing for it , there might be championship flags flying in Los Angeles and New York now .
If they were getting paid for being honest and forthright , they would be driving Toyota Corollas to spring training instead of Range Rovers .
Instead , they put on a dog and pony show , minus the pony .
Well maybe not , because Astros owner Jim Crane was there to make the absurd claim that his team would have won the 2017 World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a good team , ” Crane said .
“ We won the World Series and we ’ ll leave it at that.
” Good luck explaining that to Yu Darvish , Clayton Kershaw and the rest of the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers .
Trying to defend the indefensible is not a good look , and Crane might have been better served simply keeping quiet .
If not for manager Dusty Baker looking very cool behind sunglasses in his new job , it would have been a total disaster .
Need more proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who expressed his regret that he didn ’ t say more about what was going on in Houston .
And what exactly did Verlander say at the time ?
“ That ’ s between myself and my teammates , ” Verlander said .
“ I don ’ t want to get into specifics .
As a team we ’ ve expressed our remorse , myself included , and I ’ ll leave it at that.
” Just millionaire ballplayers being millionaire ballplayers .
Accountability is for losers and , besides , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone should focus on instead .
Not so fast .
The Astros still have some explaining to do , and a lot more to apologize about .
The fact they don ’ t seem terribly interested in doing so should make a lot of people around baseball — players included — even madder than they currently are .
“ It is what it is , ” outfielder Josh Reddick said .
“ It happened , and we ask for forgiveness from everybody and to try to move forward in 2020 and focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy .
The upcoming season will be like no other for the Astros , beginning with the first road game on April 3 in Anaheim , where Dodger fans have bought tickets by the thousands to boo the Astros against the Angels .
There will be many other uncomfortable days for players to deal with like they did Thursday in Florida .
The Astros will surely be regaled by loud banging sounds wherever they go , a constant reminder of the scheme to steal signs that helped win them a World Series title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sure , they have a few .
Chief among them would be the regret that they got caught .
And then , of course , there ’ s regret that a former teammate turned them in .
But with entitled baseball players , there ’ s usually no remorse unless there are consequences .
And apparently there are no consequences for players cheating in baseball — at least as long as Rob Manfred is in charge of the game .
The scandal has cost three managers and one general manager their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real penalty was having to utter a few well-practiced sentences to reporters when they arrived for spring training .
They ’ ve already cheated the game .
Now they ’ ll be cheating the fans — not to mention some of their fellow players who have already signaled they aren ’ t going to follow the unwritten rules of baseball silence on this one .
“ I think it ’ s worse than steroids , ” Cubs slugger Kris Bryant said last week in Las Vegas .
No , the Astros scandal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose Altuve , Alex Bregman and company want it to .
It can ’ t until Manfred steps up and punishes those actually responsible for the scheme .
Vacating the World Series title would be a start .
No need to give it to the Dodgers because they didn ’ t win it on the field .
But there was no World Series champion in 1994 because of the strike , so there ’ s precedent already .
Next would be suspensions that make it clear cheating won ’ t be tolerated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the 2017 Astros should sit — without pay — for the same number of games he played for the team that season .
Then there ’ s Crane , who needs to find a new hobby to spend his money on .
He ’ s either out of touch or so ignorant about what was happening that he doesn ’ t deserve to be an owner .
Finally , other owners need to look at Manfred himself .
His decision not to discipline players is baffling at best and what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical to understanding the entire scandal .
No one is moving on , no matter how much the Astros talked about it Thursday .
No one can until we finally get something the Astros weren ’ t willing to give as they opened spring training .

Ah, the Houston Astros.
Good at stealing signs. Not so good at pretending they’re sorry about it.
The team’s official mea culpa Thursday in Florida turned out to be as predictable as it gets. From owner to star players the message was the same, almost as if it had been rehearsed the night before.
A few words of remorse for the worst scandal to hit baseball since the steroid era. Then it’s on to 2020 and, just maybe, a World Series title without having to cheat to get it.
Why even try?
If the Astros were as bad at stealing signs as they are at apologizing for it, there might be championship flags flying in Los Angeles and New York now. If they were getting paid for being honest and forthright, they would be driving Toyota Corollas to spring training instead of Range Rovers.
Instead, they put on a dog and pony show, minus the pony. Well maybe not, because Astros owner Jim Crane was there to make the absurd claim that his team would have won the 2017 World Series even without cheating.
“We had a good team,” Crane said. “We won the World Series and we’ll leave it at that.”
Good luck explaining that to Yu Darvish, Clayton Kershaw and the rest of the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers. Trying to defend the indefensible is not a good look, and Crane might have been better served simply keeping quiet.
If not for manager Dusty Baker looking very cool behind sunglasses in his new job, it would have been a total disaster.
Need more proof? Just listen to Justin Verlander, who expressed his regret that he didn’t say more about what was going on in Houston.
And what exactly did Verlander say at the time?
“That’s between myself and my teammates,” Verlander said. “I don’t want to get into specifics. As a team we’ve expressed our remorse, myself included, and I’ll leave it at that.”
Just millionaire ballplayers being millionaire ballplayers. Accountability is for losers and, besides, we have a season in front of us that everyone should focus on instead.
Not so fast. The Astros still have some explaining to do, and a lot more to apologize about.
The fact they don’t seem terribly interested in doing so should make a lot of people around baseball — players included — even madder than they currently are.
“It is what it is,” outfielder Josh Reddick said. “It happened, and we ask for forgiveness from everybody and to try to move forward in 2020 and focus on that.”
If only it was that easy. The upcoming season will be like no other for the Astros, beginning with the first road game on April 3 in Anaheim, where Dodger fans have bought tickets by the thousands to boo the Astros against the Angels.
There will be many other uncomfortable days for players to deal with like they did Thursday in Florida. The Astros will surely be regaled by loud banging sounds wherever they go, a constant reminder of the scheme to steal signs that helped win them a World Series title they didn’t deserve.
Regrets, sure, they have a few. Chief among them would be the regret that they got caught.
And then, of course, there’s regret that a former teammate turned them in.
But with entitled baseball players, there’s usually no remorse unless there are consequences. And apparently there are no consequences for players cheating in baseball — at least as long as Rob Manfred is in charge of the game.
The scandal has cost three managers and one general manager their jobs. But for the players the only real penalty was having to utter a few well-practiced sentences to reporters when they arrived for spring training.
Not a game missed. Not a dollar lost.
They’ve already cheated the game. Now they’ll be cheating the fans — not to mention some of their fellow players who have already signaled they aren’t going to follow the unwritten rules of baseball silence on this one.
“I think it’s worse than steroids,” Cubs slugger Kris Bryant said last week in Las Vegas.
No, the Astros scandal is not going away, as much as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and company want it to. It can’t until Manfred steps up and punishes those actually responsible for the scheme.
Vacating the World Series title would be a start. No need to give it to the Dodgers because they didn’t win it on the field. But there was no World Series champion in 1994 because of the strike, so there’s precedent already.
Next would be suspensions that make it clear cheating won’t be tolerated in baseball. I’d suggest every member of the 2017 Astros should sit — without pay — for the same number of games he played for the team that season.
Then there’s Crane, who needs to find a new hobby to spend his money on. He’s either out of touch or so ignorant about what was happening that he doesn’t deserve to be an owner.
Finally, other owners need to look at Manfred himself. His decision not to discipline players is baffling at best and what he knew and when he knew it are critical to understanding the entire scandal.
No one is moving on, no matter how much the Astros talked about it Thursday. No one can until we finally get something the Astros weren’t willing to give as they opened spring training.
Real action instead of empty apologies.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Raised-ranch custom in the pines has a bright interior, $698,661

Top-selling Castle Rock agent Joan Pratt will show you Sunday , Feb. 16 , just how much further your dollar can travel down in Douglas County , in exchange for a few more minutes , a few more years since construction .
She ’ ll hold open a custom raised-ranch in Larkspur with a dramatic interior — six bedrooms , 4-1/2 baths , a three-car garage , on a near-acre lot in the trees , for $ 698,661 .
An advantage of looking at this neighborhood called Sage Port , built 20 years ago near Bear Dance Golf Club , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently underway that add minutes to the commute .
Navigate through that hassle and you ’ ll find a 4,500-foot floor plan , in a community of attractive custom homes on big , forested sites , for the same price as a similar-sized tract-built home on a fifth-acre in Highlands Ranch .
Pratt , known as “ Mrs .
Castle Rock ” with $ 25 million in sales last year , says 7317 Fremont Place is a rare chance to get updated entertaining areas in a pretty natural setting , for under $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyer that wants their kids to climb trees and to throw a ball without hitting a neighbor ’ s window , ” she told me , as we entered a bright , soaring great room and family areas in mountain pine , with new , engineered bamboo floors , done in a contemporary , designer-picked palette that matches the mountain trim .
You ’ ll see loads of windows and skylights , piney ceilings , pine stair treads , a stone gas fireplace , and a wide-open kitchen-family area opening to a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Larkspur Elementary ( terrific parent reviews ) and Castle View High ( 8-out-of-10 stars for college readiness at GreatSchools.org ) .
She ’ ll have a light lunch out , and she notes that the voluntary HOA dues here is $ 50 a year .
One road obstruction on the way there should be reopened Sunday , Feb. 16 , allowing you to exit at Plum Creek Parkway and take I-25 ’ s west frontage road south to Tomah Road , then to head west over the tracks a block to Bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf club .
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

Top-selling Castle Rock agent Joan Pratt will show you Sunday, Feb. 16, just how much further your dollar can travel down in Douglas County, in exchange for a few more minutes, a few more years since construction.
Open house What: Open house, Larkspur
Open house, Larkspur Where: 7317 Fremont Pl., Larkspur; take I-25 south to Castle Rock’s 3rd exit, Plum Creek Pkwy, continue directly south down frontage road 4 mi to Tomah Rd, turn west over rail crossing to Bear Dance, left 2 mi. to a traffic circle, south on Bear Dance to Kenosha, 1 mi. to Fremont Dr, to Fremont Pl.
7317 Fremont Pl., Larkspur; take I-25 south to Castle Rock’s 3rd exit, Plum Creek Pkwy, continue directly south down frontage road 4 mi to Tomah Rd, turn west over rail crossing to Bear Dance, left 2 mi. to a traffic circle, south on Bear Dance to Kenosha, 1 mi. to Fremont Dr, to Fremont Pl. Price: $698,661
$698,661 When: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 to 4 p.m. Phone: 720-990-5551
She’ll hold open a custom raised-ranch in Larkspur with a dramatic interior — six bedrooms, 4-1/2 baths, a three-car garage, on a near-acre lot in the trees, for $698,661.
An advantage of looking at this neighborhood called Sage Port, built 20 years ago near Bear Dance Golf Club, is that prices now reflect highway widening currently underway that add minutes to the commute.
Navigate through that hassle and you’ll find a 4,500-foot floor plan, in a community of attractive custom homes on big, forested sites, for the same price as a similar-sized tract-built home on a fifth-acre in Highlands Ranch.
Pratt, known as “Mrs. Castle Rock” with $25 million in sales last year, says 7317 Fremont Place is a rare chance to get updated entertaining areas in a pretty natural setting, for under $700,000.
“This is for a buyer that wants their kids to climb trees and to throw a ball without hitting a neighbor’s window,” she told me, as we entered a bright, soaring great room and family areas in mountain pine, with new, engineered bamboo floors, done in a contemporary, designer-picked palette that matches the mountain trim.
You’ll see loads of windows and skylights, piney ceilings, pine stair treads, a stone gas fireplace, and a wide-open kitchen-family area opening to a huge deck.
Pratt notes that the schools include Larkspur Elementary (terrific parent reviews) and Castle View High (8-out-of-10 stars for college readiness at GreatSchools.org).
She’ll have a light lunch out, and she notes that the voluntary HOA dues here is $50 a year.
One road obstruction on the way there should be reopened Sunday, Feb. 16, allowing you to exit at Plum Creek Parkway and take I-25’s west frontage road south to Tomah Road, then to head west over the tracks a block to Bear Dance Drive, and south through the golf club.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-02-15--Jeremy Bennett, tabbed as Mullen’s fourth head football coach in four seasons, aims to lead storied

Jeremy Bennett, tabbed as Mullen’s fourth head football coach in four seasons, aims to lead storied program “back to where it was”

Stepping in as Mullen ’ s fourth head football coach in as many seasons , Jeremy Bennett knows he has work to do to restore the shine on the Mustangs ’ program .
Mullen has won seven state titles but none since 2010 , and has endured three straight losing seasons as winning ways , and overall stability , have been recently lacking at de La Salle Stadium .
“ The struggles of late — that ’ s not what or who Mullen is , ” Bennett said .
“ Right now , it ’ s a group of players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know who to trust or what to do right now , and that ’ s no reflection on any one person or me saying anything bad about previous coaching staffs .
That ’ s just the way they feel , and it ’ s got to be all of us that get after this and get Mullen football back to where it was.
” Bennett comes to Mullen after 15 years as the head coach at D ’ Evelyn , where he amassed a 103-56 record .
Prior to that , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League , the defensive coordinator at Stanley Lake and Jefferson , and played linebacker at Western State and Centaurus .
The 47-year-old credits his coaching base for landing his “ dream job ” , and said his favorite memory at D ’ Evelyn was the Jaguars ’ run to the Class 3A semifinals in 2008 , his fourth year at the school .
“ That junior and senior class paved the way for our turnaround , even when they were young , ” Bennett said .
“ Those ( 2008 ) seniors were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in taking that ride with them all the way to losing to Fort Morgan in the semifinals , they put the school back on the football map.
” Bennett was introduced to the Mullen players Thursday .
He said that while he ’ s still in the initial stages of forming his staff , many of his D ’ Evelyn assistants will be coming with him to the school where he wants to end his career .
“ I ’ m an extremely loyal guy — so one day , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an old man and walk away from it , and that ’ s what I hope to do at Mullen High School , ” Bennett said .

Stepping in as Mullen’s fourth head football coach in as many seasons, Jeremy Bennett knows he has work to do to restore the shine on the Mustangs’ program.
Mullen has won seven state titles but none since 2010, and has endured three straight losing seasons as winning ways, and overall stability, have been recently lacking at de La Salle Stadium.
“The struggles of late — that’s not what or who Mullen is,” Bennett said. “Right now, it’s a group of players and outstanding young men who don’t know who to trust or what to do right now, and that’s no reflection on any one person or me saying anything bad about previous coaching staffs. That’s just the way they feel, and it’s got to be all of us that get after this and get Mullen football back to where it was.”
Bennett comes to Mullen after 15 years as the head coach at D’Evelyn, where he amassed a 103-56 record. Prior to that, he was a scout in the Arena Football League, the defensive coordinator at Standley Lake and Jefferson, and played linebacker at Western State and Centaurus.
The 47-year-old credits his coaching base for landing his “dream job”, and said his favorite memory at D’Evelyn was the Jaguars’ run to the Class 3A semifinals in 2008, his fourth year at the school.
“That junior and senior class paved the way for our turnaround, even when they were young,” Bennett said. “Those (2008) seniors were freshmen my first year at the school, and in taking that ride with them all the way to losing to Fort Morgan in the semifinals, they put the school back on the football map.”
Bennett was introduced to the Mullen players Thursday. He said that while he’s still in the initial stages of forming his staff, many of his D’Evelyn assistants will be coming with him to the school where he wants to end his career.
“I’m an extremely loyal guy — so one day, I want to hand my keys in as an old man and walk away from it, and that’s what I hope to do at Mullen High School,” Bennett said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--No repeal of Denver pit bull ban after all: Mayor to veto council decision

Denver ’ s ban on pit bulls will remain in place — for now , anyway .
Mayor Michael Hancock said Friday afternoon he will veto legislation that would have repealed the ban , and it doesn ’ t appear the Denver City Council has the votes to override him .
It will be Hancock ’ s first veto in three terms .
“ The reality is that irresponsible pet owners continue to be a problem , and it is the irresponsible owners and their dogs I must consider in evaluating the overall impact of this ordinance , ” Hancock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I appreciate the effort that Councilman Herndon has put in to crafting this ordinance and its guardrails , I do not believe this ordinance fully addresses the very real risk to severe injury that can result from attacks from these particular dog breeds , especially should they happen to a child , ” the mayor continued .
If the council is unable to overcome the veto in a vote Tuesday evening , Councilman Chris Herndon , who proposed the measure , said he will aim to place a similar measure on the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would require nine votes , and it passed the council with seven .
“ I ’ m disappointed the mayor is choosing to disregard the science on the issue of breed-specific legislation , ” he said .
“ Research tells us breed-specific legislation is ineffective at keeping communities safe and experts in the field – from the local level to the national level – agree it is no longer best practice.
” The American Veterinary Medicine Association , Denver Dumb Friends League and Northfield Veterinary Hospital were among the organizations behind Herndon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the council members who voted for the repeal noted that they had a difficult time with the decision .
Those opposed expressed a fear of the damage pit bulls can cause .
Certainly the mayor was pulled in both directions this week .
He noted that hundreds of calls , emails and social media posts flowed into his office with valid points on each side .
Hancock said in a video earlier Friday that he had been dreaming of pit bulls since the council approved the measure Monday night .
Indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law was first enacted .
“ I grew up in this city and I watched in the late 1980s as Denver faced repeated attacks by pit bulls , some fatal , ” Hancock said .
He noted that fewer than 20 % of all pets in Denver are licensed , raising questions about how effective Herndon ’ s measure would be .
Aurora , Lone Tree , Louisville and Commerce City also ban pit bulls .
Aurora ’ s City Council is discussing whether to change its law , however , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its pit bull ban in 2018 .

Denver’s ban on pit bulls will remain in place — for now, anyway.
Mayor Michael Hancock said Friday afternoon he will veto legislation that would have repealed the ban, and it doesn’t appear the Denver City Council has the votes to override him.
It will be Hancock’s first veto in three terms.
“The reality is that irresponsible pet owners continue to be a problem, and it is the irresponsible owners and their dogs I must consider in evaluating the overall impact of this ordinance,” Hancock said in a statement.
“While I appreciate the effort that Councilman Herndon has put in to crafting this ordinance and its guardrails, I do not believe this ordinance fully addresses the very real risk to severe injury that can result from attacks from these particular dog breeds, especially should they happen to a child,” the mayor continued.
If the council is unable to overcome the veto in a vote Tuesday evening, Councilman Chris Herndon, who proposed the measure, said he will aim to place a similar measure on the city’s November ballot. An override would require nine votes, and it passed the council with seven.
“I’m disappointed the mayor is choosing to disregard the science on the issue of breed-specific legislation,” he said. “Research tells us breed-specific legislation is ineffective at keeping communities safe and experts in the field – from the local level to the national level – agree it is no longer best practice.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association, Denver Dumb Friends League and Northfield Veterinary Hospital were among the organizations behind Herndon’s repeal effort.
Even so, some of the council members who voted for the repeal noted that they had a difficult time with the decision. Those opposed expressed a fear of the damage pit bulls can cause.
Certainly the mayor was pulled in both directions this week. He noted that hundreds of calls, emails and social media posts flowed into his office with valid points on each side.
Hancock said in a video earlier Friday that he had been dreaming of pit bulls since the council approved the measure Monday night.
Indeed, he said, he remembered when the law was first enacted.
“I grew up in this city and I watched in the late 1980s as Denver faced repeated attacks by pit bulls, some fatal,” Hancock said.
He noted that fewer than 20% of all pets in Denver are licensed, raising questions about how effective Herndon’s measure would be.
Aurora, Lone Tree, Louisville and Commerce City also ban pit bulls. Aurora’s City Council is discussing whether to change its law, however, and Castle Rock’s Town Council repealed its pit bull ban in 2018.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Man convicted of vehicular homicide in double-fatal crash in Lakewood

A man who injected methamphetamine hours before crashing a stolen vehicle and killing two men in Lakewood has been convicted on multiple felony charges , including vehicular homicide and vehicular eluding .
William Lloyd Jokay-Szilagji , 28 , was convicted by a Jefferson County jury on Thursday on 24 counts in the deaths of Jacob Bowen , 26 , and Jesse Edmonds , 30 , according to the 1st Judicial District .
The jury deliberated for two days after a week-long trial .
Early May 19 , Lakewood police were at a condo complex at 12350 W. Nevada Place where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engine running , according to a district attorney ’ s news release .
Police pulled behind the vehicle and determined it had been reported stolen .
A man wearing all black ran to the Toyota and got behind the wheel .
Police ordered him to stop , but the driver rammed a police car , injuring an officer , and drove through a 6-foot-tall wooden fence to flee .
A short time later , two officers were stopped at a traffic light at West Alameda Parkway and South Kipling Street when they saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , run a red light at the intersection and slam into a Nissan driven by Bowen .
Edmonds was a passenger in the Nissan .
Both men were killed .
Investigators said Jokay-Szilagji was driving at 105 mph just before the collision .
Both men who died were from Kansas and were about three miles from a friend ’ s home they were visiting .
Two women in the Toyota , driven by Jokay-Szilagji , suffered severe injuries .
In the days leading up to the fatal crash , Jokay-Szilagji ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 4Runner and use of financial transaction devices that were inside .
• A home burglary in which a rifle , wallets , credit cards and a tactical vest were stolen .
• A robbery of a person in an Arvada bar .
Stolen items and 4.5 grams of meth were recovered from the wrecked Toyota .
Jokay-Szilagji remains in custody at the Jefferson County jail .
He faces decades in prison after the 24-count conviction , which included two counts of vehicular homicide-DUI and two counts of reckless vehicular homicide .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A man who injected methamphetamine hours before crashing a stolen vehicle and killing two men in Lakewood has been convicted on multiple felony charges, including vehicular homicide and vehicular eluding.
William Lloyd Jokay-Szilagji, 28, was convicted by a Jefferson County jury on Thursday on 24 counts in the deaths of Jacob Bowen, 26, and Jesse Edmonds, 30, according to the 1st Judicial District. The jury deliberated for two days after a week-long trial.
Early May 19, Lakewood police were at a condo complex at 12350 W. Nevada Place where a Toyota 4Runner was parked with the engine running, according to a district attorney’s news release. Police pulled behind the vehicle and determined it had been reported stolen.
A man wearing all black ran to the Toyota and got behind the wheel. Police ordered him to stop, but the driver rammed a police car, injuring an officer, and drove through a 6-foot-tall wooden fence to flee.
A short time later, two officers were stopped at a traffic light at West Alameda Parkway and South Kipling Street when they saw the speeding Toyota, with no lights on, run a red light at the intersection and slam into a Nissan driven by Bowen. Edmonds was a passenger in the Nissan. Both men were killed.
Investigators said Jokay-Szilagji was driving at 105 mph just before the collision.
Both men who died were from Kansas and were about three miles from a friend’s home they were visiting.
Two women in the Toyota, driven by Jokay-Szilagji, suffered severe injuries.
In the days leading up to the fatal crash, Jokay-Szilagji’s crime spree included:
Theft of the 4Runner and use of
financial transaction devices that were inside.
financial transaction devices that were inside. A home burglary in which a rifle, wallets, credit
cards and a tactical vest were stolen.
cards and a tactical vest were stolen. A robbery of a person in an Arvada bar.
Another car trespass.
Stolen items and 4.5 grams of meth were recovered from the wrecked Toyota.
Jokay-Szilagji remains in custody at the Jefferson County jail. He faces decades in prison after the 24-count conviction, which included two counts of vehicular homicide-DUI and two counts of reckless vehicular homicide. His sentencing is scheduled for April 2.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Arvada police investigating fatal shooting of teenage boy

One teenager is dead and another is being held for investigation of manslaughter after a fatal shooting in Arvada .
@ @ @ @ @ reports of a shooting on the 8100 block of Chase Drive .
They found a @ @ @ @ @ wound , and he died on scene from his injuries , Arvada police Detective Dave @ @ @ @ @ teenage boys were at the scene and taken into custody .
One was released with @ @ @ @ @ other was placed in a detention facility for investigation of manslaughter , recklessly causing the @ @ @ @ @ a police news release said .
Authorities did not identify the victim or the suspect @ @ @ @ @ boys knew each other , and the incident does not present a danger to the @ @ @ @ @ Police are still investigating the shooting .
“ We ’ re just trying to help @ @ @ @ @ Snelling said .

One teenager is dead and another is being held for investigation of manslaughter after a fatal shooting in Arvada.
Police responded Thursday afternoon to reports of a shooting on the 8100 block of Chase Drive. They found a teenage boy with a gunshot wound, and he died on scene from his injuries, Arvada police Detective Dave Snelling said.
Two other teenage boys were at the scene and taken into custody. One was released with no charges, and the other was placed in a detention facility for investigation of manslaughter, recklessly causing the death of another person, a police news release said. Authorities did not identify the victim or the suspect.
All three of the boys knew each other, and the incident does not present a danger to the community, Snelling said. Police are still investigating the shooting.
“We’re just trying to help out some families,” Snelling said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Rockies catcher Tony Wolters, the ultimate teammate, has a Gold Glove goal

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — Rockies catcher Tony Wolters hates talking about himself .
His teammates love talking about him .
That tells you a lot about Wolters .
“ Tony ’ s the best teammate and I ’ ve seen so much growth , ” starting pitcher Jon Gray said Friday .
“ He ’ s so hands-on about everything .
It ’ s almost like when we ’ re on the mound , he ’ s on the mound with us.
” Wolters , 27 , is now securely cemented as Colorado ’ s No .
1 receiver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infielder ’ s glovework , game-calling and growing leadership skills .
Plus , his popularity among his teammates can not be overstated .
“ His natural personality helps him ; the players like him , ” manager Bud Black said .
“ Back in 2017-18 , Tony was like their little brother .
Now , he ’ s not their little brother anymore .
I don ’ t want to say he ’ s their big brother yet , he ’ s like the middle brother .
He ’ s out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not quite to big brother — but he ’ s getting there.
” Gray had barely slipped on his spring training jersey before Wolters was coaching him up .
“ Right away , he was telling me , ‘ Jon , you know when you throw your changeup to a righty , you have finish it at his feet , ’ ” Gray said .
“ He ’ s really thinking beyond the curve on all of this .
He ’ s come a long , long way from Day 1 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I do.
” Wolters began his professional career as a middle infielder until Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona coaxed him into playing catcher in 2013 , noting Wolter ’ s quick hands , fast release and feel for the game .
Colorado claimed Wolters off waivers before spring training 2016 and he started climbing the ladder .
Wolters appeared in 112 games last season , tied with Yorvit Torrealba in 2007 for second-most by a Rockies catcher in a season ( Joe Girardi played in 122 in 1995 ) .
Wolters wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ask Tony right now , he ’ ll tell you he wants to catch 130 , 140 games , ” Black said .
“ I love that about Tony.
” Wolters , who hit .262 with just one home run last year , is rarely mentioned in the same breath as stars like J.T .
Realmuto , Yasmani Grandal , Yadier Molina or Buster Posey .
But Black senses growing respect for Wolters , who ranked second in the National League last year with a 68.8 stolen-base percentage .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do know , talking to other managers and coaches , that they appreciate his defense , ” Black said .
“ They know he ’ s a great blocker , they know he can throw , he makes plays .
He ’ s not underrated in conversations with my peers , but maybe on a national , publicity level .
But that probably goes along with a lot of our players.
” However , Wolters ’ growing reputation as a top-notch backstop did not translate when it came to contract negotiations .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a $ 2.475 million salary for 2020 .
The Rockies countered with $ 1.9 million and won the case .
If Wolters is at all bitter about the business of baseball , he ’ s not showing it .
And coaxed to talk about himself , Wolters revealed quite a bit in a few words .
“ First of all , I play for my teammates , ” he said .
“ But I am someone who likes to set goals because that helps me .
I had four passed balls last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut down on that .
I don ’ t want to have any .
“ And I really want to win a Gold Glove .
Because I know that I can help the team with my defense , and with my game calling .
I feel like I have a really good handle on that right now .
”

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies catcher Tony Wolters hates talking about himself. His teammates love talking about him. That tells you a lot about Wolters.
“Tony’s the best teammate and I’ve seen so much growth,” starting pitcher Jon Gray said Friday. “He’s so hands-on about everything. It’s almost like when we’re on the mound, he’s on the mound with us.”
Wolters, 27, is now securely cemented as Colorado’s No. 1 receiver, in large part because of the former infielder’s glovework, game-calling and growing leadership skills. Plus, his popularity among his teammates cannot be overstated.
“His natural personality helps him; the players like him,” manager Bud Black said. “Back in 2017-18, Tony was like their little brother. Now, he’s not their little brother anymore. I don’t want to say he’s their big brother yet, he’s like the middle brother. He’s out of the little-brother category, but he’s not quite to big brother — but he’s getting there.”
Gray had barely slipped on his spring training jersey before Wolters was coaching him up.
“Right away, he was telling me, ‘Jon, you know when you throw your changeup to a righty, you have finish it at his feet,’ ” Gray said. “He’s really thinking beyond the curve on all of this. He’s come a long, long way from Day 1. He probably has a better idea about pitching than I do.”
Wolters began his professional career as a middle infielder until Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona coaxed him into playing catcher in 2013, noting Wolter’s quick hands, fast release and feel for the game. Colorado claimed Wolters off waivers before spring training 2016 and he started climbing the ladder.
Wolters appeared in 112 games last season, tied with Yorvit Torrealba in 2007 for second-most by a Rockies catcher in a season (Joe Girardi played in 122 in 1995). Wolters wants to be a workhorse.
“If you ask Tony right now, he’ll tell you he wants to catch 130, 140 games,” Black said. “I love that about Tony.”
Wolters, who hit .262 with just one home run last year, is rarely mentioned in the same breath as stars like J.T. Realmuto, Yasmani Grandal, Yadier Molina or Buster Posey. But Black senses growing respect for Wolters, who ranked second in the National League last year with a 68.8 stolen-base percentage.
“I think he’s underrated, but I do know, talking to other managers and coaches, that they appreciate his defense,” Black said. “They know he’s a great blocker, they know he can throw, he makes plays. He’s not underrated in conversations with my peers, but maybe on a national, publicity level. But that probably goes along with a lot of our players.”
However, Wolters’ growing reputation as a top-notch backstop did not translate when it came to contract negotiations. In the offseason arbitration process, he asked for a $2.475 million salary for 2020. The Rockies countered with $1.9 million and won the case.
If Wolters is at all bitter about the business of baseball, he’s not showing it. And coaxed to talk about himself, Wolters revealed quite a bit in a few words.
“First of all, I play for my teammates,” he said. “But I am someone who likes to set goals because that helps me. I had four passed balls last year and I truly believe I can cut down on that. I don’t want to have any.
“And I really want to win a Gold Glove. Because I know that I can help the team with my defense, and with my game calling. I feel like I have a really good handle on that right now.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--83-year-old skier dies following suspected half-pipe accident at Aspen Snowmass

An 83-year-old man died from injuries sustained in a skiing accident Monday at Aspen Snowmass in which officials believe he @ @ @ @ @ a half-pipe .
The Montrose man , who has not yet been publicly identified , @ @ @ @ @ a.m. Monday in the half-pipe at Snowmass , according to a statement from Jeff Hanle @ @ @ @ @ resort .
The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident , @ @ @ @ @ patrol responded , initiated trauma protocol and transported the man to an ambulance .
“ @ @ @ @ @ family that he had been transferred to St , Anthony ’ s Hospital in Denver @ @ @ @ @ ” Hanle said .
“ Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this time @ @

An 83-year-old man died from injuries suffered in a skiing accident Monday at Aspen Snowmass in which officials believe he skied off the deck of a half-pipe.
The Ptikin County Coroner’s Office on Friday identified the man as George Cort, according to the Aspen Times.
The Montrose man was found unconscious around 9:15 a.m. Monday in the half-pipe at Snowmass, according to a statement from Jeff Hanle, spokesman for the ski resort.
The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, Hanle said. The ski patrol responded, initiated trauma protocol and transported him to an ambulance.
Cort died of multiple blunt force injuries and his manner of death was accidental, the coroner’s office said.
“We learned later from his family that he had been transferred to St, Anthony’s Hospital in Denver and died Wednesday evening,” Hanle said. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this time.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Insurance companies can’t penalize people with prescriptions for life-saving opioid overdose medicat

Insurance companies can’t penalize people with prescriptions for life-saving opioid overdose medication, state says

Insurance companies can ’ t deny coverage or raise prices for people who have a prescription for a medicine that reverses opioid overdoses , Colorado ’ s insurance oversight agency said Friday .
The Colorado Division of Insurance is not aware of any cases where someone has been unfairly treated for a prescription for the drug naloxone , division spokesman Vincent Plymell said .
But other states have .
“ We thought ’ d we ’ d get ahead of this before there ’ s an issue , ” Plymell said .
Naloxone rapidly reverses the symptoms of an opioid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by paramedics , police officers and other first responders .
The Colorado legislature in 2015 passed a law making every resident eligible for a prescription in an attempt to stymie the rise in overdose deaths .
The number of Coloradans who die of an opioid overdose has more than doubled in the past two decades , according to data from the National Institute of Drug Abuse .
In 2018 , 543 Coloradans died of overdoses of prescription and illegal opioids such as heroin .
Insurance companies can take a person ’ s prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs but naloxone prescriptions should not be considered because it is more commonly used on someone other than the prescribed party , a bulletin from the Division of Insurance states .
Naloxone can either be injected or given as a nasal spray .
“ It would negatively affect Colorado ’ s crucial public health efforts if insurers decline applications , rescind coverage , or charge a person carrying naloxone a higher premium for life insurance , annuity contracts , sickness and accident insurance , and/or disability insurance because the applicant had obtained naloxone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the bulletin states .
The division asked that anybody who thinks they may have been discriminated against because of a naloxone prescription report it to the agency .
“ That ’ s the best way for us to find out about these things , ” Plymell said .
If an investigation finds discrimination , the division can force an insurance company to cover someone or refund money if they were overcharged .
Complaints can be filed online , over the phone at 303-894-7490 or via email at DORA_Insurance @ state.co.us .

Insurance companies can’t deny coverage or raise prices for people who have a prescription for a medicine that reverses opioid overdoses, Colorado’s insurance oversight agency said Friday.
The Colorado Division of Insurance is not aware of any cases where someone has been unfairly treated for a prescription for the drug naloxone, division spokesman Vincent Plymell said. But other states have.
“We thought’d we’d get ahead of this before there’s an issue,” Plymell said.
Naloxone rapidly reverses the symptoms of an opioid overdose and for years has been used by paramedics, police officers and other first responders. The Colorado legislature in 2015 passed a law making every resident eligible for a prescription in an attempt to stymie the rise in overdose deaths.
The number of Coloradans who die of an opioid overdose has more than doubled in the past two decades, according to data from the National Institute of Drug Abuse. In 2018, 543 Coloradans died of overdoses of prescription and illegal opioids such as heroin.
Insurance companies can take a person’s prescription history into account when deciding coverage and costs but naloxone prescriptions should not be considered because it is more commonly used on someone other than the prescribed party, a bulletin from the Division of Insurance states. Naloxone can either be injected or given as a nasal spray.
“It would negatively affect Colorado’s crucial public health efforts if insurers decline applications, rescind coverage, or charge a person carrying naloxone a higher premium for life insurance, annuity contracts, sickness and accident insurance, and/or disability insurance because the applicant had obtained naloxone to help respond to opioid overdoses,” the bulletin states.
The division asked that anybody who thinks they may have been discriminated against because of a naloxone prescription report it to the agency.
“That’s the best way for us to find out about these things,” Plymell said.
If an investigation finds discrimination, the division can force an insurance company to cover someone or refund money if they were overcharged. Complaints can be filed online, over the phone at 303-894-7490 or via email at DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--PHOTOS: Hundreds of couples get married or renew vows at Loveland Ski Area on Valentine’s Day

Jessica Warner , left , and her husband , Travis , head into the lodge for a drink after renewing their vows at Loveland Ski Area ’ s 29th Annual Marry Me & Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony on Feb. 14 , 2020 in Dillon .
The couple from Loveland has been married for 20 years .
They joined several hundred people who were able to get married or renew their vows outside the Ptarmigan Roost Cabin on Valentine 's Day .
( RJ Sangosti , The Denver Post ) This afternoon , hundreds of couples gathered outside Loveland ski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elevation 12,050 feet , to get married or renew their vows as part of Loveland ’ s 29th annual Marry Me & Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony event , held every Valentine ’ s Day .
The “ mass wedding ” took about 30 minutes , and after the ceremony , couples skied down the mountain for a reception at the base of Loveland Basin .
RELATED : How to spend a romantic Valentine ’ s Day on the slopes Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news @ @ @ @ @ @

This afternoon, hundreds of couples gathered outside Loveland ski area’s Ptarmigan Roost Cabin, elevation 12,050 feet, to get married or renew their vows as part of Loveland’s 29th annual Marry Me & Ski For Free Mountaintop Matrimony event, held every Valentine’s Day. The “mass wedding” took about 30 minutes, and after the ceremony, couples skied down the mountain for a reception at the base of Loveland Basin. Check out photos over on The Know.
RELATED: How to spend a romantic Valentine’s Day on the slopes
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