thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Guest commentary: Bill of Rights exists to prevent what we’re seeing in Portland

American democracy and freedom has never been as threatened as it is today .
In Portland , we are witnessing the use of federal troops , uninvited by the state or local authorities roving the streets , beating peaceful protestors , kidnapping them and holding them incognito .
Trump is threatening to unleash U.S. quasi-military troops ( Homeland Security ) on other “ Democrat ” cities he doesn ’ t like .
Even the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney in Oregon has joined as counsel suing his own government to stop this madness .
The thinnest legal justification for this invasion is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the ability to “ protect the buildings , grounds , and property that are owned , occupied , or secured by the Federal Government… ” Roving bands of feds , however , have strayed far from their mission and are simply brutalizing peaceful citizens who are not on or near any federal property .
The danger of this is apparent .
We have all witnessed the results of allegedly well-trained police officers attempting crowd control during the George Floyd riots .
At least local cops are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the concept of excessive force and are at least trained in using appropriate levels of force .
To their credit during the height of the George Floyd protests many local police agencies did not respond to extreme provocations with violence , although many did .
Just as some BLM peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by rioters using the peaceful protests as cover for rioting , so too did armed cops use ‘ law and order ’ as an excuse to engage in ultra-violent blood sport .
But generally ( not always ) , trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seemed to understand the First Amendment right to protest .
Turning completely untrained federal troops loose in the streets who know nothing of crowd control , troops who care less than nothing about excessive force , who are only there to terrorize and brutalize protestors is to invite armed conflict between citizens and federal agents .
Every night I am shocked that we have not yet witnessed the rise of armed militias who are no longer content to merely throw tear gas canisters back at law enforcement .
Over the years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ militias ’ who have always talked tough about the feds encroaching on their freedoms .
I ’ m guessing the only reason they haven ’ t taken to the streets is because they like the fact that the feds are cracking lefty skulls .
The point here is that in Our America , unmarked vans with unnamed troops , don ’ t scoop innocent or guilty people upoff the streets and take them to unnamed undisclosed locations .
Arrested people have a right to be taken to court after jail , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their families have a right to be told where their loved one is and what ’ s happened to them .
Charges get filed in courts ; public defenders are appointed .
People do not simply disappear .
Due process of law is the crown jewel in our Bill of Rights .
But in Trump ’ s America , our Constitution is merely an impediment to him doing what he wants .
That is precisely and completely , exactly what it is supposed to be .
When I see stories about these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to the civil rights warriors in my law firm with the warning , “ Do not think for one minute this could not happen in America , because it can.
” Unfortunately , it is .
David Lane has been a civil rights attorney for 40 years and is a partner with the Denver law firm Killmer , Lane & Newman , LLP

American democracy and freedom has never been as threatened as it is today. In Portland, we are witnessing the use of federal troops, uninvited by the state or local authorities roving the streets, beating peaceful protestors, kidnapping them and holding them incognito.
Trump is threatening to unleash U.S. quasi-military troops (Homeland Security) on other “Democrat” cities he doesn’t like. Even the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney in Oregon has joined as counsel suing his own government to stop this madness. The thinnest legal justification for this invasion is found in 40 U.S.C. § 1315 which gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the ability to “protect the buildings, grounds, and property that are owned, occupied, or secured by the Federal Government…”
Roving bands of feds, however, have strayed far from their mission and are simply brutalizing peaceful citizens who are not on or near any federal property. The danger of this is apparent. We have all witnessed the results of allegedly well-trained police officers attempting crowd control during the George Floyd riots. At least local cops are supposed to understand crowd control techniques and the concept of excessive force and are at least trained in using appropriate levels of force. To their credit during the height of the George Floyd protests many local police agencies did not respond to extreme provocations with violence, although many did. Just as some BLM peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by rioters using the peaceful protests as cover for rioting, so too did armed cops use ‘law and order’ as an excuse to engage in ultra-violent blood sport.
But generally (not always), trained cops showed some tolerance of peaceful protests and seemed to understand the First Amendment right to protest. Turning completely untrained federal troops loose in the streets who know nothing of crowd control, troops who care less than nothing about excessive force, who are only there to terrorize and brutalize protestors is to invite armed conflict between citizens and federal agents. Every night I am shocked that we have not yet witnessed the rise of armed militias who are no longer content to merely throw tear gas canisters back at law enforcement.
Over the years, we have seen innumerable armed-to-the-teeth right wing ‘militias’ who have always talked tough about the feds encroaching on their freedoms. I’m guessing the only reason they haven’t taken to the streets is because they like the fact that the feds are cracking lefty skulls. The point here is that in Our America, unmarked vans with unnamed troops, don’t scoop innocent or guilty people upoff the streets and take them to unnamed undisclosed locations.
Arrested people have a right to be taken to court after jail, not a dungeon in some undisclosed federal building. Their families have a right to be told where their loved one is and what’s happened to them. Charges get filed in courts; public defenders are appointed. People do not simply disappear. Due process of law is the crown jewel in our Bill of Rights. But in Trump’s America, our Constitution is merely an impediment to him doing what he wants.
That is precisely and completely, exactly what it is supposed to be. When I see stories about these things happening in China, I forward them to the civil rights warriors in my law firm with the warning, “Do not think for one minute this could not happen in America, because it can.” Unfortunately, it is.
David Lane has been a civil rights attorney for 40 years and is a partner with the Denver law firm Killmer, Lane & Newman, LLP


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--1.4 million seek unemployment aid — the first weekly increase since March

WASHINGTON — The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since the pandemic struck in March , evidence of the deepening economic pain the outbreak is causing to the economy .
The rise in weekly jobless claims to 1.4 million underscores the outsize role the unemployment insurance system is playing among the nation ’ s safety net programs — just when a $ 600 weekly federal aid payment for the jobless is set to expire at the end of this week .
All told , the Labor Department said Thursday that roughly 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though that figure could include double-counting by some states .
Some economists say the figure is likely closer to 25 million .
Last week ’ s pace of unemployment applications — the 18th straight week it ’ s topped 1 million — was up from 1.3 million the previous week .
Before the pandemic , the number of weekly applications had never exceeded 700,000 .
An additional 975,000 applied for jobless aid under a separate program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time .
That figure isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s reported separately .
The resurgence of confirmed viral cases across the country has forced some businesses to close a second time or to impose tighter restrictions on customers in response to state mandates .
The resulting pullback in business activity has hindered job growth and likely forced additional layoffs .
The federal government ’ s $ 600 weekly benefit for laid-off workers — which is in addition to whatever jobless aid a state provides — is the last major source of economic help from the $ 2 trillion relief package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small business lending program and one-time $ 1,200 payment have largely run their course .
Members of Congress are negotiating another aid package that might extend the $ 600 benefit , though likely at a lower level .
Because of the $ 600 weekly federal benefit , roughly two-thirds of the unemployed are receiving more in aid than they earned at their former jobs , research has shown — a finding that ’ s led Republicans to argue that it is discouraging people from returning to work .
Yet the additional money has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people who lost jobs that no longer exist or who fear being infected by the virus if they return to work .
The federal jobless aid has also helped buttress the overall economy .
Unemployment aid accounted for 6 % of all U.S. income in May , a greater share than even Social Security .
Economists say it ’ s one reason why retail spending rebounded as quickly as it did in May and June , helping fuel a modest economic rebound .
With the nation gripped by an alarming resurgence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide its latest report Thursday on the layoffs that have remained stuck at an elevated weekly level above 1 million since the pandemic erupted in March .
The pace of applications for unemployment benefits has stalled at roughly double the record high that existed before the virus sent the economy spiraling into a deep recession .
Now , as many states and localities reimpose lockdowns in response to the spreading virus , businesses face renewed struggles that are forcing some to impose further job cuts or to shut down permanently .
The latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 600 weekly federal aid payment for the jobless is set to expire at the end of this week .
Members of Congress are negotiating another aid package that might extend that benefit , though likely at a lower level of payment .

WASHINGTON — The number of Coloradans filing initial claims for unemployment benefits rose last week to 16,398, while nationally the number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose to 1.4 million. That’s the first increase nationwide since the pandemic struck in March.
For the week ending July 18, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said 8,486 claims for regular jobless benefits were filed. The state received 9,233 claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which covers self-employed, gig workers and independent contractors.
That’s up from the previous week when a total of 15,926 claims were filed in Colorado.
The rise in weekly jobless claims nationwide underscores the outsize role the unemployment insurance system is playing among the nation’s safety net programs — just when a $600 weekly federal aid payment for the jobless is set to expire at the end of this week.
All told, the Labor Department said Thursday that roughly 32 million people are receiving unemployment benefits, though that figure could include double-counting by some states. Some economists say the figure is likely closer to 25 million.
In Colorado, a total of 502,057 regular unemployment initial claims have been filed since mid-March and a grand total of 646,797 claims, including federal PUA benefits.
Last week’s pace of unemployment applications across the country — the 18th straight week it’s topped 1 million — was up from 1.3 million the previous week. Before the pandemic, the number of weekly applications had never exceeded 700,000.
An additional 975,000 applied for jobless aid under a separate program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time. That figure isn’t adjusted for seasonal trends, so it’s reported separately.
The resurgence of confirmed viral cases across the country has forced some businesses to close a second time or to impose tighter restrictions on customers in response to state mandates. The resulting pullback in business activity has hindered job growth and likely forced additional layoffs.
The federal government’s $600 weekly benefit for laid-off workers — which is in addition to whatever jobless aid a state provides — is the last major source of economic help from the $2 trillion relief package that Congress approved in March. A small business lending program and one-time $1,200 payment have largely run their course.
Members of Congress are negotiating another aid package that might extend the $600 benefit, though likely at a lower level. Because of the $600 weekly federal benefit, roughly two-thirds of the unemployed are receiving more in aid than they earned at their former jobs, research has shown — a finding that’s led Republicans to argue that it is discouraging people from returning to work.
Yet the additional money has also been a key source of support for people who lost jobs that no longer exist or who fear being infected by the virus if they return to work.
The federal jobless aid has also helped buttress the overall economy. Unemployment aid accounted for 6% of all U.S. income in May, a greater share than even Social Security. Economists say it’s one reason why retail spending rebounded as quickly as it did in May and June, helping fuel a modest economic rebound.
Cher Haavind, deputy executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, said the department is using social media and contacting recipients to make sure they know this is the last week for the $600 federal benefit unless Congress approves continuing aid. People will keep getting their regular state benefit.
Nationally, the pace of applications for unemployment benefits has stalled at roughly double the record high that existed before the virus sent the economy spiraling into a deep recession. Now, as many states and localities reimpose lockdowns in response to the spreading virus, businesses face renewed struggles that are forcing some to impose further job cuts or to shut down permanently.
In Colorado, the number of continuing claims for regular unemployment benefits averaged 236,700 over the four weeks ending July 11, declining from the average of 254,100 during the seven weeks prior to that.
“While continuing claims are still historically high, we’re at least starting to see a very slight downward trend, which is positive,” said Ryan Gedney, senior economist at the state labor department.
From 2009 to 2010, during the Great Recession, the weekly average of continuing unemployment claims in Colorado was 67,600.


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Mayor of Portland, Oregon, tear gassed by federal agents

PORTLAND , Ore. — The mayor of Portland , Oregon , was tear gassed by the U.S. government late Wednesday as he stood at a fence guarding a federal courthouse during another night of protest against the presence of federal agents sent by President Donald Trump to quell unrest in the city .
Mayor Ted Wheeler , a Democrat , said it was the first time he ’ d been tear gassed and appeared slightly dazed and coughed as he put on a pair of goggles someone handed him and drank water .
He didn ’ t leave his spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to take gas .
Around Wheeler , the protest raged , with demonstrators lighting a large fire in the space between the fence and the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse and the pop-pop-pop of federal agents deploying tear gas and stun grenades into the crowd .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if the federal agents knew Wheeler was in the crowd when they used the tear gas .
Earlier in the night , Wheeler was mostly jeered as he tried to rally demonstrators who have clashed nightly with federal agents but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter ” and pumped his fist in the air .
The mayor has opposed federal agents ’ presence in Oregon ’ s largest city , but he has faced harsh criticism from many sides and his presence wasn ’ t welcomed by many , who yelled and swore at him .
“ I want to thank the thousands of you who have come out to oppose the Trump administration ’ s occupation of this city , ” Wheeler told hundreds of people gathered downtown near the federal courthouse .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just happening in Portland … we ’ re on the front line here in Portland.
” Some Portland residents , including City Council members , have accused Wheeler of not reining in local police , who have used tear gas multiple times before federal agents arrived early this month in response to nearly two months of nightly protests since George Floyd was killed .
Others , including business leaders , have condemned Wheeler for not bringing the situation under control before the agents showed up .
Protesters in the crowd held signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in reference to the Portland Police Bureau ’ s use of the substance before federal agents arrived .
When the mayor left the protest , around 12:40 a.m. , some protesters surrounded him and shouted angrily at him as he walked away .
One person shouted , “ You ’ ve got to be here every single night !
” While taking questions Wednesday night — and before he was tear gassed — Wheeler was criticized for the actions of his own police department , not defunding the local police , national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing to community needs like housing and education , and not having Portland police protect people from federal agents .
The mayor said he wants to use the energy of the protests to make changes .
Wheeler then addressed the much larger crowd from a raised balcony , saying “ I am here tonight to stand with you.
” Earlier Wednesday , the City Council banned police from cooperating with federal agents or arresting reporters or legal observers .
Wheeler ’ s tense nighttime appearance downtown came hours after attorneys for Oregon urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against agents deployed to quell the protests .
The arguments from the state and the U.S. government came in a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum , who accuses federal agents of arresting protesters without probable cause , whisking them away in unmarked cars and using excessive force .
Federal authorities have disputed those allegations .
The lawsuit is part of the growing pushback to Trump sending federal agents to Portland and announcing they would be going to Chicago and Albuquerque , New Mexico , to fight rising crime , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s political divide and potentially setting up a constitutional crisis months ahead of the presidential election .
Democratic mayors of 15 cities condemned the use of federal officers in a letter to the U.S. attorney general .
The court hearing focused on the actions of more than 100 federal agents responding to protests outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse , which has been a target for the demonstrations .
The motion for a temporary restraining order asks U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman to command agents from the Department of Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protective Service and U.S .
Marshals Service to immediately stop detaining protesters without probable cause , identify themselves and their agency before arresting anyone , and explain why an arrest is taking place .
The state acknowledged that federal agents have the right to defend the courthouse but argued that they had overstepped .
Rosenblum , the state attorney general , said she wanted the court to “ declare it not acceptable for federal officers to use unconstitutional , police-state-type acts to detain citizens of Oregon without cause.
” David Morrell , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the motion “ extraordinary ” and said it was based solely on “ a few threadbare declarations ” from witnesses and a Twitter video .
“ The Hatfield courthouse did not damage itself , ” he said , calling the protests “ dangerous and volatile.
” The lawsuit is one of several filed over authorities ’ response to the Portland protests .
On Thursday , a judge will hear arguments in a legal challenge that the American Civil Liberties Union filed on behalf of journalists and legal observers who say they were targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations .
A freelance photographer covering the protests for The Associated Press submitted an affidavit that he was beaten with batons , chemical irritants and hit with rubber bullets .
A U.S. judge previously ruled that journalists and legal observers are exempt from police orders requiring protesters to disperse once an unlawful assembly has been declared .
Federal lawyers say that journalists should have to leave when ordered .
The ACLU filed another lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of volunteer medics who have been attending to injured protesters .
It alleges that federal agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pepper spray , batons and stun grenades against medics in violation of federal protections for freedom of speech and freedom of movement .
Police say protesters have tried repeatedly to break into the federal courthouse and set fires around it and that the federal agents drive them back with tear gas and stun grenades .
Federal authorities have defended their response , saying officials in Oregon had been unwilling to work with them to stop the vandalism against the the U.S. courthouse and violence against federal officers .

PORTLAND, Ore. — The mayor of Portland, Oregon, was tear gassed by the U.S. government late Wednesday as he stood at a fence guarding a federal courthouse during another night of protest against the presence of federal agents sent by President Donald Trump to quell unrest in the city.
Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, said it was the first time he’d been tear gassed and appeared slightly dazed and coughed as he put on a pair of goggles someone handed him and drank water. He didn’t leave his spot at the front, however, and continued to take gas. Around Wheeler, the protest raged, with demonstrators lighting a large fire in the space between the fence and the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse and the pop-pop-pop of federal agents deploying tear gas and stun grenades into the crowd.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the federal agents knew Wheeler was in the crowd when they used the tear gas.
Earlier in the night, Wheeler was mostly jeered as he tried to rally demonstrators who have clashed nightly with federal agents but was briefly applauded when he shouted “Black Lives Matter” and pumped his fist in the air. The mayor has opposed federal agents’ presence in Oregon’s largest city, but he has faced harsh criticism from many sides and his presence wasn’t welcomed by many, who yelled and swore at him.
“I want to thank the thousands of you who have come out to oppose the Trump administration’s occupation of this city,” Wheeler told hundreds of people gathered downtown near the federal courthouse. “The reason this is important is it is not just happening in Portland … we’re on the front line here in Portland.”
Some Portland residents, including City Council members, have accused Wheeler of not reining in local police, who have used tear gas multiple times before federal agents arrived early this month in response to nearly two months of nightly protests since George Floyd was killed. Others, including business leaders, have condemned Wheeler for not bringing the situation under control before the agents showed up.
Protesters in the crowd held signs aloft that read “Tear Gas Ted” in reference to the Portland Police Bureau’s use of the substance before federal agents arrived. When the mayor left the protest, around 12:40 a.m., some protesters surrounded him and shouted angrily at him as he walked away. One person shouted, “You’ve got to be here every single night!”
While taking questions Wednesday night — and before he was tear gassed — Wheeler was criticized for the actions of his own police department, not defunding the local police, national movement that seeks to redirect funds from policing to community needs like housing and education, and not having Portland police protect people from federal agents. The mayor said he wants to use the energy of the protests to make changes.
Wheeler then addressed the much larger crowd from a raised balcony, saying “I am here tonight to stand with you.”
Earlier Wednesday, the City Council banned police from cooperating with federal agents or arresting reporters or legal observers.
Wheeler’s tense nighttime appearance downtown came hours after attorneys for Oregon urged a judge to issue a restraining order against agents deployed to quell the protests.
The arguments from the state and the U.S. government came in a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who accuses federal agents of arresting protesters without probable cause, whisking them away in unmarked cars and using excessive force. Federal authorities have disputed those allegations.
The lawsuit is part of the growing pushback to Trump sending federal agents to Portland and announcing they would be going to Chicago and Albuquerque, New Mexico, to fight rising crime, a move that’s deepening the country’s political divide and potentially setting up a constitutional crisis months ahead of the presidential election. Democratic mayors of 15 cities condemned the use of federal officers in a letter to the U.S. attorney general.
The court hearing focused on the actions of more than 100 federal agents responding to protests outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse, which has been a target for the demonstrations.
The motion for a temporary restraining order asks U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman to command agents from the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Patrol, Federal Protective Service and U.S. Marshals Service to immediately stop detaining protesters without probable cause, identify themselves and their agency before arresting anyone, and explain why an arrest is taking place.
The state acknowledged that federal agents have the right to defend the courthouse but argued that they had overstepped.
Rosenblum, the state attorney general, said she wanted the court to “declare it not acceptable for federal officers to use unconstitutional, police-state-type acts to detain citizens of Oregon without cause.”
David Morrell, an attorney for the U.S. government, called the motion “extraordinary” and said it was based solely on “a few threadbare declarations” from witnesses and a Twitter video.
“The Hatfield courthouse did not damage itself,” he said, calling the protests “dangerous and volatile.”
The lawsuit is one of several filed over authorities’ response to the Portland protests. On Thursday, a judge will hear arguments in a legal challenge that the American Civil Liberties Union filed on behalf of journalists and legal observers who say they were targeted and attacked by Portland police while documenting demonstrations.
A freelance photographer covering the protests for The Associated Press submitted an affidavit that he was beaten with batons, chemical irritants and hit with rubber bullets.
A U.S. judge previously ruled that journalists and legal observers are exempt from police orders requiring protesters to disperse once an unlawful assembly has been declared. Federal lawyers say that journalists should have to leave when ordered.
The ACLU filed another lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of volunteer medics who have been attending to injured protesters. It alleges that federal agents have used rubber bullets, tear gas, pepper spray, batons and stun grenades against medics in violation of federal protections for freedom of speech and freedom of movement.
Police say protesters have tried repeatedly to break into the federal courthouse and set fires around it and that the federal agents drive them back with tear gas and stun grenades.
Federal authorities have defended their response, saying officials in Oregon had been unwilling to work with them to stop the vandalism against the the U.S. courthouse and violence against federal officers.


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Denver eyes National Western Complex lot for first sanctioned homeless encampment

The National Western Complex parking lot sits as the top contender to be the location of Denver ’ s first sanctioned homeless encampment , and while nothing is finalized , organizers and neighbors already disagree over the site .
“ This is too much , goddamn it , ” said Drew Dutcher , president of the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhood Association .
“ We ’ re right in the thick of it .
We have homeless people roaming around in our alleys , off their meds .
We ’ re picking up a lot of extra trash .
Women don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about their children.
” But the encampment must go somewhere and the complex ’ s parking lot checks all of the boxes , said Cole Chandler , executive director of the organizing Colorado Village Collaborative .
The funding ’ s ready , staffing is on the way and the site could open early next month , pending City Council approval , he said .
Mayor Michael Hancock announced last month that the city would open at least one — possibly several — temporary encampments .
Those sites would give people experiencing homelessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter and avoid contracting COVID-19 , he said .
They ’ ll also allow city officials to break up unsanctioned homeless encampments around town , which have grown in size and frequency since the pandemic began , Hancock said .
Hancock ’ s announcement — an about-face for the mayor — came in response to a letter from eight City Council members asking for the encampments .
He later responded and asked those members to find possible sites within their own districts .
The first proposed site sits within Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted recommendations , spokeswoman Lisa Calderón said it doesn ’ t appear the administration genuinely considered all other options .
Additional sites should be rolled out in neighboring districts , particularly in the Capitol Hill area , Calderon said .
“ The fear is that if you just put the site in ( CdeBaca ’ s district ) , that conversation may just stop there , ” Calderon said .
If that happens , an already overburdened neighborhood will be used as an experimental site once more , she said .
Chandler acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site ’ s still remote but accessible .
“ It ’ s a third of a mile from the nearest residence , which is on the other side of I-70 , ” Chandler said .
“ The problem is that it is within a neighborhood technically that is historically marginalized.
” Already Chandler said his organization has enough funding to keep the encampment open six months , if it ’ s needed that long .
And staffing is on the way .
All that ’ s needed now is City Council approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The measure could go before the council in a week or two .

The Denver Coliseum parking lot sits as the top contender to be the location of the city’s first sanctioned homeless encampment, and while nothing is finalized, organizers and neighbors already disagree over the site.
“This is too much, goddamn it,” said Drew Dutcher, president of the Elyria and Swansea Neighborhood Association. “We’re right in the thick of it. We have homeless people roaming around in our alleys, off their meds. We’re picking up a lot of extra trash. Women don’t feel safe. People are worried about their children.”
But the encampment must go somewhere and the complex’s parking lot checks all of the boxes, said Cole Chandler, executive director of the organizing Colorado Village Collaborative. The funding’s ready, staffing is on the way and the site could open early next month, pending City Council approval, he said.
Mayor Michael Hancock announced last month that the city would open at least one — possibly several — temporary encampments. Those sites would give people experiencing homelessness a safe, clean place to take shelter and avoid contracting COVID-19, he said.
They’ll also allow city officials to break up unsanctioned homeless encampments around town, which have grown in size and frequency since the pandemic began, Hancock said.
Hancock’s announcement — an about-face for the mayor — came in response to a letter from eight City Council members asking for the encampments. He later responded and asked those members to find possible sites within their own districts.
The first proposed site sits within Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca’s district. And while the councilwoman submitted recommendations, spokeswoman Lisa Calderón said it doesn’t appear the administration genuinely considered all other options.
Additional sites should be rolled out in neighboring districts, particularly in the Capitol Hill area, Calderon said.
“The fear is that if you just put the site in (CdeBaca’s district), that conversation may just stop there,” Calderon said.
If that happens, an already overburdened neighborhood will be used as an experimental site once more, she said.
Chandler acknowledged the opposition within the neighborhood but said the site’s still remote but accessible.
“It’s a third of a mile from the nearest residence, which is on the other side of I-70,” Chandler said. “The problem is that it is within a neighborhood that is historically marginalized.”
Already Chandler said his organization has enough funding to keep the encampment open six months, if it’s needed that long. And staffing is on the way. All that’s needed now is City Council approval on the site, he said. The measure could go before the council in a week or two.
Updated 9:30 p.m. July 27, 2020 Due to a reporting error, this story originally misidentified the top location under consideration for a city-sanctioned homeless encampment. Officials may place the camp in the Denver Coliseum parking lot.


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Ranking the Top 10 greatest rivalries in Colorado sports history

What is the greatest sports rivalry in Colorado history ?
That ’ s the question The Denver Post sought to answer with this Top 10 list .
The rankings were calculated by assessing the impact of the rivalry , its longevity and its popularity among local sports fans .
Though in different divisions of the AFC , at its zenith of Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning , the Broncos-Patriots rivalry was among the best showdowns in pro football .
The Broncos and the Patriots rotated being AFC Champions from 2014 through 2017 .
Denver beat New England twice in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Super Bowl .
The two teams haven ’ t played since 2017 , although Denver is scheduled to go to Foxborough this year , and the Broncos lead the all-time series 30-23 .
The teams have met five times in the playoffs , with the Broncos winning four of those .
“ The Border War ” is a Colorado classic dating back to 1899 , when Wyoming traveled 66 miles down Highway 287 and lost to the Rams ( then the Aggies ) 12-0 .
The rivalry introduced a traveling trophy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a battle-worn combat boot that belonged to a CSU professor who was a Vietnam veteran .
CSU leads the all-time series 57-48-5 , but the Cowboys ( winners of four straight ) hold a 28-24 edge since the Bronze Boot was introduced .
Every year , both university ’ s ROTC outfits meet at the border and exchange the game ball before running it back to the host stadium .
Cherry Creek and Valor Christian : the two schools that Colorado prep fans love to hate .
As the state ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CHSAA-best 207 state championships all-time , more than double its next-nearest competition .
And since Valor Christian opened its doors in 2007 , it has established itself as the state ’ s premier private-school athletic power .
In football , the programs met in the title game in 2018 and are the state ’ s preeminent powerhouses , as Cherry Creek has 10 titles ( more than any other big-school program ) and Valor Christian ’ s already won eight in its brief history .
The Commander-in-Chief ’ s Trophy series , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former athletics director George B. Simler , began in 1972 .
The Falcons have won the series the most times ( 20 ) , while Navy has won it 16 times and Army eight .
The Midshipmen won the trophy seven straight years from 2003 to 2009 .
The series , a rarity in college athletes in that it ’ s a three-team competition , has also been shared four times and features a trophy that weighs about 170 pounds .
Games at Falcon Stadium when Navy and Army come to town are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This inter-state rivalry went defunct when the Buffs jumped to the Pac-12 in 2011 , but was revived for a home-and-home set over the past couple years as CU prevailed in one-score games both times .
Nebraska leads the all-time series 49-20-2 , and won the first meeting 23-10 in 1898 in Boulder .
Though conference realignment stole away the heart of the rivalry over the past decade , there ’ s still plenty of animosity between the fan bases .
Quarterback Steven Montez underscored that lingering bitterness after CU rallied to beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was coming ( to them ) .
” The oldest high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi River , and surely Colorado ’ s most historic , Pueblo ’ s “ Bell Game ” had its 71st annual contest ( and 119th overall ) last fall .
The battle for the bell — which was reclaimed from a locomotive that delivered coal to Pueblo ’ s steel mill and has been exchanged as a traveling trophy since 1950 — occurs at Dutch Clark Stadium , the state ’ s largest football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bell ’ s pull cart its school color , either red or blue .
The heated rivalry was paused between 1908-1921 after a fight broke out at the 1907 game .
Colorado and Colorado State won ’ t play the “ Rocky Mountain Showdown ” this fall for the first time in a quarter-century due to the coronavirus pandemic .
But that doesn ’ t take the shine off a series that began in 1893 ( when CSU was known as Colorado A & M ) and is the oldest in-state rivalry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dominant lead in the series , 67-22-2 , which was played on a nearly annual basis from 1899 to 1958 before moving to Mile High Stadium in 1998 .
The Buffs won 13 of 19 games there .
The series is scheduled to return with a home-and-home in 2023 and 2024 .
Perhaps the most intense rivalry in all of pro sports at one point , there was ample blood spilled between the Avs and Red Wings as the teams combined to claim five Stanley Cups from 1996 to 2002 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference finals , won by Colorado en route to the title , when Claude Lemieux checked Kris Draper face-first into the boards .
The hatred bubbled over on March 26 , 1997 : “ Bloody Wednesday ” saw the teams combine for 148 penalty minutes and multiple fights , including one at center ice between Patrick Roy and Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon .
In the second-most active rivalry in the history of college hockey , DU and Colorado College first met on Jan. 6 , 1950 , and have played 324 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gold Pan Rivalry ” 183-120-21 , and have a 14-13 edge in the series since the traveling trophy was instituted during the 1993-94 season .
DU won 22 straight from 1959 to 1963 , but the Tigers dominated initially , winning the first game 15-0 and rattling off nine consecutive victories to open the series .
The annual meetings between these storied programs act as a showcase for some of college hockey ’ s top talent .
Colorado ’ s most popular team has cultivated an extreme state-wide distaste for its preeminent rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oakland ) first met in 1960 — a 31-14 Broncos win at Bears Stadium in the franchise ’ s inaugural year .
But the series , led by the Raiders 65-54-2 , was not kind to Denver at first .
The Silver-and-Black dominated the Broncos through the first 17 seasons , going 26-6-2 against them .
But the Broncos have made up some ground in modern times , including winning 12 of the last 17 since 2011 , and Denver diehards still relish teaching their kids how to be “ Raider Haters.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rockies vs. Diamondbacks , Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake ( Rocky Mountain Cup ) , Columbine vs. Pomona , Nuggets vs. Lakers , Nuggets vs. Jazz , Mullen vs. Regis Jesuit ( The Holy War ) , George Washington vs. Denver East ( basketball ) , Adams State vs. Western State ( track/cross-country ) , Boulder vs. Fairview .

What is the greatest sports rivalry in Colorado history?
That’s the question The Denver Post sought to answer with this Top 10 list. The rankings were calculated by assessing the impact of the rivalry, its longevity and its popularity among local sports fans.
10. Broncos vs. Patriots
Though in different divisions of the AFC, at its zenith of Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning, the Broncos-Patriots rivalry was among the best showdowns in pro football. The Broncos and the Patriots rotated being AFC Champions from 2014 through 2017. Denver beat New England twice in the game during that time frame to advance to the Super Bowl. The two teams haven’t played since 2017, although Denver is scheduled to go to Foxborough this year, and the Broncos lead the all-time series 30-23. The teams have met five times in the playoffs, with the Broncos winning four of those.
9. CSU vs. Wyoming
“The Border War” is a Colorado classic dating back to 1899, when Wyoming traveled 66 miles down Highway 287 and lost to the Rams (then the Aggies) 12-0. The rivalry introduced a traveling trophy in 1968: the Bronze Boot, a battle-worn combat boot that belonged to a CSU professor who was a Vietnam veteran. CSU leads the all-time series 57-48-5, but the Cowboys (winners of four straight) hold a 28-24 edge since the Bronze Boot was introduced. Every year, both university’s ROTC outfits meet at the border and exchange the game ball before running it back to the host stadium.
8. Cherry Creek/Valor vs. Everybody
Cherry Creek and Valor Christian: the two schools that Colorado prep fans love to hate. As the state’s largest school, the Bruins have won a CHSAA-best 207 state championships all-time, more than double its next-nearest competition. And since Valor Christian opened its doors in 2007, it has established itself as the state’s premier private-school athletic power. In football, the programs met in the title game in 2018 and are the state’s preeminent powerhouses, as Cherry Creek has 10 titles (more than any other big-school program) and Valor Christian’s already won eight in its brief history.
7. Air Force vs. Army/Navy
The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series, the brainchild of Air Force Lt. Gen. and former athletics director George B. Simler, began in 1972. The Falcons have won the series the most times (20), while Navy has won it 16 times and Army eight. The Midshipmen won the trophy seven straight years from 2003 to 2009. The series, a rarity in college athletes in that it’s a three-team competition, has also been shared four times and features a trophy that weighs about 170 pounds. Games at Falcon Stadium when Navy and Army come to town are always a can’t-miss affair.
6. CU vs. Nebraska
This inter-state rivalry went defunct when the Buffs jumped to the Pac-12 in 2011, but was revived for a home-and-home set over the past couple years as CU prevailed in one-score games both times. Nebraska leads the all-time series 49-20-2, and won the first meeting 23-10 in 1898 in Boulder. Though conference realignment stole away the heart of the rivalry over the past decade, there’s still plenty of animosity between the fan bases. Quarterback Steven Montez underscored that lingering bitterness after CU rallied to beat Nebraska last fall: “They got what was coming (to them).”
5. Centennial vs Central
The oldest high school football rivalry west of the Mississippi River, and surely Colorado’s most historic, Pueblo’s “Bell Game” had its 71st annual contest (and 119th overall) last fall. The battle for the bell — which was reclaimed from a locomotive that delivered coal to Pueblo’s steel mill and has been exchanged as a traveling trophy since 1950 — occurs at Dutch Clark Stadium, the state’s largest football venue. The winner gets to paint the bell’s pull cart its school color, either red or blue. The heated rivalry was paused between 1908-1921 after a fight broke out at the 1907 game.
4. CU vs. CSU
Colorado and Colorado State won’t play the “Rocky Mountain Showdown” this fall for the first time in a quarter-century due to the coronavirus pandemic. But that doesn’t take the shine off a series that began in 1893 (when CSU was known as Colorado A&M) and is the oldest in-state rivalry between two public universities. CU holds a dominant lead in the series, 67-22-2, which was played on a nearly annual basis from 1899 to 1958 before moving to Mile High Stadium in 1998. The Buffs won 13 of 19 games there. The series is scheduled to return with a home-and-home in 2023 and 2024.
3. Avalanche vs. Red Wings
Perhaps the most intense rivalry in all of pro sports at one point, there was ample blood spilled between the Avs and Red Wings as the teams combined to claim five Stanley Cups from 1996 to 2002. The ill-will had seeds in the 1996 Western Conference finals, won by Colorado en route to the title, when Claude Lemieux checked Kris Draper face-first into the boards. The hatred bubbled over on March 26, 1997: “Bloody Wednesday” saw the teams combine for 148 penalty minutes and multiple fights, including one at center ice between Patrick Roy and Red Wings goalie Mike Vernon.
2. DU vs. Colorado College
In the second-most active rivalry in the history of college hockey, DU and Colorado College first met on Jan. 6, 1950, and have played 324 times since. The Pioneers lead the “Gold Pan Rivalry” 183-120-21, and have a 14-13 edge in the series since the traveling trophy was instituted during the 1993-94 season. DU won 22 straight from 1959 to 1963, but the Tigers dominated initially, winning the first game 15-0 and rattling off nine consecutive victories to open the series. The annual meetings between these storied programs act as a showcase for some of college hockey’s top talent.
1. Broncos vs. Raiders
Colorado’s most popular team has cultivated an extreme state-wide distaste for its preeminent rival. Denver and Las Vegas (nee Oakland) first met in 1960 — a 31-14 Broncos win at Bears Stadium in the franchise’s inaugural year. But the series, led by the Raiders 65-54-2, was not kind to Denver at first. The Silver-and-Black dominated the Broncos through the first 17 seasons, going 26-6-2 against them. But the Broncos have made up some ground in modern times, including winning 12 of the last 17 since 2011, and Denver diehards still relish teaching their kids how to be “Raider Haters.”
Honorable Mention
Broncos vs. Chiefs, Rockies vs. Dodgers, Rockies vs. Diamondbacks, Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake (Rocky Mountain Cup), Columbine vs. Pomona, Nuggets vs. Lakers, Nuggets vs. Jazz, Mullen vs. Regis Jesuit (The Holy War), George Washington vs. Denver East (basketball), Adams State vs. Western State (track/cross-country), Boulder vs. Fairview.


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Gone in 60 games? How Rockies have fared each season in their first 60 games

A sampling of the greatest Rockies teams in franchise history supports one of baseball ’ s great clichés : It ’ s a marathon , not a sprint .
Except , of course , for 2020 .
If ever there was a season for an average Rockies team to sneak into the playoffs and make some noise , this one would be it .
Looking back at each of the franchise ’ s 60-game starts in its 27-year history , it becomes clear it doesn ’ t take a great team to get off to a great start .
Heck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mess started the year 31-29 .
Consider this : Of the five Rockies teams to reach the postseason , just three began the season with an above-.500 record in their first 60 games .
The one team to reach the World Series ?
Those Rockies stumbled to a 29-31 start in 2007 .
On the flip side , of the nine Rockies clubs to put up a winning record in their first 60 games , four finished below .500 .
And of those with the top three 60-game starts to a season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified for the playoffs .
Here ’ s a look at the entire franchise history : If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
If you have any questions or suggestions , hit me up on Twitter @ joenguyen or by email .
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers !
Subscribe to The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $ 6.99/month thereafter .
Cancel anytime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the team ?
Ask Ryan O ’ Halloran here .
+ Nuggets Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Singer here .
+ Avs Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Patrick Saunders here .

A sampling of the greatest Rockies teams in franchise history supports one of baseball’s great clichés: It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Except, of course, for 2020.
If ever there was a season for an average Rockies team to sneak into the playoffs and make some noise, this one would be it.
Looking back at each of the franchise’s 60-game starts in its 27-year history, it becomes clear it doesn’t take a great team to get off to a great start. Heck, even last year’s 91-loss mess started the year 31-29.
Consider this: Of the five Rockies teams to reach the postseason, just three began the season with an above-.500 record in their first 60 games. The one team to reach the World Series? Those Rockies stumbled to a 29-31 start in 2007.
On the flip side, of the nine Rockies clubs to put up a winning record in their first 60 games, four finished below .500. And of those with the top three 60-game starts to a season, just one (2017, 37-23) qualified for the playoffs.
Here’s a look at the entire franchise history:
Year First 60 Run Diff. Record Playoffs (NL West) 2019 31-29 10 71-91 No (4th) 2018 31-29 -28 91-72 Wild card (2nd) 2017 37-23 52 87-75 Wild card (3rd) 2016 28-32 -8 75-87 No (3rd) 2015 27-33 -35 68-94 No (5th) 2014 28-32 11 66-96 No (4th) 2013 32-28 37 74-88 No (5th) 2012 24-36 -36 64-98 No (5th) 2011 28-32 7 73-89 No (4th) 2010 30-30 37 83-79 No (3rd) 2009 28-32 12 92-70 Wild card (2nd) 2008 22-38 -76 74-88 No (3rd) 2007 29-31 -43 90-73 NL Pennant (2nd) 2006 29-31 -30 76-86 No (4th) 2005 20-40 -76 67-95 No (5th) 2004 21-39 -64 68-94 No (4th) 2003 30-30 16 74-88 No (4th) 2002 31-29 12 73-89 No (4th) 2001 31-29 71 73-89 No (5th) 2000 34-26 37 82-80 No (4th) 1999 29-31 -37 72-90 No (5th) 1998 26-34 -47 77-85 No (4th) 1997 33-27 32 83-79 No (3rd) 1996 29-31 -37 83-79 No (3rd) 1995 32-28 -4 77-67 Wild card (2nd) 1994 27-33 -47 53-64 No (3rd) 1993 19-41 -124 67-95 No (6th)
— Matt Schubert, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Fast start looms large as Rockies enter weird, wild 2020 MLB season

Buckle up baseball fans , this is going to be a weird , wild ride .
It ’ s July 23 and every team is tied for first place with 60 games to play .
A hot batter or two could lead a surprise team to the top .
OK , maybe not the Baltimore Orioles , but a large number of teams could pull 33 wins out of their hat and make the playoffs .
And slumps by a few key hitters or the sore shoulder of an ace could doom perceived powerhouses .
The importance of every walk-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally , every costly error and every home run will be magnified .
The luxury of patience that comes with a typical 162-game marathon is out the window .
One game is now worth 2.7 times more than one game in a normal season .
There is an urgency to the 2020 regular season that ’ s usually reserved for the postseason .
For the Rockies , the sprint begins Friday night in Arlington , Texas , when they face the Rangers in the first regular-season game held at Globe Life Field .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ season and realize that it isn ’ t the long haul that we are used to , ” Rockies manager Bud Black said .
“ There might have to be times where it will look as though we are managing with urgency .
And the real trick will be with the pitching.
” That urgency goes a long way toward explaining why the Rockies ran out of patience with veteran relievers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee , both of whom were released last week .
And young position players won ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There won ’ t be much patience for a youngster who goes 2-for-21 at the plate .
This offbeat season , of course , is taking place because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic .
The Rockies , to a man , have embraced safety protocols , believing that the things they do off the field and away from the ballpark will make a huge difference .
“ The teams that stay healthiest and handle all of this the best are the teams that have the best chance to win , ” catcher Tony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paramount , because , in the blink of a positive coronavirus test , a team could lose multiple players for a week .
And it ’ s going to be weird , no doubt .
There will be no fans in the stands , but there will be crowd noise piped into ballparks .
Sound engineers will utilize about 75 different effects and reactions , according to Major League Baseball , which has provided teams with crowd sounds captured from MLB ’ s “ The Show.
” Spitting is , supposedly , outlawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lick their fingers .
Any baseball that is put in play and touched by multiple players will be removed and exchanged for a new ball .
After an out , players are discouraged from throwing the ball around the infield .
And that ’ s just a fraction of the safety protocols MLB has put in place in the hope that the season can be completed and a World Series champion will be crowned .
That leads to a basic question : Will a championship come with an asterisk ?
Not according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is what it is this year , ” Arenado said .
“ If we have a chance to get to the World Series and playoffs I ’ m all about it .
It counts and I want to win .
The goal is always to win , and there ’ s a chance to win a World Series so that should always be the goal.
” The Rockies , at least according to the oddsmakers and national baseball pundits , have little chance of playing baseball in October .
ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t even think Colorado can claim a wild-card berth .
Meanwhile , the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are the darlings of the Vegas wiseguys who are salivating over a predicted L.A.-N.Y. World Series .
But hold on a minute .
Remember that this is a 60-game sprint and stumbling out of the gate could prove disastrous .
The Washington Nationals are the defending champions , but they owned a 27-33 record through their first 60 games last year .
The Dodgers won the 2018 NL pennant but were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That won ’ t cut it this year .
Arenado has some theories about what the Rockies must do in order to stay in the race .
“ We need to pitch well and shutdown innings will be the key , ” he said .
“ Offensively , we need timely hitting and quality at-bats .
And we have to be better on the road.
” No argument here .
Colorado was 28-53 away from Coors Field last season , a .346 road winning percentage that was tied for the fifth-lowest in franchise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are an inescapable part of a normal big-league season , but in 2020 , one player ’ s performance could make all the difference in a 60-game sprint .
In 1941 , Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games , batting .408 during the streak with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs .
Entering May 15 , the first day of the streak , the Yankees were 14-14 , 5½ games behind the Cleveland Indians for the American League lead .
On the final day of DiMaggio ’ s streak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-game lead over second-place Cleveland .
The Rockies have had their own 60-day wonders .
In 1997 , Andres Galarraga drove in 72 runs from May 9-June 19 .
That same season , Hall of Famer Larry Walker batted .423 from April 2 to June 10 .
In 2015 , Carlos Gonzalez launched 27 home runs from July 2 to Sept. 10 .
Whether or not the Rockies can capture lightning in a bottle for what amounts to 37 % of a regular season remains to be seen .
But there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get started , and no doubt that they need to get out of the blocks in a hurry .
“ The approach is different because , before , if you lost early on you could hopefully make it up on the back end , ” Arenado said .
“ But there ’ s not a back end anymore .
If you get off to a good start it can carry you , so getting off to a good start is going to be huge .
”

Buckle up baseball fans, this is going to be a weird, wild ride.
It’s July 23 and every team is tied for first place with 60 games to play. A hot batter or two could lead a surprise team to the top. OK, maybe not the Baltimore Orioles, but a large number of teams could pull 33 wins out of their hat and make the playoffs.
And slumps by a few key hitters or the sore shoulder of an ace could doom perceived powerhouses.
The importance of every walk-off win, every blown save, every rally, every costly error and every home run will be magnified. The luxury of patience that comes with a typical 162-game marathon is out the window. One game is now worth 2.7 times more than one game in a normal season.
There is an urgency to the 2020 regular season that’s usually reserved for the postseason. For the Rockies, the sprint begins Friday night in Arlington, Texas, when they face the Rangers in the first regular-season game held at Globe Life Field.
“You have to look at the season and realize that it isn’t the long haul that we are used to,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “There might have to be times where it will look as though we are managing with urgency. And the real trick will be with the pitching.”
That urgency goes a long way toward explaining why the Rockies ran out of patience with veteran relievers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee, both of whom were released last week. And young position players won’t have time to find their big-league footing. There won’t be much patience for a youngster who goes 2-for-21 at the plate.
This offbeat season, of course, is taking place because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The Rockies, to a man, have embraced safety protocols, believing that the things they do off the field and away from the ballpark will make a huge difference.
“The teams that stay healthiest and handle all of this the best are the teams that have the best chance to win,” catcher Tony Wolters said.
Quality depth will be paramount, because, in the blink of a positive coronavirus test, a team could lose multiple players for a week.
And it’s going to be weird, no doubt.
There will be no fans in the stands, but there will be crowd noise piped into ballparks. Sound engineers will utilize about 75 different effects and reactions, according to Major League Baseball, which has provided teams with crowd sounds captured from MLB’s “The Show.”
Spitting is, supposedly, outlawed, and pitchers aren’t allowed to lick their fingers. Any baseball that is put in play and touched by multiple players will be removed and exchanged for a new ball. After an out, players are discouraged from throwing the ball around the infield.
And that’s just a fraction of the safety protocols MLB has put in place in the hope that the season can be completed and a World Series champion will be crowned.
That leads to a basic question: Will a championship come with an asterisk? Not according to Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
“This is what it is this year,” Arenado said. “If we have a chance to get to the World Series and playoffs I’m all about it. It counts and I want to win. The goal is always to win, and there’s a chance to win a World Series so that should always be the goal.”
The Rockies, at least according to the oddsmakers and national baseball pundits, have little chance of playing baseball in October. ESPN’s staff, for example, doesn’t even think Colorado can claim a wild-card berth.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are the darlings of the Vegas wiseguys who are salivating over a predicted L.A.-N.Y. World Series. But hold on a minute. Remember that this is a 60-game sprint and stumbling out of the gate could prove disastrous.
The Washington Nationals are the defending champions, but they owned a 27-33 record through their first 60 games last year. The Dodgers won the 2018 NL pennant but were 30-30 after their first 60 games. That won’t cut it this year.
Arenado has some theories about what the Rockies must do in order to stay in the race.
“We need to pitch well and shutdown innings will be the key,” he said. “Offensively, we need timely hitting and quality at-bats. And we have to be better on the road.”
No argument here. Colorado was 28-53 away from Coors Field last season, a .346 road winning percentage that was tied for the fifth-lowest in franchise history.
Hot streaks and cold spells are an inescapable part of a normal big-league season, but in 2020, one player’s performance could make all the difference in a 60-game sprint.
In 1941, Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games, batting .408 during the streak with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs. Entering May 15, the first day of the streak, the Yankees were 14-14, 5½ games behind the Cleveland Indians for the American League lead. On the final day of DiMaggio’s streak, they were 55-27, with a six-game lead over second-place Cleveland.
The Rockies have had their own 60-day wonders. In 1997, Andres Galarraga drove in 72 runs from May 9-June 19. That same season, Hall of Famer Larry Walker batted .423 from April 2 to June 10. In 2015, Carlos Gonzalez launched 27 home runs from July 2 to Sept. 10.
Whether or not the Rockies can capture lightning in a bottle for what amounts to 37% of a regular season remains to be seen. But there is no doubt that they can’t wait to get started, and no doubt that they need to get out of the blocks in a hurry.
“The approach is different because, before, if you lost early on you could hopefully make it up on the back end,” Arenado said. “But there’s not a back end anymore. If you get off to a good start it can carry you, so getting off to a good start is going to be huge.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Ask Amy: Mother needs a border wall

Ask Amy: Mother needs a border wall

Dear Amy : My 14-year-old daughter , “ Carrie , ” has been in both inpatient and outpatient care for years for mood disorders , anxiety , depression , and self-harm .
She also struggles with a binge-eating disorder and has become quite overweight .
She is under the care of a pediatrician , pediatric psychiatrist and therapist .
She is getting great care , but treating an eating disorder associated with mental-health issues is extremely challenging .
My mother is a major stressor .
She takes every opportunity she can to talk to me about my daughter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , ruins her health , etc .
She also constantly asks me what I ’ m “ going to do about it ” and when I will “ get her into a program.
” My mother ’ s obsession with my daughter ’ s weight has become so overwhelming that I try not to be alone with her or talk too long on the phone with her .
I have explained to my mother time and again that I take advice from experts who are managing her care , but that doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My mother also continuously shares her negative viewpoints about my daughter ’ s makeup , hair , and clothing choices .
I know she cares about Carrie , but I really need to set some boundaries .
I am genuinely starting to dislike my mother .
She is extremely invasive and is wearing me down .
I wish she would find a therapist instead of me to talk to about this .
What would you advise ?
Dear Exhausted : You say that you have repeatedly explained the course you are following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You don ’ t say that you have told your mother that you won ’ t discuss this with her at all .
Building a boundary is sometimes like putting up a picket fence – you install it , slat by slat .
And sometimes , building a boundary is like lowering a garage door : You say what you are going to do , and then you do it .
And then you keep doing it – calmly – until the person catches on .
In your case , you would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you claim is her “ obsession ” with your daughter ’ s weight .
Be aware that if you really lowered the boom , you wouldn ’ t be able to vent to your mother or use her as a sounding board .
This requires discipline on your part .
Explain : “ I can not handle your constant negative reaction .
You have the right to your opinion , but I need you to keep it to yourself because honestly , what I need right now is love , support , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting that from you , so I ’ m going to stop discussing ‘ Carrie ’ s ’ situation with you.
” When your mother asks how Carrie is doing , say , “ She ’ s hanging in there , ” and change the subject .
When she offers an unsolicited negative assessment , say , “ Nope , Mom , remember ?
I ’ m not going there.
” Dear Amy : We have been invited to a “ black tie optional or cocktail attire ” wedding .
My husband does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t currently in a position to purchase one .
He does own a decent sport coat , etc.
, but wouldn ’ t feel confident that this would be appropriate , given the dress code .
He is considering staying home because of this ( I and two of our children would still attend ) , but when asked the inevitable question of why he is not there , how do we respond truthfully , but without creating awkwardness ?
Dear Wondering : Given what is going on right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this kind of event , but in the absence of details , I ’ ll offer this : If your husband truly does not want to attend , you can answer , “ He ’ s so sorry he couldn ’ t be here , but he had to keep the home fires burning.
” Keep it vague .
Most second-hand or thrift shops carry decent men ’ s shirts .
Depending on the place and time of this gathering , a crisp white shirt , necktie , sport coat , and chinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was trapped in a family much like Danny ’ s .
I knew something wasn ’ t right because I had other families in the neighborhood and on TV to compare .
What I always wanted but never found was an adult I could trust to talk to who could simply tell me my feelings were valid , and I was not the problem .
Dear Survivor : This is heartbreaking .
I hope “ Worried Relative ” follows your ( and my ) advice to keep in touch and be a @ @ @ @ @ @

Dear Amy: My 14-year-old daughter, “Carrie,” has been in both inpatient and outpatient care for years for mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and self-harm.
She also struggles with a binge-eating disorder and has become quite overweight. She is under the care of a pediatrician, pediatric psychiatrist and therapist. She is getting great care, but treating an eating disorder associated with mental-health issues is extremely challenging.
My mother is a major stressor. She takes every opportunity she can to talk to me about my daughter’s weight, how it negatively affects her life, ruins her health, etc. She also constantly asks me what I’m “going to do about it” and when I will “get her into a program.”
My mother’s obsession with my daughter’s weight has become so overwhelming that I try not to be alone with her or talk too long on the phone with her.
I have explained to my mother time and again that I take advice from experts who are managing her care, but that doesn’t seem to matter to her.
My mother also continuously shares her negative viewpoints about my daughter’s makeup, hair, and clothing choices.
I know she cares about Carrie, but I really need to set some boundaries. I am genuinely starting to dislike my mother. She is extremely invasive and is wearing me down.
I wish she would find a therapist instead of me to talk to about this.
What would you advise?
— Exhausted Mom
Dear Exhausted: You say that you have repeatedly explained the course you are following regarding your daughter’s health.
You don’t say that you have told your mother that you won’t discuss this with her at all.
Building a boundary is sometimes like putting up a picket fence – you install it, slat by slat. And sometimes, building a boundary is like lowering a garage door: You say what you are going to do, and then you do it. And then you keep doing it – calmly – until the person catches on. In your case, you would be trying to retrain your mother away from what you claim is her “obsession” with your daughter’s weight.
Be aware that if you really lowered the boom, you wouldn’t be able to vent to your mother or use her as a sounding board. This requires discipline on your part.
Explain: “I cannot handle your constant negative reaction. You have the right to your opinion, but I need you to keep it to yourself because honestly, what I need right now is love, support, and positivity. I’m not getting that from you, so I’m going to stop discussing ‘Carrie’s’ situation with you.”
When your mother asks how Carrie is doing, say, “She’s hanging in there,” and change the subject. When she offers an unsolicited negative assessment, say, “Nope, Mom, remember? I’m not going there.”
Dear Amy: We have been invited to a “black tie optional or cocktail attire” wedding.
My husband does not own a suit, and we aren’t currently in a position to purchase one.
He does own a decent sport coat, etc., but wouldn’t feel confident that this would be appropriate, given the dress code.
He is considering staying home because of this (I and two of our children would still attend), but when asked the inevitable question of why he is not there, how do we respond truthfully, but without creating awkwardness?
— Wondering Wife
Dear Wondering: Given what is going on right now, it’s hard to imagine attending this kind of event, but in the absence of details, I’ll offer this: If your husband truly does not want to attend, you can answer, “He’s so sorry he couldn’t be here, but he had to keep the home fires burning.” Keep it vague.
Most second-hand or thrift shops carry decent men’s shirts. Depending on the place and time of this gathering, a crisp white shirt, necktie, sport coat, and chinos should cover it.
(And remember: everything goes well with a mask.)
Dear Amy: “Worried Relative” described “Danny,” a 9-year-old boy caught in a toxic family crossfire.
At 9, I was trapped in a family much like Danny’s. I knew something wasn’t right because I had other families in the neighborhood and on TV to compare.
What I always wanted but never found was an adult I could trust to talk to who could simply tell me my feelings were valid, and I was not the problem.
— Survivor
Dear Survivor: This is heartbreaking. I hope “Worried Relative” follows your (and my) advice to keep in touch and be a supportive presence for this boy.
(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--2020-07-23--Rapids end MLS is Back Tournament with 2-2 draw against Minnesota FC

The Colorado Rapids picked up their lone point of the MLS is Back Tournament on Wednesday , playing to a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United FC .
Colorado was eliminated from the knockout round earlier in the day when Sporting Kansas City beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 .
Rapids disappointing showing in the competition sent them home early .
Still , their two wins before the season was halted due to coronavirus coupled with the draw against Minnesota has Colorado in a playoff spot when the regular season resumes .
“ It was a better result , ” defender Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Nice to end the tournament on somewhat of a high .
I think for the better part of the match , we were the team most likely to win .
Other than 10 or 15 minutes to close out the first half it was a good performance.
” A chaotic start that was leaning the Loons way slowly shifted after a Luis Amarilla yellow card a dozen minutes into the game after catching Collen Warner with an elbow .
The Rapids bounced back with two solid free kicks in the moments following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego Rubio sent a powerful header towards the goal but Tyler Miller made a spectacular save .
Riding that momentum the Rapids were first to strike .
A midfield turnover caused by Rubio allowed a rush for Nicolas Benezet who fed Kei Kamara .
The big man put Colorado ahead with a cheeky finish short-side for his 128th career goal which is fifth all-time in MLS .
Minnesota equalized 36 minutes in when a dangerous Jan Gregus free-kick from just outside the box was deflected in by Ethan Finlay .
Just before halftime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would answer .
Benezet and Rubio nearly connected again but the Chilean ’ s shot just sailed past the net .
Seven minutes after their first goal the Loons made Colorado pay .
Capitalizing on a combo play from Romain Métanire and Gregus , a bouncing cross found the hot foot of Finlay .
It was an easy tap home as Colorado ’ s defense was caught in poor position out-numbered in their own box .
It was the second time in six days that Colorado conceded two goals in seven minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way you start to figure out that everything is not going to go your way and we ’ ve got to work even harder to just get what we want , ” Jonathan Lewis said .
“ I feel like these last two games against very good teams we were the more dominant team .
We did some brilliant stuff but just little mistakes.
” Rubio started the second half by hitting the far-side post but the ball trickled away from the net .
His partner in action for the night Benezet would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On came Lewis .
Nicolas Mezquida ’ s free-kick pinballed out towards the edge of the box and the speedy Lewis hammered a left-footed strike short-side to level the count at 2-2 .
The second half saw a few more chances for the Rapids almost all of which were generated by Lewis but they sputtered out .
The game ended in a draw .
“ A good performance for the most part , ” head coach Robin Fraser said .
“ I thought we really took it to them and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances , unfortunately we did not get a win out of it.
” Debut : Braian Galván was a late substitute making his Rapids debut .
He was acquired in the winter and joined the club earlier this month .
The 19-year-old forward is a highly touted prospect .
Millennium Mark : Kamara ’ s first-half goal was the 1,000th regular-season score in Rapids history .
The first tally came from Marcelo Balboa on April 21 , 1996 .
What ’ s Next : Nobody knows .
MLS is hopeful for a restart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but nothing has been announced .
Colorado will undertake one more round of COVID-19 testing before being allowed to travel home .
“ I imagine it ’ ll be tomorrow that we will return home , ” Fraser said .
“ I don ’ t know exactly what training is going to look like for the next couple of weeks but assuming that we are going to have a season we ’ re certainly looking forward to training .
”

The Colorado Rapids picked up their lone point of the MLS is Back Tournament on Wednesday, playing to a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United FC. Colorado was eliminated from the knockout round earlier in the day when Sporting Kansas City beat Real Salt Lake 2-0.
Rapids disappointing showing in the competition sent them home early. Still, their two wins before the season was halted due to coronavirus coupled with the draw against Minnesota has Colorado in a playoff spot when the regular season resumes.
“It was a better result,” defender Drew Moor who served as captain said. “Nice to end the tournament on somewhat of a high. I think for the better part of the match, we were the team most likely to win. Other than 10 or 15 minutes to close out the first half it was a good performance.”
A chaotic start that was leaning the Loons way slowly shifted after a Luis Amarilla yellow card a dozen minutes into the game after catching Collen Warner with an elbow. The Rapids bounced back with two solid free kicks in the moments following. One almost found the net when Diego Rubio sent a powerful header towards the goal but Tyler Miller made a spectacular save.
Riding that momentum the Rapids were first to strike. A midfield turnover caused by Rubio allowed a rush for Nicolas Benezet who fed Kei Kamara. The big man put Colorado ahead with a cheeky finish short-side for his 128th career goal which is fifth all-time in MLS.
Minnesota equalized 36 minutes in when a dangerous Jan Gregus free-kick from just outside the box was deflected in by Ethan Finlay.
Just before halftime, it looked as though the Rapids would answer. Benezet and Rubio nearly connected again but the Chilean’s shot just sailed past the net. Seven minutes after their first goal the Loons made Colorado pay. Capitalizing on a combo play from Romain Métanire and Gregus, a bouncing cross found the hot foot of Finlay. It was an easy tap home as Colorado’s defense was caught in poor position out-numbered in their own box.
It was the second time in six days that Colorado conceded two goals in seven minutes.
“Once one result goes the wrong way you start to figure out that everything is not going to go your way and we’ve got to work even harder to just get what we want,” Jonathan Lewis said. “I feel like these last two games against very good teams we were the more dominant team. We did some brilliant stuff but just little mistakes.”
Rubio started the second half by hitting the far-side post but the ball trickled away from the net. His partner in action for the night Benezet would sub out early in the second half. On came Lewis. Nicolas Mezquida’s free-kick pinballed out towards the edge of the box and the speedy Lewis hammered a left-footed strike short-side to level the count at 2-2.
The second half saw a few more chances for the Rapids almost all of which were generated by Lewis but they sputtered out. The game ended in a draw.
“A good performance for the most part,” head coach Robin Fraser said. “I thought we really took it to them and we’re able to create a number of chances, unfortunately we did not get a win out of it.”
Debut: Braian Galván was a late substitute making his Rapids debut. He was acquired in the winter and joined the club earlier this month. The 19-year-old forward is a highly touted prospect.
Millennium Mark: Kamara’s first-half goal was the 1,000th regular-season score in Rapids history. The first tally came from Marcelo Balboa on April 21, 1996.
What’s Next: Nobody knows. MLS is hopeful for a restart to their regular-season once this tournament ends but nothing has been announced. Colorado will undertake one more round of COVID-19 testing before being allowed to travel home.
“I imagine it’ll be tomorrow that we will return home,” Fraser said. “I don’t know exactly what training is going to look like for the next couple of weeks but assuming that we are going to have a season we’re certainly looking forward to training.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-23--Rockies 2020 preview: MLB coronavirus opt-out tracker

With Opening Day finally on the docket after a four-month delay , MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred may have dodged a major bullet .
As of early Wednesday night , only 13 players across 30 clubs had elected to opt out of the 2020 season because of health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond was one of four to opt out at the start of MLB ’ s three-week Summer Camp — but just a handful more have elected to do the same .
And , of those 13 , only three — Giants catcher Buster Posey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitcher Mike Leake — were projected by FanGraphs ’ ZiPS projection system to contribute more than 0.6 Wins Above Replacement ( WAR ) during the league ’ s shortened , 60-game “ sprint.
” While losing Price creates a hole in the middle of the Dodgers ’ starting rotation , the presumptive NL West favorites aren ’ t expected to miss a beat .
The Giants were stuck in rebuilding mode with or without Posey .
Arizona ’ s hopes of a playoff spot have been dinged by the loss of Leake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over each of the previous three seasons .
Here ’ s a list of who has elected to take a pass on 2020 , their reported reasons , and their projected ZiPS WAR , as broken down by division :

With Opening Day finally on the docket after a four-month delay, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred may have dodged a major bullet.
For now.
As of early Wednesday night, only 13 players across 30 clubs had elected to opt out of the 2020 season because of health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond was one of four to opt out at the start of MLB’s three-week Summer Camp — but just a handful more have elected to do the same.
And, of those 13, only three — Giants catcher Buster Posey, Dodgers pitcher David Price and Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake — were projected by FanGraphs’ ZiPS projection system to contribute more than 0.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) during the league’s shortened, 60-game “sprint.”
While losing Price creates a hole in the middle of the Dodgers’ starting rotation, the presumptive NL West favorites aren’t expected to miss a beat. The Giants were stuck in rebuilding mode with or without Posey. Arizona’s hopes of a playoff spot have been dinged by the loss of Leake, who averaged 10.7 wins as a starter over each of the previous three seasons.
Here’s a list of who has elected to take a pass on 2020, their reported reasons, and their projected ZiPS WAR, as broken down by division:
American League East (0)
None
American League Central (1)
Michael Kopech, P, Chicago White Sox (0.5 WAR) — None disclosed
American League West (0)
None
National League East (5)
Felix Hernandez, P, Atlanta (0.0 WAR) — Health concerns
Nick Markakis, OF, Atlanta (0.0 WAR) — None disclosed
Wellington Castillo, C, Washington (0.2 WAR) — None disclosed
Joe Ross, P, Washington (0.3 WAR) — Family concerns
Ryan Zimmerman, 1B, Washington (0.0 WAR) — Family concerns
National League Central (2)
Hector Noesi, P, Pittsburgh (0.5 WAR) — None disclosed
Jordan Hicks, P, St. Louis (0.1 WAR) — Personal risk (diabetic)
National League West (4)
Mike Leake, P, Arizona (0.7 WAR) — Family concerns
Ian Desmond, OF/1B, Colorado (-0.2 WAR) — Family/societal concerns
David Price, P, Los Angeles Dodgers (0.9 WAR) — Health/family concerns
Buster Posey, C/1B, San Francisco (1.0 WAR) — Family concerns
Free agents (1)
Tyson Ross, P, ex-San Francisco (0.2 WAR) — Family concerns


thedenverpost--2020-07-24--Gov. Jared Polis says he welcomes removal of homeless encampments on state property

Encampments set up by people experiencing homelessness around Denver ’ s Capitol Hill and the governor ’ s mansion appear to have grown in recent weeks , and on Thursday , Gov .
Jared Polis said he would welcome their removal from state property .
At a news conference , Polis was asked about damage to the state Capitol and encampments displaying signs for Black Lives Matter and against police .
He said the nuanced issue is different than criminal damage to property , but that state property in Denver is subject to the city ’ s rules about camping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the specifics of Denver ’ s policies , saying he doesn ’ t follow Denver politics , but that he ’ s urged the mayor and City Council to act for weeks .
“ They are welcome to come onto our property and remove tents , ” Polis said , adding that law enforcement is not only welcome but encouraged to do so .
Denver has an urban camping ban in place , but it ’ s still being argued in the courts .
City officials believe the ban is legal , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial “ cleanups , ” more commonly known as sweeps .
But with the coronavirus pandemic and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the city has had to take additional precautions before breaking up any camp sites , said Mike Strott , spokesman for Hancock .
Strott said city officials have been in conversations with Polis and have offered to brief him on their plans , including setting up sanctioned outdoor spaces where people can go instead .
The first is planned for August .
In the meantime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to connect people experiencing homelessness with services they need and access to increased shelter space or other temporary options .
Polis ’ s comments drew some criticism on social media from activists , including those who pointed out he did not extend a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during an economically difficult time for many people .

Encampments set up by people experiencing homelessness around Denver’s Capitol Hill and the governor’s mansion appear to have grown in recent weeks, and on Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis said he would welcome their removal from state property.
At a news conference, Polis was asked about damage to the state Capitol and encampments displaying signs for Black Lives Matter and against police. He said the nuanced issue is different than criminal damage to property, but that state property in Denver is subject to the city’s rules about camping.
Polis wasn’t clear on the specifics of Denver’s policies, saying he doesn’t follow Denver politics, but that he’s urged the mayor and City Council to act for weeks.
“They are welcome to come onto our property and remove tents,” Polis said, adding that law enforcement is not only welcome but encouraged to do so.
Denver has an urban camping ban in place, but it’s still being argued in the courts. City officials believe the ban is legal, so they are continuing to enforce it through controversial “cleanups,” more commonly known as sweeps.
But with the coronavirus pandemic and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the city has had to take additional precautions before breaking up any camp sites, said Mike Strott, spokesman for Hancock.
Strott said city officials have been in conversations with Polis and have offered to brief him on their plans, including setting up sanctioned outdoor spaces where people can go instead. The first is planned for August.
In the meantime, he said, the city is trying to connect people experiencing homelessness with services they need and access to increased shelter space or other temporary options.
Polis’s comments drew some criticism on social media from activists, including those who pointed out he did not extend a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during an economically difficult time for many people.
Denver Post reporter Conrad Swanson contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-07-24--Keeler: Pump brakes on Bol Bol bandwagon, ESPN analyst Paul Pierce says

We pulled the Bol Bol bandwagon over to Paul Pierce ’ s crib , threw open the door and offered to let him ride shotgun for as long as he liked .
The 10-time NBA All-Star hopped in and thanked us by rolling his left foot over to the driver ’ s side and pumping the brakes like there was no tomorrow .
“ I ’ ve been around too long — too , too long — to be hyped on a couple of highlights and one good game and one good scrimmage , ” Pierce , the ESPN analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salad days with the Celtics , said Thursday .
“ I mean , yeah , he ’ s got tremendous potential .
But it ’ s just like the Summer League .
How many guys do we see get the Summer League MVP and then they ’ ll be like , ‘ Oh , yeah , he ’ s a potential All-Star , yeah , he ’ s got a bright future , ’ and then they just turn out to be average players ?
” Sure you do .
Summer 2007 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ State and Colorado 14ers sharpshooter , in April of ‘ 07 .
Dude was the hottest thing to hit the Strip since Celine Dion .
He dropped 42 in one Summer League tilt against the Knicks .
The 6-foot-5 wing topped the Nuggs in scoring in ‘ 07 , pouring in 24.2 points per game at Vegas .
Von was coming .
Once the lights went on for real , the guy averaged 1.3 points over 4.3 minutes per game in 22 appearances during the 2007-08 regular season .
In February , Wafer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green .
Look , nobody ’ s tagging Bol as the second coming of Vakeaton Quamar Wafer .
We ’ re just pointing out that we ’ ve been fooled before .
“ The potential ’ s there .
He ’ s got all the tools , ” Pierce said of Bol , the Nuggs ’ second-round pick in 2019 , who went viral Wednesday after posting 16 points , 10 boards and six blocks against Washington .
“ But I don ’ t look at that .
I need to be there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his determination , his competitive spirit .
I ’ ve got to see all of that — those are the things I really look at .
Because I ’ ve seen guys with that whole skill set and they just didn ’ t have it.
” Then again , few guys had a set like this .
Bol , the son of former NBA big man Manute Bol , stands 7-foot-2 with a 7-9 wingspan , blessed with the kind of crazy ceiling he can touch from his tippy-toes .
A kid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot up on the break from 20-25 feet out .
Like teammate Michael Porter Jr. , Bol ’ s a “ stretch ” big and a matchup nightmare , having averaged 21 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest at Oregon in 2018-19 while more than holding his own this past winter in the G-League ( 12 points , 5.5 rebounds , 2.1 blocks over 19.3 minutes per game ) .
In eight appearances with the Windy City Bulls , he drained 36.4 % of his attempts from beyond the arc .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many players up front and what you ’ re trying to do is find who ’ s going to be the most compatible with the Joker , ” ESPN analyst Jalen Rose said , a nod to All-Star center Nikola Jokic .
“ If Bol can make an open shot and continue to guard the rim , he , ( Mason ) Plumlee , Michael Porter Jr. , all three of those guys — in particular , Bol Bol and Michael Porter Jr. , if those two emerge , that takes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris didn ’ t have the season you hoped for him to have , and they don ’ t have a consistent second All-Star .
And they ’ re going to need Bol Bol ’ s potential .
I don ’ t know if he ’ s going to be that impact player for them to get there this year .
But I do like his promise , his height , his ability to make threes and protect the rim.
” Still , one scrimmage does not an All-Star make .
Remember Von @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G-League , too .
“ I mean , the potential is there , and I like that , ” Pierce said of Bol .
“ But I ’ m not one who ’ s going to be all jumping out of my seat after I see one highlight .
I ’ ve got to see it through the course of 82 games .
I ’ ve got to see it through the course of playing against all the competition .
“ That ’ s practice .
I ’ m just seeing practice games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street there can have one good day .
”

We pulled the Bol Bol bandwagon over to Paul Pierce’s crib, threw open the door and offered to let him ride shotgun for as long as he liked. The 10-time NBA All-Star hopped in and thanked us by rolling his left foot over to the driver’s side and pumping the brakes like there was no tomorrow.
“I’ve been around too long — too, too long — to be hyped on a couple of highlights and one good game and one good scrimmage,” Pierce, the ESPN analyst dubbed “The Truth” during his salad days with the Celtics, said Thursday.
“I mean, yeah, he’s got tremendous potential. But it’s just like the Summer League. How many guys do we see get the Summer League MVP and then they’ll be like, ‘Oh, yeah, he’s a potential All-Star, yeah, he’s got a bright future,’ and then they just turn out to be average players?”
Remember Von Wafer?
Sure you do. Summer 2007. The Nuggets signed Wafer, an ex-Florida State and Colorado 14ers sharpshooter, in April of ‘07. Dude was the hottest thing to hit the Strip since Celine Dion.
He dropped 42 in one Summer League tilt against the Knicks. The 6-foot-5 wing topped the Nuggs in scoring in ‘07, pouring in 24.2 points per game at Vegas. Von was coming.
Until he wasn’t.
Once the lights went on for real, the guy averaged 1.3 points over 4.3 minutes per game in 22 appearances during the 2007-08 regular season. In February, Wafer was traded to the Blazers for Taurean Green.
Look, nobody’s tagging Bol as the second coming of Vakeaton Quamar Wafer. We’re just pointing out that we’ve been fooled before.
“The potential’s there. He’s got all the tools,” Pierce said of Bol, the Nuggs’ second-round pick in 2019, who went viral Wednesday after posting 16 points, 10 boards and six blocks against Washington.
“But I don’t look at that. I need to be there and measure his heart, his pride, his determination, his competitive spirit. I’ve got to see all of that — those are the things I really look at. Because I’ve seen guys with that whole skill set and they just didn’t have it.”
Then again, few guys had a set like this. Bol, the son of former NBA big man Manute Bol, stands 7-foot-2 with a 7-9 wingspan, blessed with the kind of crazy ceiling he can touch from his tippy-toes. A kid who can blot out the sun and spot up on the break from 20-25 feet out.
Like teammate Michael Porter Jr., Bol’s a “stretch” big and a matchup nightmare, having averaged 21 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest at Oregon in 2018-19 while more than holding his own this past winter in the G-League (12 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks over 19.3 minutes per game). In eight appearances with the Windy City Bulls, he drained 36.4% of his attempts from beyond the arc. And he’s 20.
“They have so many players up front and what you’re trying to do is find who’s going to be the most compatible with the Joker,” ESPN analyst Jalen Rose said, a nod to All-Star center Nikola Jokic. “If Bol can make an open shot and continue to guard the rim, he, (Mason) Plumlee, Michael Porter Jr., all three of those guys — in particular, Bol Bol and Michael Porter Jr., if those two emerge, that takes the Nuggets to another level.
“Gary Harris didn’t have the season you hoped for him to have, and they don’t have a consistent second All-Star. And they’re going to need Bol Bol’s potential. I don’t know if he’s going to be that impact player for them to get there this year. But I do like his promise, his height, his ability to make threes and protect the rim.”
Still, one scrimmage does not an All-Star make. Remember Von? Wafer used to light up the G-League, too.
Until he didn’t.
“I mean, the potential is there, and I like that,” Pierce said of Bol. “But I’m not one who’s going to be all jumping out of my seat after I see one highlight. I’ve got to see it through the course of 82 games. I’ve got to see it through the course of playing against all the competition.
“That’s practice. I’m just seeing practice games out there. My boy down the street there can have one good day.”
Sometimes, the Truth hurts.