thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Biden seeks unity as Trump stokes fading embers of campaign

WILMINGTON , Del .
— On a day of grace and grievance , President-elect Joe Biden summoned Americans to join in common purpose against the coronavirus pandemic and their political divisions while the man he will replace stoked the fading embers of his campaign to “ turn the election over.
” Biden , in a Thanksgiving-eve address to the nation , put the surging pandemic front and center , pledging to tap the “ vast powers ” of the federal government and to “ change the course of the disease ” once in office .
But for that to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for their own safety and that of their fellow citizens .
“ I know the country has grown weary of the fight , ” Biden said Wednesday .
“ We need to remember we ’ re at war with the virus , not with one another .
Not with each other.
” President Donald Trump , who has scarcely mentioned the pandemic in recent days even as it has achieved record heights , remained fixated on his election defeat .
He sent his lawyer Rudy Giuliani and other members of his legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Gettysburg .
Inside a hotel near the hallowed battlefields of civil war , they again aired complaints about the election and repeated allegations of Democratic malfeasance that have already disintegrated under examination by courts .
“ We have to turn the election over , ” Trump said from the Oval Office , where he joined the meeting by speakerphone .
“ This was an election that we won easily , ” he said .
“ We won it by a lot.
” In fact , the election gave Biden a clear mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovered .
Judge after judge has dismissed the Trump campaign ’ s accusations as baseless , and the transition to Biden ’ s presidency is fully underway .
Nevertheless , Trump repeated : “ This election has to be turned around.
” Trump had been expected to appear in person in Gettysburg , but did not after another member of his legal team tested positive for the coronavirus .
Few at the meeting wore masks .
Altogether , the forum heard — and cheered — yet another declaration from a U.S. president seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters ’ will because he wants to stay in power .
The setting was about a mile from the scene of Pickett ’ s Charge , where Union troops repelled a desperate Confederate attack in July 1863 and helped turn the tide of the Civil War .
The president followed up by pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn , the second Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by Trump .
The pardon was part of a broader effort to undo the results of an investigation that for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yielded criminal charges against a half dozen associates .
The pardon voids the criminal case against Flynn just as a federal judge was deciding whether to grant a Justice Department request to dismiss the prosecution despite Flynn ’ s own guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts .
For his part , Biden has largely projected serenity as the necessary elements of a presidential transition — money , access to office space and more — were held at bay for nearly three weeks by Trump ’ s machinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Administration that he had won the election .
On Wednesday , he addressed Trump ’ s raw tactics only in passing .
“ Our democracy was tested this year , ” Biden said , “ but the people of this nation are up to the task.
” “ In America , we have full and fair and free elections , and then we honor the results , ” he said .
“ The people of this nation and the laws of the land won ’ t stand for anything else.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Americans to “ dream again ” and predicting that “ the 21st century is going to be an American century.
” Biden pledged more virus testing , more protective gear and clearer guidance for businesses and schools to reopen when he becomes president .
Until vaccines are distributed , he said , masks , social distancing and limits in the size of gatherings “ are our most effective tools to combat the virus.
” Biden ’ s remarks came as COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide .
Hospitalizations , deaths and the testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation headed into Thanksgiving , and public health experts have warned that the large family gatherings expected for the holiday are likely to extend and exacerbate the surge .
He has formed a coronavirus advisory board of scientists , doctors and public health experts , and plans to establish a COVID-19 coordinator in the White House to lead his administration ’ s response .
This week , however , Biden focused beyond the crisis stateside and unveiled his national security team on Tuesday , including his nominees for secretary of state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United Nations .
Drawing implicit contrasts with Trump , Biden said the team “ reflects the fact that America is back , ready to lead the world , not retreat from it.
” He ’ s also expected to name Janet Yellen as treasury secretary in the coming weeks .
In urging Americans to be vigilant in their Thanksgiving plans , Biden said Wednesday he was taking precautions of his own , eschewing his traditional large family gathering and spending the holiday instead with just his wife , daughter and son-in-law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife , Jill , to Rehoboth Beach , the small Delaware beach town where the two have a vacation home .
That ’ s where they ’ ll host their family for Thanksgiving dinner .
Biden is expected to stay through the weekend in Rehoboth before returning to Wilmington for further work on the transition .
Trump will forgo his usual plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at his private club in Florida and will instead remain at the White House .
Colvin reported from Washington .
Associated Press writer Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WILMINGTON, Del. — On a day of grace and grievance, President-elect Joe Biden summoned Americans to join in common purpose against the coronavirus pandemic and their political divisions while the man he will replace stoked the fading embers of his campaign to “turn the election over.”
Biden, in a Thanksgiving-eve address to the nation, put the surging pandemic front and center, pledging to tap the “vast powers” of the federal government and to “change the course of the disease” once in office. But for that to work, he said, Americans must step up for their own safety and that of their fellow citizens.
“I know the country has grown weary of the fight,” Biden said Wednesday. “We need to remember we’re at war with the virus, not with one another. Not with each other.”
President Donald Trump, who has scarcely mentioned the pandemic in recent days even as it has achieved record heights, remained fixated on his election defeat.
He sent his lawyer Rudy Giuliani and other members of his legal team to meet Pennsylvania Republican state senators in Gettysburg. Inside a hotel near the hallowed battlefields of civil war, they again aired complaints about the election and repeated allegations of Democratic malfeasance that have already disintegrated under examination by courts.
“We have to turn the election over,” Trump said from the Oval Office, where he joined the meeting by speakerphone.
“This was an election that we won easily,” he said. “We won it by a lot.” In fact, the election gave Biden a clear mandate, and no systemic fraud has been uncovered. Judge after judge has dismissed the Trump campaign’s accusations as baseless, and the transition to Biden’s presidency is fully underway.
Nevertheless, Trump repeated: “This election has to be turned around.”
Trump had been expected to appear in person in Gettysburg, but did not after another member of his legal team tested positive for the coronavirus. Few at the meeting wore masks.
Altogether, the forum heard — and cheered — yet another declaration from a U.S. president seeking to reverse a democratic election and the voters’ will because he wants to stay in power. The setting was about a mile from the scene of Pickett’s Charge, where Union troops repelled a desperate Confederate attack in July 1863 and helped turn the tide of the Civil War.
The president followed up by pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn, the second Trump associate convicted in the Russia probe to be granted clemency by Trump.
The pardon was part of a broader effort to undo the results of an investigation that for years has shadowed Trump’s administration and yielded criminal charges against a half dozen associates. The pardon voids the criminal case against Flynn just as a federal judge was deciding whether to grant a Justice Department request to dismiss the prosecution despite Flynn’s own guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his Russia contacts.
For his part, Biden has largely projected serenity as the necessary elements of a presidential transition — money, access to office space and more — were held at bay for nearly three weeks by Trump’s machinations and a delayed ascertainment by the General Services Administration that he had won the election. On Wednesday, he addressed Trump’s raw tactics only in passing.
“Our democracy was tested this year,” Biden said, “but the people of this nation are up to the task.”
“In America, we have full and fair and free elections, and then we honor the results,” he said. “The people of this nation and the laws of the land won’t stand for anything else.”
And he offered an optimistic vision, calling on Americans to “dream again” and predicting that “the 21st century is going to be an American century.”
Biden pledged more virus testing, more protective gear and clearer guidance for businesses and schools to reopen when he becomes president. Until vaccines are distributed, he said, masks, social distancing and limits in the size of gatherings “are our most effective tools to combat the virus.”
Biden’s remarks came as COVID-19 cases are surging nationwide. Hospitalizations, deaths and the testing positivity rate were also up sharply as the nation headed into Thanksgiving, and public health experts have warned that the large family gatherings expected for the holiday are likely to extend and exacerbate the surge.
He has formed a coronavirus advisory board of scientists, doctors and public health experts, and plans to establish a COVID-19 coordinator in the White House to lead his administration’s response.
This week, however, Biden focused beyond the crisis stateside and unveiled his national security team on Tuesday, including his nominees for secretary of state, director of national intelligence and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Drawing implicit contrasts with Trump, Biden said the team “reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it.” He’s also expected to name Janet Yellen as treasury secretary in the coming weeks.
In urging Americans to be vigilant in their Thanksgiving plans, Biden said Wednesday he was taking precautions of his own, eschewing his traditional large family gathering and spending the holiday instead with just his wife, daughter and son-in-law.
He’s traveling with his wife, Jill, to Rehoboth Beach, the small Delaware beach town where the two have a vacation home. That’s where they’ll host their family for Thanksgiving dinner. Biden is expected to stay through the weekend in Rehoboth before returning to Wilmington for further work on the transition.
Trump will forgo his usual plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at his private club in Florida and will instead remain at the White House.
Colvin reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pa., contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Valor Christian rolls Legend 45-0 for berth in Class 5A championship game

HIGHLANDS RANCH — Valor Christian used all three of its timeouts to stop the clock before halftime on Saturday against Legend to get the football back with another chance to score .
Consider it an act of mercy .
Valor , leading 38-0 late in the second quarter of the Class 5A football semifinals , needed only three plays to find the end zone for a sixth time on the afternoon .
The Eagles ’ first-half lead ballooned to 45-0 , and per CHSAA rules , the game required a running clock for the second half .
No .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense and defense , and still held No .
3 Legend scoreless through the third and fourth quarter — a remarkable feat considering Legend running back Bryce Vaz rushed for six touchdowns in the quarterfinals .
First-year Valor Christian head coach Donnie Yantis , in the shadow of Ed McCaffrey ’ s coaching success , has maintained the program ’ s championship expectations as a date with top-seeded Cherry Creek looms next week in Pueblo for the 5A title .
“ One of the reasons I came here and accepted this job was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your faith , academically and athletically , ” said Yantis , the former tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Arizona State , and longtime prep football coach in Arizona .
“ Those are the expectations , to win a championship , we ’ ve got an opportunity to try and do that.
” Valor ( 7-0 ) dominated Legend ( 7-1 ) from the opening kickoff with the Eagles ’ star player finding the end zone first .
Running back Gavin Sawchuk — the top-rated junior football prospect in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the nation — scored on his third carry of the afternoon .
He entered the game with just under 1,000 rushing yards on the season .
But Valor used Sawchuk ( 15 carries , 93 yards ) sparingly after the first quarter , opting for his freshman brother , Gabe , to carry the football .
He also found the end zone .
“ It ’ s important to be able to jump out on a team at the beginning of a game , ” Sawchuk said .
“ That was our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out and really handle business in the beginning , so we could secure a good lead .
… It ’ s amazing being able to watch ( my brother ) score .
I ’ m just so proud of him .
I know he ’ s going to be a great player and lead this football team when I ’ m gone.
” Valor also scored on a pair of non-traditional touchdowns with a punt-block recovery by Mitchell Bigelow and a fumble return by Luke Meyer .
But the Eagles ’ offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a no-huddle , up-tempo offense newly installed under Yantis .
Valor rarely huddled in the first half and constantly kept Legend ’ s defense on its heels .
“ They ’ ve been working since June 15 , ” Yantis said .
“ Doing a lot of tempo , we get a lot of reps in practice , so those offensive linemen are in pretty good shape .
It ’ s what we do.
” The Eagles are seeking their ninth state football championship in school history with the team last claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against , who else , Cherry Creek .
Saturday ’ s 5A finale in Pueblo renews one of Colorado high school football ’ s best rivalries among blue-blood programs .
“ We ’ ve got one more game and that ’ s going to decide who is the best team in the state , ” Sawchuk said .
“ It ’ s amazing to be able to continue that legacy and tradition .
I know ( Cherry Creek ) has a really good team , so it ’ s going to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come ready .
”

HIGHLANDS RANCH — Valor Christian used all three of its timeouts to stop the clock before halftime on Saturday against Legend to get the football back with another chance to score.
Consider it an act of mercy.
Valor, leading 38-0 late in the second quarter of the Class 5A football semifinals, needed only three plays to find the end zone for a sixth time on the afternoon. The Eagles’ first-half lead ballooned to 45-0, and per CHSAA rules, the game required a running clock for the second half.
No. 2 Valor turned to its backups, on offense and defense, and still held No. 3 Legend scoreless through the third and fourth quarter — a remarkable feat considering Legend running back Bryce Vaz rushed for six touchdowns in the quarterfinals. First-year Valor Christian head coach Donnie Yantis, in the shadow of Ed McCaffrey’s coaching success, has maintained the program’s championship expectations as a date with top-seeded Cherry Creek looms next week in Pueblo for the 5A title.
“One of the reasons I came here and accepted this job was because this school is about excellence — with your faith, academically and athletically,” said Yantis, the former tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Arizona State, and longtime prep football coach in Arizona. “Those are the expectations, to win a championship, we’ve got an opportunity to try and do that.”
Valor (7-0) dominated Legend (7-1) from the opening kickoff with the Eagles’ star player finding the end zone first. Running back Gavin Sawchuk — the top-rated junior football prospect in the state, per 24/7 Sports, and 43rd in the nation — scored on his third carry of the afternoon. He entered the game with just under 1,000 rushing yards on the season. But Valor used Sawchuk (15 carries, 93 yards) sparingly after the first quarter, opting for his freshman brother, Gabe, to carry the football. He also found the end zone.
“It’s important to be able to jump out on a team at the beginning of a game,” Sawchuk said. “That was our whole plan, to be able to get out and really handle business in the beginning, so we could secure a good lead. … It’s amazing being able to watch (my brother) score. I’m just so proud of him. I know he’s going to be a great player and lead this football team when I’m gone.”
Valor also scored on a pair of non-traditional touchdowns with a punt-block recovery by Mitchell Bigelow and a fumble return by Luke Meyer. But the Eagles’ offensive prowess stems from their masterful use of a no-huddle, up-tempo offense newly installed under Yantis. Valor rarely huddled in the first half and constantly kept Legend’s defense on its heels.
“They’ve been working since June 15,” Yantis said. “Doing a lot of tempo, we get a lot of reps in practice, so those offensive linemen are in pretty good shape. It’s what we do.”
The Eagles are seeking their ninth state football championship in school history with the team last claiming the title in 2018 with a 24-14 victory against, who else, Cherry Creek. Saturday’s 5A finale in Pueblo renews one of Colorado high school football’s best rivalries among blue-blood programs.
“We’ve got one more game and that’s going to decide who is the best team in the state,” Sawchuk said. “It’s amazing to be able to continue that legacy and tradition. I know (Cherry Creek) has a really good team, so it’s going to be a battle. We’re going to come ready.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Colorado high school football playoffs scoreboard

No .
1 Cherry Creek ( 8-0 ) vs. No .
2 Valor Christian ( 7-0 ) , 6 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ 2 Palmer Ridge ( 6-0 ) vs. No .
4 Loveland ( 8-0 ) , @ @ @ @ @ No .
4 Pueblo South advances past No .
5 Mead , forfeit due to @ @ @ @ @ ( 7-0 ) vs. No .
3 Durango ( 7-0 ) , 2 p.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ Eaton ( 6-2 ) vs. No .
7 Lamar ( 7-1 ) , 2 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ 1 Limon ( 6-0 ) vs. No .
2 Strasburg ( 8-0 ) , 10 @ @ @ @ @ .
1 Sedgwick County ( 8-0 ) vs. No .
2 Sanford ( 7-0 ) @ @ @ @ @ CSU-Pueblo No .
1 Fleming ( 8-0 ) vs. No .
2 Stratton/Liberty ( 7-0 @ @ @ @ @ at CSU-Pueblo

State playoffs
Class 5A
First round
No. 1 Cherry Creek 29, No. 8 Regis Jesuit 6
No. 4 Pomona 49, No. 5 Eaglecrest 19
No. 2 Valor Christian 49, No. 7 Cherokee Trail 14
No. 3 Legend 56, No. 6 Fairview 35
Semifinals
No. 1 Cherry Creek 35, No. 4 Pomona 7
No. 2 Valor Christian 45, No. 3 Legend 0
Championship
No. 1 Cherry Creek (8-0) vs. No. 2 Valor Christian (7-0), 6 p.m. Saturday at CSU-Pueblo
Class 4A
First round
No. 1 Dakota Ridge 76, No. 8 Montrose 34
No. 4 Loveland 28, Broomfield 7
No. 2 Palmer Ridge 32, No. 7 Pine Creek 7
No. 6 Fountain-Fort Carson 41, No. 3 Ponderosa 38
Semifinals
No. 4 Loveland 20, No. 1 Dakota Ridge 14
No. 2 Palmer Ridge 28, No. 6 Fountain-Fort Carson 12
Championship
No. 2 Palmer Ridge (6-0) vs. No. 4 Loveland (8-0), 6 p.m. Friday at CSU-Pueblo
Class 3A
First round
No. 1 Roosevelt 17, No. 8 Fort Morgan 16
No. 4 Pueblo South advances past No. 5 Mead, forfeit due to COVID-19
No. 2 Holy Family 41, No. 7 Evergreen 6
No. 3 Durango 47, No. 6 Lutheran 6
Semifinals
No. 1 Roosevelt 49, No. 4 Pueblo South 19
No. 3 Durango 34, No. 2 Holy Family 14
Championship
No. 1 Roosevelt (7-0) vs. No. 3 Durango (7-0), 2 p.m. Saturday at CSU-Pueblo
Class 2A
First round
No. 1 Resurrection Christian 40, No. 8 Moffat County 14
No. 5 Eaton 41, No. 4 Pagosa Springs 7
No. 7 Lamar 14, No. 2 Sterling 6
No. 6 Delta 38, No. 3 Platte Valley 6
Semifinals
No. 5 Eaton 27, No. 1 Resurrection Christian 13
No. 7 Lamar 7, No. 6 Delta 6
Championship
No. 5 Eaton (6-2) vs. No. 7 Lamar (7-1), 2 p.m. Friday at CSU-Pueblo
Class 1A
First round
No. 1 Limon 41, No. 8 Holyoke 15
No. 4 Wray 38, No. 5 Hotchkiss 13
No. 2 Strasburg 36, No. 7 Meeker 34
No. 6 Centauri 20, No. 3 Florence 17
Semifinals
No. 1 Limon 24, No. 4 Wray 14
No. 2 Strasburg 27, No. 6 Centauri 14
Championship
No. 1 Limon (6-0) vs. No. 2 Strasburg (8-0), 10 a.m. Saturday at CSU-Pueblo
8-man
First round
No. 1 Sedgwick County 45, No. 8 Crowley County 12
No. 4 Dove Creek 30, No. 5 Rangely 12
No. 2 Sanford 36, No. 7 Mancos 28
No. 6 Merino 22, No. 3 Fowler 6
Semifinals
No. 1 Sedgwick County 46, No. 4 Dove Creek 6
No. 2 Sanford 16, No. 6 Merino 14
Championship
No. 1 Sedgwick County (8-0) vs. No. 2 Sanford (7-0), 6 p.m. Thursday at CSU-Pueblo
6-man
First round
No. 1 Fleming 58, No. 8 Kit Carson 14
No. 4 Granada 44, No. 5 Eads 35
No. 2 Stratton/Liberty 58, No. 7 Briggsdale 39
No. 3 Cheyenne Wells 43, No. 6 Prairie 22
Semifinals
No. 1 Fleming 52, No. 4 Granada 46
No. 2 Stratton/Liberty 36, No. 3 Cheyenne Wells 15
Championship
No. 1 Fleming (8-0) vs. No. 2 Stratton/Liberty (7-0), 2 p.m. Thursday at CSU-Pueblo


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Colorado high school football playoffs semifinal roundup: Palmer Ridge, Loveland headed for 4A title

Colorado high school football playoffs semifinal roundup: Palmer Ridge, Loveland headed for 4A title game

No .
4 Loveland ( 8-0 ) beat No .
1 Dakota Ridge ( 7-1 ) , 20-14 — The Indians clinched their second trip to the 4A championship in three years behind a dominant defensive performance , holding an Eagles offense averaging 54.9 points per game to one touchdown ( the other came on special teams ) .
Tyson Williams gave Loveland a 7-0 lead with a 12-yard run in the first quarter .
Sophomore quarterback Garrett Harstad set up his own 2-yard TD run with a 52-yard pass to Joe Killian , and Zack Rakowsky busted loose for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indians a 20-7 lead at halftime .
Dante Capoulungo ’ s 87-yard punt return TD with 6:40 left gave the Eagles hope late , but the Indians were able to bleed the clock .
No .
2 Palmer Ridge ( 6-0 ) beat No .
6 Fountain-Fort Carson ( 6-2 ) , 28-12 — The Bears will play for a fourth consecutive state title — this time at the 4A level — after quarterback Luke McAllister threw for two touchdowns and snuck in for another .
The CSU commit found Marcellus Reed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Trojans TD with a 57-yard touchdown hookup with Cameron Jones for a 14-6 halftime lead .
McAllister ’ s sneak gave the Bears a 21-6 lead early in the third quarter , one they held on to due in part to a pair of holding calls that brought back two apparent Q Jones TD runs .
Palmer Ridge also forced a fumble at its own goal line that squelched another FFC scoring chance .
No .
1 Roosevelt ( 7-0 ) beat No .
4 Pueblo South ( 5-1 ) , 49-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return trip to the 3A championship game , with senior running back Keegan Sterkel scoring three touchdowns and junior running back Cooper Walton adding a pair of scores .
The Colts had a 13-7 lead one quarter in after George Longoria took his first carry of the game 58 yards for a touchdown and QB Jace Bellah snuck in for his own score .
But Roosevelt scored six of the next seven touchdowns to break things open .
No .
3 Durango ( 7-0 ) beat No .
2 Holy Family ( 7-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ticket to a state title game for the first time in 32 years , racing out to a 28-0 lead in the third quarter and holding on from there .
Durango quarterback Jordan Woolverton threw one touchdown pass and ran for two others , with the first preceded by his fifth interception of the season on defense .
Holy Family whittled the deficit to 14 points after Michael White found Liam Gray for a 4-yard scoring pass with just under six minutes to go .
But the Tigers ’ onside attempt failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TD run to put things away .

Class 4A
No. 4 Loveland (8-0) beat No. 1 Dakota Ridge (7-1), 20-14 — The Indians clinched their second trip to the 4A championship in three years behind a dominant defensive performance, holding an Eagles offense averaging 54.9 points per game to one touchdown (the other came on special teams). Tyson Williams gave Loveland a 7-0 lead with a 12-yard run in the first quarter. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Harstad set up his own 2-yard TD run with a 52-yard pass to Joe Killian, and Zack Rakowsky busted loose for a 73-yard scoring run to give the Indians a 20-7 lead at halftime. Dante Capoulungo’s 87-yard punt return TD with 6:40 left gave the Eagles hope late, but the Indians were able to bleed the clock.
No. 2 Palmer Ridge (6-0) beat No. 6 Fountain-Fort Carson (6-2), 28-12 — The Bears will play for a fourth consecutive state title — this time at the 4A level — after quarterback Luke McAllister threw for two touchdowns and snuck in for another. The CSU commit found Marcellus Reed on a 63-yard scoring pass, then answered a Trojans TD with a 57-yard touchdown hookup with Cameron Jones for a 14-6 halftime lead. McAllister’s sneak gave the Bears a 21-6 lead early in the third quarter, one they held on to due in part to a pair of holding calls that brought back two apparent Q Jones TD runs. Palmer Ridge also forced a fumble at its own goal line that squelched another FFC scoring chance.
Class 3A
No. 1 Roosevelt (7-0) beat No. 4 Pueblo South (5-1), 49-19 — The Roughriders denied Pueblo South a return trip to the 3A championship game, with senior running back Keegan Sterkel scoring three touchdowns and junior running back Cooper Walton adding a pair of scores. The Colts had a 13-7 lead one quarter in after George Longoria took his first carry of the game 58 yards for a touchdown and QB Jace Bellah snuck in for his own score. But Roosevelt scored six of the next seven touchdowns to break things open.
No. 3 Durango (7-0) beat No. 2 Holy Family (7-1), 34-14 — The Demons punched their ticket to a state title game for the first time in 32 years, racing out to a 28-0 lead in the third quarter and holding on from there. Durango quarterback Jordan Woolverton threw one touchdown pass and ran for two others, with the first preceded by his fifth interception of the season on defense. Holy Family whittled the deficit to 14 points after Michael White found Liam Gray for a 4-yard scoring pass with just under six minutes to go. But the Tigers’ onside attempt failed, and Woolverton answered with a 53-yard TD run to put things away.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Mark Kennedy: University of Colorado is adapting in wake of COVID, but needs state’s financial suppo

Mark Kennedy: University of Colorado is adapting in wake of COVID, but needs state’s financial support

As many of us struggle with pandemic fatigue , I am reminded of running the mile as a member of the Pequot Lakes High School track team in Minnesota .
As I completed the third of four laps , I debated whether to lay down on the ground and writhe in pain or press on .
Suddenly I got a second wind .
I was filled with renewed energy and nearly sprinted the last lap , setting the school record .
We all need a second wind to emerge from this pandemic and prepare for what lies ahead .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including one developed by Moderna , for which the CU Anschutz Medical Campus hosted clinical trials .
Though the end may be in sight , much effort will be required before it arrives .
We at CU have learned and adapted this year as we delivered on our missions to teach and discover while keeping our communities safe .
We will continue to collaborate closely with public health professionals as we close out our fall semester and look toward spring .
Beyond the urgent matters of the moment , we must recognize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only accelerated its arrival .
None of us has the luxury of waiting for COVID to be fully under control before we prepare for tomorrow .
I draw other lessons from my time on the Pequot Lakes track team .
Our strongest race was a mile relay , where four runners ran 440 yards each .
Efficient hand-offs were as important to winning as the pace of individual runners , and we practiced them over and over .
Like our relay team , our success as a university and state hinges on close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend toward digitization to hyper-speed .
Case in point : the time we spend in video meetings these days .
Digitization will turn every industry upside down , requiring transformation for many organizations .
As automation accelerates , the success of individuals and our state ’ s economy will require more college graduates , along with skills transformation for those in the workforce .
Universities and companies are increasingly offering supplementary credentials to meet the needs for foundational career skills and lifelong learning .
Yet for the past decade , total attendance nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with on-campus enrollment declining at a steeper pace while online enrollment has grown , even more so during the pandemic .
Quality online instruction costs as much to deliver – and often more – as on-campus instruction .
Only when the scale of online offerings increases do they hold the promise to reduce the cost of higher education .
This requires innovation , adaptability and extra effort by faculty , as well as significant institutional investments .
Robust state support is crucial to helping us provide the talent Colorado needs to prosper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolution into a majority-minority state and nation .
Success demands we get better at attracting , retaining and graduating students from less-represented backgrounds .
Last year , we hired the CU system ’ s first chief diversity officer and made Diversity , Equity , Inclusion and Access one of the four pillars of our strategic plan .
This year , the CU Foundation at my request provided $ 5 million toward a Diversity , Equity and Inclusion Innovation Fund to advance our efforts .
The pandemic has disproportionately impacted less-represented minorities , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefiting from higher education .
Increased financial aid is important to their success .
CU steadily increased internally funded financial aid to $ 228 million last year , resulting in net costs to students less than inflation in recent years .
But we can not make progress alone .
Colorado must invest more in its educated human infrastructure and embrace an educated populace as a public good .
Only with universities jointly committing to becoming more efficient as Colorado commits to increasing its nation-trailing support for higher education can we truly address inequitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state workforce needs .
CU continues to navigate the pandemic as we determine how best to address the technological and demographic changes already upon us .
Even as we face lower revenues and higher costs , CU of necessity is investing more to adapt to increased digitization and extend the benefits of a college degree to a broader segment of our state .
The university and the state will only succeed if we are a team that goes the extra mile to nurture the talent that opens up opportunities for our citizens and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy is president of the University of Colorado To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

As many of us struggle with pandemic fatigue, I am reminded of running the mile as a member of the Pequot Lakes High School track team in Minnesota. As I completed the third of four laps, I debated whether to lay down on the ground and writhe in pain or press on. Suddenly I got a second wind. I was filled with renewed energy and nearly sprinted the last lap, setting the school record. We all need a second wind to emerge from this pandemic and prepare for what lies ahead.
It is wonderful to see vaccines advancing, including one developed by Moderna, for which the CU Anschutz Medical Campus hosted clinical trials. Though the end may be in sight, much effort will be required before it arrives.
We at CU have learned and adapted this year as we delivered on our missions to teach and discover while keeping our communities safe. We will continue to collaborate closely with public health professionals as we close out our fall semester and look toward spring. Beyond the urgent matters of the moment, we must recognize the coronavirus has not changed the future, only accelerated its arrival. None of us has the luxury of waiting for COVID to be fully under control before we prepare for tomorrow.
I draw other lessons from my time on the Pequot Lakes track team. Our strongest race was a mile relay, where four runners ran 440 yards each. Efficient hand-offs were as important to winning as the pace of individual runners, and we practiced them over and over. Like our relay team, our success as a university and state hinges on close teamwork.
The pandemic has quickened the trend toward digitization to hyper-speed. Case in point: the time we spend in video meetings these days. Digitization will turn every industry upside down, requiring transformation for many organizations. As automation accelerates, the success of individuals and our state’s economy will require more college graduates, along with skills
transformation for those in the workforce. Universities and companies are increasingly offering supplementary credentials to meet the needs for foundational career skills and lifelong learning.
Yet for the past decade, total attendance nationwide at two- or four-year colleges has declined, with on-campus enrollment declining at a steeper pace while online enrollment has grown, even more so during the pandemic.
Quality online instruction costs as much to deliver – and often more – as on-campus instruction. Only when the scale of online offerings increases do they hold the promise to reduce the cost of higher education. This requires innovation, adaptability and extra effort by faculty, as well as significant institutional investments. Robust state support is crucial to helping us provide the talent Colorado needs to prosper.
We must also recognize our demographic evolution into a majority-minority state and nation. Success demands we get better at attracting, retaining and graduating students from less-represented backgrounds. Last year, we hired the CU system’s first chief diversity officer and made Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access one of the four pillars of our strategic plan. This year, the CU Foundation at my request provided $5 million toward a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Innovation Fund to advance our efforts.
The pandemic has disproportionately impacted less-represented minorities, in great part due to them not proportionately benefiting from higher education. Increased financial aid is important to their success. CU steadily increased internally funded financial aid to $228 million last year, resulting in net costs to students less than inflation in recent years.
But we cannot make progress alone. Colorado must invest more in its educated human infrastructure and embrace an educated populace as a public good. Only with universities jointly committing to becoming more efficient as Colorado commits to increasing its nation-trailing support for higher education can we truly address inequitable access to a college degree and meet state workforce needs.
CU continues to navigate the pandemic as we determine how best to address the technological and demographic changes already upon us. Even as we face lower revenues and higher costs, CU of necessity is investing more to adapt to increased digitization and extend the benefits of a college degree to a broader segment of our state. The university and the state will only succeed if we are a team that goes the extra mile to nurture the talent that opens up opportunities for our citizens and drives prosperity for our state.
Mark Kennedy is president of the University of Colorado
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Silverii: The fantasy surrounding the “MAGA universe” needs to end

President Donald Trump lies so frequently and with such reckless abandon that in four years he has managed to eat away at the very foundation of truth itself for millions of his followers .
We are today not merely a country bitterly divided along political lines , but divided into competing versions of reality itself .
In reality , the coronavirus pandemic has taken the lives of over 260,000 Americans and over 2,800 Coloradans .
This Thanksgiving weekend , millions of Coloradans are canceling traditional family gatherings , opting instead to be with our extended families over video chat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving ever with his mom and his dad and our “ friends who live in the computer.
” We wear masks when we leave the house , have our temperature taken everywhere we go , and by now many of us know someone who has gotten very ill or even died .
In the alternative reality , which we ’ ll call the “ MAGA universe ” , COVID-19 is a hoax , a conspiracy , the “ China Plague ” or just another common cold .
The hospitals aren ’ t overflowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds and nurses and doctors to go around , and Americans aren ’ t going to let politicians tell us we can ’ t be with our families .
Shutting down nonessential parts of the economy and mandating mask wearing and social distancing is simply big government seeking to control the masses , a grand social experiment intended to destroy American freedom .
In reality , Joe Biden won the election and it wasn ’ t close .
Biden crushed Trump nationwide by over six million votes and a larger Electoral College margin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which Trump at the time called a “ landslide.
” Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are finally beginning the transition after three weeks of stalling by Trump , and are getting set to tackle the many challenges this nation faces economically , socially , and pandemically .
In the MAGA universe , Dominion Voting Systems , Google , Facebook , Twitter , The Lamestream Media , The Clinton Foundation , Venezuela , China , Detroit , Philadelphia , Milwaukee , Atlanta , Las Vegas and Phoenix or some combination of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Magic vote-switching algorithms and liberal bias and fake mail ballots and discarded Trump votes and rigged local canvassing boards pulled off the crime of the century .
Known liars Rudy Guiliani , Colorado Christian University ’ s Jenna Ellis , now-disowned attorney Sidney Powell , and a few other extremely overpaid lawyers are the only ones telling the truth and defending the country from a massive conspiracy to thwart the true will of the American People .
In reality , progressive and moderate Democrats alike are trying to figure out how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years of Trumpism .
We ’ re disappointed and confused that 73 million Americans cast a vote for Donald Trump knowing full well who he is and that he will continue to use the office of the President of the United States to enrich himself and his family members while further dividing us into separate realities .
In Jefferson County where I live , our election went off without a hitch .
Thanks in large part to our incredible County Clerk and Recorder George Stern and his dauntless staff , most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after polls closed .
The winners celebrated and the losers conceded .
In MAGA Jeffco , the local Republican Party has refused to “ certify ” the results of the election , something they have no unilateral power to do — because of one or more of the above bonkers , lazy conspiracy theories have captured their imagination .
I thought , perhaps , like a villain from a comic book or fantasy novel , that once Trump was soundly defeated he ’ d slink away , powerless and broken .
The melted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of The Wizard of Oz , or maybe the wizard himself , uncloaked , the emperor without clothes , the charlatan exposed and defeated .
Instead , Trump is hanging on , refusing to acknowledge reality , and determined to maintain the fiction that keeps reality from crashing into MAGA world .
But the truth must win .
For the sake of our country , to defeat the virus , and hopefully to move on from this historically divisive moment in American history to solving the many challenges that await the Biden-Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know what it will take to break Trump ’ s spell over much of the GOP , but a peaceful transition of power will hopefully be a good start .
Ian Silverii is the executive director of ProgressNow Colorado , the state ’ s largest progressive advocacy group .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

President Donald Trump lies so frequently and with such reckless abandon that in four years he has managed to eat away at the very foundation of truth itself for millions of his followers. We are today not merely a country bitterly divided along political lines, but divided into competing versions of reality itself.
In reality, the coronavirus pandemic has taken the lives of over 260,000 Americans and over 2,800 Coloradans. This Thanksgiving weekend, millions of Coloradans are canceling traditional family gatherings, opting instead to be with our extended families over video chat. My 10-month-old son will spend his first Thanksgiving ever with his mom and his dad and our “friends who live in the computer.” We wear masks when we leave the house, have our temperature taken everywhere we go, and by now many of us know someone who has gotten very ill or even died.
In the alternative reality, which we’ll call the “MAGA universe”, COVID-19 is a hoax, a conspiracy, the “China Plague” or just another common cold. The hospitals aren’t overflowing, there are more than enough ICU beds and nurses and doctors to go around, and Americans aren’t going to let politicians tell us we can’t be with our families. Shutting down nonessential parts of the economy and mandating mask wearing and social distancing is simply big government seeking to control the masses, a grand social experiment intended to destroy American freedom.
In reality, Joe Biden won the election and it wasn’t close. Biden crushed Trump nationwide by over six million votes and a larger Electoral College margin than Trump held over Clinton in 2016, which Trump at the time called a “landslide.” Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are finally beginning the transition after three weeks of stalling by Trump, and are getting set to tackle the many challenges this nation faces economically, socially, and pandemically.
In the MAGA universe, Dominion Voting Systems, Google, Facebook, Twitter, The Lamestream Media, The Clinton Foundation, Venezuela, China, Detroit, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Phoenix or some combination of the above conspired to steal the election from Trump. Magic vote-switching algorithms and liberal bias and fake mail ballots and discarded Trump votes and rigged local canvassing boards pulled off the crime of the century. Known liars Rudy Guiliani, Colorado Christian University’s Jenna Ellis, now-disowned attorney Sidney Powell, and a few other extremely overpaid lawyers are the only ones telling the truth and defending the country from a massive conspiracy to thwart the true will of the American People.
In reality, progressive and moderate Democrats alike are trying to figure out how to undo the damage of the last four years of Trumpism. We’re disappointed and confused that 73 million Americans cast a vote for Donald Trump knowing full well who he is and that he will continue to use the office of the President of the United States to enrich himself and his family members while further dividing us into separate realities.
In Jefferson County where I live, our election went off without a hitch. Thanks in large part to our incredible County Clerk and Recorder George Stern and his dauntless staff, most of the races were counted and called shortly after polls closed. The winners celebrated and the losers conceded.
In MAGA Jeffco, the local Republican Party has refused to “certify” the results of the election, something they have no unilateral power to do — because of one or more of the above bonkers, lazy conspiracy theories have captured their imagination.
I thought, perhaps, like a villain from a comic book or fantasy novel, that once Trump was soundly defeated he’d slink away, powerless and broken. The melted Wicked Witch of the West at the end of The Wizard of Oz, or maybe the wizard himself, uncloaked, the emperor without clothes, the charlatan exposed and defeated. Instead, Trump is hanging on, refusing to acknowledge reality, and determined to maintain the fiction that keeps reality from crashing into MAGA world.
But the truth must win. For the sake of our country, to defeat the virus, and hopefully to move on from this historically divisive moment in American history to solving the many challenges that await the Biden-Harris administration–and all Americans and Coloradans alike. I don’t know what it will take to break Trump’s spell over much of the GOP, but a peaceful transition of power will hopefully be a good start.
Ian Silverii is the executive director of ProgressNow Colorado, the state’s largest progressive advocacy group.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Pandemic could mean vicious winter for those without homes in Denver’s suburbs

John Kenady climbs out of his 1977 four-tone Chevy van in a Longmont church parking lot , his leashed Rottweiler , Bella , and black-and-white cat , Robbie , in tow .
Several empty plastic bottles fall from the passenger seat of his overstuffed home on wheels , bouncing on to the pavement .
Kenady picks them up and heads into the church for a hot meal and to use the bathroom — one of 11 homeless people using this parking lot as a secure overnight sleeping spot .
“ It gives me a place to shower ; it gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the 67-year-old mechanic , who has been sidelined from work by a debilitating injury he sustained 20 years ago .
“ It ’ s great.
” Kenady is one of the faces of homelessness in metro Denver — living not on the streets or in a shelter but out of his vehicle .
And he ’ s nowhere near the downtown Denver encampments most readily associated with people experiencing homelessness , but deep in the suburbs .
He ’ s been sleeping aside the church since June , when the SafeLot program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outreach organization in Longmont .
A staff member with the organization stays each night at the church to ensure the safety of those parking there .
“ It ’ s been full basically since we opened , ” said Renee Ikemire , program manager with HOPE .
Yet , even with innovative concepts like “ safe parking ” to accommodate the increasing number of people lacking stable shelter in and around Denver , social service officials and homeless advocates worry that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — with its devastating economic impacts — will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housed .
Of special concern is an eviction freeze — put in place in September by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in direct response to the pandemic — that ’ s scheduled to expire at the end of the year .
Gov .
Jared Polis earlier this month extended a statewide eviction moratorium for another 30 days .
“ When ( the federal ) moratorium lifts , I think we ’ re going to see a huge wave of evictions , ” said Cathy Alderman , a spokeswoman for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s going to be a flood of people entering homelessness.
” Between 150,000 and 230,000 households in the state could be at risk of eviction by Dec. 31 , according to a report issued in October by Colorado ’ s Special Eviction Prevention Task Force , formed this summer by Polis through an executive order .
The pandemic-driven fallout is already hitting communities surrounding Denver , said Matt Meyer , executive director of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative .
“ The suburbs are now seeing an increase in visible homelessness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Arapahoe County commissioners passed a measure to use up to $ 200,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to give hotel vouchers to people experiencing homelessness as part of an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
The Denver metro area has primarily counted its homeless population through the annual point-in-time survey — a one-night , on-the-street tally of those without shelter .
This year ’ s survey , conducted in late January , showed a steady increase in homelessness , from 5,317 in 2018 to 6,104 this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boulder counties , as well as in Aurora .
And all of that was before COVID-19 hit in March .
“ I am fearful of the extent of homelessness in the suburbs , ” said Daniel Brisson , executive director of the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research at the University of Denver .
“ I am worried that when our next counts of homelessness come out — in the suburbs , rural areas and in the cities — it will be considerably higher than previous counts.
” The point-in-time survey is subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many people choose to spend that night outside .
The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative has produced a more comprehensive , first-of-its-kind “ State of Homelessness ” report , released last month .
The report shows that more than 31,200 people in metro Denver accessed services or housing supports related to homelessness from July 2019 through June 2020 .
It also found that there are nearly 13,000 students identified by school districts as experiencing homelessness .
And people of color are disproportionately affected by homelessness throughout the metro area .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metro Denver ’ s already-high home costs — rents hit by COVID-19 earlier this year began inching back up in the most recent quarter — continue to wreak havoc on housing stability .
An eviction moratorium doesn ’ t erase tenants ’ financial obligations , even if they ’ re out of work because of the pandemic .
“ They ’ re going to have accumulated a lot of back rent that needs to be paid , and they ’ re not going to have the means to do that , ” Meyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation to Cassie Ratliff , programs director of the homelessness program at Family Tree in Jefferson County .
Not all of those without a home in the county are jobless , she said , but they are often employed in low-income work that doesn ’ t keep up with costs .
“ I don ’ t know of anyone come January with $ 6,000 to pay the landlord , ” Ratliff said .
“ We see people who have enough money to pay for a hotel room , but they can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to that .
That debt is crippling.
” According to Jefferson County ’ s 2019 Comprehensive Homeless Count , the median home value in the county is 5.13 times greater than the median annual household income .
That compares to a 3.71 multiplier for that same category in the United States as a whole .
“ For income levels in Jefferson County to be compatible with housing costs , relative to the national average , the median annual household income in Jefferson County would need to increase 31 % , from $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report stated .
The county found in its count last summer that there were 997 people experiencing homelessness — 668 of whom met the federal government definition of literal homelessness , meaning they were in an emergency shelter , transitional housing or a place not meant for human habitation .
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed as homeless in Jefferson County reported having a disabling condition , including a serious mental illness , disability , substance use disorder , HIV/AIDS , or chronic health problems .
Ratliff said the coronavirus pandemic turns those complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as case numbers in Colorado mount .
“ People who are homeless are extremely vulnerable — a lot of them have underlying issues and are older than 65 , ” she said .
Across town in Aurora , homelessness has received political attention of late .
January ’ s point-in-time survey counted 427 people experiencing homelessness in Colorado ’ s third-largest city — up from 357 in 2018 .
Mayor Mike Coffman has been vocal in his concern about Aurora ’ s burgeoning homeless encampments , tweeting photos last month of garbage-strewn areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aurora to be “ more aggressive about closing down these encampments once we have an alternate place for them to go.
” Earlier this month , the city announced that it will open a winter emergency shelter with a capacity of 100 people and room for social distancing .
The converted warehouse in northwest Aurora opens on Tuesday and will operate through April .
It will include a safe parking area and space for tents to accommodate those “ who are not comfortable in an indoor congregate setting but still would like access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to a city press release .
Aurora also held a virtual opening ceremony recently for the new 60-bed Renaissance Veterans Apartments at Fitzsimons , a permanent supportive housing unit for veterans .
While there ’ s been talk of enacting a camping ban in Aurora , as has happened in Denver , Boulder , Parker and Centennial , a formal proposal to do so has not been put forward .
In the meantime , Aurora ’ s director of housing and community service , Jessica Prosser , said the city has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic money to help people out with mortgage and rent payments .
“ What ’ s critical is to keep housed those who are already housed , ” she said .
“ It ’ s more expensive to rehouse someone.
” At the state level , officials have spent $ 25 million of $ 33 million in federal Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security , or CARES , money to help with rental and mortgage assistance across Colorado .
Alison George , , a top official with the Colorado Division of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the importance of keeping people from losing a roof over their heads to begin with .
“ All of these programs are focused on keeping people stably housed , ” George said .
And there is help for those who no longer have permanent shelter , said Chelsey Baker-Hauck , co-founder of the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative .
The organization , whose goal is to establish areas for people to safely park and sleep overnight , launched this past spring .
It has locations in Longmont , Arvada and Broomfield , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Council recently discussed opening a safe parking site there , as well .
“ Our hope is to continue scaling this up , ” Baker-Hauck said .
“ This is a solution for a population that hasn ’ t been served well or fully .
It ’ s tailored to individual needs , and the goal is to meet them where they are.
” The Colorado Safe Parking Initiative mostly works with churches willing to open their lots — just as it ’ s churches that have stepped up to allow sanctioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safe-parking site permits fewer than 10 cars , Baker-Hauck said , though the organization has to work with each city on zoning and other regulatory issues .
“ These are hidden in plain sight , ” she said of the parking sites .
Baker-Hauck said many of those facing homelessness in the suburbs have cars to get around transit-challenged areas but work service jobs that don ’ t cover the cost of permanent housing .
“ These are the people working at your gas station or hustling on food delivery runs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep at night , ” she said .
Then there is Kenady , who is too injured to work anymore .
Calling Boulder County home for more than half a century , he said he has found respite wherever he can since becoming homeless — house sitting , couch surfing and sleeping in his van in whatever quiet spot he could find .
But he ’ s thankful for the safe parking program in Longmont , which has allowed him an extra measure of assurance and convenience as he drifts off every night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom and dad ’ s house , but it ’ s close , ” Kenady said .

John Kenady climbs out of his 1977 four-tone Chevy van in a Longmont church parking lot, his leashed Rottweiler, Bella, and black-and-white cat, Robbie, in tow.
Several empty plastic bottles fall from the passenger seat of his overstuffed home on wheels, bouncing on to the pavement. Kenady picks them up and heads into the church for a hot meal and to use the bathroom — one of 11 homeless people using this parking lot as a secure overnight sleeping spot.
“It gives me a place to shower; it gives me a place to eat,” said the 67-year-old mechanic, who has been sidelined from work by a debilitating injury he sustained 20 years ago. “It’s great.”
Kenady is one of the faces of homelessness in metro Denver — living not on the streets or in a shelter but out of his vehicle. And he’s nowhere near the downtown Denver encampments most readily associated with people experiencing homelessness, but deep in the suburbs.
He’s been sleeping aside the church since June, when the SafeLot program was launched by HOPE, a homeless outreach organization in Longmont. A staff member with the organization stays each night at the church to ensure the safety of those parking there.
“It’s been full basically since we opened,” said Renee Ikemire, program manager with HOPE.
Yet, even with innovative concepts like “safe parking” to accommodate the increasing number of people lacking stable shelter in and around Denver, social service officials and homeless advocates worry that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — with its devastating economic impacts — will stymie progress on getting and keeping people housed.
Of special concern is an eviction freeze — put in place in September by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in direct response to the pandemic — that’s scheduled to expire at the end of the year. Gov. Jared Polis earlier this month extended a statewide eviction moratorium for another 30 days.
“When (the federal) moratorium lifts, I think we’re going to see a huge wave of evictions,” said Cathy Alderman, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “It’s going to be a flood of people entering homelessness.”
Between 150,000 and 230,000 households in the state could be at risk of eviction by Dec. 31, according to a report issued in October by Colorado’s Special Eviction Prevention Task Force, formed this summer by Polis through an executive order.
The pandemic-driven fallout is already hitting communities surrounding Denver, said Matt Meyer, executive director of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.
“The suburbs are now seeing an increase in visible homelessness,” he said.
Just last week, the Arapahoe County commissioners passed a measure to use up to $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to give hotel vouchers to people experiencing homelessness as part of an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“Debt is crippling”
The Denver metro area has primarily counted its homeless population through the annual point-in-time survey — a one-night, on-the-street tally of those without shelter.
This year’s survey, conducted in late January, showed a steady increase in homelessness, from 5,317 in 2018 to 6,104 this year. There were noticeable surges in Douglas and Boulder counties, as well as in Aurora.
And all of that was before COVID-19 hit in March.
“I am fearful of the extent of homelessness in the suburbs,” said Daniel Brisson, executive director of the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research at the University of Denver. “I am worried that when our next counts of homelessness come out — in the suburbs, rural areas and in the cities — it will be considerably higher than previous counts.”
The point-in-time survey is subject to weather conditions and is limited by how many people choose to spend that night outside. The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative has produced a more comprehensive, first-of-its-kind “State of Homelessness” report, released last month.
The report shows that more than 31,200 people in metro Denver accessed services or housing supports related to homelessness from July 2019 through June 2020. It also found that there are nearly 13,000 students identified by school districts as experiencing homelessness.
And people of color are disproportionately affected by homelessness throughout the metro area.
Meanwhile, the unique challenges of a pandemic coupled with metro Denver’s already-high home costs — rents hit by COVID-19 earlier this year began inching back up in the most recent quarter — continue to wreak havoc on housing stability. An eviction moratorium doesn’t erase tenants’ financial obligations, even if they’re out of work because of the pandemic.
“They’re going to have accumulated a lot of back rent that needs to be paid, and they’re not going to have the means to do that,” Meyer said.
That’s a familiar situation to Cassie Ratliff, programs director of the homelessness program at Family Tree in Jefferson County. Not all of those without a home in the county are jobless, she said, but they are often employed in low-income work that doesn’t keep up with costs.
“I don’t know of anyone come January with $6,000 to pay the landlord,” Ratliff said. “We see people who have enough money to pay for a hotel room, but they can’t get out of that situation because everything goes to that. That debt is crippling.”
According to Jefferson County’s 2019 Comprehensive Homeless Count, the median home value in the county is 5.13 times greater than the median annual household income. That compares to a 3.71 multiplier for that same category in the United States as a whole.
“For income levels in Jefferson County to be compatible with housing costs, relative to the national average, the median annual household income in Jefferson County would need to increase 31%, from $85,890 to $112,421,” the report stated.
The county found in its count last summer that there were 997 people experiencing homelessness — 668 of whom met the federal government definition of literal homelessness, meaning they were in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or a place not meant for human habitation.
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed as homeless in Jefferson County reported having a disabling condition, including a serious mental illness, disability, substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, or chronic health problems.
Ratliff said the coronavirus pandemic turns those complications into a warning sign for further trouble as case numbers in Colorado mount.
“People who are homeless are extremely vulnerable — a lot of them have underlying issues and are older than 65,” she said.
New shelter in Aurora
Across town in Aurora, homelessness has received political attention of late. January’s point-in-time survey counted 427 people experiencing homelessness in Colorado’s third-largest city — up from 357 in 2018.
Mayor Mike Coffman has been vocal in his concern about Aurora’s burgeoning homeless encampments, tweeting photos last month of garbage-strewn areas in the city and saying he wants Aurora to be “more aggressive about closing down these encampments once we have an alternate place for them to go.”
Trash and Homeless Encampments pic.twitter.com/xZE3myhARy — Mayor Mike Coffman (@AuroraMayorMike) October 12, 2020
Earlier this month, the city announced that it will open a winter emergency shelter with a capacity of 100 people and room for social distancing. The converted warehouse in northwest Aurora opens on Tuesday and will operate through April.
It will include a safe parking area and space for tents to accommodate those “who are not comfortable in an indoor congregate setting but still would like access to a secure area with services,” according to a city press release.
Aurora also held a virtual opening ceremony recently for the new 60-bed Renaissance Veterans Apartments at Fitzsimons, a permanent supportive housing unit for veterans.
While there’s been talk of enacting a camping ban in Aurora, as has happened in Denver, Boulder, Parker and Centennial, a formal proposal to do so has not been put forward. In the meantime, Aurora’s director of housing and community service, Jessica Prosser, said the city has tapped $3 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic money to help people out with mortgage and rent payments.
“What’s critical is to keep housed those who are already housed,” she said. “It’s more expensive to rehouse someone.”
At the state level, officials have spent $25 million of $33 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, money to help with rental and mortgage assistance across Colorado.
Alison George, , a top official with the Colorado Division of Housing, echoed Prosser’s thoughts on the importance of keeping people from losing a roof over their heads to begin with.
“All of these programs are focused on keeping people stably housed,” George said.
“Not quite home”
And there is help for those who no longer have permanent shelter, said Chelsey Baker-Hauck, co-founder of the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative.
The organization, whose goal is to establish areas for people to safely park and sleep overnight, launched this past spring. It has locations in Longmont, Arvada and Broomfield, with plans to expand southward. The Golden City Council recently discussed opening a safe parking site there, as well.
“Our hope is to continue scaling this up,” Baker-Hauck said. “This is a solution for a population that hasn’t been served well or fully. It’s tailored to individual needs, and the goal is to meet them where they are.”
The Colorado Safe Parking Initiative mostly works with churches willing to open their lots — just as it’s churches that have stepped up to allow sanctioned homeless encampments in Denver. Typically, a safe-parking site permits fewer than 10 cars, Baker-Hauck said, though the organization has to work with each city on zoning and other regulatory issues.
“These are hidden in plain sight,” she said of the parking sites.
Baker-Hauck said many of those facing homelessness in the suburbs have cars to get around transit-challenged areas but work service jobs that don’t cover the cost of permanent housing.
“These are the people working at your gas station or hustling on food delivery runs and then going back to their cars to sleep at night,” she said.
Then there is Kenady, who is too injured to work anymore. Calling Boulder County home for more than half a century, he said he has found respite wherever he can since becoming homeless — house sitting, couch surfing and sleeping in his van in whatever quiet spot he could find.
But he’s thankful for the safe parking program in Longmont, which has allowed him an extra measure of assurance and convenience as he drifts off every night.
“It’s not quite mom and dad’s house, but it’s close,” Kenady said.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Indoor dining restrictions aren’t helping Colorado’s recycling problem

As exploding COVID-19 numbers close down indoor dining in more than two dozen Colorado counties , restaurants are once again turning to pickup and delivery orders as their lifeline to staying in business .
But with that surge in to-go eating comes yet another — if rarely mentioned — scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic : mounds and mounds of takeaway trash .
“ More takeout orders are going to have an impact on our environment , ” said Danny Katz , who heads the Colorado Public Interest Research Group .
“ Nothing we use once to carry our food for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hundreds of years.
” He cited plastic and foam containers as chief offenders , given the petroleum-based underpinnings in their manufacture and their stubbornly durable nature .
“ Every single polystyrene container we produce right now will take hundreds of years to break down , ” Katz said .
But at least one local restaurateur is attempting to chip away at the problem by sending food out in more sustainable packaging .
Somebody People , a Mediterranean-inspired eatery on South Broadway in Denver that opened just over a year ago , uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centric .
The boxes are made of bamboo , plant fiber and polylactic acid — a polymer made from organic sources like corn starch , tapioca roots or sugarcane .
But owners Sam and Tricia Maher , Australian natives who have run restaurants all over the world , prefer not to use any takeout packaging at all .
Even compostable material has to be properly processed at a certified composting facility to fully biodegrade , they say .
To that end , the couple has been selling “ tiffins , ” which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers that can be used over and over for leftovers .
A customer brings in their used tiffin , which costs around $ 20 , and gets a new one in exchange , filled with their order , at their next visit .
“ People are wanting to reduce their waste , ” Sam Maher said .
“ They are longing to treat the Earth a little better.
” It ’ s admittedly a challenge , the Mahers say .
With the rise of delivery culture in the form of companies like Uber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become accustomed to convenience and the single-use packaging that fuels that lifestyle .
But the couple aims to start small .
It ’ s a matter of forming new habits , Tricia Maher said , in the way that some people have become accustomed to bringing their own mug to their favorite coffee joint or reusable bags to the grocery store .
“ Once you get used to it , it mostly comes down to habit , ” she said .
Sonia Riggs , CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association , acknowledges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the industry has bigger fish to fry right now .
“ We ’ ve long provided resources for a variety of packaging needs , including sustainable options , and we ’ ve provided education on how to make your restaurant more sustainable , which includes packaging , ” she said .
“ But during the pandemic especially , which is obliterating restaurants , we ’ re cognizant that these spots are living day-to-day trying to survive.
” Riggs said nearly one in four restaurants is in danger of closing within a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went into effect for most Denver area counties Nov. 20 .
“ When you ’ re one of the 24 % of restaurants that ’ s in danger of closing within a month thanks to the indoor shutdown — or one of the 60 % that may have to close down within three months — you ’ re doing what you can to make it , ” she said .
Meanwhile , though , plastics pollution continues to plague Colorado and the rest of the world .
Last month , the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribution to coastal plastic pollution worldwide is as much as five times greater than previously thought .
And a study published in Science in June found that plastic — in the form of partially decomposed microplastics — is carried by wind and water and deposited all over , including in wilderness areas like Rocky Mountain National Park .
And recycling wasn ’ t keeping up with the problem even before the coronavirus .
According to a report released by CoPIRG last week , Colorado ’ s recycling rate dropped to 15.9 % from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average of 35 % .
The report found that Coloradans upped the amount of garbage they sent to the dump last year by half a billion pounds over the volume discarded in 2018 — bringing the state ’ s trash total to 6.1 million tons in 2019 .
While only a fraction of that volume likely comes from restaurant orders , it ’ s all part of the problem that the Mahers are trying to fix .
Sam Maher said he hoped independent restaurants throughout the metro area might one day form a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could interchangeably be filled , emptied and cleaned , making it easier for customers to use sustainable packaging at multiple eateries .
“ The world is telling us that we need to change and correct our ways , ” he said .
“ If you don ’ t change today , you ’ ll never change .
”

As exploding COVID-19 numbers close down indoor dining in more than two dozen Colorado counties, restaurants are once again turning to pickup and delivery orders as their lifeline to staying in business.
But with that surge in to-go eating comes yet another — if rarely mentioned — scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic: mounds and mounds of takeaway trash.
“More takeout orders are going to have an impact on our environment,” said Danny Katz, who heads the Colorado Public Interest Research Group. “Nothing we use once to carry our food for a few minutes should pollute our world for hundreds of years.”
He cited plastic and foam containers as chief offenders, given the petroleum-based underpinnings in their manufacture and their stubbornly durable nature.
“Every single polystyrene container we produce right now will take hundreds of years to break down,” Katz said.
But at least one local restaurateur is attempting to chip away at the problem by sending food out in more sustainable packaging.
Somebody People, a Mediterranean-inspired eatery on South Broadway in Denver that opened just over a year ago, uses compostable containers from California-based packaging company World Centric. The boxes are made of bamboo, plant fiber and polylactic acid — a polymer made from organic sources like corn starch, tapioca roots or sugarcane.
But owners Sam and Tricia Maher, Australian natives who have run restaurants all over the world, prefer not to use any takeout packaging at all. Even compostable material has to be properly processed at a certified composting facility to fully biodegrade, they say.
To that end, the couple has been selling “tiffins,” which are sturdy stainless steel containers, to their customers that can be used over and over for leftovers. A customer brings in their used tiffin, which costs around $20, and gets a new one in exchange, filled with their order, at their next visit.
“People are wanting to reduce their waste,” Sam Maher said. “They are longing to treat the Earth a little better.”
It’s admittedly a challenge, the Mahers say. With the rise of delivery culture in the form of companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, Americans have become accustomed to convenience and the single-use packaging that fuels that lifestyle.
But the couple aims to start small. It’s a matter of forming new habits, Tricia Maher said, in the way that some people have become accustomed to bringing their own mug to their favorite coffee joint or reusable bags to the grocery store.
“Once you get used to it, it mostly comes down to habit,” she said.
Sonia Riggs, CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association, acknowledges that takeout packaging is a concern but said the industry has bigger fish to fry right now.
“We’ve long provided resources for a variety of packaging needs, including sustainable options, and we’ve provided education on how to make your restaurant more sustainable, which includes packaging,” she said. “But during the pandemic especially, which is obliterating restaurants, we’re cognizant that these spots are living day-to-day trying to survive.”
Riggs said nearly one in four restaurants is in danger of closing within a month due to the indoor dining closure that went into effect for most Denver area counties Nov. 20.
“When you’re one of the 24% of restaurants that’s in danger of closing within a month thanks to the indoor shutdown — or one of the 60% that may have to close down within three months — you’re doing what you can to make it,” she said.
Meanwhile, though, plastics pollution continues to plague Colorado and the rest of the world.
Last month, the New York Times reported that the United States’ contribution to coastal plastic pollution worldwide is as much as five times greater than previously thought. And a study published in Science in June found that plastic — in the form of partially decomposed microplastics — is carried by wind and water and deposited all over, including in wilderness areas like Rocky Mountain National Park.
And recycling wasn’t keeping up with the problem even before the coronavirus. According to a report released by CoPIRG last week, Colorado’s recycling rate dropped to 15.9% from 17.2%, far below the national average of 35%.
The report found that Coloradans upped the amount of garbage they sent to the dump last year by half a billion pounds over the volume discarded in 2018 — bringing the state’s trash total to 6.1 million tons in 2019. While only a fraction of that volume likely comes from restaurant orders, it’s all part of the problem that the Mahers are trying to fix.
Sam Maher said he hoped independent restaurants throughout the metro area might one day form a type of “club” where tiffins could interchangeably be filled, emptied and cleaned, making it easier for customers to use sustainable packaging at multiple eateries.
“The world is telling us that we need to change and correct our ways,” he said. “If you don’t change today, you’ll never change.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Brauchler: Prioritizing prisoners over the elderly for a COVID vaccine is wrong in every way

Like many Coloradans , I did not spend Thanksgiving with my extended family due to the frequently cited , ridiculously high mortality rate of COVID19 for my father ’ s age group .
With the announcement of limited quantities of vaccines being available as early as mid-December , we are all hopeful our family will have survived this pandemic .
I was shocked to learn that elderly Coloradans will be denied the vaccine and kept at risk of death until Nathan Dunlap has had his .
Governor Polis and his Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have declared that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarcerated murderers , rapists , and child molesters over the lives of law-abiding Coloradans 65 years and older and immunocompromised adults .
The decision to prioritize the vaccination of inmates above super at-risk adults is not only contrary to math and decency , it is also contrary to the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
As the son of a 78-year-old father , I ask this : What in the hell is Gov .
Polis doing ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities prepared by Polis ’ Expert Emergency Epidemic Response Committee lumped adults who were at-risk due to age or immunocompromised status into the same priority level as incarcerated violent criminals and human traffickers .
But Polis made it worse .
In the current plan , Polis elevates imprisoned pedophiles and career criminals above grandparents and adults with lung and heart disease .
Two weeks ago , Polis went hyperbolically metaphoric in likening those who dared to have an extended family Thanksgiving during the COVID as “ bringing a loaded pistol to Grandma ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the life-saving vaccine to a person who puts a loaded gun to grandma ’ s head , before he would give it to grandma .
Of the more than 258,000 COVID deaths in the United States , 8 in 10 are among adults 65 and older .
In Colorado , nearly 90 % of our 2,466 COVID deaths were adults 60 years and older .
Seven have been prisoners .
Seven .
Comparatively , that ’ s .002 % of COVID deaths .
And Polis is giving them priority .
The CDC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACIP ) is “ a federal advisory committee made up of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the U.S. public.
” Of the four priority groups they are considering recommending for early vaccination if supply is limited , two of them are folks at high risk due to underlying medical problems and people 65 and older .
ACIP states the obvious in that “ early vaccine access is critical to help protect this population that is disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
” Incarcerated child abusers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ’ s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts ( SAGE ) on Immunization rolled out proposed priority groups in a limited vaccine environment such as ours .
Stage 1b , the one immediately after health care workers at high risk , is “ older adults by age-based risk.
” Stage 2 , is “ older adults not covered in Stage 1.
” Not until Stage 3 are “ incarcerated people ” and people living in dormitories .
Having this year spared the lives of three of Colorado ’ s deserving death row inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assassins and multiple murderers Sir Mario Owens and Robert Ray , Polis is again doubling down on vaccinating these notorious killers even before the elderly parents of those they killed in cold blood .
Of course , people who have earned their way into prison deserve humane treatment , including healthcare .
Nobody is suggesting that the most dangerous among us be denied the vaccine .
They should get it…after the more at-risk group , who just happened to be law-abiding .
This is supposed to be about saving lives .
More lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older Coloradans than prisoners .
This is just math .
And decency .
And common sense .
And the guidance of the CDC and WHO .
If this outrageous plan remains in place , the family of every elderly Coloradan who contracts and dies from COVID while prisoners get vaccinated will have one person to look to for answers : Jared Polis .
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District , which includes Arapahoe , Douglas , Elbert and Lincoln counties .
Follow him @ George Brauchler .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Like many Coloradans, I did not spend Thanksgiving with my extended family due to the frequently cited, ridiculously high mortality rate of COVID19 for my father’s age group. With the announcement of limited quantities of vaccines being available as early as mid-December, we are all hopeful our family will have survived this pandemic.
I was shocked to learn that elderly Coloradans will be denied the vaccine and kept at risk of death until Nathan Dunlap has had his.
Governor Polis and his Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have declared that they intend to prioritize the health of incarcerated murderers, rapists, and child molesters over the lives of law-abiding Coloradans 65 years and older and immunocompromised adults. The decision to prioritize the vaccination of inmates above super at-risk adults is not only contrary to math and decency, it is also contrary to the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
As the son of a 78-year-old father, I ask this: What in the hell is Gov. Polis doing?
A draft plan of possible vaccine allocation priorities prepared by Polis’ Expert Emergency Epidemic Response Committee lumped adults who were at-risk due to age or immunocompromised status into the same priority level as incarcerated violent criminals and human traffickers. But Polis made it worse. In the current plan, Polis elevates imprisoned pedophiles and career criminals above grandparents and adults with lung and heart disease.
Two weeks ago, Polis went hyperbolically metaphoric in likening those who dared to have an extended family Thanksgiving during the COVID as “bringing a loaded pistol to Grandma’s head.” Ironically Polis would give the life-saving vaccine to a person who puts a loaded gun to grandma’s head, before he would give it to grandma.
Of the more than 258,000 COVID deaths in the United States, 8 in 10 are among adults 65 and older. In Colorado, nearly 90% of our 2,466 COVID deaths were adults 60 years and older. Seven have been prisoners. Seven. Comparatively, that’s .002% of COVID deaths. And Polis is giving them priority.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is “a federal advisory committee made up of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the U.S. public.” Of the four priority groups they are considering recommending for early vaccination if supply is limited, two of them are folks at high risk due to underlying medical problems and people 65 and older. ACIP states the obvious in that “early vaccine access is critical to help protect this population that is disproportionately affected by COVID-19.” Incarcerated child abusers are not in those expert-crafted groups.
The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization rolled out proposed priority groups in a limited vaccine environment such as ours. Stage 1b, the one immediately after health care workers at high risk, is “older adults by age-based risk.” Stage 2, is “older adults not covered in Stage 1.” Not until Stage 3 are “incarcerated people” and people living in dormitories.
Having this year spared the lives of three of Colorado’s deserving death row inmates, mass murderer Nathan Dunlap, and assassins and multiple murderers Sir Mario Owens and Robert Ray, Polis is again doubling down on vaccinating these notorious killers even before the elderly parents of those they killed in cold blood.
Of course, people who have earned their way into prison deserve humane treatment, including healthcare. Nobody is suggesting that the most dangerous among us be denied the vaccine. They should get it…after the more at-risk group, who just happened to be law-abiding. This is supposed to be about saving lives. More lives will be saved by prioritizing 65 and older Coloradans than prisoners. This is just math. And decency. And common sense. And the guidance of the CDC and WHO.
If this outrageous plan remains in place, the family of every elderly Coloradan who contracts and dies from COVID while prisoners get vaccinated will have one person to look to for answers: Jared Polis.
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. Follow him @George Brauchler.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-11-29--Broncos Insider: Peyton Manning’s a lock for the hall of fame. Here are 5 other Denver players who a

Broncos Insider: Peyton Manning’s a lock for the hall of fame. Here are 5 other Denver players who are deserving.

Peyton Manning on Tuesday was announced as one of the four first-timers eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame .
It seems like a no-brainer that the former Broncos quarterback and member of the NFL ’ s all-time top 100 players list will be inducted .
Former Denver safety John Lynch also landed on the list of semifinalists .
But whereas Manning is a sure-fire lock for Canton , there have been several former Broncos who have been overlooked over the years .
Here ’ s a look at some who are hall worthy : It ’ s absurd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canton given his credentials .
A defensive player of the year in 1978 , a seven-time Pro Bowler and , as former Denver Post beat writer Mike Klis wrote , “ by far the best player on that Orange Crush defense.
” Versatile and Mecklenburg go together like peanut butter and jam .
He played all of the front seven defensive positions for the Broncos , earning four All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl appearances along the way .
The anchor of the vaunted Broncos Super Bowl-winning teams of the ’ 90s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of landing the longtime Denver center into Canton .
A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro , he led the lines that paved the way for six different running backs to run for 1,000 yards in a season .
The Broncos ’ all-time leader in receptions ( 849 ) , yards receiving ( 11,389 ) and touchdown receptions ( 68 ) .
When he retired , he was ranked 17th all-time in the NFL in receiving yards .
Fourteen of the 16 — Henry Ellard and Jimmy Smith being the exceptions — are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith , all 16 were drafted .
“ As ( former Broncos defensive coordinator Joe ) Collier would attest , Wright was a shutdown corner before the term was invented , ” Mark Kiszla wrote in a 2013 column .
A 6-foot-2 , 200-pound corner , he totaled 26 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries during his time in Denver .
He was also named to the NFL ’ s 1970s All-Decade Team .
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Peyton Manning on Tuesday was announced as one of the four first-timers eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It seems like a no-brainer that the former Broncos quarterback and member of the NFL’s all-time top 100 players list will be inducted.
Former Denver safety John Lynch also landed on the list of semifinalists.
But whereas Manning is a sure-fire lock for Canton, there have been several former Broncos who have been overlooked over the years. Here’s a look at some who are hall worthy:
Randy Gradishar, linebacker (1974-83)
It’s absurd that Gradishar hasn’t been enshrined in Canton given his credentials. A defensive player of the year in 1978, a seven-time Pro Bowler and, as former Denver Post beat writer Mike Klis wrote, “by far the best player on that Orange Crush defense.”
Karl Mecklenburg, linebacker/defensive lineman (1983-94)
Versatile and Mecklenburg go together like peanut butter and jam. He played all of the front seven defensive positions for the Broncos, earning four All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl appearances along the way.
Tom Nalen, center (1994-2008)
The anchor of the vaunted Broncos Super Bowl-winning teams of the ’90s, Nalen’s résumé is deserving of landing the longtime Denver center into Canton. A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, he led the lines that paved the way for six different running backs to run for 1,000 yards in a season.
Rod Smith, wide receiver (1995-2006)
The Broncos’ all-time leader in receptions (849), yards receiving (11,389) and touchdown receptions (68). When he retired, he was ranked 17th all-time in the NFL in receiving yards. Fourteen of the 16 — Henry Ellard and Jimmy Smith being the exceptions — are in the hall. And unlike Rod Smith, all 16 were drafted.
Louis Wright, cornerback (1975-86)
“As (former Broncos defensive coordinator Joe) Collier would attest, Wright was a shutdown corner before the term was invented,” Mark Kiszla wrote in a 2013 column. A 6-foot-2, 200-pound corner, he totaled 26 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries during his time in Denver. He was also named to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
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