thedenverpost--2020-02-13--LeBron James, Lakers spoil Nuggets’ winning streak with overtime win

LeBron James ’ power has bewildered hundreds of team before , his size overwhelming them , his vision picking them apart .
The Nuggets were the latest victims Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center , falling 120-116 in overtime , despite a valiant effort in their last game before the all-star break .
The loss snapped Denver ’ s four-game winning streak and dropped its record to 38-17 heading into the break .
“ Can not fault the effort by our guys , ” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said .
“ Our guys gave everything they had .
A tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the break .
Couldn ’ t be more proud of our guys.
” In a matchup of the Nos .
1 and 2 seeds in the Western Conference , James blitzed his way to 32 points , further emphasizing that his reign atop the league isn ’ t over just yet .
James already had a huge scoring night in hand , and his 14 assists made it even more difficult to contain the rest of Los Angeles ’ supporting cast .
The Nuggets had several chances to tie it in overtime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with less than 20 seconds remaining , and Denver could never recover .
Jokic , who battled foul trouble the entire game , finished with 22 points , 11 rebounds and six assists .
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was fantastic again , finishing with 32 points and 10 assists .
It was his second-half play that ultimately forced the overtime session .
“ With two great teams like that , it comes down to execution and getting stops , rebounding , details , stuff we go over in film and practice and shootaround @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lamenting his team ’ s missed chances .
Jokic clawed all night with the Lakers ’ frontcourt but had had enough after one third-quarter whistle and slammed the ball in frustration .
His fourth foul sent him to the bench , which allowed for Murray to orchestrate the offense and take over .
Murray scored 13 points in the quarter alone on 6-for-8 from the field .
With rugged drives to the hoop and a deft touch on jumpers , Murray , along with strong finishes from Jerami Grant , helped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth .
Before the game , Malone heaped praise on James , whom he coached for five years as an assistant in Cleveland .
“ That ’ s one thing that ’ s always bothered me about the LeBron story , ” Malone said .
“ Everybody says , high school , NBA , USA Basketball , great player , but no one ever talks about , because he ’ s so athletically gifted , they think it ’ s come easy for him .
He ’ s put countless hours into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked enough about , because they see 6-foot-8 athlete , runaway train , and it ’ s easy to get caught up in that.
” That train ran right through the lane early in the third quarter for an emphatic dunk , much to the pleasure of the vocal purple-and-gold faithful that traveled for the game .
Denver ’ s best answer was to continue to feed its own stars .
Murray has averaged 28.3 points on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field since returning from an ankle injury four games ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury in Denver ’ s win over San Antonio on Monday , he continued his torrid run in the first half Wednesday .
“ If a guy is out there and he ’ s not moving well and he ’ s becoming a detriment to the team , then regardless of what he says , I ’ m going to pull the plug , ” Malone said .
“ I have to do what ’ s best for the team .
But Jamal , in his four years , has proven time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customer , mentally and physically .
The ability to play through pain , very high pain threshold.
” The 13-point lead Denver worked so hard to build evaporated in the second quarter as Los Angeles established a foothold in the paint .
The Lakers hung 38 points in the second quarter to stake a 61-55 lead going into halftime .
James and Davis overpowered the Nuggets ’ relatively small frontcourt , bulldozing for a combined 28 in the first half .
The Lakers scored 36 points in the paint overall , while Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jokic and Murray were almost equally as effective , dropping 24 points together over the first two quarters .
The Nuggets also got significant contributions from Monte Morris and Paul Millsap , who were instrumental in building the lead in the first place .

LeBron James’ power has bewildered hundreds of team before, his size overwhelming them, his vision picking them apart.
The Nuggets were the latest victims Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center, falling 120-116 in overtime, despite a valiant effort in their last game before the all-star break. The loss snapped Denver’s four-game winning streak and dropped its record to 38-17 heading into the break.
“Cannot fault the effort by our guys,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Our guys gave everything they had. A tough loss, at home, going into the break. Couldn’t be more proud of our guys.”
In a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in the Western Conference, James blitzed his way to 32 points, further emphasizing that his reign atop the league isn’t over just yet. James already had a huge scoring night in hand, and his 14 assists made it even more difficult to contain the rest of Los Angeles’ supporting cast.
The Nuggets had several chances to tie it in overtime, but Nikola Jokic fired an errant pass with less than 20 seconds remaining, and Denver could never recover. Jokic, who battled foul trouble the entire game, finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was fantastic again, finishing with 32 points and 10 assists. It was his second-half play that ultimately forced the overtime session.
“With two great teams like that, it comes down to execution and getting stops, rebounding, details, stuff we go over in film and practice and shootaround and walk through,” Murray said, lamenting his team’s missed chances.
Anthony Davis scored a game-high 33 points, powering the 64-48 advantage Los Angeles owned inside.
Jokic clawed all night with the Lakers’ frontcourt but had had enough after one third-quarter whistle and slammed the ball in frustration. His fourth foul sent him to the bench, which allowed for Murray to orchestrate the offense and take over. Murray scored 13 points in the quarter alone on 6-for-8 from the field. With rugged drives to the hoop and a deft touch on jumpers, Murray, along with strong finishes from Jerami Grant, helped the Nuggets stake an 87-84 lead heading into the fourth.
Before the game, Malone heaped praise on James, whom he coached for five years as an assistant in Cleveland.
“That’s one thing that’s always bothered me about the LeBron story,” Malone said. “Everybody says, high school, NBA, USA Basketball, great player, but no one ever talks about, because he’s so athletically gifted, they think it’s come easy for him. He’s put countless hours into the gym. … That never gets talked enough about, because they see 6-foot-8 athlete, runaway train, and it’s easy to get caught up in that.”
That train ran right through the lane early in the third quarter for an emphatic dunk, much to the pleasure of the vocal purple-and-gold faithful that traveled for the game.
Denver’s best answer was to continue to feed its own stars.
Murray has averaged 28.3 points on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field since returning from an ankle injury four games ago. Though he appeared to aggravate the injury in Denver’s win over San Antonio on Monday, he continued his torrid run in the first half Wednesday.
Heading into Wednesday’s game, Malone lauded Murray’s determination.
“If a guy is out there and he’s not moving well and he’s becoming a detriment to the team, then regardless of what he says, I’m going to pull the plug,” Malone said. “I have to do what’s best for the team. But Jamal, in his four years, has proven time and time again to be a very tough customer, mentally and physically. The ability to play through pain, very high pain threshold.”
The 13-point lead Denver worked so hard to build evaporated in the second quarter as Los Angeles established a foothold in the paint. The Lakers hung 38 points in the second quarter to stake a 61-55 lead going into halftime.
James and Davis overpowered the Nuggets’ relatively small frontcourt, bulldozing for a combined 28 in the first half. The Lakers scored 36 points in the paint overall, while Denver’s star duo kept it close.
Jokic and Murray were almost equally as effective, dropping 24 points together over the first two quarters. The Nuggets also got significant contributions from Monte Morris and Paul Millsap, who were instrumental in building the lead in the first place.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Northglenn bee colony found after misunderstanding

A missing bee colony in Northglenn that initially was reported as a theft turned out to be a misunderstanding .
The colony , which was on the Karl ’ s Farm Dairy property , 1741 E. 120th Ave. , was reported stolen when its owners , Zoya Cherny , 62 , and her friend Boris , went to check on the beehives Saturday and they were gone .
The property recently was sold , with a closing date of March 31 , and a misunderstanding about clearing the parcel led to the mix-up .
“ The incident initially reported as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Dairy property has concluded as a misunderstanding , ” Northglenn police said in Wednesday evening .
“ The property recently sold and subsequently , there was a misunderstanding about clearing the remaining items off the property .
Arrangements are being made for the return of the beehives.
” Cherny said she ’ s relieved by the development and that she ’ s looking forward to reuniting with the colony .
“ I don ’ t know yet what condition the hives are in or if the bees are still alive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beehives were found.
” The colony , 30 hives with the initial hives dating back about 10 years , is worth about $ 15,000 .
“ We ’ re still worried about the bees , ” Cherny said .
“ It ’ s a relief that it wasn ’ t a thief .
”

A missing bee colony in Northglenn that initially was reported as a theft turned out to be a misunderstanding.
The colony, which was on the Karl’s Farm Dairy property, 1741 E. 120th Ave., was reported stolen when its owners, Zoya Cherny, 62, and her friend Boris, went to check on the beehives Saturday and they were gone.
The property recently was sold, with a closing date of March 31, and a misunderstanding about clearing the parcel led to the mix-up.
“The incident initially reported as a theft of beehives from the Karl’s Dairy property has concluded as a misunderstanding,” Northglenn police said in Wednesday evening. “The property recently sold and subsequently, there was a misunderstanding about clearing the remaining items off the property. Arrangements are being made for the return of the beehives.”
Cherny said she’s relieved by the development and that she’s looking forward to reuniting with the colony.
“I don’t know yet what condition the hives are in or if the bees are still alive,” she said. “At least the beehives were found.”
The colony, 30 hives with the initial hives dating back about 10 years, is worth about $15,000.
“We’re still worried about the bees,” Cherny said. “It’s a relief that it wasn’t a thief.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--How Rick George, CU Buffs plan to pick up pieces after Mel Tucker’s exit

BOULDER — Circled by forlorn looks and scorched earth , Rick George put on the bravest face he could .
“ The way that we continue the trajectory that we ’ re going is , we ’ ve got to bring good people in there , ” the CU Buffs athletic director said Wednesday as his former football coach , Mel Tucker , was whisked away by plane to Michigan State .
“ We ’ ve got to give them the resources that they need to be successful .
I think we ’ re doing that.
” Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ successful ” resources , the price of doing business , keeps climbing .
Tucker reportedly received a six-year contract from the Spartans — mired in the brutal Big Ten East and little brother to Jim Harbaugh at Michigan — worth an average of $ 5.5 million per season .
Tucker made $ 2.4 million with the Buffs in 2019 , his first and only campaign in black and gold .
His predecessor , Mike MacIntyre , had received an extension from George worth an average of $ 3.25 million a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important was the fact that CU ’ s salary pool for assistant coaches in 2019 — $ 3.16 million — ranked higher than only two other public Pac-12 programs : Arizona ( $ 2.99 million ) and Oregon State ( $ 3.10 million ) .
Among the 13 public institutions in the Big Ten , Tucker ’ s new playground , that $ 3.16 million figure bettered only Minnesota ( $ 3.055 million ) and Penn State ( $ 693,503 ) .
“ We ’ ll do what we need to do in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Power 5 arms race .
“ Not everything is about money .
Again , we want somebody that wants to be here , that shares the same commitment ( and ) passion that I do .
And I will work hard over the next few weeks to find the right person for the job.
” Of all the seats made uncomfortable at the Champions Center in the wake of Tucker ’ s startling departure from the Buffs after just 14 months on the job , it was George ’ s that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spent most of last weekend together in California , meeting with CU donors , spreading the gospel and passing the hat .
“ ( Tucker ) and I have a really strong relationship , ” George said .
“ We had a conversation on Saturday about his commitment to Colorado and I was comfortable with that .
I believe what Mel told me and I think we had a shared vision of where we wanted this program.
” But what they didn ’ t have , in hindsight , was shared business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference early Wednesday night in East Lansing , Mich. , that the Spartans , who ’ d face their own surprise vacancy when longtime football coach Mark Dantonio resigned on Feb. 4 , “ showed interest ” late last week .
“ I had interest as well , ” Tucker continued .
“ Strong interest .
Very strong interest.
” Flight records showed that Michigan State athletic director Bill Beekman landed via private plane in Adams Country on Friday morning , and departed from there to Northern California early that afternoon .
Late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate to replace Dantonio by the Detroit Free Press , and after Buffs fans ’ jaws collectively dropped , Tucker released a statement via Twitter mid-day Saturday that he was “ committed ” to the building of the CU program .
What he didn ’ t say , in hindsight , was the word “ no.
” When Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi , two presumed favorites for the position , both passed Michigan State officials went back to Tucker on Monday with another , reportedly sweetened , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a series of radio appearances around Denver on Tuesday in which he offered repeated , if vague , affirmations of his Saturday statement , he was apparently simultaneously weighing new contract figures from the Spartans .
“ Ultimately , sometime late ( Tuesday ) night , it was apparent to me that I needed to be ( at Michigan State ) , ” Tucker said .
“ Leaving Colorado was probably , actually , the toughest thing that I ’ ve ever done in my career .
In my life , actually.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now charged with finding CU ’ s third football coach over a span of roughly 15 months , figures to be no less daunting .
Despite the start of spring practice looming on March 16 and the promotion of CU assistant Darin Chiaverini to interim head coach , the veteran administrator said that he didn ’ t have a firm timetable in mind — nor did he feel the pressure to rush the search for a replacement .
George said the search for Tucker ’ s permanent replacement would be tasked to himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associate athletic director for business development .
“ This is a destination ( job ) at Colorado , ” George said .
“ This is where we think people can lay down their roots .
It ’ s an incredible community .
It ’ s a great state .
And we play in a terrific conference .
And , you know , we ’ ve just got to get the right person in here that ’ s committed to the same things that I am and my staff are .
”

BOULDER — Circled by forlorn looks and scorched earth, Rick George put on the bravest face he could.
“The way that we continue the trajectory that we’re going is, we’ve got to bring good people in there,” the CU Buffs athletic director said Wednesday as his former football coach, Mel Tucker, was whisked away by plane to Michigan State.
“We’ve got to give them the resources that they need to be successful. I think we’re doing that.”
Of course, in Power 5 football, the bar for “successful” resources, the price of doing business, keeps climbing.
Tucker reportedly received a six-year contract from the Spartans — mired in the brutal Big Ten East and little brother to Jim Harbaugh at Michigan — worth an average of $5.5 million per season.
Tucker made $2.4 million with the Buffs in 2019, his first and only campaign in black and gold. His predecessor, Mike MacIntyre, had received an extension from George worth an average of $3.25 million a year.
Under the radar but no less important was the fact that CU’s salary pool for assistant coaches in 2019 — $3.16 million — ranked higher than only two other public Pac-12 programs: Arizona ($2.99 million) and Oregon State ($3.10 million). Among the 13 public institutions in the Big Ten, Tucker’s new playground, that $3.16 million figure bettered only Minnesota ($3.055 million) and Penn State ($693,503).
“We’ll do what we need to do in that regard,” George said of the Power 5 arms race. “Not everything is about money. Again, we want somebody that wants to be here, that shares the same commitment (and) passion that I do. And I will work hard over the next few weeks to find the right person for the job.”
Of all the seats made uncomfortable at the Champions Center in the wake of Tucker’s startling departure from the Buffs after just 14 months on the job, it was George’s that was the most dolorous. He and Tucker had spent most of last weekend together in California, meeting with CU donors, spreading the gospel and passing the hat.
“(Tucker) and I have a really strong relationship,” George said. “We had a conversation on Saturday about his commitment to Colorado and I was comfortable with that. I believe what Mel told me and I think we had a shared vision of where we wanted this program.”
But what they didn’t have, in hindsight, was shared business interests.
Tucker confirmed during a news conference early Wednesday night in East Lansing, Mich., that the Spartans, who’d faced their own surprise vacancy when longtime football coach Mark Dantonio resigned on Feb. 4, “showed interest” late last week.
“I had interest as well,” Tucker continued. “Strong interest. Very strong interest.”
Flight records showed that Michigan State athletic director Bill Beekman landed via private plane in Adams Country on Friday morning, and departed from there to Northern California early that afternoon. Late Friday night, Tucker was revealed as a candidate to replace Dantonio by the Detroit Free Press, and after Buffs fans’ jaws collectively dropped, Tucker released a statement via Twitter mid-day Saturday that he was “committed” to the building of the CU program.
What he didn’t say, in hindsight, was the word “no.”
When Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi — two presumed favorites for the position — both passed, Michigan State officials went back to Tucker on Monday with another, reportedly sweetened, offer on the table.
As Tucker made a series of radio appearances around Denver on Tuesday in which he offered repeated, if vague, affirmations of his Saturday statement, he was apparently simultaneously weighing new contract figures from the Spartans.
“Ultimately, sometime late (Tuesday) night, it was apparent to me that I needed to be (at Michigan State),” Tucker said. “Leaving Colorado was probably, actually, the toughest thing that I’ve ever done in my career. In my life, actually.”
The road ahead for George, now charged with finding CU’s third football coach over a span of roughly 15 months, figures to be no less daunting.
Despite the start of spring practice looming on March 16 and the promotion of CU assistant Darin Chiaverini to interim head coach, the veteran administrator said that he didn’t have a firm timetable in mind — nor did he feel the pressure to rush the search for a replacement.
George said the search for Tucker’s permanent replacement would be tasked to himself and Lance Carl, CU’s associate athletic director for business development.
“This is a destination (job) at Colorado,” George said. “This is where we think people can lay down their roots. It’s an incredible community. It’s a great state. And we play in a terrific conference. And, you know, we’ve just got to get the right person in here that’s committed to the same things that I am and my staff are.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Colorado neurosurgeon pays $2.35 million to resolve claims of kickbacks

A Colorado neurogsurgeon and two companies he owned have paid the United States $ 2.35 million to resolve civil allegations involving claims of illegal kickbacks , according to the U.S. attorney ’ s office .
Dr. William Choi received money from distributors of spinal implant devices that he used in surgeries he performed , according to a news release .
“ The federal Anti-Kickback Statute makes it generally unlawful for a doctor to solicit or receive money or other remuneration paid to influence the doctor ’ s health care decisions , ” the Wednesday release said .
“ An unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money or other perks intended to influence that doctor ’ s health care decisions , such as a referral to another practitioner or a choice of supplies for a surgery.
” The statute protects patients whose medical expenses are paid from federal health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid .
In 2011 and in 2015 , Choi , who performed surgeries at Sky Ridge Medical Center , Castle Rock Adventist and Porter Adventist hospitals , created two distributorships of spinal equipment : Nexus Spine , LLC and 4D Spine , LLC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two distributorships provided spinal implant equipment , such as rods , screws and cages , to hospitals for use in surgeries that Dr. Choi performed , ” the release said .
Choi arranged for third parties to serve as registered owners of Nexus and 4D “ while he secretly maintained control of both distributorships and the money those distributorships made.
” Choi solicited and received improper payments from Nov. 1 , 2012 , through June 30 , 2017 , as well as other benefits , according to federal prosecutors .
“ When doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust in our health care system , and they also drive up medical costs , ” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn , in the release .
“ It is important for patients to know that when a doctor chooses equipment for a surgery , that decision is being made solely on that patient ’ s best interest and is not impacted in any way by someone paying a kickback .
And it is important for doctors to know that if they get illegal kickbacks , they face serious penalties.
” The lawsuit resolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rahe , a former employee of Choi ’ s , according to the release .
Rahe , under the False Claims Act , may share in the monetary recovery .
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations .
Choi , in reaching the settlement , did not admit to any liability .

A Colorado neurogsurgeon and two companies he owned have paid the United States $2.35 million to resolve civil allegations involving claims of illegal kickbacks, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Dr. William Choi received money from distributors of spinal implant devices that he used in surgeries he performed, according to a news release.
“The federal Anti-Kickback Statute makes it generally unlawful for a doctor to solicit or receive money or other remuneration paid to influence the doctor’s health care decisions,” the Wednesday release said. “An unlawful kickback may occur if a doctor receives money or other perks intended to influence that doctor’s health care decisions, such as a referral to another practitioner or a choice of supplies for a surgery.”
The statute protects patients whose medical expenses are paid from federal health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
In 2011 and in 2015, Choi, who performed surgeries at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Castle Rock Adventist and Porter Adventist hospitals, created two distributorships of spinal equipment: Nexus Spine, LLC and 4D Spine, LLC, according to the release.
“These two distributorships provided spinal implant equipment, such as rods, screws and cages, to hospitals for use in surgeries that Dr. Choi performed,” the release said. Choi arranged for third parties to serve as registered owners of Nexus and 4D “while he secretly maintained control of both distributorships and the money those distributorships made.”
Choi solicited and received improper payments from Nov. 1, 2012, through June 30, 2017, as well as other benefits, according to federal prosecutors.
“When doctors receive kickbacks, those kickbacks undermine patient trust in our health care system, and they also drive up medical costs,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, in the release. “It is important for patients to know that when a doctor chooses equipment for a surgery, that decision is being made solely on that patient’s best interest and is not impacted in any way by someone paying a kickback. And it is important for doctors to know that if they get illegal kickbacks, they face serious penalties.”
The lawsuit resolved by this settlement was filed by Mark Rahe, a former employee of Choi’s, according to the release. Rahe, under the False Claims Act, may share in the monetary recovery.
The claims settled by this civil agreement are allegations. Choi, in reaching the settlement, did not admit to any liability.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Push to protect 1.4 million acres of wilderness in Colorado and the West advances in Congress

A push to protect 1.4 million acres of land as wilderness in Colorado , California and Washington advanced in Congress on Wednesday , one of the biggest efforts in a decade to save wilderness that could give the public more opportunities for hiking , rafting and camping away from roads and other development .
House members voted 231 to 183 to pass legislation introduced in May by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette , a Democrat from Denver , as the Colorado Wilderness Act and later expanded into the Protecting America ’ s Wilderness Act .
The Republican-controlled Senate now will determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meld this legislation into a broader land protection package , Colorado would gain more than 660,000 acres of wilderness — 36 parcels mostly consisting of mid-elevation terrain that serves as habitat for plants and wildlife .
This would include land around Handies Peak near Silverton , the Dolores River Canyon in southwestern Colorado and the Little Bookcliffs northeast of Grand Junction .
DeGette staffers said she ’ s been working with senators to try to make sure the House legislation is included in any land-protection package the Senate may consider this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would gain 131,700 acres .
Nearly 1,000 miles of relatively pristine waterways would be designated as protected “ wild and scenic ” rivers .
“ They are some of the most pristine and majestic areas on the planet , ” DeGette told lawmakers .
“ And for many of us , the access that we have to these lands is a large part of why we are so proud to call western states our home — and why so many others come to visit us each year .
But while we may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our nation ’ s public lands belong to everyone .
We as members of Congress should be doing everything we can to protect them.
” Opponents have argued that wilderness protection limits the ability to use public land and have objected to some of the proposed parcels .
Motorized recreational vehicle groups have led opposition in the past , along with fossil-fuel groups such as the Western Energy Alliance and in some cases mountain bikers .
Colorado last gained significant wilderness in 1993 , when about 600,000 acres of land were designated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two decades without success .
The land would be protected under the 1964 Wilderness Act , which set up a system for saving wilderness .
The idea was to preserve land “ where the Earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man , where man himself is a visitor who does not remain , ” in contrast to growing areas nationwide “ where man and his own works dominate the landscape.
” Colorado currently contains 3.5 million acres protected as wilderness , mostly high mountain terrain , out of 109 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all but six states .
On Wednesday , House members voted after DeGette offered and won approval for an amendment that added four more areas in Colorado : Diamond Breaks near Dinosaur National Monument , Papoose Canyon southwest of Dove Creek , and the North Ponderosa and South Ponderosa gorges along the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado .
Previously , several parcels initially proposed as wilderness were removed , including land that was found to have been leased by the Bureau of Land Management for oil and gas drilling with roads already in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed due partly to military pilots flying through the area from a nearby high-altitude Army National Guard aviation training site , and a Snaggletooth parcel was removed amid concerns about mining and drilling in the area .
Wilderness designations are expected to help boost a booming multibillion-dollar recreation industry .
DeGette said protecting pristine land also will help fulfill House commitments to take action that helps deal with climate change , referring to scientific estimates that protecting 30 % of public land by 2030 would make a difference for the planet .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the best short-term solutions we as a nation can take to respond to the climate crisis , ” she said .

A push to protect 1.4 million acres of land as wilderness in Colorado, California and Washington advanced in Congress on Wednesday, one of the biggest efforts in a decade to save wilderness that could give the public more opportunities for hiking, rafting and camping away from roads and other development.
House members voted 231 to 183 to pass legislation introduced in May by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat from Denver, as the Colorado Wilderness Act and later expanded into the Protecting America’s Wilderness Act. The Republican-controlled Senate now will determine what happens.
If senators approve or meld this legislation into a broader land protection package, Colorado would gain more than 660,000 acres of wilderness — 36 parcels mostly consisting of mid-elevation terrain that serves as habitat for plants and wildlife. This would include land around Handies Peak near Silverton, the Dolores River Canyon in southwestern Colorado and the Little Bookcliffs northeast of Grand Junction.
DeGette staffers said she’s been working with senators to try to make sure the House legislation is included in any land-protection package the Senate may consider this year.
California would gain 630,700 acres and Washington would gain 131,700 acres. Nearly 1,000 miles of relatively pristine waterways would be designated as protected “wild and scenic” rivers.
“They are some of the most pristine and majestic areas on the planet,” DeGette told lawmakers. “And for many of us, the access that we have to these lands is a large part of why we are so proud to call western states our home — and why so many others come to visit us each year. But while we may be the stewards of some of these lands, our nation’s public lands belong to everyone. We as members of Congress should be doing everything we can to protect them.”
Opponents have argued that wilderness protection limits the ability to use public land and have objected to some of the proposed parcels. Motorized recreational vehicle groups have led opposition in the past, along with fossil-fuel groups such as the Western Energy Alliance and in some cases mountain bikers.
Colorado last gained significant wilderness in 1993, when about 600,000 acres of land were designated. DeGette has been introducing wilderness legislation for two decades without success.
The land would be protected under the 1964 Wilderness Act, which set up a system for saving wilderness. The idea was to preserve land “where the Earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain,” in contrast to growing areas nationwide “where man and his own works dominate the landscape.”
Colorado currently contains 3.5 million acres protected as wilderness, mostly high mountain terrain, out of 109 million acres of land protected nationwide in all but six states.
On Wednesday, House members voted after DeGette offered and won approval for an amendment that added four more areas in Colorado: Diamond Breaks near Dinosaur National Monument, Papoose Canyon southwest of Dove Creek, and the North Ponderosa and South Ponderosa gorges along the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado.
Previously, several parcels initially proposed as wilderness were removed, including land that was found to have been leased by the Bureau of Land Management for oil and gas drilling with roads already in place. A Deep Creek area was removed due partly to military pilots flying through the area from a nearby high-altitude Army National Guard aviation training site, and a Snaggletooth parcel was removed amid concerns about mining and drilling in the area.
Wilderness designations are expected to help boost a booming multibillion-dollar recreation industry. DeGette said protecting pristine land also will help fulfill House commitments to take action that helps deal with climate change, referring to scientific estimates that protecting 30% of public land by 2030 would make a difference for the planet.
“Preserving more of our public land is one of the best short-term solutions we as a nation can take to respond to the climate crisis,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Former campus police officer sentenced for child pornography

A former police officer has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography .
David Delaney , 29 , of Golden , a former officer with the Red Rocks Community College Police Department , also was sentenced to five years of supervised release after his prison sentence , and he was ordered to pay $ 3,000 restitution to a victim , according to a news release from the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Colorado .
The justice department announced the sentencing Wednesday .
In June 2018 , four Colorado law enforcement agencies determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pornography for distribution online via a file-sharing program , the release said .
On July 31 and Aug. 3 , 2018 , search warrants were executed by Golden police and Homeland Security Investigations at Delaney ’ s residence .
Investigators seized electronic media , including an SD card that revealed a deleted folder containing portions of a video depicting the sexual assault of a minor girl by an adult man , the release said .
“ Plain and simple , this criminal ’ s disgusting actions stripped these victims of their innocence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special agent in charge of HSI , Denver .
“ We aggressively work with community members and our law enforcement partners to rescue these innocent children and prosecute their exploiters .
”

A former police officer has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.
David Delaney, 29, of Golden, a former officer with the Red Rocks Community College Police Department, also was sentenced to five years of supervised release after his prison sentence, and he was ordered to pay $3,000 restitution to a victim, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office in Colorado. The justice department announced the sentencing Wednesday.
In June 2018, four Colorado law enforcement agencies determined that Delaney’s computer was offering child pornography for distribution online via a file-sharing program, the release said. On July 31 and Aug. 3, 2018, search warrants were executed by Golden police and Homeland Security Investigations at Delaney’s residence.
Investigators seized electronic media, including an SD card that revealed a deleted folder containing portions of a video depicting the sexual assault of a minor girl by an adult man, the release said.
“Plain and simple, this criminal’s disgusting actions stripped these victims of their innocence and dignity,” said Steven Cagen, special agent in charge of HSI, Denver. “We aggressively work with community members and our law enforcement partners to rescue these innocent children and prosecute their exploiters.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Federal, state and local police carry out organized crime sweeps Wednesday in Denver metro area

The FBI and additional law enforcement agencies conducted operations in the Denver metro area on Wednesday morning in connection to @ @ @ @ @ and other organized crime activities .
The operation , carried out in residential areas , @ @ @ @ @ Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force , according to an FBI news release .
The @ @ @ @ @ Office , Aurora Police Department , Colorado State Patrol and multiple federal agencies , including @ @ @ @ @ and the Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations , participated in Wednesday ’ s efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ say how many people were arrested , didn ’ t name any suspects or disclose @ @ @ @ @ served .
“ While the operation remains active and ongoing , and we expect to @ @ @ @ @ detail in the coming days , it is important that the public know that there @ @ @ @ @ their safety , ” the release said .
“ No further comments will be provided @ @ @ @ @

The FBI and additional law enforcement agencies conducted operations in the Denver metro area on Wednesday morning in connection to drug trafficking, money laundering and other organized crime activities.
The operation, carried out in residential areas, was conducted through the Colorado Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, according to an FBI news release.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Aurora Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and multiple federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations, participated in Wednesday’s efforts.
The FBI release did not say how many people were arrested, didn’t name any suspects or disclose any locations where warrants were served.
“While the operation remains active and ongoing, and we expect to make further announcements with greater detail in the coming days, it is important that the public know that there is no immediate threat to their safety,” the release said. “No further comments will be provided at this time.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Palmer triumphs in strong showing over Rampart

Palmer easily handled the Rampart Rams by a score of 59-36 on Tuesday .
Alyssa Rodriguez lead Palmer with 24 @ @ @ @ @ five rebounds .
Jaiden Jones had a good night , scoring 10 points .
Palmer @ @ @ @ @ Liberty , while Rampart will travel to play Vista Ridge .
Rampart has not reported @ @ @ @ @ from this contest .
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
@ @ @ @ @ and will update as more data is available .

Palmer easily defeated the Rampart Rams by a score of 59-36 on Tuesday.
Alyssa Rodriguez lead Palmer with 24 points scored while also grabbing five rebounds. Jaiden Jones helped the effort by chipping in 10 points and eight rebounds.
Looking ahead to their next games, Palmer will stay home and play Liberty, while Rampart will travel to play Vista Ridge.
Rampart has not reported any team or player statistics from this contest.
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This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Bonser’s monster night leads Palmer Ridge to victory over Vista Ridge

The Palmer Ridge Bears easily put away the Vista Ridge Wolves by a score of 69-32 on Tuesday .
In @ @ @ @ @ Ridge will play host to Sand Creek , while Palmer Ridge will travel to play @ @ @ @ @ not reported any team or player statistics from this contest .
This story was created @ @ @ @ @ Skrive .
Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available @

The Palmer Ridge Bears easily put away the Vista Ridge Wolves by a score of 69-32 on Tuesday.
Eden Bonser lead Palmer Ridge with 32 points scored. Lacy Preeshl had a solid night, scoring 11 points.
Vista Ridge was paced in scoring by Taylor Wortkoetter who scored eight points, while also recording five rebounds and one assist. Taya Mcdanel aided the effort by contributing seven points and three rebounds.
Vista Ridge will stay home and play Sand Creek, while Palmer Ridge will travel to play Lewis-Palmer.
More Colorado High School Basketball
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This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-14--Colorado teacher fights push to fire him over allegations of racism

An Overland High School social studies teacher and longtime adviser to the Aurora school ’ s chapter of the Black Student Alliance has community support as he fights the Cherry Creek School District ’ s attempt to fire him over allegations of racism .
Jay Bennish has been on paid leave since August , his attorney David Lane said , after two Overland students complained to school administrators that Bennish said it was inappropriate for students in school-sponsored activities to use the N-word directed at each other .
But Cherry Creek officials dispute that as the reason Bennish is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been quoted by various media outlets as saying that he is being dismissed for not letting students use the N-word , ” said Abbe Smith , Cherry Creek Schools spokeswoman .
“ This is not true .
The recommendation for dismissal is based on findings that Mr. Bennish used racist and offensive language with students and acted inappropriately as the adult sponsor of the Black Student Alliance.
” Smith did not elaborate on the allegations .
The principal suspended Bennish for the entire school year , pending an investigation that led to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Lane said .
“ This is a personal vendetta against Jay Bennish , who is probably the most racially sensitive teacher I ’ ve ever met , ” Lane said .
“ They have slandered him .
They have libeled him .
They have dragged his very good name through the mud .
We will be proceeding with all available legal remedies to rectify this gross injustice.
” More than 1,000 community members , including students from the Black Student Alliance , have rallied around Bennish , signing an online petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school teacher .
Another reason the school takes issue with Bennish , Lane said , is because several years ago , the Black Student Alliance adviser condoned students printing up T-shirts that read “ Who you calling N**** ?
!
” On the back , Lane said the shirts read “ Rehabilitating kings and queens since 2003 ” — the year the school ’ s Black Student Alliance began .
“ That ’ s not racist , ” Lane said .
“ That is designed by black students to convince other black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other .
All these elderly white people are claiming that this is racist .
It ’ s absurd.
” On Monday night , the Overland school board voted to acknowledge receipt of the district ’ s recommendation to dismiss Bennish , Smith said .
Scores of supporters urged the school board members to reinstate Bennish at the raucous meeting , the Aurora Sentinel reported .
The next step in the dismissal process is a public hearing .
“ The superintendent wants to ensure that the hearing process occurs quickly and that Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of witnesses to be interviewed , ” Smith said .
“ During the initial investigation , Mr. Bennish and his legal team were asked to provide a list of witnesses and they refused .
We want to ensure that the hearing officer reviews all district findings as well as additional information and witnesses provided by Mr. Bennish .
“ We believe the process of a hearing officer fully investigating the claims and evidence – and ultimately providing a recommendation – is in the best interest of all parties involved.
” This isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversy .
In 2006 , he was pulled from the classroom after a student recorded him comparing then-President George W. Bush to Adolph Hitler , criticizing American foreign policy and claiming capitalism is “ at odds with human rights.
” The suspension ignited a national debate about academic freedom , and Bennish was reinstated less than two weeks later after assuring school leaders he would give balanced viewpoints during classroom discussions .

An Overland High School social studies teacher and longtime adviser to the Aurora school’s chapter of the Black Student Alliance has community support as he fights the Cherry Creek School District’s attempt to fire him over allegations of racism.
Jay Bennish has been on paid leave since August, his attorney David Lane said, after two Overland students complained to school administrators that Bennish said it was inappropriate for students in school-sponsored activities to use the N-word directed at each other.
But Cherry Creek officials dispute that as the reason Bennish is under investigation.
“Mr. Bennish has been quoted by various media outlets as saying that he is being dismissed for not letting students use the N-word,” said Abbe Smith, Cherry Creek Schools spokeswoman. “This is not true. The recommendation for dismissal is based on findings that Mr. Bennish used racist and offensive language with students and acted inappropriately as the adult sponsor of the Black Student Alliance.”
Smith did not elaborate on the allegations.
The principal suspended Bennish for the entire school year, pending an investigation that led to the school board recommending Bennish be fired last week, Lane said.
“This is a personal vendetta against Jay Bennish, who is probably the most racially sensitive teacher I’ve ever met,” Lane said. “They have slandered him. They have libeled him. They have dragged his very good name through the mud. We will be proceeding with all available legal remedies to rectify this gross injustice.”
More than 1,000 community members, including students from the Black Student Alliance, have rallied around Bennish, signing an online petition asking the school district to reinstate the high school teacher.
Another reason the school takes issue with Bennish, Lane said, is because several years ago, the Black Student Alliance adviser condoned students printing up T-shirts that read “Who you calling N****?!”
On the back, Lane said the shirts read “Rehabilitating kings and queens since 2003” — the year the school’s Black Student Alliance began.
“That’s not racist,” Lane said. “That is designed by black students to convince other black students not to use the N-word on each other. All these elderly white people are claiming that this is racist. It’s absurd.”
On Monday night, the Overland school board voted to acknowledge receipt of the district’s recommendation to dismiss Bennish, Smith said. Scores of supporters urged the school board members to reinstate Bennish at the raucous meeting, the Aurora Sentinel reported.
The next step in the dismissal process is a public hearing.
“The superintendent wants to ensure that the hearing process occurs quickly and that Mr. Bennish has an opportunity to provide names of witnesses to be interviewed,” Smith said. “During the initial investigation, Mr. Bennish and his legal team were asked to provide a list of witnesses and they refused. We want to ensure that the hearing officer reviews all district findings as well as additional information and witnesses provided by Mr. Bennish.
“We believe the process of a hearing officer fully investigating the claims and evidence – and ultimately providing a recommendation – is in the best interest of all parties involved.”
This isn’t Bennish’s first brush with controversy. In 2006, he was pulled from the classroom after a student recorded him comparing then-President George W. Bush to Adolph Hitler, criticizing American foreign policy and claiming capitalism is “at odds with human rights.”
The suspension ignited a national debate about academic freedom, and Bennish was reinstated less than two weeks later after assuring school leaders he would give balanced viewpoints during classroom discussions.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Rockies’ Bud Black predicts problematic scenarios with new three-batter rule

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — Rockies manager Bud Black , who revels in the chess game of hitters vs. pitchers , predicts that a major new rule change is going to be challenging , to say the least .
Beginning this season , all pitchers — both starters and relievers — must now face at least three batters ( or pitch until the inning is over ) before they come out of a game .
An exception is made when an injury or illness prevents the pitcher from being able to finish the required three batters .
“ You can still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final out of the inning , but you better hope that they get that one out , ” Black said .
“ Gone are the days when you know you can take the ( pitcher ) out after one hitter , regardless of the result .
It ’ s just not going to happen .
Even if your guy throws a great pitch , but there is a broken-bat hit , you have to leave him in.
” The new rule will require more decisions , Black said .
“ If a guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitches , in the old days you could go to him , at two in the afternoon , ” Black said .
“ He could say , ‘ Hey Buddy , I can give you one guy tonight.
’ That ’ s great , but what if you don ’ t get that one guy ?
Then you have to face another batter .
It gets tricky .
“ So then that second hitter hits 15 foul balls , and then he bloops one in .
Then ( the pitcher ’ s ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his pitch count is up to 30 and he ’ s already pitched five out of the last eight days !
You can ’ t go rescue him .
This is the new strategy we have to work through when we talk about who ’ s available and who ’ s not.
” The three-batter rule goes into effect in spring training on March 12 .
Hoffman ’ s future .
Right-hander Jeff Hoffman is intent on make the starting rotation , but if he doesn ’ t he said Thursday that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I definitely consider myself a starter , but at the same time , if for whatever reason that was something they brought up , I ’ d be willing to help the team in any way I can , ” said Hoffman , who went 2-6 with a 6.56 ERA across 15 starts last season while splitting time between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque .
Black said that converting Hoffman into a reliever is a possibility , adding that Hoffman would likely be used in long relief if that were the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; because you always need length in your bullpen , ” Black said .
“ You need a guy on your staff , to where if something were to happen to a starter , you need a pitcher in that type of role .
”

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies manager Bud Black, who revels in the chess game of hitters vs. pitchers, predicts that a major new rule change is going to be challenging, to say the least.
Beginning this season, all pitchers — both starters and relievers — must now face at least three batters (or pitch until the inning is over) before they come out of a game. An exception is made when an injury or illness prevents the pitcher from being able to finish the required three batters.
“You can still bring in a guy to get that final out of the inning, but you better hope that they get that one out,” Black said. “Gone are the days when you know you can take the (pitcher) out after one hitter, regardless of the result. It’s just not going to happen. Even if your guy throws a great pitch, but there is a broken-bat hit, you have to leave him in.”
The new rule will require more decisions, Black said.
“If a guy threw the night before, say 30 pitches, in the old days you could go to him, at two in the afternoon,” Black said. “He could say, ‘Hey Buddy, I can give you one guy tonight.’ That’s great, but what if you don’t get that one guy? Then you have to face another batter. It gets tricky.
“So then that second hitter hits 15 foul balls, and then he bloops one in. Then (the pitcher’s) got to face another guy. Suddenly his pitch count is up to 30 and he’s already pitched five out of the last eight days! You can’t go rescue him. This is the new strategy we have to work through when we talk about who’s available and who’s not.”
The three-batter rule goes into effect in spring training on March 12.
Hoffman’s future. Right-hander Jeff Hoffman is intent on make the starting rotation, but if he doesn’t he said Thursday that he would be open to moving the bullpen.
“I definitely consider myself a starter, but at the same time, if for whatever reason that was something they brought up, I’d be willing to help the team in any way I can,” said Hoffman, who went 2-6 with a 6.56 ERA across 15 starts last season while splitting time between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque.
Black said that converting Hoffman into a reliever is a possibility, adding that Hoffman would likely be used in long relief if that were the case.
“He could provide length; because you always need length in your bullpen,” Black said. “You need a guy on your staff, to where if something were to happen to a starter, you need a pitcher in that type of role.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Denver Broncos 7-round NFL mock draft 1.0: Should John Elway pick up a receiver in the first round?

Holding five of the top 100 picks and nine overall , Broncos general manager John Elway has plenty of capital in April ’ s draft to add to his team ’ s young nucleus .
Here is our opening projection for how the Broncos should use their picks , not factoring in any potential compensatory selections ( which is why pick numbers are unavailable after Round 3 ) : Elway has never drafted a first-round receiver , but the Broncos need more playmakers .
Listed at 6 feet , 190 pounds , Ruggs caught 40 passes for 746 yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was part of a crowded Crimson Tide offense .
He will need to improve his technique against press coverage , but his hands are strong and he quickly reaches top speed , making him a prime option to pair with Courtland Sutton .
Madubuike totaled 5 1/2 sacks and 11 1/2 tackles for a loss during his redshirt junior season .
With an ability to rush effectively from multiple spots and help control the run game , Madubuike is a nice addition to a team that has upcoming contract decisions to make on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Adam Gotsis and restricted free agent Mike Purcell .
Even if the Broncos re-sign Chris Harris or allow him to walk and add a cornerback in free agency , they must address the cornerback position in the draft .
After leading the country with 22 pass break-ups as a junior in 2018 , Hall was limited to six games last year because of an ankle injury that required surgery .
Hall has enough quickness to start in the NFL , but physicality and instincts are the dominant traits that allow him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can save $ 8.5 million by cutting right guard Ronald Leary , which should be tempting for Elway considering Leary ’ s medical past .
Bredeson made 46 starts at left guard , regularly showing the necessary power and athleticism to be an effective puller .
If offensive line coach Mike Munchak gets to work with Bredeson , he should be able to smooth out some inconsistencies with hand placement .
Use a top-100 pick on a tight end a year after selecting Noah Fant 20th overall ?
It makes sense , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and veteran Jeff Heuerman would further quarterback Drew Lock ’ s development .
“ Albert O ” caught 23 touchdowns in three seasons with the Tigers , including 11 from Lock as a redshirt freshman in 2017 .
The Broncos have Von Miller and Bradley Chubb , but Jeremiah Attaochu is a free agent and Malik Reed/Justin Hollins combined for only three sacks as rookies .
A tad undersized ( 6-2 , 215 ) , Davis-Gaither had 258 tackles , eight sacks and 18 passes defensed in his college career .
Assuming Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term contract , it would be wise to have an eye toward the future if the Broncos move on from Kareem Jackson after 2020 .
A converted cornerback , Blackmon had 60 tackles , 1 1/2 sacks and four interceptions as a senior in 2019 .
Adeniji ended his career with 48 consecutive starts and shows a good understanding of blocking angles .
Most of his experience is at left tackle .
Does new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur covet a back with third-down traits ?
If so , the Broncos might consider the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 289 yards as a redshirt junior .
Subscribe to our Broncos Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox .

Holding five of the top 100 picks and nine overall, Broncos general manager John Elway has plenty of capital in April’s draft to add to his team’s young nucleus.
Here is our opening projection for how the Broncos should use their picks, not factoring in any potential compensatory selections (which is why pick numbers are unavailable after Round 3):
Round 1 (15th overall) — Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III
Elway has never drafted a first-round receiver, but the Broncos need more playmakers. Listed at 6 feet, 190 pounds, Ruggs caught 40 passes for 746 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior when he was part of a crowded Crimson Tide offense. He will need to improve his technique against press coverage, but his hands are strong and he quickly reaches top speed, making him a prime option to pair with Courtland Sutton.
Round 2 (46th overall) — Texas A&M DL Justin Madubuike
Madubuike totaled 5 1/2 sacks and 11 1/2 tackles for a loss during his redshirt junior season. With an ability to rush effectively from multiple spots and help control the run game, Madubuike is a nice addition to a team that has upcoming contract decisions to make on defensive linemen Shelby Harris, Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis and restricted free agent Mike Purcell.
Round 3 (77th overall) — Virginia CB Bryce Hall
Even if the Broncos re-sign Chris Harris or allow him to walk and add a cornerback in free agency, they must address the cornerback position in the draft. After leading the country with 22 pass break-ups as a junior in 2018, Hall was limited to six games last year because of an ankle injury that required surgery. Hall has enough quickness to start in the NFL, but physicality and instincts are the dominant traits that allow him to win in press coverage.
Round 3 (83rd overall) — Michigan G Ben Bredeson
The Broncos can save $8.5 million by cutting right guard Ronald Leary, which should be tempting for Elway considering Leary’s medical past. Bredeson made 46 starts at left guard, regularly showing the necessary power and athleticism to be an effective puller. If offensive line coach Mike Munchak gets to work with Bredeson, he should be able to smooth out some inconsistencies with hand placement.
Round 3 (95th overall) — Missouri TE Albert Okwuegbunam
Use a top-100 pick on a tight end a year after selecting Noah Fant 20th overall? It makes sense, as finding another threat to team with Fant and veteran Jeff Heuerman would further quarterback Drew Lock’s development. “Albert O” caught 23 touchdowns in three seasons with the Tigers, including 11 from Lock as a redshirt freshman in 2017.
Round 4 — Appalachian State OLB Akeem Davis-Gaither
The Broncos have Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, but Jeremiah Attaochu is a free agent and Malik Reed/Justin Hollins combined for only three sacks as rookies. A tad undersized (6-2, 215), Davis-Gaither had 258 tackles, eight sacks and 18 passes defensed in his college career.
Round 4 — Utah S Julian Blackmon
Assuming Justin Simmons stays via franchise tag or a long-term contract, it would be wise to have an eye toward the future if the Broncos move on from Kareem Jackson after 2020. A converted cornerback, Blackmon had 60 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and four interceptions as a senior in 2019.
Round 6 — Kansas OT Hakeem Adeniji
Adeniji ended his career with 48 consecutive starts and shows a good understanding of blocking angles. Most of his experience is at left tackle.
Round 7 — Arizona RB J.J. Taylor
Does new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur covet a back with third-down traits? If so, the Broncos might consider the pint-sized Taylor, who caught 32 passes for 289 yards as a redshirt junior.
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thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Truck fire on I-70 in Wheat Ridge shuts down eastbound lanes

A truck fire on Interstate 70 in Wheat Ridge on Thursday afternoon has shut down eastbound lanes of the highway @ @ @ @ @ 3:14 p.m. near West 32nd Avenue , according to the Colorado Department of Transportation .
@ @ @ @ @ avoid the area .
West Metro Fire Rescue and the Arvada Fire Protection District extinguished @ @ @ @ @ Colorado 58 ramp .
Firefighters said there were no injuries .
Cleanup after the fire @ @ @ @ @ fuel and hydraulic fluids .
There ’ s no current time frame on when the @ @ @ @

A truck fire on Interstate 70 in Wheat Ridge on Thursday afternoon has shut down eastbound lanes of the highway.
The incident happened about 3:14 p.m. near West 32nd Avenue, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Authorities are asking drivers to avoid the area.
West Metro Fire Rescue and the Arvada Fire Protection District extinguished the truck fire near the Colorado 58 ramp. Firefighters said there were no injuries.
Cleanup after the fire includes dealing with leaked diesel fuel and hydraulic fluids.
One eastbound lane of the highway reopened at about 7: 15 p.m., according to the Wheat Ridge Police Department.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--McMillin: If prejudice can hide behind “electability,” the glass ceiling will never break

Our national winnability debate is sexist and racist and reveals more about us than the quirkiness of our politics .
One sentence into this column and I can already hear the comebacks : winning is everything ; politics is dirty work ; “ if you can ’ t stand the heat get out of the kitchen ; ” party politics is all about winning .
Yada-yada-yada .
Certainly , the political parties are all about winning , and selecting candidates they believe can win and — with any luck — coalescing around said candidates and helping them win .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on when we seem to be perpetually mired in a debate over whether women “ can win.
” Mired to the point that female candidates believe they must talk about their victories as proof that , yes , women can win elections .
For the entirety of our nation ’ s history , we ’ ve been saying that only white , Anglo-Saxon protestant men can , without question , be elected and take office .
Anyone else — women , people of color , Catholics , Jews , Muslims — is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure success for white men , as they were the only ones who could vote .
They gradually allowed others into the voting club , but even those changes continue to be fraught with efforts to limit voting rights .
I recall my puzzlement as an elementary school-age child over the repeated emphasis that John F. Kennedy was Catholic and , if elected , would be the first Catholic president of the United States .
My best friend was Catholic and I didn ’ t see much difference between her and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before my own reading and research uncovered the nitty-gritty details of the horrors and suspicions heaped upon Catholics , and Irish Catholics in particular .
When Barack Obama won the nomination to run for president , there was not so much the JFK style oh-my-gosh-he ’ s-Catholic as can a black man win ?
So women are not the only ones who have been stymied by our well-established WASP male patriarchy .
But with two women holding strong as we begin the primary season to select the 2020 Democratic candidate for president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win ?
” question keeps popping up .
I ’ ve countered men who say they ’ d vote for a woman if she was the “ right woman ” by asking if Trump was the “ right man ” for the nation ’ s highest office .
It ’ s often met with uncomfortable shrugs .
It rather feels like the annual Academy Awards night angst that accompanies the announcement of nominees for the top awards in the movie industry .
By the time Oscar night rolls around the jabs about who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color– are ready on the tongue or tweet .
Or this year , embroidered on a cape .
Maybe in 2024 or 2028 on the president thing .
Maybe a vice president first — a suggestion that is so sexist , it ’ s hard to even go there .
Is that like a tryout for the job ?
It ’ s pure wishful thinking that gender would be set aside as we study the candidates and their proposals .
But maybe we could at least acknowledge our biases and not discount women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of women holding elective office are increasing at the federal and state levels , but progress toward a more inclusive representation has been painfully slow .
Of the 12,348 individuals who have served in Congress , only 366 have been women , according to the U.S. House of Representatives History , Art and Archives website .
That ’ s 2.9 % .
Men had a huge head start since the first woman in Congress , Rep. Jeanette Rankin of Montana , was elected in 1916 .
The election for the first Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers ’ Eagleton Institute of Politics has been tracking these numbers since it launched in 1971 , when only 3 % of Congress members were women .
In 2019 , 23.7 % of Congress members were women .
States and municipalities aren ’ t much better .
Denver has not had a female mayor and Colorado has not had a female governor .
The numbers are not small because women can ’ t win ; it ’ s because fewer of them run for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing amount of research on the barriers and challenges women who run for office face .
But today , right now , we have two well-qualified women running for the Democratic nomination for president .
Ignore the pundits yammering about who can win .
Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar are as viable as any man in the race and deserve your consideration .
Sue McMillin is a long-time Colorado reporter and editor who worked for The Gazette and Durango Herald .
Now a regular columnist for The Denver Post and a freelance writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Our national winnability debate is sexist and racist and reveals more about us than the quirkiness of our politics.
One sentence into this column and I can already hear the comebacks: winning is everything; politics is dirty work; “if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen;” party politics is all about winning. Yada-yada-yada.
Certainly, the political parties are all about winning, and selecting candidates they believe can win and — with any luck — coalescing around said candidates and helping them win.
But I believe there’s something else going on when we seem to be perpetually mired in a debate over whether women “can win.” Mired to the point that female candidates believe they must talk about their victories as proof that, yes, women can win elections.
For the entirety of our nation’s history, we’ve been saying that only white, Anglo-Saxon protestant men can, without question, be elected and take office. Anyone else — women, people of color, Catholics, Jews, Muslims — is suspect.
Initially, it was rigged to ensure success for white men, as they were the only ones who could vote. They gradually allowed others into the voting club, but even those changes continue to be fraught with efforts to limit voting rights.
I recall my puzzlement as an elementary school-age child over the repeated emphasis that John F. Kennedy was Catholic and, if elected, would be the first Catholic president of the United States. My best friend was Catholic and I didn’t see much difference between her and my protestant self.
It would be years before my own reading and research uncovered the nitty-gritty details of the horrors and suspicions heaped upon Catholics, and Irish Catholics in particular. When Barack Obama won the nomination to run for president, there was not so much the JFK style oh-my-gosh-he’s-Catholic as can a black man win?
So women are not the only ones who have been stymied by our well-established WASP male patriarchy.
But with two women holding strong as we begin the primary season to select the 2020 Democratic candidate for president, that annoying “but can a woman win?” question keeps popping up.
I’ve countered men who say they’d vote for a woman if she was the “right woman” by asking if Trump was the “right man” for the nation’s highest office. It’s often met with uncomfortable shrugs.
It rather feels like the annual Academy Awards night angst that accompanies the announcement of nominees for the top awards in the movie industry. By the time Oscar night rolls around the jabs about who was overlooked — women, people of color– are ready on the tongue or tweet. Or this year, embroidered on a cape.
Maybe next year.
Maybe in 2024 or 2028 on the president thing. Maybe a vice president first — a suggestion that is so sexist, it’s hard to even go there. Is that like a tryout for the job?
It’s pure wishful thinking that gender would be set aside as we study the candidates and their proposals. But maybe we could at least acknowledge our biases and not discount women merely because they are women.
The numbers of women holding elective office are increasing at the federal and state levels, but progress toward a more inclusive representation has been painfully slow.
Of the 12,348 individuals who have served in Congress, only 366 have been women, according to the U.S. House of Representatives History, Art and Archives website. That’s 2.9%.
Men had a huge head start since the first woman in Congress, Rep. Jeanette Rankin of Montana, was elected in 1916. The election for the first Congress was in 1788 — 128 years earlier.
The Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics has been tracking these numbers since it launched in 1971, when only 3% of Congress members were women. In 2019, 23.7% of Congress members were women.
States and municipalities aren’t much better. Denver has not had a female mayor and Colorado has not had a female governor.
The numbers are not small because women can’t win; it’s because fewer of them run for elected office. There’s a growing amount of research on the barriers and challenges women who run for office face.
But today, right now, we have two well-qualified women running for the Democratic nomination for president. Ignore the pundits yammering about who can win.
Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar are as viable as any man in the race and deserve your consideration.
Sue McMillin is a long-time Colorado reporter and editor who worked for The Gazette and Durango Herald. Now a regular columnist for The Denver Post and a freelance writer, she lives in Cañon City.
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thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Denver airport sets passenger record in 2019

Denver International Airport served nearly 70 million passengers in 2019 , breaking its previous record as the airport continues to expand into one of the nation ’ s busiest hubs .
Last year marked the sixth straight year of growth for the Denver airport , with 7 % more passengers than in 2018 , the airport said in a news release .
“ When DEN opened , many naysayers said the airport , which was built for 50 million passengers a year , would never reach capacity , ” Denver airport CEO Kim Day said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far exceeded our original capacity and are building to accommodate our passenger growth now and in the future with a redesigned terminal and 39 newly built gates .
These improvements will allow us to accommodate the growth of our airlines and serve 90 million passengers.
” • On July 19 , an estimated 227,497 passengers came through Denver ’ s airport , the most in a single day • International travel increased by 7.6 % over 2018 , serving an all-time high of nearly 3.2 million passengers • A spike in mail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million pounds of cargo transported represented a 9.5 % increase from 2018 , and the highest volume through the airport in 15 years The rosy numbers come as DIA continues to face delays and consternation regarding its massive terminal renovation project .
The construction , likely to be completed in 2024 , has been marred by huge cost overruns as the city squabbled with contractors and allegations that DIA staff members meddled in the project ’ s design .

Denver International Airport served nearly 70 million passengers in 2019, breaking its previous record as the airport continues to expand into one of the nation’s busiest hubs.
Last year marked the sixth straight year of growth for the Denver airport, with 7% more passengers than in 2018, the airport said in a news release.
“When DEN opened, many naysayers said the airport, which was built for 50 million passengers a year, would never reach capacity,” Denver airport CEO Kim Day said in a statement. “Now, 25 years later we have far exceeded our original capacity and are building to accommodate our passenger growth now and in the future with a redesigned terminal and 39 newly built gates. These improvements will allow us to accommodate the growth of our airlines and serve 90 million passengers.”
Airport officials touted several milestones last year, including:
On July 19, an estimated 227,497 passengers came through Denver’s airport, the most in a single day
International travel increased by 7.6% over 2018, serving an all-time high of nearly 3.2 million passengers
A spike in mail, freight and cargo operations. The 672 million pounds of cargo transported represented a 9.5% increase from 2018, and the highest volume through the airport in 15 years
The rosy numbers come as DIA continues to face delays and consternation regarding its massive terminal renovation project. The construction, likely to be completed in 2024, has been marred by huge cost overruns as the city squabbled with contractors and allegations that DIA staff members meddled in the project’s design.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Massive asteroid won’t be hitting Earth on Saturday, NASA says

An asteroid large enough to cause planet-wide devastation will hurtle close to Earth early Saturday morning — but we ’ re safe for now , astronomers say .
The kilometer-wide asteroid NASA officially calls 2002 PZ39 will get closest to earth at 6:05 a.m. Saturday , when it will be 3.6 million miles away .
This asteroid is cruising at around 34,000 mph , and will at its closest be about 15 times the distance of the moon .
“ There ’ s no hazard or danger , ” Paul Chodas , director of NASA ’ s Center for Near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herald on Thursday .
“ We ’ ve been watching this asteroid for years , and we know its orbit very well.
” But the asteroid will be back , as its orbit essentially intersects with Earth ’ s orbit .
It will come within just 251,000 miles of where we were Tuesday night .
“ This is certainly an object that we need to keep an eye on , ” astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics told the Herald .
“ Maybe it wouldn ’ t be enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make for a very different world.
” Of asteroids this size , McDowell said , “ This is an existential threat in the long term for our species.
” If this asteroid ’ s path were just slightly different and were to impact Earth , McDowell said , “ It plows into the Earth , it makes a huge crater , it throws enormous amounts of earth material into the atmosphere .
It could set fire to a large fraction of a continent .
Then you ’ d have a lot of dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afterward .
It would wipe out all life for a thousand miles around , and then knock-on consequences for the environment for decades.
” Astronomers , NASA and other foreign space agencies have their eyes on the skies to monitor what McDowell said is likely hundreds of sizable space rocks whose paths come close to earth .
Humans wouldn ’ t be able to do anything with if an object is only spotted within days of impact .
The key , McDowell said , is to figure out years in advance , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it .
But they wouldn ’ t blow it up , a la Bruce Willis in “ Armageddon ” — they ’ d likely just attach rocket boosters to it to speed it up or slow it down just slightly , so it gets to the intersection point with Earth ’ s orbit just a couple hours sooner or later than we ’ ll be there .
“ If you can just slow it down by an hour , you just avoid that hit , ” McDowell said .
Chodas said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has any chance of hitting the Earth over the next hundred years.
” The next truly close call is on April 13 , 2029 — Friday the 13th — when the asteroid Apophas will come even closer to Earth than the satellites we use for GPS .
That 300-meter-long rock will fly so close we ’ ll be able to see it , Chodas said — though he ’ s said NASA is now sure it ’ s not going to hit us then .

An asteroid large enough to cause planet-wide devastation will hurtle close to Earth early Saturday morning — but we’re safe for now, astronomers say.
The kilometer-wide asteroid NASA officially calls 2002 PZ39 will get closest to earth at 6:05 a.m. Saturday, when it will be 3.6 million miles away.
This asteroid is cruising at around 34,000 mph, and will at its closest be about 15 times the distance of the moon.
“There’s no hazard or danger,” Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Center for Near Earth Objects Studies, insisted to the Herald on Thursday. “We’ve been watching this asteroid for years, and we know its orbit very well.”
But the asteroid will be back, as its orbit essentially intersects with Earth’s orbit. It will come within just 251,000 miles of where we were Tuesday night.
“This is certainly an object that we need to keep an eye on,” astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics told the Herald. “Maybe it wouldn’t be enough to send us extinct, but it would make for a very different world.”
Of asteroids this size, McDowell said, “This is an existential threat in the long term for our species.”
If this asteroid’s path were just slightly different and were to impact Earth, McDowell said, “It plows into the Earth, it makes a huge crater, it throws enormous amounts of earth material into the atmosphere. It could set fire to a large fraction of a continent. Then you’d have a lot of dust in the atmosphere for years and years afterward. It would wipe out all life for a thousand miles around, and then knock-on consequences for the environment for decades.”
Astronomers, NASA and other foreign space agencies have their eyes on the skies to monitor what McDowell said is likely hundreds of sizable space rocks whose paths come close to earth.
Humans wouldn’t be able to do anything with if an object is only spotted within days of impact. The key, McDowell said, is to figure out years in advance, so astronauts could fly up and do something about it. But they wouldn’t blow it up, a la Bruce Willis in “Armageddon” — they’d likely just attach rocket boosters to it to speed it up or slow it down just slightly, so it gets to the intersection point with Earth’s orbit just a couple hours sooner or later than we’ll be there.
“If you can just slow it down by an hour, you just avoid that hit,” McDowell said.
Chodas said, “There is no known asteroid that has any chance of hitting the Earth over the next hundred years.”
The next truly close call is on April 13, 2029 — Friday the 13th — when the asteroid Apophas will come even closer to Earth than the satellites we use for GPS. That 300-meter-long rock will fly so close we’ll be able to see it, Chodas said — though he’s said NASA is now sure it’s not going to hit us then.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Von Miller’s custom closet checks in at about 2,000 square feet with “a retail feel”

Von Miller ’ s closet is about the size of an average house .
The All-Pro Broncos linebacker gave a tour of his closet to GQ Sports last month .
The custom closet checks in at about 2,000 square feet as a recent addition to his Denver mansion .
“ I got a contractor to just build onto the house , ” Miller said in the GQ Sports video .
“ I thought about getting a storage room , I thought about re-doing my old closet .
I sat down and looked at my needs and my necessities and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller wanted the closet to have “ a retail feel ” , and he succeeded .
He estimates there are about 12,000 pieces of fashion in the closet .
The inventory includes hundreds of pairs of Adidas shoes , an entire “ camo ” section , dozens of custom eyeglasses , countless pairs of Amiri jeans and a collection of expensive , vintage band T-shirts .
The entire closet is color-coded ( thanks to his mom and his assistant ) and also includes a three-sided tailor ’ s mirror .
Broncos fans probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and originality from the Super Bowl 50 MVP who loves to refer to himself as a “ unicorn ” .
Miller , 30 , is entering the fifth year of a six-year , $ 114.5 million contract .
He ’ s set to make $ 17.5 million in salary in 2020 , with $ 6 million of that guaranteed when the Broncos pick up his contract option .

Von Miller’s closet is about the size of an average house.
The All-Pro Broncos linebacker gave a tour of his closet to GQ Sports last month. The custom closet checks in at about 2,000 square feet as a recent addition to his Denver mansion.
“I got a contractor to just build onto the house,” Miller said in the GQ Sports video. “I thought about getting a storage room, I thought about re-doing my old closet. I sat down and looked at my needs and my necessities and I just needed a whole other closet.”
Miller wanted the closet to have “a retail feel”, and he succeeded. He estimates there are about 12,000 pieces of fashion in the closet. The inventory includes hundreds of pairs of Adidas shoes, an entire “camo” section, dozens of custom eyeglasses, countless pairs of Amiri jeans and a collection of expensive, vintage band T-shirts.
The entire closet is color-coded (thanks to his mom and his assistant) and also includes a three-sided tailor’s mirror. Broncos fans probably shouldn’t expect any less flash and originality from the Super Bowl 50 MVP who loves to refer to himself as a “unicorn”.
Miller, 30, is entering the fifth year of a six-year, $114.5 million contract. He’s set to make $17.5 million in salary in 2020, with $6 million of that guaranteed when the Broncos pick up his contract option.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Sensible route to single-level living: Age-62-plus co-ops were a hit in Lakewood and Centennial; now

Sensible route to single-level living: Age-62-plus co-ops were a hit in Lakewood and Centennial; now one’s coming to Littleton

Even 40 years ago up in Minnesota , buyers heading into their 60s and 70s could choose a different way of buying a single-level home for their retirement , one considerably more affordable and less tied to the market ’ s ups-and-downs .
Coloradans didn ’ t get that option until 2018 .
Now , an offering of age-62-plus Village Cooperatives under construction in Lakewood is completely sold out — and another underway in Centennial is nearly gone ( just three units left ) — as Minneapolis-based Real Estate Equities Development LLC gets set to open a third Denver-area offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north of Chatfield State Park .
“ The cooperative concept has also proved very popular in Colorado as active adults see all the benefits it offers them , ” says Steve Von Schmidt , marketing director .
With the look of a condo but with an entirely different ownership structure , Village Cooperatives spread across five Midwest states over the course of two decades before venturing into the Denver area .
By that time , Colorado buyers could see the track record that co-op residents have had on their “ equity share ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patio-home offerings .
Of 24 communities built , Village Cooperatives have consistently delivered a 3 % appreciation to residents on their shares .
“ Not one senior co-op in the U.S. has failed , ” says Von Schmidt .
At Village Co-op of Chatfield , adds Von Schmidt , you ’ ll be getting a unique building design , management style and ownership structure .
Rather than purchase a unit for $ 500,000 — the going price of age-restricted patio homes in the Denver area — Village Cooperative residents pay an equity share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then a continuing monthly fee averaging around $ 1,600 that covers virtually everything .
That fee sounds like rent , but it covers a considerably more extensive range , says Von Schmidt .
“ They ’ ll not only keep up the grounds and amenities for you ; they ’ ll repair a faucet and even change a light bulb.
” Von Schmidt says the cooperative arrangement reaches a different kind of buyer — one who doesn ’ t feel like playing the market and doesn ’ t want even the scaled-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
That sensible commonality among residents tends to create strong feelings of community .
“ People are drawn to the ownership model , to the no maintenance , and the freedom to come and go , ” Von Schmidt says .
“ But they tell us they stay because of the friendships.
” Village Cooperatives nurtures those with common spaces that foster relationships : a community garden , walkways , and community and club lounge areas for reading and get-togethers .
Three years after Village Co-ops arrived here , the first 61 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just three of 74 homes are left in Centennial .
While the developer readies an information center at Chatfield ( a Littleton post office address ) , Felicia Peterson can meet you in Village Cooperative of Centennial ’ s off-site information center Sunday , Feb. 16 , and tell you about reservations on the Chatfield offering .
Take Arapahoe Road east from I-25 about 2 miles to S. Revere Parkway and turn north .
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

Even 40 years ago up in Minnesota, buyers heading into their 60s and 70s could choose a different way of buying a single-level home for their retirement, one considerably more affordable and less tied to the market’s ups-and-downs. Coloradans didn’t get that option until 2018.
Village Cooperative of Chatfield What: Village Cooperative of Chatfield by Real Estate Equities Development, age-62-plus co-op, pre-construction reservations, ranch-style 1-bed to 2-bed-plus-study, single level, unique ownership structure.
Village Cooperative of Chatfield by Real Estate Equities Development, age-62-plus co-op, pre-construction reservations, ranch-style 1-bed to 2-bed-plus-study, single level, unique ownership structure. Where: Temporary sales center, 6551 S. Revere Pkwy, Ste. 125, Centennial; from I-25, head east on Arapahoe Rd, 2 miles to S. Revere Pkwy, turn north on Revere 1-1/2 blocks, entryway on the left.
Temporary sales center, 6551 S. Revere Pkwy, Ste. 125, Centennial; from I-25, head east on Arapahoe Rd, 2 miles to S. Revere Pkwy, turn north on Revere 1-1/2 blocks, entryway on the left. Price: Equity shares start at $107,000, monthly fee starts at $1,070
Equity shares start at $107,000, monthly fee starts at $1,070 Phone: 720-779-2100
720-779-2100 More Info: villagecooperative.com/chatfield-co, lakewood@reedevelopment.com, chatfield@reedevelopment.com
Now, an offering of age-62-plus Village Cooperatives under construction in Lakewood is completely sold out — and another underway in Centennial is nearly gone (just three units left) — as Minneapolis-based Real Estate Equities Development LLC gets set to open a third Denver-area offering, in the Ken Caryl area just north of Chatfield State Park.
“The cooperative concept has also proved very popular in Colorado as active adults see all the benefits it offers them,” says Steve Von Schmidt, marketing director. With the look of a condo but with an entirely different ownership structure, Village Cooperatives spread across five Midwest states over the course of two decades before venturing into the Denver area.
By that time, Colorado buyers could see the track record that co-op residents have had on their “equity share” ownerships, compared to typical condo or patio-home offerings. Of 24 communities built, Village Cooperatives have consistently delivered a 3% annual appreciation to residents on their shares.
“Not one senior co-op in the U.S. has failed,” says Von Schmidt.
At Village Co-op of Chatfield, adds Von Schmidt, you’ll be getting a unique building design, management style and ownership structure. Rather than purchase a unit for $500,000 — the going price of age-restricted patio homes in the Denver area — Village Cooperative residents pay an equity share that will average around $165,000, and then a continuing monthly fee averaging around $1,600 that covers virtually everything.
That fee sounds like rent, but it covers a considerably more extensive range, says Von Schmidt. “They’ll not only keep up the grounds and amenities for you; they’ll repair a faucet and even change a light bulb.”
Von Schmidt says the cooperative arrangement reaches a different kind of buyer — one who doesn’t feel like playing the market and doesn’t want even the scaled-down maintenance issues that come with a patio home.
That sensible commonality among residents tends to create strong feelings of community.
“People are drawn to the ownership model, to the no maintenance, and the freedom to come and go,” Von Schmidt says. “But they tell us they stay because of the friendships.”
Village Cooperatives nurtures those with common spaces that foster relationships: a community garden, walkways, and community and club lounge areas for reading and get-togethers.
Three years after Village Co-ops arrived here, the first 61 units in Lakewood are a sellout and just three of 74 homes are left in Centennial. While the developer readies an information center at Chatfield (a Littleton post office address), you can call Felicia Peterson for an appointment at Village Cooperative’s off-site information center, to tell you about reservations on the Chatfield offering.
Take Arapahoe Road east from I-25 about 2 miles to S. Revere Parkway and turn north.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-02-13--Sensible ranch living: KB Home’s fast-selling paired ranches in Castle Rock’s Terrain are designed f

Sensible ranch living: KB Home’s fast-selling paired ranches in Castle Rock’s Terrain are designed for lower monthly costs

KB Home has a lower-maintenance enclave of ranches to come see in Castle Rock that have sold well through the cold weather , luring buyers wanting a sensible approach to a downsize move — a lower price , but also less exposure to the continuing services that drive up monthly expenses .
Just east of Founders Parkway on Colorado 86 on the east side of Castle Rock , you can tour two attractive models on Saturday and Sunday , Feb. 15-16 .
If you like what you see , you ’ ll find two similar designs ready to deliver now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as important , they ’ re in an enclave designed with lower-maintenance landscaping , but they ’ re not tied to some of the monthly costs found in similar ranch areas .
Like all KB Home designs , they ’ re Energy Star-certified , with lower monthly utility costs compared to typical used homes .
Residents of KB Home ’ s patio ranches in Terrain find themselves with a property tax rate under 1 % , and they ’ re currently paying just $ 304 a quarter for homeowner dues .
In return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Terrain ’ s master association , providing an attractive pool a few minutes away to take their visiting grandkids .
“ Terrain is perfect for that buyer who wants to simplify their life to focus more on the things they enjoy , and doesn ’ t want all the expense of add-ons that are seen in other neighborhoods today , ” says Randy Carpenter , president of KB Home ’ s Colorado Division .
KB Home keeps down the cost of a new ranch with its “ paired home ” design — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own two-car attached garage and personalized options .
You ’ ll tour a Mural three-bedroom ranch , with 1,780 square feet of finished space standard , plus an option for a fourth guest bedroom and added entertaining area in an optional basement .
Basement space , says Carpenter , is a feature some buyers readily include because of its very low cost-per-foot for additional living area .
But for others , it just isn ’ t that important , offering another way to keep the home ’ s base price low .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both kinds of buyers .
After you tour the Mural model , KB Home ’ s Marcia Haek will show you two similar homes ready now , well-appointed with design choices in addition to KB Home ’ s standard features .
They ’ re each priced at just $ 420,000 .
Nearby , you ’ ll see a Canvas plan set for April delivery , two bedrooms plus a study , with a third guest bedroom and entertaining space in a finished basement .
It will deliver 2,575 feet finished and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no age restriction at Terrain , and you ’ ll see how close this is to King Soopers and to dining in Castle Rock ’ s historic downtown .
Terrain is a half mile east of Founders Parkway on Highway 86 .
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

KB Home has a lower-maintenance enclave of ranches to come see in Castle Rock that have sold well through the cold weather, luring buyers wanting a sensible approach to a downsize move — a lower price, but also less exposure to the continuing services that drive up monthly expenses.
Ranch patio homes at Terrain What: KB Home’s ranch patio homes at Terrain, lower-maintenance enclave in a master-planned community with pool, clubhouse, trails and amenities, snow removal; 2 furnished models, 2 ranches for immediate delivery.
KB Home’s ranch patio homes at Terrain, lower-maintenance enclave in a master-planned community with pool, clubhouse, trails and amenities, snow removal; 2 furnished models, 2 ranches for immediate delivery. Where: 4269 Happy Hollow Dr, Castle Rock; from I-25, take Founders Pkwy east 4 mi. to Colorado 86; turn east on 86, proceed ½ mile, models on right.
4269 Happy Hollow Dr, Castle Rock; from I-25, take Founders Pkwy east 4 mi. to Colorado 86; turn east on 86, proceed ½ mile, models on right. Price: Move now at $420,000
Move now at $420,000 When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: 303-323-1197
303-323-1197 More Info: KBHome.com
Just east of Founders Parkway on Colorado 86 on the east side of Castle Rock, you can tour two attractive models on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16. If you like what you see, you’ll find two similar designs ready to deliver now, each at $420,000.
Just as important, they’re in an enclave designed with lower-maintenance landscaping, but they’re not tied to some of the monthly costs found in similar ranch areas. Like all KB Home designs, they’re Energy Star-certified, with lower monthly utility costs compared to typical used homes.
Residents of KB Home’s patio ranches in Terrain find themselves with a property tax rate under 1%, and they’re currently paying just $304 a quarter for homeowner dues. In return, they get snow removal and membership in Terrain’s master association, providing an attractive pool a few minutes away to take their visiting grandkids.
“Terrain is perfect for that buyer who wants to simplify their life to focus more on the things they enjoy, and doesn’t want all the expense of add-ons that are seen in other neighborhoods today,” says Randy Carpenter, president of KB Home’s Colorado Division.
KB Home keeps down the cost of a new ranch with its “paired home” design — pairing two ranch plans, each with its own two-car attached garage and personalized options. You’ll tour a Mural three-bedroom ranch, with 1,780 square feet of finished space standard, plus an option for a fourth guest bedroom and added entertaining area in an optional basement.
Basement space, says Carpenter, is a feature some buyers readily include because of its very low cost-per-foot for additional living area. But for others, it just isn’t that important, offering another way to keep the home’s base price low.
KB Home has homes ready or near-ready for both kinds of buyers. After you tour the Mural model, KB Home’s Marcia Haek will show you two similar homes ready now, well-appointed with design choices in addition to KB Home’s standard features. They’re each priced at just $420,000.
Nearby, you’ll see a Canvas plan set for April delivery, two bedrooms plus a study, with a third guest bedroom and entertaining space in a finished basement. It will deliver 2,575 feet finished and is priced now at $502,000.
There’s no age restriction at Terrain, and you’ll see how close this is to King Soopers and to dining in Castle Rock’s historic downtown. Terrain is a half mile east of Founders Parkway on Highway 86.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.