thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Residents jump from windows to escape Aurora apartment fire

Two people were in serious condition and about 60 others were displaced by a two-alarm apartment fire in Aurora early @ @ @ @ @ .
Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the blaze at 1600 Galena Street shortly after midnight @ @ @ @ @ were reports of injuries and people trapped inside , the department said in a Tweet @ @ @ @ @ windows to escape the fire , Aurora Fire Rescue said , and multiple people were @ @ @ @ @ .
At least five people were evaluated at the scene for injuries and three were @ @ @ @ @ , the department said in a Tweet .
Vans were brought in to keep the @ @ @ @ @ Red Cross arrived to help .
The cause of the fire is under investigation , @ @ @ @ @

Jaime De Loera and Sergio Gallegos watched people jump from third-story windows as they sprinted around the Aurora apartment building trying to help people escape the flames that engulfed it early Friday morning.
They threw rocks at window panes, hoping to alert the people inside to the danger. They wrenched off iron bars that blocked first story windows. They tried to help the people who had jumped.
“A lot of people were unconscious on the ground,” De Loera said.
The duo was among dozens of residents who returned Friday morning to reclaim some of their possessions from an Aurora apartment building where a fire earlier that morning killed one woman and rendered the homes of about 60 people uninhabitable. Aurora firefighters responded just before midnight to the fire at the three-story building at 1600 Galena St.
Many of the residents fled the apartment with nothing but their pajamas, running through smoke-choked hallways or climbing more than 50 feet down ladders. The block still smelled like smoke hours later and black burn marks charred the exterior of the red brick building in some places. Videos taken during the fire by residents showed tall flames billowing from the building.
Cesar Vasquez, 41, jumped from his third-story window after finding the hallway too smoky to navigate. He and his daughter woke up after someone banged on their door. Roxanna Vasquez, 15, watched her dad jump from the window and hit the ground. She later climbed down a ladder to safety and her dad suffered only minor injuries to his foot and face.
“It was terrifying to watch him fall,” she said.
Thirteen people were evaluated at the scene for injuries and three were transported to a nearby hospital, the Aurora Fire Department said. Two were listed in serious condition and one later died, officials said in a news release.
About 70 people live in the 17-unit building, said Niceforo Guttierez, who has owned the building for about 22 years. He didn’t know Friday morning how many of the units were destroyed, though said they are all uninhabitable for the near future.
Children’s toys, clothes and DVDs fell from the building’s windows as residents tried to quickly reclaim their possessions after being let into the building about 11 a.m. Friday. Vasquez dropped construction tools from his third-floor window, including a nail gun.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post Displaced residents survey fire damage at the Galena Apartments Oct. 30, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post Ulises Gallegos carries away belongings from his aunt's apartment after an early morning fire at the Galena Apartments Oct. 30, 2020. Gallegos lives above his aunt and had a short time to clear out both apartments.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post A young man looks through a burned out third-story apartment for belongings after an early morning fire at the Galena Apartments Oct. 30, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post Omar De Lira, left, and Esperanza Flores, right, help a friend clear out his apartment after an early morning fire at the Galena Apartments Oct. 30, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post Cousins Rosemary Santos, left, and Melissa Santos, right, carry out personal belongings from their apartments after an early morning fire at the Galena Apartments Oct. 30, 2020.
Osvaldo Garibay, 24, fled the apartment without anything but his pajama pants and shoes. Neighbors gave him a shirt and sweatshirt to stay warm after the family climbed down ladders from their third-story apartment.
They stayed with relatives after the fire but don’t know where they’ll live in the longterm. His family has lived in the building for 9 years, Garibay said.
“Where are we going to stay?” he said. “We’re all missing work right now.”
Vans were brought in to keep the displaced residents warm before the Red Cross arrived to help.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Aurora Fire Rescue said.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--For first time, Denver enacts police command center for potential election unrest

Denver ’ s top officials will launch a police command post in preparation for potential post-election unrest — the first time the city has taken such measures around an election .
Public safety officials will stand up their command post on Tuesday , Department of Public Safety Executive Director Murphy Robinson said Thursday in a phone call with reporters .
Police used a command post — which puts public safety leadership in the same room to monitor or manage an incident — during racial justice protests that drew thousands to the downtown area in May .
“ Everything is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referencing the coronavirus pandemic , months of protest about racial injustice and a contentious election .
“ That tension has caused us to prepare in a way we ’ ve never had to prepare before.
” The city on Monday will also open its Emergency Operations Center that will “ monitor activity related to the election , fulfill public information needs through the Joint Information Center , and support the City ’ s Election and Public Safety teams both during and after the election , ” Theresa Marchetta , spokeswoman for the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center will stay open on Tuesday , which is Election Day , and for as many days as necessary following the election .
The city last enacted its emergency operations center in March as Colorado recorded its first cases of coronavirus and has operated a similar emergency center for the past two presidential elections .
Denver public safety officials also notified other law enforcement agencies in the area that they may be needed in case of unrest .
Public safety officials are in constant contact with state and federal law enforcement — “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — about intelligence regarding possible large-scale demonstrations or violence , Robinson said .
“ Election night is not really my concern ; it ’ s after election night that is my concern , ” Robinson said .
City officials have not received protest permit applications but several people have reached out informally to the city about demonstrations they are considering , he said .
He would not discuss the specific police preparations but said the city will be prepared .
Denver ’ s Office of Clerk and Recorder and the police department have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but none have been substantiated after investigation , Robinson said .

Denver’s top officials will launch a police command post in preparation for potential post-election unrest — the first time the city has taken such measures around an election.
Public safety officials will stand up their command post on Tuesday, Department of Public Safety Executive Director Murphy Robinson said Thursday in a phone call with reporters. Police used a command post — which puts public safety leadership in the same room to monitor or manage an incident — during racial justice protests that drew thousands to the downtown area in May.
“Everything is different this year,” Robinson said, referencing the coronavirus pandemic, months of protest about racial injustice and a contentious election. “That tension has caused us to prepare in a way we’ve never had to prepare before.”
The city on Monday will also open its Emergency Operations Center that will “monitor activity related to the election, fulfill public information needs through the Joint Information Center, and support the City’s Election and Public Safety teams both during and after the election,” Theresa Marchetta, spokeswoman for the mayor, said in an email. The center will stay open on Tuesday, which is Election Day, and for as many days as necessary following the election.
The city last enacted its emergency operations center in March as Colorado recorded its first cases of coronavirus and has operated a similar emergency center for the past two presidential elections.
Denver public safety officials also notified other law enforcement agencies in the area that they may be needed in case of unrest. Public safety officials are in constant contact with state and federal law enforcement — “more so than a normal election” — about intelligence regarding possible large-scale demonstrations or violence, Robinson said.
“Election night is not really my concern; it’s after election night that is my concern,” Robinson said.
City officials have not received protest permit applications but several people have reached out informally to the city about demonstrations they are considering, he said. He would not discuss the specific police preparations but said the city will be prepared.
Denver’s Office of Clerk and Recorder and the police department have received a few reports of voter intimidation but none have been substantiated after investigation, Robinson said.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--“That’s where my soul is”: How Grand Lake residents responded after the East Troublesome fire

GRAND LAKE – The fog hugged this mountain community Wednesday morning , thick as the smoke that rushed through town just a week before , forcing longtime residents and second-home owners to grab old pictures and guitars , baby blankets and bottles of rum as they bolted south on Colorado 34 — the orange glow of the East Troublesome fire creeping menacingly over the ridge .
But as the fog lifted , a clear blue sky opened up , the sun shimmering on the lake , warming the nearly empty downtown strip .
Slowly , those who ’ d made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Sagebrush BBQ and Grill in the center of town .
It was the only place open for a bite or a stiff drink Wednesday .
Old friends embraced — never mind social distancing — as they shared photos of barns that no longer exist and stories of frantic escapes .
They laughed and commiserated , asked about loved ones and speculated about houses they can ’ t access .
Groups of people huddled around the fire map near the restrooms , pointing to the black lines that show containment , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost to a wildfire that burned 6,000 acres an hour as it grew into the second-largest wildfire in Colorado history , destroying at least 100 homes .
A fortuitous winter snow storm finally dampened the fire ’ s growth , though it ’ s still burning 193,774 acres through Grand County and Rocky Mountain National Park .
“ There are so many people in this town whose hearts are invested here , ” said David Anderson , a resident since 1956 .
His parents ’ ashes are sprinkled in the east inlet down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s ever buried .
Grand Lake is where he got his first guitar , his first girlfriend , his first dog .
“ That ’ s where my soul is , ” he said .
“ We assumed it was going to hit the town ” Lt. Jarred Nelson fell in love with the area after coming up here to hunt and fish a couple times a year before joining the Grand Lake Fire Protection District six years ago .
He ’ s a third-generation firefighter and like most of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since last Wednesday , when the East Troublesome fire exploded by nearly 150,000 acres in less than two days .
Nelson and others were six miles north of town , helping evacuate people from their homes , when the fire made its push .
“ Five or ten minutes longer and the fire would have burnt over us , ” Nelson said .
On Wednesday , Nelson and two other firefighters drove north of Grand Lake to the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park to scope the damage .
They stopped near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century-old hotel perched on a ridge overlooking the Grand and Shadow Mountain lakes , surrounded by snow-capped mountains .
The lookout was the first place the fire chief took Brice Carey after the 18-year-old moved here from Oklahoma just after graduating high school .
“ We assumed it was going to hit the town , ” Nelson said .
Fortunately , the winds blew the fire a different direction and it never ran down the mountainside .
Blackened pines dotted the landscape as the firefighters drove past the Kawuneeche Visitor Center and Winding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drifted up from hotspots still burning beneath 10 inches of snow that helped quiet the fire on Sunday .
“ This used to be beautiful , ” Carey said quietly .
The beetle-kill made these trees a “ ticking time bomb ” , Nelson said , “ but we couldn ’ t have anticipated this.
” Some level of forest fires are a natural element of Mother Nature , he said .
But the speed and intensity of these recent fires is just incinerating anything in its path .
Nelson said his team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People in the area have been seeing dead fish , who could not survive the hot water .
For two Grand County firefighters and six other first responders in the area , the East Troublesome fire impacted more than just their jobs .
Blake Shannon and his family moved up from Littleton five years ago to take advantage of the plentiful hunting and fishing and found the mountain living to be much more their speed .
As the fire rapidly approached Wednesday , Shannon could feel the heat and wind pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flames when the family finally left the property .
“ I gave my family hugs and told them I was going to work , ” he said .
Shannon,19 , shut out the piece of his mind that knew his house was likely gone and entered a chaotic evacuation scene in Grand Lake as electrical poles exploded around them .
When he went back to his home days later , it “ looked like a nuke went off , ” Shannon said .
A garage and shed stood mostly intact .
The family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure out what ’ s next .
“ Every day it becomes more real that I don ’ t have a home to go back to , ” Shannon said .
A second Grand Lake firefighter , Kevin Piercy , also lost his home in the fire , in addition to six other first responders .
A GoFundMe set up by the assistant fire chief ’ s wife , Ellie St. Germain , has raised more than $ 245,000 since its launch Sunday .
“ Everyone ’ s family there , ” Shannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each other.
” As soon as 4 p.m. hit on Monday , Anderson raced back up here from the Evergreen motel he ’ d been living in since he evacuated his home last week .
“ I didn ’ t know what to expect , ” he said outside the Sagebrush restaurant , his dog Abbey looking longingly at a pulled pork sandwich .
The fire came right up to his doorstep , Anderson believes , but never reached the house .
He still hasn ’ t been back , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a contractor that are still accessible .
He plans to donate his extra supplies to anyone who needs help rebuilding .
“ The motto is : What can I do to help ?
” Anderson said .
Erica Becker and her daughter drove up Wednesday from their home in Denver to check on the vacation house Becker ’ s mother bought 15 years ago .
Becker forced her daughter Paige to drive because she was on the verge of tears , anxious about what they were going to see .
“ Oh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing !
” Becker recalled saying as she approached the house .
“ I knew it was still there , but until I saw it , I couldn ’ t be sure.
” Inside Sagebrush , Vylliana Jattan scurried to bring drinks and food to a growing number of customers .
She moved to Grand Lake in August from Florida — trading hurricanes for fires .
She was washing the dishes last week when firefighters showed up to the bar , urging her to drop the dishes to save her life .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think Colorado is trying to kill me , ” Jattan said with a smile .
“ But I ’ m resilient.
” Ian Carr , Sagebrush ’ s manager , stood nearby , attending to other customers .
After people were allowed back in town , he took stock of what it would take to reopen the restaurant .
All the fruits and veggies had to go , and all the shipments stopped when the fire erupted last week .
But the steaks and fish were in good shape , so it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of what we ’ re hoping to provide , ” he said .
As the afternoon wore on , more and more people stopped by the restaurant , with big “ How ’ s the house ?
” greetings an inevitable opener .
Inside , members of the Colorado National Guard enjoyed a rare day off with some barbeque , while a collection of people looked at photos on each other ’ s phones near a picnic table , puffing on cigarettes as they traded stories about insurance companies .
Community members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where Anderson will play lead guitar .
“ It ’ s like family up here , ” Becker said .

GRAND LAKE – The fog hugged this mountain community Wednesday morning, thick as the smoke that rushed through town just a week before, forcing longtime residents and second-home owners to grab old pictures and guitars, baby blankets and bottles of rum as they bolted south on Colorado 34 — the orange glow of the East Troublesome fire creeping menacingly over the ridge.
But as the fog lifted, a clear blue sky opened up, the sun shimmering on the lake, warming the nearly empty downtown strip. Slowly, those who’d made their way back to Grand Lake headed to the Sagebrush BBQ and Grill in the center of town.
It was the only place open for a bite or a stiff drink Wednesday. Old friends embraced — never mind social distancing — as they shared photos of barns that no longer exist and stories of frantic escapes. They laughed and commiserated, asked about loved ones and speculated about houses they can’t access.
Groups of people huddled around the fire map near the restrooms, pointing to the black lines that show containment, but don’t show everything that was lost to a wildfire that burned 6,000 acres an hour as it grew into the second-largest wildfire in Colorado history, destroying at least 100 homes. A fortuitous winter snow storm finally dampened the fire’s growth, though it’s still burning 193,774 acres through Grand County and Rocky Mountain National Park.
“There are so many people in this town whose hearts are invested here,” said David Anderson, a resident since 1956. His parents’ ashes are sprinkled in the east inlet down the road. Same for every dog he’s ever buried. Grand Lake is where he got his first guitar, his first girlfriend, his first dog.
“That’s where my soul is,” he said.
“We assumed it was going to hit the town”
Lt. Jarred Nelson fell in love with the area after coming up here to hunt and fish a couple times a year before joining the Grand Lake Fire Protection District six years ago.
He’s a third-generation firefighter and like most of his crew, has been working practically nonstop since last Wednesday, when the East Troublesome fire exploded by nearly 150,000 acres in less than two days.
Nelson and others were six miles north of town, helping evacuate people from their homes, when the fire made its push.
“Five or ten minutes longer and the fire would have burnt over us,” Nelson said.
On Wednesday, Nelson and two other firefighters drove north of Grand Lake to the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park to scope the damage. They stopped near the Grand Lake Lodge, the iconic century-old hotel perched on a ridge overlooking the Grand and Shadow Mountain lakes, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The lookout was the first place the fire chief took Brice Carey after the 18-year-old moved here from Oklahoma just after graduating high school.
“We assumed it was going to hit the town,” Nelson said. Fortunately, the winds blew the fire a different direction and it never ran down the mountainside.
Blackened pines dotted the landscape as the firefighters drove past the Kawuneeche Visitor Center and Winding River Resort. Small plumes of smoke drifted up from hotspots still burning beneath 10 inches of snow that helped quiet the fire on Sunday.
“This used to be beautiful,” Carey said quietly.
The beetle-kill made these trees a “ticking time bomb”, Nelson said, “but we couldn’t have anticipated this.”
Some level of forest fires are a natural element of Mother Nature, he said. But the speed and intensity of these recent fires is just incinerating anything in its path. Nelson said his team found dead bears, elk and deer. People in the area have been seeing dead fish, who could not survive the hot water.
For two Grand County firefighters and six other first responders in the area, the East Troublesome fire impacted more than just their jobs.
Blake Shannon and his family moved up from Littleton five years ago to take advantage of the plentiful hunting and fishing and found the mountain living to be much more their speed.
As the fire rapidly approached Wednesday, Shannon could feel the heat and wind pick up. Houses nearby were already up in flames when the family finally left the property.
“I gave my family hugs and told them I was going to work,” he said.
Shannon,19, shut out the piece of his mind that knew his house was likely gone and entered a chaotic evacuation scene in Grand Lake as electrical poles exploded around them.
When he went back to his home days later, it “looked like a nuke went off,” Shannon said. A garage and shed stood mostly intact. The family is in Granby now, trying to figure out what’s next.
“Every day it becomes more real that I don’t have a home to go back to,” Shannon said.
A second Grand Lake firefighter, Kevin Piercy, also lost his home in the fire, in addition to six other first responders.
A GoFundMe set up by the assistant fire chief’s wife, Ellie St. Germain, has raised more than $245,000 since its launch Sunday.
“Everyone’s family there,” Shannon said. “We all take care of each other.”
Returning to Grand Lake
As soon as 4 p.m. hit on Monday, Anderson raced back up here from the Evergreen motel he’d been living in since he evacuated his home last week.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said outside the Sagebrush restaurant, his dog Abbey looking longingly at a pulled pork sandwich.
The fire came right up to his doorstep, Anderson believes, but never reached the house. He still hasn’t been back, though, instead checking on homes he worked on as a contractor that are still accessible. He plans to donate his extra supplies to anyone who needs help rebuilding.
“The motto is: What can I do to help?” Anderson said.
Erica Becker and her daughter drove up Wednesday from their home in Denver to check on the vacation house Becker’s mother bought 15 years ago.
Becker forced her daughter Paige to drive because she was on the verge of tears, anxious about what they were going to see.
“Oh my god, it’s still standing!” Becker recalled saying as she approached the house. “I knew it was still there, but until I saw it, I couldn’t be sure.”
Inside Sagebrush, Vylliana Jattan scurried to bring drinks and food to a growing number of customers. She moved to Grand Lake in August from Florida — trading hurricanes for fires.
She was washing the dishes last week when firefighters showed up to the bar, urging her to drop the dishes to save her life.
“Between COVID and the fires, I think Colorado is trying to kill me,” Jattan said with a smile. “But I’m resilient.”
Ian Carr, Sagebrush’s manager, stood nearby, attending to other customers. After people were allowed back in town, he took stock of what it would take to reopen the restaurant. All the fruits and veggies had to go, and all the shipments stopped when the fire erupted last week. But the steaks and fish were in good shape, so it was time to reopen.
“Normalcy is kind of what we’re hoping to provide,” he said.
As the afternoon wore on, more and more people stopped by the restaurant, with big “How’s the house?” greetings an inevitable opener.
Inside, members of the Colorado National Guard enjoyed a rare day off with some barbeque, while a collection of people looked at photos on each other’s phones near a picnic table, puffing on cigarettes as they traded stories about insurance companies.
Community members already planned a big fundraiser on Friday, where Anderson will play lead guitar.
“It’s like family up here,” Becker said.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Election Day in Colorado: Here’s how to watch and interpret results — when we get them

After months of candidate debates , repetitive TV ads and a pandemic-induced shift to smaller-scale and virtual campaigning , it all comes down to this .
Tuesday will be a tale of two elections in Colorado — and it ’ s possible , perhaps even likely , that only one of them will provide much clarity before most people go to bed .
Even with a potentially historic turnout brewing , election officials and political observers expect Colorado ’ s election , determining everything from its next U.S. senator to local ballot questions , to be straightforward compared to several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting for the first time .
That doesn ’ t mean all races will have clear results by late Tuesday , but many of them likely will .
The main event — the presidential election pitting President Donald Trump against Democratic challenger Joe Biden — is another story .
Most scenarios for state-by-state results take into account a slower pace of counting than usual in some key battleground states , particularly in the Rust Belt .
Several states ’ initial reported returns could point misleadingly in one candidate ’ s favor — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close race , it may take days , or even weeks , for Trump or Biden to attain the Electoral College majority necessary to win .
“ The watchword is patience , ” said Seth Masket , a political science professor at the University of Denver .
“ We ’ ll probably have a pretty good sense of what ’ s going on in Colorado that night — just because we have a lot of experience with all-mail elections and Colorado officials can process mail ballots ahead of time .
… “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slower process .
There ’ s a few states that are likely to be close , and also , they can ’ t start processing their mail-in ballots until that day.
” Just remember that even though Tuesday marks the end of voting , it ’ s not the end of counting .
It ’ s actually typical in Colorado and some other states for main ballot counts to take a few days , especially in large counties such as Denver and Boulder — all the while holding the outcomes of very close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t certify official results until weeks later , after final military and overseas ballots arrive , ballots flagged for signature mismatches or other deficiencies are “ cured , ” and county officials complete required reviews and any recounts .
“ Election night results have been and always will be unofficial everywhere in the country , ” said Pam Anderson , a Republican former clerk and recorder for Jefferson County .
She now serves as executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association .
For the patient and the brave , here is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep in mind — on Tuesday night and beyond .
Colorado ’ s established voting system , in which clerks mail ballots to all active voters , is firing on all cylinders , though Anderson said accommodations for COVID-19 safety might result in slower counting in some rural counties .
The state ’ s topline races have been anticlimactic lately .
Polls have suggested sizeable advantages for Democrats , with Biden leading Trump by double digits in most recent surveys of Colorado voters .
In the Senate race , former Gov .
John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robust lead over Republican incumbent Cory Gardner , with an average margin in October polls of nearly 10 percentage points .
Voters in the 3rd Congressional District will settle the state ’ s only competitive U.S. House race , choosing between Republican Lauren Boebert , who defeated Rep. Scott Tipton in the primary , and Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush .
Colorado voters also will decide state House and Senate races and several key ballot measures on state and local finances , an income tax cut , creation of a paid family and medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion and whether the state will join the national popular vote interstate compact , among other issues .
Results will start rolling in just after Colorado ’ s polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday .
It should be clear within a few hours whether pollsters were in the ballpark of reality in the big races , political observers said — though there is a chance that an unusual pattern of ballot returns could result in less-predictable dynamics early on , especially for any close contests .
Colorado ’ s initial results typically include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of ballots , and in recent statewide races they ’ ve had a conservative tilt .
That ’ s because older and Republican-leaning voters tend to return their ballots earlier , while left-leaning voters are more likely to submit ballots at drop boxes or voting centers in the final days , and especially on Election Day .
But that ’ s gone out the window this time .
After ballots were mailed out Oct. 9 , Democrats dominated early on in return numbers , and unaffiliated voters have surged in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lagged in raw numbers , potentially due to Trump ’ s public criticisms of mail voting .
That means Republicans likely will make up a larger share of late ballots , potentially even on Election Day itself .
Voting centers are open in every county for early in-person voting , with COVID safety measures in place that include social distancing .
Anderson cautioned voters against waiting , noting that all ballots are processed on paper in a similar manner , regardless of the way they ’ re submitted .
The initial results at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large proportion of ballots , ” she said .
“ The earlier that folks vote , the larger that proportion will be .
And if you want to be part of that big reveal , consider dropping off your ballot and voting a day or two early.
” Track returns for Colorado races and issues on The Denver Post ’ s results page , elections.denverpost.com , or the secretary of state ’ s website , both of which update throughout the night as counties release results in batches ( every 90 minutes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s main website , denverpost.com , also will have stories tracking more than two dozen state and local races and issues as well as top national election news .
To track live results for local races , visit the county clerk ’ s website .
Ryan Winger , the director of data analysis for Magellan Strategies , a Republican polling firm in Louisville , said a way to gauge early signs of Gardner ’ s viability will be in vote totals in Jefferson , Douglas and Arapahoe counties .
These Denver suburbs are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning statewide races .
“ He at least has to fight to a draw , ” Winger said , “ and have big turnout in the red counties ” elsewhere , including in El Paso , Mesa and Weld counties .
Sheila MacDonald , a Democratic political consultant in Denver , said she ’ ll be watching for signs of her party ’ s strength in the topline races as well as in tight legislative races and county commissioner races .
She noted that the 2018 midterm election ’ s suburban blue wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of the ballot questions have the potential to be nail-biters .
But she says the heavy early turnout could make things simpler in Colorado .
“ I just think on Tuesday we ’ re going to have a very good idea , and we ’ ll know by 8:30 p.m. for sure on most of these issues , ” MacDonald said , though “ maybe there ’ s a couple where it ’ s so close that it ’ s going to take a while.
” The Post will follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners and decisions on ballot measures .
It ’ s likely that Denver and some counties will continue processing ballots into Wednesday — and potentially as late as the weekend , depending on Election Day turnout .
But barring a breakdown , the majority of ballots should be reflected in Tuesday night ’ s totals .
Nationally , the timing of clear results in the presidential race , and in Senate races that are key to determining whether Republicans hold onto their majority , will depend on myriad factors that point to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But analysts will be looking for signals in results that favor Biden or Trump — more likely to crystallize in the case of a blowout win by either .
Still , national TV networks and other media outlets say they will be cautious in calling states in the presidential race , potentially waiting well beyond Tuesday in close contests for vote-counting to wrap up .
Several states have approved new rules this year , in part to allow expanded voting options during the pandemic .
Those include allowing more people to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrive after Election Day ( as long as they ’ re postmarked by that day ) and changes to when clerks can begin processing advance ballots .
Some of those measures have been challenged in the courts .
Dave Wasserman , an analyst for The Cook Political Report , warned recently of “ blue mirages ” and “ red mirages ” in some states ’ initial reported results .
They may appear to favor Biden or Trump , depending on when a state counts early ballots , then shift toward the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan — all won narrowly by Trump in 2016 and led by Biden in most polls this year — are among states allowing little or no advance processing of early ballots .
That makes it likely that significant numbers of ballots won ’ t be counted Tuesday night , so early reported results will include a disproportionate share of Election Day votes — potentially favoring Trump .
Other states that do process early ballots ahead of time .
Their initial reported results could disproportionately favor Biden , analysts say .
Florida , Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though analysts predict they will have most of their results reported by late Tuesday .
Barring hiccups or razor-thin margins , that makes them more likely to be called before the end of the night — providing an indication of whether Trump is able to hold onto three states he won in 2016 , or if Biden has flipped them , widening his path to victory .
“ The only way we ’ re going to have any kind of clarity on election night is if Biden does run through those Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even close , ” Winger predicted .

After months of candidate debates, repetitive TV ads and a pandemic-induced shift to smaller-scale and virtual campaigning, it all comes down to this.
Go to live results
Tuesday will be a tale of two elections in Colorado — and it’s possible, perhaps even likely, that only one of them will provide much clarity before most people go to bed.
Even with a potentially historic turnout brewing, election officials and political observers expect Colorado’s election, determining everything from its next U.S. senator to local ballot questions, to be straightforward compared to several states that are experimenting with expanded mail-in voting for the first time. That doesn’t mean all races will have clear results by late Tuesday, but many of them likely will.
The main event — the presidential election pitting President Donald Trump against Democratic challenger Joe Biden — is another story.
Most scenarios for state-by-state results take into account a slower pace of counting than usual in some key battleground states, particularly in the Rust Belt (read a helpful overview of each state’s likely timing here). Several states’ initial reported returns could point misleadingly in one candidate’s favor — and then shift toward the other. In a close race, it may take days, or even weeks, for Trump or Biden to attain the Electoral College majority necessary to win.
“The watchword is patience,” said Seth Masket, a political science professor at the University of Denver. “We’ll probably have a pretty good sense of what’s going on in Colorado that night — just because we have a lot of experience with all-mail elections and Colorado officials can process mail ballots ahead of time. …
“Nationwide, It’s a much slower process. There’s a few states that are likely to be close, and also, they can’t start processing their mail-in ballots until that day.”
Just remember that even though Tuesday marks the end of voting, it’s not the end of counting. It’s actually typical in Colorado and some other states for main ballot counts to take a few days, especially in large counties such as Denver and Boulder — all the while holding the outcomes of very close races in limbo. States don’t certify official results until weeks later, after final military and overseas ballots arrive, ballots flagged for signature mismatches or other deficiencies are “cured,” and county officials complete required reviews and any recounts.
“Election night results have been and always will be unofficial everywhere in the country,” said Pam Anderson, a Republican former clerk and recorder for Jefferson County. She now serves as executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association.
For the patient and the brave, here is what to watch for — and tips to keep in mind — on Tuesday night and beyond.
Colorado: Normal process, unusual dynamics
Colorado’s established voting system, in which clerks mail ballots to all active voters, is firing on all cylinders, though Anderson said accommodations for COVID-19 safety might result in slower counting in some rural counties.
The state’s topline races have been anticlimactic lately. Polls have suggested sizeable advantages for Democrats, with Biden leading Trump by double digits in most recent surveys of Colorado voters.
In the Senate race, former Gov. John Hickenlooper has maintained a narrower but still robust lead over Republican incumbent Cory Gardner, with an average margin in October polls of nearly 10 percentage points.
Voters in the 3rd Congressional District will settle the state’s only competitive U.S. House race, choosing between Republican Lauren Boebert, who defeated Rep. Scott Tipton in the primary, and Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush.
Colorado voters also will decide state House and Senate races and several key ballot measures on state and local finances, an income tax cut, creation of a paid family and medical leave program, the legality of late-term abortion and whether the state will join the national popular vote interstate compact, among other issues.
Results will start rolling in just after Colorado’s polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
It should be clear within a few hours whether pollsters were in the ballpark of reality in the big races, political observers said — though there is a chance that an unusual pattern of ballot returns could result in less-predictable dynamics early on, especially for any close contests.
Colorado’s initial results typically include all pre-Election Day voting, accounting for the majority of ballots, and in recent statewide races they’ve had a conservative tilt. That’s because older and Republican-leaning voters tend to return their ballots earlier, while left-leaning voters are more likely to submit ballots at drop boxes or voting centers in the final days, and especially on Election Day.
But that’s gone out the window this time. After ballots were mailed out Oct. 9, Democrats dominated early on in return numbers, and unaffiliated voters have surged in the last week. Meanwhile, Republicans have lagged in raw numbers, potentially due to Trump’s public criticisms of mail voting.
That means Republicans likely will make up a larger share of late ballots, potentially even on Election Day itself. Voting centers are open in every county for early in-person voting, with COVID safety measures in place that include social distancing.
Anderson cautioned voters against waiting, noting that all ballots are processed on paper in a similar manner, regardless of the way they’re submitted.
The initial results at 7 p.m. will reflect “a really large proportion of ballots,” she said. “The earlier that folks vote, the larger that proportion will be. And if you want to be part of that big reveal, consider dropping off your ballot and voting a day or two early.”
Tracking Colorado results
Track returns for Colorado races and issues on The Denver Post’s results page, elections.denverpost.com, or the secretary of state’s website, both of which update throughout the night as counties release results in batches (every 90 minutes for Denver). The Denver Post’s main website, denverpost.com, also will have stories tracking more than two dozen state and local races and issues as well as top national election news.
To track live results for local races, visit the county clerk’s website.
Ryan Winger, the director of data analysis for Magellan Strategies, a Republican polling firm in Louisville, said a way to gauge early signs of Gardner’s viability will be in vote totals in Jefferson, Douglas and Arapahoe counties. These Denver suburbs are full of the unaffiliated voters key to winning statewide races.
“He at least has to fight to a draw,” Winger said, “and have big turnout in the red counties” elsewhere, including in El Paso, Mesa and Weld counties.
Sheila MacDonald, a Democratic political consultant in Denver, said she’ll be watching for signs of her party’s strength in the topline races as well as in tight legislative races and county commissioner races. She noted that the 2018 midterm election’s suburban blue wave flipped several down-ballot county offices to Democrats.
Some of the ballot questions have the potential to be nail-biters. But she says the heavy early turnout could make things simpler in Colorado.
“I just think on Tuesday we’re going to have a very good idea, and we’ll know by 8:30 p.m. for sure on most of these issues,” MacDonald said, though “maybe there’s a couple where it’s so close that it’s going to take a while.”
The Post will follow the lead of the Associated Press in projecting winners and decisions on ballot measures.
It’s likely that Denver and some counties will continue processing ballots into Wednesday — and potentially as late as the weekend, depending on Election Day turnout. But barring a breakdown, the majority of ballots should be reflected in Tuesday night’s totals.
Keeping cautious tabs on the national picture
Nationally, the timing of clear results in the presidential race, and in Senate races that are key to determining whether Republicans hold onto their majority, will depend on myriad factors that point to slow results coming out of some key states.
But analysts will be looking for signals in results that favor Biden or Trump — more likely to crystallize in the case of a blowout win by either.
Still, national TV networks and other media outlets say they will be cautious in calling states in the presidential race, potentially waiting well beyond Tuesday in close contests for vote-counting to wrap up.
Several states have approved new rules this year, in part to allow expanded voting options during the pandemic. Those include allowing more people to vote by absentee ballot, allowing mailed ballots to arrive after Election Day (as long as they’re postmarked by that day) and changes to when clerks can begin processing advance ballots. Some of those measures have been challenged in the courts.
Dave Wasserman, an analyst for The Cook Political Report, warned recently of “blue mirages” and “red mirages” in some states’ initial reported results. They may appear to favor Biden or Trump, depending on when a state counts early ballots, then shift toward the other candidate later.
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan — all won narrowly by Trump in 2016 and led by Biden in most polls this year — are among states allowing little or no advance processing of early ballots. That makes it likely that significant numbers of ballots won’t be counted Tuesday night, so early reported results will include a disproportionate share of Election Day votes — potentially favoring Trump.
Other states that do process early ballots ahead of time. Their initial reported results could disproportionately favor Biden, analysts say.
Florida, Arizona and North Carolina are in that camp, though analysts predict they will have most of their results reported by late Tuesday. Barring hiccups or razor-thin margins, that makes them more likely to be called before the end of the night — providing an indication of whether Trump is able to hold onto three states he won in 2016, or if Biden has flipped them, widening his path to victory.
“The only way we’re going to have any kind of clarity on election night is if Biden does run through those Sun Belt states and it’s not even close,” Winger predicted.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Ask Amy: The office seems more toxic than ever

Dear Amy : Like so many others , I have faced my share of struggles trying to get through the pandemic and keep my health , family , and career on track .
I worked remotely and am now back working at our office space .
We employees basically trade off working in the office and working from home .
Working at the office is different than it used to be , but this is a compromise that seems to be effective , at least in the short term .
Now we wear masks in public spaces and are extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but – weirdly – one dynamic left over from the “ before times ” seems to persist : some of my co-workers still seem to traffic in negative gossip and petty sniping about management , and each other .
Honestly , this bothers me a lot more than it used to , and I ’ m wondering if there is anything I can do to change a dynamic that has more or less infiltrated our workplace .
Dear Tired : A recent study published in Applied Psychology explores the effect of gratitude on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 351 people , testing the effectiveness of keeping a “ gratitude journal ” for 10 days .
Employees were asked to spend a brief time each morning simply writing down things they are grateful for .
The study concluded that participants who wrote in gratitude journals participated in significantly less gossip and other toxic behaviors at work .
There are a number of theories about why this practice seems to work , but basically anchoring to gratitude can significantly boost an individual ’ s mental and emotional outlook and attitude .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) about themselves and their lives are kinder toward others .
This might be a good exercise for you and your colleagues ; if you ’ re not in a position to directly address the toxicity and suggest this as a potential solution , then you might try it – or meditation – on your own .
Starting each day with a mindful recognition of the good things in your own life may make the toxicity seem less pointed and painful .
Dear Amy : My husband “ Paul ’ s ” birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got married in our 40s .
It is an only marriage for us both , so we were each single for a long time beforehand .
A couple of years before we got together , I hired a photographer to take “ boudoir ” photos of me — no nudity , but they are sexy .
I ’ ve never shown these photos to anyone aside from the photographer .
I ran across the flash drive with them recently while cleaning out a desk .
I had the idea that maybe a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and surprising gift for “ Pete , ” but I honestly don ’ t know if that would be in incredibly poor taste .
Our bedroom life is , let ’ s say , much milder than I experienced as a single woman .
Should I go for it or cover up and buy him a shirt for his birthday instead ?
Dear Smart : When a person reaches a certain age , almost any photo of your younger self ( “ boudoir , ” or not ) seems like a sexy treasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver ’ s license from 15 years ago and wanted to frame it ! )
I vote an enthusiastic “ yes ” to this gift idea , with a caveat : Just give your husband one or two prints ( unframed ) with a warmly written card , and keep the prints modestly sized ( that ’ s the more “ tasteful ” choice ) .
I ’ m not saying that you aren ’ t worthy of a mural-sized wall treatment , but if you and your husband like the prints , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ framing them .
I sense that you feel self-conscious that these hot photos might draw attention to the contrast in your sex life between then and now , but they might also inspire a little boudoir revival between you ; I certainly hope so .
Please remind husbands and partners that the title “ Wife ” does not equal “ Servant.
” Some men seem to think they are entitled to be waited on .
They wait for their coffee to be poured , for a meal to be served , for towels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be emptied and feel if they have a job , that is enough .
Wife may also have a job , but Servant is her lot in life .
No way !
Pay for a cleaning company and help around the house .
Period !
My husband and I have been married for 50 years .
Dear Not : Exactly .
Thank you .

Dear Amy: Like so many others, I have faced my share of struggles trying to get through the pandemic and keep my health, family, and career on track.
I worked remotely and am now back working at our office space. We employees basically trade off working in the office and working from home. Working at the office is different than it used to be, but this is a compromise that seems to be effective, at least in the short term.
Now we wear masks in public spaces and are extremely careful to distance from one another, but – weirdly – one dynamic left over from the “before times” seems to persist: some of my co-workers still seem to traffic in negative gossip and petty sniping about management, and each other.
Honestly, this bothers me a lot more than it used to, and I’m wondering if there is anything I can do to change a dynamic that has more or less infiltrated our workplace.
— Tired of Toxicity
Dear Tired: A recent study published in Applied Psychology explores the effect of gratitude on negative workplace behavior. The study looked at 351 people, testing the effectiveness of keeping a “gratitude journal” for 10 days. Employees were asked to spend a brief time each morning simply writing down things they are grateful for.
The study concluded that participants who wrote in gratitude journals participated in significantly less gossip and other toxic behaviors at work. There are a number of theories about why this practice seems to work, but basically anchoring to gratitude can significantly boost an individual’s mental and emotional outlook and attitude. And people who feel good (or better) about themselves and their lives are kinder toward others.
This might be a good exercise for you and your colleagues; if you’re not in a position to directly address the toxicity and suggest this as a potential solution, then you might try it – or meditation – on your own. Starting each day with a mindful recognition of the good things in your own life may make the toxicity seem less pointed and painful.
Dear Amy: My husband “Paul’s” birthday is coming up.
Paul and I got married in our 40s. It is an only marriage for us both, so we were each single for a long time beforehand.
A couple of years before we got together, I hired a photographer to take “boudoir” photos of me — no nudity, but they are sexy.
I’ve never shown these photos to anyone aside from the photographer. I ran across the flash drive with them recently while cleaning out a desk. I had the idea that maybe a couple of intimate pictures might be a fun and surprising gift for “Pete,” but I honestly don’t know if that would be in incredibly poor taste. Our bedroom life is, let’s say, much milder than I experienced as a single woman. Should I go for it or cover up and buy him a shirt for his birthday instead?
— Smart, or Faux pas?
Dear Smart: When a person reaches a certain age, almost any photo of your younger self (“boudoir,” or not) seems like a sexy treasure. (I just ran across a driver’s license from 15 years ago and wanted to frame it!)
I vote an enthusiastic “yes” to this gift idea, with a caveat: Just give your husband one or two prints (unframed) with a warmly written card, and keep the prints modestly sized (that’s the more “tasteful” choice).
I’m not saying that you aren’t worthy of a mural-sized wall treatment, but if you and your husband like the prints, you can talk about enlarging and perhaps framing them.
I sense that you feel self-conscious that these hot photos might draw attention to the contrast in your sex life between then and now, but they might also inspire a little boudoir revival between you; I certainly hope so.
Dear Amy: Good advice to “Anxious Wife.”
Please remind husbands and partners that the title “Wife” does not equal “Servant.”
Some men seem to think they are entitled to be waited on. They wait for their coffee to be poured, for a meal to be served, for towels to be changed, for trash to be emptied and feel if they have a job, that is enough.
Wife may also have a job, but Servant is her lot in life. No way! Pay for a cleaning company and help around the house. Period!
My husband and I have been married for 50 years.
— Not a Servant
Dear Not: Exactly. Thank you.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Ryan, Falcons avenge earlier loss to Panthers, 25-17

Matt Ryan threw for 281 yards and ran for a touchdown , Younghoe Koo made four field goals and the Atlanta Falcons held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 25-17 on Thursday night behind a strong defensive performance to avoid a series season sweep .
The Falcons ( 2-6 ) have had a penchant for squandering leads , coming into the game 1-3 when leading entering the fourth quarter .
Carolina was driving late , but Atlanta stopped the rally when Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Teddy Bridgewater near the Falcons ’ 10-yard line with 1:04 remaining .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ending games with either sacks or interceptions and the guys went out today and did exactly that , ” Falcons coach Raheem Morris .
“ The ball went up in the air and Blidi came down with it and it was awesome.
” Todd Gurley grinded out 46 yards rushing and a touchdown , Julio Jones added 137 yards receiving against a banged-up Panthers secondary and the Falcons defense limited the Panthers to 2 of 10 on third down conversions to improve to 2-1 since Morris replaced Dan Quinn as head coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like Bridgewater was constantly under duress .
“ We had a hard time blocking their front , ” Rhule said .
“ We weren ’ t able to get our receivers involved .
We were 2 of 10 on third downs and we can ’ t live like that.
” Bridgewater tried to spur Carolina to a comeback in front of a sparse crowd of 5,240 due to COVID-19 after Koo missed an extra point that would have made it a two-possession game .
Bridgewater , who was knocked out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury following a late hit by Charles Harris — one that resulted in him being ejected — took over with the Panthers down by eight points with less than 3 minutes to play .
He completed a 35-yard strike to D.J .
Moore on third and 18 to move the Panthers into Falcons territory .
But his final pass was easily picked .
Bridgewater was limited to 176 yards passing as the Panthers ( 3-5 ) lost their third straight game without injured Christian McCaffrey .
“ I don ’ t think any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rhule said of Bridgewater ’ s performance .
Said Bridgewater : “ Tough loss and we have to find ways to finish the game .
That can ’ t be the common thing around here — coming up short.
” The Falcons avenged a 23-16 loss to Carolina 18 days ago in which Bridgewater threw for 313 yards and two scores and Mike Davis piled up 149 yards rushing .
Davis was held to 77 yards this time on a wet field where players routinely swapped cleats to adapt to the changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play in the first meeting .
He was a huge difference in this one , setting the tone by hauling in catches two catches for 52 yards on the game ’ s first two plays .
Playing against a Panthers secondary that was already without two starters and lost another when Donte Jackson reinjured his toe in the first half , proved to be easy pickings for Jones .
“ It ’ s fun , no question about it , ” Ryan said of having Jones in the lineup .
“ The way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re at our best , play-action pass .
I hope it ’ s the start of something .
I really feel like , although we ’ re 2-6 , we ’ ve been in some tight ones.
” The Panthers had opened a 14-6 lead in the second quarter when Bridgewater found Curtis Samuel for a 29-yard touchdown pass on a well set up flea flicker .
It was Samuel ’ s second TD of the half , scoring earlier on a 12-yard run up the middle to give Carolina its first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career games with a TD rushing and receiving , which trails only Jerry Rice ( 5 ) among wide receivers in the Super Bowl era .
Ryan said he wasn ’ t sure if he would get to the end zone on a 13-yard TD run in the first half but knew he had a chance when cornerback Troy Pride slipped while trying to chase him down .
“ Just fast enough , ” Ryan said .
“ I feel like I ’ ve always been that way throughout my career , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on third downs .
It was a big score for us there .
We really needed it.
” When asked about the reactions of his teammates , Ryan said , “ I can ’ t tell if they ’ re laughing at me or just having a good time and excited for it.
” Falcons : Wide receiver Calvin Ridley left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury after making a reception in the red zone and did not return .
Morris offered no update on his status after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game early with a head injury , but did return .
Panthers : Cornerback Donte Jackson ’ s lingering toe injury forced him to leave the game early again , and the banged-up Panthers secondary had to finish with rookie Troy Pride and Corn Elder at cornerback spots .
Panthers : Open the second half of the season at the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Nov. 8 .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This time, the Atlanta Falcons finished.
Matt Ryan threw for 281 yards and ran for a touchdown, Younghoe Koo made four field goals and the Atlanta Falcons held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 25-17 on Thursday night behind a strong defensive performance to avoid a series season sweep.
The Falcons (2-6) have had a penchant for squandering leads, coming into the game 1-3 when leading entering the fourth quarter. Carolina was driving late, but Atlanta stopped the rally when Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Teddy Bridgewater near the Falcons’ 10-yard line with 1:04 remaining.
“That’s what we’ve been talking about, ending games with either sacks or interceptions and the guys went out today and did exactly that,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris. “The ball went up in the air and Blidi came down with it and it was awesome.”
Todd Gurley grinded out 46 yards rushing and a touchdown, Julio Jones added 137 yards receiving against a banged-up Panthers secondary and the Falcons defense limited the Panthers to 2 of 10 on third down conversions to improve to 2-1 since Morris replaced Dan Quinn as head coach.
Panthers coach Matt Rhule said it felt like Bridgewater was constantly under duress.
“We had a hard time blocking their front,” Rhule said. “We weren’t able to get our receivers involved. We were 2 of 10 on third downs and we can’t live like that.”
Bridgewater tried to spur Carolina to a comeback in front of a sparse crowd of 5,240 due to COVID-19 after Koo missed an extra point that would have made it a two-possession game.
Bridgewater, who was knocked out of the game for two possessions with a neck injury following a late hit by Charles Harris — one that resulted in him being ejected — took over with the Panthers down by eight points with less than 3 minutes to play. He completed a 35-yard strike to D.J. Moore on third and 18 to move the Panthers into Falcons territory. But his final pass was easily picked.
Bridgewater was limited to 176 yards passing as the Panthers (3-5) lost their third straight game without injured Christian McCaffrey.
“I don’t think any of us played real well tonight,” Rhule said of Bridgewater’s performance.
Said Bridgewater: “Tough loss and we have to find ways to finish the game. That can’t be the common thing around here — coming up short.”
The Falcons avenged a 23-16 loss to Carolina 18 days ago in which Bridgewater threw for 313 yards and two scores and Mike Davis piled up 149 yards rushing. Davis was held to 77 yards this time on a wet field where players routinely swapped cleats to adapt to the changing conditions.
But Jones didn’t play in the first meeting.
He was a huge difference in this one, setting the tone by hauling in catches two catches for 52 yards on the game’s first two plays. Playing against a Panthers secondary that was already without two starters and lost another when Donte Jackson reinjured his toe in the first half, proved to be easy pickings for Jones.
“It’s fun, no question about it,” Ryan said of having Jones in the lineup. “The way we started the game is when we’re at our best, play-action pass. I hope it’s the start of something. I really feel like, although we’re 2-6, we’ve been in some tight ones.”
SAMUEL’S BIG DAY
The Panthers had opened a 14-6 lead in the second quarter when Bridgewater found Curtis Samuel for a 29-yard touchdown pass on a well set up flea flicker. It was Samuel’s second TD of the half, scoring earlier on a 12-yard run up the middle to give Carolina its first lead.
The 24-year-old Samuel has three career games with a TD rushing and receiving, which trails only Jerry Rice (5) among wide receivers in the Super Bowl era.
RYAN’S RUN
Ryan said he wasn’t sure if he would get to the end zone on a 13-yard TD run in the first half but knew he had a chance when cornerback Troy Pride slipped while trying to chase him down.
“Just fast enough,” Ryan said. “I feel like I’ve always been that way throughout my career, just fast enough to make them pay sometimes on third downs. It was a big score for us there. We really needed it.”
When asked about the reactions of his teammates, Ryan said, “I can’t tell if they’re laughing at me or just having a good time and excited for it.”
INJURIES
Falcons: Wide receiver Calvin Ridley left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury after making a reception in the red zone and did not return. Morris offered no update on his status after the game. … Cornerback Kendall Sheffield left the game early with a head injury, but did return.
Panthers: Cornerback Donte Jackson’s lingering toe injury forced him to leave the game early again, and the banged-up Panthers secondary had to finish with rookie Troy Pride and Corn Elder at cornerback spots.
UP NEXT
Falcons: Host the Broncos on Nov. 8
Panthers: Open the second half of the season at the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Nov. 8.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Colorado high school football scoreboard: Week 4

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Jeff Bailey joined The Denver Post in 2013. Prior to his time at The Post he spent a year and a half with MediaNews Group. Before MNG, he spent time working as a clubhouse assistant for the Colorado Rockies. He graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in journalism.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Colorado high school football: How CHSAANow Top 10 teams fared in Week 4

1 .
Cherry Creek ( 3-0 ) at Overland , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : vs. Arapahoe , Nov. 6 2 .
Valor Christian ( 3-0 ) vs. Castle View , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at ThunderRidge , Nov. 5 3 .
Columbine ( 4-0 ) beat Mullen , 32-3 .
Junior running back Seth Cromwell scored each of the Rebels ’ first four touchdowns , putting him at 11 for the fall .
Next week : at No .
8 Ralston Valley , Nov. 6 4 .
Pomona ( 3-0 ) at Arvada West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : vs. Mullen , Nov. 5 5 .
Eaglecrest ( 3-0 ) at Arapahoe 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Prairie View , Nov. 6 6 .
Fairview ( 3-0 ) vs. Legacy , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Horizon , Nov. 6 7 .
Legend ( 3-0 ) vs. Chaparral , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : vs. 4A No .
3 Pine Creek , Nov. 7 8 .
Ralston Valley ( 3-1 ) beat Lakewood , 28-13 .
Tyler Roybal ’ s one-yard touchdown late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tigers , who couldn ’ t quite complete a rally from down 21-0 .
Next week : vs. No .
3 Columbine , Nov. 6 9 .
Grandview ( 1-2 ) vs. Smoky Hill , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Cherokee Trail , Nov. 6 10 .
Regis Jesuit ( 2-1 ) at Douglas County , 7 p.n .
Friday .
Next week : vs. Doherty , Nov. 6 1 .
Dakota Ridge ( 3-0 ) at Wheat Ridge , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : vs. Golden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-0 ) vs. No .
7 Montrose , 6 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Fruita Monument , Nov. 6 3 .
Pine Creek ( 1-0 ) vs. Doherty , 11 a.m. Saturday .
Next week : at 5A No .
7 Legend , Nov. 7 4 .
Ponderosa ( 3-0 ) at Grand Junction , 11 a.m. Saturday .
Next week : vs. No .
7 Montrose , Nov. 6 5 .
Loveland ( 3-0 ) vs. Monarch , 6:30 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Longmont , Nov. 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heritage , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Windsor , Nov. 5 7 .
Montrose ( 3-0 ) at No .
2 Palmer Ridge , 6 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at No .
4 Ponderosa , Nov. 6 8 .
Pueblo West ( 3-0 ) at No .
9 Fountain-Fort Carson , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Vista Ridge , Nov. 6 9 .
Fountain-Fort Carson ( 3-0 ) vs. No .
8 Pueblo West , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : at Rampart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) at Greeley Central , 7 p.m. Friday .
Next week : vs. Monarch , Nov. 6

Class 5A
1. Cherry Creek (4-0) beat Overland, 45-0. A Myles Purchase pick-six, the fifth of his varsity career, in the first quarter set the tone early in a Bruins rout. Next week: vs. Arapahoe, Nov. 6
2. Valor Christian (4-0) beat Castle View, 63-21. Gavin Sawchuk’s 99-yard kick return touchdown, one of six TDs on the night for the junior, sparked a 28-0 Eagles run to close out the second quarter after they trailed (14-7) for the first time this season. Next week: at ThunderRidge, Nov. 5
3. Columbine (4-0) beat Mullen, 32-3. Junior running back Seth Cromwell scored each of the Rebels’ four touchdowns, putting him at 11 for the fall. Next week: at No. 8 Ralston Valley, Nov. 6
4. Pomona (4-0) beat Arvada West, 33-14. Chase Muller had touchdown runs of 45, 25 and 28 yards in a game that saw the Panthers run out to a 24-0 lead and never look back. Next week: vs. Mullen, Nov. 5
5. Eaglecrest (4-0) beat Arapahoe, 23-13. Khalil Howard scored from five yards out to put the Raptors ahead for good with 5:52 to go in the third quarter, and the Eaglecrest defense limited a second straight opponent to 13 points. Next week: at Prairie View, Nov. 6
6. Fairview (4-0) beat Legacy, 43-32. The Knights secured their 18th straight league win with three straight interceptions in the second half as they overcame a big night from Legacy running back Braelon Tate. Next week: at Horizon, Nov. 6
7. Legend (4-0) beat Chaparral, 49-0. The Titans have allowed just one touchdown through four weeks — a run that includes three shutouts as they have outscored opponents 171-7. Next week: vs. 4A No. 3 Pine Creek, Nov. 7
8. Ralston Valley (3-1) beat Lakewood, 28-13. Tyler Roybal’s one-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter put away the Tigers, who couldn’t quite complete a rally from down 21-0. Next week: vs. No. 3 Columbine, Nov. 6
9. Grandview (2-2) beat Smoky Hill, 49-21. After the Buffaloes drew within a touchdown at 21-14 early in the third quarter, the Wolves responded with three straight TDs to pull away. Next week: at Cherokee Trail, Nov. 6
10. Regis Jesuit (3-1) beat Douglas County, 42-0. Raiders rebounded from last week’s loss to Legend with their second shutout of the season. Next week: vs. Doherty, Nov. 6
Class 4A
1. Dakota Ridge (4-0) beat Wheat Ridge, 57-3. The Eagles fell just short of two straight shutouts and have now scored 212 points through four games. Next week: vs. Golden, Nov. 7
2. Palmer Ridge (4-0) beat No. 7 Montrose, 42-20. Bears outscored the Indians 42-6 over the final three quarters, with Luke McAllister tossing three touchdowns. Next week: at Fruita Monument, Nov. 6
3. Pine Creek (2-0) beat Doherty, 59-14. The Eagles rolled to their 12th straight win in contested games. Next week: at 5A No. 7 Legend, Nov. 7
4. Ponderosa (4-0) beat Grand Junction, 45-14. Jack Hanenburg completed 16-of-28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns, including two to receiver Kolton Miller (six receptions, 128 yards). Next week: vs. No. 7 Montrose, Nov. 6
5. Loveland (4-0) beat Monarch, 14-3. Garrett Harstad (2 yards) and Zack Rakowsky (3) both ran for touchdowns as the Indians defense allowed only a Noah Hubbard field goal. Next week: at Longmont, Nov. 6
6. Broomfield (4-0) beat Heritage, 26-13. Eagles extended their regular-season win streak to 16. Next week: at Windsor, Nov. 5
7. Montrose (3-1) lost to No. 2 Palmer Ridge, 42-20. Austin Griffin’s three rushing touchdowns were not enough to overcome the explosive Bears offense. Next week: at No. 4 Ponderosa, Nov. 6
8. Pueblo West (3-1) lost to No. 9 Fountain-Fort Carson, 35-21. The Cyclones got within six points with 8:39 to go, but couldn’t get a stop for a shot at the go-ahead touchdown. Next week: at Vista Ridge, Nov. 6
9. Fountain-Fort Carson (4-0) beat No. 8 Pueblo West, 35-21. Q Jones (89 yards) and Tai Faavae (80) both ripped off long touchdown runs in the first half, and Jones tacked on two more scores in the Trojans win. Next week: at Rampart, Nov. 5
10. Skyline (4-0) beat Greeley Central, 41-12. Chase Silva threw for three touchdowns and ran for two others. Next week: vs. Monarch, Nov. 6


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--NBA, players extend deadline for opting out of CBA

The NBA and its players agreed Friday to extend the deadline for opting out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by one week until Nov. 6 , and talks will continue in the interim regarding the numerous issues that have to be decided before next season begins .
It is the fourth extension of the opt-out deadline since the pandemic started in March .
If either the NBA or the National Basketball Players Association chooses to opt out by that date , the CBA would be terminated Dec. 14 , “ unless the parties agree otherwise , ” the NBA said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjust language in the CBA before a plan for next season can be finalized , simply because many rules in that document were written with a normal season — free agency in the summer , season beginning in October , fans in arenas , revenue meeting projections — in mind .
The league is targeting a Dec. 22 start to next season , though for that to happen a deal would have to be struck soon .
Some players have balked at the notion of starting again that quickly ; it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of their training camps .
But the league believes starting around Christmas and playing a 72-game season would lead to $ 500 million in additional revenue compared to a later start and shorter season .
Revenue is , obviously , a major priority for both sides .
The Associated Press reported Oct. 23 that the NBA missed its revenue projection for the 2019-20 season by $ 1.5 billion largely because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus pandemic , not having fans in stands for the games played inside the restart bubble at Walt Disney World , and the decision by Chinese state television to not air NBA games there for a year following a political dispute .
The talks between the league and the NBPA include several urgent and unsettled topics , including determining a salary cap and luxury tax level for next season , parameters of a start date and schedule , how travel would work and how matters like coronavirus testing would be handled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap was $ 109.14 million and tax level was $ 132.627 million .
One possible scenario is that both numbers remain the same for this coming season , but that must be determined before free agency can begin and teams and players — including those holding options for this coming season — can start making decisions .
Another goal is to get the 2021-22 season back on a typical schedule , starting in October and ending in June .
How long next season goes is also a source of concern given that next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualifying for 24 nations trying to secure one of the four remaining men ’ s basketball slots for Tokyo is set to resume June 29 , 2021 , with the Tokyo Games opening July 23 , 2021 .
The longer the next NBA season goes , the more difficult it would be for NBA players to commit to their national team .
Meanwhile , the league sent teams a memo Friday saying players can go to their team facility “ on a voluntary basis for in-person , group practices or workout sessions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Players will be allowed to use the facility of the team that they were under contract with this past season , but those about to become free agents would be permitted there only until the new salary cap year begins .
Players from other teams will not be able to use another team ’ s facility , a departure from policy of past offseasons .
Any player choosing to work out at his team ’ s facility will have to submit to coronavirus testing and temperature checks .

The NBA and its players agreed Friday to extend the deadline for opting out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by one week until Nov. 6, and talks will continue in the interim regarding the numerous issues that have to be decided before next season begins.
It is the fourth extension of the opt-out deadline since the pandemic started in March. If either the NBA or the National Basketball Players Association chooses to opt out by that date, the CBA would be terminated Dec. 14, “unless the parties agree otherwise,” the NBA said.
The NBA and NBPA need to adjust language in the CBA before a plan for next season can be finalized, simply because many rules in that document were written with a normal season — free agency in the summer, season beginning in October, fans in arenas, revenue meeting projections — in mind.
The league is targeting a Dec. 22 start to next season, though for that to happen a deal would have to be struck soon. Some players have balked at the notion of starting again that quickly; it would be less than a two-month turnaround for the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of their training camps. But the league believes starting around Christmas and playing a 72-game season would lead to $500 million in additional revenue compared to a later start and shorter season.
Revenue is, obviously, a major priority for both sides.
The Associated Press reported Oct. 23 that the NBA missed its revenue projection for the 2019-20 season by $1.5 billion largely because of the combination of a 4-1/2 month shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, not having fans in stands for the games played inside the restart bubble at Walt Disney World, and the decision by Chinese state television to not air NBA games there for a year following a political dispute.
The talks between the league and the NBPA include several urgent and unsettled topics, including determining a salary cap and luxury tax level for next season, parameters of a start date and schedule, how travel would work and how matters like coronavirus testing would be handled. This past season’s salary cap was $109.14 million and tax level was $132.627 million. One possible scenario is that both numbers remain the same for this coming season, but that must be determined before free agency can begin and teams and players — including those holding options for this coming season — can start making decisions.
Another goal is to get the 2021-22 season back on a typical schedule, starting in October and ending in June.
How long next season goes is also a source of concern given that next summer is an Olympic summer. Olympic qualifying for 24 nations trying to secure one of the four remaining men’s basketball slots for Tokyo is set to resume June 29, 2021, with the Tokyo Games opening July 23, 2021. The longer the next NBA season goes, the more difficult it would be for NBA players to commit to their national team.
Meanwhile, the league sent teams a memo Friday saying players can go to their team facility “on a voluntary basis for in-person, group practices or workout sessions, including informal scrimmages or pick-up games.” Players will be allowed to use the facility of the team that they were under contract with this past season, but those about to become free agents would be permitted there only until the new salary cap year begins.
Players from other teams will not be able to use another team’s facility, a departure from policy of past offseasons. Any player choosing to work out at his team’s facility will have to submit to coronavirus testing and temperature checks.


thedenverpost--2020-10-31--Woman hit by vehicle in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood dies at hospital

A woman hit by a vehicle in Denver on Friday afternoon has died at a local hospital .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ 22nd and Curtis Streets in the Five Points area , according to police .
Less @ @ @ @ @ initial Twitter post about the crash police announced that the woman had died .
An @ @ @ @

A woman hit by a vehicle in Denver on Friday afternoon has died at a local hospital.
HEADS UP: #Denver officers are investigating an auto/pedestrian crash at 22nd and Curtis. One adult female was transported to the hospital with unknown extent of injuries. updates will be posted as they become available. pic.twitter.com/XsNQooMD11 — Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 30, 2020
The incident happened at the intersection of 22nd and Curtis Streets in the Five Points area, according to police.
Less than 90 minutes are the initial Twitter post about the crash police announced that the woman had died. An investigation is ongoing.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Broncos podcast: Denver hosts Chargers in Week 8, a loser-goes-home showdown between 2-4 teams

How can the Denver defense can do more to help its struggling offense ?
And much more analysis

In this edition of the 1st-and-Orange podcast sponsored by SportsBetting.com, Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran preview the Broncos’ Week 8 showdown against the Chargers at Empower Field.
The duo provides injury updates leading into the “loser-goes-home” game pitting the 2-4 teams against each other. Plus, discussion on quarterbacks Drew Lock and Justin Herbert, how the Denver defense can do more to help its struggling offense, the implications of a Broncos loss to fall to 0-4 at home and much more analysis.
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thedenverpost--2020-10-30--NFL recommends some sideline players wear masks during games

The NFL is recommending that players on the sidelines who are not participating in a game or about to go on the field wear protective masks .
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press on Friday , the league ’ s management council also suggested the 32 teams enhance physical distancing on the sidelines while the NFL considers expanding the bench area .
Although the NFL stopped short of mandating masks for all players not on the field , it “ strongly encouraged ” all active players in the bench area who are not about to enter the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sideline and/or sitting on the bench .
“ A player wearing a mask during a close contact has a significantly reduced probability of being designated a ‘ High Risk Close Contact ’ after an exposure to a COVID-positive individual , ” the memo said .
Citing a player who tested positive two days after playing in a game and who had close contacts with 17 teammates and two team staffers — most of which occurred while the player was standing on the sideline — “ we are strongly recommending that clubs continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and staff on the sidelines during games , ” the memo said .
While the NFL considers expanding the bench area further down the sideline , teams may consider reconfiguring or adding benches .
“ Assistant coaches and members of the football staff should pay particular attention to ensuring that players remain separated while waiting to enter the game , as well as avoiding grouping or bunching , ” the league said .
The league also is offering an additional testing option for bus drivers retained by teams in the away city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrival .
The NFL has been particularly proactive in dealing with coaches who have not obeyed protocols — though such efforts might seem unsuccessful given how Panthers coach Matt Rhule and some assistants on Thursday night skirted those rules about properly wearing masks .
Several coaches , including Pete Carroll and Jon Gruden , were fined $ 100,000 for not obeying the requirements , and teams have been fined $ 250,000 apiece for sideline issues .
Earlier Friday , the NFL said that the Los Angeles Chargers ’ game at Denver this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on both teams tested positive for the coronavirus .
“ No , it is not .
There ’ s no change to the status of the game , ” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press .
“ There have been 70-plus instances of a team having a player or players who test positive .
The player is isolated and we conduct contact tracing to ensure to mitigate any risk of potential spread among the team.
” New York Giants guard Will Hernandez tested positive this week and most of the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practice facility .
Hernandez is in isolation and it is unlikely he will play Monday against Tampa Bay .
The Buccaneers had an equipment staff member test positive for COVID-19 this week .
Two teams , the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots , have had significant outbreaks of the coronavirus , causing juggling of the NFL schedule .
Several other clubs have had isolated cases .

The NFL is recommending that players on the sidelines who are not participating in a game or about to go on the field wear protective masks.
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, the league’s management council also suggested the 32 teams enhance physical distancing on the sidelines while the NFL considers expanding the bench area.
Although the NFL stopped short of mandating masks for all players not on the field, it “strongly encouraged” all active players in the bench area who are not about to enter the game to wear masks while standing on the sideline and/or sitting on the bench.
“A player wearing a mask during a close contact has a significantly reduced probability of being designated a ‘High Risk Close Contact’ after an exposure to a COVID-positive individual,” the memo said.
Citing a player who tested positive two days after playing in a game and who had close contacts with 17 teammates and two team staffers — most of which occurred while the player was standing on the sideline — “we are strongly recommending that clubs continue to implement measures to encourage physical distancing among players and staff on the sidelines during games,” the memo said.
While the NFL considers expanding the bench area further down the sideline, teams may consider reconfiguring or adding benches.
“Assistant coaches and members of the football staff should pay particular attention to ensuring that players remain separated while waiting to enter the game, as well as avoiding grouping or bunching,” the league said.
The league also is offering an additional testing option for bus drivers retained by teams in the away city, prior to the team’s arrival.
The NFL has been particularly proactive in dealing with coaches who have not obeyed protocols — though such efforts might seem unsuccessful given how Panthers coach Matt Rhule and some assistants on Thursday night skirted those rules about properly wearing masks. Several coaches, including Pete Carroll and Jon Gruden, were fined $100,000 for not obeying the requirements, and teams have been fined $250,000 apiece for sideline issues.
Earlier Friday, the NFL said that the Los Angeles Chargers’ game at Denver this weekend isn’t in jeopardy after players on both teams tested positive for the coronavirus.
“No, it is not. There’s no change to the status of the game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press. “There have been 70-plus instances of a team having a player or players who test positive. The player is isolated and we conduct contact tracing to ensure to mitigate any risk of potential spread among the team.”
New York Giants guard Will Hernandez tested positive this week and most of the team’s offensive linemen were barred from the practice facility. Hernandez is in isolation and it is unlikely he will play Monday against Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers had an equipment staff member test positive for COVID-19 this week.
Two teams, the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots, have had significant outbreaks of the coronavirus, causing juggling of the NFL schedule. Several other clubs have had isolated cases.


thedenverpost--2020-10-30--Former Denver FBI agent who helped capture Saddam Hussein dies

A former special agent in charge of the FBI ’ s Denver field office who helped capture Saddam Hussein in Iraq has died .
James Davis suffered a heart attack while walking his dog Friday morning , according to an email from the Hickenlooper for Colorado senate campaign .
Davis served as executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security when John Hickenlooper was governor .
Davis led the FBI team responsible for questioning , fingerprinting and getting DNA samples from Hussein , the Iraqi dictator , when he was pulled from an underground hiding spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2003 .
When Davis was assigned to lead the FBI office in Denver in 2008 , he told a Denver Post reporter that his new job was a reward after living in a trailer for nearly four years , chasing down terrorism leads in Iraq and Afghanistan and looking for al-Qaeda operatives throughout the Middle East .
Davis kept a photograph of him and Hussein , who refused to turn for a profile mug shot after his capture by American forces .
In the picture , Hussein is facing a wall where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above the dictator ’ s bed .
“ He shook .
He was just a sick , old man , ” Davis said in the 2008 interview .
“ He was just coughing .
He was not healthy and he had not eaten well.
” Davis arrived in Denver just in time to supervise FBI agents from across the country who came to town to provide extra security for the 2008 Democratic National Convention .
While in Denver , Davis directed the local investigation of shuttle driver Najibullah Zazi in 2009 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a plot to bomb New York City subways Davis was a Detroit native .
He joined the FBI at 24 after earning an accounting degree at Michigan State University and working as a certified public accountant in Chicago , according to his biography on the FBI ’ s website .
In his first bureau assignment , he worked on a three-year undercover operation called Silver Shovel that ended with several convictions , including those of six Chicago aldermen , in a drugs and bribery scandal .
After his 26-year FBI career ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his cabinet as public safety and homeland security advisor and to lead the department .
During his three-year tenure , Davis oversaw 13 presidential-declared disasters , according to his biography with the Bose Public Affairs Group website where he is listed as a senior policy advisor .
“ Jim Davis , in the face of danger and disaster , always put others first .
He was the unsung hero who made the 2008 DNC Convention a great success , and Colorado was fortunate that he agreed to come reorganize our Department of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult years for our stat , ” Hickenlooper said in a statement .
“ Jim was unwaveringly caring and empathetic , helping responders and victims to deal with some of the worst tragedies imaginable .
We lost a great Coloradan and a great man today .
My heart goes out to his family and friends across the state and around the world.
” After leaving the Hickenlooper administration , Davis stayed in Colorado to work as a security consultant .
He most recently worked as a security advisor in Denver to the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked with the Denver Department of Public Safety to help reform its sheriff ’ s department after a series of high-profile excessive force cases caused the city to pay out millions in settlements and left a scar on the city ’ s law enforcement .
He advised Mayor Michael Hancock and helped the city find a consulting firm to analyze the department .
“ That was when we were having great challenges in the Denver Sheriff Department , ” said Mary Dulacki , chief deputy director of public safety .
“ His assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We needed some outside help .
We needed someone with credibility and some years under his belt.
” Davis was well-respected throughout the community .
“ We have lost such an incredible individual who filled our hearts with love and happiness , ” Larry Mizel of the Mizel Institute said in an email .
“ We will always remember Jim ’ s incredible contributions to our country and our community .
”

A former special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver field office who helped capture Saddam Hussein in Iraq has died.
James Davis, 60, suffered a heart attack while walking his dog Friday morning, according to an email from the Hickenlooper for Colorado senate campaign. Davis served as executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security when John Hickenlooper was governor.
Davis led the FBI team responsible for questioning, fingerprinting and getting DNA samples from Hussein, the Iraqi dictator, when he was pulled from an underground hiding spot in ad-Dawr, Iraq on Dec. 13, 2003.
When Davis was assigned to lead the FBI office in Denver in 2008, he told a Denver Post reporter that his new job was a reward after living in a trailer for nearly four years, chasing down terrorism leads in Iraq and Afghanistan and looking for al-Qaeda operatives throughout the Middle East.
Davis kept a photograph of him and Hussein, who refused to turn for a profile mug shot after his capture by American forces. In the picture, Hussein is facing a wall where a photograph of President Bush is taped above the dictator’s bed.
“He shook. He was just a sick, old man,” Davis said in the 2008 interview. “He was just coughing. He was not healthy and he had not eaten well.”
Davis arrived in Denver just in time to supervise FBI agents from across the country who came to town to provide extra security for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. While in Denver, Davis directed the local investigation of shuttle driver Najibullah Zazi in 2009, which was part of an international terrorism probe of a plot to bomb New York City subways
Davis was a Detroit native. He joined the FBI at 24 after earning an accounting degree at Michigan State University and working as a certified public accountant in Chicago, according to his biography on the FBI’s website. In his first bureau assignment, he worked on a three-year undercover operation called Silver Shovel that ended with several convictions, including those of six Chicago aldermen, in a drugs and bribery scandal.
After his 26-year FBI career ended, Hickenlooper appointed Davis to serve in his cabinet as public safety and homeland security advisor and to lead the department. During his three-year tenure, Davis oversaw 13 presidential-declared disasters, according to his biography with the Bose Public Affairs Group website where he is listed as a senior policy advisor.
“Jim Davis, in the face of danger and disaster, always put others first. He was the unsung hero who made the 2008 DNC Convention a great success, and Colorado was fortunate that he agreed to come reorganize our Department of Public Safety right before four of the most difficult years for our state,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “Jim was unwaveringly caring and empathetic, helping responders and victims to deal with some of the worst tragedies imaginable. We lost a great Coloradan and a great man today. My heart goes out to his family and friends across the state and around the world.”
After leaving the Hickenlooper administration, Davis stayed in Colorado to work as a security consultant. He most recently worked as a security advisor in Denver to the National Football League.
In 2014, he worked with the Denver Department of Public Safety to help reform its sheriff’s department after a series of high-profile excessive force cases caused the city to pay out millions in settlements and left a scar on the city’s law enforcement. He advised Mayor Michael Hancock and helped the city find a consulting firm to analyze the department.
“That was when we were having great challenges in the Denver Sheriff Department,” said Mary Dulacki, chief deputy director of public safety. “His assistance, guidance and input were invaluable. We needed some outside help. We needed someone with credibility and some years under his belt.”
Davis was well-respected throughout the community.
“We have lost such an incredible individual who filled our hearts with love and happiness,” Larry Mizel of the Mizel Institute said in an email. “We will always remember Jim’s incredible contributions to our country and our community.”