thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Strong start in trenches for CU Buffs in win over UCLA

Sam Noyer taking over as starting quarterback and Jarek Broussard starring at tailback were the two obvious changes in the Colorado offense from last year .
Perhaps the most important difference with the Buffaloes , however , was how they dominated in the trenches during Saturday ’ s 48-42 season-opening win against UCLA .
For several years , the Buffs have struggled with consistency on the offensive and defensive lines .
This year , however , the Buffs have a lot of experience coming back on the lines and the performance against UCLA suggests the trenches could be a strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits Stanford ( 0-1 ) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MST ( TV : ESPN2 ) .
“ I felt offensively we did a nice job with our debut and had a lot of production in the run game and they protected Sam really well in the passing game , ” head coach Karl Dorrell said of the offensive line .
“ Those guys , I thought , are off to a really good start .
“ Our starting offensive line played well .
Did they play perfect ?
No , they played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue to get better at a number of things that we felt are going to be issues for us moving forward .
But I ’ m very encouraged with what we ’ ve done offensively.
” William Sherman ( left tackle ) , Kary Kutsch ( left guard ) , Colby Pursell ( center ) , Casey Roddick ( right guard ) and Frank Fillip started and played the first 66 snaps together .
After Pursell went down with an injury , Josh Jynes played the final 26 snap at center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushing yards , the program ’ s best total since 311 yards vs. New Hampshire on Sept. 15 , 2018 .
It ’ s the most rushing yards by a CU team against a Pac-12 opponent since racking up 300 against Arizona on Oct. 7 , 2017 .
UCLA registered just one sack against the Buffs , but that came on a play in which Noyer threw the ball away and was flagged for intentional grounding .
Noyer was hurried on five of his 31 throws , but hit on just one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfect , ” Kutsch said of the line ’ s performance .
“ The numbers say we did pretty well in the end , but there ’ s always things we ’ ve got to fix .
Overall , we are pretty happy with it.
” Defensively , the Buffs returned their three starters from a year ago – Mustafa Johnson , Terrance Lang and Jalen Sami – and that trio played the bulk of the game .
They didn ’ t register impressive numbers ( three tackles and one sack , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson .
The starting trio combined for five QB pressures and played solid against the run .
Thompson-Robinson had a 65-yard touchdown run , but the Bruins had just 110 yards on their other 24 carries .
“ We were solid , ” defensive line coach Chris Wilson said .
“ There ’ s some ( good ) things in regards to applying pressure ; they were pretty sound in the run game and we ’ re just going to try to keep improving this week and see if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to accomplish last week against a pretty good UCLA team.
” Sami , the Buffs ’ sophomore nose tackle , said he was pleased overall with how the line played .
“ Our main focus was trying to keep him in the pocket and close that gap , that window he has , and just make him make plays with his arm instead of with his feet , ” Sami said .
“ We tried to force him to throw the ball more than running .
I feel like that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson getting the only sack is “ motivation for me and T-Lang , and all the other defensive linemen and outside backers that we need to get sacks .
We need to have pressure to the quarterback and we need to make those plays and help out our DBs .
It definitely gives us juice for next week.
” On both lines , the Buffs had some juice against the Bruins .
Although Pursell is doubtful to play Saturday at Stanford , the Buffs hope the performance last week is a sign of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides of the ball it was a solid performance , ” Dorrell said of the lines .
“ Definitely some things we can improve .
But definitely , I ’ ve been pleased .
I ’ m pleased with how we started and we ’ ll see what we do in terms of making those steps of improvement this week .
”

Sam Noyer taking over as starting quarterback and Jarek Broussard starring at tailback were the two obvious changes in the Colorado offense from last year.
Perhaps the most important difference with the Buffaloes, however, was how they dominated in the trenches during Saturday’s 48-42 season-opening win against UCLA.
For several years, the Buffs have struggled with consistency on the offensive and defensive lines. This year, however, the Buffs have a lot of experience coming back on the lines and the performance against UCLA suggests the trenches could be a strength for CU (1-0), which visits Stanford (0-1) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MST (TV: ESPN2).
“I felt offensively we did a nice job with our debut and had a lot of production in the run game and they protected Sam really well in the passing game,” head coach Karl Dorrell said of the offensive line. “Those guys, I thought, are off to a really good start.
“Our starting offensive line played well. Did they play perfect? No, they played with a winning average but they need to continue to get better at a number of things that we felt are going to be issues for us moving forward. But I’m very encouraged with what we’ve done offensively.”
William Sherman (left tackle), Kary Kutsch (left guard), Colby Pursell (center), Casey Roddick (right guard) and Frank Fillip started and played the first 66 snaps together. After Pursell went down with an injury, Josh Jynes played the final 26 snap at center.
The line helped CU pile up 264 rushing yards, the program’s best total since 311 yards vs. New Hampshire on Sept. 15, 2018. It’s the most rushing yards by a CU team against a Pac-12 opponent since racking up 300 against Arizona on Oct. 7, 2017.
UCLA registered just one sack against the Buffs, but that came on a play in which Noyer threw the ball away and was flagged for intentional grounding. Noyer was hurried on five of his 31 throws, but hit on just one of them.
“Nothing’s ever perfect,” Kutsch said of the line’s performance. “The numbers say we did pretty well in the end, but there’s always things we’ve got to fix. Overall, we are pretty happy with it.”
Defensively, the Buffs returned their three starters from a year ago – Mustafa Johnson, Terrance Lang and Jalen Sami – and that trio played the bulk of the game. They didn’t register impressive numbers (three tackles and one sack, all by Johnson), but kept pressure on Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The starting trio combined for five QB pressures and played solid against the run. Thompson-Robinson had a 65-yard touchdown run, but the Bruins had just 110 yards on their other 24 carries.
“We were solid,” defensive line coach Chris Wilson said. “There’s some (good) things in regards to applying pressure; they were pretty sound in the run game and we’re just going to try to keep improving this week and see if we can build on what we were able to accomplish last week against a pretty good UCLA team.”
Sami, the Buffs’ sophomore nose tackle, said he was pleased overall with how the line played.
“Our main focus was trying to keep him in the pocket and close that gap, that window he has, and just make him make plays with his arm instead of with his feet,” Sami said. “We tried to force him to throw the ball more than running. I feel like that’s what we did.”
Sami added that Johnson getting the only sack is “motivation for me and T-Lang, and all the other defensive linemen and outside backers that we need to get sacks. We need to have pressure to the quarterback and we need to make those plays and help out our DBs. It definitely gives us juice for next week.”
On both lines, the Buffs had some juice against the Bruins. Although Pursell is doubtful to play Saturday at Stanford, the Buffs hope the performance last week is a sign of things to come.
“On both sides of the ball it was a solid performance,” Dorrell said of the lines. “Definitely some things we can improve. But definitely, I’ve been pleased. I’m pleased with how we started and we’ll see what we do in terms of making those steps of improvement this week.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Biden vows to “get right to work” despite Trump resistance

WILMINGTON , Del .
— Vowing “ to get right to work , ” President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday shrugged off President Donald Trump ’ s fierce refusal to accept the election outcome as “ inconsequential , ” even as Democrats elsewhere warned that the Republican president ’ s actions were dangerous .
Raising unsupported claims of voter fraud , Trump has blocked the incoming president from receiving intelligence briefings and withheld federal funding intended to help facilitate the transfer of power .
Trump ’ s resistance , backed by senior Republicans in Washington and across the country , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for prospective staff and access to federal agencies to discuss transition planning .
As some Democrats and former Republican officials warned of serious consequences , Biden sought to lower the national temperature as he addressed reporters from a makeshift transition headquarters near his home in downtown Wilmington .
He described Trump ’ s position as little more than an “ embarrassing ” mark on the outgoing president ’ s legacy , while predicting that Republicans on Capitol Hill would eventually accept the reality of Biden ’ s victory .
The Republican resistance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dynamic at all in what we ’ re able to do.
” Additional intelligence briefings “ would be useful , ” Biden added , but “ we don ’ t see anything slowing us down.
” The measured comments come as Biden prepares to confront dueling national crises that actively threaten the health , safety and economic security of millions of Americans irrespective of the political debate .
Coronavirus infections , hospitalizations and deaths are surging , the economy faces the prospect of long-term damage , and the nation ’ s political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is betting that his low-key approach and bipartisan outreach — a sharp reversal from the current president ’ s style — will help him govern effectively on Day One .
But just 71 days before he will be inaugurated , Trump and his allies seemed determined to make Biden ’ s transition as difficult as possible .
From his Twitter account on Tuesday , Trump again raised unsupported claims of “ massive ballot counting abuse ” and predicted he would ultimately win the race he has already lost .
His allies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell , have encouraged the president ’ s baseless accusations .
Trump ’ s tweets were swiftly flagged by the social media network as disputed claims about election fraud .
America ’ s allies began to acknowledge what Trump would not .
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Biden via videoconference .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , among six world leaders overall , congratulated Biden on his election .
“ I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and to working with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change , to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic , ” Johnson wrote on Twitter .
“ Build back better ” is a slogan that Biden and the British government have in common .
Meanwhile , Biden tried to stay focused on health care in the midst of the worst health crisis in more than a century .
One of Biden ’ s chief coronavirus advisers , former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy , briefed Senate Democrats on Tuesday by phone at their weekly virtual lunch .
The closed-door meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official has addressed the Democrats ’ Senate caucus since last week ’ s election .
In an afternoon speech , Biden delivered a forceful defense of the Affordable Care Act , just hours after the Supreme Court heard arguments on its merits .
The high court ruled eight years ago to leave intact the essential components of the law known as “ Obamacare , ” but Trump and his Republican allies are seeking to have it overturned .
If the 6-3 conservative court ultimately agrees with the GOP , millions of Americans could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s arguments indicate the court is unlikely to strike down the entire law , the prospect added new weight to the already heavy burden Biden inherits from the outgoing administration .
“ It ’ s a law that saved lives and spared countless families from financial ruin , ” Biden charged .
He vowed to work with Congress to strengthen the health care law “ as soon as humanly possible.
” For now , however , Republicans on Capitol Hill , like those in the Trump administration , are showing no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday predicted there would be a smooth transition — to another four years of Trump in power .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell largely endorsed Trump ’ s approach : “ Until the Electoral College votes , anyone who is running for office can exhaust concerns.
” Biden spent much of Tuesday working alongside Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at a theater near his home in downtown Wilmington .
He is expected to quickly name a chief of staff and start considering Cabinet appointments , though those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
Republicans are increasingly eyeing a December deadline to publicly accept the election result , giving Trump time and space to exhaust his legal challenges .
That ’ s when the states face a deadline to certify results and a Dec. 14 deadline for the Electoral College to cast its votes .
It ’ s also roughly the same amount of time it took to resolve the 2000 election dispute between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore .
Senior officials in the George W. Bush administration warned , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused problems .
Specifically , Biden ’ s team is calling on the General Services Administration , led by a Trump-appointed administrator , Emily Murphy , to formally recognize Biden ’ s victory .
Until that happens , Biden will not receive comprehensive security briefings , transition funding or the ability to communicate with agencies to begin coordinating the transfer of power .
“ Administrator Murphy ’ s refusal to ascertain President-elect Biden ’ s victory in the 2020 election puts American lives at risk , ” said Rep. Don Beyer , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s transition at the Commerce Department .
“ Our adversaries aren ’ t waiting for the transition to take place , ” said former Rep. Mike Rogers , R-Mich. , insisting that Biden begin receiving the president ’ s daily briefing immediately .
“ This isn ’ t about politics ; this is about national security.
” He answered several questions during his first press briefing as the president-elect , almost all of them focused on the Republican Party ’ s refusal to acknowledge his victory .
“ I just think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Biden said .
Peoples reported from New York .
AP writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Lisa Mascaro , Alexandra Jaffe and Deb Reichmann in Washington contributed .

WILMINGTON, Del. — Vowing “to get right to work,” President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday shrugged off President Donald Trump’s fierce refusal to accept the election outcome as “inconsequential,” even as Democrats elsewhere warned that the Republican president’s actions were dangerous.
Raising unsupported claims of voter fraud, Trump has blocked the incoming president from receiving intelligence briefings and withheld federal funding intended to help facilitate the transfer of power. Trump’s resistance, backed by senior Republicans in Washington and across the country, could also prevent background investigations and security clearances for prospective staff and access to federal agencies to discuss transition planning.
As some Democrats and former Republican officials warned of serious consequences, Biden sought to lower the national temperature as he addressed reporters from a makeshift transition headquarters near his home in downtown Wilmington.
He described Trump’s position as little more than an “embarrassing” mark on the outgoing president’s legacy, while predicting that Republicans on Capitol Hill would eventually accept the reality of Biden’s victory. The Republican resistance, Biden said, “does not change the dynamic at all in what we’re able to do.”
Additional intelligence briefings “would be useful,” Biden added, but “we don’t see anything slowing us down.”
The measured comments come as Biden prepares to confront dueling national crises that actively threaten the health, safety and economic security of millions of Americans irrespective of the political debate. Coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths are surging, the economy faces the prospect of long-term damage, and the nation’s political and cultural divides may be worsening.
Biden is betting that his low-key approach and bipartisan outreach — a sharp reversal from the current president’s style — will help him govern effectively on Day One. But just 71 days before he will be inaugurated, Trump and his allies seemed determined to make Biden’s transition as difficult as possible.
From his Twitter account on Tuesday, Trump again raised unsupported claims of “massive ballot counting abuse” and predicted he would ultimately win the race he has already lost. His allies on Capitol Hill, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have encouraged the president’s baseless accusations. Trump’s tweets were swiftly flagged by the social media network as disputed claims about election fraud.
America’s allies began to acknowledge what Trump would not.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Biden via videoconference. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, among six world leaders overall, congratulated Biden on his election.
“I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and to working with him on our shared priorities — from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “Build back better” is a slogan that Biden and the British government have in common.
Meanwhile, Biden tried to stay focused on health care in the midst of the worst health crisis in more than a century. One of Biden’s chief coronavirus advisers, former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, briefed Senate Democrats on Tuesday by phone at their weekly virtual lunch.
The closed-door meeting marked the first time a Biden transition official has addressed the Democrats’ Senate caucus since last week’s election.
In an afternoon speech, Biden delivered a forceful defense of the Affordable Care Act, just hours after the Supreme Court heard arguments on its merits. The high court ruled eight years ago to leave intact the essential components of the law known as “Obamacare,” but Trump and his Republican allies are seeking to have it overturned.
If the 6-3 conservative court ultimately agrees with the GOP, millions of Americans could lose their health care coverage. While Tuesday’s arguments indicate the court is unlikely to strike down the entire law, the prospect added new weight to the already heavy burden Biden inherits from the outgoing administration.
“It’s a law that saved lives and spared countless families from financial ruin,” Biden charged. He vowed to work with Congress to strengthen the health care law “as soon as humanly possible.”
For now, however, Republicans on Capitol Hill, like those in the Trump administration, are showing no desire to cooperate with a Biden administration.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday predicted there would be a smooth transition — to another four years of Trump in power. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell largely endorsed Trump’s approach: “Until the Electoral College votes, anyone who is running for office can exhaust concerns.”
Biden spent much of Tuesday working alongside Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at a theater near his home in downtown Wilmington. He is expected to quickly name a chief of staff and start considering Cabinet appointments, though those likely won’t be finalized for weeks.
Republicans are increasingly eyeing a December deadline to publicly accept the election result, giving Trump time and space to exhaust his legal challenges. That’s when the states face a deadline to certify results and a Dec. 14 deadline for the Electoral College to cast its votes. It’s also roughly the same amount of time it took to resolve the 2000 election dispute between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore.
Senior officials in the George W. Bush administration warned, however, that the delay after the 2000 contest caused problems.
Specifically, Biden’s team is calling on the General Services Administration, led by a Trump-appointed administrator, Emily Murphy, to formally recognize Biden’s victory. Until that happens, Biden will not receive comprehensive security briefings, transition funding or the ability to communicate with agencies to begin coordinating the transfer of power.
“Administrator Murphy’s refusal to ascertain President-elect Biden’s victory in the 2020 election puts American lives at risk,” said Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat who led the Obama administration’s transition at the Commerce Department.
Former Republican officials agreed.
“Our adversaries aren’t waiting for the transition to take place,” said former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., insisting that Biden begin receiving the president’s daily briefing immediately. “This isn’t about politics; this is about national security.”
Biden, meanwhile, didn’t seem worried.
He answered several questions during his first press briefing as the president-elect, almost all of them focused on the Republican Party’s refusal to acknowledge his victory.
“I just think it’s an embarrassment, quite frankly,” Biden said.
___
Peoples reported from New York. AP writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro, Alexandra Jaffe and Deb Reichmann in Washington contributed.


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--David Duval to miss covering Masters after testing positive for COVID-19

David Duval , the former No .
1 golfer in the world , turned golf broadcaster with the Golf Channel @ @ @ @ @ Tournament after testing positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Augusta , Ga. After testing positive @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how he was exposed to the virus .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ part of the Masters coverage this week .
I flew to Atlanta and drove to @ @ @ @ @ straight to the testing site and got tested .
Like so many other Americans I @ @ @ @ @ COVID and tested positive.
” Duval said in a tweet .
Duval is currently experiencing @ @ @ @ @ and has returned to his Colorado home in Cherry Hills where he is going to @ @ @ @ @

David Duval, the former No. 1 golfer in the world, turned golf broadcaster with the Golf Channel will miss covering the Masters Tournament after testing positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Augusta, Ga.
After testing positive, Duval said he doesn’t know how he was exposed to the virus.
“I’m so sad not being a part of the Masters coverage this week. I flew to Atlanta and drove to Augusta Sunday. I went straight to the testing site and got tested. Like so many other Americans I was apparently unknowingly exposed to COVID and tested positive.” Duval said in a tweet.
Duval is currently experiencing no symptoms of the virus and has returned to his Colorado home in Cherry Hills where he is going to quarantine in his basement.
Duval made the announcement via twitter Tuesday afternoon.
I’m so sad not being a part of the Masters coverage this week. I flew to Atlanta and drove to Augusta Sunday. I went straight to the testing site and got tested. Like so many other Americans I was apparently unknowingly exposed to COVID and tested positive. — David Duval (@david59duval) November 10, 2020


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Fired police officer sues Aurora in attempt to get job back; accuses city of unfairly painting him a

Fired police officer sues Aurora in attempt to get job back; accuses city of unfairly painting him as a racist

A former Aurora police officer is suing the city in an attempt to get his job back , alleging that city employees unfairly painted him as a racist for ignoring cries for help from a woman in the back of his patrol car .
Levi Huffine filed a lawsuit in Arapahoe County District Court last week alleging the city “ failed to provide a fair and impartial hearing ” and improperly released information about the incident that influenced his appeal .
Vanessa Wilson , then the interim police chief , fired Huffine in February in connection to an August 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cries for help after she fell face-down onto the floorboards in the backseat of Huffine ’ s police cruiser as he transported her to the municipal jail .
The woman could not get up by herself because both her hands and her ankles were restrained .
The woman screamed for help — stating she thought she was going to die — for more than 20 minutes as Huffine drove .
He did not check on her .
Huffine does not dispute the facts of the incident in his lawsuit but alleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place and that his appeal process was tainted by releases of information to the public .
Wilson , who became the department ’ s permanent chief in August , decided to fire Huffine even though the internal Chief ’ s Review Board recommended Huffine be suspended for 180 hours .
At the time of the firing , she only released the officer ’ s name and would not provide details of what led to the discipline .
In July , a records technician released a summary of the case in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Post .
Wilson later said the release was accidental and shouldn ’ t have happened because the department ’ s policy is to withhold disciplinary records until any appeal is finished .
That release and testimony of Aurora officials during Huffine ’ s two-day appeals hearing before the Civil Service Commission created a bias against Huffine by insinuating he is racist , the lawsuit states .
Huffine is white and the woman involved in the incident is Black .
“ Despite the fact that there was no evidence of racially motivated bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ component aside from the fact that the individuals were of different races , Plaintiff was impermissibly painted as a racist with no way to counter , biasing Plaintiff in the eyes of the Commission , ” the lawsuit states .
This prompted the Commission to uphold the termination based on factual inferences of racial motivation that were not in evidence in this case.
” The commission upheld Huffine ’ s firing on Oct. 6 and said the incident was “ simply not acceptable.
” The inference that Huffine is racist is so stigmatizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in law enforcement , the lawsuit states .
The city has not responded in court to the lawsuit , online court records show .
Aurora spokesman Michael Bryant on Tuesday said the city is reviewing the lawsuit .
“ The termination of Officer Huffine by Police Chief Vanessa Wilson was lawful and appropriate , and was upheld by the city ’ s Civil Service Commission , and we believe the district court will agree with the actions taken in this case , ” Bryant said in an emailed statement .

A former Aurora police officer is suing the city in an attempt to get his job back, alleging that city employees unfairly painted him as a racist for ignoring cries for help from a woman in the back of his patrol car.
Levi Huffine filed a lawsuit in Arapahoe County District Court last week alleging the city “failed to provide a fair and impartial hearing” and improperly released information about the incident that influenced his appeal.
Vanessa Wilson, then the interim police chief, fired Huffine in February in connection to an August 2019 incident during which he ignored a woman’s cries for help after she fell face-down onto the floorboards in the backseat of Huffine’s police cruiser as he transported her to the municipal jail.
The woman could not get up by herself because both her hands and her ankles were restrained. The woman screamed for help — stating she thought she was going to die — for more than 20 minutes as Huffine drove. He did not check on her.
Huffine does not dispute the facts of the incident in his lawsuit but alleges he shouldn’t have been fired in the first place and that his appeal process was tainted by releases of information to the public.
Wilson, who became the department’s permanent chief in August, decided to fire Huffine even though the internal Chief’s Review Board recommended Huffine be suspended for 180 hours. At the time of the firing, she only released the officer’s name and would not provide details of what led to the discipline.
In July, a records technician released a summary of the case in response to a records request by The Denver Post. Wilson later said the release was accidental and shouldn’t have happened because the department’s policy is to withhold disciplinary records until any appeal is finished.
That release and testimony of Aurora officials during Huffine’s two-day appeals hearing before the Civil Service Commission created a bias against Huffine by insinuating he is racist, the lawsuit states. Huffine is white and the woman involved in the incident is Black.
“Despite the fact that there was no evidence of racially motivated bias in this case, or any racial component aside from the fact that the individuals were of different races, Plaintiff was impermissibly painted as a racist with no way to counter, biasing Plaintiff in the eyes of the Commission,” the lawsuit states. This prompted the Commission to uphold the termination based on factual inferences of racial motivation that were not in evidence in this case.”
The commission upheld Huffine’s firing on Oct. 6 and said the incident was “simply not acceptable.”
The inference that Huffine is racist is so stigmatizing that Huffine cannot get a job in law enforcement, the lawsuit states.
The city has not responded in court to the lawsuit, online court records show. Aurora spokesman Michael Bryant on Tuesday said the city is reviewing the lawsuit.
“The termination of Officer Huffine by Police Chief Vanessa Wilson was lawful and appropriate, and was upheld by the city’s Civil Service Commission, and we believe the district court will agree with the actions taken in this case,” Bryant said in an emailed statement.


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Broncos offensive line looks to improve in second half of 2020 despite injuries, COVID issues: “Ther

Broncos offensive line looks to improve in second half of 2020 despite injuries, COVID issues: “There are no excuses.”

There are plenty of handy excuses for the inconsistencies along the Broncos ’ offensive line this season , but Dalton Risner won ’ t validate any of them .
“ As an offensive line you wish that you could have five guys for the whole season to be able to block next to each other and gel , but that ’ s not how this game works , ” the Broncos left guard said .
“ There ’ s a lot of moving pieces with the game of football , especially with us this season on the offensive line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work through that .
There are no excuses.
” Denver has allowed 21 sacks this season , ranking 21st in the league , and is 16th in rushing yards per game at 111.6 .
For select quarters on a handful of plays , the unit has given quarterback Drew Lock ( and his backups ) time in the pocket , and cleared holes up front for tailbacks Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay .
But there has been little consistency .
Too often the Broncos are losing the battle of the trenches , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind early and never caught up in a 34-27 loss in Atlanta .
“ We ’ ve got to be able to be the better offensive line out there whenever we ’ re going against the defensive line , ” Risner said .
“ We didn ’ t do that last weekend , and we ’ ve got to do that against the Raiders this week.
” Despite a Hall of Famer leading the group in offensive line coach Mike Munchak — who also missed a week of practice and the Week 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the league ’ s COVID-19 protocols — that superiority has been hard to come by .
COVID-19 and injuries have led to juggling the startling five .
The unit ’ s projected starting right tackle entering 2020 , Ja ’ Wuan James , opted out .
Elijah Wilkinson took his place , but suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 3 .
Demar Dotson then took Wilkinson ’ s place , and when Dotson exited the Atlanta game with a hip injury , Jake Rodgers played for Dotson .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Risner suffered a shoulder injury early in the New England game in Week 5 and was spelled by Austin Schlottmann .
Right guard Graham Glasgow missed the past two games while on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus , and Schlottmann played for him .
The only every-down consistencies on the line this season have been left tackle Garett Bolles and rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry , neither of whom have missed a snap .
Bolles has started all 56 games of his four-year career .
One play that epitomized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tendencies and communication issues was Lock ’ s interception against the Falcons in the fourth quarter .
On the pick , defensive tackle Grady Jarrett came untouched up the middle to immediately pressure Lock into a poor throw , which was nabbed by cornerback Ricardo Allen .
• Broncos lose rookie Albert Okwuegbunam to season-ending knee injury , creating further depth issues at tight end • Broncos ’ offensive line has been ravaged by injuries , COVID-19 — and it showed in Atlanta • Broncos game balls and gassers : Offensive line generates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos cancel Wednesday ’ s practice , conduct meetings virtually as Shelby Harris is placed on COVID-19/reserve list “ There needs to be better communication ( on that play ) , ” Risner said .
“ You ’ ve got a rookie at center , and you could easily point a finger at me and say , ‘ Dalton , as a second-year guy and as a guy that says he ’ s a leader of the offensive line , why don ’ t you have your guys on the same page ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ works and that could easily be put on me .
It ( upsets ) me watching film because when I see that , ( I ’ m like ) , ‘ Are you kidding me ?
’ That was one play of the game , and there were multiple plays like that , that we just can ’ t have and are unacceptable.
” Glasgow is expected to return off the COVID/reserve list for Sunday ’ s game in Las Vegas , while coach Vic Fangio said he ’ s unsure if Dotson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders .
Footnotes .
Denver officially placed rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam ( right ACL injury ) on injured reserve on Tuesday .
The Broncos also claimed cornerback De ’ Vante Bausby off waivers from the Cardinals .
Bausby , 27 , was released Oct. 24 after playing four games with the Broncos this year and five ( two starts ) in 2019 .
Bausby has a roster exemption as he goes through COVID screening , so he doesn ’ t yet count toward the 53-man limit .

There are plenty of handy excuses for the inconsistencies along the Broncos’ offensive line this season, but Dalton Risner won’t validate any of them.
“As an offensive line you wish that you could have five guys for the whole season to be able to block next to each other and gel, but that’s not how this game works,” the Broncos left guard said.
“There’s a lot of moving pieces with the game of football, especially with us this season on the offensive line. We’ve got to continue to work through that. There are no excuses.”
Denver has allowed 21 sacks this season, ranking 21st in the league, and is 16th in rushing yards per game at 111.6. For select quarters on a handful of plays, the unit has given quarterback Drew Lock (and his backups) time in the pocket, and cleared holes up front for tailbacks Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay. But there has been little consistency.
Too often the Broncos are losing the battle of the trenches, as was the case Sunday when Denver fell behind early and never caught up in a 34-27 loss in Atlanta.
“We’ve got to be able to be the better offensive line out there whenever we’re going against the defensive line,” Risner said. “We didn’t do that last weekend, and we’ve got to do that against the Raiders this week.”
Despite a Hall of Famer leading the group in offensive line coach Mike Munchak — who also missed a week of practice and the Week 8 game against the Chargers after being placed in the league’s COVID-19 protocols — that superiority has been hard to come by. COVID-19 and injuries have led to juggling the startling five.
The unit’s projected starting right tackle entering 2020, Ja’Wuan James, opted out. Elijah Wilkinson took his place, but suffered a leg injury in Week 3. Demar Dotson then took Wilkinson’s place, and when Dotson exited the Atlanta game with a hip injury, Jake Rodgers played for Dotson.
There’s been irregularities beyond right tackle, too. Risner suffered a shoulder injury early in the New England game in Week 5 and was spelled by Austin Schlottmann. Right guard Graham Glasgow missed the past two games while on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus, and Schlottmann played for him.
The only every-down consistencies on the line this season have been left tackle Garett Bolles and rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry, neither of whom have missed a snap. Bolles has started all 56 games of his four-year career.
One play that epitomized the offensive line’s glaring error-prone tendencies and communication issues was Lock’s interception against the Falcons in the fourth quarter. On the pick, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett came untouched up the middle to immediately pressure Lock into a poor throw, which was nabbed by cornerback Ricardo Allen.
“There needs to be better communication (on that play),” Risner said. “You’ve got a rookie at center, and you could easily point a finger at me and say, ‘Dalton, as a second-year guy and as a guy that says he’s a leader of the offensive line, why don’t you have your guys on the same page?’ That’s how the game works and that could easily be put on me. It (upsets) me watching film because when I see that, (I’m like), ‘Are you kidding me?’ That was one play of the game, and there were multiple plays like that, that we just can’t have and are unacceptable.”
Glasgow is expected to return off the COVID/reserve list for Sunday’s game in Las Vegas, while coach Vic Fangio said he’s unsure if Dotson will be available to play against the Raiders.
Footnotes. Denver officially placed rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (right ACL injury) on injured reserve on Tuesday. The Broncos also claimed cornerback De’Vante Bausby off waivers from the Cardinals. Bausby, 27, was released Oct. 24 after playing four games with the Broncos this year and five (two starts) in 2019. Bausby has a roster exemption as he goes through COVID screening, so he doesn’t yet count toward the 53-man limit.


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Kevin Cash, Don Mattingly win Manager of the Year awards

Tampa Bay ’ s Kevin Cash won the AL Manager of the Year award on Tuesday night , and Miami ’ s Don Mattingly took home the NL honor .
Long regarded as one of baseball ’ s bright young minds , Cash guided Tampa Bay to an AL-best 40-20 record during the pandemic-shortened season .
But he was roundly criticized for pulling ace left-hander Blake Snell in the sixth inning of the decisive Game 6 in the World Series against the champion Dodgers .
Voting by the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America concluded before the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let go by the White Sox after the team made the postseason for the first time since 2008 , finished second , followed by Toronto ’ s Charlie Montoyo .
Mattingly guided the Marlins to their first playoff appearance since 2003 despite dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that paused their season and ravaged the roster .
The Marlins ’ 31-29 record was Mattingly ’ s first winning season in his fifth year with the club .
The former big league first baseman had a winning record in each of his five seasons as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mattingly , the first Manager of the Year for the Marlins since Joe Girardi in 2006 , was the AL MVP with the New York Yankees in 1985 .
He is fifth person to win both MVP and Manager of the Year .
“ They ’ re just different .
The first one feels personal and this one feels more like a team thing , ” Mattingly said , “ and that ’ s why I ’ m proud of it because we ’ ve struggled for a couple years and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think this is a sign that we ’ re heading in that direction.
” San Diego ’ s Jayce Tingler finished second behind Mattingly in balloting by the BBWAA , followed by David Ross of the Chicago Cubs .
Tingler and Ross led their teams to the playoffs in their first seasons as a big league manager .
The Cy Young Awards will be announced by the BBWAA on Wednesday night , followed by the MVPs on Thursday .
After losing 105 games a year ago , Miami ’ s 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak during the first weekend of play .
The team had to make 174 roster moves but still managed the franchise ’ s first winning record since 2009 .
The steady hand of the 59-year-old Mattingly played a big role in the turnaround , which continued in the playoffs .
Miami eliminated the NL Central champion Cubs in the first round before it was swept by the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series .
Cash , who turns 43 on Dec. 6 , hit .183 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for five teams , including Tampa Bay .
After his playing career ended , he worked as an advance scout for Texas and Toronto before joining Terry Francona ’ s staff in Cleveland as the bullpen coach .
The Tampa , Florida , native and Florida State alum was hired as Tampa Bay manager the day before his 37th birthday .
He finished third in balloting for AL Manager of the Year in each of the past two seasons .
He is the franchise ’ s first winner of the award since Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in six years as manager of the Rays .
Tampa Bay won the AL East this year for the first time since Cash took over .
The Rays leaned heavily on their bullpen throughout the pandemic-shortened season , with 12 different pitchers recording at least one save — matching the major league record .
So the move to get Snell was in line with what made the Rays so successful this year , but it played a key role in the Dodgers rallying for a title-clinching 3-1 victory .
Cash has insisted if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would trust his bullpen to close it out .

Tampa Bay’s Kevin Cash won the AL Manager of the Year award on Tuesday night, and Miami’s Don Mattingly took home the NL honor.
Long regarded as one of baseball’s bright young minds, Cash guided Tampa Bay to an AL-best 40-20 record during the pandemic-shortened season. But he was roundly criticized for pulling ace left-hander Blake Snell in the sixth inning of the decisive Game 6 in the World Series against the champion Dodgers.
Voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America concluded before the beginning of the playoffs. Rick Renteria, who was let go by the White Sox after the team made the postseason for the first time since 2008, finished second, followed by Toronto’s Charlie Montoyo.
Mattingly guided the Marlins to their first playoff appearance since 2003 despite dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that paused their season and ravaged the roster.
The Marlins’ 31-29 record was Mattingly’s first winning season in his fifth year with the club. The former big league first baseman had a winning record in each of his five seasons as the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mattingly, the first Manager of the Year for the Marlins since Joe Girardi in 2006, was the AL MVP with the New York Yankees in 1985. He is fifth person to win both MVP and Manager of the Year.
“They’re just different. The first one feels personal and this one feels more like a team thing,” Mattingly said, “and that’s why I’m proud of it because we’ve struggled for a couple years and for us to move forward is important, and I think this is a sign that we’re heading in that direction.”
San Diego’s Jayce Tingler finished second behind Mattingly in balloting by the BBWAA, followed by David Ross of the Chicago Cubs.
Tingler and Ross led their teams to the playoffs in their first seasons as a big league manager.
The Cy Young Awards will be announced by the BBWAA on Wednesday night, followed by the MVPs on Thursday.
After losing 105 games a year ago, Miami’s 2020 season was nearly derailed by a coronavirus outbreak during the first weekend of play. The team had to make 174 roster moves but still managed the franchise’s first winning record since 2009.
The steady hand of the 59-year-old Mattingly played a big role in the turnaround, which continued in the playoffs. Miami eliminated the NL Central champion Cubs in the first round before it was swept by the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series.
Cash, who turns 43 on Dec. 6, hit .183 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs in 246 major league games as a catcher for five teams, including Tampa Bay. After his playing career ended, he worked as an advance scout for Texas and Toronto before joining Terry Francona’s staff in Cleveland as the bullpen coach.
The Tampa, Florida, native and Florida State alum was hired as Tampa Bay manager the day before his 37th birthday. He finished third in balloting for AL Manager of the Year in each of the past two seasons. He is the franchise’s first winner of the award since Joe Maddon in 2011.
Cash is 454-416 in six years as manager of the Rays.
Tampa Bay won the AL East this year for the first time since Cash took over. The Rays leaned heavily on their bullpen throughout the pandemic-shortened season, with 12 different pitchers recording at least one save — matching the major league record.
So the move to get Snell was in line with what made the Rays so successful this year, but it played a key role in the Dodgers rallying for a title-clinching 3-1 victory. Cash has insisted if he faced the same situation again, he would trust his bullpen to close it out.


thedenverpost--2020-11-10--All BVSD schools moving to remote learning Nov. 17 because of coronavirus

The Boulder Valley School District will switch to all remote learning starting Nov. 17 because of rising case numbers and quarantines , Superintendent Rob Anderson announced at Tuesday ’ s school board meeting .
Anderson said skyrocketing cases have stretched contact tracing for both the health department and the district team , overwhelming the district to the point they can ’ t keep up — and likely can ’ t implement quarantines quickly enough to control spread .
“ This is quite frankly agonizing , ” he said .
“ We feel that we are at a place now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students will be remote through at least Jan. 5 , following winter break .
The district will review case rates after Thanksgiving and look first at bringing back students with intensive special needs , he said .
Four Boulder Valley schools , the district announced Tuesday , need to move to remote learning earlier , starting Thursday , because of the impact of coronavirus quarantines .
The schools are Community Montessori Elementary , University Hill Elementary and Horizons K-8 , all in Boulder , and Broomfield Heights Middle .
Remote learning starts Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veterans Day .
At Community Montessori , according to district officials , a symptomatic COVID-19 case that ’ s pending test results prompted quarantines .
The school has 17 students and four staff members quarantined , according to the district ’ s coronavirus dashboard .
At University Hill , one symptomatic case that ’ s pending test results and three positive cases prompted quarantines .
The school has 104 students and 17 staff members quarantined , according to the district ’ s coronavirus dashboard .
At Horizons K-8 , a charter school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted quarantines that have pulled 10 staff members from the building , according to Head of School Lucas Ketzer .
At Broomfield Heights , two symptomatic cases that are pending test results plus one positive case prompted quarantines.The school has 97 students and eight staff members quarantined , according to the district ’ s coronavirus dashboard .
Nine district schools now have transitioned to remote learning because of the impact of coronavirus quarantines .
Monarch High moved to remote learning Tuesday , Manhattan Middle moved Nov. 4 , the middle grades of Aspen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High moved Oct. 29 and Eisenhower Elementary moved Oct. 28 .
Eisenhower students returned in-person today .
Manhattan Middle , Aspen Creek ’ s middle grades and Boulder High are set to return to their buildings Thursday .
Monarch High students weren ’ t expected to return to their building Dec. 1 , so won ’ t return .
“ We need to all work together to reverse the trend , ” Anderson said .
“ Unless we work together , this trend won ’ t break .
”

The Boulder Valley School District will switch to all remote learning starting Nov. 17 because of “skyrocketing” coronavirus case numbers, Superintendent Rob Anderson announced at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
He said students will be remote through at least Jan. 5, after winter break. The district will review case rates after Thanksgiving and look first at bringing back students with intensive special needs, he said.
Anderson said case increases have stretched the contact tracing capabilities of both the health department and the district team, overwhelming the district to the point they can’t keep up — and likely can’t implement quarantines quickly enough to control spread.
“This is quite frankly agonizing,” he said. “We feel that we are at a place now that we are just overwhelmed.”
With all the quarantines, he said, staffing schools for in-person learning has become difficult. With other large area school districts switching to remote, staffing is likely to become more challenging as Boulder Valley teachers with children who live in those districts must take a leave of absence, he said.
“All of this is starting to begin to really compound,” he said.
The district now is operating in a hybrid learning model, with elementary students attending four days in person, middle school attending two days and high school attending one day.
When not in person, middle and high school students follow along with the in-person classes from home. Mondays are a “launch” day, with students in all grades learning independently from home so teachers can plan.
In response to a board member question, Anderson said there are no current plans to offer child care while students are remote, but the district will continue to evaluate whether it can be offered safely. Several board members also emphasized the importance of connecting students and families to mental health services.
“We will do everything we can to support families in ways that are safe that we can sustain,” Anderson said.
School board President Tina Marquis said it’s time to start lobbying for state policies that prioritize K-12 education.
“My child will not go to school, but I can go to a bar with a lot of people and have a drink,” she said. “I’m not sure that’s how it should work.”
Boulder County and Broomfield health officials gave an update on case numbers and hospitalizations at the meeting, noting case numbers are increasing for school age children. In Boulder County, case numbers for 0 to 9-year-olds are tripling, health officials said.
“We have not been able to control the community spread,” said Boulder County Public Health medical officer Dr. Chris Urbina. “We know what happens in the community happens in the schools. We’re in this together.”
Stephanie Faren, Boulder Valley’s health service director, said the district’s team is reviewing up to 50 possible COVID-19 cases a day — and is seeing more of the possible cases turn into positive cases. On Monday alone, she added, the district quarantined more than 400 students and staff members.
Four Boulder Valley schools, the district announced Tuesday, need to move to remote learning earlier, starting Thursday, because of the impact of coronavirus quarantines.
The schools are Community Montessori Elementary, University Hill Elementary and Horizons K-8, all in Boulder, and Broomfield Heights Middle. Remote learning starts Thursday because all students have Wednesday off for Veterans Day.
At Community Montessori, according to district officials, a symptomatic COVID-19 case that’s pending test results prompted quarantines. The school has 17 students and four staff members quarantined, according to the district’s coronavirus dashboard.
At University Hill, one symptomatic case that’s pending test results and three positive cases prompted quarantines. The school has 104 students and 17 staff members quarantined, according to the district’s coronavirus dashboard.
At Horizons K-8, a charter school, “multiple probable cases of COVID-19” prompted quarantines that have pulled 10 staff members from the building, according to Head of School Lucas Ketzer.
At Broomfield Heights, two symptomatic cases that are pending test results plus one positive case prompted quarantines. The school has 97 students and eight staff members quarantined, according to the district’s coronavirus dashboard.
Nine district schools now have transitioned to remote learning because of the impact of coronavirus quarantines.
Monarch High moved to remote learning Tuesday; Manhattan Middle moved Nov. 4; the middle grades of Aspen Creek K-8 moved Nov. 3; Boulder High moved Oct. 29; and Eisenhower Elementary moved Oct. 28. Eisenhower students returned in person today. Manhattan Middle, Aspen Creek’s middle grades and Boulder High are set to return to their buildings Thursday. Monarch High students weren’t expected to return to their building until Dec. 1, so won’t return.
Districtwide, Boulder Valley’s coronavirus dashboard shows 33 active cases, 11 symptomatic cases pending test results and 10 probable cases.
“We need to all work together to reverse the trend,” Anderson said. “Unless we work together, this trend won’t break.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-10--Apple unveils first Macs built to run more like iPhones

SAN RAMON , Calif. — Apple is rolling out new Mac computers powered by the same kind of chips that run iPhones and iPads , a move aimed at making it easier for its most popular products to work together .
For instance , Macs using the new chips will be able to run the same apps designed for the iPhone ’ s mobile operating system , although it appears some developers aren ’ t immediately keen on making those apps available for Macs .
Apple didn ’ t demonstrate any other interoperability features based on the new chips , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Mac lineup unveiled Tuesday will be in stores five months after Apple announced it would abandon its longtime partner Intel in favor of using its own processors for Mac computers .
Apple said its new Mac chips make possible faster processing speeds , sleeker designs and longer running times on a single battery charge .
For instance , some Macs have eliminated a cooling fan inside the machines , helping slim down their design .
The transition to the new in-house chips could also create stumbling blocks for Apple and other software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it will also run smoothly on the new models .
Initially , Apple will only be putting its chips in smaller computers — the 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro , as well as the Mac Mini desktop .
The company expects it will take another two years before all its Macs are running on the in-house chips .
All three new computers are supposed to be available in stores next week , with prices starting at almost $ 700 for the Mac Mini to $ 1,200 for the 13-inch MacBook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid high demand for laptop computers as consumers , companies , schools and government agencies adjust to a work-at-home shift triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Even if a vaccine eases the threat posed by the novel coronavirus , people still are expected to be working more frequently from home than they previously did.. Apple ’ s Mac sales surged 17 % during the first nine months of this year compared to 2019 .
The company ’ s iPhone revenue fell 9 % over the same span as people continued to hold on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or bought devices powered by Google ’ s Android software instead .
Apple still get four times more revenue from iPhones than it does from Macs Sales of Macs also lag far behind those of PCs made by Lenovo , HP and Dell that run Microsoft ’ s Windows software and primarily use chips made by Intel and AMD .

SAN RAMON, Calif. — Apple is rolling out new Mac computers powered by the same kind of chips that run iPhones and iPads, a move aimed at making it easier for its most popular products to work together.
For instance, Macs using the new chips will be able to run the same apps designed for the iPhone’s mobile operating system, although it appears some developers aren’t immediately keen on making those apps available for Macs. Apple didn’t demonstrate any other interoperability features based on the new chips, although analysts expect more cross-pollination.
The new Mac lineup unveiled Tuesday will be in stores five months after Apple announced it would abandon its longtime partner Intel in favor of using its own processors for Mac computers. Apple said its new Mac chips make possible faster processing speeds, sleeker designs and longer running times on a single battery charge.
For instance, some Macs have eliminated a cooling fan inside the machines, helping slim down their design.
The transition to the new in-house chips could also create stumbling blocks for Apple and other software makers aiming to adapt existing Mac software so it will also run smoothly on the new models.
Initially, Apple will only be putting its chips in smaller computers — the 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro, as well as the Mac Mini desktop. The company expects it will take another two years before all its Macs are running on the in-house chips.
All three new computers are supposed to be available in stores next week, with prices starting at almost $700 for the Mac Mini to $1,200 for the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The new Macs are debuting amid high demand for laptop computers as consumers, companies, schools and government agencies adjust to a work-at-home shift triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if a vaccine eases the threat posed by the novel coronavirus, people still are expected to be working more frequently from home than they previously did..
Apple’s Mac sales surged 17% during the first nine months of this year compared to 2019. The company’s iPhone revenue fell 9% over the same span as people continued to hold on to their older models for longer periods or bought devices powered by Google’s Android software instead.
Apple still get four times more revenue from iPhones than it does from Macs Sales of Macs also lag far behind those of PCs made by Lenovo, HP and Dell that run Microsoft’s Windows software and primarily use chips made by Intel and AMD.


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Some big, early shifts on immigration expected under Biden

WASHINGTON — Some dramatic moves on immigration are expected in the early days of the Biden administration .
Joe Biden will likely use executive orders to reverse some of President Donald Trump ’ s most controversial actions , rolling back moves that were a central feature of his administration and important to his base .
The Biden administration plans to restore protection for people brought to the U.S. illegally as minors and stop using Pentagon funds to build a border wall .
Biden unveiled a detailed , highly ambitious plan on immigration , but it will take time to undo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incoming president will also likely face a divided Congress , making it difficult to enact any kind of sweeping , comprehensive changes to the nation ’ s immigration system .
Here ’ s a look at what to expect : Restricting immigration was a signature issue for Trump , who infamously called Mexicans rapists as he pledged to build a border wall in launching his campaign .
His administration banned travelers from some predominantly Muslim countries as one of its first acts , took many steps to limit legal immigration and cut the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 80 % .
Biden has said “ immigration is central to who we are as a nation , ” noting that most Americans can trace their ancestry to immigrants , but it isn ’ t a core issue .
It ’ s not even mentioned on his transition website ’ s top priorities : COVID-19 , economic recovery , racial justice and climate change .
Biden named Cecilia Munoz , President Barack Obama ’ s top immigration adviser , to his transition team , which some interpreted as signaling a more moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move quickly to undo some of Trump ’ s signature immigration initiatives .
The border wall ?
The roughly 400 miles ( 644 kilometers ) built so far won ’ t come down but the new administration won ’ t keep building it or taking money from the Pentagon to fund it over the objections of Congress .
The incoming administration plans to reinstate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , which currently shields from deportation about 650,000 people who came to the country when they were young .
He plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States from 13 countries , many of them Muslim-majority .
One of Trump ’ s first moves in office was to tell immigration officials that everyone in the country illegally was subject to deportation .
Biden is expected to return to criteria similar to what Obama adopted toward the end of his tenure , largely limiting deportations to people with serious criminal records in the United States .
Biden said he wants the government to help find parents of hundreds of children who were separated from their parents at the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to get rid of policies that have been “ detrimental ” to seeking asylum — such as the policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court — but he is expected to move cautiously to avoid triggering more arrivals .
Rep. Veronica Escobar , a Texas Democrat who was a Biden appointee to the joint immigration task force with Bernie Sanders , said a resolution will require coordination with Mexico .
“ This is a moment that ’ s going to require true leadership , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TIME Nearly every major policy change under Trump is in court and may take effort to disentangle , including considerations of protecting executive power .
Other reversals would be subject to formal rule-making procedures that require time .
Stephen Yale-Loehr , a professor of immigration law practice at Cornell Law School , thinks Biden will move cautiously on asylum to avoid setting off a new wave of arrivals and says other changes will face “ procedural and practical problems.
” Take the “ public charge ” rule , which disqualifies more people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
Biden wants it reversed but would need to go through the extensive , rule-making exercise .
A federal appeals court sided with Trump on ending humanitarian protections that have allowed hundreds of thousands of people from El Salvador , Nicaragua , Haiti and Sudan to remain in the United States .
Biden says only that he would order an “ immediate review ” of “ Temporary Protected Status.
” Yale-Loehr , a strong critic of Trump ’ s policies , says it is “ going to take four years to undo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done ” while Biden attends to the pandemic and other issues .
WHAT COULD STAY THE SAME At least initially , Biden may keep in place a Trump administration order that authorizes Customs and Border Protection to quickly expel any migrant as a public health measure during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Even though critics question the health justification for the order , the new administration may decide it ’ s necessary to avoid a rush of migrants and to protect Border Patrol agents and other CBP employees , says Doris Meissner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Migration Policy Institute .
“ This health circumstance is not likely to just disappear come January or February , ” she says .
Biden says he will “ commit significant political capital to finally deliver legislative immigration reform , ” which would be necessary to fix problems with the American immigration system and resolve the fate of millions of undocumented people living in the U.S. That ’ s a long shot , at best , with the divided Congress .
President George W. Bush called for a big immigration bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one as well , and it died in the House .

WASHINGTON — Some dramatic moves on immigration are expected in the early days of the Biden administration. Joe Biden will likely use executive orders to reverse some of President Donald Trump’s most controversial actions, rolling back moves that were a central feature of his administration and important to his base.
The Biden administration plans to restore protection for people brought to the U.S. illegally as minors and stop using Pentagon funds to build a border wall. Biden unveiled a detailed, highly ambitious plan on immigration, but it will take time to undo many actions taken by Trump.
The incoming president will also likely face a divided Congress, making it difficult to enact any kind of sweeping, comprehensive changes to the nation’s immigration system. Here’s a look at what to expect:
A CHANGE OF TONE
Restricting immigration was a signature issue for Trump, who infamously called Mexicans rapists as he pledged to build a border wall in launching his campaign. His administration banned travelers from some predominantly Muslim countries as one of its first acts, took many steps to limit legal immigration and cut the number of refugees allowed in the country by 80%.
Biden has said “immigration is central to who we are as a nation,” noting that most Americans can trace their ancestry to immigrants, but it isn’t a core issue. It’s not even mentioned on his transition website’s top priorities: COVID-19, economic recovery, racial justice and climate change.
Biden named Cecilia Munoz, President Barack Obama’s top immigration adviser, to his transition team, which some interpreted as signaling a more moderate tack.
BIG, EARLY MOVES
Biden has said he will move quickly to undo some of Trump’s signature immigration initiatives. The border wall? The roughly 400 miles (644 kilometers) built so far won’t come down but the new administration won’t keep building it or taking money from the Pentagon to fund it over the objections of Congress.
The incoming administration plans to reinstate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which currently shields from deportation about 650,000 people who came to the country when they were young. He plans to overturn the travel ban on people visiting the United States from 13 countries, many of them Muslim-majority.
One of Trump’s first moves in office was to tell immigration officials that everyone in the country illegally was subject to deportation. Biden is expected to return to criteria similar to what Obama adopted toward the end of his tenure, largely limiting deportations to people with serious criminal records in the United States.
Biden said he wants the government to help find parents of hundreds of children who were separated from their parents at the border early in the Trump administration.
Biden wants to get rid of policies that have been “detrimental” to seeking asylum — such as the policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court — but he is expected to move cautiously to avoid triggering more arrivals.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Texas Democrat who was a Biden appointee to the joint immigration task force with Bernie Sanders, said a resolution will require coordination with Mexico.
“This is a moment that’s going to require true leadership,” she said.
WHY SOME CHANGES WILL TAKE TIME
Nearly every major policy change under Trump is in court and may take effort to disentangle, including considerations of protecting executive power. Other reversals would be subject to formal rule-making procedures that require time.
Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law practice at Cornell Law School, thinks Biden will move cautiously on asylum to avoid setting off a new wave of arrivals and says other changes will face “procedural and practical problems.”
Take the “public charge” rule, which disqualifies more people from green cards if they rely on government benefits. Biden wants it reversed but would need to go through the extensive, rule-making exercise. A federal appeals court sided with Trump on ending humanitarian protections that have allowed hundreds of thousands of people from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti and Sudan to remain in the United States. Biden says only that he would order an “immediate review” of “Temporary Protected Status.”
Yale-Loehr, a strong critic of Trump’s policies, says it is “going to take four years to undo all the damage that the Trump administration has done” while Biden attends to the pandemic and other issues.
WHAT COULD STAY THE SAME
At least initially, Biden may keep in place a Trump administration order that authorizes Customs and Border Protection to quickly expel any migrant as a public health measure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even though critics question the health justification for the order, the new administration may decide it’s necessary to avoid a rush of migrants and to protect Border Patrol agents and other CBP employees, says Doris Meissner, a former senior U.S. immigration official now with the Migration Policy Institute.
“This health circumstance is not likely to just disappear come January or February,” she says.
PROSPECTS FOR MAJOR IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL
Biden says he will “commit significant political capital to finally deliver legislative immigration reform,” which would be necessary to fix problems with the American immigration system and resolve the fate of millions of undocumented people living in the U.S. That’s a long shot, at best, with the divided Congress. President George W. Bush called for a big immigration bill, to no avail. Obama pushed for one as well, and it died in the House.


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Analysis: GOP lets doubts about Biden’s legitimacy flourish

By Julie Pace and Steven Sloan , The Associated Press WASHINGTON — In backing President Donald Trump ’ s baseless claims of election fraud , Republicans risk leaving millions of Americans with the false impression that the results of the 2020 race are illegitimate .
And that may be the point .
None of Trump ’ s legal challenges and assertions of voting irregularities has revealed any substantive issues with the election that would overturn the results .
And some GOP lawmakers and party officials privately acknowledge that Trump has no choice but to step aside by Jan. 20 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Trump is doing nothing to make that road to Inauguration Day easier for Biden .
In fact , he ’ s trying to block it , littering the path with misinformation and falsehoods about the election .
As a result , Biden will almost certainly be viewed as an illegitimate president by some voters , potentially denying him that period of goodwill that typically greets a new president .
The stakes for Biden are even greater , especially if the Senate remains in Republican control , as he advances an agenda to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
“ Their intent is to delegitimize this election and thereby delegitimize President-elect Biden ’ s presidency , ” said Valerie Jarrett , who was a White House senior adviser to President Barack Obama .
“ It is damaging to the democracy .
Once again they ’ re putting their short-term political interests ahead of the interests of the country.
” The GOP strategy has echoes of the Republican approach to Obama ’ s 2008 victory when he won by 9.5 million votes and with 365 Electoral College votes .
Republicans largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flourish , leaving millions of Americans with the impression that the nation ’ s first Black president might not be eligible to serve .
The chief proponent of the “ birtherism ” lie was , of course , Trump .
More than a decade later , Republicans again face a choice about whether to embrace Trump ’ s falsehoods for political gain .
So far , few are openly disputing his assertions or challenging his acts to impede the transition .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday there was “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s refusal to acknowledge defeat .
Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota balked at the notion that Republicans were enabling conspiracy theories , saying what “ we ’ re doing is following exactly what the Founding Fathers here wanted us to do , which is to follow the rule of law.
” Even those who have taken a tougher stand against Trump are giving themselves room when it comes to Biden ’ s victory .
“ It ’ s important we show confidence in our institutions , our ability to investigate cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s by far the most likely outcome there will not be a change in the tally in a substantial way , ” said Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah .
Yet Biden ’ s victory is not an open question .
He has cleared the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House .
There has been no evidence of widespread voting fraud or irregularities .
State election officials in both parties say voting went well , even in the middle of a pandemic .
International observers have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , however , has repeatedly and baselessly claimed that Democrats are stealing the election from him and that the results will be reversed after legal challenges , none of which has shown any evidence of problems so broad that it could swing the election .
In fact , many of the lawsuits have already been dismissed by judges .
Still , Republicans have allowed Trump ’ s misinformation to flourish , pushed along by conservative media and on the internet .
And Trump ’ s obstinance has practical , negative consequences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government resources typically associated with a presidential transition , Trump is hobbling the incoming administration from preparing for a full government response to the worst pandemic in a century .
Trump ’ s refusal to cooperate also could prevent background investigations and security clearances for prospective staff who will be needed to fill sensitive roles .
The commission that investigated the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks said the abbreviated transition following the 2000 election contributed to critical national security positions going unfilled until just weeks before the strikes .
Biden on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans whether Trump likes it or not .
The turmoil surrounding the transition , he added , said more about the person leaving the White House than the one who will soon enter .
“ It ’ s an embarrassment , quite frankly , ” Biden said .
“ It will not help the president ’ s legacy.
” Republicans ’ willingness to align themselves with Trump ’ s attacks on the election offers a preview for Biden of what may be to come once he takes office .
During Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tamp down questions about his eligibility for the nation ’ s highest office .
Those lies helped fuel some of the hard-line opposition to Obama within the party , making it difficult for more mainstream GOP leaders to work with the White House .
The result was gridlock — but also the mobilization of forces within the Republican Party that propelled them to the majority in the House and Senate , and Trump ultimately to the White House .
Trump is likely to remain the most powerful force in the Republican Party even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having drawn more than 71 million votes in the election .
That ’ s the second-highest number in history , surpassed only by Biden ’ s 76.8 million .
“ The president controls Republican voters in a way that nobody has in a long time , ” said Brendan Buck , a Republican who advised Paul Ryan when he was House speaker .
“ There ’ s very little upside to speaking up against him because he will bring his ire down on you .
”

By Julie Pace and Steven Sloan, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — In backing President Donald Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud, Republicans risk leaving millions of Americans with the false impression that the results of the 2020 race are illegitimate.
And that may be the point.
None of Trump’s legal challenges and assertions of voting irregularities has revealed any substantive issues with the election that would overturn the results. And some GOP lawmakers and party officials privately acknowledge that Trump has no choice but to step aside by Jan. 20 and cede power to President-elect Joe Biden.
But Trump is doing nothing to make that road to Inauguration Day easier for Biden. In fact, he’s trying to block it, littering the path with misinformation and falsehoods about the election. As a result, Biden will almost certainly be viewed as an illegitimate president by some voters, potentially denying him that period of goodwill that typically greets a new president.
The stakes for Biden are even greater, especially if the Senate remains in Republican control, as he advances an agenda to arrest the spiraling coronavirus pandemic and faltering economy.
“Their intent is to delegitimize this election and thereby delegitimize President-elect Biden’s presidency,” said Valerie Jarrett, who was a White House senior adviser to President Barack Obama. “It is damaging to the democracy. Once again they’re putting their short-term political interests ahead of the interests of the country.”
The GOP strategy has echoes of the Republican approach to Obama’s 2008 victory when he won by 9.5 million votes and with 365 Electoral College votes. Republicans largely allowed lies about Obama’s citizenship to flourish, leaving millions of Americans with the impression that the nation’s first Black president might not be eligible to serve.
The chief proponent of the “birtherism” lie was, of course, Trump.
More than a decade later, Republicans again face a choice about whether to embrace Trump’s falsehoods for political gain. So far, few are openly disputing his assertions or challenging his acts to impede the transition.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday there was “no reason for alarm” at Trump’s refusal to acknowledge defeat. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota balked at the notion that Republicans were enabling conspiracy theories, saying what “we’re doing is following exactly what the Founding Fathers here wanted us to do, which is to follow the rule of law.”
Even those who have taken a tougher stand against Trump are giving themselves room when it comes to Biden’s victory.
“It’s important we show confidence in our institutions, our ability to investigate cases and when that’s completed, I think it’s by far the most likely outcome there will not be a change in the tally in a substantial way,” said Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah.
Yet Biden’s victory is not an open question. He has cleared the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.
There has been no evidence of widespread voting fraud or irregularities. State election officials in both parties say voting went well, even in the middle of a pandemic. International observers have also concluded there were no serious issues.
Trump, however, has repeatedly and baselessly claimed that Democrats are stealing the election from him and that the results will be reversed after legal challenges, none of which has shown any evidence of problems so broad that it could swing the election. In fact, many of the lawsuits have already been dismissed by judges.
Still, Republicans have allowed Trump’s misinformation to flourish, pushed along by conservative media and on the internet. And Trump’s obstinance has practical, negative consequences.
In preventing Biden from tapping into the government resources typically associated with a presidential transition, Trump is hobbling the incoming administration from preparing for a full government response to the worst pandemic in a century. Trump’s refusal to cooperate also could prevent background investigations and security clearances for prospective staff who will be needed to fill sensitive roles.
The commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks said the abbreviated transition following the 2000 election contributed to critical national security positions going unfilled until just weeks before the strikes.
Biden on Tuesday vowed to move forward with his transition plans whether Trump likes it or not. The turmoil surrounding the transition, he added, said more about the person leaving the White House than the one who will soon enter.
“It’s an embarrassment, quite frankly,” Biden said. “It will not help the president’s legacy.”
Republicans’ willingness to align themselves with Trump’s attacks on the election offers a preview for Biden of what may be to come once he takes office.
During Obama’s presidency, many Republicans did little to tamp down questions about his eligibility for the nation’s highest office. Those lies helped fuel some of the hard-line opposition to Obama within the party, making it difficult for more mainstream GOP leaders to work with the White House.
The result was gridlock — but also the mobilization of forces within the Republican Party that propelled them to the majority in the House and Senate, and Trump ultimately to the White House.
Trump is likely to remain the most powerful force in the Republican Party even when he’s out of office, having drawn more than 71 million votes in the election. That’s the second-highest number in history, surpassed only by Biden’s 76.8 million.
“The president controls Republican voters in a way that nobody has in a long time,” said Brendan Buck, a Republican who advised Paul Ryan when he was House speaker. “There’s very little upside to speaking up against him because he will bring his ire down on you.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-11--Colorado health department deletes emails of officials working on pandemic despite calls to preserve

Colorado health department deletes emails of officials working on pandemic despite calls to preserve records

Colorado ’ s health department has routinely deleted emails sent and received by officials responding to the coronavirus pandemic , despite a request by the state archives that agencies save all documents related to their management of the historic public health crisis .
The Denver Post discovered the Department of Public Health and Environment deleted public records after requesting emails sent and received by state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy .
Emails belonging to state employees are public records under the Colorado Open Records Act .
“ … ( E ) mails from May would have already been auto-deleted unless otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Dr. Herlihy as part of a normal business process , ” Monica Wilkerson , the department ’ s records and legal services liaison , wrote in response to The Post ’ s request .
The Post will receive some records , including emails , from the health department that were preserved .
As of last year , the agency ’ s policy was to delete most employee emails after 90 days .
The health department ’ s purging of emails mirrors similar practices across Colorado ’ s state government to empty inboxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor ’ s office — deleting most emails after just 30 days .
Earlier this year , Colorado journalism organizations asked state agencies to be transparent and retain records related to the pandemic given its historic nature .
It ’ s important to keep records related to the state ’ s response to COVID-19 so that journalists can report on a crisis impacting Coloradans ’ health and safety , said Jeff Roberts , executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition.. “ I ’ m disappointed because we asked for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department ’ s deletion of emails related to its coronavirus response .
“ Just because they may not think the messages are important to keep , those are government records and they are the public ’ s records.
” State officials stressed they are following procedure and the law .
“ To be clear , we haven ’ t changed our record-retention policy during the pandemic ; we are , of course , preserving what the law requires us to preserve , ” said Ann Hause , director of the office of legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ CDPHE maintains records in accordance with our record-retention policies and state statute .
The department or program retention schedules , as required by law , are based on the content of the record and the business need , ” Hause said .
In order to make sure records pertaining to the state government ’ s response to COVID-19 “ are kept for posterity , ” the Colorado State Archives posted a notice online in June requesting other departments “ start thinking about what records you and your agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to COVID-19.
” The state Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement that it is following the state archives ’ guidelines and state statute .
“ The State Archives Office recommends we save correspondence showing significant new policies or work practices in place during the pandemic , ” the health department said .
“ Correspondence includes letters , memos and emails.
” On its website , the archives explained why state agencies should save COVID-19 records , saying “ ( f ) uture historians , as well as future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will benefit from the records you keep now .
They will reveal how you communicated with the public and how you directed staff to continue their daily service to Colorado citizens while remaining safe and healthy.
” A spokesman for the state archives did not respond to questions Tuesday .
More than 60 news organizations , including The Post , sent a letter to Gov .
Jared Polis in April , asking for transparency in the state ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The letter specifically asked that all public officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages , messages from platforms such as Slack and Zoom recordings related to the crisis , so that accurate chronologies of their collective responses can be obtained and recorded.
” “ These primary records will become particularly important in the future , as journalists and social science researchers attempt to reconstruct this chaotic period to determine what we can learn from the response , ” the letter stated .
Conor Cahill , the governor ’ s press secretary , said in a statement that Polis “ believes in transparency in government .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , executive orders , press releases , etc .
We also have processes in place so that documents , including emails , that need to be retained for pending CORA requests , litigation holds , other state law , etc.
, are retained.
” The state ’ s deletion of emails follows publication of a recent report by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition that found state agencies , cities and other government entities are charging Coloradans hundreds or thousands of dollars to retrieve public records requested under the Colorado Open Records Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited a request by The Post seeking records from the Department of Public Health and Environment during the early days of the pandemic .
In response to the request , which asked for emails and memos , the agency estimated the “ minimum cost ” to retrieve and review the records would be $ 20,707 .

Colorado’s health department has routinely deleted emails sent and received by officials responding to the coronavirus pandemic, despite a request by the state archives that agencies save all documents related to their management of the historic public health crisis.
The Denver Post discovered the Department of Public Health and Environment deleted public records after requesting emails sent and received by state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy. Emails belonging to state employees are public records under the Colorado Open Records Act.
“…(E)mails from May would have already been auto-deleted unless otherwise preserved, or they were previously deleted by Dr. Herlihy as part of a normal business process,” Monica Wilkerson, the department’s records and legal services liaison, wrote in response to The Post’s request.
The Post will receive some records, including emails, from the health department that were preserved. As of last year, the agency’s policy was to delete most employee emails after 90 days.
The health department’s purging of emails mirrors similar practices across Colorado’s state government to empty inboxes regularly, with some departments — including the governor’s office — deleting most emails after just 30 days.
Earlier this year, Colorado journalism organizations asked state agencies to be transparent and retain records related to the pandemic given its historic nature.
It’s important to keep records related to the state’s response to COVID-19 so that journalists can report on a crisis impacting Coloradans’ health and safety, said Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition..
“I’m disappointed because we asked for this,” Roberts said of the health department’s deletion of emails related to its coronavirus response. “Just because they may not think the messages are important to keep, those are government records and they are the public’s records.”
State officials stressed they are following procedure and the law.
“To be clear, we haven’t changed our record-retention policy during the pandemic; we are, of course, preserving what the law requires us to preserve,” said Ann Hause, director of the office of legal and regulatory compliance at the agency, in a statement.
“CDPHE maintains records in accordance with our record-retention policies and state statute. The department or program retention schedules, as required by law, are based on the content of the record and the business need,” Hause said.
In order to make sure records pertaining to the state government’s response to COVID-19 “are kept for posterity,” the Colorado State Archives posted a notice online in June requesting other departments “start thinking about what records you and your agency are creating, and keep all records related to COVID-19.”
The state Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement that it is following the state archives’ guidelines and state statute.
“The State Archives Office recommends we save correspondence showing significant new policies or work practices in place during the pandemic,” the health department said. “Correspondence includes letters, memos and emails.”
On its website, the archives explained why state agencies should save COVID-19 records, saying “(f)uture historians, as well as future staff of your agency or office, will benefit from the records you keep now. They will reveal how you communicated with the public and how you directed staff to continue their daily service to Colorado citizens while remaining safe and healthy.”
A spokesman for the state archives did not respond to questions Tuesday.
More than 60 news organizations, including The Post, sent a letter to Gov. Jared Polis in April, asking for transparency in the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter specifically asked that all public officials in Colorado “retain emails, text messages, messages from platforms such as Slack and Zoom recordings related to the crisis, so that accurate chronologies of their collective responses can be obtained and recorded.”
“These primary records will become particularly important in the future, as journalists and social science researchers attempt to reconstruct this chaotic period to determine what we can learn from the response,” the letter stated.
Conor Cahill, the governor’s press secretary, said in a statement that Polis “believes in transparency in government. Our office saves all final versions of contracts, executive orders, press releases, etc. We also have processes in place so that documents, including emails, that need to be retained for pending CORA requests, litigation holds, other state law, etc., are retained.”
The state’s deletion of emails follows publication of a recent report by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition that found state agencies, cities and other government entities are charging Coloradans hundreds or thousands of dollars to retrieve public records requested under the Colorado Open Records Act.
In its report, the coalition cited a request by The Post seeking records from the Department of Public Health and Environment during the early days of the pandemic. In response to the request, which asked for emails and memos, the agency estimated the “minimum cost” to retrieve and review the records would be $20,707.
“It’s a big public records problem in Colorado,” Roberts said.