thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Denver weather: Are Decembers trending less snowy?

December is Denver ’ s third snowiest month behind March and April based on the historical records .
However , based on recent years you may not realize it .
If you are new to the Denver metro area within the last 4 years , you have yet to experience an overly snow-filled December .
December 2016 was the last time that snowfall was above the monthly normal of 8 inches , when the observed total was just shy of 10 inches .
Snow totals tailed off significantly in 2017 , when only 4 inches of snow fell that December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mile High City altogether , as the city only managed to measure a paltry 0.5 inches for the whole month .
The downward trend has reversed in the last two years , but still has not gotten anywhere close to normal .
Almost 3 inches of snow fell last December , while Denver International Airport has tallied about 5 inches this December so far .
With limited snow chances in the next week , Denver is on its way to the fourth straight December with below normal snowfall .
The lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by longer-term Front Range residents .
Prior to the ongoing end-of-the-year snow drought , Denver was in a string of very snowy Decembers .
Eight of 11 Decembers from 2006 to 2016 had above normal snowfall , with at least 10 inches falling in seven of those years and at least 20 inches falling in two of them .
For reference , the snowiest December on record was in 1913 when 57.4 inches was officially measured .

December is Denver’s third snowiest month behind March and April based on the historical records. However, based on recent years you may not realize it.
If you are new to the Denver metro area within the last 4 years, you have yet to experience an overly snow-filled December. December 2016 was the last time that snowfall was above the monthly normal of 8 inches, when the observed total was just shy of 10 inches.
Snow totals tailed off significantly in 2017, when only 4 inches of snow fell that December. In 2018, snow nearly avoided the Mile High City altogether, as the city only managed to measure a paltry 0.5 inches for the whole month.
The downward trend has reversed in the last two years, but still has not gotten anywhere close to normal. Almost 3 inches of snow fell last December, while Denver International Airport has tallied about 5 inches this December so far.
With limited snow chances in the next week, Denver is on its way to the fourth straight December with below normal snowfall.
The lack of significant December snow has probably been noticed by longer-term Front Range residents. Prior to the ongoing end-of-the-year snow drought, Denver was in a string of very snowy Decembers.
Eight of 11 Decembers from 2006 to 2016 had above normal snowfall, with at least 10 inches falling in seven of those years and at least 20 inches falling in two of them.
For reference, the snowiest December on record was in 1913 when 57.4 inches was officially measured.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Regional books: A John Shors novel, “Hanging Falls” and more

Ever since his blockbuster “ Beneath a Marble Sky ” was published some years ago , Colorado author John Shors has been known for his haunting love stories set in exotic lands , told in more than 10 novels .
“ My Midnight Sun ” follows in the Shors tradition , and does not disappoint .
The book ’ s protagonist is Owen Sterling , whose wife is killed in a tsunami while honeymooning in Thailand .
Unable to deal with his grief , Owen goes to Bangkok in search of peace .
He is drawn to a street ragamuffin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protects him .
When Owen discovers she is dying of AIDS , he is determined to help .
Suchin confides her dying wish is to stand on a mountain top in Nepal .
Owen impulsively agrees to take her there .
The story is an enchanting one .
Although she has only weeks to live , Suchin is upbeat and accepting , philosophical and with a delightful sense of humor , as she sets Owen straight on who is boss .
“ You only number two boss , ” she tells him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the challenges of the trek , Owen slowly overcomes his grief .
And as Suchin ’ s physical strength declines , Owen ’ s emotional strength grows .
The two are not lovers , but they develop a love so intense that Owen knows Suchin will always live in his heart .
Shors admits in a forward that “ My Midnight Son ” was written years ago , before he published his first novel .
Stuck at home during the early days of coronavirus , he retrieved the work , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haunt readers , too .
Mattie Cobb has had a rough time of it in Margaret Mizushima ’ s last five Timber Creek K-9 mysteries .
The Colorado detective , who solves crimes with the aid of her wonder dog , Robo , has barely escaped death .
Because of a rotten childhood , she has serious trust issues , and in the last book , she had to deal with her brother ’ s torture and murder .
Things are looking up in “ Hanging Falls , ” however .
Mattie ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town veterinarian , and she ’ s about to reconnect with a long-lost sister and grandmother in California .
Of course , fate steps in to screw up things .
Mattie discovers a body submerged in a stream — and later finds a second body .
On the personal side , there ’ s Cole ’ s daughter , who isn ’ t keen on her father ’ s romance .
And when Mattie has to call off her trip to California , her relatives decide to drive to Colorado for the reunion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before she meets them .
The dead man belonged to a polygamous cult that ’ s just moved to Timber Lake .
Mattie suspects the killer could be a member .
Or maybe the local farrier and a snarky drug rep are involved .
It seems like Mattie faces danger on almost every page , and so does Robo .
The highly trained German shepherd not only sniffs out the bad guys but also helps find a missing girl .
He shares top billing with Mattie in Mizushima ’ s books .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protagonist .
Five books in , Mattie and Robo are old friends .
“ Hanging Falls ” ends with a twist , and it ’ s reassuring to know that book six must be in the works .
When Alex Carter takes a job in a wildlife sanctuary in Montana , she expects to spend a quiet winter by herself studying wolverines .
It turns out that things are not so quiet in this fast-moving mystery .
Alex arrives at the one-time ski resort , only to find out it was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note left on her car warns her to leave .
A trucker drives her off the road .
She finds a badly wounded man on the preserve , but when she and rescuers return , the man has vanished .
She ’ s threatened by a rancher who illegally runs his cattle on the land .
One of the cameras she ’ s set up to capture wolverines disappears and the trap she ’ s set is trashed .
It ’ s enough to give a girl second thoughts about staying in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she hears footsteps in the night .
But Alex perseveres .
She ’ s determined to carry out the study , despite the growing knowledge that something sinister is going on .
“ A Solitude of Wolverines ” is the first in a mystery series by Alice Henderson about the determined wildlife biologist .
The novel is packed with action , some of it improbable , but who cares ?
Alex is smart , with an impressive knowledge of wildlife as well as guns and self-defense tactics ( thanks to a military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plot-spoiler to say she survives and will be back to take on the anti-environmentalists in other Alex Carter mysteries .
“ I ’ m powerless , ” Abigail Scott Duniway thinks when her husband co-signs a note for a neighbor without consulting her .
The neighbor fails to repay the loan , and the Duniways lose their farm .
In 1859 , women had almost no control over their lives .
A husband ’ s debts passed to his wife if he died .
She could not work without his permission , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the children if they were divorced .
An early Oregon immigrant , Abigail vows to do something about women ’ s rights .
It takes a 40-year struggle , but eventually she and others secure the vote for Oregon women .
Author Jane Kirkpatrick is known for her novels based on the lives of real women .
“ Something Worth Doing ” is her most powerful .
Abigail comes alive as a driven woman , strident and sometimes insensitive to her those around her .
In Kirkpatrick ’ s portrayal , Abigail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She marries in haste because her father is about to force her into wedlock with a man she despises .
She works alongside her husband , fretting that at the end of the day as he rests , she must continue her never-ending chores .
Along with the drudgery of housework , she raises children , writes novels , takes in boarders and runs a retail operation .
Eventually , she establishes a feminist newspaper and competes with her brother , the powerful anti-suffrage editor of the “ Oregonian.
” She travels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoting women ’ s right .
“ Something Worth Doing ” tells of the lengthy struggle to give women the vote and the toll it took on Oregon ’ s most prominent suffragette .
Colorado has had plenty of characters .
Joan Jacobson writes about 14 of them .
“ Colorado Phantasmagorias ” is a collection of novelized accounts of Coloradans from Felipe Baca ( 1868 ) to John Denver ( 1973 . )
Most are familiar figures , such as Margaret Brown and Barney Ford , but the author also highlights lesser-known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The book includes follow-up reading lists and places to visit connected with each personality .

“My Midnight Sun” by John Shors (Blackfin Books)
Ever since his blockbuster “Beneath a Marble Sky” was published some years ago, Colorado author John Shors has been known for his haunting love stories set in exotic lands, told in more than 10 novels. “My Midnight Sun” follows in the Shors tradition, and does not disappoint.
The book’s protagonist is Owen Sterling, whose wife is killed in a tsunami while honeymooning in Thailand. Unable to deal with his grief, Owen goes to Bangkok in search of peace. He is drawn to a street ragamuffin and Suchin, the young woman who protects him. When Owen discovers she is dying of AIDS, he is determined to help. Suchin confides her dying wish is to stand on a mountain top in Nepal. Owen impulsively agrees to take her there.
The story is an enchanting one. Although she has only weeks to live, Suchin is upbeat and accepting, philosophical and with a delightful sense of humor, as she sets Owen straight on who is boss. “You only number two boss,” she tells him. She is number one.
As they meet the challenges of the trek, Owen slowly overcomes his grief. And as Suchin’s physical strength declines, Owen’s emotional strength grows. The two are not lovers, but they develop a love so intense that Owen knows Suchin will always live in his heart.
Shors admits in a forward that “My Midnight Son” was written years ago, before he published his first novel. Stuck at home during the early days of coronavirus, he retrieved the work, which had haunted him for years. It will haunt readers, too.
“Hanging Falls” by Margaret Mizushima (Crooked Lane)
Mattie Cobb has had a rough time of it in Margaret Mizushima’s last five Timber Creek K-9 mysteries. The Colorado detective, who solves crimes with the aid of her wonder dog, Robo, has barely escaped death. Because of a rotten childhood, she has serious trust issues, and in the last book, she had to deal with her brother’s torture and murder.
Things are looking up in “Hanging Falls,” however. Mattie’s an item with Cole, the town veterinarian, and she’s about to reconnect with a long-lost sister and grandmother in California.
Of course, fate steps in to screw up things. Mattie discovers a body submerged in a stream — and later finds a second body. On the personal side, there’s Cole’s daughter, who isn’t keen on her father’s romance. And when Mattie has to call off her trip to California, her relatives decide to drive to Colorado for the reunion. She wants to solve the homicides before she meets them.
The dead man belonged to a polygamous cult that’s just moved to Timber Lake. Mattie suspects the killer could be a member. Or maybe the local farrier and a snarky drug rep are involved. It seems like Mattie faces danger on almost every page, and so does Robo. The highly trained German shepherd not only sniffs out the bad guys but also helps find a missing girl. He shares top billing with Mattie in Mizushima’s books.
A good mystery series makes you care about the protagonist. Five books in, Mattie and Robo are old friends. “Hanging Falls” ends with a twist, and it’s reassuring to know that book six must be in the works.
“A Solitude of Wolverines” by Alice Henderson (William Morrow)
When Alex Carter takes a job in a wildlife sanctuary in Montana, she expects to spend a quiet winter by herself studying wolverines. It turns out that things are not so quiet in this fast-moving mystery.
Alex arrives at the one-time ski resort, only to find out it was the scene of murders and ghosts. A note left on her car warns her to leave. A trucker drives her off the road. She finds a badly wounded man on the preserve, but when she and rescuers return, the man has vanished. She’s threatened by a rancher who illegally runs his cattle on the land. One of the cameras she’s set up to capture wolverines disappears and the trap she’s set is trashed.
It’s enough to give a girl second thoughts about staying in the spooky lodge all by herself, especially when she hears footsteps in the night. But Alex perseveres. She’s determined to carry out the study, despite the growing knowledge that something sinister is going on.
“A Solitude of Wolverines” is the first in a mystery series by Alice Henderson about the determined wildlife biologist. The novel is packed with action, some of it improbable, but who cares? Alex is smart, with an impressive knowledge of wildlife as well as guns and self-defense tactics (thanks to a military mother). It’s no plot-spoiler to say she survives and will be back to take on the anti-environmentalists in other Alex Carter mysteries.
“Something Worth Doing” by Jane Kirkpatrick (Revell)
“I’m powerless,” Abigail Scott Duniway thinks when her husband co-signs a note for a neighbor without consulting her. The neighbor fails to repay the loan, and the Duniways lose their farm.
In 1859, women had almost no control over their lives. A husband’s debts passed to his wife if he died. She could not work without his permission, and her earnings belonged to him — along with the children if they were divorced.
An early Oregon immigrant, Abigail vows to do something about women’s rights. It takes a 40-year struggle, but eventually she and others secure the vote for Oregon women.
Author Jane Kirkpatrick is known for her novels based on the lives of real women. “Something Worth Doing” is her most powerful. Abigail comes alive as a driven woman, strident and sometimes insensitive to her those around her. In Kirkpatrick’s portrayal, Abigail is not always likeable but always admirable.
She marries in haste because her father is about to force her into wedlock with a man she despises. She works alongside her husband, fretting that at the end of the day as he rests, she must continue her never-ending chores. Along with the drudgery of housework, she raises children, writes novels, takes in boarders and runs a retail operation. Eventually, she establishes a feminist newspaper and competes with her brother, the powerful anti-suffrage editor of the “Oregonian.” She travels the country, giving hundreds of speeches promoting women’s right.
“Something Worth Doing” tells of the lengthy struggle to give women the vote and the toll it took on Oregon’s most prominent suffragette.
“Colorado Phantasmagorias” by Joan Jacobson (Words and Pages)
Colorado has had plenty of characters. Joan Jacobson writes about 14 of them.
“Colorado Phantasmagorias” is a collection of novelized accounts of Coloradans from Felipe Baca (1868) to John Denver (1973.) Most are familiar figures, such as Margaret Brown and Barney Ford, but the author also highlights lesser-known medical figures Florence Sabin and Stanley Biber.
The book includes follow-up reading lists and places to visit connected with each personality.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Get Cooking: A how-to guide to braising meat

Braising meat is the perfect porridge for pandemic cooking .
Braising ’ s best feature these days is how it pushes out the emptiness of the home and fills it with such gorgeous aroma .
But that ’ s just one praise for the braise ; there are several more .
This old cooking dog has learned some new braising tricks to pass on to you .
But first , to underscore the most important , trusted technique : Brown the meat very well .
This causes the Maillard effect , a chemical reaction that explains the caramelization of proteins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort ( cookies , steaks , caramel itself , and roasted vegetables , for instance ) .
It is named after Louis Camille Maillard , who discovered it in the early 1900s .
To get there , be sure to allow ample space in between the pieces of beef chuck , say , or lamb shoulder as they brown atop the stove before the actual braise begins .
Cooks who crowd the pieces of meat merely steam them .
Browning also creates what the French call “ fond ” ( the browned bits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) which is , as it indicates , the foundation to the rich tastes of the sauce to come as the result of the braise itself .
Deglaze the fond in the pan with a small amount of white or red wine ( depending on the heaviness of the meat ) or low-sugar apple cider or tart cherry juice ; one cup should do .
Then , when adding the liquid with which you are going to braise the meat — broth preferably , although plain water works , too — pour in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meat .
Don ’ t use wine or juice alone as the braising liquid .
In the end , the sauce might well become too strong and clumsy .
Deglaze with wine ( or juice ) ; braise with broth .
I always thought that it was important to cover the meat with the braising liquid , but that ’ s unwise .
In truth , that diffuses flavors .
Also , the meat ( and vegetables , if you ’ re using ) will give off quite a lot of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fluid .
Overall , successful browning and braising mean to pick and use a proper pot .
A good browning requires a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or casserole .
And a large , wide-open pot is better than a high-walled one .
For the braise , the meat ought to lay on the bottom in one layer , with the braising liquid poured evenly around it .
When you have some downtime in your kitchen , make ahead both some classic bouquets garnis and also a few bouquets d ’ épices .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a bay leaf tied together with kitchen twine .
And the latter are the same , in a small cheesecloth sachet , tied at the neck with twine , that also includes a few peppercorns and a clove of peeled garlic .
For my bouquets garnis I like to use a green “ leaf ” of a leek as the wrap .
Both types of bouquets can be frozen and used as needed .
You ’ ll need one or the other to flavor the braise as it cooks , then remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also had thought that the braising vegetables — carrots and onions are common , but turnips , celery , mushrooms and potatoes also play — should go in with the meat .
But a braise usually lasts a long time ( two hours isn ’ t uncommon ) and can make mush out of vegetables as well as turn bland their flavors .
Add vegetables about an hour ( depending on their cut-up sizes , perhaps as little as 45 minutes ) before you estimate the braise will finish .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a bonus .
Today ’ s recipe is a riff on a classic Italian treatment for pork loin braised in milk ( yes , milk ) .
It uses thick-cut pork chops instead of an entire loin .
It ’ s delicious , especially its sauce which can end up tasting like ( non-sweet ) caramel or Sugar Baby candy .
I mean .
• 6 sprigs fresh sage ( or fewer if leaves are very large ) • Peelings of 1 small lemon ( with little or no white pith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a large Dutch oven or enameled cast-iron pot , over medium-high heat , sear the chops in the mix of olive oil and butter until well browned on both sides , seasoning with the salt and ample grindings of pepper as you go .
Add the milk and remaining ingredients , being careful to avoid the milk foaming up when pouring it in .
Arrange the garlic , sage , and lemon around the chops in the milk .
Bring to a simmer over the heat , then cover , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oven for at least 2 hours , turning the chops 2 times during the cooking , until the chops are meltingly tender and the milk has begun to curdle or little liquid remains in the pot .
( You also may braise atop the stove , over very low heat , for about the same amount of time . )
However , if the liquid evaporates before the pork is done , add more milk in small increments as needed to maintain the braise .
On the other hand , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquid remains in the pot , remove the chops to a warmed plate and tent with foil , and pick out the lemon peels and sage sprigs .
Reduce the liquid , scraping the bottom of the pot , until the sauce is nicely thickened .
Serve with oiled , herbed and seasoned roasted potatoes and steamed or wilted greens flavored with pepper flakes and garlic slivers .

Braising meat is the perfect porridge for pandemic cooking. Braising’s best feature these days is how it pushes out the emptiness of the home and fills it with such gorgeous aroma. But that’s just one praise for the braise; there are several more.
This old cooking dog has learned some new braising tricks to pass on to you.
But first, to underscore the most important, trusted technique: Brown the meat very well. This causes the Maillard effect, a chemical reaction that explains the caramelization of proteins and sugars in browned foods of any sort (cookies, steaks, caramel itself, and roasted vegetables, for instance). It is named after Louis Camille Maillard, who discovered it in the early 1900s.
To get there, be sure to allow ample space in between the pieces of beef chuck, say, or lamb shoulder as they brown atop the stove before the actual braise begins. Cooks who crowd the pieces of meat merely steam them. Browning also creates what the French call “fond” (the browned bits at the bottom of the pot post-Maillard) which is, as it indicates, the foundation to the rich tastes of the sauce to come as the result of the braise itself.
Deglaze the fond in the pan with a small amount of white or red wine (depending on the heaviness of the meat) or low-sugar apple cider or tart cherry juice; one cup should do. Then, when adding the liquid with which you are going to braise the meat — broth preferably, although plain water works, too — pour in just enough to come up halfway on the meat.
Don’t use wine or juice alone as the braising liquid. In the end, the sauce might well become too strong and clumsy. Deglaze with wine (or juice); braise with broth.
I always thought that it was important to cover the meat with the braising liquid, but that’s unwise. In truth, that diffuses flavors. Also, the meat (and vegetables, if you’re using) will give off quite a lot of their own moisture, so dearth it with the fluid.
Overall, successful browning and braising mean to pick and use a proper pot. A good browning requires a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or casserole. And a large, wide-open pot is better than a high-walled one. For the braise, the meat ought to lay on the bottom in one layer, with the braising liquid poured evenly around it.
When you have some downtime in your kitchen, make ahead both some classic bouquets garnis and also a few bouquets d’épices. The former are sprigs of thyme and parsley and a bay leaf tied together with kitchen twine. And the latter are the same, in a small cheesecloth sachet, tied at the neck with twine, that also includes a few peppercorns and a clove of peeled garlic.
For my bouquets garnis I like to use a green “leaf” of a leek as the wrap. Both types of bouquets can be frozen and used as needed. You’ll need one or the other to flavor the braise as it cooks, then remove it for service.
Finally, I also had thought that the braising vegetables — carrots and onions are common, but turnips, celery, mushrooms and potatoes also play — should go in with the meat. But a braise usually lasts a long time (two hours isn’t uncommon) and can make mush out of vegetables as well as turn bland their flavors.
Add vegetables about an hour (depending on their cut-up sizes, perhaps as little as 45 minutes) before you estimate the braise will finish. Some of the fresh flavors will retain themselves and that’s a bonus.
Today’s recipe is a riff on a classic Italian treatment for pork loin braised in milk (yes, milk). It uses thick-cut pork chops instead of an entire loin. It’s delicious, especially its sauce which can end up tasting like (non-sweet) caramel or Sugar Baby candy. I mean.
Pork Chops Braised in Milk
Makes 6
Ingredients
6 1-inch or thicker pork chops
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
6 garlic cloves, peeled
6 sprigs fresh sage (or fewer if leaves are very large)
Peelings of 1 small lemon (with little or no white pith)
Directions
Heat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large Dutch oven or enameled cast-iron pot, over medium-high heat, sear the chops in the mix of olive oil and butter until well browned on both sides, seasoning with the salt and ample grindings of pepper as you go.
Add the milk and remaining ingredients, being careful to avoid the milk foaming up when pouring it in. Arrange the garlic, sage, and lemon around the chops in the milk.
Bring to a simmer over the heat, then cover, with lid slightly ajar, and place in the oven for at least 2 hours, turning the chops 2 times during the cooking, until the chops are meltingly tender and the milk has begun to curdle or little liquid remains in the pot. (You also may braise atop the stove, over very low heat, for about the same amount of time.)
However, if the liquid evaporates before the pork is done, add more milk in small increments as needed to maintain the braise. On the other hand, at the end of the cooking, if significant liquid remains in the pot, remove the chops to a warmed plate and tent with foil, and pick out the lemon peels and sage sprigs. Reduce the liquid, scraping the bottom of the pot, until the sauce is nicely thickened.
Serve with oiled, herbed and seasoned roasted potatoes and steamed or wilted greens flavored with pepper flakes and garlic slivers.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Brauchler: Where was the “mandatory” social distancing during Gov. Polis’ “unnecessary” vaccine phot

Brauchler: Where was the “mandatory” social distancing during Gov. Polis’ “unnecessary” vaccine photo op?

On Dec. 14 , CDPHE violated its own orders and protocols to allow a non-medically trained , recently COVID-19-positive man to violate social distancing dictates and handle vaccines for a photo-op .
That man , Gov .
Jared Polis , appears to have committed a crime .
The news media did not just participate in the violation of public health orders otherwise applied to each of us , they gleefully recorded and reported on it .
Here is the question the news media failed to ask : did this purely political photo-op comply with existing public health orders ?
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this flagrant and apparently criminal violation of them ?
In his first public act since announcing he tested positive for COVID-19 only 16 days earlier , and only six days after his husband was released from the hospital for worsening COVID symptoms , Polis invited multiple members of the media and staff into the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ’ s lab to broadcast him flaunting current public health orders — violations which can be crimes — all in the name of a photo opportunity surrounding the first COVD vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required by his position nor was it necessary .
It was political and gratuitous and it deliberately violated his and CDPHE ’ s orders .
From the initial FedEx driver , through the caravan of people following the pied-piper of vaccines down the CDPHE halls , to Polis and the lab tech glovelessly opening the first vaccine box in a proximity normally reserved for a game of Twister ( was there even six Lego feet of distance between them ? )
, social distancing was noticeably absent throughout the entire production .
Remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shoulder of the first recipient at arm ’ s length as the vaccine was administered ?
That was the norm that media-filled day .
You will be vaccinated in less time than it will take to find a picture from vaccine-a-palooza that shows Polis at least six feet from another human being .
A mere one week earlier , acting on Polis ’ massive authority , CDPHE issued Amended Public Health Order 20-36 .
Its language was direct and clear .
“ All individuals currently living within the State of Colorado are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactions whenever possible in order to reduce the spread of disease.
” Unnecessary interactions ?
Hmm .
Like a politician-directed photo-op ?
As an employer of more than fifty folks , CDPHE orders itself to “ require mandatory adherence to Distancing Requirements.
” Mandatory .
Big word .
Also , CDPHE is located in Denver .
CDPHE says Denver is Level Red , only one level below Zombie Apocalypse Purple .
CDPHE ’ s order is unequivocal for such counties : gatherings “ involving two or more people are prohibited … except for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Order and for the purpose of accessing or engaging in Necessary Activities.
” Necessary Activities are defined in the order and Polis ’ photo-op is not one of them .
Wasn ’ t this a “ critical government function , ” you ask ?
Suspending both Webster ’ s definition of “ critical ” and common sense , the order ’ s definition also excludes this photo-op .
Even if CDPHE ’ s definition could be word-tortured into including Polis ’ discretionary press event , CDPHE states “ all…Critical Government Functions…must comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory .
Even Polis ’ husband gets it .
Upon his release from the hospital days before this press event he said “ Jared and I encourage our fellow Coloradans to remain vigilant , wear masks , stay six feet apart , avoid gatherings … so as few people as possible have to go through what I went through or worse !
” Oops .
“ But , ” you say , “ every governor did something like this .
This was a historic event — first vaccine and all .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo-op .
It is not a big deal.
” Tell that to the takeout-only restaurants , frustrated parents struggling to educate their children at home through a monitor , homebound high school athletes , jillion square foot gyms limited to ten people , and houses of worship ( until-recently ) limited to a handful of congregants .
Where is the media to ask “ why are you engaging in this unnecessary risk ?
” Where is the breathless reporting of maskless legislators at the state Capitol ?
CDPHE mandates both mask AND social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lest we lose sight of the gravity of this conduct , violating CDPHE ’ s order is a crime .
They use that threat to compel compliance from all non-gubernatorial Coloradans .
CDPHE states “ This Order will be enforced by all appropriate legal means.
” Will be .
More big words .
“ Failure to comply with this order could result in penalties , including jail time , and fines….
” The attorney general has jurisdiction over this conduct .
What will he do ?
The message received by Coloradans struggling through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Polis ’ and CDPHE ’ s arbitrary orders are for everyone else .
Leadership by example ?
Perhaps the governmental immunity from violating CDPHE ’ s orders stems from their liberal use of Hypocrisychloroquine .
To be clear , this is not partisan .
If there are other governors , legislators , or other elected officials flaunting these orders — these laws — they are wrong .
On the other hand , if the message Polis was sending Colorado was that these orders are merely advisory and that governors ( and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when and how to safely disregard them with legal impunity , then be all means : put our kids back in classrooms , open our restaurants and small businesses , and let Coloradans have back their liberty .
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District , which includes Arapahoe , Douglas , Elbert and Lincoln counties .
Follow him @ GeorgeBrauchler .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail @

On Dec. 14, CDPHE violated its own orders and protocols to allow a non-medically trained, recently COVID-19-positive man to violate social distancing dictates and handle vaccines for a photo-op. That man, Gov. Jared Polis, appears to have committed a crime. The news media did not just participate in the violation of public health orders otherwise applied to each of us, they gleefully recorded and reported on it. Here is the question the news media failed to ask: did this purely political photo-op comply with existing public health orders? If not, what will be the consequences for this flagrant and apparently criminal violation of them?
In his first public act since announcing he tested positive for COVID-19 only 16 days earlier, and only six days after his husband was released from the hospital for worsening COVID symptoms, Polis invited multiple members of the media and staff into the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s lab to broadcast him flaunting current public health orders — violations which can be crimes — all in the name of a photo opportunity surrounding the first COVD vaccines delivered to Colorado. It was neither required by his position nor was it necessary. It was political and gratuitous and it deliberately violated his and CDPHE’s orders.
From the initial FedEx driver, through the caravan of people following the pied-piper of vaccines down the CDPHE halls, to Polis and the lab tech glovelessly opening the first vaccine box in a proximity normally reserved for a game of Twister (was there even six Lego feet of distance between them?), social distancing was noticeably absent throughout the entire production. Remember that picture of Polis hauntingly standing over the shoulder of the first recipient at arm’s length as the vaccine was administered? That was the norm that media-filled day. You will be vaccinated in less time than it will take to find a picture from vaccine-a-palooza that shows Polis at least six feet from another human being.
A mere one week earlier, acting on Polis’ massive authority, CDPHE issued Amended Public Health Order 20-36. Its language was direct and clear. “All individuals currently living within the State of Colorado are encouraged to stay at home…and avoid unnecessary interactions whenever possible in order to reduce the spread of disease.” Unnecessary interactions? Hmm. Like a politician-directed photo-op?
As an employer of more than fifty folks, CDPHE orders itself to “require mandatory adherence to Distancing Requirements.” Mandatory. Big word. Also, CDPHE is located in Denver. CDPHE says Denver is Level Red, only one level below Zombie Apocalypse Purple. CDPHE’s order is unequivocal for such counties: gatherings “involving two or more people are prohibited … except for the limited purposes expressly authorized in this Order and for the purpose of accessing or engaging in Necessary Activities.” Necessary Activities are defined in the order and Polis’ photo-op is not one of them.
Wasn’t this a “critical government function,” you ask? Suspending both Webster’s definition of “critical” and common sense, the order’s definition also excludes this photo-op. Even if CDPHE’s definition could be word-tortured into including Polis’ discretionary press event, CDPHE states “all…Critical Government Functions…must comply with Distancing Requirements…” “Must” sounds mandatory.
Even Polis’ husband gets it. Upon his release from the hospital days before this press event he said “Jared and I encourage our fellow Coloradans to remain vigilant, wear masks, stay six feet apart, avoid gatherings … so as few people as possible have to go through what I went through or worse!” Oops.
“But,” you say, “every governor did something like this. This was a historic event — first vaccine and all. This is just politics. It is just a photo-op. It is not a big deal.”
Really?
Tell that to the takeout-only restaurants, frustrated parents struggling to educate their children at home through a monitor, homebound high school athletes, jillion square foot gyms limited to ten people, and houses of worship (until-recently) limited to a handful of congregants.
Where is the media to ask “why are you engaging in this unnecessary risk?” Where is the breathless reporting of maskless legislators at the state Capitol? CDPHE mandates both mask AND social distancing. Why the double standard?
Lest we lose sight of the gravity of this conduct, violating CDPHE’s order is a crime. They use that threat to compel compliance from all non-gubernatorial Coloradans. CDPHE states “This Order will be enforced by all appropriate legal means.” Will be. More big words. “Failure to comply with this order could result in penalties, including jail time, and fines….” The attorney general has jurisdiction over this conduct. What will he do?
The message received by Coloradans struggling through this endless government limitation on freedom is that Polis’ and CDPHE’s arbitrary orders are for everyone else. Leadership by example? Perhaps the governmental immunity from violating CDPHE’s orders stems from their liberal use of Hypocrisychloroquine. To be clear, this is not partisan. If there are other governors, legislators, or other elected officials flaunting these orders — these laws — they are wrong.
On the other hand, if the message Polis was sending Colorado was that these orders are merely advisory and that governors (and other people) should be trusted to know when and how to safely disregard them with legal impunity, then be all means: put our kids back in classrooms, open our restaurants and small businesses, and let Coloradans have back their liberty.
George H. Brauchler is the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. Follow him @GeorgeBrauchler.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Another sign the world is upside down in 2020: Subaru struggled with sales in Colorado

Colorado drivers have long had a love affair with Subaru , buying the brand at nearly twice the rate seen in other states .
But the pandemic may have put a dent in that relationship .
“ The Subaru Outback was the third best-selling new vehicle last year , and it ranked 51st this year .
The Forester was the next Subaru to make the new car list in 2020 and ranked 66th , ” said Julie Blackley , a spokeswoman with iSeeCars.com , an online site for new and used vehicle sales .
So if Colorado consumers aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they favor this year ?
The Ford F-150 tops the list , as it does in many states , followed by the Honda CR-V , Hyundai Tucson , Hyundai Palisade , and Hyundai Kona , according to the study .
“ Subaru is still a very , very popular brand .
I don ’ t think there is anything at all to worry about , ” said Tim Jackson , president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association .
New vehicle registrations are down 13.1 % this year in Colorado through November , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson said , citing the association ’ s Colorado Auto Outlook report .
Subaru is underperforming the larger market , but its sales haven ’ t fallen off a cliff .
Michael Dunlap , vice president of business development of Schomp Automotive in Highland Ranch , suggests that supply issues are at play , rather than a shift in consumer preferences .
“ There were periods earlier in the year when we were under 30 days of inventory supply on the ground with Subaru , ” he said .
“ The majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brand , are in light of production shortages in the marketplace.
” Subaru normally runs with a lean inventory and had to shut its plants down for eight weeks because of the pandemic .
When restrictions eased , it had a harder time gearing back up , resulting in one of the lowest available inventory of any automaker in August , according to a report in Cox Automotive .
Bolstering the argument that supply issues might be at play , the Subaru Outback remains the second most popular used vehicle purchased this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominating Ford F-150 , and ahead of the Jeep Grand Cherokee , Ram Pickup 1500 , and Nissan Rogue .
Four of the 20 top-selling used models in metro Denver are Subarus , according to iSeeCars.com .
But if Subaru is playing hard to get , could it be leaving the door open for another Asian import to win the affections of Colorado consumers ?
The iSeeCars.com report suggests that might be the case .
Of the 20 most popular new models sold in Denver this year , six were from Hyundai .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hyundai registrations down by 6 % so far this year , or about half the rate of decline seen overall .
But Hyundai would need to boost its sales by 2.3 times to catch up with Subaru in Colorado .

Colorado drivers have long had a love affair with Subaru, buying the brand at nearly twice the rate seen in other states. But the pandemic may have put a dent in that relationship.
“The Subaru Outback was the third best-selling new vehicle last year, and it ranked 51st this year. The Forester was the next Subaru to make the new car list in 2020 and ranked 66th,” said Julie Blackley, a spokeswoman with iSeeCars.com, an online site for new and used vehicle sales.
So if Colorado consumers aren’t buying those Subarus, what did they favor this year? The Ford F-150 tops the list, as it does in many states, followed by the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Palisade, and Hyundai Kona, according to the study.
“Subaru is still a very, very popular brand. I don’t think there is anything at all to worry about,” said Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association.
New vehicle registrations are down 13.1% this year in Colorado through November, and Subaru registrations are down 15.5%, Jackson said, citing the association’s Colorado Auto Outlook report. Subaru is underperforming the larger market, but its sales haven’t fallen off a cliff.
Michael Dunlap, vice president of business development of Schomp Automotive in Highland Ranch, suggests that supply issues are at play, rather than a shift in consumer preferences.
“There were periods earlier in the year when we were under 30 days of inventory supply on the ground with Subaru,” he said. “The majority of declines we are seeing, regardless of brand, are in light of production shortages in the marketplace.”
Subaru normally runs with a lean inventory and had to shut its plants down for eight weeks because of the pandemic. When restrictions eased, it had a harder time gearing back up, resulting in one of the lowest available inventory of any automaker in August, according to a report in Cox Automotive.
Bolstering the argument that supply issues might be at play, the Subaru Outback remains the second most popular used vehicle purchased this year in metro Denver, just behind the dominating Ford F-150, and ahead of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ram Pickup 1500, and Nissan Rogue. Four of the 20 top-selling used models in metro Denver are Subarus, according to iSeeCars.com.
But if Subaru is playing hard to get, could it be leaving the door open for another Asian import to win the affections of Colorado consumers? The iSeeCars.com report suggests that might be the case. Of the 20 most popular new models sold in Denver this year, six were from Hyundai.
And the Colorado Auto Outlook shows new Hyundai registrations down by 6% so far this year, or about half the rate of decline seen overall. But Hyundai would need to boost its sales by 2.3 times to catch up with Subaru in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Rockies Mailbag: Fans waiting to see if Colorado makes any major moves this offseason

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag .
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag .
What are your thoughts on Brendan Rodgers ?
Will he ever live up to the hype he had coming up through the farm system ?
I feel like things would be different if we dealt him for a quality arm during the Rockies ’ playoff runs and re-signed DJ LeMahieu .
Kris , I ’ ll respond to your second thought first .
I ’ m not sure what quality arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Rodgers a couple of years ago , but it is an intriguing thought .
As I ’ ve said many times before , I wish the Rockies would have been more aggressive after the two-year playoff run in 2017-18 .
The pieces were in place and the window was open to do something special if the club had ventured outside its comfort zone .
That ’ s water under the bridge now .
As for LeMahieu , I ’ m not certain he would have signed with the Rockies when he became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the thing that frustrated me — as well as LeMahieu and several of his Rockies teammates — was the front office showed no real interest in re-signing the all-star second baseman .
It baffles me that the organization didn ’ t understand what a unique and valuable player he is and how important he was to the Rockies .
In regard to Rodgers , yes , he ’ s been an enigma , but don ’ t give up on him yet .
He ’ s got talent and there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2015 draft .
In the minors , Rodgers was a beast , posting a salty .855 OPS with 26 home runs in 232 Triple-A plate appearances .
I think he ’ s been the victim of bad timing and injuries , never getting the chance to prove himself for a consistent stint of playing time at the major league level .
A severe shoulder injury required surgery in July 2019 and he ’ s been limited to only 32 game with the Rockies .
Still , Nolan Arenado once told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best pure swings he ’ s ever seen .
Perhaps 2021 will give Rodgers a chance to break through .
Will the Rockies give him the second-base job and move Ryan McMahon to first base ?
It ’ s a possibility .
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021 !
Who on the current roster or in the minors , are the best infielders ?
Which young players ( Rodgers , McMahon , Garrett Hampson , etc . )
are looking at a make-or-break year ?
Thank you .
— Robert Emmerling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you , too .
I ’ ve already discussed Rodgers , but I ’ ll add that 2021 is crucial to his future .
Of the players you mentioned , I think McMahon has the most to prove in 2021 because he ’ s flashed so much talent in the past .
Keep in mind that he hit 24 homers and drove in 83 runs in 2019 – both single-season highs for a primary Rockies second baseman .
We ’ ve seen McMahon make tremendous plays in the field and launch clutch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , batting just .215 , striking out 34.2 % of the time and posting an OPS+ of just 79 .
His fielding was , at times , erratic .
He needs a bounce-back season to show the Rockies that he can be a central part of the club ’ s future .
I think he ’ s got the talent to be , if not an all-star , then at least a very solid player .
Patrick , I enjoy your Rockies coverage , but have a question .
Unlike a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t write a lot about analytics or use stats ( like WAR or wRC+ ) and you don ’ t tell us about launch angles , etc .
How come you don ’ t use those numbers ?
Ken , thanks , I think , for the back-handed compliment .
There are a couple of reasons why I don ’ t use as many analytical stats as many other baseball writers .
First of all , for better or worse , I ’ ve always liked writing about the personalities , moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use numbers quite often but they are not always central to my stories .
That ’ s just who I am .
I ’ ll admit I ’ m a little older and a little old-school .
Second , keep in mind that my readership in The Denver Post is not limited to hard-core baseball fans such as those who read FanGraphs .
I write for a wider , more-general audience and throwing a wide array of contemporary stats at them doesn ’ t serve my readers .
I will admit , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with statistics and should find ways to weave them into my coverage .
The past few weeks both Arenado and Trevor Story have come up in trade talks .
The latest I heard being that the Twins are in on Story .
How much traction and which teams are the closest to actually making this a reality ?
— Jake Chavez , Thornton I don ’ t have a solid answer for you and I ’ m not sure if anyone does at this point .
Will the Rockies listen to trade talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are referring to , I believe , was written by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic .
“ The Twins , like all teams deep in young talent , are drawing trade interest in their upper-level prospects and major leaguers under long-term control .
The potential to deal one of those major leaguers , second baseman Luis Arraez , creates an interesting scenario in which the Twins could move shortstop Jorge Polanco to second and either sign a free-agent shortstop or trade for a 2021-22 free agent at the position — say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Trevor Story .
The likelihood of all that occurring is not terribly high , but the idea is not without merit.
” Before the pandemic , it was clear that the Rockies would like to sign Story to a long-term deal , especially because it looked as if Arenado would opt out of his deal after 2021 .
Now , all bets are off and there are many in the industry who believe that Story is a more likely trade candidate than Arenado .
Keep in mind that Story is entering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t shock me to see Colorado hold onto him in hopes it can be a contender .
If the Rockies flop in the first half of the season , Story would be traded as a half-season “ rental ” to a contending team that needs a slugger to put them over the top .
Is it time for a blowup ?
Maybe a half-blowup ?
Who do you keep and who do you let go ?
Do you have any confidence that the “ professor ” can actually get good value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Littleton Aaron , it doesn ’ t seem to be in the Rockies ’ DNA to blow the whole thing up , even though the pandemic might force them to jettison players they would like to keep ( e.g .
Trevor Story ) .
With the starting rotation in a relatively good spot with German Marquez , Antonio Senzatela , Kyle Freeland and Jon Gray , the Rockies ’ public stance is that they can still contend .
At least that ’ s what manager Bud Black said last week .
Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If I were the Rockies , I would listen to most trade offers in exchange for young talent .
I would , however , say hands off Marquez , Senzatela and Freeland .
Any word if we ’ re going to re-sign Kevin Pillar ?
It ’ d be nice to have a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder patrolling Coors Field ’ s vast outfield .
— Mike T. , Northglenn Mike , at the end of the season , Pillar said he would like to return to Colorado .
Then again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Rockies have been in touch with Pillar and I think it ’ s a good fit .
You ’ re right .
He looked right at home in center field at Coors .
Colorado acquired Pillar from the Red Sox at the trade deadline last summer .
He played excellent defense and hit well , slashing .308/.351/.451 with two home runs in 24 games .
The problem is , Pillar might want more money than the Rockies are willing to offer .
He made $ 4.25 million on a one-year contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar deal for 2021 .
Keep in mind that the Rockies didn ’ t offer a contract to David Dahl and he ended up signing a one-year , $ 3 million deal with the Texas Rangers .
Perhaps the Rockies have their eyes on Pillar — or another free agent — and that ’ s why the team cut Dahl loose .
Black said the team would like to add an impactful bat to boost what ’ s been a sluggish offense .
We ’ re all waiting to see if the Rockies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag .
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag .

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
What are your thoughts on Brendan Rodgers? Will he ever live up to the hype he had coming up through the farm system? I feel like things would be different if we dealt him for a quality arm during the Rockies’ playoff runs and re-signed DJ LeMahieu.
— Kris, Denver
Kris, I’ll respond to your second thought first.
I’m not sure what quality arm the Rockies could have received in exchange for Rodgers a couple of years ago, but it is an intriguing thought.
As I’ve said many times before, I wish the Rockies would have been more aggressive after the two-year playoff run in 2017-18. The pieces were in place and the window was open to do something special if the club had ventured outside its comfort zone. That’s water under the bridge now.
As for LeMahieu, I’m not certain he would have signed with the Rockies when he became a free agent after 2018 season. But the thing that frustrated me — as well as LeMahieu and several of his Rockies teammates — was the front office showed no real interest in re-signing the all-star second baseman. It baffles me that the organization didn’t understand what a unique and valuable player he is and how important he was to the Rockies.
In regard to Rodgers, yes, he’s been an enigma, but don’t give up on him yet.
He’s got talent and there is a reason why he was selected third overall in the 2015 draft. In the minors, Rodgers was a beast, posting a salty .855 OPS with 26 home runs in 232 Triple-A plate appearances.
I think he’s been the victim of bad timing and injuries, never getting the chance to prove himself for a consistent stint of playing time at the major league level. A severe shoulder injury required surgery in July 2019 and he’s been limited to only 32 game with the Rockies.
Still, Nolan Arenado once told me that he thought Rodgers had one of the best pure swings he’s ever seen.
Perhaps 2021 will give Rodgers a chance to break through. Will the Rockies give him the second-base job and move Ryan McMahon to first base? It’s a possibility.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021! Who on the current roster or in the minors, are the best infielders? Which young players (Rodgers, McMahon, Garrett Hampson, etc.) are looking at a make-or-break year? Thank you.
— Robert Emmerling, Parker
Hey Robert, Merry Christmas to you, too. I’ve already discussed Rodgers, but I’ll add that 2021 is crucial to his future.
Of the players you mentioned, I think McMahon has the most to prove in 2021 because he’s flashed so much talent in the past. Keep in mind that he hit 24 homers and drove in 83 runs in 2019 – both single-season highs for a primary Rockies second baseman. We’ve seen McMahon make tremendous plays in the field and launch clutch home runs.
But he regressed in 2020, batting just .215, striking out 34.2% of the time and posting an OPS+ of just 79. His fielding was, at times, erratic. He needs a bounce-back season to show the Rockies that he can be a central part of the club’s future. I think he’s got the talent to be, if not an all-star, then at least a very solid player.
Patrick, I enjoy your Rockies coverage, but have a question. Unlike a lot of other baseball guys, you don’t write a lot about analytics or use stats (like WAR or wRC+) and you don’t tell us about launch angles, etc. How come you don’t use those numbers?
— Ken, Centennial
Ken, thanks, I think, for the back-handed compliment.
There are a couple of reasons why I don’t use as many analytical stats as many other baseball writers. First of all, for better or worse, I’ve always liked writing about the personalities, moments and emotions of the game. I use numbers quite often but they are not always central to my stories. That’s just who I am. I’ll admit I’m a little older and a little old-school.
Second, keep in mind that my readership in The Denver Post is not limited to hard-core baseball fans such as those who read FanGraphs. I write for a wider, more-general audience and throwing a wide array of contemporary stats at them doesn’t serve my readers.
I will admit, however, that I should have greater fluency with statistics and should find ways to weave them into my coverage.
The past few weeks both Arenado and Trevor Story have come up in trade talks. The latest I heard being that the Twins are in on Story. How much traction and which teams are the closest to actually making this a reality?
— Jake Chavez, Thornton
I don’t have a solid answer for you and I’m not sure if anyone does at this point. Will the Rockies listen to trade talks for Story? Absolutely.
The article you are referring to, I believe, was written by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Here’s what he wrote:
“The Twins, like all teams deep in young talent, are drawing trade interest in their upper-level prospects and major leaguers under long-term control. The potential to deal one of those major leaguers, second baseman Luis Arraez, creates an interesting scenario in which the Twins could move shortstop Jorge Polanco to second and either sign a free-agent shortstop or trade for a 2021-22 free agent at the position — say, the Indians’ Francisco Lindor or Rockies’ Trevor Story.
The likelihood of all that occurring is not terribly high, but the idea is not without merit.”
Before the pandemic, it was clear that the Rockies would like to sign Story to a long-term deal, especially because it looked as if Arenado would opt out of his deal after 2021. Now, all bets are off and there are many in the industry who believe that Story is a more likely trade candidate than Arenado.
Keep in mind that Story is entering the final year of his contract. It wouldn’t shock me to see Colorado hold onto him in hopes it can be a contender. If the Rockies flop in the first half of the season, Story would be traded as a half-season “rental” to a contending team that needs a slugger to put them over the top.
Is it time for a blowup? Maybe a half-blowup? Who do you keep and who do you let go? Do you have any confidence that the “professor” can actually get good value out of a trade?
— Aaron, Littleton
Aaron, it doesn’t seem to be in the Rockies’ DNA to blow the whole thing up, even though the pandemic might force them to jettison players they would like to keep (e.g. Trevor Story).
With the starting rotation in a relatively good spot with German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Freeland and Jon Gray, the Rockies’ public stance is that they can still contend. At least that’s what manager Bud Black said last week. Whether he actually believes that is another matter.
If I were the Rockies, I would listen to most trade offers in exchange for young talent. I would, however, say hands off Marquez, Senzatela and Freeland.
Any word if we’re going to re-sign Kevin Pillar? It’d be nice to have a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder patrolling Coors Field’s vast outfield.
— Mike T., Northglenn
Mike, at the end of the season, Pillar said he would like to return to Colorado. Then again, most players say they want to return. The Rockies have been in touch with Pillar and I think it’s a good fit. You’re right. He looked right at home in center field at Coors.
Colorado acquired Pillar from the Red Sox at the trade deadline last summer. He played excellent defense and hit well, slashing .308/.351/.451 with two home runs in 24 games. The problem is, Pillar might want more money than the Rockies are willing to offer. He made $4.25 million on a one-year contract last season and will likely seek a similar deal for 2021.
Keep in mind that the Rockies didn’t offer a contract to David Dahl and he ended up signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Texas Rangers. Perhaps the Rockies have their eyes on Pillar — or another free agent — and that’s why the team cut Dahl loose. Black said the team would like to add an impactful bat to boost what’s been a sluggish offense. We’re all waiting to see if the Rockies make any major moves this offseason.
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.


thedenverpost--2020-12-24--Congresswoman-elect Lauren Boebert appoints outgoing Trump, Cory Gardner staff

GRAND JUNCTION — Congresswoman-elect Lauren Boebert of Colorado has appointed Trump administration officials and staffers for outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. @ @ @ @ @ in her office .
Jeff Small , current senior adviser to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt @ @ @ @ @ s chief of staff , the Daily Sentinel reported Wednesday .
Paige Agostin will be @ @ @ @ @ .
She is currently associate director of domestic policy in Vice President Mike Pence ’ @ @ @ @ @ , who was appointed by the Trump administration to be Colorado executive director for the @ @ @ @ @ Farm Service Agency , has been selected as Boebert ’ s district director .
Ben @ @ @ @ @ press secretary for the Interior Department , will serve as Boebert ’ s communications director @ @ @ @ @ as Boebert ’ s southern Colorado regional director .
She has held the same position @ @ @ @ @ Boebert will represent the state ’ s 3rd Congressional District after beating incumbent Scott Tipton @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush in November .

GRAND JUNCTION — Congresswoman-elect Lauren Boebert of Colorado has appointed Trump administration officials and staffers for outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner to top positions in her office.
Jeff Small, current senior adviser to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, will be Boebert’s chief of staff, the Daily Sentinel reported Wednesday.
Paige Agostin will be Boebert’s legislative director. She is currently associate director of domestic policy in Vice President Mike Pence’s office. Clarice Navarro, who was appointed by the Trump administration to be Colorado executive director for the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, has been selected as Boebert’s district director.
Ben Goldey, who is currently press secretary for the Interior Department, will serve as Boebert’s communications director.
Cathy Garcia will serve as Boebert’s southern Colorado regional director. She has held the same position with Gardner since 2015.
Boebert will represent the state’s 3rd Congressional District after beating incumbent Scott Tipton in the Republican primaries and Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush in November.


thedenverpost--2020-12-24--Nuggets’ Michael Malone on Houston-OKC postponement: “This season’s going to be a wild one”

The rollercoaster of last NBA season may pale in comparison to the turbulence of this upcoming one .
Only hours before Denver ’ s Wednesday night season opener against Sacramento , the NBA announced the Oklahoma City-Houston game was postponed because the Rockets didn ’ t have the requisite number of players ( eight ) to compete .
That number was a result of positive or inconclusive tests to three players , four others who were in quarantine due to contact tracing and James Harden ’ s violation of the health and safety protocols .
“ Just look what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world , ” Malone said .
“ COVID is a lot bigger than the NBA .
… Last season was shut down on March 11 .
We were forced to play in the ‘ Bubble , ’ and now we ’ re trying to play outside of a bubble , and these are some of the side effects of that .
“ You feel bad because I ’ m sure players on both teams were ready to go , and then Houston Rockets , they were not able to suit up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t happen in Denver doesn ’ t mean it couldn ’ t .
The fact that a game was postponed on just the second day of the season should be viewed as a teaching moment for the league and its teams .
“ Obviously this year , as is evidenced by the news in Houston tonight with that game being postponed , this season ’ s going to be a wild one , ” Malone said .
Malone said before Wednesday ’ s game he couldn ’ t even begin to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game against the Clippers because of their current opponent , Sacramento , and all the logistics that went into preparing for the home opener .
But beginning with Sacramento , and followed shortly thereafter by the Clippers and then the Rockets , the Nuggets will begin the season with three consecutive home games .
In fact , six of their first eight games will be played at Ball Arena .
Last season , the Nuggets began the year 13-3 .
The year before that , they started out 9-1 .
“ The teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually teams that are playing late into the playoffs , ” Malone said .

The rollercoaster of last NBA season may pale in comparison to the turbulence of this upcoming one.
Only hours before Denver’s Wednesday night season opener against Sacramento, the NBA announced the Oklahoma City-Houston game was postponed because the Rockets didn’t have the requisite number of players (eight) to compete. That number was a result of positive or inconclusive tests to three players, four others who were in quarantine due to contact tracing and James Harden’s violation of the health and safety protocols.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone was hardly surprised.
“Just look what’s going on in our country, around the world,” Malone said. “COVID is a lot bigger than the NBA. … Last season was shut down on March 11. We were forced to play in the ‘Bubble,’ and now we’re trying to play outside of a bubble, and these are some of the side effects of that.
“You feel bad because I’m sure players on both teams were ready to go, and then Houston Rockets, they were not able to suit up eight players.”
Just because it didn’t happen in Denver doesn’t mean it couldn’t. The fact that a game was postponed on just the second day of the season should be viewed as a teaching moment for the league and its teams.
“Obviously this year, as is evidenced by the news in Houston tonight with that game being postponed, this season’s going to be a wild one,” Malone said.
Malone said before Wednesday’s game he couldn’t even begin to think about Denver’s marquee Christmas Day game against the Clippers because of their current opponent, Sacramento, and all the logistics that went into preparing for the home opener.
But beginning with Sacramento, and followed shortly thereafter by the Clippers and then the Rockets, the Nuggets will begin the season with three consecutive home games. In fact, six of their first eight games will be played at Ball Arena.
Last season, the Nuggets began the year 13-3. The year before that, they started out 9-1.
“The teams that get off to great starts are usually teams that are playing late into the playoffs,” Malone said.
It’s a priority once again.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--Broncos’ rookie McTelvin Agim, thrown into D-Line rotation, gives back to incarcerated and homeless

Broncos’ rookie McTelvin Agim, thrown into D-Line rotation, gives back to incarcerated and homeless youth: “I was in that same position”

Broncos rookie McTelvin Agim volunteers to speak with a group of incarcerated or homeless youth with a powerful story rooted in his difficult path to the NFL .
The kids hang on every word .
“ My message is to not hold your head down , let nobody tell you that your life is over , or that you ’ re worthless , ” Agim said .
“ Because I was in your same position not too long ago.
” Agim — pronounced ( UH-geem ) — was often a healthy scratch this season before an injury to Sylvester Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at defensive tackle .
The rookie has gotten 50 snaps over his last three games .
“ We like his future , and hopefully , he can keep improving , ” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday .
That makes Agim thankful , especially this holiday season , for having overcome circumstances that never suggested the kid from East Texas would realize his football dreams .
It ’ s why Agim ’ s list of community volunteer events , even during a pandemic , has been extensive .
As part of the NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleats ” initiative , Agim promoted his hometown Texarkana Salvation Army — where Agim , his two sisters , and single mother once sought refuge from poverty .
“ At that exact location , me and my family stayed at one time .
We were homeless , ” Agim told The Denver Post .
“ They gave us a place to stay when we had nowhere to turn .
That was just me showing my appreciation to them for the things they did for me .
They didn ’ t know it at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become , but I really appreciated that .
It was something I could never pay them back for.
” Agim , dating back to his college days at Arkansas , has also dedicated significant volunteer hours toward mentoring kids in the juvenile justice system .
Agim has participated in multiple video conferences this year with Colorado juveniles serving probation .
The cause is also personal .
At 14 years old he was arrested after allegedly fleeing from police while attempting to steal a car .
He told the Associated Press in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ one of the best things to ever happen to me ” as he turned a corner .
Sports provided him with an escape from street life .
Agim went on to graduate from high school with a 3.8 GPA and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times .
The Broncos selected Agim No .
95 overall in the NFL draft .
“ That was big for me and my family .
We were able to be together that day .
Being around them , and seeing the expression and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to tears.
” Agim wasn ’ t bashful in listing off his desired career NFL accomplishments : A Super Bowl victory , Defensive Player of the Year , All-Pro and , eventually , a bronze bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame .
“ I want to be up there with some of the best , ” Agim said .
“ Things that will keep me up there is making plays , being dependable , not being a headache , making sure you ’ re doing the right things and learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… Don ’ t let the same thing be coached to you twice in a row.
” It ’ s a long road ahead .
Agim has eight career tackles over six NFL games .
“ Obviously , there are ups and downs any time you put a young guy in there in the trenches , ” Fangio said .
“ ( Agim ) has experienced some of that .
On that last run where ( the Bills ) scored ( Sunday ) , he could have played that much better.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that has allowed 29 sacks this season .
Agim is itching for his first in the NFL , further validating his ascension from a juvenile detention center to professional football .
Agim said he shares his story to make sure others like him don ’ t lose faith in their dreams .
“ I know my message is sinking into them when I can get feedback , ” Agim said .
“ We have some of the same stories .
It ’ s like , ‘ Dang , he ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ … You can always make a 180 .
”

Broncos rookie McTelvin Agim volunteers to speak with a group of incarcerated or homeless youth with a powerful story rooted in his difficult path to the NFL. The kids hang on every word.
“My message is to not hold your head down, let nobody tell you that your life is over, or that you’re worthless,” Agim said. “Because I was in your same position not too long ago.”
Agim — pronounced (UH-geem) — was often a healthy scratch this season before an injury to Sylvester Williams thrust him into the Broncos’ rotation at defensive tackle. The rookie has gotten 50 snaps over his last three games.
“We like his future, and hopefully, he can keep improving,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday.
That makes Agim thankful, especially this holiday season, for having overcome circumstances that never suggested the kid from East Texas would realize his football dreams. It’s why Agim’s list of community volunteer events, even during a pandemic, has been extensive.
As part of the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative, Agim promoted his hometown Texarkana Salvation Army — where Agim, his two sisters, and single mother once sought refuge from poverty.
“At that exact location, me and my family stayed at one time. We were homeless,” Agim told The Denver Post. “They gave us a place to stay when we had nowhere to turn. That was just me showing my appreciation to them for the things they did for me. They didn’t know it at the time, who I was going to become, but I really appreciated that. It was something I could never pay them back for.”
Agim, dating back to his college days at Arkansas, has also dedicated significant volunteer hours toward mentoring kids in the juvenile justice system. Agim has participated in multiple video conferences this year with Colorado juveniles serving probation. The cause is also personal.
At 14 years old he was arrested after allegedly fleeing from police while attempting to steal a car. He told the Associated Press in a 2017 interview that the eighth-grade mishap was “one of the best things to ever happen to me” as he turned a corner. Sports provided him with an escape from street life.
Agim went on to graduate from high school with a 3.8 GPA and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times. The Broncos selected Agim No. 95 overall in the NFL draft. “That was big for me and my family. We were able to be together that day. Being around them, and seeing the expression and happiness on their faces, it brought me to tears.”
Agim wasn’t bashful in listing off his desired career NFL accomplishments: A Super Bowl victory, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Pro and, eventually, a bronze bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I want to be up there with some of the best,” Agim said. “Things that will keep me up there is making plays, being dependable, not being a headache, making sure you’re doing the right things and learning from the mistakes I’ve made. … Don’t let the same thing be coached to you twice in a row.”
It’s a long road ahead. Agim has eight career tackles over six NFL games.
“Obviously, there are ups and downs any time you put a young guy in there in the trenches,” Fangio said. “(Agim) has experienced some of that. On that last run where (the Bills) scored (Sunday), he could have played that much better.”
Denver travels to face a Chargers team Sunday that has allowed 29 sacks this season. Agim is itching for his first in the NFL, further validating his ascension from a juvenile detention center to professional football. Agim said he shares his story to make sure others like him don’t lose faith in their dreams.
“I know my message is sinking into them when I can get feedback,” Agim said. “We have some of the same stories. It’s like, ‘Dang, he’s been through what I’m going through.’ … You can always make a 180.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--OKC-Houston game postponed, Harden out after COVID violation

HOUSTON — Houston ’ s season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night has been postponed after coronavirus cases and James Harden ’ s violation of the NBA ’ s COVID-19 protocols left the Rockets without the league-mandated eight players available .
The NBA announced the postponement in a release that said three Rockets players had returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive and that four other players were quarantined because of contract tracing .
The release also said that Harden was unavailable for the game because of a violation of health and safety protocols after video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media where he was without a mask at a crowded party in a private event space Tuesday night .
Rumors have swirled for months that Harden wants to be traded , but the superstar has refused to address the situation .
A ninth player was unavailable for the game because of an injury , leaving the Rockets without enough players to play Wednesday night .
Houston ’ s injury report released Wednesday morning that Ben McLemore and rookie KJ Martin were not with the team and were self-isolating and that DeMarcus Cousins was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

HOUSTON — Houston’s season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night has been postponed after coronavirus cases and James Harden’s violation of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols left the Rockets without the league-mandated eight players available.
The NBA announced the postponement in a release that said three Rockets players had returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive and that four other players were quarantined because of contract tracing.
The release also said that Harden was unavailable for the game because of a violation of health and safety protocols after video of the disgruntled star surfaced on social media where he was without a mask at a crowded party in a private event space Tuesday night. Rumors have swirled for months that Harden wants to be traded, but the superstar has refused to address the situation.
A ninth player was unavailable for the game because of an injury, leaving the Rockets without enough players to play Wednesday night.
Houston’s injury report released Wednesday morning that Ben McLemore and rookie KJ Martin were not with the team and were self-isolating and that DeMarcus Cousins was questionable because of a sprained right ankle.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--CU men’s basketball getting more comfortable on the road

Home court advantage probably won ’ t mean what is usually does during college basketball ’ s pandemic season .
Nevertheless , playing on the road will remain incrementally more difficult than playing at home .
And the Colorado Buffaloes should be ready for the Pac-12 Conference road show , as the Buffaloes haven ’ t enjoyed much home cooking this season , something they will catch up on in a literal sense during a three-day holiday respite .
The Buffs certainly earned their Christmas down time on Tuesday night , outlasting Grand Canyon in a back-and-forth , heavyweight bout-type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The showdown in Las Vegas also marked the Buffs ’ fifth game away from home in seven nonconference games .
After cruising to victory in the first three of those four straight wins , the Buffs absorbed all they could handle from Grand Canyon , which outrebounded CU handily and shot .509 from the field .
It was the Buffs ’ final tune-up before they begin Pac-12 play next week with three consecutive road games , starting with a date at Arizona on Monday ( 7:30 p.m. MT , Pac-12 Networks ) followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re going to learn a lot .
What a challenge , ” CU head coach Tad Boyle said .
“ At Arizona , at USC , at UCLA , there ’ s no gimmies there .
Then we come back and we ’ ve got four at home after that .
You ’ re playing 20 league games .
That ’ s what we ’ re scheduled for and hopefully we can get them all in .
A wonderful opportunity in Tucson .
“ Being on the road is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a little bit different because there ’ s no fans .
We ’ ve played five of our seven nonconference games away from home .
So our guys are used to that .
Hopefully we ’ ll play like it .
Because we won ’ t have a full Arizona McKale Center that ’ s intimidating sometimes .
I ’ d have rather caught Arizona a little bit earlier because their one of those teams who gets better as the year goes on .
We ’ ve got to be ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in Tucson.
” Indeed , the Buffs were supposed to catch Arizona earlier , but the teams ’ scheduled Pac-12 opener on Dec. 2 was postponed as CU dealt with a 48-hour coronavirus shutdown .
After struggling on offense in a loss at then-No .
12 Tennessee on Dec. 8 , the Buffs ’ four-game winning streak and impressive play has coincided with getting the team ’ s entire rotation in place following coronavirus absences through the first three games , most notably to starters D ’ Shawn Schwartz and Eli Parquet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wildcats sooner .
But there is little question his team is playing much better basketball than they were in early December .
“ It says a lot about this team , ” CU forward Evan Battey said .
“ We didn ’ t hit our goals for ourselves ( against Grand Canyon ) , two of those goals we like to hit in rebounding and field goal percentage defense .
But there ’ s other areas of the game .
And we battled in those areas .
As long as you compete in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to win.
” With seven assists and only two turnovers against Grand Canyon , CU point guard McKinley Wright ’ s assist-to-turnover rate improved to 3.15 ( 41 assists , 13 turnovers ) …The Buffs went 8-for-17 on 3-pointers against Grand Canyon and have connected at a .434 clip ( 33-for-76 ) from the arc during their four-game winning streak…After going 18-for-21 on free throws against Grand Canyon , CU retained its perch as the nation ’ s top free throw shooting team ( .858 ) .

Home court advantage probably won’t mean what is usually does during college basketball’s pandemic season.
Nevertheless, playing on the road will remain incrementally more difficult than playing at home. And the Colorado Buffaloes should be ready for the Pac-12 Conference road show, as the Buffaloes haven’t enjoyed much home cooking this season, something they will catch up on in a literal sense during a three-day holiday respite.
The Buffs certainly earned their Christmas down time on Tuesday night, outlasting Grand Canyon in a back-and-forth, heavyweight bout-type battle for their fourth consecutive win. The showdown in Las Vegas also marked the Buffs’ fifth game away from home in seven nonconference games.
After cruising to victory in the first three of those four straight wins, the Buffs absorbed all they could handle from Grand Canyon, which outrebounded CU handily and shot .509 from the field. It was the Buffs’ final tune-up before they begin Pac-12 play next week with three consecutive road games, starting with a date at Arizona on Monday (7:30 p.m. MT, Pac-12 Networks) followed by a two-game swing through Los Angeles.
“We’re going to learn a lot. What a challenge,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “At Arizona, at USC, at UCLA, there’s no gimmies there. Then we come back and we’ve got four at home after that. You’re playing 20 league games. That’s what we’re scheduled for and hopefully we can get them all in. A wonderful opportunity in Tucson.
“Being on the road is one thing. This year it might be a little bit different because there’s no fans. We’ve played five of our seven nonconference games away from home. So our guys are used to that. Hopefully we’ll play like it. Because we won’t have a full Arizona McKale Center that’s intimidating sometimes. I’d have rather caught Arizona a little bit earlier because their one of those teams who gets better as the year goes on. We’ve got to be ready to roll when the ball’s tipped off in Tucson.”
Indeed, the Buffs were supposed to catch Arizona earlier, but the teams’ scheduled Pac-12 opener on Dec. 2 was postponed as CU dealt with a 48-hour coronavirus shutdown. After struggling on offense in a loss at then-No. 12 Tennessee on Dec. 8, the Buffs’ four-game winning streak and impressive play has coincided with getting the team’s entire rotation in place following coronavirus absences through the first three games, most notably to starters D’Shawn Schwartz and Eli Parquet.
Perhaps Boyle wanted to catch the Wildcats sooner. But there is little question his team is playing much better basketball than they were in early December.
“It says a lot about this team,” CU forward Evan Battey said. “We didn’t hit our goals for ourselves (against Grand Canyon), two of those goals we like to hit in rebounding and field goal percentage defense. But there’s other areas of the game. And we battled in those areas. As long as you compete in all areas, you have a good chance to win.”
Notable
With seven assists and only two turnovers against Grand Canyon, CU point guard McKinley Wright’s assist-to-turnover rate improved to 3.15 (41 assists, 13 turnovers)…The Buffs went 8-for-17 on 3-pointers against Grand Canyon and have connected at a .434 clip (33-for-76) from the arc during their four-game winning streak…After going 18-for-21 on free throws against Grand Canyon, CU retained its perch as the nation’s top free throw shooting team (.858).


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--New grant established to help Adams County adults earn college degrees, land top jobs

Adams County adults who are 25 and over with some college but no degree will have access to more student support services intended to help them earn a postsecondary credential and land a top job , thanks to a new grant piloted by the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative .
The $ 300,000 grant is a partnership between COSI and Third Sector , a nonprofit organization that pushes for “ pay for success ” funding focused on providing money up front and then bonus payments tied to hitting measurable goals and outcomes .
The Colorado Department of Higher Education is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country to use the “ pay for success ” model to improve the outcomes for adult higher education seekers .
The goal of the grant is to increase graduation rates and college retention for low-income adults from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds who have stalled out of higher education before completing their degree or obtaining a credential .
The grant is designed to accomplish this by funding relationships between public higher education institutions and college access and success providers , and giving students in need more services while they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or degree is critical to economic success , ” said Sen. Dominick Moreno , D-Commerce City and chair of the Joint Budget Committee , in a Colorado Department of Higher Education news release .
Nationwide , Moreno said more than 29 million students have enrolled in college and left without receiving a degree or certificate .
“ A disproportionate number of these ‘ some college no degree ’ students are students of color , ” Moreno said .
“ This issue continues to ring true throughout Adams County and I ’ m thrilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Student support service providers , community partners , public institutions of higher education , workforce centers and other organizations working to support adults in Adams County to complete a credential or degree are encouraged to apply .
Applications are due Jan.8 and can be found on the Colorado Department of Higher Education website .
“ For students who are low-income , adult learners , and/or students of color , additional student support services are crucial for navigating enrollment and persistence through institutions of higher education , ” said Caroline Whistler , CEO and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .

Adams County adults who are 25 and over with some college but no degree will have access to more student support services intended to help them earn a postsecondary credential and land a top job, thanks to a new grant piloted by the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative.
The $300,000 grant is a partnership between COSI and Third Sector, a nonprofit organization that pushes for “pay for success” funding focused on providing money up front and then bonus payments tied to hitting measurable goals and outcomes.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education is one of the first state higher education agencies in the country to use the “pay for success” model to improve the outcomes for adult higher education seekers.
The goal of the grant is to increase graduation rates and college retention for low-income adults from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds who have stalled out of higher education before completing their degree or obtaining a credential. The grant is designed to accomplish this by funding relationships between public higher education institutions and college access and success providers, and giving students in need more services while they learn.
“Completing a college credential or degree is critical to economic success,” said Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City and chair of the Joint Budget Committee, in a Colorado Department of Higher Education news release.
Nationwide, Moreno said more than 29 million students have enrolled in college and left without receiving a degree or certificate.
“A disproportionate number of these ‘some college no degree’ students are students of color,” Moreno said. “This issue continues to ring true throughout Adams County and I’m thrilled at the opportunity this grant provides.”
Student support service providers, community partners, public institutions of higher education, workforce centers and other organizations working to support adults in Adams County to complete a credential or degree are encouraged to apply.
Applications are due Jan.8 and can be found on the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.
“For students who are low-income, adult learners, and/or students of color, additional student support services are crucial for navigating enrollment and persistence through institutions of higher education,” said Caroline Whistler, CEO and co-founder of Third Sector, in a news release.


thedenverpost--2020-12-23--18 Douglas County restaurants resume in-person dining after receiving Five Star program approval

Thirty-three Douglas County businesses , including 18 restaurants , increased their indoor capacity to 25 % on Wednesday after receiving state approval under Colorado ’ s new Five Star State Certification Program .
One indoor events center and 14 gyms and fitness centers also increased capacity after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment notified the county it had reached 10 days of sustained and declining hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 , which was the final hurdle for the county to launch the program .
More than 100 other business have applied for certification under the Five Star program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .
Douglas County is the first in the metro area to obtain the Five Star certification .
Summit and Larimer counties also have been approved .
Arapahoe County announced Wednesday that it had submitted an application to the state health department but would not accept applications from businesses until it had received approval .
“ Approval for the variance is contingent upon the County ’ s COVID-19 numbers continuing the sustained decline they have recently shown , ” a county news release said .
Under the Five Star program , Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program that allows businesses to increase capacity beyond regular public health restrictions , which are established by a color-coded dial .
For example , in a county at Level Red , which includes Denver and the rest of the Front Range , restaurants are not allowed to host indoor dining .
However , if they meet the more stringent requirements under the Five Star program they can open at 25 % capacity .
If the county ’ s COVID-19 threat level drops on the dial , then they would be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program was launched Dec. 14 , and Summit County was the first to put a program in place , certifying 134 restaurants to open for indoor dining over a weekend .
Among the requirements for restaurants is an order to separate tables by 10 feet , register guests for contact tracing and improve indoor ventilation .
Douglas County submitted its application and received approval but could not launch the program until certain COVID-19 benchmarks were met .
The county pre-certified some businesses so they could move as soon as approval was granted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Thirty-three Douglas County businesses, including 18 restaurants, increased their indoor capacity to 25% on Wednesday after receiving state approval under Colorado’s new Five Star State Certification Program.
One indoor events center and 14 gyms and fitness centers also increased capacity after the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment notified the county it had reached 10 days of sustained and declining hospitalization rates due to COVID-19, which was the final hurdle for the county to launch the program.
More than 100 other business have applied for certification under the Five Star program, according to a Douglas County government news release.
Douglas County is the first in the metro area to obtain the Five Star certification. Summit and Larimer counties also have been approved. Arapahoe County announced Wednesday that it had submitted an application to the state health department but would not accept applications from businesses until it had received approval.
“Approval for the variance is contingent upon the County’s COVID-19 numbers continuing the sustained decline they have recently shown,” a county news release said.
Under the Five Star program, Colorado counties can receive approval to set up a program that allows businesses to increase capacity beyond regular public health restrictions, which are established by a color-coded dial. For example, in a county at Level Red, which includes Denver and the rest of the Front Range, restaurants are not allowed to host indoor dining. However, if they meet the more stringent requirements under the Five Star program they can open at 25% capacity. If the county’s COVID-19 threat level drops on the dial, then they would be able to further expand capacity.
The Five Star program was launched Dec. 14, and Summit County was the first to put a program in place, certifying 134 restaurants to open for indoor dining over a weekend. Among the requirements for restaurants is an order to separate tables by 10 feet, register guests for contact tracing and improve indoor ventilation.
Douglas County submitted its application and received approval but could not launch the program until certain COVID-19 benchmarks were met. The county pre-certified some businesses so they could move as soon as approval was granted.
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