thedenverpost--2020-12-30--Avalanche’s stellar World Junior prospect pool to settle on Denver, Boston after tournament

The Avalanche ’ s four high-profile , 19-year-old participants at the World Junior Championship are bound for Denver or Boston when the United States and Canada win a medal or are eliminated at Rogers Place in Edmonton .
Canada co-captain Bo Byram and teammate Justin Barron might travel directly to Denver before or after the gold-medal game on Jan. 5 .
The two defensemen — selected by the Avs in the first round of the 2019 and 2020 NHL drafts , respectively — went the major-junior route and have the ability to join the Avalanche ’ s training camp without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s training camp begins Sunday , and although the roster has yet to be released , Byram and Barron likely will be among the 36 skaters participating if they remain healthy .
They both have nowhere else to play , as their junior teams in the Western Hockey League ( Vancouver Giants , Byram ) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League ( Halifax Mooseheads , Barron ) are paused because of COVID-19 .
The QMJHL is tentatively scheduled to resume its season Jan. 22 , and Barron almost certainly will return to Halifax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHL training camp .
The WHL is paused indefinitely , which further suggests Byram will remain with the Avs beyond the Jan. 13 opener — at least on the four-to-six player taxi squad .
Before the WHL suspended its season or an NHL taxi squad was announced , many believed Byram had a decent chance to become an Avalanche regular , or at least the seventh defenseman and first one to step in for an injured player .
Byram , who signed his three-year entry-level contract on July 19 , 2019 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was in the playoff bubble in Edmonton with the Avs .
He can play up to six NHL games this coming season before he begins to burn the first year of his contract ; the limit is nine games in a normal season .
Team Canada forward Alex Newhook and U.S. defenseman Drew Helleson are in a far different situation .
They will be Boston-bound , rejoining their Boston College teammates before the Eagles return from Christmas break for a two-game series against Northeastern Jan. 8-9 .
Newhook was an Avalanche 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — 12 spots behind Byram .
And Helleson was taken by the Avs midway through the second round ( 47th overall ) in 2019 .
Newhook and Helleson can not attend the Avs ’ training camp if they want to keep their NCAA eligibility .
And because of unavailable Avalanche roster spots and the uncertainly of the American Hockey League ’ s status , there is probably no chance they ’ ll forgo their NCAA eligibility anytime soon .
As a foursome in order , Byram , Newhook , Barron and Helleson represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2019 and 2020 drafts ; the Avs did not have a second-round pick in 2020 .
Byram is on Canada ’ s first pairing and quarterbacks the No .
1 power play .
Newhook is a second-line center who plays on Canada ’ s No .
2 power play .
Barron is a third-pairing shutdown defenseman — much like Helleson is for the Americans , although Helleson played with U.S. minutes leader Jake Sanderson in Tuesday ’ s 7-0 route over the Czech Republic .
The group is primarily why The Hockey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s best prospects pool .
And Colorado is the only team with three WJC prospects for Team Canada , the defending gold medal champion and perennial power .

The Avalanche’s four high-profile, 19-year-old participants at the World Junior Championship are bound for Denver or Boston when the United States and Canada win a medal or are eliminated at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Canada co-captain Bo Byram and teammate Justin Barron might travel directly to Denver before or after the gold-medal game on Jan. 5. The two defensemen — selected by the Avs in the first round of the 2019 and 2020 NHL drafts, respectively — went the major-junior route and have the ability to join the Avalanche’s training camp without losing their junior eligibility.
Colorado’s training camp begins Sunday, and although the roster has yet to be released, Byram and Barron likely will be among the 36 skaters participating if they remain healthy. They both have nowhere else to play, as their junior teams in the Western Hockey League (Vancouver Giants, Byram) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (Halifax Mooseheads, Barron) are paused because of COVID-19.
The QMJHL is tentatively scheduled to resume its season Jan. 22, and Barron almost certainly will return to Halifax after getting his first look at an NHL training camp. The WHL is paused indefinitely, which further suggests Byram will remain with the Avs beyond the Jan. 13 opener — at least on the four-to-six player taxi squad.
Before the WHL suspended its season or an NHL taxi squad was announced, many believed Byram had a decent chance to become an Avalanche regular, or at least the seventh defenseman and first one to step in for an injured player. Byram, who signed his three-year entry-level contract on July 19, 2019, but has yet to make his NHL debut, was in the playoff bubble in Edmonton with the Avs. He can play up to six NHL games this coming season before he begins to burn the first year of his contract; the limit is nine games in a normal season.
Team Canada forward Alex Newhook and U.S. defenseman Drew Helleson are in a far different situation. They will be Boston-bound, rejoining their Boston College teammates before the Eagles return from Christmas break for a two-game series against Northeastern Jan. 8-9.
Newhook was an Avalanche 2019 first-round draft pick, going 16th overall — 12 spots behind Byram. And Helleson was taken by the Avs midway through the second round (47th overall) in 2019.
Newhook and Helleson cannot attend the Avs’ training camp if they want to keep their NCAA eligibility. And because of unavailable Avalanche roster spots and the uncertainly of the American Hockey League’s status, there is probably no chance they’ll forgo their NCAA eligibility anytime soon.
As a foursome in order, Byram, Newhook, Barron and Helleson represent the Avalanche’s top selections from the 2019 and 2020 drafts; the Avs did not have a second-round pick in 2020.
Byram is on Canada’s first pairing and quarterbacks the No. 1 power play. Newhook is a second-line center who plays on Canada’s No. 2 power play. Barron is a third-pairing shutdown defenseman — much like Helleson is for the Americans, although Helleson played with U.S. minutes leader Jake Sanderson in Tuesday’s 7-0 route over the Czech Republic.
The group is primarily why The Hockey News ranked the Avs with the NHL’s best prospects pool. And Colorado is the only team with three WJC prospects for Team Canada, the defending gold medal champion and perennial power.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Head of Colorado’s COVID-19 testing efforts to step down next month

Sarah Tuneberg , a senior COVID-19 adviser to Colorado ’ s public health department and head of the agency ’ s containment and testing team , will step down from her role next month , according to a resignation letter she sent to head of the agency last week .
Tuneberg , who has led the state ’ s efforts to ramp up testing for the novel coronavirus , will leave the agency on Jan. 21 .
She did not say in the letter why she was leaving her position .
“ The last several months have been some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she wrote .
“ I am so grateful for the opportunity you both gave me to serve the State of Colorado in this incredibly difficult time.
” In her resignation letter , Tuneberg said that she will provide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with a transition plan recommendation before her departure .
The state ’ s testing and containment team now has more than 400 employees , according to the letter .
Tuneberg ’ s resignation was first reported by Colorado Public Radio on Tuesday .
“ For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the scaling of the state ’ s testing and containment strategies and has been incredibly effective in this role , ” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan , executive director for the health department , in a statement .
“ When she accepted the position , I knew it might not be for the long term , but I am grateful for her service to the state.
” Tuneberg is the latest public health official to resign from her position during the pandemic .
Theresa Anselmo , the executive director of the Colorado Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her resignation earlier this month .
Her last day is Dec. 30 .

Sarah Tuneberg, a senior COVID-19 adviser to Colorado’s public health department and head of the agency’s containment and testing team, will step down from her role next month, according to a resignation letter she sent to head of the agency last week.
Tuneberg, who has led the state’s efforts to ramp up testing for the novel coronavirus, will leave the agency on Jan. 21. She did not say in the letter why she was leaving her position.
“The last several months have been some of the best of my professional career,” she wrote. “I am so grateful for the opportunity you both gave me to serve the State of Colorado in this incredibly difficult time.”
In her resignation letter, Tuneberg said that she will provide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with a transition plan recommendation before her departure. The state’s testing and containment team now has more than 400 employees, according to the letter.
Tuneberg’s resignation was first reported by Colorado Public Radio on Tuesday.
“For the past nine months, Sarah Tuneberg has led the scaling of the state’s testing and containment strategies and has been incredibly effective in this role,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director for the health department, in a statement. “When she accepted the position, I knew it might not be for the long term, but I am grateful for her service to the state.”
Tuneberg is the latest public health official to resign from her position during the pandemic. Theresa Anselmo, the executive director of the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials, announced her resignation earlier this month. Her last day is Dec. 30.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Alamo Bowl live blog: Real-time updates from the CU Buffs vs. Texas game at the Alamodome

Live updates , tweets , photos , analysis and more from the Colorado Buffaloes game against the Texas Longhorns at @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , on Dec. 29 , 2020 .
Mobile users , if you can @ @ @ @ @ blog , tap here .

Digital sports strategist for The Denver Post. Previously he was the online prep sports editor. Prior to that, he covered Adams County and Aurora in the YourHub section. He also writes about beer, professional wrestling and video games.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Arizona men’s basketball self-imposes 1-year postseason ban

TUCSON , Ariz. — The Arizona men ’ s basketball program has self-imposed a one-year postseason ban related to its long-running NCAA rules infractions case .
Arizona was accused of nine counts of misconduct , including five Level I violations , in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA in October .
The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university , and lack of head coach control by basketball coach Sean Miller .
“ The decision is an acknowledgement that the NCAA ’ s investigation revealed that certain former members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a departure from the University ’ s expectation of honest and ethical behavior , ” the school said in a statement .
“ It is also in accord with the penalty guidelines of the NCAA for the type of violations involved.
” Arizona is off to a 7-1 start this season , including a 1-1 mark in the Pac-12 , but won ’ t have the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament .
The Wildcats have a revamped roster after freshmen stars Josh Green , Zeke Nnaji and Nico Mannion were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I understand and fully support the University ’ s decision to self-impose a one-year post season ban on our men ’ s basketball program , ” Miller said in a statement .
“ Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a Pac-12 championship.
” Arizona had been in the NCAA ’ s crosshairs since 2017 , when assistant coach Emanuel Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball .
Richardson was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Christian Dawkins .
He was sentenced to three months in prison in 2019 .
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported that he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $ 100,000 payment to future No .
1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton .
Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats ’ coach .
Arizona was one of a dozen schools connected to the federal probe or that acknowledged it was under investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville , Alabama , Auburn , Creighton , LSU , NC State , South Carolina , TCU and Southern California .
Most of the schools are still in the midst of having their cases adjudicated .
Oklahoma State was the first to be punished by the NCAA in the wake of the investigation .
Over the summer , the Cowboys were banned from the 2021 postseason and received numerous other penalties after the NCAA infractions committee found former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $ 22,000 in bribes to steer @ @ @ @ @ @

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona men’s basketball program has self-imposed a one-year postseason ban related to its long-running NCAA rules infractions case.
Arizona was accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA in October. The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by basketball coach Sean Miller.
The school announced the one-year ban Tuesday.
“The decision is an acknowledgement that the NCAA’s investigation revealed that certain former members of the MBB staff displayed serious lapses in judgment and a departure from the University’s expectation of honest and ethical behavior,” the school said in a statement. “It is also in accord with the penalty guidelines of the NCAA for the type of violations involved.”
Arizona is off to a 7-1 start this season, including a 1-1 mark in the Pac-12, but won’t have the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats have a revamped roster after freshmen stars Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji and Nico Mannion were all selected in the NBA draft.
“I understand and fully support the University’s decision to self-impose a one-year post season ban on our men’s basketball program,” Miller said in a statement. “Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a Pac-12 championship.”
Arizona had been in the NCAA’s crosshairs since 2017, when assistant coach Emanuel Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.
Richardson was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting $20,000 in bribes from aspiring business manager Christian Dawkins. He was sentenced to three months in prison in 2019.
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported that he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to future No. 1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton. Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats’ coach.
Arizona was one of a dozen schools connected to the federal probe or that acknowledged it was under investigation, including Oklahoma State, Kansas, Louisville, Alabama, Auburn, Creighton, LSU, NC State, South Carolina, TCU and Southern California.
Most of the schools are still in the midst of having their cases adjudicated.
Oklahoma State was the first to be punished by the NCAA in the wake of the investigation. Over the summer, the Cowboys were banned from the 2021 postseason and received numerous other penalties after the NCAA infractions committee found former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $22,000 in bribes to steer athletes to certain financial advisers.
AP College Basketball writer John Marshall contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Regaining spark on defense, rebounds priority No. 1 for CU Buffs

One game , or even one week that happens to be rich with opportunity , will not make or break an entire season .
Yet if the Colorado men ’ s basketball team doesn ’ t get back to doing the things it expects to do well as a matter of routine , the remainder of their Pac-12 Conference-opening road swing might set an ominous tone in the race for the league crown .
While losing at Arizona has become an almost annual ritual for the Buffs — CU fell to 0-9 at the McKale Center since joining the Pac-12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 88-74 on Monday night certainly was not .
Until last week ’ s win against Grand Canyon , no CU opponent had outrebounded the Buffs , and no team had shot better than 45 percent against the Buffs .
After Arizona dissected CU ’ s defense at will Monday , two straight opponents have now outrebounded the Buffs while shooting at least 50 percent against a suddenly vulnerable CU defense .
“ I can ’ t get my finger on it .
We ’ ve got to get better , ” CU forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s everybody .
That ’ s in ball-screens , our zone , man-to-man , press .
It ’ s the whole thing .
We ’ ve got to get better .
It ’ s not really one thing .
We have to be better at guarding the ball .
It ’ s a lot of things .
We ’ re being tested right now .
How are we going to respond ?
It ’ s my job to make sure my dudes respond.
” Through the season ’ s first six games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field goal percentage of 35.8 % or less , and they entered last week ’ s game against Grand Canyon boasting an average rebounding margin of plus-9.2 .
But the Lopes outrebounded the Buffs 33-20 and shot 50.9 % , though CU was able to survive in large part due to their own solid shooting performance ( 50.0 % ) and a 13-point advantage at the free-throw line .
With those shots not falling during the second half at Arizona and trips to the free-throw line less frequent , the result in Tucson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooled off in the second half , the Wildcats finished with 52.6 % overall and shot 8-for-17 on 3-pointers .
The Buffs also had boasted an improved turnover rate lately , entering the Arizona game with three consecutive single-digit turnover games .
CU ’ s 13 turnovers on Monday wasn ’ t a gaudy total , but the Buffs committed just two in the game ’ s first 14-plus minutes and then recorded 11 the rest of the way as the game gradually slipped away .
Head coach Tad Boyle has preached defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 years ago .
Aside from hoping point guard McKinley Wright IV survives his late-game injury scare , it ’ s easy to guess what the Buffs will likely focus on ahead of Thursday ’ s date at USC ( 7 p.m. MT , ESPN2 ) .
“ We can ’ t just flush ( the Arizona game ) and not learn from it , ” Boyle said .
“ That ’ s what ( Tuesday ) is for .
( Tuesday ) is for learning from this experience tonight , as hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just part of it .
You can ’ t just move on and not learn from the mistakes you made .
“ Our players have to understand why we got beat .
They ’ ve got to see why we got beat .
We as coaches have to understand it so that we learn from it and get better from it .
That ’ s what the college basketball season is all about .
You have to learn from your mistakes and learn from your losses .
“ I felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to learn from this loss .
And then we ’ ll turn our attention to USC .
”

One game, or even one week that happens to be rich with opportunity, will not make or break an entire season.
Yet if the Colorado men’s basketball team doesn’t get back to doing the things it expects to do well as a matter of routine, the remainder of their Pac-12 Conference-opening road swing might set an ominous tone in the race for the league crown.
While losing at Arizona has become an almost annual ritual for the Buffs — CU fell to 0-9 at the McKale Center since joining the Pac-12 — the manner in which they lost 88-74 on Monday night certainly was not.
Until last week’s win against Grand Canyon, no CU opponent had outrebounded the Buffs, and no team had shot better than 45 percent against the Buffs. After Arizona dissected CU’s defense at will Monday, two straight opponents have now outrebounded the Buffs while shooting at least 50 percent against a suddenly vulnerable CU defense.
“I can’t get my finger on it. We’ve got to get better,” CU forward Evan Battey said. “That’s everybody. That’s in ball-screens, our zone, man-to-man, press. It’s the whole thing. We’ve got to get better. It’s not really one thing. We have to be better at guarding the ball. It’s a lot of things. We’re being tested right now. How are we going to respond? It’s my job to make sure my dudes respond.”
Through the season’s first six games, the Buffs held four opponents to a field goal percentage of 35.8% or less, and they entered last week’s game against Grand Canyon boasting an average rebounding margin of plus-9.2. But the Lopes outrebounded the Buffs 33-20 and shot 50.9%, though CU was able to survive in large part due to their own solid shooting performance (50.0%) and a 13-point advantage at the free-throw line.
With those shots not falling during the second half at Arizona and trips to the free-throw line less frequent, the result in Tucson was much different. While the Buffs cooled off in the second half, the Wildcats finished with 52.6% overall and shot 8-for-17 on 3-pointers.
The Buffs also had boasted an improved turnover rate lately, entering the Arizona game with three consecutive single-digit turnover games. CU’s 13 turnovers on Monday wasn’t a gaudy total, but the Buffs committed just two in the game’s first 14-plus minutes and then recorded 11 the rest of the way as the game gradually slipped away.
Head coach Tad Boyle has preached defense and rebounding since he arrived at CU 11 years ago. Aside from hoping point guard McKinley Wright IV survives his late-game injury scare, it’s easy to guess what the Buffs will likely focus on ahead of Thursday’s date at USC (7 p.m. MT, ESPN2).
“We can’t just flush (the Arizona game) and not learn from it,” Boyle said. “That’s what (Tuesday) is for. (Tuesday) is for learning from this experience tonight, as hard and painful as it is. That’s just part of it. You can’t just move on and not learn from the mistakes you made.
“Our players have to understand why we got beat. They’ve got to see why we got beat. We as coaches have to understand it so that we learn from it and get better from it. That’s what the college basketball season is all about. You have to learn from your mistakes and learn from your losses.
“I felt like we learned from the Tennessee loss. We have to learn from this loss. And then we’ll turn our attention to USC.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Colorado first state in U.S. to confirm new, more contagious strain of COVID-19

The first known U.S. case of the highly contagious new strain of the coronavirus that ’ s spreading through the United Kingdom has been discovered in a rural Colorado county , indicating the variant likely has circulated in the state and nation for some time .
Colorado ’ s state lab confirmed the presence of the new strain in Elbert County after a man in his 20s tested positive for what ’ s being called the B.1.1.7 variant .
The patient , who has no history of traveling , will remain in isolation until he ’ s medically cleared , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there , we just haven ’ t detected it yet , ” said Dr. Michelle Barron , senior medical director of infection prevention for UCHealth , adding , “ We just happened to be the ones that found it first.
” The new variant is believed to be as much as 70 % more contagious than previous strains of the novel coronavirus , but it does not lead to more serve symptoms than earlier versions of the virus .
It ’ s also believed the COVID-19 vaccines the state began distributing this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis ’ office .
State officials announced the discovery Tuesday afternoon .
The state health department and the governor ’ s office both declined to answer questions regarding how widespread transmission of the strain is believed to be in Colorado , exactly when the state lab confirmed the presence of the strain , and when the individual first became sick .
The governor , along with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment employees , will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our top priority and we will closely monitor this case , as well as all COVID-19 indicators , very closely , ” Polis said in a statement .
“ We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels.
” New variants of the coronavirus have appeared in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic .
The concern with the one announced Tuesday is that because it appears to be transmitted at a higher rate , it could lead to more cases and hospitalizations , said Jasmine Reed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention , in an email .
“ We expect that there will be additional cases that are likely to be detected in the coming days , ” she said .
The discovery of the variant is not surprising , but public health and medical experts said they are concerned because it comes both as the state has seen new COVID-19 cases decline from the deadly third wave of infections this fall and during a holiday season that could drive them back up if many people gather and travel .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people , ” Barron said .
“ We finally seemed to be getting this under control.
” There ’ s still much that ’ s not known about the variant and what it could mean for transmission of COVID-19 in Colorado , including whether further action will be needed to control its spread .
People are encouraged to continue washing their hands , wearing masks and social distancing , said Dr. Jon Samet , dean of the Colorado School of Public Health .
“ We have no idea how widespread the strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Workers in Colorado ’ s lab identified the new variant in a test sample that was positive for the disease but in which they did not detect the signal for the “ S gene.
” The absence of that signal is a signature of the new strain and is what led scientists to flag the test sample for additional investigation .
They then sequenced the viral genome in the sample and discovered eight mutations that are known to be part of the spike protein gene in the new strain , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new strain has spread throughout the U.K. since September , but it ’ s unclear whether it originated there .
It also has been discovered in Canada , Italy , India and the United Arab Emirates .
A different highly contagious variant , known as 501.V2 , has been discovered in South Africa .
The new variant discovered in the U.K. pushed that nation into tighter restrictions and multiple countries , including Canada and France , have stopped travel from there .
The U.S. also has announced travel restrictions , including requiring airline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 before their flight .
Colorado public health officials said they are investigating the Elbert County case and are working to identify other potential cases through contact tracing .
“ We are currently using all the tools available to protect public health and mitigate the spread of this variant , ” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan , executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , in a statement .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

The first known U.S. case of the highly contagious new strain of the coronavirus that’s spreading through the United Kingdom has been discovered in a rural Colorado county, indicating the variant likely has circulated in the state and nation for some time.
Colorado’s state lab confirmed the presence of the new strain in Elbert County after a man in his 20s tested positive for what’s being called the B.1.1.7 variant. The patient, who has no history of traveling, will remain in isolation until he’s medically cleared, state officials said.
“More is out there, we just haven’t detected it yet,” said Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention for UCHealth, adding, “We just happened to be the ones that found it first.”
The new variant is believed to be as much as 70% more contagious than previous strains of the novel coronavirus, but it does not lead to more serve symptoms than earlier versions of the virus. It’s also believed the COVID-19 vaccines the state began distributing this month will protect against the new variant, according to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ office.
State officials announced the discovery Tuesday afternoon. The state health department and the governor’s office both declined to answer questions regarding how widespread transmission of the strain is believed to be in Colorado, exactly when the state lab confirmed the presence of the strain, and when the individual first became sick.
The governor, along with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment employees, will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
“The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely,” Polis said in a statement. “We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels.”
New variants of the coronavirus have appeared in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic. The concern with the one announced Tuesday is that because it appears to be transmitted at a higher rate, it could lead to more cases and hospitalizations, said Jasmine Reed, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in an email.
“We expect that there will be additional cases that are likely to be detected in the coming days,” she said.
The discovery of the variant is not surprising, but public health and medical experts said they are concerned because it comes both as the state has seen new COVID-19 cases decline from the deadly third wave of infections this fall and during a holiday season that could drive them back up if many people gather and travel.
“The timing is probably disheartening to a lot of people,” Barron said. “We finally seemed to be getting this under control.”
There’s still much that’s not known about the variant and what it could mean for transmission of COVID-19 in Colorado, including whether further action will be needed to control its spread. People are encouraged to continue washing their hands, wearing masks and social distancing, said Dr. Jon Samet, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health.
“We have no idea how widespread the strain might be,” he said.
Workers in Colorado’s lab identified the new variant in a test sample that was positive for the disease but in which they did not detect the signal for the “S gene.” The absence of that signal is a signature of the new strain and is what led scientists to flag the test sample for additional investigation.
They then sequenced the viral genome in the sample and discovered eight mutations that are known to be part of the spike protein gene in the new strain, according to the state’s news release.
The new strain has spread throughout the U.K. since September, but it’s unclear whether it originated there. It also has been discovered in Canada, Italy, India and the United Arab Emirates. A different highly contagious variant, known as 501.V2, has been discovered in South Africa.
The new variant discovered in the U.K. pushed that nation into tighter restrictions and multiple countries, including Canada and France, have stopped travel from there. The U.S. also has announced travel restrictions, including requiring airline passengers from Britain to test negative for COVID-19 before their flight.
Colorado public health officials said they are investigating the Elbert County case and are working to identify other potential cases through contact tracing.
“We are currently using all the tools available to protect public health and mitigate the spread of this variant,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--US skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle dominates super-G for 1st career win

BORMIO , Italy — Just 10 days after his first career World Cup podium , American Ryan Cochran-Siegle followed it up with a surprising victory on one of Alpine skiing ’ s most iconic courses .
Cochran-Siegle won Tuesday ’ s super-G on the Stelvio course in the Italian Alps by a huge margin for his first World Cup victory .
He had a precise and smooth run on one of the circuit ’ s most challenging slopes to finish 0.79 seconds faster than Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria .
“ It ’ s definitely a shock to me , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skier to win a World Cup super-G since Bode Miller won in Hinterstoder , Austria , in 2006 .
Cochran-Siegle also became the first American winner on the Stelvio since Miller won a downhill on the same slope 13 years ago to the day .
“ I didn ’ t hold any expectations on this track , I just tried to ski the hill as well as I could , ” the Burlington , Vermont , native said .
Adrian Smiseth Sejersted was 0.94 behind in third , followed by his Norwegian teammate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup champion trailed by 1.18 seconds .
Cochran-Siegle ’ s previous career best result came this month when he finished runner-up to Kilde in a downhill on the Saslong course in another Italian resort , Val Gardena .
“ It ’ s funny , the podium in ( Val ) Gardena was definitely more than you could expect .
Of course , you always dream of it as a kid , ” he said .
Last weekend , Cochran-Siegle posted the fastest times in both downhill training runs on the Stelvio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His recent strong showings have given him confidence “ that allows me to ski ( in a way ) that it looks like taking a little bit of risk but also kind of carrying some smooth skiing .
I think if you find that , it becomes easy.
” Still , Cochran-Siegle didn ’ t regard himself as a main candidate for the win in the downhill , the last World Cup race of 2020 .
“ I don ’ t think I am a favorite tomorrow .
Watching video yesterday I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skiers .
I am still young and I am still learning , ” he said .
It was in super-G that the 28-year-old Cochran-Siegle , son of 1972 Olympic slalom champion Barbara Cochran , earned his first World Cup points in only his second race on the tour , in Beaver Creek , Colorado in 2011 .
After winning the junior world titles in downhill and combined a few months later , Cochran-Siegle ’ s promising career suffered a setback when he badly hurt his knee in a crash at the world championships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated recovery , he returned to the circuit in February 2016 .
“ Just a lot of years of hard work , working on my my skiing and working on my focus , trying to find that mental race day approach , ” Cochran-Siegle said .
“ I feel like I can trust myself now , trust to just let things flow and ski with some smooth skiing , ” he added .
“ It ’ s definitely a good place to be right now where I am at.
” Defending World Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season ’ s first race the discipline , finished fifth and the Swiss skier remained top of the discipline standings after three races .
The super-G was rescheduled from Monday , when heavy snowfall and fog made the race impossible .
The weather vastly improved overnight and conditions were excellent on Tuesday .

BORMIO, Italy — Just 10 days after his first career World Cup podium, American Ryan Cochran-Siegle followed it up with a surprising victory on one of Alpine skiing’s most iconic courses.
Cochran-Siegle won Tuesday’s super-G on the Stelvio course in the Italian Alps by a huge margin for his first World Cup victory.
He had a precise and smooth run on one of the circuit’s most challenging slopes to finish 0.79 seconds faster than Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria.
“It’s definitely a shock to me,” said Cochran-Siegle, the first male American skier to win a World Cup super-G since Bode Miller won in Hinterstoder, Austria, in 2006.
Cochran-Siegle also became the first American winner on the Stelvio since Miller won a downhill on the same slope 13 years ago to the day.
“I didn’t hold any expectations on this track, I just tried to ski the hill as well as I could,” the Burlington, Vermont, native said.
Adrian Smiseth Sejersted was 0.94 behind in third, followed by his Norwegian teammate Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The defending overall World Cup champion trailed by 1.18 seconds.
Cochran-Siegle’s previous career best result came this month when he finished runner-up to Kilde in a downhill on the Saslong course in another Italian resort, Val Gardena.
“It’s funny, the podium in (Val) Gardena was definitely more than you could expect. Of course, you always dream of it as a kid,” he said.
Last weekend, Cochran-Siegle posted the fastest times in both downhill training runs on the Stelvio. The downhill race is scheduled for Wednesday.
His recent strong showings have given him confidence “that allows me to ski (in a way) that it looks like taking a little bit of risk but also kind of carrying some smooth skiing. I think if you find that, it becomes easy.”
Still, Cochran-Siegle didn’t regard himself as a main candidate for the win in the downhill, the last World Cup race of 2020.
“I don’t think I am a favorite tomorrow. Watching video yesterday I think there are a lot of good skiers. I am still young and I am still learning,” he said.
It was in super-G that the 28-year-old Cochran-Siegle, son of 1972 Olympic slalom champion Barbara Cochran, earned his first World Cup points in only his second race on the tour, in Beaver Creek, Colorado in 2011.
After winning the junior world titles in downhill and combined a few months later, Cochran-Siegle’s promising career suffered a setback when he badly hurt his knee in a crash at the world championships in Austria in 2013.
After a complicated recovery, he returned to the circuit in February 2016.
“Just a lot of years of hard work, working on my my skiing and working on my focus, trying to find that mental race day approach,” Cochran-Siegle said.
“I feel like I can trust myself now, trust to just let things flow and ski with some smooth skiing,” he added. “It’s definitely a good place to be right now where I am at.”
Defending World Cup super-G champion Mauro Caviezel, who won this season’s first race the discipline, finished fifth and the Swiss skier remained top of the discipline standings after three races.
Overall World Cup leader Alexis Pinturault finished 12th.
The super-G was rescheduled from Monday, when heavy snowfall and fog made the race impossible. The weather vastly improved overnight and conditions were excellent on Tuesday.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Swiss skier Michelle Gisin ends Shiffrin-Vlhova winning slalom streak

SEMMERING , Austria — Michelle Gisin earned her maiden World Cup win on Tuesday , becoming the first Swiss skier to win a women ’ s slalom in nearly 19 years .
Gisin trailed Mikaela Shiffrin by two-hundredths of a second after the opening run but posted the second-fastest time in the final as the American dropped to third , 0.57 behind .
Gisin ’ s win ended a streak of 28 slaloms that were won by either Shiffrin , who triumphed 19 times , or Petra Vlhova .
That streak started in January 2017 .
“ I broke the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gisin said .
“ It ’ s a perfect day.
” Vlhova was nearly nine-tenths off the pace in sixth after the first run before the Slovakian skier , who leads Gisin in both the overall and the slalom standings , improved to fourth with an attacking final run .
Vlhova had won all five slaloms since Shiffrin last won in Lienz , Austria , one year ago .
“ I admire them since many years , ” said Gisin , adding that her win “ helps us to see that we got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
It ’ s not just like we have two goddesses and we are just trying not to lose too much time .
But we can fight for it .
They improved the way we ski so have to be very grateful to them.
” Katharina Liensberger posted the fastest time in the final run and the Austrian trailed Gisin by 0.11 in second .
“ It ’ s crazy .
It ’ s just amazing , ” Gisin said .
“ My first victory exactly eight years after my first race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same place .
I am just so happy.
” It was the first slalom win for the Swiss women ’ s team since Marlies Oester shared victory with Kristina Koznick of the United States at a race in Berchtesgaden , Germany , in January 2002 .
“ It ’ s good that Wendy ( Holdener ) and I won ’ t be asked about winning slaloms anymore , ” said Gisin , referring to her Swiss teammate .
Holdener has racked up 24 podium finishes in slalom without winning one .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more top-three results in any discipline without a win .
Gisin had nine previous podium results on the World Cup but was lacking a victory .
However , she won Olympic gold in the combined event in Pyeongchang in 2018 , four years after her sister , Dominique Gisin , shared victory with Tina Maze in the Olympic downhill from Sochi .
“ I am super happy for Michelle , ” Shiffrin said .
“ I ’ m really happy to see Michelle skiing like that , and like really earning this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time coming so it ’ s nice to see that.
” The last racer on course , Shiffrin lost time on Gisin from the start .
She was three-tenths behind the Swiss ’ time halfway through her run and failed to make up the deficit at the bottom part .
The result meant that Shiffrin failed to win a slalom in a whole calendar year for the first time since her maiden World Cup triumph in 2012 .
“ I would like to win , for sure , and I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sometimes it doesn ’ t , ” she said .
“ The night is not so bad.
” The American was grateful with a podium result to end the most difficult year of her career , which included a 10-month break following the dead of her father , Jeff Shiffrin , in February .
“ There is a lot of positive things to take from today .
It ’ s a process going step by step , ” said Shiffrin , who admitted she felt uncomfortable while waiting for her final run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it very great but also , it wasn ’ t so bad .
I was trying to bring good intensity , and sometimes it ’ s a little bit too much , ” she said .
“ I try to remember how these things feel and it ’ s a good step in a good direction .
Hopefully I can take that and keep moving in the right direction.
” Federica Brignone , who dethroned Shiffrin as overall champion last season , was 16th in the Italian ’ s weakest discipline .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong winds had destroyed parts the finish area between two runs of a giant slalom as gusts blew away safety fencing and sponsor banners .
Workers rebuilt the setup at the bottom of the Zauberberg course early Tuesday .
The women ’ s World Cup continues with another slalom in Zagreb , Croatia , on Sunday .

SEMMERING, Austria — Michelle Gisin earned her maiden World Cup win on Tuesday, becoming the first Swiss skier to win a women’s slalom in nearly 19 years.
Gisin trailed Mikaela Shiffrin by two-hundredths of a second after the opening run but posted the second-fastest time in the final as the American dropped to third, 0.57 behind.
Gisin’s win ended a streak of 28 slaloms that were won by either Shiffrin, who triumphed 19 times, or Petra Vlhova. That streak started in January 2017.
“I broke the incredible run of two giants,” Gisin said. “It’s a perfect day.”
Vlhova was nearly nine-tenths off the pace in sixth after the first run before the Slovakian skier, who leads Gisin in both the overall and the slalom standings, improved to fourth with an attacking final run.
Vlhova had won all five slaloms since Shiffrin last won in Lienz, Austria, one year ago.
“I admire them since many years,” said Gisin, adding that her win “helps us to see that we got closer and it’s a fight again. It’s not just like we have two goddesses and we are just trying not to lose too much time. But we can fight for it. They improved the way we ski so have to be very grateful to them.”
Katharina Liensberger posted the fastest time in the final run and the Austrian trailed Gisin by 0.11 in second.
“It’s crazy. It’s just amazing,” Gisin said. “My first victory exactly eight years after my first race in the World Cup, exactly at the same place. I am just so happy.”
It was the first slalom win for the Swiss women’s team since Marlies Oester shared victory with Kristina Koznick of the United States at a race in Berchtesgaden, Germany, in January 2002.
The Swiss drought lasted for 162 slaloms.
“It’s good that Wendy (Holdener) and I won’t be asked about winning slaloms anymore,” said Gisin, referring to her Swiss teammate.
Holdener has racked up 24 podium finishes in slalom without winning one. No other skier, male or female, has more top-three results in any discipline without a win.
Holdener finished Tuesday’s race in fifth.
Gisin had nine previous podium results on the World Cup but was lacking a victory.
However, she won Olympic gold in the combined event in Pyeongchang in 2018, four years after her sister, Dominique Gisin, shared victory with Tina Maze in the Olympic downhill from Sochi.
“I am super happy for Michelle,” Shiffrin said. “I’m really happy to see Michelle skiing like that, and like really earning this win. It’s been like a long time coming so it’s nice to see that.”
The last racer on course, Shiffrin lost time on Gisin from the start. She was three-tenths behind the Swiss’ time halfway through her run and failed to make up the deficit at the bottom part.
The result meant that Shiffrin failed to win a slalom in a whole calendar year for the first time since her maiden World Cup triumph in 2012.
“I would like to win, for sure, and I was really pushing, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” she said. “The night is not so bad.”
The American was grateful with a podium result to end the most difficult year of her career, which included a 10-month break following the dead of her father, Jeff Shiffrin, in February.
“There is a lot of positive things to take from today. It’s a process going step by step,” said Shiffrin, who admitted she felt uncomfortable while waiting for her final run.
“I didn’t mange it very great but also, it wasn’t so bad. I was trying to bring good intensity, and sometimes it’s a little bit too much,” she said. “I try to remember how these things feel and it’s a good step in a good direction. Hopefully I can take that and keep moving in the right direction.”
Federica Brignone, who dethroned Shiffrin as overall champion last season, was 16th in the Italian’s weakest discipline.
Shiffrin’s American teammate Nina O’Brien scored a personal best in slalom, finishing ninth.
The floodlit slalom took place a day after strong winds had destroyed parts the finish area between two runs of a giant slalom as gusts blew away safety fencing and sponsor banners.
Workers rebuilt the setup at the bottom of the Zauberberg course early Tuesday.
The women’s World Cup continues with another slalom in Zagreb, Croatia, on Sunday.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Second body found at property in San Luis Valley identified as Saguache woman

Investigators identified a second body found at a property in rural southern Colorado as that of a young woman from Saguache .
A dentist who specializes in forensics identified the body found at the Conejos County property as Shayla Jenna Hammel , the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday .
Hammel was 34 years old at the time she was reported missing by a family member in November .
Investigators have not determined the cause and manner of Hammel ’ s death , though they believe foul play was involved , a news release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the property in Los Sauses while police investigated a report of a missing woman , Selena Esquibel .
Investigators previously identified another body found at the property as that of 38-year-old Myron Robert Martinez of Del Norte .
A confidential informant told investigators that they saw Adre “ Psycho ” Baroz shoot , kill , burn and bury Esquibel at the property , according to Baroz ’ s arrest warrant .
When police responded to the area , they found more than one body .
Law enforcement have not yet positively identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esquibel and are still trying to identify the third set of remains .
Federal agents arrested Baroz on Nov. 19 in New Mexico and he faces murder , kidnapping and assault charges in connection to Esquibel ’ s disappearance .
He does not face charges in connection to the other bodies at the property , including those of Hammel and Martinez .
“ With the remains of Ms. Hammel identified , members of the task force are currently working to determine the circumstances surrounding her death , ” investigators said in the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alamosa County Jail on Tuesday .

Investigators identified a second body found at a property in rural southern Colorado as that of a young woman from Saguache.
A dentist who specializes in forensics identified the body found at the Conejos County property as Shayla Jenna Hammel, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday. Hammel was 34 years old at the time she was reported missing by a family member in November.
Investigators have not determined the cause and manner of Hammel’s death, though they believe foul play was involved, a news release from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation states.
Law enforcement found three bodies at the property in Los Sauses while police investigated a report of a missing woman, Selena Esquibel. Investigators previously identified another body found at the property as that of 38-year-old Myron Robert Martinez of Del Norte.
A confidential informant told investigators that they saw Adre “Psycho” Baroz shoot, kill, burn and bury Esquibel at the property, according to Baroz’s arrest warrant. When police responded to the area, they found more than one body.
Law enforcement have not yet positively identified any of the bodies as that of Esquibel and are still trying to identify the third set of remains.
Federal agents arrested Baroz on Nov. 19 in New Mexico and he faces murder, kidnapping and assault charges in connection to Esquibel’s disappearance. He does not face charges in connection to the other bodies at the property, including those of Hammel and Martinez.
“With the remains of Ms. Hammel identified, members of the task force are currently working to determine the circumstances surrounding her death,” investigators said in the news release.
Baroz remained incarcerated in the Alamosa County Jail on Tuesday.


thedenverpost--2020-12-29--Toddler in critical condition after being hit by gunfire during shooting in southwest Denver

A toddler is in critical condition after she was hit by gunfire during a shooting Monday evening as her family waited outside a southwest Denver strip mall to pick up dinner .
The girl , who is 2 or 3 years old , was sitting in a van with her family about 4:30 p.m. at 2969 S. Federal Blvd .
when a man opened fire , Denver police Lt. Matt Clark said during a news conference Tuesday .
Investigators believe the suspect started shooting at a man who was taking a picture of his car , which was parked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspect walked out of one of the businesses in the strip mall and started firing at the man without warning .
The bullets struck the man taking the photographs as well as the little girl .
The man taking the photographs was treated and released from the hospital Monday night , Clark said .
It ’ s unclear whether the man who was shot knew the suspect .
The girl ’ s family was not involved in the incident , Clark said .
Police have not publicly identified the two victims or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very sad and senseless case , ” Clark said .
No arrests had been made in the shooting as of Tuesday evening .
Police are looking for the suspect , described as a Hispanic male in his 20s wearing red flannel pajamas , a black hoodie and glasses .
The suspect was driving a red Subaru Outback made between 2000 and 2004 with its rear plate obscured by a paper sign , police said .
Neighbors near the strip mall said they heard four or five gunshots .
The strip mall includes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese food restaurant , a convenience store and several vacant units .
Few signs of the shooting remained Tuesday afternoon besides yards of yellow police tape dumped in a trash can .
The little girl is one of five people shot in Denver on Monday .
In addition to the South Federal Boulevard shooting , three people were shot in connection to an attempted burglary in the east Denver neighborhood of Montclair .
The owner of the burglarized home was killed , another woman in the home was shot and injured , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killed by Denver police .
Ninety-four people have died in homicides in Denver so far this year , Clark said .
That ’ s the highest number recorded in the city since at least 1985 , according to records maintained by The Denver Post .
This year ’ s rate of 12.8 homicides per 100,000 residents is the highest the city has seen since 2004 , when there were 16.3 killings per 100,000 residents .
This year , the dead include at least 11 children .

A toddler is in critical condition after she was hit by gunfire during a shooting Monday evening as her family waited outside a southwest Denver strip mall to pick up dinner.
The girl, who is 2 or 3 years old, was sitting in a van with her family about 4:30 p.m. at 2969 S. Federal Blvd. when a man opened fire, Denver police Lt. Matt Clark said during a news conference Tuesday.
Investigators believe the suspect started shooting at a man who was taking a picture of his car, which was parked in a handicapped parking spot. Police believe the suspect walked out of one of the businesses in the strip mall and started firing at the man without warning.
The bullets struck the man taking the photographs as well as the little girl. The man taking the photographs was treated and released from the hospital Monday night, Clark said. It’s unclear whether the man who was shot knew the suspect.
The girl’s family was not involved in the incident, Clark said. Police have not publicly identified the two victims or the suspect.
“This is a very sad and senseless case,” Clark said.
No arrests had been made in the shooting as of Tuesday evening. Police are looking for the suspect, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s wearing red flannel pajamas, a black hoodie and glasses. The suspect was driving a red Subaru Outback made between 2000 and 2004 with its rear plate obscured by a paper sign, police said.
Neighbors near the strip mall said they heard four or five gunshots. The strip mall includes a Little Caesar’s Pizza, a Chinese food restaurant, a convenience store and several vacant units. Few signs of the shooting remained Tuesday afternoon besides yards of yellow police tape dumped in a trash can.
The little girl is one of five people shot in Denver on Monday.
In addition to the South Federal Boulevard shooting, three people were shot in connection to an attempted burglary in the east Denver neighborhood of Montclair. The owner of the burglarized home was killed, another woman in the home was shot and injured, and one of the burglary suspects was shot and killed by Denver police.
Ninety-four people have died in homicides in Denver so far this year, Clark said. That’s the highest number recorded in the city since at least 1985, according to records maintained by The Denver Post. This year’s rate of 12.8 homicides per 100,000 residents is the highest the city has seen since 2004, when there were 16.3 killings per 100,000 residents.
This year, the dead include at least 11 children.


thedenverpost--2020-12-30--U.S. skiers step out of Mikaela Shiffrin’s shadow with strong results

For the first time since Lindsey Vonn ’ s retirement , the U.S. women ’ s ski team is no longer solely dependent on Mikaela Shiffrin for World Cup success .
Shiffrin was responsible for all 34 American podium results on the women ’ s circuit in the past two seasons , but three months into the current campaign , two team members have scooped top-three results as well .
Paula Moltzan finished runner-up in a parallel event in Austria in November , and Breezy Johnson added back-to-back third-place finishes in two downhills in France this month .
The season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results for Nina O ’ Brien , Keely Cashman and AJ Hurt .
“ I am really excited about and proud of our team , ” Shiffrin said after placing third in the year-end night slalom in Semmering , Austria , on Tuesday .
“ Everything is building .
It ’ s been a really long time since we had this much depth within our entire ski team .
It ’ s really cool to see that.
” With a women ’ s record of 82 World Cup victories behind her , Vonn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bronze at the world championships , but her last World Cup podium came at the finals of the previous season , in March 2018 .
That same season Shiffrin won her second overall title while Alice McKennis Duran and Jacqueline Wiles also scored podium results .
Since then , it has been all about Shiffrin .
She had 21 podiums , including a record-breaking 17 wins , in the 2018/19 season , and 13 podiums the following campaign , which was cut short following the death of her father , Jeff Shiffrin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
This season Moltzan became the first team member to step forward , finishing a career-best 10th in the season-opening giant slalom in October before earning her first podium six weeks later .
“ I am kind of overwhelmed but I am really excited .
I am really lucky to have a great team to share it with , ” said Moltzan , who started racing on the same Buck Hill in Minneapolis where Vonn had her skiing roots .
In the final race weekend before the Christmas break , Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the spotlight , getting her first two career podiums on two consecutive days .
The Jackson , Wyoming native improved one place from her previous best , when she finished fourth in a downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in February 2018 that was won by Vonn .
“ I still will always say that I am really bummed that I never shared ( a podium ) with Lindsey Vonn .
I was close one time , ” said Johnson , who has recovered from severe injuries to both knees since that race in Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have so much energy , I have so much fun .
“ When we train , I am like : ‘ How many runs can we take , can we take six , can we take seven ?
’ I have so much love for the sport and realizing that it could be taken away at any moment in a very real way , I don ’ t take anything for granted.
” Other team members have stepped forward as well : O ’ Brien got a career best in GS in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finishing ninth in Tuesday ’ s slalom ; Cashman collected her first World Cup points by coming 17th and 16th in two downhills in France before placing 10th in a super-G the next day ; and Hurt scored her first points in the parallel event where Moltzan finished second before finishing 18th in a GS in France .
“ These are athletes that I have watched skiing for years , ” Shiffrin said .
“ I grew up skiing with them .
I raced with them for 15 or more years .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Cup.
” Shiffrin has contributed three of the American team ’ s six podium results this season , including a win at a GS in Courchevel , France .
The double Olympic champion and three-time overall champion wasn ’ t hiding her excitement about seeing her teammates fulfilling their potential .
“ There are all these different stories that lead them to this place where they are finally having success , ” Shiffrin said .
“ I am just looking at it and I feel so freakishly excited about it .
@

For the first time since Lindsey Vonn’s retirement, the U.S. women’s ski team is no longer solely dependent on Mikaela Shiffrin for World Cup success.
Shiffrin was responsible for all 34 American podium results on the women’s circuit in the past two seasons, but three months into the current campaign, two team members have scooped top-three results as well.
Paula Moltzan finished runner-up in a parallel event in Austria in November, and Breezy Johnson added back-to-back third-place finishes in two downhills in France this month.
The season has also brought a string of career-best results for Nina O’Brien, Keely Cashman and AJ Hurt.
“I am really excited about and proud of our team,” Shiffrin said after placing third in the year-end night slalom in Semmering, Austria, on Tuesday.
“Everything is building. It’s been a really long time since we had this much depth within our entire ski team. It’s really cool to see that.”
With a women’s record of 82 World Cup victories behind her, Vonn retired in February 2019 after winning downhill bronze at the world championships, but her last World Cup podium came at the finals of the previous season, in March 2018.
That same season Shiffrin won her second overall title while Alice McKennis Duran and Jacqueline Wiles also scored podium results.
Since then, it has been all about Shiffrin.
She had 21 podiums, including a record-breaking 17 wins, in the 2018/19 season, and 13 podiums the following campaign, which was cut short following the death of her father, Jeff Shiffrin, in early February and the outbreak of the coronavirus.
This season Moltzan became the first team member to step forward, finishing a career-best 10th in the season-opening giant slalom in October before earning her first podium six weeks later.
“I am kind of overwhelmed but I am really excited. I am really lucky to have a great team to share it with,” said Moltzan, who started racing on the same Buck Hill in Minneapolis where Vonn had her skiing roots.
In the final race weekend before the Christmas break, Johnson was the next team member to appear in the spotlight, getting her first two career podiums on two consecutive days.
The Jackson, Wyoming native improved one place from her previous best, when she finished fourth in a downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in February 2018 that was won by Vonn.
“I still will always say that I am really bummed that I never shared (a podium) with Lindsey Vonn. I was close one time,” said Johnson, who has recovered from severe injuries to both knees since that race in Germany.
“After the injuries, I have so much energy, I have so much fun.
“When we train, I am like: ‘How many runs can we take, can we take six, can we take seven?’ I have so much love for the sport and realizing that it could be taken away at any moment in a very real way, I don’t take anything for granted.”
Other team members have stepped forward as well: O’Brien got a career best in GS in October and added her first top-10 result by finishing ninth in Tuesday’s slalom; Cashman collected her first World Cup points by coming 17th and 16th in two downhills in France before placing 10th in a super-G the next day; and Hurt scored her first points in the parallel event where Moltzan finished second before finishing 18th in a GS in France.
“These are athletes that I have watched skiing for years,” Shiffrin said. “I grew up skiing with them. I raced with them for 15 or more years. I know that they can have success in the World Cup.”
Shiffrin has contributed three of the American team’s six podium results this season, including a win at a GS in Courchevel, France.
The double Olympic champion and three-time overall champion wasn’t hiding her excitement about seeing her teammates fulfilling their potential.
“There are all these different stories that lead them to this place where they are finally having success,” Shiffrin said. “I am just looking at it and I feel so freakishly excited about it.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-30--Trump’s $2,000 checks stall in Senate as GOP blocks vote

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s push for bigger $ 2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out in the Senate as Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats and split within their own ranks over whether to boost spending or defy the White House .
The roadblock mounted Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may not be sustainable as pressure mounts .
Trump wants the Republican-led chamber to follow the House and increase the checks from $ 600 for millions of Americans .
A growing number of Republicans , including two senators in runoff elections on Jan. 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the larger amount .
But most GOP senators oppose more spending , even if they are also wary of bucking Trump .
Senators will be back at it Wednesday as McConnell is devising a way out of the political bind , but the outcome is highly uncertain .
“ There ’ s one question left today : Do Senate Republicans join with the rest of America in supporting $ 2,000 checks ?
” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to vote .
Meanwhile , Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments might be sent by direct deposit to Americans ’ bank accounts as early as Tuesday night .
Mnuchin tweeted that paper checks will begin to go out Wednesday .
The showdown over the $ 2,000 checks has thrown Congress into a chaotic year-end session just days before new lawmakers are set to be sworn into office for the new year .
It ’ s preventing action on another priority — overturning Trump ’ s veto on a sweeping defense bill that has been approved every year for 60 years .
Saying little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s checks that may not divide his party so badly , but may result in no action at all .
The GOP leader filed new legislation late Tuesday linking the president ’ s demand for bigger checks with two other Trump priorities — repealing protections for tech companies like Facebook or Twitter that the president complained are unfair to conservatives as well the establishment of a bipartisan commission to review the 2020 presidential election he lost to President-elect Joe Biden .
The president ’ s last-minute push for bigger checks leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump ’ s populist instincts and those who adhere to what had been more traditional conservative views against government spending .
Congress had settled on smaller $ 600 payments in a compromise over the big , year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law .
Liberal senators led by Bernie Sanders of Vermont who support the relief aid are blocking action on the defense bill until a vote can be taken on Trump ’ s demand for $ 2,000 for most Americans .
“ The working class of this country today faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the Great Depression of the 1930s , ” Sanders said .
“ Working families need help now.
” He also tried to force a vote on the relief checks , but McConnell objected a second time .
The GOP blockade is causing turmoil for some as the virus crisis worsens nationwide and Trump amplifies his unexpected demands .
The two GOP senators from Georgia , David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , announced Tuesday they support Trump ’ s plan for bigger checks as they face Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controls the Senate .
Republican Sens .
Josh Hawley of Missouri and Marco Rubio of Florida , among the party ’ s potential 2024 presidential hopefuls , also are pushing the party in the president ’ s direction .
Other Republicans panned the bigger checks , saying the nearly $ 400 billion price tag was too high , the relief is not targeted to those in need and Washington has already dispatched ample sums on COVID aid .
In the House , dozens of Republicans calculated it was better to link with Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buck the outgoing president and constituents counting on the money .
House Democrats led passage , 275-134 , but 44 Republicans joined almost all Democrats on Monday for a robust two-thirds vote of approval .
It ’ s highly possible that McConnell will set up votes ahead on both the House-passed measure supporting Trump ’ s $ 2,000 checks as well as his own new version linking it with the repeal of tech company liability shield in “ section 230 ” of communications law as well as the new presidential election review commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost ensures neither bill will pass .
Trump ’ s push could fizzle out in the Senate but the debate over the size and scope of the year-end package — $ 900 billion in COVID-19 aid and $ 1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September — is potentially one last confrontation before the new Congress is sworn in Sunday .
The COVID-19 portion of the bill revives a weekly pandemic jobless benefit boost — this time $ 300 , through March 14 — as well as the popular Paycheck Protection Program of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payrolls .
It extends eviction protections , adding a new rental assistance fund .
Americans earning up to $ 75,000 will qualify for the direct $ 600 payments , which are phased out at higher income levels , and there ’ s an additional $ 600 payment per dependent child .
Biden supports the $ 2,000 checks and said Tuesday the aid package is merely a “ down payment ” on what he plans to deliver once in office .
The president also objected to foreign aid funding that his own administration had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a redlined version ” with spending items he wants removed .
But those are merely suggestions to Congress .
Democrats said they would resist such cuts .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out in the Senate as Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats and split within their own ranks over whether to boost spending or defy the White House.
The roadblock mounted Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may not be sustainable as pressure mounts. Trump wants the Republican-led chamber to follow the House and increase the checks from $600 for millions of Americans. A growing number of Republicans, including two senators in runoff elections on Jan. 5 in Georgia, have said they will support the larger amount. But most GOP senators oppose more spending, even if they are also wary of bucking Trump.
Senators will be back at it Wednesday as McConnell is devising a way out of the political bind, but the outcome is highly uncertain.
“There’s one question left today: Do Senate Republicans join with the rest of America in supporting $2,000 checks?” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to vote.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said some of the $600 payments might be sent by direct deposit to Americans’ bank accounts as early as Tuesday night. Mnuchin tweeted that paper checks will begin to go out Wednesday.
The showdown over the $2,000 checks has thrown Congress into a chaotic year-end session just days before new lawmakers are set to be sworn into office for the new year. It’s preventing action on another priority — overturning Trump’s veto on a sweeping defense bill that has been approved every year for 60 years.
Saying little, McConnell signaled an alternative approach to Trump’s checks that may not divide his party so badly, but may result in no action at all.
The GOP leader filed new legislation late Tuesday linking the president’s demand for bigger checks with two other Trump priorities — repealing protections for tech companies like Facebook or Twitter that the president complained are unfair to conservatives as well the establishment of a bipartisan commission to review the 2020 presidential election he lost to President-elect Joe Biden.
The president’s last-minute push for bigger checks leaves Republicans deeply split between those who align with Trump’s populist instincts and those who adhere to what had been more traditional conservative views against government spending. Congress had settled on smaller $600 payments in a compromise over the big, year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law.
Liberal senators led by Bernie Sanders of Vermont who support the relief aid are blocking action on the defense bill until a vote can be taken on Trump’s demand for $2,000 for most Americans.
“The working class of this country today faces more economic desperation than at any time since the Great Depression of the 1930s,” Sanders said. “Working families need help now.” He also tried to force a vote on the relief checks, but McConnell objected a second time.
The GOP blockade is causing turmoil for some as the virus crisis worsens nationwide and Trump amplifies his unexpected demands.
The two GOP senators from Georgia, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, announced Tuesday they support Trump’s plan for bigger checks as they face Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in runoff elections that will determine which party controls the Senate.
Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Marco Rubio of Florida, among the party’s potential 2024 presidential hopefuls, also are pushing the party in the president’s direction.
Other Republicans panned the bigger checks, saying the nearly $400 billion price tag was too high, the relief is not targeted to those in need and Washington has already dispatched ample sums on COVID aid.
In the House, dozens of Republicans calculated it was better to link with Democrats to increase the pandemic payments rather than buck the outgoing president and constituents counting on the money. House Democrats led passage, 275-134, but 44 Republicans joined almost all Democrats on Monday for a robust two-thirds vote of approval.
It’s highly possible that McConnell will set up votes ahead on both the House-passed measure supporting Trump’s $2,000 checks as well as his own new version linking it with the repeal of tech company liability shield in “section 230” of communications law as well as the new presidential election review commission.
That’s a process that almost ensures neither bill will pass.
Trump’s push could fizzle out in the Senate but the debate over the size and scope of the year-end package — $900 billion in COVID-19 aid and $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September — is potentially one last confrontation before the new Congress is sworn in Sunday.
The COVID-19 portion of the bill revives a weekly pandemic jobless benefit boost — this time $300, through March 14 — as well as the popular Paycheck Protection Program of grants to businesses to keep workers on payrolls. It extends eviction protections, adding a new rental assistance fund.
Americans earning up to $75,000 will qualify for the direct $600 payments, which are phased out at higher income levels, and there’s an additional $600 payment per dependent child.
Biden supports the $2,000 checks and said Tuesday the aid package is merely a “down payment” on what he plans to deliver once in office.
The president also objected to foreign aid funding that his own administration had requested and vowed to send Congress “a redlined version” with spending items he wants removed. But those are merely suggestions to Congress. Democrats said they would resist such cuts.


thedenverpost--2020-12-30--Bill legalizing abortion passed in Pope Francis’ native Argentina

By Almudena Calatrava and Débora Rey , The Associated Press BUENOS AIRES , Argentina — Argentina ’ s Senate passed a law legalizing elective abortion in Pope Francis ’ homeland early Wednesday after a marathon 12-hour session , a victory for the women ’ s movement that has been fighting for the right for decades .
The vote means that abortion will be legalized up to the 14th week of pregnancy , and also will be legal after that time in cases of rape or danger to the mother ’ s life .
It will have repercussions across a continent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The measure , which passed 38-29 with one abstention , was already approved by Argentina ’ s Chamber of Deputies and has the support of President Alberto Fernández , meaning the Senate vote was its final hurdle .
“ Safe , legal and free abortion is now the law , ” Fernández tweeted after the vote , noting that it had been an election pledge .
“ Today , we are a better society that expands women ’ s rights and guarantees public health , ” he added .
Argentina is the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote was being closely watched .
With the exceptions of Uruguay , Cuba , Mexico City , Mexico ’ s Oaxaca state , the Antilles and French Guiana , abortion remains largely illegal across the region .
Outside the Senate , pro- and anti-abortion rights activists gathered , with the bill ’ s supporters wearing the color green that represents their abortion rights movement .
Backers waved green flags as Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner , who presided over the debate , announced the result , shouting “ legal abortion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was passed .
Argentina until now has penalized women and those who help them abort .
The only exceptions were cases involving rape or a risk to the health of the mother , and activists complain even these exceptions are not respected in some provinces .
Before the vote , the Roman Catholic bishop ’ s conference had denounced what it called a “ feverish obsession to install abortion.
” Just hours before the Senate session began Tuesday , the pope weighed in , tweeting : “ The Son of God was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that every outcast is a child of God .
He came into the world as each child comes into the world , weak and vulnerable , so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love.
” Following the vote , the bishops issued a statement saying the measure “ will deepen even further the divisions in our country ” and said it lamented that the country ’ s leadership was distant from the dominant pro-life sentiment across the nation .
The group Pro-Life Unity said the date would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ macabre days in recent history.
” A previous abortion bill was voted down by Argentine lawmakers in 2018 , but this time it was backed by the center-left government .
The outcome , however , had still been considered uncertain .
That was partly due to the fact that the political parties , including the governing Peronist movement , gave their legislators freedom to vote as they chose .
Two of the 72 senators were absent , and 43 of the remaining 70 senators were men .
Argentina ’ s feminist movement has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years and activists say the bill ’ s approval could mark a watershed in Latin America , where the Roman Catholic Church ’ s influence has long dominated .
Amnesty International celebrated the vote as “ an inspiration for other countries in the region and the world to advance in recognizing access to legal and safe abortion.
” Also outside the legislature , a group that calls its members “ defenders of the two lives ” set up an altar with a crucifix under a blue tent .
Opponents of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backers , watched glumly as the vote unfolded .
“ These politicians aren ’ t representing the majority , ” said opponent Luciana Prat , an Argentine flag covering her shoulders .
“ In all the polls , people are against this.
” Supporters said the bill seeks to eradicate the clandestine abortions that have caused more than 3,000 deaths in the country since 1983 , according to figures from authorities .
In addition to allowing abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy , the legislation allows earlier termination of a pregnancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if the person ’ s life or health is in danger .
It will allow conscientious refusal to participate in an abortion for health professionals and private medical institutions at which all doctors are against the procedure .
But they will be required to refer the woman to another medical center .
Conscientious objection also could not be claimed if a pregnant woman ’ s life or health was in danger .

By Almudena Calatrava and Débora Rey, The Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s Senate passed a law legalizing elective abortion in Pope Francis’ homeland early Wednesday after a marathon 12-hour session, a victory for the women’s movement that has been fighting for the right for decades.
The vote means that abortion will be legalized up to the 14th week of pregnancy, and also will be legal after that time in cases of rape or danger to the mother’s life. It will have repercussions across a continent where the procedure is largely illegal.
The measure, which passed 38-29 with one abstention, was already approved by Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies and has the support of President Alberto Fernández, meaning the Senate vote was its final hurdle.
“Safe, legal and free abortion is now the law,” Fernández tweeted after the vote, noting that it had been an election pledge.
“Today, we are a better society that expands women’s rights and guarantees public health,” he added.
Argentina is the largest Latin American country to legalize abortion and the vote was being closely watched. With the exceptions of Uruguay, Cuba, Mexico City, Mexico’s Oaxaca state, the Antilles and French Guiana, abortion remains largely illegal across the region.
Outside the Senate, pro- and anti-abortion rights activists gathered, with the bill’s supporters wearing the color green that represents their abortion rights movement. Backers waved green flags as Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who presided over the debate, announced the result, shouting “legal abortion in the hospital!” as the measure was passed.
Argentina until now has penalized women and those who help them abort. The only exceptions were cases involving rape or a risk to the health of the mother, and activists complain even these exceptions are not respected in some provinces.
Before the vote, the Roman Catholic bishop’s conference had denounced what it called a “feverish obsession to install abortion.”
Just hours before the Senate session began Tuesday, the pope weighed in, tweeting: “The Son of God was born an outcast, in order to tell us that every outcast is a child of God. He came into the world as each child comes into the world, weak and vulnerable, so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love.”
Following the vote, the bishops issued a statement saying the measure “will deepen even further the divisions in our country” and said it lamented that the country’s leadership was distant from the dominant pro-life sentiment across the nation.
The group Pro-Life Unity said the date would be remembered “as one of the most macabre days in recent history.”
A previous abortion bill was voted down by Argentine lawmakers in 2018, but this time it was backed by the center-left government. The outcome, however, had still been considered uncertain. That was partly due to the fact that the political parties, including the governing Peronist movement, gave their legislators freedom to vote as they chose. Two of the 72 senators were absent, and 43 of the remaining 70 senators were men.
Argentina’s feminist movement has been demanding legal abortion for more than 30 years and activists say the bill’s approval could mark a watershed in Latin America, where the Roman Catholic Church’s influence has long dominated.
Amnesty International celebrated the vote as “an inspiration for other countries in the region and the world to advance in recognizing access to legal and safe abortion.”
Also outside the legislature, a group that calls its members “defenders of the two lives” set up an altar with a crucifix under a blue tent.
Opponents of the bill, separated by a barrier from its backers, watched glumly as the vote unfolded.
“These politicians aren’t representing the majority,” said opponent Luciana Prat, an Argentine flag covering her shoulders. “In all the polls, people are against this.”
Supporters said the bill seeks to eradicate the clandestine abortions that have caused more than 3,000 deaths in the country since 1983, according to figures from authorities.
In addition to allowing abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, the legislation allows earlier termination of a pregnancy if it was the result of rape or if the person’s life or health is in danger.
It will allow conscientious refusal to participate in an abortion for health professionals and private medical institutions at which all doctors are against the procedure. But they will be required to refer the woman to another medical center. Conscientious objection also could not be claimed if a pregnant woman’s life or health was in danger.


thedenverpost--2020-12-30--Denver weather: A dry and mild end to 2020

The start of 2021 will look a lot like 2020 : mild and dry .
According to the National Weather @ @ @ @ @ to Wednesday will make way for a 43 degree high under sunny skies in Denver @ @ @ @ @ clouds , the remaining snow could melt .
Temperatures will dip back down to 20 @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night .
More sun and a 46 degree high is in the forecast for @ @ @ @ @ throughout the day and evening , making for an overcast New Year ’ s Eve @ @ @ @ @ degrees .
Sun will break the clouds to begin New Year ’ s Day on @ @ @ @ @ 40 degrees .
It should be a bluebird day in the hills for those trying @ @ @ @ @ in .
Temperatures will drop into the teens Friday night ahead of possible 50-degree days @ @ @ @

The start of 2021 will look a lot like 2020: mild and dry.
According to the National Weather Service, the chilly start to Wednesday will make way for a 43 degree high under sunny skies in Denver. With little wind or clouds, the remaining snow could melt. Temperatures will dip back down to 20 degrees in the metro area Wednesday night.
More sun and a 46 degree high is in the forecast for Thursday. Clouds will build throughout the day and evening, making for an overcast New Year’s Eve and a low of 23 degrees.
Sun will break the clouds to begin New Year’s Day on Friday with a high of 40 degrees. It should be a bluebird day in the hills for those trying to get a holiday run in. Temperatures will drop into the teens Friday night ahead of possible 50-degree days over the weekend.


thedenverpost--2020-12-30--Friednash: A few predictions as we put 2020 behind us. Trump TV anyone?

The year of the pandemic unfolded in unimaginable ways and unlike 20/20 vision , we will struggle to fully understand it for generations .
To be fair , we were warned .
Four scientists in a research paper published in the October 2007 journal of Clinical Microbiology Reviews , wrote , “ the presence of a large reservoir of SARS-CoV-like viruses in horseshoe bats , together with the culture of eating exotic mammals in Southern China , is a time bomb.
” COVID-19 has sickened more than 79 million people and more than 1,776,500 people have died .
Scientists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we turn the page to 2021 , the best way to predict the future is to understand the past .
Americans will find the vaccines to be effective and the Roaring Twenties , a period of strong and sustained economic growth and social awakening , will begin in 2021 , just like the Roaring 1920s .
The Spanish Flu of 1918 infected one-third of the world ’ s population and killed an estimated 20 to 50 million people , including 675,000 Americans .
It killed more people than World War I .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic likely originated in China and Chinese laborers working behind British and French lines in World War I ’ s Western front may have been the source of the spread .
The flu mutated and raged for two years in three successive waves , without the benefit of a vaccine to stop it .
By 1921 , unemployment was up to nearly 12 % , with civil unrest and violence .
With a renewed sense of optimism , technological advancements , rapid industrial growth , mass production of consumer goods and tax cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 % during the Roaring 1920s .
Women won the right to vote and jazz music flourished .
Colorado ’ s economy will surge this year setting up the greatest six-month economic growth cycle in Colorado ’ s history .
Led by Gov .
Jared Polis , Colorado leaders have already taken what limited action they could to provide some targeted financial assistance .
These leaders will go one step further and take no unnecessary legislative or other regulatory actions that could hurt businesses and stymie our recovery .
Outdoor recreation , travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events will bounce back with a vengeance .
A storm is brewing within both political parties .
Republicans will splinter into two distinct factions : the Trumpers and the anti-Trumpers .
A new Gallup poll found that 87 % of Republicans approve of Trump ’ s job performance .
And , as Congress meets Wednesday to validate the election results , a different Fox News poll showed that a whopping 68 % of Republicans remarkably believe that the election was stolen from him .
Not satisfied with the mostly glowing coverage he receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump TV network to wage war against his fellow Republicans who fail to fall in line with him and set in motion his 2024 presidential campaign .
In one of his TV movies , The Wizard of Odd , Trump will sternly tell the cowardly Republican lion , “ You ’ re nothing but a great big coward , ” “ You ’ re right .
I am a coward .
I haven ’ t any courage at all ” the silent Republican lion will answer , voice trembling , with tears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cowardly Anti-Trumper Republican lions find courage and fight back ?
Sens .
Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse , Rep. Adam Kinzinger , Govs .
Charlie Baker and Larry Hogan , and former President George W. Bush are not cowardly at all .
These Republicans will reach out to their colleagues , party leaders , traditional Republican donors , and Political Action Committees like The Lincoln Project to strategize and re-arrest the party base from Trump .
They will do so by seizing on traditional Republican core values of smaller government , balanced budgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-leaning Democratic leaders feeling that the nomination was stripped from Sen. Bernie Sanders during the South Carolina primary contest , and believing that Joe Biden ’ s moderate White House isn ’ t delivering on their extreme agenda , will actively begin to target and primary their own elected officials and leaders .
Trump , after pardoning everyone that asks from his Mar-A-Lago Club along with close family members and associates , will pardon the Tiger King and give him a weekly news show on Trump TV .
Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats and Republicans will hold onto their Senate majority .
With the support and leadership of bi-partisan mayors across the country like Michael Hancock and Mike Coffman , Congress will pass a major infrastructure bill further fueling the economic recovery of the Roaring Twenties .
Locally , Colorado lost some of our favorite restaurants and venues , like Racine ’ s , El Chapultepec , Zaidy ’ s and Pete ’ s Greek Town in 2020 .
One of them will reopen to big crowds .
And , a local singer with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name of J Bella , will take the music industry by storm .
Doug Friednash is a Denver native , a partner with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck and the former chief of staff for Gov .
John Hickenlooper .
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 .

Hindsight is 2020.
The year of the pandemic unfolded in unimaginable ways and unlike 20/20 vision, we will struggle to fully understand it for generations.
To be fair, we were warned. Four scientists in a research paper published in the October 2007 journal of Clinical Microbiology Reviews, wrote, “the presence of a large reservoir of SARS-CoV-like viruses in horseshoe bats, together with the culture of eating exotic mammals in Southern China, is a time bomb.”
COVID-19 has sickened more than 79 million people and more than 1,776,500 people have died. Scientists are furiously studying new variant strains.
As we turn the page to 2021, the best way to predict the future is to understand the past. Americans will find the vaccines to be effective and the Roaring Twenties, a period of strong and sustained economic growth and social awakening, will begin in 2021, just like the Roaring 1920s.
The Spanish Flu of 1918 infected one-third of the world’s population and killed an estimated 20 to 50 million people, including 675,000 Americans. It killed more people than World War I.
Some historians now believe that the Spanish flu pandemic likely originated in China and Chinese laborers working behind British and French lines in World War I’s Western front may have been the source of the spread. The flu mutated and raged for two years in three successive waves, without the benefit of a vaccine to stop it.
By 1921, unemployment was up to nearly 12%, with civil unrest and violence. With a renewed sense of optimism, technological advancements, rapid industrial growth, mass production of consumer goods and tax cuts, America’s economy grew by 42% during the Roaring 1920s. Women won the right to vote and jazz music flourished.
Colorado’s economy will surge this year setting up the greatest six-month economic growth cycle in Colorado’s history. Led by Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado leaders have already taken what limited action they could to provide some targeted financial assistance. These leaders will go one step further and take no unnecessary legislative or other regulatory actions that could hurt businesses and stymie our recovery. Outdoor recreation, travel and leisure, transportation, and live events will bounce back with a vengeance.
A storm is brewing within both political parties.
Republicans will splinter into two distinct factions: the Trumpers and the anti-Trumpers.
A new Gallup poll found that 87% of Republicans approve of Trump’s job performance. And, as Congress meets Wednesday to validate the election results, a different Fox News poll showed that a whopping 68% of Republicans remarkably believe that the election was stolen from him.
Not satisfied with the mostly glowing coverage he receives from Fox News, Trump will launch the Trump TV network to wage war against his fellow Republicans who fail to fall in line with him and set in motion his 2024 presidential campaign. In one of his TV movies, The Wizard of Odd, Trump will sternly tell the cowardly Republican lion, “You’re nothing but a great big coward,” “You’re right. I am a coward. I haven’t any courage at all” the silent Republican lion will answer, voice trembling, with tears running down his cheeks.
Will the cowardly Anti-Trumper Republican lions find courage and fight back?
Sens. Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Govs. Charlie Baker and Larry Hogan, and former President George W. Bush are not cowardly at all. These Republicans will reach out to their colleagues, party leaders, traditional Republican donors, and Political Action Committees like The Lincoln Project to strategize and re-arrest the party base from Trump. They will do so by seizing on traditional Republican core values of smaller government, balanced budgets and the rule of law.
Far left-leaning Democratic leaders feeling that the nomination was stripped from Sen. Bernie Sanders during the South Carolina primary contest, and believing that Joe Biden’s moderate White House isn’t delivering on their extreme agenda, will actively begin to target and primary their own elected officials and leaders.
Trump, after pardoning everyone that asks from his Mar-A-Lago Club along with close family members and associates, will pardon the Tiger King and give him a weekly news show on Trump TV.
Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue will win their Georgia Senate seats and Republicans will hold onto their Senate majority.
With the support and leadership of bi-partisan mayors across the country like Michael Hancock and Mike Coffman, Congress will pass a major infrastructure bill further fueling the economic recovery of the Roaring Twenties.
Locally, Colorado lost some of our favorite restaurants and venues, like Racine’s, El Chapultepec, Zaidy’s and Pete’s Greek Town in 2020. One of them will reopen to big crowds. And, a local singer with the last name of Friednash who goes by the name of J Bella, will take the music industry by storm.
Let the Roaring 20’s begin.
Doug Friednash is a Denver native, a partner with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck and the former chief of staff for Gov. John Hickenlooper.
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.