thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Out-of-state law firm blitzes companies in Colorado with “drive-by” ADA lawsuits

James Blanchard had just reopened his Denver winery this summer after being shut down for months because of COVID-19 when he got hit with a different kind of challenge — a surprise lawsuit alleging the website for his family business violated the Americans with Disabilities Act .
The lawsuit said David Katt , a resident of Douglas County who is blind , couldn ’ t use the downtown winery ’ s website because it was not compatible with screen-reading programs that allow people who are visually impaired to navigate online .
“ We were caught out of the blue by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There was no advanced warning , no contact , no communication from the plaintiff or their attorneys , it was just served on the front door of my apartment.
” Now he ’ s facing a potentially expensive legal fight at a time when sales at his 2-year-old Denver winery are down 30 % because of the coronavirus — and he ’ s not the only one .
The same Douglas County man , represented by a New Jersey law firm , has filed 52 nearly identical lawsuits against companies operating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mattress manufacturers to marijuana dispensaries , all sorts of businesses are facing lawsuits from Katt over their websites ’ ADA compliance in what some attorneys say is a predatory pattern designed to push businesses into agreeing to quick cash settlements in order to close cases without racking up big legal bills .
“ Plaintiff is not a bona fide patron , but a serial plaintiff who filed this lawsuit to try and extort a monetary settlement , ” attorney Alice Conway Powers wrote in response to one of Katt ’ s lawsuits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katt could not be located by The Denver Post , and his attorney , Ari Marcus of the law firm Marcus and Zelman , did not return multiple requests for comment .
Such “ drive-by ” or “ click-by ” lawsuits over the ADA are a growing trend , disability advocates say , and while the lawsuits can highlight real problems — it is difficult for visually-impaired people to navigate many websites — they ’ re often ineffective at generating widespread change and create backlash against people with disabilities who are bringing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black eye to those of us who have been working in this profession for many years and who have gained and garnered the respect of the court because they know we don ’ t do that sort of thing , ” said Kevin Williams , legal director at Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition , an organization that advocates for disability rights .
Lawsuits are a critical tool for people with disabilities to force companies to comply with the ADA , said Scott LaBarre , a Denver attorney who is blind and serves as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Blind .
With so much of life moving online , the vast majority of websites still work poorly for visually-impaired people , he said , even though there is growing legal consensus that websites are places of public accommodation that must comply with the ADA .
Federal regulations that would have made it clear that websites need to comply with the 30-year-old law were proposed under the Obama administration , he said , but stalled when President Donald Trump took office .
“ I deal with it so often , where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and get frustrated and I ’ ll just call my assistant and say , ‘ Will you just buy this damn ticket for me ?
’ or I ’ ll grab one of my kids and say , ‘ Hey , what the hell is this button here ?
It ’ s not telling me what it is , do I need to push this ?
’ ” But LaBarre considers lawsuits to be a last resort , he said , and when filing one , he generally tries to focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon or Target , or scenarios that will set clear precedent for others to follow .
“ We ’ re very careful about the cases we help support , the cases we bring , because what we ’ re after is systematic change , ” he said .
“ And not just quick solutions .
We go to great lengths in attempting to negotiate with entities before we actually file the lawsuit.
” It ’ s not illegal to blast out numerous lawsuits , and it ’ s not unreasonable to believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaccessible websites , Williams said .
“ Thirty years after the ADA , anytime I leave my house — I use a wheelchair — I ’ ve got 30 lawsuits by the time I get to work , ” he said .
“ There are 30 things out of compliance between here and there every single day.
” But he said its difficult to judge whether “ drive-by ” lawsuits actually improve the world for people with disabilities .
“ I look very suspiciously at these kinds of cases , ” Williams said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop and say that if they really are making change , hats off to them .
It ’ s about time people started doing what they ’ re supposed to do.
” In the cases Katt filed , several were quickly settled with agreements not detailed in court records .
Those types of settlements often include cash payments from the defendant to the plaintiff , and it is often cheaper for the business to agree to a settlement than to fight the case in court , attorneys said .
Blanchard , a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he wants the winery to completely comply with the ADA both online and in the physical world .
The costs to do so vary .
One company advertises a subscription service for businesses to increase their websites ’ accessibility that ranges between $ 500 and $ 3,500 annually .
Blanchard hasn ’ t yet decided how to handle the lawsuit , which is pending in federal court .
“ We ’ re a new , small family-owned business that is just trying to get through the back end of COVID and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on payroll and keep the doors open , ” he said .
“ …Getting hit with a potentially very expensive lawsuit over a small amount of e-commerce we do online could be potentially devastating for a company of our size .
”

James Blanchard had just reopened his Denver winery this summer after being shut down for months because of COVID-19 when he got hit with a different kind of challenge — a surprise lawsuit alleging the website for his family business violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit said David Katt, a resident of Douglas County who is blind, couldn’t use the downtown winery’s website because it was not compatible with screen-reading programs that allow people who are visually impaired to navigate online.
“We were caught out of the blue by this lawsuit,” Blanchard said. “There was no advanced warning, no contact, no communication from the plaintiff or their attorneys, it was just served on the front door of my apartment.”
Now he’s facing a potentially expensive legal fight at a time when sales at his 2-year-old Denver winery are down 30% because of the coronavirus — and he’s not the only one. The same Douglas County man, represented by a New Jersey law firm, has filed 52 nearly identical lawsuits against companies operating in Colorado since December.
From banks to mattress manufacturers to marijuana dispensaries, all sorts of businesses are facing lawsuits from Katt over their websites’ ADA compliance in what some attorneys say is a predatory pattern designed to push businesses into agreeing to quick cash settlements in order to close cases without racking up big legal bills.
“Plaintiff is not a bona fide patron, but a serial plaintiff who filed this lawsuit to try and extort a monetary settlement,” attorney Alice Conway Powers wrote in response to one of Katt’s lawsuits, in defense of an eyeglass shop.
Katt could not be located by The Denver Post, and his attorney, Ari Marcus of the law firm Marcus and Zelman, did not return multiple requests for comment.
“A black eye”
Such “drive-by” or “click-by” lawsuits over the ADA are a growing trend, disability advocates say, and while the lawsuits can highlight real problems — it is difficult for visually-impaired people to navigate many websites — they’re often ineffective at generating widespread change and create backlash against people with disabilities who are bringing more legitimate ADA claims.
“It gives a black eye to those of us who have been working in this profession for many years and who have gained and garnered the respect of the court because they know we don’t do that sort of thing,” said Kevin Williams, legal director at Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, an organization that advocates for disability rights.
Lawsuits are a critical tool for people with disabilities to force companies to comply with the ADA, said Scott LaBarre, a Denver attorney who is blind and serves as the Colorado president of the National Federation of the Blind.
With so much of life moving online, the vast majority of websites still work poorly for visually-impaired people, he said, even though there is growing legal consensus that websites are places of public accommodation that must comply with the ADA. Federal regulations that would have made it clear that websites need to comply with the 30-year-old law were proposed under the Obama administration, he said, but stalled when President Donald Trump took office.
“I deal with it so often, where I’ll be doing something (online) and get frustrated and I’ll just call my assistant and say, ‘Will you just buy this damn ticket for me?’ or I’ll grab one of my kids and say, ‘Hey, what the hell is this button here? It’s not telling me what it is, do I need to push this?’”
But LaBarre considers lawsuits to be a last resort, he said, and when filing one, he generally tries to focus on large companies with wide impacts, like Amazon or Target, or scenarios that will set clear precedent for others to follow.
“We’re very careful about the cases we help support, the cases we bring, because what we’re after is systematic change,” he said. “And not just quick solutions. We go to great lengths in attempting to negotiate with entities before we actually file the lawsuit.”
“Potentially devastating”
It’s not illegal to blast out numerous lawsuits, and it’s not unreasonable to believe that one person could visit 50 or more inaccessible websites, Williams said.
“Thirty years after the ADA, anytime I leave my house — I use a wheelchair — I’ve got 30 lawsuits by the time I get to work,” he said. “There are 30 things out of compliance between here and there every single day.”
But he said its difficult to judge whether “drive-by” lawsuits actually improve the world for people with disabilities.
“I look very suspiciously at these kinds of cases,” Williams said. “But I always have to stop and say that if they really are making change, hats off to them. It’s about time people started doing what they’re supposed to do.”
In the cases Katt filed, several were quickly settled with agreements not detailed in court records. Those types of settlements often include cash payments from the defendant to the plaintiff, and it is often cheaper for the business to agree to a settlement than to fight the case in court, attorneys said.
Blanchard, a U.S. Air Force veteran who himself is disabled, said he wants the winery to completely comply with the ADA both online and in the physical world. The costs to do so vary. One company advertises a subscription service for businesses to increase their websites’ accessibility that ranges between $500 and $3,500 annually.
Blanchard hasn’t yet decided how to handle the lawsuit, which is pending in federal court.
“We’re a new, small family-owned business that is just trying to get through the back end of COVID and keep our employees going, keep them on payroll and keep the doors open,” he said. “…Getting hit with a potentially very expensive lawsuit over a small amount of e-commerce we do online could be potentially devastating for a company of our size.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Colorado GOP joins Trump in raising specter of voter fraud

Colorado ’ s Republican Party has joined President Donald Trump ’ s national effort to cast doubts on the integrity of the upcoming election , seizing this week on a misleading and since-retracted local news report suggesting impropriety at the Democrat-controlled Secretary of State ’ s Office .
State Republicans and even a Trump administration official have long backed Colorado ’ s vote-by-mail system , but Trump has said repeatedly and without evidence that voting by mail amid this year ’ s pandemic will lead to massive fraud .
“ I am confident in our system , ” Republican former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Post for an August story that detailed the entire process of creating and handling ballots .
But with just over a month until Election Day , state GOP Chair and U.S. Rep. Ken Buck has called a CBS4 story about voter registration reminder postcards “ deeply concerning ” and requested a Justice Department investigation .
Williams didn ’ t respond to a request for comment , but other Republicans have had plenty to say .
House Minority Leader Patrick Neville started fundraising off the story , emailing supporters , “ Colorado Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep Colorado blue … even if it means encouraging illegal aliens ( and the deceased ) to vote.
” The story was quickly amplified in national conservative circles , as well .
“ Colorado Secretary of State Encourages Non-Citizens , Deceased to Register to Vote ” read a headline from Breitbart , which published a summary of CBS4 ’ s original story .
“ Sure the Dems aren ’ t trying to cheat !
!
!
” tweeted the president ’ s son , Donald Trump Jr. , using an eye-roll emoji @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 750,000 postcards mailed in late summer by Secretary of State Jena Griswold ’ s office , encouraging unregistered people to register to vote if they are eligible to do so .
In mid-September , Parker resident Karen Anderson emailed the Secretary of State ’ s Office to express concern that one of these postcards was addressed to her mother , who is deceased .
The state GOP was copied on Anderson ’ s email .
The news report about it , published Sept. 25 by CBS4 , was so flawed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of retracting it .
It had suggested that Griswold , a first-term Democrat , sent postcards encouraging dead people and those otherwise ineligible to vote to register .
The story did not mention that the postcard program began years ago under a Republican secretary and continued under another , nor did it make clear that the mailing list used for the postcards was not the state ’ s voter registration roll .
It ended with a quote from Anderson : “ You hear about them trying to register dead people , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” As in past years in Colorado , the list of people to whom the postcards were sent was provided to the secretary ’ s office by the Electronic Registration Information Center , a nonprofit , nonpartisan organization with 30 member states .
Colorado became a founding member of this organization under former Secretary Scott Gessler , a Republican .
He was succeeded in office by another Republican , Williams , whom Griswold beat in the 2018 election .
Both Gessler and Williams sent out postcards .
In fact , the leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State ’ s Office , which handles the postcards , is the same as it was before Griswold took over .
Judd Choate , the state elections director who was quoted in the retracted CBS4 story , has worked for the office for 11 years .
Griswold and the current staff are confident that in previous years , some number of ineligible voters also got these postcards , and Gessler didn ’ t refute that in a brief interview Friday .
Reminding residents they might be eligible to vote is no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote ’ on their jerseys , ” Griswold said .
Eligibility requirements were featured in the middle of the card .
Regardless , the Trump campaign and Republican Party have seized on the postcards as an opportunity to localize in Colorado — in its most outspoken way this cycle — the president ’ s rhetoric on election security .
“ It ’ s partisan gamesmanship , ” said Amber McReynolds , an unaffiliated voter and architect of Colorado ’ s universal vote-by-mail system .
“ It ’ s not a scandal.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to register dead people or noncitizens .
Several officials within Colorado ’ s GOP told The Post that they recognized this from the onset , and that this prompted some internal debate following CBS4 ’ s story .
The story was based on a faulty premise , but it was out there , given new post-retraction life by conservative outlets , and the Trump campaign was interested in advancing it .
Some felt that it would be best to reserve public outrage for a more legitimate controversy .
Instead , Buck — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight group for pressuring an El Paso County GOP official to submit inaccurate caucus results to the state — pushed ahead .
He did not respond to interview requests this week from The Denver Post .
Even before the CBS4 story ran , the party was warning of a Democratic attempt to “ steal ” the upcoming election .
“ LET ’ S STOP VOTER FRAUD , ” reads an email from the party last week , encouraging people to register for a poll watcher program .
A media request to cover the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 0.0027 % of 2,566,784 ballots cast statewide in the 2018 election were referred to district attorneys for further investigation , according to the Secretary of State ’ s Office .
The most high-profile recent example of confirmed voter fraud in Colorado , among the very few , involved Steve Curtis , the former chair of the state GOP who was convicted in 2018 of voter fraud and forgery .
Almost a half-dozen Colorado election experts interviewed said the postcard system is , at worst , needing a bit of smoothing-out and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people who may not have thought to register .
They worry that the GOP ’ s decision to create a controversy about it both nationally and in Colorado could further erode public trust in elections .
“ I think it ’ s unduly inflammatory , ” said Peg Perl , director of elections for Arapahoe County .
The Arapahoe elections office regularly responds to inquiries from people getting false information from Facebook and other sources , she said .
The staff reminds callers that Colorado elections are run in a bipartisan manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Republican election judges and poll watchers .
“ For either party to claim in any election that one party is trying to steal it is just factually not applicable to how we do things in Colorado , ” she said .
The gamble for Republicans , said Jo Ann Windholz , chair of the Adams County GOP , is that Trump-style rhetoric suggesting that the election system here may be something less than pure will rev up Republican voters .
Of the allegation that Democrats are trying to “ steal ” this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think it hurts.
” “ Right now , the Democrats are in control of everything in the state , ” Windholz said .
“ And I think this is probably one way to get more Republicans involved .
”

Colorado’s Republican Party has joined President Donald Trump’s national effort to cast doubts on the integrity of the upcoming election, seizing this week on a misleading and since-retracted local news report suggesting impropriety at the Democrat-controlled Secretary of State’s Office.
State Republicans and even a Trump administration official have long backed Colorado’s vote-by-mail system, but Trump has said repeatedly and without evidence that voting by mail amid this year’s pandemic will lead to massive fraud.
“I am confident in our system,” Republican former Secretary of State Wayne Williams told The Denver Post for an August story that detailed the entire process of creating and handling ballots.
But with just over a month until Election Day, state GOP Chair and U.S. Rep. Ken Buck has called a CBS4 story about voter registration reminder postcards “deeply concerning” and requested a Justice Department investigation. Williams didn’t respond to a request for comment, but other Republicans have had plenty to say.
House Minority Leader Patrick Neville started fundraising off the story, emailing supporters, “Colorado Democrats are willing to go to any length to keep Colorado blue … even if it means encouraging illegal aliens (and the deceased) to vote.”
The story was quickly amplified in national conservative circles, as well. “Colorado Secretary of State Encourages Non-Citizens, Deceased to Register to Vote” read a headline from Breitbart, which published a summary of CBS4’s original story.
“Sure the Dems aren’t trying to cheat!!!” tweeted the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., using an eye-roll emoji.
At issue is a batch of some 750,000 postcards mailed in late summer by Secretary of State Jena Griswold’s office, encouraging unregistered people to register to vote if they are eligible to do so. In mid-September, Parker resident Karen Anderson emailed the Secretary of State’s Office to express concern that one of these postcards was addressed to her mother, who is deceased. The state GOP was copied on Anderson’s email.
The news report about it, published Sept. 25 by CBS4, was so flawed that the Denver-based TV station took the rare step of retracting it. It had suggested that Griswold, a first-term Democrat, sent postcards encouraging dead people and those otherwise ineligible to vote to register. The story did not mention that the postcard program began years ago under a Republican secretary and continued under another, nor did it make clear that the mailing list used for the postcards was not the state’s voter registration roll. It ended with a quote from Anderson: “You hear about them trying to register dead people, but I never really thought I’d see it.”
As in past years in Colorado, the list of people to whom the postcards were sent was provided to the secretary’s office by the Electronic Registration Information Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with 30 member states. Colorado became a founding member of this organization under former Secretary Scott Gessler, a Republican. He was succeeded in office by another Republican, Williams, whom Griswold beat in the 2018 election.
Both Gessler and Williams sent out postcards. In fact, the leadership of the Elections Division within the Secretary of State’s Office, which handles the postcards, is the same as it was before Griswold took over. Judd Choate, the state elections director who was quoted in the retracted CBS4 story, has worked for the office for 11 years. Griswold and the current staff are confident that in previous years, some number of ineligible voters also got these postcards, and Gessler didn’t refute that in a brief interview Friday.
Reminding residents they might be eligible to vote is no more scandalous than “the NBA having ‘vote’ on their jerseys,” Griswold said. Eligibility requirements were featured in the middle of the card.
Regardless, the Trump campaign and Republican Party have seized on the postcards as an opportunity to localize in Colorado — in its most outspoken way this cycle — the president’s rhetoric on election security.
“It’s partisan gamesmanship,” said Amber McReynolds, an unaffiliated voter and architect of Colorado’s universal vote-by-mail system. “It’s not a scandal.”
There is no evidence that Colorado is trying to register dead people or noncitizens. Several officials within Colorado’s GOP told The Post that they recognized this from the onset, and that this prompted some internal debate following CBS4’s story. The story was based on a faulty premise, but it was out there, given new post-retraction life by conservative outlets, and the Trump campaign was interested in advancing it. Some felt that it would be best to reserve public outrage for a more legitimate controversy.
Instead, Buck — who himself is facing questions from an attorney oversight group for pressuring an El Paso County GOP official to submit inaccurate caucus results to the state — pushed ahead. He did not respond to interview requests this week from The Denver Post.
Even before the CBS4 story ran, the party was warning of a Democratic attempt to “steal” the upcoming election. “LET’S STOP VOTER FRAUD,” reads an email from the party last week, encouraging people to register for a poll watcher program. A media request to cover the training was declined.
In 2018, just 0.0027% of 2,566,784 ballots cast statewide in the 2018 election were referred to district attorneys for further investigation, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. The most high-profile recent example of confirmed voter fraud in Colorado, among the very few, involved Steve Curtis, the former chair of the state GOP who was convicted in 2018 of voter fraud and forgery.
Almost a half-dozen Colorado election experts interviewed said the postcard system is, at worst, needing a bit of smoothing-out and at best a valuable tool for reaching out to people who may not have thought to register. They worry that the GOP’s decision to create a controversy about it both nationally and in Colorado could further erode public trust in elections.
“I think it’s unduly inflammatory,” said Peg Perl, director of elections for Arapahoe County.
The Arapahoe elections office regularly responds to inquiries from people getting false information from Facebook and other sources, she said. The staff reminds callers that Colorado elections are run in a bipartisan manner, with even numbers of volunteer Democratic and Republican election judges and poll watchers.
“For either party to claim in any election that one party is trying to steal it is just factually not applicable to how we do things in Colorado,” she said.
The gamble for Republicans, said Jo Ann Windholz, chair of the Adams County GOP, is that Trump-style rhetoric suggesting that the election system here may be something less than pure will rev up Republican voters.
Of the allegation that Democrats are trying to “steal” this election, she said, “I don’t think it hurts.”
“Right now, the Democrats are in control of everything in the state,” Windholz said. “And I think this is probably one way to get more Republicans involved.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--17th Judicial District Attorney race: Who will take over fallout from the Elijah McClain case?

The winner of the race to become the next district attorney in Adams and Broomfield counties will take over an office recently blasted into national attention for its decision to not charge officers in the death of Elijah McClain .
Both candidates — Democrat Brian Mason and Republican Tim McCormack — worked for more than a decade in the 17th Judicial District Attorney ’ s Office , which prosecutes cases in counties with a combined population of more than 580,000 people .
The candidate who wins the election likely will have to navigate findings of investigations into McClain ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities while attempting to rebuild community trust in an office both men agreed has lost credibility .
Neither candidate would say whether they agreed with the decision to not criminally charge Aurora police officers in connection with McClain ’ s death , though Mason said McClain did not deserve to die .
The candidates agree on several changes they ’ d like to see : expanded programs that divert people facing charges from the criminal justice system , more opportunities for specialty courts that help people with addiction and mental health needs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals instead of , or along with , police to 911 calls .
Both committed to collecting and analyzing data regarding the demographics of who is charged and the outcome of cases in the office .
Both candidates said they do not support defunding the police .
“ I ’ m for sensible and realistic reform as long as it doesn ’ t jeopardize public safety , ” McCormack said .
Mason joined the 17th Judicial District Attorney ’ s Office in 2006 and rose through the ranks to his current role as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversees felony prosecutions .
Prior to attending law school , he worked as an aide in President Bill Clinton ’ s administration McCormack joined the office in 1999 and also became chief trial deputy before leaving in 2017 to work in the First Judicial District Attorney ’ s Office .
McCormack said he left over “ a disagreement with how the office was being run , with how people were being treated.
” McCormack said he would not allow the current district attorney , Dave Young , to work in his office if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership of the agency , calling it “ scandal-plagued ” and alleged that poor management has led to high turnover rates .
“ ( Mason ) has every right , opportunity and reason to make change in that office , ” McCormack said .
“ And he hasn ’ t. ” Young , who is term-limited , has faced a series of controversies over the last year , including his decision in the McClain case and revelations that he had an affair with a victim advocate in his office , Kate Petrocco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later died by suicide .
“ I think our reputation has taken a hit and rebuilding that reputation is one of my priorities , ” Mason said .
Part of the work would involve creating a citizen review board to provide input to the office , Mason said , though he hasn ’ t pinned down the details of what that might look like .
“ The criminal justice system is under scrutiny as never before , and I welcome that scrutiny , ” Mason said .
Both candidates promised to diversify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the counties it serves .
Fifty-seven of the 80 attorneys in the office are white , according to data collected by the Colorado District Attorneys ’ Council .
There were no Black attorneys in the office as of June .
Mason would also like to implement annual training about implicit racial bias — a type of training he says has happened once in the 14 years he ’ s worked in the office .
He said he participated in two civil rights protests this summer .
“ I say without reservation , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
McCormack , who has been endorsed by 10 law enforcement unions in the jurisdiction , said he ’ d restore relationships between prosecutors and police .
“ When I went around and had the discussions with the Fraternal Order of Police organizations , I was told that at best their relationship is acrimonious and , at worst , it ’ s nonexistent , ” he said .
Neither candidate would say whether lawmakers should re-evaluate the state laws that determine when a law enforcement officer can be charged with a crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their work .
Mason said he had not taken a policy position on that issue .
McCormack said he ’ d like to see how the police reform law enacted this summer affects policing before making such a statement .
And neither candidate would say whether they would consider dropping charges filed by the 17th Judicial District Attorney ’ s Office against protest leaders who led a sit-in outside of an Aurora police station this summer .

The winner of the race to become the next district attorney in Adams and Broomfield counties will take over an office recently blasted into national attention for its decision to not charge officers in the death of Elijah McClain.
Both candidates — Democrat Brian Mason and Republican Tim McCormack — worked for more than a decade in the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which prosecutes cases in counties with a combined population of more than 580,000 people.
The candidate who wins the election likely will have to navigate findings of investigations into McClain’s death by local, state and federal authorities while attempting to rebuild community trust in an office both men agreed has lost credibility.
Neither candidate would say whether they agreed with the decision to not criminally charge Aurora police officers in connection with McClain’s death, though Mason said McClain did not deserve to die.
The candidates agree on several changes they’d like to see: expanded programs that divert people facing charges from the criminal justice system, more opportunities for specialty courts that help people with addiction and mental health needs, and more programs that send mental health professionals instead of, or along with, police to 911 calls. Both committed to collecting and analyzing data regarding the demographics of who is charged and the outcome of cases in the office. Both candidates said they do not support defunding the police.
“I’m for sensible and realistic reform as long as it doesn’t jeopardize public safety,” McCormack said.
Mason joined the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in 2006 and rose through the ranks to his current role as chief trial deputy, which means he oversees felony prosecutions. Prior to attending law school, he worked as an aide in President Bill Clinton’s administration.
McCormack joined the office in 1999 and also became chief trial deputy before leaving in 2017 to work in the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. McCormack said he left over “a disagreement with how the office was being run, with how people were being treated.”
McCormack said he would not allow the current district attorney, Dave Young, to work in his office if elected. He criticized Young’s leadership of the agency, calling it “scandal-plagued” and alleged that poor management has led to high turnover rates.
“(Mason) has every right, opportunity and reason to make change in that office,” McCormack said. “And he hasn’t.”
Young, who is term-limited, has faced a series of controversies over the last year, including his decision in the McClain case and revelations that he had an affair with a victim advocate in his office, Kate Petrocco, while he was her boss. Petrocco later died by suicide.
“I think our reputation has taken a hit and rebuilding that reputation is one of my priorities,” Mason said.
Part of the work would involve creating a citizen review board to provide input to the office, Mason said, though he hasn’t pinned down the details of what that might look like.
“The criminal justice system is under scrutiny as never before, and I welcome that scrutiny,” Mason said.
Both candidates promised to diversify the prosecutor’s office to better reflect the counties it serves. Fifty-seven of the 80 attorneys in the office are white, according to data collected by the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council. There were no Black attorneys in the office as of June.
Mason would also like to implement annual training about implicit racial bias — a type of training he says has happened once in the 14 years he’s worked in the office. He said he participated in two civil rights protests this summer.
“I say without reservation, ‘Black lives matter,'” he said.
McCormack, who has been endorsed by 10 law enforcement unions in the jurisdiction, said he’d restore relationships between prosecutors and police.
“When I went around and had the discussions with the Fraternal Order of Police organizations, I was told that at best their relationship is acrimonious and, at worst, it’s nonexistent,” he said.
Neither candidate would say whether lawmakers should re-evaluate the state laws that determine when a law enforcement officer can be charged with a crime when they injure or kill someone in their work. Mason said he had not taken a policy position on that issue. McCormack said he’d like to see how the police reform law enacted this summer affects policing before making such a statement.
And neither candidate would say whether they would consider dropping charges filed by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office against protest leaders who led a sit-in outside of an Aurora police station this summer.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick step up with clutch games in Broncos’ first win of the season

With Courtland Sutton out for the year with a knee injury , and winless Denver giving quarterback Brett Rypien his first NFL start , the Broncos desperately needed someone in the receiving corps to provide a spark Thursday night .
Much-hyped rookie Jerry Jeudy and often-overlooked Tim Patrick did just that in a 37-28 win over the Jets at MetLife Stadium , as the duo combined for 174 of Rypien ’ s 242 passing yards and both of his touchdowns .
Jeudy hauled in his first NFL touchdown grab , “ Mossing ” cornerback Pierre Desir on an under-thrown ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos their first lead .
He had two catches overall for 61 yards .
And Patrick set a career high with 113 yards receiving on six receptions , plus recorded his first score since 2018 .
Coach Vic Fangio was “ not surprised ” by Patrick ’ s banner day or Jeudy ’ s catalyzing touchdown .
“ Tim ’ s a quality NFL receiver — he ’ s got size , he ’ s tough , he ’ s competitive at the ball , ” Fangio said .
“ ( And ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play on his part .
We ’ re going to see him grow more and more as this season goes on.
” • Bradley Chubb is back .
And for the Broncos , the timing couldn ’ t be any better .
• Broncos Report Card : Big plays by offense , sacks by defense highlight win over Jets • Broncos are still many things , but after beating N.Y .
Jets on Thursday night , at least they ’ re not winless • Broncos game balls and gassers : This is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up-down drill : Best and worst performances against the N.Y .
Jets Both wideouts took contrasting routes to the NFL , with Jeudy as the Broncos ’ first-round pick this year and Patrick as a grind-it-out , third-year pro who went undrafted out of Utah and spent 2017 on Denver ’ s practice squad .
But both were key in Denver picking up its first win of the season .
In addition to Jeudy ’ s touchdown , Patrick caught balls at critical moments in the game .
The 26-year-old had a 40-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a seven-yard touchdown catch on 3rd-and-6 in the third quarter and a seven-yard catch that set up Brandon McManus ’ 54-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter .
Later , Patrick ’ s 41-yard reception on third-and-7 with 4:10 to play put the Broncos in position for McManus ’ go-ahead field goal .
“ It ’ s huge , and it ’ s even better because of the timing of the plays , ” Patrick said .
“ Some people have 100 yards and it ’ s just 100 yards .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations and I made the plays , and ( I ’ m proud ) it helped us get that win.
” So can Patrick and Jeudy — alongside rookie wideouts KJ Hamler ( who injured his hamstring in the win ) and Tyrie Cleveland — continue to fill the void left behind by Sutton ?
The Broncos ’ top receiving duo is planning on it , with Jeudy expressing confidence in that fact and Patrick already hungry for more opportunities .
“ That ’ s definitely a standard ( I ’ d like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The roles I ’ ve been in , I never usually set standards because you never know how many targets you ’ re going to get .
I know I ’ m capable of doing it , it ’ s just about getting the chance to do it , and tonight I was able to get the chance to do it .
I showed what I could do .
”

With Courtland Sutton out for the year with a knee injury, and winless Denver giving quarterback Brett Rypien his first NFL start, the Broncos desperately needed someone in the receiving corps to provide a spark Thursday night.
Much-hyped rookie Jerry Jeudy and often-overlooked Tim Patrick did just that in a 37-28 win over the Jets at MetLife Stadium, as the duo combined for 174 of Rypien’s 242 passing yards and both of his touchdowns.
Jeudy hauled in his first NFL touchdown grab, “Mossing” cornerback Pierre Desir on an under-thrown ball in the second quarter to give the Broncos their first lead. He had two catches overall for 61 yards. And Patrick set a career high with 113 yards receiving on six receptions, plus recorded his first score since 2018.
Coach Vic Fangio was “not surprised” by Patrick’s banner day or Jeudy’s catalyzing touchdown.
“Tim’s a quality NFL receiver — he’s got size, he’s tough, he’s competitive at the ball,” Fangio said. “(And) Jeudy’s touchdown was a tremendous play on his part. We’re going to see him grow more and more as this season goes on.”
Both wideouts took contrasting routes to the NFL, with Jeudy as the Broncos’ first-round pick this year and Patrick as a grind-it-out, third-year pro who went undrafted out of Utah and spent 2017 on Denver’s practice squad. But both were key in Denver picking up its first win of the season. In addition to Jeudy’s touchdown, Patrick caught balls at critical moments in the game.
The 26-year-old had a 40-yard reception on third-and-7 in the second quarter, a seven-yard touchdown catch on 3rd-and-6 in the third quarter and a seven-yard catch that set up Brandon McManus’ 54-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Later, Patrick’s 41-yard reception on third-and-7 with 4:10 to play put the Broncos in position for McManus’ go-ahead field goal.
“It’s huge, and it’s even better because of the timing of the plays,” Patrick said. “Some people have 100 yards and it’s just 100 yards. The ball came my way in tough situations and I made the plays, and (I’m proud) it helped us get that win.”
So can Patrick and Jeudy — alongside rookie wideouts KJ Hamler (who injured his hamstring in the win) and Tyrie Cleveland — continue to fill the void left behind by Sutton? The Broncos’ top receiving duo is planning on it, with Jeudy expressing confidence in that fact and Patrick already hungry for more opportunities.
“That’s definitely a standard (I’d like to develop),” Patrick said. “The roles I’ve been in, I never usually set standards because you never know how many targets you’re going to get. I know I’m capable of doing it, it’s just about getting the chance to do it, and tonight I was able to get the chance to do it. I showed what I could do.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Most versatile OL in college football, Virginia’s Dillon Reinkensmeyer, is former Valor Christian st

Most versatile OL in college football, Virginia’s Dillon Reinkensmeyer, is former Valor Christian standout

Dillon Reinkensmeyer earned the title of college football ’ s most versatile offensive lineman in 2020 with an accomplishment not seen by any FBS player in more than a decade .
Reinkensmeyer , a University of Virginia fifth-year senior and Valor Christian graduate , made his college debut in 2017 at left tackle .
But coaches valued his skillset across the line , and 38 career starts later , Reinkensmeyer earned the rare distinction of starting one game at every position up front — right tackle ( 12 ) , right guard ( 2 ) , center ( 21 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left tackle ( 2 ) .
Reinkensmeyer is the first FBS player since at least 2010 to achieve the milestone , according to a UVA team spokesman .
In 2007 , former University of Texas offensive lineman Chris Hall started all five positions in one season .
“ I think it ’ s definitely a testament to the coaching staff of moving me around , ” said Reinkensmeyer , who told The Denver Post his preferred position is at guard .
“ I came into a really good situation and they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am today.
” Reinkensmeyer finished his redshirt junior year at UVA with NFL-sized dreams entering the 2020 season .
The coronavirus pandemic initially threw a wrench into that push , but as one of college football ’ s most experienced offensive linemen at 6-foot-6 and 315-pounds , he ’ s moving ahead with confidence — just as Virginia travels to top-ranked Clemson on Saturday night .
It ’ s a rematch of the 2019 ACC Championship game in which Reinkensmeyer started at right guard .
“ I was out west when school got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was really apprehensive about the fall season going on , ” Reinkensmeyer said .
“ Our coaches did a good job of getting us ready to play by sending us workouts when we were home and doing all that kind of stuff .
… For the large majority , I was home in Colorado .
I would lift a lot and run a lot .
I went hiking a bunch .
“ Everyone is just going to have to be responsible .
There have to be a lot of sacrifices to be made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the ACC , everyone is getting tested two times a week and that ’ s helping eliminate a lot of variables.
” Reinkensmeyer is proud of his Colorado roots .
His football upbringing at Valor Christian included three Class 5A state championships ( 2012-13 and ’ 15 ) .
“ Valor is a special place , ” Reinkensmeyer said .
“ I was blessed to play with a lot of really , really good guys .
”

Dillon Reinkensmeyer earned the title of college football’s most versatile offensive lineman in 2020 with an accomplishment not seen by any FBS player in more than a decade.
Reinkensmeyer, a University of Virginia fifth-year senior and Valor Christian graduate, made his college debut in 2017 at left tackle. But coaches valued his skillset across the line, and 38 career starts later, Reinkensmeyer earned the rare distinction of starting one game at every position up front — right tackle (12), right guard (2), center (21), left guard (1) and left tackle (2).
Reinkensmeyer is the first FBS player since at least 2010 to achieve the milestone, according to a UVA team spokesman. In 2007, former University of Texas offensive lineman Chris Hall started all five positions in one season.
“I think it’s definitely a testament to the coaching staff of moving me around,” said Reinkensmeyer, who told The Denver Post his preferred position is at guard. “I came into a really good situation and they’ve helped me become the player that I am today.”
Reinkensmeyer finished his redshirt junior year at UVA with NFL-sized dreams entering the 2020 season. The coronavirus pandemic initially threw a wrench into that push, but as one of college football’s most experienced offensive linemen at 6-foot-6 and 315-pounds, he’s moving ahead with confidence — just as Virginia travels to top-ranked Clemson on Saturday night.
It’s a rematch of the 2019 ACC Championship game in which Reinkensmeyer started at right guard.
“I was out west when school got shut down during the spring and I was really apprehensive about the fall season going on,” Reinkensmeyer said. “Our coaches did a good job of getting us ready to play by sending us workouts when we were home and doing all that kind of stuff. … For the large majority, I was home in Colorado. I would lift a lot and run a lot. I went hiking a bunch.
“Everyone is just going to have to be responsible. There have to be a lot of sacrifices to be made for the games to be played. In the ACC, everyone is getting tested two times a week and that’s helping eliminate a lot of variables.”
Reinkensmeyer is proud of his Colorado roots. His football upbringing at Valor Christian included three Class 5A state championships (2012-13 and ’15).
“Valor is a special place,” Reinkensmeyer said. “I was blessed to play with a lot of really, really good guys.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-03--Kenesaw Mountain Landis’ name pulled off baseball MVP plaques after 75 years

NEW YORK — The name of the former baseball commissioner who never had a Black player in the majors during his long reign is being pulled off all future MVP plaques after more than 75 years .
Kenesaw Mountain Landis won ’ t be depicted on the annual awards presented by the Baseball Writers ’ Association of the America , the group said Friday .
The decision came after 89 % of its membership voted this week for removal .
“ We will no longer will be associated with the Landis name , and the MVP plaques will be nameless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan wrote .
“ Hopefully when some sense of normalcy returns in 2021 we can have a healthy debate over whether to add a new name or just leave it as the BBWAA MVP award , ” he said .
In a story by The Associated Press in late June , former MVP winners Barry Larkin , Mike Schmidt and Terry Pendleton said they favored pulling Landis ’ name because of concerns over his handling of Black players .
Larkin , the Black shortstop voted NL MVP in 1995 with Cincinnati , applauded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MVP award should be something that ’ s all positive , ” Larkin told the AP on Friday .
“ There shouldn ’ t be a cloud over it.
” “ I think the MVP honor stands on its own .
It doesn ’ t need a name , ” he said .
Told of the BBWAA ’ s ruling , Pendleton , the Black third baseman who won the 1991 NL honor with Atlanta , texted : “ It ’ s the right thing to do !
!
!
” Major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Jack O ’ Connell , BBWAA secretary-treasurer .
The AL and NL winners awards in this virus-shortened season will be announced on Nov. 12 .
Landis became MLB ’ s first commissioner in 1920 and no Blacks played in the majors during his tenure that ended with his death in 1944 .
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and Larry Doby followed later that year .
Landis ’ legacy is “ always a complicated story ” that includes “ documented racism , ” official MLB historian John Thorn has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBWAA control of picking and presenting the MVPs .
During the 1944 World Series , the BBWAA voted to add Landis ’ name to the plaque as “ an acknowledgement of his relationship with the writers , ” O ’ Connell said .
Landis died a month later at 78 and soon was elected to the Hall of Fame .
Every AL and NL MVP plaque since then has carried his name — emblazoned with shiny , gold letters twice as big as the actual winner — plus a sizable imprint of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now and things have changed all around the world .
It can change for the better , ” Pendleton said earlier .
“ Statues are coming down , people are looking at monuments and memorials.
” Schmidt , the three-time NL MVP with Philadelphia , previously said : “ If you ’ re looking to expose individuals in baseball ’ s history who promoted racism by continuing to close baseball ’ s doors to men of color , Kenesaw Landis would be a candidate.
” “ Looking back to baseball in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It doesn ’ t make it right , though , ” said the Hall of Famer , who is white .
“ Removing his name from the MVP trophy would expose the injustice of that era .
I ’ d gladly replace the engraving on my trophies.
” After the BBWAA decision , he wrote in an email : “ Should stand alone … NLMVP 2021 ” In August , U.S. Reps. Gil Cisneros of California and Cedric Richmond of Louisiana sent a letter signed by 28 House Democrats to MLB Commissioner Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name to be pulled .
All of the members had played in the Congressional Baseball Game , an annual charity matchup at Nationals Park .
“ The BBWAA made the right decision , and it better reflects the sport we all know and love , ” Cisneros tweeted .
There has been a lot of debate on social media in recent months over whose name should be on MVP plaques , if anybody at all .
Among those getting support were Hall of Famer Frank Robinson , the only player to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leagues great Josh Gibson and Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey , who signed Robinson .

NEW YORK — The name of the former baseball commissioner who never had a Black player in the majors during his long reign is being pulled off all future MVP plaques after more than 75 years.
Kenesaw Mountain Landis won’t be depicted on the annual awards presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of the America, the group said Friday. The decision came after 89% of its membership voted this week for removal.
“We will no longer will be associated with the Landis name, and the MVP plaques will be nameless in 2020,” BBWAA president Paul Sullivan wrote.
“Hopefully when some sense of normalcy returns in 2021 we can have a healthy debate over whether to add a new name or just leave it as the BBWAA MVP award,” he said.
In a story by The Associated Press in late June, former MVP winners Barry Larkin, Mike Schmidt and Terry Pendleton said they favored pulling Landis’ name because of concerns over his handling of Black players.
Larkin, the Black shortstop voted NL MVP in 1995 with Cincinnati, applauded the decision.
“To me, the MVP award should be something that’s all positive,” Larkin told the AP on Friday. “There shouldn’t be a cloud over it.”
“I think the MVP honor stands on its own. It doesn’t need a name,” he said.
Told of the BBWAA’s ruling, Pendleton, the Black third baseman who won the 1991 NL honor with Atlanta, texted: “It’s the right thing to do!!!”
Major League Baseball will redesign the trophies, said Jack O’Connell, BBWAA secretary-treasurer. The AL and NL winners awards in this virus-shortened season will be announced on Nov. 12.
Landis became MLB’s first commissioner in 1920 and no Blacks played in the majors during his tenure that ended with his death in 1944. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and Larry Doby followed later that year.
Landis’ legacy is “always a complicated story” that includes “documented racism,” official MLB historian John Thorn has said.
In 1931, Landis had given the BBWAA control of picking and presenting the MVPs. During the 1944 World Series, the BBWAA voted to add Landis’ name to the plaque as “an acknowledgement of his relationship with the writers,” O’Connell said.
Landis died a month later at 78 and soon was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Every AL and NL MVP plaque since then has carried his name — emblazoned with shiny, gold letters twice as big as the actual winner — plus a sizable imprint of his face.
“This is 2020 now and things have changed all around the world. It can change for the better,” Pendleton said earlier. “Statues are coming down, people are looking at monuments and memorials.”
Schmidt, the three-time NL MVP with Philadelphia, previously said: “If you’re looking to expose individuals in baseball’s history who promoted racism by continuing to close baseball’s doors to men of color, Kenesaw Landis would be a candidate.”
“Looking back to baseball in the early 1900s, this was the norm. It doesn’t make it right, though,” said the Hall of Famer, who is white. “Removing his name from the MVP trophy would expose the injustice of that era. I’d gladly replace the engraving on my trophies.”
After the BBWAA decision, he wrote in an email: “Should stand alone … NLMVP 2021”
In August, U.S. Reps. Gil Cisneros of California and Cedric Richmond of Louisiana sent a letter signed by 28 House Democrats to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Sullivan calling for Landis’ name to be pulled. All of the members had played in the Congressional Baseball Game, an annual charity matchup at Nationals Park.
“The BBWAA made the right decision, and it better reflects the sport we all know and love,” Cisneros tweeted.
There has been a lot of debate on social media in recent months over whose name should be on MVP plaques, if anybody at all. Among those getting support were Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues, Negro Leagues great Josh Gibson and Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, who signed Robinson.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay expected to return to play in Week 5 after missing three games

Broncos coach Vic Fangio expects running back Phillip Lindsay to return from his turf toe injury to play Oct. 11 at New England .
Lindsay has missed three consecutive games since being injured in Week 1 against Tennessee .
“ Phillip could have played ( in Thursday ’ s 37-28 win over the New York Jets ) , ” Fangio said during a video conference Friday .
“ He was ready to play mentally and physically , but I didn ’ t feel comfortable playing him without any practice .
He essentially hadn ’ t practiced since sustaining the injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be the fair thing to play him.
” Cornerback A.J .
Bouye ( shoulder ) has also missed the last three games and is eligible to be activated from injured reserve next week , but Fangio said Bouye is “ less than 50-50 , ” to face the Patriots .
The status of receiver KJ Hamler ( hamstring ) and tight end Noah Fant ( ankle ) for next week is uncertain after they were unable to finish the Jets game .
“ They may or may not miss some time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll probably have more of a definitive answer when we come back on Tuesday .
It ’ s iffy whether they ’ ll be ready to play this week , or it could be , could not be a couple of weeks for both of them.
” Fangio said Hamler ’ s injury is to the same hamstring that sidelined him in camp and for Week 1 , “ but in a different place .
A totally new injury.
” Footnotes .
Rypien became the first quarterback to throw three interceptions in winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Jim Druckenmiller in September 1997 .
It was Druckenmiller ’ s only career start .
… Running back Melvin Gordon posted his 10th career 100-yard rushing game ( 107 yards ) .
… The Broncos were minus-3 in turnover ratio , only the second time since 2003 they ’ ve won with a margin of at least minus-3 .

Broncos coach Vic Fangio expects running back Phillip Lindsay to return from his turf toe injury to play Oct. 11 at New England.
Lindsay has missed three consecutive games since being injured in Week 1 against Tennessee.
“Phillip could have played (in Thursday’s 37-28 win over the New York Jets),” Fangio said during a video conference Friday. “He was ready to play mentally and physically, but I didn’t feel comfortable playing him without any practice. He essentially hadn’t practiced since sustaining the injury. I didn’t think it would be the fair thing to play him.”
Cornerback A.J. Bouye (shoulder) has also missed the last three games and is eligible to be activated from injured reserve next week, but Fangio said Bouye is “less than 50-50,” to face the Patriots.
The status of receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring) and tight end Noah Fant (ankle) for next week is uncertain after they were unable to finish the Jets game.
“They may or may not miss some time,” Fangio said. “We’ll probably have more of a definitive answer when we come back on Tuesday. It’s iffy whether they’ll be ready to play this week, or it could be, could not be a couple of weeks for both of them.”
Fangio said Hamler’s injury is to the same hamstring that sidelined him in camp and for Week 1, “but in a different place. A totally new injury.”
Footnotes. Rypien became the first quarterback to throw three interceptions in winning his first start since San Francisco’s Jim Druckenmiller in September 1997. It was Druckenmiller’s only career start. … Running back Melvin Gordon posted his 10th career 100-yard rushing game (107 yards). … The Broncos were minus-3 in turnover ratio, only the second time since 2003 they’ve won with a margin of at least minus-3.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Broncos’ Vic Fangio on not shaking hands with Adam Gase at end of Jets game: “Adam and I are friends

Broncos’ Vic Fangio on not shaking hands with Adam Gase at end of Jets game: “Adam and I are friends”

Fangio , Gase speak .
Fangio and Jets coach Adam Gase didn ’ t shake hands after Thursday night ’ s game , but they did exchange text messages and spoke via phone on Friday .
Fangio directed his team off the field as time expired because to avoid a confrontation between Broncos players upset with the Jets ’ late hits on quarterback Brett Rypien .
Rypien took three kneel-downs , but Gase called timeout after first and second downs .
In an effort to use the final seconds , Fangio had Rypien throw incomplete downfield on purpose .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The game mercifully ended with a kneel-down .
“ It ’ s pretty common when you get to fourth down in those situations and you decide not to kick , be it a punt or a field goal , you ’ re going to drop back , get deep , throw it high and as far as you can out of bounds to try and burn what could end up being six or seven seconds or more and just leave it at that , ” Fangio said .
“ We would do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Gase were on the same staff in Chicago and Fangio said they are on good terms .
“ Adam and I are friends .
Have been .
Will continue to be , ” Fangio said .
“ I was just trying to avoid the situation there at the end of the game from escalating into something out in the middle of the field .
Unfortunately , by the time I decided to try and get everybody in , I had only about 10 seconds to get it done and couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a good bunch of our guys into the locker room quickly .
“ I didn ’ t want a situation to happen there that would be an embarrassment to the league and the teams .
That ’ s what I was trying to avoid .
I know I was doing the prudent thing .
It had nothing to do with Adam .
”

Fangio, Gase speak. Fangio and Jets coach Adam Gase didn’t shake hands after Thursday night’s game, but they did exchange text messages and spoke via phone on Friday.
Fangio directed his team off the field as time expired because to avoid a confrontation between Broncos players upset with the Jets’ late hits on quarterback Brett Rypien.
Rypien took three kneel-downs, but Gase called timeout after first and second downs. In an effort to use the final seconds, Fangio had Rypien throw incomplete downfield on purpose. Both plays were negated by Jets penalties. The game mercifully ended with a kneel-down.
“It’s pretty common when you get to fourth down in those situations and you decide not to kick, be it a punt or a field goal, you’re going to drop back, get deep, throw it high and as far as you can out of bounds to try and burn what could end up being six or seven seconds or more and just leave it at that,” Fangio said. “We would do it again under the same circumstances.”
Fangio and Gase were on the same staff in Chicago and Fangio said they are on good terms.
“Adam and I are friends. Have been. Will continue to be,” Fangio said. “I was just trying to avoid the situation there at the end of the game from escalating into something out in the middle of the field. Unfortunately, by the time I decided to try and get everybody in, I had only about 10 seconds to get it done and couldn’t obviously get everybody, but we did get a good bunch of our guys into the locker room quickly.
“I didn’t want a situation to happen there that would be an embarrassment to the league and the teams. That’s what I was trying to avoid. I know I was doing the prudent thing. It had nothing to do with Adam.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Fire on former White Fence Farm property in Lakewood destroys outbuilding

An outbuilding on the former White Fence Farm property in Lakewood was engulfed in flames on Friday .
Firefighters with @ @ @ @ @ District responded just before 2 p.m. to the property , 6263 W. Jewell Ave. , @ @ @ @ @ fire , according to the fire department .
The White Fence Farm closed in December @ @ @ @ @ in business .
The popular family restaurant was set on a large property with a @ @ @ @ @ Christmas shop .
The restaurant was known for its fried chicken and home cooking .
@ @ @ @ @ damaged by Friday ’ s fire .
The cause of the fire is under investigation @

An outbuilding on the former White Fence Farm property in Lakewood was engulfed in flames on Friday.
This is what crews found when they arrived at the old White Fence Farm restaurant shortly before 2 this afternoon. This is an out building- the main restaurant was not damaged. The business has been closed for almost two years. Our investigator is on scene. pic.twitter.com/S8bHlgHMn4 — WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) October 2, 2020
Firefighters with the West Metro Fire Protection District responded just before 2 p.m. to the property, 6263 W. Jewell Ave., to find an outbuilding on fire, according to the fire department.
The White Fence Farm closed in December of 2018 after 45 years in business. The popular family restaurant was set on a large property with a petting zoo and a year-round Christmas shop. The restaurant was known for its fried chicken and home cooking.
The former restaurant was not damaged by Friday’s fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Editorial: Republicans needs to calm down about voter fraud; Democrats need to investigate valid con

Editorial: Republicans needs to calm down about voter fraud; Democrats need to investigate valid concerns

Politicians are playing a dangerous game with our election .
The president ’ s potential illness now that he has been exposed to the novel coronavirus and has tested positive will only increase the chance of catastrophe .
We should all be praying that the president has a mild illness and a fast recovery — not only out of compassion ; it will be good for our democracy .
But we also need our elected officials , regardless of party , to stand up and ensure November ’ s election is secure and that voters in America have faith in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been playing this game for years : Democrats accuse Republicans of voter suppression and Republicans accuse Democrats of lax voter security .
There is always a kernel of truth in both complaints .
The GOP governor of Texas is limiting ballot drop off boxes to one per-county – Harris County has 4.7 million residents .
In New York City , the board of elections , led by a Democrat , had to reprint 100,000 ballots after the original were sent to voters with the wrong voter information on the “ oath envelope.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new level .
Trump has repeatedly claimed — beginning after he lost the national popular vote in 2016 — that Democrats are trying to steal the election via fraud .
He continued that assault on our democracy during the first presidential debate .
Voter fraud is when a ballot is cast that doesn ’ t represent an actual , eligible voter or it is cast by someone other than the voter it is said to represent .
There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud , and certainly no evidence of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is evidence , however , of isolated fraud ( cases have been prosecuted ) , and isolated errors in ballot printing , ballot counting , and many incidents where ballots are being sent in the mail to people who no longer live at the address and even people who are deceased .
We can not sweep those incidents under the rug , and we must address them directly with real solutions .
It is a felony in Colorado to vote a ballot that is not yours — no one should be tempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a rigorous signature verification system , increasing the likelihood that anyone casting a ballot that isn ’ t theirs will get caught .
The list of voters that will be sent ballots is kept clean by checking it against other databases — state and federal death records , the state ’ s Department of Motor Vehicles and others .
Also , addresses on record for registered voters are checked .
No one is wrong to highlight the potential for abuse of our election system and to demand election officials tighten election security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only improve American ’ s confidence in the outcome of the election .
On the other hand , Trump ’ s words are a concrete threat to our democracy if voters believe them .
So , let ’ s look at what has been happening in Colorado .
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck has raised concerns that a few of the hundreds of thousands of voter registration postcards sent by Secretary of State Jena Griswold went to non-citizens and deceased voters .
These were not ballots .
These were reminders to folks that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so under Colorado and federal law .
The concern from Buck , and other Republicans like former Secretary of State Scott Gessler , is that if those non-citizens or deceased voters are on a list of potentially eligible voters , they or someone else may be able to register , get a ballot in the mail and cast it fraudulently .
No one is alleging that the folks who got the postcards are on the voter rolls or that their attempt to register would be successful .
But , if there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver ’ s license database showing that the people who received the postcards are in fact eligible voters when they are not , it could be a loophole allowing a non-citizen to register , get a ballot and vote .
It ’ s worthy of scrutiny .
Again , there is no evidence of widespread fraud , and certainly no evidence that Griswold is conspiring to get ineligible voters registered .
Buck writing a letter to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation is an overreaction to the slim possibility of fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping ineligible voters off the voter rolls is essential , and Griswold would do well to calm fears and look into these cases .
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 .

Politicians are playing a dangerous game with our election.
The president’s potential illness now that he has been exposed to the novel coronavirus and has tested positive will only increase the chance of catastrophe. We should all be praying that the president has a mild illness and a fast recovery — not only out of compassion; it will be good for our democracy.
But we also need our elected officials, regardless of party, to stand up and ensure November’s election is secure and that voters in America have faith in the results.
Democrats and Republicans have been playing this game for years: Democrats accuse Republicans of voter suppression and Republicans accuse Democrats of lax voter security. There is always a kernel of truth in both complaints. The GOP governor of Texas is limiting ballot drop off boxes to one per-county – Harris County has 4.7 million residents. In New York City, the board of elections, led by a Democrat, had to reprint 100,000 ballots after the original were sent to voters with the wrong voter information on the “oath envelope.”
But that game has been taken to a new level. Trump has repeatedly claimed — beginning after he lost the national popular vote in 2016 — that Democrats are trying to steal the election via fraud. He continued that assault on our democracy during the first presidential debate. Voter fraud is when a ballot is cast that doesn’t represent an actual, eligible voter or it is cast by someone other than the voter it is said to represent. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, and certainly no evidence of a vast conspiracy to steal the election.
There is evidence, however, of isolated fraud (cases have been prosecuted), and isolated errors in ballot printing, ballot counting, and many incidents where ballots are being sent in the mail to people who no longer live at the address and even people who are deceased.
We cannot sweep those incidents under the rug, and we must address them directly with real solutions.
It is a felony in Colorado to vote a ballot that is not yours — no one should be tempted to do so, and our state has a rigorous signature verification system, increasing the likelihood that anyone casting a ballot that isn’t theirs will get caught. The list of voters that will be sent ballots is kept clean by checking it against other databases — state and federal death records, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and others. Also, addresses on record for registered voters are checked.
No one is wrong to highlight the potential for abuse of our election system and to demand election officials tighten election security. That kind of constructive criticism will only improve American’s confidence in the outcome of the election. On the other hand, Trump’s words are a concrete threat to our democracy if voters believe them.
So, let’s look at what has been happening in Colorado.
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck has raised concerns that a few of the hundreds of thousands of voter registration postcards sent by Secretary of State Jena Griswold went to non-citizens and deceased voters. These were not ballots. These were reminders to folks that they could register if they were eligible to do so under Colorado and federal law.
The concern from Buck, and other Republicans like former Secretary of State Scott Gessler, is that if those non-citizens or deceased voters are on a list of potentially eligible voters, they or someone else may be able to register, get a ballot in the mail and cast it fraudulently.
No one is alleging that the folks who got the postcards are on the voter rolls or that their attempt to register would be successful. But, if there is an error in the state’s driver’s license database showing that the people who received the postcards are in fact eligible voters when they are not, it could be a loophole allowing a non-citizen to register, get a ballot and vote. It’s worthy of scrutiny.
Again, there is no evidence of widespread fraud, and certainly no evidence that Griswold is conspiring to get ineligible voters registered. Buck writing a letter to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation is an overreaction to the slim possibility of fraud we think this presents. But, keeping ineligible voters off the voter rolls is essential, and Griswold would do well to calm fears and look into these cases.
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thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Broncos QB Drew Lock “50/50” to return from shoulder injury for Week 5 road game against Patriots

Drew Lock is “ 50/50 ” to play in Week 5 in New England after missing the last two games , coach Vic Fangio said Friday afternoon .
But the Broncos quarterback still hasn ’ t thrown a football since injuring his right shoulder against the Steelers in Week 2 .
“ We ’ ll see how he progresses here by Tuesday , by Wednesday , and see where he ’ s at , ” Fangio said .
“ I just need to see a healthy quarterback .
I ’ m not going to put him out there unless he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hesitation and without altering his delivery.
” If Lock can ’ t play in Foxborough , Brett Rypien — who led the Broncos to their first win of the season in his first NFL start in New York on Thursday — will get his second start .
Rypien paired three ugly interceptions with two touchdowns in a messy win over the winless Jets .
He is Denver ’ s ninth starting quarterback since Peyton Manning retired after the 2015 season .
• Broncos Briefs : Phillip Lindsay expected to return to play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos ’ Vic Fangio on not shaking hands with Adam Gase at end of Jets game : “ Adam and I are friends ” • After Further Review : Broncos shore up pass protection in win over Jets • Broncos Q-and-A : All or nothing production for Melvin Gordon against Jets • Bradley Chubb is back .
And for the Broncos , the timing couldn ’ t be any better .
Fangio was pleased with Rypien ’ s showing overall , even if he “ wasn ’ t pleased with the three interceptions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Boise State was 19-of-31 for 242 yards , building off his NFL debut in Week 3 when he took over for Jeff Driskel in the fourth quarter of the loss to Tampa Bay .
“ I was surprised by the interceptions , particularly the first one , because that was a bad decision by his part to even try and fit that ball in there , ” Fangio said .
“ But I also love some of the throws he made .
Down the field , the touchdown pass to Tim ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good.
” Rypien ’ s pocket presence also drew praise from Fangio .
That was a facet of the game Driskel had issues with in relief of Lock in Week 2 , and then again in his start in Week 3 .
Driskel , who signed a two-year , $ 5 million deal in the offseason to be Lock ’ s backup , played one snap against the Jets on Thursday .
“ We went from giving up 13 sacks in the previous two games to none , and ( Rypien ) definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fangio said .
While Lock ’ s return to the field appears imminent — if he doesn ’ t play in New England , he ’ s on track to play in the next home game Oct. 18 against Miami — the Broncos ’ backup battle is still to be decided .
Fangio said the team will continue to carry four quarterbacks “ until we deem Drew to be healthy.
” That means Rypien , Driskel and Blake Bortles ( a veteran free agent signed for additional depth following Lock ’ s injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a maximum of three quarterback spots on the roster .
Fangio ’ s vote of confidence in Rypien ’ s early showing suggests Rypien could be a frontrunner for that No .
2 job , with Driskel and Bortles ( who has very little practice time in Denver ) right behind .
“ We ’ ll see how the backup position plays itself out here in the next couple weeks , and a lot of that will be based off Drew ’ s availability or lack of availability , ” Fangio said @

Drew Lock is “50/50” to play in Week 5 in New England after missing the last two games, coach Vic Fangio said Friday afternoon. But the Broncos quarterback still hasn’t thrown a football since injuring his right shoulder against the Steelers in Week 2.
“We’ll see how he progresses here by Tuesday, by Wednesday, and see where he’s at,” Fangio said. “I just need to see a healthy quarterback. I’m not going to put him out there unless he’s healthy and can throw without hesitation and without altering his delivery.”
If Lock can’t play in Foxborough, Brett Rypien — who led the Broncos to their first win of the season in his first NFL start in New York on Thursday — will get his second start. Rypien paired three ugly interceptions with two touchdowns in a messy win over the winless Jets. He is Denver’s ninth starting quarterback since Peyton Manning retired after the 2015 season.
Fangio was pleased with Rypien’s showing overall, even if he “wasn’t pleased with the three interceptions.” The second-year undrafted free agent out of Boise State was 19-of-31 for 242 yards, building off his NFL debut in Week 3 when he took over for Jeff Driskel in the fourth quarter of the loss to Tampa Bay.
“I was surprised by the interceptions, particularly the first one, because that was a bad decision by his part to even try and fit that ball in there,” Fangio said. “But I also love some of the throws he made. Down the field, the touchdown pass to Tim (Patrick) — he managed the operation good.”
Rypien’s pocket presence also drew praise from Fangio. That was a facet of the game Driskel had issues with in relief of Lock in Week 2, and then again in his start in Week 3. Driskel, who signed a two-year, $5 million deal in the offseason to be Lock’s backup, played one snap against the Jets on Thursday.
“We went from giving up 13 sacks in the previous two games to none, and (Rypien) definitely played a part in that,” Fangio said.
While Lock’s return to the field appears imminent — if he doesn’t play in New England, he’s on track to play in the next home game Oct. 18 against Miami — the Broncos’ backup battle is still to be decided. Fangio said the team will continue to carry four quarterbacks “until we deem Drew to be healthy.”
That means Rypien, Driskel and Blake Bortles (a veteran free agent signed for additional depth following Lock’s injury) have about two weeks to compete for a maximum of three quarterback spots on the roster. Fangio’s vote of confidence in Rypien’s early showing suggests Rypien could be a frontrunner for that No. 2 job, with Driskel and Bortles (who has very little practice time in Denver) right behind.
“We’ll see how the backup position plays itself out here in the next couple weeks, and a lot of that will be based off Drew’s availability or lack of availability,” Fangio said.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--LA Kings fire mascot employee accused of harassment

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings have fired the employee who dresses as the hockey team ’ s mascot after an investigation into a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him earlier this year .
Tim Smith was fired Friday , the Kings said in a brief statement .
The team declined further comment , citing the pending litigation .
Smith wore a 6-foot-4 lion suit and played Bailey , the Kings ’ mascot , in his job as the team ’ s senior manager of game presentation and events .
He had been employed by the Kings since 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character debuted for the franchise .
Smith , the Kings and team owner AEG were sued by a former member of the Kings Ice Crew , which performs several functions for the team during home games at Staples Center and away from the arena .
The lawsuit alleged Smith verbally and physically harassed the woman and then fired her after she protested .
A Kings team official persuaded her to return to the Ice Crew , but the lawsuit claims the harassment continued , and she eventually quit .
Smith was previously sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who alleged Smith grabbed his buttocks during an elevator ride .
The lawsuit was settled in July 2018 .

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings have fired the employee who dresses as the hockey team’s mascot after an investigation into a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him earlier this year.
Tim Smith was fired Friday, the Kings said in a brief statement. The team declined further comment, citing the pending litigation.
Smith wore a 6-foot-4 lion suit and played Bailey, the Kings’ mascot, in his job as the team’s senior manager of game presentation and events. He had been employed by the Kings since 2007, the same year that the Bailey character debuted for the franchise.
Smith, the Kings and team owner AEG were sued by a former member of the Kings Ice Crew, which performs several functions for the team during home games at Staples Center and away from the arena.
The lawsuit alleged Smith verbally and physically harassed the woman and then fired her after she protested. A Kings team official persuaded her to return to the Ice Crew, but the lawsuit claims the harassment continued, and she eventually quit.
Smith was previously sued for harassment in 2017 by a man who alleged Smith grabbed his buttocks during an elevator ride. The lawsuit was settled in July 2018.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--After Further Review: Broncos shore up pass protection in win over Jets

Pass-rush totals by Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay in wins over the Broncos : Thirteen sacks , 17 knockdowns and seven pressures .
There was nowhere to go but up for the Broncos ’ offensive line and quarterback Brett Rypien , and they delivered in Thursday night ’ s 37-28 win .
The Jets had no sacks , four knockdowns and two pressures .
Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams didn ’ t follow the blue-print established by play-callers Keith Butler ( Pittsburgh ) and Todd Bowles ( Tampa Bay ) .
New York rushed at least five players on only nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24.3 % compared to 50 % and 53.7 % by the Steelers and Buccaneers , respectively .
Here are other thoughts on the Broncos ’ win : Drawing penalties .
The Broncos ’ offense drew seven penalties against the Jets .
Rypien drew four personal foul calls totaling 60 yards to lead the way .
Receiver KJ Hamler ( eight-yard defensive pass interference ) , left tackle Garett Bolles ( personal foul by Jets for 15 yards ) and quarterback Jeff Driskel ( personal foul by Jets for five yards ) also drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra pass rushers ( five or more ) , Rypien was 5-of-6 passing for 92 yards .
He was 4-of-6 passing for 139 yards on attempts that traveled at least 16 air yards , including a 48-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy and completions of 40 and 31 yards to Tim Patrick .
Solid run blocking .
On their season-long 13-play drive to take a 24-16 lead , the Broncos blocked well to allow Melvin Gordon to rush for 19 yards .
On the play to the left , right guard Graham Glasgow pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Left guard Dalton Risner and Bolles double-teamed a Jets lineman before Bolles peeled off to block linebacker Jordan Jenkins .
Good stuff all around .
Second touchdown pass .
Rypien ’ s second touchdown pass was well executed .
On third-and-6 from the Jets ’ 7 , the Broncos had an empty backfield after running back Royce Freeman motioned to wide right .
Patrick was in the right slot .
At the snap , he got a free release and ran a quick slant .
Rypien threw in 2.07 seconds and it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — over the cornerback ’ s outstretched hand and before the safety could rotate over .
Bad start .
The Broncos got off to a bad start when Jets quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled 46 yards for a touchdown .
Inside linebacker Alexander Johnson blitzed , but whiffed on the sack .
Safety Justin Simmons was out-juked by Darnold at the line of scrimmage .
From there , Darnold headed up the field and the Broncos did a poor job in tackling and pursuit .
Sack story .
A season-high six sacks for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson ) , 2.28 ( outside linebacker Bradley Chubb/defensive end Shelby Harris ) , 4.31 ( Chubb ) , 2.82 ( Chubb ) , 2.04 ( inside linebacker Josey Jewell ) and 2.34 ( Jewell ) seconds .
Key challenge .
Winning challenges on where the football is spotted is difficult , but coach Vic Fangio felt it was worth it … and he was right .
The Jets trailed 27-25 facing a third-and-5 from the Broncos ’ 23 .
Darnold threw five yards to receiver Jamison Crowder .
Fangio challenged the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jets field goal .
The Broncos trailed by one instead of potentially five points .
Defending the run .
Darnold accounted for 84 of the Jets ’ 129 rushing yards .
Frank Gore averaged only 2.3 yards per carry .
Credited with run “ stuffs ” ( gain of one or fewer yards ) were Simmons , Harris ( 1/2 ) , Jewell ( 1/2 ) , Chubb ( 1/2 ) , nose tackle Mike Purcell ( one ) and outside linebacker Malik Reed ( 1 1/2 ) .
Spencer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third quarter , Diontae Spencer produced a 41-yard punt return that led to a Brandon McManus field goal .
Spencer caught Braden Mann ’ s punt ( 4.57-second hang time ) pinned against the sideline .
But he made the first tackler ( Kalen Ballage ) miss before turning upfield .
Mann saved a touchdown in a semi-cagey way .
The Broncos ’ Tyrie Cleveland had Mann lined up for a block , but he appeared to turn his body , forcing Cleveland to miss ; had he blocked Mann , it would @ @ @ @ @ @

Pass-rush totals by Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay in wins over the Broncos: Thirteen sacks, 17 knockdowns and seven pressures.
There was nowhere to go but up for the Broncos’ offensive line and quarterback Brett Rypien, and they delivered in Thursday night’s 37-28 win.
The Jets had no sacks, four knockdowns and two pressures.
Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams didn’t follow the blue-print established by play-callers Keith Butler (Pittsburgh) and Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay).
New York rushed at least five players on only nine of Rypien’s 37 drop-backs — 24.3% compared to 50% and 53.7% by the Steelers and Buccaneers, respectively.
Here are other thoughts on the Broncos’ win:
Offense
Drawing penalties. The Broncos’ offense drew seven penalties against the Jets. Rypien drew four personal foul calls totaling 60 yards to lead the way. Receiver KJ Hamler (eight-yard defensive pass interference), left tackle Garett Bolles (personal foul by Jets for 15 yards) and quarterback Jeff Driskel (personal foul by Jets for five yards) also drew Jets penalties.
Rypien file. Against extra pass rushers (five or more), Rypien was 5-of-6 passing for 92 yards. He was 4-of-6 passing for 139 yards on attempts that traveled at least 16 air yards, including a 48-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy and completions of 40 and 31 yards to Tim Patrick.
Solid run blocking. On their season-long 13-play drive to take a 24-16 lead, the Broncos blocked well to allow Melvin Gordon to rush for 19 yards. On the play to the left, right guard Graham Glasgow pulled left and blocked linebacker Avery Williamson. Left guard Dalton Risner and Bolles double-teamed a Jets lineman before Bolles peeled off to block linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Good stuff all around.
Second touchdown pass. Rypien’s second touchdown pass was well executed. On third-and-6 from the Jets’ 7, the Broncos had an empty backfield after running back Royce Freeman motioned to wide right. Patrick was in the right slot. At the snap, he got a free release and ran a quick slant. Rypien threw in 2.07 seconds and it was a dart that only Patrick could catch — over the cornerback’s outstretched hand and before the safety could rotate over.
Defense
Bad start. The Broncos got off to a bad start when Jets quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled 46 yards for a touchdown. Inside linebacker Alexander Johnson blitzed, but whiffed on the sack. Safety Justin Simmons was out-juked by Darnold at the line of scrimmage. From there, Darnold headed up the field and the Broncos did a poor job in tackling and pursuit.
Sack story. A season-high six sacks for the Broncos. They came in 5.00 (Johnson), 2.28 (outside linebacker Bradley Chubb/defensive end Shelby Harris), 4.31 (Chubb), 2.82 (Chubb), 2.04 (inside linebacker Josey Jewell) and 2.34 (Jewell) seconds.
Key challenge. Winning challenges on where the football is spotted is difficult, but coach Vic Fangio felt it was worth it … and he was right. The Jets trailed 27-25 facing a third-and-5 from the Broncos’ 23. Darnold threw five yards to receiver Jamison Crowder. Fangio challenged the poor spot and a first-and-10 became a fourth-and-1 and Jets field goal. The Broncos trailed by one instead of potentially five points.
Defending the run. Darnold accounted for 84 of the Jets’ 129 rushing yards. Frank Gore averaged only 2.3 yards per carry. Credited with run “stuffs” (gain of one or fewer yards) were Simmons, Harris (1/2), Jewell (1/2), Chubb (1/2), nose tackle Mike Purcell (one) and outside linebacker Malik Reed (1 1/2).
Special teams
Spencer’s long return. Leading 24-16 in the third quarter, Diontae Spencer produced a 41-yard punt return that led to a Brandon McManus field goal. Spencer caught Braden Mann’s punt (4.57-second hang time) pinned against the sideline. But he made the first tackler (Kalen Ballage) miss before turning upfield. Mann saved a touchdown in a semi-cagey way. The Broncos’ Tyrie Cleveland had Mann lined up for a block, but he appeared to turn his body, forcing Cleveland to miss; had he blocked Mann, it would have likely been a penalty.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Political yard signs stolen in Parker and tossed onto the street

About a dozen political signs , supporting a variety of Democratic candidates in Douglas County , were removed from a @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday with some of the vandalized signs being tossed into the street .
The @ @ @ @ @ of congressional candidate Ike McCorkle , according to a news release from McCorkle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ for various democratic candidates were destroyed , tossed into the street , and stolen , @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m happy that it was only property and not my family that @ @ @ @ @ said in the release .
“ We have to overcome the toxicity of our current @ @ @ @ @ who will serve with integrity not continue to fan the flames of division.
” The @ @ @ @ @ the Douglas County Sheriff ’ s Office , according to a McCorkle for Colorado spokesman @

About a dozen political signs, supporting a variety of Democratic candidates in Douglas County, were removed from a front porch in Parker overnight on Thursday with some of the vandalized signs being tossed into the street.
The incident happened at the home of congressional candidate Ike McCorkle, according to a news release from McCorkle’s campaign.
“Yard signs for various democratic candidates were destroyed, tossed into the street, and stolen,” the release said.
McCorkle is running for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.
“I’m happy that it was only property and not my family that was harmed,” McCorkle said in the release. “We have to overcome the toxicity of our current civil discourse by electing leaders who will serve with integrity not continue to fan the flames of division.”
The incident has been reported to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, according to a McCorkle for Colorado spokesman.


thedenverpost--2020-10-02--Slugging percentage: Vinny Castilla’s son Marco trades a bat for a real estate career; where he lear

Slugging percentage: Vinny Castilla’s son Marco trades a bat for a real estate career; where he learns to hit for power

If you ’ re the son of the most enduringly popular ballplayer that Colorado ever saw , and you hit left and have a good eye for the ball , your first choice of a career is going to be right where your dad ’ s was .
That was going to be the case for Marco Castilla , son of third baseman Vinny Castilla , whose own penchant for hitting the long ball carried him through nine years with the team , the longest career here of any of the original 1993 Colorado Rockies ; and twice to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious about education as well as baseball ; and although he was often hitting .300 as a college player at UNC and at Arizona Christian , he found himself at a decision point in 2019 , after an early tryout with the Rockies left him doubting that potential .
“ Dad told me that if I wanted to play in the independent leagues for a while to gain experience , to go for it , ” Marco recalls .
But a chat he had with his aunt , top-selling real estate agent Jackie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a different trajectory .
“ I loved how savvy he is with people , and the heart that he puts into personal relationships , ” says Garcia , who sold $ 35 million in residential real estate last year , and heads the Jackie Garcia Team of agents where Marco has signed on .
Castilla , who joined Garcia last year , earned some early sales by working contacts with the ballclub , including on behalf of center-fielder Yonathan Daza and pitchers German Marquez and José Mujica .
But he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hit for power in the profession , by studying his aunt ’ s technique .
“ I ’ m blessed to have the opportunity to learn from her , ” he says ; adding that her ability to research and price properties for their maximum market effect is perhaps the most important skill .
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“ Although it ’ s still a seller ’ s market , particularly in the lower price points , ” notes Castilla , “ this is a great time to buy.
” He can be reached at 303-601-3431 .
The news and editorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in this post ’ s preparation .

If you’re the son of the most enduringly popular ballplayer that Colorado ever saw, and you hit left and have a good eye for the ball, your first choice of a career is going to be right where your dad’s was.
If you go… What: Agent Marco Castilla, with the Jackie Garcia Team at ReMax Professionals
Agent Marco Castilla, with the Jackie Garcia Team at ReMax Professionals Phone: 303-601-3431
303-601-3431 More Info: MarcoCastillaRealtor.com
That was going to be the case for Marco Castilla, son of third baseman Vinny Castilla, whose own penchant for hitting the long ball carried him through nine years with the team, the longest career here of any of the original 1993 Colorado Rockies; and twice to the All-Star Game.
But Marco Castilla was serious about education as well as baseball; and although he was often hitting .300 as a college player at UNC and at Arizona Christian, he found himself at a decision point in 2019, after an early tryout with the Rockies left him doubting that potential.
“Dad told me that if I wanted to play in the independent leagues for a while to gain experience, to go for it,” Marco recalls. But a chat he had with his aunt, top-selling real estate agent Jackie Garcia with ReMax Professionals, put him on a different trajectory.
“I loved how savvy he is with people, and the heart that he puts into personal relationships,” says Garcia, who sold $35 million in residential real estate last year, and heads the Jackie Garcia Team of agents where Marco has signed on.
Castilla, who joined Garcia last year, earned some early sales by working contacts with the ballclub, including on behalf of center-fielder Yonathan Daza and pitchers German Marquez and José Mujica. But he’s also been putting time into learning how to hit for power in the profession, by studying his aunt’s technique.
“I’m blessed to have the opportunity to learn from her,” he says; adding that her ability to research and price properties for their maximum market effect is perhaps the most important skill.
Garcia adds that Castilla shows a valuable ability to connect with younger buyers who are reliant on social media and are needing plenty of added attention now, at a time when rates are still at historic lows, but inventory has a hard time keeping up with demand.
“Although it’s still a seller’s market, particularly in the lower price points,” notes Castilla, “this is a great time to buy.” He can be reached at 303-601-3431.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.