thedenverpost--2020-08-23--Dodgers blast seven home runs, send reeling Rockies to 12th loss in 14 games

Prior to Sunday afternoon ’ s game at Dodger Stadium , Rockies manager Bud Black was asked to assess his team ’ s mood .
“ There ’ s a level of frustration and a level of , for lack of a better term , anger , of how this happened , ” he said .
“ There ’ s a great deal of fight in this group .
They have a lot of pride.
” One can only imagine the level of frustration and anger after the Dodgers bombed the Rockies , 11-3 , mashing seven home runs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think Buddy said it perfectly , ” all-star shortstop Trevor Story said after the blowout loss .
“ We care so much about this team , about winning , and the belief that we have in ourselves .
But we are not fulfilling that right now .
We are not playing the way that we know we can play .
And that ’ s always frustrating , and it ’ s hard to pinpoint exactly the thing to do to get you back to ( winning ) .
” Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mirage now .
It has lost seven consecutive games and 12 of 14 .
In Los Angeles , the Rockies have been a bigger flop than “ Cats , ” the movie .
L.A. has defeated the Rockies in 16 of the past 17 games at Dodger Stadium , a run of futility at an opponents ’ ballpark unmatched in Rockies history .
With struggling right-hander Ross Stripling on the mound for L.A. , and with Senzatela entering the game 3-0 with a 3.90 ERA , Colorado seemed to have a pregame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his first five outings this season , Senzatela had served up only two home runs .
But with his pitches floating up in the zone , the Dodgers ’ merry band of sluggers feasted .
The right-hander became the ninth Rockies pitcher to allow four homers in a road game and the first Colorado pitcher to give up four at Dodger Stadium .
The Dodgers ’ home runs off Senzatela , in order : Corey Seager , solo in the first ; Mookie Betts , solo in the second , Kike Hernandez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cody Bellinger , solo in the sixth .
The Dodgers ’ other homers : Will Smith off Tyler Kinley in the seventh ; a solo shot by Max Muncy off Ashton Goudeau in the eighth ; and a two-run blast by Betts in the eighth , who now has 11 this season .
That the Dodgers played Home Run Derby vs. the Rockies should come as no surprise .
After all , the Dodgers ’ 44 homers vs. Colorado last season tied for the most home runs vs. an opponent in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Rockies , believe it or not , tied the game 2-all in the fourth on Ryan McMahon ’ s solo homer off Stripling , but the Dodgers counter-punched with Hernandez ’ s three-run job off Senzatela in the bottom of the frame .
Senzatela was close to escaping with no damage .
Muncy hit a sharp grounder into the hole where first baseman Daniel Murphy attempted to make a diving stop , but , instead , the ball glanced off his glove for a two-out base hit .
Had Murphy not touched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have had an easy play .
Instead , Hernandez jumped on Senzatela ’ s mph fastball and launched it into the right-field seats .
“ That was probably the key inning of the game , ” Black said .
” ‘ Senza ’ had two outs , nobody on and was throwing the ball well .
I thought that was the turning point , making a 2-2 ballgame a 5-2 game.
” A mental error by Murphy changed the tenor of the game in the second inning .
Murphy was perched on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nobody out when Rodgers hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Matt Beaty .
Murphy bolted for home and was quickly tagged out .
Black noted , however , that McMahon should have run behind Murphy , between second and third , to force the action and possibly end up at third base instead of staying at second .
Colorado hit three solo home runs to account for all of its scoring .
Story muscled a home run into the left-field seats in the third , his eighth .
With his 131st career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 130 ) for sole possession of 10th place on the Rockies ’ all-time list .
Rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard drove a solo shot to right in the ninth , his third of the season .
The Rockies open a four-game series at Arizona on Monday night .

Prior to Sunday afternoon’s game at Dodger Stadium, Rockies manager Bud Black was asked to assess his team’s mood.
“There’s a level of frustration and a level of, for lack of a better term, anger, of how this happened,” he said. “There’s a great deal of fight in this group. They have a lot of pride.”
One can only imagine the level of frustration and anger after the Dodgers bombed the Rockies, 11-3, mashing seven home runs, four of them off starter Antonio Senzatela.
“I think Buddy said it perfectly,” all-star shortstop Trevor Story said after the blowout loss. “We care so much about this team, about winning, and the belief that we have in ourselves. But we are not fulfilling that right now. We are not playing the way that we know we can play. And that’s always frustrating, and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly the thing to do to get you back to (winning).”
Colorado’s sizzling 11-3 start looks like a mirage now.
It has lost seven consecutive games and 12 of 14. In Los Angeles, the Rockies have been a bigger flop than “Cats,” the movie. L.A. has defeated the Rockies in 16 of the past 17 games at Dodger Stadium, a run of futility at an opponents’ ballpark unmatched in Rockies history.
With struggling right-hander Ross Stripling on the mound for L.A., and with Senzatela entering the game 3-0 with a 3.90 ERA, Colorado seemed to have a pregame edge. What’s more, in his first five outings this season, Senzatela had served up only two home runs.
But with his pitches floating up in the zone, the Dodgers’ merry band of sluggers feasted. The right-hander became the ninth Rockies pitcher to allow four homers in a road game and the first Colorado pitcher to give up four at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers’ home runs off Senzatela, in order: Corey Seager, solo in the first; Mookie Betts, solo in the second, Kike Hernandez, three-run blast in the fourth; and Cody Bellinger, solo in the sixth. The Dodgers’ other homers: Will Smith off Tyler Kinley in the seventh; a solo shot by Max Muncy off Ashton Goudeau in the eighth; and a two-run blast by Betts in the eighth, who now has 11 this season.
That the Dodgers played Home Run Derby vs. the Rockies should come as no surprise. After all, the Dodgers’ 44 homers vs. Colorado last season tied for the most home runs vs. an opponent in a single season in National League history.
The Rockies, believe it or not, tied the game 2-all in the fourth on Ryan McMahon’s solo homer off Stripling, but the Dodgers counter-punched with Hernandez’s three-run job off Senzatela in the bottom of the frame.
Senzatela was close to escaping with no damage. Muncy hit a sharp grounder into the hole where first baseman Daniel Murphy attempted to make a diving stop, but, instead, the ball glanced off his glove for a two-out base hit. Had Murphy not touched the ball, second baseman Brendan Rodgers would have had an easy play. Instead, Hernandez jumped on Senzatela’s mph fastball and launched it into the right-field seats.
“That was probably the key inning of the game,” Black said. ” ‘Senza’ had two outs, nobody on and was throwing the ball well. I thought that was the turning point, making a 2-2 ballgame a 5-2 game.”
A mental error by Murphy changed the tenor of the game in the second inning. Murphy was perched on third and McMahon was on second with nobody out when Rodgers hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Matt Beaty. Murphy bolted for home and was quickly tagged out. Black noted, however, that McMahon should have run behind Murphy, between second and third, to force the action and possibly end up at third base instead of staying at second.
Colorado hit three solo home runs to account for all of its scoring.
Story muscled a home run into the left-field seats in the third, his eighth. With his 131st career home run, Story passed Matt Holliday (130) for sole possession of 10th place on the Rockies’ all-time list. Rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard drove a solo shot to right in the ninth, his third of the season.
The Rockies open a four-game series at Arizona on Monday night.


thedenverpost--2020-08-23--New 100-acre wildfire forces evacuations in Park County

A new wildfire about 100 acres in size in Park County prompted the evacuation of two nearby subdivisions Sunday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ burning about two miles southwest of Tarryall , and was reported at 1 p.m. Sunday @ @ @ @ @ the Webber Park area were evacuated , according to the U.S. Forest Service .
Firefighting @ @ @ @ @ the air and the ground .
The fire is one of several burning across the @ @ @ @ @ conditions and hot weather .

A new wildfire about 150 acres in size in Park County prompted the evacuation of two nearby subdivisions Sunday afternoon.
The Thorpe fire is burning about 2 miles southwest of Tarryall, and was reported at 1 p.m. Sunday. Two nearby subdivisions in the Webber Park area were evacuated, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Firefighting is going on from both the air and the ground.
The fire is one of several burning across the state, fueled by drought conditions and hot weather.


thedenverpost--2020-08-23--Sato wins 2nd Indy 500 under caution at empty track

INDIANAPOLIS — Takuma Sato snatched a second Indianapolis 500 victory at empty Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday as the Japanese racer held off Scott Dixon and ultimately won under caution .
IndyCar officials declined to throw a red flag after a violent crash by Spencer Pigot with just a handful of laps remaining .
Pigot needed medical attention on the track , the crash scene was a debris field and there was no way the race could resume without a stoppage .
Dixon , the five-time IndyCar champion who had dominated the race , asked on his radio if IndyCar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final shootout to the checkered flag , NASCAR style .
“ Are they going red ?
” Dixon asked .
“ They ’ ve got to go red .
There ’ s no way they can clean that up.
” IndyCar never threw the flag and Sato led Dixon across the finish line under yellow .
Sato became the first Japanese winner of the Indy 500 in 2017 .
Dixon was second and Graham Rahal , Sato ’ s teammate at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing , was third .
It was Pigot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the controversial finish .

INDIANAPOLIS — Takuma Sato snatched a second Indianapolis 500 victory at empty Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday as the Japanese racer held off Scott Dixon and ultimately won under caution.
IndyCar officials declined to throw a red flag after a violent crash by Spencer Pigot with just a handful of laps remaining. Pigot needed medical attention on the track, the crash scene was a debris field and there was no way the race could resume without a stoppage.
Dixon, the five-time IndyCar champion who had dominated the race, asked on his radio if IndyCar was going to give the drivers a final shootout to the checkered flag, NASCAR style.
“Are they going red?” Dixon asked. “They’ve got to go red. There’s no way they can clean that up.”
IndyCar never threw the flag and Sato led Dixon across the finish line under yellow.
Sato became the first Japanese winner of the Indy 500 in 2017. Dixon was second and Graham Rahal, Sato’s teammate at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, was third.
It was Pigot, the third Rahal driver, who crashed for the controversial finish.


thedenverpost--2020-08-23--Are you seeing — and smelling — dead fish in lakes around Denver? Here’s why

If you ’ ve been spending time around ponds and lakes in the Denver metro area recently , you may @ @ @ @ @ — dead fish .
Jason Clay with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said there could be @ @ @ @ @ Heat or an algae bloom .
He said this time of year , when temperatures @ @ @ @ @ high 90s , the oxygen is low in the waterways , killing the fish .
@ @ @ @ @ water temperatures rising , it causes a big drop-off in oxygen levels in the water @ @ @ @ @ do die as a result , ” he explained .
The other possibility is an @ @ @ @ @ more oxygen out of the water , he said .
These blooms are most common @ @ @ @ @ still bodies of water .
Read the full story from our partner at thedenverchannel.com .

If you’ve been spending time around ponds and lakes in the Denver metro area recently, you may be seeing — and smelling — dead fish.
Jason Clay with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said there could be two factors at play: Heat or an algae bloom.
He said this time of year, when temperatures are regularly soaring into the high 90s, the oxygen is low in the waterways, killing the fish.
“With the heat and water temperatures rising, it causes a big drop-off in oxygen levels in the water and certain fish or species do die as a result,” he explained.
The other possibility is an algae bloom, which suck more oxygen out of the water, he said. These blooms are most common in the late summer in still bodies of water.
Read the full story from our partner at thedenverchannel.com.


thedenverpost--2020-08-23--Emails show businesses held sway over some state reopening plans

As South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster prepared to announce the end of a coronavirus stay-at-home order , his top staff received an email from the state health department .
The message , highlighted in bold , was clear : Wait longer before allowing customers back inside restaurants , hair salons and other businesses where people will be in close contact .
Instead , McMaster pressed ahead with a plan written by the state restaurant association to resume inside dining on May 11 .
The guidelines made masks optional for employees and allowed more customers inside than the health agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Republican governor opened the doors to salons , fitness centers and swimming pools .
He did not wait to gauge the effect of the restaurant reopening on the virus , as public health officials had suggested .
Like many states , South Carolina later experienced a surge in infections that forced McMaster to dial back his reopening plan .
He was hardly alone .
Thousands of pages of emails provided to The Associated Press under open-records laws show that governors across the U.S. were inundated with reopening advice from a wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire to car washes in Washington .
Some governors put economic interests ahead of public health guidance , and certain businesses were allowed to write the rules that would govern their own operations .
As job losses accelerated , the pressure to reopen intensified .
“ Attraction folks are on me like white on rice , ” McMaster ’ s tourism director wrote to the head of the governor ’ s reopening task force , describing lobbying from amusement parks , bingo halls and other entertainment venues .
Though governors often work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emails offer a new window into their decisions during a critical early juncture in the nation ’ s battle against the pandemic .
Many governors chose to reopen before their states met all the nationally recommended health guidelines , which include a sustained downward rate of infection and robust testing and contact tracing .
“ The interest in trying to reopen and restart economic activity had a much greater pull at the time … than did public health concerns or question marks about how it would go , ” said Anita Cicero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University Center for Health Security .
Many states were forced to halt or roll back their reopening plans as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country this summer , and the number of infections and deaths in the U.S. far outpaced those of any other country .
In early August , McMaster transformed his restaurant guidelines into requirements , including a mandate that all diners and employees wear masks .
The governor ’ s spokesman , Brian Symmes , said “ some restaurants weren ’ t doing what they needed to do.
” Symmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor “ has a wider scope of responsibility and focus than our public health officials.
” “ It simply isn ’ t the government ’ s job to put its thumb on the scale by shuttering these small businesses for an undefined and indefinite period of time , ” Symmes said .
Two weeks after North Dakota reopened , Republican Gov .
Doug Burgum received a report showing a single-day spike of 69 new COVID-19 cases in one county .
Burgum fired off an email to several of his top officials complaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily COVID-19 testing — was “ driving our state numbers in the wrong direction.
” “ Our house is on fire , ” Burgum wrote , accompanied by a fire emoji .
“ Need to drive a much greater sense of urgency and action.
” North Dakota was among at least 15 states that provided records to the AP at no cost .
A few states wanted hundreds or thousands of dollars to supply copies of the communications that could reveal how governors were making decisions — and which voices influenced them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses to open-records requests because of the coronavirus .
Three months after submitting its request , the AP is still awaiting records from many states , including California , Texas and Florida , which have the greatest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases .
“ In a pandemic , you need more transparency , more information — not less of either one of those , ” said Dan Bevarly , executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition .
As she was putting the finishing touches on a reopening plan in May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter from a coalition of business groups pressing for more say in the process .
Two hours later , the head of the state hospital association wrote urging the Democrat to mandate masks as “ foundational to any business opening where people will be gathered , indoors or out.
” At first , Brown required masks only for employees of certain businesses , but she had to reverse course as COVID-19 cases rose over the summer .
She became one of 34 governors to impose statewide mask mandates .
In Washington state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators all had a role in the rules affecting their businesses , according to the emails provided by Democratic Gov .
Jay Inslee ’ s administration .
Lance Odermat , vice president of Brown Bear Car Wash in Seattle , said he was frustrated that car washes were not exempt from Inslee ’ s order shutting down many businesses in March .
But Odermat continued to plead his case .
He was included in a car-wash reopening group and sent the administration the company ’ s internal plan for reopening with coronavirus precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy , “ it seemed like a lot of those guidelines were taken directly from our operating plan , ” Odermat said .
In North Carolina , the head of a restaurant association sent a copy of the group ’ s reopening plan to Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s chief of staff on April 24 and warned in a letter the following week that the outlook for restaurants “ becomes more dire ” with each passing day .
She also served on a state task force that helped shape the guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dining to resume with up to 50 % of fire-code capacity and tables spaced at least 6 feet apart .
The tensions between economic and health interests were evident in New Hampshire in a decision allowing campgrounds to open with restricted capacities .
Margaret Byrnes , executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association , urged Republican Gov .
Chris Sununu ’ s administration to keep campgrounds closed because of concerns they could attract visitors from areas with higher coronavirus caseloads .
She also wanted cities to have a greater voice on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There was a lot of business and industry representation , which is really important in the reopening process , but it needed to be balanced with some local municipal representation , ” Byrnes said .
Sununu ’ s policy director , D.J .
Bettencourt , said municipalities were represented on the task force through lawmakers who doubled as local officials .
He said opening campgrounds on May 1 was “ an essential aspect of ensuring housing ” for some health care workers and guarding against homelessness .
Back in South Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parks , Recreation and Tourism said in an April 27 email that he had asked the restaurant association to “ create a plan for the ‘ new dining room ’ ” guidelines .
The association proposed to resume indoor dining May 11 , according to the email .
On May 1 , the health department chief of staff emailed the governor ’ s top staff saying the agency recommended waiting until May 18 to resume indoor dining .
The agency also recommended a 25 % capacity limit for restaurants , with no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks for employees .
But the governor ’ s final plan , announced a week later , stuck with the May 11 start date , a 50 % capacity guideline and up to eight people per table .
There were no mandates , and the entire policy was only a suggestion .
How closely did McMaster ’ s restaurant guidelines mirror the industry ’ s plan ?
“ Oh , it was exactly , ” said Douglas OFlaherty , vice president of the restaurant organization .
“ He basically said , ‘ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recommendations are , you should follow.
’ ” Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

As South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster prepared to announce the end of a coronavirus stay-at-home order, his top staff received an email from the state health department.
The message, highlighted in bold, was clear: Wait longer before allowing customers back inside restaurants, hair salons and other businesses where people will be in close contact.
Instead, McMaster pressed ahead with a plan written by the state restaurant association to resume inside dining on May 11. The guidelines made masks optional for employees and allowed more customers inside than the health agency had advised.
A few days later, the Republican governor opened the doors to salons, fitness centers and swimming pools. He did not wait to gauge the effect of the restaurant reopening on the virus, as public health officials had suggested. Like many states, South Carolina later experienced a surge in infections that forced McMaster to dial back his reopening plan.
He was hardly alone. Thousands of pages of emails provided to The Associated Press under open-records laws show that governors across the U.S. were inundated with reopening advice from a wide range of industries — from campgrounds in New Hampshire to car washes in Washington. Some governors put economic interests ahead of public health guidance, and certain businesses were allowed to write the rules that would govern their own operations.
As job losses accelerated, the pressure to reopen intensified.
“Attraction folks are on me like white on rice,” McMaster’s tourism director wrote to the head of the governor’s reopening task force, describing lobbying from amusement parks, bingo halls and other entertainment venues.
Though governors often work with business leaders to craft policy, the emails offer a new window into their decisions during a critical early juncture in the nation’s battle against the pandemic. Many governors chose to reopen before their states met all the nationally recommended health guidelines, which include a sustained downward rate of infection and robust testing and contact tracing.
“The interest in trying to reopen and restart economic activity had a much greater pull at the time … than did public health concerns or question marks about how it would go,” said Anita Cicero, deputy director of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security.
Many states were forced to halt or roll back their reopening plans as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country this summer, and the number of infections and deaths in the U.S. far outpaced those of any other country.
In early August, McMaster transformed his restaurant guidelines into requirements, including a mandate that all diners and employees wear masks. The governor’s spokesman, Brian Symmes, said “some restaurants weren’t doing what they needed to do.”
Symmes also defended the spring reopening, saying the governor “has a wider scope of responsibility and focus than our public health officials.”
“It simply isn’t the government’s job to put its thumb on the scale by shuttering these small businesses for an undefined and indefinite period of time,” Symmes said.
Two weeks after North Dakota reopened, Republican Gov. Doug Burgum received a report showing a single-day spike of 69 new COVID-19 cases in one county. Burgum fired off an email to several of his top officials complaining that the outbreak — combined with lower-than-promised daily COVID-19 testing — was “driving our state numbers in the wrong direction.”
“Our house is on fire,” Burgum wrote, accompanied by a fire emoji. “Need to drive a much greater sense of urgency and action.”
North Dakota was among at least 15 states that provided records to the AP at no cost. A few states wanted hundreds or thousands of dollars to supply copies of the communications that could reveal how governors were making decisions — and which voices influenced them the most.
Some states suspended or slowed responses to open-records requests because of the coronavirus. Three months after submitting its request, the AP is still awaiting records from many states, including California, Texas and Florida, which have the greatest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“In a pandemic, you need more transparency, more information — not less of either one of those,” said Dan Bevarly, executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
As she was putting the finishing touches on a reopening plan in May, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown received a letter from a coalition of business groups pressing for more say in the process. Two hours later, the head of the state hospital association wrote urging the Democrat to mandate masks as “foundational to any business opening where people will be gathered, indoors or out.”
At first, Brown required masks only for employees of certain businesses, but she had to reverse course as COVID-19 cases rose over the summer. She became one of 34 governors to impose statewide mask mandates.
In Washington state, landscapers, dog walkers and car wash operators all had a role in the rules affecting their businesses, according to the emails provided by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration.
Lance Odermat, vice president of Brown Bear Car Wash in Seattle, said he was frustrated that car washes were not exempt from Inslee’s order shutting down many businesses in March. But Odermat continued to plead his case. He was included in a car-wash reopening group and sent the administration the company’s internal plan for reopening with coronavirus precautions.
When the governor released his reopening strategy, “it seemed like a lot of those guidelines were taken directly from our operating plan,” Odermat said.
In North Carolina, the head of a restaurant association sent a copy of the group’s reopening plan to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s chief of staff on April 24 and warned in a letter the following week that the outlook for restaurants “becomes more dire” with each passing day. She also served on a state task force that helped shape the guidelines Cooper eventually issued, which allowed in-person dining to resume with up to 50% of fire-code capacity and tables spaced at least 6 feet apart.
The tensions between economic and health interests were evident in New Hampshire in a decision allowing campgrounds to open with restricted capacities.
Margaret Byrnes, executive director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, urged Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s administration to keep campgrounds closed because of concerns they could attract visitors from areas with higher coronavirus caseloads. She also wanted cities to have a greater voice on the governor’s reopening task force.
“There was a lot of business and industry representation, which is really important in the reopening process, but it needed to be balanced with some local municipal representation,” Byrnes said.
Sununu’s policy director, D.J. Bettencourt, said municipalities were represented on the task force through lawmakers who doubled as local officials. He said opening campgrounds on May 1 was “an essential aspect of ensuring housing” for some health care workers and guarding against homelessness.
Back in South Carolina, the director of the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism said in an April 27 email that he had asked the restaurant association to “create a plan for the ‘new dining room’” guidelines. The association proposed to resume indoor dining May 11, according to the email.
On May 1, the health department chief of staff emailed the governor’s top staff saying the agency recommended waiting until May 18 to resume indoor dining. The agency also recommended a 25% capacity limit for restaurants, with no more than six people per table and mandatory masks for employees.
But the governor’s final plan, announced a week later, stuck with the May 11 start date, a 50% capacity guideline and up to eight people per table. There were no mandates, and the entire policy was only a suggestion.
How closely did McMaster’s restaurant guidelines mirror the industry’s plan?
“Oh, it was exactly,” said Douglas OFlaherty, vice president of the restaurant organization. “He basically said, ‘What the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s recommendations are, you should follow.’”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-08-23--Trump announces plasma treatment authorized for COVID-19

WASHINGTON — After expressing frustration at the slow pace of approval for coronavirus treatments , President Donald Trump announced Sunday the emergency authorization of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients .
The announcement came after days of White House officials suggesting there were politically motivated delays by the Food and Drug Administration in approving a vaccine and therapeutics for the disease that has upended Trump ’ s reelection chances .
On the eve of the Republican National Convention , Trump issued the emergency order — it would make it easier for some patients to obtain the treatment — in a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House officials .
The blood plasma , taken from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and rich in antibodies , may provide benefits to those battling with the disease .
But the evidence so far has not been conclusive about whether it works , when to administer it and what dose is needed .
In a letter describing the emergency authorization , the chief scientist for the FDA , Denise Hinton , noted : “ COVID-19 convalescent plasma should not be considered a new standard of care for the treatment of patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forthcoming from other analyses and ongoing , well-controlled clinical trials in the coming months.
” The White House had grown agitated with the pace of the plasma approval , but the accusations of a slowdown , which were presented without evidence , were just the latest assault from Trump ’ s team on the “ deep state ” bureaucracy .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows did not deal in specifics , but said that “ we ’ ve looked at a number of people that are not being as diligent as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bottom of it.
” “ This president is about cutting red tape , ” Meadows said in an interview on “ This Week ” on ABC .
“ He had to make sure that they felt the heat .
If they don ’ t see the light , they need to feel the heat because the American people are suffering.
” The push on Sunday came a day after Trump tweeted sharp criticism on the process to treat the virus , which has killed more than 175,000 Americans and imperiled his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunk vast resources into an expedited process to develop a vaccine , and Trump aides have been banking on it being an “ October surprise ” that could help the president make up ground in the polls .
“ The deep state , or whoever , over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Obviously , they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd .
Must focus on speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other infected patients recover .
But it wasn ’ t considered proof .
More than 70,000 patients in the U.S. have been given convalescent plasma , a century-old approach to fend off flu and measles before vaccines .
It ’ s a go-to tactic when new diseases come along , and history suggests it works against some , but not all , infections .
There ’ s no solid evidence yet that it fights the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use it .
The Mayo Clinic reported preliminary data from 35,000 coronavirus patients treated with plasma , and said there were fewer deaths among people given plasma within three days of diagnosis , and also among those given plasma containing the highest levels of virus-fighting antibodies .
But it wasn ’ t a formal study .
The patients were treated in different ways in hospitals around the country as part of an FDA program designed to speed access to the experimental therapy .
That so-called “ expanded access ” program tracks what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not prove the plasma — and not other care they received — was the real reason for improvement .
Administration officials , in a call with reporters Sunday , discussed a benefit for patients who were within three days of admission to a hospital and were not on a respirator , and were given ‘ high-titer ’ convalescent plasma containing higher concentrations of antibodies .
They were then compared to similar patients who were given lower-titer plasma .
The findings suggest deaths were 35 % lower in the high-titer group .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective it is or whether it must be administered fairly early in an illness to make a significant difference , said Dr. William Schaffner , an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University .
Aiming to ward off a possible a run on convalescent plasma after the announcement , government officials have been working to obtain plasma and to team with corporate partners and nonprofit organizations to generate interest among previously infected patients to donate .
The head of the FDA , Stephen Hahn , said Trump did not speak to him about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just before a pivotal week for the president ’ s reelection chances .
Hahn said “ this has been in the works for several weeks ” and came after a data validation for which the agency had been waiting .
Rigorous studies underway around the country are designed to get that proof , by comparing similar patients randomly assigned to get plasma or a dummy infusion in addition to regular care .
But those studies have been difficult to finish as the virus waxes and wanes in different cities .
Also , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a study that might give them a placebo instead .
Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb dismissed the suggestion of a slowdown .
“ I firmly reject the idea they would slow-walk anything or accelerate anything based on any political consideration or any consideration other than what is best for the public health and a real sense of mission to patients , ” Gottlieb told CBS ’ s “ Face the Nation.
” Hundreds of drugs are currently being developed as possible treatments against the coronavirus infection , taking a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ has made all kinds of therapeutic suggestions , ” which have not proven to be supported by science — and are even dangerous , Schaffner said .
That includes statements about the possible value of treating COVID-19 patients with ultraviolet light and bleach .
Trump reportedly also recently became enthusiastic about oleandrin , a plant extract derived from a toxic shrub that scientists immediately warned against .
But the president is perhaps best known for his early and ardent embrace of the malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine .
The FDA in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the drugs for treating COVID .
But in June , the agency revoked the authorization in light of growing evidence they don ’ t work and could cause serious side effects .
Not only that , the FDA warned doctors against prescribing the drugs in combination with remdesivir , a drug that was shown to help patients with COVID-19 .
The FDA said the anti-malaria drugs can reduce the effectiveness of remdesivir , which the FDA cleared for emergency use in May .
Earlier this month , Hahn emphasized that routine evaluation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID vaccine candidates .
“ I think this administration has put more pressure on the Food and Drug Administration than I can remember ” ever happening in the past , Schaffner said .
“ Everybody is just a little bit nervous , ” he said .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

WASHINGTON — After expressing frustration at the slow pace of approval for coronavirus treatments, President Donald Trump announced Sunday the emergency authorization of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients.
The announcement came after days of White House officials suggesting there were politically motivated delays by the Food and Drug Administration in approving a vaccine and therapeutics for the disease that has upended Trump’s reelection chances.
On the eve of the Republican National Convention, Trump issued the emergency order — it would make it easier for some patients to obtain the treatment — in a news conference Sunday evening, according to White House officials.
The blood plasma, taken from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and rich in antibodies, may provide benefits to those battling with the disease. But the evidence so far has not been conclusive about whether it works, when to administer it and what dose is needed.
In a letter describing the emergency authorization, the chief scientist for the FDA, Denise Hinton, noted: “COVID-19 convalescent plasma should not be considered a new standard of care for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Additional data will be forthcoming from other analyses and ongoing, well-controlled clinical trials in the coming months.”
The White House had grown agitated with the pace of the plasma approval, but the accusations of a slowdown, which were presented without evidence, were just the latest assault from Trump’s team on the “deep state” bureaucracy. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows did not deal in specifics, but said that “we’ve looked at a number of people that are not being as diligent as they should be in terms of getting to the bottom of it.”
“This president is about cutting red tape,” Meadows said in an interview on “This Week” on ABC. “He had to make sure that they felt the heat. If they don’t see the light, they need to feel the heat because the American people are suffering.”
The push on Sunday came a day after Trump tweeted sharp criticism on the process to treat the virus, which has killed more than 175,000 Americans and imperiled his reelection chances. The White House has sunk vast resources into an expedited process to develop a vaccine, and Trump aides have been banking on it being an “October surprise” that could help the president make up ground in the polls.
“The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics,” Trump tweeted. “Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!”
Earlier this month, Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other infected patients recover. But it wasn’t considered proof.
More than 70,000 patients in the U.S. have been given convalescent plasma, a century-old approach to fend off flu and measles before vaccines. It’s a go-to tactic when new diseases come along, and history suggests it works against some, but not all, infections.
There’s no solid evidence yet that it fights the coronavirus and, if so, how best to use it.
The Mayo Clinic reported preliminary data from 35,000 coronavirus patients treated with plasma, and said there were fewer deaths among people given plasma within three days of diagnosis, and also among those given plasma containing the highest levels of virus-fighting antibodies.
But it wasn’t a formal study. The patients were treated in different ways in hospitals around the country as part of an FDA program designed to speed access to the experimental therapy. That so-called “expanded access” program tracks what happens to the recipients, but it cannot prove the plasma — and not other care they received — was the real reason for improvement.
Administration officials, in a call with reporters Sunday, discussed a benefit for patients who were within three days of admission to a hospital and were not on a respirator, and were given ‘high-titer’ convalescent plasma containing higher concentrations of antibodies. They were then compared to similar patients who were given lower-titer plasma. The findings suggest deaths were 35% lower in the high-titer group.
There’s been little data on how effective it is or whether it must be administered fairly early in an illness to make a significant difference, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University.
Aiming to ward off a possible a run on convalescent plasma after the announcement, government officials have been working to obtain plasma and to team with corporate partners and nonprofit organizations to generate interest among previously infected patients to donate.
The head of the FDA, Stephen Hahn, said Trump did not speak to him about the timing of the announcement, which comes just before a pivotal week for the president’s reelection chances. Hahn said “this has been in the works for several weeks” and came after a data validation for which the agency had been waiting.
Rigorous studies underway around the country are designed to get that proof, by comparing similar patients randomly assigned to get plasma or a dummy infusion in addition to regular care. But those studies have been difficult to finish as the virus waxes and wanes in different cities. Also, some patients have requested plasma rather than agreeing to a study that might give them a placebo instead.
Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb dismissed the suggestion of a slowdown.
“I firmly reject the idea they would slow-walk anything or accelerate anything based on any political consideration or any consideration other than what is best for the public health and a real sense of mission to patients,” Gottlieb told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Hundreds of drugs are currently being developed as possible treatments against the coronavirus infection, taking a range of approaches.
Trump, in news conferences, “has made all kinds of therapeutic suggestions,” which have not proven to be supported by science — and are even dangerous, Schaffner said. That includes statements about the possible value of treating COVID-19 patients with ultraviolet light and bleach. Trump reportedly also recently became enthusiastic about oleandrin, a plant extract derived from a toxic shrub that scientists immediately warned against.
But the president is perhaps best known for his early and ardent embrace of the malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.
The FDA in late March granted emergency authorization for distribution of the drugs for treating COVID. But in June, the agency revoked the authorization in light of growing evidence they don’t work and could cause serious side effects.
Not only that, the FDA warned doctors against prescribing the drugs in combination with remdesivir, a drug that was shown to help patients with COVID-19. The FDA said the anti-malaria drugs can reduce the effectiveness of remdesivir, which the FDA cleared for emergency use in May.
Earlier this month, Hahn emphasized that routine evaluation procedures will remain in place to evaluate COVID vaccine candidates.
“I think this administration has put more pressure on the Food and Drug Administration than I can remember” ever happening in the past, Schaffner said.
“Everybody is just a little bit nervous,” he said.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-08-23--Avalanche injuries: Philipp Grubauer out for Game 2, Erik Johnson doubtful and Matt Calvert question

Avalanche injuries: Philipp Grubauer out for Game 2, Erik Johnson doubtful and Matt Calvert questionable

The Avalanche , coming off a 5-3 loss Saturday in Game 1 against the Dallas Stars , promises to be better in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series in Edmonton .
But Colorado will have to do so without two key players and possibly a third .
Goalie Philipp Grubauer , who suffered a groin or leg injury early in the second period Saturday , will not be available for Monday night ’ s Game 2 .
Defenseman Erik Johnson , who played sparingly after leaving Game 1 twice with injuries , is doubtful and forward Matt Calvert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Saturday , is listed as “ day-to-day.
” “ These guys are all getting evaluated at some point today so I may have more information tomorrow , ” coach Jared Bednar said after an optional practice in Edmonton .
“ But Grubauer won ’ t be available for tomorrow and I ’ m not expecting Erik Johnson , either , but we ’ ll see.
” Pavel Francouz will replace Gruabuer as the starting goalie and a handful of extra defensemen are candidates to replace Johnson .
Kevin Connauton is the likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2019 first-round draft pick Bo Byram are also available .
Bednar also said he might tinker with his middle-six forwards , who struggled Saturday .
“ We ’ ll discuss all of our options as a coaching staff and management and take a look at how we would use each guy in different scenarios and who we would play them against and try to come up with the best solution to help us win tomorrow night ’ s game and we ’ ll go from there , ” the coach said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Francouz will be backed up by trade-deadline acquisition Michael Hutchinson for Game 2 and beyond .
Bednar said the team is trying to add Hunter Miska to the Edmonton bubble as an available third-string goalie .
The Avalanche had 17 turnovers and just 11 takeaways in Game 1 and continually struggled moving the puck up ice from the defensive zone .
The Stars ’ forecheck and strong neutral-zone defense was the primary cause , but Bednar didn ’ t like his team ’ s decision-making and compete level for most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , ” he said .
“ There ’ s certainly some things we can do much better on our breakouts , helping our defensemen and I did say last night our D had a tough night and I ’ ll stick with that after looking at some of the video .
I know we can be better at making some plays that are there and not looking off our first option .
We over-complicated things as a group back there and we knew we didn ’ t skate real well.
” Defenseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both minus-3 in Game 1 and likely among “ half ” of the Avs players Bednar said did “ not show up to play.
” “ They come hard .
They read the play well and they reload it really well , ” Cole said of the Stars on Sunday .
“ So it ’ s up to us as a five-man group to obviously handle that pressure , make plays , get out of there as quickly as we can and get off to the races .
… They ’ re obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their structure and they played that way .
“ We ’ ve just got to figure out a way to break it.
” Footnote .
The Avs will begin introducing morning skates Monday because Game 2 is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m. To this point , all nine Avalanche playoff games have begun mid-day , afternoon or 6 p.m. so the team didn ’ t have morning skates .

The Avalanche, coming off a 5-3 loss Saturday in Game 1 against the Dallas Stars, promises to be better in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series in Edmonton.
But Colorado will have to do so without two key players and possibly a third.
Goalie Philipp Grubauer, who suffered a groin or leg injury early in the second period Saturday, will not be available for Monday night’s Game 2. Defenseman Erik Johnson, who played sparingly after leaving Game 1 twice with injuries, is doubtful and forward Matt Calvert, who was “unfit to play” Saturday, is listed as “day-to-day.”
“These guys are all getting evaluated at some point today so I may have more information tomorrow,” coach Jared Bednar said after an optional practice in Edmonton. “But Grubauer won’t be available for tomorrow and I’m not expecting Erik Johnson, either, but we’ll see.”
Pavel Francouz will replace Gruabuer as the starting goalie and a handful of extra defensemen are candidates to replace Johnson. Kevin Connauton is the likely addition but Mark Barberio, Conor Timmins and 2019 first-round draft pick Bo Byram are also available.
Bednar also said he might tinker with his middle-six forwards, who struggled Saturday.
“We’ll discuss all of our options as a coaching staff and management and take a look at how we would use each guy in different scenarios and who we would play them against and try to come up with the best solution to help us win tomorrow night’s game and we’ll go from there,” the coach said. “All options certainly on the table.”
Francouz will be backed up by trade-deadline acquisition Michael Hutchinson for Game 2 and beyond. Bednar said the team is trying to add Hunter Miska to the Edmonton bubble as an available third-string goalie.
The Avalanche had 17 turnovers and just 11 takeaways in Game 1 and continually struggled moving the puck up ice from the defensive zone. The Stars’ forecheck and strong neutral-zone defense was the primary cause, but Bednar didn’t like his team’s decision-making and compete level for most of the game.
“Dallas was coming at us,” he said. “There’s certainly some things we can do much better on our breakouts, helping our defensemen and I did say last night our D had a tough night and I’ll stick with that after looking at some of the video. I know we can be better at making some plays that are there and not looking off our first option. We over-complicated things as a group back there and we knew we didn’t skate real well.”
Defenseman Ian Cole and forward Andre Burakovsky were both minus-3 in Game 1 and likely among “half” of the Avs players Bednar said did “not show up to play.”
“They come hard. They read the play well and they reload it really well,” Cole said of the Stars on Sunday. “So it’s up to us as a five-man group to obviously handle that pressure, make plays, get out of there as quickly as we can and get off to the races. … They’re obviously a good team that is confident in their structure and they played that way.
“We’ve just got to figure out a way to break it.”
Footnote. The Avs will begin introducing morning skates Monday because Game 2 is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m. To this point, all nine Avalanche playoff games have begun mid-day, afternoon or 6 p.m. so the team didn’t have morning skates.


thedenverpost--2020-08-24--I-70 reopens through Glenwood Canyon after unprecedented 2-week Grizzly Creek fire closure

Colorado transportation officials reopened Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon on Monday morning following an unprecedented two-week closure of the highway due to the Grizzly Peak fire , the second largest of the four major wildfires burning across the state .
The interstate had been shut down in both directions between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum since Aug. 10 , the day the wildfire erupted in the canyon .
It was the longest-ever closure for that stretch of the heavily trafficked east-west corridor , forcing motorists to detour to the north via Interstate 80 or the south on U.S. 285 and U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the reopening of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon on its website at 6:19 a.m. Monday .
On Thursday , CDOT officials had said they expected to reopen the roadway in days , not weeks , as crews worked to repair any damage to the highway from falling rocks and other debris caused by the fire .
Officials said it did not appear the fire itself had caused extensive damage to the interstate .
As of Sunday evening , firefighters had achieved 31 % containment of the Grizzly Creek fire , which has burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square miles .

Colorado transportation officials reopened Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon on Monday morning following an unprecedented two-week closure of the highway due to the Grizzly Peak fire, the second largest of the four major wildfires burning across the state.
The interstate had been shut down in both directions between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum since Aug. 10, the day the wildfire erupted in the canyon. It was the longest-ever closure for that stretch of the heavily trafficked east-west corridor, forcing motorists to detour to the north via Interstate 80 or the south on U.S. 285 and U.S. 50.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced what it is calling a “limited reopening” of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon on its website at 6:19 a.m. Monday.
Drivers traveling through the canyon will find lower speed limits and should expect safety closures in the event of weather, CDOT officials said in a news release. “Even minimal amounts of rain could trigger mudslides, debris flows or rock slides in the burn area,” officials said.
Motorists also will not be able to stop at the multiple rest areas throughout the canyon, which will remain closed due to falling rocks and other hazards, authorities said.
CDOT officials also anticipate future closures of the canyon to repair infrastructure, including replacing power poles through aerial operations.
Drivers should plan for longer travel times through the canyon because of a detour in place on the eastbound deck between the Hanging Lake and No Name tunnels, similar to the construction detour this summer during the Glenwood Canyon Phase 7 project, CDOT said.
The bike path along Glenwood Canyon remains closed, according to CDOT, and rafting and other water recreation along the Colorado River through the canyon is also prohibited.
On Thursday, CDOT officials had said they expected to reopen the roadway in days, not weeks, as crews worked to repair any damage to the highway from falling rocks and other debris caused by the fire.
Officials said it did not appear the fire itself had caused extensive damage to the interstate.
As of Sunday evening, firefighters had achieved 31% containment of the Grizzly Creek fire, which has burned across 30,362 acres, or about 47 square miles.


thedenverpost--2020-08-24--Denver weather: Record heat, poor air quality persist Monday

Sunday saw record-tying heat in Denver and Monday is set to see the same .
Yesterday ’ s high of 98 degrees tied the record set in 2011 .
Monday ’ s high is also expected to hit 98 degrees to tie another 2011 record — making this the 64th 90-degree day this year , the National Weather Service said .
2020 is the second highest year for the number of days above 90 degrees , trailing 2012 when there were 73 90-degree days .
Air quality continues to be poor as wildfires in Colorado and California cause smoky skies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an air quality alert through 4 p.m. today , encouraging sensitive groups to avoid outdoors activities .
The low today will drop to 67 degrees , according to the NWS in Boulder .
Winds could gust as high as 18 mph in the area with a 10 % chance of rain showers .
The rest of the week will see continued heat , smoky skies and poor air quality .
Tuesday ’ s high is expected to hit 97 degrees with a low of 66 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a high of 95 and a low of 66 degrees .
Thursday will have a high of 95 and a low of 64 degrees .
Friday is the week ’ s best chance to break the 90-degree streak with a forecast high of 86 degrees and a chance of afternoon showers .

Sunday saw record-tying heat in Denver and Monday is set to see the same. Yesterday’s high of 98 degrees tied the record set in 2011. Monday’s high is also expected to hit 98 degrees to tie another 2011 record — making this the 64th 90-degree day this year, the National Weather Service said. 2020 is the second highest year for the number of days above 90 degrees, trailing 2012 when there were 73 90-degree days.
Air quality continues to be poor as wildfires in Colorado and California cause smoky skies over the Front Range. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued an air quality alert through 4 p.m. today, encouraging sensitive groups to avoid outdoors activities.
Another day of hot temperatures, smoky skies, high fire danger, and poor air quality today. Isolated showers/storms with gusty winds and only a brief period of light rain/sprinkles will develop this afternoon. High temperatures will be at or near record levels. #COwx pic.twitter.com/ghmhvM7l8l — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) August 24, 2020
The low today will drop to 67 degrees, according to the NWS in Boulder. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph in the area with a 10% chance of rain showers.
The rest of the week will see continued heat, smoky skies and poor air quality. Tuesday’s high is expected to hit 97 degrees with a low of 66. Wednesday is expected to be similar with a high of 95 and a low of 66 degrees. Thursday will have a high of 95 and a low of 64 degrees.
Friday is the week’s best chance to break the 90-degree streak with a forecast high of 86 degrees and a chance of afternoon showers.


thedenverpost--2020-08-24--As Colorado’s college campuses reopen, schools look to students to help control COVID-19

The move by several major universities last week to switch to remote learning in the face of campus COVID-19 infections is a good reminder that the best laid plans of Buffs and Rams have the potential to go awry .
The University of North Carolina , Michigan State University and the University of Notre Dame responded to clusters of new coronavirus cases by at least temporarily shutting down in-person learning .
With the fall semester beginning this week at the University of Colorado , Colorado State University , the University of Northern Colorado and other campuses around the state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fate .
And they ’ re looking to their students to help accomplish that .
“ There ’ s no one-size-fits-all answer to this , ” said Ken McConnellogue , spokesman for CU ’ s four-campus system .
“ We ’ re all doing similar things , but the situations are different .
If there is a common denominator across our campuses or nationally , it ’ s that students have it in their hands to a great degree how successful this can be .
We can do all we can on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off campus or in the community , we can ’ t monitor them or control them.
” Similarly , Colorado State University President Joyce McConnell issued a sharply worded statement last week to CSU students , saying she knew most of them were responsible , caring and empathetic .
“ However , some of you are not , ” McConnell wrote .
“ To those of you who are not compliant with state , county and university health protocols : You may be the reason someone loses their life … If each and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on campus or off , does not act to mitigate transmission , we will return to remote operations this semester.
” In Boulder , home to CU ’ s flagship campus and the state ’ s largest university , Chana Goussetis , spokeswoman for Boulder County Public Health , said the health agency would prefer that thousands of students from across the country weren ’ t coming into the city right now .
But she understands the need to reopen the campus , which went virtual in March as the pandemic spread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease perspective , it ’ s a lot more work , it ’ s a lot harder , a lot more risk for students to come back , ” Goussetis said .
“ That said , there is a lot of hardship and impact to our community if CU isn ’ t open — all the jobs , the mental health impacts … it wouldn ’ t be easier for us in terms of people losing jobs and not being able to see doctors and all of the things that could come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goussetis said her biggest concern about CU re-opening is off-campus social gatherings — something Gov .
Jared Polis also noted at a news conference on Friday .
“ We ’ re worried about the socializing that ’ s customary and a meaningful part of the college experience , ” he said .
But overall , Goussetis said she feels confident in the CU ’ s plan to re-open .
“ They have done a ton , ” Goussetis said .
“ We ’ ve been working really closely with CU , CU Boulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neighbors on ( University ) Hill .
We ’ ve all been meeting , talking about messaging about enforcement actions and outreach events , so there ’ s been a ton going on all in partnership.
” Tracy Ferrell , a senior instructor in CU Boulder ’ s Program for Writing and Rhetoric , said she understands many people have been working hard to prepare the campus for students ’ return .
Still , after checking on her teaching space days before her semester begins Monday , Ferrell said she has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ferrell was assigned to teach in a theater on campus for social distancing purposes and is tasked with figuring out how her 18-person discussion class will have small group conversations when some students are seated up in a balcony and others below .
While signs encouraging the campus to wash and sanitize hands dotted the university grounds , Ferrell said every hand sanitizer dispenser she tried was empty .
Candace Smith , a CU spokeswoman , said there were supply chain challenges with getting cleaning supplies , but that dispensers would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies needed for the semester were accounted for now .
“ I realize there are people trying really hard and that they ’ ve spent a lot of money , and I ’ m not denigrating the work of the people working hard to get everything done , but the administration needs to pony up and say , ‘ Look , we made the wrong decision .
What looks right in May no longer looks right , and we ’ re just going to move things online , ’ ” Ferrell said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed on the students , and they ’ re adults , so they should shoulder some of the blame , but at the same time , it ultimately comes down to the administration and the decisions they make and what ’ s safe for everybody.
” Joanne Addison , chair of the CU Faculty Council , said she was concerned the university hadn ’ t issued specific benchmarks outlining what would trigger a switch to remote learning .
When The Denver Post asked whether the COVID-19 death of a student , staff or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote learning , Smith did not answer the question .
“ There are several factors that would influence whether CU Boulder would move to remote learning , including but not limited to how well are our protocols working ; compliance ; our response and trends , specifically numbers of positive cases and capacity of isolation spaces , ” Smith said .
“ There are also factors outside of our control that could influence decisions regarding modes of operation such as county or state health guidance.
” Goussetis said there is no magic number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a switch to fully remote learning , but that the public health agency and university would be monitoring to see whether they ’ re able to keep up with testing and contract tracing .
CU has been testing students as they move into the dorms , and recorded 13 positive cases last week out of 2,096 students tested .
CU has set aside housing on the Boulder campus for quarantining such students .
Fort Lewis College in Durango on Friday announced it had placed seven people in isolation after four tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And 155 students in a Colorado College dorm have been quarantined after one of them tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ If we ’ re starting to see more than 20 cases a day , that might be beyond our scope , ” Goussetis said of CU .

The move by several major universities last week to switch to remote learning in the face of campus COVID-19 infections is a good reminder that the best laid plans of Buffs and Rams have the potential to go awry.
The University of North Carolina, Michigan State University and the University of Notre Dame responded to clusters of new coronavirus cases by at least temporarily shutting down in-person learning.
With the fall semester beginning this week at the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado and other campuses around the state, higher-education leaders are hoping to avoid that fate. And they’re looking to their students to help accomplish that.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this,” said Ken McConnellogue, spokesman for CU’s four-campus system. “We’re all doing similar things, but the situations are different. If there is a common denominator across our campuses or nationally, it’s that students have it in their hands to a great degree how successful this can be. We can do all we can on our campuses, but when they’re off campus or in the community, we can’t monitor them or control them.”
Similarly, Colorado State University President Joyce McConnell issued a sharply worded statement last week to CSU students, saying she knew most of them were responsible, caring and empathetic.
“However, some of you are not,” McConnell wrote. “To those of you who are not compliant with state, county and university health protocols: You may be the reason someone loses their life … If each and every one of you, whether living on campus or off, does not act to mitigate transmission, we will return to remote operations this semester.”
In Boulder, home to CU’s flagship campus and the state’s largest university, Chana Goussetis, spokeswoman for Boulder County Public Health, said the health agency would prefer that thousands of students from across the country weren’t coming into the city right now. But she understands the need to reopen the campus, which went virtual in March as the pandemic spread.
“From a strictly public health communicable disease perspective, it’s a lot more work, it’s a lot harder, a lot more risk for students to come back,” Goussetis said. “That said, there is a lot of hardship and impact to our community if CU isn’t open — all the jobs, the mental health impacts … it wouldn’t be easier for us in terms of people losing jobs and not being able to see doctors and all of the things that could come from not having those folks have jobs.”
Goussetis said her biggest concern about CU re-opening is off-campus social gatherings — something Gov. Jared Polis also noted at a news conference on Friday. “We’re worried about the socializing that’s customary and a meaningful part of the college experience,” he said.
But overall, Goussetis said she feels confident in the CU’s plan to re-open.
“They have done a ton,” Goussetis said. “We’ve been working really closely with CU, CU Boulder police and the city as well as the neighbors on (University) Hill. We’ve all been meeting, talking about messaging about enforcement actions and outreach events, so there’s been a ton going on all in partnership.”
Concerns about facilities
Tracy Ferrell, a senior instructor in CU Boulder’s Program for Writing and Rhetoric, said she understands many people have been working hard to prepare the campus for students’ return. Still, after checking on her teaching space days before her semester begins Monday, Ferrell said she has been convinced the administration should have started remotely.
Ferrell was assigned to teach in a theater on campus for social distancing purposes and is tasked with figuring out how her 18-person discussion class will have small group conversations when some students are seated up in a balcony and others below.
While signs encouraging the campus to wash and sanitize hands dotted the university grounds, Ferrell said every hand sanitizer dispenser she tried was empty.
Candace Smith, a CU spokeswoman, said there were supply chain challenges with getting cleaning supplies, but that dispensers would be filled by Monday and that all cleaning supplies needed for the semester were accounted for now.
“I realize there are people trying really hard and that they’ve spent a lot of money, and I’m not denigrating the work of the people working hard to get everything done, but the administration needs to pony up and say, ‘Look, we made the wrong decision. What looks right in May no longer looks right, and we’re just going to move things online,’ ” Ferrell said. “It’s going to get blamed on the students, and they’re adults, so they should shoulder some of the blame, but at the same time, it ultimately comes down to the administration and the decisions they make and what’s safe for everybody.”
Benchmarks to go online
Joanne Addison, chair of the CU Faculty Council, said she was concerned the university hadn’t issued specific benchmarks outlining what would trigger a switch to remote learning.
When The Denver Post asked whether the COVID-19 death of a student, staff or faculty member would trigger a switch to remote learning, Smith did not answer the question.
“There are several factors that would influence whether CU Boulder would move to remote learning, including but not limited to how well are our protocols working; compliance; our response and trends, specifically numbers of positive cases and capacity of isolation spaces,” Smith said. “There are also factors outside of our control that could influence decisions regarding modes of operation such as county or state health guidance.”
Goussetis said there is no magic number of cases or outbreaks that would trigger a switch to fully remote learning, but that the public health agency and university would be monitoring to see whether they’re able to keep up with testing and contract tracing.
CU has been testing students as they move into the dorms, and recorded 13 positive cases last week out of 2,096 students tested. CU has set aside housing on the Boulder campus for quarantining such students.
Fort Lewis College in Durango on Friday announced it had placed seven people in isolation after four tested positive for COVID-19 and three had inconclusive results.
And 155 students in a Colorado College dorm have been quarantined after one of them tested positive for COVID-19.
“If we’re starting to see more than 20 cases a day, that might be beyond our scope,” Goussetis said of CU.


thedenverpost--2020-08-24--Set to consider new round of oil, gas rules, Colorado regulators face questions about their authorit

Set to consider new round of oil, gas rules, Colorado regulators face questions about their authority

With regulators digging into the bulk of proposals to carry out a broad overhaul of oil and gas rules , Colorado ’ s two top energy-producing counties are questioning the state ’ s authority to establish minimum standards .
The newly seated full-time Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is starting two weeks of hearings on the so-called “ mission change ” portion of regulations implementing Senate Bill 181 .
The 2019 law changed the COGCC ’ s mission from fostering oil and gas development to regulating it in a manner that protects the public health , safety and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments ’ authority to oversee oil and gas under their powers to regulate land uses .
And that ’ s where the rub is expected as industry and local government representatives , community members and environmental organizations log onto the virtually held hearings that start Monday .
“ I think the rules are overreaching at best , ” Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer said of the COGCC ’ s proposals that address , among other things , the location of oil and gas wells , the cumulative impacts of drilling and who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s top oil and gas producer with roughly 20,000 of Colorado ’ s nearly 52,000 active wells .
County officials opposed several provisions of SB 181 and sued over new regulations the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission approved in December to carry out the law .
In July , a state district judge dismissed the lawsuit , saying Weld County didn ’ t show that the rules would harm it .
Citing the same reason , a judge last week tossed out a similar lawsuit by Garfield County .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they supported empowering counties to decide the siting of wells and other matters related to what happens on top of the ground with oil and gas .
Kirkmeyer said the county wants input from the COGCC on well sites , but that under the new law , the agency ’ s authority is primarily over the “ down hole , ” or underground activities such as drilling .
“ They need to stay in their lane , basically , and their lane is down hole , ” Kirkmeyer said .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to land use.
” That interpretation of the law is wrong , said Mike Freeman , a Denver-based attorney with Earthjustice who is representing environmental groups during the hearings on the rules .
“ If you look at the language of the bill , what they ’ re arguing doesn ’ t make any sense , ” Freeman said .
“ Yes , SB 181 gave local governments more authority over land use , but it also expanded the state ’ s requirements for land use.
” A letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsors makes the intent clear , which was to establish standards that local governments can exceed but not go below , Freeman added .
The Aug. 14 letter says the intent was to make local governments and the COGCC co-equal authorities in permitting oil and gas operations .
Companies must get permits from both the state and local governments that have their own oil and gas rules .
“ The COGCC mandate to protect public health , safety , welfare and the environment applies to all parts of the state , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senate members .
“ Oil and gas development must satisfy both local and state regulations to be allowed to proceed.
” The new law replaced the previous policy , reinforced by the courts , that state laws pre-empted efforts by local governments to impose stronger restrictions .
The Colorado Oil and Gas Association , a trade association that in the past fought local rules and drilling bans , said under SB 181 , deference should be given to the local governments on things like the siting of wells .
“ Local governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs , understand the growth patterns and where they ’ re going , ” said Dan Haley , COGA CEO and president .
Haley acknowledged that the organization previously complained about the prospect of a patchwork of local rules .
“ I would much prefer if we want to get into a time machine and go back to where we were before .
I think that was an optimal situation , ” Haley said .
“ But the state changed the law , so we have to deal with the law that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure out how to make this work with and for as many people as possible.
” Garfield County , the state ’ s second-largest energy producer with nearly 12,000 wells , also believes deference should be given to local governments on land-use matters .
“ In SB 181 , the Colorado General Assembly , we think , emphatically affirmed and greatly expanded the authority invested in local government to regulate oil and gas and the siting and surface effects , as well at the same time greatly diminished the ( COGCC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the county ’ s oil and gas liaison .
Wynn manages the Western and Rural Local Government Coalition , which lists 23 communities and counties as members .
The group opposes regulations it says don ’ t make sense in rural Colorado and disproportionately harm local economies .
Critics of Garfield County ’ s opposition to SB 181 and its lawsuit note that the county is the only member financing the coalition .
The county has allocated $ 1.5 million for consultants and lawyers from a fund meant to mitigate the impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money includes revenue from federal oil and gas leases , mineral royalties and severance taxes .
“ We think that ’ s a lot of money to spend on very expensive lawyers and consultants in a time of an economic crisis and a health crisis , ” said Emily Hornback , the executive director of the Grand Junction-based Western Colorado Alliance .
The alliance intervened on behalf of the state in Garfield County ’ s lawsuit against the new rules on oil and gas emissions .
Hornback said the alliance believes that issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ don ’ t change no matter where you live.
” “ We have a big fear that the amount of money the county is throwing at this is disproportionately elevating their voice above the voices of some of their own constituents , ” Hornback said .
Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky and Wynn said the money is helping the county prepare for and participate in 10 separate hearings as well as cover the lawsuit ’ s costs .
Jankovsky said the county ’ s oil and gas mitigation fund still has $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re looking after the health , safety and welfare of our constituents .
Health and safety are part of what SB 181 is about , and we ’ re at the table on that .
And welfare is the economic piece of it .
Oil and gas are an important part of our economy , ” Jankovsky said .
About 49 % of the county ’ s budget comes from oil and gas revenue , the commissioner said .
During a natural gas boom on the Western Slope in the early 2000s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s budget came from oil and gas .
“ Our organization understands the importance of the industry in Garfield County ’ s economy .
None of the positions we ’ ve taken as an organization is trying to stop the industry from developing in Garfield County , ” Hornback said .
“ But we do believe in protecting the public health and safety of people and protecting environmental resources .
”

With regulators digging into the bulk of proposals to carry out a broad overhaul of oil and gas rules, Colorado’s two top energy-producing counties are questioning the state’s authority to establish minimum standards.
The newly seated full-time Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is starting four weeks of hearings on the so-called “mission change” portion of regulations implementing Senate Bill 181. The 2019 law changed the COGCC’s mission from fostering oil and gas development to regulating it in a manner that protects the public health, safety and the environment.
The law also expanded local governments’ authority to oversee oil and gas under their powers to regulate land uses. And that’s where the rub is expected as industry and local government representatives, community members and environmental organizations log onto the virtually held hearings that start Monday.
“I think the rules are overreaching at best,” Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer said of the COGCC’s proposals that address, among other things, the location of oil and gas wells, the cumulative impacts of drilling and who can contest development proposals.
Weld County is the state’s top oil and gas producer with roughly 20,000 of Colorado’s nearly 52,000 active wells. County officials opposed several provisions of SB 181 and sued over new regulations the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission approved in December to carry out the law.
In July, a state district judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying Weld County didn’t show that the rules would harm it. Citing the same reason, a judge last week tossed out a similar lawsuit by Garfield County.
Although Weld County officials spoke against SB 181, they supported empowering counties to decide the siting of wells and other matters related to what happens on top of the ground with oil and gas. Kirkmeyer said the county wants input from the COGCC on well sites, but that under the new law, the agency’s authority is primarily over the “down hole,” or underground activities such as drilling.
“They need to stay in their lane, basically, and their lane is down hole,” Kirkmeyer said. “They’re not a co-equal authority when it comes to land use.”
That interpretation of the law is wrong, said Mike Freeman, a Denver-based attorney with Earthjustice who is representing environmental groups during the hearings on the rules.
“If you look at the language of the bill, what they’re arguing doesn’t make any sense,” Freeman said. “Yes, SB 181 gave local governments more authority over land use, but it also expanded the state’s requirements for land use.”
A letter to the COGCC from the bill’s main sponsors makes the intent clear, which was to establish standards that local governments can exceed but not go below, Freeman added.
The Aug. 14 letter says the intent was to make local governments and the COGCC co-equal authorities in permitting oil and gas operations. Companies must get permits from both the state and local governments that have their own oil and gas rules.
“The COGCC mandate to protect public health, safety, welfare and the environment applies to all parts of the state,” according to a separate letter from several House and Senate members. “Oil and gas development must satisfy both local and state regulations to be allowed to proceed.”
The new law replaced the previous policy, reinforced by the courts, that state laws pre-empted efforts by local governments to impose stronger restrictions. The Colorado Oil and Gas Association, a trade association that in the past fought local rules and drilling bans, said under SB 181, deference should be given to the local governments on things like the siting of wells.
“Local governments understand the communities, understand the unique needs, understand the growth patterns and where they’re going,” said Dan Haley, COGA CEO and president.
Haley acknowledged that the organization previously complained about the prospect of a patchwork of local rules.
“I would much prefer if we want to get into a time machine and go back to where we were before. I think that was an optimal situation,” Haley said. “But the state changed the law, so we have to deal with the law that we have today, and we have to figure out how to make this work with and for as many people as possible.”
Garfield County, the state’s second-largest energy producer with nearly 12,000 wells, also believes deference should be given to local governments on land-use matters.
“In SB 181, the Colorado General Assembly, we think, emphatically affirmed and greatly expanded the authority invested in local government to regulate oil and gas and the siting and surface effects, as well at the same time greatly diminished the (COGCC’s) powers,” said Kirby Wynn, the county’s oil and gas liaison.
Wynn manages the Western and Rural Local Government Coalition, which lists 23 communities and counties as members. The group opposes regulations it says don’t make sense in rural Colorado and disproportionately harm local economies.
Critics of Garfield County’s opposition to SB 181 and its lawsuit note that the county is the only member financing the coalition. The county has allocated $1.5 million for consultants and lawyers from a fund meant to mitigate the impacts of oil and gas development. The money includes revenue from federal oil and gas leases, mineral royalties and severance taxes.
“We think that’s a lot of money to spend on very expensive lawyers and consultants in a time of an economic crisis and a health crisis,” said Emily Hornback, the executive director of the Grand Junction-based Western Colorado Alliance.
The alliance intervened on behalf of the state in Garfield County’s lawsuit against the new rules on oil and gas emissions. Hornback said the alliance believes that issues around health and the siting of wells “don’t change no matter where you live.”
“We have a big fear that the amount of money the county is throwing at this is disproportionately elevating their voice above the voices of some of their own constituents,” Hornback said.
Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovsky and Wynn said the money is helping the county prepare for and participate in 10 separate hearings as well as cover the lawsuit’s costs. Jankovsky said the county’s oil and gas mitigation fund still has $16.8 million in it.
“We’re looking after the health, safety and welfare of our constituents. Health and safety are part of what SB 181 is about, and we’re at the table on that. And welfare is the economic piece of it. Oil and gas are an important part of our economy,” Jankovsky said.
About 49% of the county’s budget comes from oil and gas revenue, the commissioner said. During a natural gas boom on the Western Slope in the early 2000s, roughly 70% of the county’s budget came from oil and gas.
“Our organization understands the importance of the industry in Garfield County’s economy. None of the positions we’ve taken as an organization is trying to stop the industry from developing in Garfield County,” Hornback said. “But we do believe in protecting the public health and safety of people and protecting environmental resources.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-24--Broncos counting on Mike Purcell to be run-stuffing force again in first full season as NFL starter

The grind to find a foothold in the NFL has led Mike Purcell to something he ’ s not quite used to : professional stability .
That ’ s what Purcell earned with his performance with the Broncos last year , when the nose tackle who previously washed out with six other teams earned a starting job in Week 5 and never looked back .
He was rewarded with a $ 3.25 million tender in the offseason , but neither the money nor a guaranteed starting spot entering 2020 has changed the mindset of the Highlands Ranch High School product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked how it feels to be a little comfortable having a position here , and I told him my mentality ’ s not going to change , ” Purcell said .
“ I ’ m going to fight the same way I did every single year .
As soon as you feel like you get complacent , some times , things can turn for the worst .
I ’ ve battled through hell and back , so I ’ m just going to keep my mentality the same way.
” The 29-year-old , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming and also played in the Alliance of American Football in 2019 , was the Broncos ’ top run defender last year .
Purcell led the team with 20.5 run “ stuffs ” ( gains or one yard or fewer ) despite playing less than half of the total snaps , and finished with 48 tackles ( 28 solo ) .
Defensive end Shelby Harris , who makes up the Broncos ’ three-man front along with Purcell and Jurrell Casey , believes Purcell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he can consistently do in the league .
“ If you saw last year , I ’ m pretty sure you can tell he ’ s a starter in this league , ” Harris said .
“ He ’ s proven himself and he ’ s going to keep proving himself .
I ’ ve seen nothing but good things out of Mike during camp , and I expect to see nothing more but good things .
I have the utmost faith in Mike as a player in this league and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The coaching staff is also counting on an uptick in production from Purcell in order to elevate a Broncos run defense that ranked 16th in the NFL last year at 111.4 yards per game .
“ Last year was the first time that he had that much playing time in the NFL , ” Fangio said .
“ He did well with it , but now that he ’ s been able to watch and study himself in the offseason — and now has the knowledge that he ’ s one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job for the first time in his career — I think we should see some improvement with him.
” Fangio said in addition to his role in the base defense , Purcell will mix in with the nickel package on early downs .
“ When it ’ s still a run-pass situation , first-and-10 or second-and-medium or less and we ’ re playing nickel , he ’ ll be in the game some too , ” Fangio said .
And as fellow lineman Dre ’ Mont Jones marveled at Purcell ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up offensive linemen and throw them across the field , ” the Broncos will ultimately look to Purcell to be a 328-pound plug in the middle who can free up the team ’ s dynamic linebacking corps to make plays .
“ Each snap he ’ s working ( off the ball ) — he ’ s taking double teams , beating double teams , knocking guards back , knocking centers back , ” linebacker Alexander Johnson said .
“ When you ’ ve got a guy that ’ s strong and powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , it ’ s just going to open things up with the linebackers .
We ’ re able to run free because ( opponents ) know if they single-block him , he ’ s going to make the play in the backfield .
”

The grind to find a foothold in the NFL has led Mike Purcell to something he’s not quite used to: professional stability.
That’s what Purcell earned with his performance with the Broncos last year, when the nose tackle who previously washed out with six other teams earned a starting job in Week 5 and never looked back.
He was rewarded with a $3.25 million tender in the offseason, but neither the money nor a guaranteed starting spot entering 2020 has changed the mindset of the Highlands Ranch High School product.
“(Coach Vic Fangio) asked how it feels to be a little comfortable having a position here, and I told him my mentality’s not going to change,” Purcell said. “I’m going to fight the same way I did every single year. As soon as you feel like you get complacent, some times, things can turn for the worst. I’ve battled through hell and back, so I’m just going to keep my mentality the same way.”
The 29-year-old, who entered the league with San Francisco in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming and also played in the Alliance of American Football in 2019, was the Broncos’ top run defender last year. Purcell led the team with 20.5 run “stuffs” (gains or one yard or fewer) despite playing less than half of the total snaps, and finished with 48 tackles (28 solo).
Defensive end Shelby Harris, who makes up the Broncos’ three-man front along with Purcell and Jurrell Casey, believes Purcell’s 2019 performance is the baseline for what he can consistently do in the league.
“If you saw last year, I’m pretty sure you can tell he’s a starter in this league,” Harris said. “He’s proven himself and he’s going to keep proving himself. I’ve seen nothing but good things out of Mike during camp, and I expect to see nothing more but good things. I have the utmost faith in Mike as a player in this league and I think the league needs to watch out.”
The coaching staff is also counting on an uptick in production from Purcell in order to elevate a Broncos run defense that ranked 16th in the NFL last year at 111.4 yards per game.
“Last year was the first time that he had that much playing time in the NFL,” Fangio said. “He did well with it, but now that he’s been able to watch and study himself in the offseason — and now has the knowledge that he’s one of us and he’s got a job for the first time in his career — I think we should see some improvement with him.”
Fangio said in addition to his role in the base defense, Purcell will mix in with the nickel package on early downs.
“When it’s still a run-pass situation, first-and-10 or second-and-medium or less and we’re playing nickel, he’ll be in the game some too,” Fangio said.
And as fellow lineman Dre’Mont Jones marveled at Purcell’s “incredible strength and incredible ability to pick up offensive linemen and throw them across the field,” the Broncos will ultimately look to Purcell to be a 328-pound plug in the middle who can free up the team’s dynamic linebacking corps to make plays.
“Each snap he’s working (off the ball) — he’s taking double teams, beating double teams, knocking guards back, knocking centers back,” linebacker Alexander Johnson said. “When you’ve got a guy that’s strong and powerful and can move and make plays like that, it’s just going to open things up with the linebackers. We’re able to run free because (opponents) know if they single-block him, he’s going to make the play in the backfield.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-24--Nuggets’ Michael Malone on Game 4 free-throw disparity: “I’m not giving the league any of my money”

The Nuggets said nothing and everything all at once .
In the emotional aftermath of Sunday ’ s Game 4 heartbreaker , which left the Nuggets just one loss from elimination , coach Michael Malone , and superstars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic all were diplomatic about the free-throw disparity that occurred against the Jazz .
The Nuggets made it the free-throw line 13 times in their 129-127 loss .
The Jazz went there 36 times , and Donovan Mitchell made 18 trips himself .
“ We ’ ve struggled to get to the line , but I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Malone said .
“ I ’ m not giving the league any of my money.
” Malone did , however , offer his view on what became a crucial sequence during Murray ’ s fourth-quarter eruption .
Murray had already hung 45 of his 50 points when the Nuggets were trailing 124-120 with 28 seconds remaining .
Instead of launching another 3-pointer – five of his nine 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter – Murray barreled into the lane and challenged reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Murray appeared to contend to officials that Gobert hit his arm on the way down .
“ Jamal drives to the basket , gets fouled , but they don ’ t call it , ” Malone said .
“ At least from my angle and the replay on the big board , it looked like he got fouled .
And that would ’ ve been a big basket for us , two free throws , cut it to two at that point.
” Replays showed Murray pleading with officials , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if any , he received from the referees .
“ I ’ m not going to speak on it , ” Murray said .
“ I don ’ t want to get fined.
” Despite playing 39 minutes and taking 24 shots , Jokic got to the free-throw line only twice all game .
“ I got ta look at the tape and find a way to help Nikola and to see what ’ s going on out there , ” Malone said , frustrated with the whistle , but also unwilling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jokic was tactful in response as well .
“ To be honest , even when we were aggressive , we didn ’ t have the benefit of the whistle , ” Jokic said .
“ That ’ s not the reason , I ’ m just saying .
When we had aggressive moves to the basket , we didn ’ t have the benefit of the whistle.
” While the officials played a role , especially on the Murray drive , the Nuggets ’ defense is still within their control .
Donovan Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 18 in the fourth quarter , as the Nuggets struggled mightily to contain his pick-and-roll attacks .
Furthermore , the Jazz shot 57 % overall , including 14-of-29 from the 3-point line .
After the blowouts in Games 2 and 3 , there were aspects of what happened Sunday night they could be proud of .
Their fight , for one , was that of a playoff team , and their urgency on the offensive glass was obvious .
But through four games , it ’ s apparent how difficult it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless that changes , a free-throw disparity won ’ t be the difference in deciding this first-round series .

The Nuggets said nothing and everything all at once.
In the emotional aftermath of Sunday’s Game 4 heartbreaker, which left the Nuggets just one loss from elimination, coach Michael Malone, and superstars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic all were diplomatic about the free-throw disparity that occurred against the Jazz.
The Nuggets made it the free-throw line 13 times in their 129-127 loss. The Jazz went there 36 times, and Donovan Mitchell made 18 trips himself.
“We’ve struggled to get to the line, but I’m not going to really comment on that,” Malone said. “I’m not giving the league any of my money.”
Malone did, however, offer his view on what became a crucial sequence during Murray’s fourth-quarter eruption. Murray had already hung 45 of his 50 points when the Nuggets were trailing 124-120 with 28 seconds remaining.
Instead of launching another 3-pointer – five of his nine 3-pointers came in the fourth quarter – Murray barreled into the lane and challenged reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert at the rim. Gobert initially maintained his verticality, but Murray appeared to contend to officials that Gobert hit his arm on the way down.
“Jamal drives to the basket, gets fouled, but they don’t call it,” Malone said. “At least from my angle and the replay on the big board, it looked like he got fouled. And that would’ve been a big basket for us, two free throws, cut it to two at that point.”
Replays showed Murray pleading with officials, but he declined to say what explanation, if any, he received from the referees.
“I’m not going to speak on it,” Murray said. “I don’t want to get fined.”
Despite playing 39 minutes and taking 24 shots, Jokic got to the free-throw line only twice all game.
“I gotta look at the tape and find a way to help Nikola and to see what’s going on out there,” Malone said, frustrated with the whistle, but also unwilling to attribute the loss to the disparity.
Jokic was tactful in response as well.
“To be honest, even when we were aggressive, we didn’t have the benefit of the whistle,” Jokic said. “That’s not the reason, I’m just saying. When we had aggressive moves to the basket, we didn’t have the benefit of the whistle.”
While the officials played a role, especially on the Murray drive, the Nuggets’ defense is still within their control.
Donovan Mitchell poured in a game-high 51 points, and 18 in the fourth quarter, as the Nuggets struggled mightily to contain his pick-and-roll attacks. Furthermore, the Jazz shot 57% overall, including 14-of-29 from the 3-point line.
After the blowouts in Games 2 and 3, there were aspects of what happened Sunday night they could be proud of. Their fight, for one, was that of a playoff team, and their urgency on the offensive glass was obvious. But through four games, it’s apparent how difficult it is to impede the Mitchell-Gobert combo, and unless that changes, a free-throw disparity won’t be the difference in deciding this first-round series.