thedenverpost--2020-01-09--House approves measure to restrain Trump’s actions on Iran

WASHINGTON — Reigniting a debate over who has the power to declare war , the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran .
The war powers resolution is not binding on the president and would not require his signature .
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nonetheless insisted it “ has real teeth ” because “ it is a statement of the Congress of the United States.
” The measure will “ protect American lives and values ” by limiting Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The administration must de-escalate and must prevent further violence.
” The House passed the measure , 224-194 , with just three Republicans voting in support .
Eight Democrats opposed the measure .
A similar proposal by Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , faces an uphill fight in the GOP-run Senate .
Kaine ’ s efforts received a boost Thursday as Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana , an ex-Marine , said he might support the war powers measure .
Two other Republican senators said Wednesday they would back Kaine ’ s plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distinct branch of government .
It is our duty not to take anyone ’ s word for things as we are dealing with matters of life and death , ” Young said , adding that he wished Trump administration officials had provided more intelligence information during a briefing Wednesday on a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general .
Pelosi , in announcing the House vote , called the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani “ provocative and disproportionate.
” Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise , the No .
2 House Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than “ a press release designed to attack President Trump , ” while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California called it a ” meaningless vote ” on a measure that will never be sent to the president or “ limit his constitutional authority to defend the American people.
” The House vote came a day after the Trump administration briefed lawmakers on its actions in Iran .
Democrats and several Republicans called the briefings inadequate , adding that officials did not provide enough details about why the attack was justified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani “ was traveling the region making plans to bring an attack against American personnel and American forces.
” He said it was not possible to share full details of the intelligence with lawmakers .
“ When it comes to intelligence we have to protect sources and methods , there ’ s only certain amount we can share with every member of Congress , ” Pence said on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” “ But those of us who have seen all the evidence know that there was a compelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said Thursday that he “ had calls from numerous senators and numerous congressmen and women saying it was the greatest presentation they ’ ve ever had.
” Referring to criticism by GOP Sens .
Mike Lee and Rand Paul , Trump said : “ They want information that honestly I think is very hard to get .
… It really had to do with sources and information that we had that really should remain at a very high level.
” Lee , a conservative from Utah , said the briefing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials was “ probably the worst briefing I ’ ve seen , at least on a military issue , ” in the nine years he ’ s served in the Senate .
Paul , of Kentucky , said administration officials justified killing Soleimani based on the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq .
“ That is absurd .
That ’ s an insult , ” he said .
Pelosi scheduled the House vote after Iran retaliated for the Soleimani killing by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-page resolution says “ Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military ” unless Congress declares war on that country or enacts legislation authorizing use of force to prevent an attack on the U.S. and its forces .
The resolution ’ s sponsor , freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin , D-Mich. , said it is intended to “ make clear that if the president wants to take us to war , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved ones are going to be sent to fight in a protracted war , “ the president owes the American people a public conversation about why , and for what ends , ” said Slotkin , a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who served in Iraq .
Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to uphold in authorizing use of military force , Slotkin said , adding , “ We are owed concrete , specific details on strategy.
” Trump did not consult with congressional leaders ahead of the attack that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a notification explaining the rationale , but kept it classified .
Congress has allowed its war powers role to erode since the passage of Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism after the 9/11 attacks , and passage of another AUMF for the invasion of Iraq in 2002 .
Fallout from those votes deeply divided Congress and the nation , with many lawmakers , particularly Democrats , now saying they were mistakes .
Yet Congress has been paralyzed on the question of whether to repeal or change those authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest tests of his presidency , said Wednesday that Iran appeared to be “ standing down ” and said the U.S. response would be to put in place new economic sanctions “ until Iran changes its behavior.
” The strikes by Iran had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and put the world ’ s attention on Trump as he weighed whether to respond with more military force .
Republicans have largely supported Trump ’ s actions , saying the president was well within his power to take out Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans in the Middle East .
The U.S. considered Soleimani a terrorist .
Democrats were unconvinced that the threat posed by Soleimani was imminent or that other alternatives to the killing were pursued in good faith .
By not disclosing many details of the threat , Trump was asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged , Democrats said .
Young , in comments to reporters Thursday , said lawmakers “ need to ensure that Congress is involved in future decision-making so we end up exactly where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is the avoidance of a major ground war in the Middle East.
” He called Kaine ’ s resolution a “ mechanism to force us to debate this.
” Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Kevin Freking and Deb Riechmann contributed to this story .

WASHINGTON — Reigniting a debate over who has the power to declare war, the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
The war powers resolution is not binding on the president and would not require his signature. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nonetheless insisted it “has real teeth” because “it is a statement of the Congress of the United States.”
The measure will “protect American lives and values” by limiting Trump’s military actions, Pelosi said. “The administration must de-escalate and must prevent further violence.”
The House passed the measure, 224-194, with just three Republicans voting in support. Eight Democrats opposed the measure.
A similar proposal by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., faces an uphill fight in the GOP-run Senate. Kaine’s efforts received a boost Thursday as Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, an ex-Marine, said he might support the war powers measure. Two other Republican senators said Wednesday they would back Kaine’s plan.
“We are members of a separate and distinct branch of government. It is our duty not to take anyone’s word for things as we are dealing with matters of life and death,” Young said, adding that he wished Trump administration officials had provided more intelligence information during a briefing Wednesday on a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general.
Pelosi, in announcing the House vote, called the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani “provocative and disproportionate.”
Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, denounced the Democratic measure as little more than “a press release designed to attack President Trump,” while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California called it a ”meaningless vote” on a measure that will never be sent to the president or “limit his constitutional authority to defend the American people.”
The House vote came a day after the Trump administration briefed lawmakers on its actions in Iran. Democrats and several Republicans called the briefings inadequate, adding that officials did not provide enough details about why the attack was justified.
Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that Soleimani “was traveling the region making plans to bring an attack against American personnel and American forces.” He said it was not possible to share full details of the intelligence with lawmakers.
“When it comes to intelligence we have to protect sources and methods, there’s only certain amount we can share with every member of Congress,” Pence said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “But those of us who have seen all the evidence know that there was a compelling case of imminent threat against American personnel.”
Trump said Thursday that he “had calls from numerous senators and numerous congressmen and women saying it was the greatest presentation they’ve ever had.”
Referring to criticism by GOP Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul, Trump said: “They want information that honestly I think is very hard to get. … It really had to do with sources and information that we had that really should remain at a very high level.”
Lee, a conservative from Utah, said the briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials was “probably the worst briefing I’ve seen, at least on a military issue,” in the nine years he’s served in the Senate.
Paul, of Kentucky, said administration officials justified killing Soleimani based on the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq. “That is absurd. That’s an insult,” he said.
Pelosi scheduled the House vote after Iran retaliated for the Soleimani killing by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. No casualties were reported.
The five-page resolution says “Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military” unless Congress declares war on that country or enacts legislation authorizing use of force to prevent an attack on the U.S. and its forces.
The resolution’s sponsor, freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said it is intended to “make clear that if the president wants to take us to war, he must get authorization from Congress.”
If loved ones are going to be sent to fight in a protracted war, “the president owes the American people a public conversation about why, and for what ends,” said Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who served in Iraq.
Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to uphold in authorizing use of military force, Slotkin said, adding, “We are owed concrete, specific details on strategy.”
Trump did not consult with congressional leaders ahead of the attack that killed the Iranian general and afterward sent Congress a notification explaining the rationale, but kept it classified.
Congress has allowed its war powers role to erode since the passage of Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism after the 9/11 attacks, and passage of another AUMF for the invasion of Iraq in 2002.
Fallout from those votes deeply divided Congress and the nation, with many lawmakers, particularly Democrats, now saying they were mistakes. Yet Congress has been paralyzed on the question of whether to repeal or change those authorities.
Trump, facing one of the greatest tests of his presidency, said Wednesday that Iran appeared to be “standing down” and said the U.S. response would be to put in place new economic sanctions “until Iran changes its behavior.”
The strikes by Iran had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and put the world’s attention on Trump as he weighed whether to respond with more military force.
Republicans have largely supported Trump’s actions, saying the president was well within his power to take out Iran’s architect of proxy operations against Americans in the Middle East. The U.S. considered Soleimani a terrorist.
Democrats were unconvinced that the threat posed by Soleimani was imminent or that other alternatives to the killing were pursued in good faith. By not disclosing many details of the threat, Trump was asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged, Democrats said.
Young, in comments to reporters Thursday, said lawmakers “need to ensure that Congress is involved in future decision-making so we end up exactly where the president wants to end up, which is the avoidance of a major ground war in the Middle East.”
He called Kaine’s resolution a “mechanism to force us to debate this.”
Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Kevin Freking and Deb Riechmann contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Attorney Robert Corry removes himself from fatal I-70 truck crash case

Prominent attorney Robert Corry will no longer defend the truck driver charged in the deadly Interstate 70 crash last spring @ @ @ @ @ reasons .
In his motion to withdraw as counsel , Corry said Rogel Aguilera-Mederos has @ @ @ @ @ fees and other costs of the defense , a fact that could “ potentially impinge @ @ @ @ @ an effective defense.
” With Corry out , Aguilera-Mederos will seek court-appointed public defenders , @ @ @ @ @ also cited what he called “ bad luck ” in his personal life , which @ @ @ @ @ negotiations with the prosecution , he said in the motion .
The 52-year-old lawyer has @ @ @ @ @ June , including on domestic violence charges and for waving a sword and threatening citizens @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 14 on suspicion of violating a restraining order was dismissed Thursday , Denver court @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to stand trial in May on 41 charges , including four counts of vehicular @ @ @ @ @ killed and six others seriously injured in the April 25 crash .

Prominent attorney Robert Corry will no longer defend the truck driver charged in the deadly Interstate 70 crash last spring, citing monetary and personal reasons.
In his motion to withdraw as counsel, Corry said Rogel Aguilera-Mederos has been unable to pay attorney fees and other costs of the defense, a fact that could “potentially impinge on his constitutional right to an effective defense.”
With Corry out, Aguilera-Mederos will seek court-appointed public defenders, court records show.
Corry also cited what he called “bad luck” in his personal life, which could affect public perception and negotiations with the prosecution, he said in the motion. The 52-year-old lawyer has been arrested four times since June, including on domestic violence charges and for waving a sword and threatening citizens.
His latest arrest from Oct. 14 on suspicion of violating a restraining order was dismissed Thursday, Denver court records show.
Aguilera-Mederos is scheduled to stand trial in May on 41 charges, including four counts of vehicular homicide. Four people were killed and six others seriously injured in the April 25 crash.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--RTD to start providing light rail cancellation notices online, via email

Starting Friday afternoon , Denver-area commuters finally will get advance notice if scheduled light rail trips will be canceled .
@ @ @ @ @ Thursday that it will post canceled trips on its Rider Alerts web page .
Riders @ @ @ @ @ email alerts that are sent out at 10 a.m. on Saturday , Monday and Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ in the days to follow are expected to be canceled .
Last-minute cancellations also will @ @ @ @ @ email alerts .
The move comes after a months-long driver shortage during which RTD has @ @ @ @ @ but to cancel light rail trips without informing riders , throwing a wrench in many @ @ @ @ @ this change will allow riders to better plan their commute .

Starting Friday afternoon, Denver-area commuters finally will get advance notice if scheduled light rail trips will be canceled.
The Regional Transportation District announced Thursday that it will post canceled trips on its Rider Alerts web page. Riders can also opt for route-specific email alerts that are sent out at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, which detail which trips in the days to follow are expected to be canceled.
Last-minute cancellations also will be sent out in daily email alerts.
The move comes after a months-long driver shortage during which RTD has said it had no choice but to cancel light rail trips without informing riders, throwing a wrench in many commutes. RTD officials hope this change will allow riders to better plan their commute.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Armed man shot and killed by Denver police identified

Denver ’ s coroner on Thursday identified the armed man shot and killed by Denver police in Aurora .
Nico @ @ @ @ @ wounds after police stopped him about 6:05 p.m. for driving a stolen vehicle at Interstate @ @ @ @ @ .
The manner of death was ruled a homicide , the coroner wrote .
Police @ @ @ @ @ and alone in the vehicle .
Authorities did not say whether he shot at officers @ @ @ @ @ Two people have been shot and killed by police in Colorado this year .

Denver’s coroner on Thursday identified the armed man shot and killed by Denver police in Aurora.
Nico Descheenie died of multiple gunshot wounds after police stopped him about 6:05 p.m. for driving a stolen vehicle at Interstate 225 and East Iliff Avenue. The manner of death was ruled a homicide, the coroner wrote.
Police previously said Descheenie was armed and alone in the vehicle. Authorities did not say whether he shot at officers or brandished his weapon.
Two people have been shot and killed by police in Colorado this year.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Avalanche teammates lobby for Cale Makar’s All-Star selection: “He’s earned it”

Good luck getting any hype for the campaign to send Cale Makar to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game from the Avalanche rookie himself .
Even with Makar in consideration for the “ Last Men In ” fan vote , the Avs defender wasn ’ t about to stump for his own cause .
“ I ’ m not too worried about it , ” Makar said Thursday before a wall of television cameras in Colorado ’ s practice facility .
“ It ’ s not in my control at all .
… But I ’ d be honored to go.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for All-Star weekend , held Jan. 24-26 in St. Louis , should he beat out fellow Central Division candidates for a final roster spot : C Jonathan Toews ( Blackhawks , 31 points ) , LW Jamie Benn ( Stars , 21 ) , D Ryan Suter ( Wild , 30 ) , C Matt Duchene ( Predators , 29 ) , LW David Perron ( Blues , 44 ) and RW Patrik Laine ( Jets , 40 ) .
Makar — who touts 32 points ( nine goals ) entering the Avs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a historically impressive start to his NHL career before missing eight games in December with a shoulder injury .
The deadline for Avalanche fans to vote Makar into the All-Star festivities is fast approaching at 10 p.m. Friday at NHL.com/Vote .
Makar ’ s teammates lobbied for his selection to reporters on Thursday .
Forward Nathan MacKinnon : “ I don ’ t know the voting .
Hopefully , he gets in .
… He ’ s been unreal .
One of the best d-men in the league already , at 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him develop.
” • It ’ s been 500 games and Avalanche ’ s Nathan MacKinnon still doesn ’ t think he ’ s famous • Avs Mailbag : Nathan MacKinnon MVP talk heating up , prospect Justus Annunen , Altitude Sports dispute and more • Altitude Sports ’ offer to extend deal under same terms for a year was rebuffed by Comcast Defenseman Ian Cole : “ We want to try and grow the game , and get as many young stars as much publicity as we can .
On top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a player and is certainly going to be a world-class player for years to come .
In my mind , it makes perfect sense .
… He ’ s earned it.
” Forward Matt Calvert : “ It ’ s a three-on-three game and you want to see the best guys in the world play .
With Cale , even though he ’ s a rookie , he ’ s one of the most talented d-men I ’ ve ever seen .
He definitely deserves to be there.
” Defenseman Ryan Graves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s very humble and you ’ ll never get out of him how good he actually is .
When you see what he does out there , he deserves to be in that game .
… He ’ s dynamic and he ’ s as good as any defenseman that is in that game.
” Coach Jared Bednar : “ We get to watch him every night and have a higher appreciation than people who don ’ t get to see him every night .
But I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s the exact type of guy you want in those games — a young star putting up elite numbers .
He should be in.
” Donskoi out .
Forward Joonas Donskoi was absent from practice Thursday while in concussion protocol , Bednar said , with no specific timetable for return .
Donskoi was injured Tuesday at the Rangers when he was leveled by a huge but unpenalized hit from New York defenseman Ryan Lindgren late in the first period .
The NHL department of player safety did not apply supplemental discipline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in a Twitter statement : “ While there was significant head contact on this play , Lindgren took a proper angle of approach , did not extend outward or upward and hit through Donskoi ’ s core .
Therefore , under Rule 48.1 ( i ) , the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.
” “ I disagree with it , ” Bednar said .
“ But it ’ s their call.
” Donskoi , signed in free agency last offseason , has 29 points ( 15 goals ) in 44 @ @

Good luck getting any hype for the campaign to send Cale Makar to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game from the Avalanche rookie himself.
Even with Makar in consideration for the “Last Men In” fan vote, the Avs defender wasn’t about to stump for his own cause.
“I’m not too worried about it,” Makar said Thursday before a wall of television cameras in Colorado’s practice facility. “It’s not in my control at all. … But I’d be honored to go.”
Makar will join teammate Nathan MacKinnon for All-Star weekend, held Jan. 24-26 in St. Louis, should he beat out fellow Central Division candidates for a final roster spot: C Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks, 31 points), LW Jamie Benn (Stars, 21), D Ryan Suter (Wild, 30), C Matt Duchene (Predators, 29), LW David Perron (Blues, 44) and RW Patrik Laine (Jets, 40).
Makar — who touts 32 points (nine goals) entering the Avs’ upcoming five-game homestand — was off to a historically impressive start to his NHL career before missing eight games in December with a shoulder injury.
The deadline for Avalanche fans to vote Makar into the All-Star festivities is fast approaching at 10 p.m. Friday at NHL.com/Vote. Makar’s teammates lobbied for his selection to reporters on Thursday.
Forward Nathan MacKinnon: “I don’t know the voting. Hopefully, he gets in. … He’s been unreal. One of the best d-men in the league already, at 21. It’s amazing to see him develop.”
Defenseman Ian Cole: “We want to try and grow the game, and get as many young stars as much publicity as we can. On top of that, he’s a heck of a player and is certainly going to be a world-class player for years to come. In my mind, it makes perfect sense. … He’s earned it.”
Forward Matt Calvert: “It’s a three-on-three game and you want to see the best guys in the world play. With Cale, even though he’s a rookie, he’s one of the most talented d-men I’ve ever seen. He definitely deserves to be there.”
Defenseman Ryan Graves: “He’s quiet, he’s very humble and you’ll never get out of him how good he actually is. When you see what he does out there, he deserves to be in that game. … He’s dynamic and he’s as good as any defenseman that is in that game.”
Coach Jared Bednar: “We get to watch him every night and have a higher appreciation than people who don’t get to see him every night. But I think it’s a no-brainer that he gets it. He’s the exact type of guy you want in those games — a young star putting up elite numbers. He should be in.”
Donskoi out. Forward Joonas Donskoi was absent from practice Thursday while in concussion protocol, Bednar said, with no specific timetable for return.
Nazem Kadri drops the gloves with Ryan Lindgren after Lindgren levels Joonas Donskoi pic.twitter.com/T81JLvKEKd — Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 8, 2020
Donskoi was injured Tuesday at the Rangers when he was leveled by a huge but unpenalized hit from New York defenseman Ryan Lindgren late in the first period.
The NHL department of player safety did not apply supplemental discipline upon review of the hit, putting out in a Twitter statement: “While there was significant head contact on this play, Lindgren took a proper angle of approach, did not extend outward or upward and hit through Donskoi’s core. Therefore, under Rule 48.1 (i), the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.”
“I disagree with it,” Bednar said. “But it’s their call.”
Donskoi, signed in free agency last offseason, has 29 points (15 goals) in 44 games.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Teenager suspected of killing 15-year-old in Denver turns himself in to police

An 18-year-old man wanted on suspicion of killing a 15-year-old boy in southwest Denver turned himself in on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ Martinez , 18 , suspected in the Jan. 1 death of Wayli Alvarado-Gonzalez , surrendered @ @ @ @ @ around 12:30 p.m. , according to police .
He is being held for investigation of @ @ @ @ @ from the crime scene and tips from the public led police to identify him as @ @ @ @ @ Wayli was killed around 1:45 a.m. in a convenience store parking lot at 1850 S. @ @ @ @ @ Year ’ s Day , according to police .
Investigators on Tuesday released photos of @ @ @ @ @ lot and asked for the public ’ s help identifying the group members .
The @ @ @ @ @ been identified .
A subsequent tip from the public focused police on Martinez .
Wayli @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln High School .
His family is from Guatemala .

An 18-year-old man wanted on suspicion of killing a 15-year-old boy in southwest Denver turned himself in on Thursday, Denver police said.
Elijah Martinez, 18, suspected in the Jan. 1 death of Wayli Alvarado-Gonzalez, surrendered at the Denver Police Department around 12:30 p.m., according to police.
He is being held for investigation of first-degree murder after video surveillance from the crime scene and tips from the public led police to identify him as a suspect this week.
Wayli was killed around 1:45 a.m. in a convenience store parking lot at 1850 S. Sheridan Blvd., on New Year’s Day, according to police.
Investigators on Tuesday released photos of three suspects in the parking lot and asked for the public’s help identifying the group members. The other two suspects have not been identified.
A subsequent tip from the public focused police on Martinez.
Wayli was a student at Abraham Lincoln High School. His family is from Guatemala.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Father of 7-year-old found dead in Denver storage unit pleads guilty, avoids first-degree murder cha

Father of 7-year-old found dead in Denver storage unit pleads guilty, avoids first-degree murder charge

The father of a 7-year-old boy found dead and encased in concrete in a Denver storage unit will avoid a trial on a first-degree murder charge after agreeing to plead guilty to lesser counts in connection to Caden McWilliam ‘ s death .
Leland Pankey , 40 , pleaded guilty Thursday to child abuse resulting in death and tampering with a deceased human body in exchange for prosecutors dropping a first-degree murder charge , the Denver District Attorney ’ s Office announced in a news release .
Pankey will be sentenced at a Feb. 28 court hearing , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 72 years in prison .
If he had been convicted of first-degree murder , he faced an automatic sentence of life imprisonment .
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in the news release that prosecutors will argue for the maximum sentence and that her office agreed to a deal because they had to “ take into account the risk of going to trial on the first-degree murder charges when the exact cause of death was not determined.
” “ This agreement provides justice for Caden while ensuring that Mr. Pankey will serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” McCann said in the release .
“ This is one of the most horrific cases ever handled by the Denver DA ’ s Office and we were acutely concerned about re-traumatizing Caden ’ s family as well as the jury , judge and everyone else involved should this case proceed to trial.
” Pankey ’ s wife , Elisha Pankey , pleaded guilty in August to a single count of child abuse resulting in death in connection to the case .
A sentencing date has not yet been set for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Investigators first started looking into the family on Dec. 17 , 2018 , when Elisha Pankey reported domestic violence by her husband .
When police responded to the domestic violence call , they noticed that Caden was missing and started to search for him .
Elisha Pankey later told police that her husband severely abused the boy by beating and starving him .
She said that one morning in July the couple found Caden dead in a dog kennel , where Leland Pankey sometimes made the boy sleep .
When police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 , 2018 , it was inside the dog kennel encased in concrete .
The couple hid the body in a storage unit they rented .
The Denver Medical Examiner could not determine exactly how Caden died , but ruled it a homicide .
The boy was extremely emaciated at the time of his death — he weighed only 27 pounds — and the coroner found traces of cocaine and meth in his liver .
Caden also had a fractured skull and a broken arm .
Leland Pankey has been in jail since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on domestic violence allegations .
Prosecutors in May charged him in connection to Caden ’ s death .
Caden was supposed to start second grade at Denver ’ s Ellis Elementary School in the fall of 2018 .
His classmates loved him and all wanted to sit next to Caden , a teacher previously told The Denver Post .

The father of a 7-year-old boy found dead and encased in concrete in a Denver storage unit will avoid a trial on a first-degree murder charge after agreeing to plead guilty to lesser counts in connection to Caden McWilliam‘s death.
Leland Pankey, 40, pleaded guilty Thursday to child abuse resulting in death and tampering with a deceased human body in exchange for prosecutors dropping a first-degree murder charge, the Denver District Attorney’s Office announced in a news release.
Pankey will be sentenced at a Feb. 28 court hearing, where he could be ordered to serve between 17 and 72 years in prison. If he had been convicted of first-degree murder, he faced an automatic sentence of life imprisonment.
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in the news release that prosecutors will argue for the maximum sentence and that her office agreed to a deal because they had to “take into account the risk of going to trial on the first-degree murder charges when the exact cause of death was not determined.”
“This agreement provides justice for Caden while ensuring that Mr. Pankey will serve a significant amount of time behind bars,” McCann said in the release. “This is one of the most horrific cases ever handled by the Denver DA’s Office and we were acutely concerned about re-traumatizing Caden’s family as well as the jury, judge and everyone else involved should this case proceed to trial.”
Pankey’s wife, Elisha Pankey, pleaded guilty in August to a single count of child abuse resulting in death in connection to the case. A sentencing date has not yet been set for her, district attorney spokeswoman Carolyn Tyler said Thursday.
Investigators first started looking into the family on Dec. 17, 2018, when Elisha Pankey reported domestic violence by her husband. When police responded to the domestic violence call, they noticed that Caden was missing and started to search for him.
Elisha Pankey later told police that her husband severely abused the boy by beating and starving him. She said that one morning in July the couple found Caden dead in a dog kennel, where Leland Pankey sometimes made the boy sleep.
When police found Caden’s body on Dec. 23, 2018, it was inside the dog kennel encased in concrete. The couple hid the body in a storage unit they rented.
The Denver Medical Examiner could not determine exactly how Caden died, but ruled it a homicide. The boy was extremely emaciated at the time of his death — he weighed only 27 pounds — and the coroner found traces of cocaine and meth in his liver. Caden also had a fractured skull and a broken arm.
Leland Pankey has been in jail since Dec. 21, when police arrested him on domestic violence allegations. Prosecutors in May charged him in connection to Caden’s death.
Caden was supposed to start second grade at Denver’s Ellis Elementary School in the fall of 2018. His classmates loved him and all wanted to sit next to Caden, a teacher previously told The Denver Post.


thedenverpost--2020-01-09--Broncos superfan Robert Garner nominated for Ford Hall of Fans, giving him a shot at a spot in Canto

Broncos superfan Robert Garner nominated for Ford Hall of Fans, giving him a shot at a spot in Canton

Broncos Country , long known for its ardent devotion , now has a chance to see one of its own honored in Canton .
Robert Garner , a.k.a .
“ Rescue Rob , ” is a Broncos superfan who hosts one of the biggest tailgates at Mile High .
A season ticket holder since 2010 , the team nominated Garner for the Ford Hall of Fans , which is a hall of fame for football fans inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame .
Garner , a firefighter for the Poudre Fire Authority by day , owns a 1976 Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ Broncos Country Engine No .
7 ” .
The fire engine is a staple at Garner ’ s tailgate , which he ’ s been hosting since he bought the truck in 2013 after seeing it sitting on a ranch with a “ for sale ” sign while on family vacation in Custer , South Dakota .
The purchase of the fire engine escalated Garner ’ s fandom , even as he was long on track to become the superfan he is today .
“ Years ago , my wife made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to this day , it ’ s the best Christmas gift anybody has ever given me , ” Garner said .
“ I started wearing that to the games , and then I started to get some old ( firefighter ) bunker pants , turned them orange , and then I got some leather Broncos suspenders .
The Broncos have always been huge to me , and my mom put me on the season-ticket waiting list when I was in high school.
” A major consideration in the Broncos ’ nomination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Garner ’ s door in Fort Collins via a surprise visit by Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey — is the fireman ’ s community service .
• Keeler : From John Elway to Peyton Manning to Tim Tebow , why Denver is where I found my mountain • Kiszla : As Broncos safety Steve Atwater knocked patiently on door to Pro Football Hall of Fame , heaven couldn ’ t wait to take his mother • Tom Brady , Broncos quarterback ?
Oddsmaker gives Denver a shot at landing him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a fit at back-up quarterback ?
• Broncos Review : A by-the-numbers look at the defense , special teams in 2019 With the help of other coordinating superfans , the 40-year-old Fort Collins native raised nearly $ 10,000 for various charities at his pregame tailgate this year .
Garner gets the food and drink for the tailgate donated , and then people leave cash donations at the tailgate which go to various local organizations such as Children ’ s Hospital and the Denver Rescue Mission .
Garner also uses the truck for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans can vote for Garner through January 27 at www.fordhalloffans.com/football , as he ’ s facing five other superfan finalists from across the country .
Three of the top six finalists will win a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami , with the ultimate winner being honored at the NFL enshrinement ceremony in August .
For Garner , he says the nomination alone is a humbling confirmation of his passion for the team and the community around it .
“ The Broncos are going to be in our life forever , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos fans and nothing can stop that — not these last four ( rough ) seasons , not anything .
We ’ re going to have our tickets until I ’ m gone , and I ’ m going to pass them on to the kids .
”

Broncos Country, long known for its ardent devotion, now has a chance to see one of its own honored in Canton.
Robert Garner, a.k.a. “Rescue Rob,” is a Broncos superfan who hosts one of the biggest tailgates at Mile High. A season ticket holder since 2010, the team nominated Garner for the Ford Hall of Fans, which is a hall of fame for football fans inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Garner, a firefighter for the Poudre Fire Authority by day, owns a 1976 Ford fire engine that he’s customized as “Broncos Country Engine No. 7”. The fire engine is a staple at Garner’s tailgate, which he’s been hosting since he bought the truck in 2013 after seeing it sitting on a ranch with a “for sale” sign while on family vacation in Custer, South Dakota.
The purchase of the fire engine escalated Garner’s fandom, even as he was long on track to become the superfan he is today.
“Years ago, my wife made me my first Broncos fire helmet, and to this day, it’s the best Christmas gift anybody has ever given me,” Garner said. “I started wearing that to the games, and then I started to get some old (firefighter) bunker pants, turned them orange, and then I got some leather Broncos suspenders. The Broncos have always been huge to me, and my mom put me on the season-ticket waiting list when I was in high school.”
A major consideration in the Broncos’ nomination of Garner — a nomination that was delivered at Garner’s door in Fort Collins via a surprise visit by Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey — is the fireman’s community service.
With the help of other coordinating superfans, the 40-year-old Fort Collins native raised nearly $10,000 for various charities at his pregame tailgate this year. Garner gets the food and drink for the tailgate donated, and then people leave cash donations at the tailgate which go to various local organizations such as Children’s Hospital and the Denver Rescue Mission. Garner also uses the truck for charity events on non-game days.
Broncos fans can vote for Garner through January 27 at www.fordhalloffans.com/football, as he’s facing five other superfan finalists from across the country. Three of the top six finalists will win a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami, with the ultimate winner being honored at the NFL enshrinement ceremony in August.
For Garner, he says the nomination alone is a humbling confirmation of his passion for the team and the community around it.
“The Broncos are going to be in our life forever,” Garner said. “We are lifelong Broncos fans and nothing can stop that — not these last four (rough) seasons, not anything. We’re going to have our tickets until I’m gone, and I’m going to pass them on to the kids.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Ask Amy: Spouse is ensnared in alarming marriage

Dear Amy : I met my husband at my workplace .
After three years of dating , we recently got married .
Now , our workplace has become really stressful .
I have wanted to quit my job and change jobs for the past year , but when I brought this up , my husband ( who was still my boyfriend at the time ) was against it .
I thought he was probably just being possessive .
After we got married , he still went deathly cold on me if I so much as mentioned quitting .
The situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even go to the office without me .
What is the psychology behind this behavior ?
Dear Newlywed : When it comes to relationships , I seldom react with total certitude , because I acknowledge that most relationships are complex , layered , and — with effort — are often reparable .
However , I am alarmed by your situation .
I believe that you should not only leave your job , but you should also leave this relationship — and take extreme care when you do so , because — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a risky and potentially dangerous situation for you .
The psychology behind your husband ’ s behavior is fairly transparent .
Yes , he is being possessive .
Now that you are married , he feels entitled to clamp down on his possessiveness , which has morphed into extreme control .
Given the dynamic in your marriage , you should take steps to avoid getting pregnant .
Pregnancy and a child would likely delay or prevent your exit .
I hope you will take your situation extremely seriously and develop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave .
Victims of intimate partner violence ( IPV ) are at an extremely heightened risk when leaving , and it is important to have a plan in place .
You could take the first steps by contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline ( thehotline.org or call 800-799-7233 ) .
It is important to make sure you contact The Hotline safely — if you and your husband share a computer at home and if he can check your phone or computer searches at work , you could be at risk .
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a friend ’ s computer or phone .
I genuinely hope I am overreacting to your situation .
I also hope you will take this very seriously .
Dear Amy : My daughter , “ Annie , ” joined a local theater group five years ago .
Her younger brother ( there is a 5-year age difference ) is now old enough to join , and has asked to enroll .
She is livid .
She says it is her “ thing , ” and that letting him be part of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I deny her brother the opportunity to participate in this theater group , or let him join , at the risk of upsetting her ?
Dear Concerned : As a sibling , I understand this dynamic .
Each sibling quite naturally wants to have their own “ thing.
” Many siblings instinctively avoid one another ’ s specialties and special interests .
As a parent , however , I don ’ t think you should let your daughter push the family around .
“ Annie ” does not get to own “ theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Greek patron of the theater , would not be pleased .
You know the dynamic in your household , and if your son is interested in this mainly to bug his sister , then you should encourage him to pursue something else .
Otherwise , yes , I believe you should let your son join this theater group .
Tell your daughter that — if he ’ s interested — he deserves to pursue this , and that you are going to let him give it a try .
Unlike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would put the children on different teams , these two are likely to perform in productions together .
I encourage families to get their kids involved in theater because the sense of community and togetherness in performing encourages pro-social behavior .
Once Annie adjusts to this , it could be a bonding experience for both .
I assume Annie will find a way to discourage her little brother from close contact during rehearsals , but you should caution your son to give his sister plenty of space .
She is not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear Amy : I ’ m responding to “ Grounded , ” whose retired husband was spending their money traveling while she worked .
When someone asked me why I didn ’ t accompany my husband on his “ vacations , ” I simply told them that one of us had to be the responsible adult .
Pointed yes , but it answered the question without having to say much more .

Dear Amy: I met my husband at my workplace.
After three years of dating, we recently got married. Now, our workplace has become really stressful.
I have wanted to quit my job and change jobs for the past year, but when I brought this up, my husband (who was still my boyfriend at the time) was against it. I thought he was probably just being possessive.
After we got married, he still went deathly cold on me if I so much as mentioned quitting. The situation has become so bizarre that he won’t even go to the office without me.
What is the psychology behind this behavior?
— Newlywed
Dear Newlywed: When it comes to relationships, I seldom react with total certitude, because I acknowledge that most relationships are complex, layered, and — with effort — are often reparable.
However, I am alarmed by your situation. I believe that you should not only leave your job, but you should also leave this relationship — and take extreme care when you do so, because — based only on what you report — this is a risky and potentially dangerous situation for you.
The psychology behind your husband’s behavior is fairly transparent. Yes, he is being possessive. Now that you are married, he feels entitled to clamp down on his possessiveness, which has morphed into extreme control.
Given the dynamic in your marriage, you should take steps to avoid getting pregnant. Pregnancy and a child would likely delay or prevent your exit.
I hope you will take your situation extremely seriously and develop a safety plan for when you are ready to leave. Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are at an extremely heightened risk when leaving, and it is important to have a plan in place.
You could take the first steps by contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org or call 800-799-7233). It is important to make sure you contact The Hotline safely — if you and your husband share a computer at home and if he can check your phone or computer searches at work, you could be at risk. Do your research and make the Hotline call from a friend’s computer or phone.
I genuinely hope I am overreacting to your situation. I also hope you will take this very seriously.
Dear Amy: My daughter, “Annie,” joined a local theater group five years ago. Her younger brother (there is a 5-year age difference) is now old enough to join, and has asked to enroll.
She is livid. She says it is her “thing,” and that letting him be part of it will ruin it for her.
Should I deny her brother the opportunity to participate in this theater group, or let him join, at the risk of upsetting her?
— Concerned Mother
Dear Concerned: As a sibling, I understand this dynamic. Each sibling quite naturally wants to have their own “thing.” Many siblings instinctively avoid one another’s specialties and special interests.
As a parent, however, I don’t think you should let your daughter push the family around. “Annie” does not get to own “theater” as an overall pursuit.
Dionysus, the Greek patron of the theater, would not be pleased.
You know the dynamic in your household, and if your son is interested in this mainly to bug his sister, then you should encourage him to pursue something else.
Otherwise, yes, I believe you should let your son join this theater group. Tell your daughter that — if he’s interested — he deserves to pursue this, and that you are going to let him give it a try.
Unlike in sports, where a five-year age difference would put the children on different teams, these two are likely to perform in productions together. I encourage families to get their kids involved in theater because the sense of community and togetherness in performing encourages pro-social behavior.
Once Annie adjusts to this, it could be a bonding experience for both.
I assume Annie will find a way to discourage her little brother from close contact during rehearsals, but you should caution your son to give his sister plenty of space. She is not going to want to hang out with him.
Dear Amy: I’m responding to “Grounded,” whose retired husband was spending their money traveling while she worked.
When someone asked me why I didn’t accompany my husband on his “vacations,” I simply told them that one of us had to be the responsible adult.
Pointed yes, but it answered the question without having to say much more.
— Elsie
Dear Elsie: Yep, that covers it nicely.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Tucker Carlson dissents as right-wing media weighs Trump’s Iran strike

It was the kind of full-throated critique of President Donald Trump familiar to MSNBC viewers , yet transplanted to the heart of Fox News : Tucker Carlson , the network ’ s conservative 8 p.m. host , upbraiding the White House for its attempts to justify the killing of a top military commander in Iran .
“ It ’ s hard to remember now , but as recently as last week , most people didn ’ t consider Iran an imminent threat , ” Carlson said at the start of his Monday show , going on to mock Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for saying intelligence agencies had identified an undefined Iranian threat .
“ Seems like about 20 minutes ago , we were denouncing these people as the ‘ deep state ’ and pledging never to trust them again without verification , ” Carlson told viewers , eyebrow arched .
“ Now , for some reason , we do trust them — implicitly and completely.
” At 9 p.m. , Fox News made way for the pro-Trump commentary of Sean Hannity , who declared “ the world is safer ” after the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Carlson ’ s dissent showed how a right-wing media world that typically moves in lock step with the president has struggled to reconcile Trump ’ s surprise escalation with his prior denunciations of open-ended conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan .
In an interview , Stephen K. Bannon , Trump ’ s former chief strategist , said that he and other supporters of the president were still hunting for an effective defense .
“ This is a very complicated issue , and the people who support President Trump , from Tucker Carlson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsey Graham , are really trying to work through this , ” Bannon said Monday .
“ What you ’ re seeing now — live on television , live on radio — is people working through what this means.
” Just as the political world was caught off-guard by the killing of Soleimani , so too was the conservative media complex .
As reports emerged last Thursday of the missile strike in Baghdad that killed the general , Hannity phoned into his Fox News show from vacation to offer vociferous praise .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ America appears to be lumbering toward a new Middle East war.
” On “ Fox & Friends ” the next morning , co-host Brian Kilmeade said he was “ elated ” by the news , only to be scolded by Geraldo Rivera , who pointed to false intelligence peddled by the George W. Bush administration to justify the Iraq War .
“ Don ’ t for a minute start cheering this on , ” Rivera , a Fox News correspondent , told the hosts .
Bannon , the former chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast , “ War Room : Impeachment.
” In the interview , he said he was concerned that a burgeoning conflict in Iran could threaten Trump ’ s support among “ working-class , middle-class people , particularly people whose sons and daughters actually fight in these wars , ” a group that believed the president opposed significant foreign intervention .
“ Why was it necessary to kill this guy and to kill him now and to exacerbate the military issues , given the fact that President Trump looks to us as someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , paraphrasing a question he said he was hearing from independent voters .
“ That still has to be explained , ” Bannon continued .
“ I don ’ t know if it ’ s the president addressing the nation .
I don ’ t know if it ’ s the president getting on ‘ Fox & Friends.
’ But clearly , at some point and time , the president ’ s got to walk through not just what his logic was , but also where he wants to take this.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative media commentators was the lack of guidance from the White House , which has been slow to settle on a public narrative around Soleimani ’ s death .
( BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM . )
In 2003 , as the Bush administration prepared for a conflict in Iraq , White House officials took pains to build support among allies and media commentators for an invasion .
In 2020 , the Trump administration seems to be attempting the reverse : retroactively arguing its case even as the world grapples with the consequences of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump aides have referred to evidence from intelligence agencies about an imminent threat from Iran — the same intelligence agencies that Trump and his media surrogates have attacked for three years as biased and prone to fabricating evidence .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham is virtually unknown to the public , because she has not held a briefing in her six months on the job and rarely agrees to interviews outside of Fox News .
An attempt on Twitter by Vice President Mike Pence to connect Soleimani to the 9/11 attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPTIONAL TRIM . )
Pompeo , dispatched to the major political talk shows Sunday , argued that “ appeasement ” of Iran would increase the risk of a terror attack , even as Soleimani ’ s death set off enormous anti-American protests in Tehran .
That prompted an on-air rebuke from Carlson , who showed a clip of Pompeo on his Monday Fox News show .
“ The risk of terror is also increased by bombing other people ’ s countries , ” Carlson said .
Carlson , a longtime opponent of American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been more willing than Hannity to criticize Trump , though he has not called out the president by name in his recent commentary on Iran .
After his Monday segment on Soleimani , he introduced a five-part series , “ American Dystopia , ” chronicling urban decay in San Francisco .
( The president later retweeted a Twitter post by Carlson promoting the series . )
Trump , for his part , has done relatively little to persuade the public .
Aside from a brief and hastily convened TV statement from his Palm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , initially posting a caption-less picture of an American flag on the day of the Baghdad strike .
On Tuesday afternoon , the president spoke informally to reporters at the White House about the strike .
On Monday , he granted his first interview on the matter to the radio show of conservative host Rush Limbaugh , a Trump safe space with a direct line to the president ’ s political base .
“ I hope this is the greatest year of your life , sir , ” Limbaugh cooed to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Soleimani killing had many Americans on edge .
“ People are being scared to death , their kids are being scared to death , out of their minds , that somehow this is going to start World War III , ” he said .
Trump responded haltingly , as if testing out ideas for his message .
“ This should have been done for the last 15 to 20 years , ” the president said , calling Soleimani “ a terrorist ” and declaring that “ our country is a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into complaints about House Democrats and their views on Israel .
Charlie Sykes , a longtime right-wing talk-radio host and a critic of Trump , said in an interview that the president could still draw on a reservoir of support among his conservative supporters .
“ Killing terrorists has always been a great talking point for Republican presidents , ” Sykes said .
Trump ’ s campaign-trail opposition to the Iraq War , though , complicates matters .
“ Trumpism is both isolationist and highly militaristic at the same time , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributor .
“ It ’ s not dovish — it ’ s highly militaristic , but it ’ s selectively militaristic .
Being strong is not inconsistent with appeasing the North Koreans or Vladimir Putin.
” He paused to laugh .
“ My head is hurting just thinking about this.
” ( STORY CAN END HERE .
OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS . )
On Monday night , Hannity previewed a potential new talking point for the president .
“ We can ’ t and won ’ t be going with boots on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s not gon na happen , and frankly , it ’ s not necessary.
” Still , the situation in Iran remains fluid .
On Monday , Bannon used his podcast to point out the contradictions of the president ’ s approach , noting , “ One of the central building blocks of why he was elected president was to get out of these foreign wars.
” A co-host , former Trump campaign aide Jason Miller , leaped to the president ’ s defense , but Bannon interrupted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ Where ’ s the populist nationalist movement in this ?
This is supposed to be a new day .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

It was the kind of full-throated critique of President Donald Trump familiar to MSNBC viewers, yet transplanted to the heart of Fox News: Tucker Carlson, the network’s conservative 8 p.m. host, upbraiding the White House for its attempts to justify the killing of a top military commander in Iran.
“It’s hard to remember now, but as recently as last week, most people didn’t consider Iran an imminent threat,” Carlson said at the start of his Monday show, going on to mock Trump’s secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, for saying intelligence agencies had identified an undefined Iranian threat.
“Seems like about 20 minutes ago, we were denouncing these people as the ‘deep state’ and pledging never to trust them again without verification,” Carlson told viewers, eyebrow arched. “Now, for some reason, we do trust them — implicitly and completely.”
At 9 p.m., Fox News made way for the pro-Trump commentary of Sean Hannity, who declared “the world is safer” after the death of the commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
But Carlson’s dissent showed how a right-wing media world that typically moves in lock step with the president has struggled to reconcile Trump’s surprise escalation with his prior denunciations of open-ended conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In an interview, Stephen K. Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, said that he and other supporters of the president were still hunting for an effective defense.
“This is a very complicated issue, and the people who support President Trump, from Tucker Carlson all the way to Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, are really trying to work through this,” Bannon said Monday. “What you’re seeing now — live on television, live on radio — is people working through what this means.”
Just as the political world was caught off-guard by the killing of Soleimani, so too was the conservative media complex.
As reports emerged last Thursday of the missile strike in Baghdad that killed the general, Hannity phoned into his Fox News show from vacation to offer vociferous praise. That same night, Carlson warned his viewers that “America appears to be lumbering toward a new Middle East war.”
On “Fox & Friends” the next morning, co-host Brian Kilmeade said he was “elated” by the news, only to be scolded by Geraldo Rivera, who pointed to false intelligence peddled by the George W. Bush administration to justify the Iraq War. “Don’t for a minute start cheering this on,” Rivera, a Fox News correspondent, told the hosts.
Bannon, the former chief of Breitbart News, now runs a pro-Trump podcast, “War Room: Impeachment.” In the interview, he said he was concerned that a burgeoning conflict in Iran could threaten Trump’s support among “working-class, middle-class people, particularly people whose sons and daughters actually fight in these wars,” a group that believed the president opposed significant foreign intervention.
“Why was it necessary to kill this guy and to kill him now and to exacerbate the military issues, given the fact that President Trump looks to us as someone who’s not trigger-happy?” Bannon said, paraphrasing a question he said he was hearing from independent voters.
“That still has to be explained,” Bannon continued. “I don’t know if it’s the president addressing the nation. I don’t know if it’s the president getting on ‘Fox & Friends.’ But clearly, at some point and time, the president’s got to walk through not just what his logic was, but also where he wants to take this.”
Indeed, part of the problem for conservative media commentators was the lack of guidance from the White House, which has been slow to settle on a public narrative around Soleimani’s death. In 2003, as the Bush administration prepared for a conflict in Iraq, White House officials took pains to build support among allies and media commentators for an invasion. In 2020, the Trump administration seems to be attempting the reverse: retroactively arguing its case even as the world grapples with the consequences of a provocative military strike.
Without providing specifics, Trump aides have referred to evidence from intelligence agencies about an imminent threat from Iran — the same intelligence agencies that Trump and his media surrogates have attacked for three years as biased and prone to fabricating evidence.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham is virtually unknown to the public, because she has not held a briefing in her six months on the job and rarely agrees to interviews outside of Fox News. An attempt on Twitter by Vice President Mike Pence to connect Soleimani to the 9/11 attacks was quickly proved wrong.
Pompeo, dispatched to the major political talk shows Sunday, argued that “appeasement” of Iran would increase the risk of a terror attack, even as Soleimani’s death set off enormous anti-American protests in Tehran. That prompted an on-air rebuke from Carlson, who showed a clip of Pompeo on his Monday Fox News show.
“The risk of terror is also increased by bombing other people’s countries,” Carlson said.
Carlson, a longtime opponent of American involvement in the Middle East, has been more willing than Hannity to criticize Trump, though he has not called out the president by name in his recent commentary on Iran. After his Monday segment on Soleimani, he introduced a five-part series, “American Dystopia,” chronicling urban decay in San Francisco. (The president later retweeted a Twitter post by Carlson promoting the series.)
Trump, for his part, has done relatively little to persuade the public. Aside from a brief and hastily convened TV statement from his Palm Beach resort, he has kept to Twitter, initially posting a caption-less picture of an American flag on the day of the Baghdad strike. On Tuesday afternoon, the president spoke informally to reporters at the White House about the strike.
On Monday, he granted his first interview on the matter to the radio show of conservative host Rush Limbaugh, a Trump safe space with a direct line to the president’s political base.
“I hope this is the greatest year of your life, sir,” Limbaugh cooed to Trump at one point, while also venturing that the Soleimani killing had many Americans on edge. “People are being scared to death, their kids are being scared to death, out of their minds, that somehow this is going to start World War III,” he said.
Trump responded haltingly, as if testing out ideas for his message. “This should have been done for the last 15 to 20 years,” the president said, calling Soleimani “a terrorist” and declaring that “our country is a lot safer.” Soon, he had veered into complaints about House Democrats and their views on Israel.
Charlie Sykes, a longtime right-wing talk-radio host and a critic of Trump, said in an interview that the president could still draw on a reservoir of support among his conservative supporters.
“Killing terrorists has always been a great talking point for Republican presidents,” Sykes said. Trump’s campaign-trail opposition to the Iraq War, though, complicates matters.
“Trumpism is both isolationist and highly militaristic at the same time,” said Sykes, who is also a MSNBC contributor. “It’s not dovish — it’s highly militaristic, but it’s selectively militaristic. Being strong is not inconsistent with appeasing the North Koreans or Vladimir Putin.” He paused to laugh. “My head is hurting just thinking about this.” On Monday night, Hannity previewed a potential new talking point for the president. “We can’t and won’t be going with boots on the ground in Iran,” he told viewers. “That’s not gonna happen, and frankly, it’s not necessary.”
Still, the situation in Iran remains fluid. On Monday, Bannon used his podcast to point out the contradictions of the president’s approach, noting, “One of the central building blocks of why he was elected president was to get out of these foreign wars.”
A co-host, former Trump campaign aide Jason Miller, leaped to the president’s defense, but Bannon interrupted. “You’re thinking like Republicans,” he said. “Where’s the populist nationalist movement in this? This is supposed to be a new day.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--RTD announces five finalists for interim GM, CEO

Five finalists in the search for RTD ’ s interim general manager and CEO were announced Thursday night by the agency ’ s directors .
Current General Manager and CEO Dave Genova will retire Jan. 20 after 26 years of service with the agency , according to a news release .
From a pool of more than 40 applicants , the board selected five preliminary candidates to interview for the interim position .
They are : • Paul Ballard , former president and CEO , Trinity Metro .
Ballard retired in April 2019 from Trinity Metro , which serves the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its suburbs .
• Amy Ford , director , Mobility on Demand Alliance .
Ford is director of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America ’ s Mobility on Demand Alliance .
• Michael Ford , RTD chief operations officer .
Ford joined RTD in January 2018 as chief operations officer , he has three decades of transit experience in multiple states .
• Mike Meader , RTD chief safety and security officer .
Meader joined RTD in August 2016 and has more than 30 years of management experience .
• Jackie Millet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has served as mayor for four years and eight years prior as City Council member and mayor pro tem .
The process to select an interim leader began when Genova announced his retirement late in 2019 .
After the interim position is filled , the board plans to pursue a nationwide recruitment for a permanent leader .
The board can choose to conduct additional interviews , the release said .
RTD can make an offer of employment to the selected finalist in two weeks .
The public can provide comments to the RTD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the RTD board office .

Five finalists in the search for RTD’s interim general manager and CEO were announced Thursday night by the agency’s directors.
Current General Manager and CEO Dave Genova will retire Jan. 20 after 26 years of service with the agency, according to a news release.
From a pool of more than 40 applicants, the board selected five preliminary candidates to interview for the interim position. They are:
Paul Ballard, former president and CEO, Trinity Metro. Ballard retired in April 2019 from Trinity Metro, which serves the city of Fort Worth, Texas, and its suburbs.
Amy Ford, director, Mobility on Demand Alliance. Ford is director of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s Mobility on Demand Alliance.
Michael Ford, RTD chief operations officer. Ford joined RTD in January 2018 as chief operations officer, he has three decades of transit experience in multiple states.
Mike Meader, RTD chief safety and security officer. Meader joined RTD in August 2016 and has more than 30 years of management experience.
Jackie Millet, mayor of Lone Tree. Millet has served as mayor for four years and eight years prior as City Council member and mayor pro tem.
The process to select an interim leader began when Genova announced his retirement late in 2019. After the interim position is filled, the board plans to pursue a nationwide recruitment for a permanent leader.
The board can choose to conduct additional interviews, the release said. RTD can make an offer of employment to the selected finalist in two weeks. The public can provide comments to the RTD board by contacting their RTD board member or the RTD board office.


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Snowmass Village HOA illegally banned a resident’s service dog, is ordered to pay victim $50,000

A condominium association in Snowmass Village violated federal law — the Fair Housing Act — when it banned the service dog of a resident with disabilities from her home .
To resolve a lawsuit , filed last week in U.S. District Court in Denver , Creekside Condominium Homeowners Association was ordered to pay $ 50,000 to the woman , to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities , and to better train its board on the requirements of the Fair Housing Act , according to a U.S. Attorney , District of Colorado news release .
The complaint , filed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that Creekside “ repeatedly denied requests by the resident for an exception to the HOA ’ s ‘ no dogs ’ policy to permit her to live with her assistance animal , a dog named Tallulah , ” according to the release .
“ The resident had experienced anxiety and depression and acquired Tallulah to alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities.
” The resident had requested , under provisions of the Fair Housing Act , permission for Tallulah to live with her .
The resident submitted appropriate forms and documentation from mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her request , the release said .
Denial by Creekside forced the woman to live elsewhere for several months , including a week in a van .
“ Housing providers are required by law to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities , ” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn .
“ We are pleased that this HOA is adopting policies and will conduct training that complies with the Fair Housing Act .
These are important protections to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal housing opportunities.
” A jointly submitted consent order was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Domenico .
The HOA has also agreed to issue an apology to the resident .

A condominium association in Snowmass Village violated federal law — the Fair Housing Act — when it banned the service dog of a resident with disabilities from her home.
To resolve a lawsuit, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Denver, Creekside Condominium Homeowners Association was ordered to pay $50,000 to the woman, to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities, and to better train its board on the requirements of the Fair Housing Act, according to a U.S. Attorney, District of Colorado news release.
The complaint, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, claimed that Creekside “repeatedly denied requests by the resident for an exception to the HOA’s ‘no dogs’ policy to permit her to live with her assistance animal, a dog named Tallulah,” according to the release. “The resident had experienced anxiety and depression and acquired Tallulah to alleviate the symptoms of her disabilities.”
The resident had requested, under provisions of the Fair Housing Act, permission for Tallulah to live with her. The resident submitted appropriate forms and documentation from mental health and medical professionals in support of her request, the release said. Denial by Creekside forced the woman to live elsewhere for several months, including a week in a van.
“Housing providers are required by law to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “We are pleased that this HOA is adopting policies and will conduct training that complies with the Fair Housing Act. These are important protections to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal housing opportunities.”
A jointly submitted consent order was approved Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico. The HOA has also agreed to issue an apology to the resident.


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Huge week for CU Buffs’ McKinley Wright IV marred by finish against Oregon State

With a little more than eight minutes remaining against Oregon State , Colorado point guard McKinley Wright IV drove down the lane for a layup that gave the Buffaloes a 10-point lead .
• Like last month , D ’ Shawn Schwartz looks to rebound from rough outing for CU Buffs • Na ’ im Rodman preparing to take game to next level for CU Buffs football • How Colorado ’ s college football team ’ s offensive lines ranked ( one finished 19th in the country ) Moments later , 6-foot-7 Tyler Bey made a highlight-reel blocked shot on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelley , leading to foul shots for Wright at the other end .
Wright made 1 of 2 with 7 minutes , 57 seconds remaining , giving the Buffs an 11-point lead .
On the heels of a win against fourth-ranked Oregon , the CU Events Center was rocking .
A huge week by Wright made him a worthy selection for the latest Pac-12 Player of the Week , but the second weekly honor of his career failed to erase the sting of Sunday ’ s disappointment that saw Oregon State reel off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffs at home .
Wright was right in the middle of that collapse , committing three of his four turnovers down the stretch .
Like his teammates , it ’ s a finish Wright is trying to move past in as CU uses a longer work week to prepare for Sunday ’ s visit from Utah ( 4 p.m. , ESPNU ) .
“ I know McKinley Wright and what he ’ s about and what he ’ s made of .
When he struggles , some of his teammates need to pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he picks up , ” said Boyle , whose team had a planned off-day Thursday before resuming practice on Friday .
“ It ’ s got to be a two-way street .
I don ’ t put it all on McKinley .
I ’ m not going to make excuses for him and say he played well , because he didn ’ t .
He played well for the first 33 minutes .
This program would not be in the position it ’ s in without McKinley Wright , I can promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second half , Wright notched his 10th assist of the game against Oregon State , and at that point he had only one turnover , which he committed early in the second half .
Wright became just the fourth CU player to post at least six 10-assist games — joining a club that includes Jose Winston , Mike Reid , and Jay Humphries — but that would be Wright ’ s final assist of the afternoon .
In the final 7:15 , Wright lost the ball in the lane and also airmailed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while trying to break the OSU press .
He also attempted an ill-advised lob to Bey while Oregon State ’ s Zach Reichle essentially played free safety at the back of the Beavers ’ zone .
For a club that has listened to Boyle repeatedly preach the idea of making the simple play , the lob was an attempt at flair when simply running the offense would have sufficed .
“ That wasn ’ t the simple play , obviously , ” Wright said .
“ The lob is there sometimes with me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read .
Reichle was guarding Evan on the post-up and he cheated over and got a ( steal ) .
Obviously it wasn ’ t the simple play , but I ’ ve learned from it.
” The Buffs ’ heightened expectations team-wise also bring heightened expectations individually .
A recent run in which Wright has posted 28 assists against seven turnovers over the past three games has improved his season assist-to-turnover rate to 1.70 , up from 1.29 going into the Iona game less than two weeks ago .
Still , Wright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admit the play down the stretch against OSU was unacceptable .
“ McKinley has been so good to this basketball program .
I don ’ t put it all on him , ” Boyle said .
“ He certainly did not play well down the stretch .
He knows that .
Everybody that was here knows that .
And what ’ s disappointing is that he had played so well for the first 33 minutes .
And our offense has gotten better .
No doubt .
We shot 49 percent from the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven minutes and I wasn ’ t able to help them , and they weren ’ t able to help themselves .
I think it ’ s an aberration .
”

Things were humming along beautifully.
With a little more than eight minutes remaining against Oregon State, Colorado point guard McKinley Wright IV drove down the lane for a layup that gave the Buffaloes a 10-point lead.
Moments later, 6-foot-7 Tyler Bey made a highlight-reel blocked shot on a dunk attempt by OSU 7-footer Kylor Kelley, leading to foul shots for Wright at the other end. Wright made 1 of 2 with 7 minutes, 57 seconds remaining, giving the Buffs an 11-point lead. On the heels of a win against fourth-ranked Oregon, the CU Events Center was rocking.
And then, disaster.
A huge week by Wright made him a worthy selection for the latest Pac-12 Player of the Week, but the second weekly honor of his career failed to erase the sting of Sunday’s disappointment that saw Oregon State reel off a game-closing 24-5 run to stun the Buffs at home.
Wright was right in the middle of that collapse, committing three of his four turnovers down the stretch. Like his teammates, it’s a finish Wright is trying to move past in as CU uses a longer work week to prepare for Sunday’s visit from Utah (4 p.m., ESPNU).
“I know McKinley Wright and what he’s about and what he’s made of. When he struggles, some of his teammates need to pick up. Just like when they struggle, he picks up,” said Boyle, whose team had a planned off-day Thursday before resuming practice on Friday.
“It’s got to be a two-way street. I don’t put it all on McKinley. I’m not going to make excuses for him and say he played well, because he didn’t. He played well for the first 33 minutes. This program would not be in the position it’s in without McKinley Wright, I can promise you that.”
Just 5:05 into the second half, Wright notched his 10th assist of the game against Oregon State, and at that point he had only one turnover, which he committed early in the second half. Wright became just the fourth CU player to post at least six 10-assist games — joining a club that includes Jose Winston, Mike Reid, and Jay Humphries — but that would be Wright’s final assist of the afternoon.
In the final 7:15, Wright lost the ball in the lane and also airmailed a cross-court pass to Daylen Kountz near midcourt while trying to break the OSU press. He also attempted an ill-advised lob to Bey while Oregon State’s Zach Reichle essentially played free safety at the back of the Beavers’ zone.
For a club that has listened to Boyle repeatedly preach the idea of making the simple play, the lob was an attempt at flair when simply running the offense would have sufficed.
“That wasn’t the simple play, obviously,” Wright said. “The lob is there sometimes with me and Tyler but I made the wrong read. Reichle was guarding Evan on the post-up and he cheated over and got a (steal). Obviously it wasn’t the simple play, but I’ve learned from it.”
The Buffs’ heightened expectations team-wise also bring heightened expectations individually. A recent run in which Wright has posted 28 assists against seven turnovers over the past three games has improved his season assist-to-turnover rate to 1.70, up from 1.29 going into the Iona game less than two weeks ago. Still, Wright would be the first CU player to admit the play down the stretch against OSU was unacceptable.
“McKinley has been so good to this basketball program. I don’t put it all on him,” Boyle said. “He certainly did not play well down the stretch. He knows that. Everybody that was here knows that. And what’s disappointing is that he had played so well for the first 33 minutes. And our offense has gotten better. No doubt. We shot 49 percent from the field. We melted down there the last seven minutes and I wasn’t able to help them, and they weren’t able to help themselves. I think it’s an aberration.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Suspect in Arvada carjacking, who allegedly fired at police while fleeing scene, is arrested

A suspect in an armed carjacking last month , who allegedly fired shots at Arvada police , has been arrested @ @ @ @ @ 14 , and the stolen vehicle crashed , with the carjacker fleeing on foot and @ @ @ @ @ were in pursuit , police said in a news release .
The perpetrator evaded officers @ @ @ @ @ in the 5900 block of Johnson Way .
On Wednesday , police arrested Joseph Saiz @ @ @ @ @ suspect in the case .
Saiz is being held on suspicion of felony charges : @ @ @ @ @ ( bodily injury ) , first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft , four counts of menacing @ @ @ @ @ by a previous offender .

A suspect in an armed carjacking last month, who allegedly fired shots at Arvada police, has been arrested.
The incident happened Dec. 14, and the stolen vehicle crashed, with the carjacker fleeing on foot and firing shots at officers who were in pursuit, police said in a news release. The perpetrator evaded officers. He was last seen in the 5900 block of Johnson Way.
On Wednesday, police arrested Joseph Saiz, 25, as a suspect in the case. Saiz is being held on suspicion of felony charges: aggravated robbery, vehicular eluding (bodily injury), first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, four counts of menacing and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
An investigation is ongoing.


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--Shopping for a low-maintenance ranch takes on urgency as age-55-plus Fairway Villas nears end of its

Shopping for a low-maintenance ranch takes on urgency as age-55-plus Fairway Villas nears end of its Bungalows

After a very busy year , new-home sales counselors at age-55-plus Fairway Villas in Green Valley Ranch were hoping for a slower time over the holidays .
But that didn ’ t happen , says OakwoodLife ’ s Charles Roberts .
“ We saw traffic all the way through Christmas to New Years , ” Roberts told me , while walking me through the only ranch that Oakwood has ready for move-in now .
The day before , another low-maintenance ranch sold to a couple from Oklahoma that bought it on their very first visit to the community .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been that profile : Walk in and buy it .
That ’ s giving salespeople a new way of looking at 2020 .
They ’ re already anticipating the real estate market this spring will be strong : Rates are low , and the resale market for older houses — the ones owned by people anxious to get out and move up — has relatively little inventory .
Owners of those older homes may be imagining that they ’ ll have plenty of time to shop around , but the supply side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Right now , Oakwood has fewer than 20 homes left at Fairway Villas from its Bungalow series of single-family ranches — low-maintenance homes with surprising size that sold rapidly last year , now priced from the $ 410s .
Roberts and Lee Ann Delis will show you a Conifer plan from that series at Fairway Villas , just south of East 56th Avenue at Ireland Street .
It delivers just short of 2,000 finished square feet , two bedrooms plus a flex-room that could go for hobbies or a library , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upgrades , a nice master with big walk-in shower , finished space on the basement level and a two-car garage .
The price is $ 421,900 .
Bungalows are single-family homes arrayed around mini-cul-de-sacs , where they ’ re provided with front-yard landscape maintenance and snow removal , currently for only $ 70/month .
Owners have access to a busy calendar of events staged at Fairway Villas ’ clubhouse , with indoor and outdoor pools overlooking Green Valley Ranch Golf Club , and an attractive bar/party area watched over by a full-time lifestyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans for a new area of age-55-plus homes in an expansion of Green Valley Ranch east into the Aerotropolis area of Aurora , closer to DIA .
But those homes , says Roberts , are months away from opening sales , and deliveries will be further out still .
Right now , you ’ ll find three Bungalows set for delivery by March , the other two in the $ 430s ; and you can see sites where others are underway for later this spring .
You can also walk Oakwood ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two final areas of sites for those , backing to the 11th and 12th fairways , where prices are starting in the $ 550s .
But that will be it for Fairway Villas .
Now , you ’ ll see a second clubhouse , The Lodge , close to completion near the models , and you ’ ll hear about Green Valley Ranch Golf Club , with a new Ebert ’ s Terrace tavern that has an OakwoodLife room that ’ s popular with residents .
Take E. 56th east from Peña Blvd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

After a very busy year, new-home sales counselors at age-55-plus Fairway Villas in Green Valley Ranch were hoping for a slower time over the holidays. But that didn’t happen, says OakwoodLife’s Charles Roberts.
Fairway Villas by OakwoodLife What: Fairway Villas by OakwoodLife, “55-and-better” living in two collections of single-family ranches, three low-maintenance Bungalow ranches set for early 2020 delivery, golf, amenities, new clubhouse nearly complete.
Fairway Villas by OakwoodLife, “55-and-better” living in two collections of single-family ranches, three low-maintenance Bungalow ranches set for early 2020 delivery, golf, amenities, new clubhouse nearly complete. Where: 20357 E. 53rd Drive, Denver. Take Peña Blvd north to E. 56th, east 1.7 mile (past Tower) to Ireland St., south 3 blks to Maxwell Pl., turn east on Maxwell to Jebel St., then south.
20357 E. 53rd Drive, Denver. Take Peña Blvd north to E. 56th, east 1.7 mile (past Tower) to Ireland St., south 3 blks to Maxwell Pl., turn east on Maxwell to Jebel St., then south. Price: From the $410s, Villas from mid-$500s
From the $410s, Villas from mid-$500s When: Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 11-12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 11-12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 303-486-8713
303-486-8713 More Info: MyOakwoodLife.com
“We saw traffic all the way through Christmas to New Years,” Roberts told me, while walking me through the only ranch that Oakwood has ready for move-in now. The day before, another low-maintenance ranch sold to a couple from Oklahoma that bought it on their very first visit to the community. His last two sales, Roberts adds, have been that profile: Walk in and buy it.
That’s giving salespeople a new way of looking at 2020. They’re already anticipating the real estate market this spring will be strong: Rates are low, and the resale market for older houses — the ones owned by people anxious to get out and move up — has relatively little inventory.
Owners of those older homes may be imagining that they’ll have plenty of time to shop around, but the supply side of the equation is a different matter.
Right now, Oakwood has fewer than 20 homes left at Fairway Villas from its Bungalow series of single-family ranches — low-maintenance homes with surprising size that sold rapidly last year, now priced from the $410s.
Roberts and Lee Ann Delis will show you a Conifer plan from that series at Fairway Villas, just south of East 56th Avenue at Ireland Street. It delivers just short of 2,000 finished square feet, two bedrooms plus a flex-room that could go for hobbies or a library, including a kitchen with granite and some gourmet upgrades, a nice master with big walk-in shower, finished space on the basement level and a two-car garage. The price is $421,900.
Bungalows are single-family homes arrayed around mini-cul-de-sacs, where they’re provided with front-yard landscape maintenance and snow removal, currently for only $70/month. Owners have access to a busy calendar of events staged at Fairway Villas’ clubhouse, with indoor and outdoor pools overlooking Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, and an attractive bar/party area watched over by a full-time lifestyle activities director.
Meanwhile, OakwoodLife has plans for a new area of age-55-plus homes in an expansion of Green Valley Ranch east into the Aerotropolis area of Aurora, closer to DIA. But those homes, says Roberts, are months away from opening sales, and deliveries will be further out still.
Right now, you’ll find three Bungalows set for delivery by March, the other two in the $430s; and you can see sites where others are underway for later this spring. You can also walk Oakwood’s even larger Villa Collection models and see two final areas of sites for those, backing to the 11th and 12th fairways, where prices are starting in the $550s.
But that will be it for Fairway Villas. Now, you’ll see a second clubhouse, The Lodge, close to completion near the models, and you’ll hear about Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, with a new Ebert’s Terrace tavern that has an OakwoodLife room that’s popular with residents. Take E. 56th east from Peña Blvd to Ireland Street and turn south.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-01-10--In a New Year market that’s had a surprisingly early start, luxury condos open sales a 10-minute wal

In a New Year market that’s had a surprisingly early start, luxury condos open sales a 10-minute walk from Cherry Creek

Top-selling south Denver agent Rike Palese is seeing extremely unusual activity in the market for this early in the year — and he ’ ll do nothing to slow that pace when he opens sales Saturday , Jan. 11 , on a 36-unit project of luxury condos 6 blocks from Cherry Creek ’ s dining district .
Saturday morning , Palese and team partner Jonathan Keiler of Re/Max Professionals open their sales center for One19 Cherry Creek at 119 S. Harrison St. , 4 blocks east of the venerable Chopper ’ s Sports Grill in Cherry Creek South .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very unusual market , ” says Palese , who already took reservations on One19 from five people who got in before Saturday ’ s scheduled opening .
“ Last year , it began heating up in the spring , but buyers are exceptionally positive about the economy now , and we were seeing things warming up in December.
” With virtually no competition for purchase product in Cherry Creek , this project is likely to sizzle early on , says Palese .
“ Denver is marking a huge demand for lifestyle product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Some of the people we ’ re talking with are older , some are younger , but they all have busy lives and busy jobs and they want to be free of maintenance.
” At One19 ’ s new sales center , you ’ ll see the three-story condo already well along — close enough that serious buyers can don a hard hat and walk some actual units inside — ones that show airy interiors .
The project has a single one-bedroom priced at $ 585,000 , expected to disappear immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two-plus-den units are priced from the $ 800s to low $ 1 millions , some of them as large as 1,625 square feet .
Six homes on the top floor are getting rooftop decks looking east toward D.C. Burns Park , and all will have dedicated underground parking and finishes that Palese says are desirable for this price range : 9-foot ceilings , Bosch kitchen appliances with a built-in fridge in cabinet livery , Euro-style cabinets , engineered wood-plank floors , quartz tops , a nice choice of faucets including in trendy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Make your move now , before the end to the month , and you ’ ll get $ 15,000 off the price , along with a free washer and dryer and mesh window coverings .
Palese and his team will show you renderings for a “ Great Room ” amenity area with lounge and bar and a Peloton-stocked fitness studio , and for a rear courtyard with garden , barbecue and fire pits .
The location is 4 blocks from the Gates Tennis Center at Pulaski Park , and just as close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown .
Early buyer traffic , Palese adds , has included a number of potential buyers looking to sell their older homes in Hilltop and Crestmoor — and others coming from older townhouse projects in surrounding blocks .
“ They all want to get into lock-n-leave and single-level living , ” he says .
“ The resale products that they ’ re seeing now are 15 years old , but they all want new and fresh.
” Meanwhile , Cherry Creek ’ s reputation for top-shelf dining is taking on even more allure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dining district , head east on First Avenue a half mile to Harrison and turn south 2 blocks .
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

Top-selling south Denver agent Rike Palese is seeing extremely unusual activity in the market for this early in the year — and he’ll do nothing to slow that pace when he opens sales Saturday, Jan. 11, on a 36-unit project of luxury condos 6 blocks from Cherry Creek’s dining district.
One19 Cherry Creek What: Sales opening, One19 Cherry Creek, 36 luxury condominiums a 6-block walk from Cherry Creek’s dining district, 850 to 1,625 sq.ft., premium finishes, underground parking, rooftop decks on some, $15K off thru Jan. 31.
Sales opening, One19 Cherry Creek, 36 luxury condominiums a 6-block walk from Cherry Creek’s dining district, 850 to 1,625 sq.ft., premium finishes, underground parking, rooftop decks on some, $15K off thru Jan. 31. Where: 119 S. Harrison St., Denver; from Cherry Creek, head east on First Ave ½ mile to Harrison, turn south 2 blocks; or from Colorado Blvd near D.C. Burns Park, take E. Bayaud Ave east 1 blk to Harrison, turn south.
119 S. Harrison St., Denver; from Cherry Creek, head east on First Ave ½ mile to Harrison, turn south 2 blocks; or from Colorado Blvd near D.C. Burns Park, take E. Bayaud Ave east 1 blk to Harrison, turn south. Price: From $585,000; 2-bedroom condos from $800s
From $585,000; 2-bedroom condos from $800s When: Saturday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12, noon to 5
Saturday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12, noon to 5 Phone: 720-930-9685
720-930-9685 More Info: One19CherryCreek.com
Saturday morning, Palese and team partner Jonathan Keiler of Re/Max Professionals open their sales center for One19 Cherry Creek at 119 S. Harrison St., 4 blocks east of the venerable Chopper’s Sports Grill in Cherry Creek South.
“It’s turning out to be a very unusual market,” says Palese, who already took reservations on One19 from five people who got in before Saturday’s scheduled opening. “Last year, it began heating up in the spring, but buyers are exceptionally positive about the economy now, and we were seeing things warming up in December.”
With virtually no competition for purchase product in Cherry Creek, this project is likely to sizzle early on, says Palese.
“Denver is marking a huge demand for lifestyle product of all types,” he adds. “Some of the people we’re talking with are older, some are younger, but they all have busy lives and busy jobs and they want to be free of maintenance.”
At One19’s new sales center, you’ll see the three-story condo already well along — close enough that serious buyers can don a hard hat and walk some actual units inside — ones that show airy interiors.
The project has a single one-bedroom priced at $585,000, expected to disappear immediately. But the bulk of roomy two-bedroom and two-plus-den units are priced from the $800s to low $1 millions, some of them as large as 1,625 square feet.
Six homes on the top floor are getting rooftop decks looking east toward D.C. Burns Park, and all will have dedicated underground parking and finishes that Palese says are desirable for this price range: 9-foot ceilings, Bosch kitchen appliances with a built-in fridge in cabinet livery, Euro-style cabinets, engineered wood-plank floors, quartz tops, a nice choice of faucets including in trendy black, and linear fireplaces on most.
Make your move now, before the end to the month, and you’ll get $15,000 off the price, along with a free washer and dryer and mesh window coverings.
Palese and his team will show you renderings for a “Great Room” amenity area with lounge and bar and a Peloton-stocked fitness studio, and for a rear courtyard with garden, barbecue and fire pits. The location is 4 blocks from the Gates Tennis Center at Pulaski Park, and just as close to the Cherry Creek Bike Trail into downtown.
Early buyer traffic, Palese adds, has included a number of potential buyers looking to sell their older homes in Hilltop and Crestmoor — and others coming from older townhouse projects in surrounding blocks.
“They all want to get into lock-n-leave and single-level living,” he says. “The resale products that they’re seeing now are 15 years old, but they all want new and fresh.”
Meanwhile, Cherry Creek’s reputation for top-shelf dining is taking on even more allure with new restaurant openings. From the dining district, head east on First Avenue a half mile to Harrison and turn south 2 blocks.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.