thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Ask Amy: Abuse survivor is afraid to tell parents

Dear Amy : I am a woman in my mid-20s .
In junior high school , I was sexually abused by a classmate .
When I went to a teacher for help , my concerns were dismissed as “ boys being boys.
” I was told that this abuse just meant that the boy in question liked me .
After my teacher failed to help me , I tried to reach out to my parents .
I was terrified to tell them , because they are devout Christians and had always taught that premarital sex was not acceptable .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and my abuser used this fear against me by threatening to tell others that I was “ easy.
” I tried to talk to my dad about it , but I hinted around it to see how he would take it .
He was agitated and talked about how whatever I did now with someone would take away from my future spouse ’ s relationship with me .
My takeaway was : “ You are ruined by what has happened to you , and no one else will want you.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blaming myself .
I began to withdraw , I began to self-harm , I developed disordered eating , and my parents often fought with me about my “ moodiness ” or “ being difficult.
” I never told them about the abuse .
I have been going to therapy , and one thing that I keep coming back to is telling my parents about what happened .
I have been afraid that they will react poorly , or blame me , or view me differently .
I want them to understand that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that I was a kid who was hurting and didn ’ t know how to ask for help .
I worry that if I tell my dad about my past , I will break his heart and he will blame himself .
I think enough self-blame and self-hatred have infected my life , and I wouldn ’ t wish it on anyone .
Best-case scenario , this would help me find closure .
Worst-case scenario , it could damage my relationship with my parents .
I am at a loss .
Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my parents ?
Dear Old Wounds : No , I don ’ t think you should keep this a secret .
You should work this through with your therapist ’ s help .
You might ask your parents to meet with you in your therapist ’ s office so you will have guided coaching to handle your disclosure .
As a parent , I can tell you that a child ’ s pain cuts a parent very , very deep .
Your parents might not immediately react in any expected or anticipated way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , confused , and guilty .
They may lash out — or try to deny this episode or diminish its impact on you .
They might need time to figure out how to be appropriately supportive .
But you should give them the opportunity to love you through this .
This will be a challenging process for all of you , but it is one you should initiate — when you are ready .
Dear Amy : My husband and I have been divorced for over 15 years and see each frequently at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a significant other .
Our youngest daughter eloped in November and wants to have a reception this summer .
My ex-husband is very financially stable and owns his home , vehicles , and a boat .
I ( on the other hand ) live paycheck to paycheck .
I just started collecting Social Security and still struggle .
He told me he would pay $ 5,000 for the reception if I paid $ 1,000 .
I can not afford to pay anything toward this wedding and told him so .
What do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest that your daughter enjoy her $ 5,000 ( or $ 4,000 , or whatever her father decides to donate ) reception .
You can be helpful by finding ways to help your daughter stretch this money the furthest .
Dear Amy : I ’ m responding to the touching note from “ My Son ’ s Mom.
” Her son had been in trouble , and she wondered about contacting various counselors to let them know that he was graduating from high school .
As a legal services attorney serving justice-involved youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to share the good news .
I feel such joy when I receive notes about the progress and milestones of the youth I have worked with .
Thank you to the parents and youth who let us know their achievements .
Dear Patti : Thank you for doing good work .

Dear Amy: I am a woman in my mid-20s. In junior high school, I was sexually abused by a classmate. When I went to a teacher for help, my concerns were dismissed as “boys being boys.” I was told that this abuse just meant that the boy in question liked me.
After my teacher failed to help me, I tried to reach out to my parents. I was terrified to tell them, because they are devout Christians and had always taught that premarital sex was not acceptable. I was afraid that they would blame me, and my abuser used this fear against me by threatening to tell others that I was “easy.”
I tried to talk to my dad about it, but I hinted around it to see how he would take it. He was agitated and talked about how whatever I did now with someone would take away from my future spouse’s relationship with me. My takeaway was: “You are ruined by what has happened to you, and no one else will want you.”
This began a long path of self-hatred and blaming myself. I began to withdraw, I began to self-harm, I developed disordered eating, and my parents often fought with me about my “moodiness” or “being difficult.”
I never told them about the abuse.
I have been going to therapy, and one thing that I keep coming back to is telling my parents about what happened.
I have been afraid that they will react poorly, or blame me, or view me differently. I want them to understand that I wasn’t a bad kid, but that I was a kid who was hurting and didn’t know how to ask for help.
I worry that if I tell my dad about my past, I will break his heart and he will blame himself. I think enough self-blame and self-hatred have infected my life, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Best-case scenario, this would help me find closure. Worst-case scenario, it could damage my relationship with my parents.
I am at a loss. Should I keep this as a secret from my parents?
— Old Wounds
Dear Old Wounds: No, I don’t think you should keep this a secret. You should work this through with your therapist’s help. You might ask your parents to meet with you in your therapist’s office so you will have guided coaching to handle your disclosure.
As a parent, I can tell you that a child’s pain cuts a parent very, very deep. Your parents might not immediately react in any expected or anticipated way.
Yes, they might feel heartbroken, confused, and guilty. They may lash out — or try to deny this episode or diminish its impact on you.
They might need time to figure out how to be appropriately supportive. But you should give them the opportunity to love you through this. This will be a challenging process for all of you, but it is one you should initiate — when you are ready.
Dear Amy: My husband and I have been divorced for over 15 years and see each frequently at our family gatherings. Neither of us has a significant other.
Our youngest daughter eloped in November and wants to have a reception this summer. My ex-husband is very financially stable and owns his home, vehicles, and a boat.
I (on the other hand) live paycheck to paycheck. I just started collecting Social Security and still struggle.
He told me he would pay $5,000 for the reception if I paid $1,000.
I cannot afford to pay anything toward this wedding and told him so. What do you suggest?
— Broke Bride’s Mom
Dear Mom: I suggest that your daughter enjoy her $5,000 (or $4,000, or whatever her father decides to donate) reception.
You can be helpful by finding ways to help your daughter stretch this money the furthest.
Dear Amy: I’m responding to the touching note from “My Son’s Mom.” Her son had been in trouble, and she wondered about contacting various counselors to let them know that he was graduating from high school.
As a legal services attorney serving justice-involved youth, I want to encourage this mom to share the good news.
I feel such joy when I receive notes about the progress and milestones of the youth I have worked with.
Thank you to the parents and youth who let us know their achievements.
We love making a difference.
— Patti
Dear Patti: Thank you for doing good work.
(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--2020-02-19--Michael Bennet talks presidential run, upcoming election in Littleton town hall

On Tuesday evening , U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet fielded concerns about the upcoming election during a town hall to a crowd of around 120 at the Peak Community and Wellness Center in Littleton .
“ Everyone has to understand what ’ s at stake here , ” Bennet said .
“ The rule of law is getting shattered.
” The Colorado senator , who dropped out of the presidential race last week after the New Hampshire primary , discussed his campaign in his opening remarks .
Bennet attributed his lack of success in his presidential run to his late start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualifying for debates and fundraising .
“ I hope that whatever national profile I was able to develop will benefit Colorado and my service in that state going forward , ” Bennet said after the town hall .
“ I ’ ve learned that Colorado is the sweet spot , I think , of where American politics is.
” Attendees were eager to hear whether Bennet would endorse one of the Democratic candidates , but the senator said he has not yet made up his mind .
“ As soon as I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be useful to say that , I will , ” he said .
Bennet said that he plans to see how the race develops over the next couple of weeks .
He said that there ’ s not a nominee in the Democratic race that he wouldn ’ t support because of the threats President Donald Trump poses .
“ We have to restore integrity to our government , ” Bennet said .
“ We ’ re at a moment in our political life as a nation where we have to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re headed.
” Many constituents expressed fears of Trump ’ s potential for re-election .
Carole Keller , an internet marketing consultant from Littleton , discussed how many people she talks to feel worn out by the current political system and unmotivated to vote .
The 67-year-old asked Bennet what Democrats are doing to ensure that everyone gets out to vote without feeling so defeated .
“ I understand how tired people are from the chaos every day , ” Bennet said .
“ But it ’ s not allowable for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets here.
” Gabe Nelson , a junior at Columbine High School , asked Bennet how he plans to get young people out to vote .
The senator stressed that though many difficult issues have been unfairly dealt to the next generation , including debt and climate change , voting is the vehicle to improvement .
“ The only way to turn around our political system is to participate in it , ” Bennet said .
“ And I hope that we can figure out ways of inspiring you based on that obligation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennet discussed the challenges Coloradans face trying to afford health care , housing and higher education .
Jo Douglas , a 60-year-old from Littleton , asked Bennet about getting health insurance plans that are more accustomed to the needs of Coloradans .
“ We have a broken health care market , ” Bennet said .
“ Part of the problem we have , especially in rural areas , is there aren ’ t enough people in certain parts Colorado to have a real market to get people insured in a way that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his proposal , called Medicare-X , which offers a public option , could provide universal health care .
He will hold two more town halls later this week in the state , in Grand Junction on Thursday and in Steamboat Springs on Friday .

On Tuesday evening, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet fielded concerns about the upcoming election during a town hall to a crowd of around 120 at the Peak Community and Wellness Center in Littleton.
“Everyone has to understand what’s at stake here,” Bennet said. “The rule of law is getting shattered.”
The Colorado senator, who dropped out of the presidential race last week after the New Hampshire primary, discussed his campaign in his opening remarks. Bennet attributed his lack of success in his presidential run to his late start, which he said prevented him from qualifying for debates and fundraising.
“I hope that whatever national profile I was able to develop will benefit Colorado and my service in that state going forward,” Bennet said after the town hall. “I’ve learned that Colorado is the sweet spot, I think, of where American politics is.”
Attendees were eager to hear whether Bennet would endorse one of the Democratic candidates, but the senator said he has not yet made up his mind.
“As soon as I have an idea about that and think it would be useful to say that, I will,” he said.
Bennet said that he plans to see how the race develops over the next couple of weeks. He said that there’s not a nominee in the Democratic race that he wouldn’t support because of the threats President Donald Trump poses.
“We have to restore integrity to our government,” Bennet said. “We’re at a moment in our political life as a nation where we have to have an honest conversation about where we’re headed.”
Many constituents expressed fears of Trump’s potential for re-election. Carole Keller, an internet marketing consultant from Littleton, discussed how many people she talks to feel worn out by the current political system and unmotivated to vote. The 67-year-old asked Bennet what Democrats are doing to ensure that everyone gets out to vote without feeling so defeated.
“I understand how tired people are from the chaos every day,” Bennet said. “But it’s not allowable for us to feel beaten down before the election even gets here.”
Gabe Nelson, a junior at Columbine High School, asked Bennet how he plans to get young people out to vote. The senator stressed that though many difficult issues have been unfairly dealt to the next generation, including debt and climate change, voting is the vehicle to improvement.
“The only way to turn around our political system is to participate in it,” Bennet said. “And I hope that we can figure out ways of inspiring you based on that obligation we each have to our democracy.”
Bennet discussed the challenges Coloradans face trying to afford health care, housing and higher education. Jo Douglas, a 60-year-old from Littleton, asked Bennet about getting health insurance plans that are more accustomed to the needs of Coloradans.
“We have a broken health care market,” Bennet said. “Part of the problem we have, especially in rural areas, is there aren’t enough people in certain parts Colorado to have a real market to get people insured in a way that’s predictable and affordable.”
Bennet said that his proposal, called Medicare-X, which offers a public option, could provide universal health care.
He will hold two more town halls later this week in the state, in Grand Junction on Thursday and in Steamboat Springs on Friday.


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Senate committee hearing on RTD oversight bill shines a light on services for disabled riders

Legislation that would tighten state oversight of the troubled Regional Transportation District got its first hearing in front of lawmakers Tuesday , and the focus was squarely on how well the metro area ’ s disabled community is being served by transit .
Julie Reiskin , executive director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition , characterized Senate Bill 151 as a “ pro-RTD bill.
” She was one of nearly a dozen members of the disabled community who attended the proceedings in front of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee .
“ Without RTD , we don ’ t have jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Reiskin told lawmakers .
That is why it ’ s so important that the bill , which Reiskin said would provide necessary additional protections for disabled passengers , needs to become law .
The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee , which is chaired by Democratic Sen .
Faith Winter , will take another day of testimony on March 3 before voting on whether to move the bill through .
Andrew Montoya , an attorney with the coalition , said that if disabled riders could bring complaints against RTD in state court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Americans with Disabilities Act , faster and more effective outcomes could be achieved .
He said federal disability cases are “ extremely expensive and time-consuming , ” citing one lawsuit his organization filed against RTD that dragged out for three years .
But RTD fired back , saying that SB 151 could potentially burden the transit agency with an avalanche of litigation as the agency tries to comply with a “ legal standard that seems impossible to meet , ” said RTD attorney Jenifer Ross-Amato .
“ Broadening liability will invite litigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she testified .
“ The bill creates new protected classes not identified in federal law.
” Zamy Silva , senior manager of RTD ’ s civil rights division , was adamant that the agency is fully compliant with ADA requirements and said RTD ’ s “ complaint procedure is very , very robust.
” “ It ’ s embedded in our mission and core values , ” she said .
SB 151 was introduced in late January and contains several elements that have gotten pushback from RTD .
Spearheaded by Republican Sen. Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s elected 15-member board of directors by two new members , both of whom would be appointed by the governor .
The new at-large directors would be tasked with advocating for disadvantaged communities in the district and riders with disabilities .
There would also be two non-voting members — the state treasurer and the executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation — who would provide increased fiscal oversight and transportation planning coordination .
Heather McKillop , who is heading up RTD until newly hired Interim General Manager Paul Ballard starts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies on the dais may not be a wise move .
“ We do have concerns that adding four additional members would make the board somewhat unwieldy , ” she told lawmakers .
She also noted that RTD is already heavily audited by no fewer than 13 external agencies .
SB 151 would call for a higher level of transparency at RTD , including placing directors under the constraints of Amendment 41 and giving whistle-blower protection to employees filing complaints .
Amendment 41 , passed by voters 13 years ago , requires all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift they receive valued at more than $ 59 , with some exceptions .
RTD has been in the spotlight of late , besieged with the twin evils of falling ridership and a driver shortage .
Late last year , the agency said it would have to consider making significant cuts to bus and train service to better align its service with the workers it has to operate its fleet .
On Wednesday , RTD will launch the first of more than a dozen community meetings throughout the metro area — to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get public feedback on its proposed service cuts .
The RTD board will make a final decision on any curtailments in March .
Any changes would go into effect in May .

Legislation that would tighten state oversight of the troubled Regional Transportation District got its first hearing in front of lawmakers Tuesday, and the focus was squarely on how well the metro area’s disabled community is being served by transit.
Julie Reiskin, executive director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, characterized Senate Bill 151 as a “pro-RTD bill.” She was one of nearly a dozen members of the disabled community who attended the proceedings in front of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee.
“Without RTD, we don’t have jobs or the ability to live independently,” Reiskin told lawmakers.
That is why it’s so important that the bill, which Reiskin said would provide necessary additional protections for disabled passengers, needs to become law.
The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee, which is chaired by Democratic Sen. Faith Winter, will take another day of testimony on March 3 before voting on whether to move the bill through.
Andrew Montoya, an attorney with the coalition, said that if disabled riders could bring complaints against RTD in state court, rather than just in federal court per the Americans with Disabilities Act, faster and more effective outcomes could be achieved.
He said federal disability cases are “extremely expensive and time-consuming,” citing one lawsuit his organization filed against RTD that dragged out for three years.
But RTD fired back, saying that SB 151 could potentially burden the transit agency with an avalanche of litigation as the agency tries to comply with a “legal standard that seems impossible to meet,” said RTD attorney Jenifer Ross-Amato.
“Broadening liability will invite litigation and the threat of litigation,” she testified. “The bill creates new protected classes not identified in federal law.”
Zamy Silva, senior manager of RTD’s civil rights division, was adamant that the agency is fully compliant with ADA requirements and said RTD’s “complaint procedure is very, very robust.”
“It’s embedded in our mission and core values,” she said.
SB 151 was introduced in late January and contains several elements that have gotten pushback from RTD. Spearheaded by Republican Sen. Jack Tate, the measure would expand RTD’s elected 15-member board of directors by two new members, both of whom would be appointed by the governor. The new at-large directors would be tasked with advocating for disadvantaged communities in the district and riders with disabilities.
There would also be two non-voting members — the state treasurer and the executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation — who would provide increased fiscal oversight and transportation planning coordination.
Heather McKillop, who is heading up RTD until newly hired Interim General Manager Paul Ballard starts in his position next week, said more bodies on the dais may not be a wise move.
“We do have concerns that adding four additional members would make the board somewhat unwieldy,” she told lawmakers.
She also noted that RTD is already heavily audited by no fewer than 13 external agencies.
SB 151 would call for a higher level of transparency at RTD, including placing directors under the constraints of Amendment 41 and giving whistle-blower protection to employees filing complaints. Amendment 41, passed by voters 13 years ago, requires all elected officials to disclose any benefit or gift they receive valued at more than $59, with some exceptions.
RTD has been in the spotlight of late, besieged with the twin evils of falling ridership and a driver shortage. Late last year, the agency said it would have to consider making significant cuts to bus and train service to better align its service with the workers it has to operate its fleet.
On Wednesday, RTD will launch the first of more than a dozen community meetings throughout the metro area — to be held over the next two weeks — to get public feedback on its proposed service cuts. The RTD board will make a final decision on any curtailments in March. Any changes would go into effect in May.


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Tulsi Gabbard is holding 2 Colorado events, joining other presidential candidates flocking to state

Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is joining the top 2020 presidential candidates in visiting Colorado this week , with stops planned in @ @ @ @ @ Boulder on Thursday .
It ’ s the first campaign visit to the state for @ @ @ @ @ Hawaii who is polling in single digits .
“ Go beyond the mainstream media bias @ @ @ @ @ genuine freedom fighter !
” her website says .
The Wednesday event will be at @ @ @ @ @ Center in Colorado Springs , and the Thursday event will be at 11:30 a.m. at @ @ @ @ @ .
Those who wish to attend either can RSVP on her website .
Also Thursday @ @ @ @ @ hold a rally in Colorado Springs and Amy Klobuchar is holding one in Denver .
@ @ @ @ @ Sunday , Joe Biden was here for a fundraiser Monday , and Elizabeth Warren and @ @ @ @ @ in the Denver area this weekend .

Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is joining the top 2020 presidential candidates in visiting Colorado this week, with stops planned in Colorado Springs on Wednesday and Boulder on Thursday.
It’s the first campaign visit to the state for Gabbard, a representative from Hawaii who is polling in single digits.
“Go beyond the mainstream media bias and smears and meet the genuine freedom fighter!” her website says.
The Wednesday event will be at 6 p.m. at Beckett Event Center in Colorado Springs, and the Thursday event will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Avalon Ballroom in Boulder. Those who wish to attend either can RSVP on her website.
Also Thursday, President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Colorado Springs and Amy Klobuchar is holding one in Denver. Bernie Sanders held a rally Sunday, Joe Biden was here for a fundraiser Monday, and Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are holding events in the Denver area this weekend.


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Driver crashes vehicle while eluding officers in northwest Denver, police say

A man wanted on a parole violation , driving in northwest Denver , failed to stop for officers on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ time later , police said .
The driver who failed to stop , and the @ @ @ @ @ that was part of a two-vehicle collision , were both taken to a local hospital @ @ @ @ @ Doug Schepman , a police spokesman .
The driver who allegedly eluded officers will be @ @ @ @ @ from the hospital .
Beyond eluding , he ’ ll face a possession of a @ @ @ @ @ charge , Schepman said .
Another man in the vehicle driven by the alleged parole @ @ @ @ @ warrant and he was taken into custody .
A woman in the same vehicle was @ @ @ @ @ The incident happened at about 6 p.m. in the area of West 41st Avenue and @ @ @ @ @ .
Southbound lanes of Sheridan were shutdown from 40th to 42nd avenues by the incident @

A man wanted on a parole violation, driving in northwest Denver, failed to stop for officers on Tuesday evening and crashed a short time later, police said.
The driver who failed to stop, and the driver of a secondary vehicle that was part of a two-vehicle collision, were both taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, said Doug Schepman, a police spokesman.
The driver who allegedly eluded officers will be arrested when he is discharged from the hospital. Beyond eluding, he’ll face a possession of a weapon by a previous felon charge, Schepman said.
Another man in the vehicle driven by the alleged parole violator was wanted on a warrant and he was taken into custody. A woman in the same vehicle was also held by police.
The incident happened at about 6 p.m. in the area of West 41st Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, police said.
Southbound lanes of Sheridan were shutdown from 40th to 42nd avenues by the incident.


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Rob Manfred apologizes for calling WS trophy a “piece of metal”

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “ piece of metal.
” Even before being asked about it , Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments when trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier .
“ I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way , and I want to apologize for it , ” Manfred said .
“ There ’ s no excuse for it .
… It was a mistake to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already upset with Manfred ’ s handling of the Houston Astros ’ sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it , became further infuriated by his “ piece of metal ” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday , the same day he spoke in Florida .
Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus , voicing his anger on social media Tuesday .
While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert , Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect Oakland right-hander Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whistleblower when he went public in November to The Athletic .
“ We will take every possible step to protect Mike Fiers wherever he ’ s playing , whether it ’ s in Houston or somewhere else , ” Manfred said .
“ Mike did the industry a service.
” The Astros play their first road game of the regular season March 30 at the A ’ s , who won 97 games each of the past two years to finish second to Houston in the AL West both times .
Cubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series champion — with the Boston Red Sox in 2007 and 2013 , and Chicago in 2016 — had some choice words for the commissioner earlier Tuesday .
“ That ’ s somebody that has never played our game .
You play for a reason , you play for that piece of metal .
I ’ m very proud of the three that I have , ” Lester said from the Cubs camp in Mesa , Arizona .
“ If that ’ s the way he feels , then he needs to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the first thing he shows visitors at his house are the displayed trophies he has won .
“ I ’ m proud of them .
That ’ s a lot of years , a lot of hard work .
You can ’ t just bring it down like that , ” the five-time All-Star said .
Manfred , after meeting with the general managers and managers of teams who train in Arizona , said he has taken great pleasure in presenting the past five World Series championship trophies since he became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday imploring Manfred to listen to the upset players .
The three-time NBA champion said he knows that he would be irate and uncontrollable if he found out he had been cheated out of a championship , punctuating his comment with an asterisk-filled expletive , and adding the hashtag # JustMyThoughtsComingFromASportsJunkieRegardlessMyOwnSportIPlay .
“ Listen here baseball commissioner listen to your…..players speaking today about how disgusted , mad , hurt , broken , etc etc about this , ” James wrote in part , adding , “ you need to fix this for the @ @ @ @ @

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred apologized Tuesday for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.”
Even before being asked about it, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments when trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier.
“I referred to the World Series trophy in a disrespectful way, and I want to apologize for it,” Manfred said. “There’s no excuse for it. … It was a mistake to say what I said.”
MLB players, already upset with Manfred’s handling of the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and some of his comments in trying to explain it, became further infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.
Even NBA superstar LeBron James joined the anti-Astros chorus, voicing his anger on social media Tuesday.
While speaking at the Cactus League media day in the Arizona desert, Manfred also pledged Tuesday to protect Oakland right-hander Mike Fiers, the ex-Astros pitcher who became the whistleblower when he went public in November to The Athletic.
“We will take every possible step to protect Mike Fiers wherever he’s playing, whether it’s in Houston or somewhere else,” Manfred said. “Mike did the industry a service.”
The Astros play their first road game of the regular season March 30 at the A’s, who won 97 games each of the past two years to finish second to Houston in the AL West both times.
Cubs lefty Jon Lester, a three-time World Series champion — with the Boston Red Sox in 2007 and 2013, and Chicago in 2016 — had some choice words for the commissioner earlier Tuesday.
“That’s somebody that has never played our game. You play for a reason, you play for that piece of metal. I’m very proud of the three that I have,” Lester said from the Cubs camp in Mesa, Arizona. “If that’s the way he feels, then he needs to take his name off the trophy.”
Lester said the first thing he shows visitors at his house are the displayed trophies he has won.
“I’m proud of them. That’s a lot of years, a lot of hard work. You can’t just bring it down like that,” the five-time All-Star said.
Manfred, after meeting with the general managers and managers of teams who train in Arizona, said he has taken great pleasure in presenting the past five World Series championship trophies since he became the commissioner.
James sent a two-part tweet Tuesday imploring Manfred to listen to the upset players. The three-time NBA champion said he knows that he would be irate and uncontrollable if he found out he had been cheated out of a championship, punctuating his comment with an asterisk-filled expletive, and adding the hashtag #JustMyThoughtsComingFromASportsJunkieRegardlessMyOwnSportIPlay.
“Listen here baseball commissioner listen to your…..players speaking today about how disgusted, mad, hurt, broken, etc etc about this,” James wrote in part, adding, “you need to fix this for the sake of Sports!”


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Former Colorado Springs mayoral candidate tried to enlist ex-boyfriend in baby-snatching scheme, aff

Former Colorado Springs mayoral candidate tried to enlist ex-boyfriend in baby-snatching scheme, affidavit says

The former Colorado Springs mayoral candidate who was arrested Friday and accused of trying to steal another woman ’ s baby talked about kidnapping a child and raising the infant as her own in messages she exchanged with her ex-boyfriend on Facebook , according to an arrest affidavit filed by investigators in Washington state .
In the messages , which began before Thanksgiving , Juliette Parker told her ex-boyfriend that she would “ marry him on the spot if he found her a baby girl in the next five weeks , ” according to the affidavit , which was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County ( Wash. ) Sheriff ’ s Department on Tuesday .
Parker discussed taking a baby from a homeless person and said kidnapping a child would be “ a last resort , ” according to the affidavit .
She asked her ex-boyfriend if he could get her some gamma-hydroxybutyrate , or GHB , a depressant often called a “ date rape drug ” because of its ability to inhibit those who take it , according to the affidavit .
Authorities believe Parker tried to act on that “ last resort ” plan in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another woman ’ s house in Spanaway , Wash. — posing as an infant photographer — and drugged the woman with a tainted cupcake .
The woman who ate the cupcake became sick , drifted in and out of consciousness , and vomited , according to the affidavit .
Hospital personnel later told her she exhibited symptoms associated with GHB .
When the woman became sick , she kicked Parker out of her house and called 911 .
Both Parker and her 16-year-old daughter were charged in connection with the Feb. 5 incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is accused of giving the cupcake to the infant ’ s mother , said in Facebook messages that Parker “ wants a baby girl more than anything , one that she can call her own ” and also discussed a kidnapping , according to the affidavit .
Parker may have drugged more than one new mother , according to the affidavit , which said several people on Facebook told the victim in this case that they ’ d felt hazy after Parker visited their homes to take photos of their babies , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the visits .
Parker advertised free photo shoots on Facebook for women who were at least 37 weeks pregnant or with an infant no more than a week old , according to the affidavit .
Parker ran for mayor of Colorado Springs in 2019 and lost to incumbent Mayor John Suthers .

The former Colorado Springs mayoral candidate who was arrested Friday and accused of trying to steal another woman’s baby talked about kidnapping a child and raising the infant as her own in messages she exchanged with her ex-boyfriend on Facebook, according to an arrest affidavit filed by investigators in Washington state.
In the messages, which began before Thanksgiving, Juliette Parker told her ex-boyfriend that she would “marry him on the spot if he found her a baby girl in the next five weeks,” according to the affidavit, which was released to The Denver Post by the Pierce County (Wash.) Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday.
Parker discussed taking a baby from a homeless person and said kidnapping a child would be “a last resort,” according to the affidavit. She asked her ex-boyfriend if he could get her some gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, a depressant often called a “date rape drug” because of its ability to inhibit those who take it, according to the affidavit.
Authorities believe Parker tried to act on that “last resort” plan in early February, when she went to another woman’s house in Spanaway, Wash. — posing as an infant photographer — and drugged the woman with a tainted cupcake.
The woman who ate the cupcake became sick, drifted in and out of consciousness, and vomited, according to the affidavit. Hospital personnel later told her she exhibited symptoms associated with GHB.
When the woman became sick, she kicked Parker out of her house and called 911.
Both Parker and her 16-year-old daughter were charged in connection with the Feb. 5 incident. Parker’s daughter, who is accused of giving the cupcake to the infant’s mother, said in Facebook messages that Parker “wants a baby girl more than anything, one that she can call her own” and also discussed a kidnapping, according to the affidavit.
Parker may have drugged more than one new mother, according to the affidavit, which said several people on Facebook told the victim in this case that they’d felt hazy after Parker visited their homes to take photos of their babies, and said items were missing from their houses after the visits.
Parker advertised free photo shoots on Facebook for women who were at least 37 weeks pregnant or with an infant no more than a week old, according to the affidavit.
Parker ran for mayor of Colorado Springs in 2019 and lost to incumbent Mayor John Suthers.


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Pistons and guard Reggie Jackson agree on contract buyout

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons and Reggie Jackson have agreed on a contract buyout , paving the way for the @ @ @ @ @ another team .
Jackson is in the final season of his five-year , $ 80 @ @ @ @ @ 2015 with the Pistons , who acquired him earlier that year in a trade with @ @ @ @ @ Jackson is averaging 14.9 points and 5.1 assists this season , but he has been @ @ @ @ @ this season due to a back injury .
The Thunder drafted the former Boston College @ @ @ @ @ overall in 2011 and he has averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 assists over his career @

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons and Reggie Jackson have agreed on a contract buyout, paving the way for the veteran guard to sign with another team.
Detroit announced the agreement Tuesday.
Jackson is in the final season of his five-year, $80 million deal he signed in 2015 with the Pistons, who acquired him earlier that year in a trade with Oklahoma City.
The 29-year-old Jackson is averaging 14.9 points and 5.1 assists this season, but he has been limited to just 14 games this season due to a back injury.
The Thunder drafted the former Boston College star with the 24th pick overall in 2011 and he has averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 assists over his career.


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Rockies GM Jeff Bridich “working to right the ship” regarding Nolan Arenado rift

Speaking at Cactus League media day , Bridich addressed the Nolan Arenado situation for the first time since the all-star third baseman made it clear that he was disappointed with the current path of the franchise and said he felt personally “ disrespected ” by Bridich .
Although some currents of anger and miscommunication certainly remain , and while Bridich declined to go into detail about how he might mend his relationship with Arenado , the GM said it was time to move on .
“ ( The ) really important point is to just move forward into the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
” Sometimes there are just natural disagreements and miscommunication over time , and so you continue to work to right the ship.
” Bridich also issued an apology to Rockies fans .
“ I ’ m sorry that our fans , if they ’ ve been … I ’ m sorry that it went this way … if it ’ s caused them angst , ” he said .
“ They ’ re our best supporters of Nolan .
They ’ re the best supporters of the organization .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there to be turmoil or crises or anything like that .
Sometimes there are professional disagreements in a business .
But , apart from that , we ’ ve never handled things internally publicly .
A lot of that is about out of respect .
It ’ s out of respect to the organization .
It ’ s out of respect to the players in the organization .
“ I think it ’ s appropriate that a lot of inner team business is kept as such .
That ’ s a big reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making statements .
It ’ s keeping with that policy , that best practices policy , for us.
” It was less than a year ago that Arenado signed an eight-year , $ 260 million contract .
But then came the Rockies ’ 91-loss season , persistent trade rumors and Arenado ’ s comments about his relationship with Bridich .
The GM declined to comment on the situation last week , but he did so Tuesday .
Although sources have said that a trade for Arenado could still happen this season if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade discussions are not part of Colorado ’ s current agenda .
Arenado has an opt-out in his contract after the 2021 season , and indications are that he ’ ll leave Colorado and become a free agent unless the Rockies become a more competitive team .
“ We are focused on the season here , ” Bridich said when asked if there was a moratorium on an Arenado trade .
“ We are focused on the reason we come together every spring training .
We are focused on being the best team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s where are at right now.
” Bridich said he and Arenado have not had a face-to-face meeting at spring training yet but said a meeting will probably happen .
“ Today was Day 2 , yesterday was Day 1 with him in camp , ” Bridich said .
“ We have seen each other , but we haven ’ t sat down yet .
But I trust that we will .
Like all of the other players , we will find time to sit down and interact with myself and ( manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked how he will go about repairing his relationship with the seven-time Gold Glove third basemen , Bridich answered : “ Just like I was saying , through communication .
The players over the last couple of days have been asked similar questions , and I think it just comes down to communicating and just being honest .
It ’ s about moving forward , focusing on the task at hand .
We are all here to do the same thing , and that ’ s to put together a winning team.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two men soured this offseason , but Bridich sidestepped that issue — or how their relationship might be repaired .
“ Look , I ’ m not going to ( talk about that ) , ” he said .
“ I am not going to speak publicly about what we would or would not talk about .
That will be among us when it happens.
” Arenado , as well as his teammates , have said that the offseason discord won ’ t affect Arenado ’ s performance on the field or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed with that sentiment .
“ You think back to less than a year ago , when we were on the dais , talking about the extension , and all those things that we said publicly in terms of the elite level of talent … the elite-level work , work ethic and his own expectation to play well , to be one of the best players in the game , ” Bridich said .
“ All of that still rings true right now .
There ’ s absolutely no wavering in our mind @ @ @

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — General manager Jeff Bridich attempted to calm the Rockies’ choppy waters Tuesday.
Speaking at Cactus League media day, Bridich addressed the Nolan Arenado situation for the first time since the all-star third baseman made it clear that he was disappointed with the current path of the franchise and said he felt personally “disrespected” by Bridich.
Although some currents of anger and miscommunication certainly remain, and while Bridich declined to go into detail about how he might mend his relationship with Arenado, the GM said it was time to move on.
“(The) really important point is to just move forward into the season and start focusing on baseball,” he said. ” Sometimes there are just natural disagreements and miscommunication over time, and so you continue to work to right the ship.”
Bridich also issued an apology to Rockies fans.
“I’m sorry that our fans, if they’ve been … I’m sorry that it went this way … if it’s caused them angst,” he said. “They’re our best supporters of Nolan. They’re the best supporters of the organization.
“Certainly, you don’t want there to be turmoil or crises or anything like that. Sometimes there are professional disagreements in a business. But, apart from that, we’ve never handled things internally publicly. A lot of that is about out of respect. It’s out of respect to the organization. It’s out of respect to the players in the organization.
“I think it’s appropriate that a lot of inner team business is kept as such. That’s a big reason why I haven’t been out making statements. It’s keeping with that policy, that best practices policy, for us.”
It was less than a year ago that Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million contract. But then came the Rockies’ 91-loss season, persistent trade rumors and Arenado’s comments about his relationship with Bridich. The GM declined to comment on the situation last week, but he did so Tuesday.
Although sources have said that a trade for Arenado could still happen this season if the Rockies play poorly, Bridich indicated that trade discussions are not part of Colorado’s current agenda. Arenado has an opt-out in his contract after the 2021 season, and indications are that he’ll leave Colorado and become a free agent unless the Rockies become a more competitive team.
“We are focused on the season here,” Bridich said when asked if there was a moratorium on an Arenado trade. “We are focused on the reason we come together every spring training. We are focused on being the best team that we can become. That’s where are at right now.”
Bridich said he and Arenado have not had a face-to-face meeting at spring training yet but said a meeting will probably happen.
“Today was Day 2, yesterday was Day 1 with him in camp,” Bridich said. “We have seen each other, but we haven’t sat down yet. But I trust that we will. Like all of the other players, we will find time to sit down and interact with myself and (manager) Buddy (Black).”
Asked how he will go about repairing his relationship with the seven-time Gold Glove third basemen, Bridich answered: “Just like I was saying, through communication. The players over the last couple of days have been asked similar questions, and I think it just comes down to communicating and just being honest. It’s about moving forward, focusing on the task at hand. We are all here to do the same thing, and that’s to put together a winning team.”
According to Arenado, the relationship between the two men soured this offseason, but Bridich sidestepped that issue — or how their relationship might be repaired.
“Look, I’m not going to (talk about that),” he said. “I am not going to speak publicly about what we would or would not talk about. That will be among us when it happens.”
Arenado, as well as his teammates, have said that the offseason discord won’t affect Arenado’s performance on the field or his tenor in the clubhouse. Bridich agreed with that sentiment.
“You think back to less than a year ago, when we were on the dais, talking about the extension, and all those things that we said publicly in terms of the elite level of talent … the elite-level work, work ethic and his own expectation to play well, to be one of the best players in the game,” Bridich said. “All of that still rings true right now. There’s absolutely no wavering in our mind whatsoever.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-19--Yankees’ Judge says Astros should be stripped of 2017 title

TAMPA , Fla. — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge feels the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship .
“ You cheated and you didn ’ t earn it , ” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees ’ first full-squad workout .
“ That ’ s how I feel .
It wasn ’ t earned .
It wasn ’ t earned the way of playing the game right and fighting to the end and knowing that we ’ re competing , we ’ re competitors .
The biggest thing about competition is laying it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the better player , better person comes out on top .
To know that another team had an advantage that , nothing you can really guard against , I just don ’ t feel like that ’ s earned.
” Major League Baseball concluded the Astros used a video camera to steal catcher ’ s signs in 2017 , including during the postseason , and in 2018 .
Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season each , then were fired by the team .
Houston was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its next two first- and second-round draft picks .
“ It affected a lot of games , no matter what anybody says , ” Judge said .
“ It affected the game big time .
People lost jobs , people lost money , people lost a lot of things important to them.
” No players were punished by MLB .
“ I wasn ’ t a fan of the punishment , I thought that was a little weak for a player-driven scheme , ” Judge said , “ that no players involved got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a seven-game AL Championship Series in 2017 , winning all four home games , and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game World Series .
“ To hear that you got cheated out of that opportunity , that ’ s tough to kind of let go , ” Judge said .
Judge finished second to the Astros ’ José Altuve in that year ’ s voting for AL MVP .
Judge backed the position of Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish , who felt the penalties imposed by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the one that said , if you ’ re playing in the Olympics and win a gold medal and find that you cheated , you don ’ t get to keep that medal , ” Judge said .
He agreed with teammate Gleyber Torres , who said Monday that he thought the Astros also broke rules in 2019 when the Yankees lost the AL Championship Series in six games .
“ To think that they cheated and won it all in ’ 17 , to think that they just clear-cut stopped ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tough for me to say that , ” Judge said .
But we ’ ll never really now , to be honest.
” Manfred said Sunday he wasn ’ t 100 % sure the Astros didn ’ t violate rules in 2019 but it was his best judgment that they didn ’ t .
Judge said the whole Yankees team is “ driven ” this year after the Astros scandal and falling just short of a pennant twice in three years .
“ There ’ s a different level of focus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ready .
We got to go out there and finish it this year.
” The sign stealing will remain on Judge ’ s mind .
“ It ’ s always going to be in the back of your head a little bit , ” Judge said .
“ You ’ re always going to have that bad taste in your mouth , thinking about it and hearing about it , but at some point we ’ re going to move on and we ’ re going to move forward and continue growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I care about is growing this game.
” Judge did not hit or throw because of what the team said was a minor right shoulder issue .
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the problem is not considered serious and Judge could start to ramp up activities in a couple days .
Judge is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season .
“ Just dealing with some crankiness , a little soreness in his shoulder , ” Boone said .
“ I feel like it ’ s a pretty minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try and get ahead of while we ’ re at this point at this point in the calendar.
” Judge had a number of tests , including an MRI , and did conditioning .
“ I just felt a little soreness in the shoulder , ” Judge said .
“ Nothing alarming.
” The outfielder hit .272 with 27 homers with 55 RBIs in 102 games last season .
He was on the injured list from April 21 to June 21 with a left oblique strain .
CF Brett Gardner said he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Astros but that he was going to keep mostly to himself .
“ Definitely something that ’ s bad for the game of baseball , bad for the fans , ” Gardner said .
“ Hope that moving forward .
we ’ ll continue to all work collectively as players , all 30 teams in Major League Baseball , to continue to have as even of a playing field as possible .
Definitely I ’ m disappointed and frustrated by what went on .
”

TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge feels the Houston Astros should be stripped of their 2017 World Series championship.
“You cheated and you didn’t earn it,” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees’ first full-squad workout. “That’s how I feel. It wasn’t earned. It wasn’t earned the way of playing the game right and fighting to the end and knowing that we’re competing, we’re competitors. The biggest thing about competition is laying it all out on the line, and whoever is the better player, better person comes out on top. To know that another team had an advantage that, nothing you can really guard against, I just don’t feel like that’s earned.”
Major League Baseball concluded the Astros used a video camera to steal catcher’s signs in 2017, including during the postseason, and in 2018. Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season each, then were fired by the team. Houston was fined $5 million and stripped of its next two first- and second-round draft picks.
“It affected a lot of games, no matter what anybody says,” Judge said. “It affected the game big time. People lost jobs, people lost money, people lost a lot of things important to them.”
No players were punished by MLB.
“I wasn’t a fan of the punishment, I thought that was a little weak for a player-driven scheme,” Judge said, “that no players involved got any punishments.”
Houston beat the Yankees in a seven-game AL Championship Series in 2017, winning all four home games, and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game World Series.
“To hear that you got cheated out of that opportunity, that’s tough to kind of let go,” Judge said.
Judge finished second to the Astros’ José Altuve in that year’s voting for AL MVP.
Judge backed the position of Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish, who felt the penalties imposed by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred were insufficient.
“I think Darvish was the one that said, if you’re playing in the Olympics and win a gold medal and find that you cheated, you don’t get to keep that medal,” Judge said.
He agreed with teammate Gleyber Torres, who said Monday that he thought the Astros also broke rules in 2019 when the Yankees lost the AL Championship Series in six games.
“To think that they cheated and won it all in ’17, to think that they just clear-cut stopped ’19 or ’18, it’s tough for me to say that,” Judge said. But we’ll never really now, to be honest.”
Manfred said Sunday he wasn’t 100% sure the Astros didn’t violate rules in 2019 but it was his best judgment that they didn’t.
Judge said the whole Yankees team is “driven” this year after the Astros scandal and falling just short of a pennant twice in three years.
“There’s a different level of focus,” Judge said. “These boys are ready. We got to go out there and finish it this year.”
The sign stealing will remain on Judge’s mind.
“It’s always going to be in the back of your head a little bit,” Judge said. “You’re always going to have that bad taste in your mouth, thinking about it and hearing about it, but at some point we’re going to move on and we’re going to move forward and continue growing this game. That’s what I care about is growing this game.”
Judge did not hit or throw because of what the team said was a minor right shoulder issue.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the problem is not considered serious and Judge could start to ramp up activities in a couple days. Judge is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
“Just dealing with some crankiness, a little soreness in his shoulder,” Boone said. “I feel like it’s a pretty minor thing. Just something we wanted to try and get ahead of while we’re at this point at this point in the calendar.”
Judge had a number of tests, including an MRI, and did conditioning.
“I just felt a little soreness in the shoulder,” Judge said. “Nothing alarming.”
The outfielder hit .272 with 27 homers with 55 RBIs in 102 games last season. He was on the injured list from April 21 to June 21 with a left oblique strain.
GARDY’S TAKE
CF Brett Gardner said he has some pretty strong feelings and opinions about the Astros but that he was going to keep mostly to himself.
“Definitely something that’s bad for the game of baseball, bad for the fans,” Gardner said. “Hope that moving forward. we’ll continue to all work collectively as players, all 30 teams in Major League Baseball, to continue to have as even of a playing field as possible. Definitely I’m disappointed and frustrated by what went on.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-20--Colorado movement to abolish daylight saving time remains hopeful despite loss

There ’ s a small but tireless band of advocates who dream of a day when there is no such thing as daylight saving time in Colorado — only “ time.
” Members of this group are split as to whether it ’ d be best to stick with the timeline we ’ re in now — that is , earlier sunrises with darker evenings — or the timeline we ’ ll shift to in March , when sunsets will suddenly take place an hour later .
Their priority is simply to lock the state ’ s locks , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall back ” or “ spring forward.
” This movement has suffered repeated defeats in recent years .
In fact , it ’ s become something of an annual tradition for Colorado state lawmakers to consider and then kill a lock-the-clocks bill .
This ritual played out again on Wednesday , with state Sen. Ray Scott , R-Grand Junction , introducing a bill that died at the committee level in a 3-2 vote .
“ I feel like I ’ m a member of a long club of ( lawmakers ) who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
— about locking the clock , ” Scott said at the committee hearing .
“ When you first look at it , you go , ‘ Maybe this is the year , ’ and then you find out pretty quickly it ’ s not the year.
” But there is real reason to believe that one of these years might actually be the year .
State legislatures around the country are increasingly willing to consider changes , as evidenced by a vote taken just this week in Wyoming to potentially shift that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Marco Rubio , a Florida Republican , also introduced legislation last year to lock the clock nationwide .
Slowly , he ’ s picking up support from his colleagues , including several Democrats who ’ ve signed on as co-sponsors .
“ Patty Murray ( D-Washington ) , Dianne Feinstein ( D-California ) , ” said an enthusiastic Scott Yates , a Denverite and lock-the-clock advocate who has traveled the country to speak out against daylight saving time .
“ I just talked to the legislative director for Marco Rubio last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of their agenda ; they ’ re serious about this .
They are convinced this is the kind of bipartisan bill that is a good idea to pass in the post-impeachment world.
” Yates acknowledged that any change at the federal level could be years off , if it ever happens , but he insisted that he ’ s observed real progress for his movement .
Neither of Colorado ’ s U.S. senators have gotten involved yet .
Former state Sen. Greg Brophy , who carried lock-the-clock bills for years at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado ’ s junior senator , Cory Gardner , once a week , and that this clock debate “ isn ’ t his thing.
” Brophy said he ’ s encouraged , though , by the slowly changing tide he has observed in Washington .
“ We ’ re getting close , ” said Brophy , before dialing that back : “ ‘ We ’ re getting closer ’ is probably better .
“ For a guy who started on this 10 years ago , we ’ re a hell of a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contrary to popular belief , the lock-the-clock efforts are not strongly opposed by agricultural interests in Colorado .
One state senator , Republican Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling , a rancher by profession , said it makes little difference to farmers when the sun comes up .
They ’ ll start working at dawn in any event .
Rather , the biggest reason the movement has made so few advances at the state level in Colorado is the ski industry , which strongly opposes any effort to mess with the state ’ s clocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We like the extra hour in the morning in the winter and the extra hour in the evening in the summer .
It works well for us , ” said Chris Linsmayer , public affairs director for Colorado Ski Country USA , the industry group representing 23 ski areas .
Many lawmakers privately say they ’ d love to abolish daylight saving time .
Few seem willing to take on the ski industry .
One of them , Greenwood Village ’ s Jeff Bridges , has come up with a compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — unlike a law , it ’ d be nonbinding , and so more likely to garner wider support — in the state Senate this year to urge Colorado ’ s congressional delegation to support lock-the-clock legislation federally .
He said he wants to see a change but is concerned about any state-level action that could potentially put Colorado out of sync with any federal shift .
“ I would prefer a national solution where we , on a national level , stop springing forward and falling back , ” said Sen. Bridges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the clock changes , especially when he loses sleep because of it .
“ I want consistency .
I ’ d prefer it across the country , across the year.
” Bridges said Sens .
Scott and Leroy Garcia — the Senate president — will join his memorial as sponsors .
Bridges plans to run that memorial on the first Monday after the clock springs forward .
“ Assuming I can get up and make it into work on time , ” he said .

There’s a small but tireless band of advocates who dream of a day when there is no such thing as daylight saving time in Colorado — only “time.”
Members of this group are split as to whether it’d be best to stick with the timeline we’re in now — that is, earlier sunrises with darker evenings — or the timeline we’ll shift to in March, when sunsets will suddenly take place an hour later. Their priority is simply to lock the state’s clocks, one way or another, with no “fall back” or “spring forward.”
This movement has suffered repeated defeats in recent years. In fact, it’s become something of an annual tradition for Colorado state lawmakers to consider and then kill a lock-the-clocks bill. This ritual played out again on Wednesday, with state Sen. Ray Scott, R-Grand Junction, introducing a bill that died at the committee level in a 3-2 vote.
“I feel like I’m a member of a long club of (lawmakers) who’ve attempted to do anything — anything! — about locking the clock,” Scott said at the committee hearing. “When you first look at it, you go, ‘Maybe this is the year,’ and then you find out pretty quickly it’s not the year.”
But there is real reason to believe that one of these years might actually be the year.
State legislatures around the country are increasingly willing to consider changes, as evidenced by a vote taken just this week in Wyoming to potentially shift that state permanently to one time.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, also introduced legislation last year to lock the clock nationwide. Slowly, he’s picking up support from his colleagues, including several Democrats who’ve signed on as co-sponsors.
“Patty Murray (D-Washington), Dianne Feinstein (D-California),” said an enthusiastic Scott Yates, a Denverite and lock-the-clock advocate who has traveled the country to speak out against daylight saving time. “I just talked to the legislative director for Marco Rubio last week in D.C. It’s at the top of their agenda; they’re serious about this. They are convinced this is the kind of bipartisan bill that is a good idea to pass in the post-impeachment world.”
Yates acknowledged that any change at the federal level could be years off, if it ever happens, but he insisted that he’s observed real progress for his movement.
Neither of Colorado’s U.S. senators have gotten involved yet. Former state Sen. Greg Brophy, who carried lock-the-clock bills for years at the Colorado Capitol, said he speaks to Colorado’s junior senator, Cory Gardner, once a week, and that this clock debate “isn’t his thing.”
Brophy said he’s encouraged, though, by the slowly changing tide he has observed in Washington.
“We’re getting close,” said Brophy, before dialing that back: “‘We’re getting closer’ is probably better.
“For a guy who started on this 10 years ago, we’re a hell of a lot closer now than we were then.”
Contrary to popular belief, the lock-the-clock efforts are not strongly opposed by agricultural interests in Colorado. One state senator, Republican Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling, a rancher by profession, said it makes little difference to farmers when the sun comes up. They’ll start working at dawn in any event.
Rather, the biggest reason the movement has made so few advances at the state level in Colorado is the ski industry, which strongly opposes any effort to mess with the state’s clocks and thereby alter the outdoor recreation schedule.
“We like the extra hour in the morning in the winter and the extra hour in the evening in the summer. It works well for us,” said Chris Linsmayer, public affairs director for Colorado Ski Country USA, the industry group representing 23 ski areas.
Many lawmakers privately say they’d love to abolish daylight saving time. Few seem willing to take on the ski industry.
One of them, Greenwood Village’s Jeff Bridges, has come up with a compromise: He plans to introduce a memorial — unlike a law, it’d be nonbinding, and so more likely to garner wider support — in the state Senate this year to urge Colorado’s congressional delegation to support lock-the-clock legislation federally. He said he wants to see a change but is concerned about any state-level action that could potentially put Colorado out of sync with any federal shift.
“I would prefer a national solution where we, on a national level, stop springing forward and falling back,” said Sen. Bridges, a Democrat who said he hates when the clock changes, especially when he loses sleep because of it. “I want consistency. I’d prefer it across the country, across the year.”
Bridges said Sens. Scott and Leroy Garcia — the Senate president — will join his memorial as sponsors.
Bridges plans to run that memorial on the first Monday after the clock springs forward.
“Assuming I can get up and make it into work on time,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-20--New threats emerge in coronavirus outbreak while China voices optimism

BEIJING — Chinese health officials expressed new optimism Thursday over a deadly virus outbreak while authorities in South Korea ’ s fourth-largest city urged residents to hunker down as vacillating fears nagged communities far from the illness ’ epicenter .
The confidence voiced by China ’ s government came as it reported a reduced number of new infections .
But doubts remained about the true trajectory of the epidemic as China again changed its method of counting and new threats emerged outside the country .
“ The downward trend will not be reversed , ” insisted Ding Xiangyang , deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the Central Government ’ s supervision group .
Whatever promises were aired where the illness poses its biggest threat , countries around the world continued to grapple with the rippling effects .
The latest front in the widening global fight against COVID-19 emerged in Daegu , South Korea , where the city ’ s 2.5 million residents were urged to stay inside , wearing masks even indoors to stem further infection .
Mayor Kwon Young-jin made a nationally televised appeal for those preventative measures , warning that a rash of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He pleaded for help from the country ’ s central government .
Daegu and surrounding towns reported 35 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday .
The flare-up came more than 1,400 kilometers ( 900 miles ) from COVID-19 ’ s epicenter across the Yellow Sea in China ’ s Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan , a sign of the risks the virus potentially posed to communities across the region and beyond .
Though all but about 1,000 of more than 75,000 reported cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran on Thursday announced its first two deaths stemming from the virus , and South Korea reported its first fatality .
And Japan said two former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship had died of the illness , bringing the death toll there to three .
The trajectory of the outbreak remained clouded by China ’ s zigzagging daily reports of new cases and shifting ways of tallying them .
The number of new cases in China declined again Thursday , to 394 , a notable shift from the 1,749 figure released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China were linked to the virus .
But those statistics came after yet another change in how cases are counted .
Last week , China ’ s National Health Commission said officials in Hubei would record new infections without waiting for laboratory test results , relying instead on doctors ’ analyses and lung imaging .
On Thursday , though , it returned to its prior way of counting , a decision sure to aggravate observers who say consistency is key to understanding COVID-19 ’ s path .
The health commission said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 279 after lab tests found they had wrongly been included in the tally .
Cities in Hubei with a combined population of more than 60 million have been under lockdown since the Lunar New Year holiday .
Authorities halted nearly all transportation and movement except for quarantine efforts , medical care , and delivery of food and basic necessities .
“ Wartime ” measures were implemented in some places , with residents prevented from even leaving their apartments .
The stringent moves have followed public fury over Hubei authorities ’ handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human-to-human transmission was played down and doctors who tried to warn the public were reprimanded by police .
Wuhan residents reported overcrowding in hospitals and futile attempts to seek treatment .
Many countries have also set up border screenings and airlines have canceled flights to and from China to prevent further spread of the disease , which has been detected in about two dozen countries .
Nine deaths have been confirmed outside mainland China –in Japan , Hong Kong , France , the Philippines , South Korea and Taiwan .
Subscribe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent straight to your inbox .

BEIJING — Chinese health officials expressed new optimism Thursday over a deadly virus outbreak while authorities in South Korea’s fourth-largest city urged residents to hunker down as vacillating fears nagged communities far from the illness’ epicenter.
The confidence voiced by China’s government came as it reported a reduced number of new infections. But doubts remained about the true trajectory of the epidemic as China again changed its method of counting and new threats emerged outside the country.
“The downward trend will not be reversed,” insisted Ding Xiangyang, deputy chief secretary of the State Council and member of the Central Government’s supervision group.
Whatever promises were aired where the illness poses its biggest threat, countries around the world continued to grapple with the rippling effects. The latest front in the widening global fight against COVID-19 emerged in Daegu, South Korea, where the city’s 2.5 million residents were urged to stay inside, wearing masks even indoors to stem further infection.
Mayor Kwon Young-jin made a nationally televised appeal for those preventative measures, warning that a rash of new cases could overwhelm the health system. He pleaded for help from the country’s central government.
Daegu and surrounding towns reported 35 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday.
The flare-up came more than 1,400 kilometers (900 miles) from COVID-19’s epicenter across the Yellow Sea in China’s Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan, a sign of the risks the virus potentially posed to communities across the region and beyond.
Though all but about 1,000 of more than 75,000 reported cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in China, scattered cases have erupted elsewhere.
Iran on Thursday announced its first two deaths stemming from the virus, and South Korea reported its first fatality. And Japan said two former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship had died of the illness, bringing the death toll there to three.
The trajectory of the outbreak remained clouded by China’s zigzagging daily reports of new cases and shifting ways of tallying them.
The number of new cases in China declined again Thursday, to 394, a notable shift from the 1,749 figure released a day earlier. Another 114 deaths in China were linked to the virus.
But those statistics came after yet another change in how cases are counted.
Last week, China’s National Health Commission said officials in Hubei would record new infections without waiting for laboratory test results, relying instead on doctors’ analyses and lung imaging. On Thursday, though, it returned to its prior way of counting, a decision sure to aggravate observers who say consistency is key to understanding COVID-19’s path.
The health commission said it was reducing its count of infections by 279 after lab tests found they had wrongly been included in the tally.
Cities in Hubei with a combined population of more than 60 million have been under lockdown since the Lunar New Year holiday. Authorities halted nearly all transportation and movement except for quarantine efforts, medical care, and delivery of food and basic necessities. “Wartime” measures were implemented in some places, with residents prevented from even leaving their apartments.
The stringent moves have followed public fury over Hubei authorities’ handling of the outbreak at its outset. The risk of human-to-human transmission was played down and doctors who tried to warn the public were reprimanded by police. Wuhan residents reported overcrowding in hospitals and futile attempts to seek treatment.
Many countries have also set up border screenings and airlines have canceled flights to and from China to prevent further spread of the disease, which has been detected in about two dozen countries. Nine deaths have been confirmed outside mainland China –in Japan, Hong Kong, France, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.
Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-02-20--Denver weather: Bitter cold start Thursday before sun helps temperatures rise above freezing

Denver ’ s air will feel as cold as minus 3 degrees Thursday morning before a gradual warming trend kicks @ @ @ @ @ forecasters said .
The low temperature early Thursday was in the single digits , said @ @ @ @ @ Boulder .
The high will just barely break above freezing at 34 degrees in downtown @ @ @ @ @ Areas of morning fog are possible along the Interstate 25 corridor .
The fog should @ @ @ @ @ the NWS said .
The warming trend really kicks in on Friday and the weekend @ @ @ @ @ 52 on Friday , 56 on Saturday and 41 on Sunday , the NWS said @ @ @ @ @ stay mostly sunny until another storm system moves in the Denver metro area late Saturday @ @ @ @ @ Rain could fall before 1 a.m. Sunday and then a mix of snow and rain @ @ @ @ @ .
Snow is likely before 11 a.m. Sunday .
Snow is also possible Monday and @ @ @ @ @ the weather service said .

Denver’s air will feel as cold as minus 3 degrees Thursday morning before a gradual warming trend kicks in under sunny skies, forecasters said.
The low temperature early Thursday was in the single digits, said the National Weather Service in Boulder. The high will just barely break above freezing at 34 degrees in downtown Denver, forecasters said.
Areas of morning fog are possible along the Interstate 25 corridor. The fog should dissipate by 9 a.m., the NWS said.
Areas of morning fog along the I-25 corridor should dissipate by 9 AM. Otherwise, sunny skies will prevail today. #COwx pic.twitter.com/fSJ8d6AeHw — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) February 20, 2020
The warming trend really kicks in on Friday and the weekend when temperatures will rise to 52 on Friday, 56 on Saturday and 41 on Sunday, the NWS said.
It is expected to stay mostly sunny until another storm system moves in the Denver metro area late Saturday and early Sunday morning.
Rain could fall before 1 a.m. Sunday and then a mix of snow and rain is possible between 1-3 a.m. Snow is likely before 11 a.m. Sunday.
Snow is also possible Monday and Tuesday of next week, the weather service said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-20--Colorado snow totals for Feb. 19-20, 2020

The following Colorado snow totals have been reported by the National Weather Service for Feb. 19-20 , 2020 , as @ @ @ @ @ Blende , Co — 1.2 inches at 5 a.m. – 2/20/2020 Fowler , Co — @ @ @ @ @ – 2/20/2020 La Junta , Co — 4.7 inches at 12:26 a.m. – 2/20/2020 Thornton @ @ @ @ @ at 4:59 a.m. – 2/20/2020

The following Colorado snow totals have been reported by the National Weather Service for Feb. 19-20, 2020, as of 6 a.m. Thursday.
Aspen Park, Co — 3.6 inches at 9:05 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Beulah, Co — 6.5 inches at 11:30 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Blende, Co — 1.2 inches at 5 a.m. – 2/20/2020
Boulder, Co — 6 inches at 11:07 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Crescent Village, Co — 8 inches at 11:06 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Denver Intl Airport, Co — 0.6 inch at 11:06 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Edgewater, Co — 0.6 inch at 9:24 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Evergreen, Co — 3.5 inches at 11:30 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Fowler, Co — 2.8 inches at 5 a.m. – 2/20/2020
Genesee, Co — 5.6 inches at 9:37 p.m. – 2/19/2020
La Junta, Co — 4.7 inches at 12:26 a.m. – 2/20/2020
Louisville, Co — 1 inch at 10:55 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Nederland, Co — 1.5 inches at 3:50 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Pueblo, Co — 2 inches at 7:12 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Rye, Co — 4.5 inches at 8:29 p.m. – 2/19/2020
Thornton, Co — 0.7 inch at 4:59 a.m. – 2/20/2020
Westcliffe, Co — 2.5 inches at 8:37 p.m. – 2/19/2020


thedenverpost--2020-02-20--Broncos 2020 NFL mock draft tracker 3.0: What the national experts predict Denver will do

The NFL scouting combine is a week away and the NFL draft is still two months away , but there are plenty of opinions as to who the Broncos should target with the No .
15 pick .
Does Denver pursue another receiver to give Drew Lock an additional weapon ?
How about an offensive tackle to replace Garett Bolles ?
A cornerback to potentially replace Chris Harris Jr. ?
Here ’ s who various national draft experts , as of Feb. 20 , are predicting will join the Broncos come draft day : Jeremiah writes : “ Jeudy would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exciting collections of young skill-position players in the league .
Adding him to a group that already includes Drew Lock , Courtland Sutton , Noah Fant and Phillip Lindsay would strike fear into opposing defensive coordinators.
” See the full mock draft .
Kiper writes : “ It ’ s probably time to end the Garett Bolles era at left tackle in Denver ; the 2017 first-round pick led the league in holding penalties in each of the past three seasons , and he hasn ’ t gotten better .
Jones , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising after dominating at Senior Bowl practices .
He has the potential to be an All-Pro left tackle .
The Broncos also have needs in the secondary and could lose a couple starters along the defensive line to free agency.
” See the full mock draft .
McShay writes : “ Lamb is the best available player still on the board .
He gets great separation and then creates yardage after the catch .
Opposite Courtland Sutton — who continues to look like the real deal — Lamb brings another piece of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full mock draft ( subscription ) .
Jones-Drew writes : “ Courtland Sutton is great and all , but Drew Lock needs more weapons .
Lamb is a big-time playmaker.
” See the full mock draft .
Heilman writes : “ Elway has never drafted a first-round receiver , but the Broncos need more playmakers .
Listed at 6 feet , 190 pounds , Ruggs caught 40 passes for 746 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior when he was part of a crowded Crimson Tide offense .
He will need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but his hands are strong and he quickly reaches top speed , making him a prime option to pair with Courtland Sutton.
” See the full Broncos seven-round mock draft .
Subscribe to our Broncos Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox .
Hanson writes : “ Perhaps the Broncos draft an offensive tackle like Georgia ’ s Andrew Thomas here , but in this mock they go in a different direction to help second-year quarterback Drew Lock .
Courtland Sutton had a breakout sophomore campaign ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ruggs offers a complementary skill set to Sutton ’ s .
Few players can match the elite sub-4.3 speed of Ruggs , who scored on one of four career touches at Alabama.
” See the full mock draft .
Reuter writes : “ Drew Lock gets a speedy partner on offense to make up for the loss of Emmanuel Sanders , who requested and received a trade last season.
” See the full three-round mock draft .
Reuter ’ s other Broncos picks through the first three rounds : Easterling writes : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical pass-catcher in Courtland Sutton , but he needs a big-play target with the speed to challenge defenses over the top and after the catch .
Ruggs is a burner who can score every time he touches the ball , and would be a steal here after he runs as fast as we expect at the NFL Scouting Combine.
” See the full four-round mock draft .
• Second round , No .
46 overall : Prince Tega Wanagho , OT , Auburn • Third round , No .
77 overall : Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M • Third round , No .
83 overall : Michael Pittman Jr. , WR , USC • Third round , No .
95 overall : Jordyn Brooks , LB , Texas Tech Casserly writes : “ Denver has many needs , but speed at receiver is high on the list.
” See the full mock draft .
Brugler writes : “ The Broncos have a budding No .
1 wideout in Courtland Sutton , but adding more speed opposite him would help open the offense .
Ruggs has world-class speed and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blender , creating passing windows downfield.
” See the full mock draft ( subscription ) .
Kadar writes : “ Broncos fans around the internet are in love with Ruggs , and this mock continues to give them what they want .
It just makes sense sending Ruggs to Denver .
Quarterback Drew Lock has an impressive arm , and he can push the ball deep to a speedy receiver like Ruggs.
” See the full mock draft .
Trapasso writes : “ Shenault was born to play in a West Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur ’ s scheme .
If he can stay healthy , he can be a star thanks to his size , YAC-skills , and pure speed.
” See the full mock draft .
Zierlein writes : “ Thomas doesn ’ t always look pretty doing it , but guys get blocked .
He ’ s an instant upgrade over Garett Bolles and is a tough competitor.
” See the full mock draft .
Renner writes : “ If Denver wants to give Garrett Bolles another year to prove himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lineman who can start at guard initially before eventually moving to tackle .
Ronald Leary ’ s $ 9-plus million cap hit looks like a forgone conclusion to come off the books with his injury history.
” See the full mock draft .
• Josh Jones to Broncos ?
Mel Kiper Jr. ’ s NFL mock draft has Houston OT coming to Denver .
• Broncos Analysis : Acquiring cornerback Darius Slay would be costly … and make sense • Broncos Insider : Denver has a few decisions to make on players with @ @

The NFL scouting combine is a week away and the NFL draft is still two months away, but there are plenty of opinions as to who the Broncos should target with the No. 15 pick.
Does Denver pursue another receiver to give Drew Lock an additional weapon? How about an offensive tackle to replace Garett Bolles? A cornerback to potentially replace Chris Harris Jr.?
Here’s who various national draft experts, as of Feb. 20, are predicting will join the Broncos come draft day:
NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah | Updated Jan. 29
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jeremiah writes: “Jeudy would give the Broncos one of the most exciting collections of young skill-position players in the league. Adding him to a group that already includes Drew Lock, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant and Phillip Lindsay would strike fear into opposing defensive coordinators.” See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Mel Kiper Jr. | Updated Feb. 18
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Kiper writes: “It’s probably time to end the Garett Bolles era at left tackle in Denver; the 2017 first-round pick led the league in holding penalties in each of the past three seasons, and he hasn’t gotten better. Jones, a four-year starter for the Cougars, is rising after dominating at Senior Bowl practices. He has the potential to be an All-Pro left tackle. The Broncos also have needs in the secondary and could lose a couple starters along the defensive line to free agency.” See the full mock draft.
Last: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
ESPN | Todd McShay | Updated Feb. 3
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
McShay writes: “Lamb is the best available player still on the board. He gets great separation and then creates yardage after the catch. Opposite Courtland Sutton — who continues to look like the real deal — Lamb brings another piece of the offensive puzzle to Mile High.” See the full mock draft (subscription).
Last: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
NFL.com | Maurice Jones-Drew | Updated Feb. 12
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
Jones-Drew writes: “Courtland Sutton is great and all, but Drew Lock needs more weapons. Lamb is a big-time playmaker.” See the full mock draft.
The Denver Post | Phillip Heilman | Updated Feb. 13
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Heilman writes: “Elway has never drafted a first-round receiver, but the Broncos need more playmakers. Listed at 6 feet, 190 pounds, Ruggs caught 40 passes for 746 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior when he was part of a crowded Crimson Tide offense. He will need to improve his technique against press coverage, but his hands are strong and he quickly reaches top speed, making him a prime option to pair with Courtland Sutton.” See the full Broncos seven-round mock draft.
Subscribe to our Broncos Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox.
Sports Illustrated | Kevin Hanson | Updated Feb. 18
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Hanson writes: “Perhaps the Broncos draft an offensive tackle like Georgia’s Andrew Thomas here, but in this mock they go in a different direction to help second-year quarterback Drew Lock. Courtland Sutton had a breakout sophomore campaign (1,112 yards) for the Broncos and Ruggs offers a complementary skill set to Sutton’s. Few players can match the elite sub-4.3 speed of Ruggs, who scored on one of four career touches at Alabama.” See the full mock draft.
NFL.com | Chad Reuter | Updated Feb. 5
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Reuter writes: “Drew Lock gets a speedy partner on offense to make up for the loss of Emmanuel Sanders, who requested and received a trade last season.” See the full three-round mock draft.
Reuter’s other Broncos picks through the first three rounds:
Second round, 46th pick: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
Third round, 77th pick: Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State
Third round, 83rd pick: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Third round, 95th pick: K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
USA Today | Luke Easterling | Updated Feb. 17
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Easterling writes: “Drew Lock already has his big, physical pass-catcher in Courtland Sutton, but he needs a big-play target with the speed to challenge defenses over the top and after the catch. Ruggs is a burner who can score every time he touches the ball, and would be a steal here after he runs as fast as we expect at the NFL Scouting Combine.” See the full four-round mock draft.
The Broncos’ other mock picks:
Second round, No. 46 overall: Prince Tega Wanagho, OT, Auburn
Third round, No. 77 overall: Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Third round, No. 83 overall: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
Third round, No. 95 overall: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
NFL.com | Charley Casserly | Updated Feb. 18
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Casserly writes: “Denver has many needs, but speed at receiver is high on the list.” See the full mock draft.
The Athletic | Dane Brugler | Updated Feb. 4
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Brugler writes: “The Broncos have a budding No. 1 wideout in Courtland Sutton, but adding more speed opposite him would help open the offense. Ruggs has world-class speed and his ability to shift gears puts cornerbacks in a blender, creating passing windows downfield.” See the full mock draft (subscription).
SB Nation | Dan Kadar | Updated Feb. 17
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Kadar writes: “Broncos fans around the internet are in love with Ruggs, and this mock continues to give them what they want. It just makes sense sending Ruggs to Denver. Quarterback Drew Lock has an impressive arm, and he can push the ball deep to a speedy receiver like Ruggs.” See the full mock draft.
CBS Sports | Chris Trapasso | Updated Feb. 19
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Trapasso writes: “Shenault was born to play in a West Coast offense, and that’s Broncos new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s scheme. If he can stay healthy, he can be a star thanks to his size, YAC-skills, and pure speed.” See the full mock draft.
Last: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina
NFL.com | Lance Zierlein | Updated Jan. 29
Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
Zierlein writes: “Thomas doesn’t always look pretty doing it, but guys get blocked. He’s an instant upgrade over Garett Bolles and is a tough competitor.” See the full mock draft.
Pro Football Focus | Michael Renner | Updated Feb. 11
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Renner writes: “If Denver wants to give Garrett Bolles another year to prove himself, Wirfs would be the perfect in-between lineman who can start at guard initially before eventually moving to tackle. Ronald Leary’s $9-plus million cap hit looks like a forgone conclusion to come off the books with his injury history.” See the full mock draft.


thedenverpost--2020-02-20--Nuggets Insider: Difficult post-All-Star break schedule offers few breaks for Denver

All-Star weekend is over , and the NBA ’ s regular-season stretch run is here .
And if the Nuggets are to maintain their No .
2 spot in the Western Conference , they ’ re going to have to earn it .
It ’ s not so much that Denver hobbled into the all-star break with numerous injuries .
Or that the franchise declined to add another big piece at the trade deadline ( unless you count Keita Bates-Diop , Jordan McRae or Noah Vonleh ) .
It ’ s that both of those things happened , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule of the top five teams in the conference .
The Lakers ( 22nd ) , Clippers ( 23rd ) , Jazz ( 15th ) and Rockets ( 24th ) all have easier schedules than the Nuggets ( 9thn hardest ) to close out the regular season , according to tankathon.com .
In fact , Memphis ( 1st ) is the only team out of the current top eight in the West that has a more difficult closing stretch than Denver .
Of their 27 remaining games , the Nuggets face 15 teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more than the Lakers ( 13 ) , Clippers ( 11 ) , Jazz ( 13 ) or Rockets ( 12 ) .
That includes two games against the Clippers , two against surging Toronto , two against division rival Utah and one apiece against conference leaders Milwaukee and the Lakers .
The Nuggets also face one particularly brutal stretch between March 5-25 in which they play 9 of 11 games on the road , including stops in Dallas , L.A. ( Lakers ) , Oklahoma City , Toronto and Miami .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just 3.5 games ahead of the fifth-seeded Rockets in the Western Conference standings .
Then again , the Nuggets faced a similar situation just a year ago with 16 of their final 25 games coming against eventual playoff teams .
And where did that team land ?
With the West ’ s No .
2 seed .
Subscribe to our Nuggets Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox .
If you enjoy The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage , we have a new subscription offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for just 99¢ Nuggets taking caution with Will Barton in return from All-Star break Michael Malone spent part of his All-Star break on a pair of downhill skis , making turns at a Breckenridge resort , when the Nuggets coach took a moment for big-picture reflection .
Read more… “ They snubbed me for MVP ” : Nuggets center Nikola Jokic makes best of riveting NBA All-Star Game Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made the best of Sunday ’ s All-Star Game showcase , even if the exhibition didn ’ t quite agree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t aired on Comcast or DISH Network since their contracts expired at the end of August .
Altitude did , however , reach a multiyear agreement with DirecTV on Oct. 31 to resume sports programming .
Read more… + Kiszla vs. Singer : LeBron James or Nikola Jokic — who would you start a team with ?
+ Inside a wild week for Keita Bates-Diop and the Denver Nuggets ’ trade newcomers + Nuggets takeaways : Torrey Craig ’ s case as an “ All-NBA defender ” ; Jamal Murray ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Singer here .
James — a two-time gold medalist and three-time Olympian — is among 44 players announced by USA Basketball on Monday as finalists for the team that will play in the Tokyo Games this summer .
Read more… “ We all we got ” : Nuggets bask in seven-man win over Utah , Gary Harris searches for his game “ Who gave us a chance to win this game ?
” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said aloud after the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Hey , just believe .
Go out there and have fun.
’ But we ’ ve done it .
What we did in Milwaukee and what we did tonight , it ’ s a testament to the confidence that we have , the courage that we have and the resiliency that we have .
As a coach , I couldn ’ t be more proud of a group .
It ’ s unbelievable.
” Read more… If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mschubert @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ MattDSchubert .

All-Star weekend is over, and the NBA’s regular-season stretch run is here.
And if the Nuggets are to maintain their No. 2 spot in the Western Conference, they’re going to have to earn it.
It’s not so much that Denver hobbled into the all-star break with numerous injuries. Or that the franchise declined to add another big piece at the trade deadline (unless you count Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan McRae or Noah Vonleh).
It’s that both of those things happened, and they’re facing the most difficult remaining schedule of the top five teams in the conference.
The Lakers (22nd), Clippers (23rd), Jazz (15th) and Rockets (24th) all have easier schedules than the Nuggets (9thn hardest) to close out the regular season, according to tankathon.com.
In fact, Memphis (1st) is the only team out of the current top eight in the West that has a more difficult closing stretch than Denver.
Of their 27 remaining games, the Nuggets face 15 teams that currently sport winning records, which is more than the Lakers (13), Clippers (11), Jazz (13) or Rockets (12). That includes two games against the Clippers, two against surging Toronto, two against division rival Utah and one apiece against conference leaders Milwaukee and the Lakers.
The Nuggets also face one particularly brutal stretch between March 5-25 in which they play 9 of 11 games on the road, including stops in Dallas, L.A. (Lakers), Oklahoma City, Toronto and Miami.
Not exactly ideal for a team that is just 3.5 games ahead of the fifth-seeded Rockets in the Western Conference standings. Then again, the Nuggets faced a similar situation just a year ago with 16 of their final 25 games coming against eventual playoff teams.
And where did that team land? With the West’s No. 2 seed.
Matt Schubert, The Denver Post
Subscribe to our Nuggets Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox.
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What’s on tap?
Friday: At Oklahoma City, 6 p.m., ALT, ESPN
Sunday: Minnesota, 4 p.m., ALT, NBA
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Must-Read
Michael Malone spent part of his All-Star break on a pair of downhill skis, making turns at a Breckenridge resort, when the Nuggets coach took a moment for big-picture reflection. Read more…
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made the best of Sunday’s All-Star Game showcase, even if the exhibition didn’t quite agree with his basketball ethos. Read more…
Altitude hasn’t aired on Comcast or DISH Network since their contracts expired at the end of August. Altitude did, however, reach a multiyear agreement with DirecTV on Oct. 31 to resume sports programming. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Should Denver expect star calls against Lakers?
+ Kiszla vs. Singer: LeBron James or Nikola Jokic — who would you start a team with?
+ Nuggets journal: Malik Beasley running with newfound opportunity
+ Inside a wild week for Keita Bates-Diop and the Denver Nuggets’ trade newcomers
+ Nuggets takeaways: Torrey Craig’s case as an “All-NBA defender”; Jamal Murray’s new “space”
+ Michael Malone happy three departing Nuggets players left “on positive terms”
+ WATCH: Nikola Jokic coaches All-Star Unified Special Olympics team to victory
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
By The Numbers
44
James — a two-time gold medalist and three-time Olympian — is among 44 players announced by USA Basketball on Monday as finalists for the team that will play in the Tokyo Games this summer. Read more…
Parting Shot
“Who gave us a chance to win this game?” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said aloud after the game. “Nobody. You can say, ‘Hey, just believe. Go out there and have fun.’ But we’ve done it. What we did in Milwaukee and what we did tonight, it’s a testament to the confidence that we have, the courage that we have and the resiliency that we have. As a coach, I couldn’t be more proud of a group. It’s unbelievable.” Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at mschubert@denverpost.com or tweet me @MattDSchubert.