thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Broncos Briefs: Carolina Panthers’ offense could be short-handed Sunday

So much for Christian McCaffrey facing his hometown team Sunday .
McCaffrey , the Carolina Panthers running back who grew up in Castle Rock , did not practice Thursday because of shoulder and quad injuries .
“ He ’ s rehabbing and it remains to be seen where exactly he is with regard to ( the quad ) , ” Panthers coach Matt Rhule told reporters .
“ At this time , I do not expect him to play ( Sunday against the Broncos ) , but I ’ ll continue to monitor it.
” The Panthers could also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receivers DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel , all of whom are on the COVID-19/reserve list .
McCaffrey has been limited to three games because of ankle and shoulder injuries this year .
The Panthers ’ offense has felt his absence — the Panthers are 21st in scoring ( 23.3 points per game ) and 20th in rushing ( 106.4 yards per game ) .
Simmons nominated .
For the second consecutive year , safety Justin Simmons is the Broncos ’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award .
Simmons is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple times , joining receiver Rod Smith ( 2004 , ’ 06 ) , cornerback Champ Bailey ( 2008-09 ) and linebacker Wesley Woodyard ( 2010-11 and ’ 13 ) .
“ It means everything , ” Simmons said .
“ This is the most prestigious award , in my opinion , in the NFL .
I ’ m truly humbled once again by the nomination.
” Last year , the league flew all of the nominees to Miami for the NFL Honors event .
Calais Campbell , a Denver native , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other nominees was “ inspiring.
” “ When I say ‘ inspiring , ’ it was just really cool to see the same type of passion across the league , ” Simmons said .
Simmons focused his off-the-field efforts this year on COVID-19 relief and social justice initiatives and launching the Justin Simmons Foundation .
Lock added to report .
Quarterback Drew Lock was added to the Broncos ’ injury report ( back ) , but was still a full practice participant .
Inside linebacker Mark Barron ( illness ) was full-go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upgraded receiver Jerry Jeudy ( ankle ) and outside linebacker Malik Reed ( ankle ) to full after they were limited Wednesday .
Receiver/returner Diontae Spencer practiced and was activated from the COVID-19/reserve list .
• Alexander Johnson , Josey Jewell showing growth in first full year as starting linebackers in Vic Fangio ’ s system • After missing six games to COVID-19 , Broncos DC Ed Donatell likely to coach Sunday ’ s game vs. Carolina • How the 2020 Broncos can make the NFL playoffs Stewart announces retirement .
Former Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 Super Bowl championship team , announced his retirement during a video conference .
Stewart played in 143 regular-season games for St. Louis , Baltimore , the Broncos and Tampa Bay .
In four years with the Broncos , he had 254 tackles , nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries .
“ When coach ( Gary ) Kubiak gave a call to my agent ( in March 2015 ) to keep Denver on my radar … it didn ’ t take me long to commit and it was one of the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stewart said .
Stewart said his post-playing career plans include his charitable foundation and also moving closer to the South Carolina campus and contributing to the Gamecocks ’ program .
Former Broncos teammates Aqib Talib , T.J. Ward and Bradley Roby joined Stewart ’ s call to congratulate him on his retirement .
Footnotes .
Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said safety Will Parks is already playing on all of the special teams units .
“ It ’ s great to have Will back , ” McMahon said .
“ He still knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years .
He rolled right into practice ( Wednesday ) and didn ’ t have to stop in the walkthroughs or go through anything with him.
” … Practice squad quarterback Blake Bortles was at practice Thursday , his first sighting since the Broncos decided to keep him isolated from the other quarterbacks last week .
… Tight end Jake Butt , out the last seven games ( hamstring ) , returned to practice to start his 21-day clock to be activated from injured reserve .

So much for Christian McCaffrey facing his hometown team Sunday.
McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers running back who grew up in Castle Rock, did not practice Thursday because of shoulder and quad injuries.
“He’s rehabbing and it remains to be seen where exactly he is with regard to (the quad),” Panthers coach Matt Rhule told reporters. “At this time, I do not expect him to play (Sunday against the Broncos), but I’ll continue to monitor it.”
The Panthers could also be without starting linebacker Shaq Thompson and top receivers DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel, all of whom are on the COVID-19/reserve list.
McCaffrey has been limited to three games because of ankle and shoulder injuries this year.
The Panthers’ offense has felt his absence — the Panthers are 21st in scoring (23.3 points per game) and 20th in rushing (106.4 yards per game).
Simmons nominated. For the second consecutive year, safety Justin Simmons is the Broncos’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Simmons is the fourth Broncos player to be nominated multiple times, joining receiver Rod Smith (2004, ’06), cornerback Champ Bailey (2008-09) and linebacker Wesley Woodyard (2010-11 and ’13).
“It means everything,” Simmons said. “This is the most prestigious award, in my opinion, in the NFL. I’m truly humbled once again by the nomination.”
Last year, the league flew all of the nominees to Miami for the NFL Honors event. Calais Campbell, a Denver native, was the winner. Simmons said being around the other nominees was “inspiring.”
“When I say ‘inspiring,’ it was just really cool to see the same type of passion across the league,” Simmons said.
Simmons focused his off-the-field efforts this year on COVID-19 relief and social justice initiatives and launching the Justin Simmons Foundation.
Lock added to report. Quarterback Drew Lock was added to the Broncos’ injury report (back), but was still a full practice participant.
Right guard Graham Glasgow (foot) missed a second consecutive day.
Limited were receiver Tyrie Cleveland (illness) and safety Trey Marshall (shin).
Inside linebacker Mark Barron (illness) was full-go after missing one day and the Broncos upgraded receiver Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and outside linebacker Malik Reed (ankle) to full after they were limited Wednesday.
Receiver/returner Diontae Spencer practiced and was activated from the COVID-19/reserve list.
Stewart announces retirement. Former Broncos safety Darian Stewart, a member of the 2015 Super Bowl championship team, announced his retirement during a video conference.
Stewart played in 143 regular-season games for St. Louis, Baltimore, the Broncos and Tampa Bay. In four years with the Broncos, he had 254 tackles, nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
“When coach (Gary) Kubiak gave a call to my agent (in March 2015) to keep Denver on my radar … it didn’t take me long to commit and it was one of the best decisions I could have made,” Stewart said.
Stewart said his post-playing career plans include his charitable foundation and also moving closer to the South Carolina campus and contributing to the Gamecocks’ program.
Former Broncos teammates Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and Bradley Roby joined Stewart’s call to congratulate him on his retirement.
Footnotes. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said safety Will Parks is already playing on all of the special teams units. “It’s great to have Will back,” McMahon said. “He still knows the scheme after being in it for two years. He rolled right into practice (Wednesday) and didn’t have to stop in the walkthroughs or go through anything with him.” … Practice squad quarterback Blake Bortles was at practice Thursday, his first sighting since the Broncos decided to keep him isolated from the other quarterbacks last week. … Tight end Jake Butt, out the last seven games (hamstring), returned to practice to start his 21-day clock to be activated from injured reserve.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Rockies’ Daniel Bard honored as NL comeback player of year

If ever a year needed a feel-good story , it was 2020 .
Rockies reliever Daniel Bard obliged with one of the most compelling sports stories in recent memory .
On Thursday , Bard was named Major League Baseball ’ s National League comeback player of year .
Bard , out of the majors for more than seven years because of a bout with the yips , began 2020 just hoping to impress teams during a January tryout .
He not only hooked up with the Rockies but finished the season as the club ’ s closer .
In 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bard went 4-2 with six saves in six opportunities and a 3.65 ERA .
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez was named the American League comeback player of the year .
Perez , who missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery , returned to hit a career-best .333 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs over 37 games .
The awards are officially sanctioned by MLB and have been presented annually since 2005 .
The 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com selected the winners from an original list of 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bard made his Rockies debut July 25 at Texas , his first appearance since April 27 , 2013 , with Boston .
He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and earned the win , marking his first win since May 29 , 2012 , with the Red Sox .
According to the Elias Sports Bureau , Bard ’ s gap of seven years and 89 days between major league appearances was the sixth-longest for a pitcher in the divisional era ( since 1969 ) , and the third-longest over the last 30 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , the sixth of his career , on Aug. 11 , marking his first save since June 5 , 2011 vs. Oakland .
In October , Bard was named National League comeback player of the year in the 2020 Players Choice Awards .
The award , sponsored by the MLB Players Association , was especially meaningful because it was voted on by Bard ’ s peers .
“ I was just hoping for one more chance to compete and play the game , ” Bard said at the time .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the highest honor I could imagine and something I never expected when I started this journey .
”

If ever a year needed a feel-good story, it was 2020. Rockies reliever Daniel Bard obliged with one of the most compelling sports stories in recent memory.
On Thursday, Bard was named Major League Baseball’s National League comeback player of year.
Bard, out of the majors for more than seven years because of a bout with the yips, began 2020 just hoping to impress teams during a January tryout. He not only hooked up with the Rockies but finished the season as the club’s closer. In 23 appearances, including 14 scoreless outings, Bard went 4-2 with six saves in six opportunities and a 3.65 ERA.
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez was named the American League comeback player of the year. Perez, who missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, returned to hit a career-best .333 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs over 37 games.
The awards are officially sanctioned by MLB and have been presented annually since 2005. The 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com selected the winners from an original list of 30 candidates (one per club).
Bard made his Rockies debut July 25 at Texas, his first appearance since April 27, 2013, with Boston. He pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and earned the win, marking his first win since May 29, 2012, with the Red Sox. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Bard’s gap of seven years and 89 days between major league appearances was the sixth-longest for a pitcher in the divisional era (since 1969), and the third-longest over the last 30 years.
Bard notched his first save of the season, the sixth of his career, on Aug. 11, marking his first save since June 5, 2011 vs. Oakland.
In October, Bard was named National League comeback player of the year in the 2020 Players Choice Awards. The award, sponsored by the MLB Players Association, was especially meaningful because it was voted on by Bard’s peers.
“I was just hoping for one more chance to compete and play the game,” Bard said at the time. “To be recognized by my peers has to be the highest honor I could imagine and something I never expected when I started this journey.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Colorado snow totals for Dec. 11, 2020

Colorado snow totals for Dec. 11, 2020

The following Colorado snow totals have been reported by the National Weather Service for Dec.11 , 2020 , as of @ @ @

The following Colorado snow totals have been reported by the National Weather Service for Dec.11, 2020, as of 2:45 p.m.
Alamosa, CO — 1.7 inches at 7:09 a.m.
Aurora, CO — 0.8 inch at 7 a.m.
Bayfield, CO — 1 inch at 7 a.m.
Blanca Peak, CO — 2 inches at 7 a.m.
Blende, CO — 0.3 inch at 5 a.m.
Boulder, CO — 1.6 inches at 11 a.m.
Breckenridge, CO — 1.2 inches at 8:35 a.m.
Brookvale, CO — 1.2 inches at 7 a.m.
Buena Vista, CO — 2.1 inches at 7 a.m.
Camp Bird, CO — 5 inches at 8 a.m.
Canon City, CO — 1.5 inches at 7 a.m.
Canon Plaza, CO — 3 inches at 1 a.m.
Capulin, CO — 1.4 inches at 7 a.m.
Castle Rock, CO — 0.5 inch at 7 a.m.
Chama, CO — 2 inches at 8 a.m.
Coal Bank Pass, CO — 5.5 inches at 8 a.m.
Crescent Village, CO — 1 inch at 9:22 a.m.
Crestone, CO — 2.5 inches at 7 a.m.
Cuchara, CO — 4 inches at 7 a.m.
Del Norte, CO — 1.2 inches at 7 a.m.
Denver Intl Airport, CO — 1.2 inches at 11:28 a.m.
Denver, CO — 0.5 inch at 7 a.m.
Elkdale, CO — 0.7 inch at 7 a.m.
Ensenada, CO — 2.4 inches at 9:15 a.m.
Estes Park, CO — 1.5 inches at 11:45 a.m.
Fairplay, CO — 1 inch at 7 a.m.
Fort Collins, CO — 1 inch at 7 a.m.
Fort Garland, CO — 8.5 inches at 7 a.m.
Frisco, CO — 1.9 inches at 8 a.m.
Greeley, CO — 1.4 inches at 11:30 a.m.
Hardin, CO — 0.9 inch at 7 a.m.
Heeney, CO — 1.1 inches at 7 a.m.
Hillside, CO — 3 inches at 8:20 a.m.
La Veta Pass, CO — 2 inches at 7 a.m.
La Veta, CO — 1 inch at 7 a.m.
Leadville, CO — 2 inches at 7 a.m.
Longmont, CO — 1.1 inches at 10:02 a.m.
Louisville, CO — 1 inch at 1:03 p.m.
Loveland, CO — 0.8 inch at 6 a.m.
Molas Pass, CO — 4 inches at 8 a.m.
Monarch Pass, CO — 4 inches at 6:33 a.m.
Monte Vista, CO — 1.3 inches at 7 a.m.
Monument, CO — 1 inch at 2:07 p.m.
Nathrop, CO — 1.3 inches at 8 a.m.
Nederland, CO — 1.1 inches at 7 a.m.
North Pass, CO — 1.2 inches at 7 a.m.
Pagosa Springs, CO — 1.7 inches at 11:30 a.m.
Penrose, CO — 1.2 inches at 7 a.m.
Peterson Afb, CO — 0.5 inch at 5 a.m.
Peyton, CO — 1.2 inches at 7 a.m.
Pueblo West, CO — 2 inches at 6:40 a.m.
Red Mountain Pass, CO — 5 inches at 8 a.m.
Red River, CO — 2.5 inches at 8 a.m.
Saguache, CO — 3 inches at 7 a.m.
San Miguel, CO — 2 inches at 1 a.m.
Silverthorne, CO — 2 inches at 9:30 a.m.
Snowmass Village, CO — 3.1 inches at 7 a.m.
Spanish Peaks, CO — 1.5 inches at 7 a.m.
Sunshine, CO — 3.3 inches at 1:04 p.m.
Telluride, CO — 6 inches at 7 a.m.
Texas Creek, CO — 1.2 inches at 7 a.m.
Tincup, CO — 4 inches at 9 a.m.
Turquoise Lake, CO — 2 inches at 7 a.m.
Walsenburg, CO — 1.5 inches at 10 a.m.
Westcliffe, CO — 3.9 inches at 8 a.m.
Westminster, CO — 0.5 inch at 7 a.m.
Wiggins, CO — 1 inch at 7 a.m.
Wolf Creek Pass, CO — 5 inches at 6:45 a.m.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Denver weather: Slick conditions and light snow hang around

It ’ s beginning to feel a lot like winter .
Today is a great Friday to curl up with an album or book and watch the snow .
For those getting out , expect slick conditions all day .
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder , light snow will persist Friday until dinner time , with the high temperature only reaching 30 degrees .
The flurries will add up to about an inch in the prairies and metro area , while the mountains could see up to 3 inches .
The low for Friday will plunge into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first measurable snowfall since Nov. 24 .
Saturday will bring another day of light snow , with forecasts calling for a high of 34 degrees .
Snow will taper off before midnight , and the low temperature will once again drop into the teens .
The sun will finally peak out again Sunday , bringing with it a high of 38 degrees and clear skies .
Next week , Monday will be clear with a high of 42 degrees , but another round of light snow could be on the way .

It’s beginning to feel a lot like winter. Today is a great Friday to curl up with an album or book and watch the snow. For those getting out, expect slick conditions all day.
According to the National Weather Service in Boulder, light snow will persist Friday until dinner time, with the high temperature only reaching 30 degrees. The flurries will add up to about an inch in the prairies and metro area, while the mountains could see up to 3 inches. The low for Friday will plunge into the high teens. It’s the first measurable snowfall since Nov. 24.
Saturday will bring another day of light snow, with forecasts calling for a high of 34 degrees. Snow will taper off before midnight, and the low temperature will once again drop into the teens.
The sun will finally peek out again Sunday, bringing with it a high of 38 degrees and clear skies.
Next week, Monday will be clear with a high of 42 degrees, but another round of light snow could be on the way.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--A North Carolina man keeps getting mistaken for Rep. Ken Buck

One day in September 2016 , the actress and singer Bette Midler was fired up .
Midler ’ s many fans chimed in , further criticizing @ kenbuck .
But there was a problem : That Twitter handle belongs to a Charlotte , N.C. , man who is an education consultant , football fan , Italophile , husband , father and , as his Twitter profile makes perfectly clear , “ NOT the congressman from Colorado.
” “ Apologies to @ kenbuck , nice guy in NC whom I mistakenly targeted instead of @ RepKenBuck , Congressman of Colo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later that day , correcting the record .
For six years before that weekend exchange , and in the four years since , Ken Buck of Charlotte , N.C. , has taken the many mix-ups in stride .
The misdirected — and often angry — tweets began with Rep. Buck ’ s unsuccessful U.S. Senate run in 2010 and “ really picked up in earnest when he first won his House seat ” in 2014 , says the Buck from Charlotte .
There have been hundreds of errant tweets , he estimates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most memorable .
Just before Thanksgiving of this year , Rep. Buck ’ s spokeswoman reached out to the other Buck to pass along the congressman ’ s appreciation , and apologies , for receiving his social media hate mail over the years .
The two follow each other on Twitter now and have shared funny stories about the mix-ups .
On Monday , Ken Buck in Charlotte received the latest book from Ken Buck in Colorado , “ Capitol of Freedom , ” with this inscription : “ Ken , don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know that there would be a Ken Buck who is a crazy conservative causing trouble in America when they named you.
” The educator thanked the congressman on Twitter for the book and in return the congressman thanked the educator “ for taking my arrows all these years.
” Both Bucks have had some fun with it .
“ His inscription definitely made me chuckle and brought the whole scenario full circle for me , ” the Buck in North Carolina said via email Thursday .
While not as common as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams , the name Ken Buck is also not especially rare .
There are at least three Ken Bucks in Colorado , according to a search of public records , and two in North Carolina .
But there is only one @ kenbuck on Twitter , making mix-ups an inevitable occurrence .
Even professionals have missed the mark .
The social media staff for Rep. Doug Collins , R-Ga. , tagged the wrong Ken Buck account Aug. 23 and never deleted their tweet , despite @ kenbuck asking them to .
In most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a polite or snarky correction : “ Dude , I ’ m not the right guy ” or “ Let ’ s not bring me into this.
” When someone said @ kenbuck is responsible for the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , he wrote back , “ I seriously doubt I am.
” But after being incorrectly included in a Sept. 3 tweet about the pandemic , Buck sounded more exasperated than entertained .

One day in September 2016, the actress and singer Bette Midler was fired up.
“Knucklehead GOP congressman @kenbuck, Colorado’s CLIMATE CHANGE DENIER!” she wrote on Twitter.
Midler’s many fans chimed in, further criticizing @kenbuck. But there was a problem: That Twitter handle belongs to a Charlotte, N.C., man who is an education consultant, football fan, Italophile, husband, father and, as his Twitter profile makes perfectly clear, “NOT the congressman from Colorado.”
“Apologies to @kenbuck, nice guy in NC whom I mistakenly targeted instead of @RepKenBuck, Congressman of Colo and climate change denier,” Midler tweeted later that day, correcting the record.
For six years before that weekend exchange, and in the four years since, Ken Buck of Charlotte, N.C., has taken the many mix-ups in stride. The misdirected — and often angry — tweets began with Rep. Buck’s unsuccessful U.S. Senate run in 2010 and “really picked up in earnest when he first won his House seat” in 2014, says the Buck from Charlotte. There have been hundreds of errant tweets, he estimates, but that Midler exchange is still the most memorable.
Just before Thanksgiving of this year, Rep. Buck’s spokeswoman reached out to the other Buck to pass along the congressman’s appreciation, and apologies, for receiving his social media hate mail over the years. The two follow each other on Twitter now and have shared funny stories about the mix-ups.
On Monday, Ken Buck in Charlotte received the latest book from Ken Buck in Colorado, “Capitol of Freedom,” with this inscription: “Ken, don’t blame your parents. They didn’t know that there would be a Ken Buck who is a crazy conservative causing trouble in America when they named you.”
The educator thanked the congressman on Twitter for the book and in return the congressman thanked the educator “for taking my arrows all these years.” Both Bucks have had some fun with it.
“His inscription definitely made me chuckle and brought the whole scenario full circle for me,” the Buck in North Carolina said via email Thursday.
While not as common as, say, John Smith or James Williams, the name Ken Buck is also not especially rare. There are at least three Ken Bucks in Colorado, according to a search of public records, and two in North Carolina. But there is only one @kenbuck on Twitter, making mix-ups an inevitable occurrence.
Even professionals have missed the mark. The social media staff for Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., tagged the wrong Ken Buck account Aug. 23 and never deleted their tweet, despite @kenbuck asking them to.
In most cases, the Buck from Charlotte responds with a polite or snarky correction: “Dude, I’m not the right guy” or “Let’s not bring me into this.” When someone said @kenbuck is responsible for the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, he wrote back, “I seriously doubt I am.” But after being incorrectly included in a Sept. 3 tweet about the pandemic, Buck sounded more exasperated than entertained.
“Not this again,” he wrote.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--What are the chances of a white Christmas in Denver?

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas ?
The middle of December is rapidly approaching and Christmas is now only two weeks away .
That puts the date within the time frame when large scale weather patterns and trends can start getting broadly sorted out .
Despite the term “ white Christmas ” getting thrown around in multiple , unofficial contexts , there is a formal way to define the occurrence .
The National Weather Service will officially declare a white Christmas if at least an inch of snow is on the ground on Christmas morning .
Daily snow depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Using the official definition , 45 out of 120 Christmas days have been declared as a white Christmas in the Denver weather records .
This yields a 38 % chance that the city will see a white Christmas in any given year .
The odds in recent years have been better in the Denver metro .
Eleven out of the past 25 Christmases have had a blanket of an inch or more of snow on the ground , including 8 of the last 15 .
The most recent white Christmas in Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature also failed to escape the 10s .
This was followed up by two snowless and mild Christmases in 2018 and 2019 , when highs reached the upper 40s and middle 50s respectively .
If we look at snow actually falling on Christmas Day in Denver , the odds of this “ unofficial ” white Christmas happening actually get worse .
The city has seen measurable snowfall on Dec. 25 just 20 times in 138 years of snowfall record keeping .
That equates to a 14 % chance , and has not happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If long-range forecast guidance is on the right track , Mother Nature will not be delivering a white Christmas to Denver in 2020 either .
The weather pattern for the week leading up to Christmas is looking quite mild and dry .
The dry aspect would hinder the chances of an unofficial white Christmas , keeping snow from falling on Christmas Day itself .
Meanwhile , the trend for above-average temperatures would favor highs in the 40s and 50s in late December .
Even if snow stuck around for the next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would most likely melt it all , leading to a brown Christmas for the third straight year .
It is still too early to get into specifics on the forecast .
That also means that there is plenty of time for Mother Nature to start cooking up a snowy Christmas miracle .

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? The middle of December is rapidly approaching and Christmas is now only two weeks away. That puts the date within the time frame when large scale weather patterns and trends can start getting broadly sorted out.
Despite the term “white Christmas” getting thrown around in multiple, unofficial contexts, there is a formal way to define the occurrence. The National Weather Service will officially declare a white Christmas if at least an inch of snow is on the ground on Christmas morning.
Daily snow depth started being recorded in Denver in 1900. Using the official definition, 45 out of 120 Christmas days have been declared as a white Christmas in the Denver weather records. This yields a 38% chance that the city will see a white Christmas in any given year.
The odds in recent years have been better in the Denver metro. Eleven out of the past 25 Christmases have had a blanket of an inch or more of snow on the ground, including 8 of the last 15.
The most recent white Christmas in Denver was in 2017, when the high temperature also failed to escape the 10s. This was followed up by two snowless and mild Christmases in 2018 and 2019, when highs reached the upper 40s and middle 50s respectively.
If we look at snow actually falling on Christmas Day in Denver, the odds of this “unofficial” white Christmas happening actually get worse. The city has seen measurable snowfall on Dec. 25 just 20 times in 138 years of snowfall record keeping. That equates to a 14% chance, and has not happened in the Mile High City since 2015.
If long-range forecast guidance is on the right track, Mother Nature will not be delivering a white Christmas to Denver in 2020 either. The weather pattern for the week leading up to Christmas is looking quite mild and dry.
The dry aspect would hinder the chances of an unofficial white Christmas, keeping snow from falling on Christmas Day itself. Meanwhile, the trend for above-average temperatures would favor highs in the 40s and 50s in late December. Even if snow stuck around for the next week, the mild pattern closer to Christmas would most likely melt it all, leading to a brown Christmas for the third straight year.
It is still too early to get into specifics on the forecast. That also means that there is plenty of time for Mother Nature to start cooking up a snowy Christmas miracle.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Colorado Homebuilding Academy launches effort to replicate its model nationally

David Domagala works in the oil and gas industry , which has lost a lot of jobs during the pandemic and recession .
That ’ s one reason he signed up for training through the nonprofit Colorado Homebuilding Academy earlier this year .
Domagala wants to stay in the energy business , but he was between jobs during the summer and decided to brush up on his construction and mechanical skills in case he needs to switch careers .
“ I ’ m very optimistic about the construction industry .
I feel it ’ s a pretty recession-proof type job.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case .
A labor shortage that existed in the homebuilding sector before the coronavirus crisis is only growing , said Robert Dietz , the chief economist with the National Association of Home Builders .
“ In any given month , there ’ s a shortage of 200,000 to 300,000 workers , ” Dietz said .
The ongoing labor shortage and queries from around the country led the Colorado Homebuilding Academy to look into franchising its model .
The academy was the first organization to sign an agreement with Franchise For Good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Michigan-based company works with businesses that want to establish or expand a franchise .
“ We ’ ve thought more about how we can expand nationally because the need across the country hasn ’ t diminished at all , ” said Damon DiFabio , director of the home-building academy .
Other organizations , including one in Alabama , have recently used the academy ’ s templates for training , DiFabio said .
Pat Hamill , founder and CEO of Denver-based Oakwood Homes and the force behind the academy , talked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program national .
About a year ago , Hamill unveiled his goal of opening 20 locations over 15 years and training 1 million people who need jobs or want to change careers .
“ It will probably be more than 20 locations , with a variety of sizes appropriate to the local market .
We don ’ t have it all figured out yet , but I think we have it worked out enough that we want to share our story and share our model , ” said Amy Schwartz , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BuildStrong Education , a private foundation that supports schools in and around communities where his company is involved .
BuildStrong merged with a nonprofit to form the homebuilding academy and partners with education and industry organizations .
BuildStrong Academy was formed to provide hands-on learning for people who want to pursue jobs in the construction and trades industries and is teaming up with Franchise for Good to do that across the country .
Dave Keil , president and chief operating officer for Franworth , said the company created Franchise for Good earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One thing I noticed is that there are 1.2 million nonprofits , ” said Keil .
“ No one has ever really applied the tools of franchising to the nonprofit space.
” An agreement with BuildStrong Academy followed after discussions between Keil and Hamill .
“ Partnering with Dave Keil and the team at Franchise For Good has propelled and accelerated our vision to expand our nonprofit ’ s support systems nationwide , ” Hamill said in a statement .
The timing is right , Keil said .
“ Building is still happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of labor .
Yet there ’ s high unemployment , so that combination is a perfect set-up to go scale something , ” Keil added “ They ’ ve proven the model works in Colorado and gets wonderful results , so it ’ s just prime for scaling up and replicating.
” Dietz with the National Association of Home Builders said he always thought that home building would be one of the industries leading the economic recovery .
“ What caught us by surprise was how quickly we saw the rebound.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October than in October 2019 , according to the association .
Dietz said the country is short about 1 million new homes .
The 178,000 construction jobs reported for October by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment was up 3,200 from September .
There were 182,200 people working in construction in Colorado in October 2019 .
A low inventory of existing homes in the Denver area has real estate analysts predicting that builders might not just surpass 2019 sales , but see their best year ever .
Those dynamics have prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more secure job to check out the home-building academy .
Paulmiko Parker sees working as a self-employed contractor to remodel old homes as the ideal job .
The Denver woman has been a network engineer for telecommunications companies most of her career , but has always wanted to bring old homes back to life .
After taking courses at the homebuilding academy , Parker has been scouting opportunities in the construction industry and is looking for a mentor .
“ It ’ s something I always wanted to do when I was little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career because when I got pregnant , I thought being a network engineer was a great safe haven of a career for my kids , ” Parker said .
“ Now I am changing my career in mid-life and I enjoy it.
” Director DiFabio said while the average age of students at the academy is 32 , it ’ s common for people in their 40s , 50s and older who are “ underemployed ” or looking for a change to attend the academy .
The tuition for the basic programs is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
More than 220 people went through the homebuilding academy ’ s “ boot camp ” last year .
People can also take basic courses in concrete and electrical construction .
The academy partners with the Community College of Aurora on a management program that offers certificates in being a construction superintendent and construction estimating .
The academy works with five area high schools , DiFabio said , concentrating on basic skills in the first semester and taking “ a little more intense dive into the trades ” in the second semester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced changes to the curriculum , such as conducting more classes online .
But DiFabio said students are still getting hands-on training at the academy ’ s site in north Denver .
The classes are smaller to accommodate social distancing .
People ’ s health is checked and sanitizing is a priority .
And the number of boot camp graduates this year is expected to reach 360 .
DiFabio said the academy is directly placing 12 to 14 people per month in jobs and figures there might be another two to five people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report back .
“ We ’ re trying to help people get jobs , ” DiFabio said .
“ We have a recruiter on the front end , trainers in the middle and a career coach to support people as they graduate .
”

David Domagala works in the oil and gas industry, which has lost a lot of jobs during the pandemic and recession. That’s one reason he signed up for training through the nonprofit Colorado Homebuilding Academy earlier this year.
Domagala wants to stay in the energy business, but he was between jobs during the summer and decided to brush up on his construction and mechanical skills in case he needs to switch careers. “I’m very optimistic about the construction industry. I feel it’s a pretty recession-proof type job.”
So far, that’s the case. A labor shortage that existed in the homebuilding sector before the coronavirus crisis is only growing, said Robert Dietz, the chief economist with the National Association of Home Builders.
“In any given month, there’s a shortage of 200,000 to 300,000 workers,” Dietz said.
The ongoing labor shortage and queries from around the country led the Colorado Homebuilding Academy to look into franchising its model. The academy was the first organization to sign an agreement with Franchise For Good, the newly formed nonprofit arm of Franworth. The Michigan-based company works with businesses that want to establish or expand a franchise.
“We’ve thought more about how we can expand nationally because the need across the country hasn’t diminished at all,” said Damon DiFabio, director of the home-building academy.
Other organizations, including one in Alabama, have recently used the academy’s templates for training, DiFabio said.
Pat Hamill, founder and CEO of Denver-based Oakwood Homes and the force behind the academy, talked to people he knew at Franworth about making the program national. About a year ago, Hamill unveiled his goal of opening 20 locations over 15 years and training 1 million people who need jobs or want to change careers.
“It will probably be more than 20 locations, with a variety of sizes appropriate to the local market. We don’t have it all figured out yet, but I think we have it worked out enough that we want to share our story and share our model,” said Amy Schwartz, executive director of BuildStrong Education.
Hamill founded BuildStrong Education, a private foundation that supports schools in and around communities where his company is involved. BuildStrong merged with a nonprofit to form the homebuilding academy and partners with education and industry organizations. BuildStrong Academy was formed to provide hands-on learning for people who want to pursue jobs in the construction and trades industries and is teaming up with Franchise for Good to do that across the country.
Dave Keil, president and chief operating officer for Franworth, said the company created Franchise for Good earlier this year to work with nonprofits.
“One thing I noticed is that there are 1.2 million nonprofits,” said Keil. “No one has ever really applied the tools of franchising to the nonprofit space.”
An agreement with BuildStrong Academy followed after discussions between Keil and Hamill.
“Partnering with Dave Keil and the team at Franchise For Good has propelled and accelerated our vision to expand our nonprofit’s support systems nationwide,” Hamill said in a statement.
The timing is right, Keil said.
“Building is still happening, but there’s a dearth of labor. Yet there’s high unemployment, so that combination is a perfect set-up to go scale something,” Keil added “They’ve proven the model works in Colorado and gets wonderful results, so it’s just prime for scaling up and replicating.”
Dietz with the National Association of Home Builders said he always thought that home building would be one of the industries leading the economic recovery. “What caught us by surprise was how quickly we saw the rebound.”
There were 11,500 more residential construction jobs nationwide in October than in October 2019, according to the association. Dietz said the country is short about 1 million new homes.
The 178,000 construction jobs reported for October by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment was up 3,200 from September. There were 182,200 people working in construction in Colorado in October 2019.
A low inventory of existing homes in the Denver area has real estate analysts predicting that builders might not just surpass 2019 sales, but see their best year ever. Those dynamics have prompted people looking for a change or a more secure job to check out the home-building academy.
Paulmiko Parker sees working as a self-employed contractor to remodel old homes as the ideal job. The Denver woman has been a network engineer for telecommunications companies most of her career, but has always wanted to bring old homes back to life.
After taking courses at the homebuilding academy, Parker has been scouting opportunities in the construction industry and is looking for a mentor.
“It’s something I always wanted to do when I was little. I didn’t pursue the career because when I got pregnant, I thought being a network engineer was a great safe haven of a career for my kids,” Parker said. “Now I am changing my career in mid-life and I enjoy it.”
Director DiFabio said while the average age of students at the academy is 32, it’s common for people in their 40s, 50s and older who are “underemployed” or looking for a change to attend the academy. The tuition for the basic programs is waived for students committed to pursuing construction jobs.
More than 220 people went through the homebuilding academy’s “boot camp” last year. People can also take basic courses in concrete and electrical construction. The academy partners with the Community College of Aurora on a management program that offers certificates in being a construction superintendent and construction estimating.
The academy works with five area high schools, DiFabio said, concentrating on basic skills in the first semester and taking “a little more intense dive into the trades” in the second semester.
This year, COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes to the curriculum, such as conducting more classes online. But DiFabio said students are still getting hands-on training at the academy’s site in north Denver. The classes are smaller to accommodate social distancing. People’s health is checked and sanitizing is a priority.
And the number of boot camp graduates this year is expected to reach 360. DiFabio said the academy is directly placing 12 to 14 people per month in jobs and figures there might be another two to five people who get jobs but don’t report back.
“We’re trying to help people get jobs,” DiFabio said. “We have a recruiter on the front end, trainers in the middle and a career coach to support people as they graduate.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Jarek Broussard: Is CU Buffs back starting Heisman Trophy campaign for 2021?

Like most of us , Kirk Morrison hadn ’ t the foggiest idea who Jarek Broussard was two months ago .
But the ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker got a hint that something was coming .
Something big .
Morrison laughed as he recounted , in hindsight , a conference call with CU coaches a few days before the Buffs ’ Nov. 7 opener with UCLA .
And the notes that he ’ d scribbled down from those same coaches ’ scouting reports in advance of working the CU-Bruins game for ESPN 2 .
•We ’ ve got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the best back coming out of camp .
Hindsight ’ s a heck of a thing .
Flash forward to mid-December , and he ’ s one of the best backs in the country .
“ I think he ’ s athletic , ” Morrison , the ex-San Diego State standout , said of the Buffs ’ newest star tailback , who rushed for 187 yards in his debut against the Bruins and hasn ’ t looked back .
“ You just see how quick he is to the hole , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , I think I got scared a couple times when he came out of the game because his knee brace had slipped.
” Other than the knee brace — and more on that in a second — not much has slowed the kid from Dallas down , once he got a taste .
Certainly not Pac-12 defenses : Despite not having a workhorse frame , the 5-foot-9 , 185-pound Broussard heads into Saturday ’ s showdown with Utah ranked second in FBS in rushing yards per game ( 183.2 ) having pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense on his back .
And , here ’ s the scary part , he ’ s done it at less than 100 % health .
“ He ’ s probably 95 % , ” Buffs coach Karl Dorrell said of Broussard , who sat out last fall rehabbing his left knee .
“ And he ’ s been that been that way all camp .
“ I can ’ t wait for him to end up leaving that ( brace ) in the garage or in a dorm room or whatever it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m ready to go.
’ … As long as he can continue to do what he ’ s doing , he can put two new braces on , I don ’ t care .
As long as he can continue to do what he ’ s doing , I ’ ll never complain , as long as he ’ s being productive.
” Broussard hasn ’ t just carried the No .
21 Buffs ( 4-0 , 3-0 Pac-12 ) to within a whisker — CU has to beat the Utes and UCLA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-0 ) Saturday — of returning to the Pac-12 championship game for the first time since 2016 .
He ’ s running , from a pace perspective , with some of the greats in Buffs annals .
Broussard ’ s 733 yards after four games are six more than the 727 Rashaan Salaam racked up in 1994 after his first four contests en route to winning the Heisman Trophy that fall .
“ We talk about ( that history ) , ” Broussard said earlier this week .
“ We talk about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we mostly just focus on the game that ’ s in front of us .
We ’ re not really focused too much on accolades or anything.
” And 12 or 13 games are a truer sample size than , say , six or seven .
But is Broussard , who ’ s been named the Pac-12 ’ s Offensive Player of the Week twice already , serving notice that he deserves to be in the preseason Heisman picture for 2021 ?
“ It ’ s always going to be about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison replied .
“ In the Pac-12 , I ’ ve felt like they ’ ve always , obviously , been hurt by their television contract .
“ But maybe Fox can help that out ( on Saturday ) by having him on their Big Noon Kickoff , by getting more attention to ( him ) .
I think that ’ s what it ’ s going to take — more exposure .
I think , before , you don ’ t know the name.
” You might after Saturday .
Step 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good team ( check ) , in front of a lot of eyeballs ( also check ) , on the national stage ( also , also check ) .
With Michigan-Ohio State becoming another COVID-19 cancellation , the CU-Utah tilt is expected to be the most-watched Buffs home football game , nationally , since Mel Tucker ’ s overtime win at Folsom Field over Nebraska last Sept. 7 .
“ The Heisman is always going to go , to me , to the best player on the best team , ” Morrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s on a 9-3 Buffs team , it ’ s kind of hard .
But if he ’ s on a 12-0 Buffs team that ’ s playing for a conference championship , then we can have that discussion .
”

Like most of us, Kirk Morrison hadn’t the foggiest idea who Jarek Broussard was two months ago.
But the ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker got a hint that something was coming. Something big. Morrison laughed as he recounted, in hindsight, a conference call with CU coaches a few days before the Buffs’ Nov. 7 opener with UCLA. And the notes that he’d scribbled down from those same coaches’ scouting reports in advance of working the CU-Bruins game for ESPN 2.
NO. 23 BROUSSARD
•You will be surprised.
•We’ve got a lot of confidence in him.
•He was the best back coming out of camp.
Hindsight’s a heck of a thing. Flash forward to mid-December, and he’s one of the best backs in the country.
“I think he’s athletic,” Morrison, the ex-San Diego State standout, said of the Buffs’ newest star tailback, who rushed for 187 yards in his debut against the Bruins and hasn’t looked back.
“You just see how quick he is to the hole, how he accelerates. And my only thing was, I think I got scared a couple times when he came out of the game because his knee brace had slipped.”
Other than the knee brace — and more on that in a second — not much has slowed the kid from Dallas down, once he got a taste. Certainly not Pac-12 defenses: Despite not having a workhorse frame, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Broussard heads into Saturday’s showdown with Utah ranked second in FBS in rushing yards per game (183.2) having pretty much put a new-look, ground-centric CU offense on his back.
And, here’s the scary part, he’s done it at less than 100% health.
“He’s probably 95%,” Buffs coach Karl Dorrell said of Broussard, who sat out last fall rehabbing his left knee. “And he’s been that been that way all camp.
“I can’t wait for him to end up leaving that (brace) in the garage or in a dorm room or whatever it is that says, ‘I’m ready to go.’ … As long as he can continue to do what he’s doing, he can put two new braces on, I don’t care. As long as he can continue to do what he’s doing, I’ll never complain, as long as he’s being productive.”
Broussard hasn’t just carried the No. 21 Buffs (4-0, 3-0 Pac-12) to within a whisker — CU has to beat the Utes and UCLA has to beat USC (4-0, 4-0) Saturday — of returning to the Pac-12 championship game for the first time since 2016. He’s running, from a pace perspective, with some of the greats in Buffs annals. Broussard’s 733 yards after four games are six more than the 727 Rashaan Salaam racked up in 1994 after his first four contests en route to winning the Heisman Trophy that fall.
“We talk about (that history),” Broussard said earlier this week. “We talk about it (in) our running back room. But we mostly just focus on the game that’s in front of us. We’re not really focused too much on accolades or anything.”
And 12 or 13 games are a truer sample size than, say, six or seven. But is Broussard, who’s been named the Pac-12’s Offensive Player of the Week twice already, serving notice that he deserves to be in the preseason Heisman picture for 2021?
“It’s always going to be about the non-conference schedule, right?” Morrison replied. “In the Pac-12, I’ve felt like they’ve always, obviously, been hurt by their television contract.
“But maybe Fox can help that out (on Saturday) by having him on their Big Noon Kickoff, by getting more attention to (him). I think that’s what it’s going to take — more exposure. I think, before, you don’t know the name.”
You might after Saturday. Step 1: Racking up a big game for a good team (check), in front of a lot of eyeballs (also check), on the national stage (also, also check).
With Michigan-Ohio State becoming another COVID-19 cancellation, the CU-Utah tilt is expected to be the most-watched Buffs home football game, nationally, since Mel Tucker’s overtime win at Folsom Field over Nebraska last Sept. 7.
“The Heisman is always going to go, to me, to the best player on the best team,” Morrison laughed. “I think if he’s on a 9-3 Buffs team, it’s kind of hard. But if he’s on a 12-0 Buffs team that’s playing for a conference championship, then we can have that discussion.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Pick 6: Odds the Broncos will win Super Bowl LV, the CU Buffs stay undefeated, Jennifer Kupcho captu

Pick 6: Odds the Broncos will win Super Bowl LV, the CU Buffs stay undefeated, Jennifer Kupcho captures the U.S. Women’s Open

It may be an abbreviated season , but the Colorado Buffaloes football team has an opportunity to do something they haven ’ t done in more than three decades .
If CU beats Utah on Saturday , it will be the first time since 1989 that the program will have gone undefeated in the regular season .
And oddsmakers think it could happen .
The Buffs are -120 favorites against the Utes , according to BetMGM .
About getting a chance at the Pac-12 crown ?
That ’ s a whole other matter .
Here ’ s a look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world of sports .
The odds the CU Buffs football team will beat Utah on Saturday , according to BetMGM .
The odds the Broncos will win Super Bowl LV , according to BetMGM .
They are tied for the worst odds , along with the Houston Texans .
The Chiefs ( +230 ) are favored to win it all .
The odds former Jefferson Academy star Jennifer Kupcho will win the LPGA Tour ’ s U.S. Women Open , according to Bovada .
Sei Young Kim is favored at +800 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bubble , according to Bovada .
The odds YouTuber Logan Paul will be the first to bleed in his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather , according to BetOnline .
The over-under for the total number of wins the Nuggets for the 2020-21 NBA season , according to BetOnline .

It may be an abbreviated season, but the Colorado Buffaloes football team has an opportunity to do something they haven’t done in more than three decades.
If CU beats Utah on Saturday, it will be the first time since 1989 that the program will have gone undefeated in the regular season. And oddsmakers think it could happen. The Buffs are -120 favorites against the Utes, according to BetMGM.
About getting a chance at the Pac-12 crown? That’s a whole other matter.
Here’s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports.
-120
The odds the CU Buffs football team will beat Utah on Saturday, according to BetMGM.
+100,000
The odds the Broncos will win Super Bowl LV, according to BetMGM. They are tied for the worst odds, along with the Houston Texans. The Chiefs (+230) are favored to win it all.
+10,000
The odds former Jefferson Academy star Jennifer Kupcho will win the LPGA Tour’s U.S. Women Open, according to Bovada. Sei Young Kim is favored at +800.
+500
The odds the NFL playoffs will be played in a bubble, according to Bovada.
-450
The odds YouTuber Logan Paul will be the first to bleed in his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, according to BetOnline.
43.5
The over-under for the total number of wins the Nuggets for the 2020-21 NBA season, according to BetOnline.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up against Panthers and predictions

Denver Broncos ( 4-8 ) at Carolina Panthers ( 4-8 ) , Sunday , 11 a.m. MT , Bank of America Stadium , CBS , 850 AM , 94.1 FM , 103.5 FM 1 .
Jerry Jeudy ’ s impact .
The rookie wideout only has one catch in the past two games as coach Vic Fangio admitted he ’ s been “ nicked a little bit ” from an ankle injury .
But Jeudy , who tweeted in frustration after last week ’ s loss to Kansas City that “ at least I got my conditioning in , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense than he ’ s shown over the last month .
The Broncos need him trending back toward the seven-catch , 125-yard career-high performance that came in Week 9 .
2 .
Two free-falling teams .
The Broncos have dropped four of their last five games , while the Panthers have lost six of seven .
There ’ s plenty at stake for both coach Vic Fangio and first-year Carolina coach Matt Rhule to prove to their respective fan bases and front offices that they have their ships heading in the right direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also critical for Denver considering the tough matchup against AFC East leader Buffalo next week .
3 .
Drew Lock ’ s interceptions .
The Broncos lead the league with 21 interceptions thrown , and Lock ’ s been responsible for 13 of those over his last seven games .
Those mistakes have to be eliminated , both for Lock to continue to grow as a young QB as well as for Denver to be in contention over the final quarter of the season .
Lock has thrown a pick in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall in individual interceptions , and last in quarterback rating .
Who has the edge ?
With former Valor Christian star Christian McCaffrey still out ( quad ) , the 20th-ranked Carolina run game ( 106.4 yards/game ) won ’ t get a boost against a Broncos run defense that ’ s been gashed for 200-plus yards in two of the last four games .
Shelby Harris ’ second game back from COVID-complications will help , but Denver can ’ t let backup tailback Mike Davis get rolling .
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rough game against Minnesota in which he completed a season-low 52.7 % of his passes .
Carolina will be down two of its top three wideouts after DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel were placed on the COVID/reserve list , while the Broncos will be without top cornerbacks Bryce Callahan ( injured reserve ) and A.J .
Bouye ( six-game suspension for PED ) .
Melvin Gordon is coming off his best game as a Bronco , while Phillip Lindsay — held back by an overall lack of carries and injuries — has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
The Carolina run D is middling , ranking 15th in the NFL at 115.1 rushing yards/game , and will be without leading tackler Shaq Thompson as the middle linebacker is on the COVID/reserve list .
Beyond Lock ’ s problem with picks , wideout Tim Patrick and tight end Noah Fant will need to pick up Jeudy ’ s recent slack against a pass defense ranks 19th at 249.3 yards/game .
Lock will want to avoid cornerback Donte Jackson , who leads Carolina with three interceptions .
Brandon McManus missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second time this season last week , again from 50-plus yards .
Tyrie Cleveland has shown some spark in the return game .
Carolina kicker Joey Slye has been inconsistent , as have several of the Panthers ’ special team units .
Edge : Broncos • Alexander Johnson , Josey Jewell showing growth in first full year as starting linebackers in Vic Fangio ’ s system • After missing six games to COVID-19 , Broncos DC Ed Donatell likely to coach Sunday ’ s game vs. Carolina Melvin Gordon scores a touchdown with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two — and the win — and gets it on Tim Patrick ’ s catch .
Another boneheaded Drew Lock interception allows Carolina to take the lead before half , but Denver forces two turnovers in the second half and Noah Fant has the game-winning touchdown catch .
Tackle Garett Bolles has rewarded John Elway ’ s faith for selecting him 20th overall in the 2017 draft .
I still think the Broncos should ’ ve traded up for Christian McCaffrey .
What say you ?
Carolina winds up missing a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A.J .
Bouye .

Denver Broncos (4-8) at Carolina Panthers (4-8), Sunday, 11 a.m. MT, Bank of America Stadium, CBS, 850 AM, 94.1 FM, 103.5 FM
3 Things to watch
1. Jerry Jeudy’s impact. The rookie wideout only has one catch in the past two games as coach Vic Fangio admitted he’s been “nicked a little bit” from an ankle injury. But Jeudy, who tweeted in frustration after last week’s loss to Kansas City that “at least I got my conditioning in,” clearly wants a bigger role in the offense than he’s shown over the last month. The Broncos need him trending back toward the seven-catch, 125-yard career-high performance that came in Week 9.
2. Two free-falling teams. The Broncos have dropped four of their last five games, while the Panthers have lost six of seven. There’s plenty at stake for both coach Vic Fangio and first-year Carolina coach Matt Rhule to prove to their respective fan bases and front offices that they have their ships heading in the right direction entering 2021. Sunday’s game is also critical for Denver considering the tough matchup against AFC East leader Buffalo next week.
3. Drew Lock’s interceptions. The Broncos lead the league with 21 interceptions thrown, and Lock’s been responsible for 13 of those over his last seven games. Those mistakes have to be eliminated, both for Lock to continue to grow as a young QB as well as for Denver to be in contention over the final quarter of the season. Lock has thrown a pick in an NFL-worst seven straight games, is second overall in individual interceptions, and last in quarterback rating.
Who has the edge?
When the Panthers run
With former Valor Christian star Christian McCaffrey still out (quad), the 20th-ranked Carolina run game (106.4 yards/game) won’t get a boost against a Broncos run defense that’s been gashed for 200-plus yards in two of the last four games. Shelby Harris’ second game back from COVID-complications will help, but Denver can’t let backup tailback Mike Davis get rolling.
Edge: Broncos
When the Panthers pass
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been up-and-down, and is coming off a rough game against Minnesota in which he completed a season-low 52.7% of his passes. Carolina will be down two of its top three wideouts after DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel were placed on the COVID/reserve list, while the Broncos will be without top cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (injured reserve) and A.J. Bouye (six-game suspension for PED).
Edge: Even
When the Broncos run
Melvin Gordon is coming off his best game as a Bronco, while Phillip Lindsay — held back by an overall lack of carries and injuries — has only gone over the 100-yard mark once this year. The Carolina run D is middling, ranking 15th in the NFL at 115.1 rushing yards/game, and will be without leading tackler Shaq Thompson as the middle linebacker is on the COVID/reserve list.
Edge: Broncos
When the Broncos pass
Beyond Lock’s problem with picks, wideout Tim Patrick and tight end Noah Fant will need to pick up Jeudy’s recent slack against a pass defense ranks 19th at 249.3 yards/game. Lock will want to avoid cornerback Donte Jackson, who leads Carolina with three interceptions.
Edge: Panthers
Special teams
Brandon McManus missed a field goal attempt for just the second time this season last week, again from 50-plus yards. Tyrie Cleveland has shown some spark in the return game. Carolina kicker Joey Slye has been inconsistent, as have several of the Panthers’ special team units.
Edge: Broncos
Post predictions
Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: Broncos 27, Panthers 26
Melvin Gordon scores a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining and Vic Fangio goes for two — and the win — and gets it on Tim Patrick’s catch.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Broncos 24, Panthers 21
Another boneheaded Drew Lock interception allows Carolina to take the lead before half, but Denver forces two turnovers in the second half and Noah Fant has the game-winning touchdown catch.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Panthers 24, Broncos 23
Tackle Garett Bolles has rewarded John Elway’s faith for selecting him 20th overall in the 2017 draft. I still think the Broncos should’ve traded up for Christian McCaffrey. What say you?
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 22, Panthers 21
Carolina winds up missing a healthy Christian McCaffrey more than the Broncos miss A.J. Bouye.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Ask Amy: My boyfriend won’t propose until I pay off my debt

Dear Amy : I am in my first long-term relationship as an adult ( I am 31 ) .
My boyfriend of two years told me that he will not propose to me until I pay off my debt .
I had acquired medical bills and a few credit card debts before we met .
I owe $ 14,000 to creditors .
He said he doesn ’ t want to go into marriage in debt .
I understand that , but he is acting like he will not propose until all of my debts are settled .
That is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would you take this ?
I appreciate any honesty that comes my way .
Dear Girlfriend : Debt , spending , and money management problems are very high on the list of stressors that break up relationships .
More important even than the debt you carry , is how you each respond to it .
Is your guy angry , judgmental , and controlling about your money choices ?
Or is he trying to approach this honestly , calmly , and as a team ?
If he is angry and controlling , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If he is calm , supportive , and nonjudgmental , then I want to marry him .
So , wake up .
Your adulthood is calling .
You two have already taken an extremely important step , by communicating honestly about this .
If you can retire $ 14,000 worth of debt in a year , I ’ d say that you are being impressively proactive , and that you are lucky to have a high enough income ( and low enough expenses ) to lose this burden relatively quickly .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can then take the extra money that has been going toward payments each month and become an aggressive and responsible saver .
I appreciate money manager Suze Orman ’ s advocacy for financial literacy .
You might benefit from reading her book , “ The Money Book for the Young , Fabulous & Broke ( 2007 , Riverhead ) .
Dear Amy : My ex-husband and I were married for over 20 years .
We have two wonderful sons .
Our youngest son is 16 .
Throughout our marriage , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his high school sweetheart .
We met several months after she had broken up with him .
He remained in touch with her throughout our marriage and had an affair with her .
Now , I find out , my ex insisted on naming our youngest son “ Brandon , ” after this woman ’ s brother !
( This brother is alive and well , so it wasn ’ t to honor his memory . )
My ex had always told me that she was an only child , and until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother , I believed him .
Now I feel hurt and betrayed .
His family and this woman were aware of our son Brandon ’ s name and why my ex chose it .
My ex told me that I “ just don ’ t have a sense of humor.
” Am I missing something here ?
Dear Misled : I agree that this is strange and will require a major adjustment on your part .
You obviously love your son , and I assume that you also love his name , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his name with a bunch of other people , including this particular man .
( Aside from the high school girlfriend , were he and your husband close personal friends ? )
Your adjustment should include a determination to “ own ” this , accept it , and not surrender the high ground .
I assume that this episode is one more reason why you are happier without your ex .
Sharing this with your son while you ’ re still angry about it would place undue pressure on him .
In terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might respond : “ Well , if you tell me something funny , I ’ ll see if I can laugh.
” Dear Amy : “ Three Daughters ” were feeling estranged from Dad after Mom died and he was dating someone new .
In their eyes , this person was creating a wedge in the family .
Your response was to be supportive of Dad and to let him make his own choices .
My wife and her sister are in a similar position , with one glaring twist .
Their dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is 29 .
Is your same advice applicable ?
Dear Dan : Yes .
It is vital that family members do everything possible in order to stay close to their elder so that he does not become isolated from them .
Your father-in-law has the right to engage in an inappropriate , unhealthy relationship .
Family members have few options .
Questions about their father ’ s mental capacity and estate should be taken to an attorney .

Dear Amy: I am in my first long-term relationship as an adult (I am 31).
My boyfriend of two years told me that he will not propose to me until I pay off my debt.
I had acquired medical bills and a few credit card debts before we met. I owe $14,000 to creditors.
He said he doesn’t want to go into marriage in debt.
I understand that, but he is acting like he will not propose until all of my debts are settled.
That is going to take about another year.
How would you take this?
I appreciate any honesty that comes my way.
— Only the Girlfriend?
Dear Girlfriend: Debt, spending, and money management problems are very high on the list of stressors that break up relationships.
More important even than the debt you carry, is how you each respond to it.
Is your guy angry, judgmental, and controlling about your money choices? Or is he trying to approach this honestly, calmly, and as a team?
If he is angry and controlling, then this is a very bright red flag. If he is calm, supportive, and nonjudgmental, then I want to marry him.
So, wake up. Your adulthood is calling.
You two have already taken an extremely important step, by communicating honestly about this.
If you can retire $14,000 worth of debt in a year, I’d say that you are being impressively proactive, and that you are lucky to have a high enough income (and low enough expenses) to lose this burden relatively quickly.
After you’ve paid off your debt, you can then take the extra money that has been going toward payments each month and become an aggressive and responsible saver.
I appreciate money manager Suze Orman’s advocacy for financial literacy. You might benefit from reading her book, “The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke (2007, Riverhead).
Dear Amy: My ex-husband and I were married for over 20 years. We have two wonderful sons. Our youngest son is 16.
Throughout our marriage, is was obvious that my ex never got over his high school sweetheart. We met several months after she had broken up with him.
He remained in touch with her throughout our marriage and had an affair with her.
Now, I find out, my ex insisted on naming our youngest son “Brandon,” after this woman’s brother! (This brother is alive and well, so it wasn’t to honor his memory.)
My ex had always told me that she was an only child, and until a recent social media post mentioning this brother, I believed him.
Now I feel hurt and betrayed. His family and this woman were aware of our son Brandon’s name and why my ex chose it.
My ex told me that I “just don’t have a sense of humor.”
Am I missing something here?
— Misled in PA
Dear Misled: I agree that this is strange and will require a major adjustment on your part. You obviously love your son, and I assume that you also love his name, so you should remind yourself that he shares his name with a bunch of other people, including this particular man. (Aside from the high school girlfriend, were he and your husband close personal friends?)
Your adjustment should include a determination to “own” this, accept it, and not surrender the high ground. I assume that this episode is one more reason why you are happier without your ex.
Sharing this with your son while you’re still angry about it would place undue pressure on him.
In terms of your sense of humor, you might respond: “Well, if you tell me something funny, I’ll see if I can laugh.”
Dear Amy: “Three Daughters” were feeling estranged from Dad after Mom died and he was dating someone new. In their eyes, this person was creating a wedge in the family.
Your response was to be supportive of Dad and to let him make his own choices.
My wife and her sister are in a similar position, with one glaring twist.
Their dad is 75 years of age, and she is 29.
Is your same advice applicable?
— Dan
Dear Dan: Yes. It is vital that family members do everything possible in order to stay close to their elder so that he does not become isolated from them.
Your father-in-law has the right to engage in an inappropriate, unhealthy relationship.
Family members have few options. Questions about their father’s mental capacity and estate should be taken to an attorney.
(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--2020-12-11--Amy Olson comes up aces and takes 1-shot lead in Women’s Open

She captured the U.S .
Junior Girls her second time playing the tournament , won a record 20 times while at North Dakota State and went 4-1 in her lone Curtis Cup appearance .
In seven years on the LPGA Tour , however , she ’ s still looking for that first title .
“ Coming out here , I expected to win really early .
It always kind of came easy to me in college , ” Olson said .
“ It ’ s not easy to win out here .
You have to put four really good days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way Thursday in the U.S. Women ’ s Open .
Olson got back to under par with one swing , an 8-iron for a hole-in-one on her seventh hole , the 16th at Cypress Creek , and kept right on going until she had a 4-under 67 and a one-shot lead at Champions Golf Club .
She also had the 18-hole lead at Royal Troon in the Women ’ s British Open before following that with an 81 .
Olson was one hole away from winning the Evian Championship two years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hole .
“ It has been , I think , a test of my patience , ” Olson said .
And even on a perfect day for scoring , it was clear this Women ’ s Open would be a stern test .
Olson was among only 11 players who broke 70 on the Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit courses .
For the first time , two courses are being used for the opening rounds because of the limited daylight by postponing the premier event in women ’ s golf to December .
Out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at par or better .
“ We had absolutely perfect weather today and 4 under is leading , ” Champions member Stacy Lewis said after a 72 .
“ I don ’ t think scores are going anywhere.
” Moriya Jutanugarn managed to keep bogeys off her card on the Jackrabbit course for a 68 , leaving her tied with former Women ’ s British Open champion Hinako Shibuno ( Cypress Creek ) and A Lim Kim ( Jackrabbit ) .
Sophia Popov was among the group at 69 .
She figured it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. Women ’ s Open this year when the USGA had to scrap qualifying because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
And then when golf resumed , Popov earned a spot in the Women ’ s British Open and won at Royal Troon .
And now she ’ s already in the mix at the U.S. Women ’ s Open , along with so many others .
Asked if she had come down from the cloud of her surprise major victory , Popov smiled and said , “ Am I down yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to come down off of it .
I quite like it , ” she said .
“ But yeah , I think it took me a couple weeks , but after that it was back to reality .
You ’ ve got to grind , you ’ ve got to practice , you ’ ve got to do everything the same way you did before , just now you have a lot more events to play and better events to play.
” None of the top five in the world ranking broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 73 , while Sei Young Kim had a 72 in what could be a battle for No .
1 this week .
Nelly Korda , playing for the first time in two months because of back pain , had only one birdie in her round of 73 .
Danielle Kang didn ’ t make any birdies and shot 72 .
The starting times for the second round were moved up a little more than an hour because or rain and wind in the forecast , which figures to make the courses even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackrabbit course was a bout a stroke easier .
Cypress Creek will be used on the weekend .
Most enjoyable for Olson was watching her 8-iron in flight on the par-3 16h hole and tracking it all the way into the hole , her second ace in competition on the LPGA Tour .
She had a big crew of family and friends from North Dakota for her previous hole-in-one .
She had only a few marshals , two other players and caddies , and a few people from a backyard to provide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 141 to the flag and the pin was on the right side of the green with the wind kind of coming from from the right , ” she said .
“ So I hit a fade to try to hold the wind , and it landed two paces short of the flag , had some good spin on it and just trickled in .
We saw the whole thing , which was fun.
” Megan Khang was the only player to reach 5 under on the day until dropping a few shots on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a double bogey on the 18th hole when she flubbed a pitch that came back down to her feet .
That dropped her to a 70 .
Brittany Lincicome , a two-time ANA Inspiration winner , suffered the same fate .
She was bogey-free when she missed the green to the left on No .
18 at Jackrabbit .
Her pitch was weak and back down the slope , and her next pitch was too strong .
She made double bogey and shot 70 .
“ The U.S. Open you can just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then make a double within like two seconds , ” Lincicome said .
“ Super bummed to finish that way .
… Under par at the U.S. Open is really good , so can ’ t complain , but obviously that last hole is going to hurt .
”

HOUSTON — Winning once felt easy to Amy Olson.
She captured the U.S. Junior Girls her second time playing the tournament, won a record 20 times while at North Dakota State and went 4-1 in her lone Curtis Cup appearance.
In seven years on the LPGA Tour, however, she’s still looking for that first title.
“Coming out here, I expected to win really early. It always kind of came easy to me in college,” Olson said. “It’s not easy to win out here. You have to put four really good days together.”
She got one out of the way Thursday in the U.S. Women’s Open.
Olson got back to under par with one swing, an 8-iron for a hole-in-one on her seventh hole, the 16th at Cypress Creek, and kept right on going until she had a 4-under 67 and a one-shot lead at Champions Golf Club.
She also had the 18-hole lead at Royal Troon in the Women’s British Open before following that with an 81. Olson was one hole away from winning the Evian Championship two years ago until a double bogey on the final hole.
“It has been, I think, a test of my patience,” Olson said.
And even on a perfect day for scoring, it was clear this Women’s Open would be a stern test.
Olson was among only 11 players who broke 70 on the Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit courses. For the first time, two courses are being used for the opening rounds because of the limited daylight by postponing the premier event in women’s golf to December.
Out of 156 players, only 36 were at par or better.
“We had absolutely perfect weather today and 4 under is leading,” Champions member Stacy Lewis said after a 72. “I don’t think scores are going anywhere.”
Moriya Jutanugarn managed to keep bogeys off her card on the Jackrabbit course for a 68, leaving her tied with former Women’s British Open champion Hinako Shibuno (Cypress Creek) and A Lim Kim (Jackrabbit).
Sophia Popov was among the group at 69. She figured it would be a long shot to be in the U.S. Women’s Open this year when the USGA had to scrap qualifying because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And then when golf resumed, Popov earned a spot in the Women’s British Open and won at Royal Troon.
And now she’s already in the mix at the U.S. Women’s Open, along with so many others. Asked if she had come down from the cloud of her surprise major victory, Popov smiled and said, “Am I down yet?”
“I’m trying not to come down off of it. I quite like it,” she said. “But yeah, I think it took me a couple weeks, but after that it was back to reality. You’ve got to grind, you’ve got to practice, you’ve got to do everything the same way you did before, just now you have a lot more events to play and better events to play.”
None of the top five in the world ranking broke par. Jin Young Ko opened with a 73, while Sei Young Kim had a 72 in what could be a battle for No. 1 this week. Nelly Korda, playing for the first time in two months because of back pain, had only one birdie in her round of 73. Danielle Kang didn’t make any birdies and shot 72.
The starting times for the second round were moved up a little more than an hour because or rain and wind in the forecast, which figures to make the courses even tougher.
For one round, the Jackrabbit course was a bout a stroke easier. Cypress Creek will be used on the weekend.
Most enjoyable for Olson was watching her 8-iron in flight on the par-3 16h hole and tracking it all the way into the hole, her second ace in competition on the LPGA Tour. She had a big crew of family and friends from North Dakota for her previous hole-in-one. She had only a few marshals, two other players and caddies, and a few people from a backyard to provide the cheers on Thursday.
“I had 141 to the flag and the pin was on the right side of the green with the wind kind of coming from from the right,” she said. “So I hit a fade to try to hold the wind, and it landed two paces short of the flag, had some good spin on it and just trickled in. We saw the whole thing, which was fun.”
Megan Khang was the only player to reach 5 under on the day until dropping a few shots on the back nine at Jackrabbit and finishing with a double bogey on the 18th hole when she flubbed a pitch that came back down to her feet. That dropped her to a 70.
Brittany Lincicome, a two-time ANA Inspiration winner, suffered the same fate. She was bogey-free when she missed the green to the left on No. 18 at Jackrabbit. Her pitch was weak and back down the slope, and her next pitch was too strong. She made double bogey and shot 70.
“The U.S. Open you can just lose your concentration for two seconds and then make a double within like two seconds,” Lincicome said. “Super bummed to finish that way. … Under par at the U.S. Open is really good, so can’t complain, but obviously that last hole is going to hurt.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--US allows emergency COVID-19 vaccine in bid to end pandemic

WASHINGTON — The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine , marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans .
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech .
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in scrambling to vaccinate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long , grim winter .
It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally .
While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study , it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration , which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccination campaign in U.S. history — but it also has global ramifications because it ’ s a role model to many other countries facing the same decision .
It offers the ability “ in this situation where the pandemic is out of control , to bring hope to the people , ” Dr. Ugur Sahin , CEO of BioNTech , told The Associated Press .
The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around , and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous scientific testing to emerge from that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that shaved years off the usual process .
“ I don ’ t think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago , ” said Dr. Paul Offit , a vaccine expert at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA .
The U.S. is considering a second vaccine , made by Moderna Inc. , that could roll out in another week .
In early January , Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in final testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month , an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks .
Friday , Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn ’ t work well enough in older adults .
And China and Russia didn ’ t wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots .
About 3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country , according to officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s vaccine development program .
A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients ’ second dose .
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is poised to recommend who ’ s first in line .
Expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers , older adults and people at high risk because of other health problems .
U.S. authorities don ’ t expect enough for the general population before spring , and that ’ s assuming there are no manufacturing glitches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until March , April , to have an impact on the pandemic , ” BioNTech ’ s Sahin said .
But he predicted that protecting the most vulnerable could start putting a dent in hospitals and deaths sooner .
In a still unfinished study of nearly 44,000 people , the FDA found the vaccine was safe and more than 90 % effective across recipients of different ages , including older adults , races and those with health problems that put them at high risk from the coronavirus .
Emergency use means the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would-be recipients to know : –Some protection begins after the first dose , but it takes a second dose three weeks later for full protection .
It ’ s unclear how long protection lasts .
–The vaccine protects against COVID-19 illness , but no one yet knows if it can stop the silent , symptomless spread that accounts for roughly half of all cases .
The ongoing study will attempt to answer that but for now , the vaccinated still will need to wear a mask and keep their distance .
–Expect a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fever , fatigue , headache and chills after the second dose .
While uncomfortable , those reactions only last about a day .
“ That ’ s just your immune system working .
It ’ s a good thing , ” Offit said .
–Authorities are investigating several allergic reactions reported in Britain by people with a history of severe allergies .
Offit said it is routine in the U.S. for the vaccinated to stick around for a half-hour so they could get prompt treatment if such reactions appear .
If emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is authorized , the U.S. expects to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of December .
They hope to have enough for another 30 million people in January and 50 million in February .
Globally , Sahin said production should scale up considerably in February , with Pfizer and BioNTech projecting 120 million to 130 million doses a month to reach 1.3 billion doses in 2021 .
Getting shots into arms is the big challenge , especially as a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s their turn .
About a quarter say they won ’ t get it and the rest aren ’ t sure .
Political interference has complicated health authorities ’ message that the testing was rigorous and cut no corners .
President Donald Trump bashed the FDA , again , Friday for taking too long , complaining that the agency “ is still a big , old slow turtle.
” One of his deputies even pressed Hahn to clear the shots by the end of the day or face possible firing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unique in analyzing drugmakers ’ raw data , a process that takes longer than many other countries ’ regulatory reviews .
In addition , the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects , a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Lauran Neergaard, Matthew Perrone, Jonathan Lemire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in scrambling to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of a long, grim winter. It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally.
While the FDA decision came only after public review of data from a huge ongoing study, it has also been dogged by intense political pressure from the Trump administration, which has accused the agency of being too slow and even threatened to remove FDA chief Stephen Hahn if a ruling did not come Friday.
The move sets off what will be the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history — but it also has global ramifications because it’s a role model to many other countries facing the same decision.
It offers the ability “in this situation where the pandemic is out of control, to bring hope to the people,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech, told The Associated Press.
The world desperately needs multiple vaccines for enough to go around, and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot is the first based on rigorous scientific testing to emerge from that worldwide race — a record-setting scientific achievement that shaved years off the usual process.
“I don’t think you would have found a scientist on this planet that would have predicted this 11 months ago,” said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who advises the FDA.
The U.S. is considering a second vaccine, made by Moderna Inc., that could roll out in another week. In early January, Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in final testing.
Europe is set to make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later this month, an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks. Friday, Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn’t work well enough in older adults.
And China and Russia didn’t wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots.
About 3 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected in the first shipments around the country, according to officials with Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. A similar amount is to be held in reserve for those recipients’ second dose.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is poised to recommend who’s first in line. Expected to follow health workers and nursing homes are other essential workers, older adults and people at high risk because of other health problems. U.S. authorities don’t expect enough for the general population before spring, and that’s assuming there are no manufacturing glitches.
“We would need at least until March, April, to have an impact on the pandemic,” BioNTech’s Sahin said. But he predicted that protecting the most vulnerable could start putting a dent in hospitals and deaths sooner.
In a still unfinished study of nearly 44,000 people, the FDA found the vaccine was safe and more than 90% effective across recipients of different ages, including older adults, races and those with health problems that put them at high risk from the coronavirus.
Emergency use means the vaccine still is experimental. Most important for would-be recipients to know:
–Some protection begins after the first dose, but it takes a second dose three weeks later for full protection. It’s unclear how long protection lasts.
–The vaccine protects against COVID-19 illness, but no one yet knows if it can stop the silent, symptomless spread that accounts for roughly half of all cases. The ongoing study will attempt to answer that but for now, the vaccinated still will need to wear a mask and keep their distance.
–Expect a sore arm and some flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache and chills after the second dose. While uncomfortable, those reactions only last about a day. “That’s just your immune system working. It’s a good thing,” Offit said.
–Authorities are investigating several allergic reactions reported in Britain by people with a history of severe allergies. Offit said it is routine in the U.S. for the vaccinated to stick around for a half-hour so they could get prompt treatment if such reactions appear.
If emergency use of Moderna’s vaccine also is authorized, the U.S. expects to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of December. They hope to have enough for another 30 million people in January and 50 million in February.
Globally, Sahin said production should scale up considerably in February, with Pfizer and BioNTech projecting 120 million to 130 million doses a month to reach 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
Getting shots into arms is the big challenge, especially as a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found only half of Americans want the vaccine when it’s their turn. About a quarter say they won’t get it and the rest aren’t sure.
Political interference has complicated health authorities’ message that the testing was rigorous and cut no corners.
President Donald Trump bashed the FDA, again, Friday for taking too long, complaining that the agency “is still a big, old slow turtle.” One of his deputies even pressed Hahn to clear the shots by the end of the day or face possible firing, two administration officials said.
The FDA is unique in analyzing drugmakers’ raw data, a process that takes longer than many other countries’ regulatory reviews. In addition, the FDA insisted that large COVID-19 vaccine studies track at least half the participants for two months to look for side effects, a time period when historically any vaccine problems appear.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--Denver developer buys former StorageTek campus in Louisville

Brue Baukol Capital Partners , the Denver-based real estate investment firm that has spent years trying to turn the former StorageTek campus in Louisville into a mixed-use development , now owns the 475-acre property .
The company closed on a deal Friday to buy the site from Phillips 66 for an undisclosed price , according to a news release .
Phillips 66 predecessor ConocoPhillips bought the land , at the junction of U.S. 36 and the Northwest Parkway , for $ 55.6 million in 2008 with plans for a research campus that never materialized .
The Boulder County Assessor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the owner as of Friday afternoon , but Brue Baukol founder Chad Brue told a digital real estate panel organized by the University of Colorado on Tuesday that his firm was close to closing on the acquisition .
The property , which Brue and partners have dubbed Redtail Ridge , was dealt a setback in October when medical device manufacturing giant Medtronic backed out plans to build a $ 133 million corporate campus there .
The company cited delays and uncertainty after the Louisville City Council refused to approve Brue Baukol ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Medtronic is now looking at neighboring Lafayette .
Brue , during Tuesday ’ s online panel , said some people want to see housing built on the property but the current zoning doesn ’ t allow for that .

Brue Baukol Capital Partners, the Denver-based real estate investment firm that has spent years trying to turn the former StorageTek campus in Louisville into a mixed-use development, now owns the 475-acre property.
The company closed on a deal Friday to buy the site from Phillips 66 for an undisclosed price, according to a news release. Phillips 66 predecessor ConocoPhillips bought the land, at the junction of U.S. 36 and the Northwest Parkway, for $55.6 million in 2008 with plans for a research campus that never materialized.
The Boulder County Assessor’s website still showed Phillips 66 as the owner as of Friday afternoon, but Brue Baukol founder Chad Brue told a digital real estate panel organized by the University of Colorado on Tuesday that his firm was close to closing on the acquisition.
The property, which Brue and partners have dubbed Redtail Ridge, was dealt a setback in October when medical device manufacturing giant Medtronic backed out plans to build a $133 million corporate campus there. The company cited delays and uncertainty after the Louisville City Council refused to approve Brue Baukol’s master development plans for the site at the time. Medtronic is now looking at neighboring Lafayette.
Brue, during Tuesday’s online panel, said some people want to see housing built on the property but the current zoning doesn’t allow for that.


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--Utah State at Colorado State football game canceled due to USU player boycott

The Colorado State football season took another unfortunate turn late Friday with the cancelation of the Rams ’ final game against Utah State .
CSU ( 1-3 ) is expected to finish the year having played in only four of the eight games on its schedule .
Coronavirus issues canceled matchups against New Mexico , UNLV and Air Force .
However , more unusual circumstances led to Saturday ’ s home tilt against Utah State ( 1-5 ) to be called off .
In a players-only meeting Friday morning , USU players voted not to play at CSU to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noelle Cockett , as first reported by Brett McMurphy of Stadium .
Both schools later confirmed the game cancelation .
“ Our student-athletes , coaches , and staff have done a tremendous job this season staying engaged and doing everything in their power to be able to compete , ” CSU athletic director Joe Parker said in a news release .
“ They were energized and ready to play on Saturday night particularly for their senior teammates .
In consultation with head coach Steve Addazio , we will make the most informed decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt been a difficult and trying season , but I am thankful for our teams ’ efforts and passion to compete and represent Colorado State University.
” The boycott stems from Cockett ’ s remarks about USU interim football coach Frank Maile during video call this week , in which Aggie players allege Cockett expressed religious bias against Maile ( Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ) while addressing his candidacy for the head coaching vacancy .
Utah State is expected to hire Arkansas State ’ s Blake Anderson to fill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USU football players , in a statement to watchstadium.com , said the team has “ decided to opt out of our game against Colorado State due to ongoing inequality and prejudicial issues between the players , coaches , and the USU administration.
” Players cited an additional unresolved incident involving the team ’ s head equipment manager and added their protest “ has nothing to do with the hiring of Coach Blake Anderson.
” Addazio expressed frustration earlier in the week over the lack of schedule flexibility this season following game cancellations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Denver Post that CSU is “ open to any opportunities that give our team a chance to compete beyond this weekend.
” The Mountain West league office said the “ official standing of the game will be determined at a later date , ” according to a CSU news release .

The Colorado State football season took another unfortunate turn late Friday with the cancelation of the Rams’ final game against Utah State.
CSU (1-3) is expected to finish the year having played in only four of the eight games on its schedule. Coronavirus issues canceled matchups against New Mexico, UNLV and Air Force. However, more unusual circumstances led to Saturday’s home tilt against Utah State (1-5) to be called off.
In a players-only meeting Friday morning, USU players voted not to play at CSU to protest comments made this week by USU president Noelle Cockett, as first reported by Brett McMurphy of Stadium. Both schools later confirmed the game cancelation.
Utah State University has canceled Saturday’s football game with Colorado State University amid concerns voiced by @USUFootball players about religious discrimination during the search for a new football coach. — Utah State University (@USUAggies) December 12, 2020
“Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have done a tremendous job this season staying engaged and doing everything in their power to be able to compete,” CSU athletic director Joe Parker said in a news release. “They were energized and ready to play on Saturday night particularly for their senior teammates. In consultation with head coach Steve Addazio, we will make the most informed decision regarding potential future games. This has no doubt been a difficult and trying season, but I am thankful for our teams’ efforts and passion to compete and represent Colorado State University.”
The boycott stems from Cockett’s remarks about USU interim football coach Frank Maile during video call this week, in which Aggie players allege Cockett expressed religious bias against Maile (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) while addressing his candidacy for the head coaching vacancy. Utah State is expected to hire Arkansas State’s Blake Anderson to fill the position, per media reports.
USU football players, in a statement to watchstadium.com, said the team has “decided to opt out of our game against Colorado State due to ongoing inequality and prejudicial issues between the players, coaches, and the USU administration.” Players cited an additional unresolved incident involving the team’s head equipment manager and added their protest “has nothing to do with the hiring of Coach Blake Anderson.”
Addazio expressed frustration earlier in the week over the lack of schedule flexibility this season following game cancellations. On Wednesday, a team spokesman told The Denver Post that CSU is “open to any opportunities that give our team a chance to compete beyond this weekend.”
The Mountain West league office said the “official standing of the game will be determined at a later date,” according to a CSU news release.