thedenverpost--2020-11-07--“This isn’t over!”: Trump supporters refuse to accept defeat

By Anita Snow , David Goldman and Lisa Marie Pane , The Associated Press Chanting “ This isn ’ t over !
and “ Stop the steal , ” supporters of President Donald Trump protested at state capitals across the country Saturday , refusing to accept defeat and echoing Trump ’ s unsubstantiated allegations that the Democrats won the election by fraud .
From Atlanta and Tallahassee to Bismarck , Boise and Phoenix , crowds ranging in size from a few dozen to a few thousand decried the news of Joe Biden ’ s victory after more than three exhausting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top .
Skirmishes broke out in some places .
In Atlanta , outside the state Capitol in the longtime Republican stronghold of Georgia , chants of “ Lock him up !
” rang out among an estimated 1,000 Trump supporters .
Others chanted , “ This isn ’ t over !
This isn ’ t over !
” and “ Fake news !
” The streets were awash with American flags and Trump banners .
No immediate violence was reported , though at one point , police moved to separate Trump opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead in Georgia , which hasn ’ t gone for a Democrat since 1992 .
Jordan Kelley , a 29-year-old from Murfreesboro , Tennessee , drove three-plus hours to Atlanta to attend the pro-Trump rally .
“ There ’ s election fraud going on here , ” said Kelley , claiming that voters in Georgia , a state with a GOP governor and secretary of state , had improperly counted the ballots to put Biden ahead .
“ Even though I live in Tennessee , I ’ m an American , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice in the election.
” He planned to make the 10-hour trip to Washington next week to demonstrate on the steps of the Supreme Court , where Trump and his lawyers have vowed to eventually make his case .
Underscoring the hard feelings on both sides of the nation ’ s deep political divide , anti-Trump protesters in Washington booed , yelled profanities , shouted “ Loser !
Loser !
” and gave the finger to Trump ’ s motorcade as the president returned to the White House from a golf outing Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters , there has been no evidence of any serious vote fraud .
And some Republican elected officials around the country began to distance themselves from Trump and urge him to accept the outcome gracefully .
A couple of thousand Trump supporters gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg with American flags , Trump flags and “ Stop the Steal ” signs .
“ If we don ’ t stop this today , it ’ ll all be over , ” Bruce Fields , 66 , said of news organizations declaring Biden the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom goodbye.
” About two dozen heavily armed men , some wearing camouflage , joined the rally .
At the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix , a crowd swelled to more than 1,000 within hours .
Biden won Arizona on his way to victory in the Electoral College .
“ It ’ s very suspicious that President Trump , with the red wave we ’ ve been seeing in Arizona , is struggling , ” Kelli Ward , former state senator and chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party , told a boisterous pro-Trump demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is any discrepancy with the numbers coming out of the machines.
” Even in a place that wasn ’ t close , Trump supporters gathered in droves to express support for him and vent frustration at the outcome of the election .
Outside of North Dakota ’ s Capitol in Bismarck , the state ’ s all-Republican congressional delegation joined protesters carrying pro-Trump signs and banners and chanting , “ Four more years !
” and “ Stop the steal !
” A few skirmishes broke out between Trump backers and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one BLM supporter attempting to handcuff himself to a Trump supporter .
The two men began wrestling on the ground .
An officer escorted the Black Lives Matter supporter to a squad car .
It was unclear if he had been arrested .
In Lansing , Michigan , about 50 Trump supporters and a smaller group of marchers carrying Black Lives Matter flags converged on the state Capitol , where they pushed , shoved and shouted at one another in a tense standoff .
But within moments of the race being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke into prayer , and at least one pair hugged .
Tensions flared again when more Trump supporters arrived on the scene .
BLM members retreated through the growing crowd .
Frank Dobbs , 40 , of Henderson , Nevada , brought a bullhorn and a blue Trump 2020 flag that he wrestled with in a stiff wind during a rally outside the Clark County registrar of voters office in North Las Vegas .
“ It ’ s not over until it ’ s over .
There ’ s still the courts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to expose widespread fraud , this is the president to do it , ” Dobbs said .
“ The media doesn ’ t decide who wins the presidency .
The legal voters of this country decide.
” AP journalists Jocelyn Noveck in New York City and Anna Liz Nichols in Lansing , Mich. , contributed to this report .
Goldman reported from Lansing , Mich. , and Snow contributed from Phoenix .

By Anita Snow, David Goldman and Lisa Marie Pane, The Associated Press
Chanting “This isn’t over! and “Stop the steal,” supporters of President Donald Trump protested at state capitals across the country Saturday, refusing to accept defeat and echoing Trump’s unsubstantiated allegations that the Democrats won the election by fraud.
From Atlanta and Tallahassee to Bismarck, Boise and Phoenix, crowds ranging in size from a few dozen to a few thousand decried the news of Joe Biden’s victory after more than three exhausting days of vote-counting put the Democrat over the top. Skirmishes broke out in some places.
In Atlanta, outside the state Capitol in the longtime Republican stronghold of Georgia, chants of “Lock him up!” rang out among an estimated 1,000 Trump supporters. Others chanted, “This isn’t over! This isn’t over!” and “Fake news!” The streets were awash with American flags and Trump banners.
No immediate violence was reported, though at one point, police moved to separate Trump opponents from supporters. Biden held a slim lead in Georgia, which hasn’t gone for a Democrat since 1992.
Jordan Kelley, a 29-year-old from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, drove three-plus hours to Atlanta to attend the pro-Trump rally.
“There’s election fraud going on here,” said Kelley, claiming that voters in Georgia, a state with a GOP governor and secretary of state, had improperly counted the ballots to put Biden ahead. “Even though I live in Tennessee, I’m an American, and I want to make sure Americans have a voice in the election.”
He planned to make the 10-hour trip to Washington next week to demonstrate on the steps of the Supreme Court, where Trump and his lawyers have vowed to eventually make his case.
Underscoring the hard feelings on both sides of the nation’s deep political divide, anti-Trump protesters in Washington booed, yelled profanities, shouted “Loser! Loser!” and gave the finger to Trump’s motorcade as the president returned to the White House from a golf outing Saturday.
Contrary to the claims of Trump supporters, there has been no evidence of any serious vote fraud. And some Republican elected officials around the country began to distance themselves from Trump and urge him to accept the outcome gracefully.
A couple of thousand Trump supporters gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg with American flags, Trump flags and “Stop the Steal” signs.
“If we don’t stop this today, it’ll all be over,” Bruce Fields, 66, said of news organizations declaring Biden the winner. “Otherwise we can kiss freedom goodbye.”
About two dozen heavily armed men, some wearing camouflage, joined the rally.
At the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, a crowd swelled to more than 1,000 within hours. Biden won Arizona on his way to victory in the Electoral College.
“It’s very suspicious that President Trump, with the red wave we’ve been seeing in Arizona, is struggling,” Kelli Ward, former state senator and chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party, told a boisterous pro-Trump demonstrators. “I want to know if there is any discrepancy with the numbers coming out of the machines.”
Even in a place that wasn’t close, Trump supporters gathered in droves to express support for him and vent frustration at the outcome of the election. Outside of North Dakota’s Capitol in Bismarck, the state’s all-Republican congressional delegation joined protesters carrying pro-Trump signs and banners and chanting, “Four more years!” and “Stop the steal!”
A few skirmishes broke out between Trump backers and a few pro-Biden and Black Lives Matters demonstrators, with one BLM supporter attempting to handcuff himself to a Trump supporter. The two men began wrestling on the ground.
An officer escorted the Black Lives Matter supporter to a squad car. It was unclear if he had been arrested.
In Lansing, Michigan, about 50 Trump supporters and a smaller group of marchers carrying Black Lives Matter flags converged on the state Capitol, where they pushed, shoved and shouted at one another in a tense standoff. But within moments of the race being called, a few from both sides broke into prayer, and at least one pair hugged.
Tensions flared again when more Trump supporters arrived on the scene. BLM members retreated through the growing crowd.
Frank Dobbs, 40, of Henderson, Nevada, brought a bullhorn and a blue Trump 2020 flag that he wrestled with in a stiff wind during a rally outside the Clark County registrar of voters office in North Las Vegas.
“It’s not over until it’s over. There’s still the courts. If ever there’s ever a time to expose widespread fraud, this is the president to do it,” Dobbs said. “The media doesn’t decide who wins the presidency. The legal voters of this country decide.”
AP journalists Jocelyn Noveck in New York City and Anna Liz Nichols in Lansing, Mich., contributed to this report. Goldman reported from Lansing, Mich., and Snow contributed from Phoenix.


thedenverpost--2020-11-07--CU Buffs vs. UCLA Bruins live blog: Real-time updates from the Pac-12 football game at Folsom Field

Live updates , tweets , photos , analysis and more from the Colorado Buffaloes game against the UCLA Bruins at @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 7 , 2020 .
Mobile users , if you can ’ t see the @ @ @ @ @ .

Kiszla: When the madness in college football ends, will Colorado and CSU have seats at the big-boy table?


thedenverpost--2020-11-07--Treasury Secretary Warren? Progressives line up to press their agenda on Biden

They have an extensive blacklist for possible Biden appointees they do not like .
They want to elevate allies like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont to premier government posts .
And they are even considering the possibility of bypassing Senate approval to fill executive branch roles .
As progressives have watched the Senate potentially slip out of reach this week , they have begun preparing to unleash a furious campaign to pressure President-elect Joe Biden over personnel and priorities — even as they wrestle with the results of the election and the possible need to be more realistic about expectations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For those of us who focus on governance and economic and social justice , this election is a dismal rubber stamp of the unacceptable status quo , ” said Larry Cohen , chair of Our Revolution , a progressive group .
“ Black , brown and white working Americans see their hopes of real reform evaporate for now , even while cheering the victory over Trump.
” The left is now pinning its hopes on the Democrats winning two Senate runoff elections in Georgia in January .
Progressive groups including the Sunrise Movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are already drawing up plans to mobilize their networks and provide organizing muscle to the Democratic campaigns there .
But as election results have trickled in , excitement in progressive circles for their federal agenda has given way to disappointment and even anger .
Despite the surging energy on the left , a moderate is poised to sit in the White House .
And unless Democrats can pick up both Georgia seats , Republicans will almost certainly end up holding the Senate , which may drastically limit what a Biden administration can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments and judicial nominations .
Far from the mandate they had sought , progressives are now trying to figure out whether they can achieve even their less ambitious policy goals .
“ Everything ’ s harder with a Republican Senate , ” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington , co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus .
“ There ’ s just no question about that.
” Since the polls closed Tuesday night , frustration on the left has at times spilled into the open .
Some progressives have second-guessed the Democratic establishment ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate races , which revolved around backing moderate candidates who officials thought could appeal to independents and Republicans disaffected with President Donald Trump .
And there has been public questioning of Democratic efforts to court Latino voters after Biden ’ s losses in Texas and Florida .
Most liberals recognized that Biden was almost certain not to support all of their priorities or accept all of their proposals , regardless of the outcome in the Senate .
They were , for instance , under no illusion that he would appoint progressives to every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare for All.
” Yet their more downbeat mood is a drastic shift from just days ago .
Buoyed by a new class of progressives heading to the House of Representatives — including Jamaal Bowman , in a New York district that includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester County , and Cori Bush in St. Louis — the party ’ s left flank was planning a three-pronged strategy to push Biden , should he win , on personnel , legislation and institutional change .
They were envisioning a wide-ranging legislative agenda that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , create jobs and combat climate change .
They also dreamed of structural changes to the political system such as statehood for Washington , D.C. , eliminating the legislative filibuster and increasing the number of justices on the Supreme Court .
Many had been cautiously optimistic that Biden ’ s administration would at least be receptive to their proposals , pointing in particular to his leftward shift since the primaries on issues like climate , health care and education .
Progressives also believed that the coronavirus crisis made Biden more inclined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extraordinary circumstances .
But as they adjust to the possible new reality of divided government , many progressive groups and leaders are focusing their attention on Biden ’ s executive branch appointments with intense urgency , viewing these positions as gatekeepers , in effect , for vast numbers of policies .
In recent weeks , they have called on Biden not to appoint any corporate lobbyists or C-suite corporate executives to executive branch positions .
A group called the Revolving Door Project is already drawing up a “ blacklist ” of possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic .
“ We want appointees who will wake up trying to figure out , ‘ What can I do to make this government work for people ?
’ ” said Jeff Hauser , executive director of the Revolving Door Project .
“ There are allies who focus more on who they do want .
We focus on who we don ’ t want.
” Some on the left , including Hauser , have already expressed opposition to two of Biden ’ s apparent top choices for Treasury Secretary : Lael Brainard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her record on trade and currency manipulation in China ; and Gov .
Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island , a former venture capitalist , whose overhaul of her state ’ s public pension system made her deeply unpopular with some labor unions .
Instead , many liberals are pushing Biden both in private and public to name Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to the position — a post that Warren herself wants , according to a person familiar with her thinking ( a spokesperson for Warren declined to comment ) .
Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position include Sarah Bloom Raskin , who served as deputy secretary of the Treasury under President Barack Obama and Janet Yellen , the former chair of the Federal Reserve .
Sanders is interested in serving as labor secretary , according to a person close to the senator , and his camp and Biden ’ s team have been seriously discussing the possibility since the Vermont senator dropped out of the presidential race in April .
There is no deal between the camps , and it is still unclear what role Sanders may want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ operation has also offered the Biden transition team lists of preferred names for Cabinet positions and prominent jobs in the administration , including Keith Ellison , the Minnesota attorney general , for U.S. attorney general and Julián Castro , the former mayor of San Antonio , for housing secretary , a position he held in the Obama administration .

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

They have an extensive blacklist for possible Biden appointees they do not like. They want to elevate allies like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont to premier government posts. And they are even considering the possibility of bypassing Senate approval to fill executive branch roles.
As progressives have watched the Senate potentially slip out of reach this week, they have begun preparing to unleash a furious campaign to pressure President-elect Joe Biden over personnel and priorities — even as they wrestle with the results of the election and the possible need to be more realistic about expectations over the next two years.
“For those of us who focus on governance and economic and social justice, this election is a dismal rubber stamp of the unacceptable status quo,” said Larry Cohen, chair of Our Revolution, a progressive group. “Black, brown and white working Americans see their hopes of real reform evaporate for now, even while cheering the victory over Trump.”
The left is now pinning its hopes on the Democrats winning two Senate runoff elections in Georgia in January. Progressive groups including the Sunrise Movement, an organization of young climate activists, are already drawing up plans to mobilize their networks and provide organizing muscle to the Democratic campaigns there.
But as election results have trickled in, excitement in progressive circles for their federal agenda has given way to disappointment and even anger. Despite the surging energy on the left, a moderate is poised to sit in the White House. And unless Democrats can pick up both Georgia seats, Republicans will almost certainly end up holding the Senate, which may drastically limit what a Biden administration can accomplish in terms of legislation, presidential appointments and judicial nominations.
Far from the mandate they had sought, progressives are now trying to figure out whether they can achieve even their less ambitious policy goals.
“Everything’s harder with a Republican Senate,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “There’s just no question about that.”
Since the polls closed Tuesday night, frustration on the left has at times spilled into the open. Some progressives have second-guessed the Democratic establishment’s messaging strategy and its approach to Senate races, which revolved around backing moderate candidates who officials thought could appeal to independents and Republicans disaffected with President Donald Trump. And there has been public questioning of Democratic efforts to court Latino voters after Biden’s losses in Texas and Florida.
Most liberals recognized that Biden was almost certain not to support all of their priorities or accept all of their proposals, regardless of the outcome in the Senate. They were, for instance, under no illusion that he would appoint progressives to every Cabinet position or pass policies like “Medicare for All.”
Yet their more downbeat mood is a drastic shift from just days ago. Buoyed by a new class of progressives heading to the House of Representatives — including Jamaal Bowman, in a New York district that includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester County, and Cori Bush in St. Louis — the party’s left flank was planning a three-pronged strategy to push Biden, should he win, on personnel, legislation and institutional change.
They were envisioning a wide-ranging legislative agenda that included plans to expand access to health care, create jobs and combat climate change. They also dreamed of structural changes to the political system such as statehood for Washington, D.C., eliminating the legislative filibuster and increasing the number of justices on the Supreme Court.
Many had been cautiously optimistic that Biden’s administration would at least be receptive to their proposals, pointing in particular to his leftward shift since the primaries on issues like climate, health care and education. Progressives also believed that the coronavirus crisis made Biden more inclined to consider a broad agenda that responds to the extraordinary circumstances.
But as they adjust to the possible new reality of divided government, many progressive groups and leaders are focusing their attention on Biden’s executive branch appointments with intense urgency, viewing these positions as gatekeepers, in effect, for vast numbers of policies.
In recent weeks, they have called on Biden not to appoint any corporate lobbyists or C-suite corporate executives to executive branch positions. A group called the Revolving Door Project is already drawing up a “blacklist” of possible Biden appointments that progressives may view as problematic.
“We want appointees who will wake up trying to figure out, ‘What can I do to make this government work for people?’” said Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project. “There are allies who focus more on who they do want. We focus on who we don’t want.”
Some on the left, including Hauser, have already expressed opposition to two of Biden’s apparent top choices for Treasury Secretary: Lael Brainard, a Federal Reserve governor, in part for her record on trade and currency manipulation in China; and Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, a former venture capitalist, whose overhaul of her state’s public pension system made her deeply unpopular with some labor unions.
Instead, many liberals are pushing Biden both in private and public to name Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to the position — a post that Warren herself wants, according to a person familiar with her thinking (a spokesperson for Warren declined to comment). Others on the progressives’ shortlist for the position include Sarah Bloom Raskin, who served as deputy secretary of the Treasury under President Barack Obama and Janet Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve.
Sanders is interested in serving as labor secretary, according to a person close to the senator, and his camp and Biden’s team have been seriously discussing the possibility since the Vermont senator dropped out of the presidential race in April. There is no deal between the camps, and it is still unclear what role Sanders may want to play in a Biden administration.
Sanders’ operation has also offered the Biden transition team lists of preferred names for Cabinet positions and prominent jobs in the administration, including Keith Ellison, the Minnesota attorney general, for U.S. attorney general and Julián Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, for housing secretary, a position he held in the Obama administration.


thedenverpost--2020-11-07--Rapids looking for third straight win on Decision Day, chance to improving playoff seeding

Decision Day for MLS is Sunday .
The Colorado Rapids are already in the playoffs , clinching their spot Wednesday with a 1-0 win in Portland .
In Sunday ’ s regular-season finale at Houston , the Burgundy Boys get a chance to improve their seeding and get a more favorable postseason matchup .
As it stands now , and likely will after Sunday ’ s action , the three strongest teams in the west — Kansas City , Portland and Seattle — hold the top three seeds .
Though the Rapids did just beat the Timbers and Sounders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and try to get the No .
5 seed and a matchup with Dallas .
The now seventh-seeded Rapids can move up to fifth rather easily .
Colorado ’ s smaller game total caused by the club ’ s COVID-19 outbreak , paired with MLS opting to use points per game to order its standings , gives the Rapids a chance to make a lot of progress in just one match .
A win would leapfrog them over LAFC and the loser of Minnesota-Dallas or Minnesota outright if the two teams draw .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rapids win and they climb to No .
5 , avoiding the Western Conference ’ s strongest teams in the first round .
“ It ’ s important that we continue to play with the same sort of energy , intelligence and cohesion that we have for the last couple of games , ” Robin Fraser said.
” The seeding , I feel like at the end of the day you just have to try to win your games and do as well as you can .
And you ’ ll see where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in last place in the West , making a Rapids road win even more favorable .
If Colorado can pull that off , they ’ ll carry a three-match win streak into the playoffs — their longest win streak of their season .
“ Houston is just another opportunity for us , ” Kellyn Acosta said .
“ We can ’ t look too much into the playoffs because we ’ re looking to Houston .
They have been in a tough spot but that ’ s still a team that we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys .
Sunday is going to be another test for us that we need to prove to ourselves and to the league that we ’ re not just some one-off team that just wins one game here and there.
” Three Rapids were named to MLS Team of the Week for their efforts midweek .
Acosta , Rapids ironman Sam Vines and Danny Wilson , who started in place of Auston Trusty , all got the nod .
Another player worth noting is Nicolas Benezet , who has started the past two games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be rounding into form after spending most of his first season with the Rapids injured .
In 2019 , Benezet scored a massive goal for Toronto in their run to the title game .

Decision Day for MLS is Sunday. The Colorado Rapids are already in the playoffs, clinching their spot Wednesday with a 1-0 win in Portland. In Sunday’s regular-season finale at Houston, the Burgundy Boys get a chance to improve their seeding and get a more favorable postseason matchup.
As it stands now, and likely will after Sunday’s action, the three strongest teams in the west — Kansas City, Portland and Seattle — hold the top three seeds. Though the Rapids did just beat the Timbers and Sounders, they will want to avoid all three and try to get the No. 5 seed and a matchup with Dallas.
The now seventh-seeded Rapids can move up to fifth rather easily. Colorado’s smaller game total caused by the club’s COVID-19 outbreak, paired with MLS opting to use points per game to order its standings, gives the Rapids a chance to make a lot of progress in just one match.
A win would leapfrog them over LAFC and the loser of Minnesota-Dallas or Minnesota outright if the two teams draw. It’s as simple as a Rapids win and they climb to No. 5, avoiding the Western Conference’s strongest teams in the first round.
“It’s important that we continue to play with the same sort of energy, intelligence and cohesion that we have for the last couple of games,” Robin Fraser said.”The seeding, I feel like at the end of the day you just have to try to win your games and do as well as you can. And you’ll see where the chips fall.”
The Dynamo are in last place in the West, making a Rapids road win even more favorable. If Colorado can pull that off, they’ll carry a three-match win streak into the playoffs — their longest win streak of their season.
“Houston is just another opportunity for us,” Kellyn Acosta said. “We can’t look too much into the playoffs because we’re looking to Houston. They have been in a tough spot but that’s still a team that we need to respect because they have some quality guys. Sunday is going to be another test for us that we need to prove to ourselves and to the league that we’re not just some one-off team that just wins one game here and there.”
Three Rapids were named to MLS Team of the Week for their efforts midweek. Acosta, Rapids ironman Sam Vines and Danny Wilson, who started in place of Auston Trusty, all got the nod.
Another player worth noting is Nicolas Benezet, who has started the past two games for Colorado. The winger appears to be rounding into form after spending most of his first season with the Rapids injured. In 2019, Benezet scored a massive goal for Toronto in their run to the title game.


thedenverpost--2020-11-07--Biden win brings protest, tense moments and some celebration

By Anita Snow , David Goldman and Lisa Marie Pane , The Associated Press A smattering of protests broke out around the country Saturday after former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidency , but they were mostly peaceful after days of tense standoffs and and armed protesters gathering nightly outside offices where workers were counting the votes .
In a scene that might portend what is to come , a group of about 50 Trump supporters and a smaller group of marchers carrying Black Lives Matter flags converged on the Michigan State Capitol where they pushed , shoved and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standoff .
But within moments of the race being called , a few from both sides broke into prayers and at least one pair hugged .
Tensions grew again when more Trump supporters arrived on the scene and BLM members retreated through the growing crowd .
So far , though , celebrations and revelry were carrying the day .
In Brooklyn , several hundred people were heard erupting in cheers and dancing in the streets and the air was filled with honking horns .
There also was a banging of pots and pans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the street outside Barclays Center , the driver got out and jumped on the hood of his car , motioning for people to come in to the street ; the car was soon swarmed by people cheering .
In the nation ’ s capital , people streamed into Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House , waving sings and taking cellphone pictures .
It was in marked contrast to days of turbulence since the polls closed on Tuesday and several key battleground states — most notably , Arizona , Nevada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ballots to determine the winner .
In Denver , cars were honking and shouts of “ We did it !
” were heard after Biden was projected to be the winner .
A crowd of about 150 people were out Saturday — some seated on the grass in front of the capitol , others up by the street so they can cheer with the honking drivers .
Jamie List rushed down to the capitol after the news broke this morning .
“ It ’ s inspiring ” she said , as cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s win .
“ To see it be confirmed is amazing.
” Paige Flores biked down with her children Saturday morning as soon she heard Biden had won .
“ There ’ s just this sense of relief ” she said .
“ I ’ m overwhelmed.
” But tensions remain high among supporters of President Donald Trump , who believe unsubstantiated claims that fraud has denied him a second term .
“ This election has not been called !
” yelled Jake Angeli , a regular at Trump rallies , who stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Don ’ t believe that lie !
They got their hands caught in the cookie jar and we ’ re going to the Supreme Court !
” “ Trump always looks like he ’ s going to lose .
And then he wins , “ Angeli said .
In recent days , armed protesters have been seen gathered outside tabulation centers , many carrying Trump flags and signs with the hashtag # stopthesteal .
The protesters with weapons have been a small minority of the demonstrators .
In a nation increasingly inured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried by right-wing demonstrators , though also sometimes by left-wing protesters — experts warned that the guns create a dangerous situation that could be seen as intimidation or tip easily into violence .
“ The more we see , the more people see it as a normal reaction — even though it ’ s not .
There ’ s nothing normal about it , ” said Cynthia Miller-Idriss , a professor at American University who studies extremism .
“ The potential for violence becomes normalized.
” Elections officials in several states where Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made them fear for the safety of their employees .
They were girding for more unrest in the days ahead as Trump so far had refused to concede .
Those carrying weapons insist they are keeping the peace .
“ I ’ m here to protect a peaceful protest , ” said Keith Owen , who carried a black , semiautomatic assault rifle and wore a handgun in a holster strapped to his leg .
His vest held extra ammunition .
He described himself as a veteran who served in Afghanistan and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 100 Trump supporters gathered for a third straight day Friday in front of the Phoenix elections center , where hundreds of workers were processing and counting ballots .
“ We just want them to know we won ’ t let them get away with anything .
We want to make sure all the legal ballots are counted , and fairly , ” said another rifle-bearing protester , Travis Fillmore , 34 , a military veteran from Tempe , Arizona .
“ Arrest the poll workers !
” the crowd chanted , demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sheriff ’ s deputies kept protesters in a “ free speech ” zone away from the entrance to the building .
In Detroit , dozens of Trump supporters returned to the streets Friday outside the city ’ s convention center , where election workers counted ballots .
“ Stop the steal !
” the protesters chanted .
Some carried signs that read , “ Make Elections Fair Again ” and “ We Love Trump.
” Police cordoned off streets leading to the building and maintained a close watch on the protest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sabree , said he had closed his office because of threats .
In a statement , Sabree said the decision was made “ in the interest of the safety of taxpayers and our staff ” and because of “ credible information ” from the sheriff ’ s office .
In October , Michigan ’ s secretary of state tried to ban the open carrying of weapons near polling stations and vote-tallying centers , but the order is tied up in court .
“ Michigan voters have the right to vote in person on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement when the order was announced .
“ An armed presence at the polls is inconsistent with our notion of a free democracy.
” AP journalists Jocelyn Noveck in New York City and Anna Liz Nichols in Lansing , Mich. , contributed to this report .
Goldman reported from Lansing , Michigan , and Snow contributed from Phoenix , Arizona .
Staff writer Sam Tabachnik reported from Denver .

By Anita Snow, David Goldman and Lisa Marie Pane, The Associated Press
A smattering of protests broke out around the country Saturday after former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidency, but they were mostly peaceful after days of tense standoffs and and armed protesters gathering nightly outside offices where workers were counting the votes.
In a scene that might portend what is to come, a group of about 50 Trump supporters and a smaller group of marchers carrying Black Lives Matter flags converged on the Michigan State Capitol where they pushed, shoved and shouted at one another in a tense standoff. But within moments of the race being called, a few from both sides broke into prayers and at least one pair hugged.
Tensions grew again when more Trump supporters arrived on the scene and BLM members retreated through the growing crowd.
So far, though, celebrations and revelry were carrying the day.
In Brooklyn, several hundred people were heard erupting in cheers and dancing in the streets and the air was filled with honking horns. There also was a banging of pots and pans. One car stopped in the middle of the street outside Barclays Center, the driver got out and jumped on the hood of his car, motioning for people to come in to the street; the car was soon swarmed by people cheering.
In the nation’s capital, people streamed into Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House, waving sings and taking cellphone pictures.
It was in marked contrast to days of turbulence since the polls closed on Tuesday and several key battleground states — most notably, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Georgia — pored through thousands of ballots to determine the winner.
In Denver, cars were honking and shouts of “We did it!” were heard after Biden was projected to be the winner. A crowd of about 150 people were out Saturday — some seated on the grass in front of the capitol, others up by the street so they can cheer with the honking drivers.
Jamie List rushed down to the capitol after the news broke this morning. “It’s inspiring” she said, as cars honked incessantly in support of Biden’s win. “To see it be confirmed is amazing.”
Paige Flores biked down with her children Saturday morning as soon she heard Biden had won. “There’s just this sense of relief” she said. “I’m overwhelmed.”
But tensions remain high among supporters of President Donald Trump, who believe unsubstantiated claims that fraud has denied him a second term.
“This election has not been called!” yelled Jake Angeli, a regular at Trump rallies, who stood outside a tabulation center in Phoenix. “Don’t believe that lie! They got their hands caught in the cookie jar and we’re going to the Supreme Court!”
“Trump always looks like he’s going to lose. And then he wins, “ Angeli said.
In recent days, armed protesters have been seen gathered outside tabulation centers, many carrying Trump flags and signs with the hashtag #stopthesteal. The protesters with weapons have been a small minority of the demonstrators.
In a nation increasingly inured to weapons at rallies — most often carried by right-wing demonstrators, though also sometimes by left-wing protesters — experts warned that the guns create a dangerous situation that could be seen as intimidation or tip easily into violence.
“The more we see, the more people see it as a normal reaction — even though it’s not. There’s nothing normal about it,” said Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a professor at American University who studies extremism. “The potential for violence becomes normalized.”
Elections officials in several states where Biden led said the anger outside their doors made them fear for the safety of their employees. They were girding for more unrest in the days ahead as Trump so far had refused to concede.
Those carrying weapons insist they are keeping the peace.
“I’m here to protect a peaceful protest,” said Keith Owen, who carried a black, semiautomatic assault rifle and wore a handgun in a holster strapped to his leg. His vest held extra ammunition. He described himself as a veteran who served in Afghanistan and now lives in Arizona.
He was among roughly 100 Trump supporters gathered for a third straight day Friday in front of the Phoenix elections center, where hundreds of workers were processing and counting ballots.
“We just want them to know we won’t let them get away with anything. We want to make sure all the legal ballots are counted, and fairly,” said another rifle-bearing protester, Travis Fillmore, 34, a military veteran from Tempe, Arizona.
“Arrest the poll workers!” the crowd chanted, demanding four more years in office for Trump. Sheriff’s deputies kept protesters in a “free speech” zone away from the entrance to the building.
In Detroit, dozens of Trump supporters returned to the streets Friday outside the city’s convention center, where election workers counted ballots.
“Stop the steal!” the protesters chanted. Some carried signs that read, “Make Elections Fair Again” and “We Love Trump.” Police cordoned off streets leading to the building and maintained a close watch on the protest.
The county treasurer in Detroit, Eric Sabree, said he had closed his office because of threats. In a statement, Sabree said the decision was made “in the interest of the safety of taxpayers and our staff” and because of “credible information” from the sheriff’s office.
In October, Michigan’s secretary of state tried to ban the open carrying of weapons near polling stations and vote-tallying centers, but the order is tied up in court.
“Michigan voters have the right to vote in person on Election Day free from threat and intimidation,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement when the order was announced. “An armed presence at the polls is inconsistent with our notion of a free democracy.”
AP journalists Jocelyn Noveck in New York City and Anna Liz Nichols in Lansing, Mich., contributed to this report. Goldman reported from Lansing, Michigan, and Snow contributed from Phoenix, Arizona. Staff writer Sam Tabachnik reported from Denver.


thedenverpost--2020-11-07--Rockies’ Nolan Arenado adds fourth Platinum Glove Award to trophy case

The glass trophy case inside Nolan Arenado ’ s workout facility in Southern California got even more crowded this week .
Friday night , the Rockies ’ star third baseman won his fourth consecutive Rawlings Platinum Glove Award , presented to the best overall defensive player in the National League .
Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon won the AL award for the second time .
On Tuesday , Arenado won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award , extending his own record for most consecutive Gold Gloves to begin an infielder ’ s career .
Arenado led all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 season , and he finished tied with outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Luis Robert for the most Outs Above Average in MLB , with seven .
Arenado , with his strong arm , quickness and keen baseball instincts , continues to pull off highlight-reel plays .
Arenado was asked on MLB Network what was the most difficult play for him .
His response : “ I think the backhand is always the hardest play .
Your body is going toward the third-base dugout and you ’ ve got ta throw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s always the toughest play .
That ’ s probably the play I work on the most and is the hardest one for me .
It ’ s just , you try to get better as much as you can , and that ’ s what it ’ s all about.
” Arenado , as usual , gave credit to his teammates for making him better .
“ Those guys have made my life a lot easier , ” he said .
“ When I see ( their ) range and make plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plays also .
I remember in my rookie year , I played with Troy Tulowitzki , and I just tried to stay out of his way .
But after a while , he used to tell me to just go get it and be aggressive .
That ’ s just kind of how we are — we push each other , and it ’ s always made me a better fielder .
”

The glass trophy case inside Nolan Arenado’s workout facility in Southern California got even more crowded this week.
Friday night, the Rockies’ star third baseman won his fourth consecutive Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, presented to the best overall defensive player in the National League. Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon won the AL award for the second time.
On Tuesday, Arenado won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award, extending his own record for most consecutive Gold Gloves to begin an infielder’s career.
Arenado led all of baseball with 15 defensive runs saved during the 2020 season, and he finished tied with outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Luis Robert for the most Outs Above Average in MLB, with seven.
Arenado, with his strong arm, quickness and keen baseball instincts, continues to pull off highlight-reel plays.
Arenado was asked on MLB Network what was the most difficult play for him. His response: “I think the backhand is always the hardest play. Your body is going toward the third-base dugout and you’ve gotta throw the ball across your body — that’s always the toughest play. That’s probably the play I work on the most and is the hardest one for me. It’s just, you try to get better as much as you can, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Arenado, as usual, gave credit to his teammates for making him better.
“Those guys have made my life a lot easier,” he said. “When I see (their) range and make plays, I want to range and make plays also. I remember in my rookie year, I played with Troy Tulowitzki, and I just tried to stay out of his way. But after a while, he used to tell me to just go get it and be aggressive. That’s just kind of how we are — we push each other, and it’s always made me a better fielder.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--As Denver storefronts go dark, experts expect more vacancies, better deals ahead

Retail and restaurant space in Denver is emptying out faster than it has in more than two decades as the coronavirus pandemic rages on in the state .
Things will likely get worse before they get better .
Through the first nine months of 2020 , businesses have either vacated or left empty more than 662,000 square feet of new and existing retail space in the Denver-Boulder metro area , according to real estate services firm CBRE .
That ’ s the highest nine-month total since 1998 .
Market-wide , vacancy is 7.5 % , the highest its been since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy announcements from national retailers in addition to numerous local restaurant and store closures , the overall impact to retail real estate is likely not fully realized yet , ” CBRE researchers warned in the report issued last week .
As COVID-19 infections spike in Colorado , and local public health officials tighten restrictions on businesses ’ capacities and hours , those hanging on by a thread do have options .
Many landlords are amending leasing and deferring rent .
There are grants available to help restaurants expand outdoor seating .
It if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lean on a portion of Gov .
Jared Polis ’ eviction moratorium for some protection .
In Denver , Bar Helix owner Kendra Anderson had been operating her Larimer Street business entirely outdoors up until last month .
She got through the summer , celebrated her restaurant ’ s third anniversary and then announced it would be closing temporarily to transition from an outdoor setup to indoors .
At the end of October , Anderson received a notice that she had 30 days to pay around $ 25,000 default on her lease agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space .
Anderson said she was considering about 10 different pandemic-friendly winter setup options when she got this news , but she was having trouble executing any one of them quick enough .
“ I ’ m not at all saying I don ’ t owe ( my rent ) , or I shouldn ’ t be paying it , ” Anderson told The Denver Post .
“ But I need a minute.
” At first , she was given three days ’ notice from her landlord to pay the default or vacate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small-business owners do have more time to make up rent during the pandemic .
Under Gov .
Jared Polis ’ executive order enacted on Oct. 15. , business tenants like Anderson are entitled to 30 days notice if their landlord is planning to evict , 10 times longer than before .
The protection is in effect through Nov. 14 unless Polis moves to extend the order .
Late fees are suspended through the end of the year .
Polis took action early to limit commercial and residential evictions , signing a similar executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lapse in June .
A spike in commercial evictions followed in early summer , said Merc Pittinos , a real estate ligation attorney with Denver law firm Moye White .
In commercial evictions that have gone to trial , Polis ’ orders have come up nearly every time , Pittinos said , particularly the suspended late fees .
“ It has led to a lot of creative arguments that judges are having to figure out , ” Pittinos said “ And there is not a lot of guidance .
When can a landlord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” For Denver restaurateur Frank Bonanno , the clock is ticking .
Bonanno said he is paying a lower , deferred rent on his food hall Milk Market at the Dairy Block property in Lower Downtown .
That deferment lasts through December , so he will need to make it up starting in January .
Rather than finding another compromise , though , Bonanno said he has been asked by his landlord McWhinney to vacate the space after 2020 and help transition Milk Market ’ s ownership .
Otherwise , come Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 80,000 in monthly rent due .
“ The question is , ” Bonanno said , “ how long can a business afford to pay that kind of rent doing 8 % of its sales ?
” Dairy Block general manager Don Cloutier said that McWhinney has agreed to eight lease amendments with Bonnano and that he is current on his lease obligations as of Friday .
Despite not receiving any forbearance on its debts , McWhinney has worked with other Dairy Block tenants on lease amendments , Cloutier said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our tenants and the City & County of Denver to offer expanded outdoor seating options that are compliant with all current social distancing mandates and liquor laws , ” Cloutier said in an email .
“ We continue to allocate dollars , proportionately , to invest in expanded patios , planters , cushioned seats and custom tables.
” Bonanno is far from the only business owner behind on his rent .
On a national level , just 78 % of U.S. retail tenants paid rent July , according to research Datex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBRE .
At the end of September , that number had risen to 83.2 % but was still more than 10 % below September 2019 .
National companies paid their rent at a rate 6.2 % higher than local businesses in September , Datex found .
In the months since that summer spike , Pittinos said commercial evictions have slowed down .
He attributed that to landlords ’ desires to work with their tenants where they can .
“ The executive orders are helpful for tenants , but a lot of people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittinos said .
City Street Investors co-founder and principal Joe Vostrejs is both a landlord and restaurant partner for a number of Denver businesses .
Because he ’ s also “ in the ( restaurant ) business , ” Vostrejs said he ’ s allowed many of his tenants to move to a percentage rent structure — one that rises and falls with sales — to survive the effects of the pandemic .
“ We ’ re trying to provide them with a rent structure that lets them survive , and I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is we ’ re trying to keep everybody surviving , ” Vostrejs said .
“ We ’ re going to want these tenants to still be there and be alive when the days grow longer and it gets warmer and they stand a shot… .
” The economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic has not been visited equally across the metro area , according to commercial real estate information company CoStar .
Some suburban areas have actually seen retail sales rise this year , said Michael Petrivelli , a CoStart market analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Creek they are down considerably , ” Petrivelli said .
Despite the pandemic , Petrivelli said leasing activity in the metro area is strong .
“ It was actually one of the better quarters for leasing since 2016 that we ’ ve had , ” he said of July through September , though he cautioned data is still being collected .
The Dairy Block recently announced a flurry of new tenants .
And Vostrejs said over the last six months he has signed new leases with a lot of “ wellness-related ” businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flexibility on the part of landlords who now recognize it is becoming a tenants ’ market .
Kids Empire , an indoor play place , signed a lease for $ 14 per square foot in Westminster , about 33 % under the market average for the area , Petrivelli said .
The business is not expected to open late next year when hopefully the virus will be better contained .
Still , rental rates remain high .
CBRE has Denver ’ s average rent for the third quarter pegged at $ 20.06 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year over year , but a correction could be coming based on deals like the one Kids Empire just struck .
“ Obviously not every landlord and tenant is going to disclose what their rent is , but those that we have collected there are a lot under market for sure , ” Petrivelli said .
Headlined by bankruptcies and downsizing from big national companies like 24 Hour Fitness , which closed 10 metro area locations this year , Petrivelli said the vacancies are driven mostly by smaller spaces , those under 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A lot of it is restaurants and bars , a lot of it is smaller businesses , unfortunately , ” he said .
Eventually , Vostrejs said a certain “ creative destruction ” is coming to Denver , especially downtown .
Because even as more restaurant spaces go vacant , “ they won ’ t stay vacant forever.
” And with infrastructures already in place and rents likely cheaper coming out of 2020 , an opportunity will arise for new entrepreneurs .
“ But the downside is that there could be a bleak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we can look forward to things opening up again , ” Vostrejs said .

Retail and restaurant space in Denver is emptying out faster than it has in more than two decades as the coronavirus pandemic rages on in the state. Things will likely get worse before they get better.
Through the first nine months of 2020, businesses have either vacated or left empty more than 662,000 square feet of new and existing retail space in the Denver-Boulder metro area, according to real estate services firm CBRE. That’s the highest nine-month total since 1998. Market-wide, vacancy is 7.5%, the highest its been since 2011.
“With increasing amounts of bankruptcy announcements from national retailers in addition to numerous local restaurant and store closures, the overall impact to retail real estate is likely not fully realized yet,” CBRE researchers warned in the report issued last week.
As COVID-19 infections spike in Colorado, and local public health officials tighten restrictions on businesses’ capacities and hours, those hanging on by a thread do have options. Many landlords are amending leasing and deferring rent. There are grants available to help restaurants expand outdoor seating. It if comes down to it, they can lean on a portion of Gov. Jared Polis’ eviction moratorium for some protection.
In Denver, Bar Helix owner Kendra Anderson had been operating her Larimer Street business entirely outdoors up until last month. She got through the summer, celebrated her restaurant’s third anniversary and then announced it would be closing temporarily to transition from an outdoor setup to indoors.
At the end of October, Anderson received a notice that she had 30 days to pay around $25,000 default on her lease agreement or else vacate the bar’s space. Anderson said she was considering about 10 different pandemic-friendly winter setup options when she got this news, but she was having trouble executing any one of them quick enough.
“I’m not at all saying I don’t owe (my rent), or I shouldn’t be paying it,” Anderson told The Denver Post. “But I need a minute.”
At first, she was given three days’ notice from her landlord to pay the default or vacate. But Anderson realized she and other small-business owners do have more time to make up rent during the pandemic.
Under Gov. Jared Polis’ executive order enacted on Oct. 15., business tenants like Anderson are entitled to 30 days notice if their landlord is planning to evict, 10 times longer than before. The protection is in effect through Nov. 14 unless Polis moves to extend the order. Late fees are suspended through the end of the year.
Polis took action early to limit commercial and residential evictions, signing a similar executive order in the spring before letting it lapse in June. A spike in commercial evictions followed in early summer, said Merc Pittinos, a real estate ligation attorney with Denver law firm Moye White. In commercial evictions that have gone to trial, Polis’ orders have come up nearly every time, Pittinos said, particularly the suspended late fees.
“It has led to a lot of creative arguments that judges are having to figure out,” Pittinos said “And there is not a lot of guidance. When can a landlord charge interest and late fees in 2020?”
For Denver restaurateur Frank Bonanno, the clock is ticking. Bonanno said he is paying a lower, deferred rent on his food hall Milk Market at the Dairy Block property in Lower Downtown. That deferment lasts through December, so he will need to make it up starting in January. Rather than finding another compromise, though, Bonanno said he has been asked by his landlord McWhinney to vacate the space after 2020 and help transition Milk Market’s ownership. Otherwise, come Jan. 10, he’ll have more than $80,000 in monthly rent due.
“The question is,” Bonanno said, “how long can a business afford to pay that kind of rent doing 8% of its sales?”
Dairy Block general manager Don Cloutier said that McWhinney has agreed to eight lease amendments with Bonnano and that he is current on his lease obligations as of Friday. Despite not receiving any forbearance on its debts, McWhinney has worked with other Dairy Block tenants on lease amendments, Cloutier said.
“Dairy Block has been working closely with all of our tenants and the City & County of Denver to offer expanded outdoor seating options that are compliant with all current social distancing mandates and liquor laws,” Cloutier said in an email. “We continue to allocate dollars, proportionately, to invest in expanded patios, planters, cushioned seats and custom tables.”
Bonanno is far from the only business owner behind on his rent.
On a national level, just 78% of U.S. retail tenants paid rent July, according to research Datex Property Solutions, a company used by CBRE. At the end of September, that number had risen to 83.2% but was still more than 10% below September 2019. National companies paid their rent at a rate 6.2% higher than local businesses in September, Datex found.
In the months since that summer spike, Pittinos said commercial evictions have slowed down. He attributed that to landlords’ desires to work with their tenants where they can.
“The executive orders are helpful for tenants, but a lot of people are working collaboratively to solve problems,” Pittinos said.
City Street Investors co-founder and principal Joe Vostrejs is both a landlord and restaurant partner for a number of Denver businesses. Because he’s also “in the (restaurant) business,” Vostrejs said he’s allowed many of his tenants to move to a percentage rent structure — one that rises and falls with sales — to survive the effects of the pandemic.
“We’re trying to provide them with a rent structure that lets them survive, and I think that’s the key right now, is we’re trying to keep everybody surviving,” Vostrejs said. “We’re going to want these tenants to still be there and be alive when the days grow longer and it gets warmer and they stand a shot… .”
The economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic has not been visited equally across the metro area, according to commercial real estate information company CoStar. Some suburban areas have actually seen retail sales rise this year, said Michael Petrivelli, a CoStart market analyst.
“But in downtown and Cherry Creek they are down considerably,” Petrivelli said.
Despite the pandemic, Petrivelli said leasing activity in the metro area is strong.
“It was actually one of the better quarters for leasing since 2016 that we’ve had,” he said of July through September, though he cautioned data is still being collected.
The Dairy Block recently announced a flurry of new tenants. And Vostrejs said over the last six months he has signed new leases with a lot of “wellness-related” businesses.
Petrivelli attributed some new lease activity to flexibility on the part of landlords who now recognize it is becoming a tenants’ market. Kids Empire, an indoor play place, signed a lease for $14 per square foot in Westminster, about 33% under the market average for the area, Petrivelli said. The business is not expected to open late next year when hopefully the virus will be better contained.
Still, rental rates remain high. CBRE has Denver’s average rent for the third quarter pegged at $20.06 per square foot, up 2.5% year over year, but a correction could be coming based on deals like the one Kids Empire just struck.
“Obviously not every landlord and tenant is going to disclose what their rent is, but those that we have collected there are a lot under market for sure,” Petrivelli said.
Headlined by bankruptcies and downsizing from big national companies like 24 Hour Fitness, which closed 10 metro area locations this year, Petrivelli said the vacancies are driven mostly by smaller spaces, those under 20,000 square feet, emptying out.
“A lot of it is restaurants and bars, a lot of it is smaller businesses, unfortunately,” he said.
Eventually, Vostrejs said a certain “creative destruction” is coming to Denver, especially downtown. Because even as more restaurant spaces go vacant, “they won’t stay vacant forever.” And with infrastructures already in place and rents likely cheaper coming out of 2020, an opportunity will arise for new entrepreneurs.
“But the downside is that there could be a bleak period between when we go vacant and when we can look forward to things opening up again,” Vostrejs said.


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--Post Premium: Top stories for Nov. 2-8, 2020

For months , national outlets have been theorizing about the “ bluing ” of American suburbs during the tenure of President Donald Trump .
However , it ’ s difficult to know if and to what extent a change is happening in the electorate until you have an election to measure it .
That ’ s why reporter Jon Murray ’ s first job after election results started rolling in Tuesday was to look at the map of how Coloradans voted in this presidential election vs. the Clinton-Trump race four years ago .
He looked not only at the trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened around the rest of the state .
Five don ’ t-miss stories from last week Here is a roundup of the latest Colorado election results and The Denver Post ’ s coverage of the 2020 General Election , Nov. 3 , 2020 .
Read More… Denver will implement a 10 p.m. curfew beginning Sunday for residents and nonexempt businesses in a last-ditch effort to curb rising COVID-19 cases and avoid another citywide stay-at-home order .
“ This is the last effort and everyone needs to comply with these orders , ” Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference Friday with Mayor Michael Hancock .
Read More… What Denver ’ s new curfew means for dining out , buying alcohol For the next 30 days starting Sunday , Denver residents should plan to buy alcohol and wrap up dinner reservations on any given night by 10 p.m .
In an effort to avoid another stay-at-home order , city officials on Friday announced a “ Home by 10 ” order that will attempt to limit gatherings and late-night drinking by closing non-essential businesses at 10 p.m. nightly .
Read More… Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waits for other states to join the national popular vote movement Colorado voters have passed Proposition 113 — confirming lawmakers ’ 2019 decision to assign the state ’ s Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote .
The ballot measure had 52.2 % support Wednesday evening with 88 % of the vote counted statewide .
Read More… Apartment rents in Denver are declining at a much faster clip than the rest of the metro area and the state overall , and the pandemic is likely why , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apartment List .
The median monthly rent on a two-bedroom apartment in Denver was $ 1,560 , down 0.8 % from September and 5.2 % from a year ago .
Aurora apartment rents , by contrast , are up 0.7 % over the past year , according to the report .
Read More… See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .

For months, national outlets have been theorizing about the “bluing” of American suburbs during the tenure of President Donald Trump. However, it’s difficult to know if and to what extent a change is happening in the electorate until you have an election to measure it.
That’s why reporter Jon Murray’s first job after election results started rolling in Tuesday was to look at the map of how Coloradans voted in this presidential election vs. the Clinton-Trump race four years ago. He looked not only at the trends around the Denver suburbs but also what happened around the rest of the state.
The results are fascinating.
— Cindi Andrews, The Denver Post
Five don’t-miss stories from last week
Here is a roundup of the latest Colorado election results and The Denver Post’s coverage of the 2020 General Election, Nov. 3, 2020. Read More…
Denver will implement a 10 p.m. curfew beginning Sunday for residents and nonexempt businesses in a last-ditch effort to curb rising COVID-19 cases and avoid another citywide stay-at-home order.
“This is the last effort and everyone needs to comply with these orders,” Public Health Director Bob McDonald said during a news conference Friday with Mayor Michael Hancock. Read More…
For the next 30 days starting Sunday, Denver residents should plan to buy alcohol and wrap up dinner reservations on any given night by 10 p.m.
In an effort to avoid another stay-at-home order, city officials on Friday announced a “Home by 10” order that will attempt to limit gatherings and late-night drinking by closing non-essential businesses at 10 p.m. nightly. Read More…
Colorado voters have passed Proposition 113 — confirming lawmakers’ 2019 decision to assign the state’s Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.
The ballot measure had 52.2% support Wednesday evening with 88% of the vote counted statewide. Read More…
Apartment rents in Denver are declining at a much faster clip than the rest of the metro area and the state overall, and the pandemic is likely why, according to the October Rent Report from Apartment List.
The median monthly rent on a two-bedroom apartment in Denver was $1,560, down 0.8% from September and 5.2% from a year ago. Aurora apartment rents, by contrast, are up 0.7% over the past year, according to the report. Read More…
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--On Philanthropy: Erasing hunger in America requires more than charity

The holidays are around the corner and , for tens of millions of our neighbors across the U.S. , this will be a time of scarcity , insecurity , worry and , in the richest nation on Earth , hunger .
Consider these facts : • Prior to COVID-19 , 37 million people in the U.S. struggled with hunger .
Feeding America , the nation ’ s third largest charity , estimates that as a result of the pandemic , that number may rise to 54 million people — almost one in six Americans , including 18 million children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ food insecure — lacking reliable access to nutritious food – a rate that has tripled since the start of COVID-19 .
Parents , people of color and those with disabilities face even higher rates of food insecurity .
• As of July 2020 , it was estimated that America will face an 8 billion meal shortfall in charitable food by June 2021 , more than three times Feeding America ’ s last annual distribution .
• The United States is the global leader in food waste , discarding nearly 80 billion pounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 161 billion and 30-40 percent of the U.S. food supply .
Most of this food is sent to landfills , making up 22 percent of municipal solid waste .
• Wasting food has irreversible environmental consequences : wasting the water and energy needed to produce it , and generating greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming .
The amount of wasted food in the United States generates the greenhouse emissions equivalent of 37 million cars .
While it may seem convenient to try and solve hunger by recovering and redistributed wasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be careful not to conflate these two problems into a single solution .
“ Hunger will not be solved by distributing excess food production or food waste to the poor .
If we are going to end hunger , we must address the root causes of poverty and a corporate food system that places profit over people .
Food banks can not do that on their own , they must do so alongside diverse coalitions demanding the right to food and sustainable agricultural practices at the policy level , ” explains geographer Joshua @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Charity and the Legal Geographies of Food Waste Enclosure.
” Dr. Lohnes ’ words remind me of the parable about two people walking on a riverbank when they heard cries for help from people drowning in the river .
One of the observers immediately dove into the river to try to save as many people as possible .
The other ran upstream to determine how people were ending up in the river in the first place to try to prevent more !
Tackling food insecurity in the U.S. must take both approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy , sustainably produced , nutritious food – now .
With many schools deploying remote learning , millions of children who depend upon schools for much of the nutrition they need to learn are without these resources .
Philanthropy plays a vital role by its support of food banks and pantries , homeless shelters , feeding kitchens , nonprofit restaurants , school-based foundations and other charities whose mission is to get food to people .
On the upstream side , however , groups are examining the structure and priorities of America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to determine how to prevent so many people from ever becoming food insecure .
Rather than focusing only on the demand side of the hunger equation , they ’ re looking at the supply side and finding that America ’ s food policies , federal and state laws and regulations that promote the production , manufacture and distribution of food are often antiquated , unjust and contributing to hunger , food insecurity and waste , rather than supporting ways to nourish communities .
Philanthropy has a huge role to play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach .
Donors can support organizations — from grassroots to national – that help small scale , local farmers enhance regional food distribution , address racial and economic inequalities in the food system and elsewhere and work on policies that address the problems before people find themselves worried about their next meal .
Philanthropists can support organizations providing education about food policy issues and can join forces with other donors , through organizations like Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders .
And donors can pay close attention to food policy legislation , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government , scheduled for renewal in 2023 , and other federal and state laws , that directly impact these issues .
A bilateral approach may help us finally ameliorate this critical societal need and philanthropic challenge .
We need to both jump in the water and run upstream , going beyond charity to transformational change .
Since 2009 , Hunger Free Colorado has connected people to food resources to meet existing needs while driving policy , systems and social change to end hunger .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21,000 people last year .
Through collaboration and community-driven solutions , Hunger Free Colorado envisions and works toward a day when every Coloradan has equitable access to the nutritious food needed to thrive .
https : //www.hungerfreecolorado.org Bruce DeBoskey , J.D.
, is a philanthropic strategist working across the United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families , businesses , foundations and family offices design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans .
He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy .
Visit deboskeygroup.com or @ BDeBo

The holidays are around the corner and, for tens of millions of our neighbors across the U.S., this will be a time of scarcity, insecurity, worry and, in the richest nation on Earth, hunger. Consider these facts:
Prior to COVID-19, 37 million people in the U.S. struggled with hunger. Feeding America, the nation’s third largest charity, estimates that as a result of the pandemic, that number may rise to 54 million people — almost one in six Americans, including 18 million children. More than 29% of Coloradans are food insecure — lacking reliable access to nutritious food – a rate that has tripled since the start of COVID-19. Parents, people of color and those with disabilities face even higher rates of food insecurity.
As of July 2020, it was estimated that America will face an 8 billion meal shortfall in charitable food by June 2021, more than three times Feeding America’s last annual distribution.
The United States is the global leader in food waste, discarding nearly 80 billion pounds of food each year, equating to more than $161 billion and 30-40 percent of the U.S. food supply. Most of this food is sent to landfills, making up 22 percent of municipal solid waste.
Wasting food has irreversible environmental consequences: wasting the water and energy needed to produce it, and generating greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming. The amount of wasted food in the United States generates the greenhouse emissions equivalent of 37 million cars.
While it may seem convenient to try and solve hunger by recovering and redistributed wasted food to the poor, we must be careful not to conflate these two problems into a single solution.
“Hunger will not be solved by distributing excess food production or food waste to the poor. If we are going to end hunger, we must address the root causes of poverty and a corporate food system that places profit over people. Food banks cannot do that on their own, they must do so alongside diverse coalitions demanding the right to food and sustainable agricultural practices at the policy level,” explains geographer Joshua Lohnes, author of “Regulating Surplus: Charity and the Legal Geographies of Food Waste Enclosure.”
Dr. Lohnes’ words remind me of the parable about two people walking on a riverbank when they heard cries for help from people drowning in the river. One of the observers immediately dove into the river to try to save as many people as possible. The other ran upstream to determine how people were ending up in the river in the first place to try to prevent more!
Tackling food insecurity in the U.S. must take both approaches. Hungry people must have access to healthy, sustainably produced, nutritious food – now. With many schools deploying remote learning, millions of children who depend upon schools for much of the nutrition they need to learn are without these resources. Philanthropy plays a vital role by its support of food banks and pantries, homeless shelters, feeding kitchens, nonprofit restaurants, school-based foundations and other charities whose mission is to get food to people.
On the upstream side, however, groups are examining the structure and priorities of America’s food manufacturing, distribution and assistance systems to try to determine how to prevent so many people from ever becoming food insecure. Rather than focusing only on the demand side of the hunger equation, they’re looking at the supply side and finding that America’s food policies, federal and state laws and regulations that promote the production, manufacture and distribution of food are often antiquated, unjust and contributing to hunger, food insecurity and waste, rather than supporting ways to nourish communities.
Philanthropy has a huge role to play in this upstream, supply side, policy-based approach. Donors can support organizations — from grassroots to national – that help small scale, local farmers enhance regional food distribution, address racial and economic inequalities in the food system and elsewhere and work on policies that address the problems before people find themselves worried about their next meal.
Philanthropists can support organizations providing education about food policy issues and can join forces with other donors, through organizations like Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders. And donors can pay close attention to food policy legislation, like the all-important Farm Bill, the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government, scheduled for renewal in 2023, and other federal and state laws, that directly impact these issues.
A bilateral approach may help us finally ameliorate this critical societal need and philanthropic challenge. We need to both jump in the water and run upstream, going beyond charity to transformational change.
Nonprofit of the Month
Since 2009, Hunger Free Colorado has connected people to food resources to meet existing needs while driving policy, systems and social change to end hunger. Its statewide Food Resource Hotline served more than 21,000 people last year. Through collaboration and community-driven solutions, Hunger Free Colorado envisions and works toward a day when every Coloradan has equitable access to the nutritious food needed to thrive.
Bruce DeBoskey, J.D., is a philanthropic strategist working across the United States with The DeBoskey Group to help families, businesses, foundations and family offices design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans. He is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and workshops on philanthropy. Visit deboskeygroup.com or @BDeBo.


thedenverpost--2020-11-08--What sort of senator will Colorado’s John Hickenlooper be?

John Hickenlooper has never been a legislator and , before last August , had little interest in being a legislator , a job he believed he wasn ’ t cut out for .
But in January he will become the 39th person in history to represent Colorado in the United States Senate .
People who worked with Hickenlooper when he was Denver ’ s mayor and Colorado ’ s governor , including three former chiefs of staff , say his legacy in the Senate is more likely to lie in coalition building than in major legislation or a rise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has routinely told skeptical interviewers and crowds that he can bridge the deep partisan divides of the Senate .
“ John ’ s going to come to the job with confidence about where we need to head , and I don ’ t think he ’ ll get pushed around or intimidated by people that are bad actors or malevolent actors and cynics , ” said Sen. Michael Bennet , who was Hickenlooper ’ s chief of staff at the mayor ’ s office .
Doug Friednash , a chief of staff to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former boss has been unfairly chastised for believing he can work well with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican .
“ That ’ s not some ginned-up idea that they fed to him from some focus group .
That ’ s just who he is .
I could see John resurrecting a Gang of Eight , ” said Friednash , referring to a bipartisan group of senators who worked with some success on immigration reform in 2013 .
Bennet was a member .
Hickenlooper , who turns 69 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oldest elected freshmen in the history of the Senate .
Among the few who joined the upper chamber at his age , even fewer served more than a single term , and Hickenlooper has said he doesn ’ t plan to stay long .
As he told Vox in September , “ I ’ m old enough , I ’ m never going to get seniority , I ’ m not going to be fighting to be the chair of a committee.
” “ I ’ m going to be that foot soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , weeknights , and weekends to build relationships with people in my party and the other party , and really find out where are those places ” for compromise , he said then .
During a candidate forum last October , Hickenlooper listed three Senate committees he would like to join : Commerce , Appropriations and Foreign Relations .
Two of those — Commerce and Foreign Relations — Sen. Cory Gardner is currently a member of .
Commerce , Hickenlooper said , is critical to Colorado .
“ And I think you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the money goes .
I ’ d also look at Foreign Relations .
If you look at what has happened in American foreign policy , our president has betrayed our allies and betrayed the national interests of America , ” he said then .
As of Friday afternoon , it still wasn ’ t clear whether Hickenlooper ’ s party will be in the Senate majority or minority next year , though the latter appears more likely .
Hickenlooper woke up Wednesday as Colorado ’ s senator-elect but disappointed by Democratic losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With 60 votes needed to pass most legislation , bipartisanship is a necessity in the upper chamber , regardless of party control .
“ The Senate is a peculiar place , ” said Bennet .
“ It ’ s a place where one senator can do a tremendous amount of damage ; one senator can hold everything up .
But it ’ s also a place where unusual coalitions of people can come together and overcome the intransigence and the special interests that are inlaid around the place.
” Roxane White , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that while Hickenlooper has never been a legislator , he was closely involved in legislation and budgets when governor and mayor .
He knew whip counts , knew who his allies were , and wasn ’ t afraid to work the phones to win over holdouts , she said .
“ It ’ s a different world for him , but it is not an unfamiliar world , ” White said of legislating .
Hickenlooper ’ s tenure will be watched skeptically by progressives , who have been annoyed with the moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lizeth Chacon , executive director of the Colorado People ’ s Alliance , says her group has worked successfully with Hickenlooper before on issues such as a minimum wage hike but will lobby and protest if they feel he ’ s siding often with corporations .
“ The work is going to be on us to ensure he is going to be accountable to the people of Colorado who voted to elect him , ” Chacon said .
“ We ’ ve seen him be someone that ’ s more open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his positions .
We are ready to do that , and we hope he is ready to do that with us.
” Hickenlooper ’ s tenure in the Senate will be shaped by his unfailing belief in bipartisanship , a desire to blend his moderate Democratic politics with that of Republicans .
Whether he will be successful at it remains to be seen .
“ One thing I ’ ve learned since I ’ ve been there is , there are 100 ways to be a senator , and people approach the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennet said .
“ Some are infuriating ways and some are unproductive ways , but some are productive .
”

John Hickenlooper has never been a legislator and, before last August, had little interest in being a legislator, a job he believed he wasn’t cut out for. But in January he will become the 39th person in history to represent Colorado in the United States Senate.
People who worked with Hickenlooper when he was Denver’s mayor and Colorado’s governor, including three former chiefs of staff, say his legacy in the Senate is more likely to lie in coalition building than in major legislation or a rise to leadership. Hickenlooper, a Democrat, has routinely told skeptical interviewers and crowds that he can bridge the deep partisan divides of the Senate.
“John’s going to come to the job with confidence about where we need to head, and I don’t think he’ll get pushed around or intimidated by people that are bad actors or malevolent actors and cynics,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, who was Hickenlooper’s chief of staff at the mayor’s office.
Doug Friednash, a chief of staff to Hickenlooper when he was governor, said his former boss has been unfairly chastised for believing he can work well with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican.
“That’s not some ginned-up idea that they fed to him from some focus group. That’s just who he is. I could see John resurrecting a Gang of Eight,” said Friednash, referring to a bipartisan group of senators who worked with some success on immigration reform in 2013. Bennet was a member.
Hickenlooper, who turns 69 in February, will be one of the oldest elected freshmen in the history of the Senate. Among the few who joined the upper chamber at his age, even fewer served more than a single term, and Hickenlooper has said he doesn’t plan to stay long. As he told Vox in September, “I’m old enough, I’m never going to get seniority, I’m not going to be fighting to be the chair of a committee.”
“I’m going to be that foot soldier in the trenches that takes the time, weeknights, and weekends to build relationships with people in my party and the other party, and really find out where are those places” for compromise, he said then.
During a candidate forum last October, Hickenlooper listed three Senate committees he would like to join: Commerce, Appropriations and Foreign Relations. Two of those — Commerce and Foreign Relations — Sen. Cory Gardner is currently a member of. Commerce, Hickenlooper said, is critical to Colorado.
“And I think you have to look at Appropriations because that determines where the money goes. I’d also look at Foreign Relations. If you look at what has happened in American foreign policy, our president has betrayed our allies and betrayed the national interests of America,” he said then.
As of Friday afternoon, it still wasn’t clear whether Hickenlooper’s party will be in the Senate majority or minority next year, though the latter appears more likely. Hickenlooper woke up Wednesday as Colorado’s senator-elect but disappointed by Democratic losses in other Senate races across the country. With 60 votes needed to pass most legislation, bipartisanship is a necessity in the upper chamber, regardless of party control.
“The Senate is a peculiar place,” said Bennet. “It’s a place where one senator can do a tremendous amount of damage; one senator can hold everything up. But it’s also a place where unusual coalitions of people can come together and overcome the intransigence and the special interests that are inlaid around the place.”
Roxane White, another former Hickenlooper chief of staff, said that while Hickenlooper has never been a legislator, he was closely involved in legislation and budgets when governor and mayor. He knew whip counts, knew who his allies were, and wasn’t afraid to work the phones to win over holdouts, she said.
“It’s a different world for him, but it is not an unfamiliar world,” White said of legislating.
Hickenlooper’s tenure will be watched skeptically by progressives, who have been annoyed with the moderate Democrat at times in his political career. Lizeth Chacon, executive director of the Colorado People’s Alliance, says her group has worked successfully with Hickenlooper before on issues such as a minimum wage hike but will lobby and protest if they feel he’s siding often with corporations.
“The work is going to be on us to ensure he is going to be accountable to the people of Colorado who voted to elect him,” Chacon said. “We’ve seen him be someone that’s more open to meet with people and to be challenged on his positions. We are ready to do that, and we hope he is ready to do that with us.”
Hickenlooper’s tenure in the Senate will be shaped by his unfailing belief in bipartisanship, a desire to blend his moderate Democratic politics with that of Republicans. Whether he will be successful at it remains to be seen.
“One thing I’ve learned since I’ve been there is, there are 100 ways to be a senator, and people approach the job in very different ways,” Bennet said. “Some are infuriating ways and some are unproductive ways, but some are productive.”