thedenverpost--2020-01-31--Three suspects in custody, one at large in shooting death of 23-year-old man in Wheat Ridge

Three males and a woman have been charged with murder in the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in Wheat Ridge , authorities said .
Jonathan Joseph Montoya , 18 ; Jalen Isiah Wilson , 17 ; Christian Salas , 18 ; and Marissa Lawrence , 19 , are charged with multiple counts of murder in the death of Ervin Spahitch , according to police and the Jefferson County district attorney ’ s office .
Wilson is a juvenile being charged as an adult .
All three males suspects have been arrested .
Lawrence is at large ; a warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Jan. 26 , 2019 , police responded to the 3200 block of Gray Street on a report of shots fired .
Officers found Spahitch slumped over inside a Prius with its engine running , according to a news release .
He died at the scene .
An investigation by Wheat Ridge detectives and investigators with the DA ’ s office led to the suspects .
All suspects face multiple counts and charges in the case , including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery .
All three male suspects , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court Wednesday .
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lawrence is asked to call police at 303-235-2903 or leave information at crimetips @ ci.wheatridge.co.us .

Three males and a woman have been charged with murder in the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in Wheat Ridge, authorities said.
Jonathan Joseph Montoya, 18; Jalen Isiah Wilson, 17; Christian Salas, 18; and Marissa Lawrence, 19, are charged with multiple counts of murder in the death of Ervin Spahitch, according to police and the Jefferson County district attorney’s office. Wilson is a juvenile being charged as an adult. All three males suspects have been arrested. Lawrence is at large; a warrant has been issued for her arrest.
On Jan. 26, 2019, police responded to the 3200 block of Gray Street on a report of shots fired. Officers found Spahitch slumped over inside a Prius with its engine running, according to a news release. He died at the scene.
An investigation by Wheat Ridge detectives and investigators with the DA’s office led to the suspects. All suspects face multiple counts and charges in the case, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.
All three male suspects, who are being held without bail, appeared in court Wednesday.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lawrence is asked to call police at 303-235-2903 or leave information at crimetips@ci.wheatridge.co.us.


thedenverpost--2020-01-31--I’m sick. Is it a cold, flu or the new coronavirus?

Those are the symptoms of influenza — and also the mysterious new coronavirus .
Which do you have ?
It depends how you answer these two questions : Have you recently traveled to Hubei Province , China ?
Do you have any close friends or family members who have recently traveled to Hubei Province , China ?
These two risk factors — traveling or having close contact with a traveler — were shared by all five U.S. cases of the new coronavirus , said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the CDC ’ s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
So far , everybody else has the flu .
Influenza has sickened between 15 and 21 million and hospitalized 70,000 Americans so far this season .
Since the new coronavirus was identified in mid-December , 149 Californians have died of the flu .
“ The symptoms of this disease are fever , cough and respiratory disease , ” she said .
“ That ’ s similar to the early symptoms of influenza and other viral respiratory diseases.
” And it ’ s reasonable to assume that we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
“ But we don ’ t think people who are not in one of these two groups need to be concerned , ” she said .
“ We judge the risk to be low.
” If you don ’ t have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that lasts for three to five days , you likely just have the common cold .
Keep Kleenex , and carry on .
Want to learn more ?
Go to https : //www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Fever. Cough. Shortness of breath.
Those are the symptoms of influenza — and also the mysterious new coronavirus.
Which do you have? It depends how you answer these two questions: Have you recently traveled to Hubei Province, China? Do you have any close friends or family members who have recently traveled to Hubei Province, China?
These two risk factors — traveling or having close contact with a traveler — were shared by all five U.S. cases of the new coronavirus, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the CDC’s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at a Wednesday press briefing. No new cases have been reported.
So far, everybody else has the flu. Influenza has sickened between 15 and 21 million and hospitalized 70,000 Americans so far this season. Since the new coronavirus was identified in mid-December, 149 Californians have died of the flu.
Confusion is natural, said Messonnier.
“The symptoms of this disease are fever, cough and respiratory disease,” she said. “That’s similar to the early symptoms of influenza and other viral respiratory diseases.”
And it’s reasonable to assume that we’ll see additional cases of the new virus, she said.
“But we don’t think people who are not in one of these two groups need to be concerned,” she said. “We judge the risk to be low.”
If you don’t have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher that lasts for three to five days, you likely just have the common cold.
Keep Kleenex, and carry on.
Want to learn more? Go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Super Bowl Journal: For Chiefs defense, road to Miami began in Denver

MIAMI — Did Kansas City ’ s road to Sunday ’ s Super Bowl against San Francisco really begin in its Week 7 road rout of the Broncos ?
It might have , at least for its defense .
The Broncos scored on their opening possession and for some reason went for two points ( and failed ) .
Things didn ’ t get any better for the Chiefs when quarterback Patrick Mahomes sustained a knee injury while trying to convert a fourth-down sneak .
“ I for sure had those ( season-ending ) thoughts when I had the injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest thing was , I looked down and I knew my knee didn ’ t look right .
I thought the worst .
But at the same time , when I got back to the locker room and talked to the doctors , they were very positive.
” Mahomes sustained a dislocated knee-cap and missed the next two games ( 1-1 record ) , but the Chiefs dodged disaster … and found their defense .
Following the Broncos ’ touchdown , Denver didn ’ t run another play inside the Chiefs ’ 26-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs defense entered the game allowing 24 points , 161.8 rushing yards and 406.2 yards per game ; the Broncos rushed for 71 yards and gained 205 yards .
And the Chiefs had only 11 sacks in their first six games , but nine against the Broncos .
The win jump-started their current streak of 10 wins in 12 games .
“ That game sticks out because everybody is enthralled with the sacks , ” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said .
“ Once we were able to put a few of those games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence .
We always knew we had the players , we had the coaches and we had the scheme to do it , it was just a matter of piecing those things together.
” Said defensive line coach Brendan Daly : “ I don ’ t know if it was a turning point , but it was certainly an important game in the journey .
It was an opportunity to go on the road and prove ourselves to a degree when we hadn ’ t been performing to the standard we would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did some good things in that game and we were able to get a little bit of energy and momentum .
It did help us.
” The NFLPA held its annual news conference and nothing was gleaned whatsoever regarding the negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement .
The union brought player reps from 30 teams ( all except the Chiefs and 49ers ) to Miami for a meeting .
And ?
“ The job of this ( executive committee ) and the job of the board is to represent the interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeMaurice Smith said .
“ Anytime we get together and talk about our family business , we treat it as family business so that ’ s pretty much the answer.
” Smith added : “ We ’ re going to keep our negotiations with the league outside of the press.
” And that meant pretty much nothing of note was discussed , save for several current players supporting San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman ’ s stance against a 17-game regular-season schedule .
The union missed a chance to speak to NFL fans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ express optimism about a new CBA being signed without a work stoppage ( unlike the 2011 lockout ) and at least provide an opinion about things the owners and union may agree upon .
But nope .
It was maddening to listen to .
Asked late in the hour-long ordeal what ’ s next between the union/owners ( further discussions ? )
, Smith said : “ It is a process that I ’ m sure will continue.
” Union officials in the room laughed .
Thing is , it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Super Bowl for the fourth time and looking for his first ring .
He lost twice as a receiver with New England ( 2007 and ’ 11 ) and once with the Broncos ( 2013 ) .
He is now San Francisco ’ s receivers coach .
Welker caught 122 passes for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns in two years for the Broncos ( 2013-14 ) .
As his career wound down , Welker thought about a coaching career .
“ A little bit , ” he said .
“ I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in the time .
The best thing I did was take a year off from football and during that year , it was killing me and I knew I still had to be a part of it.
” Welker sat out 2017 and was an offensive assistant for Houston in 2018 before joining the 49ers .
“ It ’ s long hours and it ’ s work , but it ’ s what I feel like I ’ ve been called to do at this point , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
”

MIAMI — Did Kansas City’s road to Sunday’s Super Bowl against San Francisco really begin in its Week 7 road rout of the Broncos? It might have, at least for its defense.
The Broncos scored on their opening possession and for some reason went for two points (and failed). Things didn’t get any better for the Chiefs when quarterback Patrick Mahomes sustained a knee injury while trying to convert a fourth-down sneak.
“I for sure had those (season-ending) thoughts when I had the injury,” Mahomes said. “The biggest thing was, I looked down and I knew my knee didn’t look right. I thought the worst. But at the same time, when I got back to the locker room and talked to the doctors, they were very positive.”
Mahomes sustained a dislocated knee-cap and missed the next two games (1-1 record), but the Chiefs dodged disaster … and found their defense.
Following the Broncos’ touchdown, Denver didn’t run another play inside the Chiefs’ 26-yard line in a 30-6 loss.
The Chiefs defense entered the game allowing 24 points, 161.8 rushing yards and 406.2 yards per game; the Broncos rushed for 71 yards and gained 205 yards.
And the Chiefs had only 11 sacks in their first six games, but nine against the Broncos. The win jump-started their current streak of 10 wins in 12 games.
“That game sticks out because everybody is enthralled with the sacks,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “Once we were able to put a few of those games together, the defense started to feel confidence. We always knew we had the players, we had the coaches and we had the scheme to do it, it was just a matter of piecing those things together.”
Said defensive line coach Brendan Daly: “I don’t know if it was a turning point, but it was certainly an important game in the journey. It was an opportunity to go on the road and prove ourselves to a degree when we hadn’t been performing to the standard we would have liked to up to that point. We did some good things in that game and we were able to get a little bit of energy and momentum. It did help us.”
Union misses chance
The NFLPA held its annual news conference and nothing was gleaned whatsoever regarding the negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. The union brought player reps from 30 teams (all except the Chiefs and 49ers) to Miami for a meeting. And?
“The job of this (executive committee) and the job of the board is to represent the interest of the players,” executive director DeMaurice Smith said. “Anytime we get together and talk about our family business, we treat it as family business so that’s pretty much the answer.”
Smith added: “We’re going to keep our negotiations with the league outside of the press.”
And that meant pretty much nothing of note was discussed, save for several current players supporting San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman’s stance against a 17-game regular-season schedule.
The union missed a chance to speak to NFL fans. Smith should have used the forum to express optimism about a new CBA being signed without a work stoppage (unlike the 2011 lockout) and at least provide an opinion about things the owners and union may agree upon. But nope. It was maddening to listen to.
Asked late in the hour-long ordeal what’s next between the union/owners (further discussions?), Smith said: “It is a process that I’m sure will continue.”
Union officials in the room laughed. Thing is, it wasn’t funny.
Welker enjoys the grind
Wes Welker is back at the Super Bowl for the fourth time and looking for his first ring. He lost twice as a receiver with New England (2007 and ’11) and once with the Broncos (2013). He is now San Francisco’s receivers coach.
Welker caught 122 passes for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns in two years for the Broncos (2013-14). As his career wound down, Welker thought about a coaching career.
“A little bit,” he said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to put in the time. The best thing I did was take a year off from football and during that year, it was killing me and I knew I still had to be a part of it.”
Welker sat out 2017 and was an offensive assistant for Houston in 2018 before joining the 49ers.
“It’s long hours and it’s work, but it’s what I feel like I’ve been called to do at this point,” he said. “I’m enjoying every second of it.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Dahlberg: Lessons learned young propel Patrick Mahomes to greatness

MIAMI — Long before he ever dreamed of playing football for a living , much less playing in the Super Bowl , Patrick Mahomes tagged along with his dad as he bounced around the major leagues as a journeyman pitcher .
He hung around superstars like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter .
He watched how they prepared and saw how they dealt with both success and failure .
The lessons he learned are a big reason why he ’ s the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl .
They ’ re also why he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of the NFL for years to come .
“ Just to see guys like that definitely instilled in me that I had to work hard if I wanted to be a professional athlete , ” Mahomes said .
“ You see guys going out there and performing and being great , but you understand how much hard work it takes.
” Having good genetics helped , too .
Mahomes ’ father , Pat , was a hard-throwing righty who played for six teams in an 11-year pro career that ended in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Good parenting also played a part in the grooming of a player who has taken the Chiefs to the Super Bowl for the first time in a half century .
Mahomes always credits his mother and father first before going down the list to other influences — and there are many — in his life .
From his father came the message to have passion and pride in everything he does .
From his mother , it was love and encouragement to be great in whatever he does .
“ My mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best player , the best person and the best human being you can be every single day , ” Mahomes said Thursday .
“ Yeah , I want people to know me .
Obviously , I want them to know me as a great football player .
But I also want people to know me as a great person.
” At the age of 24 he ’ s well on his way to that .
Listen to Mahomes talk for very long and the chances are he ’ ll spend much of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about himself .
Is this guy perfect ?
No , he ’ s got a funny haircut and a voice that takes some getting used to .
Teammates will tell you he sometimes plays practical jokes on them when they least expect it .
But in a week of nonstop talking leading up to the Super Bowl , no one has said a bad word about him yet .
“ We love everything about him .
He ’ s a great guy even without the football in his hand , ” Chiefs receiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get the football in his hand he ’ s probably one of the best quarterbacks .
And you just want to make a play for him.
” Mahomes and his teammates made enough of those plays together to get to the Super Bowl , a year after an excruciating loss to the Patriots in the AFC championship game .
Mahomes rallied his team with 24 fourth quarter points to tie that game but the Chiefs lost 37-31 after never getting the ball back from Tom Brady in overtime .
The reason the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same genetics and hard work that convinced a team with a perfectly able quarterback in Alex Smith to draft Mahomes in the first round to begin with .
The genetics came into play when Mahomes limped off the field in October against Denver with what everyone in Kansas City feared was a season-ending injury .
It turned out he had dislocated his knee , and less than a month later he was back on the field in a losing effort against Tennessee .
“ When I got hurt I literally had no idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahomes said .
“ I mean when you look at your knee and it ’ s at the side of your leg , you think the worst.
” Mahomes , of course , is the big reason why the Chiefs are a 1-point favorite against the San Francisco 49ers and why oddsmakers think the game will be high scoring .
The 2018 MVP has an innate ability to make tacklers miss , and his receivers have discovered they will be rewarded if they never give up on a play with the ball in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arm of a pitcher who throws 90 mph — which he did in high school — and can throw a football from angles that don ’ t make geometric sense .
He seems to understand better than most veteran quarterbacks when to push the envelope and when to be satisfied with what the defense is giving on any particular play .
But mostly he ’ s got the ability to lead a team when it matters most .
And it doesn ’ t matter more than in the Super Bowl .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , road to Miami began in Denver • As Hall of Fame vote nears , former Broncos safety Steve Atwater shares memories of five selected games • Terrell Davis : “ Steve Atwater ’ s time is now ” for the Pro Football Hall of Fame “ He ’ s a kid that grew up in a locker room , so he ’ s got a feel for that , ” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said .
“ He understands the leadership role that he ’ s been asked or put in position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You just give him a little guideline on that and he takes it and goes ” Mahomes said he ’ s still learning , still trying to improve .
Still taking advice from A-Rod , too , who sent him a text this week to make sure he enjoys the whole Super Bowl experience .
So far , at least , he ’ s doing just that .
And on Sunday the real fun begins .

MIAMI — Long before he ever dreamed of playing football for a living, much less playing in the Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes tagged along with his dad as he bounced around the major leagues as a journeyman pitcher.
He hung around superstars like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. He watched how they prepared and saw how they dealt with both success and failure.
The lessons he learned are a big reason why he’s the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. They’re also why he’s the rare player who could be the face of the NFL for years to come.
“Just to see guys like that definitely instilled in me that I had to work hard if I wanted to be a professional athlete,” Mahomes said. “You see guys going out there and performing and being great, but you understand how much hard work it takes.”
Having good genetics helped, too. Mahomes’ father, Pat, was a hard-throwing righty who played for six teams in an 11-year pro career that ended in 2003, when his son was 8.
Good parenting also played a part in the grooming of a player who has taken the Chiefs to the Super Bowl for the first time in a half century. Mahomes always credits his mother and father first before going down the list to other influences — and there are many — in his life.
From his father came the message to have passion and pride in everything he does. From his mother, it was love and encouragement to be great in whatever he does.
“My mom always said to me just be the best player, the best person and the best human being you can be every single day,” Mahomes said Thursday. “Yeah, I want people to know me. Obviously, I want them to know me as a great football player. But I also want people to know me as a great person.”
At the age of 24 he’s well on his way to that. Listen to Mahomes talk for very long and the chances are he’ll spend much of that time praising someone else instead of talking about himself.
Is this guy perfect? No, he’s got a funny haircut and a voice that takes some getting used to. Teammates will tell you he sometimes plays practical jokes on them when they least expect it.
But in a week of nonstop talking leading up to the Super Bowl, no one has said a bad word about him yet.
“We love everything about him. He’s a great guy even without the football in his hand,” Chiefs receiver DeMarcus Robinson said. “And when you get the football in his hand he’s probably one of the best quarterbacks. And you just want to make a play for him.”
Mahomes and his teammates made enough of those plays together to get to the Super Bowl, a year after an excruciating loss to the Patriots in the AFC championship game. Mahomes rallied his team with 24 fourth quarter points to tie that game but the Chiefs lost 37-31 after never getting the ball back from Tom Brady in overtime.
The reason the Chiefs are in it now? The same genetics and hard work that convinced a team with a perfectly able quarterback in Alex Smith to draft Mahomes in the first round to begin with.
The genetics came into play when Mahomes limped off the field in October against Denver with what everyone in Kansas City feared was a season-ending injury. It turned out he had dislocated his knee, and less than a month later he was back on the field in a losing effort against Tennessee.
The Chiefs haven’t lost since.
“When I got hurt I literally had no idea what was going to happen,” Mahomes said. “I mean when you look at your knee and it’s at the side of your leg, you think the worst.”
Mahomes, of course, is the big reason why the Chiefs are a 1-point favorite against the San Francisco 49ers and why oddsmakers think the game will be high scoring. The 2018 MVP has an innate ability to make tacklers miss, and his receivers have discovered they will be rewarded if they never give up on a play with the ball in his hand.
He’s got the arm of a pitcher who throws 90 mph — which he did in high school — and can throw a football from angles that don’t make geometric sense. He seems to understand better than most veteran quarterbacks when to push the envelope and when to be satisfied with what the defense is giving on any particular play.
But mostly he’s got the ability to lead a team when it matters most. And it doesn’t matter more than in the Super Bowl.
“He’s a kid that grew up in a locker room, so he’s got a feel for that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He understands the leadership role that he’s been asked or put in position for and how important that is. You just give him a little guideline on that and he takes it and goes”
Mahomes said he’s still learning, still trying to improve. Still taking advice from A-Rod, too, who sent him a text this week to make sure he enjoys the whole Super Bowl experience.
So far, at least, he’s doing just that.
And on Sunday the real fun begins.


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Colorado baker who sparked Supreme Court case has book deal

NEW YORK — The Colorado baker whose refusal to design a wedding cake for a gay couple led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling and made him a conservative hero now has a book deal .
Jack Phillips ’ memoir , currently untitled , will be released this summer by Salem Books Publishing .
Salem Books is a Christian evangelical imprint of Regnery Publishing that announced the book Thursday and is calling it “ a firsthand account of his experience on the front lines ” of a cultural battle between religious and secular forces .
Phillips , who runs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known nationally in 2012 after he cited religious objections in declining the request of two men who wanted a cake celebrating their marriage .
The couple filed a complaint with the state ’ s civil rights commission , which ruled that Phillips should not have refused service .
The baker appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court , which in 2018 voted 7-2 that the commission violated Phillips ’ rights under the First Amendment .
The court did not rule on the larger issue of whether businesses can invoke religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesbians .

NEW YORK — The Colorado baker whose refusal to design a wedding cake for a gay couple led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling and made him a conservative hero now has a book deal.
Jack Phillips’ memoir, currently untitled, will be released this summer by Salem Books Publishing. Salem Books is a Christian evangelical imprint of Regnery Publishing that announced the book Thursday and is calling it “a firsthand account of his experience on the front lines” of a cultural battle between religious and secular forces.
Phillips, who runs the Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver, became known nationally in 2012 after he cited religious objections in declining the request of two men who wanted a cake celebrating their marriage. The couple filed a complaint with the state’s civil rights commission, which ruled that Phillips should not have refused service.
The baker appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 2018 voted 7-2 that the commission violated Phillips’ rights under the First Amendment. The court did not rule on the larger issue of whether businesses can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gays and lesbians.


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Emotional debate on Colorado death penalty repeal culminates in historic vote

In a historic vote that followed a long and frequently emotional debate , a divided Colorado Senate on Thursday took the most significant step yet toward ensuring Colorado will become the 22nd state to repeal the death penalty .
By advancing the bill , the Senate — which last year failed to pass the same bill — virtually guaranteed it will become law this year , because the House and governor are both expected to back the bill .
But even with the outcome fairly predictable , Capitol Republicans , who by and large support the death penalty , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a fight .
Lacking the votes to reject the repeal bill — Democrats control all levels of Colorado state government — Republicans have been pushing to get the repeal out of the Capitol and onto 2020 ballots .
State Rep. Dave Williams , R-Colorado Springs , was incensed Thursday as he watched the Senate reject a proposal to put the issue to voters .
He said he would do everything in his limited power to bring the House ’ s work to a halt , in protest .
“ If the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then I will do whatever I can to block the House chamber .
I will debate ; I will filibuster ; I ’ ll have bills read at length , ” he said .
House Speaker KC Becker , D-Boulder , brushed it off , telling The Denver Post : “ Dave Williams ’ threat to shut down the entire legislature because of his support of the death penalty would prevent every single lawmaker from doing what they were elected to do — be their constituents ’ voice at the Capitol.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spent the entire morning and some of the afternoon in discussion before moving to advance the bill .
After six hours of deliberation , the vote was 19-15 for repealing the death penalty .
Three Republican senators — Kevin Priola , Jack Tate and Owen Hill — joined most Democrats in voting for the bill .
A final Senate vote will come Friday morning , but that is a formality ; the outcome was made clear Thursday .
Thursday ’ s was the second of three votes needed to pass the proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the most significant of the three : On second reading lawmakers hold debate , and the vote at that stage almost always indicates how the third one will go .
Come Monday , the bill almost assuredly will sit in the House of Representatives .
The House , which has a much wider Democratic majority than the Senate , is expected to pass the bill easily .
Becker has consistently said she anticipates passage in her chamber , and Gov .
Jared Polis , also a Democrat , has said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it reaches his desk .
The matter has always been more delicate in the Senate , which was three votes shy of passing last year ’ s repeal bill .
Sponsors changed their strategy this time around , to great effect .
But even with the votes in hand , this is a difficult policy to pass , which was reflected in the unusual quiet and somberness in the Senate on Thursday morning .
The natural weight of the topic was compounded by years of painful and at times messy policy disagreement : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolishing the death penalty in Colorado .
Looming large in each of those years , and again on Thursday : Sen. Rhonda Fields , D-Aurora , is the mother of a man who was murdered along with his fiancée in 2005 .
The killers now comprise two-thirds of Colorado ’ s death row , and Fields strongly supports the death penalty .
In her closing remarks on the Senate floor , she told her colleagues that they will find themselves on the wrong side of history if they vote for the repeal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety , or we ’ re not , ” she said .
Her fellow Democrat , Sen. Dominick Moreno of Commerce City , offered an opposing take earlier in the day : “ Either you support the death penalty or you don ’ t. ” At the beginning of the day ’ s deliberations , after repeal sponsors Tate , R-Centennial , and Julie Gonzales , D-Denver , took to the lectern to introduce their bill and to ask for an “ aye ” vote from the chamber , Fields dared them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m still waiting for a response , ” Fields said , arguing that their brief initial remarks were insufficient .
“ I ’ m still waiting to hear from the bill sponsors.
” Gonzales responded to the demand soon after , saying that it had all along been her intention to do more listening than talking on this sensitive and deeply personal matter .
But she did stand firm .
“ This idea that we should say murdering is wrong except when the state does it strikes me as untenable , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of speeches that ran for many hours .
Much of the time was taken up by Fields speaking — shouting , at times — in what effectively amounted to a last gasp for the pro-death penalty movement in Colorado .
“ What side of history do you want to be on ?
Who are you serving ?
Who are you protecting ?
” she asked her colleagues .
At one point , after detailing her own son ’ s murder and the court case that followed , she cried out , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as was expected , Sen. Bob Gardner , R-Colorado Springs , offered an amendment to send the matter to voters , which Fields would favor .
It failed , just as it failed earlier this week at the committee level .
Several other amendments failed , too .
If Republicans do try to slow down the legislature in retaliation , Democrats have the option to limit debate on the death penalty and any other bill .
Becker added , in her response to Williams , “ I understand that this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we are committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to make their voice heard and share how they feel on this important issue .
We hope Dave Williams will not stand in the way of that critically important work , the vast majority of which we do on a bipartisan basis .
”

In a historic vote that followed a long and frequently emotional debate, a divided Colorado Senate on Thursday took the most significant step yet toward ensuring Colorado will become the 22nd state to repeal the death penalty.
By advancing the bill, the Senate — which last year failed to pass the same bill — virtually guaranteed it will become law this year, because the House and governor are both expected to back the bill.
But even with the outcome fairly predictable, Capitol Republicans, who by and large support the death penalty, are vowing they won’t go down without a fight. Lacking the votes to reject the repeal bill — Democrats control all levels of Colorado state government — Republicans have been pushing to get the repeal out of the Capitol and onto 2020 ballots.
State Rep. Dave Williams, R-Colorado Springs, was incensed Thursday as he watched the Senate reject a proposal to put the issue to voters. He said he would do everything in his limited power to bring the House’s work to a halt, in protest.
“If the Democrats refuse to let the people decide, then I will do whatever I can to block the House chamber. I will debate; I will filibuster; I’ll have bills read at length,” he said.
House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, brushed it off, telling The Denver Post: “Dave Williams’ threat to shut down the entire legislature because of his support of the death penalty would prevent every single lawmaker from doing what they were elected to do — be their constituents’ voice at the Capitol.”
Thursday’s vote
The Senate, painfully split on the issue, spent the entire morning and some of the afternoon in discussion before moving to advance the bill.
After six hours of deliberation, the vote was 19-15 for repealing the death penalty. Three Republican senators — Kevin Priola, Jack Tate and Owen Hill — joined most Democrats in voting for the bill. A final Senate vote will come Friday morning, but that is a formality; the outcome was made clear Thursday.
Thursday’s was the second of three votes needed to pass the proposed death penalty repeal out of the Senate, but the most significant of the three: On second reading lawmakers hold debate, and the vote at that stage almost always indicates how the third one will go. Come Monday, the bill almost assuredly will sit in the House of Representatives.
The House, which has a much wider Democratic majority than the Senate, is expected to pass the bill easily. Becker has consistently said she anticipates passage in her chamber, and Gov. Jared Polis, also a Democrat, has said he will sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.
The matter has always been more delicate in the Senate, which was three votes shy of passing last year’s repeal bill. Sponsors changed their strategy this time around, to great effect.
But even with the votes in hand, this is a difficult policy to pass, which was reflected in the unusual quiet and somberness in the Senate on Thursday morning. The natural weight of the topic was compounded by years of painful and at times messy policy disagreement: This is the sixth recent attempt at abolishing the death penalty in Colorado.
Looming large in each of those years, and again on Thursday: Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, is the mother of a man who was murdered along with his fiancée in 2005. The killers now comprise two-thirds of Colorado’s death row, and Fields strongly supports the death penalty.
In her closing remarks on the Senate floor, she told her colleagues that they will find themselves on the wrong side of history if they vote for the repeal.
“Either we’re for public safety, or we’re not,” she said.
Her fellow Democrat, Sen. Dominick Moreno of Commerce City, offered an opposing take earlier in the day: “Either you support the death penalty or you don’t.”
At the beginning of the day’s deliberations, after repeal sponsors Tate, R-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, took to the lectern to introduce their bill and to ask for an “aye” vote from the chamber, Fields dared them to defend themselves.
“I guess I’m still waiting for a response,” Fields said, arguing that their brief initial remarks were insufficient. “I’m still waiting to hear from the bill sponsors.”
Gonzales responded to the demand soon after, saying that it had all along been her intention to do more listening than talking on this sensitive and deeply personal matter.
But she did stand firm.
“This idea that we should say murdering is wrong except when the state does it strikes me as untenable,” Gonzales said.
“It’s a promise”
What followed was a series of speeches that ran for many hours. Much of the time was taken up by Fields speaking — shouting, at times — in what effectively amounted to a last gasp for the pro-death penalty movement in Colorado.
“What side of history do you want to be on? Who are you serving? Who are you protecting?” she asked her colleagues.
At one point, after detailing her own son’s murder and the court case that followed, she cried out, “My son was innocent!”
And, as was expected, Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, offered an amendment to send the matter to voters, which Fields would favor. It failed, just as it failed earlier this week at the committee level. Several other amendments failed, too.
If Republicans do try to slow down the legislature in retaliation, Democrats have the option to limit debate on the death penalty and any other bill.
Becker added, in her response to Williams, “I understand that this is a deeply personal issue for every single lawmaker, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to make their voice heard and share how they feel on this important issue. We hope Dave Williams will not stand in the way of that critically important work, the vast majority of which we do on a bipartisan basis.”


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Widefield secures 46-37 victory over Mesa Ridge

Widefield outlasts Mesa Ridge , winning by a score of 46-37 on Wednesday .
Mesa Ridge was paced in scoring @ @ @ @ @ for 11 points , while also collecting three rebounds and two assists .
Marissa Spencer @ @ @ @ @ and nine rebounds .
In their next games , Widefield will stay home and play @ @ @ @ @ Ridge will travel to play Harrison .
Widefield has not reported any team or player @ @ @ @ @ This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
Information accurate as of @ @ @ @ @ more data is available .

Widefield outlasts Mesa Ridge, winning by a score of 46-37 on Wednesday.
Mesa Ridge was paced in scoring by Taleiyah Gibbs who accounted for 11 points, while also collecting three rebounds and two assists. Marissa Spencer helped by contributing eight points and nine rebounds.
In their next games, Widefield will stay home and play Canon City, while Mesa Ridge will travel to play Harrison.
Widefield has not reported any team or player statistics from this contest.
More Colorado High School Basketball
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This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Lutheran fends off SkyView Academy in 71-30 win

The Lutheran Lions easily put away SkyView Academy by a score of 71-30 on Wednesday .
Lutheran will stay home @ @ @ @ @ while SkyView Academy will travel to play Jefferson Academy .
No team or player statistics @ @ @ @ @ contest .
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
Information accurate @ @ @ @ @ update as more data is available .

The Lutheran Lions easily put away SkyView Academy by a score of 71-30 on Wednesday.
Lutheran will stay home and play Stargate School, while SkyView Academy will travel to play Jefferson Academy.
No team or player statistics have been reported for this contest.
More Colorado High School Basketball
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This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-01-30--Ross’ 21 not enough for Eaglecrest in loss to Cherokee Trail

The Cherokee Trail Cougars earned a win when they defeated the Eaglecrest Raptors 60-48 on Wednesday .
Eaglecrest was lead @ @ @ @ @ who accounted for 21 points , while also recording five rebounds and two assists .
@ @ @ @ @ night , recording eight points , four rebounds and three assists .
Next up for @ @ @ @ @ play host to Overland , while Cherokee Trail will travel to play Cherry Creek .
@ @ @ @ @ any team or player statistics from this contest .
This story was created with technology @ @ @ @ @ Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available .

The Cherokee Trail Cougars earned a win when they defeated the Eaglecrest Raptors 60-48 on Wednesday.
Eaglecrest was lead in scoring by Jadyn Ross who accounted for 21 points, while also recording five rebounds and two assists. Laci Roffle had a good night, recording eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
Next up for each team, Eaglecrest will play host to Overland, while Cherokee Trail will travel to play Cherry Creek.
Cherokee Trail has not reported any team or player statistics from this contest.
More Colorado High School Basketball
Subscribe to the Denver Post today
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Metro Denver’s housing market shook off winter’s doldrums with a hot January

Home sellers came off the sidelines in January and showed buyers they were ready to play ball .
After declining in the final months of 2019 , the number of new listings hitting the market surged 89.3 % in January , according to a report Wednesday from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors .
Sellers , missing in action for months , listed 4,853 homes and condos for sale in January , up from the paltry 2,564 they provided in December .
“ I ’ ve always told my December buyers to not get discouraged by a lack of choices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather , if they just hang in there , it will change , ” said Jill Schafer , chairwoman of the DMAR Market Trends Committee , in comments accompanying the monthly report .
And change it did .
Buyers , starved after months of falling inventory , voraciously consumed the new supply .
The surge in activity didn ’ t show up yet in closed sales , which were down 34.2 % from December and up 0.8 % from January of last year .
But that ’ s primarily a timing issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ under contract surged 43 % from December and is up 24.2 % from January 2019 .
Sales completed in February should surge based on the contracts reached in January .
Demand was so strong that even with the big jump in listings , the inventory of homes and condos available for sale at the end of the month fell to 4,941 , a 1.91 % decline from December and 16 % drop from January 2019 .
With the inventory of available properties back below 5,000 , interest rates low and buyers anxious to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen in the middle of last decade are starting to emerge again , said Steve Danyliw , a local Realtor and member of the market trends committee .
Frenzied as in having to write an offer on the hood of a car after touring a home so as not to let other buyers get ahead of your clients .
“ If you are in the right price range , that is happening again , ” he said .
“ The low inventory is starting to speed things up.
” Danyliw describes making an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10,000 above the list price , only to find out later the offer was one of nine , and it came up short .
The average number of days a listing spends on the market is still rising and is now at 45 , up from 41 in December .
But Danilyw thinks that may be a peak and that it will come down .
Price gains are also starting to pick up steam .
The median price of a single-family home sold last month rose to 2.45 % on a monthly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is now at $ 460,000 .
The median price of a condo sold rose to $ 310,000 , flat with December and up 11.9 % over the year .

Home sellers came off the sidelines in January and showed buyers they were ready to play ball.
After declining in the final months of 2019, the number of new listings hitting the market surged 89.3% in January, according to a report Wednesday from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
Sellers, missing in action for months, listed 4,853 homes and condos for sale in January, up from the paltry 2,564 they provided in December.
“I’ve always told my December buyers to not get discouraged by a lack of choices; just like Colorado’s oft-changing weather, if they just hang in there, it will change,” said Jill Schafer, chairwoman of the DMAR Market Trends Committee, in comments accompanying the monthly report.
And change it did. Buyers, starved after months of falling inventory, voraciously consumed the new supply. The surge in activity didn’t show up yet in closed sales, which were down 34.2% from December and up 0.8% from January of last year.
But that’s primarily a timing issue. The number of pending sales or homes under contract surged 43% from December and is up 24.2% from January 2019. Sales completed in February should surge based on the contracts reached in January.
Demand was so strong that even with the big jump in listings, the inventory of homes and condos available for sale at the end of the month fell to 4,941, a 1.91% decline from December and 16% drop from January 2019.
With the inventory of available properties back below 5,000, interest rates low and buyers anxious to own, flashes of the frenzied markets seen in the middle of last decade are starting to emerge again, said Steve Danyliw, a local Realtor and member of the market trends committee.
Frenzied as in having to write an offer on the hood of a car after touring a home so as not to let other buyers get ahead of your clients.
“If you are in the right price range, that is happening again,” he said. “The low inventory is starting to speed things up.”
Danyliw describes making an offer on a $380,000 townhome for $10,000 above the list price, only to find out later the offer was one of nine, and it came up short.
The average number of days a listing spends on the market is still rising and is now at 45, up from 41 in December. But Danilyw thinks that may be a peak and that it will come down.
Price gains are also starting to pick up steam. The median price of a single-family home sold last month rose to 2.45% on a monthly basis and is up 8.24% year-over-year and is now at $460,000. The median price of a condo sold rose to $310,000, flat with December and up 11.9% over the year.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Ask Amy: My divorced 45-year-old son has a secret baby daughter

Dear Amy : My divorced 45-year-old son , who lives 3,000 miles away , has been keeping a big secret from me for a year : He has a baby daughter and I have a baby granddaughter .
I received a letter with photographs ( the resemblance is undeniable ) from his then girlfriend , the baby ’ s mother , who is a lovely professional woman with her own business .
She asks nothing of me or from me .
She wants me to know I am welcome to visit the baby and be a part of the baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose ( which I do ) .
She has asked my son to tell me about the baby several times .
He refused .
She felt I had the right to know .
The pregnancy was a surprise to both of them .
He wanted her to terminate the pregnancy , and she didn ’ t , so he walked out .
He has nothing to do with the baby or her mother , who went through the pregnancy and childbirth alone .
I do not know if he contributes any child support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times to get rid of my generation-skipping trust … with no personal explanation .
I did not .
I thought my son and I had a close relationship .
I stood by him through several years of a nightmare divorce .
He is my only living child ( his brother passed away at 19 ) .
The baby is my only biological grandchild .
My former husband abandoned us ; we don ’ t even know where he is .
I am remarried to a wonderful man and through him I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandkids ) .
My son has either no conscience or a selective conscience , and he is very self-righteous .
I fear the choice to acknowledge my baby granddaughter could end my relationship with my son .
I am sad , angry , and ashamed of him .
How should I tell him that I know ?
Dear Gran : You could send your son the text of this question , which seems to outline exactly how you feel , with a note in the margin : “ FYI.
” I assume you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this child ’ s mother .
I hope you do .
This is a no-brainer .
There is no need for you to try to explain your son ’ s behavior to the mother of the child — or discuss this further with your son until you are ready .
You are both adults and you both have the right to engage in whatever relationships you want .
He may eventually acknowledge the child and come around in some minimal ways , but , as the son of a father who abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he might not ever step up .
You should assume that if you choose to acknowledge this child , your relationship with your son will be affected , but that is up to him .
Dear Amy : My wife and I have a 3-year-old son .
My wife ’ s 17-year-old sister “ Tessa ” is currently living with us .
One day my teenage sister-in-law was tasked to watch our son , because we had an all-day personal appointment .
However , we finished our appointment by 1 p.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find that Tessa had invited four of her high school friends over , when she was watching our 3-year-old son .
I have no issues with her friends being over , yet the fact that she didn ’ t ask ( or inform ) us has me very concerned .
What say you ?
Dear Upset : Your concern is completely justified .
“ Tessa ” is a teenager and is demonstrating the judgment typical of her age .
But , while she might have thought that having more “ help ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more people around , the more divided attention toward the child .
This presents risks for your son .
Tessa might not be mature enough to take on responsibility for another human .
She may need a babysitter , herself .
If you plan to trust Tessa to continue occasionally watching her nephew , emphasize the absolute need for her to be completely honest with you .
You should meet and approve of any other people spending time with your child .
Dear Amy : “ Jealous ?
was worried about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boyfriend ’ s , who was driving four hours to their town for a personal visit .
You were wrong to justify her jealousy .
Female jealousy has ruined many platonic friendships .
Dear Upset : I suggested that this person acknowledge her feelings , and also accept the female friend ’ s invitation to get together in order to see if the feelings were justified .
Jealousy is not confined to women .

Dear Amy: My divorced 45-year-old son, who lives 3,000 miles away, has been keeping a big secret from me for a year: He has a baby daughter and I have a baby granddaughter.
I received a letter with photographs (the resemblance is undeniable) from his then girlfriend, the baby’s mother, who is a lovely professional woman with her own business. She asks nothing of me or from me. She wants me to know I am welcome to visit the baby and be a part of the baby’s life, if I so choose (which I do).
She has asked my son to tell me about the baby several times. He refused. She felt I had the right to know.
The pregnancy was a surprise to both of them. He wanted her to terminate the pregnancy, and she didn’t, so he walked out. He has nothing to do with the baby or her mother, who went through the pregnancy and childbirth alone.
I do not know if he contributes any child support.
Meanwhile, he has asked/pressured me three times to get rid of my generation-skipping trust … with no personal explanation. I did not.
I thought my son and I had a close relationship. I stood by him through several years of a nightmare divorce. He is my only living child (his brother passed away at 19). The baby is my only biological grandchild.
My former husband abandoned us; we don’t even know where he is. I am remarried to a wonderful man and through him I am blessed with a loving stepfamily (four grandkids).
My son has either no conscience or a selective conscience, and he is very self-righteous.
I fear the choice to acknowledge my baby granddaughter could end my relationship with my son. I am sad, angry, and ashamed of him.
How should I tell him that I know?
— Anonymous Gran
Dear Gran: You could send your son the text of this question, which seems to outline exactly how you feel, with a note in the margin: “FYI.”
I assume you plan to follow up and make contact with this child’s mother. I hope you do. This is a no-brainer. There is no need for you to try to explain your son’s behavior to the mother of the child — or discuss this further with your son until you are ready. You are both adults and you both have the right to engage in whatever relationships you want. He may eventually acknowledge the child and come around in some minimal ways, but, as the son of a father who abandoned him and disappeared from his own life, he might not ever step up.
You should assume that if you choose to acknowledge this child, your relationship with your son will be affected, but that is up to him.
Dear Amy: My wife and I have a 3-year-old son.
My wife’s 17-year-old sister “Tessa” is currently living with us.
One day my teenage sister-in-law was tasked to watch our son, because we had an all-day personal appointment.
However, we finished our appointment by 1 p.m., and upon arriving home we were shocked to find that Tessa had invited four of her high school friends over, when she was watching our 3-year-old son.
I have no issues with her friends being over, yet the fact that she didn’t ask (or inform) us has me very concerned.
What say you?
— Upset Dad
Dear Upset: Your concern is completely justified. “Tessa” is a teenager and is demonstrating the judgment typical of her age. But, while she might have thought that having more “help” would be good for everyone concerned, the more people around, the more divided attention toward the child. This presents risks for your son.
Tessa might not be mature enough to take on responsibility for another human. She may need a babysitter, herself.
If you plan to trust Tessa to continue occasionally watching her nephew, emphasize the absolute need for her to be completely honest with you. You should meet and approve of any other people spending time with your child.
Dear Amy: “Jealous? was worried about a newly single female work friend of her boyfriend’s, who was driving four hours to their town for a personal visit.
You were wrong to justify her jealousy. Female jealousy has ruined many platonic friendships.
— Upset
Dear Upset: I suggested that this person acknowledge her feelings, and also accept the female friend’s invitation to get together in order to see if the feelings were justified. Jealousy is not confined to women.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Nuggets close to dealing Beasley, Hernangomez in blockbuster four-team trade, source says

Late Tuesday night , after the Nuggets ’ rousing win over the Trail Blazers , Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez walked back into the home locker room to say their goodbyes .
Beasley held a long embrace with Nuggets veteran Will Barton .
He and Hernangomez had been informed that they were on the move .
According to a league source , both fourth-year players were close to being dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night , along with forward Jarred Vanderbilt , as part of a four-team trade also involving Atlanta and Houston .
In return , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston , along with Minnesota ’ s Keita Bates-Diop , Noah Vonleh and Shabazz Napier .
In addition , Denver would also get Gerald Green in the deal , who was expected to be waived later on .
The other moving parts of the blockbuster involved Houston ’ s Clint Capela and Nene Hilario going to Atlanta , and Robert Covington and Jordan Bell being sent to the Rockets , according to ESPN .
In addition , the Timberwolves were to receive Evan Turner and a first-round pick from the Hawks .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their physicals .
Within the past month , both Beasley and Hernangomez had approached Denver ’ s management about being traded , according to a league source .
Each wanted more substantial roles and more consistent minutes .
The ascendance of rookie Michael Porter Jr. had muddied their respective futures .
According to another league source , at least 10 to 12 teams had inquired about Beasley ’ s availability as the trade deadline approached .
When asked about the potential of Hernangomez being moved , Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closest friend on the team .
“ If it happens , I ’ m gon na be sad , ” Jokic said .
“ If it doesn ’ t , maybe it ’ s good for him , maybe it ’ s bad , I really don ’ t know.
” From Denver ’ s perspective , it ’ s a move that clarifies roles and avoids paying either Beasley or Hernangomez in restricted free agency this summer .
Neither player reached extensions this past October , despite aggressive offers from the Nuggets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s always tricky , ” Barton said prior to the emotional embrace with Beasley .
“ It always gets a little weird .
You hear things .
You just try not to get caught up in it .
I love our locker room , I love our guys .
I don ’ t want to see anyone go anywhere.
” Before the players left the locker room , Malik Beasley ’ s mother said goodbye to the assembled media and promised her son would have a huge game upon his return .

Late Tuesday night, after the Nuggets’ rousing win over the Trail Blazers, Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez walked back into the home locker room to say their goodbyes.
Beasley held a long embrace with Nuggets veteran Will Barton. He and Hernangomez had been informed that they were on the move.
Both fourth-year players were dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, along with forward Jarred Vanderbilt, as part of a four-team trade also involving Atlanta and Houston. In return, the Nuggets received a first-round pick from Houston, along with Minnesota’s Keita Bates-Diop, Noah Vonleh and Shabazz Napier. In addition, Denver also received Gerald Green in the deal, who was expected to be waived later on.
The other moving parts of the blockbuster involved Houston’s Clint Capela and Nene Hilario going to Atlanta, and Robert Covington and Jordan Bell being sent to the Rockets, according to ESPN. In addition, the Timberwolves received Evan Turner and a first-round pick from the Hawks.
The trade is contingent upon all players passing their physicals.
Within the past month, both Beasley and Hernangomez had approached Denver’s management about being traded, according to a league source. Each wanted more substantial roles and more consistent minutes. The ascendance of rookie Michael Porter Jr. had muddied their respective futures.
According to another league source, at least 10 to 12 teams had inquired about Beasley’s availability as the trade deadline approached.
When asked about the potential of Hernangomez being moved, Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic didn’t know what was best for his closest friend on the team.
“If it happens, I’m gonna be sad,” Jokic said. “If it doesn’t, maybe it’s good for him, maybe it’s bad, I really don’t know.”
From Denver’s perspective, it’s a move that clarifies roles and avoids paying either Beasley or Hernangomez in restricted free agency this summer. Neither player reached extensions this past October, despite aggressive offers from the Nuggets.
“Around this time it’s always tricky,” Barton said prior to the emotional embrace with Beasley. “It always gets a little weird. You hear things. You just try not to get caught up in it. I love our locker room, I love our guys. I don’t want to see anyone go anywhere.”
Before the players left the locker room, Malik Beasley’s mother said goodbye to the assembled media and promised her son would have a huge game upon his return.
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thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Steamboat Springs school district hires former FBI agent for sexual harassment inquiry

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS , Colo. — A Colorado school district hired a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent to conduct an @ @ @ @ @ ’ s culture related to student claims of sexual harassment or sexual assault .
The @ @ @ @ @ Jane Quimby of Quimby and Associates in Grand Junction to investigate complaints that female students @ @ @ @ @ protected by administrators , The Steamboat Pilot & Today reported Monday .
District officials also @ @ @ @ @ Principal Kevin Taulman has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation .
Quimby @ @ @ @ @ agent for 20 years and is an attorney and a former high school and college @ @ @ @ @ Quimby will report to the school district ’ s attorneys , Caplan & Earnest , @ @ @ @ @ Meeks in order to strengthen the integrity of the investigation , officials said .
Steamboat @ @ @ @ @ Chapman-Hoy will serve as interim high school principal in addition to her current role , @ @ @

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — A Colorado school district hired a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent to conduct an investigation into a high school’s culture related to student claims of sexual harassment or sexual assault.
The Steamboat Springs School District hired Jane Quimby of Quimby and Associates in Grand Junction to investigate complaints that female students were not being heard or protected by administrators, The Steamboat Pilot & Today reported Monday.
District officials also announced Steamboat Springs High School Principal Kevin Taulman has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
Quimby served as a FBI special agent for 20 years and is an attorney and a former high school and college teacher, officials said.
Quimby will report to the school district’s attorneys, Caplan & Earnest, and not to Superintendent Brad Meeks in order to strengthen the integrity of the investigation, officials said.
Steamboat Springs Middle School Principal Heidi Chapman-Hoy will serve as interim high school principal in addition to her current role, officials said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Fort Collins woman wanted for perjury in red flag filing in Larimer County is arrested

A Fort Collins woman , wanted by authorities on suspicion of perjury after lying on her red flag petition against the police officer who killed her son , was arrested Tuesday by Fort Collins police .
Susan Anne Holmes , 64 , was taken into custody at 5:19 p.m. , said Kate Kimble , a police spokeswoman .
Holmes , who was put on the Larimer County Sheriff ’ s Office most wanted list on Friday , was wanted on suspicion of first-degree perjury and attempt to influence a public servant .
The warrant was issued on Jan. 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to argue that the state confiscate Colorado State University police Cpl .
Philip Morris ‘ guns for a year .
Morris shot and killed Holmes ’ son , Jeremy Holmes , in 2017 .
The warrant was first reported by The Coloradoan .
Susan Holmes said on the petition that she and Morris shared a child together .
In an interview with The Denver Post , she said that wasn ’ t true but that she had a legal theory she planned to use to justify her statement .
She declined to explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge on Jan. 16 denied Holmes ’ petition because she didn ’ t have a legal standing to file the petition .

A Fort Collins woman, wanted by authorities on suspicion of perjury after lying on her red flag petition against the police officer who killed her son, was arrested Tuesday by Fort Collins police.
Susan Anne Holmes, 64, was taken into custody at 5:19 p.m., said Kate Kimble, a police spokeswoman.
Holmes, who was put on the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office most wanted list on Friday, was wanted on suspicion of first-degree perjury and attempt to influence a public servant.
The warrant was issued on Jan. 23, one week after Holmes appeared in court to argue that the state confiscate Colorado State University police Cpl. Philip Morris‘ guns for a year. Morris shot and killed Holmes’ son, Jeremy Holmes, in 2017. The warrant was first reported by The Coloradoan.
Susan Holmes said on the petition that she and Morris shared a child together. In an interview with The Denver Post, she said that wasn’t true but that she had a legal theory she planned to use to justify her statement. She declined to explain the legal theory.
A Larimer County judge on Jan. 16 denied Holmes’ petition because she didn’t have a legal standing to file the petition.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Nico Carvacho’s double-double leads Colorado St. past Fresno St.

FRESNO , Calif. — Nico Carvacho led five players in double figures with 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and @ @ @ @ @ 80-70 on Tuesday night .
The Rams ( 17-8 , 8-4 Mountain West Conference ) @ @ @ @ @ ) for good on Carvacho ’ s jumper with 18:10 left before halftime .
They @ @ @ @ @ were up by double digits most of the second half .
A 9-2 Bulldogs run @ @ @ @ @ 2:57 remaining on Niven Hart ’ s 3-pointer .
Colorado State then scored six straight @ @ @ @ @ The Rams have won three straight and eight of their last nine .
Hart scored @ @ @ @ @ Fresno State ( 8-15 , 4-8 ) .
New Williams scored 13 and Nate Grimes @ @ @ @ @ The Bulldogs had their two-game win streak snapped .

FRESNO, Calif. — Nico Carvacho led five players in double figures with 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and Colorado State beat Fresno State 80-70 on Tuesday night.
Isaiah Stevens scored 13, Kendle Moore and Adam Thistlewood added 12 apiece and David Roddy 11.
The Rams (17-8, 8-4 Mountain West Conference) took the lead (4-3) for good on Carvacho’s jumper with 18:10 left before halftime. They led 42-30 at intermission and were up by double digits most of the second half.
A 9-2 Bulldogs run got them within 71-65 with 2:57 remaining on Niven Hart’s 3-pointer. Colorado State then scored six straight to maintain safe distance. The Rams have won three straight and eight of their last nine.
Hart scored a career-high 29 points for Fresno State (8-15, 4-8). New Williams scored 13 and Nate Grimes 10 with 11 rebounds.
The Bulldogs had their two-game win streak snapped.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Nuggets lock up Damian Lillard, pound Blazers to stay undefeated in division

Few teams have been able to solve the Damian Lillard riddle .
Portland ’ s all-star guard had laid waste to everything in his path before Nuggets wings Gary Harris and Torrey Craig got ahold of him .
On Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center , they swarmed and stifled Lillard into a rare off night .
It was part of a masterful defensive effort that gave the Nuggets a convincing 127-99 win over the Blazers , improving their record to 35-16 and 8-0 in the Northwest Division .
The Nuggets will test their division record again Wednesday night when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back-to-back set .
Nikola Jokic was dominant again , falling one assist shy of his 11th triple-double of the season .
Jokic finished with 29 points , 13 rebounds and nine assists .
Denver ’ s lead , which ballooned to as high as 34 points , allowed Jokic to sit out the entire fourth quarter , with another contest coming in less than 24 hours .
Jerami Grant added 17 points but suffered a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter and didn ’ t return .
Lillard was held to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nuggets poured it on the in third quarter .
Jamal Murray , playing in his first game since rolling his ankle Jan. 15 , scored 13 of his 20 points in the third .
He buried three 3-pointers , got to the foul line and scored with ruthless efficiency .
Will Barton connected on three 3-pointers in the quarter himself as part of Denver ’ s sizzling outside shooting night .
The Nuggets drained 17-of-34 from outside .
Portland failed to make up any ground , with each team scoring 36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth quarter up 100-74 .
Two days ahead of the trade deadline , Nuggets coach Michael Malone tried to distance himself from any potential moves they could make .
“ If you read my business card , it says head coach , ” Malone said .
“ I don ’ t get involved in that .
I talk with Tim Connelly .
I talked with Josh ( Kroenke ) today .
I let those guys handle those discussions .
We have 16 players on our roster .
If we get through Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same team , I ’ d be very happy .
… I love where our group is at and the potential that we have , especially when we ’ re healthy .
That being said , this is a business.
” No one in the NBA has been hotter than Lillard over the last two weeks .
Entering Tuesday night , Lillard had averaged 48.8 points on 57 percent shooting from the 3-point line over the last six games .
The video game numbers left Malone in awe as he scouted the matchup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there watching film in preparation for this game , you just sit back and say wow , ” Malone said .
“ He ’ s averaging 49 points a game in the last six , shooting the ball literally one dribble over halfcourt … a shot that most nights you ’ d welcome from an opponent .
We ’ re telling our guys , no , you have to be out there and guard him .
… It ’ s fun to watch .
It really is .
When you see greatness being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch that he has , you have to sit back and give him the respect and admiration it deserves .
Now I hope that we can stop it.
” Late in the first half , Lillard finally broke free for a layup .
That snapped a nine-minute stretch in which the Nuggets gave up a total of four points .
By halftime , they were up 64-38 and in complete command .
The defensive rotations were crisp , and the Nuggets hit the glass hard , building a huge 31-17 advantage on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the second quarter were a season-low .
Jokic was devastating , both from the paint and the 3-point line , totaling a game-high 21 points over the first two quarters .
He was aided by Grant , who poured in 14 points and two 3-pointers .
The two-headed tandem of Craig and Harris pestered Lillard , got in his space and made him uncomfortable .
He managed just 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting in the first half .

Few teams have been able to solve the Damian Lillard riddle.
Portland’s all-star guard had laid waste to everything in his path before Nuggets wings Gary Harris and Torrey Craig got ahold of him. On Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center, they swarmed and stifled Lillard into a rare off night. It was part of a masterful defensive effort that gave the Nuggets a convincing 127-99 win over the Blazers, improving their record to 35-16 and 8-0 in the Northwest Division.
The Nuggets will test their division record again Wednesday night when they head to Utah for yet another back-to-back set.
Nikola Jokic was dominant again, falling one assist shy of his 11th triple-double of the season. Jokic finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Denver’s lead, which ballooned to as high as 34 points, allowed Jokic to sit out the entire fourth quarter, with another contest coming in less than 24 hours. Jerami Grant added 17 points but suffered a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter and didn’t return.
Box score: Nuggets 127, Blazers 99
Lillard was held to just 21 points on 8-of-23 from the field.
The Nuggets poured it on the in third quarter. Jamal Murray, playing in his first game since rolling his ankle Jan. 15, scored 13 of his 20 points in the third. He buried three 3-pointers, got to the foul line and scored with ruthless efficiency. Will Barton connected on three 3-pointers in the quarter himself as part of Denver’s sizzling outside shooting night. The Nuggets drained 17-of-34 from outside. Portland failed to make up any ground, with each team scoring 36 points apiece, and the Nuggets entered the fourth quarter up 100-74.
Two days ahead of the trade deadline, Nuggets coach Michael Malone tried to distance himself from any potential moves they could make.
“If you read my business card, it says head coach,” Malone said. “I don’t get involved in that. I talk with Tim Connelly. I talked with Josh (Kroenke) today. I let those guys handle those discussions. We have 16 players on our roster. If we get through Thursday’s trade deadline, with the same team, I’d be very happy. … I love where our group is at and the potential that we have, especially when we’re healthy. That being said, this is a business.”
No one in the NBA has been hotter than Lillard over the last two weeks. Entering Tuesday night, Lillard had averaged 48.8 points on 57 percent shooting from the 3-point line over the last six games. The video game numbers left Malone in awe as he scouted the matchup.
“When I’m sitting there watching film in preparation for this game, you just sit back and say wow,” Malone said. “He’s averaging 49 points a game in the last six, shooting the ball literally one dribble over halfcourt … a shot that most nights you’d welcome from an opponent. We’re telling our guys, no, you have to be out there and guard him. … It’s fun to watch. It really is. When you see greatness being exhibited on the floor, during the stretch that he has, you have to sit back and give him the respect and admiration it deserves. Now I hope that we can stop it.”
Late in the first half, Lillard finally broke free for a layup. That snapped a nine-minute stretch in which the Nuggets gave up a total of four points. By halftime, they were up 64-38 and in complete command.
The defensive rotations were crisp, and the Nuggets hit the glass hard, building a huge 31-17 advantage on the boards. The 10 points they conceded in the second quarter were a season-low.
Jokic was devastating, both from the paint and the 3-point line, totaling a game-high 21 points over the first two quarters. He was aided by Grant, who poured in 14 points and two 3-pointers.
The two-headed tandem of Craig and Harris pestered Lillard, got in his space and made him uncomfortable. He managed just 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting in the first half.
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thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Denver attorney Steven Woodrow appointed to fill Colorado House seat

A Democratic Party vacancy committee voted to appoint Steven Woodrow to fill Democratic state Rep. Chris Hansen ’ s seat after he moved over to the state Senate .
The vacancy for the southeast Denver seat was left by Hansen after he was appointed as state Sen. Lois Court ’ s successor earlier this year .
Court resigned after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome .
Woodrow , a consumer rights attorney , was nominated for the House District 6 seat by Democratic Sen. Robert Rodriguez of Denver .
The attorney received 45 of the 71 votes split among seven candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Woodrow thanked those working for Democratic issues at the meeting at Christ Church United Methodist and said he was proud of the work they had accomplished .
“ If we want to leave Colorado better than we found it , then we need leaders who live and breathe our values , ” he said .
Woodrow assured the crowd that he knows what it ’ s like to be at the Capitol and to be accountable .
He cited unpaid fines by the oil and gas industry , low teacher pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues that need to be addressed .
He told The Denver Post that he recognizes he ’ s coming in to a legislative session that has already started and he will have work to do to catch up and learn , but he said he ’ s ready .
He also plans to work on getting money out of politics and to vote against any anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced this year .
Nearly a quarter of Colorado ’ s legislature has been appointed by vacancy committee , which House Speaker KC Becker acknowledged may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters this week , she ’ s not convinced there ’ s a better solution .
“ I think any system is imperfect .
No one has proposed a better system .
Frankly , there is a lot of turnover in the legislature , even without term limits , for a variety of treasons : the pay is low , the hours are long and the work can be really challenging , ” said Becker , who herself arrived at the Capitol through a vacancy committee .

A Democratic Party vacancy committee voted to appoint Steven Woodrow to fill Democratic state Rep. Chris Hansen’s seat after he moved over to the state Senate.
The vacancy for the southeast Denver seat was left by Hansen after he was appointed as state Sen. Lois Court’s successor earlier this year. Court resigned after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Woodrow, a consumer rights attorney, was nominated for the House District 6 seat by Democratic Sen. Robert Rodriguez of Denver.
The attorney received 45 of the 71 votes split among seven candidates for the vacancy, easily winning the vote. Woodrow thanked those working for Democratic issues at the meeting at Christ Church United Methodist and said he was proud of the work they had accomplished.
“If we want to leave Colorado better than we found it, then we need leaders who live and breathe our values,” he said.
Candidate Steven Woodrow, a consumer rights attorney, is backed by Sen. Robert Rodriguez. Woodrow said legislature has a lot to do re: air quality, teacher pay, oil and gas ignoring fines. pic.twitter.com/rRMj7D5mS0 — Saja Hindi (@BySajaHindi) February 5, 2020
Woodrow assured the crowd that he knows what it’s like to be at the Capitol and to be accountable. He cited unpaid fines by the oil and gas industry, low teacher pay and Denver’s air quality as issues that need to be addressed.
He told The Denver Post that he recognizes he’s coming in to a legislative session that has already started and he will have work to do to catch up and learn, but he said he’s ready. He also plans to work on getting money out of politics and to vote against any anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced this year.
Nearly a quarter of Colorado’s legislature has been appointed by vacancy committee, which House Speaker KC Becker acknowledged may not be ideal, but, she told reporters this week, she’s not convinced there’s a better solution.
“I think any system is imperfect. No one has proposed a better system. Frankly, there is a lot of turnover in the legislature, even without term limits, for a variety of reasons: The pay is low, the hours are long and the work can be really challenging,” said Becker, who herself arrived at the Capitol through a vacancy committee.
Reporter Alex Burness contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Trump uses State of Union to campaign; Pelosi rips up speech in dissent

WASHINGTON — Standing before a Congress and nation sharply divided by impeachment , President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to extol a “ Great American Comeback ” on his watch , just three years after he took office decrying a land of “ American carnage ” under his predecessor .
The partisan discord was apparent for all to see as the first president to campaign for reelection while facing impeachment vigorously made his case for another term : Republican legislators chanted “ Four More Years.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her copy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his address .
“ America ’ s enemies are on the run , America ’ s fortunes are on the rise and America ’ s future is blazing bright , ” Trump declared .
“ In just three short years , we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America ’ s destiny .
We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago , and we are never going back !
” Offering the nation ’ s economic success as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump ’ s speech resembled a lower-volume version of his campaign rallies , offering something for every section of his political base .
But while he tweets daily assailing his impeachment , Trump never mentioned the “ i-word ” in his 78-minute speech .
He spoke from the House of Representatives , on the opposite side of the Capitol from where the Senate one day later was expected to acquit him largely along party lines .
Pelosi , a frequent thorn in Trump ’ s side , created a viral image with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year ago .
This time , she was even more explicit with her very public rebuke .
Trump appeared no more cordial .
When he climbed to the House rostrum , he did not take her outstretched hand though it was not clear he had seen her gesture .
Later , as Republicans often cheered , she remained in her seat , at times shaking her head at his remarks .
Trump , the former reality TV star added a showbiz flavor to the staid event : He had wife Melania present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s highest civilian honor , to the divisive conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , who recently announced he has advanced lung cancer .
He stunned a young student in the gallery with a scholarship .
And he orchestrated the surprise tearful reunion of a solider from overseas with his family in the balcony .
Even for a Trump-era news cycle that seems permanently set to hyper-speed , the breakneck pace of events dominating the first week of February offered a singular backdrop for the president ’ s address .
Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presided in the Senate over only the third impeachment trial in the nation ’ s history , was on hand again Tuesday night — this time in his more customary seat in the audience .
Trump stood before the very lawmakers who have voted to remove him from office — and those who are expected to acquit him when the Senate trial comes to a close .
The leading Senate Democrats hoping to unseat him in November were campaigning in New Hampshire .
In advance of his address , Trump tweeted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses showed Democrats were incompetent and should not be trusted to run the government .
Among Trump ’ s guests in the chamber : Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó , who has been trying to win face time with Trump , his most important international ally .
The president offered Guaidó exactly the sort of endorsement he ’ s been looking for as he struggles to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power .
Trump called Guaidó “ the true and legitimate president of Venezuela.
” The president entered the evening on a roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his job approval numbers ticking upward and Wall Street looking strong .
H e struck a largely optimistic tone Tuesday night , though even in past moments when Trump has struck a tone of bipartisanship and cooperation , he has consistently returned to harsher rhetoric within days .
In the closest historical comparison , Bill Clinton did not mention his recent impeachment when he delivered his State of the Union in 1999 .
In his address a year ago , Trump did remain on message , making no mention of how Pelosi had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the longest government shutdown in the nation ’ s history .
Trump spent much of the speech highlighting the economy ’ s strength , including low unemployment , stressing how it has helped blue-collar workers and the middle class , though the period of growth began under his predecessor , Barack Obama .
And what Trump calls an unprecedented boom is , by many measures , not all that different from the solid economy he inherited from President Barack Obama .
Economic growth was 2.3 % in 2019 , matching the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade ago in the first year of Obama ’ s eight-year presidency Trump stressed the new trade agreements he has negotiated , including his phase-one deal with China and the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement he signed last month .
While the White House said the president would have a message of unity , he also spent time on issues that have created great division and resonated with his political base .
He attacked Democrats ’ health care proposals for being too intrusive and again highlighted his signature issue — immigration — trumpeting the miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also dedicated a section to “ American values , ” discussing efforts to protect “ religious liberties ” and limit access to abortion as he continues to court the evangelical and conservative Christian voters who form a crucial part of his base .
The Democrats were supplying plenty of counter-programming , focusing on health care — the issue key to their takeover of the House last year .
Trump , for his part , vowed to not allow a “ socialist takeover of our health care system ” a swipe at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of his Democratic challengers .
Many female Democrats were wearing white as tribute to the suffragettes , while a number in the party were wearing red , white and blue-striped lapel pins to highlight climate change , saying Trump has rolled back environmental safeguards and given free rein to polluters .
Several Democratic lawmakers , including California Rep. Maxine Waters and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , announced in advance of the speech that they would be skipping it , with the high-profile New York freshman tweeting that she would “ not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normalize Trump ’ s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution.
” Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer delivered her party ’ s official response and drew a contrast between actions taken by Democrats and the president ’ s rhetoric .
“ It doesn ’ t matter what the president says about the stock market , ” Whitmer said .
“ What matters is that millions of people struggle to get by or don ’ t have enough money at the end of the month after paying for transportation , student loans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superville , Aamer Madhani in Washington and David Eggert in Lansing , Michigan , contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — Standing before a Congress and nation sharply divided by impeachment, President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to extol a “Great American Comeback” on his watch, just three years after he took office decrying a land of “American carnage” under his predecessor.
The partisan discord was apparent for all to see as the first president to campaign for reelection while facing impeachment vigorously made his case for another term: Republican legislators chanted “Four More Years.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her copy of Trump’s speech as he ended his address.
“America’s enemies are on the run, America’s fortunes are on the rise and America’s future is blazing bright,” Trump declared. “In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny. We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back!”
Offering the nation’s economic success as the chief rationale for a second term, Trump’s speech resembled a lower-volume version of his campaign rallies, offering something for every section of his political base.
But while he tweets daily assailing his impeachment, Trump never mentioned the “i-word” in his 78-minute speech. He spoke from the House of Representatives, on the opposite side of the Capitol from where the Senate one day later was expected to acquit him largely along party lines.
Pelosi, a frequent thorn in Trump’s side, created a viral image with her seemingly sarcastic applause of the president a year ago. This time, she was even more explicit with her very public rebuke.
Trump appeared no more cordial. When he climbed to the House rostrum, he did not take her outstretched hand though it was not clear he had seen her gesture. Later, as Republicans often cheered, she remained in her seat, at times shaking her head at his remarks.
Trump, the former reality TV star added a showbiz flavor to the staid event: He had wife Melania present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to the divisive conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who recently announced he has advanced lung cancer.
He stunned a young student in the gallery with a scholarship. And he orchestrated the surprise tearful reunion of a solider from overseas with his family in the balcony.
Even for a Trump-era news cycle that seems permanently set to hyper-speed, the breakneck pace of events dominating the first week of February offered a singular backdrop for the president’s address.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who has presided in the Senate over only the third impeachment trial in the nation’s history, was on hand again Tuesday night — this time in his more customary seat in the audience. Trump stood before the very lawmakers who have voted to remove him from office — and those who are expected to acquit him when the Senate trial comes to a close.
The leading Senate Democrats hoping to unseat him in November were campaigning in New Hampshire.
In advance of his address, Trump tweeted that the chaos in Iowa’s Monday leadoff caucuses showed Democrats were incompetent and should not be trusted to run the government.
Among Trump’s guests in the chamber: Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has been trying to win face time with Trump, his most important international ally.
The president offered Guaidó exactly the sort of endorsement he’s been looking for as he struggles to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power. Trump called Guaidó “the true and legitimate president of Venezuela.”
“Socialism destroys nations,” Trump declared.
The president entered the evening on a roll, with his impeachment acquittal imminent, his job approval numbers ticking upward and Wall Street looking strong. H e struck a largely optimistic tone Tuesday night, though even in past moments when Trump has struck a tone of bipartisanship and cooperation, he has consistently returned to harsher rhetoric within days.
In the closest historical comparison, Bill Clinton did not mention his recent impeachment when he delivered his State of the Union in 1999. In his address a year ago, Trump did remain on message, making no mention of how Pelosi had originally disinvited him from delivering the speech during the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history.
Trump spent much of the speech highlighting the economy’s strength, including low unemployment, stressing how it has helped blue-collar workers and the middle class, though the period of growth began under his predecessor, Barack Obama. And what Trump calls an unprecedented boom is, by many measures, not all that different from the solid economy he inherited from President Barack Obama. Economic growth was 2.3% in 2019, matching the average pace since the Great Recession ended a decade ago in the first year of Obama’s eight-year presidency
Trump stressed the new trade agreements he has negotiated, including his phase-one deal with China and the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement he signed last month.
While the White House said the president would have a message of unity, he also spent time on issues that have created great division and resonated with his political base. He attacked Democrats’ health care proposals for being too intrusive and again highlighted his signature issue — immigration — trumpeting the miles of border wall that have been constructed.
He also dedicated a section to “American values,” discussing efforts to protect “religious liberties” and limit access to abortion as he continues to court the evangelical and conservative Christian voters who form a crucial part of his base.
The Democrats were supplying plenty of counter-programming, focusing on health care — the issue key to their takeover of the House last year. Trump, for his part, vowed to not allow a “socialist takeover of our health care system” a swipe at the Medicare For All proposal endorsed by some of his Democratic challengers.
Many female Democrats were wearing white as tribute to the suffragettes, while a number in the party were wearing red, white and blue-striped lapel pins to highlight climate change, saying Trump has rolled back environmental safeguards and given free rein to polluters.
Several Democratic lawmakers, including California Rep. Maxine Waters and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, announced in advance of the speech that they would be skipping it, with the high-profile New York freshman tweeting that she would “not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her party’s official response and drew a contrast between actions taken by Democrats and the president’s rhetoric.
“It doesn’t matter what the president says about the stock market,” Whitmer said. “What matters is that millions of people struggle to get by or don’t have enough money at the end of the month after paying for transportation, student loans, or prescription drugs.”
AP writers Darlene Superville, Aamer Madhani in Washington and David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report.