thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Lockheed Martin and partners celebrate first-ever in-orbit collection of material from an asteroid

Scientists , engineers and other employees of Lockheed Martin Space , NASA and the University of Arizona cheered and did coronavirus-era elbow bumps Tuesday when a spacecraft collecting the first-ever sample from an asteroid successfully carried out the maneuver .
The mission is part of NASA ’ s ongoing effort to understand more about how the solar system was formed , how life began and what resources might be available for longer trips in space .
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft , designed and built by Lockheed Martin at its Waterton campus in Jefferson County , will get ready for its journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of September 2023 .
“ This could not have gone any better .
This spacecraft is amazing and everything we ask of it , it does .
Everything we ask of this team , it does just perfectly , ” said Beth Buck , the program manager for Lockheed Martin .
The collection of regolith , or dirt-like material on the surface , is the culmination of a trek that started in September 2016 .
The OSIRIS-REx , or the Origins , Spectral Interpretation , Resource Identification , Security-Regolith Explorer , was launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canaveral in Florida .
It took the spacecraft two years to reach the asteroid , which is 200 million miles from Earth .
In 2019 , the craft completed a global survey of the asteroid , named Bennu , mapping its surface , geology and other features and preparing for the maneuver to collect the sample .
The spacecraft had to get in sync with the asteroid , which orbits the sun at 61,300 mph .
As it approached the surface of the asteroid , which is about 0.31 of a mile in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennu ’ s rotation .
To gather the sample , OSIRIS-REx played TAG .
Lockheed Martin built what it named Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism , or TAGSAM , a kind of reverse vacuum to extract the material .
A robotic arm extends and the device blows compressed nitrogen gas to stir up the dirt and collect a couple of ounces in a ring-shaped canister .
The craft didn ’ t land on the surface and had only a few seconds to gather the material because of the challenges of operating in low gravity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team members should know by Saturday if enough of the regolith was collected .
If more samples are needed , the plan is to try again in January .
Beau Bierhaus helped design , engineer and test TAGSAM .
He became the lead scientist when Jim Harris , the original lead designer , retired .
He has worked on the program since 2004 , after NASA approved the company ’ s proposal .
“ I have a hard time articulating how exciting it is , ” Bierhaus said in the mission support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours before the craft descended to the surface .
“ I guess the best way that I can try to put into words what I ’ m feeling is that I have spent 16 years of my life building up to this moment.
” Many people have invested their “ time and energy and late nights and weekends ” to getting to this point , Bierhaus said .
“ If you think about a sports team , they spend a season getting to the Super Bowl or something , and we have spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it all happens in a span of just a few seconds , ” he added .
Lockheed Martin built the OSIRIS-REx by drawing on several of its previous crafts and incorporating new technology .
It has instruments that were used to measure and map the asteroid , including cameras , infrared spectrometers and LIDAR , which uses lasers to measure distances and generate three-dimensional information .
Once the craft started transmitting images from the asteroid , it became clear that it was much rockier than scientists had anticipated .
They gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s about two stories tall .
Ryan Olds , Lockheed Martin ’ s manager of guidance , navigation and controls for the program , said the team developed a new technology called natural feature tracking specifically for the mission .
He compared the process to a kind of facial recognition technology for tracking the asteroid ’ s landscape , helping the craft navigate to the sample site by checking for landmarks that were mapped .
The spacecraft ’ s dimensions are 20.25 feet long , 8 feet wide and 10.33 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long .
Trevor Perkins , a systems engineer , joined the OSIRIS-REx team about two years ago , when the spacecraft had reached the asteroid .
He said the team had to redesign the navigation process , requiring changes to the flight software and other systems .
Exploring and understanding more about the solar system is important , Perkins said .
“ It answers kind of every question that ’ s embedded in us as a human species .
Where did we come from ?
Are we alone in the universe ?
”

Scientists, engineers and other employees of Lockheed Martin Space, NASA and the University of Arizona cheered and did coronavirus-era elbow bumps Tuesday when a spacecraft collecting NASA’s first-ever sample from an asteroid successfully carried out the maneuver.
The mission is part of NASA’s ongoing effort to understand more about how the solar system was formed, how life began and what resources might be available for longer trips in space.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, designed and built by Lockheed Martin at its Waterton campus in Jefferson County, will get ready for its journey back to Earth with an arrival date of September 2023.
“This could not have gone any better. This spacecraft is amazing and everything we ask of it, it does. Everything we ask of this team, it does just perfectly,” said Beth Buck, the program manager for Lockheed Martin.
The collection of regolith, or dirt-like material on the surface, is the culmination of a trek that started in September 2016. The OSIRIS-REx, or the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, was launched by Centennial-based United Launch Alliance from Cape Canaveral in Florida. It took the spacecraft two years to reach the asteroid, which is 200 million miles from Earth.
In 2019, the craft completed a global survey of the asteroid, named Bennu, mapping its surface, geology and other features and preparing for the maneuver to collect the sample. The spacecraft had to get in sync with the asteroid, which orbits the sun at 61,300 mph. As it approached the surface of the asteroid, which is about 0.31 of a mile in diameter, the craft had to match Bennu’s rotation.
To gather the sample, OSIRIS-REx played TAG. Lockheed Martin built what it named Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism, or TAGSAM, a kind of reverse vacuum to extract the material. A robotic arm extends and the device blows compressed nitrogen gas to stir up the dirt and collect a couple of ounces in a ring-shaped canister.
The craft didn’t land on the surface and had only a few seconds to gather the material because of the challenges of operating in low gravity. Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Dani Hauf said the team members should know by Saturday if enough of the regolith was collected.
If more samples are needed, the plan is to try again in January.
Beau Bierhaus helped design, engineer and test TAGSAM. He became the lead scientist when Jim Harris, the original lead designer, retired. He has worked on the program since 2004, after NASA approved the company’s proposal.
“I have a hard time articulating how exciting it is,” Bierhaus said in the mission support area at Lockheed Martin a couple of hours before the craft descended to the surface. “I guess the best way that I can try to put into words what I’m feeling is that I have spent 16 years of my life building up to this moment.”
Many people have invested their “time and energy and late nights and weekends” to getting to this point, Bierhaus said.
“If you think about a sports team, they spend a season getting to the Super Bowl or something, and we have spent 16 years getting to this point, and it all happens in a span of just a few seconds,” he added.
Lockheed Martin built the OSIRIS-REx by drawing on several of its previous crafts and incorporating new technology. It has instruments that were used to measure and map the asteroid, including cameras, infrared spectrometers and LIDAR, which uses lasers to measure distances and generate three-dimensional information.
Once the craft started transmitting images from the asteroid, it became clear that it was much rockier than scientists had anticipated. They gave the name Mount Doom to one massive boulder that’s about two stories tall.
Ryan Olds, Lockheed Martin’s manager of guidance, navigation and controls for the program, said the team developed a new technology called natural feature tracking specifically for the mission. He compared the process to a kind of facial recognition technology for tracking the asteroid’s landscape, helping the craft navigate to the sample site by checking for landmarks that were mapped.
The spacecraft’s dimensions are 20.25 feet long, 8 feet wide and 10.33 feet tall. The TAGSAM is 11 feet long.
Trevor Perkins, a systems engineer, joined the OSIRIS-REx team about two years ago, when the spacecraft had reached the asteroid. He said the team had to redesign the navigation process, requiring changes to the flight software and other systems.
Exploring and understanding more about the solar system is important, Perkins said. “It answers kind of every question that’s embedded in us as a human species. Where did we come from? Are we alone in the universe?”


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Aramark informs Colorado it will lay off 975 workers, most at Coors Field

Aramark , one of the nation ’ s largest foodservice contractors , informed the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that it will let go of 975 workers in the state .
“ Aramark has experienced unprecedented disruption to our business caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic , ” the company informed the state in two separate letters filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act .
The company plans to dismiss 71 bartenders at the Mission Ballroom in Denver and 904 workers at Coors Field , where the Colorado Rockies play , according to the letters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs cut at Coors Field include beverage attendants , cashiers , cooks , food prep workers , bussers , hosts , security workers , suite attendants and food stand staff .
“ We expect these actions to be temporary and look forward to returning to regular operations as venues are permitted to reopen and attendance restrictions are lifted , ” David Freireich , a spokesman for the Philadelphia-based concessionaire , said in an email .
Weekly COVID-19 cases reached a record high of 6,722 cases last week , more than triple the recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of August , according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
City and county governments have imposed additional restrictions in response .
In the summer of 2019 , Kroenke Sports & Entertainment , owner of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets , dropped Aramark as its vendor at the Pepsi Center .
That resulted in the layoff of 185 workers at Aramark and another 85 at Levy Premium Foodservice , which handled the fine dining .

Aramark, one of the nation’s largest foodservice contractors, informed the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that it will let go of 975 workers in the state.
“Aramark has experienced unprecedented disruption to our business caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic,” the company informed the state in two separate letters filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The company plans to dismiss 71 bartenders at the Mission Ballroom in Denver and 904 workers at Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies play, according to the letters, which the state received Tuesday. The jobs cut at Coors Field include beverage attendants, cashiers, cooks, food prep workers, bussers, hosts, security workers, suite attendants and food stand staff.
“We expect these actions to be temporary and look forward to returning to regular operations as venues are permitted to reopen and attendance restrictions are lifted,” David Freireich, a spokesman for the Philadelphia-based concessionaire, said in an email.
Weekly COVID-19 cases reached a record high of 6,722 cases last week, more than triple the recent low of 2,016 seen in the last week of August, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. City and county governments have imposed additional restrictions in response.
In the summer of 2019, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets, dropped Aramark as its vendor at the Pepsi Center. That resulted in the layoff of 185 workers at Aramark and another 85 at Levy Premium Foodservice, which handled the fine dining.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Judge approves $78M overtime settlement by Colorado air medical company

OAKLAND , Calif. — A judge has given final approval to a $ 78 million settlement by a Colorado medical helicopter company that was sued by its California flight crew employees over unpaid overtime and missed breaks .
The decision last week by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith came three months after Air Methods Corporation of Greenwood Village agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit .
Smith gave preliminary approval in July .
Air Methods also is expected to pay daily overtime to its California medical flight crews starting from June 28 — resulting in an estimated 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Mercury News reported in July .
Air Methods is one of the nation ’ s largest air medical transport companies and operates helicopter bases in multiple states .
Teams of nurses and paramedics are dispatched in its aircraft , often to remote areas .
Air Methods was accused of refusing to pay daily overtime for California crews working more than eight hours a day .
The employees commonly worked 24-hour shifts , according to attorney James Sitkin , who represented the crews .
He alleged that Air Methods did not allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest breaks .
The company said in a statement Tuesday that it “ decided it was time to put these issues to rest and do what is best is for our California clinicians and Air Methods by making the changes in June instead of waiting for the court to decide this issue.
” “ These changes are focused on how we treat uninterrupted sleep time under state overtime requirements , our approach to California daily and weekly overtime , and meal and rest periods .
These changes in our pay practices will result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AMC clinicians in California , ” the statement said .
It ’ s estimated each plaintiff will receive more than $ 100,000 each , on average , the newspaper reported in July .

OAKLAND, Calif. — A judge has given final approval to a $78 million settlement by a Colorado medical helicopter company that was sued by its California flight crew employees over unpaid overtime and missed breaks.
The decision last week by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith came three months after Air Methods Corporation of Greenwood Village agreed to settle the class-action lawsuit. Smith gave preliminary approval in July.
Air Methods also is expected to pay daily overtime to its California medical flight crews starting from June 28 — resulting in an estimated 20% or more increase to their salaries, the Mercury News reported in July.
Air Methods is one of the nation’s largest air medical transport companies and operates helicopter bases in multiple states. Teams of nurses and paramedics are dispatched in its aircraft, often to remote areas.
Air Methods was accused of refusing to pay daily overtime for California crews working more than eight hours a day. The employees commonly worked 24-hour shifts, according to attorney James Sitkin, who represented the crews. He alleged that Air Methods did not allow crews to take off-duty meal breaks or rest breaks.
The company said in a statement Tuesday that it “decided it was time to put these issues to rest and do what is best is for our California clinicians and Air Methods by making the changes in June instead of waiting for the court to decide this issue.”
“These changes are focused on how we treat uninterrupted sleep time under state overtime requirements, our approach to California daily and weekly overtime, and meal and rest periods. These changes in our pay practices will result in a gross pay increase for all AMC clinicians in California,” the statement said.
It’s estimated each plaintiff will receive more than $100,000 each, on average, the newspaper reported in July.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Colorado weather: Major pattern change to bring big cool down, widespread snow?

If you are a warm weather lover , you better savor Wednesday and Thursday .
A significant pattern change is set to get underway beginning Thursday night as the first of two cold fronts arrive in Colorado .
Ahead of the front , temperatures in the lower elevations will generally soar into the 70s , with 50s and 60s even common in the higher terrain .
By dinnertime Thursday , the mercury will begin dropping quickly from northeast to southwest across the state , with much of the state waking up well below freezing by Friday morning .
For northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accompanied by low clouds , fog and mist , keeping Friday afternoon highs stuck in the 40s .
After a brief milder , sunnier break on Saturday , a second , stronger cold front will arrive Saturday night .
Cold northeasterly winds will be on the increase , as will the moisture .
Snow is expected to break out from north to south during the night and could last through much of the day on Sunday , as temperatures fail to climb above the freezing mark .
While it is still a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer models continue to indicate that snow will accumulate over nearly all of Colorado , with the potential for a moderate to significant accumulation along the Front Range and in the Denver metro area .
Even more importantly , this set up offers increasing hope for the state ’ s first widespread precipitation event since early September .
Denver has not recorded any precipitation to-date during the month of October for the first time since 1975 , as the drought continues to deepen .
So , whether you enjoy snow or not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the water department .
Conveniently , this week is also Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado .
You can learn about the National Weather Service ’ s mission for getting you prepared for the winter season ahead at https : //www.weather.gov/bou/winter_wx_preparedness_week .
In the meantime , start preparing for much colder weather and snow to arrive this weekend .

If you are a warm weather lover, you better savor Wednesday and Thursday. A significant pattern change is set to get underway beginning Thursday night as the first of two cold fronts arrive in Colorado.
Ahead of the front, temperatures in the lower elevations will generally soar into the 70s, with 50s and 60s even common in the higher terrain. By dinnertime Thursday, the mercury will begin dropping quickly from northeast to southwest across the state, with much of the state waking up well below freezing by Friday morning. For northern and eastern Colorado, this will be accompanied by low clouds, fog and mist, keeping Friday afternoon highs stuck in the 40s.
After a brief milder, sunnier break on Saturday, a second, stronger cold front will arrive Saturday night. Cold northeasterly winds will be on the increase, as will the moisture. Snow is expected to break out from north to south during the night and could last through much of the day on Sunday, as temperatures fail to climb above the freezing mark.
While it is still a little early to talk about specific amounts, computer models continue to indicate that snow will accumulate over nearly all of Colorado, with the potential for a moderate to significant accumulation along the Front Range and in the Denver metro area.
Even more importantly, this set up offers increasing hope for the state’s first widespread precipitation event since early September. Denver has not recorded any precipitation to date during the month of October for the first time since 1975, as the drought continues to deepen. So, whether you enjoy snow or not, this upcoming storm will be extremely beneficial in the water department.
What does a winter storm watch and warning mean? When should I take action? Learn this & more this week @NWSBoulder! #cowx #wintersafety pic.twitter.com/HThbUqFMsf — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) October 20, 2020
Conveniently, this week is also Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Colorado. You can learn about the National Weather Service’s mission for getting you prepared for the winter season ahead at https://www.weather.gov/bou/winter_wx_preparedness_week.
In the meantime, start preparing for much colder weather and snow to arrive this weekend.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Broncos NFL power rankings tracker: How national experts rank Denver entering Week 7

After beating the Patriots in Foxborough , Massachusetts , for the first time since 2006 , the Broncos received some love from the national media in this week ’ s NFL power rankings .
Back-to-back wins have renewed Denver ’ s playoff hopes .
But first , can they get past Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs ?
Here ’ s a look at how various national experts rated the Broncos in their power rankings entering Week 7 : Bleacher Report ( No .
23 ) | Last week : No .
27 “ The Broncos got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 trip to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots , and they were able to gut out the win on the road .
But they didn ’ t win because of their young quarterback ; they won in spite of him .
… There shouldn ’ t be much celebrating in the Mile High City , though .
If the Broncos play like that against the Chiefs in Week 7 , things will get ugly.
” See the full rankings .
CBS Sports ( No .
20 ) | Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England , which is two wins in a row , is a good sign for this young group .
The defense came up big against the Pats , ” Pete Prisco writes .
See the full rankings .
ESPN ( No .
24 ) | Last week : No .
28 “ Only Dak Prescott ’ s injury might have the same kind of impact to a player ’ s franchise .
Miller is the Broncos ’ hub , the guy who put a third Lombardi in the trophy case in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also was the center of their preseason defensive plan .
With Miller and Bradley Chubb , and with Jurrell Casey in the middle of the defense , the Broncos were expected to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks .
Without Miller — Casey later suffered a season-ending torn biceps — the Broncos have had to blitz far more than they ’ d like to .
They are tied for 11th in the league in sacks but are taking more risks to do it , ” Jeff Legwold writes .
See the full rankings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ | Last week : No .
27 “ That ’ s two wins in a row — 17 days apart — for the Broncos , who delivered a ( mostly ) crisp effort after a long layoff connected to positive coronavirus tests for the Patriots .
Winning in Foxborough isn ’ t the same achievement it used to be , but Denver deserves credit for throttling Cam Newton and staving off a potential collapse after Drew Lock threw a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter .
Lock failed to get the Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lineup , but he moved the offense and set the table for Brandon McManus , who drilled six field goals .
McManus is a weapon — the best kicker in the league not named Justin Tucker , ” Dan Hanzus writes .
See the full rankings .
Sporting News ( No .
20 ) | Last week : No .
29 “ The Broncos got Drew Lock back and he didn ’ t play well , but thanks to their defense and running game , without Melvin Gordon , Vic Fangio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory in New England .
They can get back into the division playoff mix with the Chiefs and Chargers next , ” Vinnie Iyer writes .
See the full rankings .
Sports Illustrated ( No .
21 ) | Last week : No .
27 “ The Broncos ’ defense deserves plenty of credit for showing up in Foxboro this weekend , but it ’ s awfully tough to win without turning field goal drives into touchdowns .
Still , Denver somewhat quietly has a decent resume , with close losses to Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple wins .
Getting Drew Lock back in the lineup is a huge boost , but his stat line ( 10-for-24 for 189 yards and two interceptions ) is not what they wanted to see .
This is another team battered by injuries that I just have a hard time seeing in the playoff hunt when the dust settles , ” Mitch Goldich writes .
See the full rankings .
• New week brings new protocols for Broncos ’ players , coaches • Newman : Brandon McManus is NFL ’ s best kicker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ improbable playoff chances • Broncos Mailbag : Why is receiver DaeSean Hamilton continuing to get playing time ?
• Keeler : Why Broncos have a shot at the playoffs , and nobody should apologize for beating a bad Bill Belichick team • Coming off consecutive wins , Broncos face “ a major challenge ” in extending momentum against defending champion Chiefs USA Today ( No .
21 ) | Last week : No .
27 “ Can they build momentum after upset in New England ?
Not if K Brandon McManus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , ” Nate Davis writes .
See the full rankings .
Yahoo Sports ( No .
21 ) | Last week : No .
27 “ The Broncos are doing OK filling in for injuries .
Tim Patrick has emerged as a nice option with Courtland Sutton on IR .
Phillip Lindsay returned and played really well with Melvin Gordon out .
The defense had a nice game despite its injuries .
But they ’ re going to need Drew Lock to play better to keep winning games , ” Frank Schwab @ @ @ @ @ @ @

After beating the Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts, for the first time since 2006, the Broncos received some love from the national media in this week’s NFL power rankings.
Back-to-back wins have renewed Denver’s playoff hopes. But first, can they get past Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs?
Here’s a look at how various national experts rated the Broncos in their power rankings entering Week 7:
Bleacher Report (No. 23) | Last week: No. 27
“The Broncos got Lock back in time for a Week 6 trip to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots, and they were able to gut out the win on the road. But they didn’t win because of their young quarterback; they won in spite of him. … There shouldn’t be much celebrating in the Mile High City, though. If the Broncos play like that against the Chiefs in Week 7, things will get ugly.” See the full rankings.
CBS Sports (No. 20) | Last week: No. 25
“Winning at New England, which is two wins in a row, is a good sign for this young group. The defense came up big against the Pats,” Pete Prisco writes. See the full rankings.
ESPN (No. 24) | Last week: No. 28
“Only Dak Prescott’s injury might have the same kind of impact to a player’s franchise. Miller is the Broncos’ hub, the guy who put a third Lombardi in the trophy case in the lobby of the team’s complex. He also was the center of their preseason defensive plan. With Miller and Bradley Chubb, and with Jurrell Casey in the middle of the defense, the Broncos were expected to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Without Miller — Casey later suffered a season-ending torn biceps — the Broncos have had to blitz far more than they’d like to. They are tied for 11th in the league in sacks but are taking more risks to do it,” Jeff Legwold writes. See the full rankings.
NFL.com (No. 21) | Last week: No. 27
“That’s two wins in a row — 17 days apart — for the Broncos, who delivered a (mostly) crisp effort after a long layoff connected to positive coronavirus tests for the Patriots. Winning in Foxborough isn’t the same achievement it used to be, but Denver deserves credit for throttling Cam Newton and staving off a potential collapse after Drew Lock threw a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter. Lock failed to get the Broncos into the end zone in his return to the lineup, but he moved the offense and set the table for Brandon McManus, who drilled six field goals. McManus is a weapon — the best kicker in the league not named Justin Tucker,” Dan Hanzus writes. See the full rankings.
Sporting News (No. 20) | Last week: No. 29
“The Broncos got Drew Lock back and he didn’t play well, but thanks to their defense and running game, without Melvin Gordon, Vic Fangio’s team grinded to an unlikely victory in New England. They can get back into the division playoff mix with the Chiefs and Chargers next,” Vinnie Iyer writes. See the full rankings.
Sports Illustrated (No. 21) | Last week: No. 27
“The Broncos’ defense deserves plenty of credit for showing up in Foxboro this weekend, but it’s awfully tough to win without turning field goal drives into touchdowns. Still, Denver somewhat quietly has a decent resume, with close losses to Tennessee and Pittsburgh aging well and now a couple wins. Getting Drew Lock back in the lineup is a huge boost, but his stat line (10-for-24 for 189 yards and two interceptions) is not what they wanted to see. This is another team battered by injuries that I just have a hard time seeing in the playoff hunt when the dust settles,” Mitch Goldich writes. See the full rankings.
USA Today (No. 21) | Last week: No. 27
“Can they build momentum after upset in New England? Not if K Brandon McManus is only source of points Sunday against Kansas City,” Nate Davis writes. See the full rankings.
Yahoo Sports (No. 21) | Last week: No. 27
“The Broncos are doing OK filling in for injuries. Tim Patrick has emerged as a nice option with Courtland Sutton on IR. Phillip Lindsay returned and played really well with Melvin Gordon out. The defense had a nice game despite its injuries. But they’re going to need Drew Lock to play better to keep winning games,” Frank Schwab writes. See the full rankings.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Golf in Colorado surges during pandemic with potential for 2-million rounds played in 2020

Overland Park Golf Course was shut down for six weeks before reopening in late April with an uncertain summer ahead .
Would Colorado golfers be willing to play in a pandemic ?
Good luck booking a tee time if the weather is good .
“ It ’ s been the craziest year I ’ ve ever seen , ” said Joe Pinson , a Denver native and head golf pro at Overland Park .
“ We have not had a break on our tee sheets .
We ’ re basically full , from sun-up to sun-down.
” Public golf courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a roughly 20-percent rise in rounds played this year and that ’ s despite being closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus .
Ed Mate , executive director of the Colorado Golf Association , said : “ I ’ ve heard from some private clubs , anecdotally , that they ’ ve increased their rounds by 100 percent in a given month.
” The CGA compiles an annual survey of public course operators , and prior to this year , the state averaged about 1.5 million-1.7 million rounds played .
That number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot .
“ I wouldn ’ t be surprised if we break the two-million round barrier , ” Mate said .
“ We didn ’ t launch some great new marketing idea or treat people differently when they showed up at the golf course .
We were just the lucky recipients of a cultural paradigm .
“ I think the future depends entirely on how long it lasts.
” The state ’ s golf boon is explained by Coloradans limited by coronavirus restrictions finding outdoor refuge in a socially-distanced activity shared among friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carts , pins can not be removed from holes , and clubhouses are expected to enforce county-mandated mask policies .
Quinn Botkins , 36 , is a Littleton resident who might have played golf once or twice a year in years past .
The pandemic changed all that .
Botkins estimates he ’ s gotten in at least 20 rounds between this summer and fall .
His wife also began playing for the first time .
“ It ’ s sort of replaced date night for us at restaurants , ” Botkins said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it ’ s also really rewarding when you actually string a couple of good shots together .
You just kind of forget what ’ s going on in the world .
I ’ m able to just turn my phone off.
” However , Botkins admits he is lucky to have a friend who handles booking tee times .
Botkins said : “ He stays up until midnight when the day turns over and tries to catch tee times .
Even then it can be difficult .
The popularity has gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward for Colorado golf operators is capitalizing on the current craze with sustained player growth when the pandemic is over .
A new generation of golfers is being exposed to the game at a record pace .
“ I ’ ve been in the golf business now for 30 years and I ’ ve never seen anything like it , ” Mate said .
“ It ’ s been a perfect storm .
”

Overland Park Golf Course was shut down for six weeks before reopening in late April with an uncertain summer ahead. Would Colorado golfers be willing to play in a pandemic?
Now, fast-forward six months.
Good luck booking a tee time.
“It’s been the craziest year I’ve ever seen,” said Joe Pinson, a Denver native and head golf pro at Overland Park. “We have not had a break on our tee sheets. We’re basically full, from sun-up to sun-down.”
Colorado’s golf renaissance is real.
Public golf courses operated by the City of Denver report a roughly 20-percent rise in rounds played this year and that’s despite being closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus. Ed Mate, executive director of the Colorado Golf Association, said: “I’ve heard from some private clubs, anecdotally, that they’ve increased their rounds by 100 percent in a given month.”
The CGA compiles an annual survey of public course operators, and prior to this year, the state averaged about 1.5 million-1.7 million rounds played. That number is about to rise, by a lot.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we break the two-million round barrier,” Mate said. “We didn’t launch some great new marketing idea or treat people differently when they showed up at the golf course. We were just the lucky recipients of a cultural paradigm.
“I think the future depends entirely on how long it lasts.”
The state’s golf boon is explained by Coloradans limited by coronavirus restrictions finding outdoor refuge in a socially-distanced activity shared among friends. Golf operators continue to offer single-rider carts, pins cannot be removed from holes, and clubhouses are expected to enforce county-mandated mask policies.
Quinn Botkins, 36, is a Littleton resident who might have played golf once or twice a year in years past. The pandemic changed all that. Botkins estimates he’s gotten in at least 20 rounds between this summer and fall. His wife also began playing for the first time.
“It’s sort of replaced date night for us at restaurants,” Botkins said. “It’s super hard, but it’s also really rewarding when you actually string a couple of good shots together. You just kind of forget what’s going on in the world. I’m able to just turn my phone off.”
However, Botkins admits he is lucky to have a friend who handles booking tee times. Botkins said: “He stays up until midnight when the day turns over and tries to catch tee times. Even then it can be difficult. The popularity has gone through the roof.”
The challenge moving forward for Colorado golf operators is capitalizing on the current craze with sustained player growth when the pandemic is over. A new generation of golfers is being exposed to the game at a record pace.
“I’ve been in the golf business now for 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Mate said. “It’s been a perfect storm.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Ask Amy: These office mates cannot be friends

Dear Amy : I have known “ Camilla ” for 20 years .
She is the closest friend I have , but I know she doesn ’ t feel the same about me .
Instead , she tends to lean on me when her actual closest friend , “ Elizabeth , ” hurts her in some way .
The three of us all work together .
Over the last three months , Camilla has leaned on me a lot , confiding in me that she was trying to find a way to extract herself from her friendship with Elizabeth without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago , Camilla literally yelled at me — in front of Elizabeth — for no reason other than Camilla had just gotten a bad haircut and I happened to walk into the room as she was telling Elizabeth about it .
I was so mortified that I just backed out of the room .
It also happened to be Camilla ’ s birthday .
Just three hours earlier she was opening a birthday gift from me , telling me how much she loved it , and me .
Now she has stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my texts .
I am deeply hurt by this .
It may be time for me to redefine my relationship with her .
I love her dearly , and I understand that she doesn ’ t consider me her closest friend , but this recent berating and subsequent cold shoulder are not acceptable in my mind .
Am I overreacting ?
What do I say to her the next time Elizabeth hurts her and she wants a shoulder to cry on ?
Dear Hurting : Life at your office seems like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to diminish how hurt you feel , but to advise you to step carefully .
So yes — “ redefine , ” and do so quickly , while you still seem to hold a shred of affection for “ Camilla ” ( why you do is something of a mystery ) .
If she comes to you complaining about “ Elizabeth , ” listen , don ’ t react , say something innocuous , like , “ Well , that ’ s a shame , ” and then tell her you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidles up to you , wanting to be closer , you should continue to be neutral and noncommittal .
In addition to taking the air out of this “ mean girl ’ s ” balloon , you caring much less will also drive her just a little bit bananas .
Dear Amy : After sheltering in place for over six months now , several girlfriends and I began planning a weekend away together .
As we were planning our time together , one friend asked if she could invite her roommate .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone I didn ’ t know as well , but I told myself , “ If I feel like I need to get away , she probably does , too !
” , so we extended the invitation .
Then the friend asked if we could stay at a pet-friendly place so her dog could come .
I would prefer not .
The rest of us are making arrangements for the children we are leaving behind , and I would prefer it if this friend would also make arrangements to leave her dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or make peace with my disappointment ?
— Trying to Please Everyone Dear Trying to Please : You should ask yourself why you believe that you are of so little consequence that you can ’ t even answer a simple question , posed respectfully .
Remember : Anyone can ask for anything , but that doesn ’ t obligate you to agree to their “ ask.
” The question is : “ Hey , could we stay at a pet-friendly place , because I would like to bring my dog….
” Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are all leaving our kids and pets behind.
” If your other friends are co-planning and co-paying for this getaway , and they all want to spend their time with your friend ’ s dog , then you will be overruled .
Then it would be time for you to find a way to make peace with your disappointment .
Dear Amy : I signed my letter to you , “ Sad and Confused.
” I wondered whether to travel to see my 87-year-old father , who was dying .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did go to visit my dad .
We were able to see him for about a half-hour .
During that time he was completely cognizant and lucid .
It was amazing .
We talked about the family and even had him laughing .
There were no sad goodbyes .
I just want to say that I wouldn ’ t trade that half-hour for anything .
It was worth the 14-hour drive and all the complications .
Dear No Longer Sad : You did the right thing .

Dear Amy: I have known “Camilla” for 20 years. She is the closest friend I have, but I know she doesn’t feel the same about me. Instead, she tends to lean on me when her actual closest friend, “Elizabeth,” hurts her in some way. The three of us all work together.
Over the last three months, Camilla has leaned on me a lot, confiding in me that she was trying to find a way to extract herself from her friendship with Elizabeth without too much drama.
However, two weeks ago, Camilla literally yelled at me — in front of Elizabeth — for no reason other than Camilla had just gotten a bad haircut and I happened to walk into the room as she was telling Elizabeth about it.
I was so mortified that I just backed out of the room.
It also happened to be Camilla’s birthday. Just three hours earlier she was opening a birthday gift from me, telling me how much she loved it, and me. Now she has stopped taking my calls and will not respond to my texts.
I am deeply hurt by this. It may be time for me to redefine my relationship with her. I love her dearly, and I understand that she doesn’t consider me her closest friend, but this recent berating and subsequent cold shoulder are not acceptable in my mind.
Am I overreacting? What do I say to her the next time Elizabeth hurts her and she wants a shoulder to cry on?
— Hurting
Dear Hurting: Life at your office seems like a veritable den of drama. This is not to diminish how hurt you feel, but to advise you to step carefully.
So yes — “redefine,” and do so quickly, while you still seem to hold a shred of affection for “Camilla” (why you do is something of a mystery).
If she comes to you complaining about “Elizabeth,” listen, don’t react, say something innocuous, like, “Well, that’s a shame,” and then tell her you’ve got to go. If she sidles up to you, wanting to be closer, you should continue to be neutral and noncommittal.
In addition to taking the air out of this “mean girl’s” balloon, you caring much less will also drive her just a little bit bananas.
Dear Amy: After sheltering in place for over six months now, several girlfriends and I began planning a weekend away together.
As we were planning our time together, one friend asked if she could invite her roommate.
I wasn’t that excited about including someone I didn’t know as well, but I told myself, “If I feel like I need to get away, she probably does, too!”, so we extended the invitation.
Then the friend asked if we could stay at a pet-friendly place so her dog could come. I would prefer not.
The rest of us are making arrangements for the children we are leaving behind, and I would prefer it if this friend would also make arrangements to leave her dog behind.
Am I being unreasonably selfish?
Should I state my preference, or make peace with my disappointment?
— Trying to Please Everyone
Dear Trying to Please: You should ask yourself why you believe that you are of so little consequence that you can’t even answer a simple question, posed respectfully. Remember: Anyone can ask for anything, but that doesn’t obligate you to agree to their “ask.”
The question is: “Hey, could we stay at a pet-friendly place, because I would like to bring my dog….”
Your answer is, “I vote no. We are all leaving our kids and pets behind.”
If your other friends are co-planning and co-paying for this getaway, and they all want to spend their time with your friend’s dog, then you will be overruled. Then it would be time for you to find a way to make peace with your disappointment.
Dear Amy: I signed my letter to you, “Sad and Confused.” I wondered whether to travel to see my 87-year-old father, who was dying.
I wanted to give you an update. We did go to visit my dad. We were able to see him for about a half-hour. During that time he was completely cognizant and lucid. It was amazing. We talked about the family and even had him laughing. There were no sad goodbyes.
I just want to say that I wouldn’t trade that half-hour for anything. It was worth the 14-hour drive and all the complications.
— No Longer Sad and Confused
Dear No Longer Sad: You did the right thing.
(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--2020-10-22--Colorado COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes increase, raising concerns

The number of Colorado nursing homes experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak has increased for two weeks , raising concerns that broader spread in the community could put a high-risk population in danger again .
Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed active outbreaks in 19 facilities Wednesday , up from 14 the previous week and 12 on Oct. 7 .
It ’ s too early to be sure if there ’ s a trend , but it ’ s a reminder to the general public to wear their masks and maintain social distancing , said Doug Farmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Care Association .
Nursing homes are focused on using protective equipment , handwashing and regular testing of employees to keep the virus out , but it ’ s not possible to detect every asymptomatic person who could bring it in , he said .
“ Those employees do go back out in the community ” where they can be exposed , he said .
Outbreaks in nursing homes remain well below their peak in mid-May , when 93 facilities were dealing with the virus .
Any increase in nursing home outbreaks is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to be more deadly than outbreaks in most settings .
In April , long-term care facilities accounted for almost half of Colorado ’ s COVID-19 deaths , even though fewer than 10 % of cases were in those facilities .
This week ’ s new uptick came as Colorado broke a record for active outbreaks set the previous week .
The state health department reported 70 new outbreaks in the past week , bringing the total considered active to 346 .
An outbreak is defined as two or more cases linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t considered over until four weeks have passed with no new cases .
A statement from the state health department attributed the record number of outbreaks to three factors : increased testing identifying more cases , better reporting of clusters , and a true increase in the number of outbreaks happening .
“ As cases of COVID-19 increase in Colorado , we expect to also have an increase in outbreaks , ” the statement said .
The number of outbreaks linked to colleges continued to grow this week , with 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire campuses .
University of Colorado Boulder added 81 cases , bringing its total to 1,792 , and Colorado State University added 191 , for a total of 566 .
It ’ s possible the numbers include some delayed reports and that not all of the additional cases happened in the last week .
The largest ongoing outbreaks , other than CU Boulder and CSU , are : Outbreaks are ongoing in 35 K-12 schools around the state .
None have more than 15 cases at this point .

The number of Colorado nursing homes experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak has increased for two weeks, raising concerns that broader spread in the community could put a high-risk population in danger again.
Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed active outbreaks in 19 facilities Wednesday, up from 14 the previous week and 12 on Oct. 7.
It’s too early to be sure if there’s a trend, but it’s a reminder to the general public to wear their masks and maintain social distancing, said Doug Farmer, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Care Association. Nursing homes are focused on using protective equipment, handwashing and regular testing of employees to keep the virus out, but it’s not possible to detect every asymptomatic person who could bring it in, he said.
“Those employees do go back out in the community” where they can be exposed, he said.
Outbreaks in nursing homes remain well below their peak in mid-May, when 93 facilities were dealing with the virus. Any increase in nursing home outbreaks is potentially concerning, however, because they tend to be more deadly than outbreaks in most settings. In April, long-term care facilities accounted for almost half of Colorado’s COVID-19 deaths, even though fewer than 10% of cases were in those facilities.
This week’s new uptick came as Colorado broke a record for active outbreaks set the previous week. The state health department reported 70 new outbreaks in the past week, bringing the total considered active to 346. An outbreak is defined as two or more cases linked to the same location or event, and isn’t considered over until four weeks have passed with no new cases.
A statement from the state health department attributed the record number of outbreaks to three factors: increased testing identifying more cases, better reporting of clusters, and a true increase in the number of outbreaks happening.
“As cases of COVID-19 increase in Colorado, we expect to also have an increase in outbreaks,” the statement said.
College, school outbreaks increase
The number of outbreaks linked to colleges continued to grow this week, with 15 outbreaks linked dormitories, sports teams or entire campuses.
University of Colorado Boulder added 81 cases, bringing its total to 1,792, and Colorado State University added 191, for a total of 566. It’s possible the numbers include some delayed reports and that not all of the additional cases happened in the last week.
The largest ongoing outbreaks, other than CU Boulder and CSU, are:
Sterling Correctional Facility: 638 cases, three deaths
Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Denver: 537 cases, no deaths
Fremont Correctional Facility: 378 cases, no deaths
University of Denver: 219 cases, no deaths
People experiencing homelessness, Denver: 160 cases, no deaths
Steven Roberts Original Desserts: 144 cases, one death
Jabil Healthcare, Colorado Springs: 124 cases, no deaths
Elms Haven Center, Thornton: 116 cases, 19 deaths
Aurora immigration detention facility: 105 cases, no deaths
Outbreaks are ongoing in 35 K-12 schools around the state. None have more than 15 cases at this point.


thedenverpost--2020-10-22--Broncos podcast: Underdog Denver facing tall task against defending champion Chiefs in Week 7

After a quiet first three games -- at least by the standard of Chubb , who dominated in 2018 while @ @ @ @ @ rookie sacks -- the outside linebacker 's racked up 3.5 sacks over the last two @ @ @

In this edition of the 1st-and-Orange podcast sponsored by SportsBetting.com, Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran preview the Broncos’ Week 7 showdown against the Chiefs in Denver. Kansas City has beaten Denver nine straight times.
What are the Broncos’ main injury concerns heading into the game? Why does Vic Fangio think Kansas City’s offense is even better this year? Is linebacker Bradley Chubb finally rounding into form after coming off ACL surgery, and has Denver closed the gap on the Chiefs at all? These questions, and much more, are addressed in a packed episode.
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thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Three separate motorcycle crashes in Denver on Wednesday afternoon

Three separate traffic crashes involving motorcycles happened Wednesday afternoon in about a two-hour span , according to Denver police .
@ @ @ @ @ a motorcycle and semi-truck , happened at the intersection of Smith Road and Dahlia Street @ @ @ @ @ at 2:46 p.m. A motorcycle and vehicle crash was reported at South Poplar Street and @ @ @ @ @ said .
One person was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries @ @ @ @ @ by police at 4:37 p.m. on Twitter .
A third crash involving a motorcycle happened @ @ @ @ @ West Kentucky Avenue .
A person was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries @ @ @ @ @ about the crash was posted on Twitter at 4:41 p.m .

Three separate traffic crashes involving motorcycles happened Wednesday afternoon in about a two-hour span, according to Denver police.
A serious-injury crash, between a motorcycle and semi-truck, happened at the intersection of Smith Road and Dahlia Street, police said on Twitter at 2:46 p.m.
A motorcycle and vehicle crash was reported at South Poplar Street and East Hampden Avenue, police said. One person was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries. Crash information was posted by police at 4:37 p.m. on Twitter.
TRAFFIC: #Denver officers are investigating a Motorcycle Vs vehicle crash at Sheridan and Kentucky. One person is being transported to the hospital with serious injuries. NB Sheridan at Kentucky is closed. Alternate Routes advised. pic.twitter.com/wulYTy10tl — Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 21, 2020
A third crash involving a motorcycle happened at South Sheridan Boulevard and West Kentucky Avenue. A person was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, police said. Information about the crash was posted on Twitter at 4:41 p.m.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Furnace Failure: How To Know When To Change Your Furnace

A home is more than likely your biggest investment and taking care of it can be both rewarding and frustrating .
With so many appliances , wires , and systems to stay on top of , it can be easy to let something slip under your radar .
One of the most important mechanical systems in your home that should always be checked , is the furnace .
According to Energy Star , the average household spends more than $ 2,200 yearly on energy bills and almost half of that amount goes to the heating and cooling costs .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performing the way it should be , we ’ ve compiled 6 warning signs that may indicate it ’ s time to get a new one .
It ’ s normal for your furnace to make noise even when working at its prime performance .
However , if you start to notice unusual banging , popping , or rattling sounds , it ’ s possible your furnace will need to be replaced .
Make sure to call a licensed heating professional to receive an expert diagnosis if you think this is happening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ various factors such as maintenance schedule , quality of the unit , and amount of use , most heating experts say the lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years .
If you ’ re considering getting a new furnace , keep in mind that according to the U.S. Department of Energy , modern conventional heating systems can reach efficiencies as high as 98.5 % , converting almost all the fuel to useful heat for the home .
This means that energy efficiency upgrades and a new high-efficiency heating system can often cut your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in half !
Make sure to do your research before buying a new unit , to ensure that you ’ re getting what ’ s best for you and your home .
Energy Bills Are On The Rise If you notice that your energy bills are consistently increasing , it may be due to the fact that your furnace is not running efficiently .
The energy company will often include a summary of your monthly energy usage throughout the year , and you can use this to track how your usage has changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take seasonal temperature shifts into account when determining if your energy bill increase is due to environmental factors or your furnace being on the road to failure .
An easy way to check on the status of your furnace is by inspecting it for any signs of rust , cracks and/or deterioration .
If you notice any of these flaws on or around the furnace , it ’ s a sign that it may be time for a replacement .
Too Many Repairs To Count How often do you find yourself calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your furnace ?
Review your furnace repair history for the past few years and note how many times something needed to be fixed .
If the total repair costs are more than what it would have cost you to replace the unit , it may mean that it is time to consider getting a new furnace .
If you notice that some rooms in your home feel cool while others are warm , it may be a sign that your furnace is not performing the way it should be .
A failing furnace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even temperature on a consistent basis .
If you are constantly adjusting your thermostat to make the temperature comfortable , but nothing seems to be happening , a new furnace may be something to consider .
Being aware of one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home and knowing the signs to look out for that could indicate furnace failure , can help alleviate your heating system breaking down before it completely fails .
If you need a furnace tune-up , call DOCTOR FIX-IT at 303-993-1550 for all your repair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

A home is more than likely your biggest investment and taking care of it can be both rewarding and frustrating. With so many appliances, wires, and systems to stay on top of, it can be easy to let something slip under your radar. One of the most important mechanical systems in your home that should always be checked, is the furnace. According to Energy Star, the average household spends more than $2,200 yearly on energy bills and almost half of that amount goes to the heating and cooling costs. In order to make sure your furnace is performing the way it should be, we’ve compiled 6 warning signs that may indicate it’s time to get a new one.
Your Furnace is Making Excessive Noise
It’s normal for your furnace to make noise even when working at its prime performance. However, if you start to notice unusual banging, popping, or rattling sounds, it’s possible your furnace will need to be replaced. Make sure to call a licensed heating professional to receive an expert diagnosis if you think this is happening.
Time Has Taken Its Toll
Based on various factors such as maintenance schedule, quality of the unit, and amount of use, most heating experts say the lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years. If you’re considering getting a new furnace, keep in mind that according to the U.S. Department of Energy, modern conventional heating systems can reach efficiencies as high as 98.5%, converting almost all the fuel to useful heat for the home. This means that energy efficiency upgrades and a new high-efficiency heating system can often cut your home fuel bill and furnace pollution output in half! Make sure to do your research before buying a new unit, to ensure that you’re getting what’s best for you and your home.
Energy Bills Are On The Rise
If you notice that your energy bills are consistently increasing, it may be due to the fact that your furnace is not running efficiently. The energy company will often include a summary of your monthly energy usage throughout the year, and you can use this to track how your usage has changed over time. Remember that you need to take seasonal temperature shifts into account when determining if your energy bill increase is due to environmental factors or your furnace being on the road to failure.
Your Furnace Looks Worn
An easy way to check on the status of your furnace is by inspecting it for any signs of rust, cracks and/or deterioration. If you notice any of these flaws on or around the furnace, it’s a sign that it may be time for a replacement.
Too Many Repairs To Count
How often do you find yourself calling a repair company to come look at your furnace? Review your furnace repair history for the past few years and note how many times something needed to be fixed. If the total repair costs are more than what it would have cost you to replace the unit, it may mean that it is time to consider getting a new furnace.
Uneven Heat Throughout The House
If you notice that some rooms in your home feel cool while others are warm, it may be a sign that your furnace is not performing the way it should be. A failing furnace will have difficulty keeping your home an even temperature on a consistent basis. If you are constantly adjusting your thermostat to make the temperature comfortable, but nothing seems to be happening, a new furnace may be something to consider.
Being aware of one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home and knowing the signs to look out for that could indicate furnace failure, can help alleviate your heating system breaking down before it completely fails. If you need a furnace tune-up, call DOCTOR FIX-IT at 303-993-1550 for all your repair or service needs!
Doctor Fix It
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Dodgers, Rays draw record-low TV World Series audience

ARLINGTON , Texas — The Los Angeles Dodgers ’ victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 drew a record-low audience of television viewers for a World Series game .
Los Angeles ’ 8-3 win received a 5.1 rating and was seen by an average of 9,195,000 viewers on Fox from 8:06 p.m. to 11:41 p.m. EDT on Tuesday night , Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday .
The previous low had been set the only other time the Rays were in the World Series , when their 5-4 loss to Philadelphia in Game 3 in 2008 was viewed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Saturday night .
Until now the low for a Game 1 had been San Francisco ’ s 7-1 win over Kansas City on Oct. 21 , 2012 , viewed by an average of 12,191,000 on a Tuesday night .
Washington ’ s 5-4 victory over Houston in last year ’ s opener was seen by an average of 12,283,000 on Oct. 22 , also a Tuesday night .
Still , Fox won the prime time evening with its best performance on a Tuesday night since Game 6 of last year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the percentage of television households tuned in to a broadcast .

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 drew a record-low audience of television viewers for a World Series game.
Los Angeles’ 8-3 win received a 5.1 rating and was seen by an average of 9,195,000 viewers on Fox from 8:06 p.m. to 11:41 p.m. EDT on Tuesday night, Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday.
The previous low had been set the only other time the Rays were in the World Series, when their 5-4 loss to Philadelphia in Game 3 in 2008 was viewed by an average of 9,836,000 that Oct. 25, a Saturday night.
Until now the low for a Game 1 had been San Francisco’s 7-1 win over Kansas City on Oct. 21, 2012, viewed by an average of 12,191,000 on a Tuesday night.
Washington’s 5-4 victory over Houston in last year’s opener was seen by an average of 12,283,000 on Oct. 22, also a Tuesday night.
Still, Fox won the prime time evening with its best performance on a Tuesday night since Game 6 of last year’s World Series.
The rating is the percentage of television households tuned in to a broadcast.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--East Troublesome fire driven by high winds forces evacuation order in Grand County

The East Troublesome fire burning in Grand County crossed Colorado 125 on Wednesday afternoon and the sheriff ’ s office has ordered mandatory evacuations .
People living east of Colorado 125 and north of U.S. 40 , to mile post 5 , have been ordered to evacuate , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Driven by strong winds , with gusts of about 35 mph expected , the fire on Wednesday afternoon produced a huge column of dark smoke , which could be seen for miles .
U.S. 40 remains open in the area but Colorado 125 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight bag with necessary items and leave , ” the sheriff ’ s office said .
Property owners were advised to leave gates unlocked so firefighters can access the properties .
A Red Flag Warning for critical fire conditions has been posted for the area by the National Weather Service .
Lower relative humidity , warmer temperatures and high winds were forecast , prompting the fire warning .
The fire crossed Colorado 125 in the Cabin Creek area , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The C Lazy U Ranch , near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties evacuated .
“ Considerable smoke ” is blowing into the Grand Lake area .
Fire ground and air crews are concentrating on the east side of the fire .
After 7 p.m. Wednesday night , the Grand County Office of Emergency Management on Twitter said the sheriff ’ s office issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas west of U.S. 34 and all residents north of mile marker 3 on U.S. 34 .
The sheriff ’ s office also issued a mandatory evacuation for Area H. Fire officials , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ significant run in heavy fuels ” on Wednesday .
The fire , which started on Oct. 14 north of Hot Sulphur Springs , has burned 19,086 acres , about 30 square miles , as of Wednesday morning .
It is 10 % contained .

The East Troublesome fire burning in Grand County crossed Colorado 125 on Wednesday afternoon and the sheriff’s office has ordered mandatory evacuations including the town of Grand Lake.
People living east of Colorado 125 and north of U.S. 40, to mile post 5, have been ordered to evacuate, according to the sheriff’s office.
Driven by strong winds, with gusts of about 35 mph expected, the fire on Wednesday afternoon produced a huge column of dark smoke, which could be seen for miles.
CDOT announced on Twitter late Wednesday night that U.S. 40 was closed between Hemlock St. and U.S. 34. Colorado 125 was also closed in the area.
“Take an overnight bag with necessary items and leave,” the sheriff’s office said. Property owners were advised to leave gates unlocked so firefighters can access the properties.
“Considerable smoke” is blowing into the Grand Lake area. Fire ground and air crews are concentrating on the east side of the fire. Shortly before 9 p.m. the National Weather Service in Boulder directed residents of Grand Lake to evacuate. The west side of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed due to significant fire activity. Trail Ridge Road is currently open for evacuation eastbound but closed westbound at Rainbow Curve.
A Red Flag Warning for critical fire conditions has been posted for the area by the National Weather Service. Lower relative humidity, warmer temperatures and high winds were forecast, prompting the fire warning.
The fire crossed Colorado 125 in the Cabin Creek area, the sheriff’s office said. The C Lazy U Ranch, near Willow Creek Reservoir, is among the properties evacuated.
[8:57] #EastTroublesomeFire continues to advance towards Grand Lake. IF YOU LIVE IN THIS AREA, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!! Fire has been reported as close as Columbine Lake. #cowx #cofire pic.twitter.com/4p3BgFM9JJ — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) October 22, 2020
The Grand County Office of Emergency Management on Twitter said the sheriff’s office issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas west of U.S. 34 and all residents north of mile marker 3 on U.S. 34. The sheriff’s office also issued a mandatory evacuation for Area H.
Fire officials, in a late-afternoon update, said the fire made a “significant run in heavy fuels” on Wednesday.
The fire, which started on Oct. 14 north of Hot Sulphur Springs, has burned 19,086 acres, about 30 square miles, as of Wednesday morning. It is 10% contained.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--A third of likely Colorado voters have cast their ballots two weeks before Election Day

More than 1 million Colorado voters — about a third of those expected to vote — submitted their ballots at least two weeks before Election Day .
The Colorado Secretary of State ’ s Office reported receiving 1,102,021 ballots as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday .
Democrats continue leading in ballot returns — 446,853 ballots came from registered Democrats vs. 264,804 from Republicans .
Unaffiliated voters returned 378,967 .
The state has more than 4.1 million registered voters , 3.7 million of whom are considered active voters .
Republican polling firm Magellan Strategies estimates a third of Colorado voters have turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of higher turnout than in 2016 , a record-breaking year .
Democrats ’ ballots represent 40.5 % of registered Democratic voters , compared with Republicans ’ 24 % turnout so far , according to the Colorado Secretary of State ’ s Office .
More than 34 % of registered unaffiliated voters returned their ballots .
“ Because Unaffiliated voters are now a plurality of registered voters , it will be interesting to watch and see if and when they catch the Democrats and become a larger voting subgroup than each of the major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strategies wrote .
“ This happened in the 2018 General , and is highly likely to happen again this year .
”

More than 1 million Colorado voters — about a third of those expected to vote — submitted their ballots at least two weeks before Election Day.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office reported receiving 1,102,021 ballots as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Democrats continue leading in ballot returns — 446,853 ballots came from registered Democrats vs. 264,804 from Republicans. Unaffiliated voters returned 378,967.
The state has more than 4.1 million registered voters, 3.7 million of whom are considered active voters.
Republican polling firm Magellan Strategies estimates a third of Colorado voters have turned in their ballots based on its expectations of higher turnout than in 2016, a record-breaking year.
Democrats’ ballots represent 40.5% of registered Democratic voters, compared with Republicans’ 24% turnout so far, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. More than 34% of registered unaffiliated voters returned their ballots.
“Because Unaffiliated voters are now a plurality of registered voters, it will be interesting to watch and see if and when they catch the Democrats and become a larger voting subgroup than each of the major parties,” Ryan Winger of Magellan Strategies wrote. “This happened in the 2018 General, and is highly likely to happen again this year.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Broncos’ Bradley Chubb back to an effective level following slow start — and just in time for Kansas

Broncos’ Bradley Chubb back to an effective level following slow start — and just in time for Kansas City’s high-powered test

Bradley Chubb has turned the corner , back to his potent “ Astronaut ” self following an ACL injury that limited him to four games last season .
After a quiet first three games — at least by Chubb ’ s standard – the outside linebacker has racked up 3.5 sacks , two quarterback hits , four quarterback pressures and nine total tackles over Denver ’ s last two games , both wins .
Chiefs coach Andy Reid is counting on his team facing a fully healthy Chubb Sunday when the Broncos ( 2-3 ) face a critical gut-check against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-1 ) at Empower Field .
“ He looks real good to me , ” Reid said Wednesday .
“ He ’ s playing good football and it looks like he ’ s back.
” That means back to the form of the rookie who donned an astronaut jacket throughout the 2018 season , adding patches for various achievements in a year in which Chubb validated Denver ’ s selection of him at No .
5 overall .
His 12 sacks were a franchise rookie record .
But Chubb ’ s setback — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the same injury he incurred in high school in 2012 — led to a slow start this season .
The 24-year-old described his performance in the opener as “ not very effective.
” “ ( I felt ) frustration , because at the end of the day , it ’ s my job ( to disrupt the backfield ) and I wanted to go out there and dominate and be the No .
1 player at everything that I do , ” Chubb said .
“ But I had to really look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t have any preseason games or an offseason to really start feeling it… After those ( first few games ) , I knew that I was good .
The hay was in the barn and I knew I put all the work in to go out there and ( produce ) .
” Chubb used his intensive rehab , and the settling-in period early this season , as an opportunity to focus on improving his leadership .
“ I put ( individual ) stuff in the back of my head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team collect wins , ” Chubb said .
“ I ’ ve been here for three years now so I want to be more of a leader , more of a vocal leader , and more of ‘ that guy ’ in the locker room as much as I can.
” Chubb said his repaired knee isn ’ t in the back of his mind as he ’ s played 78 % of the defensive snaps this year .
Coach Vic Fangio said “ you would see the difference ” in comparing Chubb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week 6 film .
And while Chubb ’ s put his knee injury behind him , he also believes he can be a centerpiece on a defense that he says has moved on from its reputation as a good unit that can ’ t close out wins .
“ That ’ s what ’ s been holding us back these past two years — finishing out those ( close ) games on defense , and having the identity that we ’ re going to be a team that can close out the close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , guys are starting to buy into that — in the Jets game and the Patriots game it came down to us at the last minute , and we stuck it out.
” Chubb also realizes the importance of another strong individual performance this weekend as the Broncos face “ the best player in the league ” in Mahomes and an array of speedy , dynamic weapons that he commands .
“ When I look at the Chiefs team and I look at Mahomes , he ’ s the catalyst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be that bull in a china shop , ” Chubb said .
“ I have to be in his face as much as I can , and the whole front seven needs to get in his face and disturb him as much as we can.
” And no , Chubb and his teammates haven ’ t forgotten about the fact that Kansas City has won nine straight over Denver , with the Broncos ’ last win in the series coming under quarterback Peyton Manning in 2015 .
It ’ s a fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom meetings several times Wednesday , the team ’ s first day back after two days off .
“ When you see them winning the Super Bowl and ( dominating the series ) , and they ’ re in our division , we have to take that personally , ” Chubb said .
“ As a team , if we want to take that next step , this is the team we have to take that next step against .
”

Bradley Chubb has turned the corner, back to his potent “Astronaut” self following an ACL injury that limited him to four games last season.
After a quiet first three games — at least by Chubb’s standard – the outside linebacker has racked up 3.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, four quarterback pressures and nine total tackles over Denver’s last two games, both wins.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid is counting on his team facing a fully healthy Chubb Sunday when the Broncos (2-3) face a critical gut-check against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (5-1) at Empower Field.
“He looks real good to me,” Reid said Wednesday. “He’s playing good football and it looks like he’s back.”
That means back to the form of the rookie who donned an astronaut jacket throughout the 2018 season, adding patches for various achievements in a year in which Chubb validated Denver’s selection of him at No. 5 overall. His 12 sacks were a franchise rookie record. But Chubb’s setback — an ACL tear in his left knee, the same injury he incurred in high school in 2012 — led to a slow start this season. The 24-year-old described his performance in the opener as “not very effective.”
“(I felt) frustration, because at the end of the day, it’s my job (to disrupt the backfield) and I wanted to go out there and dominate and be the No. 1 player at everything that I do,” Chubb said. “But I had to really look at myself, and tell myself that I didn’t have any preseason games or an offseason to really start feeling it… After those (first few games), I knew that I was good. The hay was in the barn and I knew I put all the work in to go out there and (produce).”
Chubb used his intensive rehab, and the settling-in period early this season, as an opportunity to focus on improving his leadership.
“I put (individual) stuff in the back of my head so I can focus on helping this team collect wins,” Chubb said. “I’ve been here for three years now so I want to be more of a leader, more of a vocal leader, and more of ‘that guy’ in the locker room as much as I can.”
Chubb said his repaired knee isn’t in the back of his mind as he’s played 78% of the defensive snaps this year. Coach Vic Fangio said “you would see the difference” in comparing Chubb’s Week 1 film to his Week 6 film.
And while Chubb’s put his knee injury behind him, he also believes he can be a centerpiece on a defense that he says has moved on from its reputation as a good unit that can’t close out wins.
“That’s what’s been holding us back these past two years — finishing out those (close) games on defense, and having the identity that we’re going to be a team that can close out the close game,” Chubb said. “This year, guys are starting to buy into that — in the Jets game and the Patriots game it came down to us at the last minute, and we stuck it out.”
Chubb also realizes the importance of another strong individual performance this weekend as the Broncos face “the best player in the league” in Mahomes and an array of speedy, dynamic weapons that he commands.
“When I look at the Chiefs team and I look at Mahomes, he’s the catalyst of all that, and my job is to be that bull in a china shop,” Chubb said. “I have to be in his face as much as I can, and the whole front seven needs to get in his face and disturb him as much as we can.”
And no, Chubb and his teammates haven’t forgotten about the fact that Kansas City has won nine straight over Denver, with the Broncos’ last win in the series coming under quarterback Peyton Manning in 2015. It’s a fact that was floated around the Broncos defensive Zoom meetings several times Wednesday, the team’s first day back after two days off.
“When you see them winning the Super Bowl and (dominating the series), and they’re in our division, we have to take that personally,” Chubb said. “As a team, if we want to take that next step, this is the team we have to take that next step against.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Broncos Briefs: Vic Fangio said improved running game has made Chiefs offense even better in 2020

When the Broncos were unable to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs last year , losing by 24 and 20 points , they had to deal with quarterback Patrick Mahomes , tight end Travis Kelce and a fleet of receivers led by Tyreek Hill .
Broncos coach Vic Fangio can now add running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le ’ Veon Bell to his list of concerns .
The Chiefs used their first-round pick on Edwards-Helaire , who has 505 yards rushing and 21 catches , and signed Bell last week after he was released by the New York Jets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re a better offense than they were last year because of the addition of Edwards-Helaire , ” Fangio said .
“ They have another weapon and another dimension to their game and when you add him to who Mahomes can deal the ball to , they ’ re double tough to stop.
” Bell practiced with the Chiefs for the first time Wednesday .
“ He ’ s one of those guys that can do everything , ” coach Andy Reid said .
“ He can run the ball , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a very good route runner .
You get the whole package and he ’ s been doing it for a few years .
… We ’ ll just see how he ’ s doing and what he feels comfortable with and see from there whether he ’ s active ( Sunday ) or not as we go.
” The Chiefs rank sixth in rushing yards per game ( 140.3 ) .
The Broncos rank 13th in rush defense ( 110.6 yards per game ) .
Risner misses practice .
Six Broncos players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dalton Risner ( shoulder ) , receiver Diontae Spencer ( shoulder ) , right tackle Demar Dotson ( day off ) , inside linebacker Josh Watson ( hamstring ) , outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu ( quad ) and fullback/tight end Andrew Beck ( hamstring ) .
Watson , Attaochu and Beck did side-field work during practice .
Fangio said Risner is “ questionable ” to play against Kansas City .
Injured reserve players who practiced : Cornerback A.J .
Bouye ( shoulder ) and defensive ends Dre ’ Mont Jones ( knee ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited work .
All three are eligible to be reinstated from injured reserve .
The Broncos ’ release of Timmy Jernigan on Monday suggests Jones and/or Walker will be available Sunday .
Injured players who were limited : Receiver KJ Hamler ( hamstring ) and tight end Noah Fant ( ankle ) , both of whom missed the New England game .
Other limited players : Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb ( ankle ) and nose tackle Mike Purcell ( knee ) .
Injured reserve players who did side field work : Running back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackle Elijah Wilkinson ( leg ) and inside linebackers Mark Barron ( hamstring ) and Austin Calitro ( hamstring ) .
McManus honored again .
Kicker Brandon McManus won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time in as many Broncos games .
He was 6-of-6 on field goals , accounting for every point in the 18-12 win at New England .
McManus joins running back Mike Anderson ( Weeks 13-14 in 2000 ) as the only players in Broncos history to win AFC honors in consecutive games within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored at least 23 points in 20 consecutive games , the second-longest streak in league history , behind only themselves — a 22-game streak that ended last year .
… Mahomes reached 90 career touchdown passes in his 37th game , breaking the Super Bowl Era record for fewest games that was held by Miami ’ s Dan Marino ( 40 games ) .
… Outside linebacker Malik Reed was shutout in the first four games as a pass rusher , but had two sacks and a quarterback knockdown against the Patriots .

When the Broncos were unable to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs last year, losing by 24 and 20 points, they had to deal with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and a fleet of receivers led by Tyreek Hill.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio can now add running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell to his list of concerns.
The Chiefs used their first-round pick on Edwards-Helaire, who has 505 yards rushing and 21 catches, and signed Bell last week after he was released by the New York Jets.
“Believe it or not, they’re a better offense than they were last year because of the addition of Edwards-Helaire,” Fangio said. “They have another weapon and another dimension to their game and when you add him to who Mahomes can deal the ball to, they’re double tough to stop.”
Bell practiced with the Chiefs for the first time Wednesday.
“He’s one of those guys that can do everything,” coach Andy Reid said. “He can run the ball, he’s a good (pass) protector and a very good route runner. You get the whole package and he’s been doing it for a few years. … We’ll just see how he’s doing and what he feels comfortable with and see from there whether he’s active (Sunday) or not as we go.”
The Chiefs rank sixth in rushing yards per game (140.3). The Broncos rank 13th in rush defense (110.6 yards per game).
Risner misses practice. Six Broncos players did not practice Wednesday: left guard Dalton Risner (shoulder), receiver Diontae Spencer (shoulder), right tackle Demar Dotson (day off), inside linebacker Josh Watson (hamstring), outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (quad) and fullback/tight end Andrew Beck (hamstring).
Watson, Attaochu and Beck did side-field work during practice. Fangio said Risner is “questionable” to play against Kansas City.
Injured reserve players who practiced: Cornerback A.J. Bouye (shoulder) and defensive ends Dre’Mont Jones (knee) and DeMarcus Walker (calf) did limited work.
All three are eligible to be reinstated from injured reserve. The Broncos’ release of Timmy Jernigan on Monday suggests Jones and/or Walker will be available Sunday.
Injured players who were limited: Receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring) and tight end Noah Fant (ankle), both of whom missed the New England game.
Other limited players: Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (ankle) and nose tackle Mike Purcell (knee).
Injured reserve players who did side field work: Running back LeVante Bellamy (knee) and right tackle Elijah Wilkinson (leg) and inside linebackers Mark Barron (hamstring) and Austin Calitro (hamstring).
McManus honored again. Kicker Brandon McManus won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time in as many Broncos games. He was 6-of-6 on field goals, accounting for every point in the 18-12 win at New England.
McManus joins running back Mike Anderson (Weeks 13-14 in 2000) as the only players in Broncos history to win AFC honors in consecutive games within a season.
Footnotes. The Chiefs have scored at least 23 points in 20 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in league history, behind only themselves — a 22-game streak that ended last year. … Mahomes reached 90 career touchdown passes in his 37th game, breaking the Super Bowl Era record for fewest games that was held by Miami’s Dan Marino (40 games). … Outside linebacker Malik Reed was shutout in the first four games as a pass rusher, but had two sacks and a quarterback knockdown against the Patriots.


thedenverpost--2020-10-21--Kiszla: Drew Lock talks like gunslinger, but produces like game manager. That won’t cut it for Bronc

Kiszla: Drew Lock talks like gunslinger, but produces like game manager. That won’t cut it for Broncos in heated AFC West arms race.

The Broncos want to be taken seriously as a legit NFL playoff contender .
They want to be heard in the national conversation other than the 60 seconds when our old buddy Peyton Manning is doing a TV commercial .
Young quarterback Drew Lock wants us to hop on this orange-and-blue bus because he insists : “ I truly feel like we ’ re an extremely good team.
” Sorry , I ain ’ t buying it .
Not yet .
While we all love Lock ’ s swagger , I won ’ t believe his Broncos are for real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Until Denver can end its nine-game losing streak against Kansas City , a playoff berth and national relevance will remain out of the Broncos ’ reach .
For as long as Lock plays football , beating the Chiefs will mean more because he was born and raised in Missouri .
“ It is cool to be able to kind of put the Darth Vader mask on and steer away from the Jedi and come to the dark side , so to say , ” Lock said Wednesday .
“ I kind of like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that guy and get a win this Sunday and start the rivalry a little bit.
” Lock wants to play the villain against a team he grew up cheering .
Ain ’ t nothing wrong with that .
But before Lock can sign his name to a signature win , the 23-year old quarterback from the Show-Me State needs to come up big against Kansas City .
It has to happen again sometime before we leave this good Earth .
Doesn ’ t it ?
Beating the Chiefs is not rocket science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of smart people from Colorado can figure out how to land a spacecraft on an asteroid , how hard could it be for Denver to figure out a way to thwart K.C and coach Andy Reid ?
“ He ’ s got such a Star Wars offense over there , lot of weapons , ” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said .
OK , maybe stopping the Chiefs is rocket science .
If this is Star Wars , can Darth Vader ever win ?
• Lunch Special : Could the Broncos be playoff-bound with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Phillip Lindsay runs for 100 yards , Broncos don ’ t lose .
Pay him , John Elway , before Lindsay makes “ business decision ” to play in another NFL city .
• Kiszla : Best outcome for Broncos in New England ?
Game isn ’ t super-spreader event for two NFL teams stung by COVID .
• Kickin ’ It with Kiz : Does NFL have guts to ever make Pats , Broncos or Chiefs forfeit for violation of COVID protocols ?
• Kiszla : Broncos would much rather have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Right ?
During the Broncos ’ most recent victory in this series , back in September 2015 , cornerback Bradley Roby returned a fumble for the winning touchdown and Manning improved his record to 14-1 against the Chiefs , prompting some knucklehead sports columnist to write : “ Maybe Kansas City should quit playing football.
” So blame me .
The Chiefs have won nine consecutive times since those ill-advised words .
And most of the games haven ’ t been close , with Kansas City ’ s average margin of victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of last season , with the Broncos feeling newfound swagger that arrived with Lock in the starting lineup , Denver went to Kansas City with receiver Courtland Sutton vowing to : “ Hit ’ em in the mouth .
Let ’ em know that next season , y ’ all boys are in it , for sure.
” Well , Sutton and his teammates got barbecued 23-3 on that wintry December afternoon in K.C .
Next season is here .
The Broncos don ’ t have Sutton , lost for the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any realistic hope of beating the Chiefs ?
“ This is a tough task for us , without a doubt , ” Lock said .
Fair or not , it ’ s primarily on Lock ’ s shoulders to return the Broncos to relevancy because any discussion of playoff contention starts with the quarterback .
Want to take a look at the current quarterback ratings in the AFC West ?
Can you handle the truth ?
When the gap between Lock and his division rivals is that huge , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ butter fingers of Broncos receiver DaeSean Hamilton .
Has Lock ’ s grade suffered from some bad luck ?
Yes .
But the buck stops at the quarterback for a team with red-zone issues .
It ’ s too early to conclusively judge a quarterback that has only just begun his climb on the NFL ’ s often-harsh learning curve .
Throw out his brief appearance last month in Pittsburgh , when Lock departed with a shoulder injury , and he has played only seven full games for the Broncos .
In those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdown passes and averaged 203.6 passing yards .
That ’ s not bad .
But the quietly pedestrian stats of a game manager don ’ t match up with the bold gunslinger image Lock tries to project .
The Broncos will need him to do more if they are going to break a losing streak Lock is reminded about so often he ’ s sick of hearing it .
“ It would be nice to maybe be able to snap that streak , ” Lock said .
No Broncos talk of making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver on three big words :

The Broncos want to be taken seriously as a legit NFL playoff contender. They want to be heard in the national conversation other than the 60 seconds when our old buddy Peyton Manning is doing a TV commercial. Young quarterback Drew Lock wants us to hop on this orange-and-blue bus because he insists: “I truly feel like we’re an extremely good team.”
Sorry, I ain’t buying it. Not yet.
While we all love Lock’s swagger, I won’t believe his Broncos are for real until they do one big thing:
Beat the Chiefs.
Until Denver can end its nine-game losing streak against Kansas City, a playoff berth and national relevance will remain out of the Broncos’ reach. For as long as Lock plays football, beating the Chiefs will mean more because he was born and raised in Missouri.
“It is cool to be able to kind of put the Darth Vader mask on and steer away from the Jedi and come to the dark side, so to say,” Lock said Wednesday. “I kind of like playing that guy. Hopefully I can be that guy and get a win this Sunday and start the rivalry a little bit.”
Lock wants to play the villain against a team he grew up cheering. Ain’t nothing wrong with that. But before Lock can sign his name to a signature win, the 23-year old quarterback from the Show-Me State needs to come up big against Kansas City.
Beat the Chiefs?
It has to happen again sometime before we leave this good Earth. Doesn’t it? Beating the Chiefs is not rocket science. I mean, if a bunch of smart people from Colorado can figure out how to land a spacecraft on an asteroid, how hard could it be for Denver to figure out a way to thwart K.C and coach Andy Reid?
“He’s got such a Star Wars offense over there, lot of weapons,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said.
OK, maybe stopping the Chiefs is rocket science. If this is Star Wars, can Darth Vader ever win?
During the Broncos’ most recent victory in this series, back in September 2015, cornerback Bradley Roby returned a fumble for the winning touchdown and Manning improved his record to 14-1 against the Chiefs, prompting some knucklehead sports columnist to write: “Maybe Kansas City should quit playing football.”
So blame me. The Chiefs have won nine consecutive times since those ill-advised words. And most of the games haven’t been close, with Kansas City’s average margin of victory a dominating 22 points.
At the end of last season, with the Broncos feeling newfound swagger that arrived with Lock in the starting lineup, Denver went to Kansas City with receiver Courtland Sutton vowing to: “Hit ’em in the mouth. Let ’em know that next season, y’all boys are in it, for sure.”
Well, Sutton and his teammates got barbecued 23-3 on that wintry December afternoon in K.C. Next season is here. The Broncos don’t have Sutton, lost for the season with a knee injury. Do they have any realistic hope of beating the Chiefs?
“This is a tough task for us, without a doubt,” Lock said.
Fair or not, it’s primarily on Lock’s shoulders to return the Broncos to relevancy because any discussion of playoff contention starts with the quarterback.
Want to take a look at the current quarterback ratings in the AFC West? Can you handle the truth?
Derek Carr: 115.9
Mahomes: 110.1.
Justin Herbert: 107.1
Lock: 66.9
When the gap between Lock and his division rivals is that huge, it’s hard to blame it all on the butter fingers of Broncos receiver DaeSean Hamilton. Has Lock’s grade suffered from some bad luck? Yes. But the buck stops at the quarterback for a team with red-zone issues.
It’s too early to conclusively judge a quarterback that has only just begun his climb on the NFL’s often-harsh learning curve. Throw out his brief appearance last month in Pittsburgh, when Lock departed with a shoulder injury, and he has played only seven full games for the Broncos.
In those seven assignments, Lock has thrown eight touchdown passes and averaged 203.6 passing yards. That’s not bad. But the quietly pedestrian stats of a game manager don’t match up with the bold gunslinger image Lock tries to project. The Broncos will need him to do more if they are going to break a losing streak Lock is reminded about so often he’s sick of hearing it.
“It would be nice to maybe be able to snap that streak,” Lock said.
No Broncos talk of making the playoffs can be taken seriously until they deliver on three big words:
Beat the Chiefs