thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Supreme Court rejects Texas lawsuit attempt to overturn Biden victory

HOUSTON — The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden ’ s election victory , ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation ’ s highest court .
The court ’ s order was its second this week rebuffing Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election outcome .
The justices turned away an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday .
The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president .
Trump had called the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin “ the big one ” that would end with the Supreme Court undoing Biden ’ s substantial Electoral College majority and allowing Trump to serve another four years in the White House .
In a brief order , the court said Texas does not have the legal right to sue those states because it “ has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.
” Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas , who have said previously the court does not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , said they would have heard Texas ’ complaint .
But they would not have done as Texas wanted pending resolution of the lawsuit , and set aside those four states ’ 62 electoral votes for Biden .
Three Trump appointees sit on the high court .
In his push to get the most recent of his nominees , Justice Amy Coney Barrett , confirmed quickly , Trump said she would be needed for any post-election lawsuits .
Barrett appears to have participated in both cases this week .
None of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
Eighteen other states won by Trump in last month ’ s election , 126 GOP members of Congress and Trump himself joined Texas in calling on the justices to take up the case that sought to stop electors from casting their votes for Biden .
The four states sued by Texas had urged the court to reject the case as meritless .
They were backed by another 22 states and the District of Columbia .

HOUSTON — The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court.
The court’s order was its second this week rebuffing Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election outcome. The justices turned away an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday.
The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president.
Trump had called the lawsuit filed by Texas against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin “the big one” that would end with the Supreme Court undoing Biden’s substantial Electoral College majority and allowing Trump to serve another four years in the White House.
In a brief order, the court said Texas does not have the legal right to sue those states because it “has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.”
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, who have said previously the court does not have the authority to turn away lawsuits between states, said they would have heard Texas’ complaint. But they would not have done as Texas wanted pending resolution of the lawsuit, and set aside those four states’ 62 electoral votes for Biden.
Three Trump appointees sit on the high court. In his push to get the most recent of his nominees, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, confirmed quickly, Trump said she would be needed for any post-election lawsuits. Barrett appears to have participated in both cases this week. None of the Trump appointees noted a dissent in either case.
Eighteen other states won by Trump in last month’s election, 126 GOP members of Congress and Trump himself joined Texas in calling on the justices to take up the case that sought to stop electors from casting their votes for Biden.
The four states sued by Texas had urged the court to reject the case as meritless. They were backed by another 22 states and the District of Columbia.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--CU Buffs vs. Utah scouting report: Who has the edge, predictions and 3 things to watch

Utah Utes ( 1-2 ) at Colorado Buffaloes ( 4-0 ) , Saturday , 10:05 a.m. MST , FOX , 850 AM 1 .
Go Bruins !
Colorado ’ s sole chance of making the Pac-12 championship game is a win against Utah and a Southern California loss to UCLA .
If No .
21 CU and No .
15 USC both finish undefeated , the Trojans get the nod by virtue of having more division wins .
The Buffs last reached the conference title game in 2016 ( a 41-10 loss to Washington ) .
2 .
Broussard is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the first player to rush for 100-plus yards in his first four career games in program history , establishing himself as the Pac-12 ’ s top running back .
He averaged a whopping 12 yards per carry in last week ’ s win over Arizona to reach 301 on the ground .
Broussard is a significant reason why the Buffs are undefeated .
3 .
Defensive muscle .
The Buffs ’ defense has allowed fewer than 20 points in two consecutive games for only the second time since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit to the scheme of defensive coordinator Tyson Summers and the play of defensive captain Nate Landman .
The senior inside linebacker has recorded double-digit tackles in 18 career games .
Who has the edge ?
Freshman Utes running back Ty Jordan had a breakout performance last week with 167 yards rushing and a touchdown .
But Utah has only three rushing scores over three games played this season .
CU ’ s run defense gave up 268 yards on the ground against Arizona , but held stout in previous games against San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ front seven is not a liability this season .
Utes quarterback Jake Bentley , a South Carolina graduate transfer , has more interceptions ( four ) than touchdown passes ( three ) this season .
But CU can ’ t sleep on the deep-threat ability of wide receiver Bryan Thompson , who averages 22.6 yards per catch .
The Buffs ’ secondary has done well limiting big passes after giving up 300-plus yards through the air against both UCLA and Stanford .
Broussard ’ s ability to run with power between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what keeps defensive coordinators up at night .
It ’ s also a credit to CU ’ s improved offensive line play .
Utah ’ s run defense has allowed at least one touchdown per game with Oregon State totaling 133 yards on the ground last week .
Broussard is in line for another big game .
CU quarterback Sam Noyer passed for just 92 yards on 12 completions with a pair of interceptions against Arizona .
It marked Noyer ’ s first game this season without a passing touchdown .
Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interceptions this season while holding all three of its opponents to less than 300 yards through the air .
CU placekicker Evan Price is 5-of-6 on field-goal attempts this season .
Utes placekicker Jadon Redding is 4-of-4 on field goals with three conversions in a win against Oregon State .
Utah wide receiver Britain Covey also returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown .
The Buffs haven ’ t moved the needle in the return game .
Sam Noyer — SAM NOYER !
— tucks and runs the Buffs over the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns purple .
As Mike MacIntyre once told us , Buffaloes always walk into the storm .
And this time they even come out with a program-altering victory .
An ugly truth : CU lacks a quality win that makes the Buffs real Pac-12 title contenders .
The Buffs , while improving under first-year coach Karl Dorrell , aren ’ t quite there yet .

Utah Utes (1-2) at Colorado Buffaloes (4-0), Saturday, 10:05 a.m. MST, FOX, 850 AM
Three things to watch
1. Go Bruins! Colorado’s sole chance of making the Pac-12 championship game is a win against Utah and a Southern California loss to UCLA. If No. 21 CU and No. 15 USC both finish undefeated, the Trojans get the nod by virtue of having more division wins. The Buffs last reached the conference title game in 2016 (a 41-10 loss to Washington).
2. Broussard is best. CU’s Jarek Broussard became the first player to rush for 100-plus yards in his first four career games in program history, establishing himself as the Pac-12’s top running back. He averaged a whopping 12 yards per carry in last week’s win over Arizona to reach 301 on the ground. Broussard is a significant reason why the Buffs are undefeated.
3. Defensive muscle. The Buffs’ defense has allowed fewer than 20 points in two consecutive games for only the second time since the start of the 2017 season. It’s a credit to the scheme of defensive coordinator Tyson Summers and the play of defensive captain Nate Landman. The senior inside linebacker has recorded double-digit tackles in 18 career games.
Who has the edge?
When Utah runs
Freshman Utes running back Ty Jordan had a breakout performance last week with 167 yards rushing and a touchdown. But Utah has only three rushing scores over three games played this season. CU’s run defense gave up 268 yards on the ground against Arizona, but held stout in previous games against San Diego State and Stanford. The Buffs’ front seven is not a liability this season.
Edge: Buffs
When Utah passes
Utes quarterback Jake Bentley, a South Carolina graduate transfer, has more interceptions (four) than touchdown passes (three) this season. But CU can’t sleep on the deep-threat ability of wide receiver Bryan Thompson, who averages 22.6 yards per catch. The Buffs’ secondary has done well limiting big passes after giving up 300-plus yards through the air against both UCLA and Stanford.
Edge: Buffs
When the Buffs run
Broussard’s ability to run with power between the tackles and escape defenders with blazing speed is what keeps defensive coordinators up at night. It’s also a credit to CU’s improved offensive line play. Utah’s run defense has allowed at least one touchdown per game with Oregon State totaling 133 yards on the ground last week. Broussard is in line for another big game.
Edge: Buffs
When the Buffs pass
CU quarterback Sam Noyer passed for just 92 yards on 12 completions with a pair of interceptions against Arizona. It marked Noyer’s first game this season without a passing touchdown. Utah’s defense has combined for five interceptions this season while holding all three of its opponents to less than 300 yards through the air.
Edge: Utes
Special teams
CU placekicker Evan Price is 5-of-6 on field-goal attempts this season. Utes placekicker Jadon Redding is 4-of-4 on field goals with three conversions in a win against Oregon State. Utah wide receiver Britain Covey also returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown. The Buffs haven’t moved the needle in the return game.
Edge: Utes
Post predictions
Sean Keeler, columnist: CU 27, Utah 26
Sam Noyer — SAM NOYER! — tucks and runs the Buffs over the line. Cinderella wears gold. Larry Scott turns purple.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: CU 24, Utah 20
As Mike MacIntyre once told us, Buffaloes always walk into the storm. And this time they even come out with a program-altering victory.
Kyle Fredrickson, beat writer: Utah 24, CU 21
An ugly truth: CU lacks a quality win that makes the Buffs real Pac-12 title contenders. The Buffs, while improving under first-year coach Karl Dorrell, aren’t quite there yet.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--For first time, lying Colorado police officers lose certification under new law

Six Colorado law enforcement officers lost their certification Friday for lying during criminal investigations or internal affairs investigations — the first time police have been decertified under a law passed in 2019 .
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser during a Friday meeting of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board said the decertifications were “ historic ” and commended the law enforcement leaders who pushed for the change .
“ Public trust is achieved when law enforcement officers act with honesty and accountability .
While the vast majority of peace officers honor this trust each and every day they put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some officers that do not belong in this profession , ” Weiser said in a news release issued Friday afternoon .
Decertification means the officers can no longer work in Colorado law enforcement .
Prior to the law change , agencies could fire officers for lying but those officers could still move on to a different agency and the POST Board could only revoke officers ’ certifications for criminal conduct .
None of the six former officers — Christopher Goble of the Lone Tree Police Department , Richard Jones of the Pueblo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayfield Marshal ’ s Office , Russell Smith of the El Paso County Sheriff ’ s Office , Jeremy Gay of the Delta Police Department and Lara Dreiling of the Arapahoe County Sheriff ’ s Office — contested their decertification .
“ Integrity is the cornerstone for positive relationships between law enforcement officers and their communities .
When individual peace officers violate this trust , it damages that relationship for everyone in the profession .
It is essential that we hold these persons accountable and ensure they will no longer serve in Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director Erik Bourgerie said in a news release .
At least three of the decertified officers lied during internal investigations , one lied while testifying under oath and two lied on “ official criminal justice records , ” according to the minutes of the meeting .
More details about each officer ’ s lies were not discussed during the POST Board meeting nor disclosed in the meeting minutes .
Lawrence Pacheco , spokesman for the attorney general ’ s office , said the notices provided to the POST Board by the officers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The six officers also will be added to a national list of decertified officers maintained by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training .
The federal government does not monitor officer decertifications .
The POST Board also decertified two other police officers , Park County Sheriff ’ s Deputy Sara Strickland and Durango police Officer Justin Moore , for pleading guilty to crimes .
Strickland pleaded guilty to felony second-degree burglary and Moore pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment .
All of the decertified officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a police reform bill passed this summer , which will also include officers fired for cause , officers caught lying and those who repeatedly fail to meet training standards .

Six Colorado law enforcement officers lost their certification Friday for lying during criminal investigations or internal affairs investigations — the first time police have been decertified under a law passed in 2019.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser during a Friday meeting of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board said the decertifications were “historic” and commended the law enforcement leaders who pushed for the change.
“Public trust is achieved when law enforcement officers act with honesty and accountability. While the vast majority of peace officers honor this trust each and every day they put on their badge, unfortunately, there are some officers that do not belong in this profession,” Weiser said in a news release issued Friday afternoon.
Decertification means the officers can no longer work in Colorado law enforcement. Prior to the law change, agencies could fire officers for lying but those officers could still move on to a different agency and the POST Board could only revoke officers’ certifications for criminal conduct.
None of the six former officers — Christopher Goble of the Lone Tree Police Department, Richard Jones of the Pueblo Police Department, Christopher Tonge of the Bayfield Marshal’s Office, Russell Smith of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Jeremy Gay of the Delta Police Department and Lara Dreiling of the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office — contested their decertification.
“Integrity is the cornerstone for positive relationships between law enforcement officers and their communities. When individual peace officers violate this trust, it damages that relationship for everyone in the profession. It is essential that we hold these persons accountable and ensure they will no longer serve in Colorado as certified peace officers,” POST Director Erik Bourgerie said in a news release.
At least three of the decertified officers lied during internal investigations, one lied while testifying under oath and two lied on “official criminal justice records,” according to the minutes of the meeting.
More details about each officer’s lies were not discussed during the POST Board meeting nor disclosed in the meeting minutes. Lawrence Pacheco, spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said the notices provided to the POST Board by the officers’ former agencies do not offer further details.
The six officers also will be added to a national list of decertified officers maintained by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. The federal government does not monitor officer decertifications.
The POST Board also decertified two other police officers, Park County Sheriff’s Deputy Sara Strickland and Durango police Officer Justin Moore, for pleading guilty to crimes. Strickland pleaded guilty to felony second-degree burglary and Moore pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment.
All of the decertified officers will be added to a database required by a police reform bill passed this summer, which will also include officers fired for cause, officers caught lying and those who repeatedly fail to meet training standards.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Trump picks Fort Collins developer for board that sells federal buildings

President Donald Trump has nominated Gino Campana , a former Fort Collins city councilman and real estate developer , to a little-known federal board tasked with selling federal property .
Campana , who also chairs the Larimer County Republican Party , was chosen to chair the Public Buildings Reform Board , a panel created in 2016 with the sole goal of selling billions of dollars of federal buildings that are unused or underused .
“ It is non-partisan and it is difficult to find an argument against it , ” Campana said of the board Friday .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to sell them , and maximizing proceeds for our federal government .
Everybody wins.
” Campana said he reached out to the Trump administration and asked how he can be of assistance .
After an interview and a few conversations , the Presidential Personnel Office got back to him and mentioned the PBRB , which he had not heard of .
After reading about it , he thought it was a perfect fit .
A background check was done and his nomination was announced by the White House on Nov. 24 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ however .
The chairmanship requires U.S. Senate confirmation and there are only a few weeks remaining in the 116th Congress .
If Campana is not confirmed before Jan. 20 , President Joe Biden could nominate someone else for the position next year .
“ People ask me all the time , ‘ Is this going to happen ?
’ and I tell them , ‘ I have no idea and no control over it , ’ ” Campana said with a laugh .
“ That ’ s definitely a concern of mine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as concerned because there are so many other things going on right now .
But it is a concern.
” The PBRB was created by bipartisan legislation that passed unanimously through Congress and was signed into law by President Barack Obama in the waning weeks of his presidency .
It will sunset in 2025 unless extended by Congress .
Late last year , the board , which has a full-time director and staff , submitted an initial list of properties valued at more than $ 500 million it believes should be sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains of the Denver VA Medical Center , a largely vacant complex near the Rose Medical Center .
Since a VA hospital opened in Aurora in 2018 , the Denver center has only housed a post-traumatic stress disorder clinic .
The PBRB expects to sell eight acres — about 530,000 square feet , plus an eight-story parking garage .
The federal government spends nearly $ 4 million annually maintaining its mostly vacant buildings there .
Money from that sale , and others facilitated by the PBRB , will go into a fund for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Campana founded Bellisimo , a Fort Collins development company , and has spent 25 years in the real estate industry .
He was elected to the Fort Collins City Council in 2013 , served one term , and was a finalist to be gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton ’ s running mate in 2018 , before Stapleton chose Lang Sias instead .

President Donald Trump has nominated Gino Campana, a former Fort Collins city councilman and real estate developer, to a little-known federal board tasked with selling federal property.
Campana, who also chairs the Larimer County Republican Party, was chosen to chair the Public Buildings Reform Board, a panel created in 2016 with the sole goal of selling billions of dollars of federal buildings that are unused or underused.
“It is non-partisan and it is difficult to find an argument against it,” Campana said of the board Friday. “We’re determining underutilized assets, figuring out how to sell them, and maximizing proceeds for our federal government. Everybody wins.”
Campana said he reached out to the Trump administration and asked how he can be of assistance. After an interview and a few conversations, the Presidential Personnel Office got back to him and mentioned the PBRB, which he had not heard of. After reading about it, he thought it was a perfect fit. A background check was done and his nomination was announced by the White House on Nov. 24.
Campana might have a calendar problem, however. The chairmanship requires U.S. Senate confirmation and there are only a few weeks remaining in the 116th Congress. If Campana is not confirmed before Jan. 20, President Joe Biden could nominate someone else for the position next year.
“People ask me all the time, ‘Is this going to happen?’ and I tell them, ‘I have no idea and no control over it,’” Campana said with a laugh.
“That’s definitely a concern of mine. I’m not sure if others are as concerned because there are so many other things going on right now. But it is a concern.”
The PBRB was created by bipartisan legislation that passed unanimously through Congress and was signed into law by President Barack Obama in the waning weeks of his presidency. It will sunset in 2025 unless extended by Congress.
Late last year, the board, which has a full-time director and staff, submitted an initial list of properties valued at more than $500 million it believes should be sold. High on the list is what remains of the Denver VA Medical Center, a largely vacant complex near the Rose Medical Center. Since a VA hospital opened in Aurora in 2018, the Denver center has only housed a post-traumatic stress disorder clinic.
The PBRB expects to sell eight acres — about 530,000 square feet, plus an eight-story parking garage. The federal government spends nearly $4 million annually maintaining its mostly vacant buildings there.
“It’s ripe for redevelopment,” Campana said. “It’s severely underutilized.”
Money from that sale, and others facilitated by the PBRB, will go into a fund for constructing and maintaining federal buildings across the country.
Campana founded Bellisimo, a Fort Collins development company, and has spent 25 years in the real estate industry. He was elected to the Fort Collins City Council in 2013, served one term, and was a finalist to be gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton’s running mate in 2018, before Stapleton chose Lang Sias instead.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Colorado maker of electric commercial vehicles plans to go public

Lightning eMotors , which designs and manufactures electric vehicles for commercial and government fleets , plans to go public through an agreement with GigCapital3 Inc. , a California-based investment fund .
The deal between the Loveland-based company and the private-to-public equity corporation is expected to generate gross proceeds of $ 125 million .
The pro forma equity value of the merger announced Thursday is about $ 823 million , a statement by both companies said .
“ ( Thursday ) marks an important step forward in Lightning eMotors ’ mission to lead the commercial medium-duty zero-emission vehicle market , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s co-founder and CEO .
Lightning eMotors , formerly named Lightning Systems , was started in 2008 .
The company electrifies commercial fleets , including cargo and passenger vans , work trucks , city buses , ambulances and motor coaches .
In October , the company announced receiving an order for 600 vans and trucks from Fluid Truck , which rents commercial vehicles .
In a call with investors , Reeser said the company has 120 vehicles on the road and 1,500 vehicles on order .
The company projects revenue of $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees an opportunity for significant growth as fleets change from internal combustion engines to zero-emission vehicles and as states and cities move to get more electric vehicles on the road .
In 2019 , Colorado air-quality regulators adopted a zero-emission standard requiring that at least 5 % of automakers ’ vehicles available for sale by 2023 be electric .
The standard is part of the state ’ s efforts to improve air quality .
“ As a public company , Lightning eMotors will have a stronger capital structure to invest in capacity expansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and through acquisitions , ” said Raluca Dinu , managing partner of GigCapital Global and board member of GigCapital3 .
Besides manufacturing zero-emission commercial vehicles , Lightning eMotors provides analytics , charging technology and financing .
Reeser said the plant in Loveland can produce 1,000 vehicles a year .
The company expects to increase the capacity to 3,000 vehicles in 2021 .

Lightning eMotors, which designs and manufactures electric vehicles for commercial and government fleets, plans to go public through an agreement with GigCapital3 Inc., a California-based investment fund.
The deal between the Loveland-based company and the private-to-public equity corporation is expected to generate gross proceeds of $125 million. The pro forma equity value of the merger announced Thursday is about $823 million, a statement by both companies said.
“(Thursday) marks an important step forward in Lightning eMotors’ mission to lead the commercial medium-duty zero-emission vehicle market,” said Tim Reeser, the company’s co-founder and CEO.
Lightning eMotors, formerly named Lightning Systems, was started in 2008. The company electrifies commercial fleets, including cargo and passenger vans, work trucks, city buses, ambulances and motor coaches. In October, the company announced receiving an order for 600 vans and trucks from Fluid Truck, which rents commercial vehicles.
In a call with investors, Reeser said the company has 120 vehicles on the road and 1,500 vehicles on order. The company projects revenue of $2 billion in 2025. Reeser said he sees an opportunity for significant growth as fleets change from internal combustion engines to zero-emission vehicles and as states and cities move to get more electric vehicles on the road.
In 2019, Colorado air-quality regulators adopted a zero-emission standard requiring that at least 5% of automakers’ vehicles available for sale by 2023 be electric. The standard is part of the state’s efforts to improve air quality.
“As a public company, Lightning eMotors will have a stronger capital structure to invest in capacity expansion, develop additional technology, both organically and through acquisitions,” said Raluca Dinu, managing partner of GigCapital Global and board member of GigCapital3.
Besides manufacturing zero-emission commercial vehicles, Lightning eMotors provides analytics, charging technology and financing. Reeser said the plant in Loveland can produce 1,000 vehicles a year. The company expects to increase the capacity to 3,000 vehicles in 2021.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--Broncos Briefs: Bradley Chubb on track to achieve goal of double-digit sacks

Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb enters Sunday ’ s game at Carolina with a team-best 7 1/2 sacks and the goal over the final four weeks is to reach double-digits .
“ It would be huge for me after ( last year ’ s torn ACL ) and what I went through mentally in thinking , ‘ Maybe I ’ m done .
Maybe I can ’ t do this anymore , ’ ” he said before practice Friday .
“ It would be good to just erase all those thoughts .
Having that goal at the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be pretty cool.
” Chubb , who was limited to four games last year , has played every game this year and leads the Broncos with 24 pass-rush “ disruptions , ” according to The Denver Post ’ s game charting .
In a reflective mood , Chubb looked back at his rehabilitation and the natural doubts that crept into his mind .
“ During the rehab process , there were days where I ’ d get sore and be like , ‘ Oh , man , I don ’ t know ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Just a whole bunch of stuff comes into your head .
… But at the end of the day , when I started talking to my family and people close to me , it brought back out the confidence that I have in myself .
It would never be a constant thing in my head that I would never be the same player.
” The only speed-bump Chubb has hit this year came during a late August practice at Mile High when he was shut down because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial concern , “ just because you ’ re getting back to it and the season was getting so close and then boom , it ’ s like , ‘ Oh , man , now what ?
Now am I going to be out ?
’ It was a whole bunch of stuff going through your head like that .
But when you really sit down and look at for what it is , it allows you to calm down and that ’ s what I did.
” Injury report .
Right guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice Friday and is listed as doubtful to play Sunday .
The Broncos have used the “ doubtful ” designation only three times this year — running back Phillip Lindsay in Week 3 and returner/receiver Diontae Spencer in Week 9 .
Lindsay and Spencer did not play .
Receiver Tyrie Cleveland ( illness , did not practice Friday ) and safety Trey Marshall ( shin , limited all week ) are questionable .
Return game boost .
The Broncos expect to get Spencer back after he missed two games on the COVID-19/reserve list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the punt return game .
“ We ’ ve had five games where we went into the game really to fair catch the football without Spence , ” special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said .
“ We weren ’ t trying to ‘ return.
’ We were just making sure we caught the ball because of depth issues.
” Overall on special teams , McMahon said : “ We ’ ve started to progress these last three games .
You see it with continuity , too .
We ’ ve had a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games .
I think we have a ways to go .
We need to cover some kicks in order to see where our coverage is.
” Footnotes .
Fangio on quarterback Drew Lock appearing on the injury report ( back ) .
“ It kind of tightened up on him late in practice ( Wednesday ) .
But he came in and got treatment and has been fine since.
” … Safety Will Parks will be active in his return to the Broncos .
“ He ’ s done well ( this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re confident to play him if we need to.
” … Kansas City posted 12 explosive plays against the Broncos last week — eight passes of at least 16 yards and four rushes of at least 12 yards .
For the season , opponents have 84 explosive plays ( 54 passes/30 rushes ) and the Broncos have 85 ( 59 passes/26 rushes ) .
… During a team meeting Thursday , the Broncos presented their “ Champions in the Community ” awards .
Left guard Dalton Risner ( Community Impact Award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Rookie ) and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb , receiver Tim Patrick and inside linebackers Alexander Johnson and Joe Jones ( Community Ambassadors ) were honored .
… Carolina leads the NFL with 12 fumble recoveries .
“ They play hard on defense , they have good team speed , they swarm well and they ’ ve done a good job knocking ( the football ) out , ” Fangio said .

Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb enters Sunday’s game at Carolina with a team-best 7 1/2 sacks and the goal over the final four weeks is to reach double-digits.
“It would be huge for me after (last year’s torn ACL) and what I went through mentally in thinking, ‘Maybe I’m done. Maybe I can’t do this anymore,’” he said before practice Friday. “It would be good to just erase all those thoughts. Having that goal at the beginning of the season and to finally reach it would be pretty cool.”
Chubb, who was limited to four games last year, has played every game this year and leads the Broncos with 24 pass-rush “disruptions,” according to The Denver Post’s game charting.
In a reflective mood, Chubb looked back at his rehabilitation and the natural doubts that crept into his mind.
“During the rehab process, there were days where I’d get sore and be like, ‘Oh, man, I don’t know (about regaining his form),’” he said. “Just a whole bunch of stuff comes into your head. … But at the end of the day, when I started talking to my family and people close to me, it brought back out the confidence that I have in myself. It would never be a constant thing in my head that I would never be the same player.”
The only speed-bump Chubb has hit this year came during a late August practice at Mile High when he was shut down because of knee soreness.
Chubb said there was initial concern, “just because you’re getting back to it and the season was getting so close and then boom, it’s like, ‘Oh, man, now what? Now am I going to be out?’ It was a whole bunch of stuff going through your head like that. But when you really sit down and look at for what it is, it allows you to calm down and that’s what I did.”
Injury report. Right guard Graham Glasgow (foot) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful to play Sunday.
The Broncos have used the “doubtful” designation only three times this year — running back Phillip Lindsay in Week 3 and returner/receiver Diontae Spencer in Week 9. Lindsay and Spencer did not play.
Receiver Tyrie Cleveland (illness, did not practice Friday) and safety Trey Marshall (shin, limited all week) are questionable.
Return game boost. The Broncos expect to get Spencer back after he missed two games on the COVID-19/reserve list. He should provide a pulse to the punt return game.
“We’ve had five games where we went into the game really to fair catch the football without Spence,” special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said. “We weren’t trying to ‘return.’ We were just making sure we caught the ball because of depth issues.”
Overall on special teams, McMahon said: “We’ve started to progress these last three games. You see it with continuity, too. We’ve had a lot of the same guys the last few games. I think we have a ways to go. We need to cover some kicks in order to see where our coverage is.”
Footnotes. Fangio on quarterback Drew Lock appearing on the injury report (back). “It kind of tightened up on him late in practice (Wednesday). But he came in and got treatment and has been fine since.” … Safety Will Parks will be active in his return to the Broncos. “He’s done well (this week),” Fangio said. “We’re confident to play him if we need to.” … Kansas City posted 12 explosive plays against the Broncos last week — eight passes of at least 16 yards and four rushes of at least 12 yards. For the season, opponents have 84 explosive plays (54 passes/30 rushes) and the Broncos have 85 (59 passes/26 rushes). … During a team meeting Thursday, the Broncos presented their “Champions in the Community” awards. Left guard Dalton Risner (Community Impact Award), defensive lineman McTelvin Agim (Community Rookie) and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, receiver Tim Patrick and inside linebackers Alexander Johnson and Joe Jones (Community Ambassadors) were honored. … Carolina leads the NFL with 12 fumble recoveries. “They play hard on defense, they have good team speed, they swarm well and they’ve done a good job knocking (the football) out,” Fangio said.


thedenverpost--2020-12-11--White House threatens FDA chief’s job over vaccine approval

WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine by the end of the day or face possible firing , two administration officials said .
The vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech won a critical endorsement Thursday from an FDA panel of outside advisers , and signoff from the agency — which was expected this weekend — is the next step needed to get the shots to the public .
The FDA is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisory committees , but the devastation caused by the virus makes the vaccine ’ s authorization almost certain .
Meadows spoke to Hahn by telephone Friday , according to a senior administration official who was familiar with the call but was not authorized to discuss private conversations .
The chief of staff also told Hahn his job was in jeopardy if the emergency use authorization was not issued before Saturday , said a second administration official familiar with the conversation .
Hahn signaled that he would tell regulators to allow the vaccine to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official said .
President Donald Trump has been pressing for quick approval for the vaccine and tweeted directly at Hahn earlier Friday , complaining that FDA “ is still a big , old , slow turtle.
” Trump has publicly bashed the pace of the FDA ’ s vaccine review process .
“ Get the dam vaccines out NOW , Dr. Hahn , ” Trump tweeted Friday .
“ Stop playing games and start saving lives.
” Hahn disputed characterizations of his conversation with Meadows .
“ This is an untrue representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Staff , ” Hahn said in a statement .
“ The FDA was encouraged to continue working expeditiously on Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s EUA request .
FDA is committed to issuing this authorization quickly , as we noted in our statement this morning.
” The FDA said earlier Friday that it “ will rapidly work ” to grant emergency use of the vaccine .
Dr. Ashish Jha , dean of Brown University ’ s school of public health , called the pressure an “ unforced error ” by the White House that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
“ It creates a veneer of political meddling , ” Jha said .
“ Every time you see the president get involved , you see vaccine confidence drop by 10 % .
” Hahn and other top health officials have been working for months to boost public confidence in the government ’ s vaccine effort , which will eventually need to reach most Americans to suppress the virus .
Recent polls show only about half of all Americans are ready to roll up their sleeves for a shot .
Many have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how the initial rollout fares .
But concerns that a vaccine was rushed due to political pressure could further undermine the unprecedented vaccination effort .
“ The last thing this process needs now is to undermine the public ’ s faith in the vaccine with political pressure to hurry up an already rushed process with threats of firings , ” said Carl Tobias , law professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia .
Jha added that FDA officials don ’ t need the added pressure .
“ They already feel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country , ” he said .
Trump ’ s frustration with the FDA has been mounting , particularly as other countries have beaten the U.S. in issuing emergency approvals for the vaccine .
Meadows issued the ultimatum to Hahn at Trump ’ s direction , a senior administration official said .
The FDA decision — when it comes — will kickstart an unprecedented vaccination campaign needed to eventually defeat the virus , now blamed for nearly 300,000 deaths in the U.S. And the agency ’ s greenlight of the vaccine was virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by agency advisers .
Typically , the FDA does not publicly comment on the progress or timing of its reviews , which are considered confidential government information .
The FDA ’ s review is critical to assuring the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that will eventually be given to millions of Americans , including highly vulnerable groups like nursing home residents .
The agency ’ s careful approach is unique around the world in that the FDA actually reanalyzes all company data to verify its accuracy .
That ’ s different from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other countries , which rely on summary data produced by manufacturers .
Hahn has stated for months that “ science , not politics ” would determine when the agency gives the vaccine the go-ahead .
He surprised many critics in October by defying the White House and publishing strict FDA safety guidelines for upcoming COVID-19 vaccines .
The standards effectively closed the door on Trump ’ s long-stated goal of delivering a vaccine by Election Day and undercut White House staffers who had blocked the guidelines for weeks.
, More than 150 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over nights , weekends and the Thanksgiving holiday to review tens of thousands of pages of Pfizer ’ s application .
Hahn told The Associated Press earlier this week that his agency had already teed up authorization by prefilling all the necessary legal paperwork .
“ We ’ re doing everything we can to cut down on the red tape , which I think is really important , ” Hahn told the AP .
Trump has been livid with the FDA for not moving faster to approve the shots , blaming the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nov. 3 election for his loss .
Trump also has leveled unfounded claims that drug companies deliberately delayed vaccine development to hinder his reelection chances , though there is no evidence to suggest that took place .
As he has refused to accept his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden , Trump also has told close confidants that he believes the vaccine is still being slow-walked in a bid to undermine his efforts to challenge the results .
If the vaccine were shipped out sooner , he has argued , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lemire reported from Wilmington , Del .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Jonathan Lemire, Darlene Superville, Matthew Perrone

WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine by the end of the day or face possible firing, two administration officials said.
The vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech won a critical endorsement Thursday from an FDA panel of outside advisers, and signoff from the agency — which was expected this weekend — is the next step needed to get the shots to the public.
The FDA is not required to follow the guidance of its advisory committees, but the devastation caused by the virus makes the vaccine’s authorization almost certain.
Meadows spoke to Hahn by telephone Friday, according to a senior administration official who was familiar with the call but was not authorized to discuss private conversations.
The chief of staff also told Hahn his job was in jeopardy if the emergency use authorization was not issued before Saturday, said a second administration official familiar with the conversation.
Hahn signaled that he would tell regulators to allow the vaccine to be issued on an emergency basis, the official said.
President Donald Trump has been pressing for quick approval for the vaccine and tweeted directly at Hahn earlier Friday, complaining that FDA “is still a big, old, slow turtle.” Trump has publicly bashed the pace of the FDA’s vaccine review process.
“Get the dam vaccines out NOW, Dr. Hahn,” Trump tweeted Friday. “Stop playing games and start saving lives.”
Hahn disputed characterizations of his conversation with Meadows.
“This is an untrue representation of the phone call with the Chief of Staff,” Hahn said in a statement. “The FDA was encouraged to continue working expeditiously on Pfizer-BioNTech’s EUA request. FDA is committed to issuing this authorization quickly, as we noted in our statement this morning.”
The FDA said earlier Friday that it “will rapidly work” to grant emergency use of the vaccine.
Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s school of public health, called the pressure an “unforced error” by the White House that could chip away at public confidence in a vaccine.
“It creates a veneer of political meddling,” Jha said. “Every time you see the president get involved, you see vaccine confidence drop by 10%.”
Hahn and other top health officials have been working for months to boost public confidence in the government’s vaccine effort, which will eventually need to reach most Americans to suppress the virus.
Recent polls show only about half of all Americans are ready to roll up their sleeves for a shot. Many have safety concerns and want to wait and see how the initial rollout fares. But concerns that a vaccine was rushed due to political pressure could further undermine the unprecedented vaccination effort.
“The last thing this process needs now is to undermine the public’s faith in the vaccine with political pressure to hurry up an already rushed process with threats of firings,” said Carl Tobias, law professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia.
Jha added that FDA officials don’t need the added pressure. “They already feel the weight of what’s happening in our country,” he said.
Trump’s frustration with the FDA has been mounting, particularly as other countries have beaten the U.S. in issuing emergency approvals for the vaccine. Meadows issued the ultimatum to Hahn at Trump’s direction, a senior administration official said.
The FDA decision — when it comes — will kickstart an unprecedented vaccination campaign needed to eventually defeat the virus, now blamed for nearly 300,000 deaths in the U.S. And the agency’s greenlight of the vaccine was virtually assured after Thursday’s positive vote by agency advisers.
Typically, the FDA does not publicly comment on the progress or timing of its reviews, which are considered confidential government information.
The FDA’s review is critical to assuring the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that will eventually be given to millions of Americans, including highly vulnerable groups like nursing home residents.
The agency’s careful approach is unique around the world in that the FDA actually reanalyzes all company data to verify its accuracy. That’s different from the abbreviated process used by the U.K. and other countries, which rely on summary data produced by manufacturers.
Hahn has stated for months that “science, not politics” would determine when the agency gives the vaccine the go-ahead.
He surprised many critics in October by defying the White House and publishing strict FDA safety guidelines for upcoming COVID-19 vaccines. The standards effectively closed the door on Trump’s long-stated goal of delivering a vaccine by Election Day and undercut White House staffers who had blocked the guidelines for weeks.,
More than 150 FDA staffers have been working in shifts over nights, weekends and the Thanksgiving holiday to review tens of thousands of pages of Pfizer’s application.
Hahn told The Associated Press earlier this week that his agency had already teed up authorization by prefilling all the necessary legal paperwork.
“We’re doing everything we can to cut down on the red tape, which I think is really important,” Hahn told the AP.
Trump has been livid with the FDA for not moving faster to approve the shots, blaming the fact that a vaccine was not available before the Nov. 3 election for his loss. Trump also has leveled unfounded claims that drug companies deliberately delayed vaccine development to hinder his reelection chances, though there is no evidence to suggest that took place.
As he has refused to accept his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden, Trump also has told close confidants that he believes the vaccine is still being slow-walked in a bid to undermine his efforts to challenge the results.
If the vaccine were shipped out sooner, he has argued, it would rally public opinion to his side.
___
Lemire reported from Wilmington, Del. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--Can virtual reality training teach cops empathy? Denver police hope so.

During training next year , Denver police officers will strap virtual reality goggles to their faces and experience a simulation of what it is like to have a psychotic break and be approached by police .
The lights are overwhelming , every noise is louder and seems closer , and the panicked narration in your head overwhelms what other people on scene are trying to tell you .
An officer approaches , but you are not able to communicate effectively to explain what ’ s going on or even see his face because he is shining a flashlight at you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re the police officer responding to the call and tasked with helping the person whose shoes you just virtually occupied .
You walk through the scene again , prompted with multiple options of how to handle the situation .
The goal is to de-escalate the scene .
All Denver police officers will be required to complete the virtual reality trainings beginning in 2021 as part of the department ’ s expanded training requirements .
Officers will have access to trainings aimed at helping people with schizophrenia , autism and suicidal ideation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out new trainings focused on helping people who have dementia , post-traumatic stress disorder or are hard of hearing .
“ The reason that we are pursuing it is empathy itself is something all of us should be looking for , ” Denver police Chief Paul Pazen said .
“ We want to see the world through a different set of eyes so we can better understand the issues or problems that people are dealing with .
I think it means a lot.
” “ What I like about this is it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoes perspective , ” Pazen said later .
The virtual reality training is part of a $ 16 million contract extension between the Denver Department of Public Safety and massive police supply company Axon Enterprise for 1,800 new body cameras , five years of online storage for body camera footage and more than 1,000 new Tasers for the city ’ s police and sheriff ’ s deputies .
Denver City Council approved the contract on Monday , though it faced criticism from some council members who voted against it .
The spending is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget .
The contract approval came one day before the release of an investigation that found that Denver police officers routinely failed to use body cameras they already had while responding to the chaotic George Floyd protests in the city in late May and early June .
Hundreds of arrests were not documented as were countless uses of force against protesters and bystanders .
The contract also pays for video storage on Evidence.com , which has also come into question after the protest response investigation .
The Office of the Independent Monitor did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead the police department sent individual videos to the monitor ’ s staff that they identified as relevant .
City council members , the city ’ s Citizen Oversight Board and the independent monitor himself have stated since the report ’ s publication on Tuesday that it is time to address that lack of access .
“ Allowing the OIM access to Evidence.com would give access to all law enforcement sensitive information contained in that system , such as sexual assaults , homicides , etc , ” a police department spokesman said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Denver Post about why the monitor did not have access .
“ We continue to work with the Office of the Independent Monitor and provide what is needed for their review , both proactively and upon their request.
” Pazen said he ’ s not aware of any other Colorado law enforcement agency using the virtual reality training .
The training will fit into the department ’ s attempts to better de-escalate situations and provide officers more education about people with mental health diagnoses .
There has not been much research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainings is at changing officers ’ behaviors in the field , said Kaylee Widener , a graduate student of psychology at the University of Denver who is studying how police attitudes about mental illness affect their responses .
The trainings are certainly helpful for starting a conversation about how different officers reacted to the simulation , however .
“ It ’ s a great way to start trainings because you have the ability to watch someone go through it and then talk about what they did , ” Widener said .
Nearly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed by police in the United States since 2015 had mental health diagnoses , according to The Washington Post ’ s police shooting database .
Denver police , too , have killed people with mental illness , including the high-profile shootings of 15-year-old Paul Childs in 2003 and of Paul Castaway in 2015 .
“ The training helps teach why it ’ s important to use a calm voice , here ’ s why it ’ s important to turn down the radio , to use calm lights , ” Pazen said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that solves all the issues and problems , ” Pazen said .
“ ( Crisis intervention training ) didn ’ t fix everything .
Co-responders aren ’ t going to be able to fix everything .
STAR isn ’ t going to be able to fix everything by itself .
This in itself isn ’ t a cure for the challenges that we face , but it ’ s part of the solution .
”

During training next year, Denver police officers will strap virtual reality goggles to their faces and experience a simulation of what it is like to have a psychotic break and be approached by police.
The lights are overwhelming, every noise is louder and seems closer, and the panicked narration in your head overwhelms what other people on scene are trying to tell you. An officer approaches, but you are not able to communicate effectively to explain what’s going on or even see his face because he is shining a flashlight at you.
Then the module switches. Now you’re the police officer responding to the call and tasked with helping the person whose shoes you just virtually occupied. You walk through the scene again, prompted with multiple options of how to handle the situation. The goal is to de-escalate the scene.
All Denver police officers will be required to complete the virtual reality trainings beginning in 2021 as part of the department’s expanded training requirements. Officers will have access to trainings aimed at helping people with schizophrenia, autism and suicidal ideation. Axon Enterprises also plans to roll out new trainings focused on helping people who have dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder or are hard of hearing.
“The reason that we are pursuing it is empathy itself is something all of us should be looking for,” Denver police Chief Paul Pazen said. “We want to see the world through a different set of eyes so we can better understand the issues or problems that people are dealing with. I think it means a lot.”
“What I like about this is it is truly a walk a mile in my shoes perspective,” Pazen said later.
The virtual reality training is part of a $16 million contract extension between the Denver Department of Public Safety and massive police supply company Axon Enterprise for 1,800 new body cameras, five years of online storage for body camera footage and more than 1,000 new Tasers for the city’s police and sheriff’s deputies. Denver City Council approved the contract on Monday, though it faced criticism from some council members who voted against it. The spending is part of the department’s already-approved budget.
The contract approval came one day before the release of an investigation that found that Denver police officers routinely failed to use body cameras they already had while responding to the chaotic George Floyd protests in the city in late May and early June. Hundreds of arrests were not documented as were countless uses of force against protesters and bystanders.
The contract also pays for video storage on Evidence.com, which has also come into question after the protest response investigation. The Office of the Independent Monitor did not have access to the website and instead the police department sent individual videos to the monitor’s staff that they identified as relevant. City council members, the city’s Citizen Oversight Board and the independent monitor himself have stated since the report’s publication on Tuesday that it is time to address that lack of access.
“Allowing the OIM access to Evidence.com would give access to all law enforcement sensitive information contained in that system, such as sexual assaults, homicides, etc,” a police department spokesman said in an email in response to a question by The Denver Post about why the monitor did not have access. “We continue to work with the Office of the Independent Monitor and provide what is needed for their review, both proactively and upon their request.”
Pazen said he’s not aware of any other Colorado law enforcement agency using the virtual reality training. The training will fit into the department’s attempts to better de-escalate situations and provide officers more education about people with mental health diagnoses.
There has not been much research on how effective virtual reality or simulation trainings is at changing officers’ behaviors in the field, said Kaylee Widener, a graduate student of psychology at the University of Denver who is studying how police attitudes about mental illness affect their responses. The trainings are certainly helpful for starting a conversation about how different officers reacted to the simulation, however.
“It’s a great way to start trainings because you have the ability to watch someone go through it and then talk about what they did,” Widener said.
Nearly a quarter of the 5,865 people shot and killed by police in the United States since 2015 had mental health diagnoses, according to The Washington Post’s police shooting database. Denver police, too, have killed people with mental illness, including the high-profile shootings of 15-year-old Paul Childs in 2003 and of Paul Castaway in 2015.
“The training helps teach why it’s important to use a calm voice, here’s why it’s important to turn down the radio, to use calm lights,” Pazen said.
“There’s not one program that solves all the issues and problems,” Pazen said. “(Crisis intervention training) didn’t fix everything. Co-responders aren’t going to be able to fix everything. STAR isn’t going to be able to fix everything by itself. This in itself isn’t a cure for the challenges that we face, but it’s part of the solution.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--Loveland mom creates app to help with co-parenting communication

One Loveland mom , frustrated with app alternatives to work with her co-parent , decided that she could make one better .
Bianca Schroetlin said she was using other apps to communicate with her ex-husband about her two young sons , but was not happy with the app that she was using or the communication she was having with her ex .
She tried to work with the app developer but that did not go anywhere .
She tried to go through the courts to figure out the problem , but that wasn ’ t working either .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There has to be a better way , so I started thinking about how I could improve the app I was currently using.
” She founded the Peaceful Parent app to try to increase positive and productive communication between co-parents as they navigate the relationship .
While she has no background in coding or app development , Schroetlin did research and hired a coach to help her get the app off the ground and has begun to outsource some of the work .
“ The more I learned about app development the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I am really fascinated by all of it.
” The app allows co-parents to message one another about important matters regarding their children .
Messages can be personalized for any type of situation and any level of positivity .
Some messages can be totally open , some can have character limits or time of day limits among other features and some , termed as canned messages , allow co-parents to only interact with each other through a set of prewritten messages meant solely to get the most important message across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is for more serious situations , where no matter what you do or say or ask politely , the nasty messages just won ’ t stop , ” Schroetlin said .
Kayla Schneider , Bianca ’ s friend who lives in Northglenn , said she is using the app that Schroetlin was previously using and shares many of the same frustrations .
While she has not been able to officially use Schroetlin ’ s app , she said there are many features that she likes .
“ I really love her idea with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how long things can be and have preset things for you to just type it in , ” Schneider said .
“ It is difficult when your emotions get involved and there are pages coming back at you from the other parent.
” The app also provides resources on how co-parents can best communicate with one another .
It will provide a tip of the week as well .
Schneider said this tip , while just a small function of the app , can prove helpful during co-parenting situations .
“ The one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple sentences , but seeing that and seeing a really easy reminder to be kind , that by itself is powerful and helpful , ” Schneider said .
As the app has hit the iPhone market , with plans for an Android version , those around Schroetlin said they are impressed with what she has created .
Steve Majors , Schroetlin ’ s boyfriend , said she was dealing with her ex-husband who , she said , was not being cooperative or positive in working with her .
“ We were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of wouldn ’ t it be great if there was an app that could narrow everything down to just what needed to be talked about in regards to the kids , ” Majors said .
“ She started working on it and she has just been going at lightning speed.
” Majors said he is impressed by what Schroetlin has done .
“ ( Court approved apps ) pretty much just create a document that is court permissible , but they don ’ t put you into an avenue that allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Majors said .
Schroetlin ’ s friend and neighbor Cayti Blair said Schroetlin approached her about the app for the first time over the summer .
“ I had never heard of anything like that , didn ’ t know if there was anything like that on the app store , and she sent it to me wanting reviews and I was pretty impressed , ” Blair said .
Schroetlin said one of the most important aspects of the app and what it does is not as much for the parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by it .
“ It directly comes back to the kids ; because if the kids hear , and they do , the negative talk going back and forth , the banter between the co-parents , it affects them , ” Majors said .
“ They are small , they are young , they haven ’ t developed an understanding of what is going on .
So they want to pick sides .
They feel scared , hurt .
( With the app ) they learn that two co-parents can communicate with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are going to take that on to other aspects of their life.
” Schneider said that , as she deals with continued court issues , having a program that makes co-parenting solutions to the point helps not only the co-parenting relationship but the relationship with her children .
“ If it is positive and it is productive and brief and to the point , it makes it so you are able to trust that person , ” Schneider said .
“ When it is brief and done correctly , it makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusting and sharing and what your kids actually need easier to accomplish.
” “ It is all about the children and how it impacts them , ” Schroetlin said .
“ When you are a happier parent , you are a happier mom .
I hope the app helps families from that standpoint to focus on the children and stop the nastiness .
I hope it can give parents the ability to set boundaries to create healthier communication for a happier family ”

One Loveland mom, frustrated with app alternatives to work with her co-parent, decided that she could make one better.
Bianca Schroetlin said she was using other apps to communicate with her ex-husband about her two young sons, but was not happy with the app that she was using or the communication she was having with her ex. She tried to work with the app developer but that did not go anywhere. She tried to go through the courts to figure out the problem, but that wasn’t working either.
“I felt stuck,” Schroetlin said. “There has to be a better way, so I started thinking about how I could improve the app I was currently using.”
She founded the Peaceful Parent app to try to increase positive and productive communication between co-parents as they navigate the relationship. While she has no background in coding or app development, Schroetlin did research and hired a coach to help her get the app off the ground and has begun to outsource some of the work.
“The more I learned about app development the more curious I got,” Schroetlin said. “I am really fascinated by all of it.”
The app allows co-parents to message one another about important matters regarding their children. Messages can be personalized for any type of situation and any level of positivity. Some messages can be totally open, some can have character limits or time of day limits among other features and some, termed as canned messages, allow co-parents to only interact with each other through a set of prewritten messages meant solely to get the most important message across without any additional text.
“That is for more serious situations, where no matter what you do or say or ask politely, the nasty messages just won’t stop,” Schroetlin said.
Kayla Schneider, Bianca’s friend who lives in Northglenn, said she is using the app that Schroetlin was previously using and shares many of the same frustrations. While she has not been able to officially use Schroetlin’s app, she said there are many features that she likes.
“I really love her idea with (it) to have limits on how long things can be and have preset things for you to just type it in,” Schneider said. “It is difficult when your emotions get involved and there are pages coming back at you from the other parent.”
The app also provides resources on how co-parents can best communicate with one another. It will provide a tip of the week as well. Schneider said this tip, while just a small function of the app, can prove helpful during co-parenting situations.
“The one that is up there now is just a couple sentences, but seeing that and seeing a really easy reminder to be kind, that by itself is powerful and helpful,” Schneider said.
As the app has hit the iPhone market, with plans for an Android version, those around Schroetlin said they are impressed with what she has created.
Steve Majors, Schroetlin’s boyfriend, said she was dealing with her ex-husband who, she said, was not being cooperative or positive in working with her.
“We were just brainstorming and she just came up with the idea of wouldn’t it be great if there was an app that could narrow everything down to just what needed to be talked about in regards to the kids,” Majors said. “She started working on it and she has just been going at lightning speed.”
Majors said he is impressed by what Schroetlin has done.
“(Court approved apps) pretty much just create a document that is court permissible, but they don’t put you into an avenue that allows you to communicate effectively about the kids,” Majors said.
Schroetlin’s friend and neighbor Cayti Blair said Schroetlin approached her about the app for the first time over the summer.
“I had never heard of anything like that, didn’t know if there was anything like that on the app store, and she sent it to me wanting reviews and I was pretty impressed,” Blair said.
Schroetlin said one of the most important aspects of the app and what it does is not as much for the parents using it, but the children impacted by it.
“It directly comes back to the kids; because if the kids hear, and they do, the negative talk going back and forth, the banter between the co-parents, it affects them,” Majors said. “They are small, they are young, they haven’t developed an understanding of what is going on. So they want to pick sides. They feel scared, hurt. (With the app) they learn that two co-parents can communicate with one another in a healthy, effective way. They are going to take that on to other aspects of their life.”
Schneider said that, as she deals with continued court issues, having a program that makes co-parenting solutions to the point helps not only the co-parenting relationship but the relationship with her children.
“If it is positive and it is productive and brief and to the point, it makes it so you are able to trust that person,” Schneider said. “When it is brief and done correctly, it makes communication that much easier and it makes trusting and sharing and what your kids actually need easier to accomplish.”
“It is all about the children and how it impacts them,” Schroetlin said. “When you are a happier parent, you are a happier mom. I hope the app helps families from that standpoint to focus on the children and stop the nastiness. I hope it can give parents the ability to set boundaries to create healthier communication for a happier family”


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--Police drones are starting to think for themselves

By Cade Metz , The New York Times Company CHULA VISTA , Calif. — When the Chula Vista police receive a 911 call , they can dispatch a flying drone with the press of a button .
On a recent afternoon , from a launchpad on the roof of the Chula Vista Police Department , they sent a drone across the city to a crowded parking lot where a young man was asleep in the front seat of a stolen car with drug paraphernalia on his lap .
When the man left the car , carrying a gun and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car had trouble following as he sprinted across the street and ducked behind a wall .
But as he threw the gun into a dumpster and hid the bag of heroin , the drone , hovering above him , caught everything on camera .
When he slipped through the back door of a strip mall , exited through the front door and ran down the sidewalk , it caught that , too .
Watching the live video feed , an officer back at headquarters relayed the details to the police on the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took him into custody .
Later , they retrieved the gun and the heroin .
And after another press of the button , the drone returned , on its own , to the roof .
Each day , the Chula Vista police respond to as many as 15 emergency calls with a drone , launching more than 4,100 flights since the program began two years ago .
Chula Vista , a Southern California city with a population of 270,000 , is the first in the country to adopt such a program , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last several months , three other cities — two in California and one in Georgia — have followed suit .
Police agencies from Hawaii to New York have used drones for years , but mostly in simple , manually flown ways .
Officers would carry a drone in the trunk of a car on patrol or drive it to a crime scene before launching it over a park or flying it inside a building .
But the latest drone technology — mirroring technology that powers self-driving cars — has the power to transform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transform package delivery , building inspections and military reconnaissance .
Rather than spending tens of millions of dollars on large helicopters and pilots , even small police forces could operate tiny autonomous drones for a relative pittance .
That newfound automation , however , raises civil liberties concerns , especially as drones gain the power to track vehicles and people automatically .
As the police use more drones , they could collect and store more video of life in the city , which could remove any expectation of privacy once you leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about these programs .
As the power and scope of this technology expands , so does the need for privacy protection , ” said Jay Stanley , a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union ’ s Project on Speech , Privacy and Technology .
“ Drones can be used to investigate known crimes .
But they are also sensors that can generate offenses.
” With the pandemic still worsening , drones are a way of policing at a distance , said Rahul Sidhu , an officer in Redondo Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program similar to the one in Chula Vista just after the virus reached the United States .
“ We ’ re just trying to limit our exposure to other people , ” he said .
“ Sometimes , you can send a drone without sending an officer.
” But down the road , he said , as these small unmanned helicopters become cheaper and more powerful , they will provide more efficient ways of policing urban areas .
That could aid police departments at a time when the number of recruits is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many voices are calling for funding cuts after months of protests against police violence .
In Chula Vista , drones are already an integral part of the way the police respond to emergencies .
After an emergency call comes in , officers give the drone a location , and it flies to that point on its own — before returning on its own , too .
FAA regulations aimed at protecting the flights of commercial planes and other aircraft prevent drones from being flown beyond the line of sight of their operators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FAA , so the pilot and officer can fly the drone as much as 3 miles from its launch site .
Each drone — including long-distance cameras , other sensors and software — costs the department about $ 35,000 .
But the overriding cost of the program lies in the many officers needed to operate the drones .
On another recent afternoon , when the Chula Vista police were alerted to a car turned upside down in an empty riverbed , they sent a new kind of drone into the ravine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , it could avoid obstacles on its own thanks to many of the same technologies used by self-driving cars .
“ An ordinary drone would have crashed by now , guaranteed , ” Sgt .
James Horst said as he watched a video of the drone swooping down into the riverbed and inspecting the inside of the car at close quarters .
The Chula Vista department treats drone video much as it does video from police bodycams , storing footage as evidence and publicly releasing it only with approval , Capt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not use drones for routine patrols .
For privacy advocates like Stanley of the ACLU , the concern is that increasingly powerful technology will be used to target parts of the community — or strictly enforce laws that are out of step with social norms .
“ It could allow law enforcement to enforce any area of the law against anyone they want , ” Stanley said .
Drones , for instance , could easily be used to identify people and restrict activity during protests like those that have been so prevalent across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Chula Vista department did not deploy drones over Black Lives Matter protests because its policies forbade it .
The Chula Vista police do not require the approval of city officials to expand drone use , but , according to Redmond , they have publicly notified the community about the continued progress of the program .
Drone as first responder programs in places like Redondo Beach and Clovis , California , are seeking waivers that would allow them to fly beyond the operators ’ line of sight .
In Clovis , near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department has found that its drones tend to overheat at the height of summer .
“ We were flying them four days a week until it got too hot , ” Lt. James Munro said .
“ Then we had to ground them.
” But he thinks these and other technical obstacles will soon be overcome .
“ Drones are like iPhones , ” he said .
“ As soon as you get one , a new one arrives with new technology .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Cade Metz, The New York Times Company
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — When the Chula Vista police receive a 911 call, they can dispatch a flying drone with the press of a button.
On a recent afternoon, from a launchpad on the roof of the Chula Vista Police Department, they sent a drone across the city to a crowded parking lot where a young man was asleep in the front seat of a stolen car with drug paraphernalia on his lap.
When the man left the car, carrying a gun and a bag of heroin, a nearby police car had trouble following as he sprinted across the street and ducked behind a wall. But as he threw the gun into a dumpster and hid the bag of heroin, the drone, hovering above him, caught everything on camera. When he slipped through the back door of a strip mall, exited through the front door and ran down the sidewalk, it caught that, too.
Watching the live video feed, an officer back at headquarters relayed the details to the police on the scene, who soon caught the man and took him into custody. Later, they retrieved the gun and the heroin. And after another press of the button, the drone returned, on its own, to the roof.
Each day, the Chula Vista police respond to as many as 15 emergency calls with a drone, launching more than 4,100 flights since the program began two years ago. Chula Vista, a Southern California city with a population of 270,000, is the first in the country to adopt such a program, called Drone as First Responder.
Over the last several months, three other cities — two in California and one in Georgia — have followed suit. Police agencies from Hawaii to New York have used drones for years, but mostly in simple, manually flown ways. Officers would carry a drone in the trunk of a car on patrol or drive it to a crime scene before launching it over a park or flying it inside a building.
But the latest drone technology — mirroring technology that powers self-driving cars — has the power to transform everyday policing, just as it can transform package delivery, building inspections and military reconnaissance. Rather than spending tens of millions of dollars on large helicopters and pilots, even small police forces could operate tiny autonomous drones for a relative pittance.
That newfound automation, however, raises civil liberties concerns, especially as drones gain the power to track vehicles and people automatically. As the police use more drones, they could collect and store more video of life in the city, which could remove any expectation of privacy once you leave the home.
“Communities should ask hard questions about these programs. As the power and scope of this technology expands, so does the need for privacy protection,” said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Project on Speech, Privacy and Technology. “Drones can be used to investigate known crimes. But they are also sensors that can generate offenses.”
With the pandemic still worsening, drones are a way of policing at a distance, said Rahul Sidhu, an officer in Redondo Beach, near Los Angeles, which started a program similar to the one in Chula Vista just after the virus reached the United States.
“We’re just trying to limit our exposure to other people,” he said. “Sometimes, you can send a drone without sending an officer.”
But down the road, he said, as these small unmanned helicopters become cheaper and more powerful, they will provide more efficient ways of policing urban areas. That could aid police departments at a time when the number of recruits is on the wane across the country and many voices are calling for funding cuts after months of protests against police violence.
In Chula Vista, drones are already an integral part of the way the police respond to emergencies. After an emergency call comes in, officers give the drone a location, and it flies to that point on its own — before returning on its own, too.
FAA regulations aimed at protecting the flights of commercial planes and other aircraft prevent drones from being flown beyond the line of sight of their operators. But Chula Vista obtained a waiver from the FAA, so the pilot and officer can fly the drone as much as 3 miles from its launch site.
Each drone — including long-distance cameras, other sensors and software — costs the department about $35,000. But the overriding cost of the program lies in the many officers needed to operate the drones.
On another recent afternoon, when the Chula Vista police were alerted to a car turned upside down in an empty riverbed, they sent a new kind of drone into the ravine. Built by Skydio, a Silicon Valley company, it could avoid obstacles on its own thanks to many of the same technologies used by self-driving cars.
“An ordinary drone would have crashed by now, guaranteed,” Sgt. James Horst said as he watched a video of the drone swooping down into the riverbed and inspecting the inside of the car at close quarters.
The Chula Vista department treats drone video much as it does video from police bodycams, storing footage as evidence and publicly releasing it only with approval, Capt. Don Redmond said. The department does not use drones for routine patrols.
For privacy advocates like Stanley of the ACLU, the concern is that increasingly powerful technology will be used to target parts of the community — or strictly enforce laws that are out of step with social norms.
“It could allow law enforcement to enforce any area of the law against anyone they want,” Stanley said.
Drones, for instance, could easily be used to identify people and restrict activity during protests like those that have been so prevalent across the country in recent months. Redmond said the Chula Vista department did not deploy drones over Black Lives Matter protests because its policies forbade it.
The Chula Vista police do not require the approval of city officials to expand drone use, but, according to Redmond, they have publicly notified the community about the continued progress of the program.
Drone as first responder programs in places like Redondo Beach and Clovis, California, are seeking waivers that would allow them to fly beyond the operators’ line of sight.
In Clovis, near the middle of the state, the Police Department has found that its drones tend to overheat at the height of summer. “We were flying them four days a week until it got too hot,” Lt. James Munro said. “Then we had to ground them.”
But he thinks these and other technical obstacles will soon be overcome. “Drones are like iPhones,” he said. “As soon as you get one, a new one arrives with new technology.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-12--An exclusive club of nine Colorado Democrats are set to cast the definitive vote for Joe Biden

On Monday morning , Alan Kennedy will stroll five blocks from his home to the state Capitol , coffee in hand , to help put an end to what has become one the most tumultuous post-election periods in American history .
Kennedy , a 36-year-old attorney who teaches constitutional law at the University of Colorado at Denver , is a member of an exclusive — and recently much talked about — club .
He is one of the nine Colorado electors in the Electoral College , which according to the U.S. Constitution , has the definitive say on who becomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
Each state ’ s electors will meet in their respective statehouses at noon Monday to cast their ballots .
Joe Biden has amassed 306 electoral votes to President Donald Trump ’ s 232 .
To be sure , there is one final step before the 2020 election goes into the books : A joint session of Congress will meet Jan. 6 to ratify the Electoral College ’ s vote count .
Election experts say it will be next to impossible for Republicans to stop the inevitable at that point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election once and for all , ” Kennedy said .
“ I ’ m simply thrilled to be a presidential elector — to be part of the democratic process — to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
” Kennedy ’ s vote , and those of his fellow Democratic electors — hailing from Pueblo to Greeley to Arvada — are getting particular attention this year because of the numerous legal challenges Trump , who has yet to concede the race , and his allies have leveled at election officials in multiple states seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots cast for Biden .
Jennifer Hendricks , a professor of constitutional law at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder , said what is normally a little-mentioned ceremonial formality in the quiet weeks before Christmas affirming the previous month ’ s presidential election results is something more in 2020 .
“ The reason we are nonetheless transfixed by it is there are active efforts in certain parts of the Republican Party to overturn the results of the election , ” she said .
Hendricks said the vote in the 538-member Electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finality ” to what still feels like , to some , unfinished business .
The president himself over Thanksgiving weekend said he would step down if the Electoral College formalizes Biden ’ s victory — though he hasn ’ t stopped lashing out at the results .
Susan McFaddin , a sustainable home builder in Fort Collins , will make the 60-mile trek to the statehouse Monday to cast her vote for Biden .
She represents Colorado ’ s 2nd Congressional District in the Electoral College .
“ I am so proud I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cares about the environment , clean jobs and racial justice , ” she said .
“ It ’ s all about pride for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and the future.
” If Colorado ’ s presidential electors sound unabashedly partisan it ’ s because they are .
Members of the Electoral College are typically active party members or party officials .
The Republicans had their own slate of nine — representing each of the state ’ s congressional districts plus two statewide electors — ready to head to Denver on Monday had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year , electors in Colorado can not go rogue and vote for whoever they want , meaning all nine electors will be pulling the lever for Biden .
Electors run for the position at party assemblies and conventions that take place earlier in the year .
McFaddin , 60 , had to duke it out with 13 others interested in the post .
She said she ’ s long been involved “ behind the scenes ” in local Democratic politics , including working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was mayor of Denver .
“ There ’ s something in my blood , ” she said .
Kennedy said he too has put in his time in the political trenches , serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in both 2012 and this year .
It ’ s the same story for Bryan Hartmann , a Highlands Ranch resident representing the state ’ s 6th Congressional District in the college .
“ I ’ ve been a lifelong party activist and operative , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s hard to believe how many election cycles have passed since I began my activism as a Young Democrat.
” Hartmann said he ’ ll likely pop on some hip-hop or house music on his 30-minute drive to Denver on Monday .
Though , with the tumult of the post-election period still ongoing , “ there ’ s a good chance I might play relaxing , meditating sounds of rain or similar tones , ” he said .
“ When you think about the enormity of just 538 people — out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fate of so many , it ’ s a big responsibility , ” Hartmann said .
“ A decisive majority of Colorado voters and the American people have spoken in this historic election .
It ’ s time to ensure that we uphold the will of the majority and fully acknowledge their decision.
” Ironically , all of the Democratic electors The Denver Post interviewed for this story were either lukewarm about or completely against the Electoral College .
Polly Baca , a former state lawmaker who has served as a presidential elector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so again Monday , said she ’ d like to see future presidents elected via a national popular vote .
“ I believe in the national popular vote — I don ’ t see any reason to have an Electoral College , ” she said .
Colorado voters in November passed Proposition 113 , which commits the state to joining like-minded states in pledging its presidential electors to the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide .
While the national popular vote compact doesn ’ t get rid of the Electoral College , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex arbiter of swing-state presidential campaign strategy .
But the compact doesn ’ t take effect until states representing 270 electoral votes — the amount needed to win the White House — have joined .
So far , the states that have signed on account for 196 electoral votes .
Robert Alexander , a political science professor at Ohio Northern University who specializes in the Electoral College , said the institution “ has never been very popular.
” “ But recently views of it have become increasingly polarized with Democrats and Independents solidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of Republicans supporting the institution , ” he said .
Trump in 2016 and George W. Bush in 2000 , both Republicans , won the Electoral College — and the presidency — while losing the popular vote .
Alexander said in the late 1960s , around eight of every 10 members of both parties supported abolishing the college , and the House voted to do just that , with President Nixon ’ s support .
But the bill never came to a vote in the Senate .
While Monday ’ s vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election , ” Alexander said , “ … many Democrats simply will not rest until Joe Biden takes the oath of office in January.
” “ President Trump ’ s most die-hard supporters still believe that even if the Electoral College votes as anticipated , the President has a path to a second term through a confrontational meeting of the joint session of Congress , ” he said , noting that such a development would be extremely unlikely .
“ So , I don ’ t expect Monday will fully close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Either way , Baca said the vote at the statehouse is a critical step to bringing the post-election chaos that has swirled throughout the country to an end .
“ It may not stop the tactics of this man in the White House , but it will put another nail in the coffin of his presidency , ” she said .

On Monday morning, Alan Kennedy will stroll five blocks from his home to the state Capitol, coffee in hand, to help put an end to what has become one the most tumultuous post-election periods in American history.
Kennedy, a 36-year-old attorney who teaches constitutional law at the University of Colorado at Denver, is a member of an exclusive — and recently much talked about — club. He is one of the nine Colorado electors in the Electoral College, which according to the U.S. Constitution, has the definitive say on who becomes the next president and vice president of the United States.
Each state’s electors will meet in their respective statehouses at noon Monday to cast their ballots. Joe Biden has amassed 306 electoral votes to President Donald Trump’s 232.
To be sure, there is one final step before the 2020 election goes into the books: A joint session of Congress will meet Jan. 6 to ratify the Electoral College’s vote count. Election experts say it will be next to impossible for Republicans to stop the inevitable at that point.
“Monday will settle the 2020 election once and for all,” Kennedy said. “I’m simply thrilled to be a presidential elector — to be part of the democratic process — to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
Kennedy’s vote, and those of his fellow Democratic electors — hailing from Pueblo to Greeley to Arvada — are getting particular attention this year because of the numerous legal challenges Trump, who has yet to concede the race, and his allies have leveled at election officials in multiple states seeking to stop vote counting or to invalidate ballots cast for Biden.
Colorado certified its election results during a virtual signing ceremony Tuesday.
Jennifer Hendricks, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder, said what is normally a little-mentioned ceremonial formality in the quiet weeks before Christmas affirming the previous month’s presidential election results is something more in 2020.
“The reason we are nonetheless transfixed by it is there are active efforts in certain parts of the Republican Party to overturn the results of the election,” she said.
Hendricks said the vote in the 538-member Electoral College will bring a sense of “finality” to what still feels like, to some, unfinished business. The president himself over Thanksgiving weekend said he would step down if the Electoral College formalizes Biden’s victory — though he hasn’t stopped lashing out at the results.
Susan McFaddin, a sustainable home builder in Fort Collins, will make the 60-mile trek to the statehouse Monday to cast her vote for Biden. She represents Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District in the Electoral College.
“I am so proud I get to vote for an administration that cares about the environment, clean jobs and racial justice,” she said. “It’s all about pride for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and the future.”
If Colorado’s presidential electors sound unabashedly partisan it’s because they are. Members of the Electoral College are typically active party members or party officials. The Republicans had their own slate of nine — representing each of the state’s congressional districts plus two statewide electors — ready to head to Denver on Monday had Trump prevailed over Biden in Colorado.
Because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, electors in Colorado cannot go rogue and vote for whoever they want, meaning all nine electors will be pulling the lever for Biden.
Electors run for the position at party assemblies and conventions that take place earlier in the year. McFaddin, 60, had to duke it out with 13 others interested in the post. She said she’s long been involved “behind the scenes” in local Democratic politics, including working on behalf of soon-to-be U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper when he was mayor of Denver.
“There’s something in my blood,” she said.
Kennedy said he too has put in his time in the political trenches, serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in both 2012 and this year. It’s the same story for Bryan Hartmann, a Highlands Ranch resident representing the state’s 6th Congressional District in the college.
“I’ve been a lifelong party activist and operative,” he said. “As I reflect on my experience, it’s hard to believe how many election cycles have passed since I began my activism as a Young Democrat.”
Hartmann said he’ll likely pop on some hip-hop or house music on his 30-minute drive to Denver on Monday. Though, with the tumult of the post-election period still ongoing, “there’s a good chance I might play relaxing, meditating sounds of rain or similar tones,” he said.
“When you think about the enormity of just 538 people — out of some 330 million — determining the fate of so many, it’s a big responsibility,” Hartmann said. “A decisive majority of Colorado voters and the American people have spoken in this historic election. It’s time to ensure that we uphold the will of the majority and fully acknowledge their decision.”
Ironically, all of the Democratic electors The Denver Post interviewed for this story were either lukewarm about or completely against the Electoral College. Polly Baca, a former state lawmaker who has served as a presidential elector on three previous occasions and will do so again Monday, said she’d like to see future presidents elected via a national popular vote.
“I believe in the national popular vote — I don’t see any reason to have an Electoral College,” she said.
Colorado voters in November passed Proposition 113, which commits the state to joining like-minded states in pledging its presidential electors to the candidate who wins the most votes nationwide. While the national popular vote compact doesn’t get rid of the Electoral College, it greatly diminishes its role as a complex arbiter of swing-state presidential campaign strategy.
But the compact doesn’t take effect until states representing 270 electoral votes — the amount needed to win the White House — have joined. So far, the states that have signed on account for 196 electoral votes.
Robert Alexander, a political science professor at Ohio Northern University who specializes in the Electoral College, said the institution “has never been very popular.”
“But recently views of it have become increasingly polarized with Democrats and Independents solidly looking to ditch the institution and a majority of Republicans supporting the institution,” he said.
Trump in 2016 and George W. Bush in 2000, both Republicans, won the Electoral College — and the presidency — while losing the popular vote. Alexander said in the late 1960s, around eight of every 10 members of both parties supported abolishing the college, and the House voted to do just that, with President Nixon’s support. But the bill never came to a vote in the Senate.
While Monday’s vote “could bring some closure to the 2020 election,” Alexander said, “… many Democrats simply will not rest until Joe Biden takes the oath of office in January.”
“President Trump’s most die-hard supporters still believe that even if the Electoral College votes as anticipated, the President has a path to a second term through a confrontational meeting of the joint session of Congress,” he said, noting that such a development would be extremely unlikely. “So, I don’t expect Monday will fully close the door on the election for many.”
Either way, Baca said the vote at the statehouse is a critical step to bringing the post-election chaos that has swirled throughout the country to an end.
“It may not stop the tactics of this man in the White House, but it will put another nail in the coffin of his presidency,” she said.