thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Avalanche pounds Coyotes 7-1 to take 3-1 series lead

Members of the 51-shot attack that wasn ’ t good enough to produce a victory in Game 3 had 48 hours to think about how to do things differently in Game 4 .
Reaching 50 shots wasn ’ t the goal Monday for the Avalanche , but a fast start to quickly prove dominance was deemed imperative against the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Place .
Colorado did just that , not allowing a shot-against through the first half of the opening period and drawing five of the first seven penalties .
In the end , the Avs got goals from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots in routing the Coyotes 7-1 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead at the Western Conference hub in Edmonton .
Nazem Kadri led the Avs with three points , including two power-play goals within four minutes during the first period , but most everyone in burgundy and blue was sharp .
The Avs started strong with 5-on-5 play and continually pressured Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper , the Game 3 hero with 49 saves , in building a 4-0 lead .
With Arizona trailing 4-1 to begin the third period , Kuemper was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed quick goals by Cale Makar and Matt Calvert to give the Avs a five-goal lead 2:57 into the third period .
Mikko Rantanen tacked on the seventh goal in the waning minutes to cap Colorado ’ s 60-minute beatdown .
“ We wanted to come out flying .
We felt like in Game 2 and 3 they had the better five minutes of the first and that kind of set the tone , ” said Avs center Nathan MacKinnon , who had two assists .
“ We outplayed them .
They didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the first .
The power play stepped up .
We ’ ve been pretty good but obviously we could have been better .
We got the job done today and that starts with ( drawing penalties ) on our 5-on-5 play.
” Joonas Donskoi also scored for Colorado , which can close out the series Wednesday in Game 5 .
“ I know how we ’ re going to come out for Game 5 , ” said MacKinnon , who served a roughing minor after roughing up Arizona ’ s Christian Fischer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have got a little loose after Game 1 when we won that game 3-0 .
Regardless of how you win , we have to be hungry for Game 5 .
We want to be desperate like we ’ re down a game .
I ’ m not sure how ( the Coyotes ’ ) mindset is going to be but it ’ s not really our concern .
We just have to be ready to close them out in Game 5 and expect a tough one.
” The Avs took three-goal leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-1 advantages can be directly traced to Arizona taking five of the game ’ s first seven penalties .
Colorado scored on two of its first three power plays — both coming after the Avs ’ fourth line made it 1-0 at 14:07 of the first period when Matt Nieto inadvertently had a pass carom in off his right skate .
The teams traded second-period goals .
After Donskoi ’ s goal gave the Avs a 4-0 lead at 11:37 of the middle frame , Nieto was penalized for hooking and Arizona defenseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seconds later .
That was as close as Arizona got .
The Avs needed just 30 shots to double what the Coyotes produced for the second straight game and third of the series .
Colorado coach Jared Bednar said his players needed to forget about their 51-shot loss in Game 3 and play the same way Monday .
“ ( The Coyotes ) came out with a lot of fire in Game 3 and we didn ’ t get rewarded .
I felt like we deserved better in Game 3 , ” Bednar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys with great individual performances .
They were desperate on the defensive side of things and blocked ( 28 shots ) and made it real tough on us to score and we just couldn ’ t push through .
“ Tonight the message was , we got to clean up a couple mental errors we made in Game 3 and continue to push and play on our toes .
And our guys did that .
Had a real good night tonight and we get some real good individual efforts too .
Guys capitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference .
”

Members of the 51-shot attack that wasn’t good enough to produce a victory in Game 3 had 48 hours to think about how to do things differently in Game 4.
Reaching 50 shots wasn’t the goal Monday for the Avalanche, but a fast start to quickly prove dominance was deemed imperative against the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Place.
Colorado did just that, not allowing a shot-against through the first half of the opening period and drawing five of the first seven penalties. In the end, the Avs got goals from six players and limited Arizona to 15 shots in routing the Coyotes 7-1 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead at the Western Conference hub in Edmonton.
Nazem Kadri led the Avs with three points, including two power-play goals within four minutes during the first period, but most everyone in burgundy and blue was sharp. The Avs started strong with 5-on-5 play and continually pressured Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper, the Game 3 hero with 49 saves, in building a 4-0 lead.
With Arizona trailing 4-1 to begin the third period, Kuemper was pulled for backup Antti Raanta, who allowed quick goals by Cale Makar and Matt Calvert to give the Avs a five-goal lead 2:57 into the third period. Mikko Rantanen tacked on the seventh goal in the waning minutes on the power play to cap Colorado’s 60-minute beatdown.
The Avs finished 3-of-7 with the man-advantage.
“We wanted to come out flying. We felt like in Game 2 and 3 they had the better five minutes of the first and that kind of set the tone,” said Avs center Nathan MacKinnon, who had two assists. “We outplayed them. They didn’t have a shot until halfway through the first. The power play stepped up. We’ve been pretty good but obviously we could have been better. We got the job done today and that starts with (drawing penalties) on our 5-on-5 play.”
Joonas Donskoi also scored for Colorado, which can close out the series Wednesday in Game 5.
“I know how we’re going to come out for Game 5,” said MacKinnon, who served a roughing minor after roughing up Arizona’s Christian Fischer late Monday. “I think we might have got a little loose after Game 1 when we won that game 3-0. Regardless of how you win, we have to be hungry for Game 5. We want to be desperate like we’re down a game. I’m not sure how (the Coyotes’) mindset is going to be but it’s not really our concern. We just have to be ready to close them out in Game 5 and expect a tough one.”
The Avs took three-goal leads into both intermissions. Those 3-0 and 4-1 advantages can be directly traced to Arizona taking five of the game’s first seven penalties. Colorado scored on two of its first three power plays — both coming after the Avs’ fourth line made it 1-0 at 14:07 of the first period when Matt Nieto inadvertently had a pass carom in off his right skate.
The teams traded second-period goals. After Donskoi’s goal gave the Avs a 4-0 lead at 11:37 of the middle frame, Nieto was penalized for hooking and Arizona defenseman Jakob Chychrun scored a power-play goal nine seconds later.
That was as close as Arizona got.
The Avs needed just 30 shots to double what the Coyotes produced for the second straight game and third of the series.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar said his players needed to forget about their 51-shot loss in Game 3 and play the same way Monday.
“(The Coyotes) came out with a lot of fire in Game 3 and we didn’t get rewarded. I felt like we deserved better in Game 3,” Bednar said. “But they had some guys with great individual performances. They were desperate on the defensive side of things and blocked (28 shots) and made it real tough on us to score and we just couldn’t push through.
“Tonight the message was, we got to clean up a couple mental errors we made in Game 3 and continue to push and play on our toes. And our guys did that. Had a real good night tonight and we get some real good individual efforts too. Guys capitalized on their chances and that’s the difference.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Can the Nuggets stop Donovan Mitchell from going Michael Jordan on them again?

Drawing board ?
Oh , you mean the one that Donovan Mitchell just stomped all over ?
The thing lying in pieces on the floor ?
That drawing board ?
“ Well , if Donovan Mitchell averages 57 and we win , I ’ ll stay away from the drawing board , ” Nuggets coach Mike Malone cracked after his team notched an overtime win over Utah in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series Monday .
Denver won despite a 57-point afternoon from Mitchell , the Jazz ’ s third-year guard .
“ He ’ s a hell of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like we said going into the series , ( Mitchell was ) going to be much more aggressive.
” Mitchell ’ s 57 points were the third-highest ever in an NBA postseason game , trailing only Michael Jordan ( 63 for the Bulls ) and Elgin Baylor ( 61 , for the Lakers , in 1962 ) .
The former Louisville star ’ s deluge was the highest in the playoffs since MJ ’ s historic performance at Boston Garden 34 years ago .
And it had more than a few parallels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from anywhere on the floor ( Jordan took 41 shots in Boston ; Mitchell took 33 , 15 from beyond the arc ) to the fact that both elite scorers ultimately lost to an opponent who wound up with 135 points on the nose .
( Boston defeated Chicago 135-131 . )
It was the fourth time Mitchell poured in at least 30 points against the franchise that drafted him in 2017 .
He ’ d averaged 19 points in three previous meetings against the Nuggets during the regular season , losing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to make shots as difficult as possible , ” Nuggets guard Monte Morris said of trying to guard Mitchell .
“ We ’ ve got to definitely make adjustments on that end to try and slow him down more in Game 2 and make him more uncomfortable.
” They ’ ve also got to keep defensive stopper Torrey Craig out of foul trouble , at least until Gary Harris rejoins the active roster .
The Nuggets ’ best wing defender picked up his fourth foul on Denver ’ s first possession of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Plan A out the nearest window .
The Nuggets moved 6-foot-8 forward Jerami Grant , who features a 7-3 wingspan , onto the Jazz sharpshooter , with mixed results .
Mitchell finished regulation with 51 points , 32 of them coming in quarters No .
3 and 4 .
“ What Jerami has is he ’ s got tremendous size , length and a willingness to go out there and guard the other team ’ s best player , ” Malone said .
“ I think having those two guys guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can rely upon .
But once again , it ’ s tough to say that we did a great job when he had 57.
” At least being chased by bigger defenders seemed to wear on Mitchell late .
He was whistled for an 8-second violation with 1:46 left in regulation and Utah up four — a stunning turnover that set up a Jamal Murray 3-pointer .
And , in overtime , he scored only six points as the Nuggets pulled away .
“ Maybe we wore him down a little bit at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large load for that team , ” Malone said .
“ But we ’ re going to count on Torrey and Jerami to continue to be our best matchups on Donovan Mitchell moving forward .
”

Drawing board? Oh, you mean the one that Donovan Mitchell just stomped all over? The thing lying in pieces on the floor? That drawing board?
“Well, if Donovan Mitchell averages 57 and we win, I’ll stay away from the drawing board,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone cracked after his team notched an overtime win over Utah in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series Monday. Denver won despite a 57-point afternoon from Mitchell, the Jazz’s third-year guard.
“He’s a hell of a player. Obviously with no Mike Conley, like we said going into the series, (Mitchell was) going to be much more aggressive.”
Mitchell’s 57 points were the third-highest ever in an NBA postseason game, trailing only Michael Jordan (63 for the Bulls) and Elgin Baylor (61, for the Lakers, in 1962).
The former Louisville star’s deluge was the highest in the playoffs since MJ’s historic performance at Boston Garden 34 years ago. And it had more than a few parallels, from the total chutzpah to fire from anywhere on the floor (Jordan took 41 shots in Boston; Mitchell took 33, 15 from beyond the arc) to the fact that both elite scorers ultimately lost to an opponent who wound up with 135 points on the nose. (Boston defeated Chicago 135-131.)
It was the fourth time Mitchell poured in at least 30 points against the franchise that drafted him in 2017. He’d averaged 19 points in three previous meetings against the Nuggets during the regular season, losing all three.
“It’s just trying to make shots as difficult as possible,” Nuggets guard Monte Morris said of trying to guard Mitchell. “We’ve got to definitely make adjustments on that end to try and slow him down more in Game 2 and make him more uncomfortable.”
They’ve also got to keep defensive stopper Torrey Craig out of foul trouble, at least until Gary Harris rejoins the active roster. The Nuggets’ best wing defender picked up his fourth foul on Denver’s first possession of the second half, which chucked Malone’s Plan A out the nearest window.
The Nuggets moved 6-foot-8 forward Jerami Grant, who features a 7-3 wingspan, onto the Jazz sharpshooter, with mixed results. Mitchell finished regulation with 51 points, 32 of them coming in quarters No. 3 and 4.
“What Jerami has is he’s got tremendous size, length and a willingness to go out there and guard the other team’s best player,” Malone said. “I think having those two guys guard their best player is something that we can rely upon. But once again, it’s tough to say that we did a great job when he had 57.”
At least being chased by bigger defenders seemed to wear on Mitchell late. He was whistled for an 8-second violation with 1:46 left in regulation and Utah up four — a stunning turnover that set up a Jamal Murray 3-pointer. And, in overtime, he scored only six points as the Nuggets pulled away.
“Maybe we wore him down a little bit at the end because he carried an extremely large load for that team,” Malone said. “But we’re going to count on Torrey and Jerami to continue to be our best matchups on Donovan Mitchell moving forward.”


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Rockies “dodge bullet,” as Carlos Estevez escapes broken right hand

As manager Bud Black put it , the Rockies “ dodged a bullet ” when X-rays of right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez ’ s right hand came back negative on Sunday night .
Estevez is a candidate to be the club ’ s closer , going forward .
“ That was a situation that did not look good when we were on the field and when we retreated into the clubhouse , ” Black said prior to the Rockies ’ game Monday night at Houston .
“ But the doctors checked him out and we saw the scan and the scan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get one out and close the Rockies ’ 10-6 victory over Texas on Sunday , took a hard line drive off the back of his right hand off the bat of the Rangers ’ Scott Heineman .
Estevez was in obvious pain as he came off the field after notching his first save of the season .
Estevez is with the team in Houston but was unavailable to pitch Monday night and doubtful for Tuesday ’ s game .
“ He was able to make a fist and he was able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swollen yesterday , ” Black said , adding that treatment has brought the swelling down .
“ He wasn ’ t going to be available tonight anyway , but it seems awful quick for him to be available tomorrow .
“ We are crossing our fingers , but it looks like he ’ s going to be able to remain active and be a part of our bullpen.
” Estevez has posted a 3.38 ERA in 11 games ( 10 2/3 innings ) with eight strikeouts and three walks .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as illustrated by his 1.50 WHIP and .295 batting average against .
But Black expressed confidence in him .
“ On balance , the greater majority of his appearances have been really good , ” Black said .
“ He ’ s helped us win , and the last couple of outings I ’ ve seen an increase in velocity , which is a good thing.
” Candid comments .
All-star right fielder Charlie Blackmon was asked to assess where the Rockies stand with more than one-third of the season completed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you going to be that team wire to wire all season and when it counts in the playoffs ?
That ’ s something we haven ’ t done yet .
Until we do , you can ’ t give us too much credit.
” The Rockies entered Monday ’ s game with a 13-8 record , third-best in the National League behind the Dodgers ( 16-7 ) and the Cubs ( 13-6 ) .
Roster move .
Colorado placed catcher Elias Díaz on the restricted list and recalled right-handed reliever Ashton Goudeau from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not specify why Diaz is going on the restricted list , but the move is not related to COVID-19 .

As manager Bud Black put it, the Rockies “dodged a bullet” when X-rays of right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez’s right hand came back negative on Sunday night. Estevez is a candidate to be the club’s closer, going forward.
“That was a situation that did not look good when we were on the field and when we retreated into the clubhouse,” Black said prior to the Rockies’ game Monday night at Houston. “But the doctors checked him out and we saw the scan and the scan looks good.”
Estevez, called on to get one out and close the Rockies’ 10-6 victory over Texas on Sunday, took a hard line drive off the back of his right hand off the bat of the Rangers’ Scott Heineman. Estevez was in obvious pain as he came off the field after notching his first save of the season.
Estevez is with the team in Houston but was unavailable to pitch Monday night and doubtful for Tuesday’s game.
“He was able to make a fist and he was able to have grip strength, but it was swollen yesterday,” Black said, adding that treatment has brought the swelling down. “He wasn’t going to be available tonight anyway, but it seems awful quick for him to be available tomorrow.
“We are crossing our fingers, but it looks like he’s going to be able to remain active and be a part of our bullpen.”
Estevez has posted a 3.38 ERA in 11 games (10 2/3 innings) with eight strikeouts and three walks. He’s dealt with quite a bit of traffic, as illustrated by his 1.50 WHIP and .295 batting average against. But Black expressed confidence in him.
“On balance, the greater majority of his appearances have been really good,” Black said. “He’s helped us win, and the last couple of outings I’ve seen an increase in velocity, which is a good thing.”
Candid comments. All-star right fielder Charlie Blackmon was asked to assess where the Rockies stand with more than one-third of the season completed.
“The real key is, are you going to be that team wire to wire all season and when it counts in the playoffs? That’s something we haven’t done yet. Until we do, you can’t give us too much credit.”
The Rockies entered Monday’s game with a 13-8 record, third-best in the National League behind the Dodgers (16-7) and the Cubs (13-6).
Roster move. Colorado placed catcher Elias Díaz on the restricted list and recalled right-handed reliever Ashton Goudeau from their alternate training site. The Rockies did not specify why Diaz is going on the restricted list, but the move is not related to COVID-19.


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Measure to reduce Colorado’s income tax qualifies for the November ballot

Colorado voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to reduce the state income taxes they pay .
The Secretary of State ’ s Office announced Monday that citizen-led Initiative 306 qualified for the ballot .
It would reduce the state ’ s income tax rate from 4.63 % to 4.55 % , which , if approved , is projected to reduce the state ’ s revenue by $ 78.1 million this fiscal year and $ 158.4 million in fiscal year 2020-21 , according to an April fiscal impact statement .
It ’ s championed by conservative leaders Jon Caldara , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerry Sonnenberg , R-Sterling .
“ Many of the people in Colorado have been without work two months , three months , four months — they need that ( money ) as much as anybody , ” Sonnenberg said .
“ Government shouldn ’ t be growing when everybody else is tightening their belt.
” A measure from a different group that would have increased taxes on Colorado ’ s wealthy and reduced them for everyone else failed to make the ballot .
The income tax reduction is the fifth citizen-led effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives asking voters to approve Colorado ’ s participation in the National Popular Vote Compact , reiterate only citizens can vote in elections , reintroduce and manage gray wolves in the state , and ban abortions at and after 22 weeks .
The Colorado General Assembly also referred three measures to the ballot .

Colorado voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to reduce the state income taxes they pay.
The Secretary of State’s Office announced Monday that citizen-led Initiative 306 qualified for the ballot. It would reduce the state’s income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%, which, if approved, is projected to reduce the state’s revenue by $78.1 million this fiscal year and $158.4 million in fiscal year 2020-21, according to an April fiscal impact statement.
It’s championed by conservative leaders Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, and Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling.
“Many of the people in Colorado have been without work two months, three months, four months — they need that (money) as much as anybody,” Sonnenberg said. “Government shouldn’t be growing when everybody else is tightening their belt.”
A measure from a different group that would have increased taxes on Colorado’s wealthy and reduced them for everyone else failed to make the ballot.
The income tax reduction is the fifth citizen-led effort to make it to the ballot, joining initiatives asking voters to approve Colorado’s participation in the National Popular Vote Compact, reiterate only citizens can vote in elections, reintroduce and manage gray wolves in the state, and ban abortions at and after 22 weeks. The Colorado General Assembly also referred three measures to the ballot.


thedenverpost--2020-08-17--Student tests positive for COVID-19 on Colorado College campus

A student at Colorado College has tested positive for COVID-19 and 155 students are being quarantined at Loomis Hall , @ @ @ @ @ , as a response .
The student was tested on Friday and a positive test @ @ @ @ @ , said Leslie Weddell , a college spokeswoman .
In between taking the test and @ @ @ @ @ student didn ’ t follow distancing protocols and had contact with other students , Weddell @ @ @ @ @ precaution , 155 students are being quarantined at Loomis , Weddell said .
Loomis can @ @ @ @ @ capacity , according to the college ’ s website .

A student at Colorado College has tested positive for COVID-19 and 155 students are being quarantined at Loomis Hall, a dormitory on the campus, as a response.
The student was tested on Friday and a positive test result came back on Saturday, said Leslie Weddell, a college spokeswoman.
In between taking the test and getting the result, the student didn’t follow distancing protocols and had contact with other students, Weddell said.
As a safety precaution, 155 students are being quarantined at Loomis, Weddell said.
Loomis can house 262 students at full capacity, according to the college’s website.


thedenverpost--2020-08-17--Sen. Cory Gardner faces questions about Postal Service slowdowns during Aurora stop

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner , a Yuma Republican up for re-election this fall , faced several questions from reporters Monday about slowdowns at the U.S .
Postal Service but gave few direct answers .
He did say he supports legislation to give billions of dollars more to the struggling USPS .
Gardner was in Aurora to tour medical facilities , after which he met with two local reporters for a series of questions .
His remarks came hours after the state ’ s top Democrats , including the governor and secretary of state , held a press conference about USPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s elections .
Asked if Postmaster General Louis DeJoy — a controversial choice because of his apparent conflicts of interests and lack of USPS experience — is doing a good job , Gardner did not give a direct answer .
“ Well , I think we have to understand what the postmaster is trying to do .
Is it overtime , is that what he ’ s trying to do ?
” Gardner said .
“ The post office is operating right now at levels that are basically holiday levels because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have .
So , I think they need to make sure that we don ’ t have any kind of slowdown around elections or mail .
That ’ s the bottom line.
” When asked if he is worried about USPS ’ s recent travails , he told a childhood story about riding with his grandfather , a rural postal carrier .
President Donald Trump , whom Gardner has endorsed , claimed Monday on Twitter that elections can be rigged through the corruption of drop boxes .
When told of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president about mail ballots on several occasions and defended Colorado ’ s electoral system , which relies in part on a network of hundreds of drop boxes around the state .
Democrats have railed against Trump and DeJoy as Americans struggle to receive medications or pay bills on time , and as state officials worry about the effect on elections nationwide if USPS service remains slow .
Trump stated Thursday that he is opposed to increased USPS funding because it will be used , in part , to mail out ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ For some reason , Donald Trump hates the Postal Service , ” said Colorado ’ s other U.S. senator , Michael Bennet , on KOA Monday .
“ Now the reason he ’ s saying he hates it is he thinks mail ballots are going to give Democrats an advantage .
That ’ s A ) absurd and B ) his argument that mail ballots are corrupted is disproven by Colorado ’ s example .
We have no corruption here though we have mail ballots.
” Gardner was noncommittal Monday about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Bureau of Land Management .
Pendley was nominated by Trump to be BLM director before his nomination was withdrawn over the weekend , but he will remain as acting director .
Democrats opposed him due to his past remarks about the need to sell America ’ s public lands .
When asked three times whether he supported Pendley ’ s nomination before it was withdrawn , Gardner never directly answered .
Instead , he said Pendley would have faced a lot of tough questions during the Senate confirmation process .
Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hickenlooper , his Democratic opponent , will move BLM ’ s headquarters out of Grand Junction if they are elected .
“ I think it ’ s devastating to public lands , I think it ’ s devastating to Colorado , should John Hickenlooper and Joe Biden try to do that , ” Gardner told reporters .
Hickenlooper said in a statement that Gardner showed “ cowardly silence ” Monday by refusing “ to speak out against President Trump ’ s attacks on the USPS.
” “ Senator Gardner was elected by vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lies are dangerous , ” Hickenlooper added .
“ His silence shows a blatant disregard for those who rely on the post office for prescription drugs , to sell their products , or rural Coloradans who can ’ t always get deliveries from private carriers.
” Gardner was in Aurora on Monday to tour the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and the National Mental Health Innovation Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus .
At the latter stop , Gardner heard from researchers about the role technology can play in treating mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think we are going to see the biggest mental health crisis in the history of this country ” as a result of the pandemic , Matt Vogl , executive director of the innovation center , told Gardner and Sen. Jerry Moran , a Kansas Republican .
Gardner and Moran tested headsets that are used by researchers to study the benefits of virtual reality in treating post-traumatic stress disorder , phobias , anxiety and addiction , among other mental ailments .
They praised the center ’ s research .

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Yuma Republican up for re-election this fall, faced several questions from reporters Monday about slowdowns at the U.S. Postal Service but gave few direct answers.
He did say he supports legislation to give billions of dollars more to the struggling USPS.
Gardner was in Aurora to tour medical facilities, after which he met with two local reporters for a series of questions. His remarks came hours after the state’s top Democrats, including the governor and secretary of state, held a press conference about USPS slowdowns and the threat they pose to November’s elections.
Asked if Postmaster General Louis DeJoy — a controversial choice because of his apparent conflicts of interests and lack of USPS experience — is doing a good job, Gardner did not give a direct answer.
“Well, I think we have to understand what the postmaster is trying to do. Is it overtime, is that what he’s trying to do?” Gardner said. “The post office is operating right now at levels that are basically holiday levels because of the crush of e-commerce that they have. So, I think they need to make sure that we don’t have any kind of slowdown around elections or mail. That’s the bottom line.”
When asked if he is worried about USPS’s recent travails, he told a childhood story about riding with his grandfather, a rural postal carrier.
President Donald Trump, whom Gardner has endorsed, claimed Monday on Twitter that elections can be rigged through the corruption of drop boxes. When told of Trump’s remarks, Gardner said he has spoken to the president about mail ballots on several occasions and defended Colorado’s electoral system, which relies in part on a network of hundreds of drop boxes around the state.
Democrats have railed against Trump and DeJoy as Americans struggle to receive medications or pay bills on time, and as state officials worry about the effect on elections nationwide if USPS service remains slow. Trump stated Thursday that he is opposed to increased USPS funding because it will be used, in part, to mail out ballots. Trump also faces re-election Nov. 3.
“For some reason, Donald Trump hates the Postal Service,” said Colorado’s other U.S. senator, Michael Bennet, on KOA Monday. “Now the reason he’s saying he hates it is he thinks mail ballots are going to give Democrats an advantage. That’s A) absurd and B) his argument that mail ballots are corrupted is disproven by Colorado’s example. We have no corruption here though we have mail ballots.”
Gardner was noncommittal Monday about William Perry Pendley, the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management. Pendley was nominated by Trump to be BLM director before his nomination was withdrawn over the weekend, but he will remain as acting director. Democrats opposed him due to his past remarks about the need to sell America’s public lands.
When asked three times whether he supported Pendley’s nomination before it was withdrawn, Gardner never directly answered. Instead, he said Pendley would have faced a lot of tough questions during the Senate confirmation process. Gardner then alleged that Joe Biden and John Hickenlooper, his Democratic opponent, will move BLM’s headquarters out of Grand Junction if they are elected.
“I think it’s devastating to public lands, I think it’s devastating to Colorado, should John Hickenlooper and Joe Biden try to do that,” Gardner told reporters.
Hickenlooper said in a statement that Gardner showed “cowardly silence” Monday by refusing “to speak out against President Trump’s attacks on the USPS.”
“Senator Gardner was elected by vote by mail, and he knows Trump’s lies are dangerous,” Hickenlooper added. “His silence shows a blatant disregard for those who rely on the post office for prescription drugs, to sell their products, or rural Coloradans who can’t always get deliveries from private carriers.”
Gardner was in Aurora on Monday to tour the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and the National Mental Health Innovation Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus. At the latter stop, Gardner heard from researchers about the role technology can play in treating mental illnesses in veterans and other civilians.
“I think we are going to see the biggest mental health crisis in the history of this country” as a result of the pandemic, Matt Vogl, executive director of the innovation center, told Gardner and Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican.
Gardner and Moran tested headsets that are used by researchers to study the benefits of virtual reality in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, anxiety and addiction, among other mental ailments. They praised the center’s research.


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Democrats put divides aside, rally behind Biden at convention

NEW YORK — Michelle Obama delivered a passionate condemnation of President Donald Trump during the opening night of the Democratic National Convention , declaring him “ in over his head ” and warning that the nation ’ s mounting crises would only get worse if he ’ s reelected over Joe Biden .
“ Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country , ” she said .
“ He can not meet this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us.
” Trump pushed back Tuesday , taunting on Twitter that someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t be in the “ beautiful White House ” today if it “ weren ’ t for the job done by her husband , ” President Barack Obama .
Trump ended with a sarcastic thanks to Michelle Obama for her “ very kind words.
” The former first lady , one of the nation ’ s most respected women , was the headliner at the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era .
There was no central meeting place or cheering throng during the all-virtual affair Monday night .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some Republicans — to rally behind Biden , the party ’ s presidential nominee .
Bernie Sanders , the progressive Vermont senator who was Biden ’ s last standing rival during the primary , encouraged his loyal supporters to vote for the former vice president in November , arguing the nation can ’ t survive another four years of Trump .
He notably backed Biden ’ s plan for tackling health care , one of their most substantive differences in the past .
Sanders backs a Medicare for All plan while Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare ” law.
” But it was Michelle Obama , making her fourth convention appearance , who once again delivered an electrifying moment .
Wearing a necklace that said “ vote , ” she tapped into her enduring popularity among Black voters and college educated suburban women — voters Biden will need to show up in force .
She issued a stark warning to a country already navigating health and economic crises along with a reckoning on racism .
“ If you think things possibly can ’ t get worse , trust me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t make a change in this election , ” she said as she issued a call to action for the coalition of young and diverse voters who twice sent her family to the White House .
Biden will formally accept the nomination on Thursday near his home in Wilmington , Delaware .
His running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , who is the first Black woman on a national ticket , speaks Wednesday night .
Leading up to that , Biden sought on opening night to demonstrate the broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same night he was praised by Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist who championed a multitrillion-dollar universal health care plan , Biden also won backing from Ohio ’ s former Republican Gov .
John Kasich , an anti-abortion conservative who spent decades fighting to cut government spending .
“ My friends , I say to you , and to everyone who supported other candidates in this primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election : The future of our democracy is at stake .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The future of our planet is at stake , ” Sanders said as he endorsed Biden ’ s health care plan .
Still , there were real questions about whether the prime-time event would adequately energize the disparate factions Biden hopes to capture .
Trump sought to undermine the Democrats ’ big night by hosting a political rally in Wisconsin , where Biden ’ s party had originally planned this week ’ s convention .
He called the Democrats ’ event “ a snooze ” before it even began .
Monday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from average Americans touched by the crises that have exploded on Trump ’ s watch .
Philonise and Rodney Floyd led a moment of silence in honor of their brother , George Floyd , the Minnesota man whose death while in police custody sparked a national moment of awakening on racial injustice .
“ George should be alive today , ” Philonise Floyd said matter-of-factly .
Also speaking was Kristin Urquiza , an Arizona woman who lost her father to COVID-19 , which has killed more than 170,000 people in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65-year-old , ” she said .
“ His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump , and for that , he paid with his life.
” And Rick Telesz , a Pennsylvania farmer , warned that Trump ’ s trade war has had a “ truly a devastating effect ” on his farm before the coronavirus brought another blow with what he called “ misinformation ” coming from the country ’ s leadership .
“ My biggest concern is that if these trends continue with this type of leadership , I will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Democrats abandoned their plans for an in-person gathering in Milwaukee because of the pandemic .
The unprecedented gathering is not only testing the bonds of the diverse Biden-Harris coalition but the practical challenges of running a presidential campaign in the midst of a pandemic .
At this moment , Biden sits in a stronger political position than Trump , who has struggled to expand his political coalition under the weight of his turbulent leadership and prolonged health and economic crises .
But 77 days before votes are counted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s side .
Just one incumbent president has been defeated in the last four decades .
Polls also suggest that Biden , a 77-year-old lifelong politician , is on the wrong end of an enthusiasm gap .
His supporters consistently say they ’ re motivated more by opposition to Trump , who is 74 , than excitement about Biden .
Democrats hope to shift that dynamic beginning with the convention .
Mrs. Obama , whom Gallup determined was the nation ’ s most admired woman last year , wowed Democrats at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ When they go low , we go high.
” She insisted on Monday she was not abandoning that tack , explaining that taking the high road doesn ’ t mean staying silent .
With no live audience for any of the speakers , convention organizers were forced to get creative in their high-stakes quest to generate enthusiasm .
There were live appearances from speakers in Texas , South Carolina , Wisconsin and Michigan , but many of the speeches that aired Monday night were prerecorded .
Seeking to inject some family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ montage , the campaign hosted drive-in viewing stations in six states , much like drive-in movies , where viewers could watch on a big screen from the safety of their vehicles .
There were also many online watch parties featuring celebrities and elected officials to make the experience more interactive .
It was unclear how many people attended the parties .
In most , only the speakers were visible on screen .
In one watch party , Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren rallied progressives , many of whom had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must do everything we can to energize and excite our base about the choice before us , ” Jayapal said The Monday speakers included plenty of Democratic politicians : Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina , who is the highest ranking African American in Congress ; New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ; Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ; Alabama Sen. Doug Jones ; Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and two former presidential contenders : Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sanders .
Beyond Kasich , other Republicans backing Biden got speaking slots : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey Gov .
Christine Whitman and former New York congresswoman Susan Molinari .
It was impossible to fully gauge America ’ s interest in the all-virtual format on the first night .
Broadcast TV networks are showing the final hour each night live , cable news is showing both hours and many viewers plan to stream from the rivals ’ websites or on social media .
Trump , as he often does , was ensuring he ’ d be a part of the conversation .
The Republican president made two swing-state campaign appearances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then in Wisconsin .
“ The only way we ’ re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged , ” Trump said in Wisconsin , raising anew with no evidence the specter of significant voting fraud .

NEW YORK — Michelle Obama delivered a passionate condemnation of President Donald Trump during the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, declaring him “in over his head” and warning that the nation’s mounting crises would only get worse if he’s reelected over Joe Biden.
“Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country,” she said. “He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us.”
Trump pushed back Tuesday, taunting on Twitter that someone should explain to Mrs. Obama that he wouldn’t be in the “beautiful White House” today if it “weren’t for the job done by her husband,” President Barack Obama.
Trump ended with a sarcastic thanks to Michelle Obama for her “very kind words.”
The former first lady, one of the nation’s most respected women, was the headliner at the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era. There was no central meeting place or cheering throng during the all-virtual affair Monday night. But it was an opportunity for Democrats — and some Republicans — to rally behind Biden, the party’s presidential nominee.
Bernie Sanders, the progressive Vermont senator who was Biden’s last standing rival during the primary, encouraged his loyal supporters to vote for the former vice president in November, arguing the nation can’t survive another four years of Trump. He notably backed Biden’s plan for tackling health care, one of their most substantive differences in the past. Sanders backs a Medicare for All plan while Biden has called for expanding the current “Obamacare” law.”
But it was Michelle Obama, making her fourth convention appearance, who once again delivered an electrifying moment. Wearing a necklace that said “vote,” she tapped into her enduring popularity among Black voters and college educated suburban women — voters Biden will need to show up in force.
She issued a stark warning to a country already navigating health and economic crises along with a reckoning on racism.
“If you think things possibly can’t get worse, trust me, they can and they will if we don’t make a change in this election,” she said as she issued a call to action for the coalition of young and diverse voters who twice sent her family to the White House.
Biden will formally accept the nomination on Thursday near his home in Wilmington, Delaware. His running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, who is the first Black woman on a national ticket, speaks Wednesday night.
Leading up to that, Biden sought on opening night to demonstrate the broad ideological range of his supporters.
On the same night he was praised by Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist who championed a multitrillion-dollar universal health care plan, Biden also won backing from Ohio’s former Republican Gov. John Kasich, an anti-abortion conservative who spent decades fighting to cut government spending.
“My friends, I say to you, and to everyone who supported other candidates in this primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake,” Sanders said as he endorsed Biden’s health care plan.
Still, there were real questions about whether the prime-time event would adequately energize the disparate factions Biden hopes to capture.
Republicans face a similar challenge next week.
Trump sought to undermine the Democrats’ big night by hosting a political rally in Wisconsin, where Biden’s party had originally planned this week’s convention. He called the Democrats’ event “a snooze” before it even began.
Monday’s speeches were framed by emotional appearances from average Americans touched by the crises that have exploded on Trump’s watch.
Philonise and Rodney Floyd led a moment of silence in honor of their brother, George Floyd, the Minnesota man whose death while in police custody sparked a national moment of awakening on racial injustice.
“George should be alive today,” Philonise Floyd said matter-of-factly.
Also speaking was Kristin Urquiza, an Arizona woman who lost her father to COVID-19, which has killed more than 170,000 people in the United States.
“My dad was a healthy 65-year-old,” she said. “His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life.”
And Rick Telesz, a Pennsylvania farmer, warned that Trump’s trade war has had a “truly a devastating effect” on his farm before the coronavirus brought another blow with what he called “misinformation” coming from the country’s leadership.
“My biggest concern is that if these trends continue with this type of leadership, I will be the last generation farming this farm,” he said.
Democrats abandoned their plans for an in-person gathering in Milwaukee because of the pandemic. The unprecedented gathering is not only testing the bonds of the diverse Biden-Harris coalition but the practical challenges of running a presidential campaign in the midst of a pandemic.
At this moment, Biden sits in a stronger political position than Trump, who has struggled to expand his political coalition under the weight of his turbulent leadership and prolonged health and economic crises. But 77 days before votes are counted, history is not on the Democratic challenger’s side. Just one incumbent president has been defeated in the last four decades.
Polls also suggest that Biden, a 77-year-old lifelong politician, is on the wrong end of an enthusiasm gap. His supporters consistently say they’re motivated more by opposition to Trump, who is 74, than excitement about Biden. Democrats hope to shift that dynamic beginning with the convention.
Mrs. Obama, whom Gallup determined was the nation’s most admired woman last year, wowed Democrats at the 2016 presidential convention by coining the phrase: “When they go low, we go high.” She insisted on Monday she was not abandoning that tack, explaining that taking the high road doesn’t mean staying silent.
With no live audience for any of the speakers, convention organizers were forced to get creative in their high-stakes quest to generate enthusiasm. There were live appearances from speakers in Texas, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Michigan, but many of the speeches that aired Monday night were prerecorded.
Seeking to inject some family fun into an otherwise serious two-hour video montage, the campaign hosted drive-in viewing stations in six states, much like drive-in movies, where viewers could watch on a big screen from the safety of their vehicles. There were also many online watch parties featuring celebrities and elected officials to make the experience more interactive.
It was unclear how many people attended the parties. In most, only the speakers were visible on screen. In one watch party, Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren rallied progressives, many of whom had preferred Sanders over Biden.
“We must do everything we can to energize and excite our base about the choice before us,” Jayapal said
The Monday speakers included plenty of Democratic politicians: Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, who is the highest ranking African American in Congress; New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo; Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; Alabama Sen. Doug Jones; Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and two former presidential contenders: Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sanders.
Beyond Kasich, other Republicans backing Biden got speaking slots: California businesswoman Meg Whitman, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman and former New York congresswoman Susan Molinari.
It was impossible to fully gauge America’s interest in the all-virtual format on the first night. Broadcast TV networks are showing the final hour each night live, cable news is showing both hours and many viewers plan to stream from the rivals’ websites or on social media.
Trump, as he often does, was ensuring he’d be a part of the conversation.
The Republican president made two swing-state campaign appearances on Monday, first in Minnesota and then in Wisconsin.
“The only way we’re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged,” Trump said in Wisconsin, raising anew with no evidence the specter of significant voting fraud.


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Denver health care activist only Colorado resident speaking at Democratic convention

Laura Packard , a cancer survivor and Denver health care advocate , will be the only Coloradan speaking at the Democratic National Convention this year .
“ To be on the stage , virtually speaking , is an incredible honor , ” she said in an interview Monday .
“ I would never have guessed 12 years or eight years or four years ago that this would be me.
” The convention in Milwaukee is largely being conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic .
For Packard , that meant a large package of video equipment left at her door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Packard ’ s speech will air sometime in the 7 o ’ clock Mountain Time hour Tuesday night .
She doesn ’ t know yet how long the remarks will run .
Packard , 44 , was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma in 2017 , just as Congress was considering bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act .
Packard maintains that without the ACA , she would be either dead or bankrupt .
It ’ s that story she ’ ll tell Tuesday night .
She says the message she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple : “ Health care affects everybody.
” “ As we can see during this pandemic , whether you have access to health care … directly affects my health care , ” she said .
“ We ’ re all in this together and we need to elect people like a President Biden who will work on making health care more accessible and more affordable instead of taking it away from people .
”

Laura Packard, a cancer survivor and Denver health care advocate, will speak at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night.
“To be on the stage, virtually speaking, is an incredible honor,” she said in an interview Monday. “I would never have guessed 12 years or eight years or four years ago that this would be me.”
The convention in Milwaukee is largely being conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. For Packard, that meant a large package of video equipment left at her door with instructions for recording her remarks.
Packard’s speech will air sometime in the 7 o’clock Mountain Time hour Tuesday night. She doesn’t know yet how long the remarks will run.
Packard, 44, was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2017, just as Congress was considering bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Packard maintains that without the ACA, she would be either dead or bankrupt.
It’s that story she’ll tell Tuesday night. She says the message she wants to leave convention watchers with is simple: “Health care affects everybody.”
“As we can see during this pandemic, whether you have access to health care … directly affects my health care,” she said. “We’re all in this together and we need to elect people like a President Biden who will work on making health care more accessible and more affordable instead of taking it away from people.”
Also on Tuesday, Howard Chou of Colorado will discuss issues facing working parents during the pandemic. And Colorado State University professor Camille Dungy, a poet, will read one of her poems at the convention Tuesday afternoon.


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Denver breaks record-high temp Monday and another record could fall Tuesday

Denver set a record-breaking high temperature on Monday , hitting 98 degrees , according to the National Weather Service .
@ @ @ @ @ Aug. 17 , set at 2:39 p.m. , broke the old record of 97 degrees @ @ @ @ @ service said .
On Tuesday , another record high temperature could fall in Denver .
@ @ @ @ @ in the city is expected to top out at 98 degrees , according to the @ @ @ @ @ prior record for Aug. 18 is 98 degrees , also set in 2013 .

Denver set a record-breaking high temperature on Monday, hitting 98 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
A record high temperature of 98 degrees was set at Denver CO today. This breaks the old record of 97 set in 2013. #cowx — NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) August 17, 2020
The 98 degrees mark for Aug. 17, set at 2:39 p.m., broke the old record of 97 degrees from 2013, the weather service said.
On Tuesday, another record high temperature could fall in Denver. Tuesday’s high temperature in the city is expected to top out at 98 degrees, according to the weather service forecast. The prior record for Aug. 18 is 98 degrees, also set in 2013.


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--More than 200 police officers have resigned or retired since Colorado’s police reform bill became la

More than 200 police officers have resigned or retired since Colorado’s police reform bill became law

More than 200 law enforcement officers across Colorado resigned or retired in the weeks after Gov .
Jared Polis enacted sweeping police reforms by signing Senate Bill 217 into law on June 19 , according to state data .
Though it ’ s unclear how many of the separations are the direct result of the new law — with its striking implications that include officers ’ personal financial liability for their actions — interviews with chiefs of police and union officials suggest a number of them are , and the state ’ s largest police organization has launched a survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the day the legislature passed the bill , and Aug. 7 , agencies statewide reported 241 officers have left their department , including those who were fired , according to the Colorado Police Officer Standards and Training board that certifies them .
The number includes sworn police officers and sheriff ’ s deputies , as well as some officers who are not POST-certified .
Law enforcement agencies are required to notify POST within 15 days of an officer ’ s separation , but not the reason behind it or the position they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some officers merely transferred to another department within the state , officials say .
“ No doubt there ’ s an impact ( from SB 217 ) , but we can ’ t put numbers on it yet , ” said Mike Violette , executive director of the Colorado State Fraternal Order of Police and a Denver sheriff ’ s deputy .
“ We ’ re hearing the officers are concerned about being in the profession and what ’ s happening .
That ’ s why we running a statewide survey : to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say since the bill became law , they ’ ve had more than the normal number of resignations and retirements , but none is able to conclude it ’ s the direct result of SB 217 .
The number of separations since the bill became law is slightly higher than the average number POST usually sees over the same time period , officials said .
The state attorney general ’ s office declined to provide specific numbers .
Some numbers reported by POST differed from what agencies told The Denver Post when contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firings .
For instance , the Aurora Police Department said it had six resignations and nine retirements since the middle of June , but POST reported the agency had 20 departures , which included five officer firings .
The Jefferson County Sheriff ’ s Department reported 11 resignations and six retirements in that time frame , second-highest total among all agencies statewide , and POST reported a total of 19 separations , including two jailers .
A JCSD spokesman said each officer who left was asked to volunteer whether SB 217 was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was .
“ I ’ ve talked to many officers who are concerned about this bill and what it looks like the impact will be to them , ” said Aurora police Officer Judy Lutkin , a 30-year veteran who is president of the Aurora Police Association .
“ We ’ re scrambling to figure out the insurance bit , to prevent officers from losing their houses when they ’ re acting in good faith .
I ’ m looking to retire and I don ’ t want to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want myself and my family at risk.
” At issue is a provision within SB 217 that allows for officers to be sued personally and held liable for 5 % of any judgment or settlement against them or $ 25,000 , whichever is less .
Wiped away was a long-standing provision of qualified immunity , which means an officer acting under the authority of a government couldn ’ t be sued personally .
Other provisions within the new law also have officers talking — required body cameras , a requirement to intervene on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanor charges , the barring of chokeholds — but none is as disconcerting as the financial liability .
“ When SB 217 was passed , it put some ( officers ) over the edge to take ( early retirement ) , ” said Lt. Bob Shaffer of the Loveland Police Department , where five officers have retired .
“ There is a significant fear of being vulnerable and unsupported that is causing a lot of officers to , at a minimum , consider leaving employment and moving out of the state entirely.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Loveland department had said they intended to retire as a result of the new law .
“ A lot of officers talk a big game , but when it really comes down to it , they are loyal , dedicated , and know that , in the end , they ’ re doing what they need to be doing , ” he said .
Called the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act , the bill came quickly after bands of protesters marched and collected in front of the state Capitol , demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man killed by Minneapolis police .
Those demonstrations flared into confrontations with police that included tear gas , pepper balls and foam bullets .
They also expanded to demand similar justice for Elijah McClain , a Black man who died last year after Aurora police put him in a chokehold and paramedics injected him with a heavy sedative .
The law , written by Rep. Leslie Herod , a Denver Democrat who chairs the state ’ s Black Democratic Legislative Caucus , was the first nationally to give victims of police violence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If they ’ re leaving because of this accountability , then maybe it ’ s time to think of a new profession , ” Herod told The Denver Post .
“ It should be that an officer has some personal skin in the game.
” The financial liability was initially set to be $ 100,000 , but it was toned down as the bill moved through the legislature in about two weeks .
“ It ’ s the ability to second-guess an officer and basically make them liable , and if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re fired , ” said Denver Detective Nick Rogers , president of the Denver Police Protective Association and a 35-year veteran of the department , most of them as a narcotics detective .
“ If you were acting in good faith the day before 217 started , and you do the same after , it ’ s not magically a mistake now .
What does change is the city is basically having to decide when and if an officer is not acting in good faith.
” That risk , along with a dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has given Rogers pause about continuing his career for as long as he had planned .
“ I have decided to leave myself , perhaps in a year or two rather than the four or so I had planned on , ” he said .
“ Being a cop isn ’ t the same as it was yesterday .
My profession changed on me ; I didn ’ t change on my profession .
To me , I didn ’ t quit on society ; it quit on me.
” Herod said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make policing a respectable profession so that officers can rely on the public ’ s confidence and respect .
“ The support isn ’ t there and law enforcement isn ’ t respected as it once was , and we need to change that , ” she said .
“ We want the community to have faith in them again.
” “ Who wants to be a cop any longer ?
” The concern is also about hiring new officers to fill in the spots of those who are leaving , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is president of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police .
“ I do hear from the other chiefs that they have officers leaving the profession altogether or are seeking law enforcement opportunities outside the state because of 217 , ” Christensen said .
The real impact , he said , won ’ t come for months since it takes time to hire new officers and for those leaving to find new jobs .
“ Job postings are for 30 or 45 days , we run a variety of tests and background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really going to see the reality until about January , ” he said .
“ Folks are looking and we won ’ t see the outcome of those searches , them leaving a department , until they find the jobs.
” Recruitment has been tough , he said , and the current climate surrounding police work isn ’ t making it easier .
“ Someone not in the profession isn ’ t really paying attention to 217 yet , but they are seeing how police are treated and how policing is viewed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And recovering from COVID-19 has hurt us all .
It ’ s not been easy.
” Violette agreed : “ To see an exodus of any sort because of politics is not good , but add in the bigger overriding problems of recruitment .
Who wants to be a cop any longer ?
” Rogers said the legislation punishes good officers as well as those who deserve it .
“ We went from 100 % love in the community during this pandemic , then overnight all of us became the devil and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ Get the dirty ones out , get rid of them , but 99.9 % of us are good .
Society screwed all the good cops and it ’ s not right.
” Some cities , such as Greenwood Village , have stepped in to let officers know the city will cover any personal liability exposure created by SB 217 .
Herod said it ’ s her intent — and she says she ’ s got the support — to close that loophole .
“ It ’ s the intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if we need to put in additional enforcement for skin in the game , it will be there , ” Herod said .

More than 200 law enforcement officers across Colorado resigned or retired in the weeks after Gov. Jared Polis enacted sweeping police reforms by signing Senate Bill 217 into law on June 19, according to state data.
Though it’s unclear how many of the separations are the direct result of the new law — with its striking implications that include officers’ personal financial liability for their actions — interviews with chiefs of police and union officials suggest a number of them are, and the state’s largest police organization has launched a survey to find out.
Between June 13, the day the legislature passed the bill, and Aug. 7, agencies statewide reported 241 officers have left their department, including those who were fired, according to the Colorado Police Officer Standards and Training board that certifies them. The number includes sworn police officers and sheriff’s deputies, as well as some officers who are not POST-certified.
Law enforcement agencies are required to notify POST within 15 days of an officer’s separation, but not the reason behind it or the position they held, so it’s possible some officers merely transferred to another department within the state, officials say.
“No doubt there’s an impact (from SB 217), but we can’t put numbers on it yet,” said Mike Violette, executive director of the Colorado State Fraternal Order of Police and a Denver sheriff’s deputy. “We’re hearing the officers are concerned about being in the profession and what’s happening. That’s why we running a statewide survey: to find out.”
Individually, police departments say since the bill became law, they’ve had more than the normal number of resignations and retirements, but none is able to conclude it’s the direct result of SB 217. The number of separations since the bill became law is slightly higher than the average number POST usually sees over the same time period, officials said. The state attorney general’s office declined to provide specific numbers.
Some numbers reported by POST differed from what agencies told The Denver Post when contacted because the state’s tally includes firings. For instance, the Aurora Police Department said it had six resignations and nine retirements since the middle of June, but POST reported the agency had 20 departures, which included five officer firings.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department reported 11 resignations and six retirements in that time frame, second-highest total among all agencies statewide, and POST reported a total of 19 separations, including two jailers. A JCSD spokesman said each officer who left was asked to volunteer whether SB 217 was a factor in their decision, and five said it was.
“I’ve talked to many officers who are concerned about this bill and what it looks like the impact will be to them,” said Aurora police Officer Judy Lutkin, a 30-year veteran who is president of the Aurora Police Association. “We’re scrambling to figure out the insurance bit, to prevent officers from losing their houses when they’re acting in good faith. I’m looking to retire and I don’t want to have to leave, but I don’t want myself and my family at risk.”
“Some personal skin in the game”
At issue is a provision within SB 217 that allows for officers to be sued personally and held liable for 5% of any judgment or settlement against them or $25,000, whichever is less. Wiped away was a long-standing provision of qualified immunity, which means an officer acting under the authority of a government couldn’t be sued personally.
Other provisions within the new law also have officers talking — required body cameras, a requirement to intervene on another officer using excessive force or face misdemeanor charges, the barring of chokeholds — but none is as disconcerting as the financial liability.
“When SB 217 was passed, it put some (officers) over the edge to take (early retirement),” said Lt. Bob Shaffer of the Loveland Police Department, where five officers have retired. “There is a significant fear of being vulnerable and unsupported that is causing a lot of officers to, at a minimum, consider leaving employment and moving out of the state entirely.”
Departing officers The Colorado law enforcement agencies with the most officer retirements/resignations between June 13 and Aug. 7:
Denver Police Department: 18
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office: 17
Aurora Police Department: 15
Source: Colorado Attorney General’s Office / Denver Post research
Shaffer said as many as 10 officers in the Loveland department had said they intended to retire as a result of the new law.
“A lot of officers talk a big game, but when it really comes down to it, they are loyal, dedicated, and know that, in the end, they’re doing what they need to be doing,” he said.
Called the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act, the bill came quickly after bands of protesters marched and collected in front of the state Capitol, demanding justice for George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police. Those demonstrations flared into confrontations with police that included tear gas, pepper balls and foam bullets. They also expanded to demand similar justice for Elijah McClain, a Black man who died last year after Aurora police put him in a chokehold and paramedics injected him with a heavy sedative.
The law, written by Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat who chairs the state’s Black Democratic Legislative Caucus, was the first nationally to give victims of police violence the right to sue an officer directly.
“If they’re leaving because of this accountability, then maybe it’s time to think of a new profession,” Herod told The Denver Post. “It should be that an officer has some personal skin in the game.”
The financial liability was initially set to be $100,000, but it was toned down as the bill moved through the legislature in about two weeks.
“It’s the ability to second-guess an officer and basically make them liable, and if you get hit with that, you’re fired,” said Denver Detective Nick Rogers, president of the Denver Police Protective Association and a 35-year veteran of the department, most of them as a narcotics detective. “If you were acting in good faith the day before 217 started, and you do the same after, it’s not magically a mistake now. What does change is the city is basically having to decide when and if an officer is not acting in good faith.”
That risk, along with a dramatic shift in the public protests against police, has given Rogers pause about continuing his career for as long as he had planned.
“I have decided to leave myself, perhaps in a year or two rather than the four or so I had planned on,” he said. “Being a cop isn’t the same as it was yesterday. My profession changed on me; I didn’t change on my profession. To me, I didn’t quit on society; it quit on me.”
Herod said the intent of SB 217 is to make policing a respectable profession so that officers can rely on the public’s confidence and respect.
“The support isn’t there and law enforcement isn’t respected as it once was, and we need to change that,” she said. “We want the community to have faith in them again.”
“Who wants to be a cop any longer?”
The concern is also about hiring new officers to fill in the spots of those who are leaving, according to Steamboat Springs Police Chief Cory Christensen, who is president of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police.
“I do hear from the other chiefs that they have officers leaving the profession altogether or are seeking law enforcement opportunities outside the state because of 217,” Christensen said.
The real impact, he said, won’t come for months since it takes time to hire new officers and for those leaving to find new jobs.
“Job postings are for 30 or 45 days, we run a variety of tests and background checks, so we’re not really going to see the reality until about January,” he said. “Folks are looking and we won’t see the outcome of those searches, them leaving a department, until they find the jobs.”
Recruitment has been tough, he said, and the current climate surrounding police work isn’t making it easier.
“Someone not in the profession isn’t really paying attention to 217 yet, but they are seeing how police are treated and how policing is viewed in general,” Christiansen said. “And recovering from COVID-19 has hurt us all. It’s not been easy.”
Violette agreed: “To see an exodus of any sort because of politics is not good, but add in the bigger overriding problems of recruitment. Who wants to be a cop any longer?”
Rogers said the legislation punishes good officers as well as those who deserve it.
“We went from 100% love in the community during this pandemic, then overnight all of us became the devil and we didn’t deserve it,” he said. “Get the dirty ones out, get rid of them, but 99.9% of us are good. Society screwed all the good cops and it’s not right.”
Some cities, such as Greenwood Village, have stepped in to let officers know the city will cover any personal liability exposure created by SB 217.
Herod said it’s her intent — and she says she’s got the support — to close that loophole.
“It’s the intent to ensure the law is clear, and if we need to put in additional enforcement for skin in the game, it will be there,” Herod said.


thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Top 10 Nuggets’ individual scoring performances in NBA playoff history

Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell had the third-highest scoring performance in NBA playoff history Monday , dropping 57 points against the Nuggets .
Luckily for Denver , Jamal Murray and his 36 points — including 10 in overtime — led the Nuggets to a 135-125 win in their series opener .
While Murray had a big game , he just missed out on reaching the Nuggets ’ top 10 in most points in an NBA playoff game .
In light of these big performances , here ’ s a look at the top individual scoring games in the Nuggets ’ NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to go too far back to see who ’ s at No .
1 .
Big Honey poured in , what was at the time , a career high 43 points at San Antonio in a 120-103 loss to the Spurs in Game 6 of the first round .
Jokic , who shot 63 % from the field , also led the Nuggets with 12 rebounds and nine assists .
Denver ’ s all-time leading scorer shot 16 of 27 from the field to lead his team to a 117-112 overtime win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best-of-three series in the first round of the playoffs .
English also added four assists and three blocks in 48 minutes of work .
English tied his franchise playoff mark with Denver on the brink of elimination in Game 6 against Houston .
Despite his strong effort , the Nuggets fell , 126-122 , in double overtime at McNichols Arena .
The last time the Nuggets and the Jazz met in playoffs , Paul Millsap was in a Utah jersey and the Nuggets were led by Chauncey Billups and Anthony .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony shot 72 % from the field ( 18 of 25 ) and added four rebounds and five assists , leading Denver to a 126-113 win at Pepsi Center .
This was the highest scoring NBA playoff game for a Nuggets player in his home arena .
Fun fact : This was also the day Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a no-hitter for the Rockies , the first in team history .
In Denver ’ s first year in the NBA , the star guard shot 55 % from the field ( 16 of 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 from the charity stripe .
However , the Nuggets lost , 110-106 , at Memorial Coliseum in Portland , Ore. Natt was one of three Denver players to score at least 20 points against Portland .
He shot 71.4 % from the field ( 15 of 21 ) and pulled down 10 rebounds in the 133-126 victory at McNichols Arena to open the first-round series .
Five days after setting the franchise playoff mark with 42 points against the Suns , English led the Nuggets in a shootout against George Gervin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtime , but Denver lost , 127-126 , and fell 0-3 in the second-round series .
Melo came out with guns blazing in the Nuggets ’ first Western Conference Finals appearance in more than two decades .
Anthony shot 70 % from the field ( 14 for 20 ) and knocked down four 3-pointers , but Los Angeles prevailed to eek out a 105-103 victory .
Skywalker also added six rebounds and six assists to lift the Nuggets over the Bucks , 116-110 , in Game 7 to advance to the Western Conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup Sports are back .
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Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell had the third-highest scoring performance in NBA playoff history Monday, dropping 57 points against the Nuggets. Luckily for Denver, Jamal Murray and his 36 points — including 10 in overtime — led the Nuggets to a 135-125 win in their series opener. With Murray’s big game, he just landed just on the Nuggets’ top 10 in most points in an NBA playoff game.
In light of these big performances, here’s a look at the top individual scoring games in the Nuggets’ NBA playoff history (updated May 8, 2023):
1. Nikola Jokic, 53 points vs. Suns, May 7, 2023
The two-time NBA MVP lifted his team on his shoulders in the highest-scoring playoff performance in franchise history. Despite his scoring mark, Denver lost 129-124 to the Suns on the road in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. What was more memorable was his minor kerfuffle with Suns owner Mat Ishbia in the second quarter.
2T. Jamal Murray, 50 points vs. Jazz, Aug. 23, 2020
With the Nuggets down 2-1 in the first-round series, Murray stepped up his game and became the first Denver player to hit 50 in a playoff performance. He shot 18 of 31 from the field (9 of 15 from 3-point land) and led the Nuggets with 11 rebounds and seven assists. However, Denver lost 129-127 to Utah behind Donovan Mitchell’s 51 points. The Jazz would take a 3-1 series lead.
2T. Jamal Murray, 50 points vs. Jazz, Aug. 30, 2020
Two games after hitting 50, Murray did it again. Shooting 70.8% from the field on 17 of 24 shooting, including 9 of 12 from beyond the arc, the 23-year-old guard led Denver to a 119-107 win over Utah to tie the series at 3-all in Game 6. From Game 4-6, Murray averaged an astonishing 47.3 points.
4T. Nikola Jokic, 43 points vs. Spurs, April 25, 2019
You don’t have to go too far back to see who’s at No. 1. Big Honey poured in, what was at the time, a career high 43 points at San Antonio in a 120-103 loss to the Spurs in Game 6 of the first round. Jokic, who shot 63% from the field, also led the Nuggets with 12 rebounds and nine assists.
4T. Nikola Jokic, 43 points vs. Timberwolves, April 23, 2023
With the rest of the Nuggets shooting just 39.1% from the field, Jokic lifted the team on his shoulders and nearly carried them to complete a sweep of Minnesota in the first round. However, they fell just short, losing 114-108 in overtime of Game 4. He shot 15 of 26 from the field (including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc) and added 11 rebounds and six assists in the losing effort.
6T. Alex English, 42 points vs. Suns, April 24, 1983
Denver’s all-time leading scorer shot 16 of 27 from the field to lead his team to a 117-112 overtime win over the Suns in Phoenix to win the best-of-three series in the first round of the playoffs. English also added four assists and three blocks in 48 minutes of work.
6T. Alex English, 42 points vs. Rockets, May 8, 1986
English tied his franchise playoff mark with Denver on the brink of elimination in Game 6 against Houston. Despite his strong effort, the Nuggets fell, 126-122, in double overtime at McNichols Arena.
6T. Carmelo Anthony, 42 points vs. Jazz, April 17, 2010
The last time the Nuggets and the Jazz met in playoffs, Paul Millsap was in a Utah jersey and the Nuggets were led by Chauncey Billups and Anthony. In Game 1 of the first-round series, Anthony shot 72% from the field (18 of 25) and added four rebounds and five assists, leading Denver to a 126-113 win at Pepsi Center. This was the highest scoring NBA playoff game for a Nuggets player in his home arena. Fun fact: This was also the day Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a no-hitter for the Rockies, the first in team history.
6T. Jamal Murray, 42 points vs. Jazz, Aug. 25, 2020
After lighting up Utah for 50 points in Game 4, Murray brought on another strong performance in Game 5, helping Denver stave off elimination in a 117-107 win. Murray shot 17 of 26 from the field — 4 of 8 from 3-point land — and added eight rebounds and eight assists to force Game 6.
10. Carmelo Anthony, 41 points vs. Mavericks, May 11, 2009
In a shootout in Game 5 in Dallas, Melo shot 15 of 29 — including 2 of 5 from beyond the arc — for Denver. Unfortunately, Dirk Nowitzki poured in 44 to lift the Mavericks to a 119-117 win and force Game 6 in the second-round series.
11T. David Thompson, 40 points vs. Trail Blazers, April 24, 1977
In Denver’s first year in the NBA, the star guard shot 55% from the field (16 of 29) and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the charity stripe. However, the Nuggets lost, 110-106, at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore.
11T. Calvin Natt, 40 points vs. Trail Blazers, April 18, 1986
Natt was one of three Denver players to score at least 20 points against Portland. He shot 71.4% from the field (15 of 21) and pulled down 10 rebounds in the 133-126 victory at McNichols Arena to open the first-round series.
11T. Jamal Murray, 40 points vs. Clippers, Sept. 15, 2020
In Game 7 against Los Angeles, Murray reached the 40-point mark for the fourth time during the 2020 playoffs. The 6-foot-4 guard shot 58% from the field (15 of 26), including 6 of 13 (46%) from beyond the arc. His effort, along with Nikola Jokic’s monster triple-double (16 points, 22 rebounds, 13 assists), led Denver to an emphatic 104-89 win and its second consecutive playoff series win after falling behind 1-3. It punched a ticket to the team’s first Western Conference Finals since 2009.
11T. Jamal Murray, 40 points vs. Timberwolves, April 19, 2023
After missing the entire 2021-22 season, Murray looked as if he returned to his 2020 playoff form in Game 2 of Denver’s first-round series against Minnesota. The 26-year-old shot 13 of 22 from the field (including 6 of 10 from beyond the arc) and added three rebounds and five assists as Denver won, 122-113, to take a 2-0 lead.
Source: basketball-reference.com
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
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thedenverpost--2020-08-18--Colorado’s new COVID-19 cases fall for 3rd week, but officials urge caution as Labor Day holiday app

Colorado’s new COVID-19 cases fall for 3rd week, but officials urge caution as Labor Day holiday approaches

New COVID-19 cases fell for a third week in Colorado , but state officials urged caution ahead of a holiday weekend and the start of the school year .
Colorado confirmed 2,069 new cases of the novel coronavirus last week .
New cases have fallen nearly by half since late July , but still are above the low point hit in mid-June .
That the number of new cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive both are falling is a good sign , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement .
An average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive over the last three days , which was the lowest level since the state began tracking this spring .
But it ’ s still important that people continue taking precautions to prevent another resurgence , the statement said .
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock also sounded a note of cautious optimism .
The city had roughly half as many new cases last week as it did at the end of July , and the rate of positive tests also was down .
But that progress depends on people continuing to socially distance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ This is not the time to ease up .
We ’ re not out of the woods just yet , ” he said .
Coronavirus hospitalizations continued to decline gradually statewide , as they have since peaking at 275 in late July .
As of Monday afternoon , 163 people were in hospitals because of COVID-19 .
A total of 6,739 people with the virus have been hospitalized since March .
Overall , the indicators are “ encouraging , ” said Beth Carlton , an associate professor of environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health .
The concern is that people will relax their precautions over Labor Day weekend , just as schools and universities are bringing their students back , she said .
Experts still don ’ t know what caused an increase in cases and hospitalizations in July , but one theory is that the virus spread at Independence Day celebrations .
“ The big concern is that we not repeat that over Labor Day weekend , ” she said .
If people want to celebrate the end of summer , the safest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors , with a small group of people and roughly six feet of distance between households , Carlton said .
If it ’ s not possible to keep that much distance , wear a mask , she said .
“ This is not the time to invite 50 people into your backyard , ” especially if you expect they ’ ll want to come inside at some point , she said .
As of Monday , Colorado had recorded a total 53,370 cases of COVID-19 .
The state reports 1,778 people have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted the virus but died of some other cause .
Five deaths from the new coronavirus were confirmed last week , though delayed reporting means the state won ’ t have a full count for another week or two .
The weekly number of deaths fluctuated between 29 and 33 over the previous five weeks .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

New COVID-19 cases fell for a third week in Colorado, but state officials urged caution ahead of a holiday weekend and the start of the school year.
Colorado confirmed 2,069 new cases of the novel coronavirus last week. New cases have fallen nearly by half since late July, but still are above the low point hit in mid-June.
That the number of new cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive both are falling is a good sign, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a statement. An average of 2.2% of coronavirus tests were positive over the last three days, which was the lowest level since the state began tracking this spring.
But it’s still important that people continue taking precautions to prevent another resurgence, the statement said.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock also sounded a note of cautious optimism. The city had roughly half as many new cases last week as it did at the end of July, and the rate of positive tests also was down. But that progress depends on people continuing to socially distance, wash their hands and wear masks, he said.
“This is not the time to ease up. We’re not out of the woods just yet,” he said.
Coronavirus hospitalizations continued to decline gradually statewide, as they have since peaking at 275 in late July. As of Monday afternoon, 163 people were in hospitals because of COVID-19. A total of 6,739 people with the virus have been hospitalized since March.
Overall, the indicators are “encouraging,” said Beth Carlton, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health. The concern is that people will relax their precautions over Labor Day weekend, just as schools and universities are bringing their students back, she said. Experts still don’t know what caused an increase in cases and hospitalizations in July, but one theory is that the virus spread at Independence Day celebrations.
“The big concern is that we not repeat that over Labor Day weekend,” she said.
If people want to celebrate the end of summer, the safest way to do that is to meet outdoors, with a small group of people and roughly six feet of distance between households, Carlton said. If it’s not possible to keep that much distance, wear a mask, she said.
“This is not the time to invite 50 people into your backyard,” especially if you expect they’ll want to come inside at some point, she said.
As of Monday, Colorado had recorded a total 53,370 cases of COVID-19. The state reports 1,778 people have died from the virus, and 118 had contracted the virus but died of some other cause.
Five deaths from the new coronavirus were confirmed last week, though delayed reporting means the state won’t have a full count for another week or two. The weekly number of deaths fluctuated between 29 and 33 over the previous five weeks.
Denver Post reporter Conrad Swanson contributed to this report.
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