thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Young English language learners among those hit hardest by Colorado’s shift to remote learning

When Vanessa Baca wraps up her full-time housekeeping job , there are only a few hours left on the clock .
But the work day has just begun .
The Adams County single mother must cook , clean and tend to her children ’ s needs , but emails from her kindergartener ’ s teacher alerting her to which assignments the 6-year-old has yet to complete weigh on her .
Baca was grateful Welby Community School provided her child with a tablet when school buildings were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic , freeing up the family computer for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one struggled to make the tablet ’ s electronic pencil write and draw what he had in his head .
His mom needed to sit next to him the entire time , helping him use the technology .
Maybe printing out the lessons would be easier , Baca thought .
In such uncertain economic times , Baca couldn ’ t justify spending money on a printer for her kindergartner ’ s school work .
She instead painstakingly copied her son ’ s assignments by hand on pieces of paper for him to complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although she wishes there were more hours in the day , Baca knows basic English and technology skills — advantages , she said , many don ’ t have .
More than 125,000 of Colorado ’ s approximately 911,000 K-12 students were English language learners in the 2018-2019 academic year , according to the Colorado Department of Education .
The rapid switch to remote learning amid the pandemic has been an unwanted disruption for many Colorado students , teachers and families , but educators are seeing firsthand how the state ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — are at risk of falling even further behind .
“ My English is not the best , but at least I can read and talk the basics , ” Baca said .
“ That helps a lot .
But there are a lot of people I know who have never touched a computer before .
They don ’ t have internet .
They have never had email .
They don ’ t know how to click a link to set up an account .
I can ’ t imagine how those people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children in households lacking internet are disproportionately Hispanic , younger and from lower income families , according to a study issued this week by Colorado State University ’ s Futures Center .
“ I think what this pandemic has really highlighted , not just in DPS but globally , is the difference between the haves and the have-nots , ” said Nadia Madan Morrow , executive director of Denver Public Schools ’ Department of English Language Acquisition .
“ If I just think about my own two DPS students , the amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re all healthy .
I have the ability to work from home and bring home a salary .
We have multiple devices in our home , internet , enough bandwidth .
They have a mom who is an educator who can help them .
Typically , families of English learners fall into the have-not categories .
This has just really , really shown the difference.
” The CSU study , which analyzed 2018 census data for its findings , estimated 54,000 students in Colorado don ’ t have internet access at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning a nightmare .
Of those children , the study found more than 40,000 of them were Hispanic .
“ We certainly expected a portion , but for almost two-thirds to be Hispanic was a bit surprising , ” said Phyllis Resnick , executive director and lead economist at CSU ’ s Colorado Futures Center .
For all regions in the state except the central mountains , there are more Hispanic school-aged children without internet access than with it , the report found .
Fifty-two percent of children without internet live in households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report said .
Twenty-five percent live in households earning less than $ 25,000 .
One in four of these households is headed by a single parent .
Nearly 60 % have at least one parent working in an essential industry .
Almost half of the state ’ s kids lacking internet access are elementary-aged .
“ If those children go back to school — hopefully — in the fall without any formal education for six months , they are going to be at a pretty significant gap , ” Resnick said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now could have that gap for the rest of their lives because of this pandemic.
” Madan Morrow ’ s waking existence is spent trying to ensure that doesn ’ t happen .
The DPS employee is grateful her district prioritized feeding families and distributing technology and internet connections so she could focus on instruction for English language learners .
“ Daily English language development lessons are being provided for teachers , ” Madan Morrow said .
“ My department did many , many sessions training teachers on the lessons they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with English language learners have had to troubleshoot how to teach language at a distance by embedding videos of themselves or examples found online into their remote learning lessons .
“ If I don ’ t speak very much English , I may not be able to read the directions on the page , so we have taken video recordings of our staff members reading the directions and walking kids through what they ’ re supposed to do because kids don ’ t have that one-on-one support they might be used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Madan Morrow said DPS strives for 50 % of English language learner lessons to consist of students speaking .
“ That has been difficult in a remote setting , ” Madan Morrow said .
When technology is available , students can record themselves talking , and teachers can give feedback later .
According to the CSU study , school-age children in Colorado living in households reporting no internet access live in higher numbers in southwest Colorado and the metro Denver region .
For DPS students still without internet access , Madan Morrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesson packets next week .
“ At the very least , they have some content in front of them they can make an attempt to do , ” Madan Morrow said .
Brisa Morales , a Glenwood Springs mom , already was frustrated by her two children ’ s attempts at remote learning .
“ Today was the first day of online classes in my house , ” Morales told The Denver Post on Monday .
“ It ’ s hard to see my kids sitting at the table frustrated because they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are and even harder for me to not explain to them and not help them with the school activities because of my Spanish speaking .
This is the first day .
I hope it can be better , but I ’ m worried it gets worse.
” Morales now spends her days working at a local nonprofit teaching largely adult Spanish speakers — mostly parents — how to use video conferencing platforms .
Some of her students have never touched a computer before .
Some have never used a smart phone .
Morales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference , herself , is coaching people over phone calls .
“ I want people to know that not every parent knows about technology like they do , ” Morales said .
“ Someone needs to educate us so we can be able to educate our kids.
” Jennifer Newcomer and Resnick , who conducted the CSU study , hope a silver lining from the pandemic comes in the form of thinking creatively about how to better support struggling students and their families .
“ Can we get some pedagogy in daycare ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about summer programs — a lot of which probably aren ’ t going to run because of health concerns — but can we structure things consistent with health guidelines and reach these children and do reading circles with them in a park or nature hikes ?
We need to think creatively about how you continue learning for children who traditional distance learning — not that there ’ s anything traditional about this — does not work .
”

When Vanessa Baca wraps up her full-time housekeeping job, there are only a few hours left on the clock. But the work day has just begun.
The Adams County single mother must cook, clean and tend to her children’s needs, but emails from her kindergartener’s teacher alerting her to which assignments the 6-year-old has yet to complete weigh on her.
Baca was grateful Welby Community School provided her child with a tablet when school buildings were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, freeing up the family computer for her college-aged son. However, her little one struggled to make the tablet’s electronic pencil write and draw what he had in his head. His mom needed to sit next to him the entire time, helping him use the technology.
Maybe printing out the lessons would be easier, Baca thought.
Then the printer broke.
In such uncertain economic times, Baca couldn’t justify spending money on a printer for her kindergartner’s school work. She instead painstakingly copied her son’s assignments by hand on pieces of paper for him to complete.
Yet Baca considers herself lucky. Although she wishes there were more hours in the day, Baca knows basic English and technology skills — advantages, she said, many don’t have.
More than 125,000 of Colorado’s approximately 911,000 K-12 students were English language learners in the 2018-2019 academic year, according to the Colorado Department of Education. The rapid switch to remote learning amid the pandemic has been an unwanted disruption for many Colorado students, teachers and families, but educators are seeing firsthand how the state’s most vulnerable students — including those learning English — are at risk of falling even further behind.
“My English is not the best, but at least I can read and talk the basics,” Baca said. “That helps a lot. But there are a lot of people I know who have never touched a computer before. They don’t have internet. They have never had email. They don’t know how to click a link to set up an account. I can’t imagine how those people are doing.”
In Colorado, the children in households lacking internet are disproportionately Hispanic, younger and from lower income families, according to a study issued this week by Colorado State University’s Futures Center.
“I think what this pandemic has really highlighted, not just in DPS but globally, is the difference between the haves and the have-nots,” said Nadia Madan Morrow, executive director of Denver Public Schools’ Department of English Language Acquisition. “If I just think about my own two DPS students, the amount of privilege they have right now. We’re all healthy. I have the ability to work from home and bring home a salary. We have multiple devices in our home, internet, enough bandwidth. They have a mom who is an educator who can help them. Typically, families of English learners fall into the have-not categories. This has just really, really shown the difference.”
Surprising data
The CSU study, which analyzed 2018 census data for its findings, estimated 54,000 students in Colorado don’t have internet access at home, making the basic logistics of remote learning a nightmare. Of those children, the study found more than 40,000 of them were Hispanic.
“We certainly expected a portion, but for almost two-thirds to be Hispanic was a bit surprising,” said Phyllis Resnick, executive director and lead economist at CSU’s Colorado Futures Center.
For all regions in the state except the central mountains, there are more Hispanic school-aged children without internet access than with it, the report found.
Fifty-two percent of children without internet live in households earning less than $50,000, the report said. Twenty-five percent live in households earning less than $25,000.
One in four of these households is headed by a single parent. Nearly 60% have at least one parent working in an essential industry.
Almost half of the state’s kids lacking internet access are elementary-aged.
“If those children go back to school — hopefully — in the fall without any formal education for six months, they are going to be at a pretty significant gap,” Resnick said. “These young children going through these circumstances now could have that gap for the rest of their lives because of this pandemic.”
Teaching and troubleshooting
Madan Morrow’s waking existence is spent trying to ensure that doesn’t happen.
The DPS employee is grateful her district prioritized feeding families and distributing technology and internet connections so she could focus on instruction for English language learners.
“Daily English language development lessons are being provided for teachers,” Madan Morrow said. “My department did many, many sessions training teachers on the lessons they’re providing.”
Madan Morrow and the educators working with English language learners have had to troubleshoot how to teach language at a distance by embedding videos of themselves or examples found online into their remote learning lessons.
“If I don’t speak very much English, I may not be able to read the directions on the page, so we have taken video recordings of our staff members reading the directions and walking kids through what they’re supposed to do because kids don’t have that one-on-one support they might be used to,” Madan Morrow said.
Normally, Madan Morrow said DPS strives for 50% of English language learner lessons to consist of students speaking.
“That has been difficult in a remote setting,” Madan Morrow said.
When technology is available, students can record themselves talking, and teachers can give feedback later.
According to the CSU study, school-age children in Colorado living in households reporting no internet access live in higher numbers in southwest Colorado and the metro Denver region.
For DPS students still without internet access, Madan Morrow said the district will be mailing paper lesson packets next week.
“At the very least, they have some content in front of them they can make an attempt to do,” Madan Morrow said.
Educating parents
Brisa Morales, a Glenwood Springs mom, already was frustrated by her two children’s attempts at remote learning.
“Today was the first day of online classes in my house,” Morales told The Denver Post on Monday. “It’s hard to see my kids sitting at the table frustrated because they don’t understand what all the questions are and even harder for me to not explain to them and not help them with the school activities because of my Spanish speaking. This is the first day. I hope it can be better, but I’m worried it gets worse.”
Morales now spends her days working at a local nonprofit teaching largely adult Spanish speakers — mostly parents — how to use video conferencing platforms.
Some of her students have never touched a computer before. Some have never used a smart phone. Morales, who just learned how to video conference, herself, is coaching people over phone calls.
“I want people to know that not every parent knows about technology like they do,” Morales said. “Someone needs to educate us so we can be able to educate our kids.”
Jennifer Newcomer and Resnick, who conducted the CSU study, hope a silver lining from the pandemic comes in the form of thinking creatively about how to better support struggling students and their families.
“Can we get some pedagogy in daycare?” Resnick asked. “Can we think about summer programs — a lot of which probably aren’t going to run because of health concerns — but can we structure things consistent with health guidelines and reach these children and do reading circles with them in a park or nature hikes? We need to think creatively about how you continue learning for children who traditional distance learning — not that there’s anything traditional about this — does not work.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Why today is Denver’s most interesting weather day of the year

We all know that Denver is prone to having crazy weather .
In case you need a quick refresher course on why , a gentle reminder of just a handful of Denver ’ s wackiest weather statistics : March is Denver ’ s snowiest month .
It ’ s snowed in June .
It ’ s been 80 degrees in February .
It ’ s snowed on Labor Day .
It ’ s been 100 degrees on Labor Day .
Tornadoes , softball-sized hail , hurricane-force winds , wild snowstorms , floods , blizzards , you name it , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a bit of everything in Mother Nature ’ s arsenal .
But today ’ s weather statistic might have all of those beaten .
April 27 is the date of Denver ’ s last measurable snowfall .
It is also , fascinatingly , home to Denver ’ s average first 80-degree day of the year .
To recap : on average , on April 27 , it snows and hits 80 degrees on the same day in Denver .
Now , spare us a couple of asterisks and important disclaimers : April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Denver ’ s new average last measurable snowfall .
That ’ s based on official climatological observations from the National Weather Service office in Boulder .
That date was pushed back a day due to last May ’ s unusual 4-inch snowstorm at the end of the month .
But , until last year , that statistic was April 27 , and it could well flip back to April 27 if it doesn ’ t snow again the rest of the spring .
The more important asterisk , though , is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver ’ s weather flip-flops in the spring more than most places , it ’ s prone to getting a little bit of everything during the spring and fall transitional seasons .
So of course , that doesn ’ t mean each April 27 that you can expect both snowfall and a high temperature of 80 degrees or above .
With all of that in mind , though , it is still a remarkable reflection of Denver ’ s unusually change-prone weather .
And while it doesn ’ t appear to have snowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , you might remember last October ’ s record temperature drop , when it went from 83 degrees and sun to 19 degrees and snow in just 18 hours .
Today ’ s forecast , by the way ?
A high near 80 degrees .
But no snow .

We all know that Denver is prone to having crazy weather.
In case you need a quick refresher course on why, a gentle reminder of just a handful of Denver’s wackiest weather statistics: March is Denver’s snowiest month. It’s snowed in June. It’s been 80 degrees in February. It’s snowed on Labor Day. It’s been 100 degrees on Labor Day. Tornadoes, softball-sized hail, hurricane-force winds, wild snowstorms, floods, blizzards, you name it, and Denver’s known for seeing more than a bit of everything in Mother Nature’s arsenal.
But today’s weather statistic might have all of those beaten.
April 27 is the date of Denver’s last measurable snowfall. It is also, fascinatingly, home to Denver’s average first 80-degree day of the year. To recap: on average, on April 27, it snows and hits 80 degrees on the same day in Denver.
Now, spare us a couple of asterisks and important disclaimers: April 28 is, as of this year, Denver’s new average last measurable snowfall. That’s based on official climatological observations from the National Weather Service office in Boulder. That date was pushed back a day due to last May’s unusual 4-inch snowstorm at the end of the month. But, until last year, that statistic was April 27, and it could well flip back to April 27 if it doesn’t snow again the rest of the spring.
The more important asterisk, though, is that these dates are simply averages. Because Denver’s weather flip-flops in the spring more than most places, it’s prone to getting a little bit of everything during the spring and fall transitional seasons. So of course, that doesn’t mean each April 27 that you can expect both snowfall and a high temperature of 80 degrees or above.
With all of that in mind, though, it is still a remarkable reflection of Denver’s unusually change-prone weather. And while it doesn’t appear to have snowed and been 80 degrees on the same day, you might remember last October’s record temperature drop, when it went from 83 degrees and sun to 19 degrees and snow in just 18 hours.
Today’s forecast, by the way? A high near 80 degrees. But no snow.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Colorado pediatricians get creative to provide regular care for kids during coronavirus pandemic

Pediatricians along Colorado ’ s Front Range are getting creative to try to provide needed care to kids whose parents are understandably afraid to take them outside .
Public health experts have raised concerns about a resurgence of diseases like measles both in the United States and overseas if children miss their scheduled vaccinations .
Others are worried that developmental delays will go unnoticed , and doctors will lose the opportunity to ask about socioeconomic struggles and other problems that can strain families .
Dr. Beth Ballard , a pediatrician at The Youth Clinic , said she ’ s encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots , which can prevent diseases that are least as dangerous to children as COVID-19 .
“ The last thing we want to do is come out of this and have an outbreak of measles , ” she said .
The Youth Clinic designated one of its four locations in Larimer County for kids with respiratory symptoms , with two others handling routine needs , Ballard said .
They ’ ve also required families concerned about respiratory symptoms to check in ahead of their visits , answer screening questions in their cars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re let in the door .
There ’ s one exception , for children younger than 2 , who could be in danger if masks trap carbon dioxide they exhaled and they rebreathe it , she said .
Some Kaiser Permanente clinics are taking the same approach , treating only sick or well children , while others have designated areas and hours for kids with respiratory symptoms , said Dr. Hector deLeon , assistant regional director of pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Colorado .
Kaiser is using a “ virtual first ” model for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavioral health care and medication follow-ups , deLeon said .
That ’ s not an option , though , when kids need their shots , or for babies , who need close monitoring for lack of growth and other problems , he said .
“ We ’ re still encouraging our members and our parents to bring them in , especially the younger children , ” he said .
Ballard said The Youth Clinic also is using telemedicine when possible , and is offering some mixed visits .
For example , an infant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weighed and measured , but the doctor and parent could reduce face-to-face time by discussing any concerns about feeding and sleeping over the phone , she said .
“ A lot of well care is just talking , ” she said .
Whitney Gustin Connor , executive director of Kids First Health Care , said their clinics also are encouraging parents to consider telemedicine , but some things have to be done in person .
Kids First operates the Brighton High School student clinic , which reopened Monday .
They see kids who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicals for fall sports , in the morning , with appointments for those with respiratory symptoms in the afternoon , she said .
Normally , the clinic only serves Brighton High students , but they ’ re opening appointments to anyone under 21 in the community , Connor said .
They will be open three days a week , to coincide with the times when the school distributes take-home meals .
She said she isn ’ t sure how much demand to expect , though the number of appointments is below normal at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Things are a little bit quieter , ” she said .
Ballard said The Youth Clinic also is seeing fewer patients , but she ’ s not sure how much is due to fear of COVID-19 , and how much comes from kids not exposing each other to so many viruses in school and at play .
“ There ’ s just a lot fewer sick kids out there , ” she said .
The Kaiser clinics also are seeing fewer kids than usual , but have a fairly high volume of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active ways to entertain themselves in isolation , deLeon said .
There ’ s also some of the usual problems , like asthma exacerbations , as well as some less expected illnesses , like mononucleosis , which spreads through saliva .

Pediatricians along Colorado’s Front Range are getting creative to try to provide needed care to kids whose parents are understandably afraid to take them outside.
Public health experts have raised concerns about a resurgence of diseases like measles both in the United States and overseas if children miss their scheduled vaccinations. Others are worried that developmental delays will go unnoticed, and doctors will lose the opportunity to ask about socioeconomic struggles and other problems that can strain families.
Dr. Beth Ballard, a pediatrician at The Youth Clinic, said she’s encouraging parents to bring kids in for their shots, which can prevent diseases that are least as dangerous to children as COVID-19.
“The last thing we want to do is come out of this and have an outbreak of measles,” she said.
The Youth Clinic designated one of its four locations in Larimer County for kids with respiratory symptoms, with two others handling routine needs, Ballard said. They’ve also required families concerned about respiratory symptoms to check in ahead of their visits, answer screening questions in their cars, and wear surgical masks before they’re let in the door. There’s one exception, for children younger than 2, who could be in danger if masks trap carbon dioxide they exhaled and they rebreathe it, she said.
Some Kaiser Permanente clinics are taking the same approach, treating only sick or well children, while others have designated areas and hours for kids with respiratory symptoms, said Dr. Hector deLeon, assistant regional director of pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Colorado.
Kaiser is using a “virtual first” model for things like check-ups on older kids, behavioral health care and medication follow-ups, deLeon said. That’s not an option, though, when kids need their shots, or for babies, who need close monitoring for lack of growth and other problems, he said.
“We’re still encouraging our members and our parents to bring them in, especially the younger children,” he said.
Ballard said The Youth Clinic also is using telemedicine when possible, and is offering some mixed visits. For example, an infant might need to come in to be weighed and measured, but the doctor and parent could reduce face-to-face time by discussing any concerns about feeding and sleeping over the phone, she said.
“A lot of well care is just talking,” she said.
Whitney Gustin Connor, executive director of Kids First Health Care, said their clinics also are encouraging parents to consider telemedicine, but some things have to be done in person. Kids First operates the Brighton High School student clinic, which reopened Monday. They see kids who need routine care, like vaccinations and physicals for fall sports, in the morning, with appointments for those with respiratory symptoms in the afternoon, she said.
Normally, the clinic only serves Brighton High students, but they’re opening appointments to anyone under 21 in the community, Connor said. They will be open three days a week, to coincide with the times when the school distributes take-home meals. She said she isn’t sure how much demand to expect, though the number of appointments is below normal at the other clinics Kids First operates.
“Things are a little bit quieter,” she said.
Ballard said The Youth Clinic also is seeing fewer patients, but she’s not sure how much is due to fear of COVID-19, and how much comes from kids not exposing each other to so many viruses in school and at play.
“There’s just a lot fewer sick kids out there,” she said.
The Kaiser clinics also are seeing fewer kids than usual, but have a fairly high volume of minor injuries, presumably from kids finding active ways to entertain themselves in isolation, deLeon said. There’s also some of the usual problems, like asthma exacerbations, as well as some less expected illnesses, like mononucleosis, which spreads through saliva.
“Illnesses find a way,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Denver Broncos’ 2020 NFL draft picks: Everything you need to know

The Broncos had a huge focus on offense , bringing in several potential new weapons for second-year quarterback Drew Lock , including highly touted Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy .
So who are the new Denver players ?
Here ’ s a glimpse of the Broncos ’ 2020 draft class : General manager John Elway ’ s 10th year running the Broncos ’ NFL draft effort featured a first : An Alabama player .
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds , Jeudy caught 159 passes for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns for Alabama .
He was a two-time first-team All-America selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catches for 1,658 yards in two seasons with the Nittany Lions after redshirting as a freshman to rehab his knee .
It ’ s the first time in Broncos history that they ’ ve taken wideouts with their first two picks .
Read more… Cornerback was a need for the Broncos after losing Chris Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers .
Listed at a shade under 6-foot-1 ( 200 pounds ) , Ojemudia ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the combine .
Read more… The Broncos selected LSU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 83 overall pick .
The 6-foot-3 , 312-pounder was the linchpin of the Tigers ’ offensive line the past two seasons , and projects as Denver ’ s starting center in 2020 following the departure of Connor McGovern to the Jets in free agency .
Read more… The defensive tackle had a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss in 2019 , and played defensive end as a sophomore and junior .
The 22-year-old figures to compete for time on the back end of the Denver defensive line alongside DeMarcus Walker and Dre ’ Mont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of quarterback Drew Lock , Okwuegbunam declared for the draft after his fourth-year junior season .
Listed at 6-foot-5 1/ 2 and 258 pounds , Okwuegbunam ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at the combine ( fastest among the participating tight ends ) .
Read more… Strnad , 23 , is listed at 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds .
As a redshirt senior , he was limited to seven games because of a biceps injury .
In seven games , he had 69 tackles and five pass break-ups .
If the Broncos try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a chance to play in sub-package situations if he proves capable in pass coverage .
Read more… Muti believes the Broncos “ definitely ” got a steal if he ’ s able to stay healthy at the professional level .
He ’ s projected to head into camp and compete with Austin Schlottmann for the backup guard jobs behind Dalton Risner on the left side and Graham Glasgow on the right .
Read more… Cleveland , 22 , played four years for the Gators , making 79 catches for 1,271 yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts ) .
He never had more than 25 catches or 410 yards in a season .
Read more… Tuszka was a three-year starter at North Dakota State , and the Warner , S.D.
, native capped his college career with by being named 1st-team All-American and the Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year in 2019 .
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The Broncos had a huge focus on offense, bringing in several potential new weapons for second-year quarterback Drew Lock, including highly touted Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy.
So who are the new Denver players? Here’s a glimpse of the Broncos’ 2020 draft class:
Round 1, No. 15 pick: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
General manager John Elway’s 10th year running the Broncos’ NFL draft effort featured a first: An Alabama player. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, Jeudy caught 159 passes for 2,742 yards and 26 touchdowns for Alabama. He was a two-time first-team All-America selection. Read more…
Round 2, No. 46 pick: KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
The 20-year-old had 98 catches for 1,658 yards in two seasons with the Nittany Lions after redshirting as a freshman to rehab his knee. It’s the first time in Broncos history that they’ve taken wideouts with their first two picks. Read more…
Round 3, No. 77 pick: Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa
Cornerback was a need for the Broncos after losing Chris Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. Listed at a shade under 6-foot-1 (200 pounds), Ojemudia ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the combine. Read more…
Round 3, No. 83 pick: Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU
The Broncos selected LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry with the No. 83 overall pick. The 6-foot-3, 312-pounder was the linchpin of the Tigers’ offensive line the past two seasons, and projects as Denver’s starting center in 2020 following the departure of Connor McGovern to the Jets in free agency. Read more…
Round 3, No. 95 pick: McTelvin Agim, DT, Arkansas
The defensive tackle had a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss in 2019, and played defensive end as a sophomore and junior. The 22-year-old figures to compete for time on the back end of the Denver defensive line alongside DeMarcus Walker and Dre’Mont Jones. Read more…
Round 4, No. 118 pick: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
A college teammate of quarterback Drew Lock, Okwuegbunam declared for the draft after his fourth-year junior season. Listed at 6-foot-5 1/ 2 and 258 pounds, Okwuegbunam ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at the combine (fastest among the participating tight ends). Read more…
Round 5, No. 178 pick: Justin Strnad, LB, Wake Forest
Strnad, 23, is listed at 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds. As a redshirt senior, he was limited to seven games because of a biceps injury. In seven games, he had 69 tackles and five pass break-ups. If the Broncos try Strnad at inside linebacker, he could get a chance to play in sub-package situations if he proves capable in pass coverage. Read more…
Round 6, No. 181 pick: Netane Muti, G, Fresno State
Muti believes the Broncos “definitely” got a steal if he’s able to stay healthy at the professional level. He’s projected to head into camp and compete with Austin Schlottmann for the backup guard jobs behind Dalton Risner on the left side and Graham Glasgow on the right. Read more…
Round 7, No. 252 pick: Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida
Cleveland, 22, played four years for the Gators, making 79 catches for 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns in 46 games (26 starts). He never had more than 25 catches or 410 yards in a season. Read more…
Round 7, No. 254 pick: Derrek Tuszka, DE, North Dakota State
Tuszka was a three-year starter at North Dakota State, and the Warner, S.D., native capped his college career with by being named 1st-team All-American and the Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year in 2019. Read more…
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
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thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Keeler: Speed? Points? Broncos GM John Elway has finally seen the light, and hallelujah

Now it could well have been a side effect of the Clorox I ’ ve been injecting intermittently over the last few days , but I swear I heard a choir of angels singing Saturday , right about the time Broncos GM John Elway said this : “ I think that when you look back over the last four years , since Super Bowl 50 when we really won it on the defensive side … we ’ ve tried to concentrate on the defensive side with the idea that if we can keep the score down , we ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the quarterback we can replace ( Peyton Manning ) with and get the offense back on track.
” “ We ’ ve got to put points on the board .
Seventeen points a game is not nearly enough , so the first step was this year in the draft.
” I mean , it ’ s a few steps and a few years late , but whatever .
Elway ’ s hallelujah moment capped a crazy good NFL draft weekend for Broncos fans .
And an even better one for Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game now , the thin lines that separate our controllers from reality more blurred and malleable than ever before .
Since Von Miller and the Broncos tire-ironed the rest of the league into submission five years ago , the league got wise and rebuilt the engine .
According to FootballOutsiders.com , since the fall of 2016 , the NFL ’ s six most efficient offenses — as in , those six who averaged the most points per offensive drive — in each season have averaged 11.3 victories per year .
Since 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top six offenses are averaging 11.6 wins , compared to 4.8 victories for the worst six .
Of those 18 elite offenses over the past three seasons , 16 reached the postseason .
Among the bottom 18 , not one managed a playoff berth .
As long Patrick Mahomes is upright , defense isn ’ t going to win a championship in the NFL .
Let alone the AFC West .
So , yes , John , you ’ ve got to put points on the board .
And , yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defensive side ” with the hope of “ keeping the score down ” is noble , but it ’ s also very 2015 .
The other guys are going four-wide , drafting track stars , channeling their inner Mike Leach , firing up the PlayStation and daring you to keep up .
Until Lock got the keys , more often than not , the Broncos haven ’ t .
After averaging at least 2.3 points per offensive drive every year from 2012-2015 , a run in which all four of those teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowls , Denver hasn ’ t been in the ballpark since .
From 2016-2019 , Broncos offenses wound up 25th ( 1.61 points per drive ) 29th ( 1.40 ) , 25th ( 1.75 ) and 25th ( 1.66 ) in the NFL in offensive efficiency , averaged 6.8 wins , and have strung together a proud organization ’ s first stretch of three straight losing seasons since the dark days of 1970-72 .
“ For us to be able to compete and give Drew a chance to be successful and us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to get some speed and we had to get some talent on that offensive side and some explosiveness on the offensive side , ” Elway explained Saturday .
“ That ’ s why we decided to go that way.
” New wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler reportedly run 4.45 and 4.3 in the 40-yard dash , respectively .
Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam , taken in the fourth round , went to the combine and posted a 4.49 time — at 258 pounds .
“ We played good defense last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good defense this coming year , ” Elway said , “ but we had to pick things up on the offensive side ( with ) that explosiveness and speed factor.
” In a perfect world , the NFL would be having to play catch-up with Elway , as opposed to the other way ‘ round , but progress is progress .
Sometimes all it takes to see the light is a little clarity .
Or bleach .

Now it could well have been a side effect of the Clorox I’ve been injecting intermittently over the last few days, but I swear I heard a choir of angels singing Saturday, right about the time Broncos GM John Elway said this:
“I think that when you look back over the last four years, since Super Bowl 50 when we really won it on the defensive side … we’ve tried to concentrate on the defensive side with the idea that if we can keep the score down, we’ll stay in football games and eventually try to find the quarterback we can replace (Peyton Manning) with and get the offense back on track.”
And this:
“We’ve got to put points on the board. Seventeen points a game is not nearly enough, so the first step was this year in the draft.”
I mean, it’s a few steps and a few years late, but whatever. Elway’s hallelujah moment capped a crazy good NFL draft weekend for Broncos fans. And an even better one for Drew Lock.
The NFL is a Madden game now, the thin lines that separate our controllers from reality more blurred and malleable than ever before. Since Von Miller and the Broncos tire-ironed the rest of the league into submission five years ago, the league got wise and rebuilt the engine.
According to FootballOutsiders.com, since the fall of 2016, the NFL’s six most efficient offenses — as in, those six who averaged the most points per offensive drive — in each season have averaged 11.3 victories per year.
The bottom six? 4.95 wins.
Since 2017, the contrasts become even more sharp: the top six offenses are averaging 11.6 wins, compared to 4.8 victories for the worst six.
Of those 18 elite offenses over the past three seasons, 16 reached the postseason. Among the bottom 18, not one managed a playoff berth.
As long Patrick Mahomes is upright, defense isn’t going to win a championship in the NFL. Let alone the AFC West.
So, yes, John, you’ve got to put points on the board. And, yes, an organizational mantra of “concentrating on the defensive side” with the hope of “keeping the score down” is noble, but it’s also very 2015. The other guys are going four-wide, drafting track stars, channeling their inner Mike Leach, firing up the PlayStation and daring you to keep up.
Until Lock got the keys, more often than not, the Broncos haven’t. After averaging at least 2.3 points per offensive drive every year from 2012-2015, a run in which all four of those teams made the postseason and two reached Super Bowls, Denver hasn’t been in the ballpark since.
From 2016-2019, Broncos offenses wound up 25th (1.61 points per drive) 29th (1.40), 25th (1.75) and 25th (1.66) in the NFL in offensive efficiency, averaged 6.8 wins, and have strung together a proud organization’s first stretch of three straight losing seasons since the dark days of 1970-72.
“For us to be able to compete and give Drew a chance to be successful and us to be successful on the offensive side … we have to get some speed and we had to get some talent on that offensive side and some explosiveness on the offensive side,” Elway explained Saturday. “That’s why we decided to go that way.”
New wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler reportedly run 4.45 and 4.3 in the 40-yard dash, respectively. Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, taken in the fourth round, went to the combine and posted a 4.49 time — at 258 pounds.
“We played good defense last year and we’ll continue to play good defense this coming year,” Elway said, “but we had to pick things up on the offensive side (with) that explosiveness and speed factor.”
In a perfect world, the NFL would be having to play catch-up with Elway, as opposed to the other way ‘round, but progress is progress. Sometimes all it takes to see the light is a little clarity. Or bleach.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--How I got hooked on sports: Radio and a visit to old Metropolitan Stadium

EDITOR ’ S NOTE : This is the latest in a series of personal essays detailing how members of The Denver Post sports staff fell in love with sports .
While growing up , radio was this Iowa farm boy ’ s conduit to a whole different universe , one I couldn ’ t wait to experience .
On cold winter nights , signals came in loud and clear from all over the country on my black transistor radio .
There was the excitable Red Rush from Chicago calling Loyola Ramblers basketball and serving as the pitchman for his sponsor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bread.
” I ’ d often find a station in Paducah , Ky. , to hear Caywood Ledford describe the mighty Kentucky Wildcats coached by Adolph Rupp roll to another victory .
Or pick up a game in Cleveland , or St. Louis .
Best of all , I was able to get WCCO 850 AM , from Minneapolis , all year round and listen to Herb Carneal broadcast Minnesota Twins games .
That was where I wanted to be .
Then , in 1964 my father took me , my mom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game at the old Metropolitan Stadium ( now the site of the Mall of America ) .
During that time the Twins held a “ camp-in ” where Midwesterns drove their RVs in for the weekend , or , like us , pitched a tent on the hard asphalt of the parking lot .
It was heaven .
We went fishing in the morning and watched the Twins at night , played wiffle ball , and attended church service Sunday morning in the third base stands , praying for a Twins victory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ If there was anything better in life than a gorgeous summer night , Tigers vs .
Twins , Met Stadium , Killebrew and Kaline , and a huge crowd roaring with every pitch to close out the game , I ’ d yet to see it or hear it .
I yearned to go back every summer .

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest in a series of personal essays detailing how members of The Denver Post sports staff fell in love with sports.
Radio hooked me.
While growing up, radio was this Iowa farm boy’s conduit to a whole different universe, one I couldn’t wait to experience. On cold winter nights, signals came in loud and clear from all over the country on my black transistor radio.
There was the excitable Red Rush from Chicago calling Loyola Ramblers basketball and serving as the pitchman for his sponsor, “that good, good Gonnella bread.”
I’d often find a station in Paducah, Ky., to hear Caywood Ledford describe the mighty Kentucky Wildcats coached by Adolph Rupp roll to another victory. Or pick up a game in Cleveland, or St. Louis. Best of all, I was able to get WCCO 830 AM, from Minneapolis, all year round and listen to Herb Carneal broadcast Minnesota Twins games.
That was where I wanted to be.
Then, in 1964 my father took me, my mom and my best friend to my first-ever Twins game at the old Metropolitan Stadium (now the site of the Mall of America). During that time the Twins held a “camp-in” where Midwesterns drove their RVs in for the weekend, or, like us, pitched a tent on the hard asphalt of the parking lot. It was heaven.
We went fishing in the morning and watched the Twins at night, played wiffle ball, and attended church service Sunday morning in the third base stands, praying for a Twins victory. (At least I did).
If there was anything better in life than a gorgeous summer night, Tigers vs. Twins, Met Stadium, Killebrew and Kaline, and a huge crowd roaring with every pitch to close out the game, I’d yet to see it or hear it.
I yearned to go back every summer.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--“It is isolating this year”: Colorado’s Muslims forego community gatherings as they observe Ramadan

“It is isolating this year”: Colorado’s Muslims forego community gatherings as they observe Ramadan amid a pandemic

When Ismail Akbulut and his family break their fast each night this month during Ramadan , there will be a sense of loneliness at their dining room table .
Rather than a group of friends gathering to pray , talk and laugh , Akbulut , his wife and their three daughters will eat dates and lentil or mushroom soup as a single family .
As immigrants from Turkey , their friends from their mosque are the family they turn to each year during the Islamic faith ’ s holy month .
“ It is the community and the gathering with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get together with your friends , it gives you a feeling of home and inclusiveness , ” Akbulut said .
“ It is isolating this year.
” During Ramadan , which began Friday , Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset , avoiding all food , drink and even chewing gum .
Traditionally , they gather at mosques or friends ’ homes or community centers to break the fast with meals , known as iftar .
It ’ s that gathering that is so important , especially for immigrants and refugees who do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by others who are foregoing food , devoting time to reading the Quran and praying .
This year , mosques across Colorado have been closed for more than a month because of the novel coronavirus .
Imams across the state used a lesson from Prophet Muhammad to encourage their members to stay home and avoid large gatherings — even Friday prayer services , said Imam ShemsAdeen Ben-Masaud , communications officer for the Colorado Imam Council .
“ Each individual needs to be doing their own prayers at home and reading the Quran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can still have a spiritual Ramadan , a special Ramadan while continuing with our religious traditions.
” The prophet ’ s teachings instructed people to stay home during plagues , Ben-Masaud said .
“ We take that as imams and religious scholars as proof that we should not be a reason for spreading disease or spreading harm , ” he said .
Each year , Akbulut and his wife spend weeks preparing for Ramadan .
And they especially look forward to Eid , the big celebration that marks the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what days we would invite friends to our home and what days we would go to someone else ’ s , ” he said .
“ We would sit together and plan what food we would serve.
” Some Muslims will gather via Zoom or WhatsApp to socialize this month .
Akbulut ’ s parents and siblings live in Germany and his extended family is in Turkey .
While they will talk to their families throughout Ramadan , they won ’ t be able to break fast via video because of the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three daughters — ages 13 , 9 and 6 — will decorate their home with lights and signs .
It ’ s a tradition but “ this is probably going to be the best decorations we ’ ve had in home because it ’ s all going to be in our home.
” For Nadeen Ibrahim , the thought of spending Ramadan alone was too much .
In March , the 25-year-old Denver resident moved back to her parents ’ home in Wiggins as stay-home orders were enacted .
She grew up there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned a convenience store , were the only Muslims in town .
Now , she ’ s readjusting to life with her parents and three younger siblings reunited under the same roof .
The only sibling who won ’ t be there is a sister , who is married with her own family .
“ It ’ s the first Ramadan I ’ ve celebrated with my whole family in a long time , ” Ibrahim said .
“ I couldn ’ t imagine having to stay home and do this by myself.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain is making pre-dawn pancake runs , but she ’ ll bring her brothers rather than meet friends in Denver .
They call them “ IHOB runs , ” substituting the ‘ P ’ in IHOP because the letter ’ s sound doesn ’ t exist in the Arabic alphabet .
“ It ’ s without a doubt that one of the most precious components of Ramadan is being together and celebrating together , ” she said .
Ibrahim , who is an activist in Denver ’ s Muslim community , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aside from fasting , praying and reading the Quran , giving is an essential part of Ramadan .
Mosques will miss the contributions , but Colorado ’ s Muslim community is rallying to help others .
The Mosaic Foundation has a relief fund for taxi drivers , restaurant workers and others who lost jobs during the pandemic , and its members are cooking meals to deliver to police officers and other front line workers .
The Southeast Aurora Islamic Center is pairing with Crescent View Academy to provide to-go iftar on weekends for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to the United States in 2016 after she earned a scholarship from the Turkish education ministry .
Shortly after they arrived , the young couple and their families got caught up in a coup , and the Sariceliks decided it was unsafe to return home .
They now live and work in Aurora where she is a math teacher and he is a business manager in the schools .
This year , they will keep their iftar simple with soups and salads , rather than eating bigger meals with friends .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contribute to those who need more than them .
Last year , Canan Saricelik was shopping with a friend before Ramadan when the friend ’ s 7-year-old son remarked that they ’ d bought too much food for people who would be fasting .
She is taking the child ’ s observation to heart in 2020 .
“ This year we set aside our money for people in need .
We didn ’ t do all that crazy shopping , ” Canan Saricelik said .
“ We are shut in .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , “ This will be an exercise in self-restraint , really .
At this time , we don ’ t interact with other people .
”

When Ismail Akbulut and his family break their fast each night this month during Ramadan, there will be a sense of loneliness at their dining room table.
Rather than a group of friends gathering to pray, talk and laugh, Akbulut, his wife and their three daughters will eat dates and lentil or mushroom soup as a single family. As immigrants from Turkey, their friends from their mosque are the family they turn to each year during the Islamic faith’s holy month.
“It is the community and the gathering with others that is missing. The more you get together with your friends, it gives you a feeling of home and inclusiveness,” Akbulut said. “It is isolating this year.”
During Ramadan, which began Friday, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, avoiding all food, drink and even chewing gum. Traditionally, they gather at mosques or friends’ homes or community centers to break the fast with meals, known as iftar. It’s that gathering that is so important, especially for immigrants and refugees who do not live in a predominantly Muslim country surrounded by others who are foregoing food, devoting time to reading the Quran and praying.
This year, mosques across Colorado have been closed for more than a month because of the novel coronavirus. Imams across the state used a lesson from Prophet Muhammad to encourage their members to stay home and avoid large gatherings — even Friday prayer services, said Imam ShemsAdeen Ben-Masaud, communications officer for the Colorado Imam Council.
“Each individual needs to be doing their own prayers at home and reading the Quran themselves,” he said. “We can still have a spiritual Ramadan, a special Ramadan while continuing with our religious traditions.”
The prophet’s teachings instructed people to stay home during plagues, Ben-Masaud said.
“We take that as imams and religious scholars as proof that we should not be a reason for spreading disease or spreading harm,” he said.
Each year, Akbulut and his wife spend weeks preparing for Ramadan. And they especially look forward to Eid, the big celebration that marks the end of the holy month.
“We plan ahead what days we would invite friends to our home and what days we would go to someone else’s,” he said. “We would sit together and plan what food we would serve.”
Some Muslims will gather via Zoom or WhatsApp to socialize this month. Akbulut’s parents and siblings live in Germany and his extended family is in Turkey. While they will talk to their families throughout Ramadan, they won’t be able to break fast via video because of the time difference.
Akbulut’s wife and three daughters — ages 13, 9 and 6 — will decorate their home with lights and signs. It’s a tradition but “this is probably going to be the best decorations we’ve had in home because it’s all going to be in our home.”
For Nadeen Ibrahim, the thought of spending Ramadan alone was too much. In March, the 25-year-old Denver resident moved back to her parents’ home in Wiggins as stay-home orders were enacted. She grew up there, and her Palestinian family, who owned a convenience store, were the only Muslims in town. Now, she’s readjusting to life with her parents and three younger siblings reunited under the same roof.
The only sibling who won’t be there is a sister, who is married with her own family.
“It’s the first Ramadan I’ve celebrated with my whole family in a long time,” Ibrahim said. “I couldn’t imagine having to stay home and do this by myself.”
Among the traditions she will try to maintain is making pre-dawn pancake runs, but she’ll bring her brothers rather than meet friends in Denver. They call them “IHOB runs,” substituting the ‘P’ in IHOP because the letter’s sound doesn’t exist in the Arabic alphabet.
“It’s without a doubt that one of the most precious components of Ramadan is being together and celebrating together,” she said.
Ibrahim, who is an activist in Denver’s Muslim community, will help organize charitable events from afar.
Aside from fasting, praying and reading the Quran, giving is an essential part of Ramadan. Mosques will miss the contributions, but Colorado’s Muslim community is rallying to help others. The Mosaic Foundation has a relief fund for taxi drivers, restaurant workers and others who lost jobs during the pandemic, and its members are cooking meals to deliver to police officers and other front line workers. The Southeast Aurora Islamic Center is pairing with Crescent View Academy to provide to-go iftar on weekends for the community.
Muhammet and Canan Saricelik came to the United States in 2016 after she earned a scholarship from the Turkish education ministry. Shortly after they arrived, the young couple and their families got caught up in a coup, and the Sariceliks decided it was unsafe to return home. They now live and work in Aurora where she is a math teacher and he is a business manager in the schools.
This year, they will keep their iftar simple with soups and salads, rather than eating bigger meals with friends. They’ll dip into their bank accounts to contribute to those who need more than them.
Last year, Canan Saricelik was shopping with a friend before Ramadan when the friend’s 7-year-old son remarked that they’d bought too much food for people who would be fasting. She is taking the child’s observation to heart in 2020.
“This year we set aside our money for people in need. We didn’t do all that crazy shopping,” Canan Saricelik said. “We are shut in. We decided to live simple.”
Her husband added, “This will be an exercise in self-restraint, really. At this time, we don’t interact with other people.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Denver agent Kurt Overhardt’s voluntary NHL “player exception” proposal would help teams hang on to

Denver agent Kurt Overhardt’s voluntary NHL “player exception” proposal would help teams hang on to superstars

NHL player agent Kurt Overhardt of Denver-based KO Sports Inc. proposed a voluntary “ player exception ” rule Monday that would allow NHL teams to prevent their highest-paid player from counting towards the salary cap .
Overhardt suggests the voluntary rule would strengthen the league financially and competitively and stroke hockey ’ s “ not me ” culture .
For the Avalanche , it would take Mikko Rantanen ’ s club-high $ 12 million contract out of the equation in meeting the current salary cap of $ 81.5 million and Rantanen would contribute to players ’ revenue — thus helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system ( salary cap ) was a brilliant system by the league but it needs to evolve , ” Overhardt said in a phone interview .
“ This would enable the ownership and hockey people like ( Avs general manager ) Joe Sakic to make a value judgment.
” Overhardt and KO Sports associate Brian Schoelzel authored the idea on the company ’ s website .
“ Because of hockey ’ s culture and the dilemma forced upon the super elite , players may be reluctant to sign a contract that in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as their closest teammate , ” Overhardt and Schoelzel wrote .
“ What they neglect to realize is that accepting the designation is arguably the most selfless thing they can do .
By removing their salary from cap considerations , it leaves more money in the pool for their teammates and allows clubs the ability to sign additional players that make the team more competitive.
” Under Overhardt ’ s plan , which would likely be part of a new collective bargaining agreement after the current one expires in September 2022 , clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player exception would receive luxury tax funds paid out by teams that do participate .
From an Avalanche perspective , Rantanen was in the right place at the right time to sign a six-year , $ 55.5 million contract before his 23rd birthday last fall .
Rantanen , who is represented by Octagon Hockey , is collecting $ 12 million this season and next .
That ’ s a combined $ 11.1 million more than Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon , who is at $ 6.75 million this season and $ 6.15 in 2021-22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-year , $ 44.1 million deal after two relatively underperforming seasons to complete his three-year entry-level contract in 2016 .
It looked like a good deal at the time , but MacKinnon is now grossly underpaid for his elite services .
Before Rantanen became the Avs ’ highest-paid player less than a week before opening night in October , MacKinnon said he supported his right winger to sign a maximum market deal .
But some believed the highly modest Rantanen wouldn ’ t want all those dollar signs next to his name to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to spend more on good players .
The Avs currently have no issue with player-spending , sitting $ 5.4 million ( 28th highest among 31 teams ) under the $ 81.5 salary cap .
But they need to hand out big contracts to Gabe Landeskog and Cale Makar within the next 14 months and have two of The Hockey News ’ top 13 NHL prospects in Bo Byram and Alex Newhook .
MacKinnon ’ s $ 6.3 million annual cap hit ends after the 2022-23 season , and with all its stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could dramatically increase for 2023-24 .
But if MacKinnon ’ s next contract is potentially “ off ” the books , the Avs would likely afford all their top players .

NHL player agent Kurt Overhardt of Denver-based KO Sports Inc. proposed a voluntary “player exception” rule Monday that would allow NHL teams to prevent their highest-paid player from counting towards the salary cap.
Overhardt suggests the voluntary rule would strengthen the league financially and competitively and stroke hockey’s “not me” culture.
For the Avalanche, it would take Mikko Rantanen’s club-high $12 million contract out of the equation in meeting the current salary cap of $81.5 million and Rantanen would contribute to players’ revenue — thus helping his teammates.
“The cost control system (salary cap) was a brilliant system by the league but it needs to evolve,” Overhardt said in a phone interview. “This would enable the ownership and hockey people like (Avs general manager) Joe Sakic to make a value judgment.”
Overhardt and KO Sports associate Brian Schoelzel authored the idea on the company’s website.
“Because of hockey’s culture and the dilemma forced upon the super elite, players may be reluctant to sign a contract that in some instances would pay them twice as much as their closest teammate,” Overhardt and Schoelzel wrote. “What they neglect to realize is that accepting the designation is arguably the most selfless thing they can do. By removing their salary from cap considerations, it leaves more money in the pool for their teammates and allows clubs the ability to sign additional players that make the team more competitive.”
Under Overhardt’s plan, which would likely be part of a new collective bargaining agreement after the current one expires in September 2022, clubs that do not wish to use a player exception would receive luxury tax funds paid out by teams that do participate.
From an Avalanche perspective, Rantanen was in the right place at the right time to sign a six-year, $55.5 million contract before his 23rd birthday last fall. Rantanen, who is represented by Octagon Hockey, is collecting $12 million this season and next. That’s a combined $11.1 million more than Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon, who is at $6.75 million this season and $6.15 in 2021-22.
MacKinnon, 24, signed his seven-year, $44.1 million deal after two relatively underperforming seasons to complete his three-year entry-level contract in 2016. It looked like a good deal at the time, but MacKinnon is now grossly underpaid for his elite services.
Before Rantanen became the Avs’ highest-paid player less than a week before opening night in October, MacKinnon said he supported his right winger to sign a maximum market deal. But some believed the highly modest Rantanen wouldn’t want all those dollar signs next to his name to take away from the team’s ability to spend more on good players.
The Avs currently have no issue with player-spending, sitting $5.4 million (28th highest among 31 teams) under the $81.5 salary cap. But they need to hand out big contracts to Gabe Landeskog and Cale Makar within the next 14 months and have two of The Hockey News’ top 13 NHL prospects in Bo Byram and Alex Newhook.
MacKinnon’s $6.3 million annual cap hit ends after the 2022-23 season, and with all its stars in place, Colorado’s player-spending could dramatically increase for 2023-24.
But if MacKinnon’s next contract is potentially “off” the books, the Avs would likely afford all their top players.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Motorcyclist dies in two-vehicle crash on I-25 in Lonetree

A motorcyclist died Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 in Douglas County .
The crash happened at @ @ @ @ @ southbound lanes of the highway near the RidgeGate exchange , said Trooper Josh Lewis , @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver of the motorcycle , a 37-year-old woman , was taken to a @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead , Lewis said .
A 2014 Jeep was involved in the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ not injured , stayed at the scene , Lewis said .
An investigation is ongoing @ @ @ @ @ highway have been closed by the incident and traffic is being detoured .

A motorcyclist died Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 in Douglas County.
The crash happened at about 4:05 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the highway near the RidgeGate exchange, said Trooper Josh Lewis, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman.
The driver of the motorcycle, a 37-year-old woman, was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, Lewis said.
A 2014 Jeep was involved in the incident. The driver, who was not injured, stayed at the scene, Lewis said. An investigation is ongoing. Southbound lanes of the highway have been closed by the incident and traffic is being detoured.


thedenverpost--2020-04-28--Man shot dead in NE Denver early Saturday morning is identified

A man shot dead in Denver early Saturday morning has been identified , and his girlfriend is being held as a suspect in the shooting .
Jamal Thompson , 26 , died of a gunshot wound and his manner of death is a homicide , according to the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner .
Jenny Nguyen , 27 , has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with Thompson ’ s death , according to police .
The shooting happened at 12:10 a.m. Saturday in the area of East 54th Avenue and Yampa Street , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The couple , who were in a relationship , were arguing near Nguyen ’ s home when shots were fired at Thompson from close range , according to the warrant .
Thompson was found by officers inside a white Ford Fusion , near the residence , after the vehicle had crashed and rolled .
He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:32 a.m. , the warrant said .
Investigators determined that the pair had been in a relationship , broken up but had recently gotten back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous domestic violence incidents , the affidavit said .
Shortly after the shooting , officers knocked on the front door to Nguyen ’ s home but no one answered .
Nguyen was taken into custody Saturday after investigators served a search warrant on her home .
She agreed to go to police headquarters to be interviewed .
While conducting a search in the home investigators found a disassembled Sig Sauer 9mm handgun hidden in a bathroom heating vent of the master bathroom , the warrant said .
Five 9mm cartridges were found in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A video surveillance system at the home , which has a camera facing the street , had recorded footage before and after the shooting , according to the warrant .
Missing video from the time span of the shooting is “ consistent with being deleted from the system ’ s home panel.
” During an interview with investigators , Nguyen lowered her head and closed her eyes when asked directly about whether she shot Thompson , according to the warrant .
Nguyen declined to answer that direct question .

A man shot dead in Denver early Saturday morning has been identified, and his girlfriend is being held as a suspect in the shooting.
Jamal Thompson, 26, died of a gunshot wound and his manner of death is a homicide, according to the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.
Jenny Nguyen, 27, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with Thompson’s death, according to police.
The shooting happened at 12:10 a.m. Saturday in the area of East 54th Avenue and Yampa Street, according to a Denver Police Department arrest affidavit.
The couple, who were in a relationship, were arguing near Nguyen’s home when shots were fired at Thompson from close range, according to the warrant.
Thompson was found by officers inside a white Ford Fusion, near the residence, after the vehicle had crashed and rolled. He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:32 a.m., the warrant said.
Investigators determined that the pair had been in a relationship, broken up but had recently gotten back together. They were involved in two previous domestic violence incidents, the affidavit said.
Shortly after the shooting, officers knocked on the front door to Nguyen’s home but no one answered. Nguyen was taken into custody Saturday after investigators served a search warrant on her home. She agreed to go to police headquarters to be interviewed.
While conducting a search in the home investigators found a disassembled Sig Sauer 9mm handgun hidden in a bathroom heating vent of the master bathroom, the warrant said. Five 9mm cartridges were found in the street next to the home.
A video surveillance system at the home, which has a camera facing the street, had recorded footage before and after the shooting, according to the warrant. Missing video from the time span of the shooting is “consistent with being deleted from the system’s home panel.”
During an interview with investigators, Nguyen lowered her head and closed her eyes when asked directly about whether she shot Thompson, according to the warrant. Nguyen declined to answer that direct question.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Safer at work? Colorado is drafting rules to allow COVID vulnerable to stay on unemployment

Colorado workers in a few fields got a taste of the state ’ s new normal on Monday , returning to the shops , homes they are showing to prospective buyers and even surgical suites where they worked before Gov .
Jared Polis issued a statewide stay at home order on March 25 .
Scores more workers could leave their homes and head back to the workplace over the next 10 days as Polis loosens restrictions on retailers and office-based businesses as part of his less strict “ safer at home ” phase of the state ’ s coronavirus response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that just 29 % of people are in favor of easing health safety measures for the sake of kick-starting the state ’ s economy .
The rollback has sparked a lot of questions for the state ’ s labor department .
Workers impacted by the virus have been filing unemployment claims at a record-shattering clip and now some of them stand to lose benefits if they are called back to work and don ’ t comply .
“ The big questions of the day for the workers is , ‘ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to go back to work ? '
” Cher Haavind , deputy executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment , said Monday .
“ If you are on unemployment do you risk losing your benefits if you refuse to return to work ?
And , as with everything with unemployment , it depends.
” Polis , in an executive order Sunday , directed the labor department to draft emergency rules to ensure people , particularly those deemed “ vulnerable individuals , ” would not lose benefits if they refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplace had “ COVID-19-related demonstrable , unsafe working conditions.
” The rules have not been finalized yet but a draft provided to The Denver Post on Monday lays out four criteria the state is likely to use when deciding if a worker can still collect benefits if they turn down an offer to return to work : the objective level of risk the person ’ s workplace ; the normal level of risk that workplace would present without coronavirus ; the worker ’ s coronavirus vulnerability as determined by professional medical standards ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone the worker might live with .
The rules could be finalized as soon as Tuesday , Haavind said .
The labor department has also added information to its website focused on return-to-work questions .
By visiting colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/covid-19/return-to-work , workers can find a list of resources , including directions to contact the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration , or OSHA , if they spot workplace safety violations .
The site also links to a frequently-asked-questions document .
The FAQ sheet includes information for people who have been deemed vulnerable but are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Per Safer at Home Executive Order D 2020 044 , no vulnerable individuals can be compelled by their employer to return to work if their work requires in-person work near others , ” the document reads .
“ If the workplace is particularly unsafe — e.g.
, if it had an outbreak — unemployment benefits might be available , depending on the facts , and OSHA safety rules might limit requirements to return.
” Aaron Collins , 37 , of Denver , is preparing to go back to work as a project manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop focused on serving bars and restaurants .
With just six employees and a 25,000-square-foot shop , Collins feels Fin Art is prepared to adhere to social distancing rules but the business is taking extra precautions .
“ What we have decided to do is to run it in shifts , ” Collins said Monday .
“ We ’ re trying to keep it to three people in the shop at one time .
That ’ s a safe social distance .
( We ) have a bunch of alcohol sprays we use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wearing dust masks and respirators in the shop.
” Collins notes that while none of his coworkers have pre-existing health conditions that might make them vulnerable to COVID-19 , three of them have kids .
“ I wouldn ’ t ask an employee to come back to work who was worried about it , ” he said .
Some businesses — even those not subject to more stringent stay-at-home rules in place in Denver and surrounding counties — are choosing to wait rather than rush to reopen .
The Colorado Chamber of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various sizes from around the state early last week and found that half of those that responded approved of a phased approach to reopening nonessential business .
While 37 % wanted to see that happen as soon as possible , 12 % of respondents at the time felt it was to soon to consider reopening nonessential businesses .
Forty-five percent of business owners expressed concern about the legal liability they might face if they opened up and an employee contracted COVID-19 in the workplace .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates @ @ @ @ @

Colorado workers in a few fields got a taste of the state’s new normal on Monday, returning to the shops, homes they are showing to prospective buyers and even surgical suites where they worked before Gov. Jared Polis issued a statewide stay at home order on March 25.
Scores more workers could leave their homes and head back to the workplace over the next 10 days as Polis loosens restrictions on retailers and office-based businesses as part of his less strict “safer at home” phase of the state’s coronavirus response.
But a recent survey of Coloradans found that just 29% of people are in favor of easing health safety measures for the sake of kick-starting the state’s economy.
The rollback has sparked a lot of questions for the state’s labor department. Workers impacted by the virus have been filing unemployment claims at a record-shattering clip and now some of them stand to lose benefits if they are called back to work and don’t comply.
“The big questions of the day for the workers is, ‘I don’t feel safe. Do I have to go back to work?'” Cher Haavind, deputy executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, said Monday. “If you are on unemployment do you risk losing your benefits if you refuse to return to work? And, as with everything with unemployment, it depends.”
Polis, in an executive order Sunday, directed the labor department to draft emergency rules to ensure people, particularly those deemed “vulnerable individuals,” would not lose benefits if they refused to go back to work and their workplace had “COVID-19-related demonstrable, unsafe working conditions.”
The rules have not been finalized yet but a draft provided to The Denver Post on Monday lays out four criteria the state is likely to use when deciding if a worker can still collect benefits if they turn down an offer to return to work: the objective level of risk the person’s workplace; the normal level of risk that workplace would present without coronavirus; the worker’s coronavirus vulnerability as determined by professional medical standards; and, finally, the vulnerability of anyone the worker might live with.
The rules could be finalized as soon as Tuesday, Haavind said. The labor department has also added information to its website focused on return-to-work questions.
By visiting colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/covid-19/return-to-work, workers can find a list of resources, including directions to contact the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, if they spot workplace safety violations. The site also links to a frequently-asked-questions document. The FAQ sheet includes information for people who have been deemed vulnerable but are being called back to the workplace.
“Per Safer at Home Executive Order D 2020 044, no vulnerable individuals can be compelled by their employer to return to work if their work requires in-person work near others,” the document reads. “If the workplace is particularly unsafe — e.g., if it had an outbreak — unemployment benefits might be available, depending on the facts, and OSHA safety rules might limit requirements to return.”
Aaron Collins, 37, of Denver, is preparing to go back to work as a project manager at Fin Art, a local furniture shop focused on serving bars and restaurants. With just six employees and a 25,000-square-foot shop, Collins feels Fin Art is prepared to adhere to social distancing rules but the business is taking extra precautions.
“What we have decided to do is to run it in shifts,” Collins said Monday. “We’re trying to keep it to three people in the shop at one time. That’s a safe social distance. (We) have a bunch of alcohol sprays we use on hand tools and passing those around and wearing dust masks and respirators in the shop.”
Collins notes that while none of his coworkers have pre-existing health conditions that might make them vulnerable to COVID-19, three of them have kids.
“I wouldn’t ask an employee to come back to work who was worried about it,” he said.
Some businesses — even those not subject to more stringent stay-at-home rules in place in Denver and surrounding counties — are choosing to wait rather than rush to reopen.
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce surveyed more than 80 businesses of various sizes from around the state early last week and found that half of those that responded approved of a phased approach to reopening nonessential business. While 37% wanted to see that happen as soon as possible, 12% of respondents at the time felt it was to soon to consider reopening nonessential businesses.
Forty-five percent of business owners expressed concern about the legal liability they might face if they opened up and an employee contracted COVID-19 in the workplace.
Denver Post staff writer Tiney Ricciardi contributed to this report.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--More than 700 dead from coronavirus in Colorado as state begins to reopen

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Colorado hit 13,879 Monday , with 706 deaths and 2,485 hospitalizations .
At least 66,341 people in Colorado have been tested for COVID-19 .
Officials estimate that the number of actual cases in the state is several times higher than the number of confirmed cases , with around 65,000 to 75,000 infected with the novel coronavirus .
By Monday , 776 people were currently hospitalized with the disease and 53 had been discharged from hospitals or moved to a lower level of care in the past 24 hours , according to data provided by the Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The novel coronavirus causes mild symptoms in many patients but can be serious or fatal for older patients or those with underlying health conditions .
The statewide stay at home order expired Monday as Polis released new guidelines that allow some businesses to reopen Monday and in the coming days .
The state ’ s reopening will need to happen in phases , he said , emphasizing that the end of the statewide stay-at-home order does not mean a return to pre-pandemic life .
The new guidelines do not apply in Denver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , which have extended their local stay-at-home orders until May 8 .

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Colorado hit 13,879 Monday, with 706 deaths and 2,485 hospitalizations.
At least 66,341 people in Colorado have been tested for COVID-19. Officials estimate that the number of actual cases in the state is several times higher than the number of confirmed cases, with around 65,000 to 75,000 infected with the novel coronavirus.
By Monday, 776 people were currently hospitalized with the disease and 53 had been discharged from hospitals or moved to a lower level of care in the past 24 hours, according to data provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The novel coronavirus causes mild symptoms in many patients but can be serious or fatal for older patients or those with underlying health conditions.
The statewide stay at home order expired Monday as Polis released new guidelines that allow some businesses to reopen Monday and in the coming days. The state’s reopening will need to happen in phases, he said, emphasizing that the end of the statewide stay-at-home order does not mean a return to pre-pandemic life.
The new guidelines do not apply in Denver, Boulder, Arapahoe, Jefferson or Adams counties, which have extended their local stay-at-home orders until May 8.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Newman vs. Keeler: Have the Broncos done enough to grab one of those extra AFC playoff spots?

Keeler : No matter how you slice it , the Broncos got better , top to bottom .
This might be the franchise ’ s most athletic draft class of recent vintage , with a number of good-value grabs that had national pundits raving about John Elway ’ s 2020 haul .
Here ’ s the rub : For all the juice at wide receiver and on the interior of both lines , this roster is still — for now — the thinnest in starter-level talent at three of the four most critical positions on the field : quarterback , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t address at least one of those three spots with a veteran free agent , he ’ s playing Russian roulette with fans ’ postseason dreams .
What say you ?
Newman : I say that for all the “ weapons ” Elway acquired to help quarterback Drew Lock , the Broncos ’ draft strategy reveals a multi-tiered gamble up front .
Drew Lock must stay healthy for Denver to have a shot at the expanded playoff field — and for Lock to stay healthy , left tackle Garett Bolles has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ durable .
Ja ’ Wuan James , whose knee wrecked his 2019 season , must be the dependable big-money right tackle that Elway paid for .
Same goes for Bryce Callahan at slot cornerback .
Keeler : Another rub ?
The AFC ’ s depth of pretty-good-ish teams , on paper , where a glut of 7- to 9-win candidates , including the Patriots , could clog up the postseason pipes .
Within the conference , only the Dolphins , Bengals and Jaguars are expected to be miserable , and the Broncos face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BetOnline.ag ’ s projected 2020 win totals , seven games — two with the Chiefs , and one each with Buffalo , New Orleans , Tampa Bay , New England and Pittsburgh — are against teams pegged to finish 9-7 or better .
Newman : Let ’ s be honest — Lock ’ s 4-1 mark to end the 2019 season made for good headlines and fan excitement , but finishing up with meaningless home games against Oakland and hapless Detroit wasn ’ t exactly a gut-check .
Lock ’ s got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Statistically , though , Denver ’ s schedule is actually easier than a year ago .
The 2018 winning percentage of the Broncos ’ 2019 opponents was 53.7 % , second-highest in the NFL behind Oakland .
For 2020 , Denver ’ s strength of schedule is ranked 12th at 51.2 % .
Keeler : Meanwhile , the AFC West is setting up to be a death march .
If the Chargers get a pulse at quarterback , they ’ re a solid candidate to rebound .
The Raiders ’ Las @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be galvanizing for a roster that ’ s felt like vagabonds forever .
The non-Chiefs clubs in the division are kind of a crapshoot , and someone has to finish fourth .
Newman : Considering the expanded playoff field , Denver ’ s veteran acquisitions and at least two plug-and-play pieces from the draft , a postseason spot is a clear and attainable goal .
But much as the Rockies are the Dodgers ’ little brothers in the NL West , the Broncos must understand that as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver will be looking up at the Chiefs .
That means playing for one of the conference ’ s three wild cards , and then hoping Lock has the mettle to win on the road in the playoffs .

Keeler: No matter how you slice it, the Broncos got better, top to bottom. This might be the franchise’s most athletic draft class of recent vintage, with a number of good-value grabs that had national pundits raving about John Elway’s 2020 haul. Here’s the rub: For all the juice at wide receiver and on the interior of both lines, this roster is still — for now — the thinnest in starter-level talent at three of the four most critical positions on the field: quarterback, left tackle and cornerback. If Elway doesn’t address at least one of those three spots with a veteran free agent, he’s playing Russian roulette with fans’ postseason dreams. What say you?
Newman: I say that for all the “weapons” Elway acquired to help quarterback Drew Lock, the Broncos’ draft strategy reveals a multi-tiered gamble up front. Drew Lock must stay healthy for Denver to have a shot at the expanded playoff field — and for Lock to stay healthy, left tackle Garett Bolles has to be as consistent as he is durable. Ja’Wuan James, whose knee wrecked his 2019 season, must be the dependable big-money right tackle that Elway paid for. Same goes for Bryce Callahan at slot cornerback.
Keeler: Another rub? The AFC’s depth of pretty-good-ish teams, on paper, where a glut of 7- to 9-win candidates, including the Patriots, could clog up the postseason pipes. Within the conference, only the Dolphins, Bengals and Jaguars are expected to be miserable, and the Broncos face just one of them. Based on BetOnline.ag’s projected 2020 win totals, seven games — two with the Chiefs, and one each with Buffalo, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, New England and Pittsburgh — are against teams pegged to finish 9-7 or better.
Newman: Let’s be honest — Lock’s 4-1 mark to end the 2019 season made for good headlines and fan excitement, but finishing up with meaningless home games against Oakland and hapless Detroit wasn’t exactly a gut-check. Lock’s got a decidedly bigger task ahead of him this year. Statistically, though, Denver’s schedule is actually easier than a year ago. The 2018 winning percentage of the Broncos’ 2019 opponents was 53.7%, second-highest in the NFL behind Oakland. For 2020, Denver’s strength of schedule is ranked 12th at 51.2%.
Keeler: Meanwhile, the AFC West is setting up to be a death march. If the Chargers get a pulse at quarterback, they’re a solid candidate to rebound. The Raiders’ Las Vegas move could actually turn out to be galvanizing for a roster that’s felt like vagabonds forever. The non-Chiefs clubs in the division are kind of a crapshoot, and someone has to finish fourth.
Newman: Considering the expanded playoff field, Denver’s veteran acquisitions and at least two plug-and-play pieces from the draft, a postseason spot is a clear and attainable goal. But much as the Rockies are the Dodgers’ little brothers in the NL West, the Broncos must understand that as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are together in Kansas City, Denver will be looking up at the Chiefs. That means playing for one of the conference’s three wild cards, and then hoping Lock has the mettle to win on the road in the playoffs.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--DU Pioneers lose another player to an NHL contract

The University of Denver hockey team surprisingly lost another player to an NHL contract Monday , when sophomore forward Emilio @ @ @ @ @ Flames .
Pioneers coach David Carle said last month that junior defenseman and team captain @ @ @ @ @ off-season “ flight risk.
” Mitchell signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13 .
@ @ @ @ @ draft pick of the Flames , had 19 goals and 65 points in 76 games @ @ @ @ @ led the Pioneers with 35 points in 36 games last season , which was cut @ @ @ @ @ .

The University of Denver hockey team surprisingly lost another player to an NHL contract Monday, when sophomore forward Emilio Pettersen signed with the Calgary Flames.
Pioneers coach David Carle said last month that junior defenseman and team captain Ian Mitchell was his only off-season “flight risk.” Mitchell signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 13.
Pettersen, a 2018 sixth-round draft pick of the Flames, had 19 goals and 65 points in 76 games at DU. The Norwegian led the Pioneers with 35 points in 36 games last season, which was cut short because of the coronavirus.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--NBA targets May 8 for earliest individual player workouts at team facilities

The NBA ’ s crawl toward normalcy hit a new milestone Monday with an important date circled on the league calendar .
The earliest individual player workouts at their respective team facilities can take place is May 8 , the NBA announced , as stay-at-home orders issued by state governments are slowly relaxed across the nation .
The league had previously set a goal of May 1 .
Notably , the NBA ’ s new target date lands on the same day that Denver ’ s stay-at-home order begins to relent with some nonessential businesses allowed back in operation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the NBA ’ s announcement but said the team will know more in the coming days about plans to re-open its practice facility at the Pepsi Center .
Players will be subject to strict health and social-distancing protocols upon return .
The NBA said the following restrictions will apply : • No more than four players would be permitted at a facility at any one time .
• No head coach or assistant coaches could participate .
• Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities such as public health clubs , fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 43-22 , 3rd Western Conference ) last played a game more than six weeks ago — a March 11 loss at the Mavericks .

The NBA’s crawl toward normalcy hit a new milestone Monday with an important date circled on the league calendar.
The earliest individual player workouts at their respective team facilities can take place is May 8, the NBA announced, as stay-at-home orders issued by state governments are slowly relaxed across the nation. The league had previously set a goal of May 1.
Notably, the NBA’s new target date lands on the same day that Denver’s stay-at-home order begins to relent with some nonessential businesses allowed back in operation. A Nuggets spokesman declined to comment further beyond the NBA’s announcement but said the team will know more in the coming days about plans to re-open its practice facility at the Pepsi Center.
Players will be subject to strict health and social-distancing protocols upon return. The NBA said the following restrictions will apply:
No more than four players would be permitted at a facility at any one time.
No head coach or assistant coaches could participate.
Group activity remains prohibited, including practices or scrimmages.
Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities such as public health clubs, fitness centers, or gyms.
The Nuggets (43-22, 3rd Western Conference) last played a game more than six weeks ago — a March 11 loss at the Mavericks.


thedenverpost--2020-04-27--Suspect arrested in connection to fatal shooting in northeast Denver; witness says victim was shot i

Suspect arrested in connection to fatal shooting in northeast Denver; witness says victim was shot in the back

Denver police arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting another in a northeast Denver shopping area .
Police arrested Samuel Robinson , 51 , on suspicion of first-degree murder Friday afternoon , about 12 hours after the shooting near the intersection of Chambers Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard .
The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner on Monday identified the victim of the shooting as 36-year-old Arthur Robinson .
Witnesses to the shooting told police that they saw two men arguing about 1 a.m. Friday near an AutoZone , according to Robinson ’ s arrest affidavit .
One witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene when the other man shot him in the back .
The man with the gun then got into his SUV and drove away .
Police found the SUV about 15 minutes later and interviewed the woman driving it .
They also found a gun inside the vehicle that matched the description of the weapon used in the shooting .
Through interviews with witnesses and family members of the victim , police were able to identify Robinson as a suspect .
Officers arrested him about 1 p.m. Friday outside a residence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour , but his statements were redacted from his arrest affidavit .

Denver police arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting another in a northeast Denver shopping area.
Police arrested Samuel Robinson, 51, on suspicion of first-degree murder Friday afternoon, about 12 hours after the shooting near the intersection of Chambers Road and Green Valley Ranch Boulevard.
The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner on Monday identified the victim of the shooting as 36-year-old Arthur Robinson.
Witnesses to the shooting told police that they saw two men arguing about 1 a.m. Friday near an AutoZone, according to Robinson’s arrest affidavit. One witness said the victim was walking away from the scene when the other man shot him in the back. The man with the gun then got into his SUV and drove away.
Police found the SUV about 15 minutes later and interviewed the woman driving it. They also found a gun inside the vehicle that matched the description of the weapon used in the shooting.
Through interviews with witnesses and family members of the victim, police were able to identify Robinson as a suspect. Officers arrested him about 1 p.m. Friday outside a residence.
Robinson spoke with detectives for more than an hour, but his statements were redacted from his arrest affidavit.