thedenverpost--2020-11-20--1 in 49 Coloradans are now contagious with COVID-19, state estimates

One in 49 Coloradans is now contagious with COVID-19 , Gov .
Jared Polis said Friday , citing estimates from the Colorado School of Public Health .
That ’ s a dramatic leap from last week ’ s estimate of 1 in 110 .
In late October , officials estimated the average was 1 in 292 .
“ If you have five people over , you ’ ve got a 1 in 10 chance of being exposed to the virus right there , ” Polis said during a virtual press conference Friday .
“ Literally everybody that you encounter could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now is the time when what was always reasonably safe is no longer reasonably safe , ” he added .
“ We are losing Coloradans every day to this horrible virus.
” He continued to stress the importance of personal responsibility and suggested that the present challenges many small businesses face — laying off staff and cutting back capacity , if not closing altogether — are an unfortunate outcome of individuals ’ lack of caution .
“ It ’ s unfair that our small businesses are paying a price for , fundamentally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each taking charge of preventing the spread of the virus in our own lives , which is well within our own power , ” Polis said .
As of Friday afternoon , the state reported 1,564 people were hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 , with another 159 suspected cases .
That is a new state record , and far above the springtime peak 1,277 hospitalizations of people either confirmed or suspected to have the virus .
Mesa County reported Thursday that it has no remaining ICU capacity , and Polis said Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds remaining .
Polis also reported more than 5,000 confirmed new cases of the virus Friday , though he said the state believes the real daily number of new cases is likely as high as 12,000 .
In response to the uncontrolled spread of the virus and the resulting pressure on local health care systems , the state is moving 20 of its 64 counties to Level Red on the recently revised COVID-19 restrictions dial .
At that level , in-person dining is shut down , and offices and gyms must dramatically reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the dial short of Level Purple , which the state created this week and which calls for a stay-at-home order similar to what Polis ordered in March .
For 15 counties , Level Red went into effect Friday .
Those counties are Adams , Arapahoe , Boulder , Broomfield , Clear Creek , Denver , Douglas , Jefferson , La Plata , Logan , Mesa , Morgan , Routt , Summit and Washington .
Another five counties — Alamosa , Otero , Prowers , Pueblo and Weld — have been directed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
Weld County commissioners on Friday declared they would not enforce this new designation .
It was unclear as of Friday afternoon how the state planned to respond to that declaration .
At the virtual press conference , Polis spoke generally about county-level designations and said he wants to “ give the counties a chance to implement their own mitigation efforts.
” That approach has led to some counties being placed at Level Red , while other counties with worse or similar virus metrics avoiding Level Red .
State officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lack of new federal stimulus money from Congress .
The state can not deficit-spend , unlike the federal government , which means the state can do relatively little to prevent many of the business closures , layoffs and individual descents into poverty , hunger and homelessness that are likely in the offing .
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One in 49 Coloradans is now contagious with COVID-19, Gov. Jared Polis said Friday, citing estimates from the Colorado School of Public Health.
That’s a dramatic leap from last week’s estimate of 1 in 110. In late October, officials estimated the average was 1 in 292.
“If you have five people over, you’ve got a 1 in 10 chance of being exposed to the virus right there,” Polis said during a virtual press conference Friday. “Literally everybody that you encounter could be contagious at this time.
“Now is the time when what was always reasonably safe is no longer reasonably safe,” he added. “We are losing Coloradans every day to this horrible virus.”
He continued to stress the importance of personal responsibility and suggested that the present challenges many small businesses face — laying off staff and cutting back capacity, if not closing altogether — are an unfortunate outcome of individuals’ lack of caution.
“It’s unfair that our small businesses are paying a price for, fundamentally, a lack of personal responsibility and us each taking charge of preventing the spread of the virus in our own lives, which is well within our own power,” Polis said.
As of Friday afternoon, the state reported 1,564 people were hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19, with another 159 suspected cases. That is a new state record, and far above the springtime peak 1,277 hospitalizations of people either confirmed or suspected to have the virus. Mesa County reported Thursday that it has no remaining ICU capacity, and Polis said Friday that Weld County had just three ICU beds remaining.
Polis also reported more than 5,000 confirmed new cases of the virus Friday, though he said the state believes the real daily number of new cases is likely as high as 12,000.
In response to the uncontrolled spread of the virus and the resulting pressure on local health care systems, the state is moving 20 of its 64 counties to Level Red on the recently revised COVID-19 restrictions dial. At that level, in-person dining is shut down, and offices and gyms must dramatically reduce capacity. This is the strictest level on the dial short of Level Purple, which the state created this week and which calls for a stay-at-home order similar to what Polis ordered in March.
For 15 counties, Level Red went into effect Friday. Those counties are Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, La Plata, Logan, Mesa, Morgan, Routt, Summit and Washington.
Another five counties — Alamosa, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo and Weld — have been directed by the state to move to Level Red on Sunday. Weld County commissioners on Friday declared they would not enforce this new designation. It was unclear as of Friday afternoon how the state planned to respond to that declaration.
At the virtual press conference, Polis spoke generally about county-level designations and said he wants to “give the counties a chance to implement their own mitigation efforts.” That approach has led to some counties being placed at Level Red, while other counties with worse or similar virus metrics avoiding Level Red.
State officials, Polis included, remain extremely frustrated by the lack of new federal stimulus money from Congress. The state cannot deficit-spend, unlike the federal government, which means the state can do relatively little to prevent many of the business closures, layoffs and individual descents into poverty, hunger and homelessness that are likely in the offing.
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thedenverpost--2020-11-20--Wait time at In-N-Out grand opening in Aurora hits staggering 14 hours

People waiting in line Friday to gobble down In-N-Out Burger fare had better packed a lunch or dinner , the wait time at the newly opened location in Aurora was 14 hours , according to police .
An extremely long line of vehicles snaked into the new eatery throughout the day , where six moonlighting Aurora police officers were keeping a collective eye on the crowd and the traffic .
“ There ’ s been absolutely no problems , ” said Crystal McCoy , a police spokeswoman .
“ We haven ’ t had any issues at all.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores in Colorado , 14150 Alameda Ave. , Town Center at Aurora , and at 1840 Democracy Point , Colorado Springs .
The stores ’ drive-thrus opened at 10 a.m. and food was also available to go , but there was no indoor dining .
Aurora police and burger officials had met earlier and came up with a traffic plan anticipating massive crowds , McCoy said .
“ It was tweaked a little bit , mitigating traffic , snaking the line and doing whatever they could do to condense people and get them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
At about 4 p.m. , the vehicle line was estimated to be about two-miles long , wrapping around the mall property twice , McCoy said .
In-N-Out expected to sell about 60,000 burgers over the weekend at the Aurora store , burger chain officials told police .
The astoundingly long lines Friday were reminiscent of the lines that formed for Colorado ’ s first Krispy Kreme doughnut shop when it opened near Park Meadows Mall in March of 2001 .
At that time , more than a thousand people stood in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doughnuts .
Bus loads of doughnut aficionados descended on the shop .
On Friday , the Aurora Police Department Twitter feed , keeping track of the burger phenomenon , exploded with mind-boggling traffic as well .
At about 3:30 p.m. the department ’ s Tweet , and it ’ s thread , on the In-N-Out situation hit an impressive one million impressions , McCoy said .
There were over 3,000 retweets and 2,000 likes .
The burger joint planned to be open until 1 a.m. “ It ’ s just one of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening day development .
“ It ’ s fun when you have to travel to get it , but being able to get it everyday , I don ’ t know if they ’ ll be that enthusiastic about it ” in weeks to come .

People waiting in line Friday to gobble down In-N-Out Burger fare had better packed a lunch or dinner, the wait time at the newly opened location in Aurora was 14 hours, according to police.
🚨 UPDATE 🚨 IN-n-Out burger is now at a TWELVE HOUR WAIT. I repeat TWELVE HOURS. Traffic is still significantly impacted in the area surrounding the mall. They will close before you get to the window most likely. Meanwhile many other local eateries do not have a wait hint hint. — Aurora Police Dept 🇺🇸 (@AuroraPD) November 20, 2020
An extremely long line of vehicles snaked into the new eatery throughout the day, where six moonlighting Aurora police officers were keeping a collective eye on the crowd and the traffic.
“There’s been absolutely no problems,” said Crystal McCoy, a police spokeswoman. “We haven’t had any issues at all.”
The popular California-based burger chain opened two new stores in Colorado, 14150 Alameda Ave., Town Center at Aurora, and at 1840 Democracy Point, Colorado Springs. The stores’ drive-thrus opened at 10 a.m. and food was also available to go, but there was no indoor dining.
Aurora police and burger officials had met earlier and came up with a traffic plan anticipating massive crowds, McCoy said.
“It was tweaked a little bit, mitigating traffic, snaking the line and doing whatever they could do to condense people and get them out of the roadway,” McCoy said.
At about 4 p.m., the vehicle line was estimated to be about two-miles long, wrapping around the mall property twice, McCoy said.
In-N-Out expected to sell about 60,000 burgers over the weekend at the Aurora store, burger chain officials told police.
The astoundingly long lines Friday were reminiscent of the lines that formed for Colorado’s first Krispy Kreme doughnut shop when it opened near Park Meadows Mall in March of 2001. At that time, more than a thousand people stood in lines to bite into hot, fresh doughnuts. Bus loads of doughnut aficionados descended on the shop.
On Friday, the Aurora Police Department Twitter feed, keeping track of the burger phenomenon, exploded with mind-boggling traffic as well.
At about 3:30 p.m. the department’s Tweet, and it’s thread, on the In-N-Out situation hit an impressive one million impressions, McCoy said. There were over 3,000 retweets and 2,000 likes. The burger joint planned to be open until 1 a.m.
“It’s just one of those things,” McCoy said of the opening day development. “It’s fun when you have to travel to get it, but being able to get it everyday, I don’t know if they’ll be that enthusiastic about it” in weeks to come.


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Guest Commentary: All the reasons President-elect Joe Biden should cancel the inaugural balls

Maybe it ’ s not the time for a lavish party .
As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office and as COVID-19 rages across America , it seems problematic at best for anyone to be planning a series of inaugural balls .
Would attendees all wear masks and practice social distancing ?
Doesn ’ t sound like much fun after having spent money on the tickets , the gowns and the tuxedos .
It even conjures images of Edgar Allen Poe ’ s “ Masque of the Red Death ” — fictional yes , yet it doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comparison .
How can the new administration justify such an event after having lambasted the Trump administration ’ s cavalier super-spreading Rose Garden event in honor of new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett ?
In recent days COVID ’ s American death toll has surpassed 250,000 and it will continue to rise .
Between now and the inaugural , the news is bound to be worse , not better .
Aside from the pure health safety issues , the new administration might consider that many Americans are hurting financially and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
Maybe it ’ s time for a more sober approach .
After being elected to a third term in 1982 , former Colorado Gov .
Dick Lamm ’ s office issued a short release announcing that because the state was suffering from a recession , it seemed inappropriate to hold a big party .
So he didn ’ t hold one .
President Franklin Roosevelt held small private parties when he was re-elected during the Great Depression .
After a long respite , President Harry Truman had an inaugural ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaugural parties have mushroomed into giant affairs in multiple locales in Washington , bankrolled by wealthy donors .
The good news is that tax dollars are not used for these events .
The bad news is that the cash is “ donated ” by special interests hoping for some kind of payback later on .
The inaugural ball actually has become a series of garish parties .
President Bill Clinton set the dubious record of having 14 separate balls ; President George W. Bush cut it back to nine .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How many renditions of ‘ Hail to the Chief ’ before it gets old ?
What if no inaugural ball is held ?
Well , some campaign workers who came out on the winning end would be disappointed about not receiving the celebratory reward for their services .
They ’ d probably get over it .
About half of American voters did not support Biden .
They ’ re not going to complain .
Most of those who supported Biden would probably understand the point being made .
Politically , setting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the losers ’ noses in it by holding a big party seems right .
Perhaps if one wants to be the president of all the people one does not throw a party for just half of them .
Both Republicans and Democrats have been guilty of going over the top with this but it wasn ’ t always that way .
It ’ s a fairly recent phenomenon that inaugural balls became such a big deal .
Even after we overcome COVID , there is a way of looking at inaugural balls differently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Maybe it’s not the time for a lavish party.
As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office and as COVID-19 rages across America, it seems problematic at best for anyone to be planning a series of inaugural balls. Would attendees all wear masks and practice social distancing?
Doesn’t sound like much fun after having spent money on the tickets, the gowns and the tuxedos. It even conjures images of Edgar Allen Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death” — fictional yes, yet it doesn’t seem to be much of a stretch for comparison.
How can the new administration justify such an event after having lambasted the Trump administration’s cavalier super-spreading Rose Garden event in honor of new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett?
In recent days COVID’s American death toll has surpassed 250,000 and it will continue to rise. Between now and the inaugural, the news is bound to be worse, not better.
Aside from the pure health safety issues, the new administration might consider that many Americans are hurting financially and can’t dream of attending a gala right now. Maybe it’s time for a more sober approach.
After being elected to a third term in 1982, former Colorado Gov. Dick Lamm’s office issued a short release announcing that because the state was suffering from a recession, it seemed inappropriate to hold a big party. So he didn’t hold one.
President Franklin Roosevelt held small private parties when he was re-elected during the Great Depression. After a long respite, President Harry Truman had an inaugural ball in 1949.
Since then, the inaugural parties have mushroomed into giant affairs in multiple locales in Washington, bankrolled by wealthy donors. The good news is that tax dollars are not used for these events. The bad news is that the cash is “donated” by special interests hoping for some kind of payback later on.
The inaugural ball actually has become a series of garish parties. President Bill Clinton set the dubious record of having 14 separate balls; President George W. Bush cut it back to nine.
That’s quite a bit of fandango and festoonery. How many renditions of ‘Hail to the Chief’ before it gets old?
What if no inaugural ball is held?
Well, some campaign workers who came out on the winning end would be disappointed about not receiving the celebratory reward for their services. They’d probably get over it.
About half of American voters did not support Biden. They’re not going to complain. Most of those who supported Biden would probably understand the point being made.
Politically, setting a different tone seems right. Not rubbing the losers’ noses in it by holding a big party seems right. Perhaps if one wants to be the president of all the people one does not throw a party for just half of them.
Both Republicans and Democrats have been guilty of going over the top with this but it wasn’t always that way. It’s a fairly recent phenomenon that inaugural balls became such a big deal.
Even after we overcome COVID, there is a way of looking at inaugural balls differently.
Barry Noreen is a longtime Colorado journalist.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Editorial: President Donald Trump is making a dangerous claim of voter fraud with scant evidence

Supporters of President Donald Trump should be reconsidering their votes .
Trump ’ s behavior these past three weeks has been beyond the pale .
Let us be very precise in our criticism .
Some of the president ’ s legal actions have been acceptable and even upheld in court , although the president has frequently misrepresented these small wins as evidence of widespread voter fraud and falsely claimed they mean he has won the elections in contested states .
Requesting a recount when the outcome is close is a good check on our systems and to date , recounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to small changes in the initial vote tabulations where they have been completed .
Trump ’ s legal team sued in Philadelphia to ensure that poll watchers could get close enough to poll workers to observe their work .
Lower courts ruled observers should be permitted to be six feet from poll watchers , but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned that ruling last week .
Trump uses the initial ruling in his favor to falsely claim that he won in the state of Pennsylvania .
Before Election Day , The Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive at polling centers on or before Election Day regardless of when the envelopes were postmarked .
Trump has falsely claimed that this ruling means ballots postmarked after election day in other states are therefore also “ illegal.
” That is not the case .
Those three cases comprise the entire limited scope of Trump ’ s legal wins and he has stretched each small valid point beyond credulity to allege widespread voter fraud .
None of those cases even dealt with voter fraud , and it ’ s important to note that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his supporters have promoted have been found to be perfectly legitimate votes .
And now , Trump and his legal team have crossed a line that is far beyond reasonable or rational .
Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell are claiming on behalf of the president of the United States that two companies that sell election hardware and software used their technology to switch millions of votes that were cast for Trump to President-elect Joe Biden .
That would be the crime of the century , and if it were true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest up and down the millions of ballots cast in the modern era of vote tabulation .
We do not believe it is true , but we are terrified that thousands of Americans will believe Trump , Giuliani and Powell despite the complete lack of evidence presented so far .
To our horror , the official Republican Party Twitter account tweeted out Powell ’ s most outlandish accusations .
Trump ’ s accusations that the election is being stolen from him have led to reprehensible threats of violence against Republican and Democratic election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented no evidence of her claims other than pointing out some very loose ( often extremely dated and no-longer existent ) connections between two voting software and hardware companies and foreign governments or prominent Democrats .
The problem with Powell ’ s key allegation is that the company that actually has ties to Venezuela — Smartmatic was founded in Venezuela and did receive money from the government during the company ’ s founding — was only used in one place in 2020 : Los Angeles County .
So Powell and Giuliani are jumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the much more widely used Dominion Voting Systems to Smartmatic .
Journalists , including a detailed report from The Associated Press , have followed this thread through inquiries and records and found no connection other than that Dominion purchased a smaller company from Smartmatic around 2007 .
Smartmatic owned the company briefly and sold it after a Democratic congresswoman raised concerns about the potential for a foreign country to be invested in domestic voting systems .
Dominion is headquartered in Denver .
According to The Washington Post , the Dominion software called into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two out of five counties where the president is alleging votes were switched in Georgia and Michigan .
Georgia has just completed counting all 5 million ballots by hand and announced Friday that Biden won the state by about 12,000 votes .
If a software company had switched votes , the hand counting would have caught it .
Georgia ’ s in-person election system does use an electronic machine , but that machine then prints a ballot that the voter reviews before casting it .
That paper record – the one reviewed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recount .
Do we think there would be merit in a federal investigation launched in a bi-partisan manner to investigate Trump ’ s claims ?
No .
Substantially more evidence is needed to justify such an endeavor .
However , there is strong evidence on social media that thousands of Americans , even some formerly highly regarded Coloradans , believe this election was stolen from Trump .
If an investigation could restore even some of their faith in our election systems , then it would be worthwhile .
But what America really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this claim has no merit and for him to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and begin the transition process .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Supporters of President Donald Trump should be reconsidering their votes. Trump’s behavior these past three weeks has been beyond the pale.
Let us be very precise in our criticism. Some of the president’s legal actions have been acceptable and even upheld in court, although the president has frequently misrepresented these small wins as evidence of widespread voter fraud and falsely claimed they mean he has won the elections in contested states.
Requesting a recount when the outcome is close is a good check on our systems and to date, recounts, audits, and canvass processes have led to small changes in the initial vote tabulations where they have been completed. Trump’s legal team sued in Philadelphia to ensure that poll watchers could get close enough to poll workers to observe their work. Lower courts ruled observers should be permitted to be six feet from poll watchers, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned that ruling last week. Trump uses the initial ruling in his favor to falsely claim that he won in the state of Pennsylvania. Before Election Day, The Supreme Court ruled that ballots in Wisconsin had to arrive at polling centers on or before Election Day regardless of when the envelopes were postmarked. Trump has falsely claimed that this ruling means ballots postmarked after election day in other states are therefore also “illegal.” That is not the case.
Those three cases comprise the entire limited scope of Trump’s legal wins and he has stretched each small valid point beyond credulity to allege widespread voter fraud. None of those cases even dealt with voter fraud, and it’s important to note that many of the actual accusations of fraud Trump and his supporters have promoted have been found to be perfectly legitimate votes.
And now, Trump and his legal team have crossed a line that is far beyond reasonable or rational.
Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell are claiming on behalf of the president of the United States that two companies that sell election hardware and software used their technology to switch millions of votes that were cast for Trump to President-elect Joe Biden.
That would be the crime of the century, and if it were true, it would have major ramifications for every contest up and down the millions of ballots cast in the modern era of vote tabulation. We do not believe it is true, but we are terrified that thousands of Americans will believe Trump, Giuliani and Powell despite the complete lack of evidence presented so far. To our horror, the official Republican Party Twitter account tweeted out Powell’s most outlandish accusations. Trump’s accusations that the election is being stolen from him have led to reprehensible threats of violence against Republican and Democratic election officials throughout the country.
Powell has presented no evidence of her claims other than pointing out some very loose (often extremely dated and no-longer existent) connections between two voting software and hardware companies and foreign governments or prominent Democrats. The problem with Powell’s key allegation is that the company that actually has ties to Venezuela — Smartmatic was founded in Venezuela and did receive money from the government during the company’s founding — was only used in one place in 2020: Los Angeles County. So Powell and Giuliani are jumping through elaborate hoops to try to tie the much more widely used Dominion Voting Systems to Smartmatic. Journalists, including a detailed report from The Associated Press, have followed this thread through inquiries and records and found no connection other than that Dominion purchased a smaller company from Smartmatic around 2007. Smartmatic owned the company briefly and sold it after a Democratic congresswoman raised concerns about the potential for a foreign country to be invested in domestic voting systems. Dominion is headquartered in Denver.
According to The Washington Post, the Dominion software called into question by Trump was used in only two out of five counties where the president is alleging votes were switched in Georgia and Michigan. Georgia has just completed counting all 5 million ballots by hand and announced Friday that Biden won the state by about 12,000 votes. If a software company had switched votes, the hand counting would have caught it. Georgia’s in-person election system does use an electronic machine, but that machine then prints a ballot that the voter reviews before casting it. That paper record – the one reviewed by voters — is what was used during the recount.
Do we think there would be merit in a federal investigation launched in a bi-partisan manner to investigate Trump’s claims? No. Substantially more evidence is needed to justify such an endeavor. However, there is strong evidence on social media that thousands of Americans, even some formerly highly regarded Coloradans, believe this election was stolen from Trump. If an investigation could restore even some of their faith in our election systems, then it would be worthwhile.
But what America really needs is for the president to admit this claim has no merit and for him to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and begin the transition process.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Xcel Energy wants to offer rebates on electric vehicles to get more of them on Colorado roads

A plan by Xcel Energy-Colorado to offer car rebates to increase the number of electric vehicles in the state is getting praise from those who want gas-guzzling cars off the roads and criticism from those concerned about the impact on the utility ’ s ratepayers .
The rebates would raise to $ 130 million from $ 102 million the amount of money Xcel Energy proposes to spend over three years on its plan to build charging stations for electric vehicles .
A 2019 law cleared the way for Xcel Energy and other regulated utilities to invest in equipment and programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of Gov .
Jared Polis ’ major goals .
The law also allows Xcel Energy and other investor-owned utilities to recover the costs of building the charging stations from its customers .
The company has proposed an additional charge on customers ’ monthly bills , a “ rider , ” to do that .
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings on Xcel Energy ’ s plan , which supporters say would be a giant step toward cutting climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution .
However , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles is beyond the scope of what was envisioned and will drive up customers ’ electric bills .
State Sens .
Chris Hansen and Kevin Priola , sponsors of the electric-vehicle legislation , said in a letter this week to the PUC that the bill was designed to “ minimize overall costs and maximize overall benefits.
” The bill capped the impacts on retail rates based on a percentage of the utility ’ s annual revenue requirements .
“ Both Sen. Priola and I argued ( in the Senate ) about how this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this would be good for ratepayers , ” said Hansen , a Democrat from Denver .
“ The fixed cost of the system gets spread out over more electric sales and that drives down costs for everybody.
” Hansen said he would be comfortable with some kind of rebate to encourage people to buy electric cars if it ’ s geared toward people who need it .
The Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel , which represents the public before the PUC , generally supports Xcel Energy ’ s plan but is concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Cindy Schonhaut , the director .
The rebate program was proposed just before the PUC hearings began and there ’ s no data in the hearing record about the effect on rates , she said .
The average residential customer would pay 67 cents more per month if the plan is approved , Xcel Energy spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo said in an email .
Xcel Energy said it will earmark a portion of its budget for low-income vehicle buyers and charging stations and other equipment for lower-income communities and multi-family residences .
Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community on environmental issues , supports expanding the rebate program , Ean Tafoya , the Colorado field advocate , said in a statement .
Xcel Energy should expand the income qualifications and add geographic qualifications “ to ensure that those who have been harmed by our history of polluting fossil fuels and environmental racism can participate in Colorado ’ s clean transportation future.
” The Colorado Energy Office suggested rebates to make it easier for people to buy electric vehicles and help the state meet its goals to reduce emissions and electrify transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s policy director .
He noted the rebates would apply to leases and used cars and well as new cars .
In 2019 , the legislature extended state tax credits for electric vehicles through 2025 .
Gene Camp of the PUC staff testified that it could cost utility customers 42 % more to pay for rebates than what it would cost taxpayers to finance state tax credits because of the money and interest that Xcel Energy is allowed to recover .
The PUC staff also argued that the 2019 law didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buying electric cars .
Hay said the energy office disagrees .
He said the law refers to utilities supporting widespread use of electric vehicles through education , outreach and incentives that , among other things , “ encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles .
”

A plan by Xcel Energy-Colorado to offer car rebates to increase the number of electric vehicles in the state is getting praise from those who want gas-guzzling cars off the roads and criticism from those concerned about the impact on the utility’s ratepayers.
The rebates would raise to $130 million from $102 million the amount of money Xcel Energy proposes to spend over three years on its plan to build charging stations for electric vehicles. A 2019 law cleared the way for Xcel Energy and other regulated utilities to invest in equipment and programs to boost the use of electric vehicles, one of Gov. Jared Polis’ major goals.
The law also allows Xcel Energy and other investor-owned utilities to recover the costs of building the charging stations from its customers. The company has proposed an additional charge on customers’ monthly bills, a “rider,” to do that.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings on Xcel Energy’s plan, which supporters say would be a giant step toward cutting climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. However, there’s concern that offering rebates for electric vehicles is beyond the scope of what was envisioned and will drive up customers’ electric bills.
State Sens. Chris Hansen and Kevin Priola, sponsors of the electric-vehicle legislation, said in a letter this week to the PUC that the bill was designed to “minimize overall costs and maximize overall benefits.” The bill capped the impacts on retail rates based on a percentage of the utility’s annual revenue requirements.
“Both Sen. Priola and I argued (in the Senate) about how this would be beneficial to customers, how this would be good for ratepayers,” said Hansen, a Democrat from Denver. “The fixed cost of the system gets spread out over more electric sales and that drives down costs for everybody.”
Hansen said he would be comfortable with some kind of rebate to encourage people to buy electric cars if it’s geared toward people who need it.
The Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel, which represents the public before the PUC, generally supports Xcel Energy’s plan but is concerned about what customers will end up paying, said Cindy Schonhaut, the director. The rebate program was proposed just before the PUC hearings began and there’s no data in the hearing record about the effect on rates, she said.
The average residential customer would pay 67 cents more per month if the plan is approved, Xcel Energy spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo said in an email.
Xcel Energy said it will earmark a portion of its budget for low-income vehicle buyers and charging stations and other equipment for lower-income communities and multi-family residences.
GreenLatinos, which advocates for the Latino community on environmental issues, supports expanding the rebate program, Ean Tafoya, the Colorado field advocate, said in a statement. Xcel Energy should expand the income qualifications and add geographic qualifications “to ensure that those who have been harmed by our history of polluting fossil fuels and environmental racism can participate in Colorado’s clean transportation future.”
The Colorado Energy Office suggested rebates to make it easier for people to buy electric vehicles and help the state meet its goals to reduce emissions and electrify transportation, said Keith Hay, the agency’s policy director. He noted the rebates would apply to leases and used cars and well as new cars.
In 2019, the legislature extended state tax credits for electric vehicles through 2025. Gene Camp of the PUC staff testified that it could cost utility customers 42% more to pay for rebates than what it would cost taxpayers to finance state tax credits because of the money and interest that Xcel Energy might be allowed to recover.
The PUC staff also argued that the 2019 law didn’t authorize utilities to offer incentives for buying electric cars.
Hay said the energy office disagrees. He said the law refers to utilities supporting widespread use of electric vehicles through education, outreach and incentives that, among other things, “encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--The hot new COVID tech is wearable and constantly tracks you

By Natasha Singer , The New York Times Co .
In Rochester , Michigan , Oakland University is preparing to hand out wearable devices to students that log skin temperature once a minute — or more than 1,400 times per day — in the hopes of pinpointing early signs of the coronavirus .
In Plano , Texas , employees at the headquarters of Rent-A-Center recently started wearing proximity detectors that log their close contacts with one another and can be used to alert them to possible virus exposure .
And in Knoxville , Tennessee , students on the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their shoulder pads during games — allowing the team ’ s medical director to trace which players may have spent more than 15 minutes near a teammate or an opposing player .
The powerful new surveillance systems , wearable devices that continuously monitor users , are the latest high-tech gadgets to emerge in the battle to hinder the coronavirus .
Some sports leagues , factories and nursing homes have already deployed them .
Resorts are rushing to adopt them .
A few schools are preparing to try them .
And the conference industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help reopen convention centers .
“ Everyone is in the early stages of this , ” said Laura Becker , a research manager focusing on employee experience at the International Data Corp. , a market research firm .
“ If it works , the market could be huge because everyone wants to get back to some sense of normalcy.
” Companies and industry analysts say the wearable trackers fill an important gap in pandemic safety .
Many employers and colleges have adopted virus screening tools like symptom-checking apps and temperature-scanning cameras .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the estimated 40 % of people with COVID-19 infections who may never develop symptoms like fevers .
Some offices have also adopted smartphone virus-tracing apps that detect users ’ proximity .
But the new wearable trackers serve a different audience : workplaces like factories where workers can not bring their phones , or sports teams whose athletes spend time close together .
This spring , when coronavirus infections began to spike , many professional football and basketball teams in the United States were already using sports performance monitoring technology from Kinexon , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data like an athlete ’ s speed and distance .
The company quickly adapted its devices for the pandemic , introducing SafeZone , a system that logs close contacts between players or coaches and emits a warning light if they get within 6 feet .
The NFL began requiring players , coaches and staff to wear the trackers in September .
The data has helped trace the contacts of about 140 NFL players and personnel who have tested positive since September , including an outbreak among the Tennessee Titans , said Dr. Thom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL Players Association .
The system is particularly helpful in ruling out people who spent less than 15 minutes near infected colleagues , he added .
College football teams in the Southeastern Conference also use Kinexon trackers .
Dr. Chris Klenck , the head team physician at the University of Tennessee , said the proximity data helped teams understand when the athletes spent more than 15 minutes close together .
They discovered it was rarely on the field during games , but often on the sideline .
“ We ’ re able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information we can help identify people who are close contacts to someone who ’ s positive , ” Klenck said .
Civil rights and privacy experts warn that the spread of such wearable continuous-monitoring devices could lead to new forms of surveillance that outlast the pandemic — ushering into the real world the same kind of extensive tracking that companies like Facebook and Google have instituted online .
They also caution that some wearable sensors could enable employers , colleges or law enforcement agencies to reconstruct people ’ s locations or social networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak freely .
And they say these data-mining risks could disproportionately affect certain workers or students , like immigrants living in the country illegally or political activists .
“ It ’ s chilling that these invasive and unproven devices could become a condition for keeping our jobs , attending school or taking part in public life , ” said Albert Fox Cahn , executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project , a nonprofit in Manhattan .
“ Even worse , there ’ s nothing to stop police or ICE from requiring schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Executives at Kinexon and other companies that market the wearable trackers said in recent interviews that they had thought deeply about the novel data-mining risks and had taken steps to mitigate them .
Devices from Microshare , a workplace analytics company that makes proximity detection sensors , use Bluetooth technology to detect and log people wearing the trackers who come into close contact with one another for more than 10 or 15 minutes .
But the system does not continuously monitor users ’ locations , said Ron Rock , chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not employees ’ real names , to log close contacts .
Rock added that the system was designed for human resources managers or security officials at client companies to use to identify and alert employees who spent time near an infected person , not to map workers ’ social connections .
GlaxoSmithKline , the pharmaceutical giant , recently began working with Microshare to develop a virus-tracing system for its sites that make over-the-counter drugs .
Budaja Lim , head of digital supply chain technology for Asia Pacific at the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to ensure maximum privacy for workers who would wear the proximity detection sensors .
As a result , he said , the system silos the data it collects .
It logs close contacts between workers using ID numbers , he said .
And it separately records the ID numbers of workers who spent time in certain locations — like a packaging station in a warehouse — enabling the company to hyper-clean specific areas where an infected person may have spent time .
GlaxoSmithKline recently tested the system at a site in Malaysia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer health plants in Africa , Asia and Europe .
The tracking data has also allowed the company to see where workers seem to be spending an unusual amount of time close together , like a security desk , and modify procedures to improve social distancing , Lim said .
“ It was really designed to be a reactive type of solution ” to trace workers with possible virus exposure , he said .
“ But it has actually become a really powerful tool to proactively manage and protect our employee safety.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Detroit , is at the forefront of schools and companies preparing to making the leap to the BioButton , a novel coin-size sensor attached to the skin 24/7 that uses algorithms to try to detect possible signs of COVID-19 .
Whether such continuous surveillance of students , a young and largely healthy population , is beneficial is not yet known .
Researchers are only in the early phases of studying whether wearable technology could help flag signs of the disease .
David A .
Stone , vice president for research at Oakland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vetted the BioButton and concluded it was a low-risk device that , added to measures like social distancing and mask wearing , might help hinder the spread of the virus .
The technology will alert campus health services to students with possible virus symptoms , he said , but the school will not receive specific data like their temperature readings .
“ In an ideal world , we would love to be able to wait until this is an FDA-approved diagnostic , ” Stone said .
But , he added , “ nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal world.
” Dr. James Mault , chief executive of BioIntelliSense , the startup behind the BioButton , said students with privacy concerns could ask to have their personal details stripped from the company ’ s records .
He added that BioIntelliSense was preparing to conduct a large-scale study examining its system ’ s effectiveness for COVID-19 .
Oakland had initially planned to require athletes and dorm residents to wear the BioButton .
But the university reversed course this summer after nearly 2,500 students and staff members signed a petition objecting to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optional for students .
“ A lot of colleges are doing masks and social distancing , ” said Tyler Dixon , a senior at the school who started the petition , “ but this seemed like one step too far .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Natasha Singer, The New York Times Co.
In Rochester, Michigan, Oakland University is preparing to hand out wearable devices to students that log skin temperature once a minute — or more than 1,400 times per day — in the hopes of pinpointing early signs of the coronavirus.
In Plano, Texas, employees at the headquarters of Rent-A-Center recently started wearing proximity detectors that log their close contacts with one another and can be used to alert them to possible virus exposure.
And in Knoxville, Tennessee, students on the University of Tennessee football team tuck proximity trackers under their shoulder pads during games — allowing the team’s medical director to trace which players may have spent more than 15 minutes near a teammate or an opposing player.
The powerful new surveillance systems, wearable devices that continuously monitor users, are the latest high-tech gadgets to emerge in the battle to hinder the coronavirus. Some sports leagues, factories and nursing homes have already deployed them. Resorts are rushing to adopt them. A few schools are preparing to try them. And the conference industry is eyeing them as a potential tool to help reopen convention centers.
“Everyone is in the early stages of this,” said Laura Becker, a research manager focusing on employee experience at the International Data Corp., a market research firm. “If it works, the market could be huge because everyone wants to get back to some sense of normalcy.”
Companies and industry analysts say the wearable trackers fill an important gap in pandemic safety. Many employers and colleges have adopted virus screening tools like symptom-checking apps and temperature-scanning cameras. But they are not designed to catch the estimated 40% of people with COVID-19 infections who may never develop symptoms like fevers.
Some offices have also adopted smartphone virus-tracing apps that detect users’ proximity. But the new wearable trackers serve a different audience: workplaces like factories where workers cannot bring their phones, or sports teams whose athletes spend time close together.
This spring, when coronavirus infections began to spike, many professional football and basketball teams in the United States were already using sports performance monitoring technology from Kinexon, a company in Munich whose wearable sensors track data like an athlete’s speed and distance. The company quickly adapted its devices for the pandemic, introducing SafeZone, a system that logs close contacts between players or coaches and emits a warning light if they get within 6 feet. The NFL began requiring players, coaches and staff to wear the trackers in September.
The data has helped trace the contacts of about 140 NFL players and personnel who have tested positive since September, including an outbreak among the Tennessee Titans, said Dr. Thom Mayer, the medical director of the NFL Players Association. The system is particularly helpful in ruling out people who spent less than 15 minutes near infected colleagues, he added.
College football teams in the Southeastern Conference also use Kinexon trackers. Dr. Chris Klenck, the head team physician at the University of Tennessee, said the proximity data helped teams understand when the athletes spent more than 15 minutes close together. They discovered it was rarely on the field during games, but often on the sideline.
“We’re able to tabulate that data, and from that information we can help identify people who are close contacts to someone who’s positive,” Klenck said.
Civil rights and privacy experts warn that the spread of such wearable continuous-monitoring devices could lead to new forms of surveillance that outlast the pandemic — ushering into the real world the same kind of extensive tracking that companies like Facebook and Google have instituted online. They also caution that some wearable sensors could enable employers, colleges or law enforcement agencies to reconstruct people’s locations or social networks, chilling their ability to meet and speak freely. And they say these data-mining risks could disproportionately affect certain workers or students, like immigrants living in the country illegally or political activists.
“It’s chilling that these invasive and unproven devices could become a condition for keeping our jobs, attending school or taking part in public life,” said Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, a nonprofit in Manhattan. “Even worse, there’s nothing to stop police or ICE from requiring schools and employers to hand over this data.”
Executives at Kinexon and other companies that market the wearable trackers said in recent interviews that they had thought deeply about the novel data-mining risks and had taken steps to mitigate them.
Devices from Microshare, a workplace analytics company that makes proximity detection sensors, use Bluetooth technology to detect and log people wearing the trackers who come into close contact with one another for more than 10 or 15 minutes. But the system does not continuously monitor users’ locations, said Ron Rock, chief executive of Microshare. And it uses ID codes, not employees’ real names, to log close contacts.
Rock added that the system was designed for human resources managers or security officials at client companies to use to identify and alert employees who spent time near an infected person, not to map workers’ social connections.
GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical giant, recently began working with Microshare to develop a virus-tracing system for its sites that make over-the-counter drugs. Budaja Lim, head of digital supply chain technology for Asia Pacific at the company’s consumer health care division, said he wanted to ensure maximum privacy for workers who would wear the proximity detection sensors.
As a result, he said, the system silos the data it collects. It logs close contacts between workers using ID numbers, he said. And it separately records the ID numbers of workers who spent time in certain locations — like a packaging station in a warehouse — enabling the company to hyper-clean specific areas where an infected person may have spent time.
GlaxoSmithKline recently tested the system at a site in Malaysia and is rolling it out to other consumer health plants in Africa, Asia and Europe. The tracking data has also allowed the company to see where workers seem to be spending an unusual amount of time close together, like a security desk, and modify procedures to improve social distancing, Lim said.
“It was really designed to be a reactive type of solution” to trace workers with possible virus exposure, he said. “But it has actually become a really powerful tool to proactively manage and protect our employee safety.”
Oakland University, a public research university near Detroit, is at the forefront of schools and companies preparing to making the leap to the BioButton, a novel coin-size sensor attached to the skin 24/7 that uses algorithms to try to detect possible signs of COVID-19.
Whether such continuous surveillance of students, a young and largely healthy population, is beneficial is not yet known. Researchers are only in the early phases of studying whether wearable technology could help flag signs of the disease.
David A. Stone, vice president for research at Oakland University, said school officials had carefully vetted the BioButton and concluded it was a low-risk device that, added to measures like social distancing and mask wearing, might help hinder the spread of the virus. The technology will alert campus health services to students with possible virus symptoms, he said, but the school will not receive specific data like their temperature readings.
“In an ideal world, we would love to be able to wait until this is an FDA-approved diagnostic,” Stone said. But, he added, “nothing about this pandemic has been in an ideal world.”
Dr. James Mault, chief executive of BioIntelliSense, the startup behind the BioButton, said students with privacy concerns could ask to have their personal details stripped from the company’s records. He added that BioIntelliSense was preparing to conduct a large-scale study examining its system’s effectiveness for COVID-19.
Oakland had initially planned to require athletes and dorm residents to wear the BioButton. But the university reversed course this summer after nearly 2,500 students and staff members signed a petition objecting to the policy. The tracker will now be optional for students.
“A lot of colleges are doing masks and social distancing,” said Tyler Dixon, a senior at the school who started the petition, “but this seemed like one step too far.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Week 11 NFL Picks: Kansas City, Las Vegas meet in AFC West showdown

Kansas City at Las Vegas The Chiefs are a whopping seven-point road favorite even though the Raiders won 40-32 in Kansas City ( Week 5 ) .
The Chiefs ’ defense has allowed less than 18 points in three of the last four games .
One thing these AFC West rivals have in common — they ’ ve both blown out the Broncos ( by a combined 52 points ) .
Tennessee at Baltimore What ’ s happened to the Ravens ’ offense ?
Baltimore ranks 22nd in yards , 31st in passing and 12th in scoring after steamrolling through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ravens are a 6 1/2-point favorite , but Derrick Henry is fresh after playing 10 days ago and he rushes for 137 yards in win .
The league ’ s most dominant defensive player ( Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald ) against the league ’ s most accomplished quarterback ( Tom Brady ) on Monday .
Pass rush/protection will be the deciding factor — Tampa Bay ( 33 ) and the Rams ( 32 ) rank second and third , respectively , in sacks .
Around the NFC : Rookie receiver Justin Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
When Minnesota traded receiver Stefon Diggs to Buffalo , the return included the Bills ’ first-round pick ( No .
22 ) .
The Vikings didn ’ t mess around , drafting LSU ’ s Justin Jefferson to replace Diggs and team with Adam Thielen ( tied for league lead with nine touchdown catches ) .
Jefferson leads the NFL with an 18.1-yard average ( minimum 40 catches ) and has 42 receptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns .
Jefferson has three games of at least 135 yards .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their season and have their next three at home ( Dallas , Carolina and Jacksonville — combined record of 6-24 ) .
Eagles still lead division .
Philadelphia remains atop the NFC East with a 3-5-1 record despite giving up 35 sacks , having the same number of touchdowns as interceptions ( 12 ) and allowing 14 rushing touchdowns .
The Eagles play at Cleveland .
“ We ’ re all frustrated , ” coach Doug Pederson said .
“ We know we ’ re so much better ( than last week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just got to buckle in this week .
Everything is still right in front of us and we ’ ve got a great opportunity on Sunday.
” Bears are done .
Chicago used mirrors and its defense to build a 5-1 record .
But reality has arrived for the Bears , who have lost four straight and didn ’ t get a lift by coach Matt Nagy handing the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor .
Last Monday , the Bears managed only 149 yards offense in their loss to a Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
If the season continues to fall apart , it ’ s time to move on from general manager Ryan Pace , who is on his second coach , and re-enter the quarterback market .
Around the AFC : Unlikely leader in interceptions , J.C. Jackson , nears NFL record Unlikely INT leader .
A New England cornerback has interceptions in five consecutive games and it isn ’ t reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore .
Nope , J.C. Jackson is the first player with a five-game streak since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tie the league record with an interception Sunday at Houston ( it ’ s been done seven times and not since 2003 ) .
Jackson leads the league with six interceptions and is on pace to become the first double-digit interception player since the Chargers ’ Antonio Cromartie in 2007 .
The Patriots have won two straight after losing four in a row .
Herbert ’ s efforts wasted .
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has 19 touchdown passes but is 1-7 as a starter because the defense can ’ t stop anybody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 29 , 31 , 31 and 29 points in the last six games ( five losses ) .
This must be the day for the Chargers to get right or things will really get bad .
Arriving off their bye week are the winless New York Jets , who are sticking with old friend Joe Flacco due to Sam Darnold ’ s shoulder injury .
Top-heavy conference .
The AFC could have as many as eight teams after Sunday with at least seven wins .
There is no middle class this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6-3 or better and five teams have two or fewer wins .
Things will get semi-clearer Sunday for the six 6-3 teams — Indianapolis ( vs. Green Bay ) , Las Vegas ( vs. Kansas City ) , Miami ( at the Broncos ) , Baltimore/Tennessee ( play each other ) and Cleveland ( vs. Philadelphia ) .
The Browns and Titans are currently out of playoff position .
Meanwhile , in the NFC , only six teams have a winning record .

Game of the week
Kansas City at Las Vegas
The Chiefs are a whopping seven-point road favorite even though the Raiders won 40-32 in Kansas City (Week 5). The Chiefs’ defense has allowed less than 18 points in three of the last four games. One thing these AFC West rivals have in common — they’ve both blown out the Broncos (by a combined 52 points).
Chiefs 34, Raiders 28
Lock of the week
Tennessee at Baltimore
What’s happened to the Ravens’ offense? Baltimore ranks 22nd in yards, 31st in passing and 12th in scoring after steamrolling through opponents all of last year. The Ravens are a 6 1/2-point favorite, but Derrick Henry is fresh after playing 10 days ago and he rushes for 137 yards in win.
Titans 20, Ravens 19
Upset of the week
L.A. Rams at Tampa Bay
The league’s most dominant defensive player (Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald) against the league’s most accomplished quarterback (Tom Brady) on Monday. Pass rush/protection will be the deciding factor — Tampa Bay (33) and the Rams (32) rank second and third, respectively, in sacks.
Rams 27, Buccaneers 21
Around the NFC: Rookie receiver Justin Jefferson making instant impact for Minnesota
Jefferson leading way. When Minnesota traded receiver Stefon Diggs to Buffalo, the return included the Bills’ first-round pick (No. 22). The Vikings didn’t mess around, drafting LSU’s Justin Jefferson to replace Diggs and team with Adam Thielen (tied for league lead with nine touchdown catches). Jefferson leads the NFL with an 18.1-yard average (minimum 40 catches) and has 42 receptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns. Jefferson has three games of at least 135 yards. The Vikings have won three straight to reboot their season and have their next three at home (Dallas, Carolina and Jacksonville — combined record of 6-24).
Eagles still lead division. Philadelphia remains atop the NFC East with a 3-5-1 record despite giving up 35 sacks, having the same number of touchdowns as interceptions (12) and allowing 14 rushing touchdowns. The Eagles play at Cleveland. “We’re all frustrated,” coach Doug Pederson said. “We know we’re so much better (than last week’s loss to the Giants) and just got to buckle in this week. Everything is still right in front of us and we’ve got a great opportunity on Sunday.”
Bears are done. Chicago used mirrors and its defense to build a 5-1 record. But reality has arrived for the Bears, who have lost four straight and didn’t get a lift by coach Matt Nagy handing the play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Last Monday, the Bears managed only 149 yards offense in their loss to a Minnesota team that entered allowing 413 yards per game. If the season continues to fall apart, it’s time to move on from general manager Ryan Pace, who is on his second coach, and re-enter the quarterback market.
Around the AFC: Unlikely leader in interceptions, J.C. Jackson, nears NFL record
Unlikely INT leader. A New England cornerback has interceptions in five consecutive games and it isn’t reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. Nope, J.C. Jackson is the first player with a five-game streak since Reggie Nelson in 2015 and he can tie the league record with an interception Sunday at Houston (it’s been done seven times and not since 2003). Jackson leads the league with six interceptions and is on pace to become the first double-digit interception player since the Chargers’ Antonio Cromartie in 2007. The Patriots have won two straight after losing four in a row.
Herbert’s efforts wasted. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has 19 touchdown passes but is 1-7 as a starter because the defense can’t stop anybody. Los Angeles has allowed 38, 30, 29, 31, 31 and 29 points in the last six games (five losses). This must be the day for the Chargers to get right or things will really get bad. Arriving off their bye week are the winless New York Jets, who are sticking with old friend Joe Flacco due to Sam Darnold’s shoulder injury.
Top-heavy conference. The AFC could have as many as eight teams after Sunday with at least seven wins. There is no middle class this year in the conference — nine teams are 6-3 or better and five teams have two or fewer wins. Things will get semi-clearer Sunday for the six 6-3 teams — Indianapolis (vs. Green Bay), Las Vegas (vs. Kansas City), Miami (at the Broncos), Baltimore/Tennessee (play each other) and Cleveland (vs. Philadelphia). The Browns and Titans are currently out of playoff position. Meanwhile, in the NFC, only six teams have a winning record.


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Grading the Week: Nuggets’ Rainbow Skyline jerseys should be celebrated whenever possible, but “Flat

Grading the Week: Nuggets’ Rainbow Skyline jerseys should be celebrated whenever possible, but “Flatirons Red” isn’t a color

The Nuggets ’ “ Rainbow Skyline ” jerseys of old are a work of art .
There is no topping them .
They are pure uniform perfection .
Any move the Nuggets make to honor them should be celebrated .
What in the world are the Nuggets doing with the third and final edition of their “ City Edition ” jerseys ?
The first model — white , with the classic rainbow skyline — was a modern take on an old tale worthy of praise .
The “ black rainbow ” version the Nuggets unveiled in 2019 was also an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after all .
And you got ta give the kids what they want .
We challenge you to open a 120-pack of Crayola Crayons and find that color in the box .
Actually , we ’ ll save you the time .
It ’ s not in there .
The color does not exist .
You made it up , and the Flatirons aren ’ t even red .
The Nuggets ’ blue was just sitting there , waiting to be used .
It ’ s the preferred primary color of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Grading the Week offices ) .
Don ’ t make this complicated , Nuggets .
Go with what works .
Once again , Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly displayed his mastery of the NBA draft Wednesday night .
Two days later , however , he and the Nuggets could only watch as veteran forward Jerami Grant and big man Mason Plumlee reportedly left for free-agent deals with Detroit — a terrible blow to Denver ’ s front court depth .
On draft night , Connelly followed the same formula as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Porter Jr. ( 2018 ) and Bol Bol ( 2019 ) , grabbing a once-highly regarded prospect who fell in the draft .
This time around , it was RJ Hampton , a 6-foot-5 combo guard who was considered a top-five national recruit as recently as last year .
To get him a year later at No .
24 amid league-wide panic over Hampton ’ s ceiling is a steal , and not a bad haul when paired with the selection of high-energy Arizona center Zeke Nnaji at No .
22 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plumlee ’ s departures hurt in the short term .
Colorado ’ s game against Arizona State was canceled because the Sun Devils had a COVID-19 outbreak .
Colorado State ’ s game against UNLV was canceled because the Rebels had a COVID-19 outbreak .
Neither of them had a replacement opponent lined up for this weekend .
Look , the staff at the Grading the Week offices get it .
The reasoning was all very , uh , reasonable .
The Pac-12 has stringent testing standards — protocols that the Colorado State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s no way the Rams could ’ ve met those standards in a matter of days .
And putting together a college football game on a few days ’ notice is a Herculean task .
Still , if ever there was a time to move mountains , it would be in service of saving the Rocky Mountain Showdown .
The Pac-12 needed just two days to put together a UCLA-Cal Sunday morning meeting in the Rose Bowl .
Surely a bus ride from Fort Collins to Boulder wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alas , it ’ s just another reason to shake our collective fists at the sky in 2020 .

The Nuggets’ “Rainbow Skyline” jerseys of old are a work of art.
There is no topping them. They are pure uniform perfection. Any move the Nuggets make to honor them should be celebrated.
That being said…
Nuggets’ 2020 City Edition jerseys — D+
What in the world are the Nuggets doing with the third and final edition of their “City Edition” jerseys?
The first model — white, with the classic rainbow skyline — was a modern take on an old tale worthy of praise.
The “black rainbow” version the Nuggets unveiled in 2019 was also an admirable effort. The kids love black, after all. And you gotta give the kids what they want.
But … “Flatirons red?”
We challenge you to open a 120-pack of Crayola Crayons and find that color in the box.
Actually, we’ll save you the time. It’s not in there. The color does not exist. You made it up, and the Flatirons aren’t even red.
The Nuggets’ blue was just sitting there, waiting to be used. It’s the preferred primary color of the old Rainbow Skyline threads (at least in the Grading the Week offices).
Don’t make this complicated, Nuggets. Go with what works.
Tim Connelly — C+
Once again, Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly displayed his mastery of the NBA draft Wednesday night.
Two days later, however, he and the Nuggets could only watch as veteran forward Jerami Grant and big man Mason Plumlee reportedly left for free-agent deals with Detroit — a terrible blow to Denver’s front court depth.
On draft night, Connelly followed the same formula as the previous two years with the selections of Michael Porter Jr. (2018) and Bol Bol (2019), grabbing a once-highly regarded prospect who fell in the draft.
This time around, it was RJ Hampton, a 6-foot-5 combo guard who was considered a top-five national recruit as recently as last year. To get him a year later at No. 24 amid league-wide panic over Hampton’s ceiling is a steal, and not a bad haul when paired with the selection of high-energy Arizona center Zeke Nnaji at No. 22.
But, boy, do Grant and Plumlee’s departures hurt in the short term.
No Rocky Mountain Showdown — C-
Let’s get this straight.
Colorado’s game against Arizona State was canceled because the Sun Devils had a COVID-19 outbreak. Colorado State’s game against UNLV was canceled because the Rebels had a COVID-19 outbreak. Neither of them had a replacement opponent lined up for this weekend.
And we’re not playing a pop-up Rocky Mountain Showdown?!?!
Look, the staff at the Grading the Week offices get it. The reasoning was all very, uh, reasonable.
The Pac-12 has stringent testing standards — protocols that the Colorado State football team currently does not adhere to. There’s no way the Rams could’ve met those standards in a matter of days. And putting together a college football game on a few days’ notice is a Herculean task.
Still, if ever there was a time to move mountains, it would be in service of saving the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
The Pac-12 needed just two days to put together a UCLA-Cal Sunday morning meeting in the Rose Bowl. Surely a bus ride from Fort Collins to Boulder wouldn’t have too hard to pull off.
Alas, it’s just another reason to shake our collective fists at the sky in 2020.


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Getting Bradley Chubb’s pass-rush game restarted should be priority for Broncos’ defense

The Broncos ’ run defense , which allowed 92 and 203 yards in the past two weeks , has been a justifiable talking point heading into Sunday ’ s game against Miami .
But Broncos coach/defensive play-caller Vic Fangio should have spent time this week on another pressing issue : Getting outside linebacker Bradley Chubb restarted .
Chubb was kept off the scorecard entirely in losses to Atlanta and Las Vegas .
No pressures .
No knockdowns .
No sacks .
“ We have to do a better job overall on first and second down of getting into some more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Last week , there really weren ’ t a lot of throws , but Bradley has been getting close.
” Atlanta and Las Vegas both went 6-of-13 on third down against the Broncos .
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was 5-of-10 passing on third down ( five conversions , including two touchdowns ) , and Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was 6-of-9 passing ( four conversions ) .
The Raiders and Falcons combined for 69 total drop-backs , which squashes the Broncos ’ narrative that falling behind has led to opponents fully committing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Post ’ s game charting , Chubb had 58 pass rushes against Atlanta and Las Vegas .
Against Atlanta ( 31 pass rushes ) , he lined up at right outside linebacker on every pass rush snap .
He was double-teamed four times and chip-blocked three times .
Against Las Vegas ( 27 pass rushes ) , he was at right outside linebacker on 21 plays , used as an interior rusher on six plays and lined up at left outside linebacker on two plays .
He was double-teamed five times and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Las Vegas in an effort to get Chubb going .
On the interior pass rushes , Chubb lined up over the left and right guards .
“ That was my first time down there this season and those guys didn ’ t know what to expect from me or what was coming , ” he said .
“ Just being able to run those ‘ games ’ with the ends and me being able to switch roles and set the pick , it was a cool experience .
Hopefully , I get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chubb has received pass-rushing opportunities has been hit and miss .
His season can be divided into three parts .
Part 1 ( Games 1-2 ) : No sacks and 2 1/2 total disruptions ( 1 1/2 knockdowns and one pressure ) .
The Broncos went 0-2 .
Part 2 ( Games 3-7 ) : A whopping 14 1/2 total disruptions ( 5 1/2 sacks , four knockdowns and five pressures ) .
The Broncos went 3-2 .
Part 3 ( Games 8-9 ) : Nothing cooking .
The Broncos went 0-2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Chubb creates chaos , the Broncos win .
“ Sometimes ( getting shut out ) happens on a week-to-week basis , but we ’ re good with the way ( Chubb ) is rushing and confident he ’ ll get home at some point , ” Fangio said .
Said Chubb : “ I can ’ t get frustrated about it .
It ’ s the way the game is going to be played so you have to go out there and change it .
Go out there and do something about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to get my hands up and prevent those quick throws and maybe make a move a little bit quicker .
Whatever it takes to give that 1 % more , I ’ m going to try and do that the rest of the season .
”

The Broncos’ run defense, which allowed 92 and 203 yards in the past two weeks, has been a justifiable talking point heading into Sunday’s game against Miami.
But Broncos coach/defensive play-caller Vic Fangio should have spent time this week on another pressing issue: Getting outside linebacker Bradley Chubb restarted. Chubb was kept off the scorecard entirely in losses to Atlanta and Las Vegas. No pressures. No knockdowns. No sacks.
“We have to do a better job overall on first and second down of getting into some more third downs,” Fangio said Friday. “Last week, there really weren’t a lot of throws, but Bradley has been getting close.”
Kind of, sort of.
Atlanta and Las Vegas both went 6-of-13 on third down against the Broncos. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was 5-of-10 passing on third down (five conversions, including two touchdowns), and Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was 6-of-9 passing (four conversions).
The Raiders and Falcons combined for 69 total drop-backs, which squashes the Broncos’ narrative that falling behind has led to opponents fully committing to the running game. Per The Denver Post’s game charting, Chubb had 58 pass rushes against Atlanta and Las Vegas.
Against Atlanta (31 pass rushes), he lined up at right outside linebacker on every pass rush snap. He was double-teamed four times and chip-blocked three times. Against Las Vegas (27 pass rushes), he was at right outside linebacker on 21 plays, used as an interior rusher on six plays and lined up at left outside linebacker on two plays. He was double-teamed five times and chip-blocked twice.
Fangio switched things up at Las Vegas in an effort to get Chubb going. On the interior pass rushes, Chubb lined up over the left and right guards.
“That was my first time down there this season and those guys didn’t know what to expect from me or what was coming,” he said. “Just being able to run those ‘games’ with the ends and me being able to switch roles and set the pick, it was a cool experience. Hopefully, I get some more opportunities.”
The production when Chubb has received pass-rushing opportunities has been hit and miss. His season can be divided into three parts.
Part 1 (Games 1-2): No sacks and 2 1/2 total disruptions (1 1/2 knockdowns and one pressure). The Broncos went 0-2.
Part 2 (Games 3-7): A whopping 14 1/2 total disruptions (5 1/2 sacks, four knockdowns and five pressures). The Broncos went 3-2.
Part 3 (Games 8-9): Nothing cooking. The Broncos went 0-2.
The correlation is easy to see. When Chubb creates chaos, the Broncos win.
“Sometimes (getting shut out) happens on a week-to-week basis, but we’re good with the way (Chubb) is rushing and confident he’ll get home at some point,” Fangio said.
Said Chubb: “I can’t get frustrated about it. It’s the way the game is going to be played so you have to go out there and change it. Go out there and do something about it. As a rusher, I need to get my hands up and prevent those quick throws and maybe make a move a little bit quicker. Whatever it takes to give that 1% more, I’m going to try and do that the rest of the season.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Chambers: NHL prospects are suffering. Just ask Avalanche draftee Matthew Stienburg

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it a difficult year for NHL prospects — the recently drafted players and those eligible in 2021 and beyond .
Some high school , junior and college leagues have begun playing .
Others have not .
And some have had their seasons canceled .
It ’ s hard to develop into a professional hockey player without playing high-level hockey games .
The six Ivy League teams playing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference have nixed 2020-21 , which takes me to Cornell sophomore center Matthew Stienburg , the 2019 Avalanche third-round draft pick from Nathan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nova Scotia .
Long before the Ivy League teams officially shuttered its season Nov. 12 , Stienburg sought another place to play while maintaining his NCAA eligibility and taking Cornell online courses .
He settled on the West Kelowna Warriors of the British Columbia Hockey League ( junior-A ) .
Then he broke his leg .
Ten games into what the BCHL considered an extended training camp , Stienburg blocked a shot , fell to the ice , wreathing in pain , and ultimately skated to the bench on one leg .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know he was injured .
Stienburg ’ s next shift began on a faceoff .
“ Once I pushed off , it gave out , ” he said of the fibula bone in his left leg .
“ It was displaced.
” That was Nov. 7 .
He underwent surgery last week in Ottawa , Ontario , where he is now recovering at the home of his aunt and uncle .
Stienburg was on a Zoom call with his Cornell teammates on Nov. 12 when the Ivy League announced it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was done for the season , he was hoping to root on the Big Red , which was ranked third nationally with a 23-2-4 record in March when the remainder of the 2019-20 NCAA was canceled because of coronavirus .
All current Ivy League players can choose to take a redshirt year .
“ I guess if there ’ s a year to have an injury , this is it , given the circumstances of all the other leagues not playing , ” Stienburg said .
“ I guess I ’ m lucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never fun to go through a rehab process.
” Stienburg , 20 , said the Avalanche has been helpful and supportive of his journey while maintaining the necessary distance required by the NCAA .
The Avs selected Stienburg with the 63rd selection last year , thus they have a deep investment in a smart player who will probably have an Ivy League education before he signs professionally .
“ My No .
1 goal and dream is to play for Colorado but I recognize the value of an Ivy League education , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around six months , at which point he and everyone else hopes the COVID crisis is under control .
“ It ’ s obviously been a roller-coaster for everybody and I guess a little bit more for myself — the travel , the injury , the uncertainty — but it ’ s been a tough year for everybody and I ’ m sure there ’ s a lot of people that have more serious stuff going on than a broken leg , ” Stienburg said .
“ I ’ m obviously happy I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and spend some time with my family.
” That ’ s currently the silver lining for 2020 .

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it a difficult year for NHL prospects — the recently drafted players and those eligible in 2021 and beyond.
Some high school, junior and college leagues have begun playing. Others have not. And some have had their seasons canceled.
It’s hard to develop into a professional hockey player without playing high-level hockey games.
The six Ivy League teams playing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference have nixed 2020-21, which takes me to Cornell sophomore center Matthew Stienburg, the 2019 Avalanche third-round draft pick from Nathan MacKinnon’s hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Long before the Ivy League teams officially shuttered its season Nov. 12, Stienburg sought another place to play while maintaining his NCAA eligibility and taking Cornell online courses. He settled on the West Kelowna Warriors of the British Columbia Hockey League (junior-A).
Then he broke his leg. Ten games into what the BCHL considered an extended training camp, Stienburg blocked a shot, fell to the ice, wreathing in pain, and ultimately skated to the bench on one leg. He knew he was hurt, but he didn’t know he was injured.
Stienburg’s next shift began on a faceoff. “Once I pushed off, it gave out,” he said of the fibula bone in his left leg. “It was displaced.”
That was Nov. 7. He underwent surgery last week in Ottawa, Ontario, where he is now recovering at the home of his aunt and uncle. Stienburg was on a Zoom call with his Cornell teammates on Nov. 12 when the Ivy League announced it was canceling the season.
While he was done for the season, he was hoping to root on the Big Red, which was ranked third nationally with a 23-2-4 record in March when the remainder of the 2019-20 NCAA was canceled because of coronavirus. All current Ivy League players can choose to take a redshirt year.
“I guess if there’s a year to have an injury, this is it, given the circumstances of all the other leagues not playing,” Stienburg said. “I guess I’m lucky that way. But it’s never fun to go through a rehab process.”
Stienburg, 20, said the Avalanche has been helpful and supportive of his journey while maintaining the necessary distance required by the NCAA. The Avs selected Stienburg with the 63rd selection last year, thus they have a deep investment in a smart player who will probably have an Ivy League education before he signs professionally.
“My No. 1 goal and dream is to play for Colorado but I recognize the value of an Ivy League education,” he said.
His recovery will take around six months, at which point he and everyone else hopes the COVID crisis is under control.
“It’s obviously been a roller-coaster for everybody and I guess a little bit more for myself — the travel, the injury, the uncertainty — but it’s been a tough year for everybody and I’m sure there’s a lot of people that have more serious stuff going on than a broken leg,” Stienburg said.
“I’m obviously happy I can get home now for the holidays and spend some time with my family.”
That’s currently the silver lining for 2020.


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Broncos Insider: What Denver players are most deserving of a Pro Bowl nod?

Nine games into another disappointing season , what Broncos are deserving of a Pro Bowl vote ?
Coronavirus has , of course , wiped out the Pro Bowl game itself , but from now through Dec. 17 , fans can still vote for players to receive the honor at NFL.com/ProBowlVote .
Here ’ s a look at the Pro Bowl candidacies of the most deserving Broncos : After inconsistencies and a penchant for penalties led the Broncos to decline his fifth-year option during the offseason , left tackle Garrett Bolles is having the best year of any Denver offensive lineman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having played every snap this season after starting 16 games the prior three years , and that availability has finally been matched by an uptick in play .
Bolles has allowed 6.5 disruptions and a half-sack this season , as well as 3.5 “ bad ” run plays , and is putting himself in a solid position entering free agency after this year .
While the Broncos special teams have largely been a disaster , again , kicker Brandon McManus is the exception to that rule .
After signing a four-year contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , McManus has been money , hitting 18-of-19 field goals ( .947 ) with his lone miss coming from 58 yards in the Week 2 loss in Pittsburgh .
The 29-year-old , who is the most accurate kicker in franchise history at 83.7 % , has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice , including setting the team record with six field goals in the Week 6 win over New England .
And he ’ s been reliable from distance , going 6-of-7 from 50-plus yards to tie for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyond those two , the team ’ s other most bonafide Pro Bowl candidate is safety Justin Simmons .
A second-team All-Pro selection last year , Simmons got Denver ’ s franchise tag in the offseason and has continued to play like a franchise player in the secondary .
He leads the team with three interceptions , and needs just one more pick to become the third Denver player to record 15 interceptions during his first five seasons with the team .
He ’ s clearly one of the league ’ s best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicality , as he has 58 tackles ( 47 solo ) .
Also worthy of consideration for votes are cornerback Bryce Callahan , defensive end Shelby Harris and rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy .
After missing all of 2019 due to a foot injury , Callahan is showing Broncos fans why Vic Fangio valued him so highly dating back to their time together in Chicago .
Callahan has two interceptions and 35 tackles ( 29 solo ) .
Harris will miss his third consecutive game this Sunday against Miami due to COVID-19 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive end through seven games , recording 2.5 sacks , 23 tackles , three pass deflections and a forced fumble .
Jeudy also has a fringe case for a Pro Bowl nod , as the rookie wideout has 34 catches for 552 yards ( 16.2 average ) with two touchdowns this year .
Several strong games before voting closes would further bolster his candidacy .

Nine games into another disappointing season, what Broncos are deserving of a Pro Bowl vote?
Coronavirus has, of course, wiped out the Pro Bowl game itself, but from now through Dec. 17, fans can still vote for players to receive the honor at NFL.com/ProBowlVote.
Here’s a look at the Pro Bowl candidacies of the most deserving Broncos:
After inconsistencies and a penchant for penalties led the Broncos to decline his fifth-year option during the offseason, left tackle Garrett Bolles is having the best year of any Denver offensive lineman. He’s again been durable, having played every snap this season after starting 16 games the prior three years, and that availability has finally been matched by an uptick in play. Bolles has allowed 6.5 disruptions and a half-sack this season, as well as 3.5 “bad” run plays, and is putting himself in a solid position entering free agency after this year.
While the Broncos special teams have largely been a disaster, again, kicker Brandon McManus is the exception to that rule. After signing a four-year contract extension just before the start of the season, McManus has been money, hitting 18-of-19 field goals (.947) with his lone miss coming from 58 yards in the Week 2 loss in Pittsburgh.
The 29-year-old, who is the most accurate kicker in franchise history at 83.7%, has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice, including setting the team record with six field goals in the Week 6 win over New England. And he’s been reliable from distance, going 6-of-7 from 50-plus yards to tie for the league lead in that category.
Beyond those two, the team’s other most bonafide Pro Bowl candidate is safety Justin Simmons. A second-team All-Pro selection last year, Simmons got Denver’s franchise tag in the offseason and has continued to play like a franchise player in the secondary. He leads the team with three interceptions, and needs just one more pick to become the third Denver player to record 15 interceptions during his first five seasons with the team. He’s clearly one of the league’s best safeties, both in coverage and in physicality, as he has 58 tackles (47 solo).
Also worthy of consideration for votes are cornerback Bryce Callahan, defensive end Shelby Harris and rookie wideout Jerry Jeudy. After missing all of 2019 due to a foot injury, Callahan is showing Broncos fans why Vic Fangio valued him so highly dating back to their time together in Chicago. Callahan has two interceptions and 35 tackles (29 solo).
Harris will miss his third consecutive game this Sunday against Miami due to COVID-19, but the 29-year-old has played like an elite defensive end through seven games, recording 2.5 sacks, 23 tackles, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. Jeudy also has a fringe case for a Pro Bowl nod, as the rookie wideout has 34 catches for 552 yards (16.2 average) with two touchdowns this year. Several strong games before voting closes would further bolster his candidacy.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post


thedenverpost--2020-11-21--Traded away two months ago, Kei Kamara gets chance to end Rapids’ season in MLS playoffs

Kei Kamara netted 17 goals over 38 matches in burgundy .
But by September of this year the Colorado Rapids opted to emphasize their young talent — making the 36-year-old Sierra Leonean expendable .
A trade to Minnesota was soon constructed , and the fifth leading scorer in MLS history was sent packing .
Fast forward two months later , and the two sides are meeting in the playoffs Sunday night , giving Kamara the chance to end his old teammates ’ season .
“ It ’ s going to be weird with Kei on the other side , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When he first came in I knew him as an MLS legend .
I didn ’ t really know Kei the person .
He taught me about the relationships a striker has with other players .
He taught me certain aspects of the game that we worked out together after training .
He also taught me how to be a good pro and to enjoy every single day.
” In desperate need of a striker , Minnesota swopped in to acquire Colorado ’ s leading scorer in 2019 .
Since Kamara ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine matches and are unbeaten in the last eight .
“ We were light in that area , Kei gives us his personality .
He ’ s larger than life , ” Minnesota coach Adrian Heath said .
“ He wants to win , he knows what age he is and he knows these opportunities are drying up .
Kei wants to make a mark on these playoffs , not just make them.
” Kamara was one of four Loons players to be called up to their respective national team the past 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players would be stuck in quarantine coming back to the United States , but MLS worked around COVID regulations by chartering flights .
Minnesota would ’ ve been hit harder by these losses than any other team in the playoffs .
“ We ’ ve been under the assumption for a while that they ’ ll have everyone and that ’ s how we ’ ve been going about it , ” Robin Fraser said .
Like the Loons , the Rapids will have their striker back from international duty .
Rubio traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus on his trip , forcing him to return to Colorado .
He has been in isolation and unable to join the team for training , but the club says he is expected to play Sunday , though he may not start .
Rubio assisted on the Rapids ’ lone goal in their 2-1 loss in the Twin Cities in October .
That match was the second after a month-long layoff due to a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak .
The game-winning-goal came in the final moments when Lalas Abubakar scored on his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that match ) that we probably shouldn ’ t take a month off before playing a big team , ” Fraser joked .
“ We were really trying to find ourselves at the time we had just come back .
If you give them half an inch they have so many talented players .
They ’ re a very good team.
” Minnesota United FC has only lost one game at Allianz Field in Saint Paul , Minn. , this year .
The Rapids ended the season tied for the most road wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Minnesota earlier this season at the MLS is Back Tournament , with the two teams playing to a 2-2 draw .
For many of the Rapids ’ key contributors that was their first big tournament experience .
With a four-year playoff drought , many Rapids players have never been to the playoffs .
“ We have some experienced guys in this locker room , ” Fraser said .
“ The biggest characteristic we have is that we have incredibly unselfish players .
When your leaders carry that attitude it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a very young team.
” Bassett is the young player who has taken a massive step forward this year .
In becoming one of the better players in MLS , he has consistently produced offense for Colorado .
While Bassett has represented America at the youth level , he ’ s ready for what will be his biggest game in burgundy thus far .
“ I like going to different stadiums and seeing the new pitch , stadium , and going up there and trying to take my game to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is another game — it ’ s a very important game — but for us , we can ’ t get too nervous and too worked up about the game .
There is a different type of pressure in the playoffs , and we have to win to keep going but we ’ re just going to go out there and enjoy it .
”

Kei Kamara netted 17 goals over 38 matches in burgundy. But by September of this year the Colorado Rapids opted to emphasize their young talent — making the 36-year-old Sierra Leonean expendable.
A trade to Minnesota was soon constructed, and the fifth leading scorer in MLS history was sent packing.
Fast forward two months later, and the two sides are meeting in the playoffs Sunday night, giving Kamara the chance to end his old teammates’ season.
“It’s going to be weird with Kei on the other side,” Rapids teen sensation Cole Bassett said. “When he first came in I knew him as an MLS legend. I didn’t really know Kei the person. He taught me about the relationships a striker has with other players. He taught me certain aspects of the game that we worked out together after training. He also taught me how to be a good pro and to enjoy every single day.”
In desperate need of a striker, Minnesota swopped in to acquire Colorado’s leading scorer in 2019. Since Kamara’s addition, the Loons have played nine matches and are unbeaten in the last eight.
“We were light in that area, Kei gives us his personality. He’s larger than life,” Minnesota coach Adrian Heath said. “He wants to win, he knows what age he is and he knows these opportunities are drying up. Kei wants to make a mark on these playoffs, not just make them.”
Kamara was one of four Loons players to be called up to their respective national team the past 10 days. Initially, it appeared those players would be stuck in quarantine coming back to the United States, but MLS worked around COVID regulations by chartering flights. Minnesota would’ve been hit harder by these losses than any other team in the playoffs.
“We’ve been under the assumption for a while that they’ll have everyone and that’s how we’ve been going about it,” Robin Fraser said.
Like the Loons, the Rapids will have their striker back from international duty. Rubio traveled to Chile but was exposed to somebody with coronavirus on his trip, forcing him to return to Colorado. He has been in isolation and unable to join the team for training, but the club says he is expected to play Sunday, though he may not start.
Rubio assisted on the Rapids’ lone goal in their 2-1 loss in the Twin Cities in October. That match was the second after a month-long layoff due to a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak. The game-winning-goal came in the final moments when Lalas Abubakar scored on his own net.
“We learned (from that match) that we probably shouldn’t take a month off before playing a big team,” Fraser joked. “We were really trying to find ourselves at the time we had just come back. If you give them half an inch they have so many talented players. They’re a very good team.”
Minnesota United FC has only lost one game at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., this year. The Rapids ended the season tied for the most road wins in all of MLS.
Colorado matched up with Minnesota earlier this season at the MLS is Back Tournament, with the two teams playing to a 2-2 draw. For many of the Rapids’ key contributors that was their first big tournament experience. With a four-year playoff drought, many Rapids players have never been to the playoffs.
“We have some experienced guys in this locker room,” Fraser said. “The biggest characteristic we have is that we have incredibly unselfish players. When your leaders carry that attitude it’s a great example for younger players and we have a very young team.”
Bassett is the young player who has taken a massive step forward this year. In becoming one of the better players in MLS, he has consistently produced offense for Colorado. While Bassett has represented America at the youth level, he’s ready for what will be his biggest game in burgundy thus far.
“I like going to different stadiums and seeing the new pitch, stadium, and going up there and trying to take my game to the home team,” he said. “It is another game — it’s a very important game — but for us, we can’t get too nervous and too worked up about the game. There is a different type of pressure in the playoffs, and we have to win to keep going but we’re just going to go out there and enjoy it.”