thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Ask Amy: Anxious woman should take a breather

Dear Amy : I am in turmoil over a new dating relationship .
He is everything I want to have in a partner .
We have a connection with each other I never thought I would find .
We ’ ve been dating for almost two months .
We live about 45 minutes from each other , so it ’ s not easy to see each other .
I also have a 9-year-old son who is with his dad every other weekend .
Almost two weeks ago , we were supposed to be on our 12th date , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death , and so we canceled .
His father was put in the hospital that same week with lymphoma and COVID-19 .
I haven ’ t seen him since then .
I know he ’ s got a lot of emotional things on his plate .
I am trying my best to be supportive and not to have anxiety about not seeing him or talking to him as often .
What can I do to help him get through this ?
How can I cope with my extreme anxiety ?
We never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other , so I don ’ t know if it ’ s worth talking about now .
He ’ s shutting down and he doesn ’ t seem to want to make any effort to make plans .
Am I overreacting ?
Do I need to give him space ?
Should I ask if he ’ s seeing anyone else right now ?
I was so sure we were moving in the right direction .
Now , I ’ m not so sure .
Dear Anxious : You don ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is taking it .
He is taking space because he needs it .
His mother is gone and his father is hospitalized .
If he is also working , all of his emotional bandwidth might be consumed , just trying to get through the day .
What you need to be right now is the cool , calm , and supportive friend this man deserves to have .
If you are too anxious to behave this way , then you should figure out how to fake it .
Do not press him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask him if he is seeing someone else .
This could be an unfortunate and unforeseen case of “ right guy , wrong time.
” I don ’ t know of any certain remedy for bad timing .
It is also revealing vastly different temperaments and coping styles : Someone who becomes anxious when stressed , versus someone who becomes depressed and shuts down .
I think you should check in — with a call or a text — to say , “ My son is with his dad next weekend .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring you a sandwich .
Are you up for that ?
” If he says no , or doesn ’ t respond to a message , let it lie .
Learning to relax and learning to trust ( and to be patient while you are learning ) will be very good for you .
I ’ d like to meet someone , but I don ’ t want to be “ that guy ” who is trying to be friendly but comes off as sleezy .
When does striking up a conversation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to whether she is single and possibly interested become “ hitting on ” someone ?
What is the best way to recognize if she is not available or interested ?
Is it always deemed to be hitting on someone when one attempts to start a conversation with the intention to see if they are available ?
Surely this can ’ t always be wrong , so long as you back off if it becomes apparent that the interest is not mutual ?
Dear Wondering : If you strike up a conversation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see if she is available , then this is the very definition of “ hitting on ” someone .
Depending on the context , it is not always a bad thing to hit on someone !
If you ’ re in a bar , go for it .
The jogging path or the produce aisle , not so much .
I highly recommend online matching for you .
The people registered on online matching sites are all available and looking .
Meeting new people for coffee is a great way to brush up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Wondering ” asked how to justify leaving his marriage of over a decade .
He believed he shouldn ’ t have married in the first place .
Thank you for this response : “ Just don ’ t tell her , ‘ I don ’ t believe I ever loved you.
’ ” Dear Fan : At the end of a long relationship , “ I never loved you ” truly is the deepest cut .

Dear Amy: I am in turmoil over a new dating relationship. He is everything I want to have in a partner. We have a connection with each other I never thought I would find.
We’ve been dating for almost two months.
We live about 45 minutes from each other, so it’s not easy to see each other.
I also have a 9-year-old son who is with his dad every other weekend.
Almost two weeks ago, we were supposed to be on our 12th date, but it was the anniversary of his mother’s death, and so we canceled.
His father was put in the hospital that same week with lymphoma and COVID-19.
I haven’t seen him since then.
I know he’s got a lot of emotional things on his plate. I am trying my best to be supportive and not to have anxiety about not seeing him or talking to him as often.
What can I do to help him get through this? How can I cope with my extreme anxiety?
We never had the “exclusive” talk with each other, so I don’t know if it’s worth talking about now. He’s shutting down and he doesn’t seem to want to make any effort to make plans.
Am I overreacting? Do I need to give him space?
Should I ask if he’s seeing anyone else right now?
I was so sure we were moving in the right direction. Now, I’m not so sure.
— Anxious
Dear Anxious: You don’t need to give this man space, because he is taking it. He is taking space because he needs it. His mother is gone and his father is hospitalized. If he is also working, all of his emotional bandwidth might be consumed, just trying to get through the day.
What you need to be right now is the cool, calm, and supportive friend this man deserves to have. If you are too anxious to behave this way, then you should figure out how to fake it.
Do not press him about your relationship. Don’t ask him if he is seeing someone else.
This could be an unfortunate and unforeseen case of “right guy, wrong time.” I don’t know of any certain remedy for bad timing.
It is also revealing vastly different temperaments and coping styles: Someone who becomes anxious when stressed, versus someone who becomes depressed and shuts down.
I think you should check in — with a call or a text — to say, “My son is with his dad next weekend. I can drive out during the day and bring you a sandwich. Are you up for that?” If he says no, or doesn’t respond to a message, let it lie. Learning to relax and learning to trust (and to be patient while you are learning) will be very good for you.
Dear Amy: I’m a single man in my late 50s.
I’d like to meet someone, but I don’t want to be “that guy” who is trying to be friendly but comes off as sleezy.
When does striking up a conversation with an attractive stranger to get an idea as to whether she is single and possibly interested become “hitting on” someone? What is the best way to recognize if she is not available or interested?
Is it always deemed to be hitting on someone when one attempts to start a conversation with the intention to see if they are available?
Surely this can’t always be wrong, so long as you back off if it becomes apparent that the interest is not mutual?
— Wondering
Dear Wondering: If you strike up a conversation with a stranger with the express intention to see if she is available, then this is the very definition of “hitting on” someone.
Depending on the context, it is not always a bad thing to hit on someone! If you’re in a bar, go for it. The jogging path or the produce aisle, not so much.
I highly recommend online matching for you. The people registered on online matching sites are all available and looking. Meeting new people for coffee is a great way to brush up your flirting skills.
Dear Amy: “Wondering” asked how to justify leaving his marriage of over a decade. He believed he shouldn’t have married in the first place.
Thank you for this response: “Just don’t tell her, ‘I don’t believe I ever loved you.’”
— A Fan
Dear Fan: At the end of a long relationship, “I never loved you” truly is the deepest cut.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Kiszla: Can Broncos trust Drew Lock enough to bypass quarterback in 2021 NFL draft?

Hey , we all want Drew Lock to be the next great Broncos quarterback .
OK , maybe not John Elway or Peyton Manning great .
We ’ d gladly settle for Jake Plummer .
So it ’ s a dang shame Lock keeps playing like the next Blake Bortles .
Just good enough to get you beat in a big NFL game .
“ Trust me , ” Lock said Wednesday .
“ I want to be great as bad as the people at home watching the game want me to be great .
I want it more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust Lock ?
Can Broncos personnel chief John Elway really afford to be patient and gamble the team ’ s future on a quarterback who has demonstrated that trusting him with the football or COVID-19 safety protocols can put Denver in a bad spot ?
We all know 2020 has been a messed up year .
From lack of preseason preparation to a devastating injury to receiver Courtland Sutton , it hasn ’ t been easy to be Lock .
Not nearly as hard as being a nurse or school teacher during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I asked Lock his level of patience , especially when knuckleheads like me grow antsy waiting for him to grow into this job .
“ We live a world where everyone wants everything really fast .
Everyone wants it right now .
And we get that with our phones .
You want to click on an app , it ’ s going to pop up instantly .
It ’ s the same thing in football .
You want greatness really , really fast , ” Lock replied .
Then , to draw lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lock repeated : “ Trust me , as bad as people want ( greatness ) from me , I ’ ve always wanted it more.
” OK , Drew .
But you are what you do , not what you say .
So while I believe Lock wants to be great , I ’ m not sure he knows what it takes .
He stubbornly refuses to accept his limitations , most notably that he can not throw a football through the same tight windows Elway did .
While the failure to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lock being banished from the New Orleans game shouldn ’ t be an indictment of his character , it did raise concerns about his lack of attention to detail .
Yes , Lock is a mere 24 years old and has started only 14 NFL games .
Neither offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur nor the practice limitations imposed by the virus have done Lock any favors .
Patience is required with a young quarterback .
Patience is good .
But Lock is the worst starting quarterback in the league .
His quarterback rating ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 72.1 ) and Sam Darnold ( 67.2 ) , often cited as busts with their current teams .
Here ’ s what is more concerning to me : By almost any measurement — completion percentage , frequency of interceptions , net yards per pass attempt , won-loss record — Lock has regressed from his five starts as a rookie .
He looks more like the next Jake Locker than the next Jared Goff .
Patience is earned by quarterbacks who learn from their mistakes .
In an unforgiving league , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the Broncos rolling toward a finish outside of the playoffs for a fifth straight season , patience is not Elway ’ s ally .
I ’ m not certain a veteran quarterback is the answer in Denver , even if 32-year-old Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions part ways .
The 2021 NFL draft , however , is intriguing , because the depth of quarterback talent goes beyond Trevor Lawrence of Clemson and Ohio State ’ s Justin Fields , projected to be taken off the board with the first and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With a 4-8 record , the Broncos currently sit at No .
10 on the tentative draft board .
Lose out , and Elway could pick in the top five .
Is Lock a better bet at quarterback than Trey Lance of North Dakota State , Zach Wilson of Brigham Young , Kyle Task of Florida and Mac Jones of Alabama ?
Can Lock establish he ’ s the quarterback who will return the Broncos to glory during the final four regular-season games ?
He thinks the offense could break out this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slow is not sufficient when patience is wearing thin .

Hey, we all want Drew Lock to be the next great Broncos quarterback. OK, maybe not John Elway or Peyton Manning great. We’d gladly settle for Jake Plummer. So it’s a dang shame Lock keeps playing like the next Blake Bortles. Just good enough to get you beat in a big NFL game.
“Trust me,” Lock said Wednesday. “I want to be great as bad as the people at home watching the game want me to be great. I want it more than they want it.”
But do you trust Lock?
Can Broncos personnel chief John Elway really afford to be patient and gamble the team’s future on a quarterback who has demonstrated that trusting him with the football or COVID-19 safety protocols can put Denver in a bad spot?
We all know 2020 has been a messed up year. From lack of preseason preparation to a devastating injury to receiver Courtland Sutton, it hasn’t been easy to be Lock. Not nearly as hard as being a nurse or school teacher during a pandemic, but tough nevertheless.
So I asked Lock his level of patience, especially when knuckleheads like me grow antsy waiting for him to grow into this job.
“We live a world where everyone wants everything really fast. Everyone wants it right now. And we get that with our phones. You want to click on an app, it’s going to pop up instantly. It’s the same thing in football. You want greatness really, really fast,” Lock replied.
Then, to draw lines of emphasis under his lofty ambition, Lock repeated: “Trust me, as bad as people want (greatness) from me, I’ve always wanted it more.”
OK, Drew. But you are what you do, not what you say.
So while I believe Lock wants to be great, I’m not sure he knows what it takes. He stubbornly refuses to accept his limitations, most notably that he cannot throw a football through the same tight windows Elway did. While the failure to follow strict COVID safety protocols that resulted in Lock being banished from the New Orleans game shouldn’t be an indictment of his character, it did raise concerns about his lack of attention to detail.
Yes, Lock is a mere 24 years old and has started only 14 NFL games. Neither offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur nor the practice limitations imposed by the virus have done Lock any favors.
Patience is required with a young quarterback. Patience is good. But Lock is the worst starting quarterback in the league. His quarterback rating (67.1) ranks below both Carson Wentz (72.1) and Sam Darnold (67.2), often cited as busts with their current teams.
Here’s what is more concerning to me: By almost any measurement — completion percentage, frequency of interceptions, net yards per pass attempt, won-loss record — Lock has regressed from his five starts as a rookie.
He looks more like the next Jake Locker than the next Jared Goff. Patience is earned by quarterbacks who learn from their mistakes. In an unforgiving league, there’s little patience for QBs who regress.
With the Broncos rolling toward a finish outside of the playoffs for a fifth straight season, patience is not Elway’s ally. I’m not certain a veteran quarterback is the answer in Denver, even if 32-year-old Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions part ways.
The 2021 NFL draft, however, is intriguing, because the depth of quarterback talent goes beyond Trevor Lawrence of Clemson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields, projected to be taken off the board with the first and second selections in the opening round.
With a 4-8 record, the Broncos currently sit at No. 10 on the tentative draft board. Lose out, and Elway could pick in the top five. Is Lock a better bet at quarterback than Trey Lance of North Dakota State, Zach Wilson of Brigham Young, Kyle Trask of Florida and Mac Jones of Alabama?
Can Lock establish he’s the quarterback who will return the Broncos to glory during the final four regular-season games? He thinks the offense could break out this weekend, when Denver travels to Carolina.
“It’s going to happen,” Lock insisted. “And it’s slowly happening.”
Slow is not sufficient when patience is wearing thin.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Northglenn PD: Driver of sedan rams police vehicles then crashes into truck

The driver of sedan “ rammed ” several police patrol vehicles in Northglenn on Wednesday afternoon before the driver fled @ @ @ @ @ truck , police said .
Two people , both age 27 , in the suspect @ @ @ @ @ , were taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries , according to @ @ @ @ @ .
The truck driver was not injured .
The incident started at about 3:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ 11200 block of Huron Street on a business alarm , the release said .
When @ @ @ @ @ of the Cruze rammed several police vehicles and fled north on Huron Street .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ 136th Avenue where the suspect driver turned east , into a westbound lane , and @ @ @ @ @ .
Some officers had minor injuries , police said .
Anyone with information on the @ @ @ @ @ police at 303-450-8875 , or send an email to jthibodeau @ northglenn.org .

The driver of sedan “rammed” several police patrol vehicles in Northglenn on Wednesday afternoon before the driver fled and crashed into a pickup, police said.
Two people, both age 27, in the suspect vehicle, a Chevrolet Cruze, were taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries, according to a police department news release. The truck driver was not injured.
The incident started about 3:30 p.m., when officers responded to the 11200 block of Huron Street on a business alarm, the release said. When officers arrived, the driver of the Cruze rammed several police vehicles and fled north on Huron Street. Officers pursued the driver to West 136th Avenue, where the suspect driver turned east, into a westbound lane, and crashed into a Ford F350.
Some officers had minor injuries, police said. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 303-450-8875, or send an email to jthibodeau@northglenn.org.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Photos of Thanksgiving Day killer who shot a Centennial store clerk are released

Investigators on Wednesday released surveillance photos of a man who shot and killed a convenience store clerk on Thanksgiving Day in Centennial .
The shooting happened at about 6:45 p.m. Nov. 26 at the 8000 block of South Quebec Street , according to an Arapahoe County Sheriff ’ s Office news release .
Deputies responding to the shooting found the clerk lying on the floor of the Circle K behind a counter .
“ The victim told Deputies he remembered the suspect was wearing a mask , but could not remember anything else , ” the release said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he died in surgery , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The shooter is described as a white man , about 5 feet , 5 inches tall with an average build .
He was wearing a gray hoodie , a black and white plaid jacket or shirt , gray pants , brown shoes and eyeglasses .
Video surveillance showed that the suspect entered the store and talked with the victim , ordering cigarettes .
“ The suspect then points a handgun at the victim and the victim puts the cigarettes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping bag , ” the release said .
“ When the victim hands the bag to the suspect , the suspect shoots the victim.
” Witnesses told deputies they saw a man , matching the description of the shooter , walk away from the store after the incident .
Anyone with information on the shooting , or who recognizes the suspect , is asked to call the sheriff ’ s tip line at 720-874-8477 .

Investigators on Wednesday released surveillance photos of a man who shot and killed a convenience store clerk on Thanksgiving Day in Centennial.
The shooting happened at about 6:45 p.m. Nov. 26 at the 8000 block of South Quebec Street, according to an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office news release.
On 12/9/2020 ACSO Investigators obtained new photos of suspect involved in the homicide @ 8263 S. Quebec St. 11/26/2020. Inv's continue to follow up on the leads coming into the Sheriff’s tip line. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 720-874-8477 pic.twitter.com/WA3cc1C3Re — Arapahoe Sheriff (@ArapahoeSO) December 9, 2020
Deputies responding to the shooting found the clerk lying on the floor of the Circle K behind a counter.
“The victim told Deputies he remembered the suspect was wearing a mask, but could not remember anything else,” the release said.
The victim was taken to a local hospital where he died in surgery, the sheriff’s office said.
The shooter is described as a white man, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall with an average build. He was wearing a gray hoodie, a black and white plaid jacket or shirt, gray pants, brown shoes and eyeglasses.
Video surveillance showed that the suspect entered the store and talked with the victim, ordering cigarettes. “The suspect then points a handgun at the victim and the victim puts the cigarettes and money from the cash register in a shopping bag,” the release said. “When the victim hands the bag to the suspect, the suspect shoots the victim.”
Witnesses told deputies they saw a man, matching the description of the shooter, walk away from the store after the incident.
Anyone with information on the shooting, or who recognizes the suspect, is asked to call the sheriff’s tip line at 720-874-8477.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Denver council members float ordinance changes, giving police watchdog more power after investigatio

Denver council members float ordinance changes, giving police watchdog more power after investigation into protest response

After a troubling report on how Denver police handled protests , city council members on Wednesday floated the possibility of writing legislation to solidify police policy changes into the city code and strengthening the role of the Office of the Independent Monitor .
Several councilmembers also asked who would face consequences for the broad policy violations Independent Monitor Nick Mitchell identified in his report , like improper record keeping and the repeated failure to issue dispersal orders before using force .
“ Who really is accountable when you have a line of 30 officers and a sergeant and a command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mitchell presented his report Wednesday to the City Council ’ s Safety , Housing , Education and Homelessness Committee and said his office would continue to look into the policy violations .
He said decisions to deploy weapons like tear gas and foam bullets were sometimes made by supervisors and other times individual line officers were deciding when to fire .
“ Without rosters , without body cam video , it has been extremely difficult in many of these situations to identify who is responsible , ” he said .
Councilmembers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of the Independent Monitor has complete access to the website where Denver police upload their body camera footage .
Mitchell wrote in his report that his team did not have access to the full database and instead Denver police sent individual video segments .
“ I think as a legal matter we ’ re probably entitled to have it , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t as yet .
It ’ s probably time for that to change.
” Although Denver police Chief Paul Pazen agreed to nearly all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , councilmembers on Wednesday floated the idea of writing some of those changes into city code .
“ ( Policy ) can really change with the stroke of the pen by whoever happens to be the chief at the time , ” Mitchell said .
While Mitchell ’ s report did not delve into how the curfew affected protests , he noted that the decision to impose a curfew created more possibility of conflict .
Less violence happened after police decided to stay further away from protesters , he said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict there was , ” he said .
Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca asked Mitchell if the Office of the Independent Monitor should have more authority to conduct disciplinary investigations , which right now are handled by the Denver police Internal Affairs Bureau .
Mitchell said he ’ d be open to further discussions about the possibility .
All speakers during public comment criticized the police department and many asked for further investigation and discipline .
“ If there are no consequences , nothing will change , ” Blair Sagan said .
The Denver Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made mistakes while policing protests this year , said Ed Maguire , a professor at Arizona State University who studies how police react to protests .
“ I think we saw a lot of overreactions and I think we saw a lot of violations of civil liberties ” across the country , Maguire said .
The mistakes and policy violations Mitchell pointed out in his report — like failing to issue clear dispersal orders and a lack of clear strategy understood by line police officers — are common problems in policing demonstrations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. police at these types of events kind of making stuff up as they go along , which can really set up a discombobulating response , ” he said .
Police across the country continue to make the same mistakes year after year in part because training for a large-scale protest is often not departments ’ top priority , especially in cities where such demonstrations happen only every few years .
Department leadership often changes over between such large events and institutional knowledge is lost .
“ The idea of planning for something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or 5 years or never might not seem as important , ” Maguire said .
“ This ends up getting back burnered .
This ends up being crisis-driven reform.
” Pazen is scheduled to appear before the City Council ’ s Safety , Housing , Education and Homelessness Committee in the next weeks to discuss the report , committee chairman Councilman Paul Kashmann said .

After a troubling report on how Denver police handled protests, city council members on Wednesday floated the possibility of writing legislation to solidify police policy changes into the city code and strengthening the role of the Office of the Independent Monitor.
Several councilmembers also asked who would face consequences for the broad policy violations Independent Monitor Nick Mitchell identified in his report, like improper record keeping and the repeated failure to issue dispersal orders before using force.
“Who really is accountable when you have a line of 30 officers and a sergeant and a command center?” Councilwoman Robin Kniech said.
Mitchell presented his report Wednesday to the City Council’s Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee and said his office would continue to look into the policy violations. He said decisions to deploy weapons like tear gas and foam bullets were sometimes made by supervisors and other times individual line officers were deciding when to fire.
“Without rosters, without body cam video, it has been extremely difficult in many of these situations to identify who is responsible,” he said.
Councilmembers also asked whether they could help ensure the Office of the Independent Monitor has complete access to the website where Denver police upload their body camera footage. Mitchell wrote in his report that his team did not have access to the full database and instead Denver police sent individual video segments.
“I think as a legal matter we’re probably entitled to have it,” he said. “We don’t as yet. It’s probably time for that to change.”
Although Denver police Chief Paul Pazen agreed to nearly all of Mitchell’s policy change recommendations, councilmembers on Wednesday floated the idea of writing some of those changes into city code.
“(Policy) can really change with the stroke of the pen by whoever happens to be the chief at the time,” Mitchell said.
While Mitchell’s report did not delve into how the curfew affected protests, he noted that the decision to impose a curfew created more possibility of conflict. Less violence happened after police decided to stay further away from protesters, he said.
“The less opportunity for conflict, the less conflict there was,” he said.
Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca asked Mitchell if the Office of the Independent Monitor should have more authority to conduct disciplinary investigations, which right now are handled by the Denver police Internal Affairs Bureau. Mitchell said he’d be open to further discussions about the possibility.
All speakers during public comment criticized the police department and many asked for further investigation and discipline.
“If there are no consequences, nothing will change,” Blair Sagan said.
The Denver Police Department was not the only agency that made mistakes while policing protests this year, said Ed Maguire, a professor at Arizona State University who studies how police react to protests.
“I think we saw a lot of overreactions and I think we saw a lot of violations of civil liberties” across the country, Maguire said.
The mistakes and policy violations Mitchell pointed out in his report — like failing to issue clear dispersal orders and a lack of clear strategy understood by line police officers — are common problems in policing demonstrations, Maguire said.
“We often see U.S. police at these types of events kind of making stuff up as they go along, which can really set up a discombobulating response,” he said.
Police across the country continue to make the same mistakes year after year in part because training for a large-scale protest is often not departments’ top priority, especially in cities where such demonstrations happen only every few years. Department leadership often changes over between such large events and institutional knowledge is lost.
“The idea of planning for something that might not happen for 2 years, or 5 years or never might not seem as important,” Maguire said. “This ends up getting back burnered. This ends up being crisis-driven reform.”
Pazen is scheduled to appear before the City Council’s Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee in the next weeks to discuss the report, committee chairman Councilman Paul Kashmann said.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Steve Addazio laments lack of schedule flexibility with CSU football open to playing additional game

Steve Addazio laments lack of schedule flexibility with CSU football open to playing additional games

Colorado State football coach Steve Addazio is eager to schedule additional opponents this season after coronavirus canceled three games — however unlikely that is to actually happen .
Addazio ’ s argument in the week leading up to Senior Night in Fort Collins : What is the harm in playing another regional foe ( think Air Force or CU ) , with continued COVID-19 precautions in place , to give all student athletes involved the best opportunity to compete and develop ?
On Wednesday , a CSU team spokesman told The Denver Post that the school “ is open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to compete beyond this weekend ” when it hosts Utah State on Saturday night .
But the Mountain West did not immediately respond Wednesday for clarification on whether the Rams will be given such an opportunity next week .
While the NCAA waived all win requirements for bowl eligibility this year , CSU ( 1-3 ) is not expected to earn an invitation .
And unlike other conferences , including the Pac-12 , there is no stated plan to schedule additional games next weekend .
So , it appears the Rams will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s game .
“ I think it ’ s preposterous , personally , ” Addazio told reporters Wednesday on a video conference call , lamenting the lack of schedule flexibility in a shortened season .
“ You guys have heard me say it .
I want to play .
That ’ s me .
Do I speak for everybody ?
No , I can ’ t speak for everybody.
” Addazio was animated in his frustration for how this season has played out for the Rams .
“ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be behind any more conference games , ” Addazio said .
“ I ’ m guessing there are a lot of budgetary reasons for that , which kind of aggravates me .
Because we flew to places and had home games canceled and I don ’ t understand that .
And I don ’ t understand why we didn ’ t play to begin with .
… I don ’ t understand why teams that were supposed to come here wouldn ’ t want to come here .
Maybe they do , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61 , will reach the one-year mark since accepting the CSU head coaching job on Friday .
The milestone feels different in a college football season unlike any other .
“ There are times I could tell you that it feels like yesterday I got here , and there are times where you say to yourself , ‘ Wow , was that a lot , ’ ” Addazio said .
“ I ’ ve been on both ends of that spectrum I guess .
”

Colorado State football coach Steve Addazio is eager to schedule additional opponents this season after coronavirus canceled three games — however unlikely that is to actually happen.
Addazio’s argument in the week leading up to Senior Night in Fort Collins: What is the harm in playing another regional foe (think Air Force or CU), with continued COVID-19 precautions in place, to give all student athletes involved the best opportunity to compete and develop?
On Wednesday, a CSU team spokesman told The Denver Post that the school “is open to any opportunities that give our team a chance to compete beyond this weekend” when it hosts Utah State on Saturday night. But the Mountain West did not immediately respond Wednesday for clarification on whether the Rams will be given such an opportunity next week.
While the NCAA waived all win requirements for bowl eligibility this year, CSU (1-3) is not expected to earn an invitation. And unlike other conferences, including the Pac-12, there is no stated plan to schedule additional games next weekend.
So, it appears the Rams will be done for the season after Saturday’s game.
“I think it’s preposterous, personally,” Addazio told reporters Wednesday on a video conference call, lamenting the lack of schedule flexibility in a shortened season. “You guys have heard me say it. I want to play. That’s me. Do I speak for everybody? No, I can’t speak for everybody.”
Addazio was animated in his frustration for how this season has played out for the Rams.
“I’m not sure that the conference is going to be behind any more conference games,” Addazio said. “I’m guessing there are a lot of budgetary reasons for that, which kind of aggravates me. Because we flew to places and had home games canceled and I don’t understand that. And I don’t understand why we didn’t play to begin with. … I don’t understand why teams that were supposed to come here wouldn’t want to come here. Maybe they do, I don’t know.”
Addazio, 61, will reach the one-year mark since accepting the CSU head coaching job on Friday. The milestone feels different in a college football season unlike any other.
“There are times I could tell you that it feels like yesterday I got here, and there are times where you say to yourself, ‘Wow, was that a lot,’” Addazio said. “I’ve been on both ends of that spectrum I guess.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--2020 is already the highest-selling year for weed in Colorado

Colorado dispensaries sold more marijuana in the first 10 months of 2020 than they did during a record-setting sales year in 2019 .
October sales totaled more than $ 199.7 million in October , pushing the state ’ s annual revenue to more than $ 1.8 billion , according to the Department of Revenue .
By comparison , sales totaled about $ 1.75 billion in 2019 , making this the highest selling year since recreational weed hit the market in 2014 .
Sales were poised to crush the record following several lucrative summer months , despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July with $ 226 million in sales .
That was also the first time monthly totals surpassed $ 200 million .
Consumers purchased about $ 170 million worth of recreational cannabis and about $ 38.8 million worth of medical marijuana in October .
That ’ s down 3.2 % compared to September , but up nearly 33 % compared to October 2019 .
The state collected roughly $ 35.4 million in taxes and fees during the month .
In related news , cannabis delivery is gaining traction in the state .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary approval to a marijuana delivery program .
The ordinance will need a second vote in two weeks , and if it passes , deliveries of marijuana in that city could begin in early 2021 .
Also this week , Denver unveiled its plans for a delivery program and marijuana “ bars , ” which could come around as soon as next summer if approved by the City Council .

Colorado dispensaries sold more marijuana in the first 10 months of 2020 than they did during a record-setting sales year in 2019.
October sales totaled more than $199.7 million in October, pushing the state’s annual revenue to more than $1.8 billion, according to the Department of Revenue. By comparison, sales totaled about $1.75 billion in 2019, making this the highest selling year since recreational weed hit the market in 2014.
Sales were poised to crush the record following several lucrative summer months, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Colorado hit an all-time monthly high in July with $226 million in sales. That was also the first time monthly totals surpassed $200 million.
Consumers purchased about $170 million worth of recreational cannabis and about $38.8 million worth of medical marijuana in October. That’s down 3.2% compared to September, but up nearly 33% compared to October 2019.
The state collected roughly $35.4 million in taxes and fees during the month.
Robbie Wroblewski, director of community outreach at Denver’s Seed and Smith, said his dispensary saw sales cool off in the fall as the election loomed closer and consumers reevaluated their budgets in light of the uncertainty about stimulus. Typically, the company’s customer base is about 80% tourists, he said, but this year it’s been about 80% locals.
“We saw an influx of first-time customers visiting our dispensary and seeking out more information on cannabis. Consumers were very open about finding new ways to relax and cope with the pandemic in addition to looking for alternatives to alcohol,” Wroblewski said. “We’re also seeing customers demanding quality flower at affordable prices, so they can maintain their high and their wallet.”
In related news, cannabis delivery is gaining traction in the state. On Monday, the Aurora City Council gave preliminary approval to a marijuana delivery program. The ordinance will need a second vote in two weeks, and if it passes, deliveries of marijuana in that city could begin in early 2021.
Also this week, Denver unveiled its plans for a delivery program and marijuana “bars,” which could come around as soon as next summer if approved by the City Council.


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--UNC, CSU men’s basketball game postponed until February

The University of Northern Colorado men ’ s basketball team is still scheduled to play Colorado State , but it will be after the new year .
UNC announced Tuesday that the Bears would play Regis at 6:30 p.m. Friday .
Initially , the Bears were scheduled to face the Rams in Fort Collins on Saturday evening .
CSU postponed the matchup against UNC , because it lacked enough student-athletes to practice and adequately prepare for the game , according to a Northern Colorado press release .
The Rams , however , announced this week that they would play CSU-Pueblo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Athletic Department did not provide any additional details about the swap .
“ It is disappointing our men ’ s basketball program will not be facing Colorado State on Saturday .
We were fully prepared for the game , ” Darren Dunn , UNC athletic director , said in a press release .
“ We look forward to our game with CSU later in the season.
” UNC will play at CSU on Tuesday , Feb. 16 .
The schools will announce the game time at a later date .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this game rescheduled with Northern Colorado , ” CSU head coach Niko Medved said in a release .
“ It is always good to play quality opponents in state and this game will definitely be one of those .
We are excited to get our season started as I know the guys are ready to face someone new.
” Both teams missed the first two weeks of the season because of positive COVID-19 cases .
UNC canceled its first three games , including a trip to Arizona , due to a singular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Bears are still expected to play CU in Boulder at 7 p.m. Monday .

The University of Northern Colorado men’s basketball team is still scheduled to play Colorado State, but it will be after the new year.
UNC announced Tuesday that the Bears would play Regis at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Initially, the Bears were scheduled to face the Rams in Fort Collins on Saturday evening.
CSU postponed the matchup against UNC, because it lacked enough student-athletes to practice and adequately prepare for the game, according to a Northern Colorado press release. The Rams, however, announced this week that they would play CSU-Pueblo at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The CSU Athletic Department did not provide any additional details about the swap.
“It is disappointing our men’s basketball program will not be facing Colorado State on Saturday. We were fully prepared for the game,” Darren Dunn, UNC athletic director, said in a press release. “We look forward to our game with CSU later in the season.”
UNC will play at CSU on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The schools will announce the game time at a later date.
“We’re glad that we were able to get this game rescheduled with Northern Colorado,” CSU head coach Niko Medved said in a release. “It is always good to play quality opponents in state, and this game will definitely be one of those. We are excited to get our season started as I know the guys are ready to face someone new.”
Both teams missed the first two weeks of the season because of positive COVID-19 cases. UNC canceled its first three games, including a trip to Arizona, due to a singular positive test. CSU noted multiple cases.
The Bears are still expected to play CU in Boulder at 7 p.m. Monday.


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Why Nuggets aren’t casting expectations for rookie Bol Bol

Nuggets coach Michael Malone has a message for Nuggets fans begging to see more of their 7-foot-2 unicorn : Slow your Bol .
Bol Bol made appearances in seven of Denver ’ s eight seeding games in Orlando last summer , averaging a shade over 12 minutes per contest .
It was , in effect , his first taste of NBA competition after spending most of last season in the G League .
Bol acquitted himself well , though his minutes were based on necessity as much as merit .
No one will soon forget , the Nuggets arrived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that meant a unique chance for Bol to play against NBA talent , to put his weaknesses on film , to feel the intensity of players like Dwight Howard and Jusuf Nurkic .
Yet there was another , more tangible impact .
“ It brought me closer to the team , ” Bol said Wednesday following the team ’ s third practice of training camp .
“ That was my first time actually being on the court with everybody .
I got to see what it was like.
” Bol took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hectic offseason and ran with it .
He said he was a mainstay in the gym over the last two months .
He partnered with head strength and conditioning coach Felipe Eichenberger to add more muscle to his slight frame while tightening his skillset on the court .
As film from the “ Bubble ” showed , there was plenty to address .
His turnover ratio was among the worst in the NBA across the seeding games – which wasn ’ t unexpected given the lineups the Nuggets were forced to use and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , there was plenty to be excited about , from his transition dimes , to his zone-induced swats .
The Nuggets saw enough in Bol to convert his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract worth $ 4.1 million over two years , according to a source .
The money was reflective of the work Bol put in this offseason .
“ It meant a lot because it ’ s showing the organization ’ s trust in me , ” he said .
“ That ’ s good for me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , and do everything that they believe that I can do.
” When it will happen – and at what position he might get his chance – isn ’ t clear .
Bol said he prefers playing power forward since he can “ get away ” with a slighter frame as opposed to clashing with more traditional centers inside .
Ultimately , Bol ’ s chance comes down to Malone .
Despite their substantial turnover , the Nuggets are still a deep team .
Their backcourt is loaded , while their frontcourt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newcomer JaMychal Green .
The late addition of Isaiah Hartenstein appeared to shore up the backup center position behind Nikola Jokic .
In the immediate , the only path to playing time appears on the wing .
Not that Malone was committing to anything just days into their breakneck training camp .
“ When I think of how you define a player regarding his position , I always look at it from a defensive perspective , ” Malone said .
“ Who can you guard ?
That ’ s , to me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 4 or a 3 .
In Bol ’ s case , obviously he has the perimeter skills on offense of a 3 or a 4 .
Defensively , can he guard some 5s ?
Yes .
Can he guard some 4s ?
Yes .
As you saw in the bubble , when he was in the game , in the seeding games , we used a lot of zone defense trying to funnel the ball to him so he can be a shot-blocker , play to his strengths.
” If the Nuggets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense to help insulate Bol on one end yet benefit from his offensive mismatches , so be it .
Malone didn ’ t sound opposed to testing the waters on various schemes , including zone and a possible press .
Both are wrinkles he might attempt as the Nuggets transition from a team with adequate defensive wings to a team light on two-way players .
Bol didn ’ t need to be sold the benefits of playing zone .
He knows it might lead to more grab-and-go opportunities ; more chances to showcase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically noted that part of his offseason regimen included honing his defensive anticipation and refining his foot work .
Evidently , he knows the pathway to Malone ’ s heart .
“ This is a brand new year , and same thing for Bol and everybody else , ” Malone said .
“ This is a new season , so Bol ’ s going to have to earn any minutes that he gets .
He has to do that in practice.
” In that case , consider Wednesday a good day .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bol had been on the winning side of Wednesday ’ s scrimmage in perhaps a tantalizing preview of lineup mismatches .
• 🔊 Nuggets podcast : Will Barton ’ s starting spot , Facundo Campazzo ’ s ceiling and where things stand on the wing • Nuggets ’ Gary Harris putting injury plagued seasons behind him in search for consistency • Nuggets eager for NBA debut of Facundo Campazzo : “ He has to be a top-five pick-and-roll player in the world ” • Pressure Points : Five Broncos in spotlight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning playcalls , the rules , ” Jokic said .
“ He ’ s learning the game .
But he was good .
Actually , yesterday , he was really good in practice .
Today … I think he was on my team , we won the game.
” All of this is new to Bol , which is why any firm expectations shouldn ’ t be cast .
What ’ s more , most of Denver ’ s depth chart is still fluid just two weeks away from the season opener .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ preseasons games to make impressions .
And for Bol , who is still technically a rookie and therefore eligible for hardware , he ’ s setting his sights on some lofty goals .
“ Personally , just to play a lot more , ” he said .
“ And hopefully win Rookie of the Year .
”

Nuggets coach Michael Malone has a message for Nuggets fans begging to see more of their 7-foot-2 unicorn: Slow your Bol.
Bol Bol made appearances in seven of Denver’s eight seeding games in Orlando last summer, averaging a shade over 12 minutes per contest. It was, in effect, his first taste of NBA competition after spending most of last season in the G League.
Bol acquitted himself well, though his minutes were based on necessity as much as merit. No one will soon forget, the Nuggets arrived in Orlando with roughly half their team present. But that meant a unique chance for Bol to play against NBA talent, to put his weaknesses on film, to feel the intensity of players like Dwight Howard and Jusuf Nurkic.
Yet there was another, more tangible impact.
“It brought me closer to the team,” Bol said Wednesday following the team’s third practice of training camp. “That was my first time actually being on the court with everybody. I got to see what it was like.”
Bol took that invaluable experience into a shortened, hectic offseason and ran with it.
He was a mainstay in the gym over the last two months, impressing numerous team officials with his commitment. He partnered with head strength and conditioning coach Felipe Eichenberger to add more muscle to his slight frame while tightening his skillset on the court.
As film from the “Bubble” showed, there was plenty to address. His turnover ratio was among the worst in the NBA across the seeding games – which wasn’t unexpected given the lineups the Nuggets were forced to use and the trial-by-fire nature of the games themselves. Still, there was plenty to be excited about, from his transition dimes, to his zone-induced swats.
The Nuggets saw enough in Bol to convert his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract worth $4.1 million over two years, according to a source. The money was reflective of the work Bol put in this offseason.
“It meant a lot because it’s showing the organization’s trust in me,” he said. “That’s good for me. Now I just gotta do my part, and do everything that they believe that I can do.”
When it will happen – and at what position he might get his chance – isn’t clear. Bol said he prefers playing power forward since he can “get away” with a slighter frame as opposed to clashing with more traditional centers inside. Ultimately, Bol’s chance comes down to Malone.
Despite their substantial turnover, the Nuggets are still a deep team. Their backcourt is loaded, while their frontcourt retained veteran forward Paul Millsap and added newcomer JaMychal Green. The late addition of Isaiah Hartenstein appeared to shore up the backup center position behind Nikola Jokic. In the immediate, the only path to playing time appears on the wing.
Not that Malone was committing to anything just days into their breakneck training camp.
“When I think of how you define a player regarding his position, I always look at it from a defensive perspective,” Malone said. “Who can you guard? That’s, to me, how I judge is Bol a 5, 4 or a 3. In Bol’s case, obviously he has the perimeter skills on offense of a 3 or a 4. Defensively, can he guard some 5s? Yes. Can he guard some 4s? Yes. As you saw in the bubble, when he was in the game, in the seeding games, we used a lot of zone defense trying to funnel the ball to him so he can be a shot-blocker, play to his strengths.”
If the Nuggets need to trot out an occasional zone defense to help insulate Bol on one end yet benefit from his offensive mismatches, so be it. Malone didn’t sound opposed to testing the waters on various schemes, including zone and a possible press. Both are wrinkles he might attempt as the Nuggets transition from a team with adequate defensive wings to a team light on two-way players.
Bol didn’t need to be sold the benefits of playing zone. He knows it might lead to more grab-and-go opportunities; more chances to showcase what makes him so unique.
He specifically noted that part of his offseason regimen included honing his defensive anticipation and refining his foot work. Evidently, he knows the pathway to Malone’s heart.
“This is a brand new year, and same thing for Bol and everybody else,” Malone said. “This is a new season, so Bol’s going to have to earn any minutes that he gets. He has to do that in practice.”
In that case, consider Wednesday a good day. After a slight hesitation, Jokic remembered he and Bol had been on the winning side of Wednesday’s scrimmage in perhaps a tantalizing preview of lineup mismatches.
“He’s learning playcalls, the rules,” Jokic said. “He’s learning the game. But he was good. Actually, yesterday, he was really good in practice. Today … I think he was on my team, we won the game.”
All of this is new to Bol, which is why any firm expectations shouldn’t be cast. What’s more, most of Denver’s depth chart is still fluid just two weeks away from the season opener. There’s still time and three preseasons games to make impressions.
And for Bol, who is still technically a rookie and therefore eligible for hardware, he’s setting his sights on some lofty goals.
“Personally, just to play a lot more,” he said. “And hopefully win Rookie of the Year.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Glendale officer in fatal shooting probe posts insensitive photo on social media

A Glendale police officer being investigated in connection to a fatal shooting of an unarmed man posted an insensitive photo on social media , lamenting his confinement to desk duty while the shooting probe is ongoing .
The post , which has since been taken down , was a photo of Officer Chandler Phillips pouting with a caption reading , “ Stuck on Desk Duty : [ .
” It also featured a scene the 2010 movie , “ The Other Guys , ” with actor Mark Wahlberg quoting , “ I ’ m a peacock , you got ta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another Glendale officer are being investigated for the Oct. 31 shooting of 36-year-old John Pacheaco Jr. on Colorado Boulevard .
Pacheaco was unarmed inside a pickup truck at the time of the shooting .
“ This shooting and the corresponding social media post published by the shooter , a deputized Glendale Police Department officer , is disturbing and outrageous , ” said Matthew A. Haltzman , an attorney representing Pacheaco ’ s family , including his mother , Jamie Fowler , of Utah .
Fowler has been deeply disturbed by the shooting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misery , Haltzman said Wednesday .
“ The fact that this Mr. Phillips and another officer shot her son multiple times in the face , neck , chest and arm and took her son ’ s life is apparently lost on him , if this is what he is posting on his social media account , ” Haltzman said .
Glendale police were unaware of the post until a news organization brought it to their attention last week .
“ We are not comfortable with the photo or the captions and they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Lt. Jamie Dillon in a written statement .
“ The Pacheaco family has suffered a tremendous loss and the situation should not be made light of in any way.
” Police ordered Phillips to take down the post last week , and the department apologized for it .
Attorney Danny Foster , who represents Phillips , said that his client is remorseful about the posting .
“ Officer Phillips understands how insensitive this post was , ” according to Foster ’ s written statement .
“ He never intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is deeply sorry for this indiscretion .
The post has been removed and Officer Phillips is committed to being more thoughtful in the future.
” Phillips remains with the department on desk duty .
An investigation by Denver police into the shooting is ongoing .
Phillips faces an internal Glendale police investigation into the posting after the shooting probe wraps up .

A Glendale police officer being investigated in connection to a fatal shooting of an unarmed man posted an insensitive photo on social media, lamenting his confinement to desk duty while the shooting probe is ongoing.
The post, which has since been taken down, was a photo of Officer Chandler Phillips pouting with a caption reading, “Stuck on Desk Duty :[.” It also featured a scene the 2010 movie, “The Other Guys,” with actor Mark Wahlberg quoting, “I’m a peacock, you gotta let me fly!”
Phillips and another Glendale officer are being investigated for the Oct. 31 shooting of 36-year-old John Pacheaco Jr. on Colorado Boulevard. Pacheaco was unarmed inside a pickup truck at the time of the shooting.
Brian Maass, of KCNC-TV, Channel 4, reported the social media posting Friday.
“This shooting and the corresponding social media post published by the shooter, a deputized Glendale Police Department officer, is disturbing and outrageous,” said Matthew A. Haltzman, an attorney representing Pacheaco’s family, including his mother, Jamie Fowler, of Utah.
Fowler has been deeply disturbed by the shooting and the social media post added to her misery, Haltzman said Wednesday.
“The fact that this Mr. Phillips and another officer shot her son multiple times in the face, neck, chest and arm and took her son’s life is apparently lost on him, if this is what he is posting on his social media account,” Haltzman said.
Glendale police were unaware of the post until a news organization brought it to their attention last week.
“We are not comfortable with the photo or the captions and they are in poor taste to say the least,” said Lt. Jamie Dillon in a written statement. “The Pacheaco family has suffered a tremendous loss and the situation should not be made light of in any way.”
Police ordered Phillips to take down the post last week, and the department apologized for it.
Attorney Danny Foster, who represents Phillips, said that his client is remorseful about the posting.
“Officer Phillips understands how insensitive this post was,” according to Foster’s written statement. “He never intended to make a joke of this incident. He is deeply sorry for this indiscretion. The post has been removed and Officer Phillips is committed to being more thoughtful in the future.”
Phillips remains with the department on desk duty. An investigation by Denver police into the shooting is ongoing. Phillips faces an internal Glendale police investigation into the posting after the shooting probe wraps up.


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--DeChambeau caddie at Open again, this time for Lexi Thompson

HOUSTON — Lexi Thompson has some U.S. Open experience on her bag this week at Champions Golf Club , along with an entirely new set of metrics and vocabulary .
That comes from Tim Tucker , the caddie for U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau .
Thompson is between caddies at the moment .
Her brother , Curtis , worked her last event and will work next week at the LPGA Tour ’ s season finale .
She and DeChambeau have the same manager , and it worked out for Tucker to join her at the U.S. Women ’ s Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game , and Tucker ’ s job is to help calculate wind vector , air density and dew point , to name a few .
Thompson doesn ’ t carry a yardage book .
She just wants the number .
“ It ’ s unbelievable what he calculates , ” Thompson said .
“ I ’ m like truly amazed .
I ’ m like , ‘ Just keep it to yourself ; just tell me what you think the shot will play.
’ But like I said , very talented and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping me.
” Key to any new caddie is the relationship , and Thompson said they have hit it off .
She says Tucker keeps a positive attitude and makes her laugh and provides the yardages .
Still , nothing made her laugh — at least to herself — like that first day .
“ The first day that we went out , he has all the green density , the air density , and has that all factored in , ” she said .
“ The first two holes , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play this number.
’ And I trusted it and I hit it close , so it was a perfect number .
But I ’ m like , ‘ Maybe I should just have the actual pin number in my head just for my sanity.
’ I ’ m truly amazed.
” And no , she doesn ’ t plan on drinking protein shakes that helped DeChambeau add so much mass to his muscle .
“ Oh , no , ” Thompson said .
“ Gosh , I wouldn ’ t fit in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the lead after the opening round of the Women ’ s PGA Championship when she withdrew with back pain .
That was two months ago .
She hasn ’ t played since .
“ I just did something stupid , ” Korda said at the U.S. Women ’ s Open .
“ I tried cracking my back and my back went into spasm .
I wanted to take it slow until I was 100 % .
It ’ s a funky year , so I didn ’ t want to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She only missed three tournaments on the schedule , though the No .
3 player in women ’ s golf might have to contend with some competitive rust .
She said she started practicing just under two weeks ago .
“ It ’ s a lot better than it was , ” she said .
“ I ’ m just really grateful to be out here , and I ’ m just going to take it step by step .
I ’ m just happy that I ’ m pain-free.
” Angela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week at Old American outside Dallas , the first win in her home state .
Next up is the U.S. Women ’ s Open , the first in Texas since it was at Colonial in 1991 , when Stanford was only 13 .
And then her week got even better before she hit her opening tee shot — all because of that opening tee shot .
Stanford was selected to hit first at Cypress Creek when the 75th Women ’ s Open starts Thursday .
Robin Burke , the wife of Champions Golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out following Stanford during a practice round when she mentioned the USGA had just released the tee times .
Stanford asked for her time and was told 9:20 a.m .
Her first thought was that she could sleep in a little , forgetting that with two courses over the opening two rounds , starting times would be a little later than a typical Women ’ s Open .
“ She ’ s like , ‘ No , you ’ re first , ’ ” Stanford said .
“ Then it kind of really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big deal .
And it ’ s really cool .
The whole week has been cake , and that ’ s the icing.
” Inbee Park already has established her Hall of Fame credentials on the LPGA Tour with seven majors and the career Grand Slam .
Her fame is significant at home , not so much in her American home of Las Vegas .
She said only people who follow women ’ s golf recognize her in America .
Women ’ s golf is big in South Korea , and Park said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a toll booth .
“ It ’ s just a little bit more tiring , but at the same time it ’ s a little bit more fun , ” Park said .
.
” I really appreciate how much attention we get back home .
Hopefully it gets to the same level here .
That ’ s what we are driving for.
” On the other hand , she doesn ’ t mind going to the grocery story in America without being recognized .
“ I have two lives , ” she @ @ @ @ @

HOUSTON — Lexi Thompson has some U.S. Open experience on her bag this week at Champions Golf Club, along with an entirely new set of metrics and vocabulary.
Air density. Ground force.
That comes from Tim Tucker, the caddie for U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.
Thompson is between caddies at the moment. Her brother, Curtis, worked her last event and will work next week at the LPGA Tour’s season finale. She and DeChambeau have the same manager, and it worked out for Tucker to join her at the U.S. Women’s Open.
DeChambeau brings a scientific approach to the game, and Tucker’s job is to help calculate wind vector, air density and dew point, to name a few. Thompson doesn’t carry a yardage book. She just wants the number.
“It’s unbelievable what he calculates,” Thompson said. “I’m like truly amazed. I’m like, ‘Just keep it to yourself; just tell me what you think the shot will play.’ But like I said, very talented and just happy to have him out there helping me.”
Key to any new caddie is the relationship, and Thompson said they have hit it off. She says Tucker keeps a positive attitude and makes her laugh and provides the yardages. Still, nothing made her laugh — at least to herself — like that first day.
“The first day that we went out, he has all the green density, the air density, and has that all factored in,” she said. “The first two holes, he said, ‘It’s going to play this number.’ And I trusted it and I hit it close, so it was a perfect number. But I’m like, ‘Maybe I should just have the actual pin number in my head just for my sanity.’ I’m truly amazed.”
And no, she doesn’t plan on drinking protein shakes that helped DeChambeau add so much mass to his muscle.
“Oh, no,” Thompson said. “Gosh, I wouldn’t fit in my skirts.”
NELLY’S BACK
Nelly Korda was four shots out of the lead after the opening round of the Women’s PGA Championship when she withdrew with back pain. That was two months ago. She hasn’t played since.
“I just did something stupid,” Korda said at the U.S. Women’s Open. “I tried cracking my back and my back went into spasm. I wanted to take it slow until I was 100%. It’s a funky year, so I didn’t want to come back too early and aggravate it again.”
She only missed three tournaments on the schedule, though the No. 3 player in women’s golf might have to contend with some competitive rust. She said she started practicing just under two weeks ago.
“It’s a lot better than it was,” she said. “I’m just really grateful to be out here, and I’m just going to take it step by step. I’m just happy that I’m pain-free.”
TEXAS HONORS
Angela Stanford is coming off a victory last week at Old American outside Dallas, the first win in her home state. Next up is the U.S. Women’s Open, the first in Texas since it was at Colonial in 1991, when Stanford was only 13.
And then her week got even better before she hit her opening tee shot — all because of that opening tee shot.
Stanford was selected to hit first at Cypress Creek when the 75th Women’s Open starts Thursday.
Robin Burke, the wife of Champions Golf Club co-founder Jack Burke Jr., was out following Stanford during a practice round when she mentioned the USGA had just released the tee times.
Stanford asked for her time and was told 9:20 a.m. Her first thought was that she could sleep in a little, forgetting that with two courses over the opening two rounds, starting times would be a little later than a typical Women’s Open.
“She’s like, ‘No, you’re first,’” Stanford said. “Then it kind of really set it because this is a really big deal. And it’s really cool. The whole week has been cake, and that’s the icing.”
FAME AT HOME
Inbee Park already has established her Hall of Fame credentials on the LPGA Tour with seven majors and the career Grand Slam. Her fame is significant at home, not so much in her American home of Las Vegas.
She said only people who follow women’s golf recognize her in America. Women’s golf is big in South Korea, and Park said she has even been recognized going through a toll booth.
“It’s just a little bit more tiring, but at the same time it’s a little bit more fun,” Park said. .”I really appreciate how much attention we get back home. Hopefully it gets to the same level here. That’s what we are driving for.”
On the other hand, she doesn’t mind going to the grocery story in America without being recognized.
“I have two lives,” she said with a laugh.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Aurora police release statement, bodycam footage after woman says she was “jumped” by officers

A woman claimed on social media that she was “ jumped ” by Aurora police officers .
The woman , Alexandra Stevenson , posted a photo with several cuts on her face .
The Aurora Police Department released body camera footage Wednesday .
In a statement released with the video , Aurora police say they received multiple calls from an apartment complex in the 15000 block of East Caspian Circle about a woman honking her car horn for 20 to 30 minutes .
Callers claimed that the woman was yelling at residents and threatening to shoot and kill people over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , the release said .
Stevenson was in her vehicle when officers arrived and informed them that she had a gun .
After declining multiple requests to get out of her car , officers removed her “ due to the fact the officers had information she was in possession of another weapon , ” according to the release .
Police say Stevenson was evaluated at the scene after suffering injuries to her face caused by asphalt .
Stevenson was cited for disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer .
Aurora police acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said an internal review of the incident is underway .

A woman claimed on social media that she was “jumped” by Aurora police officers. The woman, Alexandra Stevenson, posted a photo with several cuts on her face.
The Aurora Police Department released body camera footage Wednesday. In a statement released with the video, Aurora police say they received multiple calls from an apartment complex in the 15000 block of East Caspian Circle about a woman honking her car horn for 20 to 30 minutes. Callers claimed that the woman was yelling at residents and threatening to shoot and kill people over her parking spot being taken after 11 p.m., the release said.
Stevenson was in her vehicle when officers arrived and informed them that she had a gun.
After declining multiple requests to get out of her car, officers removed her “due to the fact the officers had information she was in possession of another weapon,” according to the release.
Statement Regarding Social Media Post Alleging Excessive Use of Force by Aurora Police Officers. #FactsMatter #ANewWay Link to BWC footage: https://t.co/6pY7RmGqMk The full BWC footage will be available later this evening on our YouTube channel. pic.twitter.com/ZNLJXk2fQa — Aurora Police Dept 🇺🇸 (@AuroraPD) December 10, 2020
Police say Stevenson was evaluated at the scene after suffering injuries to her face caused by asphalt.
Stevenson was cited for disorderly conduct and obstructing a peace officer.
Aurora police acknowledged the use of force during the arrest and said an internal review of the incident is underway.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Mikaela Shiffrin limits World Cup goals in tough ski season

GENEVA — With her professional and personal life still unsettled , Mikaela Shiffrin is realistic about her chances of winning a fourth overall World Cup title .
The American skier will compete in Courchevel , France , this weekend in her first giant slalom races since January .
It has also been 11 months since Shiffrin raced or trained in the speed disciplines of super-G , in which she is a world champion , and downhill .
Shiffrin ’ s life was upended in February by the death of her father , just before the coronavirus pandemic added more anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes .
“ I ’ m in quite a different position this year than I ever have been , ” Shiffrin said on a conference call from Courchevel , acknowledging some of her usual goals “ are not really on the ticket this year.
” “ I just feel like I ’ m playing catch-up right now , and I don ’ t feel like it ’ s realistic or wise to try to play catch up in every single event at the exact same time.
” For now , that means focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events in which she has won Olympic gold medals and 59 of her 66 career World Cup victories .
The season-long overall title she won three times from 2017-19 is “ not my thing , ” Shiffrin said .
“ I could either kill myself trying or I could just call a spade and spade and work on what I can do , ” she said , pointing to rivals “ who are going to be extremely competitive and at this point I don ’ t see myself as one of them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and defending overall champion Federica Brignone , who took advantage of Shiffrin ’ s break from the circuit last season to win the title .
Vlhova has won three of the four races this season , including both slaloms last month in Levi , Finland .
Shiffrin finished second and fifth at those two races in her return to competition .
With Shiffrin targeting a return to speed races “ hopefully by the end of the season , ” it is unclear if she plans to defend her super-G world title on Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy .
Her specialist events are more than one week later .
Shiffrin travels in Europe with her mother , Eileen .
There are still tough times coping with the emotions of losing her father , Jeff , after an accident at the family home in Colorado .
Motivation for skiing is “ not always there 100 % of the time , ” she said .
“ I wake up some mornings and I ’ m not hungry for anything except bacon and eggs , ” Shiffrin said .
“ With everything I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general sadness and regret and also anger .
It doesn ’ t really help motivate me , it just makes me mad .
”

GENEVA — With her professional and personal life still unsettled, Mikaela Shiffrin is realistic about her chances of winning a fourth overall World Cup title.
The American skier will compete in Courchevel, France, this weekend in her first giant slalom races since January.
It has also been 11 months since Shiffrin raced or trained in the speed disciplines of super-G, in which she is a world champion, and downhill.
Shiffrin’s life was upended in February by the death of her father, just before the coronavirus pandemic added more anxiety and limited offseason training plans for all athletes.
“I’m in quite a different position this year than I ever have been,” Shiffrin said on a conference call from Courchevel, acknowledging some of her usual goals “are not really on the ticket this year.”
“I just feel like I’m playing catch-up right now, and I don’t feel like it’s realistic or wise to try to play catch up in every single event at the exact same time.”
For now, that means focusing on slalom and giant slalom, the events in which she has won Olympic gold medals and 59 of her 66 career World Cup victories.
The season-long overall title she won three times from 2017-19 is “not my thing,” Shiffrin said.
“I could either kill myself trying or I could just call a spade and spade and work on what I can do,” she said, pointing to rivals “who are going to be extremely competitive and at this point I don’t see myself as one of them.”
They include Petra Vlhova, Michelle Gisin and defending overall champion Federica Brignone, who took advantage of Shiffrin’s break from the circuit last season to win the title.
Vlhova has won three of the four races this season, including both slaloms last month in Levi, Finland. Shiffrin finished second and fifth at those two races in her return to competition.
With Shiffrin targeting a return to speed races “hopefully by the end of the season,” it is unclear if she plans to defend her super-G world title on Feb. 9 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Her specialist events are more than one week later.
Shiffrin travels in Europe with her mother, Eileen. There are still tough times coping with the emotions of losing her father, Jeff, after an accident at the family home in Colorado.
Motivation for skiing is “not always there 100% of the time,” she said.
“I wake up some mornings and I’m not hungry for anything except bacon and eggs,” Shiffrin said. “With everything I do there’s a lot more general sadness and regret and also anger. It doesn’t really help motivate me, it just makes me mad.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--U.S. jobless claims jump to 853,000, the most since September, amid resurgence of coronavirus

WASHINGTON — The number of people applying for unemployment aid jumped last week to 853,000 , the most since September , evidence that companies are cutting more jobs as new virus cases spiral higher .
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of applications increased from 716,000 the previous week .
Before the coronavirus paralyzed the economy in March , weekly jobless claims typically numbered only about 225,000 .
The latest figures coincide with a surging viral outbreak that appears to be weakening the job market and the economy and threatening to derail any recovery .
Consumers thus far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday shopping season as they have in previous years , according to credit and debit card data .
And in November , employers added jobs at the slowest pace since April .
Restaurants , bars and retailers all cut jobs last month .
The total number of people who are receiving state-provided unemployment aid rose for the first time in three months to 5.8 million , the government said , from 5.5 million .
That suggests that some companies have sharply pulled back on hiring .
All told , more than 19 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unemployment benefit .
And unless Congress acts soon , nearly half of them will lose that aid in just over two weeks .
That ’ s when two jobless aid programs that the federal government created in the spring are set to expire .
The first program provides unemployment benefits to the self-employed and contract workers , who weren ’ t eligible in the past .
The second program is the one that extends jobless aid for 13 weeks .
Members of Congress and the Trump administration are fighting over a roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend the two programs into the spring , sparing about 9 million unemployed Americans from what would otherwise be deeper financial distress .
A bipartisan group of senators has proposed to extend the supplemental aid for four months and add $ 300-a-week in federal jobless aid .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday proposed a one-time round of $ 600 relief checks — half the $ 1,200 that was provided in the spring .
But Mnuchin ’ s proposal includes no funding for supplemental unemployment aid payments , drawing sharp objections from Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearing approval , many economists are optimistic that the economy will rebound strongly next year .
But most favor another federal financial relief package to support unemployed workers , small businesses , and state and local governments until then .
New confirmed virus cases are now topping 200,000 a day , up from only about 30,000 in the spring .
And the average number of deaths each day in the past seven days has surpassed 2,000 , roughly matching its peak in April .
The virus ’ acceleration has led many governors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other business activity in states from North Carolina to California and Washington state .
The pandemic appears to have also sharply restricted holiday spending , in part because of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions and in part because many consumers are reluctant to go out shopping .
A jump in online shopping hasn ’ t fully offset a steep decline , compared with last year , in spending at physical stores .
According to data from Opportunity Insights , a research center affiliated with Harvard and Brown universities , spending on debit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week that ended Nov. 29 compared with a year earlier .
That marked a sharp drop from the previous week , when such spending was down just 2.3 % from 12 months earlier .
The steady stream of layoffs across the country has intensified the financial hardships for many Americans .
One of the jobless , Montrell McGraw , says he just had to cancel his car insurance and now can ’ t drive because his unemployment benefit of just $ 225 a week isn ’ t enough to keep up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover all his bills when the federal government provided an extra $ 600 in jobless aid .
But that ended in July .
McGraw , 26 , lost his job as a cook at a Hilton Hotel in New Orleans , where he lives , back in March just after the virus erupted in the United States .
He says he ’ s applied for 35 jobs without any luck .
His primary work experience is in restaurants , few of which are hiring .
Most of the available jobs he sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rigs , which require certifications he can ’ t afford to obtain .
McGraw has also worked with an advocacy group , Stand Up Louisiana , in support of extending jobless benefits .
“ I didn ’ t ask for this — no one asked for this pandemic , ” he said .
“ I am trying to play the cards I am dealt with , and I have a really bad hand .
”

WASHINGTON — The number of people applying for unemployment aid jumped last week to 853,000, the most since September, evidence that companies are cutting more jobs as new virus cases spiral higher.
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of applications increased from 716,000 the previous week. Before the coronavirus paralyzed the economy in March, weekly jobless claims typically numbered only about 225,000.
The latest figures coincide with a surging viral outbreak that appears to be weakening the job market and the economy and threatening to derail any recovery. Consumers thus far haven’t spent as much this holiday shopping season as they have in previous years, according to credit and debit card data. And in November, employers added jobs at the slowest pace since April. Restaurants, bars and retailers all cut jobs last month.
The total number of people who are receiving state-provided unemployment aid rose for the first time in three months to 5.8 million, the government said, from 5.5 million. That suggests that some companies have sharply pulled back on hiring.
All told, more than 19 million people are still dependent on some type of unemployment benefit. And unless Congress acts soon, nearly half of them will lose that aid in just over two weeks. That’s when two jobless aid programs that the federal government created in the spring are set to expire.
The first program provides unemployment benefits to the self-employed and contract workers, who weren’t eligible in the past. The second program is the one that extends jobless aid for 13 weeks.
Members of Congress and the Trump administration are fighting over a roughly $900 billion relief package that could extend the two programs into the spring, sparing about 9 million unemployed Americans from what would otherwise be deeper financial distress.
A bipartisan group of senators has proposed to extend the supplemental aid for four months and add $300-a-week in federal jobless aid. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday proposed a one-time round of $600 relief checks — half the $1,200 that was provided in the spring. But Mnuchin’s proposal includes no funding for supplemental unemployment aid payments, drawing sharp objections from Democrats in Congress.
With a coronavirus vaccine nearing approval, many economists are optimistic that the economy will rebound strongly next year. But most favor another federal financial relief package to support unemployed workers, small businesses, and state and local governments until then.
New confirmed virus cases are now topping 200,000 a day, up from only about 30,000 in the spring. And the average number of deaths each day in the past seven days has surpassed 2,000, roughly matching its peak in April.
The virus’ acceleration has led many governors to impose stricter curbs on restaurants, gyms and other business activity in states from North Carolina to California and Washington state.
The pandemic appears to have also sharply restricted holiday spending, in part because of stay-at-home orders and other restrictions and in part because many consumers are reluctant to go out shopping. A jump in online shopping hasn’t fully offset a steep decline, compared with last year, in spending at physical stores.
According to data from Opportunity Insights, a research center affiliated with Harvard and Brown universities, spending on debit and credit cards sank nearly 12% in the week that ended Nov. 29 compared with a year earlier. That marked a sharp drop from the previous week, when such spending was down just 2.3% from 12 months earlier.
The steady stream of layoffs across the country has intensified the financial hardships for many Americans.
One of the jobless, Montrell McGraw, says he just had to cancel his car insurance and now can’t drive because his unemployment benefit of just $225 a week isn’t enough to keep up with the payments. He was able to cover all his bills when the federal government provided an extra $600 in jobless aid. But that ended in July.
McGraw, 26, lost his job as a cook at a Hilton Hotel in New Orleans, where he lives, back in March just after the virus erupted in the United States. He says he’s applied for 35 jobs without any luck. His primary work experience is in restaurants, few of which are hiring.
Most of the available jobs he sees involve trucking or work on offshore oil rigs, which require certifications he can’t afford to obtain. McGraw has also worked with an advocacy group, Stand Up Louisiana, in support of extending jobless benefits.
“I didn’t ask for this — no one asked for this pandemic,” he said. “I am trying to play the cards I am dealt with, and I have a really bad hand.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Denver weather: Temperatures drop with two rounds of snow on the way

The sunny and unseasonably warm temperatures of the past few days are gone .
Slight winds of under 10 mph will come in from the north , dropping temperatures and whipping up a batch of snow overnight .
Mostly cloudy skies with a high of 43 are what the forecast calls for Thursday in Denver , according to the National Weather Service in Boulder .
In the evening , temperatures will plunge to 23 degrees , bringing snow .
Up to 3 inches of the white stuff is expected downtown starting after 8 p.m. , 4-6 inches are expected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado ’ s high country .
The small storm will lead to a chilly Friday , with the first round of snow wrapping up around daybreak .
The high will only reach 29 degrees and then drop down to 18 degrees overnight .
Snow will start back up again around lunchtime on Saturday .
A high of 36 degrees and a low of 13 degrees will make for a chilly evening .
The Saturday snow should end around midnight .
If Denver records measurable snow which is expected , it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The sunny and unseasonably warm temperatures of the past few days are gone. Slight winds of under 10 mph will come in from the north, dropping temperatures and whipping up a batch of snow overnight.
Mostly cloudy skies with a high of 43 are what the forecast calls for Thursday in Denver, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.
In the evening, temperatures will plunge to 23 degrees, bringing snow. Up to 3 inches of the white stuff is expected downtown starting after 8 p.m., 4-6 inches are expected in the foothills and up to 8 inches in Colorado’s high country.
The small storm will lead to a chilly Friday, with the first round of snow wrapping up around daybreak. The high will only reach 29 degrees and then drop down to 18 degrees overnight.
Snow will start back up again around lunchtime on Saturday. A high of 36 degrees and a low of 13 degrees will make for a chilly evening. The Saturday snow should end around midnight.
If Denver records measurable snow which is expected, it would be the city’s first in December.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--Two out of five Colorado nursing homes have current COVID-19 outbreaks

Two out of every five of the nursing facilities caring for the oldest and sickest Coloradans have outbreaks of COVID-19 , a disease that disproportionately kills older people and those with chronic conditions .
As of Wednesday , 101 of the state ’ s 235 nursing homes had recorded outbreaks of the new coronavirus , according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
So did 122 assisted living facilities , four memory care units and 11 “ combined care ” facilities serving older people and those with disabilities .
At the worst point of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported outbreaks .
Nursing facilities drove much of the state ’ s death toll in that initial wave .
The number of outbreaks in most sectors , including long-term care , has generally tracked with the number of cases reported in the state .
“ It ’ s unfortunate , but not surprising , ” said Doug Farmer , president and CEO of the Colorado Health Care Association , which represents most of the state ’ s nursing homes .
“ When the spike in the community goes up , so does the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , the current outbreaks in nursing homes are linked to 2,833 cases among residents and 2,124 among staff .
Two staff members and 328 residents have died .
In assisted living facilities , there are an additional 1,426 cases among residents and 993 among staff .
One staff member and 104 residents have died .
Long-term care facilities aren ’ t the only health care settings dealing with broader spread of the new coronavirus .
Eight hospitals are reporting with outbreaks in at least one group of employees or medical unit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit on the University of Colorado ’ s Anschutz Medical Campus and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services ’ neonatal intensive care unit .
Three deaths have been linked to hospital COVID-19 outbreaks , all in connection with Penrose ’ s oncology unit .
The increases come as there are some signs the worst of the fall wave could be passing .
On Wednesday , 1,684 people were hospitalized for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 , down from 1,995 a week earlier .
An average of 3,540 new COVID-19 cases were reported each of the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 5,825 on Nov. 20 .
Still , cases remain substantially elevated : two months earlier , on Oct. 9 , the state was averaging 938 cases per day .

Two out of every five of the nursing facilities caring for the oldest and sickest Coloradans have outbreaks of COVID-19, a disease that disproportionately kills older people and those with chronic conditions.
As of Wednesday, 101 of the state’s 235 nursing homes had recorded outbreaks of the new coronavirus, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. So did 122 assisted living facilities, four memory care units and 11 “combined care” facilities serving older people and those with disabilities.
At the worst point of the spring COVID-19 wave, 90 nursing homes reported outbreaks. Nursing facilities drove much of the state’s death toll in that initial wave.
The number of outbreaks in most sectors, including long-term care, has generally tracked with the number of cases reported in the state.
“It’s unfortunate, but not surprising,” said Doug Farmer, president and CEO of the Colorado Health Care Association, which represents most of the state’s nursing homes. “When the spike in the community goes up, so does the spike in health care settings.”
So far, the current outbreaks in nursing homes are linked to 2,833 cases among residents and 2,124 among staff. Two staff members and 328 residents have died.
In assisted living facilities, there are an additional 1,426 cases among residents and 993 among staff. One staff member and 104 residents have died.
Long-term care facilities aren’t the only health care settings dealing with broader spread of the new coronavirus.
Eight hospitals are reporting with outbreaks in at least one group of employees or medical unit, including high-risk settings like the bone-marrow transplant unit on the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services’ neonatal intensive care unit. Three deaths have been linked to hospital COVID-19 outbreaks, all in connection with Penrose’s oncology unit.
The increases come as there are some signs the worst of the fall wave could be passing. On Wednesday, 1,684 people were hospitalized for confirmed or suspected COVID-19, down from 1,995 a week earlier.
An average of 3,540 new COVID-19 cases were reported each of the last three days, down from a high of 5,825 on Nov. 20. Still, cases remain substantially elevated: two months earlier, on Oct. 9, the state was averaging 938 cases per day.


thedenverpost--2020-12-10--It’s tough out there for Amazon’s contract delivery drivers; new workers suffer more injuries than o

It’s tough out there for Amazon’s contract delivery drivers; new workers suffer more injuries than others

New workers suffer injuries at a much higher rate than experienced ones .
And it doesn ’ t get much newer than Amazon ’ s Delivery Service Partners program , which has contracted with 1,700 small businesses employing more than 100,000 workers globally since launching in the summer of 2018 .
“ A lot of these businesses are brand new .
They start out with 20 trucks and then grow to 40 or 60 .
They are having those growing pains , just like any new startup , ” said Randy Philabaum , a safety consultant with Pinnacol Assurance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker ’ s compensation insurance .
Demand for deliveries surged with the pandemic , and now Amazon DSP workers are racing to deliver the holiday crush of packages .
That has triggered a rise in the number of falls , strains , dog bites and other injuries that those workers are suffering .
Normally , 41 % of injury claims to Pinnacol involves workers in their first year on a job .
For the delivery industry as a whole , it is around 58 % .
But with the contractors who deliver packages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries in Colorado are happening to workers in the first year .
Some of that reflects delivery firms that haven ’ t been around long enough to have a seasoned workforce .
But Philabaum said Pinnacol ’ s research has found Amazon DSP workers are suffering slips and falls and dog bites in particular at a higher rate than other delivery workers .
Muscle strains are also an issue , and those reflect the pace of the workload and weight of packages .
“ Feeling hurried and rushing is a hazard in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among these workers who must complete many stops every shift .
Employers should balance their expectations of employees working quickly with expectations that they work at a pace that is safe and sustainable , ” Philabaum advised He said from what he has seen , Amazon has robust safety programs , but as with any new industry , getting novice workers trained to a level so they can avoid injuries is a concern .
Demands for deliveries have also surged because of the pandemic and now the holiday season .
“ We prioritize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We require our Delivery Service Partners to do the same .
They follow strict labor wage and working conditions requirements that meet or exceed the law .
We regularly conduct audits to ensure compliance , ” the company said in a response to the Pinnacol study .
Ankles are the body part most likely to be injured , followed by knees , lower backs , the head and then the foot .
Because the delivery vans spend most of their time circulating in neighborhoods , vehicle accidents haven ’ t been as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also several steps the public can take to make life easier for all delivery workers : • Keep the path from the street to the home clear of objects or other debris , like toys or fallen branches .
• Use salt if there ’ s ice and keep shoveling that snow so it isn ’ t too deep .
• Secure pets at all times and post a “ Beware of Dog ” sign so the delivery driver knows what to expect .
• Turn on outside lights in the evening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the days are short .
• Add delivery instructions that will help improve safety , such as leaving a package at a side door instead of a front door .
• Keep an eye out when driving for delivery vans that are slowing quickly or pulling off to the side of the road .

New workers suffer injuries at a much higher rate than experienced ones. And it doesn’t get much newer than Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners program, which has contracted with 1,700 small businesses employing more than 100,000 workers globally since launching in the summer of 2018.
“A lot of these businesses are brand new. They start out with 20 trucks and then grow to 40 or 60. They are having those growing pains, just like any new startup,” said Randy Philabaum, a safety consultant with Pinnacol Assurance, the state’s largest provider of worker’s compensation insurance.
Demand for deliveries surged with the pandemic, and now Amazon DSP workers are racing to deliver the holiday crush of packages. That has triggered a rise in the number of falls, strains, dog bites and other injuries that those workers are suffering.
Normally, 41% of injury claims to Pinnacol involves workers in their first year on a job. For the delivery industry as a whole, it is around 58%. But with the contractors who deliver packages for Amazon, 93% of the injuries in Colorado are happening to workers in the first year.
Some of that reflects delivery firms that haven’t been around long enough to have a seasoned workforce. But Philabaum said Pinnacol’s research has found Amazon DSP workers are suffering slips and falls and dog bites in particular at a higher rate than other delivery workers.
Muscle strains are also an issue, and those reflect the pace of the workload and weight of packages.
“Feeling hurried and rushing is a hazard in any work environment but could be especially impactful among these workers who must complete many stops every shift. Employers should balance their expectations of employees working quickly with expectations that they work at a pace that is safe and sustainable,” Philabaum advised
He said from what he has seen, Amazon has robust safety programs, but as with any new industry, getting novice workers trained to a level so they can avoid injuries is a concern. Demands for deliveries have also surged because of the pandemic and now the holiday season.
“We prioritize the safety and health of our employees. We require our Delivery Service Partners to do the same. They follow strict labor wage and working conditions requirements that meet or exceed the law. We regularly conduct audits to ensure compliance,” the company said in a response to the Pinnacol study.
Ankles are the body part most likely to be injured, followed by knees, lower backs, the head and then the foot. Because the delivery vans spend most of their time circulating in neighborhoods, vehicle accidents haven’t been as much of a problem.
There are also several steps the public can take to make life easier for all delivery workers: