thedenverpost--2020-11-01--The politics of climate change are shifting in Colorado

Despite increasing acceptance of the science of climate change across the state , what to do about it remains a politically sensitive question .
Colorado , as is the world in general , is getting hotter , drier and increasingly susceptible to floods and wildfires , and humans are influencing this climate change by burning fossil fuels , raising livestock and cutting down forests .
Among many data points , Coloradans can now look to the fact that prior to this year the state had never seen a wildfire larger than 139,000 acres , and since July alone it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big , two of which are still burning .
Though there is scientific consensus about the existential threat climate change poses , and significant incentive for Coloradans of all backgrounds and political stripes to pay attention to it , politicians here have not always found addressing climate change to be a winning issue .
“ Even two years ago , I think there was still some hesitancy , ” said Karl Hanlon , Democratic candidate for Senate District 8 in western Colorado , who has worked on climate and water issues for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , there was hesitancy to acknowledge that climate change was there and it was impactful .
Well , it ’ s right square in front of everybody now.
” The Pew Research Center found that in 2020 , for the first time in a series of polls dating back to 2002 , nearly as many Americans ( 64 % ) said environmental issues were a top policy priority as those who said the same of economic issues ( 67 % ) .
Pew also found a 14 % jump in just three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change specifically is a top issue .
This trend has been observed in Colorado as well .
A 2020 study out of Colorado College found 63 % of Coloradans “ think that action should be taken to address climate change ” — up 8 % since 2011 .
That ’ s encouraging , said Liliana Flanigan , a climate activist who recently graduated from Palisade High School .
She grew up in a deep-red area with lots of jobs centered on oil and gas extraction , but she said she ’ s starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that climate change profoundly threatens the agricultural and public lands that also characterize the region .
“ People here are less plugged into the idea of cities , of pollution , ” she said .
“ But we were hit hard by the Pine Gulch Fire .
Temperatures are rising ; we ’ re setting record highs.
” The terms of debate on climate action in Colorado politics have clearly shifted , to the point that outright denial of human-caused climate change is no longer a popular position among Republicans .
Take U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 comments from the Yuma Republican showed him hedging when pressed about the causes of climate change , but at a recent debate with his opponent , Democrat John Hickenlooper , he said clearly that he accepts the scientific consensus on what ’ s causing the trend .
But there remains a gulf between Democrats and Republicans , and even within the Democratic Party , over how urgently this global problem should be addressed , and what steps should be taken .
Even as he says he accepts one scientific fact , Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gas geologist who opposes the Green New Deal — for voicing the idea that addressing the climate crisis means making fracking obsolete in the coming decades .
Gardner ’ s position is , more or less , the party line in Colorado .
It ’ s a central theme in the campaign of Republican congressional candidate Lauren Boebert , who ’ s running to serve southern and western Colorado .
“ Yes , I want to make sure our earth is healthy .
But I think that squashing the natural gas industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , ” said Chelsie Miera , executive director of the West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association , at a recent meet-and-greet for Boebert .
“ When you regulate an entire industry out of existence , that ’ s where I do have a lot of disagreements , ” Miera said .
Flanigan said Democrats who set policy in Colorado must do more to meet people with Miera ’ s viewpoint where they ’ re at .
“ The messaging needs to be very different , for the people out here to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I do is contributing intensely to climate change , ' ” she said .
“ It ’ s difficult to provide a policy solution to , say , somebody whose family has worked three generations in an oil field , to say , ‘ Here ’ s a transitional program.
’ That ’ s what a lot of rural Republicans are trying to avoid.
” Hanlon , in the home stretch of his race challenging GOP state Sen. Bob Rankin , said he ’ s trying to thread that needle on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranch in Jackson County rarely saw a day above 80 degrees , and says now , “ it feels like half the summer it ’ s above 90.
” He says voters he meets share similar stories , that they see the impacts every day of dry streams and hotter summers , and that increasingly they feel it viscerally .
And so he has made climate action a central part of his platform .
Climate change is the very first item on the “ issues ” page of his website , in contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate for oil and gas jobs , and whose website does not mention climate change .
But Hanlon also has found it a challenge to communicate on the issue without alienating those who , like Miera or Gardner , are most concerned with preserving jobs in extractive industries .
“ Frankly , talking about climate could cost me this election , ” he said .
“ Unfortunately , in northwest Colorado the climate conversation has been distilled down to , do you support coal and natural gas and the people who work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s an urban climate leftist agenda .
That is still being used as a wedge issue out here .
”

Despite increasing acceptance of the science of climate change across the state, what to do about it remains a politically sensitive question.
Colorado, as is the world in general, is getting hotter, drier and increasingly susceptible to floods and wildfires, and humans are influencing this climate change by burning fossil fuels, raising livestock and cutting down forests. Among many data points, Coloradans can now look to the fact that prior to this year the state had never seen a wildfire larger than 139,000 acres, and since July alone it’s had three fires at least that big, two of which are still burning.
Though there is scientific consensus about the existential threat climate change poses, and significant incentive for Coloradans of all backgrounds and political stripes to pay attention to it, politicians here have not always found addressing climate change to be a winning issue.
That’s changing now, too.
“Even two years ago, I think there was still some hesitancy,” said Karl Hanlon, Democratic candidate for Senate District 8 in western Colorado, who has worked on climate and water issues for two decades. “Especially in the right-leaning community, there was hesitancy to acknowledge that climate change was there and it was impactful. Well, it’s right square in front of everybody now.”
The Pew Research Center found that in 2020, for the first time in a series of polls dating back to 2002, nearly as many Americans (64%) said environmental issues were a top policy priority as those who said the same of economic issues (67%). Pew also found a 14% jump in just three years in people who believe addressing climate change specifically is a top issue.
This trend has been observed in Colorado as well. A 2020 study out of Colorado College found 63% of Coloradans “think that action should be taken to address climate change” — up 8% since 2011.
That’s encouraging, said Liliana Flanigan, a climate activist who recently graduated from Palisade High School. She grew up in a deep-red area with lots of jobs centered on oil and gas extraction, but she said she’s starting to see more of her neighbors recognize that climate change profoundly threatens the agricultural and public lands that also characterize the region.
“People here are less plugged into the idea of cities, of pollution,” she said. “But we were hit hard by the Pine Gulch Fire. Temperatures are rising; we’re setting record highs.”
The terms of debate on climate action in Colorado politics have clearly shifted, to the point that outright denial of human-caused climate change is no longer a popular position among Republicans. Take U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, for example: 2017 comments from the Yuma Republican showed him hedging when pressed about the causes of climate change, but at a recent debate with his opponent, Democrat John Hickenlooper, he said clearly that he accepts the scientific consensus on what’s causing the trend.
But there remains a gulf between Democrats and Republicans, and even within the Democratic Party, over how urgently this global problem should be addressed, and what steps should be taken. Even as he says he accepts one scientific fact, Gardner also slams Hickenlooper — a former oil and gas geologist who opposes the Green New Deal — for voicing the idea that addressing the climate crisis means making fracking obsolete in the coming decades.
Gardner’s position is, more or less, the party line in Colorado. It’s a central theme in the campaign of Republican congressional candidate Lauren Boebert, who’s running to serve southern and western Colorado.
“Yes, I want to make sure our earth is healthy. But I think that squashing the natural gas industry is the exact wrong way to do that,” said Chelsie Miera, executive director of the West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association, at a recent meet-and-greet for Boebert.
“When you regulate an entire industry out of existence, that’s where I do have a lot of disagreements,” Miera said.
Flanigan said Democrats who set policy in Colorado must do more to meet people with Miera’s viewpoint where they’re at.
“The messaging needs to be very different, for the people out here to understand, ‘Oh, the work that I do is contributing intensely to climate change,'” she said. “It’s difficult to provide a policy solution to, say, somebody whose family has worked three generations in an oil field, to say, ‘Here’s a transitional program.’ That’s what a lot of rural Republicans are trying to avoid.”
Hanlon, in the home stretch of his race challenging GOP state Sen. Bob Rankin, said he’s trying to thread that needle on the trail. He remembers when his family ranch in Jackson County rarely saw a day above 80 degrees, and says now, “it feels like half the summer it’s above 90.” He says voters he meets share similar stories, that they see the impacts every day of dry streams and hotter summers, and that increasingly they feel it viscerally.
And so he has made climate action a central part of his platform. Climate change is the very first item on the “issues” page of his website, in contrast to Rankin, who is an outspoken advocate for oil and gas jobs, and whose website does not mention climate change.
But Hanlon also has found it a challenge to communicate on the issue without alienating those who, like Miera or Gardner, are most concerned with preserving jobs in extractive industries.
“Frankly, talking about climate could cost me this election,” he said. “Unfortunately, in northwest Colorado the climate conversation has been distilled down to, do you support coal and natural gas and the people who work in those industries, or this idea that it’s an urban climate leftist agenda. That is still being used as a wedge issue out here.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Mother of four killed as domestic violence spiked in Denver area after COVID-19 restrictions lifted

Some nights , Ralph Ford sits at the bedside of his 8-year-old granddaughter and stays until she feels safe enough to fall asleep .
The little girl heard the gunshots when her mom ’ s fiancé opened fire on Sept. 4 , killing her mother , 33-year-old Clarissa Ford , before ending his own life .
That day , her mom told her to hide .
She cowered under the kitchen table during the shooting .
Now , at night , she ’ s plagued by nightmares .
“ I think she relives everything , ” Ralph Ford said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she ’ ll say something , just out of the blue : ‘ I miss Mom . '
” Clarissa Ford is one of the hundreds of victims in metro Denver who been killed or injured because of domestic violence since COVID-19 restrictions lifted .
After a concerning drop in reports during the first weeks of the pandemic this spring , reports of domestic violence skyrocketed in several communities in the Denver area as a shortage of shelter beds means hundreds of victims seeking help are turned away .
Denver police have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaults since May .
Police in Boulder and Longmont , too , are seeing significant increases .
In Aurora , requests for counseling and shelter have swelled .
Everyone who spoke to The Denver Post for this story said they ’ ve seen an increase in violent abuse and the violence is becoming more severe .
“ Having the phones ringing again is a double-edged sword , ” said Abby Hansen , director of counseling and advocacy services at SafeHouse Denver , which has seen a dramatic increase in requests for service since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re glad people are reaching out , but it also highlights the tremendous need.
” The pandemic has created a tidal wave of circumstances that exacerbate the risk of violence , advocates and experts said .
Increased isolation , growing financial instability and overwhelming stress from COVID-19 have created dangerous situations for many victims of abuse .
Providing needed , lifesaving services — a complicated task in non-pandemic times — has only become more difficult , service providers said .
Shelters , already almost always at capacity , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds available so clients and staff could practice social distancing .
Survivors trying to move out of shelters are struggling to find housing , child care and employment in an expensive housing market and a restricted economy , so many are staying in emergency shelters longer .
That means fewer available beds during an uptick in need .
“ Domestic violence was already an epidemic , and now we have this epidemic inside of a pandemic , ” said James Gillespie , executive director of Aurora-based Gateway Domestic Violence Services .
Clarissa Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She never told her dad about any signs of abuse or violence , Ralph Ford said , and her life seemed to be headed exactly where she wanted it to go .
Her fourth daughter had just been born , she earned her insurance agent license over the summer and was slated to be married in early September .
She was designing her own clothing line and working to launch a nonprofit to help people experiencing homelessness .
She was thrilled to be a mom to her four daughters — ages 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — who are now in the care of their grandparents .
“ Life was just so right in front of her , ” Ralph Ford , Clarissa ’ s father , said .
“ Everything was finally seeming to come together for her .
She was seemingly in complete control .
I was so proud of her.
” In Denver this year , aggravated assaults connected to domestic violence have surged over the three-year average , Denver Police Department data shows .
Denver police recorded 775 stabbings , non-fatal shootings and physical assaults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious injury in the first nine months of 2020 — a 46 % increase over the average of 530 such assaults in the same time period between 2017 and 2019 .
At least two people have been killed in domestic violence homicides since March , including Clarissa Ford .
The other victim was a father trying to protect his daughter from a boyfriend , suspected of abusing the young woman .
“ I just tell people to talk to their kids , and to let them know that it ’ s OK to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abused or if something doesn ’ t feel right in their relationship or if their partner is talking about violence , ” Ralph Ford said .
Month-by-month data shows reported domestic violence crimes in Denver dipped slightly below average in March and April as the pandemic changed nearly every aspect of normal life .
In the first weeks , service providers worried that victims trapped with abusers would have fewer opportunities to seek help and would become more isolated .
In May , as governments gradually lifted restrictions , reports of domestic violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal through August , police data shows .
Though reports of domestic violence in Denver dipped slightly in September , overall reports are up 7 % thus far in 2020 compared to the three-year average .
Authorities in Boulder and Longmont also have recorded above-average numbers of domestic violence cases , Boulder County Senior Deputy District Attorney Anne Kelly said .
Domestic violence calls to Boulder police are up by 31 % from March 16 through July 15 compared to the same time period in 2019 , she said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month over month in Longmont , ” she said .
Aurora police also have seen an increase in the number of domestic violence cases , especially those involving strangulation , Aurora Police Department victim advocate Lisa Battan said .
“ It seems like the cases are much more severe , much more violent , ” Battan said .
At Gateway , advocates saw a swell of requests for counseling after the first weeks of the pandemic .
Gateway staff served 292 counseling clients in April alone , nearly the same amount — 324 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months of the year combined .
Statewide trends are harder to decipher , said Brooke Ely-Milen , director of the Domestic Violence Program at the Colorado Department of Human Services .
The program collects quarterly data from the 45 domestic violence service providers across the state , and Ely-Milen said the impact of the pandemic on need and services has varied .
Current statewide crime data is not available yet , though annual crime statistics published at the end of the year by the FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend is consistent , especially in the Denver metro area : There aren ’ t enough shelter beds .
Prior to the pandemic , Colorado shelters were at capacity between 80 % and 90 % of the time , Ely-Milen said .
“ That problem of being under-resourced is exacerbated during the pandemic , ” she said .
In Aurora , that means the area ’ s only emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors turned away more than 200 victims — and hundreds of their children — between April and September because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As much as we try to refer people to other providers , we ’ ve found they ’ re full as well , ” Gillespie said .
“ So now turn away really does mean turn away.
” Both Gateway and Denver SafeHouse had to reduce the number of people who can stay in a single room .
Previously , multiple families could stay in a room , but because of the pandemic they are limiting each room to a single family .
Advocacy organizations have been creative in responding to the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for clients to stay in hotel rooms , though it ’ s much more expensive to pay for a room than to house someone in a shelter .
Placing clients in external housing also makes it harder for advocates to provide food and services .
Victims with school-aged children also have to navigate their kids ’ remote learning , which means some students are logging into class from the domestic violence shelter they ’ re living in .
Victims also have to balance the risks of staying with an abuser or risk exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter where dozens of others may be living .
“ One of the things we ’ ve seen consistently through the pandemic , regardless of the number of the calls we get , the complexity of the calls are astounding , ” Hansen said .
Despite the challenges , advocates encouraged victims and survivors to reach out to service organizations for support .
Ralph Ford , too , hopes that other families will seek help for their loved ones who might be in danger .
He feels blessed that his granddaughters are OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have no good answers .
Did he miss a sign that something was wrong ?
How could the fiancé — whom he believed to be a gentleman — commit such horror ?
“ How am I going to fill that personal void ?
” he said .
“ She was super important in my life .
How do I fill that in ?
”

Some nights, Ralph Ford sits at the bedside of his 8-year-old granddaughter and stays until she feels safe enough to fall asleep.
The little girl heard the gunshots when her mom’s fiancé opened fire on Sept. 4, killing her mother, 33-year-old Clarissa Ford, before ending his own life. That day, her mom told her to hide. She cowered under the kitchen table during the shooting.
Now, at night, she’s plagued by nightmares.
“I think she relives everything,” Ralph Ford said of his granddaughter. “She has moments that she’ll say something, just out of the blue: ‘I miss Mom.'”
Clarissa Ford is one of the hundreds of victims in metro Denver who been killed or injured because of domestic violence since COVID-19 restrictions lifted. After a concerning drop in reports during the first weeks of the pandemic this spring, reports of domestic violence skyrocketed in several communities in the Denver area as a shortage of shelter beds means hundreds of victims seeking help are turned away.
Denver police have recorded a surge in serious domestic violence assaults since May. Police in Boulder and Longmont, too, are seeing significant increases. In Aurora, requests for counseling and shelter have swelled. Everyone who spoke to The Denver Post for this story said they’ve seen an increase in violent abuse and the violence is becoming more severe.
“Having the phones ringing again is a double-edged sword,” said Abby Hansen, director of counseling and advocacy services at SafeHouse Denver, which has seen a dramatic increase in requests for service since stay-at-home orders were lifted in late April. “We’re glad people are reaching out, but it also highlights the tremendous need.”
The pandemic has created a tidal wave of circumstances that exacerbate the risk of violence, advocates and experts said. Increased isolation, growing financial instability and overwhelming stress from COVID-19 have created dangerous situations for many victims of abuse.
Providing needed, lifesaving services — a complicated task in non-pandemic times — has only become more difficult, service providers said. Shelters, already almost always at capacity, had to cut down on the number of beds available so clients and staff could practice social distancing. Survivors trying to move out of shelters are struggling to find housing, child care and employment in an expensive housing market and a restricted economy, so many are staying in emergency shelters longer. That means fewer available beds during an uptick in need.
“Domestic violence was already an epidemic, and now we have this epidemic inside of a pandemic,” said James Gillespie, executive director of Aurora-based Gateway Domestic Violence Services.
Clarissa Ford never had the chance to seek help. She never told her dad about any signs of abuse or violence, Ralph Ford said, and her life seemed to be headed exactly where she wanted it to go.
Her fourth daughter had just been born, she earned her insurance agent license over the summer and was slated to be married in early September. She was designing her own clothing line and working to launch a nonprofit to help people experiencing homelessness. She was thrilled to be a mom to her four daughters — ages 14, 8, 2 and six months — who are now in the care of their grandparents.
“Life was just so right in front of her,” Ralph Ford, Clarissa’s father, said. “Everything was finally seeming to come together for her. She was seemingly in complete control. I was so proud of her.”
As restrictions lifted, cases spiked
In Denver this year, aggravated assaults connected to domestic violence have surged over the three-year average, Denver Police Department data shows. Denver police recorded 775 stabbings, non-fatal shootings and physical assaults connected to domestic violence that resulted in serious injury in the first nine months of 2020 — a 46% increase over the average of 530 such assaults in the same time period between 2017 and 2019.
At least two people have been killed in domestic violence homicides since March, including Clarissa Ford. The other victim was a father trying to protect his daughter from a boyfriend, suspected of abusing the young woman.
“I just tell people to talk to their kids, and to let them know that it’s OK to say something if they’re being abused or if something doesn’t feel right in their relationship or if their partner is talking about violence,” Ralph Ford said.
Month-by-month data shows reported domestic violence crimes in Denver dipped slightly below average in March and April as the pandemic changed nearly every aspect of normal life. In the first weeks, service providers worried that victims trapped with abusers would have fewer opportunities to seek help and would become more isolated.
In May, as governments gradually lifted restrictions, reports of domestic violence in Denver surged and remained higher than normal through August, police data shows. Though reports of domestic violence in Denver dipped slightly in September, overall reports are up 7% thus far in 2020 compared to the three-year average.
Authorities in Boulder and Longmont also have recorded above-average numbers of domestic violence cases, Boulder County Senior Deputy District Attorney Anne Kelly said. Domestic violence calls to Boulder police are up by 31% from March 16 through July 15 compared to the same time period in 2019, she said.
“We’re seeing a record number of cases month over month in Longmont,” she said.
Aurora police also have seen an increase in the number of domestic violence cases, especially those involving strangulation, Aurora Police Department victim advocate Lisa Battan said.
“It seems like the cases are much more severe, much more violent,” Battan said.
At Gateway, advocates saw a swell of requests for counseling after the first weeks of the pandemic. Gateway staff served 292 counseling clients in April alone, nearly the same amount — 324 people — they served in the first three months of the year combined.
“That was a heavy, heavy month,” Gillespie said.
Not enough beds
Statewide trends are harder to decipher, said Brooke Ely-Milen, director of the Domestic Violence Program at the Colorado Department of Human Services. The program collects quarterly data from the 45 domestic violence service providers across the state, and Ely-Milen said the impact of the pandemic on need and services has varied.
Current statewide crime data is not available yet, though annual crime statistics published at the end of the year by the FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will provide a broader overview.
But one trend is consistent, especially in the Denver metro area: There aren’t enough shelter beds. Prior to the pandemic, Colorado shelters were at capacity between 80% and 90% of the time, Ely-Milen said.
“That problem of being under-resourced is exacerbated during the pandemic,” she said.
In Aurora, that means the area’s only emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors turned away more than 200 victims — and hundreds of their children — between April and September because there wasn’t enough space.
“As much as we try to refer people to other providers, we’ve found they’re full as well,” Gillespie said. “So now turn away really does mean turn away.”
Both Gateway and Denver SafeHouse had to reduce the number of people who can stay in a single room. Previously, multiple families could stay in a room, but because of the pandemic they are limiting each room to a single family.
Advocacy organizations have been creative in responding to the need, Ely-Milen said. Some have paid for clients to stay in hotel rooms, though it’s much more expensive to pay for a room than to house someone in a shelter. Placing clients in external housing also makes it harder for advocates to provide food and services.
Victims with school-aged children also have to navigate their kids’ remote learning, which means some students are logging into class from the domestic violence shelter they’re living in. Victims also have to balance the risks of staying with an abuser or risk exposure to the virus by moving into a shelter where dozens of others may be living.
“One of the things we’ve seen consistently through the pandemic, regardless of the number of the calls we get, the complexity of the calls are astounding,” Hansen said.
Despite the challenges, advocates encouraged victims and survivors to reach out to service organizations for support.
“We’re here,” Hansen said. “We’re open.”
Ralph Ford, too, hopes that other families will seek help for their loved ones who might be in danger. He feels blessed that his granddaughters are OK, but is still left with questions that have no good answers. Did he miss a sign that something was wrong? How could the fiancé — whom he believed to be a gentleman — commit such horror?
“How am I going to fill that personal void?” he said. “She was super important in my life. How do I fill that in?”


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Winged migration hits Colorado waterways in full flight

One of the miracles in nature is the annual migration of North American waterfowl in their journey from Alaska , the provinces of Canada and the Prairie Potholes south into the continental United States and Mexico .
This annual winged migration graces our fall skies with v-shaped , mass formations of birds that should remind us of our proud heritage of effective wildlife conservation .
As this winged migration commences each fall in Colorado , so do the waterfowlers who take to the sloughs , lakes , rivers and ponds , as well as the grain fields , in pursuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of ducks and geese .
And they will take these beautiful feathered critters home where they ’ ll spend time plucking and preparing them for delicious table fare ranging from a roasted Christmas goose to jalapeño duck breast poppers .
This past week I joined retired Denver business owner Richard Haywood of Aurora and Major Greg Canady , a US Army officer stationed in Colorado Springs with the US Space Command and headed southeast to hunt along the Arkansas River near Lamar .
Our Wednesday duck season opener could not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which came into our state on Sunday and Monday brought with it thousands of numerous species of ducks and at least two species of geese , easily identified as snows ( white geese ) and Canadas ( dark geese ) .
Tuesday afternoon in the valley included intermittent snow flurries and overcast skies which resulted in harvested grain fields along Highway 50 being packed with thousands of ducks and geese .
While Wednesday morning saw an end to the precipitation it also saw continued flights of waterfowl along the Arkansas River where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with a couple of “ toys ” from my hunter ’ s collection that included a plastic modeled “ posterior ” of a duck that had rotating battery powered feet , as well as another decoy that had a recycling waterspout that made the fake bird appear to be dabbling Whether the ducks landed near our decoys out of pure curiosity , or our lures actually looked like real ducks , we ’ ll never know but it proved effective .
By mid-morning Wednesday we had bagged our legal limit which in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mallards ) each and a bonus gadwall for Greg , with Richard and I holding out for bull sprigs ( drake pintails ) .
Besides the dutiful work of cleaning the birds , we spent the rest of the day enjoying the valley wildlife which , in addition to the waterfowl , included sandhill cranes , whitetail and mule deer ; and even a bonus beautiful bobcat .
Duty called for Maj. Canady , who returned to Colorado Springs that evening , while Richard and I finished the day locating our annual bushel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swink ) ; enjoying the fine Mexican cuisine in the area ; and getting in an additional hunt on Thursday morning .
Colorado sportsmen have many forthcoming days to pursue waterfowl in our 2020-21 season .
With Colorado ’ s first duck season having started in September ( early teal ) , we ’ ll find ducks and good hunting until the end of January , a testimony to our state and nation ’ s emphasis on good , sound wildlife management which , again , includes hunting .

One of the miracles in nature is the annual migration of North American waterfowl in their journey from Alaska, the provinces of Canada and the Prairie Potholes south into the continental United States and Mexico. This annual winged migration graces our fall skies with v-shaped, mass formations of birds that should remind us of our proud heritage of effective wildlife conservation.
As this winged migration commences each fall in Colorado, so do the waterfowlers who take to the sloughs, lakes, rivers and ponds, as well as the grain fields, in pursuit of getting a few of those hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese. And they will take these beautiful feathered critters home where they’ll spend time plucking and preparing them for delicious table fare ranging from a roasted Christmas goose to jalapeño duck breast poppers.
This past week I joined retired Denver business owner Richard Haywood of Aurora and Major Greg Canady, a US Army officer stationed in Colorado Springs with the US Space Command and headed southeast to hunt along the Arkansas River near Lamar.
Our Wednesday duck season opener could not have been timed better as the cold front which came into our state on Sunday and Monday brought with it thousands of numerous species of ducks and at least two species of geese, easily identified as snows (white geese) and Canadas (dark geese). Tuesday afternoon in the valley included intermittent snow flurries and overcast skies which resulted in harvested grain fields along Highway 50 being packed with thousands of ducks and geese.
While Wednesday morning saw an end to the precipitation it also saw continued flights of waterfowl along the Arkansas River where we had set out 8 large duck decoys along with a couple of “toys” from my hunter’s collection that included a plastic modeled “posterior” of a duck that had rotating battery powered feet, as well as another decoy that had a recycling waterspout that made the fake bird appear to be dabbling Whether the ducks landed near our decoys out of pure curiosity, or our lures actually looked like real ducks, we’ll never know but it proved effective. By mid-morning Wednesday we had bagged our legal limit which in our case included 5 greenheads (drake mallards) each and a bonus gadwall for Greg, with Richard and I holding out for bull sprigs (drake pintails).
Besides the dutiful work of cleaning the birds, we spent the rest of the day enjoying the valley wildlife which, in addition to the waterfowl, included sandhill cranes, whitetail and mule deer; and even a bonus beautiful bobcat. Duty called for Maj. Canady, who returned to Colorado Springs that evening, while Richard and I finished the day locating our annual bushel of roasted peppers (still available in Swink); enjoying the fine Mexican cuisine in the area; and getting in an additional hunt on Thursday morning.
Colorado sportsmen have many forthcoming days to pursue waterfowl in our 2020-21 season. With Colorado’s first duck season having started in September (early teal), we’ll find ducks and good hunting until the end of January, a testimony to our state and nation’s emphasis on good, sound wildlife management which, again, includes hunting.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Layoffs, struggling startups, “cratering” business: Coloradans share their stories after nearly eigh

Layoffs, struggling startups, “cratering” business: Coloradans share their stories after nearly eight months in pandemic

After a decade of running his own catering business , Stephen Tanner said the start of 2020 was “ going gangbusters ” for him .
His company , Elevated Catering , began providing meals for the Denver Nuggets at the start of the year .
“ That just shot the revenue through the roof.
” Then the coronavirus outbreak was declared a worldwide pandemic March 11 .
That same day , the NBA abruptly ended its season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive .
“ The beginning of 2020 was too good to be true , shall we say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among thousands of Coloradans whose businesses have faltered or disappeared or whose jobs have been cut since COVID-19 first swept across the country .
With a new surge in cases and restrictions on activities being retightened , Tanner and many others are trying to stay afloat until there ’ s a break from the economic storm .
But the likelihood of that happening soon is slim .
A government report released Thursday showed that the economy soared in the last quarter , but hiring has since slowed and analysts are predicting much weaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
That echoes a recent report by Gusto , an online payroll and benefits platform .
Job recovery has slacked off since August , and the cold weather is expected to hurt restaurants and other businesses that have used outdoor spaces for social distancing , said the report ’ s author , Gusto economist Luke Pardue , Without government intervention , Pardue said the leisure and hospitality industry could lose more than 1.4 million jobs nationally .
In the Denver area , job losses could total more than 33,000 and more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report said .
Adding to the grim outlook is a survey by Alignable , a small-business referral network .
The survey found that in October , 34 % of small-business owners couldn ’ t pay their full rent on time .
The 7,726 businesses polled included restaurants , hair salons , gyms , retail outlets , marketing , entertainment and legal firms .
More than 760,000 initial unemployment claims have been filed in Colorado since mid-March , according to state labor officials .
The numbers provide an outline for the story about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual struggles and successes go to the heart of the drama as the pandemic enters its ninth month .
Here ’ s a look at three Coloradans living and working in the time of COVID-19 .
After college , Tanner began a career in the tech industry .
“ But it just wasn ’ t right for me , being in an office.
” He quit his job to travel around the world .
When he ran out of money , he returned to Colorado and started waiting tables , something he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then somebody introduced me to catering and it is amazing how people treat you differently when they invite you into their home to celebrate , versus sitting in a restaurant , ” Tanner said .
He excelled at the business end of the job and human resources .
He figured when he got “ a real job ” again , he could work in human resources for a tech company .
But that never happened .
He became the general manager of a catering company .
Ten years ago , he and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually bought out his partner .
“ It has been a dream come true , ” Tanner said .
“ I ’ m not going to get rich , but I won ’ t go hungry.
” Last year was the first time Tanner matched his income from 2000 , when he was working in technology.This year was looking even better when he landed the Nuggets contract .
Then the coronavirus broke out .
“ There ’ s President Trump on the TV .
And at the same time , there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ We ’ re not going to play , ' ” Tanner recalled .
“ All at once it cratered.
” All the weddings he had lined up were canceled .
Corporate lunches , summer parties and other social events were canceled .
There is none of the work that a normal election year generates .
Out of the six full-time and about 30 part-time employees , only the chef remained after the money from a federal loan ran out .
Tanner , who isn ’ t taking a salary , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until next spring .
Investments and money he planned to use for a new car and house are keeping the business going .
Tanner is optimistic about his company ’ s long-term future .
His landlord said he can pay the rent on his work space when business picks up .
Elevated Catering is booking some small jobs .
He expects the NBA to eventually resume regular games .
And Tanner has invested in a venue for weddings , which he said will help fuel the catering business .
“ I was all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for six weeks , for three months , whatever it took to whip this , ” Tanner said .
“ I was thinking by August or September that we ’ d be back in business.
” Roberto Meza and Dave Demerling , friends since high school in North Canton , Ohio , built a greenhouse on 35 acres near Bennett for their business , Emerald Gardens Microgreens .
By the start of 2020 , the two had established relationships with area grocers and restaurants and were working on a variety of projects to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to food for local communities .
When the coronavirus crisis erupted , restaurants shut down .
Emerald Gardens was already dealing with a drop in business after natural-food grocery chain Lucky ’ s Market filed for bankruptcy in January .
“ It ’ s definitely been challenging , ” Meza said .
“ We were hit pretty hard.
” But Meza said he and Demerling were determined not to give in to anxiety .
The two said in an interview in January that one of their goals was to help build a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , said Meza .
“ We really turned to each other , to innovate in a time when opportunities were scarce.
” The two have worked with LiveWell Colorado , a statewide nonprofit focused on increasing access to healthy food and lifestyles for communities of color and low-income neighborhoods .
Emerald Greens has teamed up with the organization and other farmers to put together boxes for the Women , Infants , and Children nutrition program .
Emerald Gardens received a grant from Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger , which has allowed Meza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local farmers to supply food pantries .
They also used the money to buy a refrigerated truck to distribute fresh food .
The business owners helped start the East Denver Food Hub in Denver ’ s Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood .
“ We ’ re working with food cooperatives and farmers who are trying to leverage their community as customers to remain viable , ” Meza said .
From 40 to 60 farmers and cooperatives have been involved .
The operation is moving about 1,500 pounds of food per week , Meza said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Lucky ’ s stores the original owners bought back and to a distributor who supplies restaurants .
Microgreens are tiny , edible greens , which are harvested from 10 to 14 days after germination .
The plants can contain several times the level of vitamins and carotenoids , which act as antioxidants , of the fully grown versions , according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
“ What COVID allowed us to do is essentially kick ourselves in the butt to be like , ‘ You better do something about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ na be here much longer , ' ” Meza said .
After sending out more than 30 applications and going through seven interviews , Jessica Nelson began to lose track of how many people she had talked to about work .
In June , Nelson was laid off from her job as a public relations director in the entertainment and film industry .
While looking for a new position , she decided to do some pro bono work through the Taproot Foundation , a national nonprofit that connects organizations with volunteers who share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d keep working even though I didn ’ t have a job , ” Nelson said .
Taproot connected her with the nonprofit Harlem Film House in New York .
She reached out to her media contacts , who wrote about the organization ’ s film festival and founder .
“ That whole experience has gone really well .
I ’ m still working with them , ” Nelson said .
“ Through that process , I met a lot of people , had a lot of great conversations with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry.
” She started getting inquiries from people about projects .
“ After several conversations like that , I decided to make it more official and to work toward launching my own business.
” In October , Nelson formally unveiled Persist Publicity .
She ’ s excited about being her own boss and taking on the clients and projects she wants to take on .
The challenges include not having a regular salary or benefits such as health insurance .
Like a lot of people , she and her husband , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home with child care .
“ On the other hand , I realize I ’ m privileged enough to be able to take this risk .
Not everybody can do that , ” Nelson said .

After a decade of running his own catering business, Stephen Tanner said the start of 2020 was “going gangbusters” for him.
His company, Elevated Catering, began providing meals for the Denver Nuggets at the start of the year. “That just shot the revenue through the roof.”
Then the coronavirus outbreak was declared a worldwide pandemic March 11. That same day, the NBA abruptly ended its season after a Utah Jazz player tested positive.
“The beginning of 2020 was too good to be true, shall we say,” Tanner said.
He is among thousands of Coloradans whose businesses have faltered or disappeared or whose jobs have been cut since COVID-19 first swept across the country. With a new surge in cases and restrictions on activities being retightened, Tanner and many others are trying to stay afloat until there’s a break from the economic storm.
But the likelihood of that happening soon is slim. A government report released Thursday showed that the economy soared in the last quarter, but hiring has since slowed and analysts are predicting much weaker activity going forward, The Associated Press reported.
That echoes a recent report by Gusto, an online payroll and benefits platform. Job recovery has slacked off since August, and the cold weather is expected to hurt restaurants and other businesses that have used outdoor spaces for social distancing, said the report’s author, Gusto economist Luke Pardue,
Without government intervention, Pardue said the leisure and hospitality industry could lose more than 1.4 million jobs nationally. In the Denver area, job losses could total more than 33,000 and more than 300 small businesses could close, the report said.
Adding to the grim outlook is a survey by Alignable, a small-business referral network. The survey found that in October, 34% of small-business owners couldn’t pay their full rent on time. The 7,726 businesses polled included restaurants, hair salons, gyms, retail outlets, marketing, entertainment and legal firms.
More than 760,000 initial unemployment claims have been filed in Colorado since mid-March, according to state labor officials.
The numbers provide an outline for the story about the economic hardships of the pandemic. The individual struggles and successes go to the heart of the drama as the pandemic enters its ninth month.
Here’s a look at three Coloradans living and working in the time of COVID-19.
The cratering of catering
After college, Tanner began a career in the tech industry. “But it just wasn’t right for me, being in an office.”
He quit his job to travel around the world. When he ran out of money, he returned to Colorado and started waiting tables, something he had done while in high school.
“Then somebody introduced me to catering and it is amazing how people treat you differently when they invite you into their home to celebrate, versus sitting in a restaurant,” Tanner said.
He excelled at the business end of the job and human resources. He figured when he got “a real job” again, he could work in human resources for a tech company.
But that never happened. He became the general manager of a catering company. Ten years ago, he and a partner started their own company. Tanner eventually bought out his partner.
“It has been a dream come true,” Tanner said. “I’m not going to get rich, but I won’t go hungry.”
Last year was the first time Tanner matched his income from 2000, when he was working in technology.This year was looking even better when he landed the Nuggets contract.
Then the coronavirus broke out.
“There’s President Trump on the TV. And at the same time, there was a Nuggets game that night and they said, ‘We’re not going to play,'” Tanner recalled. “All at once it cratered.”
All the weddings he had lined up were canceled. Corporate lunches, summer parties and other social events were canceled. There is none of the work that a normal election year generates.
Out of the six full-time and about 30 part-time employees, only the chef remained after the money from a federal loan ran out. Tanner, who isn’t taking a salary, said he has enough money to pay her until next spring. Investments and money he planned to use for a new car and house are keeping the business going.
Tanner is optimistic about his company’s long-term future. His landlord said he can pay the rent on his work space when business picks up. Elevated Catering is booking some small jobs. He expects the NBA to eventually resume regular games. And Tanner has invested in a venue for weddings, which he said will help fuel the catering business.
“I was all in favor of shutting down my business for six weeks, for three months, whatever it took to whip this,” Tanner said. “I was thinking by August or September that we’d be back in business.”
Cultivating new ventures in a pandemic
Roberto Meza and Dave Demerling, friends since high school in North Canton, Ohio, built a greenhouse on 35 acres near Bennett for their business, Emerald Gardens Microgreens. By the start of 2020, the two had established relationships with area grocers and restaurants and were working on a variety of projects to grow opportunities for small farms and expand access to food for local communities.
When the coronavirus crisis erupted, restaurants shut down. Emerald Gardens was already dealing with a drop in business after natural-food grocery chain Lucky’s Market filed for bankruptcy in January.
“It’s definitely been challenging,” Meza said. “We were hit pretty hard.”
But Meza said he and Demerling were determined not to give in to anxiety. The two said in an interview in January that one of their goals was to help build a sustainable local food system.
It still is, said Meza. “We really turned to each other, to innovate in a time when opportunities were scarce.”
The two have worked with LiveWell Colorado, a statewide nonprofit focused on increasing access to healthy food and lifestyles for communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. Emerald Greens has teamed up with the organization and other farmers to put together boxes for the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program.
Emerald Gardens received a grant from Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, which has allowed Meza and Demerling to buy products from other local farmers to supply food pantries.
They also used the money to buy a refrigerated truck to distribute fresh food. The business owners helped start the East Denver Food Hub in Denver’s Globeville Elyria-Swansea neighborhood.
“We’re working with food cooperatives and farmers who are trying to leverage their community as customers to remain viable,” Meza said.
From 40 to 60 farmers and cooperatives have been involved. The operation is moving about 1,500 pounds of food per week, Meza said.
Emerald Gardens is still selling its microgreens to the Lucky’s stores the original owners bought back and to a distributor who supplies restaurants.
Microgreens are tiny, edible greens, which are harvested from 10 to 14 days after germination. The plants can contain several times the level of vitamins and carotenoids, which act as antioxidants, of the fully grown versions, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“What COVID allowed us to do is essentially kick ourselves in the butt to be like, ‘You better do something about this or you’re not gonna be here much longer,'” Meza said.
Starting a business during COVID
After sending out more than 30 applications and going through seven interviews, Jessica Nelson began to lose track of how many people she had talked to about work.
In June, Nelson was laid off from her job as a public relations director in the entertainment and film industry. While looking for a new position, she decided to do some pro bono work through the Taproot Foundation, a national nonprofit that connects organizations with volunteers who share their expertise.
“I just thought I’d keep working even though I didn’t have a job,” Nelson said.
Taproot connected her with the nonprofit Harlem Film House in New York. She reached out to her media contacts, who wrote about the organization’s film festival and founder.
“That whole experience has gone really well. I’m still working with them,” Nelson said. “Through that process, I met a lot of people, had a lot of great conversations with a lot of filmmakers and people in the industry.”
She started getting inquiries from people about projects. “After several conversations like that, I decided to make it more official and to work toward launching my own business.”
In October, Nelson formally unveiled Persist Publicity. She’s excited about being her own boss and taking on the clients and projects she wants to take on.
The challenges include not having a regular salary or benefits such as health insurance. Like a lot of people, she and her husband, who has two part-time jobs, are juggling working from home with child care.
“On the other hand, I realize I’m privileged enough to be able to take this risk. Not everybody can do that,” Nelson said.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Road to Retirement: How politics will impact your nest egg

With the election looming just a few days away , many investors are wondering if the outcome will impact their retirement portfolios .
While the outcome is no doubt important in many ways , it ’ s helpful to look at the bigger picture of the evolution of government intervention in markets .
Government intervention is now so massive that failing to understand why and where our political leaders are directing money can hinder your prospects for both growing and living off your portfolio .
When it comes to the interaction between the government and markets , the overarching theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for increasing federal intervention .
It used to be that the federal government ’ s role in markets was somewhat constrained .
They could raise and lower interest rates through the Federal Reserve , and Congress could engage in some deficit spending to help the economy along .
But otherwise , the financial markets were pretty much ruled by the collective judgement of millions of private investors deciding if things looked good or bad .
But today , government intervention is so large that it is overwhelming private investors and has now become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means , for better or worse , the decisions made by a few people in Washington will impact our retirement portfolios .
As an investor , you have to recognize the impact of the intervention and then position yourself for the outcomes that the government favors .
Let ’ s take a look at how some of this is playing out .
For many retired investors , interest rates are extremely important .
When interest rates are higher , they allow you to invest in safer things like CDs , Treasury bonds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a nice income .
But today , the Fed does not want high interest rates ; in fact , it wants rates close to zero .
The Fed is basically saying , “ you can invest in the safer stuff like CDs , but we won ’ t let you earn much money.
” If you want to earn some money , you have to adjust to the new rules of the game .
Think about government intervention in markets the same way you would think about other rules that the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government outlawed walking on the south side of any street .
Now let ’ s assume you wanted to open an ice cream shop and you had a choice of renting a storefront on either the north or south side of the street , which would you choose ?
Well , since the government will only allow people to walk on the north side , if you want to earn any money , you better open a shop on the north side .
Imagine the stock and bond markets are like the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the above example .
The stock market is the north side , and the bond market is the south side .
The federal government is telling you the south side does not offer much , and the north side is where they are going to focus their efforts .
You might be wondering whether the federal government can influence the direction of markets ?
Yes , if they are determined enough , and here ’ s proof .
You ’ ve probably heard the statement that the stock market is linked to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If times are good and profits are up , the market goes up .
If times are bad and profits are bad , the market goes down .
This has roughly been true for the last 150 years , until this year .
Profits for companies that make up the S & P 500 stock index are estimated to decline about 40 % this year .
If earnings are down , the market should be down , but it ’ s actually up .
The difference is the massive government spending .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy , but because of how money moves through the system , the knock-on effect was to boost stock market values .
These days , it ’ s probably more important to understand what the government is doing in markets and where they want investors to go , as opposed to how companies are doing .
Now , both are important , but government support is more important right now .
If it was removed , it ’ s highly likely markets would be down significantly .
Whether the federal government should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and you won ’ t find a consensus opinion out there .
As an investor , while it ’ s interesting to debate these issues , you should focus most of your effort on figuring out how you might benefit from where the government is directing its money bazookas .
Basically , the somewhat unintended consequences of all this government spending is that they are reducing returns available from safer investments and enhancing returns available from riskier investments .
Now , markets will still be volatile , and investors will panic when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government support .
But you have to think longer term and try to understand the overall theme of growing government intervention .
As mentioned , government officials , particularly within the Fed , want to make risk-taking less risky ( aka walking on the north side ) and punish prudence ( aka walking on the south side ) .
It ’ s likely that regardless of which political party controls Washington , the money will continue to flow .
Politicians may shift around who gets how much , but having the newfound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tempting to ignore .
Now , because government leaders make mistakes , it ’ s possible their approach won ’ t work .
So I wouldn ’ t always walk on the north side , but I ’ d probably spend most of my time there .
Charlie Farrell is a CEO of Northstar Investment Advisors LLC .
This article is for information and education purposes only .
Past performance is no guarantee of future returns , and all investing involves the permanent risk of loss .
Consult your individual financial adviser for @ @ @ @ @ @

With the election looming just a few days away, many investors are wondering if the outcome will impact their retirement portfolios. While the outcome is no doubt important in many ways, it’s helpful to look at the bigger picture of the evolution of government intervention in markets. Government intervention is now so massive that failing to understand why and where our political leaders are directing money can hinder your prospects for both growing and living off your portfolio.
When it comes to the interaction between the government and markets, the overarching theme of the last 40 years has been for increasing federal intervention. It used to be that the federal government’s role in markets was somewhat constrained. They could raise and lower interest rates through the Federal Reserve, and Congress could engage in some deficit spending to help the economy along. But otherwise, the financial markets were pretty much ruled by the collective judgement of millions of private investors deciding if things looked good or bad.
But today, government intervention is so large that it is overwhelming private investors and has now become the dominant force in financial markets. That means, for better or worse, the decisions made by a few people in Washington will impact our retirement portfolios. As an investor, you have to recognize the impact of the intervention and then position yourself for the outcomes that the government favors.
Let’s take a look at how some of this is playing out. For many retired investors, interest rates are extremely important. When interest rates are higher, they allow you to invest in safer things like CDs, Treasury bonds, and investment grade corporate bonds and receive a nice income. But today, the Fed does not want high interest rates; in fact, it wants rates close to zero. The Fed is basically saying, “you can invest in the safer stuff like CDs, but we won’t let you earn much money.” If you want to earn some money, you have to adjust to the new rules of the game.
Think about government intervention in markets the same way you would think about other rules that the government implements. Let’s say the government outlawed walking on the south side of any street. Now let’s assume you wanted to open an ice cream shop and you had a choice of renting a storefront on either the north or south side of the street, which would you choose? Well, since the government will only allow people to walk on the north side, if you want to earn any money, you better open a shop on the north side.
Imagine the stock and bond markets are like the north and south sides of the street in the above example. The stock market is the north side, and the bond market is the south side. The federal government is telling you the south side does not offer much, and the north side is where they are going to focus their efforts.
You might be wondering whether the federal government can influence the direction of markets? Yes, if they are determined enough, and here’s proof. You’ve probably heard the statement that the stock market is linked to the amount of profits that companies earn. If times are good and profits are up, the market goes up. If times are bad and profits are bad, the market goes down. This has roughly been true for the last 150 years, until this year.
Profits for companies that make up the S&P 500 stock index are estimated to decline about 40% this year. If earnings are down, the market should be down, but it’s actually up. The difference is the massive government spending. The purpose of the intervention was to stabilize the economy, but because of how money moves through the system, the knock-on effect was to boost stock market values.
These days, it’s probably more important to understand what the government is doing in markets and where they want investors to go, as opposed to how companies are doing. Now, both are important, but government support is more important right now. If it was removed, it’s highly likely markets would be down significantly.
Whether the federal government should be so involved is a complicated question, and you won’t find a consensus opinion out there. As an investor, while it’s interesting to debate these issues, you should focus most of your effort on figuring out how you might benefit from where the government is directing its money bazookas. Basically, the somewhat unintended consequences of all this government spending is that they are reducing returns available from safer investments and enhancing returns available from riskier investments.
Now, markets will still be volatile, and investors will panic when they think something is changing in terms of government support. But you have to think longer term and try to understand the overall theme of growing government intervention. As mentioned, government officials, particularly within the Fed, want to make risk-taking less risky (aka walking on the north side) and punish prudence (aka walking on the south side).
It’s likely that regardless of which political party controls Washington, the money will continue to flow. Politicians may shift around who gets how much, but having the newfound freedom to spend trillions is just too tempting to ignore. Now, because government leaders make mistakes, it’s possible their approach won’t work. So I wouldn’t always walk on the north side, but I’d probably spend most of my time there.
Charlie Farrell is a CEO of Northstar Investment Advisors LLC. This article is for information and education purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and all investing involves the permanent risk of loss. Consult your individual financial adviser for guidance specific to your circumstances.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Letters: Thinking outside the box necessary for RTD (11/1/20)

Thinking outside the box necessary for RTD As usual , we get mired in the push and pull of different mitigating factors on feasibility , solvency and survival of public transit — even without the financial pressures of a pandemic on state budgets .
What is missing is creativity and alignment of the motivations and financial incentives of the various types of consumers using public transit or who simply believe in its value and willing to pay into the system for the greater good .
We know that Uber wins on price and convenience on shorter trips , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe RTD should keep trips not well served by Uber — such as regional transit — and refocus on how to take the short-ride business back via circulators between neighborhood entertainment districts and concert/venue specific routes , and schedules for moving larger groups on specific days and times .
In addition , different price structures and incentives are needed to answer the question in the consumer ’ s head , “ is this less expensive and/or more convenient than the alternative ” ?
The commuter from Evergreen who comes into the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and price point vs. the person living within a few miles who comes for work and entertainment .
We know our current system is not sustainable .
We also know that motivations for using public transit range from not having a car to caring for the environment .
Our solutions need to be as adaptive and creative too .
I read a recent article about RTD ’ s latest suspended service cuts and the shift to reimagine a more effective service post-COVID-19 .
It is important that we focus our service where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to reimagine our regional transportation network , we need to reimagine our streets .
This means a shift away from single-occupancy car priorities .
Instead of expanding lanes to highways and avenues or creating new developments with additional parking , we should be expanding sidewalks to protect pedestrians , connecting bike lanes to bus stops and transportation hubs , and focusing on improving Rapid Bus Transit along popular ridership routes .
We should expand safe access to our streets , much like the Denver Shared Streets program has done to encourage a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , enjoy a local restaurant or take a jog to the park .
COVID has thrown every city and transportation department a curveball this year .
Instead of business as usual , we should reevaluate and reimagine our streets to ensure a future of success for our RTD service .
Countries around the world are working to become carbon neutral by 2050 .
The United States could do this too , but we can start laying the groundwork at the local level .
A path to carbon-neutral means a bike path instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crosswalks instead of an updated highway interchange , and more pedestrian safe spaces where we can hopefully all reunite once the pandemic has passed .
A countdown list that makes YOU No .
1 Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Wear a Mask : 10 .
You can talk to yourself and no one knows .
8 .
Masks are warm in the winter .
6 .
You can save money on mouthwash .
5 .
You can save money on cold and flu medicines .
4 .
They will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely .
3 .
They can help prevent business shutdowns .
2 .
They can lower health costs and keep you out of the hospital .
And the No .
1 reason why you should wear a mask : There are more people wearing masks in Denver lately , which is gratifying .
I have also noticed quite a few “ nosers , ” people with masks covering the mouth only .
The photograph on page 2 on Oct. 24 shows two of them working in a Democratic Party Headquarters.They taught us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presume viruses ) can go in and out of both the nose and the mouth .
That being so , I encourage people not to be a “ noser.
” We all agree that this current school year has been tumultuous on many levels , we have gone out of our way to recognize our teachers , cafeteria workers , and custodians for going the extra mile to keep families safe .
So often we forget about one of the most important school employees — the bus drivers .
Bus drivers are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school year .
They are often the first school personnel that students see each day .
They are tone setters for every student on their bus , and are often the first and last welcoming face children see each day .
They promise to take care of our children and deliver them safely to their destination , and they do each and every day .
This year , they are doing it all behind a mask .
No early morning smiles , just wondering eyes .
They pick up students who , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are also flooded with anxiety and fear .
Some local school districts have added extra drop-offs to help with social distancing on the bus routes , extending their workday .
Nationwide , many bus drivers lost their income when the schools abruptly closed last year , and they still dutifully returned in August .
So , when you ’ re sitting at a stoplight or walking off your pandemic fifteen , wave to the school bus drivers for a job well done .
This nation could meet our students ’ laptop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live with shortages of the equipment our children need .
In the 1940s , our president and Congress launched an effort that produced 300,000 military planes in four years .
Companies such as Ford shifted their lines from automobile assembly to warplane production .
And it wasn ’ t just airplanes ; we stopped making many other products to meet the needs of the war effort instead .
Wouldn ’ t it be wonderful if we had a president and a Congress who would go to Dell and Microsoft and Google and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until every child who needs one has one ?
Oh , and leaders who would also go to the telecoms and arrange for them to provide broadband to every household in the U.S. so that we would never have to face this issue again ?
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Thinking outside the box necessary for RTD
Re: “Proposal would beef up RTD’s urban lines,” Oct. 26 news story
As usual, we get mired in the push and pull of different mitigating factors on feasibility, solvency and survival of public transit — even without the financial pressures of a pandemic on state budgets.
What is missing is creativity and alignment of the motivations and financial incentives of the various types of consumers using public transit or who simply believe in its value and willing to pay into the system for the greater good. We know that Uber wins on price and convenience on shorter trips, at least that is the calculation in my head. Maybe RTD should keep trips not well served by Uber — such as regional transit — and refocus on how to take the short-ride business back via circulators between neighborhood entertainment districts and concert/venue specific routes, and schedules for moving larger groups on specific days and times.
In addition, different price structures and incentives are needed to answer the question in the consumer’s head, “is this less expensive and/or more convenient than the alternative”? The commuter from Evergreen who comes into the city for entertainment only has a different pass and price point vs. the person living within a few miles who comes for work and entertainment.
We know our current system is not sustainable. We also know that motivations for using public transit range from not having a car to caring for the environment. Our solutions need to be as adaptive and creative too.
Trupti Suthar, Denver
I read a recent article about RTD’s latest suspended service cuts and the shift to reimagine a more effective service post-COVID-19. It is important that we focus our service where we have the greatest need for ridership now but to reimagine our regional transportation network, we need to reimagine our streets.
This means a shift away from single-occupancy car priorities. Instead of expanding lanes to highways and avenues or creating new developments with additional parking, we should be expanding sidewalks to protect pedestrians, connecting bike lanes to bus stops and transportation hubs, and focusing on improving Rapid Bus Transit along popular ridership routes.
We should expand safe access to our streets, much like the Denver Shared Streets program has done to encourage a shared place to walk with your family, enjoy a local restaurant or take a jog to the park.
COVID has thrown every city and transportation department a curveball this year. Instead of business as usual, we should reevaluate and reimagine our streets to ensure a future of success for our RTD service.
Countries around the world are working to become carbon neutral by 2050. The United States could do this too, but we can start laying the groundwork at the local level. A path to carbon-neutral means a bike path instead of a parking lot, extended sidewalks and crosswalks instead of an updated highway interchange, and more pedestrian safe spaces where we can hopefully all reunite once the pandemic has passed.
Brian Funk, Denver
A countdown list that makes YOU No. 1
Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Wear a Mask:
10. You can talk to yourself and no one knows.
9. They are fashionable.
8. Masks are warm in the winter.
7. Masks muffle your words.
6. You can save money on mouthwash.
5. You can save money on cold and flu medicines.
4. They will help us get through the holiday season safely.
3. They can help prevent business shutdowns.
2. They can lower health costs and keep you out of the hospital.
And the No. 1 reason why you should wear a mask:
1. YOU! Protect yourself!
Carol Williams, Evergreen
Doc’s orders: Cover those nostrils
Re: “Coronavirus — Study says wearing masks could save 130,000 lives,” Oct. 24 news story
There are more people wearing masks in Denver lately, which is gratifying. I have also noticed quite a few “nosers,” people with masks covering the mouth only. The photograph on page 2 on Oct. 24 shows two of them working in a Democratic Party Headquarters.They taught us in medical school that air (and I presume viruses) can go in and out of both the nose and the mouth. That being so, I encourage people not to be a “noser.”
John W. Lacher, Denver
Here’s to the school bus drivers
We all agree that this current school year has been tumultuous on many levels, we have gone out of our way to recognize our teachers, cafeteria workers, and custodians for going the extra mile to keep families safe. So often we forget about one of the most important school employees — the bus drivers.
Bus drivers are on the frontlines, especially in this COVID-19 school year. They are often the first school personnel that students see each day. They are tone setters for every student on their bus, and are often the first and last welcoming face children see each day. They promise to take care of our children and deliver them safely to their destination, and they do each and every day.
This year, they are doing it all behind a mask. No early morning smiles, just wondering eyes. They pick up students who, though happy to see their friends once again, are also flooded with anxiety and fear.
Some local school districts have added extra drop-offs to help with social distancing on the bus routes, extending their workday.
Nationwide, many bus drivers lost their income when the schools abruptly closed last year, and they still dutifully returned in August.
So, when you’re sitting at a stoplight or walking off your pandemic fifteen, wave to the school bus drivers for a job well done.
Stephanie Roche, Loveland
This nation could meet our students’ laptop, tech needs
Re: “They want to learn,” Oct. 19 news story
We don’t have to live with shortages of the equipment our children need. In the 1940s, our president and Congress launched an effort that produced 300,000 military planes in four years. Companies such as Ford shifted their lines from automobile assembly to warplane production. And it wasn’t just airplanes; we stopped making many other products to meet the needs of the war effort instead.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a president and a Congress who would go to Dell and Microsoft and Google and have them produce nothing but low-cost laptops until every child who needs one has one?
Oh, and leaders who would also go to the telecoms and arrange for them to provide broadband to every household in the U.S. so that we would never have to face this issue again?
Steve Cramer, Denver
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thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Post Premium: Top stories for Oct. 26-Nov. 1

It has been an election year like no other , with COVID-19 adding complications and a controversial president increasing enthusiasm about voting .
Reporter Jon Murray dug into what that will mean for election night results – both statewide and nationally .
If you haven ’ t voted yet , our procrastinator ’ s guide online will give you the info you need to make informed decisions .
Meanwhile , Jon has the lowdown on what to expect once the polls close Tuesday at 7 p.m. Election Day in Colorado : Here ’ s how to watch and interpret results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver 2020 ballot : 12 issues for city residents , from taxes to pit bulls Five don ’ t-miss stories from last week Far-right conservatives see in Lauren Boebert the future of Colorado ’ s GOP On a bright October morning , with a gun on her hip and a Donald Trump “ 45 ” hat on her head , Lauren Boebert rolls up in a large SUV to a small park in the tiny western Colorado town of Collbran .
She connects a phone to her loudspeaker and kicks off a hand-picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national anthem turned way , way up .
Nodding her head and mouthing the lyrics , a fired-up Boebert sets out to meet with voters who see in her the future of the state ’ s GOP .
Continue Reading… The politics of climate change are shifting in Colorado Despite increasing acceptance of the science of climate change across the state , what to do about it remains a politically sensitive question .
Read More… “ That ’ s where my soul is ” : How Grand Lake residents responded after the East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hugged this mountain community Wednesday morning , thick as the smoke that rushed through town just a week before , forcing longtime residents and second-home owners to grab old pictures and guitars , baby blankets and bottles of rum as they bolted south on Colorado 34 — the orange glow of the East Troublesome fire creeping menacingly over the ridge .
But as the fog lifted , a clear blue sky opened up , the sun shimmering on the lake , warming the nearly empty downtown strip .
Slowly , those who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake headed to the Sagebrush BBQ and Grill in the center of town .
It was the only place open for a bite or a stiff drink… Continue Reading… What dining outside in Denver will look ( and feel like ) this winter Sunday morning , with temperatures hovering below 15 degrees and snow falling , I nearly prompted the end of my relationship by insisting we drive across town to drink coffee and eat pastries , outside of a restaurant but inside a plastic greenhouse .
Days after that experience left us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m here to tell you that , when done properly , outdoor winter dining can warm even your partner ’ s cold heart .
That it ’ s worth experiencing for yourself .
Read More… Kiszla : CU Buffs and Cornhuskers should be playing football , instead of being stuck in conferences where they don ’ t belong .
Colorado has never belonged in the Pac-12 Conference .
Nebraska has never really felt at home in the Big Ten .
All the Buffs and Huskers want to do is go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of money .
Like CU and Nebraska used to , back in the glory days of Bill McCartney and Tom Osborne .
In my dreams , the Buffaloes and Cornhuskers are on the football field this weekend , blocking and tackling each other with passion .
Play the game in Boulder .
Or Lincoln .
Or between two pick-up trucks in the Julesburg Family Market parking lot , for crying out loud .
Continue Reading… See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .
Get more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gallery , here .

It has been an election year like no other, with COVID-19 adding complications and a controversial president increasing enthusiasm about voting.
Reporter Jon Murray dug into what that will mean for election night results – both statewide and nationally.
If you haven’t voted yet, our procrastinator’s guide online will give you the info you need to make informed decisions.
Meanwhile, Jon has the lowdown on what to expect once the polls close Tuesday at 7 p.m.
— Cindi Andrews, The Denver Post
RELATED:
Five don’t-miss stories from last week
On a bright October morning, with a gun on her hip and a Donald Trump “45” hat on her head, Lauren Boebert rolls up in a large SUV to a small park in the tiny western Colorado town of Collbran.
She connects a phone to her loudspeaker and kicks off a hand-picked playlist with a hard-rock rendition of the national anthem turned way, way up. Nodding her head and mouthing the lyrics, a fired-up Boebert sets out to meet with voters who see in her the future of the state’s GOP. Continue Reading…
Despite increasing acceptance of the science of climate change across the state, what to do about it remains a politically sensitive question. Read More…
GRAND LAKE – The fog hugged this mountain community Wednesday morning, thick as the smoke that rushed through town just a week before, forcing longtime residents and second-home owners to grab old pictures and guitars, baby blankets and bottles of rum as they bolted south on Colorado 34 — the orange glow of the East Troublesome fire creeping menacingly over the ridge.
But as the fog lifted, a clear blue sky opened up, the sun shimmering on the lake, warming the nearly empty downtown strip. Slowly, those who’d made their way back to Grand Lake headed to the Sagebrush BBQ and Grill in the center of town.
It was the only place open for a bite or a stiff drink… Continue Reading…
Sunday morning, with temperatures hovering below 15 degrees and snow falling, I nearly prompted the end of my relationship by insisting we drive across town to drink coffee and eat pastries, outside of a restaurant but inside a plastic greenhouse.
Days after that experience left us stuffed and in surprisingly good spirits, I’m here to tell you that, when done properly, outdoor winter dining can warm even your partner’s cold heart. That it’s worth experiencing for yourself. Read More…
Colorado has never belonged in the Pac-12 Conference. Nebraska has never really felt at home in the Big Ten.
All the Buffs and Huskers want to do is go out and play football. For bragging rights instead of money. Like CU and Nebraska used to, back in the glory days of Bill McCartney and Tom Osborne.
In my dreams, the Buffaloes and Cornhuskers are on the football field this weekend, blocking and tackling each other with passion. Play the game in Boulder. Or Lincoln. Or between two pick-up trucks in the Julesburg Family Market parking lot, for crying out loud. Continue Reading…
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.
Get more on this story, including a photo gallery, here.


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Avalanche defensemen Devon Toews, Cale Makar took similar NCAA paths to the NHL

Avalanche newcomer Devon Toews , a coveted two-way defenseman , has a lot in common with the guy he might play next to on Colorado ’ s first pairing .
Toews ( pronounced Taves ) and Cale Makar are Canadians who took the U.S. college route , playing junior-A in Canada before joining relatively obscure programs at Quinnipiac and UMass , respectively .
They never played against each other in college but they might make up a highly skilled right-shot/left-shot pairing for the Avs .
“ We both went East Coast with colleges , to programs that aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — more up-and-coming programs , ” Toews said on a Zoom call this week , after agreeing to a four-year , $ 16.4 million contract with the Avs .
Most NHL-bound Canadians play juniors ( 20-under ) in the Canadian Hockey League , which is considered semi-pro by the NCAA and thus contaminates NCAA eligibility .
And the high-profile Canadians who do choose college typically play for the perennial national powers .
“ I ’ m sure ( Makar ) saw something ( at UMass ) , whether it was the coaching staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought would complement his game and help him progress .
You can see it did , ” Toews said .
“ He ’ s turned into an incredible player.
” He added : “ I ’ m excited to meet him and get to know him .
Because I was the same way going to Quinnipiac , a smaller school , but just the way they develop and progress you is incredible , so I ’ m excited to pick his mind and see how his time ( in college ) was , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toews and Makar both signed their NHL entry-level contracts after coming up short in an NCAA championship game , with Quinnipiac losing to North Dakota in 2016 and UMass falling to Minnesota-Duluth in 2019 .
Toews , 26 , signed with the New York Islanders after that loss , forgoing his senior year , and Makar — who turned 22 on Friday — joined the Avalanche as a sophomore .
Greenwood Village native Landon Smith played with Toews at Quinnipiac for two seasons , and Smith , now retired because of concussions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Denver area with one of his favorite teammates .
“ He ’ s definitely a leader by example .
He sets the bar high with his practice habits , weight room , and he was always such a good teammate , ” Smith said of Toews , who ran the Islanders ’ power play last season .
“ Just a good guy to have around .
Got along with everybody and was super humble about everything.
” Toews helped lead the Islanders to the Eastern Conference finals , where they lost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after that series , Toews got married .
And two days after the wedding , his rights were traded to the Avalanche for second-round draft picks in 2021 and 2022 .
“ The support that we got from family , friends and the fans were just so exciting and a lot of fun , ” Toews said of playing in the East finals .
“ Then the whirlwind after , to turn around and get married in two weeks was a wild time .
But my wife did so well setting everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping her with everything as well .
Two days after that , it was the crazy news of being traded and trying to have to deal with the emotional side of things.
” He added : “ We ’ re so grateful for everything the Islanders have done for us .
We ’ re also so grateful for everything we ’ re going to have in Colorado.
” The Avalanche now has improved a blue line it fancied last season .
Toews , Makar and Sam Girard are highly skilled puck-movers and supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graves and Ian Cole .
Opponents used to only have to worry about Makar or Girard pushing the pace up ice from the defensive zone .
Now Colorado has another player of that ilk in Toews .
“ His speed is so effortless .
He ’ s one of the fastest guys I ’ ve ever played with , ” Smith said of his college teammate .
“ He has really good vision when it comes to offense — he ran our power play — but he ’ s extremely sound in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Very well-rounded hockey player .
”

Avalanche newcomer Devon Toews, a coveted two-way defenseman, has a lot in common with the guy he might play next to on Colorado’s first pairing.
Toews (pronounced Taves) and Cale Makar are Canadians who took the U.S. college route, playing junior-A in Canada before joining relatively obscure programs at Quinnipiac and UMass, respectively. They never played against each other in college but they might make up a highly skilled right-shot/left-shot pairing for the Avs.
“We both went East Coast with colleges, to programs that aren’t North Dakotas, Denvers, Boston Colleges — more up-and-coming programs,” Toews said on a Zoom call this week, after agreeing to a four-year, $16.4 million contract with the Avs.
Most NHL-bound Canadians play juniors (20-under) in the Canadian Hockey League, which is considered semi-pro by the NCAA and thus contaminates NCAA eligibility. And the high-profile Canadians who do choose college typically play for the perennial national powers.
“I’m sure (Makar) saw something (at UMass), whether it was the coaching staff, strength coach, something that he thought would complement his game and help him progress. You can see it did,” Toews said. “He’s turned into an incredible player.”
He added: “I’m excited to meet him and get to know him. Because I was the same way going to Quinnipiac, a smaller school, but just the way they develop and progress you is incredible, so I’m excited to pick his mind and see how his time (in college) was, and learn from him as well.”
Toews and Makar both signed their NHL entry-level contracts after coming up short in an NCAA championship game, with Quinnipiac losing to North Dakota in 2016 and UMass falling to Minnesota-Duluth in 2019. Toews, 26, signed with the New York Islanders after that loss, forgoing his senior year, and Makar — who turned 22 on Friday — joined the Avalanche as a sophomore.
Greenwood Village native Landon Smith played with Toews at Quinnipiac for two seasons, and Smith, now retired because of concussions, is excited to renew his friendship in the Denver area with one of his favorite teammates.
“He’s definitely a leader by example. He sets the bar high with his practice habits, weight room, and he was always such a good teammate,” Smith said of Toews, who ran the Islanders’ power play last season. “Just a good guy to have around. Got along with everybody and was super humble about everything.”
Toews helped lead the Islanders to the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to Tampa Bay in six games. Two weeks after that series, Toews got married. And two days after the wedding, his rights were traded to the Avalanche for second-round draft picks in 2021 and 2022.
“The support that we got from family, friends and the fans were just so exciting and a lot of fun,” Toews said of playing in the East finals. “Then the whirlwind after, to turn around and get married in two weeks was a wild time. But my wife did so well setting everything up. Her parents were great in helping her with everything as well. Two days after that, it was the crazy news of being traded and trying to have to deal with the emotional side of things.”
He added: “We’re so grateful for everything the Islanders have done for us. We’re also so grateful for everything we’re going to have in Colorado.”
The Avalanche now has improved a blue line it fancied last season. Toews, Makar and Sam Girard are highly skilled puck-movers and supported by big guys Erik Johnson, Ryan Graves and Ian Cole. Opponents used to only have to worry about Makar or Girard pushing the pace up ice from the defensive zone. Now Colorado has another player of that ilk in Toews.
“His speed is so effortless. He’s one of the fastest guys I’ve ever played with,” Smith said of his college teammate. “He has really good vision when it comes to offense — he ran our power play — but he’s extremely sound in the D-zone. Not too many flaws. Very well-rounded hockey player.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-01--Broncos Insider: Has Denver or Los Angeles benefited more from the swap of Chris Harris and Melvin G

Broncos Insider: Has Denver or Los Angeles benefited more from the swap of Chris Harris and Melvin Gordon?

As the Broncos and Chargers head into Sunday ’ s Week 8 matchup with each team sitting at 2-4 and their respective seasons on the line , who got the best of the No .
25 star swap in the offseason ?
Melvin Gordon — who signed a two-year , $ 16 million free-agent contract with Denver in March — has 82 rushes for 349 yards and four touchdowns as the Broncos ’ new backfield centerpiece alongside third-year pro Phillip Lindsay .
Cornerback Chris Harris , meanwhile , had 15 total tackles and one pass defensed in three games for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The nine-year Denver veteran signed a two year , $ 20.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason , but has spent the majority of this season on injured reserve after hurting his foot in Week 3 .
While Harris has been sidelined , Gordon ’ s had issues of his own in Denver .
The 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of DUI in downtown Denver on Oct. 13 after being pulled over for allegedly driving 71 mph in a 35-mph zone .
He missed that week ’ s game against New England due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his return last Sunday against Kansas City , he rushed for 68 yards but was also involved in two fumbles .
Gordon ’ s provided much-needed depth at the position for Denver amid Lindsay ’ s injury issues , as Lindsay missed three games with a toe injury and exited the Chiefs game with a concussion .
And Gordon also showed his big-game ability in the performance prior to his DUI arrest , running for 107 yards on 23 carries in the road win over the Jets on Oct. 1 .
But Gordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 47 touchdowns over five seasons with the Chargers , hasn ’ t yet played up to his pay scale in Denver .
That ’ s not to mention the fact he ’ s likely facing a three-game suspension once the legal process plays out .
Gordon is set for arraignment Nov. 13 .
So who has won the swap of No .
25s ?
That ’ s hard to tell this early , especially with Harris unable to play due to injury .
What is clear is that six games into the swap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overspend by both teams .
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As the Broncos and Chargers head into Sunday’s Week 8 matchup with each team sitting at 2-4 and their respective seasons on the line, who got the best of the No. 25 star swap in the offseason?
Melvin Gordon — who signed a two-year, $16 million free-agent contract with Denver in March — has 82 rushes for 349 yards and four touchdowns as the Broncos’ new backfield centerpiece alongside third-year pro Phillip Lindsay.
Cornerback Chris Harris, meanwhile, had 15 total tackles and one pass defensed in three games for his new employer in Los Angeles. The nine-year Denver veteran signed a two year, $20.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason, but has spent the majority of this season on injured reserve after hurting his foot in Week 3.
While Harris has been sidelined, Gordon’s had issues of his own in Denver. The 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of DUI in downtown Denver on Oct. 13 after being pulled over for allegedly driving 71 mph in a 35-mph zone. He missed that week’s game against New England due to a non-COVID related illness. In his return last Sunday against Kansas City, he rushed for 68 yards but was also involved in two fumbles.
Gordon’s provided much-needed depth at the position for Denver amid Lindsay’s injury issues, as Lindsay missed three games with a toe injury and exited the Chiefs game with a concussion. And Gordon also showed his big-game ability in the performance prior to his DUI arrest, running for 107 yards on 23 carries in the road win over the Jets on Oct. 1.
But Gordon, who racked up 4,240 yards and 47 touchdowns over five seasons with the Chargers, hasn’t yet played up to his pay scale in Denver. That’s not to mention the fact he’s likely facing a three-game suspension once the legal process plays out. Gordon is set for arraignment Nov. 13.
So who has won the swap of No. 25s? That’s hard to tell this early, especially with Harris unable to play due to injury. What is clear is that six games into the swap, it’s looking like an overspend by both teams.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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