Officials from the Colorado Rockies and a federal cybersecurity agency are planning a “full-scale” active shooter and bombing simulation at Coors Field to practice responding to an attack during a regular season baseball game.
The May 22 event will bring together stadium and team officials, local first responders and state and federal agencies “to perform response actions that would be taken during an attack at Coors Field,” organizers wrote in an email sent to a Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management mailing list on Friday.
Organizers are looking for volunteer actors to participate in the simulation, which will take place when the Rockies are scheduled to play in Oakland, according to the email.
“The scenario involves a simulated explosion followed by an active shooter during a regular season weekend Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field,” organizers with the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency wrote on an intake form for volunteer actors.
Two 60-minute scenarios will be held during the 6-hour training and will include being “exposed to loud noises, including simulated gunshot and explosive sounds,” organizers wrote.
Volunteers are required to be 18 years or older and must answer if they are willing to have simulated injuries painted on or applied, including fake bruises, scratches, burns, gunshot wounds and blood, according to the intake form.
Getting fake injuries applied, which is known as moulage, is not mandatory for participation.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management referred questions about the event to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Representatives for the agency and Colorado Rockies could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.
DENVER — Staff at a Denver school are coming together to help a cafeteria employee after her home caught fire twice in one week.
Rose Gianni, who was impacted, said both of the fires were electrical in nature and took place within two days of each other at her mobile home located north of Denver.
Gianni said the first fire broke out Tuesday while she was at work at Denver Green School (DGS). She said it destroyed a wall. The second fire broke out on Thursday while she was at her damaged home.
“This is where I live, I’m in shock,” Gianni said. “It’s just so hard, but I’m just hanging in there.”
Gianni lives at the home with her two cats, who thankfully were not injured.
When staff at DGS found out what had happened, they immediately stepped in to help.
Denver7 spoke with Jessica Krichbaum, one of the school principals, and Aleaha Harkins, a music teacher at the school.
“I came directly to her kitchen the very next morning, not expecting to see her there — and there she was sitting, crying at school, and I said, ‘How can you be here with a giant travesty at your house?’ And she said, ‘Well, these kids need me. I need to make food and feed these children,’” said Harkins. “I think that’s why it really inspired me to do something for her because even experiencing something like a loss in her home, she was willing to put that aside and show up for our kids.”
Staff at DGS have launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Gianni in her time of need.
Denver school comes together to help cafeteria worker after fire damages home
“I was in shock, what they’re doing for me. I appreciate everything they’re doing for me,” said Gianni, while fighting back tears.
“She shows up every day. She’s helpful to not only the teachers and the school leaders, but the kids and families as well and just helping them navigate different stuff. So we love her. And that’s why I wanted to help her,” Krichbaum said.
Fundraising efforts are still underway but on Saturday, Krichbaum and Harkins surprised her with $1,000 from their GoFundMe, to start helping her get back on her feet.
The electricians who came out to her home after the fire have notified her she must rewire the electricity in her entire home if she wishes to stay.
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INDIANAPOLIS — No matter how many All-Stars the NBA filed into a packed room Saturday to talk over one another in simultaneous news conferences, a silence reverberated loudest. Loud enough to be heard in at least a few of the questions.
The most significant absence in Indianapolis this weekend is the one that’s shaking up the 2023-24 MVP race.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was the presumptive favorite until early February when he underwent surgery to repair his lateral meniscus. The left knee injury has rendered him ineligible to repeat as league MVP under new NBA policy, which requires players to appear in a minimum of 65 games to be considered for end-of-year awards such as MVP and All-NBA.
The procedure will sideline Embiid long enough that he almost definitively wouldn’t have won MVP even without the new rule. However, his situation has still sparked debate in league circles about whether or not the 65-game minimum should have been instituted in the first place. Why? Because there was wide speculation Embiid felt pressured to play through a pre-existing knee injury in order to maintain awards eligibility, especially after getting ridiculed for missing his fourth consecutive road game against the Nuggets — and MVP adversary Nikola Jokic — in late January.
Two games later, Embiid was back in the lineup when Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga fell on his leg and caused the injury that required surgery.
Jokic is perversely positioned to benefit from Embiid’s unfortunate situation. The Nuggets center is the new betting favorite to win his third MVP in the last four years. But he takes no joy in that. He was asked about the 65-game rule Saturday during his media session at All-Star weekend.
“Definitely forcing players to play, even when they’re injured or whatever,” Jokic said. “But we saw what happened with Joel. … I don’t know. I just don’t like it, how it forces players to play even if they’re injured, if they want to achieve something.”
Arguments against the rule largely depend on the arbitrary nature of the league’s chosen number. No data-driven evidence was provided to explain why 65 makes more sense as a games-played minimum than, say, 67 — one more than the number of games Embiid played last year when he won MVP. In 2022-23, Jokic finished second in voting with 69 games played. Giannis Antetokounmpo was third with 63.
With the door wide open now, Jokic’s biggest challenger for the 2023-24 crown is his All-Star teammate, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder guard, who ranks second in the league in scoring (31.1 points) and first in steals (2.2), wasn’t as quick to condemn the rule as Jokic was.
“I’m not too sure. I think no matter what, there’s like a fine line,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Like, when it comes down to it, there’s always a fine line in games played and availability. And I think the league has the right intention in trying to make that line a little bit bolder and easier to make a decision. Now, I try to be as available as I can every night, not only for that but just for the love of the game. But as far as how the rule goes, I don’t really have an opinion. I’m gonna try to be available for my team to win basketball games every night, and if I can’t be available, then I just can’t, and it is what it is.”
The last remark in Gilgeous-Alexander’s answer operates as a rebuttal to Jokic’s point: Players can and should be responsible for their own decision-making when their health is involved, regardless of what a rule incentivizes.
Beyond the MVP layer of the debate, Indiana All-Star Tyrese Haliburton has said recently that he felt rushed to return from an injury this season because his eligibility to sign a supermax contract depends on him making an All-NBA team. Boston’s Jaylen Brown, who signed a supermax last offseason after making his first All-NBA team, suggested lowering the minimum to around 58 games.
“Honestly, I do believe that if you win any type of award, I think you should have to play a significant amount of the season,” Brown said Saturday. “… But maybe 65 games might be a little too severe, you know?”
A fistfight between two Excel Academy students escalated into a shooting this week, sending people running for cover and setting neighbors around the Denver public high school on edge.
The fight-turned-shooting happened at around 12:15 p.m. Monday in the 3100 block of West Colorado Avenue, around the corner from Excel Academy, a pathway school that is designed to help students who are behind on credits get back on track for graduation.
Two students and their families were involved in the fight, Principal Cynthia Navarro wrote in a letter to parents Monday.
“At no point were our students or staff inside the building ever in danger,” she wrote.
The shooting comes as Denver Public Schools faces increased public scrutiny over its handling of gun violence among students, particularly in the wake of last year’s shooting at East High School in which a 17-year-old student wounded two school administrators.
People who live near Excel Academy said during a Denver Police Department neighborhood meeting Wednesday that they’ve raised concerns about the school for years — particularly around nuisance issues like students parking across driveways, littering or drag racing in the streets — and questioned whether school officials were doing enough to protect students and residents.
On Monday, two young women met in the street to fight while a crowd of about a dozen people watched, according to video of the incident reviewed by The Denver Post. Most appeared to be high-school-aged, but there were at least two adults in the mix, said Cyan Santillana, who witnessed the fight. One of the adults was encouraging the fight, she said.
After a couple of minutes of fighting, at least one of the people watching drew a gun and fired shots, the video shows. The crowd scattered, with people diving behind cars or into alleys for cover. A single adult man was shot in the incident and survived, Denver police said.
No arrests had been made by Wednesday and police did not answer questions about the man’s condition or about the shooting.
Fights in the neighborhood, which abuts Federal Boulevard, are not entirely uncommon, Santillana said, but this was the first time she could remember shots being fired.
“It’s getting to the point where something definitely needs to be done now,” she said. “There are kids in this neighborhood, there is an elementary school right down the street, and there was this active shooting right in front of the houses.”
She added that most of the 250 students at Excel Academy don’t cause problems, but that the small group who do “give the school a bad rap.” One student just happened to be walking by when the shooting happened and had to run for cover, Santillana said.
The shooting took place during the school’s lunch hour, when many students were out of the building enjoying warm weather, said Scott Pribble, spokesman for Denver Public Schools. The fight prompted a 20-minute “secure perimeter” at the school, during which staff and students stayed inside and locked exterior doors, Navarro said in the letter to parents.
Pribble said there’s no indication that any of the involved students had a gun on school grounds before the shooting happened. He declined to discuss whether the involved students faced discipline like suspension or expulsion, adding that the disciplinary process takes time.
Between 2018 and April 2023, Denver police responded to 59 incidents involving guns at 31 Denver public schools, data provided by the police department shows. About half of those incidents involved possession of a gun, and just over a quarter involved menacing. Only three incidents were considered aggravated assaults involving a firearm, according to the data.
None of the 59 gun-related incidents happened at Excel Academy, the data shows.
The school with the highest number of police responses to incidents involving guns was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College in Green Valley Ranch, with five police responses. Police handled three incidents at East High School during the more than five-year span, including the March school shooting.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Valentine’s Day is a day to feel loved, and kids across the Denver metro made sure that was the case for senior citizens in Lakewood.
Students created 3,000 handwritten Valentine’s Day cards to be delivered to residents at The Ridge Pinehurst Senior Center during the center’s “Love Your Neighbors Valentine Party.”
Ridge Pinehurst residents gathered in a community room, donned in red and pink clothing, to enjoy food, music and conversation. They were then each surprised with a decorated paper bag, stuffed full of handmade Valentine’s messages to enjoy.
“For most of our residents, it’s been a long time since they were able to have a true Valentine’s. And this really shows them that the community is behind them,” said Lori Closs, associate executive director at The Ridge Pinehurst Senior Center. “When we walked in, I was a little unsure of how it would happen. And to see the tears of joy, I also became tearful. It just enlightens them. They love to see and feel the love that our community brings to them.”
Studies show that connection is key to a long and healthy life, making the love and warmth of the Love Your Neighbors Valentine Party all the more important to the residents and staff at the center.
“It just fills my heart with joy,” said resident Rita Price. “Words aren’t strong enough to explain my wonderful, gracious gratitude for all of these lovely children that came to do Valentine’s for this old broad.”
“It’s great to have these kids remember us old people,” laughed fellow resident Ethel Loughmiller.
In the video below, see the heartwarming moments as the residents at The Ridge Pinehurst Senior Center in Lakewood opened and read the thousands of cards received from students in the community.
Students send 3,000 Valentines cards to senior citizens in Lakewood
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Denver police allege the boy shot and killed Richard Sanchez on a bus near South Federal Boulevard and West Mississippi Avenue on the evening of Jan. 27 because Sanchez’s leg was blocking the aisle.
Sanchez was pronounced dead at a local hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds. A second person on the bus was also injured but was not taken to the hospital.
The boy was arrested on Feb. 1 and is facing 14 charges including first-degree murder, Denver District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Maro Casparian said Wednesday.
Prosecutors consider many factors when deciding whether to pursue trying a juvenile as an adult, according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.
Those include the circumstances of the crime, the suspect’s age, what contact they’ve had with the juvenile system, their upbringing and background, provisions of the law and the perspective of the victim or victim’s family.
“We balance the need for punishment with the opportunity to rehabilitate the juvenile. We are now in the process of making the decision in the case of the 13-year-old,” the DA’s office said in a statement.
A preliminary hearing in the case is set for March 8.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado alleges Children’s Hospital Colorado is discriminating against transgender patients by refusing to perform surgeries it offers to cisgender patients with other conditions.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Denver District Court, also states the hospital is discriminating on the basis of disability, because gender dysphoria — distress when a person’s sense of their gender doesn’t align with physical characteristics — is a medical condition.
The ACLU filed it on behalf of an 18-year-old Denver patient who was on track to receive gender-affirming surgery before the hospital discontinued that service.
The patient, who is identified in the lawsuit by the pseudonym Caden Kent, started receiving care at Children’s for mental health concerns when he was 16. He was diagnosed with gender dysphoria a few months later and had undergone about eight months of assessment before determining he was a candidate for surgery once he turned 18.
The hospital stated it had received an unusual number of referrals for gender-affirming surgery as programs shut down in other states, and that it didn’t shut down the program because of threats. It came at a time when children’s hospitals were scrubbing references to transgender care from their websites, though, with at least 21 removing information in 2022. A search on the hospital’s website for its TRUE Center for Gender Diversity no longer turns up any results.
According to the lawsuit, Kent chose to undergo surgery at Children’s because he received other care there, and hoped to recover from the surgery before leaving for college in the fall. Other surgical providers who accept his family’s insurance are booked up, meaning his parents will have to pay out-of-pocket for him to undergo the surgery in that time frame. Kent had resorted to chest-binding to ease his dysphoria, but found himself withdrawing from others when binding became too painful and he couldn’t otherwise hide the breast tissue, it said.
“(Children’s Hospital Colorado’s) abrupt cancellation of all gender-affirming surgeries for its trans patients was devastating to Caden, other impacted patients, and Colorado’s transgender community,” ACLU of Colorado legal director Tim Macdonald said in a news release. “Refusal to provide medically necessary care based on the identity of the person seeking it, and the condition for which they are seeking it, is discriminatory and illegal under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.”
Dozens of people gathered hours before Lakewood’s city council meeting Monday night, and as the meeting time approached, the chambers and overflow areas were full, with people sitting all the way up the staircase going up to the second floor of the city administration building.
It was an unusual scene at city council but it was an example of something becoming more common in Colorado’s cities. Along the Front Range, some residents see Denver spending large sums of money in order to support new immigrants, and are increasingly voicing concerns the same will happen in their cities. In El Paso County, commissioners declared the area would not become a “sanctuary,” and in Aurora councilors also heard concerns on the issue Monday night.
In all these places, the concerns are largely premature, since neither Lakewood, Aurora nor Colorado Springs has taken steps like opening shelters or providing significant monetary assistance to arriving immigrants. But the residents voicing concerns also see their opposition as preemptive: In Lakewood, they want city leaders to take steps to actively deter people from coming, for example by ramping up policing.
Denver has helped 38,505 new immigrants who have arrived since late 2022, spending about $42 million on temporary shelter and other services. Thousands of the new immigrants have chosen to move onto other cities. Some have gone to Aurora, where a coalition of nonprofits has provided services. On Feb. 9, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced temporary cuts to some city services in order to fund the immigration response.
In dozens of public comments and in interviews outside council chambers, people expressed fears about crime and the costs of pubic services and housing.
Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteA man holds a sign during Lakewood City Council’s weekly meeting, in which immigration is a central topic, though it’s not actually an item on the agenda. Feb. 12, 2024.Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteAn overflow area for people attending Lakewood City Council’s weekly meeting, in which immigration is a central topic, though it’s not actually an item on the agenda. Feb. 12, 2024.
Resident Dawn Austin spoke to the council, saying, “What you see tonight is informed voters who have watched Denver’s decline, and don’t want the same here.” A couple dozen people in the crowd waved their hands in the air in support. A few of the signs in the crowd read, “Don’t Denver Our Lakewood.”
Others said they didn’t like getting approached in grocery store parking lots and at intersections by new immigrants who were looking for work or to wash windshields. Many referred to the newcomers as “illegal immigrants,” although some are utilizing the limited legal means available to try to stay in the country, like seeking asylum.
“This community cannot afford this,” said Ramey Johnson, a former city councilwoman who has helped organize the people voicing concerns. “It’s not that we are not a compassionate community. We are,” Johnson said. “But we cannot care for the world.”
Outside the building, Lori Cutunilli said she came despite the fact that she doesn’t live in Lakewood. She lives in Summit County and worries “if they can push it out into Lakewood, they’re going to push it out everywhere around our state.” She held a sparkly sign with one word on it: Recall. She said she hasn’t started any recall effort, but she wanted to send a message.
A smaller but equally passionate group of residents showed up to voice their support for homeless services and the compassionate treatment of new immigrants. Some stood outside with monarch butterfly pins and capes, a symbol of migration.
Sandie Weathers said she is a daughter of an immigrant from Mexico. About the newcomers, she said, “These folks are just trying to survive.” She said she appreciates concerns about how taxpayer money is spent, but she believes the U.S. owns part of the responsibility for creating the circumstances that have driven people to leave their home countries.
She says she has experienced racism firsthand in Lakewood, and sees it in the opposition to those arriving from Central and South America. “That’s really why I’m out here today, because I don’t want that narrative to win.”
“Anybody who would fight for the impoverishment, the hunger, the desolation of another human being, they need to re-look at their life, in my opinion,” said Amber Varwig. “Migrants have traveled so far trying to achieve something that all of us take for granted. And I think it’s ok to say, ‘How about rights for me, and rights for thee?’”
Rachel Estabrook/CPR NewsLakewood resident Sandie Weathers rallied outside the City Council in support of new immigrants on Feb. 12, 2024. Since monarch butterflies migrate along a similar path as some people do, they have become a common symbol of support.Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteLakewood City Council members walk out of their weekly meeting after a slew of public commenters called in with antisemetic comments. Feb. 12, 2024.Kevin J. Beaty/DenveritePeople raise their hands to express agreement with Wendy Shrader, who is testifying to Lakewood City Council against helping immigrants who might arrive in the city. Feb. 12, 2024.
The opposition started over a meeting between Lakewood and Denver leaders about arriving immigrants.
In January, Lakewood’s city council asked city staff to meet with representatives from Denver, “to determine how Lakewood can learn about the migrant crisis and discuss potential opportunities to partner as a good neighbor responding to the increasing migrant population arriving in Denver,” according to city council.
The premise of the meeting raised alarm bells for some people who speculated on what it could mean to be “a good neighbor.” They suggested, for example, that city or county resources could be used to house new immigrants, and they suspected that a new homeless services center in Lakewood, which was partly funded by state grants, could be a response to Denver’s overwhelmed shelters.
Mayor Wendi Strom said the homeless navigation center has been in the works for a long time and is not specifically meant to serve new immigrants. City councilors said just nine people served so far have been newly arrived immigrants.
In response to the residents’ concerns, which were voiced at a recent meeting, Lakewood put out a statement this month “regarding incorrect community information.” It said Lakewood was not planning to offer housing, and that no one on city council had proposed becoming a “sanctuary city” — a term that has no legal definition but has become politically divisive between those who want strict immigration enforcement, and those who want to allow undocumented people some of the same privileges as other residents.
During Monday’s meeting and in a memo posted online, Lakewood’s city manager reported to the council that “Lakewood is not being solicited for hotel/motel or congregate housing support.”
City councilors explained that the city and county are not even discussing the possibility of housing people in vacant school buildings. Council member Richard Olver says he has taken the concerns seriously and investigated the question, and concluded “we are not talking about doing that at all,” noting that zoning doesn’t allow it. But despite his assurances, some residents remained convinced there was a plan for housing and resources.
The staff report also indicated that while Denver is actively helping new immigrants travel to other U.S. cities and states where the new immigrants want to go, Denver’s metro-area neighbors are not among the participating cities.
Instead, staff say, Denver has asked Lakewood for two things: get the word out about resources that Denver has made available; and encourage Lakewood residents to volunteer and/or donate to Denver’s established programs.
Residents could choose to become host families for new immigrants; donate certain in-demand items of clothing; volunteer for the city or for nonprofits or faith-based organizations involved in the response; or donate money. State and Denver leaders have encouraged donating to the Newcomers Fund, which is distributing money to organizations.
Tanya Lasko lives in Lakewood and sat in the audience at city council Monday night. She has donated suitcases, blankets and water bottles through the social networking site NextDoor to support new immigrants, and attended Monday’s meeting to hear what Denver and Lakewood had discussed, and whether Lakewood had already made a decision about if or how it would respond.
Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteLakewood City Council members Roger Low and and Isabel Cruz wear butterfly pins on their lapels, signifying their support of immigrants arriving in the state, as people testify at Council’s weekly meeting to express their opposition to the city possibly helping those immigrants. Feb. 12, 2024.Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteMichelle White testifies at Lakewood City Council’s weekly meeting, expressing her opposition to help newly arrived immigrants during a hearing about possible funding for a resource center for people experiencing homelessness. Feb. 12, 2024.
“I’m encouraged to find out that Lakewood has not agreed to anything at this point. I like the fact that they gave us ways to participate in the problem if we want to; that they didn’t decide that we have to help, but we are given lots of options to be helpful if we want to choose that,” she said.
Lakewood does not plan to spend money on services for new immigrants, according to the mayor.
Strom said in an interview with CPR News that she has gotten “so many” emails from residents, and the message she’s getting is, “People want to feel like their services are not going to be cut because of Lakewood now spending money on people that are brand new and from a completely different country.”
The newcomers interviewed by CPR News have said they are seeking safer lives in the U.S., as well as economic opportunities to better their families’ lives. Many plan to apply for asylum, but will likely wait several years to get a hearing, and are sometimes not eligible to work legally in the meantime.
While Lakewood is not committing resources, Strom said the city does support efforts to get the federal government more involved in the response. She said a group of Colorado mayors is sending a letter to the state’s representatives in Washington to ask for more federal funding, legal services for new immigrants, and accelerated work authorizations.
The desire for more federal leadership was echoed by residents on both sides of the issue Monday night. Those opposed to serving new immigrants want President Biden to own the current situation. And Weathers, who wants to support new immigrants, said she wants the federal government to take the lead, but “Lakewood is kind of stuck in the middle, but we have to do what we can.”
A recent effort to reform federal immigration laws died in Congress.
Lakewood’s disinterest in supporting new immigrants belies its liberal city government.
Lakewood residents elected Strom in November 2023 with the support of several prominent Colorado Democrats. Democratic candidates also won the five city council races on the city’s November ballot. Several of them wore butterfly pins on their lapels Monday night.
But voters in Colorado’s fifth largest city, just west of Denver, have also supported ballot measures with more conservative and libertarian leanings, like in 2019 when voters approved a “strategic growth” plan to control the construction of apartments and other housing and rejected municipal trash services.
Strom believes some longtime Lakewood residents specifically moved there because it was not a big city. As the whole metro area has grown, “they’re being faced with city related problems, whether it be traffic or crime or just lots of people, right?” she said, adding that some of the people she’s heard from recently about new immigrants are people who have historically been active in campaigns to limit growth.
That tension was apparent Monday night, and will continue to be heard throughout 2024, as immigration is a dominant issue in the presidential election.
Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteGlen Newell testifies at Lakewood City Council’s weekly meeting, expressing his support for helping immigrants who may arrive in the city from the southern border and admonishing neighbors who came to oppose that support. Feb. 12, 2024.
DENVER — Inside MyKings Ice Cream, the owner and two environmental designers are opening up boxes and boxes of supplies.
“It’s kind of like Christmas all over again,” said Amber Barbella, the owner of Diversion Designers, a locally-based waste consulting company, as she opened up a box of new serviceware for the ice cream shop.
Instead of a holiday, it’s more like spring cleaning for the shop’s owner Leday Grant. She’ll be moving all of her one-time use items like paper ice cream cups and plastic spoons into storage, and replacing them with something reusable.
Customers will soon get their ice cream in sundae dishes with real silverware. Even popcorn bags have been swapped out for reusable popcorn buckets. All of it can be washed and used over and over again.
“You think about seeing 10 customers a day, that’s 10 cups. If they want to leave with it, that’s 10 lids and also the spoons,” said Grant, “It’s at least a $10,000 saving just by having the reusable products. That’s going to make a tremendous change.”
Every dollar counts for small business owners. The cost of all of the brand new reusable serviceware to Grant? Not a single penny.
“We knew we were going to have fees coming in from the bag free program and we can reinvest those fees in the community,” said Becky Goyton with Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency.
Since 2021, the City of Denver has collected $5 million in fees from the $.10 everyone pays for bags at the store. About $100,000 of it is now available for small businesses who want to get rid of their one-time use serviceware and upgrade to something more sustainable.
“Every business will get a one-on-one consultation before we develop a purchasing plan,” said Barbella. Diversion Designers has teamed up with the City of Denver on the initiative.
The businesses will receive up to $600 to buy reusable to match their specific vibe. The designers work with the business owner to make sure the choices fit the resturants’ needs and aesthetic to help ensure it’s a long-term commitment.
Applicants need to have onsite dining to be able to apply. Priority is given to women and/or minority-owned businesses.
“Knowing that your 10 cents is going toward a small business, a portion of it is going to a small business, helps bring you in again,” said Grant.
Click here to apply for the pilot program. There are 35 total spots.
“A little bit goes along way”
Just south, in Englewood, small businesses are also getting a boost from the bag ban.
“Our whole concept was built on local food sustainability and minimizing impact on the environment,” said George Gastis of Grow + Gather.
From their inception, they’ve used more eco-friendly options for their to-go containers like recyclable plastic or compostable boxes.
Restaurants across the state are now required to follow suit with a styrofoam ban in effect. Establishments can use up whatever stock they have left first.
The City of Englewood has collected about $100,000 in bag fees. They are using $18,000 to reimburse restaurants for their sustainable container choices and to help a few others make the transition.
Four businesses, including Grow + Gather, who were already using more sustainable to-go containers were given a reimbursement of $500 as “Waste Reduction Leaders.” Two additional businesses, one from Englewood and one from Sheridan, were given the reimbursement to help cover the cost of transitioning away from using styrofoam.
“The biggest benefit of the grant is the obvious, that they have to do it anyway. So then they can utilize some city funding to help them with the transition,” said Melissa Englund, the Sustainability Coordinator for Englewood & Sheridan. “I would say at a bigger scale, a benefit of getting rid of polystyrene products is, it’s really bad for the environment. There’s no way to actually recycled polystyrene. So it just builds up. It’s also really bad for human health, especially if it’s in contact with heat.”
It’s an effort to make things a bit easier on small businesses that are hoping to take care of their customers and the environment.
“A little bit goes a long way. I think this is just probably the beginning of what’s going to become a little higher criteria for how we run our businesses,” said Gastis.
“This is one step to make Colorado a more green place for everyone,” said Grant.
The current application process for Englewood’s pilot program is closed but they say they do plan to open up more spots later this year. The application can be found by clicking here.
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A cyberattack on the Office of Colorado State Public Defender has forced the office to shut down its computer network, locking public defenders across the state out of critical work systems.
Colorado public defenders do not have access to their work computers, are unable to access court dockets or court filings and can’t do any significant work for clients in court, according to internal emails reviewed by The Denver Post.
Office spokesman James Karbach confirmed the breach in a statement Monday, saying officials “recently became aware that some data within our computer system was encrypted by malware.”
Karbach did not say how long the public defender’s office expects to be shut down or when the attack happened, but emails sent to public defenders indicate the statewide office is effectively “non-operational” and the outage could last as long as a week.
The “cyber security incident” was underway by about 11 a.m. Friday, according to an emailed notice sent from the Colorado Judicial Department’s Information and Technology Service’s to judges and judicial personnel. The notice indicates that the cyberattack does not pose a threat to the wider court system.
“As a preventative measure, we temporarily disabled our computer network and are working to safely and securely bring systems back online,” Karbach said. “Our operations will be limited while the network is offline.”
Cherry Creek did Valor Christian dirty. A game that should’ve been in Christian McCaffrey’s hands in the third quarter wound up in Patrick Mahomes’ mitts during overtime.
And let’s be frank: It’s because McCaffrey, the 49ers star and former Valor bell cow, touched the ball 14 times in the first half and just three times in the third quarter, a stretch that helped Mahomes and Patriots West get up off the mat.
It wasn’t the same script as the one that burned young Shanahan as badly as when he was offensive coordinator with the Falcons — a 28-3 Super Bowl lead turned, inexplicably, into another Tom Brady triumph.
But the beats felt eerily close. Little Shanny responded to a touchdown cushion and a Mahomes interception coming out of halftime with six straight pass plays … which amassed negative-2 net yards. For a painful, fleeting moment, Kyle forgot he had the best tailback in the free world. He let Mahomes hang around too long.
We already know how much the football gods love No. 15. Why tease or tempt them? Look at Kansas City’s postseason path. Miami at home? Minus-27 wind chill. Buffalo on the road? Wide right. Baltimore on the road? Lamar Jackson forgot he was Lamar and tied himself up in knots trying to be Mahomes.
With 2:32 left in the third stanza, those gods finally struck. A Chiefs punt scraped the heel of Niners special-teamer Darrell Luter Jr. and eventually was recovered by KC’s Jaylen Watson at the San Fran 16.
Never one to refuse a gift, Mahomes pounced on the very next play, finding a wide-open Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the front of the end zone for an easy score and the Chiefs’ first lead of the evening, 12-10.
San Fran, meanwhile, had opened with stanza with the rock at the KC 44, thanks to a clutch pick. Nothing. Shanahan got it back at the Niners 36. Still nada.
This after Little Shanny and the Niners had ceded the halftime stage to Usher nursing a 10-3 lead — a scoreline that flattered the defending champs.
Midway through the second quarter, the Chiefs’ ball of championship steel wool appeared to be unraveling, one strand at a time. CBS cameras showed Travis Kelce running over to coach Andy Reid, like a man possessed, and shoving his longtime coach in his side, raging and barking as if Captain Cheeseburger had just name-dropped one of Taylor Swift’s ex-paramours.
Despite both teams’ sloppy starts, Shanahan was at least wise enough not to forget what he had in the backfield — McCaffrey touched the ball 14 times those first two quarters, nine of them carries.
But the sweetest came on what looked, at first, like a broken play salvaged by speed and insanity. Slowed down, though, it became apparent that The Son of The Mastermind is indeed a chip off the old zone block.
With 4:23 left until halftime, Niners wideout Jauan Jennings caught a lateral in the left flat, eyes upfield. Only he shifted quickly to his right, flicking a pass, this one a wounded duck, in the direction of McCaffrey. The Denver native had to spring to snare the ball in mid-flight, building up a head of steam the way Popeye does after wolfing down a can of spinach.
Valor Christian’s finest, sure enough, proved strong to the finish. With at least two Niners blockers obstructing traffic in the right flat, McCaffrey turned what looked like sheer insanity into a 21-yard touchdown sprint and a 9-0 cushion.
Kyle learned his lessons well. But the son of Mike, who coached the Broncos to back-to-back championships, also knew when to fold ’em on this stage. When to hold ’em. When to walk away. And, most importantly, when to run.
While the Nuggets didn’t change their 18-man roster at the 2024 NBA trade deadline, other contenders around the league made a variety of moves — mostly on the margins — in an effort to steal the throne from Denver.
From the view at altitude, here are the winners and losers of the deadline:
Winner: New York Knicks
The leader of every other winners-and-losers think-piece is the leader of this one, too. New York landed Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks on deadline day at relatively low cost, but the Nuggets already got a close-up view of the new Knicks when O.G. Anunoby registered six steals against them at MSG. With Milwaukee reeling and Philadelphia hedging after Joel Embiid’s injury (Buddy Hield was a solid middle-ground acquisition), New York suddenly transformed into the most proactive win-now team in the East this deadline.
Loser: Dallas Mavericks
In arguably the highest-profile trade on actual deadline day, Dallas overpaid for P.J. Washington, whose 13.6 points per game felt somewhat like empty calories in Charlotte. The trade was simultaneously an admission of failure in the Grant Williams Experiment and a brand-new roll of the dice. More importantly, the Mavericks did what the Knicks avoided: They traded a precious first-round pick (2027). Future: mortgaged. Draft assets are close to extinct now for Dallas, a franchise throwing darts at the wall and hoping one will stick before it’s too late to salvage and extend the Luka Doncic era.
Winner: Boston Celtics
Is Xavier Tillman going to be a significant role player in Joe Mazzulla’s playoff rotation? Probably not. Will the Celtics feel a lot more comfortable having an affordable, playable backup big ready to aid the injury-prone Kristaps Porzingis and aging Al Horford? Absolutely. Especially if they’re dealing with six or seven games of Nikola Jokic. This was a depth move that felt tailored to fit a Nuggets NBA Finals matchup, but it cost Boston only two second-round picks to add a salary under $2 million.
Loser: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder should have done what Boston did. Don’t get me wrong: Gordon Hayward seems like an outstanding veteran addition to a young team. A lot of teams would have pursued him if Charlotte had bought out his contract. But Oklahoma City’s biggest need still hasn’t been addressed. Back in October, I asked Michael Porter Jr. for his first impressions of Chet Holmgren after Denver won in OKC. “I think he’s very, very talented,” Porter said. “To me, he’s more of a four.” Holmgren, who has an even more injury-prone body type than Porzingis and already missed all of last season, is the Thunder’s starting five. Sophomore charge-taking specialist Jaylin Williams (6-foot-9) backs him up. The center position runs dry from there. For a team so small and with a rebounding weakness (No. 27 in the league), it seems neglectful not to dip into a horde of 10,000 picks and add a more traditional five to at least deploy in bench lineups. Without reinforcements, Holmgren is susceptible to getting worn down by Jokic in a long series.
Winner: Monte Morris
Congratulations to one former Nuggets backup point guard, who moved from the league’s most puzzling team (Detroit) to a Western Conference title contender. Smart trade for the Timberwolves, who needed more offense to support their top-rated defense. Minnesota’s two most common lineups involving point guard Mike Conley have net ratings of 9.6 and 7.6, respectively, in 635 combined minutes. The most common lineup without Conley on the floor is a minus-5.1 in 127 minutes (a lineup including Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns), and second-most common without Conley is a modest 4.9 in 100 minutes (using all four starters except him). Morris supplies 3-point shooting and an upgrade in turnover prevention for an offense that’s third-worst in the NBA at protecting the ball in clutch time.
Loser: Bruce Brown
Pour one out for a different former Nuggets backup point guard. Brown did the Reverse Morris three weeks ago, getting traded from a young playoff-caliber core in Indianapolis to a losing team. But the league-wide expectation was that Toronto would flip Brown. There was a market for his versatility and recent championship experience. So he waited and waited, until the deadline passed Thursday, leaving him temporarily stranded in Canada. Brown was just one bullet point on a list of head-scratching decisions by the Raptors, also including their forfeiture of a 2024 first-round pick among other assets for Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji.
Winner: The NFL
The most lopsided final score of the 2024 sports calendar so far: Super Bowl week vs. NBA trade deadline week. The NFL needn’t worry about its biggest build-up of the season getting hijacked by the NBA thanks to the latter’s new collective bargaining agreement. This was the most boring trade deadline in recent memory. The two biggest deals occurred in January. The biggest surprises were the players who didn’t get traded. Football kept a firm grasp on media attention.
Loser: Hourglass emojis
Is nothing sacred? When LeBron James drops a cryptic social media post and his team doesn’t move heaven and earth for him, that’s when you know it’s an underwhelming trade deadline. The hourglass emoji turned out to be a symbol for NBA fans’ feelings as they refreshed Twitter on Thursday. Among the notable teams to stand pat: Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, Pelicans, Kings, Cavaliers, Magic and Hawks. That encompasses a decent chunk of the Western Conference playoff picture, perhaps an encouraging sign that the rest of the league isn’t catching up with Denver at an alarming pace. Nonetheless, LeBron’s hourglass emoji, and yours, was unfulfilled.
Colorado civil rights attorney Kevin Williams died this week after 26 years of fighting to improve the lives of people with disabilities. He was 57.
Williams died Tuesday after a short illness, according to colleagues at the Denver-based Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, where he launched the legal program in 1997 upon graduation from law school.
A quadriplegic paralyzed from his chest down following a car crash at age 19, Williams steadily increased access for disabled people by filing lawsuits — pressing for enforcement under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the Fair Housing Act.
He began this work as a third-year law student at the University of Denver. Shortly before his graduation, he sued his law school. The issue was compliance with the ADA. He prevailed, leading to required improvements, including a wheelchair-accessible graduation venue.
Often serving as the plaintiff, Williams repeated that feat again and again, expanding access for Coloradans with disabilities in stores, restaurants, public transit systems, theaters, arenas and travel pathways around the state. For example, his litigation compelled the operators of Red Rocks Amphitheatre to provide accessible parking, seating and ticketing.
He also led other lawyers into disability rights work.
Williams grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland. He made Colorado his home in 1990, the year President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law. He enjoyed drives in the mountains, attending concerts and visiting local breweries and distilleries.
Friends this week remembered him as passionate in his pursuit of civil rights.
“Kevin was contemplative, thorough and certain not to leave any stone unturned, especially in litigation,” said Andrew Montoya, who worked in the coalition’s legal program as an assistant and then was inspired to attend law school.
“Even seemingly mundane legal issues could occupy hours of lively discussion ranging from interpretive case law to contemporary and historical politics to litigation strategy to the meaning of life, and back again,” Montoya said. “His passion for civil rights, both in general and specifically those of people with disabilities, clearly animated his work, both in the courtroom and in the rest of the world.”
He also had a knack for making light of difficulties. Friends recalled his adaptation of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” — a rendition that he titled “Let Us Pee.” (“When I find myself in times of trouble; The bathroom door is two-foot-three; Whisper words of wisdom; Let us pee, let us pee.”
“He was intense, passionate, focused and very analytical. What kept him motivated was seeing people with disabilities face discrimination and knowing that the laws that are supposed to protect us are being violated,” said Julie Reiskin, co-executive director of the coalition.
“What bothered him was the blatant violation of the law, especially by those who should know better, such as courts and lawyers that made excuses rather than working to fix the problem.”
The top 10 hottest housing markets are expected to be spread across the South, Northeast and Midwest this year, according to an analysis by real estate marketplace Zillow. But a “hot” market isn’t always great for would-be buyers.
Buffalo, New York, made the top of the list, as the area is slated to see increased job growth compared with the number of approved construction permits for new homes.
“In markets where you’re going to have a ton more job creation than there is housing supply, you’re likely going to see homes move faster, stronger home value appreciation,” said Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow.
The list is based on an analysis of home value appreciation, how long it takes to sell a home and job growth relative to housing supply. That’s important information that can help you decide where you may want to look for a home — and places you may want to avoid.
Market growth in some areas may not correlate to newly created jobs.
Florida, for instance, is attracting baby boomer residents who are seeking warmer, tax-friendly places to retire, said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors.
The claim that “the biggest share of homebuyers are baby boomers looking into warmer climates is a trope, but it’s a trope that’s true,” she said. “They’re looking into warmer areas, favorable tax conditions and better housing affordability.”
Baby boomers are also the generation that holds most of the wealth and some of them are going to be cash buyers as they can tap into their home equity.
Meanwhile, home values are expected to decline this year in the “coolest markets,” or places that will be less competitive. These places are New Orleans; San Antonio; Denver; Houston; and Minneapolis.
“It’s a matter of affordability as well; if a market has gotten less affordable … you’re likely not going to see that type of heat in the market,” Divounguy said.
Denver, for instance, was a popular attraction for homebuyers during the pandemic, but it has turned into an area where affordability was constrained.
“Denver had a massive population flow,” Lautz said. “Finding the new Denver will be important to buyers.”
Millennials will also be major buyers; most are in their prime homebuying age and some have reached their peak earning potential.
Unlike baby boomers who are looking for favorable areas to retire, this cohort may be seeking employment opportunities or the ability to work remotely in new areas.
Last year was Denver International Airport’s busiest on record.
While airline stocks have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, passengers have returned in droves — and millions of them are flying through the Colorado hub.
“We will end 2023 much higher than our forecast at about 78 million passengers annually,” said Phil Washington, CEO of the Denver International Airport. “So this has been tremendous growth.”
The airport, known as DIA to Colorado locals, opened in 1995. It was originally built to handle 50 million passengers per year, but now that number is expected to reach more than 100 million people per year by 2027, according to DIA estimates.
OAG, a global travel data provider, said Denver went from the 21st busiest airport in the world in 2019 to the sixth in 2023.
United Airlines is Denver’s biggest operator with 46.7% market share, followed by Southwest at 30.7% and Frontier Airlines at 9.7%, according to DIA.
The midcontinent airport has become United’s busiest hub. It recently invested nearly $1 billion in Denver to add more gates, flights and destinations, and opened the largest lounge in its network.
“About 60% of our customers are connecting from other places. Forty percent of our customers are local Denver, and it’s a fast growing city,” said Jonna McGrath, vice president of Denver Airport operations for United Airlines. “We want to grow before 2030 to about 650 flights a day.”
CNBC got a behind-the-scenes look at United’s Denver operations and explored how the airport and the airline plan to keep up with demand.
The world’s first legal sale of recreational marijuana happened in Denver on Jan. 1, 2014. In fact, it happened twice.
Mason Tvert was managing the onslaught of media that descended on the Mile High City to witness the historic moment, set in motion by the successful legalization campaign he’d led. So many camera crews and reporters showed up that morning that Tvert decided to rotate two groups through the dispensary’s sales floor — with each transaction billed as the first time anyone 21 or older could legally buy weed simply by walking into a store, showing ID and paying for it, no doctor’s note necessary.
Cannabis enthusiasts also flocked to downtown Denver that day. Lines outside the new rec stores stretched down city blocks. Buyers exited with purchases in hand, holding them overhead like victory trophies. Rumors even swirled that some stores had sold out, only adding to the fervor.
Washington — Two Democratic mayors said there’s a lack of coordination over the transportation of migrants to their cities and others by the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, which has led to disorder in managing the arrivals.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in an interview with “Face the Nation” on Sunday that Abbott, a Republican, is “determined to continue to sow seeds of chaos” by sending busloads of migrants to the city “without any coordination.”
“Now he’s taken on this very dangerous task of placing individuals on airplanes and flying them into our various cities. This is certainly a matter of not just of our national security, but it’s the type of chaos that this governor is committed to administering,” Johnson said.
“That type of chaos is, it’s certainly divided in our country, and we need better coordination between all levels of government to be able to respond to this mission,” he added.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston told “Face the Nation” that his city does not want migrants to arrive in the middle of the night when staff is not available to receive them and migrants are left outside in the freezing cold with no support.
“We want buses here to do what every other bus does, which is land at a bus station and a bus stop at hours when we can have staff there to receive them and to direct them towards services,” Johnston said Sunday. “We understand the flow is coming. We just want it to be coordinated and in a humanitarian way, which we think makes it effective for the city and for those newcomers. So that means things like arriving 8 to 5 Monday to Friday with notice.”
Both called for more federal support as the influx stresses city resources. Johnson and Johnston joined the mayors of New York, Los Angeles and Houston in November in writing a letter to the White House to ask for more financial support, increased work authorization for migrants, and prioritize a coordinated entry response to ensure new arrivals make it to their final destination.
“What we have is clearly an international and federal crisis that local governments are being asked to subsidize and this is unsustainable. None of our local economies are positioned to be able to carry on such a mission,” the Chicago mayor said.
Denver’s mayor said migrants from Venezuela who arrived in recent months are not eligible for temporary protected status and do not have a quick path to be authorized to work in the U.S. He said the migrants want to work and there are employers with open jobs who want to hire them.
“But we have folks that right now are currently without a path to work authorization. We’d love to see that path to work authorization expand for more recent arrivals,” Johnston said.
As state and local leaders ask for federal help in managing the record number of migrants, Congress has been debating border policy changes for weeks as part of a larger package including aid for Ukraine and Israel but has so far been unable to reach a consensus. Democrats are considering drastic limits on asylum and increased deportations in exchange for Republicans supporting more aid for Ukraine.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Abbott is “a desperate man trying to protect his state.”
“Our system is broken,” Graham told “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “You’re going to have mayors talking about more money to help relocate migrants. We’re not going to have a remain in Texas policy.”
Graham said Republicans want the Biden administration to implement a Title 42-like policy. The policy allowed the U.S. to quickly expel unauthorized migrants at the southern border during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Here’s what I would tell the Biden administration,” Graham said. “Accept the idea that we’re full. Take the tools we’re willing to give you to stop the inflow, start deporting people here who should be deported. … Accept the tools that would change things and we’ll get money for Ukraine.”
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at cbsnews.com and is based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Denver, Colorado, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and urban sophistication. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, residents enjoy a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, from hiking and skiing in the nearby mountains to exploring the city’s numerous parks and bike trails. Whether you’re drawn to the city for its outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, or thriving job market, Denver has something to offer everyone. So if you’re looking for homes for sale in Denver, an apartment to rent, or want to learn more about the area, this Redfin article will guide you on what Denver is known for.
1. Outdoor recreation
Denver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering immediate access to the majestic Rocky Mountains for hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. Its extensive network of parks, such as City Park and Washington Park, coupled with nearby scenic trails and biking paths, solidifies Denver’s reputation as an outdoor paradise.
2. Craft beer scene
Often referred to as the “Napa Valley of Beer,” Denver boasts a great craft beer scene. The city is home to numerous breweries offering various unique and flavorful beers. Denver hosts the Great American Beer Festival, attracting beer lovers worldwide.
3. Arts and culture
The renowned Denver Art Museum highlights Denver’s art and culture scene, featuring an extensive collection spanning various cultures and periods. The city’s RiNo (River North) Arts District, with its eclectic street art, galleries, and creative spaces, showcases Denver’s dynamic and evolving artistic landscape. From the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the diverse culinary experiences, Denver has much to offer its residents.
4. Skiing and snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding is Denver’s way of life. The city is a premier destination for skiing and snowboarding, serving as a gateway to world-class resorts including Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen. The proximity to these renowned ski areas and the stunning slopes of the Rocky Mountains positions Denver as a hub for winter sports enthusiasts. With a short drive from the city, visitors and locals can access unparalleled snowy terrain, making Denver a mecca for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.
5. Startup and tech hub
Denver has a thriving startup and tech hub, attracting entrepreneurs and tech professionals nationwide. The city’s supportive business environment, access to capital, and skilled workforce have contributed to its reputation as an expanding tech hub.
6. Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7. Active lifestyles
Denver is known for its active lifestyle and fitness culture. The city’s residents are passionate about health and wellness, and Denver offers many fitness studios, outdoor workout spaces, and recreational activities. The city’s emphasis on fitness contributes to its reputation as one of the healthiest cities in the United States.
Quarterback Brock Purdy became first San Francisco 49ers quarterback to throw four interceptions in a game since Colin Kaepernick in 2015; Baltimore Ravens and 49ers both remain top of their respective conferences and can still clinch No 1 seeds
Last Updated: 26/12/23 9:44am
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Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens past the San Francisco 49ers in a stunning 33-19 victory after throwing two touchdown passes in 18 seconds in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens defense intercepted quarterback Brock Purdy on three of the first four drives of the game for the 49ers to turn a 16-12 halftime lead into a commanding 30-12 advantage.
Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback to throw four interceptions in a game since Colin Kaepernick in 2015 and finished 18 for 32 for 255 yards before leaving the field after sustaining a left shoulder stinger in the fourth quarter with Sam Darnold replacing him.
Jackson took an intentional grounding safety after he tripped over a fallen official in the end zone and attempted a pass to give the 49ers the first points of the game.
On first-and-10 at Baltimore’s 15, Purdy attempted to force a pass to wideout Deebo Samuel that Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton stepped in front of for an interception.
After Baltimore forced a punt on the opening drive of the second half, Jackson capped a drive by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor.
Williams injured his groin attempting to tackle Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen after Purdy’s fourth interception. Jackson immediately turned that into another score with a 9-yard TD pass to Zay Flowers that made it 30-12. Jackson threw for 252 yards, ran for 45 more and vaulted past Purdy to take the limelight.
Umpire Alex Moore falls as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) during the first half
San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey set a franchise record with his eighth straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.
Darnold replied for the 49ers with a fourth-quarter touchdown after replacing an injured Purdy but by then it was already too late.
Both teams remain on top of their conferences. The Niners are in a three-way tie with Philadelphia and Detroit for the best record in the NFC and can still clinch the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with wins in their final two games.
The Ravens remained a game ahead of Miami for the best record in the AFC and can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win next week against the Dolphins.
What did they say?
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh: “Our guys work hard. They compete hard. Everybody wants to be respected. There’s one way to be respected, and that’s to go out there and earn that. I thought Lamar had an MVP performance tonight. It takes a team to create a performance like that, but it takes a player to play at that level, to play at an MVP level, it takes a player to play that way. Lamar was all over the field.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson: “We got the W. I don’t really care about performance. I just want to win. That’s what happened tonight. On Christmas, I got my gift.”
San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan coach: “I didn’t mind his [Purdy] demeanour. He stayed in there and kept battling. Our whole team struggled there in the second half, so it wasn’t just him.”
What’s next?
The Ravens host Miami Dolphins while the 49ers visit Washington on Sunday December 31.
Make sure you tune in to Sky Sports NFL every Sunday at 6pm for the first game of our triple-header of live action. The evening’s entertainment also includes NFL Redzone action as hosted by Scott Hanson, as well as Sunday Night Football to round off the night.
Sky Sports will broadcast two exclusive live games every Sunday throughout the regular season in the 6pm and 9pm slots, while also showing every Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Monday Night match-up.
Fans can also watch every minute of the playoffs across January, followed by Super Bowl LVIII at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11.
Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career – can he lead Dallas to the Super Bowl?
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are primed for a 13 seconds rematch, the Dallas Cowboys have their sites on snatching the NFC East title from the Philadelphia Eagles. Week 14 is shaping up nicely; we guide you through the latest news, views and build-up ahead of Sunday in the NFL…
Editor’s note…
There might not be a quarterback playing better football in the NFL than Dak Prescott at this moment. He has entered the MVP conversation, and so too the Dallas Cowboys to-be-taken-seriously Super Bowl contention. Yes, you might have heard that before.
It can often be what goes unnoticed that can be so impressive and so defining to the way Dak plays. From the mastery of his rhythmic and hoodwinking pre-snap cadence, to the speed at which he can diagnose a field and slide protections, adjust assignments or alter play concepts accordingly at the line of scrimmage. “He plays the position” as Aaron Rodgers said recently on the Pat McAfee Show, igniting a ‘Texas Coast’ offense that has buried its early-season teething issues.
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Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13 of the NFL season.
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December 11, 2023, 1:15am
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Only Brock Purdy owns a better EPA+CPOE composite (an advanced metric on quarterback play-by-play value and efficiency) than Prescott this season, the Dallas quarterback having put up a passer rating of at least 115.0 in five of six games since the Week Seven bye week. In that time he has completed 156 of 221 passes (70.59 per cent) for 1,901 yards and 20 touchdowns to two interceptions. He also happens to be the league’s best quarterback on third down this year, which tends to serve as a nice indication of how well a passer is faring in decisive moments of a game, which always comes with an added caveat of pressure as an expectation-burdened Cowboys play-caller.
McCarthy’s offense is purring as it empowers its quarterback to take command of games with more aggressive pass designs and opportunities to use his legs alongside an increased use of play-action, while dressing up the line of scrimmage with pre-snap motion and crowning CeeDee Lamb as their focal point by shifting him across multiple spots in the formation.
Lamb has taken a seat at the table alongside the league’s most dynamic receivers with 90 catches for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns, Brandin Cooks has answered the Cowboys’ call for a legitimate No 2 receiver, Jake Ferguson is peppering the seam as his threat continues to increase as the team’s lead tight end. Tony Pollard’s multi-purpose production out of the backfield has meanwhile picked back up after a minor lull as a crucial sell for the Cowboys play-action game.
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The Her Huddle team discuss whether this could be the season which sees a player who doesn’t play at quarterback win the NFL’s MVP award, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill the frontrunner.
The Her Huddle team discuss whether this could be the season which sees a player who doesn’t play at quarterback win the NFL’s MVP award, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill the frontrunner.
Dallas rank third in EPA/play and sit at the top of scoring rankings on offense, while Dan Quinn’s stunting, route-jumping defense continues to be among the NFL’s elite at third in EPA/play and third in total yards. ‘Our year’ sentiment has been long-exhausted and long-unfulfilled in Cowboys territory amid their pursuit of a first Super Bowl appearance since their victory at the end of the 1995 season.
The 49ers are nagging frontrunners to prolong that pain, and beckon as a potential ultimate test somewhere down the line in the playoffs. Before then, Dak and the Cowboys have the opportunity to force home their respective MVP and Championship credentials across a home stretch that sees them face the Philadelphia Eagles – who they could yet leapfrog in the NFC East – and Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins.
How ’bout them Cowboys? We are about to find out.
Around the league…
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was limited on his return to practice Thursday having appeared to swerve serious injury after suffering a high ankle sprain in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals; Lawrence said he was hopeful of facing the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, with head coach Doug Pederson insisting he won’t sacrifice a player’s health for one game.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Zach Wilson will start at quarterback against the Houston Texans having been demoted for Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian in the last two games.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Von Miller remains available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday following allegations of domestic violence against the edge rusher.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence shows his frustration after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence shows his frustration after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Former Indianapolis Colts three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Leonard signed a one-year deal with the Eagles this week.
Miami Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson agreed a three-year, $36m extension on Thursday amid his impressive 2023 campaign.
Justin Jefferson is set to make his return for the Minnesota Vikings against the Las Vegas Raiders after missing seven games due to a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist after suffering a concussion in the Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears, his father announced.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is expected to coach at the weekend despite undergoing surgery on Wednesday after being diagnosed with an acute case of appendicitis.
What to watch…
Week 14 live on Sky!
Los Angeles Rams (6-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-3): The Ravens struck gold with Kyle Hamilton, who has arrived as advertised since entering the league as the No 14 pick at the 2022 Draft. He stands to be the quintessential modern NFL safety as Mike Macdonald’s disguised blitzer, hybrid box tackler, slot demon and sideline-to-sideline blockade. With Marcus Williams on hand to play deep, Hamilton has free rein to wreak havoc as Baltimore’s most dangerous disruptor at the line of scrimmage. And while attention has been on the Rams’ young offensive playmakers, the audition process for Aaron Donald’s supporting cast has been intriguing. Third-round rookie nose tackle Kobie Turner has quietly amassed a rookie-leading 5.5 sacks, while fellow third-rounder Byron Young is close behind on five sacks.
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December 10, 2023, 9:15pm
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Buffalo Bills (6-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (8-4): Tight ends, assemble. For years the Bills have watched Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce torch the NFL as the league’s most dynamic quarterback-tight end tandem, shattering Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes on a couple of occasions in the process. In a bid to add their own Kelce-esque dimension, the Bills went and drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round earlier this year. The vision was tight splits in multiple tight end sets from which he and Dawson Knox could sell the run game, lure defenses downhill and open up shots for Josh Allen downfield, as well as leaking out into routes of their own. The production (56 catches, 474 yards) has been sporadic, not helped by the absence of Knox, with flashes of an integral supporting role behind Stefon Diggs, while Kelce, without lighting up the world, leads the Chiefs with 813 receiving yards and five scores.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-3): Do we call this the Shaq Leonard bowl? There was little surprise when the Eagles edged out the Cowboys to wrap up a deal for the former Indianapolis Colts man, not because Howie Roseman is one of the savviest operators in the market but because of the extent to which the 49ers exposed Philly’s linebackers in Week 13. Time and time again Kyle Shanahan disorientated the likes of Nicholas Morrow and Christian Ellis, standing in for the injured Zach Cunningham, with Deebo Samuel’s pre-snap reload motion to muddy the play direction, eventually disguising it to unleash the Niners receiver for his first-half catch-and-run touchdown out of the backfield. Morrow bit hard on a Christian McCaffrey out-route at the sideline before later being shrugged off by Samuel again on his 48-yard touchdown; it was a torrid day, Nick Sirianni’s safeties included as Shanahan toyed with the middle of the field. Can Leonard step in immediately? And will the Cowboys similarly plot to exploit the Eagles’ weakness at the second level?
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Jeff Reinebold says Baltimore Ravens’ defense create mental as well as physical problems for their opponents, and backs them to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.
Jeff Reinebold says Baltimore Ravens’ defense create mental as well as physical problems for their opponents, and backs them to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.
Best quotes
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on his injury against the Bengals: “I’m thankful it’s not a worse injury than what I thought on the field.”
Taylor Swift, in her interview for 2023 Time magazine’s person of the year: “Football is awesome, it turns out. I’ve been missing out my whole life.”
Nick Bosa suggests the 49ers showed the NFL how to stop Jalen Hurts: “You see it on tape. Obviously, we put the blueprint out there. Hopefully, the Dallas Cowboys watch the tape. We made Jalen stay in the pocket and escape outside instead of those B-gaps. And it paid off.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show: “The most disappointing thing about the whole rehab process was December 24 was literally on my mind. It would have been like 14-and-a-half weeks, I thought that would be reasonable based on my progress.”
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Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the Miami Dolphins’ season so far and why sealing home matches in the playoffs could be crucial to their success.
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the Miami Dolphins’ season so far and why sealing home matches in the playoffs could be crucial to their success.
Live NFL
December 10, 2023, 5:00pm
Live on
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on his team’s 9-3 record at the top of the AFC: “Call me when it’s a 13-game season. That’s all nice, but we have a job to do today. If we short-change and are worried about anything other than the Tennessee Titans when we’re game planning, then all those conversations and stories literally don’t matter at all.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Rams receiver Puka Nacua: “I liked him (in the Draft). He was one of my highest-rated guys. You can ask anybody here, he was way up on my board. He’s playing exactly how I thought he would, for the record.”
Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on facing Houston’s CJ Stroud: “He’s a very unique young quarterback. He’s a guy I really wish we would’ve played Weeks One to Four when he was still trying to figure out this game.”
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Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
The stats
Tyreek Hill’s 938 yards on vertical routes so far this season are the most of any receiver in a single campaign since 2018
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen currently has 898 catches in 138 games and has the chance to surpass Antonio Brown (143 games) as the fastest player in history to reach 900 career receptions
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson sits on 5,396 career receiving yards, leaving him needing just 117 more to overtake Michael Thomas for most by a player in his first four seasons in history
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, who has 11.5 sacks on the year, is looking to become the second player since sack statistics began in 1982 to record at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons – Hall of Famer Reggie White having been the first
CJ Stroud needs 253 passing yards to overtake Andrew Luck for the second-most by a player in his first 13 games
Brock Purdy can become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to post a completion percentage of 70-or-higher in seven straight games this weekend
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Jeff Reinebold describes the Packers’ win over the Chiefs as a ‘magical night’ and hails the performances of quarterback Jordan Love.
Jeff Reinebold describes the Packers’ win over the Chiefs as a ‘magical night’ and hails the performances of quarterback Jordan Love.
The NFL playoff race has reached the home stretch in one of the most wide-open seasons in recent memory, with surprise teams occupying postseason spots and expected contenders battling for their place.
All is not rosy in the land of the mighty. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs have been marred by drops and deficiencies on a limping offense, behind which Patrick Mahomes and Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive subterfuge have between them retained some level of serious contention, with question marks over an 8-4 team speaking volumes as to the self-imposed expectations in Arrowhead.
And in western New York the Buffalo Bills are fighting for their playoff lives as they play catch-up having endured marquee injuries, suffered late heartbreak, fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and slipped behind the pack in what is still deemed a Championship window for under-pressure head coach Sean McDermott and his high-powered team.
Hannah Wilkes and Phoebe Schecter talk to Italy Women’s flag football captain Nausicaa Dell’Orto about the challenges she faced in forming a female team in Milan.
Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ emphatic win over the Philadelphia Eagles and the red-hot form of the Miami Dolphins…
Thursday night rewind…
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Highlights of the New England Patriots up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the New England Patriots up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 of the NFL season.
Bailey Zappe threw three first-half touchdown passes as the New England Patriots snapped a five-game skid while damaging the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff hopes with a 21-18 victory on Thursday night.
Watch the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams from 5pm (kickoff at 6pm) live on Sky Sports NFL this Sunday, followed by the Buffalo Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles
