Pat Shurmur spent the last two seasons at Colorado helping to coach star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The 60-year-old coach sees similarities between Sanders and Daniel Jones, who he coached during the 2019 season with the New York Giants.

“I think they’re very similar prospects, from a player and a person,” Shurmur told The New York Post of Sanders and Jones. “I think they’re both wonderful human beings, they’re both highly accomplished, talented college players that have a chance to make an impact in the NFL, so there’s a lot of similarities between Daniel Jones and Shedeur Sanders.”

The Giants selected Jones No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL draft, ahead of Shurmur’s second and final season with the Giants. The Duke product looked great in his first career start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was largely uneven during his five-plus seasons with the Giants.

Jones had a record of 24-44-1 and posted a passer rating of 84.3 before being released midway through the 2024 season. He was less than two years into a four-year, $160 million contract when the Giants parted with him.

Shurmur lamented he didn’t get a chance to work with Jones for a second season after the quarterback posted a career-best 24 touchdowns during his rookie season. He also made it clear that his comparison of Sanders to Jones was meant as a compliment, despite the latter’s struggles during his NFL career to date.

“I just think he’s got a very bright future in the NFL,” Shurmur said of Sanders, via The Post. “No. 1, he’s very accurate. He’s got a very heroic personality, a very heroic nature, which allows him to execute at the end of the game when it’s very important. He’s an outstanding teammate and I think he’s a wonderful human being.”

That’s why Shurmur is confident the team that selects Sanders will be pleased with their investment.

“I can’t believe there’s a better quarterback around this year than him,” Shurmur said. “Whatever team chooses to pick him, and I can’t make those decisions for anybody, I think they’re going to be very, very happy that they do.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Today marks a new chapter for Colorado Springs as the city officially begins recreational marijuana sales, following voter approval of the initiative last November.

Upon last checking Tuesday at 5 p.m., 32 licensed dispensaries were set to serve 21+ adult consumers. The city is optimistic that the move will generate up to $2 million in new sales tax revenue during its first year, thanks to a 5% tax on retail sales.

State data shows that since 2014, recreational cannabis sales across Colorado have generated more than $2.9 billion in tax revenue, funding a wide range of public services. The state data also shows that since 2014, Colorado has made more than $16.9 billion in marijuana sales.

City officials say the infusion of new revenue will help support local programs such as public safety, homeless outreach, and mental health treatment for veterans.

Local industry leaders have also expressed optimism about the launch. Troy Vanorden, the Owner of Elevations dispensary, explained his excitement for this new market. In his words, “Ever since Covid, we had a little Covid boom [of customers] there for a while, and ever since then we just been dropping off steady for the last couple of years. So, it’s exciting to be able to service the whole market down here in Colorado Springs.”

Another local voice of enthusiasm comes from Tim Reeve, the Associate Director of Sales Operation at Native Roots. He says, “I mean, we think it’s great. It’s gonna help the city, the tax money. We already do things that way as a company. We’re very involved in our communities and outreach and whatnot. So the more money that can go to help the citizens of Colorado Springs the better.”

The economic benefits extend beyond Colorado Springs. In nearby communities such as Manitou Springs and Palmer Lake, retail cannabis has already made a noticeable impact on local budgets. While Manitou Springs is legally prevented from disclosing exact sales tax figures due to state law, officials note that marijuana tax revenue, reported in a general “other” category, has contributed to municipal services.

Palmer Lake, a smaller town, has also reaped considerable benefits. 11 News reached out to Palmer Lake city officials, however, we haven’t heard back from them yet. However, recent reports indicate significant revenue increases that have helped fund local public safety and community events.

As recreational sales kick off today, dispensaries throughout the city are busy stocking shelves, training staff, and preparing to welcome customers. The new market is expected to ramp up gradually, with early sales data being closely watched by local officials and business owners alike.

For ongoing updates on sales figures and the economic impact of Colorado’s evolving cannabis market, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Sales Reports and Marijuana Tax Reports.

Copyright 2025 KKTV. All rights reserved.

LOS ANGELES — – Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer, Shohei Ohtani also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Colorado 5-3 on Monday night, sending the major league-worst Rockies to their fourth straight loss.

The Rockies have dropped six of seven, but they scored for the first time since last Thursday on Kyle Farmer’s RBI double in the sixth. They were outscored 16-0 in three losses to San Diego last weekend and have just three wins so far while losing nine of 10 on the road.

Dustin May (1-1) got his first victory since May 6, 2023, allowing one run and three hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked none. Tanner Scott pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Betts’ fourth homer of the season made it 2-0 in the first. Ohtani hit his fifth homer leading off the fifth, a 408-foot shot to center field. Will Smith had an RBI single in the fifth, and his bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the sixth made it 5-1.

Colorado closed to 5-3 in the seventh on Hunter Goodman’s two-run homer off Anthony Banda.

Antonio Senzatela (0-3) gave up four runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Key stat

The top of the Dodgers’ lineup carried the offense. Ohtani, Betts, Freddie Freeman and Smith were a combined 9 for 17 with five runs, five RBI and one walk. The Dodgers had just three strikeouts.

Key moment

Dodgers reliever Kirby Yates put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base with two outs in the eighth on a double by Farmer and a walk to Ryan McMahon. Yates induced a groundout to first by Michael Toglia that Freeman briefly bobbled before ending the inning. Scott had runners at the corners in the ninth before getting the final two outs.

Up next

Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-0, 2.81 ERA) starts against Dodgers RHP Landon Knack (1-0, 10.38) on Jackie Robinson Day around the majors Tuesday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLBbr/]