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Denver police chief Paul Pazen retires amid pressure after 28 years

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Denver police chief Paul Pazen retires amid pressure after 28 years


Denver police chief Paul Pazen is retiring on Oct. 15 after practically 30 years with the drive, Mayor Michael Hancock’s workplace introduced Wednesday.

Why it issues: His departure comes as violent crime in Denver is on tempo to hit an all-time excessive this 12 months and a grand jury is investigating a number of of his officers in reference to a downtown taking pictures that injured six bystanders in July.

  • The information additionally follows heightened scrutiny over Pazen’s management, significantly following a federal jury’s verdict earlier this 12 months requiring the town to pay $14 million for its response to the 2020 George Floyd protests.

What they’re saying: “It is vital to me that the subsequent police chief take the reins right now so the division and our officers are effectively positioned for the way forward for policing in our group,” Pazen mentioned in an announcement.

  • Hancock’s spokesperson Mike Strott informed Axios Denver the choice to step down was Pazen’s, not the mayor’s.

Catch up fast: Hancock appointed Pazen in June 2018, making him the second Latino chief of police in Denver historical past.

  • The previous three years of Pazen’s tenure have together with main the division by way of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests, in addition to navigating workers shortages throughout the company.
  • As chief, Pazen emphasised the significance of data-driven methods and launched a brand new initiative to focus on crime in “sizzling spot” areas the place charges of violence are highest.
  • Pazen additionally advocated for the enlargement of police various initiatives, in addition to the creation of the STAR program, which sends psychological well being specialists as a substitute of uniformed officers to some low-level 911 calls.

The opposite aspect: Robert Davis, challenge coordinator for a job drive that made coverage change suggestions for native police and a vocal critic of the chief, mentioned he was shocked to be taught Pazen was retiring.

  • “He took us, as a metropolis, backwards in his philosophical strategy to policing,” Davis informed Axios Denver, including that beneath his tenure, police didn’t face sufficient accountability, and the chief didn’t take heed to the group’s wants.

Between the strains: Pazen’s identify has been talked about as a possible mayoral candidate, however his critics counsel his candidacy can be an uphill battle.

  • “It has been excessive time for Chief Pazen to go. Document payouts for police brutality, a DPD mass taking pictures & misplaced group belief. … If Pazen even thinks about working for mayor we’re prepared,” Lisa Calderón, former Denver mayoral candidate and govt director of Emerge Colorado, tweeted after Wednesday’s announcement.

What’s subsequent: Hancock has chosen Ron Thomas as his nominee to be the subsequent police chief — which would require Denver Metropolis Council approval.

  • Council president Jamie Torres informed Axios Denver she’s wanting ahead to assembly with Thomas over the subsequent few weeks and hopes, whoever steps into the position, will make communication and accountability high priorities.
  • “I believe everybody throughout the board desires a division that everybody is absolutely pleased with,” she mentioned.
  • Thomas will assume the position of performing chief beginning Sept. 6, in line with the mayor’s workplace.





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Denver, CO

‘I’m good.’ Bengals’ Amarius Mims says he’ll play vs. Denver Broncos after ankle injury

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‘I’m good.’ Bengals’ Amarius Mims says he’ll play vs. Denver Broncos after ankle injury


Amarius Mims thinks he’ll be ready for the biggest game of the Cincinnati Bengals’ season.

In Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns, Mims, an offensive tackle, was hampered by an ankle injury. He was in and out of the game as he battled the injury.

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With a make-or-break home game against the Denver Broncos coming Saturday, Mims told The Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway he anticipated playing in the game.

“No, I’m good,” Mims told The Enquirer in the Bengals’ locker room post-game.

Absent Mims, the Bengals would be thin at tackle. That would make for less than ideal circumstances for quarterback Joe Burrow in a game of real significance.

After dropping to 4-8 on Dec. 1, the Bengals have played their way back to 7-8 and are attempting to overtake several teams including the Broncos for the final AFC Wild Card spot.

Saturday’s game against Denver is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on NFL Network.

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Suns lookahead: Phoenix looks to end Christmas skid in holiday matchup vs. Denver Nuggets

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Suns lookahead: Phoenix looks to end Christmas skid in holiday matchup vs. Denver Nuggets


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The Phoenix Suns will play in their fourth consecutive Christmas Day game Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets at Footprint Center.

The week begins with a Monday game at Denver and finishes with a back-to-back set: Friday’s home game against the Dallas Mavericks and Saturday’s matchup at Golden State.

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It’s nice to play on the most celebrated holiday of the year, especially at home.

Family and loved ones in town. Everyone watching on national television.

A festive time for celebrating and gift-giving, but the Grinch keeps showing up and ruining Christmas for the Suns.

Phoenix is 1-7 in its past eight Christmas games, losing the past three to the Golden State Warriors, 116-107, in 2021; at the Denver Nuggets, 128-125 in overtime, in 2022; and against Dallas, 128-114, last year.

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What’s even crazier is the Suns lost to teams that either won an NBA championship or reached the finals that season.

The Warriors won it all in the 2021-22 season, the Nuggets took it in 2022-23 and the Mavericks advanced to the finals before losing to the 2023-24 NBA champion Boston Celtics.

The Suns last won on Christmas in 2009, beating the Los Angeles Clippers, 124-93, at home. Phoenix went more than 10 seasons without playing on the holiday until the 2021-22 season, the year after it reached the 2021 finals.

Phoenix is 12-9 overall on Christmas.

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Christmas 2021: Curry leads Warriors past Suns

The Suns played the centerpiece Christmas game in 2021 against the Warriors during their historic 64-win season. They entered the marquee matchup with a 26-5 record and on a five-game winning streak, but lost at home.

Phoenix bolstered the best home record that season at 32-9 with one of those rare losses coming on Christmas. The Suns didn’t score in the final three minutes while Otto Porter Jr. scored the game’s final seven points.

Stephen Curry punched out a game-high 33 points to go with six assists to just one turnover while Chris Paul led the Suns with 21 points and eight assists to two turnovers and six rebounds.

Devin Booker managed just 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting.

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Christmas 2022: Booker injured early, Suns fall in OT

In 2022, the Suns lost Booker within the first five minutes of their Christmas loss to the Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver as he aggravated a groin injury. Scoring just two points, he had missed the previous three games.

Landry Shamet came off the bench to deliver 31 points to match a career-high, and Nikola Jokic posted another insane triple-double of 41 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists, but the game will forever be remembered for Aaron Gordon’s ferocious one-handed dunk in overtime over Shamet, who tried to take the charge on the play.

Gordon was first called for an offensive foul, but after review, the call was overturned because Shamet was ruled outside of the restricted area.

Gordon missed the ensuing free throw, but his dunk gave Denver a 126-123 lead with 24 seconds left.

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Christmas 2023: Doncic 50-piece dooms Suns

Then last season, Luka Doncic cooked the Suns for 50 points in leading Dallas to victory at Footprint Center. Shooting 8-of-16 from 3, Doncic became the seventh-fastest to reach 10,000 career points.

Grayson Allen scored a team-high 32 points to lead the Suns, going 8-of-17 from 3 while Kevin Durant and Booker combined for just 36 points on 10-of-25 shooting.

The Suns were without Bradley Beal (right ankle sprain) and Jusuf Nurkic (personal reasons) while the Mavericks won despite Kyrie Irving being sidelined due to a heel injury.

The Suns now have another chance to win on Christmas.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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Denver, CO

Esther Romero

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Esther Romero



Esther Romero


OBITUARY

Esther Romero (Lopez), 84, entered into eternal rest surrounded by her loving family. Born in Mt. Harris, Colorado, a small coal mining town near Steamboat Springs, her family moved to Denver in 1950. She graduated from North High School in 1957 and was the first in her family to attend college. She left for Colorado State College now UNC in 1958 where she soon met the love of her life and future husband Richard Romero. Esther graduated in 1961, married a week later, and together moved to Castle Rock where she began her career as an educator. Before long they returned to Denver where their three daughters were born. In 1972, Esther became one of Denver Public Schools first bilingual bicultural teachers and soon earned her Masters Degree from UNC. A passionate advocate, she understood the value of building a strong educational foundation in a child’s home language and honoring culture while also learning English. She taught at Elmwood, Del Pueblo, and Fairmont elementaries. A founding member of the Congress of Hispanic Educators (CHE), Esther served as president for many years helping to ensure children in DPS had access to a quality bilingual education. She continued this work through her final days. Esther taught for 30 years, was recognized as a master teacher of children, an exceptional mentor and coach to future educators, and served as a liaison between CU-Denver and DPS. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Esther enjoyed traveling with family and friends to Mexico, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and almost all fifty states. She and Richard were avid Broncos fans holding season tickets since 1970, traveling to two Super Bowls. She loved organizing family gatherings, gambling trips, camping, reading, puzzles, and playing games with family. She had the unique ability to make everyone feel seen, heard, valued, and loved.

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She was preceded in death by her parents Luis and Tommie G. Lopez, devoted husband Richard Romero, brother Baltazar Lopez ( Lourdes) and survived by her loving daughters Rosana (Dean) Trujillo, Carla (Arturo) Perez, Diana (John) Romero Campbell, and her grandchildren Arturito, Juliana, Claudia, Sofia, Orlando, Geronimo and Alicia, her sister Alice (Joe) Marquez, brothers Louie (Pat dec.) Lopez, Davey (Pat dec.) Lopez, Robert (Shari) Lopez, Ray (Melva) Lopez, and numerous extended family members. Please see www.cfcscolorado.org for service details.



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