Angela Rae Harris's Blog, page 22

CSU Rams’ offense no-shows in embarrassing home loss to Washington State

FORT COLLINS — After giving up 59 points in back-to-back losses, Washington State’s defense seemed like it presented a prime opportunity for Jackson Brousseau in his first start under center for the Colorado State Rams.

However, once again, Colorado State’s offense couldn’t find ways to productively finish their drives, no matter who was calling the signals.

The Cougars’ defense, entering the game tied for 128th out of the 136 FBS schools in scoring defense at 43.7 points per game, held Colorado State to only an opening-drive field goal on Saturday night in a 20-3 win at Canvas Stadium. Now 1-3 on the season, CSU’s three points were its fewest since suffering a 52-0 shutout at Texas on August 31, 2024, and its lowest total at home since Colorado posted a 28-9 win two weeks later.

“We’re starting conference play next week at San Diego State, and we have a chance to rectify some things in that locker room and make sure that we get on the right page,” said CSU head coach Jay Norvell. “I told our kids I think we have good football players in that locker room.”

Norvell believes that includes Brousseau, who didn’t go over the 100-yard mark in passing until 3:31 was left in the third quarter, part of a night where the Washington State defense surrendered 334 total yards but stiffened when needed to snuff out any real threat of a Ram comeback.

CSU’s redshirt sophomore finished with 188 yards on a 19-of-28 night, with 57 of those yards coming in the final quarter.

“I thought Jackson competed hard tonight and did a lot of good things,” Norvell said. “Obviously, we didn’t string enough execution together to put enough points on the board to make a game.”

Brousseau’s counterpart, Washington State’s Zevi Eckhaus, ended the game with just one more passing yard (189) but threw a pair of touchdowns that would give the Cougars a comfortable first-half lead that would extend throughout the game.

Eckhaus started the night in style, finishing off his team’s first drive with a beautifully placed 35-yard touchdown throw to Jeremiah Noga, setting the stage for what would be a Cougar romp in a battle of future Pac-12 foes.

Colorado State jumped out of the gate quickly, taking the opening kickoff and establishing a ground game with Jalen Dupree. His first three carries netted the Rams 37 yards and moved them to the WSU 28. However, Tahj Bullock was swarmed under on the next play for a 7-yard loss, and Colorado State’s drive stalled, with the Rams settling for a 50-yard field goal from Isaiah Hankins and a 3-0 lead.

Bullock’s troubles moving the ball in the wildcat formation would continue and come at some inopportune times for the Rams. His loss of a yard on fourth-and-1 from the CSU 49 gave the Cougars the ball and 3:14 left to work with before halftime.

That was all the WSU offense needed, with Eckhaus going back to work. A 19-yard pass to Tony Freeman moved the ball to the CSU 5-yard line then, three plays later, the senior quarterback found a wide-open Ademola Faleye in the end zone to take the air out of Canvas Stadium just before intermission, pushing the visitors’ lead to 20-3 with 1:01 remaining.

Eckahus finished the first half 10-of-16 through the air for 123 yards and two touchdowns, leading a balanced Cougar offense that also had 123 yards on the ground. Those two touchdowns also matched the number that CSU’s defense had given up through the air through their first three games.

With a change at quarterback earlier this week as Broussard stepped in for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and the Rams in need of something other than a lackluster showing as they have had in their two previous home games, CSU answered the bell with the early field goal. However, the Rams were met with a quick knockout punch on the early touchdown toss from Eckhaus and they would never recover.

Even when things went well for the Rams on Saturday, they didn’t.

CSU found some kind of offensive flow on its first possession of the second half, but the Rams couldn’t cash in on a 13-play, 63-yard drive for points. Brousseau carried three times on the drive, using two of those to convert on third downs, but his fourth-down rush was stymied for a 1-yard loss at the WSU 8, giving the ball back to the visitors.

GAME RECAP

Washington State 20, Colorado State 3

What happened: After jumping out to a 3-0 lead on its first possession, Colorado State’s offense couldn’t find a way to put more points on the board. Two botched field goals (one missed and one blocked) plus going 6-for-17 combined on third and fourth downs meant CSU had chances but couldn’t find a way to convert them into points.

What it means: After a week of change, Colorado State still has a lot of questions about its offensive identity heading into Mountain West play. The Rams put together 334 yards of offense, so why only three points? Brousseau found his rhythm at times during the game, but Washington State’s defense always seemed to find an answer when needed.

Quotable: “Our players aren’t going to change right now, so we have to find ways that they can be more explosive. What we have to do in the passing game is find guys who can make explosive plays,” said CSU head coach Jay Norvell.

What’s next: The Rams return to the road for a Mountain West battle with San Diego State in the conference opener for both teams on Friday, October 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (Mountain) and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

After being suspended for 2023 season, Broncos’ Eyioma Uwazurike finally back in a groove | NFL Insider

During offseason drills in 2023, D.J. Jones was thrilled with the development of fellow Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike. 

Uwazurike had shown some promise in 2022 as a rookie after being taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft out of Iowa State. And when he returned to Denver the following spring, Jones said he had made great strides. 

“I was interested in what he was going to do (in 2023) because his OTAs (organized team activities) were amazing,’’ Jones said. 

As it turned out, Uwazurike never made it to the season. On July 27, 2023, he was suspended for at least a year by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling rules. It was determined he had bet on NFL games in the 2022 season. 

After he sat out in 2023, the NFL reinstated Uwazurike on Aug. 5, 2024, but 2024 was mostly a lost season. Uwazurike played just 63 defensive snaps while getting into four games. 

But Uwazurike is once again finding his groove. With top reserve defensive lineman Malcolm Roach put on injured reserve before the start of the season, assuring he would miss at least four games, Uwazurike has stepped up. 

Coming off the bench, Uwazurike played 15 snaps in a 20-12 win over Tennessee in the opener. He then played a career-high 34 snaps in a 29-28 loss in Week 2 at Indianapolis and topped that with 38 last Sunday in a 23-20 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. 

“I prepare for every game the same way as if I’m going to have 100 snaps,’’ he said. 

Uwazurike is grateful he has any games to prepare for. There was uncertainty about his career after he was suspended, whether he would return to Denver or be signed by another NFL team. 

“I’m just grateful overall that they did that and I got the opportunity to play football,’’ Uwazurike said of the Broncos bringing him back. “I take (football) seriously and every day I’m in, I’m like, ‘What can I do to be better?’ That’s the mindset.” 

Uwazurike singled out Broncos coach Sean Payton, who took over in 2023, for having faith in him. 

“Very real coach,’’ Uwazurike said. “I love him.” 

It has taken time, though, for Uwazurike to return to form. He was usually a non-factor in 2024. 

“I didn’t have the OTAs where I could actually show the coaches (what he could do),’’ Uwazurike said of being reinstated 1 ½ weeks after the start of training camp. “When I first came back, it took really that first month (of the season) to get in football shape. You can run as long as you want and you can do cardio, but nothing is going to get you in football shape other than playing football.” 

Payton recently said, “it’s difficult to sit a year and then come back.” He has been pleased to see Uwazurike looking better this season, saying, “When his pad level is right, he’s tough.” 

In three games, Uwazurike has nine tackles. Jones likes what he has seen. 

“He’s getting better and better,’’ Jones said. “He wants to get better. That’s all that matters. He’s a big piece after Roach went down. He’s stepped into that role fully.” 

That Uwazurike has bounced back after sitting out a season has impressed Jones. 

“That’s not easy to do,’’ Jones said. “The majority of people would bow down to that obstacle, but he leaped over it obviously.” 

Next up for Uwazurike is Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. When the Broncos lost 30-24 in overtime at Cincinnati last December in Week 17, Uwazurike was inactive and watched from the bench. But now he is expected to play a valuable role. 

Vaughn’s lost inch 

Deuce Vaughn has lost an inch in height. At least according to a roster, the Broncos have put out. 

After being listed throughout his college career at Kansas State and the previous two seasons with Dallas as being 5-foot-6, the Broncos listed the running back at 5-5 after he signed Sept. 9 with their practice squad. 

“They can put whatever they want on a piece of paper’’ Vaughn said with a laugh, saying his actual height is 5-6 and that he hasn’t been measured since coming to Denver. 

Regardless of his listing, Vaughn was thrilled to be back on a roster after being waived by the Cowboys on Aug. 26. He worked out with the Broncos on Sept. 2, and they then put him on hold before he was signed. 

“They said to give us a week, but Denver was a place I wanted to be, so a week was nothing to wait for,’’ he said. “For me as a smaller back, I think Sean Payton is the perfect coach to try to take your game to the next level.” 

Payton once coached the New Orleans Saints, and they had 5-6 Darren Sproles from 2011-13. Sproles had played at Kansas State, where Vaughn rushed for 1,404 yards in 2021 and 1,558 in 2022. He then had 40 carries for 110 yards in his two Dallas seasons. 

“To play in the NFL going on my third year is huge just for that little kid who wanted to do this,’’ he said. 

Denver Broncos wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. (5) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

Sherfield in the community 

It hasn’t taken long for Broncos wide receiver and special teams ace Trent Sherfield to become involved in the Denver community. 

Sherfield, an eight-year veteran, who signed with Denver last March, was named the Week 4 NFL Players Association Community Most Valuable Player after he helped provide essential baby items for local families in need. 

Sherfield, who runs his Diamonds Amongst the Rough Foundation, recently was involved in the distribution of diapers, wipes, baby food and formula in a partnership with WeeCycle, Colorado’s largest diaper bank. 

“It was a no-brainer for me to do it,’’ said Sherfield, who credited his agency Klutch Sports Group for reaching out to him with the opportunity. “It was eye-opening for me because I was really oblivious to it that there were children that didn’t have diapers and wipes.” 

Sherfield wants to continue to do more work in the Denver area. His foundation long has been active in his hometown of Danville, Ill. He currently is involved in helping raise funds there for an indoor sports facility. 

“I’m a big, big, big guy of giving back,’’ he said. 

What I’m hearing 

–At the start of practices leading into Monday’s game, the Broncos played the longtime Monday Night Football theme song and Hank Williams “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night.” Tight end Evan Engram loved it. “You grow up hearing that stuff and you dream of playing in the league,’’ he said. “It’s year nine for me but it’s still surreal realizing I get to play football in this league, let alone on Monday Night Football.” Engram came up big in his last Monday appearance, which was against the Bengals. He caught nine passes for 82 yards with a 22-yard touchdown in a 34-31 overtime loss on Dec. 4, 2023. 

–Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto expects the Broncos to tighten up matters soon on defense. After giving up just 133 yards in Week 1 against the Titans, they’ve allowed an average of 424.5 yards in the past two games, making them a disappointing No. 19 in the NFL in total defense “I wouldn’t worry too much,’’ he said. “I still feel like we’re playing good ball and at the end of the day, it’s really little things as far as executing that is keeping us from being the defense that we can be.” 

What I’m seeing 

–Monday night won’t mark the first time the Broncos have faced Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning, who will make his second straight start after star Joe Burrow was lost at least until December with a toe injury. In the first preseason game in 2021, Browning started for Minnesota against Denver in Minneapolis, and the Broncos made things miserable for him. In the Vikings’ 33-6 loss, Browning completed 5 of 10 passes for 31 yards with an interception and a miserable passer rating of 17.6. Browning was cut by the Broncos two weeks later but bounced back well two years later with the Bengals. He went 4-3 as a starter when Burrow was hurt in 2023 and in nine games that season threw for 1,936 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while having a solid passer rating of 98.4. 

–In the first three games, Bo Nix hasn’t looked like the same quarterback he did in the second half of last season as a Denver rookie. But tackle Mike McGlinchey insists there is nothing to worry about. “Certainly, there’s a heightened urgency to get things right in year two, and he’s got that intensity about him,’’ McGlinchey said. “But Bo just needs to keep being himself and he’ll be fine.”  

Avalanche beat Stars for third straight preseason win | 3 takeaways

Considering the lineups each team dressed, the Avalanche should have come away with a victory on Saturday night. It wasn’t exactly pretty, but Colorado got the job done with a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena.

Here are three takeaways from Colorado’s third straight preseason victory.

If anyone other than Zakhar Bardakov is centering the fourth line come opening night, it will be a major upset. The 24-year-old center scored his first goal, recovering from a big hit to make a nice move on the Dallas goaltender. It’s the rest of his game that will keep him around, though. He’s been attached at the hip to Parker Kelly throughout camp and has shown well on the penalty kill. It would appear it’s his job to lose.Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has said he’d still give a look to Ross Colton at center to see if it’s something he’d like to try on the third line, and he did on Saturday. It’s hard to take too much from one preseason game, but every indication is that the organization prefers Colton on the wing, freeing him up to be a bit more of a menace on the ice.Whether or not there’s room on the roster for Gavin Brindley is a real question, but he’s doing everything to make the Avalanche think twice about sending him down. He scored his third goal of the preseason, taking advantage of a nice play by Ivan Ivan in the second period, and earned praise from Bednar after the game. With the season inching closer, intensity is picking up each day, and Brindley is matching it. “I think it’s important to keep building every game in the preseason to get ready to go for game one of the season,” Brindley said after the game.

Third-down issues plague Air Force defense against Hawaii

Hawaii needed four yards on its first third-down attempt on Saturday.

It came up with five.

The Rainbow Warriors needed 10 to extend a drive later in the first quarter. They hit a pass for 11.

When they needed six in the second they got seven. Needed 12, they got 14. Situation called for 10, they gained 11. Had to have 15, they got 15.

“Boy that’s hard, man,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “You’ve got to get off the field.”

The Falcons forced their visitors into 19 third-down situations and Hawaii turned 14 into first downs as it headed back to the islands with a 44-35 victory at Falcon Stadium.

The Rainbow Warriors – like Air Force – punted only once during the game. They turned all those conversions into a time-of-possession advantage of 37:24 to 22:36 and led 26-17 in first downs and 535 to 494 in total yards.

Air Force linebacker Luke Fisher said the defense, under coordinator Brian Knorr, reps third down as much as any program in the country.

“That’s where we make our money. Right? But it’s also where you lose your money,” Fisher said. “If you’re not solid and sound, you’re not going to be able to get off the field and then they’re going to be able to continue drives. We’ve got to capitalize when we need to capitalize.”

To its credit, the defense didn’t emerge from the game pointing fingers.

“Each level needs to work on their own thing,” said outside linebacker Isaac Hubert, who had three tackles for loss. “It’s not one position group.

“D-line specifically needs to contain the quarterback better and not have them pop out and finish and get some sacks.”

The defensive backs played a little closer to the line of scrimmage in the second half and, as a result, made Hawaii complete passes to receivers who were often more closely guarded. The Rainbow Warriors, behind quarterback Micah Alejado, handled the challenge.

“They need to see enough receivers come at them,” Calhoun said of his secondary, which started three sophomores and two freshmen. “We try to resemble that in practice. It’s not always the same, who they line up against, perhaps.”

Air Force’s pattern of shootout losses continues in 44-35 setback vs. Hawaii

The same shrill tune is stuck on repeat for Air Force football.

This time it was Hawaii that came to Falcon Stadium and won 44-35, putting up 535 yards of offense to negate an attack for the Falcons that saw sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka set a school record for total offense in a game with 417 yards.

For three weeks, this has been the story. Air Force (1-3, 0-3 Mountain West) puts up big points, the opponent puts up even more.

“We’ve got to get it right,” linebacker Luke Fisher said Saturday. “We’ve got to grow up.”

Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado torched the Falcons – who started two freshmen in the secondary – for 457 yards and three touchdowns as he completed 35-of-47 attempts.

The Rainbow Warriors (4-2, 1-1) also ran for 78 yards and posted their first two rushing touchdowns of the season.

This marks three consecutive seasons that the Falcons have lost at least three games in a row. They dropped four straight in 2023 after an 8-0 start, one of those losses coming at Hawaii. Last year they dropped seven in a row after winning the opener, a similar situation to where they currently find themselves.

“At the end of the day we’ve got to execute and we’ve got to finish,” said tailback Kade Frew, who scored a touchdown in the third quarter.

Hawaii Warriors defensive back Matagi Thompson (25) hits Air Force Falcons running back Owen Allen (2) at the line of scrimage for a short gain during the first half Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

Hawaii posted a pair of 6-play, 75-yard touchdown drives on their first two possessions. Air Force answered the first one, but on the second was stuffed on a fourth-and-4 quarterback keeper from the 9-yard line after opting against a field goal.

“I just thought we were going to need some touchdowns,” coach Troy Calhoun said of the decision.

The Falcons were also stopped on a fourth down in the third quarter on a trick play when receiver Quin Smith (caught three passes for 110 yards and a touchdown) threw to a wide open fullback Owen Allen, who couldn’t corral it.

Calhoun called it a “calculated risk” throwing a relatively deep pass to a player not typically placed in that position.

The aggressive mindset is necessitated by a defense that entered the week giving up the most yards per play in the nation (9.1) and has given up 49 (at Utah State), 49 (vs. Boise State) and 44 points in its three Mountain West games.

Hawaii showed why the Falcons felt the need to press, dominating time of possession 37:24 to 22:36 and controlling the ball for more than 12 minutes on a 24-play drive in the second quarter.

The Rainbow Warriors were 14 of 19 on third down.

Despite all this, Hawaii’s lead was at just six points until a field goal with 34 seconds remaining in the game.

Szarka, who made his first start after coming on in relief in the first three games while rotating with Josh Johnson, completed 10-of-12 passes for 278 yards, three touchdowns and an interception that resulted from a hit while he was throwing. He also ran 17 times for 139 yards.

His 417 total yards eclipsed the previous program record of 394 from quarterback Arion Worthman at Navy in 2017.

“(He) did make some plays, yet, in fairness, I think when you’re down a couple of scores there’s a little more space, there are a few more yards,” Calhoun said. “We’ve got to get where we aren’t down a couple of scores, and that’s a team commitment.”

Hawaii 44, Air Force 35 | More from another high-scoring loss for the Falcons

Facts and figures from Air Force’s third consecutive loss.

Air Force Player of the Game

Liam Szarka, so., quarterback

Tailback Kade Frew had to patiently await an option pitch on an 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, as Szarka stretched the play to the last possible moment before taking a hit to deliver the ball.

“Had he not taken that shot, I wouldn’t have scored,” Frew said.

Frew also noted the hard yards Szarka found up the middle.

“Seeing him put his head down, not afraid to get yards between the tackles,” Frew said. “It’s pretty impressive.”

Szarka, who is not made available to media by coach Troy Calhoun’s policy to allow only juniors and seniors to speak, set a program record with 417 total yards (278 passing, 139 rushing) in his first-career start.

The passes included a 73-yard touchdown to Cade Harris, a 52-yard score to Quin Smith and a pair of throws to Bruin Fleishmann, including a touchdown, where Szarka bought time with his legs and kept his eyes on his targets.

He also sprinted for 64 yards on the first play from scrimmage.

“I think he’s just playing overall great football,” said Harris, who caught three passes for 116 yards. “I love to see that. I love to see him improving each and every week.”

What I watched

The Gazette’s Brent Briggeman follows up on items of intrigue he identified prior to the game.

Encore?

Liam Szarka was a revelation at quarterback last week, throwing for 246 yards and rushing for 111 and accounting for three touchdowns. He was even better this time, making his first start and setting a school record with 417 yards (278 passing, 139 rushing).

Pass defense

Hawaii had no issues moving the ball through the air, passing for 457 yards. The Falcons started two freshmen and three sophomores in the secondary, and in the first half nearly every Rainbow Warriors reception came by a receiver who was open by at least a few yards. That gap was tighter in the second half, as Air Force lined up closer to the line of scrimmage, but this pass defense very much remains a work in progress.

Experience

Hawaii played its sixth game of the season with a largely veteran team, and it looked like it. The Rainbow Warriors committed no turnovers (Air Force had one), they were penalized just four times for 17 yards (Air Force was flagged five times for 32 yards), and they were an unflappable 14 of 19 on third-down tries.

BY THE NUMBERS

1

Career start for Air Force freshman cornerback Jordan Elie-Stuart, who joined the first unit and made six tackles and broke up a deep pass.

3

Tackles for loss for Air Force outside linebacker Isaac Hubert, who leads the team with seven.

10

Touchdown plays of 24 or more yards given up by Air Force in three Mountain West games.

23

Years since Air Force had seen a quarterback rush for 100 or more yards in consecutive games before Liam Szarka. Chance Harridge did it vs UNLV and San Diego State in 2002.

24

Plays for Hawaii during a second-quarter drive that chewed up 12 minutes, 14 seconds and led to a field goal.

Woody Paige: Broncos must shed their lackluster effort

       A Broncos’ beatdown to the Cincinnati Cheaps Monday night would be unforgettable and unforgivable. A loss to the Philadelphia champs won’t get the deed done. And with a defeat to either or both of the New York/New Jersey chumps, Denver can fuhgeddaboudit.

       A week ago, a Simpleton Simon in a sports show said the Broncos would simply have to win over the Chargers to lead the AFC West.

       Simply, as if the outcome in Los Angeles were inevitable.

       Even now, though, a poor pie man can see that if the Broncos stumble again in the NFL’s MNF game, they will be last in the division.

       These Broncos were reputed in preseason to clamber to the championship categoric claim, especially by their own coach and his collection of cronies.

       An unfunny thing happened on the way to the fair. The Broncos barely bumped the Titans at home in the opening game and couldn’t even cover the betting spread. In the first travel game, the Broncos were trimmed like a hedge by a 45-yard field goal and couldn’t recover at the end. Against the Chargers, the Broncos discovered that they weren’t the shiny new objects that had been promised – simply. They missed a makeable field goal and made a mistake on an unmakeable field goal, then lost when the Chargers did make a field goal for a victory in the 127th duel of the duo.

       The Broncos’ newly extolled offense of running backs, jokers, joysticks, and Bo Nix has scored a mere 68 points (22.7 per game) while the highly-exalted defense of edge-crashers and orange-crushers has allowed 64 points (21.3). Overall in the league, the Broncos are ranked and filed at No. 19. Not so irrelevant, not so relevant. Mediocre more than meteoric. The sacks seekers and the sophomore slumper are the stories on the field, and the head coach and the former head coach are feeling the flames.

       During the three games the Broncos have been picked off three times and fumbled once while intercepting one pass and seizing three fumbles. Where are the big players like “Camelot”?

       Coach Sean Payton hasn’t delivered as quickly and well as FedEx, but does accept some culpability for several decisions that have included dragging a couple of plays out of an old bag. He hasn’t revealed a new bag of offensive tricks with two quirky running backs and an experienced tight end whose nickname doesn’t belong in the same sentence with Nikola Jokic’s. The Mad Hatter and the Thackery Earwacket won’t confuse anybody with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey so far, and the wide receivers’ route schemes appear to be from an old Nebraska playbook.

       The quarterback has been Joe Blow. The Bo play so far is reminiscent of Drew Lock and Brett Rypien, a pair of average quarterbacks who passed through town.

       Sean’s coaching hasn’t been Max Speedie, Lou Saban, John Ralston or, say, Vance Joseph, but he hasn’t been masterminding with Mike Shanahan at dinner at the restaurant with his name on it — with Jon Gruden as a guest, too. But, then, Vance Joseph’s defense isn’t quite up to Wade Phillips’ form, either.

       The team that rolled out for the three exhibitions hasn’t been on a roll in the regular season games vs. the Titans, the Colts, and those always annoying Chargers.

       Now comes the hard part, although the Broncos drew another break with the injury to Joe Burrow. The Bengals, who have the cheapest operation in the NFL, should be rather easy Monday night with the loss of their sensational quarterback, but rookie Cam Ward and Daniel Jones weren’t intended to be unique either. Jake Browning starts for Cincy, but might we even see Old Friend Rypien once again?

       Teams that begin the season with a 1-3 record do overcome that early obstacle to find the playoffs, but the Broncos should worry more about their own actions than their uniform combinations and future stadium site. The true America’s team – the  Eagles – will be lingering for the following game, with both the Jets in London and the Giants here ahead.

       NFL’s history suggests that 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, and 1-6 may occasionally ascend to the post-season, but they rarely advance beyond one feeble effort on the road. The Broncos have at least seven more confrontations with potential playoff participants, and 11 triumphs seem as far off as Christmas Night in Kansas City.

       The Broncos must get their act together immediately.

       Otherwise, they won’t get it.

Rockies need smart offseason to rebound from historically bad season | Kevin’s take

The Rockies posting a third consecutive 100-loss season was certainly a possibility heading into 2025. However, no one believed this Rockies squad would become one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball history.

A 5-25 record through their first 30 games officially put the Rockies on notice for what could become a historically bad season. A 7-33 record on May 11 cost manager Bud Black his job and put the Rockies on a different trajectory under interim manager Warren Schaeffer.

While the Rockies have avoided accumulating the most losses in modern MLB history (a record held by the Chicago White Sox with 121 losses in 2024), this year’s roster will go down in franchise history as not only the one that lost the most games, but also one of the ineptest of all baseball teams.

The 2025 Rockies were a fascinating study in how to lose often but not piece together an incredibly long losing streak. Colorado had five different eight-game losing streaks during the season but never lost nine in a row. Compare that to the 2024 White Sox, which had a 21-game and 14-game losing streak during their record-setting campaign, and it’s apparent that futility can be reached in various ways.

Is there hope for the Rockies ahead? It depends on if you look at the glass as half-full or half-empty.

If you’re one who chooses the positive side, lessons from the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles each hold hope. The 2019 Tigers lost 114 games while the 2018 Orioles dropped 115 games, yet each franchise rebounded through smart drafting and prudent free agent signings, and both were participants in the 2024 postseason.

One of those smart draft moves was the Orioles taking Jackson Holliday first overall in the 2022 draft, as he is now a regular in the Baltimore lineup. His brother, Ethan, was just selected fourth overall by the Rockies in the 2025 draft. Could another Holliday be one of the catalysts to turn around another franchise?

Those on the negative side of things would be quick to scoff at that idea. Ethan Holliday may well evolve into a tremendous player for the Rockies, but what else is there in Colorado’s farm system (especially on the pitching side) that shows the Rockies have been growing the next generation of talent that can be the foundation for a turnaround?

It’s possible that second-ranked prospect Charlie Condon may be Colorado’s 2026 Opening Day first baseman, and third-ranked prospect Cole Carrigg may become a difference-maker in the outfield, but is there enough talent elsewhere?

That’s where the key free agent signings will have to produce dividends in Colorado. Kris Bryant’s seven-year, $182 million contract looms like an albatross over the franchise, and there will need to be some form of closure with that this offseason (is Bryant really coming back in 2026, or will his back issues force him into retirement?) for the Rockies to move forward in terms of roster spots and potential payroll flexibility as well.

When he was first signed before the 2022 season, Bryant was supposed to be the answer for a lineup that needed some offensive punch. Now the Rockies are going to have to look elsewhere this offseason for that as the draft and develop franchise could certainly use a veteran bat with some pop who could be another power threat in the lineup along with All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman.

For the Rockies to follow in the footsteps of the Tigers and Orioles, the franchise must realize that hitting rock bottom this season can be a springboard to becoming relevant again. However, to do that, the organization’s leadership must be committed to smart free agent spending and improved minor-league development, especially on the pitching side.

If those changes aren’t made and history isn’t used as a teaching tool, Colorado’s place at the bottom of the stacked National League West could become all too common.

Most losses in MLB history

2024 Chicago White Sox — 121 losses

1962 New York Mets — 120 losses

2003 Detroit Tigers — 119 losses

2025 Colorado Rockies — 118 losses (through Saturday, September 27)

1916 Philadelphia A’s — 117 losses

2018 Baltimore Orioles — 115 losses

1935 Boston Braves — 115 losses

2019 Detroit Tigers — 114 losses

1904 Washington Senators — 113 losses

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Halloween events and fall festivals in and around Denver

Halloween EventsGetty Images

Through Nov. 2: Corn Maze — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, Chatfield Farms, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, $10-$20, free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/corn-maze.

Through Nov. 2: Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns — A glowing trail of more than 7000 hand-carved pumpkins, The Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, $14.99 and up. Tickets: magicofthejackolanterns.com.

Through Nov. 9: 13th Floor Denver — 3400 E. 52nd Ave., Denver, $19.99 and up. Tickets: 13thfloorhauntedhouse.com.

Sept. 26-Nov. 1: Dark Side of the Abbey Haunted House — With two uniquely haunting experiences Dark Side of the Abbey and Disturbance at the Monastery, 7-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, 2951 U.S. 50, Canon City, $25-$40 t benefit the Scouts. Tickets: darksideoftheabbey.com.

Sept. 27: Big Jack’s Arrival — Colorado’s biggest pumpkin, noon-3 p.m., Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock; outletsatcastlerock.com/events.

Sept. 27-Oct. 25: Big Jack Give Back — Donate a new or gently used coat to help keep our community warm this winter and be entered for a heartwarming giveaway, Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock; outletsatcastlerock.com/events.

Sept. 30-Nov. 1: Nightmare in Paradise — Denver’s tropical escape will transform into the ultimate destination for Halloween enthusiasts, featuring ghoulish decorations, a creepy cocktail menu and a lineup of bewitching events that blend island vibes with Halloween magic, Adrift Tiki Bar, 218 S Broadway, Denver. Reservations highly recommended: adriftbar.com.

Oct. 1-31: Scarecrow Days — Enjoy custom scarecrows along 2300-2800 W. Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City. Vote for your favorite, Oct. 12-21; shopoldcoloradocity.com/events/scarecrow-days.

Oct. 1-31: Hole-O-Ween at Journey Mini Golf — Colorado Journey Miniature Golf, 5150 S. Windermere St., Littleton. Go online for schedule and prices: ssprd.org/Colorado-Journey.

Oct. 1-Nov. 2: Halloween Cocktails & Witch Please Pop-Up Bar — Wonderyard Garden + Table, 2200 Larimer St., Denver; wonderyard.com.

Oct. 1-Nov. 4: Haunted Hacienda Halloween Pop-Up — With featured Halloween cocktails, My Neighbor Felix: Colorado Mexican Restaurant, 1801 Central St., Denver and 7209 S. Clinton St., Centennial; myneighborfelix.com.

Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 24: Ghost Stories of Old Manitou Walking Tours — To benefit Manitou Springs Heritage Museum, starting at 5 p.m., Manitou Springs Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, $19.89 and up. Tickets: manitouspringsheritagecenter.org/ghost-tours.

Oct. 3-4, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26: Boo at the Zoo — With mysterious cryptid creatures, candy stations and seasonal snacks, 4:30-9 p.m., Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver. Sensory-friendly night is Oct. 31, go online for prices. Tickets: denverzoo.org/events/boo-at-the-zoo.

Oct. 3-Nov. 2: “The Vampire of Cripple Creek” — The Butte Theater, 130 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, go online for prices; buttetheater.com.

Oct. 5: Candy Crawl — With music, face painting, crafts, balloon twisters and more, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Shops at Northfield, 8340 Northfield Blvd., Denver; shopsatnorthfield.com/events.

Oct. 10-11: Spells, Spirits & Mariachis — Presented by Cherry Creek Chorale, 7 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills, $17.25-$27.25, free for ages 12 and younger. Tickets: cherrycreekchorale.org.

Oct. 10-12, 17-19 and Oct. 30: Ghosts in the Gardens – Open Air Scare — Walk our dimly lit paths after hours and listen to the haunting stories that lurk throughout the Gardens’ history, 5:30-10:30 p.m., $29-$34. Tickets: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver; botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/ghosts-gardens.

Oct. 11: March of the Macabre: Journey from Bald Mountain to the Inferno — Halloween concert presented by the Golden Eagle Concert Band, 4 p.m., Wheat Ridge Center for Music and Arts, located in Wheat Ridge United Methodist church, 7530 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, $10 donation; goldeneagleconcertband.com.

Oct. 11: Central City Opera Haunted History Tour — 5:30 p.m., The Teller House, 120 Eureka St., Central City, $150. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3zndysdy.

Oct. 12: Spooky Sweets Stroll — With safe trick-or-treating, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Macabre Market, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and more, The Orchard Town Center, 14697 Delaware St., Broomfield; theorchardtowncenter.com/event/spooky-sweets-stroll.

Oct. 17: Adulti-Verse Howl-O-Ween: Spooky-Verse Awakens — Features spooky cocktails, a costume raffle, tarot readings, and Scary-oke Karaoke, alongside interactive performances from Consensual Circus. Attendees are encouraged to dress up, 5 p.m., Meow Wolf, Convergence Station, 1338 1st S., Denver, $41. Tickets: tickets.meowwolf.com/events/denver.

Oct. 17: Pumpkin Hike — Walk part of the Wapiti Trail that will be lined with hand-carved pumpkins, 6-8 p.m., Mueller State Park, Visitor Center, 21045 Colorado 67, Divide. Day pass $10 per vehicle required; 719-687-2366.

Oct. 17-18, 24-25 and 30-31: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” — For ages 18 and older, 9 p.m., Iron Springs Chateau Theater, 444 S. Ruxton Ave., Manitou Springs, $28. Tickets: ironspringschateau.com.

Oct. 17-Nov. 1: Victorian Horrors — Our actors will leave you with chills as you move from room to room hearing the scariest bedtime classics, Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, $25-$30. Tickets: mollybrown.org.

Oct. 18: Boo at the Bridge — With music, trick-or-treating and games, 4:30-8 p.m., Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Cañon City, go online for prices. Tickets: royalgorgebridge.com/boo-at-the-bridge.

Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 21-26: Glow Before Dark — Visit during the day and enjoy some of the Glow at the Gardens features including pumpkin sculptures, skeleton scenes and gravestones. Evening event features include lights, music and performers and will not be present during the day9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 18-20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 21-26, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, included with regular admission. Tickets: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/glow-before-dark.

Oct. 21: Architecture of a Haunted House Tour — 6 p.m., Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, $25-$27. Tickets: mollybrown.org.

Oct. 21-26: Glow at the Gardens — Wander through a spooky, illuminated landscape animated by live performers with hand-carved pumpkin displays around every bend, 6-9 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, $26-$34, free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/glow-gardens.

Oct. 22: Walking with Ghosts: An Evening of True Crime Hauntings — 7:30 p.m., The Stanley Hotel, 333 E. Wonderview Ave., Estes Park, $50 and up. Tickets: stanleylive.com/amybruni.

Oct. 24: Trick-or-Treat Street — With games, booths and lots of candy, 4-5:15 p.m. or 5:15-6:30 p.m., Goodson Recreation Center parking lot, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial. All children must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older, $10. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mvbs8ytw.

Oct. 24: Blue Haunting Trunk-or-Treat — Join the members of the Colorado Department of Public Safety to celebrate the season. Wear your costume and enjoy an evening filled with candy, games and prizes, 5:30-8 p.m., Colorado Law Enforcement Academy, 15055 S. Golden Road, Golden; csp.colorado.gov.

Oct. 24: Walking with Ghosts: Real Life Hauntings with Amy Bruni — 7:30 p.m., The PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker, $35 and up. Tickets: parkerarts.org.

Oct. 24-26: Victorian Gothic Halloween High Tea — 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Miramont Castle, 9 Capitol Hill Ave., Manitou Springs, $55, $35 for ages 12 and younger. Reservations: 719-685-1011, miramontcastle.org.

Oct. 25: Pumpkin Carving Party — Carve pumpkins to leave for Jack-o-Lantern event, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 25, $5 per pumpkin and includes a ticket to Jack-o-Lantern event for each pumpkin you carved. Carved pumpkins may be retrieved after 7:30 p.m. Registration: 719-520-6745; elpasocountynaturecenters.com.

Oct. 25: Trunk or Treat and Toy Exchange — 10 a.m., Florissant Public Library, 334 Circle Drive, Florissant; 719-748-3939.

Oct. 25: Kids Monster Dash and Creepy Crawl 5K — 10 a.m. free Kids’ Monster Dash, 10:30 a.m. Creepy Crawl 5K run, Palmer Lake Santa Fe Trail, 104 Oakdale Drive, Palmer Lake, go online for prices. Registration: ppymca.org/raceseries.

Oct. 25: Drop-in Spooky Skate Events — With tunes, costume contest and sweet treats, 11:40 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Family Sports Center, 6901 S. Peoria St., Centennial; ssprd.org/family-sports-center or noon-2 p.m., Sports Complex 4810 E, County Line Road, Highlands Ranch; ssprd.org/sports-complex.

Oct. 25: Pumpkin Plunge — Jump in pool, pick two pumpkins and decorate, includes open swim and goodie bag, 3-6 p.m., Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton. For ages 3-12, children ages 3-5 must be accompanied by adult in water, $25. Registration required by Oct. 17: tinyurl.com/3y6jccmp.

Oct. 25: Jack-o-Lantern Trail — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, $4-$5; 719-520-6745; elpasocountynaturecenters.com.

Oct. 25: Danceportation – Haunted Haus: A Queer Halloween Takeover — 10:30 p.m., Meow Wolf, Convergence Station, 1338 1st S., Denver, $75.50-$80.50. Tickets: tickets.meowwolf.com/events/denver.

Oct. 26: Urban Pumpkin Patch — With pumpkin painting, a photo station, face painting, a pumpkin patch, coffee and more, 10 a.m.-noon, 17th Street Gardens, 1701 Wewatta St., Denver; cpvmd.org/urban-pumpkin-patch.

Oct. 26: Family-Friendly Halloween Adventure: Trick or Treat in the Multiverse — Families are invited to an interdimensional Halloween adventure designed for children and adults alike. Guests can trick-or-treat across Convergence Station’s four worlds, meet friendly alien characters, and participate in creative activities such as making Tave Monsters or assembling Cootie Cabobs. Costumes are encouraged, noon, Meow Wolf, Convergence Station, 1338 1st S., Denver, $42. Tickets: tickets.meowwolf.com/events/denver.

Oct. 26: Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade — Noon-3 p.m., Denver Union Station Terminal Bar patio, 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver; unionstationindenver.com.

Oct. 26: Halloween Spooktacular — Family-friendly concert features spooky classical favorites alongside music from films, television and more, 2:30 p.m., Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, $12.80-$34.56. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets: coloradosymphony.org.

Oct. 26: Halloween Songs and Stories — With Niki & Luke Tredinnick and Barry Osborne, 7-9 p.m., Swallow Music Hall, Tuft Theatre, 71 E. Yale Ave., $26.74-$31.98. Tickets: tinyurl.com/yc8pcw6t.

Oct. 28: Spooky Tabletop Gaming for Teens — 4 p.m., Woodland Park Public Library, 218 E. Midland Ave., Woodland Park; 719-687-9281.

Oct. 29: Is Mrs. Brown Still Here? — Events show us how you might contact the ghostly residents of 1340 Penn with this rare opportunity to learn about various ghost-hunting methods, historic and contemporary, 6 and 9 p.m., Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, $75-$85. Tickets: mollybrown.org.

Oct. 29: Halloween Pop Culture Trivia — 7-9 p.m., Wonderyard Garden + Table, 2200 Larimer St., Denver; wonderyard.com.

Oct. 30: BOOnion Station Trick-or-Treat Parade — Family-friendly Halloween extravaganza with trick-or-treating, balloon artists, mini-train rides and more, 4:30-7:30 p.m., with parade at 5 p.m., Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver; denverunionstation.com.

Oct. 30: Trunk-or-Treat — Parents and kids can enjoy a free evening of trunk-or-treating in My Neighbor Felix parking lot, 7209 S. Clinton St., Centennial and ViewHouse parking lot, 7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial; myneighborfelix.com.

Oct. 31: Murder Mystery Hike — 4:30-7 p.m., Mueller State Park, Homestead Trailhead, 21045 Colorado 67, Divide. Day pass $10 per vehicle required; 719-687-2366.

Oct. 31: The Cosmic Howl Halloween House Party — Live performances, themed costume contest, seasonal cocktails and more, 8 p.m., Meow Wolf, Convergence Station, 1338 1st S., Denver, $49. Tickets: tickets.meowwolf.com/events/denver.

Oct. 31: 2025 Denver Halloween Bar Crawl — 8 p.m.-2 a.m., go online for Denver locations and prices. Tickets: tinyurl.com/5xdyb47e.

Nov. 1: Victorian Horrors & Séance After-Party — Dive into Victorian Spiritualism with our experts and learn what or who might go bump in the night at the Molly Brown House, 8:45 and 9 p.m., Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, $65-$75. Tickets: mollybrown.org.

Fall FestivalsGetty Images

Through Oct. 26: Fall Festival and Scream Acres — corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkin straight off the vine, and treat yourself to our delicious festival food and famous beer garden and as night falls, Scream Acres comes alive, Fritzler Farm Park, 20861 County Road 33, LaSalle, go online for dates, times and prices. Tickets: fritzlerfarmpark.com.

Sept. 27-Oct. 6: Pop’s Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival — With hay bale slide, outdoor games, baby goats, tractor ride through the “Spooky Forest” to pick out your pumpkin and more, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, 1940 13th St., Penrose, $12 for ages 2-59, $2 discount for military, seniors and groups of 10 or more, free for ages 2 and younger. Pumpkins available for purchase; tinyurl.com/bdchu6sy.

Oct. 1: Fall Festival at Sterling Ranch — With local vendors, live entertainment, pumpkins and activities for all ages, 1-4 p.m., Sterling Ranch’s Prospect Park, 8158 Monte Vista Circle, Littleton; 720-441-8396.

Oct. 4-5: Fall Fest — With live music, food, pumpkin carving contests, vendors and more, Cripple Creek; cripplecreekdonkeys.com.

Oct. 5: Mid-Autumn Moon Festival — Bring your family and friends to the 2025 Nathan Yip Foundation’s Mid-Autumn Festival with family-style dining and mooncakes, booths and activities and more, to benefit Nathan Yip Foundation’s new multi-year rural Colorado school grants, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Rockley’s Event Center, 8555 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, $35-$65. Tickets: e.givesmart.com/events/KvN.

Oct. 10-12: Pumpkin Festival — 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Chatfield Farms, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, $10-$20, free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/pumpkin-festival.

Oct. 18: Tennyson Fall Fest — With live music, pet parade, food trucks, artisans, family fun and more, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Empourium Brewing Co., 4385 W. 42nd Ave., Denver; tennysonfallfest.com.

Oct. 18: Pumpkins in the Park — Fall festival with live entertainment, pumpkin patch, face painters, crafts and more, noon-6 p.m., Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City; shopoldcoloradocity.com/events/pumpkins-in-the-park.

If have events to add to the list, please email information to listings@gazette.com.

Jose Barco loses deportation fight

Jose Barco has lost his nine-month-long fight to avoid deportation. 

Immigration judge Tyler Wood denied each of Barco’s five motions for relief, including an application for asylum, and ordered the U.S. veteran to be removed in a 10-page ruling released on Thursday.

Wood did not stipulate an exact date for Barco’s deportation, but his attorney, Kevin O’Connor, said the removal process could start any day. 

Barco’s venture in immigration limbo gained national attention because he is a decorated Iraq War veteran whose heroism during two tours was tarnished upon his return to Fort Carson, when he shot a pregnant woman in the leg. 

In October 2009, he was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 52 years but was released from prison after 15 years. 

After Barco served his time for his crime, he was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement the day he was released on parole from prison in Canon City on Jan. 21, 2025. 

Since that day, Barco, a Venezuelan citizen who has lived in the United States since he was 4, has been fighting to block deportation. 

In the last month, the Department of Homeland Security listed three possibilities for where he could end up — Venezuela, Cuba, or Mexico. At this time, a decision on a final destination has not been made but Venezuela was at the top of the list.

During a two-and-a-half-hour immigration hearing last month, Barco pleaded his case, saying that facing possible extra time in a cell in a foreign country, especially Venezuela, “would be the worst thing that could happen to me.” 

He testified that as an American soldier whose case has had plenty of publicity, there is a chance of “no one hearing from me again.” 

That hearing happened on Aug. 11. On Thursday, Wood’s ruling showed that the judge was not convinced. 

Wood said that Barco had not “met his burden to show that it is more likely than not that he would face harm amounting to torture” if he ends up in Venezuela, Cuba or Mexico.

Barco’s family said that he has not decided whether to appeal the decision, adding that his detention in rooms that are often crowded and loud has exacerbated his PTSD and TBI symptoms.

“Obviously, he (the judge) doesn’t give a damn that other veterans who have been detained have been in danger either,” said Tia Barco, his wife, in an exclusive interview with The Denver Gazette. “We are devastated.”

The ICE website shows Barco’s status as “in ICE custody.” 

At the time of this writing, ICE had not responded for a request for comment. The spokesperson for the Denver region is in Chicago. 

Citizenship status

Barco is a man without a country.  

His father was a political dissident in Cuba and fled to Venezuela in 1982 as a refugee. Barco was born in the South American country three years later and his family again relocated in 1990, this time to the United States, to escape escalating crime. 

Barco’s birth certificate from Venezuela is invalid. Even though he is a convicted criminal, he has permanent resident status in the U.S., better known as a green card. His green card expired while he was in prison.

Danitza James, president of Repatriate Our Patriots, said that he could reapply. 

A temporary legal resident alien card was distributed to his family by the U.S. when they first arrived as refugees. Later, his family status was adjusted to legal permanent resident.

Barco applied for U.S. citizenship in 2006 between his two Iraq War tours, but although the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received the documents, they were never processed. 

His second and final Iraq tour during the “surge” ended in December 2007 and, four months later, his life took a turn when he decided to attend a party in Colorado Springs. 

When it came time for his first chance at parole, he expressed remorse for the 2008 shooting to his parole board, explaining that he had “learned self awareness.”

He had been eventually re-sentenced down to 40 years from the original 52 by 4th Judicial District Judge Larry Schwarz. He spent his prison time helping other inmates earn their GEDs and was released on Jan. 21, 2025 — the same week that President Donald Trump was sworn in.

The Trump administration immediately set into motion what the president promised on the campaign trail — a crackdown on illegal immigration with a special emphasis on individuals convicted of crimes.

Since January, Barco’s family and a band of dozens of his Army brothers have navigated an immigration legal system. 

In February, when he was targeted for deportation, Barco was transferred nine different times, including one trip to Honduras when Venezuelan immigration officials turned him around because of what they called a  “fake” Venezuelan passport. 

Barco was sent back to Denver from where he was being held in Alexandria, La., but not before a pit stop, in which he flew alone on a commercial jet that was sent to New Jersey to pick up a new batch of recently arrested immigrants illegally staying in the U.S. 

Wood is Barco’s third immigration judge in nine months.

Since January, Tia Barco said she has had “endless nights of anxiety” but that Thursday’s ruling has turned restlessness into a state of numb disbelief. 

“This feels like the country he fought and almost died for has left him behind,” she said. “I hope he can live out the rest of his life in peace.”