thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Nordstrom to lay off 167 retail workers in Broomfield

Nordstrom has told the state that it will dismiss 167 workers at its FlatIron Crossing store in Broomfield , one of 16 locations the department store plans to shutter nationwide to cope with reduced sales because of the pandemic .
Workers will be let go between June 1 and June 21 , the date the store is scheduled to close permanently .
Among the positions being eliminated are 70 salespersons , 21 logistic processors , 16 counter managers and six baristas .
“ Unfortunately , COVID-19 has had an unanticipated impact on our business .
This reality has forced us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our company and our employees , ” the Seattle-based department store chain said in a letter filed Monday with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act .
The 16 stores closing represent about 14 % of Nordstrom ’ s locations .
Nordstrom is part of a long list of retailers who were struggling even before the crisis .
J .
Crew Group and Neiman Marcus both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week .
J.C. Penney has been unable to make interest payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor is reportedly looking to liquidate .
“ We have long since stated that Nordstrom has too many department stores that are in sub-optimal locations .
Since those shops were originally opened , the demographics in the trade areas and the competitive mix have changed for the worse .
The result is that Nordstrom has been left exposed , ” said Neil Saunders , managing director of GlobalData Retail , in a research note last week .
He added that the pruning of the least profitable locations was always a possibility — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which should help the company preserve cash and refocus on its more profitable locations .
Cox Automotive also told the state in a WARN filing Friday that it would furlough 163 workers in Aurora , where it runs a vehicle auction site that operates under the Manheim brand .
The furloughs are expected to begin on May 17 and the company plans to pay its share of benefits , including medical , dental , division , disability and life insurance .
“ We currently anticipate that the furlough will last for a period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Atlanta company ’ s general counsel , said in a WARN letter .
“ We are hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will improve in the very near future , that current economic conditions will change , and that we will be able to have employees return to work as soon as possible.
” Aimbridge Hospitality , a Texas company that manages the Sheraton Denver Tech , also informed the state last week that it would end employment with 75 workers at the Greenwood Village hotel .
The layoffs are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Nordstrom has told the state that it will dismiss 167 workers at its FlatIron Crossing store in Broomfield, one of 16 locations the department store plans to shutter nationwide to cope with reduced sales because of the pandemic.
Workers will be let go between June 1 and June 21, the date the store is scheduled to close permanently. Among the positions being eliminated are 70 salespersons, 21 logistic processors, 16 counter managers and six baristas.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has had an unanticipated impact on our business. This reality has forced us to make hard decisions for the future of our company and our employees,” the Seattle-based department store chain said in a letter filed Monday with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The 16 stores closing represent about 14% of Nordstrom’s locations. Nordstrom is part of a long list of retailers who were struggling even before the crisis. J. Crew Group and Neiman Marcus both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week. J.C. Penney has been unable to make interest payments on its debt, and Lord & Taylor is reportedly looking to liquidate.
“We have long since stated that Nordstrom has too many department stores that are in sub-optimal locations. Since those shops were originally opened, the demographics in the trade areas and the competitive mix have changed for the worse. The result is that Nordstrom has been left exposed,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, in a research note last week.
He added that the pruning of the least profitable locations was always a possibility — the coronavirus crisis just hastened the move, which should help the company preserve cash and refocus on its more profitable locations.
Cox Automotive also told the state in a WARN filing Friday that it would furlough 163 workers in Aurora, where it runs a vehicle auction site that operates under the Manheim brand. The furloughs are expected to begin on May 17 and the company plans to pay its share of benefits, including medical, dental, division, disability and life insurance.
“We currently anticipate that the furlough will last for a period of 16 weeks,” Constance Walters, the Atlanta company’s general counsel, said in a WARN letter. “We are hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will improve in the very near future, that current economic conditions will change, and that we will be able to have employees return to work as soon as possible.”
Aimbridge Hospitality, a Texas company that manages the Sheraton Denver Tech, also informed the state last week that it would end employment with 75 workers at the Greenwood Village hotel. The layoffs are expected to occur by the end of the week.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Two suspects arrested in death of Commerce City man

Two suspects have been arrested for the death of a Commerce City man .
Kyle Schneider , 26 , and @ @ @ @ @ both of Commerce City , were arrested Monday and booked into the Adams County Jail @ @ @ @ @ , police said in a news release .
On Friday , neighbors found a man @ @ @ @ @ residence in the 7000 block of Garden Lane .
The victim has been identified as @ @ @ @ @ Gomez .
An investigation is ongoing .
The cause and manner of Gomez ’ s @ @ @ @ @ by the coroner ’ s office , had not yet been announced as of Tuesday @ @

Two suspects have been arrested for the death of a Commerce City man.
Kyle Schneider, 26, and David Jacobs, 41, both of Commerce City, were arrested Monday and booked into the Adams County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, police said in a news release.
On Friday, neighbors found a man’s body inside a residence in the 7000 block of Garden Lane. The victim has been identified as 67-year-old Larry “Eddie” Gomez. An investigation is ongoing.
The cause and manner of Gomez’s death, to be determined by the coroner’s office, had not yet been announced as of Tuesday afternoon.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Rocky Mountain National Park to begin reopening at the end of May

Rocky Mountain National Park officials plan to increase recreational access and services beginning May 27 as part of a phased reopening that will come more than two months after the park was shut down in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Park officials are working with the state of Colorado to follow “ safer-at-home ” guidance as well as with county and local officials as changes are implemented , according to a RMNP news release .
The reopening is being coordinated with guidance from the White House and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado ’ s current “ safer-at-home ” guideline urges residents to “ limit activities to your immediate community , not travel more than 10 miles from your home to recreate or vacation and not travel to mountain areas , ” the news release said .
The state tourism office is discouraging vacations to Colorado to limit community spread of COVID-19 .
Gov .
Jared Polis ’ s current executive order is set to expire May 26 .
It can be amended or extended at any time .
The popular park , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed on March 20 because of coronavirus concerns .
Upcoming visitors should expect park operations and services to be much different this year compared to past seasons .
RMNP is located in Larimer , Grand and Boulder counties on 265,461 acres .
• None Portions of Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds to open June 4 .
• None About half the campsites at Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds will reopen Shuttle bus operations within the Bear Lake Road corridor will begin on May 27 .
Bus capacity will be limited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release said .
It ’ s not yet been determined whether the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center will operate this summer .
Park staff is determining the feasibility and timing of park visitor center operations , as well as other services , the release said .
Wilderness backcountry camping permits will be issued beginning May 27 through autumn , according to the release .
For further information , visit RMNP ’ s website or call 970-586-1206 .

Rocky Mountain National Park officials plan to increase recreational access and services beginning May 27 as part of a phased reopening that will come more than two months after the park was shut down in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Park officials are working with the state of Colorado to follow “safer-at-home” guidance as well as with county and local officials as changes are implemented, according to a RMNP news release.
The reopening is being coordinated with guidance from the White House and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local public health authorities.
Colorado’s current “safer-at-home” guideline urges residents to “limit activities to your immediate community, not travel more than 10 miles from your home to recreate or vacation and not travel to mountain areas,” the news release said.
The state tourism office is discouraging vacations to Colorado to limit community spread of COVID-19. Gov. Jared Polis’s current executive order is set to expire May 26. It can be amended or extended at any time.
The popular park, which had about 4.6 million visitors in 2018, closed on March 20 because of coronavirus concerns. Upcoming visitors should expect park operations and services to be much different this year compared to past seasons. RMNP is located in Larimer, Grand and Boulder counties on 265,461 acres.
Campground openings include:
Portions of Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds to open June 4
About half the campsites at Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds will reopen
Aspenglen, Timber Creek and Longs Peak Campgrounds will remain closed
Shuttle bus operations within the Bear Lake Road corridor will begin on May 27. Bus capacity will be limited to 15 to ensure proper social distancing, the release said. It’s not yet been determined whether the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center will operate this summer.
Park staff is determining the feasibility and timing of park visitor center operations, as well as other services, the release said.
Wilderness backcountry camping permits will be issued beginning May 27 through autumn, according to the release.
For further information, visit RMNP’s website or call 970-586-1206.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Colorado tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths as 20,000 people have been confirmed with the virus

Almost exactly two months after an El Paso County woman in her 80s became Colorado ’ s first victim of the novel coronavirus , the state now has topped 1,000 deaths in connection with the pandemic .
State health officials on Tuesday confirmed 1,009 people have died in connection with the COVID-19 respiratory disease , while there now are more than 20,000 known cases of the respiratory illness .
After the state ’ s first confirmed death on March 13 , the virus quickly escalated into what health experts determined was exponential growth .
Deaths and hospitalizations peaked during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data shows , with the 35 deaths on April 9 serving as the high point for fatalities .
The trajectory has since moved mostly downward , with daily deaths closer to one-third the levels of the early April peak .
But health officials warned cases will increase as social-distancing measures are relaxed , and a second surge is possible .
COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness , has preyed mostly on those over 60 , accounting for 920 deaths , or 91 % of the state ’ s total .
But younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a 16-year-old Denver high school student and a 21-year-old college baseball player from Arapahoe County .
The deaths have come in big cities such as Denver and in small mountain communities like Clear Creak .
They ’ ve come in the northern tips of the state and out into the Four Corners .
They ’ ve been found in meat packing workers and Walmart employees .
They ’ ve hit prisons on the Eastern Plains and in sheriff ’ s departments on the Front Range .
The virus has taken singers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and choirs .
Nowhere has been harder hit than senior living centers , which have seen nearly 200 outbreaks .
The pandemic has been responsible for 23 lives from one care facility in Aurora and 18 at another in Weld County .
There have been 3,695 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state in March , but only 563 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Monday afternoon , state data shows .
At least 38 people since Monday either went home or were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like a rehabilitation facility .
More than 20,100 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory disease causes by the virus — though health officials have said the true number is likely far higher .
Officials recorded more than 2,900 tests on Monday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus .
The testing rate — 51.1 tests per 100,000 people per day — is still significantly lower than the 152-per-100,000 daily number pegged by health experts as necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the testing has been focused on senior living facilities and other care homes .
Officials have confirmed outbreaks at 199 facilities across the state , seven more than the previous day .
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what ’ s reported up from Colorado ’ s counties ; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day , they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Almost exactly two months after an El Paso County woman in her 80s became Colorado’s first victim of the novel coronavirus, the state now has topped 1,000 deaths in connection with the pandemic.
State health officials on Tuesday confirmed 1,009 people have died in connection with the COVID-19 respiratory disease, while there now are more than 20,000 known cases of the respiratory illness.
After the state’s first confirmed death on March 13, the virus quickly escalated into what health experts determined was exponential growth.
Deaths and hospitalizations peaked during the first two weeks of April, state data shows, with the 35 deaths on April 9 serving as the high point for fatalities. The trajectory has since moved mostly downward, with daily deaths closer to one-third the levels of the early April peak. But health officials warned cases will increase as social-distancing measures are relaxed, and a second surge is possible.
COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness, has preyed mostly on those over 60, accounting for 920 deaths, or 91% of the state’s total. But younger people also have been gravely affected, including a 16-year-old Denver high school student and a 21-year-old college baseball player from Arapahoe County.
The deaths have come in big cities such as Denver and in small mountain communities like Clear Creek. They’ve come in the northern tips of the state and out into the Four Corners. They’ve been found in meat packing workers and Walmart employees. They’ve hit prisons on the Eastern Plains and in sheriff’s departments on the Front Range. The virus has taken singers from Aspen bars and lovers of bridge tournaments and choirs.
Nowhere has been harder hit than senior living centers, which have seen nearly 200 outbreaks. The pandemic has been responsible for 23 lives from one care facility in Aurora and 18 at another in Weld County.
There have been 3,695 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state in March, but only 563 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Monday afternoon, state data shows. At least 38 people since Monday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
More than 20,100 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory disease causes by the virus — though health officials have said the true number is likely far higher.
Officials recorded more than 2,900 tests on Monday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus. The testing rate — 51.1 tests per 100,000 people per day — is still significantly lower than the 152-per-100,000 daily number pegged by health experts as necessary to safely monitor the outbreak.
Much of the testing has been focused on senior living facilities and other care homes. Officials have confirmed outbreaks at 199 facilities across the state, seven more than the previous day.
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what’s reported up from Colorado’s counties; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day, they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Company that turns plastic into patio furniture successfully expands into Denver area during pandemi

Company that turns plastic into patio furniture successfully expands into Denver area during pandemic

Considering that Jay Dillon is expanding his outdoor furniture business in the middle of a global pandemic , things are going well .
Dillon ’ s company , Yardbird , which uses repurposed plastic debris from the ocean to make the furniture , had been planning to expand from its base in Minneapolis to Denver , Kansas City and Detroit .
The novel coronavirus then broke out in China and other Asian countries where the company gets about 55 % of its products .
As the disease spread around the world , Yardbird went from scrambling to get its goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the products but little demand for them after U.S. businesses started closing .
“ It ’ s nothing that we obviously chose to do , ” Dillon said of growing the company during a pandemic .
“ It felt like a roller coaster ride , at one point pushing to get the product and then saying ‘ No , don ’ t get product , hold up on product , ’ ” he added .
“ Ultimately it was this up , down and then up again .
It ’ s been chaotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody.
” It ’ s also been surprisingly rewarding for Yardbird as economic activity has started to pick up .
The company opened its first Colorado location last week in Lone Tree when retail stores were allowed to reopen while following guidelines to keep COVID-19 from spreading .
Dillon said the Lone Tree showroom did about $ 250,000 in business .
The company ’ s sales , primarily online , totaled roughly $ 2 million over the past two weeks .
“ We were aiming to do about half of that ( in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Dillon .
He figures the timing has been serendipitous for Yardbird .
Restrictions on business are easing at about the same time the weather ’ s getting warmer and the backyard beckons as a safe place to venture .
“ As the weather becomes nice and people can ’ t go out to events , if they haven ’ t been impacted that much financially , we ’ re seeing that they ’ re investing in their outdoor space to entertain close friends or their families , just to be outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that regard , we feel very grateful , very fortunate .
We ’ re just glad we don ’ t sell men ’ s dress pants since people aren ’ t going into work.
” Dillon and his father , Bob , launched Yardbird in 2017 .
The elder Dillon has experience in importing and retail .
The son worked in marketing and for a medical devices company .
It was Dillon ’ s personal experience of shopping for outdoor furniture that led to starting Yardbird .
He saw an opening for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as that sold by high-end retailers but of higher quality than some of the lower-priced furniture .
Dillon , who lived for a while in Hong Kong , visited factories in Asia and learned more about how other companies use plastic that winds up in the ocean .
He said large nets are used to collect plastic and other garbage on the beaches in Hong Kong , “ but you ’ re still swimming in a ton of debris.
” “ About 60 % of everything we sell has intercepted ocean plastic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 20 to 30 pounds of that plastic in it , ” Dillon said .
Yardbird works with businesses in China and other countries to produce strong plastic whose colors won ’ t easily fade .
The company gets about 10 % of its products from Europe and 30-35 % from the U.S. , including a supplier in Durango .
The supply-chain challenges caused by the coronavirus outbreak has Yardbird exploring more domestic sources of material , including aluminum .
The company is going to manufacture a new line of Adirondack chairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other countries would be hard to replace , such as hand-woven wicker furniture .
Yardbird opened a showroom in Kansas City Monday , but has pushed back an opening in Detroit , which has been a hot spot for the coronavirus .

Considering that Jay Dillon is expanding his outdoor furniture business in the middle of a global pandemic, things are going well.
Dillon’s company, Yardbird, which uses repurposed plastic debris from the ocean to make the furniture, had been planning to expand from its base in Minneapolis to Denver, Kansas City and Detroit. The novel coronavirus then broke out in China and other Asian countries where the company gets about 55% of its products.
As the disease spread around the world, Yardbird went from scrambling to get its goods from overseas to the prospect of having the products but little demand for them after U.S. businesses started closing.
“It’s nothing that we obviously chose to do,” Dillon said of growing the company during a pandemic.
“It felt like a roller coaster ride, at one point pushing to get the product and then saying ‘No, don’t get product, hold up on product,’ ” he added. “Ultimately it was this up, down and then up again. It’s been chaotic. It’s been chaotic for everybody.”
It’s also been surprisingly rewarding for Yardbird as economic activity has started to pick up. The company opened its first Colorado location last week in Lone Tree when retail stores were allowed to reopen while following guidelines to keep COVID-19 from spreading. Dillon said the Lone Tree showroom did about $250,000 in business. The company’s sales, primarily online, totaled roughly $2 million over the past two weeks.
“We were aiming to do about half of that (in sale) in a normal environment,” said Dillon.
He figures the timing has been serendipitous for Yardbird. Restrictions on business are easing at about the same time the weather’s getting warmer and the backyard beckons as a safe place to venture.
“As the weather becomes nice and people can’t go out to events, if they haven’t been impacted that much financially, we’re seeing that they’re investing in their outdoor space to entertain close friends or their families, just to be outdoors,” Dillon said. “In that regard, we feel very grateful, very fortunate. We’re just glad we don’t sell men’s dress pants since people aren’t going into work.”
Dillon and his father, Bob, launched Yardbird in 2017. The elder Dillon has experience in importing and retail. The son worked in marketing and for a medical devices company.
It was Dillon’s personal experience of shopping for outdoor furniture that led to starting Yardbird. He saw an opening for a product that wasn’t as expensive as that sold by high-end retailers but of higher quality than some of the lower-priced furniture.
Dillon, who lived for a while in Hong Kong, visited factories in Asia and learned more about how other companies use plastic that winds up in the ocean. He said large nets are used to collect plastic and other garbage on the beaches in Hong Kong, “but you’re still swimming in a ton of debris.”
“About 60% of everything we sell has intercepted ocean plastic in it. An average set will have at least 20 to 30 pounds of that plastic in it,” Dillon said.
Yardbird works with businesses in China and other countries to produce strong plastic whose colors won’t easily fade. The company gets about 10% of its products from Europe and 30-35% from the U.S., including a supplier in Durango.
The supply-chain challenges caused by the coronavirus outbreak has Yardbird exploring more domestic sources of material, including aluminum. The company is going to manufacture a new line of Adirondack chairs.
However, Dillon thinks some products from other countries would be hard to replace, such as hand-woven wicker furniture.
Yardbird opened a showroom in Kansas City Monday, but has pushed back an opening in Detroit, which has been a hot spot for the coronavirus.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Avs forward J.T. Compher has familiar workout partner — his sister — during coronavirus pandemic

Avalanche forward J.T .
Compher has been working out with a familiar face while hunkered down with family at their Chicago-area home during the coronavirus pandemic .
And she isn ’ t too bad herself : Boston University All-American Jesse Compher , who just so happens to be J.T.
’ s sister .
“ We still can ’ t skate , but we ’ re doing similar to what we do in the summer — off-ice training and keeping the conditioning up , obviously , because we don ’ t know when the next time we ’ ll be playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phone interview Tuesday .
“ Just trying to stay as ready as possible.
” With all of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 crisis , that ’ s just about all the Comphers can do these days — outside of hoping for a return to normal and the resumption of the NHL season .
“ I headed back ( home ) a little after we got shut down .
So I ’ ve been back with the family for a while , ” J.T .
said .
“ Everyone ’ s doing good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the right things .
Just trying to stay home and stay healthy.
” Compher , 25 , is Colorado ’ s ninth-leading scorer with 31 points ( 11 goals ) in 67 games .
He had 32 points ( 16 goals ) in 66 games the previous season — before the Avs added a slew of talented forwards who have helped make them the NHL ’ s fourth highest-scoring team at 3.37 goals-per-game .
When the NHL paused its season March 12 because of the virus , the Avs stood at second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 92 points .
They have 12 remaining games , although that could change if , or when , the 2019-20 season resumes .
“ Obviously I would love a way to finish and do the playoffs , given how good of a team we had and how confident we were , ” Compher said .
Compher is fortunate to have Jesse around to keep him company .
The BU junior was a member of the U.S. gold-medal-winning team at the 2019 women ’ s World Championship , and the siblings train in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mack .
Compher ’ s agent is Kevin Magnuson , the son of University of Denver great and Blackhawks legend Keith Magnuson , who died in 2003 from a car accident .
Kevin is based in Chicago , where his father retired in 1980 after playing his entire 11-year , 589-game career with the Blackhawks .
“ Once I got to know Kevin I learned a little bit more about Keith .
I ’ m a little too young to see Keith play as a Blackhawk , but I picked Kevin for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy , first off , and someone that came into our family and always had our best interests at heart , ” Compher said .
“ I ’ ve never doubted that decision .
”

Avalanche forward J.T. Compher has been working out with a familiar face while hunkered down with family at their Chicago-area home during the coronavirus pandemic.
And she isn’t too bad herself: Boston University All-American Jesse Compher, who just so happens to be J.T.’s sister.
“We still can’t skate, but we’re doing similar to what we do in the summer — off-ice training and keeping the conditioning up, obviously, because we don’t know when the next time we’ll be playing,” Compher told The Post in a phone interview Tuesday. “Just trying to stay as ready as possible.”
With all of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, that’s just about all the Comphers can do these days — outside of hoping for a return to normal and the resumption of the NHL season.
“I headed back (home) a little after we got shut down. So I’ve been back with the family for a while,” J.T. said. “Everyone’s doing good. Just trying to stay safe and do the right things. Just trying to stay home and stay healthy.”
Compher, 25, is Colorado’s ninth-leading scorer with 31 points (11 goals) in 67 games. He had 32 points (16 goals) in 66 games the previous season — before the Avs added a slew of talented forwards who have helped make them the NHL’s fourth highest-scoring team at 3.37 goals-per-game.
When the NHL paused its season March 12 because of the virus, the Avs stood at second in the Central Division and Western Conference with 92 points. They have 12 remaining games, although that could change if, or when, the 2019-20 season resumes.
“Obviously I would love a way to finish and do the playoffs, given how good of a team we had and how confident we were,” Compher said.
Compher is fortunate to have Jesse around to keep him company. The BU junior was a member of the U.S. gold-medal-winning team at the 2019 women’s World Championship, and the siblings train in the summer with renowned Chicago-area trainer Ian Mack.
Compher’s agent is Kevin Magnuson, the son of University of Denver great and Blackhawks legend Keith Magnuson, who died in 2003 from a car accident. Kevin is based in Chicago, where his father retired in 1980 after playing his entire 11-year, 589-game career with the Blackhawks.
Compher grew up a big Blackhawks fan.
“Once I got to know Kevin I learned a little bit more about Keith. I’m a little too young to see Keith play as a Blackhawk, but I picked Kevin for a lot of reasons — being a great guy, first off, and someone that came into our family and always had our best interests at heart,” Compher said. “I’ve never doubted that decision.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Banking for marijuana companies included in Congress’ new $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill

Cannabis industry advocates applauded House Democrats on Tuesday after a new $ 3 trillion federal stimulus bill included provisions to allow marijuana businesses access to banking .
Introduced by House speaker Nancy Pelosi , the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions ( HEROES ) Act includes wide-ranging goals to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , from offering financial assistance to state and local governments to forgiving student loan debt .
Wrapped into the massive , 1,815-page bill is an initiative led by Colorado Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter known as the Secure and Fair Enforcement ( SAFE ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cannabis businesses to leverage traditional banking services .
Proponents of the bill , which passed the House on its own last September , say it promotes public safety by offering the marijuana industry an alternative to dealing in cash — a factor experts say is motivating an increasing number of burglaries at dispensaries and cultivations .
The SAFE Banking Act has been under review by the Senate Committee on Banking , Housing and Urban Affairs since last year .
“ Our industry employs hundreds of thousands of Americans and has been deemed ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s critically important that essential cannabis workers are not exposed to unnecessary health risks due to outdated federal banking regulations , ” said Aaron Smith , executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association , in a statement .
“ On behalf of the legal cannabis industry , we commend the congressional leadership for prioritizing public health and safety by including sensible cannabis banking policy in this legislation.
” The SAFE Banking Act has , however , received a fair amount of pushback .
On Tuesday , Kevin Sabet , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its inclusion , saying it would allow cartels and criminal syndicates access to the U.S. financial system .
Marijuana should also be precluded because the industry was not forced to discontinue operations , he said .
“ Numerous industries have been forced to completely shut down and have made great sacrifices to comply with shutdowns and limitations on their business operations .
The marijuana industry has been a painfully obvious exception to this , ” Sabet said in a statement .
“ The idea of including this industry in the relief package makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Gov .
Jared Polis , have called on Congress to provide some relief for the marijuana industry .
Though dispensaries , cultivations and manufacturing facilities have been permitted to remain open throughout the coronavirus pandemic , businesses say they are still struggling .
Neither plant-touching nor ancillary businesses , such as consulting and legal services , are currently eligible for federal aid .
The HEROES Act does not change that , said Morgan Fox , media relations director at the National Cannabis Industry Association .
It does , however , prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on having a criminal record .
Perlmutter co-filed a separate bill , the Emergency Cannabis Small Business Health and Safety Act , in late April that , if passed , would make marijuana companies eligible for COVID-19 relief programs .
“ We are still hopeful that we can get traction on the standalone bill in the coming weeks , ” Fox said .
The HEROES Act appears likely to pass the Democratic-controlled House , but was not negotiated with Republicans and faces an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Senate .
“ COVID-19 bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need it .
Pelosi ’ s latest ‘ relief bill ’ is 1,800 pages long and filled with liberal excess , ” said Rep. Doug Lamborn , a Colorado Springs Republican .
“ I will stand against this massive $ 3 trillion Democrat wish list bill .
Dems continue to show zero fiscal sanity .
”

Cannabis industry advocates applauded House Democrats on Tuesday after a new $3 trillion federal stimulus bill included provisions to allow marijuana businesses access to banking.
Introduced by House speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act includes wide-ranging goals to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, from offering financial assistance to state and local governments to forgiving student loan debt.
Wrapped into the massive, 1,815-page bill is an initiative led by Colorado Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter known as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would allow legal cannabis businesses to leverage traditional banking services.
Proponents of the bill, which passed the House on its own last September, say it promotes public safety by offering the marijuana industry an alternative to dealing in cash — a factor experts say is motivating an increasing number of burglaries at dispensaries and cultivations. The SAFE Banking Act has been under review by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs since last year.
“Our industry employs hundreds of thousands of Americans and has been deemed ‘essential’ in most states. It’s critically important that essential cannabis workers are not exposed to unnecessary health risks due to outdated federal banking regulations,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, in a statement. “On behalf of the legal cannabis industry, we commend the congressional leadership for prioritizing public health and safety by including sensible cannabis banking policy in this legislation.”
I just learned the #SAFEBankingAct is included in the CARES 2.0 package. I have been pushing for this because the #COVID19 crisis has only exacerbated the risk posed to cannabis businesses & their employees & they need relief just like any other legitimate business. #copolitics — Rep. Ed Perlmutter (@RepPerlmutter) May 12, 2020
The SAFE Banking Act has, however, received a fair amount of pushback. On Tuesday, Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, disagreed with its inclusion, saying it would allow cartels and criminal syndicates access to the U.S. financial system. Marijuana should also be precluded because the industry was not forced to discontinue operations, he said.
“Numerous industries have been forced to completely shut down and have made great sacrifices to comply with shutdowns and limitations on their business operations. The marijuana industry has been a painfully obvious exception to this,” Sabet said in a statement. “The idea of including this industry in the relief package makes no sense.”
Numerous institutions and legislators, including Gov. Jared Polis, have called on Congress to provide some relief for the marijuana industry. Though dispensaries, cultivations and manufacturing facilities have been permitted to remain open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, businesses say they are still struggling. Neither plant-touching nor ancillary businesses, such as consulting and legal services, are currently eligible for federal aid.
The HEROES Act does not change that, said Morgan Fox, media relations director at the National Cannabis Industry Association. It does, however, prevent loan applicants from being disqualified based solely on having a criminal record. Perlmutter co-filed a separate bill, the Emergency Cannabis Small Business Health and Safety Act, in late April that, if passed, would make marijuana companies eligible for COVID-19 relief programs.
“We are still hopeful that we can get traction on the standalone bill in the coming weeks,” Fox said.
The HEROES Act appears likely to pass the Democratic-controlled House, but was not negotiated with Republicans and faces an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled Senate.
“COVID-19 bills should provide targeted aid to those who need it. Pelosi’s latest ‘relief bill’ is 1,800 pages long and filled with liberal excess,” said Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican. “I will stand against this massive $3 trillion Democrat wish list bill. Dems continue to show zero fiscal sanity.”
Denver Post staff writer Justin Wingerter contributed to this story.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Feldman: Elon Musk is breaking the law by reopening Tesla

It ’ s not exactly the Montgomery bus boycott , and Elon Musk is no Rosa Parks , but Tesla is apparently engaged in a highly unusual act of corporate civil disobedience .
Ordered by Alameda County health authorities to keep its Fremont , California mega-plant shuttered , the company opened the factory over the weekend and started making cars .
On Monday , its employee parking lot was reported to be almost full , suggesting a near-total reopening .
CEO Elon Musk had announced two days earlier that the company would be suing the county in federal court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any results , however .
So far as it ’ s possible to determine , Tesla is knowingly and intentionally breaking the law .
If that sounds extreme , it should .
Corporations aren ’ t supposed to engage in unlawful disobedience .
The principles of corporate law treat intentional unlawful conduct as a violation of the corporation ’ s fiduciary duty to its shareholders .
A glance at Tesla ’ s lawsuit is enough to reveal that the company ’ s case is not a sure winner .
The first and central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars counts as critical infrastructure exempted from a statewide shutdown under the California governor ’ s guidelines , Alameda County can ’ t shut down the plant .
The California order , which I reviewed here when it came out , in turn relies on a federal list of critical infrastructure .
That list includes transportation sector manufacturing , including car manufacturing .
In other words , the California governor ’ s order didn ’ t on its own trigger shutdown of the Tesla plant .
At the same time , the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no further restrictions could be applied by local or municipal governments .
The county chose to impose standards “ more stringent ” than those adopted by the state .
The county only allowed the opening of what it deemed to be “ essential ” businesses — which didn ’ t include the Tesla plant .
Tesla ’ s suit quotes an Alameda County FAQ document that says a business that “ installs distributed solar , storage , and/or electric vehicle charging systems ” may continue to operate .
The same document says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacture distributed energy resource components , like solar panels.
” Yet manufacturing whole cars is not the same thing as installing vehicle charging systems .
Nor is the making of solar panels the same as making cars .
The county has been clear that it isn ’ t letting the plant open yet .
And as a matter of legal principle , there ’ s no reason that the county can ’ t be more restrictive than the state , unless the state says it can ’ t be — which it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with this problem , the lawsuit throws in some kitchen-sink style constitutional arguments .
It says the county order doesn ’ t satisfy due process , which is plainly wrong .
It says the order discriminates , because another county is allowing car manufacturing — but this is not discrimination , because different counties might reasonably interpret the governor ’ s order differently .
And it says the county order contradicts general state laws — which it does not , in fact , appear to do .
The upshot is that Tesla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county to allow reopening , but it can ’ t be confident of winning its lawsuit .
And even if Tesla ’ s legal claims were stronger than they are , it still wouldn ’ t follow that a corporation should be able to engage in lawbreaking .
Arguably it ’ s possible to conceive some circumstances where a law is morally unjust and a corporation would be justified in acting like an individual , flouting the law as an act of civil disobedience in order to get it changed .
But reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers — for the sole purpose of making money isn ’ t a situation where morality should trump the law .
And it should go without saying that it would create a truly terrible precedent if corporations could just ignore laws that they consider to be in violation of their corporate interests .
The idea isn ’ t just that corporations , like everybody else , should be held to account for violating the law .
It ’ s that corporations are themselves creatures of the law , created by legal norms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal system .
Corporations aren ’ t natural persons .
They ’ re legal persons .
It ’ s wrong for a corporation created by law to be empowered to break the law intentionally and consciously and with no credible claim that the law or the legal system is inherently unjust .
There is a perfectly valid legal process for Tesla to work with county officials to create conditions that would make reopening safe .
In practice , Alameda County may not have the capacity to enforce meaningful sanctions against Tesla for breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shareholders do — including by suing the company for breach of its fiduciary duty to its shareholders through lawbreaking .
Tesla ’ s lawsuit may not be the only one in this saga .
Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and a professor of law at Harvard University .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

It’s not exactly the Montgomery bus boycott, and Elon Musk is no Rosa Parks, but Tesla is apparently engaged in a highly unusual act of corporate civil disobedience.
Ordered by Alameda County health authorities to keep its Fremont, California mega-plant shuttered, the company opened the factory over the weekend and started making cars. On Monday, its employee parking lot was reported to be almost full, suggesting a near-total reopening.
CEO Elon Musk had announced two days earlier that the company would be suing the county in federal court. That lawsuit hasn’t yet yielded any results, however. So far as it’s possible to determine, Tesla is knowingly and intentionally breaking the law.
If that sounds extreme, it should. Corporations aren’t supposed to engage in unlawful disobedience. The principles of corporate law treat intentional unlawful conduct as a violation of the corporation’s fiduciary duty to its shareholders.
A glance at Tesla’s lawsuit is enough to reveal that the company’s case is not a sure winner. The first and central argument seems to be that because manufacturing cars counts as critical infrastructure exempted from a statewide shutdown under the California governor’s guidelines, Alameda County can’t shut down the plant.
The California order, which I reviewed here when it came out, in turn relies on a federal list of critical infrastructure. That list includes transportation sector manufacturing, including car manufacturing. In other words, the California governor’s order didn’t on its own trigger shutdown of the Tesla plant.
At the same time, the governor’s order didn’t say that no further restrictions could be applied by local or municipal governments.
The county chose to impose standards “more stringent” than those adopted by the state. The county only allowed the opening of what it deemed to be “essential” businesses — which didn’t include the Tesla plant.
Tesla’s suit quotes an Alameda County FAQ document that says a business that “installs distributed solar, storage, and/or electric vehicle charging systems” may continue to operate. The same document says that “businesses may also operate to manufacture distributed energy resource components, like solar panels.”
Yet manufacturing whole cars is not the same thing as installing vehicle charging systems. Nor is the making of solar panels the same as making cars.
The county has been clear that it isn’t letting the plant open yet. And as a matter of legal principle, there’s no reason that the county can’t be more restrictive than the state, unless the state says it can’t be — which it has not done.
In an attempt to deal with this problem, the lawsuit throws in some kitchen-sink style constitutional arguments. It says the county order doesn’t satisfy due process, which is plainly wrong. It says the order discriminates, because another county is allowing car manufacturing — but this is not discrimination, because different counties might reasonably interpret the governor’s order differently. And it says the county order contradicts general state laws — which it does not, in fact, appear to do.
The upshot is that Tesla may be ultimately able to pressure the county to allow reopening, but it can’t be confident of winning its lawsuit.
And even if Tesla’s legal claims were stronger than they are, it still wouldn’t follow that a corporation should be able to engage in lawbreaking.
Arguably it’s possible to conceive some circumstances where a law is morally unjust and a corporation would be justified in acting like an individual, flouting the law as an act of civil disobedience in order to get it changed. But reopening a for-profit plant — and potentially endangering workers — for the sole purpose of making money isn’t a situation where morality should trump the law.
And it should go without saying that it would create a truly terrible precedent if corporations could just ignore laws that they consider to be in violation of their corporate interests.
The idea isn’t just that corporations, like everybody else, should be held to account for violating the law. It’s that corporations are themselves creatures of the law, created by legal norms and existing only at the sufferance of the legal system. Corporations aren’t natural persons. They’re legal persons.
It’s wrong for a corporation created by law to be empowered to break the law intentionally and consciously and with no credible claim that the law or the legal system is inherently unjust. There is a perfectly valid legal process for Tesla to work with county officials to create conditions that would make reopening safe.
In practice, Alameda County may not have the capacity to enforce meaningful sanctions against Tesla for breaking the law. But Tesla’s shareholders do — including by suing the company for breach of its fiduciary duty to its shareholders through lawbreaking. Tesla’s lawsuit may not be the only one in this saga.
Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and a professor of law at Harvard University.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Kobe Bryant’s sports academy retires “Mamba” nickname

LOS ANGELES — The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by the late Kobe Bryant has retired his “ Mamba ” nickname and rebranded itself nearly four months after the basketball icon ’ s death in a helicopter crash .
Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter Gianna , and seven others were killed as they flew to a basketball tournament Jan. 26 at the Mamba Sports Academy when the chopper crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles .
The Thousand Oaks-based facility announced Tuesday it would return to its original name of Sports Academy and retire the “ Mamba ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was founded in 2016 ; Bryant , who spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the franchise win five NBA championships , joined in 2018 .
Games were being played at the academy when the news broke of Bryant ’ s death .
Players immediately stopped and many people in the gym burst into tears when told that Bryant was aboard the helicopter that crashed .
The academy is under consideration as a home base for the G League ’ s new select program , which is scheduled to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as a one-year prepping , both on and off the court , for certain elite players who chose to bypass college but are not yet eligible for the NBA draft .
Bryant is the only NBA player to have his team retire two numbers in his honor .
He was selected last month for enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame , a ceremony that is still scheduled for late August though may be delayed until at least October because of the coronavirus pandemic .
He was chosen in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow longtime NBA greats Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett .
Bryant ’ s production company , Granity Studios , has remained active since his death .
The latest children ’ s book released by Bryant ’ s company last month — “ The Wizenard Series : Season One ” — became his fifth book to reach No .
1 on The New York Times ’ best-seller lists .
The helicopter crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board .
Also killed were pilot Ara Zobayan , Orange Coast College baseball coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their daughter Alyssa ; Christina Mauser , who helped Bryant coach the girls ’ basketball team ; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton .
Alyssa and Payton were Gianna ’ s teammates .
On Friday , Zobayan ’ s brother said in a court filing that Bryant knew the risks of helicopter flying and his survivors aren ’ t entitled to damages from the pilot ’ s estate , The Los Angeles Times reported .
Bryant ’ s widow , Vanessa Bryant , in February sued Zobayan ’ s estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter , Island Express .
She claimed Zobayan failed “ to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft ” and negligence .
Vanessa Bryant also last week filed a claim , a precursor to a lawsuit , against the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department after deputies allegedly shared unauthorized photos of the crash site .
The claim was first reported by PEOPLE ; the investigation into the deputies ’ photos was initially published by The Los Angeles Times .

LOS ANGELES — The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by the late Kobe Bryant has retired his “Mamba” nickname and rebranded itself nearly four months after the basketball icon’s death in a helicopter crash.
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed as they flew to a basketball tournament Jan. 26 at the Mamba Sports Academy when the chopper crashed in thick fog northwest of Los Angeles.
The Thousand Oaks-based facility announced Tuesday it would return to its original name of Sports Academy and retire the “Mamba” name to the rafters. The academy was founded in 2016; Bryant, who spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the franchise win five NBA championships, joined in 2018.
Games were being played at the academy when the news broke of Bryant’s death. Players immediately stopped and many people in the gym burst into tears when told that Bryant was aboard the helicopter that crashed.
The academy is under consideration as a home base for the G League’s new select program, which is scheduled to begin in the fall. The program will serve as a one-year prepping, both on and off the court, for certain elite players who chose to bypass college but are not yet eligible for the NBA draft.
Bryant is the only NBA player to have his team retire two numbers in his honor. He was selected last month for enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a ceremony that is still scheduled for late August though may be delayed until at least October because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was chosen in his first year of eligibility, along with fellow longtime NBA greats Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
Bryant’s production company, Granity Studios, has remained active since his death. The latest children’s book released by Bryant’s company last month — “The Wizenard Series: Season One” — became his fifth book to reach No. 1 on The New York Times’ best-seller lists.
The helicopter crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Also killed were pilot Ara Zobayan, Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser, who helped Bryant coach the girls’ basketball team; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton. Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s teammates.
On Friday, Zobayan’s brother said in a court filing that Bryant knew the risks of helicopter flying and his survivors aren’t entitled to damages from the pilot’s estate, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, in February sued Zobayan’s estate and the charter company that owned the helicopter, Island Express. She claimed Zobayan failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft” and negligence.
Vanessa Bryant also last week filed a claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after deputies allegedly shared unauthorized photos of the crash site. The claim was first reported by PEOPLE; the investigation into the deputies’ photos was initially published by The Los Angeles Times.
___
Reynolds reported from Miami.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--U.S. Supreme Court hears Colorado’s faithless electors case Wednesday

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider Wednesday morning whether Colorado has a constitutional power to punish so-called “ faithless electors ” — members of the Electoral College who do not vote in accordance with the people of Colorado .
The high court will spend one hour , beginning around 9 a.m. , hearing arguments in Colorado Department of State v. Baca .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , attorneys will argue via teleconference and the audio will be streamed at supremecourt.gov .
Under state law , Colorado ’ s members of the Electoral College must cast their ballots for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most votes in Colorado .
If they don ’ t , they can be removed and replaced .
The constitutionality of that punishment is being challenged in this case .
The case stems from 2016 , when Micheal Baca , a Colorado member of the Electoral College , attempted to vote for John Kasich , a Republican former governor of Ohio , rather than Democrat Hillary Clinton , whom Colorado had chosen .
Baca ’ s decision was part of a failed and quixotic effort to lure Republican electors to a consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
Attorney General Phil Weiser will defend Colorado ’ s law punishing faithless electors by arguing the U.S. Constitution grants states that power when it allows them to appoint electors “ in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct.
” Jason Harrow , with the pro-faithless electors group Equal Citizens , will tell justices that Colorado ’ s law is unconstitutional because Electoral College members , like jurors in a criminal trial , can not be forced by states to vote for a particular outcome .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of a conflict of interest .
She is a friend of Polly Baca , one of the faithless electors .

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider Wednesday morning whether Colorado has a constitutional power to punish so-called “faithless electors” — members of the Electoral College who do not vote in accordance with the people of Colorado.
The high court will spend one hour, beginning around 9 a.m., hearing arguments in Colorado Department of State v. Baca. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, attorneys will argue via teleconference and the audio will be streamed at supremecourt.gov.
Under state law, Colorado’s members of the Electoral College must cast their ballots for the presidential and vice presidential candidates who receive the most votes in Colorado. If they don’t, they can be removed and replaced. The constitutionality of that punishment is being challenged in this case.
The case stems from 2016, when Micheal Baca, a Colorado member of the Electoral College, attempted to vote for John Kasich, a Republican former governor of Ohio, rather than Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom Colorado had chosen. Baca’s decision was part of a failed and quixotic effort to lure Republican electors to a consensus choice and block Donald Trump from becoming president.
Attorney General Phil Weiser will defend Colorado’s law punishing faithless electors by arguing the U.S. Constitution grants states that power when it allows them to appoint electors “in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct.”
Jason Harrow, with the pro-faithless electors group Equal Citizens, will tell justices that Colorado’s law is unconstitutional because Electoral College members, like jurors in a criminal trial, cannot be forced by states to vote for a particular outcome.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor will not take part in Wednesday’s arguments because of a conflict of interest. She is a friend of Polly Baca, one of the faithless electors.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Air parade above metro area to raise funds for Colorado COVID-19 relief

Dozens of local aviators will take flight Thursday above the metro Denver area to raise money for a COVID-19 relief fund and to support essential workers .
More than 30 planes will take off , from Rocky Mountain Metro Airport , starting at about 11:30 a.m. , and the air parade flight path will wind its way above the metro area from Longmont to Castle Rock , according to a news release .
Flyover locations include major area hospitals , Columbine High School , the Castle Rock Star , Denver Civic Center , Stapleton , Buckley Air Force Base , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center and Longmont and Niwot high schools .
The Flyover Fundraising Parade and Aerial Salute , in collaboration with Gov .
Jared Polis and the Mile High United Way , will raise money and awareness for the Help Colorado Now program .
Lockheed Martin has donated $ 500,000 to the event .
Pilots , mechanics and ground crews are donating their time , talents , equipment , resources and fuel and maintenance costs to the fund-raising cause .
“ Lockheed Martin and our more than 10,000 employees who call Colorado home are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping Coloradans in need during these unprecedented times , ” said Rick Ambrose , executive VP of Lockheed Martin Space , in the release .
“ Across the state , we ’ re manufacturing personal protective equipment for healthcare workers , contributing to school districts for distance learning , and now we ’ re proud to initiate this match challenge .
We invite Coloradans to join us in supporting Help Colorado Now.
” The first group of planes takes off from Broomfield at 11:30 a.m. , heading south along the Front Range to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north and northeast to complete the aerial parade by 1 p.m. , according to the release .
• None 11:35 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. — Stanley Lake Reservoir • None 11:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. — Lutheran Medical Center • None 11:35 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. — Denver Federal Center , West Sixth Avenue and Kipling Street • None 11:35 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. — Columbine High School The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Colorado Air National Guard recently completed separate salute flyovers above the metro area , the Thunderbirds last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Air National Guard , in F-16 jets , last week .
Organizers encourage people to watch Thursday ’ s flight parade from their homes and to follow social distancing public health guidelines .
Scott McMillan , a Metropolitan State University graduate and a United Airlines manager , assembled the participating air teams from the Colorado Air Show community .
Aircraft will vary in type , style and speed , from small jets to propeller planes .
All civilian aircraft , some are former military planes known as “ Warbirds.
” Viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four formation groups crossing the sky at about 150 mph , organizers said .
Donations will support the Colorado COVID Relief Fund , part of Help Colorado Now , and can be made online .
Through the fund , eligible community-based organizations across the state may receive a general operating grant of up to $ 25,000 .
The fund ’ s purpose is to allocate contributions based on prevention , impact and recovery needs of community-based organizations in Colorado , organizers said .

Dozens of local aviators will take flight Thursday above the metro Denver area to raise money for a COVID-19 relief fund and to support essential workers.
More than 30 planes will take off, from Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, starting at about 11:30 a.m., and the air parade flight path will wind its way above the metro area from Longmont to Castle Rock, according to a news release.
Flyover locations include major area hospitals, Columbine High School, the Castle Rock Star, Denver Civic Center, Stapleton, Buckley Air Force Base, Southlands Mall, Lowry, Thornton Town Center and Longmont and Niwot high schools.
The Flyover Fundraising Parade and Aerial Salute, in collaboration with Gov. Jared Polis and the Mile High United Way, will raise money and awareness for the Help Colorado Now program. Lockheed Martin has donated $500,000 to the event. Pilots, mechanics and ground crews are donating their time, talents, equipment, resources and fuel and maintenance costs to the fund-raising cause.
“Lockheed Martin and our more than 10,000 employees who call Colorado home are committed to doing what’s right and helping Coloradans in need during these unprecedented times,” said Rick Ambrose, executive VP of Lockheed Martin Space, in the release. “Across the state, we’re manufacturing personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, contributing to school districts for distance learning, and now we’re proud to initiate this match challenge. We invite Coloradans to join us in supporting Help Colorado Now.”
The first group of planes takes off from Broomfield at 11:30 a.m., heading south along the Front Range to the Castle Rock star before flying back north and northeast to complete the aerial parade by 1 p.m., according to the release.
Approximate flyover times and locations are:
11:35 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. — Standley Lake Reservoir
11:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. — Lutheran Medical Center
11:35 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. — Denver Federal Center, West Sixth Avenue and Kipling Street
11:35 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. — Columbine High School
11:40 a.m. to noon — Castle Rock Star
11:40 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. — Parker Football Stadium
11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. — Denver Health Medical Center
11:53 a.m. to 12:12 p.m. — Anschutz Medical Campus
11:56 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. — Southlands Mall
12:05 p.m. to 12:35 p.m. — Longmont High School
12:10 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. — CU Boulder
12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Rocky Mountain Metro Airport
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Colorado Air National Guard recently completed separate salute flyovers above the metro area, the Thunderbirds last month after the Air Force Academy graduation, and the Air National Guard, in F-16 jets, last week.
Organizers encourage people to watch Thursday’s flight parade from their homes and to follow social distancing public health guidelines.
Scott McMillan, a Metropolitan State University graduate and a United Airlines manager, assembled the participating air teams from the Colorado Air Show community. Aircraft will vary in type, style and speed, from small jets to propeller planes. All civilian aircraft, some are former military planes known as “Warbirds.” Viewers will be able to see three or four formation groups crossing the sky at about 150 mph, organizers said.
Donations will support the Colorado COVID Relief Fund, part of Help Colorado Now, and can be made online. Through the fund, eligible community-based organizations across the state may receive a general operating grant of up to $25,000. The fund’s purpose is to allocate contributions based on prevention, impact and recovery needs of community-based organizations in Colorado, organizers said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Colorado company creates tool to help stores manage lines online

At a time when metro area health officials are mandating caps on how many people can be in one business at one time , waiting in line is becoming a larger part of daily life in Colorado .
Queues are forming outside grocery stores , restaurants with bundles of to-go orders waiting to be picked up — even at hair salons and shops .
With that in mind , an Erie-based tech firm has developed JoinOurLine.com , an online tool that allows companies to digitally manage how many people are inside their stores while allowing customers to hold a spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The tagline for JoinOurLine.com is “ social distancing made safer.
” The platform isn ’ t being used at any business today , but the company behind it , Latitude Digital , has high hopes for how useful it can be amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ One of the things that is important about this is that it helps both sides of the experience , ” Tony Gambee , Latitude ’ s founder and CEO , said .
“ On the one hand , it ’ s extremely convenient for the customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” JoinOurLine is a software-as-a-service platform maintained and supported by Latitude and its staff of about a dozen people .
All a customer has to do is bring up the website or click on a link to it from the website of the business they are visiting and they can join the digital line , getting a number like one would at a deli counter .
No downloading an app , and no putting in any personal information , Gambee emphasized .
For a business , meanwhile , it operates as a digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd inside a readout of the store ’ s capacity and how many people are waiting in line .
From the business-facing side of the site , the person monitoring capacity can give people waiting to come inside the green light when others leave , either individually or in a group .
“ Just the fact that the physical line is not there protects the person working the door and people coming in and out because there is not that mass of bodies there , ” Gambee said .
Gambee points to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that , in addition to cleaning stores more , ensuring safe distancing between customers is a top priority when it comes to promoting customer and employee safety during the pandemic .
Latitude Digital has been in talks with a chain of small-box sporting goods stores about using JoinOurLine , and Gambee hopes that the Krogers and Costcos of the world might give him a call .
In the meantime , the company is offering its software free of charge to nonprofit organizations including food banks and independent small businesses .
As long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or even a few in the right circumstances ) Gambee is encouraging business owners to reach out to him about using JoinOurLine.com .
“ We don ’ t have the skills to create an antibody test but we can write some software , ” Gambee said of his firm ’ s contribution to the fight against COVID-19 .
“ If we can give this back to a few places or even hundreds of small businesses like us , I can ’ t think of anything more exciting.
” Gambee encouraged business owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or call him at 248-787-6898 .

At a time when metro area health officials are mandating caps on how many people can be in one business at one time, waiting in line is becoming a larger part of daily life in Colorado. Queues are forming outside grocery stores, restaurants with bundles of to-go orders waiting to be picked up — even at hair salons and shops.
With that in mind, an Erie-based tech firm has developed JoinOurLine.com, an online tool that allows companies to digitally manage how many people are inside their stores while allowing customers to hold a spot in line without leaving their cars.
The tagline for JoinOurLine.com is “social distancing made safer.” The platform isn’t being used at any business today, but the company behind it, Latitude Digital, has high hopes for how useful it can be amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“One of the things that is important about this is that it helps both sides of the experience,” Tony Gambee, Latitude’s founder and CEO, said. “On the one hand, it’s extremely convenient for the customer. And it also helps frontline workers.”
JoinOurLine is a software-as-a-service platform maintained and supported by Latitude and its staff of about a dozen people. All a customer has to do is bring up the website or click on a link to it from the website of the business they are visiting and they can join the digital line, getting a number like one would at a deli counter. No downloading an app, and no putting in any personal information, Gambee emphasized.
For a business, meanwhile, it operates as a digital counter, giving the person monitoring the crowd inside a readout of the store’s capacity and how many people are waiting in line. From the business-facing side of the site, the person monitoring capacity can give people waiting to come inside the green light when others leave, either individually or in a group.
“Just the fact that the physical line is not there protects the person working the door and people coming in and out because there is not that mass of bodies there,” Gambee said.
Gambee points to a recent McKinsey survey of retail executives that found that, in addition to cleaning stores more, ensuring safe distancing between customers is a top priority when it comes to promoting customer and employee safety during the pandemic.
Latitude Digital has been in talks with a chain of small-box sporting goods stores about using JoinOurLine, and Gambee hopes that the Krogers and Costcos of the world might give him a call. In the meantime, the company is offering its software free of charge to nonprofit organizations including food banks and independent small businesses. As long as the business has only one location (or even a few in the right circumstances) Gambee is encouraging business owners to reach out to him about using JoinOurLine.com.
“We don’t have the skills to create an antibody test but we can write some software,” Gambee said of his firm’s contribution to the fight against COVID-19. “If we can give this back to a few places or even hundreds of small businesses like us, I can’t think of anything more exciting.”
Gambee encouraged business owners to email him at tony@latitudedigital.com or call him at 248-787-6898.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Colorado universities coming to aid of undocumented students, others not eligible for federal coroan

Colorado universities coming to aid of undocumented students, others not eligible for federal coroanvirus stimulus

This spring , Colorado ’ s colleges and universities received millions of dollars from the massive federal coronavirus stimulus package to help needy students during the novel coronavirus pandemic .
But the Trump administration pointedly barred colleges from granting emergency assistance to undocumented students — even the so-called “ Dreamers ” who have federal protection .
In light of the federal guidance , some of Colorado ’ s higher education institutions are stepping up to fill in the gaps .
Colorado State University has handed out $ 1,500 grants to 400 students not included in the federal CARES Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a CSU spokesman , said via email .
Other individuals receiving the $ 1,500 in aid include international students and those who , for various other reasons , no longer qualify for federal student aid .
“ The university awarded those grants in the same manner that we awarded CARES Act funding , based on an assessment of student need , ” Hooker said in the statement .
Meanwhile , Metropolitan State University of Denver — which enrolls the most undocumented students in Colorado — is raising $ 300,000 specifically targeted toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact grants would range from $ 250 to $ 650 per student based on need , while the remaining $ 80,000 in the fund would be allocated for the university ’ s 381 undocumented students — with the same criteria as the federal COVID-19 assistance dollars , said Will Simpkins , MSU Denver ’ s vice president for student affairs .
The assistance from the federal government has been much-needed , Simpkins said , but the school was forced to abruptly change tact during the 5-to-10-day window after the bill was passed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Education restricting where that money could flow .
“ I would have preferred they made different guidelines , ” Simpkins said .
“ The Department of Education clarified guidelines with a stricter approach than Congress should allow them to do.
” The University of Colorado has set up a student relief fund at each of its campuses and is giving preference to students in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , or DACA , program , and others who are unable to get federal money , CU spokesman Ken McConnellogue said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 1,800 and are allocated based on type of need , the CU website states .
The University of Northern Colorado is exploring avenues to assist its undocumented student population , likely turning to private philanthropy , spokesman Nate Haas said .
There are 15,000 immigrants in Colorado enrolled in the DACA program , an Obama-era law that allowed hundreds of thousands of people who came to the U.S. as children to stay in the country .
As schools figure out how to support their undocumented students , those same individuals wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide their fate .
The Trump administration in 2017 moved to end the program , and a ruling on whether that decision could take effect is expected sometime before the end of June .

This spring, Colorado’s colleges and universities received millions of dollars from the massive federal coronavirus stimulus package to help needy students during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
But the Trump administration pointedly barred colleges from granting emergency assistance to undocumented students — even the so-called “Dreamers” who have federal protection.
In light of the federal guidance, some of Colorado’s higher education institutions are stepping up to fill in the gaps.
Colorado State University has handed out $1,500 grants to 400 students not included in the federal CARES Act, including 218 undocumented individuals, Mike Hooker, a CSU spokesman, said via email.
Other individuals receiving the $1,500 in aid include international students and those who, for various other reasons, no longer qualify for federal student aid.
“The university awarded those grants in the same manner that we awarded CARES Act funding, based on an assessment of student need,” Hooker said in the statement.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan State University of Denver — which enrolls the most undocumented students in Colorado — is raising $300,000 specifically targeted toward its “Dreamer” population.
Immediate impact grants would range from $250 to $650 per student based on need, while the remaining $80,000 in the fund would be allocated for the university’s 381 undocumented students — with the same criteria as the federal COVID-19 assistance dollars, said Will Simpkins, MSU Denver’s vice president for student affairs.
The assistance from the federal government has been much-needed, Simpkins said, but the school was forced to abruptly change tack during the 5-to-10-day window after the bill was passed and the guidance was issued from the U.S. Department of Education restricting where that money could flow.
“I would have preferred they made different guidelines,” Simpkins said. “The Department of Education clarified guidelines with a stricter approach than Congress should allow them to do.”
The University of Colorado has set up a student relief fund at each of its campuses and is giving preference to students in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, and others who are unable to get federal money, CU spokesman Ken McConnellogue said. Awards typically range from $350 to $1,800 and are allocated based on type of need, the CU website states.
The University of Northern Colorado is exploring avenues to assist its undocumented student population, likely turning to private philanthropy, spokesman Nate Haas said.
There are 15,000 immigrants in Colorado enrolled in the DACA program, an Obama-era policy established by presidential memorandum that allowed hundreds of thousands of people who came to the U.S. as children to stay in the country.
As schools figure out how to support their undocumented students, those same individuals wait anxiously for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide their fate. The Trump administration in 2017 moved to end the program, and a ruling on whether that decision could take effect is expected sometime before the end of June.
Updated 9 a.m. May 13, 2020 This story has been corrected after originally mischaracterizing the legal basis of the DACA program. It was created by President Barack Obama via executive memorandum.