thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Colorado legislature can resume its regular session after breaking for coronavirus, Supreme Court ru

Colorado legislature can resume its regular session after breaking for coronavirus, Supreme Court rules

Colorado lawmakers don ’ t have to meet for 120 consecutive days during a declared public health emergency , the @ @ @ @ @ a narrow decision Wednesday .
The General Assembly ’ s regular legislative session is limited @ @ @ @ @ was scheduled to conclude May 6 .
However , lawmakers called for a recess during @ @ @ @ @ .
Jared Polis declared a state of emergency .
They asked the Supreme Court to @ @ @ @ @ could resume the regular session at a later date .
Although the Colorado Constitution is @ @ @ @ @ must be consecutive , the General Assembly adopted rules that required them to be consecutive @ @ @ @ @ health emergency disaster , Justice Monica Márquez ’ s opinion stated .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ updated .

Colorado lawmakers don’t have to meet for 120 consecutive days during a declared public health emergency, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in a narrow decision Wednesday.
The General Assembly’s regular legislative session is limited to 120 days, and was scheduled to conclude May 6. However, lawmakers suspended the session March 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic after Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency. They asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether they could resume the more than 50 days left of the session at a later date or be forced to end in May.
Voters approved a constitutional amendment in the 1980s that limited the session to 120 days, and the General Assembly adopted a rule that those days have to run consecutively. However, in 2009, the General Assembly adopted another emergency rule — in the wake of the H1N1 flu epidemic — that allows the legislature to count only “working calendar days” if the governor declares a state of emergency. That rule had never been triggered until now, according to the Supreme Court decision.
The Colorado Constitution is vague on whether the days must be consecutive, and the General Assembly’s rules make it clear that they should be except in a declared public health emergency that disrupts the session, Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez wrote for the majority in the 4-3 decision. Chief Justice Nathan Coats, Justice Brian Boatright and Justice Carlos Samour Jr. dissented.
House Speaker KC Becker, a Boulder Democrat, welcomed the news Wednesday evening.
“It gives the legislature the ability to respond to the COVID crisis and take our time until some of it has subsided to finish our work,” Becker said. “I think it’s the right decision for Colorado.”
All 40 Republican lawmakers had signed onto a brief to the Supreme Court arguing that the days should be consecutive. Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert told The Denver Post the argument that the days must be consecutive had support based on the split decision, but now it’s a matter of moving forward.
“We are grateful to know the Court’s opinion so that legislative leadership and all members of the General Assembly can determine how best to proceed in these most challenging times,” said Holbert, R-Parker, in a statement.
Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, said in a statement that Colorado’s leaders are elected to serve the community, including in times of hardship, and the Supreme Court decision will allow that to continue while also maintaining public safety measures.
“Counting legislative days consecutively during this state of emergency would have been devastating for the people of Colorado,” he said.
It’s still unclear exactly when legislators will return to the Capitol. House lawmakers had extended the recess to Thursday, but House Majority Leader Alec Garnett said lawmakers will presume they are adjourned day to day based on legal advice and for everyone’s safety as the Senate had called for earlier this week.
Now that lawmakers have the court’s determination, they will have more decisions to make about priorities. They still have to balance the budget and pass the School Finance Act in June, but this gives lawmakers time to hear from members of the public about their needs, Becker said.
House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, said he hopes Democratic lawmakers who are in the majority in both chambers won’t go back to all the same priorities they had before the crisis.
“I think we need to look at everything from a different lens from here on out,” Neville said. “We have major implications (from coroanvirus) on the budget and economy and everything else.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-01--MLS cutting pay of top executives and front office staff, AP source says

Major League Soccer plans to cut the pay of some executives and front office personnel while the season is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic , a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Deputy Commissioners Mark Abbott and Gary Stevenson will take 20 % cuts in salary starting April 16 , the person said on the condition of anonymity because the reductions were not announced publicly .
Other cuts would range from 20 % to 10 % for managerial staff .
Lower salaried employees , like entry-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay .
The cuts were first reported by Yahoo Sports .
MLS does not plan to furlough or layoff staff at this time , although a hiring freeze is in place .
The league employs some 300 people at its New York headquarters .
The MLS move comes after the NBA cut the salaries of some 100 top executives by 20 % while the season is on hold .
The NHL is cutting salaries for league employees 25 % starting next month .
NASCAR officers will have a 25 % reduction in salary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their salaries reduced by 20 % .
The MLS season was suspended on March 12 after teams had played two matches .
The Philadelphia Union announced Wednesday that a player had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after experiencing mild symptoms .

Major League Soccer plans to cut the pay of some executives and front office personnel while the season is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Deputy Commissioners Mark Abbott and Gary Stevenson will take 20% cuts in salary starting April 16, the person said on the condition of anonymity because the reductions were not announced publicly.
Other cuts would range from 20% to 10% for managerial staff. Lower salaried employees, like entry-level hires, would see no reduction in pay. The cuts were first reported by Yahoo Sports.
MLS does not plan to furlough or layoff staff at this time, although a hiring freeze is in place. The league employs some 300 people at its New York headquarters.
The MLS move comes after the NBA cut the salaries of some 100 top executives by 20% while the season is on hold. The NHL is cutting salaries for league employees 25% starting next month. NASCAR officers will have a 25% reduction in salary, while all other employees will have their salaries reduced by 20%.
The MLS season was suspended on March 12 after teams had played two matches.
The Philadelphia Union announced Wednesday that a player had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after experiencing mild symptoms.


thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Colorado’s coronavirus deaths reach 80 as total hospitalizations surpass 600

At least 80 Coloradans have now died of complications from the novel coronavirus , state health officials announced Wednesday as total hospitalizations surged to 620 .
More than 3,300 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness caused by the virus , with cases hitting 50 of Colorado ’ s 64 counties .
Officials also said there have been 17 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities — which include the population most at-risk for the coronavirus .
Nearly 19,000 people have been tested in the state , with Gov .
Jared Polis touting Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of testing in the country .
During a news conference Wednesday , Polis and the state ’ s COVID-19 response leader , Scott Bookman , said Colorado is taking aggressive steps to get critical protective gear on its own to combat the coronavirus outbreak , while outlining an ambitious undertaking to prepare for a surge in patients that could begin this month .
Throughout the outbreak , Polis and health officials have acknowledged that the number of cases announced is far lower than actual totals due to the lack of mass testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team Task Force is working toward .
Some additional test kits may be coming soon .
Englewood-based Aytu Bioscience said in a news release that 100,000 rapid test kits — which can give results for COVID-19 in 10 minutes or less — arrived from Hong Kong and will be distributed soon to states across the country .
The company did not say how many tests would stay in Colorado , but indicated another 500,000 kits have been ordered and should be in the U.S. in the next few weeks .
The governor on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants two weeks ago appears to have slowed the spread of the novel coronavirus , saying the state ’ s case count went from doubling every two days to now doubling nearly every five .
The effects from the statewide stay-at-home order , which began last Thursday , won ’ t be seen for at least another week , he said .
While April 11 marks the end of the state ’ s stay-at-home mandate , Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Tuesday said he would extend his city ’ s order until April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump this week pushed back federal social distancing guidelines until that same date .
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At least 80 Coloradans have now died of complications from the novel coronavirus, state health officials announced Wednesday as total hospitalizations surged to 620.
More than 3,300 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness caused by the virus, with cases hitting 50 of Colorado’s 64 counties. Officials also said there have been 17 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities — which include the population most at-risk for the coronavirus.
Nearly 19,000 people have been tested in the state, with Gov. Jared Polis touting Colorado as having one of the highest rates of testing in the country.
During a news conference Wednesday, Polis and the state’s COVID-19 response leader, Scott Bookman, said Colorado is taking aggressive steps to get critical protective gear on its own to combat the coronavirus outbreak, while outlining an ambitious undertaking to prepare for a surge in patients that could begin this month.
Throughout the outbreak, Polis and health officials have acknowledged that the number of cases announced is far lower than actual totals due to the lack of mass testing, which the state’s Innovation Response Team Task Force is working toward.
Some additional test kits may be coming soon. Englewood-based Aytu Bioscience said in a news release that 100,000 rapid test kits — which can give results for COVID-19 in 10 minutes or less — arrived from Hong Kong and will be distributed soon to states across the country. The company did not say how many tests would stay in Colorado, but indicated another 500,000 kits have been ordered and should be in the U.S. in the next few weeks.
The governor on Monday said the closure of bars and restaurants two weeks ago appears to have slowed the spread of the novel coronavirus, saying the state’s case count went from doubling every two days to now doubling nearly every five. The effects from the statewide stay-at-home order, which began last Thursday, won’t be seen for at least another week, he said.
While April 11 marks the end of the state’s stay-at-home mandate, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Tuesday said he would extend his city’s order until April 30. The move came after President Donald Trump this week pushed back federal social distancing guidelines until that same date.
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thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Vail Resorts furloughs hourly workers, cuts pay for salaried staff across country due to coronavirus

Vail Resorts announced today that is furloughing nearly all of its year-round hourly employees in the United States as of Saturday for at least one to two months and is implementing six-month reductions of pay for salaried employees because of revenue reductions caused by the coronavirus .
The company told investors two weeks ago that the closure of its North American resorts would cost $ 180 million to $ 200 million in lost profitability for the quarter ending this month .
In a letter to employees , chief executive officer Rob Katz said he would forfeit 100 % of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cash compensations for members of the board will be eliminated for the same time period .
Pay cuts for salaried employees will depend on their pay grade , and will range from 5 % to 25 % .
The company also will cut between $ 80 million and $ 85 million in capital expenditures that would have gone to mountain improvements , including new lifts and terrain expansions .
Dividends to stockholders in June and September will be eliminated to save more than $ 140 million .
“ I recognize this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would not have to take this action , ” Katz said .
“ But with each passing week , the financial consequences have become more apparent .
To our year-round hourly employees , I am so disappointed that the vast majority of you have not been able to work these past three weeks and I assure you we will end the furlough as soon as possible once we have clarity on our business reopening .
“ To our year-round salaried employees , who are working from home — in many cases harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have to ask you to give even more by accepting a salary reduction .
We are asking everyone to accept some sacrifice so that we weather this storm together and are ready to come back strong for next winter.
” The news release did not mention employee housing , but spokesperson Johnna Muscente said the company would take care of those affected .
“ During this crisis , we are not evicting anyone from our housing , including people impacted by the furlough , ” Muscente said , “ and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need it during this time.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

Vail Resorts announced today that is furloughing nearly all of its year-round hourly employees in the United States as of Saturday for at least one to two months and is implementing six-month reductions of pay for salaried employees because of revenue reductions caused by the coronavirus.
The company told investors two weeks ago that the closure of its North American resorts would cost $180 million to $200 million in lost profitability for the quarter ending this month.
In a letter to employees, chief executive officer Rob Katz said he would forfeit 100% of his salary for the next six months, and cash compensations for members of the board will be eliminated for the same time period. Pay cuts for salaried employees will depend on their pay grade, and will range from 5% to 25%.
The company also will cut between $80 million and $85 million in capital expenditures that would have gone to mountain improvements, including new lifts and terrain expansions.
Dividends to stockholders in June and September will be eliminated to save more than $140 million.
“I recognize this is very disappointing news and I had hoped we would not have to take this action,” Katz said. “But with each passing week, the financial consequences have become more apparent. To our year-round hourly employees, I am so disappointed that the vast majority of you have not been able to work these past three weeks and I assure you we will end the furlough as soon as possible once we have clarity on our business reopening.
“To our year-round salaried employees, who are working from home — in many cases harder than ever — I truly am sorry to have to ask you to give even more by accepting a salary reduction. We are asking everyone to accept some sacrifice so that we weather this storm together and are ready to come back strong for next winter.”
The news release did not mention employee housing, but spokesperson Johnna Muscente said the company would take care of those affected.
“During this crisis, we are not evicting anyone from our housing, including people impacted by the furlough,” Muscente said, “and we will continue to offer support to those who need it during this time.”
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thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Death penalty dropped in Adams County sheriff deputy’s killing; trial postponed again

The 24-year-old man accused of killing an Adams County sheriff ’ s deputy no longer faces the death penalty , District Judge Mark Warner ruled Wednesday .
The judge granted a petition filed by 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young Monday asking that the death penalty option be withdrawn from the case .
Young wrote in the motion that seeking the death penalty was pointless because Gov .
Jared Polis has shown he will commute any death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole .
The state abolished the death penalty in a historic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeal applies only to cases filed on or after July 1 , so Dreion Dearing , who is charged with killing Deputy Heath Gumm during a chase in 2018 , remained eligible for the penalty .
When Polis signed the repeal into law , he also commuted the sentences of the three Colorado men who were on death row .
Also on Wednesday , Warner further delayed Dearing ’ s trial — which had started with jury selection in early March — due to concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , Warner ruled , instead of April 6 as previously scheduled .

The 24-year-old man accused of killing an Adams County sheriff’s deputy no longer faces the death penalty, District Judge Mark Warner ruled Wednesday.
The judge granted a petition filed by 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young Monday asking that the death penalty option be withdrawn from the case. Young wrote in the motion that seeking the death penalty was pointless because Gov. Jared Polis has shown he will commute any death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The state abolished the death penalty in a historic vote earlier this month, but the repeal applies only to cases filed on or after July 1, so Dreion Dearing, who is charged with killing Deputy Heath Gumm during a chase in 2018, remained eligible for the penalty.
When Polis signed the repeal into law, he also commuted the sentences of the three Colorado men who were on death row.
Also on Wednesday, Warner further delayed Dearing’s trial — which had started with jury selection in early March — due to concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic. The trial will be postponed until at least April 17, Warner ruled, instead of April 6 as previously scheduled.


thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Editorial: Protect those essential employees

Employees on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic are truly essential .
Employers must treat them as such .
Much attention has been paid to the risks our doctors , nurses , medical technicians and hospital janitors are facing as they go to work to save the most gravely ill. Of course , providing these individuals with N95 respirators , face shields and appropriate gowns is the top priority – not to mention with the medical devices and medicine to save lives .
But we must not neglect other front-line workers in less obvious roles and employers across this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to keep them safe while doing their part to slow the spread of this virus .
Phlebotomists and others working at blood donation facilities are exposed to dozens of people a day for extended periods of time and must be provided with masks to protect themselves and others .
Blood donors — who are doing their part to fill a critical need — must also be provided with hand sanitizer and masks to slow the spread and protect the brave employees who are simply doing their part to keep a life-saving necessity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Vitalant is for neither employees nor donors to wear masks .
We ’ re glad to hear that some grocery store chains in Colorado are stepping up to meet this call .
Kroger , the Cincinnati-based company that owns King Soopers and City Market , not only paid their employees a one-time bonus but just increased wages by $ 2 an hour between March 29 and April 18 .
Albertson Companies , which also owns Safeway , is also increasing front-line employee salaries by $ 2 an hour .
Sneeze guards are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some grocery stores too including at Whole Foods locations , and we have seen photos of employees wearing masks at grocery stores across the city .
Walmart is providing employees with masks and gloves and requiring them to have their temperature taken when arriving at work .
Anyone with a fever will get sent home but still be paid for the day .
Indeed , employees and volunteers across Colorado must be encouraged to wear masks if they have them and can get them .
This is especially important for jobs dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the homeless , working in nursing homes or manufacturing essential products .
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agonizes about whether to urge Americans to cover their faces , we fail to see any downside to urging folks to take this preventative measure .
Are homemade masks or even surgical masks ( if they can be purchased ) 100 % fail-safe ?
No , but we must reserve the N95 masks that filter out the submicroscopic particles of this virus for those working with direct exposure to known cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than nothing , especially when studies have found many people – the director of the CDC warned 25 % while a study in Iceland may show closer to 50 % — who have tested positive for the virus have no symptoms but are still contagious .
The ethical thing to do is for employers to begin working on ways to procure masks for their employees and to encourage employees to wear their own masks if they can get them or make them themselves ( with the stipulation that it not be reused if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Employers must understand that it is a blessing for many that their job is labeled as essential in this time , but it is also a curse putting them at risk of contracting a virus that the White House estimates could kill between 100,000 and 240,000 people even with extreme social distancing measures in place .
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 .

Employees on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic are truly essential. Employers must treat them as such.
Much attention has been paid to the risks our doctors, nurses, medical technicians and hospital janitors are facing as they go to work to save the most gravely ill. Of course, providing these individuals with N95 respirators, face shields and appropriate gowns is the top priority – not to mention with the medical devices and medicine to save lives.
But we must not neglect other front-line workers in less obvious roles and employers across this country should feel a heavy burden of responsibility to keep them safe while doing their part to slow the spread of this virus.
Phlebotomists and others working at blood donation facilities are exposed to dozens of people a day for extended periods of time and must be provided with masks to protect themselves and others. Blood donors — who are doing their part to fill a critical need — must also be provided with hand sanitizer and masks to slow the spread and protect the brave employees who are simply doing their part to keep a life-saving necessity flowing. The official policy right now at Vitalant is for neither employees nor donors to wear masks.
We’re glad to hear that some grocery store chains in Colorado are stepping up to meet this call. Kroger, the Cincinnati-based company that owns King Soopers and City Market, not only paid their employees a one-time bonus but just increased wages by $2 an hour between March 29 and April 18. Albertson Companies, which also owns Safeway, is also increasing front-line employee salaries by $2 an hour.
Sneeze guards are being put up at cash registers in some grocery stores too including at Whole Foods locations, and we have seen photos of employees wearing masks at grocery stores across the city. Walmart is providing employees with masks and gloves and requiring them to have their temperature taken when arriving at work. Anyone with a fever will get sent home but still be paid for the day.
Indeed, employees and volunteers across Colorado must be encouraged to wear masks if they have them and can get them. This is especially important for jobs dealing with the public – like those providing services for the homeless, working in nursing homes or manufacturing essential products.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agonizes about whether to urge Americans to cover their faces, we fail to see any downside to urging folks to take this preventative measure. Are homemade masks or even surgical masks (if they can be purchased) 100% fail-safe? No, but we must reserve the N95 masks that filter out the submicroscopic particles of this virus for those working with direct exposure to known cases. And increasingly evidence shows something is better than nothing, especially when studies have found many people – the director of the CDC warned 25% while a study in Iceland may show closer to 50% — who have tested positive for the virus have no symptoms but are still contagious.
The ethical thing to do is for employers to begin working on ways to procure masks for their employees and to encourage employees to wear their own masks if they can get them or make them themselves (with the stipulation that it not be reused if it cannot be machine washed).
Employers must understand that it is a blessing for many that their job is labeled as essential in this time, but it is also a curse putting them at risk of contracting a virus that the White House estimates could kill between 100,000 and 240,000 people even with extreme social distancing measures in place.
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--2020-04-01--Michael Bennet wants you to wear a homemade mask

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet is urging Americans to wear homemade masks to help fight the spread of coronavirus , a do-it-yourself option he wants federal health officials to begin encouraging .
“ I know from my own personal experience it is awkward to walk around wearing a mask when everyone else is not wearing one and I think that ’ s another reason why it ’ s important for the CDC to weigh in here , because it will give everyone a sense of what their responsibility is to each other , ” said Bennet , a Denver Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bennet was joined on the call by Sen. Pat Toomey , a Pennsylvania Republican , as the two made their bipartisan case for homemade masks .
Toomey said he has spoken to President Donald Trump and Trump is largely on board with the idea , but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not recommended it .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ re trying to get ahead of the CDC , ” Bennet said .
“ We ’ re calling on the CDC to follow what seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wearing a personally made mask can make a difference .
We ’ re asking them to give guidance — more coherent guidance — to the country.
” Bennet ’ s wife , Susan , has been making masks for family members and friends .
Bennet hopes the trend catches on and that manufacturers , artisans and amateur sewers join in , leading to a new societal norm during the coronavirus outbreak .
“ Every now and then you see a mask ( in Denver ) but they ’ re pretty rare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach a point where everybody decides that we ’ re going to do this , ” Bennet said .
Bennet and Toomey stressed that most Americans should not purchase N95 masks , a high-quality model they want reserved for health care workers .
Nor should people believe their homemade masks absolve them of the need to socially distance , remain at home whenever possible , and wash their hands often .
“ My mask protects you and your mask protects me , ” Bennet said .
“ I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Czech Republic , South Korea and Singapore have encouraged mask wearing and it has proven effective .
We are in the middle of an unprecedented crisis and we need to do everything we can.
” Toomey says the CDC is discussing internally whether to recommend homemade masks .
Bennet said the federal agency may be concerned such guidance would lead to hoarding or a decrease in other measures , such as social distancing .
He believes those concerns can be mitigated through effective communication .

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet is urging Americans to wear homemade masks to help fight the spread of coronavirus, a do-it-yourself option he wants federal health officials to begin encouraging.
“I know from my own personal experience it is awkward to walk around wearing a mask when everyone else is not wearing one and I think that’s another reason why it’s important for the CDC to weigh in here, because it will give everyone a sense of what their responsibility is to each other,” said Bennet, a Denver Democrat, on a conference call with reporters Wednesday.
Bennet was joined on the call by Sen. Pat Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican, as the two made their bipartisan case for homemade masks. Toomey said he has spoken to President Donald Trump and Trump is largely on board with the idea, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not recommended it.
“I don’t think we’re trying to get ahead of the CDC,” Bennet said. “We’re calling on the CDC to follow what seems to be pretty good evidence across the world that wearing a personally made mask can make a difference. We’re asking them to give guidance — more coherent guidance — to the country.”
Bennet’s wife, Susan, has been making masks for family members and friends. Bennet hopes the trend catches on and that manufacturers, artisans and amateur sewers join in, leading to a new societal norm during the coronavirus outbreak.
“Every now and then you see a mask (in Denver) but they’re pretty rare and for this to work, we need to reach a point where everybody decides that we’re going to do this,” Bennet said.
Bennet and Toomey stressed that most Americans should not purchase N95 masks, a high-quality model they want reserved for health care workers. Nor should people believe their homemade masks absolve them of the need to socially distance, remain at home whenever possible, and wash their hands often.
“My mask protects you and your mask protects me,” Bennet said. “I don’t think this is speculation. Countries like the Czech Republic, South Korea and Singapore have encouraged mask wearing and it has proven effective. We are in the middle of an unprecedented crisis and we need to do everything we can.”
Toomey says the CDC is discussing internally whether to recommend homemade masks. Bennet said the federal agency may be concerned such guidance would lead to hoarding or a decrease in other measures, such as social distancing. He believes those concerns can be mitigated through effective communication.


thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Fake social media posts, robocalls spreading lies about state’s hunting and fishing policies

Fraudulent social media posts and robocalls have been spreading falsehoods about Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunting and fishing policies , the agency said Wednesday in a news release .
The false posts were originally reported by CPW via Twitter posts on Tuesday .
The news release says they increased on Wednesday , “ based on today being April Fool ’ s Day.
” False posts have claimed hunting and fishing seasons are canceled , that valid licenses are no longer required to hunt and fish , and that park fees have been rescinded due to the coronavirus .
Those claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did close all of its playgrounds , campgrounds and camping facilities in order to help curb the spread of the coronavirus , but “ non-campground outdoor areas of parks , including trails , boat ramps , marinas and shorelines remain open , ” the organization said on March 26 .
“ In a time where so many things are uncertain and changeable , Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff is working hard to ensure Coloradans maintain the ability to find comfort in the outdoors , and continue their outdoor activities to the fullest extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the release .
“ It ’ s disappointing that people are taking advantage of the already heightened sense of disruption in our communities to spread false information.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

Fraudulent social media posts and robocalls have been spreading falsehoods about Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunting and fishing policies, the agency said Wednesday in a news release.
The false posts were originally reported by CPW via Twitter posts on Tuesday. The news release says they increased on Wednesday, “based on today being April Fool’s Day.”
False posts have claimed hunting and fishing seasons are canceled, that valid licenses are no longer required to hunt and fish, and that park fees have been rescinded due to the coronavirus. Those claims are untrue. Last week, CPW did close all of its playgrounds, campgrounds and camping facilities in order to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, but “non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails, boat ramps, marinas and shorelines remain open,” the organization said on March 26.
“In a time where so many things are uncertain and changeable, Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff is working hard to ensure Coloradans maintain the ability to find comfort in the outdoors, and continue their outdoor activities to the fullest extent possible,” CPW director Dan Prenzlow said in the release. “It’s disappointing that people are taking advantage of the already heightened sense of disruption in our communities to spread false information.”
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thedenverpost--2020-04-01--Taiwan is donating 100,000 medical masks to Colorado, Sen. Cory Gardner says

Taiwan has pledged to donate 100,000 masks to Colorado as part of a larger donation of medical equipment to the United States , a Colorado senator says .
Sen. Cory Gardner , a Yuma Republican , announced Wednesday that the Asian ally will donate 2 million masks to the United States , half of which will go to the federal government and the other half to individual states .
Colorado will receive 10 % of the 1 million masks being sent directly to states .
The masks are expected to arrive in Colorado next week , according to Gardner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with President Tsai ( Ing-wen ) to advance the friendship between the U.S. and Taiwan , and I would like to thank all of Taiwan on behalf of the medical professionals in Colorado who desperately need the masks that Taiwan is graciously donating , ” Gardner said in a statement .
“ Taiwan is more than willing to help the world beat the COVID-19 pandemic , and this incredible act of generosity is further reason that Taiwan should be granted observer status at the World Health Organization , ” the senator added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last summer and was greeted by a large group of supporters , along with a handful of pro-China protesters .
Gardner , who chairs a Senate subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific , was also in attendance .
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Taiwan has pledged to donate 100,000 masks to Colorado as part of a larger donation of medical equipment to the United States, a Colorado senator says.
Sen. Cory Gardner, a Yuma Republican, announced Wednesday that the Asian ally will donate 2 million masks to the United States, half of which will go to the federal government and the other half to individual states. Colorado will receive 10% of the 1 million masks being sent directly to states.
The masks are expected to arrive in Colorado next week, according to Gardner.
“It has been an honor to work with President Tsai (Ing-wen) to advance the friendship between the U.S. and Taiwan, and I would like to thank all of Taiwan on behalf of the medical professionals in Colorado who desperately need the masks that Taiwan is graciously donating,” Gardner said in a statement.
“Taiwan is more than willing to help the world beat the COVID-19 pandemic, and this incredible act of generosity is further reason that Taiwan should be granted observer status at the World Health Organization,” the senator added.
Taiwan’s president visited Denver last summer and was greeted by a large group of supporters, along with a handful of pro-China protesters. Gardner, who chairs a Senate subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, was also in attendance.
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thedenverpost--2020-04-01--CU Buffs spring game unlikely to be rescheduled as hope remains for summer football practices

A celebration of CU Buffaloes football was supposed to take place April 25 at Folsom Field with the team ’ s annual spring game .
That now appears exceedingly unlikely to happen , or even rescheduled in the future , with the ongoing threat of Coronavirus .
“ I would love to say that we ’ re going to have a spring game , ” CU athletic director Rick George said Wednesday during a media teleconference call .
“ I don ’ t know if that will happen.
” On Monday , the Pac-12 mandated that all organized team activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively canceled the entirety of the Buffs ’ spring football schedule as one of three teams unable to even start practices ( Washington , Washington State ) .
However , CU and first-year coach Karl Dorrell are hopeful to make up for those team activities at some point between June and August with some help from the NCAA .
• Coronavirus puts Karl Dorrell ’ s first spring football practices with CU Buffs in jeopardy “ In a best-case scenario … you ’ ll see some modifications of rules and regulations during that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to spend on instructional things where it hasn ’ t been allowed in the past , ” George said .
“ I think you ’ ll see some of that come out in the next few weeks or months.
” George declined to join in speculation over how the regular-season football schedule might be impacted by the pandemic .
But as the athletic department starts to budget for the 2021 fiscal year , all scenarios must be on the table for CU to assure financial viability .
Those contingency plans are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a lot of revenue that comes in from our spring sports teams , ” George said .
“ The fact that we completed our football and our basketball seasons was really important , because there is a lot of revenue that comes through donations , ticket sales and our TV contracts .
Most of those were already done and exercised .
There will be a financial impact in this fiscal year , but it might not be as big as you might expect at this point .
“ How we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important.
” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said the league expects to take a revenue hit of about $ 1 million per school with the cancellation of March Madness and its men ’ s basketball conference tournament .
The league had also planned to receive $ 17.5 million from NCAA revenue sharing this spring , but Scott said that distribution will probably be cut by two-thirds ( $ 11.5 million ) .

A celebration of CU Buffaloes football was supposed to take place April 25 at Folsom Field with the team’s annual spring game.
That now appears exceedingly unlikely to happen, or even rescheduled in the future, with the ongoing threat of Coronavirus.
“I would love to say that we’re going to have a spring game,” CU athletic director Rick George said Wednesday during a media teleconference call. “I don’t know if that will happen.”
On Monday, the Pac-12 mandated that all organized team activities be suspended through May 31. It effectively canceled the entirety of the Buffs’ spring football schedule as one of three teams unable to even start practices (Washington, Washington State).
However, CU and first-year coach Karl Dorrell are hopeful to make up for those team activities at some point between June and August with some help from the NCAA.
“In a best-case scenario … you’ll see some modifications of rules and regulations during that time frame that would give coaches more time to spend on instructional things where it hasn’t been allowed in the past,” George said. “I think you’ll see some of that come out in the next few weeks or months.”
George declined to join in speculation over how the regular-season football schedule might be impacted by the pandemic. But as the athletic department starts to budget for the 2021 fiscal year, all scenarios must be on the table for CU to assure financial viability. Those contingency plans are being developed.
“Fortunately, we don’t have a lot of revenue that comes in from our spring sports teams,” George said. “The fact that we completed our football and our basketball seasons was really important, because there is a lot of revenue that comes through donations, ticket sales and our TV contracts. Most of those were already done and exercised. There will be a financial impact in this fiscal year, but it might not be as big as you might expect at this point.
“How we budget for next year will be really important.”
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said the league expects to take a revenue hit of about $1 million per school with the cancellation of March Madness and its men’s basketball conference tournament. The league had also planned to receive $17.5 million from NCAA revenue sharing this spring, but Scott said that distribution will probably be cut by two-thirds ($11.5 million).


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Ask Amy: Preschool trampoline party gets more bouncers

Dear Readers : Because of syndication scheduling , I write and submit my columns two weeks in advance of publication .
Due to this time lag , the Q & A ’ s will not reflect the latest information about the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing .
At the party , several of the guests brought older siblings that we had never met before .
This would not have been an issue if this were a party at home or an outdoor park .
However , we were at a trampoline park where you have to pay $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as parents ) are free .
When we received the bill , it showed that we had 27 kids !
I felt it impolite to put on the invitation that only the named guest can participate .
Is there a polite way to make sure we ’ re not paying for siblings we don ’ t even know when throwing a party at an amusement center ?
Dear Tapped Out : I am assuming that parents also accompanied these very young kiddos — and brought their other children with them , perhaps assuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I shared your question with Gay Cioffi , longtime director of the Little Folks preschool in Washington , DC , who publishes a helpful parenting newsletter , “ Little Folks , Big Questions ( littlefolksbigquestions.com ) .
Cioffi responds : “ I have been a witness to every possible size and shape of birthday party .
Everything from keeping the guest number in line with the age of the child : four-years-old equals four guests ( I love that ) , to an extravaganza with 300 people at the Four Seasons Hotel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and young children , you need to expect the unexpected , i.e.
, a “ bug ” is going around , and lots of people don ’ t show up , family members are visiting and join the invitee , or the birthday child is overwhelmed and cries the whole time ( most often ) .
Since young children are not always keen on being dropped off , or if parents are actually invited , you can assume siblings may come too .
I don ’ t think there is a polite way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ siblings .
If finances are a concern , next year , I would plan a smaller gathering with room for growth.
” Dear Amy : My sister and I have disagreed about diet for years ; I am vegan , and she and her spouse eat meat ( only about twice a week , I believe ) .
We love one another , our relations are cordial , and we never argue about her diet .
When my spouse and I visit , she cheerfully accommodates us .
Although my central reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t like it , ” health is also a major concern , and occasionally I send my sister a link with a scientific study pointing out the health-protective benefits of plant-based diets .
I try to be sparing with the links , because I know people who are always dispensing health advice can be annoying .
With the COVID-19 epidemic , my concern for my dear sister ’ s health is mounting .
We are both well past 65 , she has had major health crises in the past , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well for many more years .
I would like to send her some links showing that adopting a plant-based diet quickly fosters a healthy microbiome ( gut flora ) that boosts one ’ s immunity — without putting her off .
Amy , I know dispensing physical health recommendations isn ’ t your job .
But if you would consult some nutritionists and check this out for yourself , and — if you find it convincing — mention it in your column , it might help my sister decide to stop eating animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epidemic .
In fact , knowing there is something we can do to strengthen our immune systems now might help many , especially the elderly , to be less fearful .
Fear can do a lot of damage to society .
Dear G : You seem to have advocated for your point of view , over and over .
Your sister has reacted politely by respecting your dietary choices .
I agree that fear can do a lot of damage .
And so maybe you should stop trying to scare your sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was a widower in an assisted-living facility .
He was shocked when female residents came on to him .
In addition to your advice to him , I hope you will urge all sexually active seniors to use condoms !
Dear Concerned : STDs are a growing problem within the elder population .
Yes , condoms !

Dear Readers: Because of syndication scheduling, I write and submit my columns two weeks in advance of publication. Due to this time lag, the Q&A’s will not reflect the latest information about the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing.
Dear Amy: I recently hosted a birthday party for my preschool-aged son.
I invited 20 classmates. Sixteen responded “yes.”
At the party, several of the guests brought older siblings that we had never met before. This would not have been an issue if this were a party at home or an outdoor park. However, we were at a trampoline park where you have to pay $20 per participant. Non-participants (such as parents) are free.
When we received the bill, it showed that we had 27 kids!
I felt it impolite to put on the invitation that only the named guest can participate. Is there a polite way to make sure we’re not paying for siblings we don’t even know when throwing a party at an amusement center?
— Tapped Out
Dear Tapped Out: I am assuming that parents also accompanied these very young kiddos — and brought their other children with them, perhaps assuming that you had a group rate.
I shared your question with Gay Cioffi, longtime director of the Little Folks preschool in Washington, DC, who publishes a helpful parenting newsletter, “Little Folks, Big Questions (littlefolksbigquestions.com).
Cioffi responds: “I have been a witness to every possible size and shape of birthday party. Everything from keeping the guest number in line with the age of the child: four-years-old equals four guests (I love that), to an extravaganza with 300 people at the Four Seasons Hotel.
“Because you are dealing with families and young children, you need to expect the unexpected, i.e., a “bug” is going around, and lots of people don’t show up, family members are visiting and join the invitee, or the birthday child is overwhelmed and cries the whole time (most often).
Since young children are not always keen on being dropped off, or if parents are actually invited, you can assume siblings may come too. I don’t think there is a polite way to say you are not paying for siblings. If finances are a concern, next year, I would plan a smaller gathering with room for growth.”
Dear Amy: My sister and I have disagreed about diet for years; I am vegan, and she and her spouse eat meat (only about twice a week, I believe).
We love one another, our relations are cordial, and we never argue about her diet. When my spouse and I visit, she cheerfully accommodates us.
Although my central reason for not eating animals is that “they don’t like it,” health is also a major concern, and occasionally I send my sister a link with a scientific study pointing out the health-protective benefits of plant-based diets.
I try to be sparing with the links, because I know people who are always dispensing health advice can be annoying.
With the COVID-19 epidemic, my concern for my dear sister’s health is mounting. We are both well past 65, she has had major health crises in the past, and I want her to be alive and well for many more years.
I would like to send her some links showing that adopting a plant-based diet quickly fosters a healthy microbiome (gut flora) that boosts one’s immunity — without putting her off.
Amy, I know dispensing physical health recommendations isn’t your job. But if you would consult some nutritionists and check this out for yourself, and — if you find it convincing — mention it in your column, it might help my sister decide to stop eating animals, at least for the duration of the epidemic.
In fact, knowing there is something we can do to strengthen our immune systems now might help many, especially the elderly, to be less fearful. Fear can do a lot of damage to society.
— G
Dear G: You seem to have advocated for your point of view, over and over. Your sister has reacted politely by respecting your dietary choices.
I agree that fear can do a lot of damage. And so maybe you should stop trying to scare your sister.
Dear Amy: “Not Looking” was a widower in an assisted-living facility. He was shocked when female residents came on to him.
In addition to your advice to him, I hope you will urge all sexually active seniors to use condoms!
— Concerned
Dear Concerned: STDs are a growing problem within the elder population. Yes, condoms!
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Kiszla: Why $100,000 pledge by Rockies Daniel Murphy to assist struggling baseball players is act of

Kiszla: Why $100,000 pledge by Rockies Daniel Murphy to assist struggling baseball players is act of love so needed in time of COVID-19

The price of dreams in America is often starvation for your art .
This is the harsh truth for a street rapper aspiring to be as famous as Post Malone and the unknown sculptor fantasizing about someday staging an exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum .
But starving to chase a dream of playing baseball in The Show ?
Believe me , it happens .
For far too long , major-league baseball has shamelessly exploited athletes riding buses in the low minor leagues .
It ’ s a dirty , little secret that no longer should be romanticized as a rite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a multibillion-dollar business , players are treated like indentured servants in ballcaps .
When the coronavirus began ravaging the health of American citizens and the U.S. economy last month , one news item initially struck me as slightly odd .
St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright , who has made nearly $ 150 million in his career , generously donated $ 250,000 to More Than Baseball , an organization established to help to raise the welfare as well as the financial IQ of minor league players , hundreds of whom live below the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was : At a time when shopping malls are being shuttered and unemployment claims have skyrocketed , does any baseball player legitimately qualify as a charity case ?
The answer is a resounding : Yes !
Rockies first baseman Daniel Murphy pledged $ 100,000 Wednesday to assist minor-league families affected by the COVID-19 crisis .
It made Jeremy Wolf , the executive director of More Than Baseball , grin from ear to ear when he shared this act of love by Murphy , desperately needed at a time the coronavirus is wreaking havoc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Wainwright , who gave us $ 250,000 … and when you see Daniel Murphy step up , it means there ’ s obviously a need that we ’ re helping to address , ” Wolf said .
“ Having players trust us enough to sign on and speak publicly about what we ’ re doing in a minor-league environment built on silence and fear is in itself enough for celebration.
” When the pandemic put a swift , shocking end to spring training March 12 in Arizona , a young Venezuelan infielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , but didn ’ t have the funds for ground transportation to get the rest of the way home to his family .
“ We underwrote the $ 125 he needed for a ride from the airport in Venezuela , ” Wolf said .
Shortly before COVID-19 shut down sports in the United States , a 25-year-old pitcher in the New York Mets ’ farm system underwent Tommy John surgery .
“ I wasn ’ t too bitter when told I had to have TJ .
It came down to having surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was an easy choice , ” Conner O ’ Neil said .
“ But I ’ m not exactly riding high financially .
And a lot of minor-leaguers don ’ t know where their next paycheck is going to be.
” O ’ Neil , who signed for a modest $ 10,000 ( less Uncle Sam ’ s cut ) as a 2017 seventh-round pick , is currently on a ground-turkey taco diet , which he eats twice daily , because tacos are cheap , not to mention easy to prepare with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last trip to the grocery store was covered by a $ 75 grant from More Than Baseball .
Yes , baseball is a game many of us would play for free .
But free doesn ’ t keep the electricity turned on .
While Adley Rutschman grabbed headlines for the $ 8.1 million signing bonus he received as the No .
1 overall pick in 2019 , nearly 25 % of the 916 players selected in last year ’ s draft signed for less than $ 10,000 , according to research by Prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for minor-leaguers in 2021 , a rookie assigned to a short-season team will make a meager salary of $ 5,000 .
Try living on that .
“ We ’ re tired of the animosity , ” Wolf said .
“ We ’ re tired of the neglect.
” Wolf understands the hardships of playing in the low minors , because he lived them .
On the day in 2016 when he was drafted in the 31st round out of Trinity University by the Mets , his childhood dream team , Wolf cried tears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a child one these years , it will be the greatest moment of my life , ” insisted Wolf , winner of two state prep championships in Arizona , as well as a national championship in college .
During 16 months in the Mets ’ farm system , however , Wolf ’ s baseball dream broke him , both physically and financially .
Wolf signed for a $ 5,000 bonus , then was paid what he generously calculates to be $ 3.50 per hour for seasonal employment .
Despite hitting .290 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watched Tim Tebow quickly leapfrog him in the minor-league ranks as a novelty act .
After the organization reneged on two promised meals per day in his contract , Wolf often went to bed hungry after games .
When the Brooklyn Cyclones requested he shift from the outfield to first base during his second season , Wolf had to buy his own glove .
When he herniated a disc in 2017 , “ I couldn ’ t even walk to the phone ” when the Mets cut him , abruptly ending Wolf ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with $ 2,000 in credit card debt from the austere life of starving baseball artist .
Rather than sulk , he created More Than Baseball , a start-up based on the simple belief all players , including more than 4,000 minor-leaguers currently in need of financial assistance , deserve proper housing , food and equipment while chasing a dream .
Big change can begin with small acts of kindness .
There ’ s a minor-league player who recently departed spring training and returned home to a wife employed as nurse .
She works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital braced for the deadly tsunami of coronavirus cases , met with selfless courage .
“ This young ballplayer reached out to us , ” said More Than Baseball executive Simon Rosenblum-Larson , who declined to name the player out of respect for his dignity .
“ All he wanted to do is make his wife a nice dinner when she got off her shift in the ICU .
We helped him buy the groceries .
That ’ s why we ’ re here .
”

The price of dreams in America is often starvation for your art. This is the harsh truth for a street rapper aspiring to be as famous as Post Malone and the unknown sculptor fantasizing about someday staging an exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum.
But starving to chase a dream of playing baseball in The Show? Believe me, it happens.
For far too long, major-league baseball has shamelessly exploited athletes riding buses in the low minor leagues. It’s a dirty, little secret that no longer should be romanticized as a rite of passage. At the lowest levels of a multibillion-dollar business, players are treated like indentured servants in ballcaps.
When the coronavirus began ravaging the health of American citizens and the U.S. economy last month, one news item initially struck me as slightly odd. St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright, who has made nearly $150 million in his career, generously donated $250,000 to More Than Baseball, an organization established to help to raise the welfare as well as the financial IQ of minor league players, hundreds of whom live below the U.S. poverty level.
My first reaction was: At a time when shopping malls are being shuttered and unemployment claims have skyrocketed, does any baseball player legitimately qualify as a charity case?
The answer is a resounding: Yes!
Rockies first baseman Daniel Murphy pledged $100,000 Wednesday to assist minor-league families affected by the COVID-19 crisis. It made Jeremy Wolf, the executive director of More Than Baseball, grin from ear to ear when he shared this act of love by Murphy, desperately needed at a time the coronavirus is wreaking havoc.
“We’re getting support Adam Wainwright, who gave us $250,000 … and when you see Daniel Murphy step up, it means there’s obviously a need that we’re helping to address,” Wolf said.
“Having players trust us enough to sign on and speak publicly about what we’re doing in a minor-league environment built on silence and fear is in itself enough for celebration.”
Attaboy, Murph!
When the pandemic put a swift, shocking end to spring training March 12 in Arizona, a young Venezuelan infielder was given a plane ticket to South America, but didn’t have the funds for ground transportation to get the rest of the way home to his family.
“We underwrote the $125 he needed for a ride from the airport in Venezuela,” Wolf said.
Shortly before COVID-19 shut down sports in the United States, a 25-year-old pitcher in the New York Mets’ farm system underwent Tommy John surgery. “I wasn’t too bitter when told I had to have TJ. It came down to having surgery or being done playing baseball. So it was an easy choice,” Conner O’Neil said. “But I’m not exactly riding high financially. And a lot of minor-leaguers don’t know where their next paycheck is going to be.”
O’Neil, who signed for a modest $10,000 (less Uncle Sam’s cut) as a 2017 seventh-round pick, is currently on a ground-turkey taco diet, which he eats twice daily, because tacos are cheap, not to mention easy to prepare with only a single healthy arm. His last trip to the grocery store was covered by a $75 grant from More Than Baseball.
Yes, baseball is a game many of us would play for free. But free doesn’t keep the electricity turned on.
While Adley Rutschman grabbed headlines for the $8.1 million signing bonus he received as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, nearly 25% of the 916 players selected in last year’s draft signed for less than $10,000, according to research by Prospects Live. Even with pay bumps scheduled for minor-leaguers in 2021, a rookie assigned to a short-season team will make a meager salary of $5,000. Try living on that.
“We’re tired of the animosity,” Wolf said. “We’re tired of the neglect.”
Wolf understands the hardships of playing in the low minors, because he lived them. On the day in 2016 when he was drafted in the 31st round out of Trinity University by the Mets, his childhood dream team, Wolf cried tears of joy.
“Even after I have a child one these years, it will be the greatest moment of my life,” insisted Wolf, winner of two state prep championships in Arizona, as well as a national championship in college.
During 16 months in the Mets’ farm system, however, Wolf’s baseball dream broke him, both physically and financially.
Wolf signed for a $5,000 bonus, then was paid what he generously calculates to be $3.50 per hour for seasonal employment. Despite hitting .290 as a rookie, he stood back and watched Tim Tebow quickly leapfrog him in the minor-league ranks as a novelty act.
After the organization reneged on two promised meals per day in his contract, Wolf often went to bed hungry after games. When the Brooklyn Cyclones requested he shift from the outfield to first base during his second season, Wolf had to buy his own glove. When he herniated a disc in 2017, “I couldn’t even walk to the phone” when the Mets cut him, abruptly ending Wolf’s professional career at age 24, with $2,000 in credit card debt from the austere life of starving baseball artist.
Rather than sulk, he created More Than Baseball, a start-up based on the simple belief all players, including more than 4,000 minor-leaguers currently in need of financial assistance, deserve proper housing, food and equipment while chasing a dream.
Big change can begin with small acts of kindness. There’s a minor-league player who recently departed spring training and returned home to a wife employed as nurse. She works in the intensive care unit at a hospital braced for the deadly tsunami of coronavirus cases, met with selfless courage.
“This young ballplayer reached out to us,” said More Than Baseball executive Simon Rosenblum-Larson, who declined to name the player out of respect for his dignity. “All he wanted to do is make his wife a nice dinner when she got off her shift in the ICU. We helped him buy the groceries. That’s why we’re here.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Thornton family — mom, dad and 2-year-old girl — missing from home

A Thornton family — parents and a 2-year-old girl — have been reported missing , and circumstances surrounding their disappearance are a mystery , police said .
The family was last seen early Monday at their home , 4056 E. 130th Way , according to police .
The couple has a 5-year-old child who was left home alone at the residence , said Matt Barnes , a police spokesman .
Extended family members who live nearby found the child alone and unharmed in front of the home about 9 p.m. Monday .
On Wednesday night , police served a search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal marijuana grow inside , Barnes said .
Police are looking for Zaiqiao Feng , 48 , Liu Nei Li , 40 , and their daughter Anny .
The family left their home in a 2008 gray Toyota Highlander , Colorado license plate 231-REZ .
Investigators are seeking the public ’ s help in locating the family or their vehicle .
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call police at 720-977-5150 .
“ We don ’ t have any indication of foul play at this time , ” Barnes said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working to determine if the illegal marijuana grow plays a role in the family ’ s “ mysterious ” disappearance .

A Thornton family — parents and a 2-year-old girl — have been reported missing, and circumstances surrounding their disappearance are a mystery, police said.
The family was last seen early Monday at their home, 4056 E. 130th Way, according to police.
The couple has a 5-year-old child who was left home alone at the residence, said Matt Barnes, a police spokesman. Extended family members who live nearby found the child alone and unharmed in front of the home about 9 p.m. Monday.
On Wednesday night, police served a search warrant on the home and found an illegal marijuana grow inside, Barnes said.
TPD investigating reported missing family, unknown circumstances surrounding their disappearance. Last seen at their residence, 4056 E. 130th Way, on the morning of 03-30-20, Seeking assistance in locating the family, vehicle, or information as to the status of their welfare. pic.twitter.com/hGZ3tliwzB — Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) April 2, 2020
Extended family members reported the trio missing to police Tuesday night.
Police are looking for Zaiqiao Feng, 48, Liu Nei Li, 40, and their daughter Anny. The family left their home in a 2008 gray Toyota Highlander, Colorado license plate 231-REZ.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help in locating the family or their vehicle. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call police at 720-977-5150.
“We don’t have any indication of foul play at this time,” Barnes said.
An investigation is ongoing and police are working to determine if the illegal marijuana grow plays a role in the family’s “mysterious” disappearance.


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Denver-based Whiting Petroleum files for bankruptcy as coronavirus continues making economic waves

Denver-based Whiting Petroleum said Wednesday that it has filed for bankruptcy , citing the severe drop in oil and gas prices because of the coronavirus pandemic and the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia .
Whiting said in a statement that it took steps to boost its cash flow and cut spending when it eliminated 254 positions , a third of its workforce , in July 2019 .
The company ’ s board of directors decided that filing for Chapter 11 reorganization to negotiate with its creditors would be the best path forward , said Bradley J. Holly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whiting listed $ 3.6 billion in debt and $ 7.6 billion worth of assets in the bankruptcy filing .
The company said it will exchange 97 % of the new equity of the reorganized company for erasure of more than $ 2.2 billion in debt .
Last week , Whiting ’ s board approved about $ 14.6 million in bonuses and incentives to the top executives , including roughly $ 6.4 million for Holly .
Whiting said it has $ 585 million in cash and will continue to operate “ in the normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partners or employees.
” The company didn ’ t respond Wednesday to questions about any layoffs or the payments to the executives .
The oil and gas industry ’ s troubles have prompted DMC Global Inc. to cut 264 positions , about a third of its workforce .
The Broomfield-based company said Wednesday that the reductions , 97 of which are temporary , are being made because of sharply lower oil and gas activity .
“ The workforce reduction principally impacted full-time , part-time and temporary direct-labor roles in manufacturing and assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products business , ” the company said .
Whiting ’ s bankruptcy comes as the oil and gas industry faces huge price drops .
Many companies were laboring under heavy debt when the sudden , massive slowdown in travel and business happened because of the global coronavirus pandemic .
Oil prices have dropped to about $ 20 a barrel and lower .
A price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia that broke out in March when the two couldn ’ t agree on a plan to stabilize prices has dumped more , cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices while demand has nosedived .
Bernadette Johnson , vice president of strategic analytics with Enverus , said it is likely that more oil and gas producers will file for bankruptcy .
She said Whiting is the first public oil and gas company to seek reorganization during the pandemic .
“ Some operators are having a hard time finding buyers , ” said Johnson , who expects oil prices to keep dropping for now .
Whiting is one of the largest operators in North Dakota ’ s Bakken field .
It also operates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil and gas producers in Colorado are cutting back spending and reducing employees ’ pay and hours because of sliding oil prices and demand .
Occidental Petroleum , the dominant player in Colorado ’ s Denver-Julesburg Basin , said Tuesday that it notified employees of a number of measures , including pay reductions , to cope with “ this unprecedented time.
” Noble Energy , the state ’ s second-largest producer by volume , said starting April 6 , it will place roughly 30 % of its U.S. workforce on furlough or part-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full health benefits , the company said .
There ’ s a ripple effect when oil and gas companies cut back production and spending , said Ryan Smith , a senior commodity director at East Daley Capital Advisors in Centennial .
The midstream companies , which process , store and ship oil and gas , are affected when an exploration and production company reorganizes and renegotiates its agreements , Smith said .
However , Smith said as producers cut back , supplies should start dropping and the market should start balancing out .

Denver-based Whiting Petroleum said Wednesday that it has filed for bankruptcy, citing the severe drop in oil and gas prices because of the coronavirus pandemic and the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Whiting said in a statement that it took steps to boost its cash flow and cut spending when it eliminated 254 positions, a third of its workforce, in July 2019.
The company’s board of directors decided that filing for Chapter 11 reorganization to negotiate with its creditors would be the best path forward, said Bradley J. Holly, Whiting chairman, president and CEO.
Whiting listed $3.6 billion in debt and $7.6 billion worth of assets in the bankruptcy filing. The company said it will exchange 97% of the new equity of the reorganized company for erasure of more than $2.2 billion in debt.
Last week, Whiting’s board approved about $14.6 million in bonuses and incentives to the top executives, including roughly $6.4 million for Holly.
Whiting said it has $585 million in cash and will continue to operate “in the normal course without material disruption to its vendors, partners or employees.”
The company didn’t respond Wednesday to questions about any layoffs or the payments to the executives.
The oil and gas industry’s troubles have prompted DMC Global Inc. to cut 264 positions, about a third of its workforce. The Broomfield-based company said Wednesday that the reductions, 97 of which are temporary, are being made because of sharply lower oil and gas activity.
“The workforce reduction principally impacted full-time, part-time and temporary direct-labor roles in manufacturing and assembly at DynaEnergetics, DMC’s oilfield products business,” the company said.
Whiting’s bankruptcy comes as the oil and gas industry faces huge price drops. Many companies were laboring under heavy debt when the sudden, massive slowdown in travel and business happened because of the global coronavirus pandemic. Oil prices have dropped to about $20 a barrel and lower.
A price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia that broke out in March when the two couldn’t agree on a plan to stabilize prices has dumped more, cheap oil in the market, further depressing prices while demand has nosedived.
Bernadette Johnson, vice president of strategic analytics with Enverus, said it is likely that more oil and gas producers will file for bankruptcy. She said Whiting is the first public oil and gas company to seek reorganization during the pandemic.
“Some operators are having a hard time finding buyers,” said Johnson, who expects oil prices to keep dropping for now.
Whiting is one of the largest operators in North Dakota’s Bakken field. It also operates in northeast Colorado.
The top two oil and gas producers in Colorado are cutting back spending and reducing employees’ pay and hours because of sliding oil prices and demand. Occidental Petroleum, the dominant player in Colorado’s Denver-Julesburg Basin, said Tuesday that it notified employees of a number of measures, including pay reductions, to cope with “this unprecedented time.”
Noble Energy, the state’s second-largest producer by volume, said starting April 6, it will place roughly 30% of its U.S. workforce on furlough or part-time hours. Workers will continue to receive full health benefits, the company said.
There’s a ripple effect when oil and gas companies cut back production and spending, said Ryan Smith, a senior commodity director at East Daley Capital Advisors in Centennial. The midstream companies, which process, store and ship oil and gas, are affected when an exploration and production company reorganizes and renegotiates its agreements, Smith said.
However, Smith said as producers cut back, supplies should start dropping and the market should start balancing out.


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Coronavirus in Colorado: Arenas, college dorms and warehouses could take in patients as health syste

Coronavirus in Colorado: Arenas, college dorms and warehouses could take in patients as health system scales up

As many as 2,000 Coloradans fighting less-severe cases of the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus will lie in hospital beds inside arenas , convention centers or even repurposed warehouses , attended to by a mix of medical professionals and volunteers .
That is the expected reality in just over two weeks under emerging plans for makeshift field hospitals outlined Wednesday by state officials — and it ’ s just the beginning .
By mid-May , they plan to set up 10,000 more beds in hotel rooms , college dormitories , skilled nursing facilities and other places for people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place to quarantine .
Colorado is among states looking at ways to quickly scale-up its hospital system with both large and small facilities .
It ’ s all part of a shift of resources aimed at freeing up space within hospitals to take in the potentially thousands more intensive care patients expected in coming weeks as cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , continue to explode .
The plans echo rapid efforts in New York City , where a 68-bed tent hospital opened this week in Central Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up inside a large Manhattan convention center .
“ It is incredibly important to understand that the physical space and capacity within our healthcare system will be challenged , ” said Scott Bookman , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ’ s incident commander for the coronavirus pandemic , during a state briefing Wednesday .
“ Our job is to create more space within that system.
” Several large buildings constructed for completely different purposes are part of the discussion with local governments and private operators .
In Loveland , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as two field hospitals as part of a partnership between the state and Larimer County .
In Broomfield , city officials said last week that they were talking with the 1stBank Center about hosting patients .
And in downtown Denver , the Colorado Convention Center is part of the conversation .
“ We ’ re definitely at the table and working on what makes sense , ” said Erika Martinez , a spokesperson for the city ’ s Joint Information Center .
“ At this point , locations aren ’ t set in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army Corps of Engineers , which assisted New York and is advising other states , Colorado officials have begun evaluating potential locations in Grand Junction , Durango , Pueblo and along the Front Range , said Mike Willis , director of the state ’ s Office of Emergency Management .
“ Really the idea is to build capacity regionally around the state so that , depending on how COVID-19 manifests itself , we can decompress hospitals regionally , ” Willis said in an interview .
With a disaster declaration approved already for Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipate receiving significant financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the field hospitals .
Willis said he signed Colorado ’ s application for a “ mission assignment ” to FEMA on Wednesday .
Colorado ’ s health care system hasn ’ t been overwhelmed by patients yet .
But the number of people hospitalized so far — 620 as of Wednesday ’ s CDPHE data release — has been increasing rapidly .
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases reached 3,342 , and 80 people have died .
The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but experts say people older than 60 and those with other conditions are more likely to develop severe illnesses .
Thousands will fall into this category soon , public health models predict , even as Colorado ’ s stay-at-home order and other restrictive measures are expected to tamp down the still-exponential spread of the virus .
How the makeshift expansion will work Earlier this week , CDPHE officials outlined plans to expand the health care system ’ s capacity by summer .
But on Wednesday , spooked by hospitalization projections , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ wildly important goals ” for coming weeks , as Bookman put it during a news conference , start with increasing the number of intensive care unit ( ICU ) beds inside hospitals across the state from 1,849 to 5,000 — all by April 18 .
That number would accommodate the worst-case ICU capacity needed to treat patients with the most severe conditions around that time , which is when hospitalizations are expected to peak , he said .
Many of those patients will need ventilators , dialysis or other equipment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ administration has been trying to address potential shortages of those items , too .
During Wednesday ’ s briefing , Bookman outlined a four-tier classification system for patients and the facilities that will treat them , with some patients being moved as their conditions worsen or improve : • Tier 1 patients will go to intensive care units in hospitals , including beds in areas not usually used for that purpose .
• Tier 2 patients with less-severe cases but who still need closely monitored care will be treated in outpatient surgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical-access hospitals , Bookman said .
Hospital operators are coordinating to free up those beds now .
• The new field hospitals come into play for Tier 3 patients with “ sub-acute ” conditions .
They will receive treatment and periodic monitoring in arenas , warehouses , stadiums or convention centers , among other possible sites set up by April 18 • Tier 4 facilities , potentially including hotels , dorms and other places that would open by May 15 , would provide basic supervision for people with mild symptoms as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive ICU capacity and the 12,000 beds in Tier 3 and 4 facilities really all be needed ?
It ’ s hard to say , state officials acknowledge , and they don ’ t want to be caught in a situation in which doctors are rationing resources to patients on their deathbeds .
Some projection models estimate the peak shortage of ICU beds here will be much lower than the upwards of 3,000 the state is trying to add , for instance .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage of fewer than 800 ICU beds — or as many as 1,500 in an upper-range estimate — by mid-April , when it agrees that hospitalizations are likely to peak .
“ There are a lot of models out there , ” Willis said , “ and they range from really draconian to not a big deal , ” relatively speaking .
“ It ’ s very challenging to reconcile all those different models .
… We really put a lot of thought and energy into ( asking ) , what is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under this really ambiguous environment .
That ’ s how we came up with these numbers.
” Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

As many as 2,000 Coloradans fighting less-severe cases of the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus will lie in hospital beds inside arenas, convention centers or even repurposed warehouses, attended to by a mix of medical professionals and volunteers.
That is the expected reality in just over two weeks under emerging plans for makeshift field hospitals outlined Wednesday by state officials — and it’s just the beginning. By mid-May, they plan to set up 10,000 more beds in hotel rooms, college dormitories, skilled nursing facilities and other places for people in need only of basic medical supervision or a place to quarantine.
Colorado is among states looking at ways to quickly scale-up its hospital system with both large and small facilities. It’s all part of a shift of resources aimed at freeing up space within hospitals to take in the potentially thousands more intensive care patients expected in coming weeks as cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, continue to explode.
The plans echo rapid efforts in New York City, where a 68-bed tent hospital opened this week in Central Park, joining a 1,200-bed field hospital set up inside a large Manhattan convention center.
“It is incredibly important to understand that the physical space and capacity within our healthcare system will be challenged,” said Scott Bookman, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s incident commander for the coronavirus pandemic, during a state briefing Wednesday. “Our job is to create more space within that system.”
Several large buildings constructed for completely different purposes are part of the discussion with local governments and private operators.
In Loveland, the Budweiser Events Center could host as many as two field hospitals as part of a partnership between the state and Larimer County. In Broomfield, city officials said last week that they were talking with the 1stBank Center about hosting patients. And in downtown Denver, the Colorado Convention Center is part of the conversation.
“We’re definitely at the table and working on what makes sense,” said Erika Martinez, a spokesperson for the city’s Joint Information Center. “At this point, locations aren’t set in stone.”
With help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which assisted New York and is advising other states, Colorado officials have begun evaluating potential locations in Grand Junction, Durango, Pueblo and along the Front Range, said Mike Willis, director of the state’s Office of Emergency Management.
“Really the idea is to build capacity regionally around the state so that, depending on how COVID-19 manifests itself, we can decompress hospitals regionally,” Willis said in an interview.
With a disaster declaration approved already for Colorado by President Donald Trump, state officials anticipate receiving significant financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the field hospitals. Willis said he signed Colorado’s application for a “mission assignment” to FEMA on Wednesday.
Colorado’s health care system hasn’t been overwhelmed by patients yet. But the number of people hospitalized so far — 620 as of Wednesday’s CDPHE data release — has been increasing rapidly. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases reached 3,342, and 80 people have died.
The vast majority of cases do not require hospitalization, but experts say people older than 60 and those with other conditions are more likely to develop severe illnesses. Thousands will fall into this category soon, public health models predict, even as Colorado’s stay-at-home order and other restrictive measures are expected to tamp down the still-exponential spread of the virus.
How the makeshift expansion will work
Earlier this week, CDPHE officials outlined plans to expand the health care system’s capacity by summer. But on Wednesday, spooked by hospitalization projections, they sped up the timeline.
Colorado’s “wildly important goals” for coming weeks, as Bookman put it during a news conference, start with increasing the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds inside hospitals across the state from 1,849 to 5,000 — all by April 18.
That number would accommodate the worst-case ICU capacity needed to treat patients with the most severe conditions around that time, which is when hospitalizations are expected to peak, he said. Many of those patients will need ventilators, dialysis or other equipment to survive, and Gov. Jared Polis’ administration has been trying to address potential shortages of those items, too.
During Wednesday’s briefing, Bookman outlined a four-tier classification system for patients and the facilities that will treat them, with some patients being moved as their conditions worsen or improve:
Tier 1 patients will go to intensive care units in hospitals, including beds in areas not usually used for that purpose.
Tier 2 patients with less-severe cases but who still need closely monitored care will be treated in outpatient surgical centers, freestanding emergency departments and other critical-access hospitals, Bookman said. Hospital operators are coordinating to free up those beds now.
The new field hospitals come into play for Tier 3 patients with “sub-acute” conditions. They will receive treatment and periodic monitoring in arenas, warehouses, stadiums or convention centers, among other possible sites set up by April 18
Tier 4 facilities, potentially including hotels, dorms and other places that would open by May 15, would provide basic supervision for people with mild symptoms as well as providing places to quarantine.
Will the extensive ICU capacity and the 12,000 beds in Tier 3 and 4 facilities really all be needed? It’s hard to say, state officials acknowledge, and they don’t want to be caught in a situation in which doctors are rationing resources to patients on their deathbeds.
Some projection models estimate the peak shortage of ICU beds here will be much lower than the upwards of 3,000 the state is trying to add, for instance. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimates Colorado would have a shortage of fewer than 800 ICU beds — or as many as 1,500 in an upper-range estimate — by mid-April, when it agrees that hospitalizations are likely to peak.
“There are a lot of models out there,” Willis said, “and they range from really draconian to not a big deal,” relatively speaking. “It’s very challenging to reconcile all those different models. … We really put a lot of thought and energy into (asking), what is the right course of action that is prudent under this really ambiguous environment. That’s how we came up with these numbers.”
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--CHSAA spring sports and activities suspension extended through April 30

The Colorado High School Activities Association extended its spring sports and activities suspension to April 30 , mirroring state extensions @ @ @ @ @ and social distancing guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic .
According to a story posted @ @ @ @ @ regarding spring activities potentially resuming will depend on students ’ abilities to return to in-person @ @ @ @ @ the suspension to April 18 , but bumped it through the end of the month @ @ @ @ @ Polis announced that public and private schools would remain closed to in-person learning through the @ @ @

The Colorado High School Activities Association extended its spring sports and activities suspension to April 30, mirroring state extensions announced Wednesday for school closures and social distancing guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a story posted on CHSAANow.com, “decisions regarding spring activities potentially resuming will depend on students’ abilities to return to in-person instruction.”
CHSAA recently extended the suspension to April 18, but bumped it through the end of the month Wednesday after Gov. Jared Polis announced that public and private schools would remain closed to in-person learning through the same period.


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Rockies’ Daniel Murphy donates $100,000 to help minor league players affected by coronavirus pandemi

Rockies’ Daniel Murphy donates $100,000 to help minor league players affected by coronavirus pandemic

With many poorly paid minor leaguers facing a daunting financial future because of baseball ’ s indefinite postponement , Rockies @ @ @ @ @ stepping up to the plate in a big way .
Murphy donated $ 100,000 to @ @ @ @ @ Baseball and Our Baseball Life as a way to help minor league families in need @ @ @ @ @ Murphy ’ s donation kicks off the public fundraiser for the organizations ’ “ family @ @ @ @ @ Rockies veteran joins Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo ( $ 190,000 ) and Cardinals pitcher Adam @ @ @ @ @ as major leaguers who have donated money to help minor leaguers .
On Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ to give financial support for minor leaguers had been extended through May 31 .
For @ @ @ @ @ means $ 400 a week in assistance .

With many poorly paid minor leaguers facing a daunting financial future because of baseball’s indefinite postponement, Rockies first baseman Daniel Murphy is stepping up to the plate in a big way.
Murphy donated $100,000 to a partnership between More Than Baseball and Our Baseball Life as a way to help minor league families in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Murphy’s donation kicks off the public fundraiser for the organizations’ “family assistance fund”.
The Rockies veteran joins Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo ($190,000) and Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright ($250,000) as major leaguers who have donated money to help minor leaguers.
On Tuesday, the league announced its initiative to give financial support for minor leaguers had been extended through May 31. For Rockies minor leaguers, that means $400 a week in assistance.