thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Rockies Mailbag: Should Colorado fans just embrace the lovable loser mentality?

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag .
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag .
Patrick , spring training 2.0 at Coors Field would be sweet .
Do you think they would televise any of the return as fans are missing the game right now ?
— Todd , Arvada Todd , that ’ s a good question , but one I can ’ t really answer at this time .
I would imagine that parts of practice might be caught on video , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage .
There are so many obstacles that Major League Baseball has to overcome to make spring training 2.0 a reality .
Here are some answered questions : • Would there be any practice games before the regular season begins or would teams have to be content with intra-squad games ?
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had an interesting story about the Cardinals the other day in which John Mozeliak , president of baseball operations , talked holding spring training at Busch Stadium : “ The potential of using Busch Stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ intrigues the Cardinals because it centralizes the workouts and gets the team home as soon as possible .
Having one field — and not an array of them , as they do in Jupiter — would require practices to happen in shifts , but that could conform to social distancing rules at the time .
The roster would have to be streamlined as well .
A spring training-like event at Busch would also limit or eliminate the Cardinals ’ ability to play exhibition games .
“ That ’ s a big question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would put it in this perspective : Having exhibition games at this point is a lesser priority than just getting back and getting the game going again.
” • We know that fans would not be allowed to attend practices at Coors Field , and we also know that should the season begin in July , fans would not be in the stands .
What we don ’ t know is if the media would be allowed to attend games or practice .
TV and radio would certainly be given access to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not heard anything about writers such as myself .
• We don ’ t know the timetable or the length of spring training 2.0 .
From what I have been told , camp would likely be 3-4 weeks long so that pitchers could build up their pitch count .
Patrick , what would it take for Rockies fans to accept mediocrity and embrace the lovable loser mentality ?
The Cubs were perpetual losers for the better part of a century but were always wildly popular in Chicago .
I ’ m sure there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of competitiveness , but going to Wrigley Field and supporting the Cubs no matter what seemed to be hard-wired into generations of Cubs fans .
I ’ m guessing it was the same for several generations of Red Sox fans .
Do you think we can get there with the Rockies ?
— Matt , Denver Matt , I ’ ve never looked at it like that , and I ’ m not sure if your question is legit or pure sarcasm .
Anyway , I ’ ll give it a shot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ever be loveable losers in Colorado , for a couple of reasons .
First of all , the Cubs and the Red Sox have multiple generations of fans , while the Rockies only have a few .
Second , the Cubs and Red Sox are iconic franchises , built up over more than 100 years .
The Rockies have been around for only 27 years .
It makes a difference .
It ’ s no accident that Cubs fans and Red Sox fans arrive in droves at Coors Field when their teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sox fans are found all over the country , with a lot of them transplanted in Colorado .
Our state remains a place of transplants .
Back in the day , WGN , one of the first national cable TV stations , helped spread “ Cubmania.
” The Rockies will never have a similar phenomenon .
For those interested , here is a link to a fascinating story about the Cubs ’ popularity — despite many years of terrible teams .
It ’ s written for the Society of American Baseball Research ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor at Northwestern University .
It is starting to feel like we might actually have some kind of a baseball season this summer .
I understand that it could be with no fans .
Do you think in 2020 we will be able to attend a baseball game ?
I just miss going to the ballpark and will really enjoy that first dog and beer when given the opportunity .
— Scotty , LoDo Scotty , I miss baseball , too .
We ’ ll all celebrate when it returns .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going to be a season I would have said the chances were less than 50-50 .
I ’ m much more optimistic now and I do think a season will be played , most likely with 80-90 games .
In a story last week , I wrote about the chances of baseball returning and the hurdles that must be overcome .
Ideally , MLB would like to see some fans in the stands late in the season – perhaps in August or September – but that hope depends on the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At this point , I think it ’ s unlikely that fans will be allowed in ballparks .
I hope I ’ m wrong .
I watched Game 163 the other night and have to admit that it is my favorite Coors Field memory .
You being around the team for so long had me thinking what yours might be .
Could you give us your Top 5 ?
— Jackie , Denver Jackie , Game 163 is my favorite , too .
My wife , Nancy , and I stayed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
We even cooked up some brats and drank a couple of beers .
Earlier this spring , I wrote a series about the top-25 moments in Coors Field history .
I tried to come up with the most significant and important moments .
As for my personal favorites , here ’ s my top-five list : 1 .
Game 163 and Matt Holliday crash-landing at home plate in the 13th inning .
2 .
Game 4 of the 2007 NLCS which sent the Rockies – and Todd Helton – to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arenado ’ s walk-off home run to complete the cycle on Father ’ s Day 2017 .
4 .
Dante Bichette christening Coors Field with a walk-off homer in the first game at the ballpark on April 26 , 1995 .
5 .
Helton ’ s two-run , walk-off homer off closer Takashi Saito for a 9-8 victory , capping a doubleheader sweep of the Dodgers and keeping the Rockies ’ faint playoff hopes alive in 2007 .
The homer sparked what would become “ Rocktober.
” Helton acted like a little kid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witness his joy .
Patrick , my family has always loved Coors Field and the landscaping in front of the batters eye in center field .
What year did the team install it ?
If you have any insider information on it please share .
— Billy , Aurora Billy , I love it , too .
I once told a visiting writer that a family of coyotes was living back among the trees and the waterfall .
I also said that deer came out to the outfield on occasion .
For a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
Anyway , two years ago I wrote a feature about Mark Razum , the head groundskeeper at Coors Field .
He ’ s one of my favorite people in the Rockies organization .
This is what I wrote regarding the landscaping beyond the center-field wall : When Razum needs a few moments of serenity , he heads to the “ forest ” behind the center-field wall and near the visitor ’ s bullpen .
Casual Rockies fans might know that this area is where seven fountains shoot water 40 feet into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a home run , and during the seventh-inning stretch .
But the little park within a ballpark is a slice of the Rocky Mountains , beautifully maintained by Doug Zabinski .
Beneath the green batter ’ s eye — covered by a vine called Virginia creeper — live pine trees and native grasses .
Thirty-two hundred gallons of recycled water per minute flow over 10-12 ton boulders , creating three waterfalls and a large pond that collects its share of baseballs .
The natural area features seven different kinds of Colorado trees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granite marble boulders .
When Coors Field first opened , the area was a sod farm , but Gebhard was instrumental in turning it into a quiet piece of paradise in 1996 .
“ This is my favorite spot , especially early in the morning , ” Raz said .
“ It ’ s so still and quiet .
Just outside the walls , traffic is getting jammed up and people are rushing to work .
But I ’ m already here , taking all of this in .
You know , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you forget what a great place this is .
“ But all I have to do is get out here and then look back at that field .
I take it all in .
Yeah , I have a pretty cool job.
” A story that ran in the paper last month about the three general managers in Rockies history was very interesting , to say the least .
When you tried to assess each GM ’ s worst move , you failed miserably .
I ’ m also wondering when — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask Jeff Bidrich why he got rid of DJ LeMahieu and Adam Ottavino ?
All of the baseball writers in Denver act like they ’ re afraid to talk to “ Jeff the Arrogant.
” The arrogant one never even talked to DJ instead he turns to Daniel Murphy , who nobody wanted .
Nobody has ever asked why he got rid of Adam Ottavino and kept Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee .
Is this guy ever going to be held accountable ?
I can see it all now , get rid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brendan Rodgers is the next superstar .
— Tim Custy , Denver First of all , as a beat writer , I have to keep some semblance of a relationship with the Rockies ’ GM , even though Bridich has made it clear he has little respect for what I do .
I also attempt to be fair and balanced .
Should I be tougher ?
Perhaps , but I also want to be a professional , not a ranting fan .
In regard to LeMahiue ’ s departure , I did write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the Rockies were going to let him walk .
In a 2018 article , I made it clear that while LeMahieu wanted to stay in Colorado , chances were he wasn ’ t going to return for 2019 .
This was Bridich ’ s response to me at the time : “ I feel like there is mutual respect on both sides , and there would be no acrimony involved in any decision regarding DJ ’ s future , ” Bridich said .
“ It ’ s tough to say at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But I do know that most players don ’ t like to deal with ( contracts ) during the middle of the season , and I feel the same way — I would rather not do that.
” The example above is the kind of answer I ’ ve come to expect from Bridich .
He is not going to give me a better answer just because I hound him .
That ’ s simply not the way he operates .
For example , in February , on the day pitchers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first question I asked Bridich was about his strained relationship with all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado , who said he felt that Bridich has “ disrespected ” him .
Here was his cryptic response : “ Nothing .
There is no comment .
I haven ’ t had any comment to this point , so we ’ ll move past that .
Next question.
” Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag .
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag @

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Patrick, spring training 2.0 at Coors Field would be sweet. Do you think they would televise any of the return as fans are missing the game right now?
— Todd, Arvada
Todd, that’s a good question, but one I can’t really answer at this time. I would imagine that parts of practice might be caught on video, but I don’t know about any live coverage. There are so many obstacles that Major League Baseball has to overcome to make spring training 2.0 a reality.
Here are some answered questions:
Would there be any practice games before the regular season begins or would teams have to be content with intra-squad games?
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had an interesting story about the Cardinals the other day in which John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, talked holding spring training at Busch Stadium:
“The potential of using Busch Stadium as their site for ‘Camp 2.0’ intrigues the Cardinals because it centralizes the workouts and gets the team home as soon as possible. Having one field — and not an array of them, as they do in Jupiter — would require practices to happen in shifts, but that could conform to social distancing rules at the time. The roster would have to be streamlined as well. A spring training-like event at Busch would also limit or eliminate the Cardinals’ ability to play exhibition games.
“That’s a big question,” Mozeliak conceded. “I would put it in this perspective: Having exhibition games at this point is a lesser priority than just getting back and getting the game going again.”
We know that fans would not be allowed to attend practices at Coors Field, and we also know that should the season begin in July, fans would not be in the stands. What we don’t know is if the media would be allowed to attend games or practice. TV and radio would certainly be given access to bring games to the public but we have not heard anything about writers such as myself.
We don’t know the timetable or the length of spring training 2.0. From what I have been told, camp would likely be 3-4 weeks long so that pitchers could build up their pitch count.
Patrick, what would it take for Rockies fans to accept mediocrity and embrace the lovable loser mentality? The Cubs were perpetual losers for the better part of a century but were always wildly popular in Chicago. I’m sure there was plenty of grumbling about their lack of competitiveness, but going to Wrigley Field and supporting the Cubs no matter what seemed to be hard-wired into generations of Cubs fans. I’m guessing it was the same for several generations of Red Sox fans. Do you think we can get there with the Rockies?
— Matt, Denver
Matt, I’ve never looked at it like that, and I’m not sure if your question is legit or pure sarcasm. Anyway, I’ll give it a shot.
I don’t think the Rockies will ever be loveable losers in Colorado, for a couple of reasons. First of all, the Cubs and the Red Sox have multiple generations of fans, while the Rockies only have a few. Second, the Cubs and Red Sox are iconic franchises, built up over more than 100 years. The Rockies have been around for only 27 years. It makes a difference.
It’s no accident that Cubs fans and Red Sox fans arrive in droves at Coors Field when their teams come to Denver. Cubs and Red Sox fans are found all over the country, with a lot of them transplanted in Colorado. Our state remains a place of transplants. Back in the day, WGN, one of the first national cable TV stations, helped spread “Cubmania.” The Rockies will never have a similar phenomenon.
For those interested, here is a link to a fascinating story about the Cubs’ popularity — despite many years of terrible teams. It’s written for the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) by Bill Savage, a professor at Northwestern University.
It is starting to feel like we might actually have some kind of a baseball season this summer. I understand that it could be with no fans. Do you think in 2020 we will be able to attend a baseball game? I just miss going to the ballpark and will really enjoy that first dog and beer when given the opportunity.
— Scotty, LoDo
Scotty, I miss baseball, too. We’ll all celebrate when it returns.
If you had asked my in mid-April if there was going to be a season I would have said the chances were less than 50-50. I’m much more optimistic now and I do think a season will be played, most likely with 80-90 games.
In a story last week, I wrote about the chances of baseball returning and the hurdles that must be overcome.
Ideally, MLB would like to see some fans in the stands late in the season – perhaps in August or September – but that hope depends on the state of the coronavirus as the summer goes on. At this point, I think it’s unlikely that fans will be allowed in ballparks. I hope I’m wrong.
I watched Game 163 the other night and have to admit that it is my favorite Coors Field memory. You being around the team for so long had me thinking what yours might be. Could you give us your Top 5?
— Jackie, Denver
Jackie, Game 163 is my favorite, too. My wife, Nancy, and I stayed up late the other night and watched it again. We even cooked up some brats and drank a couple of beers.
Earlier this spring, I wrote a series about the top-25 moments in Coors Field history. I tried to come up with the most significant and important moments.
As for my personal favorites, here’s my top-five list:
1. Game 163 and Matt Holliday crash-landing at home plate in the 13th inning.
2. Game 4 of the 2007 NLCS which sent the Rockies – and Todd Helton – to their only World Series.
3. Nolan Arenado’s walk-off home run to complete the cycle on Father’s Day 2017.
4. Dante Bichette christening Coors Field with a walk-off homer in the first game at the ballpark on April 26, 1995.
5. Helton’s two-run, walk-off homer off closer Takashi Saito for a 9-8 victory, capping a doubleheader sweep of the Dodgers and keeping the Rockies’ faint playoff hopes alive in 2007. The homer sparked what would become “Rocktober.” Helton acted like a little kid that night and it was incredible to witness his joy.
Patrick, my family has always loved Coors Field and the landscaping in front of the batters eye in center field. What year did the team install it? If you have any insider information on it please share.
— Billy, Aurora
Billy, I love it, too. I once told a visiting writer that a family of coyotes was living back among the trees and the waterfall. I also said that deer came out to the outfield on occasion. For a brief moment, I think he believed me.
Anyway, two years ago I wrote a feature about Mark Razum, the head groundskeeper at Coors Field. He’s one of my favorite people in the Rockies organization.
This is what I wrote regarding the landscaping beyond the center-field wall:
When Razum needs a few moments of serenity, he heads to the “forest” behind the center-field wall and near the visitor’s bullpen. Casual Rockies fans might know that this area is where seven fountains shoot water 40 feet into the air when the home team hits a home run, and during the seventh-inning stretch. But the little park within a ballpark is a slice of the Rocky Mountains, beautifully maintained by Doug Zabinski.
Beneath the green batter’s eye — covered by a vine called Virginia creeper — live pine trees and native grasses. Thirty-two hundred gallons of recycled water per minute flow over 10-12 ton boulders, creating three waterfalls and a large pond that collects its share of baseballs. The natural area features seven different kinds of Colorado trees, as well as Navajo ruby sandstone and granite marble boulders. When Coors Field first opened, the area was a sod farm, but Gebhard was instrumental in turning it into a quiet piece of paradise in 1996.
“This is my favorite spot, especially early in the morning,” Raz said. “It’s so still and quiet. Just outside the walls, traffic is getting jammed up and people are rushing to work. But I’m already here, taking all of this in. You know, sometimes you get so locked into your work, you forget what a great place this is.
“But all I have to do is get out here and then look back at that field. I take it all in. Yeah, I have a pretty cool job.”
A story that ran in the paper last month about the three general managers in Rockies history was very interesting, to say the least. When you tried to assess each GM’s worst move, you failed miserably. I’m also wondering when — if ever — is someone going to ask Jeff Bidrich why he got rid of DJ LeMahieu and Adam Ottavino? All of the baseball writers in Denver act like they’re afraid to talk to “Jeff the Arrogant.” The arrogant one never even talked to DJ instead he turns to Daniel Murphy, who nobody wanted. Nobody has ever asked why he got rid of Adam Ottavino and kept Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. Is this guy ever going to be held accountable? I can see it all now, get rid of Arenado and try to convince us that Brendan Rodgers is the next superstar.
— Tim Custy, Denver
Well, Tim, that’s quite a rant.
First of all, as a beat writer, I have to keep some semblance of a relationship with the Rockies’ GM, even though Bridich has made it clear he has little respect for what I do. I also attempt to be fair and balanced. Should I be tougher? Perhaps, but I also want to be a professional, not a ranting fan.
In regard to LeMahiue’s departure, I did write stories in which I attempted to understand why the Rockies were going to let him walk. In a 2018 article, I made it clear that while LeMahieu wanted to stay in Colorado, chances were he wasn’t going to return for 2019.
This was Bridich’s response to me at the time:
“I feel like there is mutual respect on both sides, and there would be no acrimony involved in any decision regarding DJ’s future,” Bridich said. “It’s tough to say at this point of the season what could happen. But I do know that most players don’t like to deal with (contracts) during the middle of the season, and I feel the same way — I would rather not do that.”
The example above is the kind of answer I’ve come to expect from Bridich. He is not going to give me a better answer just because I hound him. That’s simply not the way he operates.
For example, in February, on the day pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, the first question I asked Bridich was about his strained relationship with all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who said he felt that Bridich has “disrespected” him.
Here was his cryptic response: “Nothing. There is no comment. I haven’t had any comment to this point, so we’ll move past that. Next question.”
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Who could the Broncos face in Super Bowl LV? Here are the odds.

You could win $ 1,500 on a $ 10 bet if the Broncos take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at Super Bowl LV .
Oddsmaker BetOnline has unveiled the odds for every Super Bowl LV possibility .
The top three favorites include the Chiefs against either the Saints , 49ers or Buccaneers , all at 25-to-1 odds .
The worst ?
Washington against either the Bengals or Jaguars at 500/1 .
In terms of reaching the Super Bowl , the Broncos are ranked 11th among the 16 AFC teams with 22/1 odds .
They have 50/1 odds to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a look at the odds of who could face the Broncos at Super Bowl LV in Tampa , Florida : If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
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You could win $1,500 on a $10 bet if the Broncos take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at Super Bowl LV.
Oddsmaker BetOnline has unveiled the odds for every Super Bowl LV possibility. The top three favorites include the Chiefs against either the Saints, 49ers or Buccaneers, all at 25-to-1 odds. The worst? Washington against either the Bengals or Jaguars at 500/1.
In terms of reaching the Super Bowl, the Broncos are ranked 11th among the 16 AFC teams with 22/1 odds. They have 50/1 odds to win the Lombardi Trophy.
Here’s a look at the odds of who could face the Broncos at Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida:
• New Orleans Saints — 150/1
• San Francisco 49ers — 150/1
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 150/1
• Dallas Cowboys — 250/1
• Philadelphia Eagles — 250/1
• Seattle Seahawks — 250/1
• Green Bay Packers — 300/1
• Minnesota Vikings — 350/1
• Chicago Bears — 400/1
• Los Angeles Rams — 400/1
• Arizona Cardinals — 500/1
• Atlanta Falcons — 500/1
• New York Giants — 750/1
• Detroit Lions — 1000/1
• Carolina Panthers — 1000/1
• Washington Redskins — 1500/1
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
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thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Home sales and new listings plunge across Colorado in April – but prices don’t

Stay-at-home orders dealt a heavy blow to home sales across the state in April , but they didn ’ t knock the market off its feet , according to a monthly update from the Colorado Association of Realtors .
Open houses were not permitted and in-person visits were limited until the final walk-through , which made marketing homes difficult .
Concerned about their health and job losses , sellers and buyers alike pulled back .
Yet , contracts were closed on 7,590 residences across the state , with minimal discounting , and 6,761 properties were put under contract .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of April , buyers came back out .
“ Everybody expected there would be this massive tanking of our market when it opened back up , but on the contrary , we are back to where we were .
It isn ’ t doom and gloom , ” said Denver-area Realtor Matthew Leprino .
Yet , Leprino said he maintains a cautious outlook .
Unemployment rates have spiked to their highest levels since the Great Depression , consumer credit scores are taking a hit , and lenders are tightening their loan standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would-be buyers in the months ahead .
“ We have rebounded , but now what is next ?
” he said .
Single-family home sales dropped 20.3 % statewide , from 7,444 in April 2019 to 5,930 this April .
Townhome and condo sales fell a steeper 32.4 % , from 2,455 a year ago to 1,660 last month .
Buyers weren ’ t the only ones holding back .
The number of single-family homes that Colorado sellers listed fell 24.1 % last month , from 9,591 in March to 7,281 in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,024 to 2,064 , a decline of 32.1 % over the month .
Single-family listings took 40 days on average to sell statewide in April , down from 47 days the same month a year earlier , while condos and townhomes took 42 days to sell compared to 46 days last year .
Median home sales prices largely held up .
Statewide , they fell 1 % month-over-month , to $ 419,900 , and are still up 5 % over the year .
Condo and townhome prices dropped 4.3 % to $ 315,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % on the year .
A report last week from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors showed similar declines in metro Denver .
There were 3,603 homes and condos sold , a 24.3 % drop month-over-month and a 30.8 % drop year over year .
New listings came in at 4,679 , down 29.8 % from March and 37.8 % from April of 2019 .
Jill Schafer , chairwoman of the DMAR Market Trends Committee , said in the report that buyers mostly avoided making low-ball offers , asking for big discounts or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in metro Denver received 99.96 % of the listing price on average last month .
The median price of a single-family that closed in metro Denver and surrounding counties last month was $ 475,425 , down 2.2 % from March and up 3.35 % from April 2019 .
The median price of a condo sold was $ 322,000 , down 2.4 % from March but still up 6.9 % from a year earlier .
The drop in buying activity was especially pronounced in mountain resort counties , which were hit earlier and harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the CAR report .
Sellers held back listings at a higher rate in metro Denver and in some of the counties on the Eastern Plains .
Across the state , high-end homes saw the biggest drop in demand .
Some agents in higher-priced mountain communities argue that wealthy buyers escaping congested cities will fuel a rebound , while others noted that the collapse in oil and gas prices could reduce demand from Texans and push current owners from that state to sell .
“ We really are unsure of our real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us have ever experienced a health pandemic like we are in now , ” said George Harvey , a Telluride-area Realtor , in comments accompanying the CAR report .

Stay-at-home orders dealt a heavy blow to home sales across the state in April, but they didn’t knock the market off its feet, according to a monthly update from the Colorado Association of Realtors.
Open houses were not permitted and in-person visits were limited until the final walk-through, which made marketing homes difficult. Concerned about their health and job losses, sellers and buyers alike pulled back.
Yet, contracts were closed on 7,590 residences across the state, with minimal discounting, and 6,761 properties were put under contract. And once showings were allowed again at the end of April, buyers came back out.
“Everybody expected there would be this massive tanking of our market when it opened back up, but on the contrary, we are back to where we were. It isn’t doom and gloom,” said Denver-area Realtor Matthew Leprino.
Yet, Leprino said he maintains a cautious outlook. Unemployment rates have spiked to their highest levels since the Great Depression, consumer credit scores are taking a hit, and lenders are tightening their loan standards, all of which could sideline many would-be buyers in the months ahead.
“We have rebounded, but now what is next?” he said.
Single-family home sales dropped 20.3% statewide, from 7,444 in April 2019 to 5,930 this April. Townhome and condo sales fell a steeper 32.4%, from 2,455 a year ago to 1,660 last month.
Buyers weren’t the only ones holding back. The number of single-family homes that Colorado sellers listed fell 24.1% last month, from 9,591 in March to 7,281 in April. Condo and townhome listings dropped from 3,024 to 2,064, a decline of 32.1% over the month.
Single-family listings took 40 days on average to sell statewide in April, down from 47 days the same month a year earlier, while condos and townhomes took 42 days to sell compared to 46 days last year.
Median home sales prices largely held up. Statewide, they fell 1% month-over-month, to $419,900, and are still up 5% over the year. Condo and townhome prices dropped 4.3% to $315,000 on the month but remain up 3.3% on the year.
A report last week from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors showed similar declines in metro Denver. There were 3,603 homes and condos sold, a 24.3% drop month-over-month and a 30.8% drop year over year. New listings came in at 4,679, down 29.8% from March and 37.8% from April of 2019.
Jill Schafer, chairwoman of the DMAR Market Trends Committee, said in the report that buyers mostly avoided making low-ball offers, asking for big discounts or stretching out the sales process. Sellers in metro Denver received 99.96% of the listing price on average last month.
The median price of a single-family that closed in metro Denver and surrounding counties last month was $475,425, down 2.2% from March and up 3.35% from April 2019. The median price of a condo sold was $322,000, down 2.4% from March but still up 6.9% from a year earlier.
The drop in buying activity was especially pronounced in mountain resort counties, which were hit earlier and harder by the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to the CAR report. Sellers held back listings at a higher rate in metro Denver and in some of the counties on the Eastern Plains.
Across the state, high-end homes saw the biggest drop in demand. Some agents in higher-priced mountain communities argue that wealthy buyers escaping congested cities will fuel a rebound, while others noted that the collapse in oil and gas prices could reduce demand from Texans and push current owners from that state to sell.
“We really are unsure of our real estate and tourist economy in that none of us have ever experienced a health pandemic like we are in now,” said George Harvey, a Telluride-area Realtor, in comments accompanying the CAR report.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Ask Amy: Grandparents struggle with COVID-19 restrictions

Dear Amy : In February , my husband and I had COVID-19 , and it was a tough struggle .
Our daughter lives two hours away with our only grandchildren , ( elementary age ) , and her husband , “ Eric.
” Eric is very “ me ” oriented ; he ’ ll wear you down in a discussion so he can win .
He yells and screams a lot , but he ’ s never been physically violent .
We ’ re in a state that has a mandatory shelter-in-place .
I ’ ve talked to my daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been sheltered for four weeks .
Two days ago , my SIL broke our state ’ s guidelines and went kayaking with two of his friends .
What happens now ?
Do we refuse all visits , even though we haven ’ t seen our daughter and grandkids for a month ?
The very last thing we need is to get this monster virus again — we ’ re in our 70s .
Otherwise our health is good , but neither my husband nor I have fully recovered ; we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our careful plans were to go TO a safe place FROM a safe place .
Unfortunately , we no longer trust our SIL to help protect us , and he ’ s possibly exposed his wife and kids .
My daughter refuses to see his behavior as alarming .
She feels sorry for him because he had a destitute childhood and he ’ s been cooped up for four weeks .
( The rest of us have , too ! )
What to do ?
What to say ?
Ghost them until there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : You should not have any in-person contact with these family members ( or others ) until you have fully recovered , and medical personnel have declared you free of ( or definitively immune from ) this virus .
Yes , you could possibly become re-infected by outside contact — as of this writing , there are some reports of people possibly having the illness more than once .
You could also continue to expose others .
Your son-in-law should not have violated your state ’ s guidelines for sheltering and social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle or a kayak ) , but the way I read this , you and your husband are both the source and the object of more acute concern because of your current health status .
Yes , you will all have to wait longer to see one another .
In terms of your son-in-law ’ s behavior toward his family , I hope you will stay in very close touch with your daughter .
Don ’ t attack him , forcing her into a defensive crouch .
Always convey that you are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much of a hothead as it sounds , she will need your support .
Dear Amy : “ Skied Out ” described an unsatisfying ski vacation with cousins .
I loved your description of how the guests had behaved while on this shared vacation : “ They hit the four benchmarks of anti-social behavior : Stingy , entitled , complaining , and ungrateful.
” When I ’ m in a similar situation , I experience resentment ( defined as “ pre-meditated expectations ” in 12-step circles ) , as well as self-pity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve stewed over my hurt feelings and the unfairness .
Now , I look at my metaphorical side of the street , call it my “ dress rehearsal , ” and determine what I ’ ll do differently in the future .
Practice , practice , practice .
I ’ m all about preventing regrets if it ’ s possible .
If that ’ s not an option , I divide the regrets into “ livable ” or “ unlivable.
” If it ’ s unlivable , it ’ s unlivable .
Period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I must do something hard .
If I can live with myself and the decision I make for the next day , month , year , etc.
, then it ’ s livable .
More and more , I remind myself that I ’ m doing the best I can with what I know right now .
I am not responsible for what I did not know , but once I do know or have new information , then I AM responsible ( and still doing the best I can ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wonderful Maya Angelou quote : “ I did then what I knew how to do .
Now that I know better , I do better.
” Dear Amy : “ Mr .
Nice Guy ” described his new marriage to a woman whose teen kids ran the show .
Based on my experience and the experience of people I know intimately , the chances of his wife changing at this stage of her life are slim and none ; so if he wants to leave this relationship guilt-free , he needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife to join him , and if there are no changes in one year — leave .
Dear J : I agree that the prospects here were , sadly , not good .

Dear Amy: In February, my husband and I had COVID-19, and it was a tough struggle.
Our daughter lives two hours away with our only grandchildren, (elementary age), and her husband, “Eric.”
Eric is very “me” oriented; he’ll wear you down in a discussion so he can win. He yells and screams a lot, but he’s never been physically violent.
We’re in a state that has a mandatory shelter-in-place. I’ve talked to my daughter about a possible visit since we’ve been sheltered for four weeks.
Two days ago, my SIL broke our state’s guidelines and went kayaking with two of his friends.
What happens now? Do we refuse all visits, even though we haven’t seen our daughter and grandkids for a month?
The very last thing we need is to get this monster virus again — we’re in our 70s. Otherwise our health is good, but neither my husband nor I have fully recovered; we’re improving, but not 100 percent.
Our careful plans were to go TO a safe place FROM a safe place. Unfortunately, we no longer trust our SIL to help protect us, and he’s possibly exposed his wife and kids.
My daughter refuses to see his behavior as alarming. She feels sorry for him because he had a destitute childhood and he’s been cooped up for four weeks. (The rest of us have, too!)
What to do? What to say? Ghost them until there’s a vaccine?
— Recovering in the Pacific NW
Dear Recovering: You should not have any in-person contact with these family members (or others) until you have fully recovered, and medical personnel have declared you free of (or definitively immune from) this virus. Yes, you could possibly become re-infected by outside contact — as of this writing, there are some reports of people possibly having the illness more than once.
You could also continue to expose others.
Your son-in-law should not have violated your state’s guidelines for sheltering and social distancing (hard to remain distant sharing a vehicle or a kayak), but the way I read this, you and your husband are both the source and the object of more acute concern because of your current health status.
Yes, you will all have to wait longer to see one another.
In terms of your son-in-law’s behavior toward his family, I hope you will stay in very close touch with your daughter. Don’t attack him, forcing her into a defensive crouch. Always convey that you are in her corner. If your son-in-law is as much of a hothead as it sounds, she will need your support.
Dear Amy: “Skied Out” described an unsatisfying ski vacation with cousins. I loved your description of how the guests had behaved while on this shared vacation: “They hit the four benchmarks of anti-social behavior: Stingy, entitled, complaining, and ungrateful.”
When I’m in a similar situation, I experience resentment (defined as “pre-meditated expectations” in 12-step circles), as well as self-pity.
When younger, I would’ve stewed over my hurt feelings and the unfairness. Now, I look at my metaphorical side of the street, call it my “dress rehearsal,” and determine what I’ll do differently in the future. Practice, practice, practice.
I’m all about preventing regrets if it’s possible. If that’s not an option, I divide the regrets into “livable” or “unlivable.” If it’s unlivable, it’s unlivable. Period. This gives me clarity, even if I must do something hard. If I can live with myself and the decision I make for the next day, month, year, etc., then it’s livable.
More and more, I remind myself that I’m doing the best I can with what I know right now. I am not responsible for what I did not know, but once I do know or have new information, then I AM responsible (and still doing the best I can).
— C
Dear C: I’m reminded of the wonderful Maya Angelou quote: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”
Practice, practice, practice!
Dear Amy: “Mr. Nice Guy” described his new marriage to a woman whose teen kids ran the show.
Based on my experience and the experience of people I know intimately, the chances of his wife changing at this stage of her life are slim and none; so if he wants to leave this relationship guilt-free, he needs to get into counseling, invite his wife to join him, and if there are no changes in one year — leave.
— J
Dear J: I agree that the prospects here were, sadly, not good.
(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--2020-05-14--Colorado reports first coronavirus outbreaks linked to child care centers

Colorado has identified its first coronavirus outbreaks in child care facilities , with four adults and one child testing positive for the COVID-19 respiratory disease , according to new data released Wednesday by the state ’ s public health department .
All of the cases related to child care were in the Denver metro area .
Orchard Valley Learning Center , in Arapahoe County , reported two adults and one child have tested positive .
The other adult cases were at The Learning Experience Westminster , in Jefferson County .
Children are at a lower risk for severe complications of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York have died from an immune overreaction to the virus .
So far , 6,110 of Colorado ’ s COVID-19 cases and 673 deaths have been linked to 206 outbreaks across Colorado .
That means about 30 % of all cases and 63 % of all deaths have come from a known outbreak .
All told , Colorado now has recorded 1,062 deaths and 20,475 confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 since the virus first was detected in the state in early March , according to the latest state data case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a dairy plant , a mushroom farm , six grocery stores , 17 food manufacturing facilities and 11 prisons or jails .
The vast majority of Colorado ’ s outbreaks are still in facilities serving older people and those with disabilities , though .
Of the 192 active outbreaks , 134 were in residential care facilities .
Five outbreaks in Colorado have exceeded 100 cases , and aren ’ t yet over : The Cherry Creek Nursing Center also had the most deaths of any outbreak in the state .
The other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in nursing facilities : This week , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment declared 14 outbreaks resolved — meaning there ’ s no longer evidence of COVID-19 ’ s spread within that setting .
The resolved outbreaks include a bridge tournament in El Paso County , housing for employees of Copper Mountain and 12 senior living facilities .

Colorado has identified its first coronavirus outbreaks in child care facilities, with four adults and one child testing positive for the COVID-19 respiratory disease, according to new data released Wednesday by the state’s public health department.
All of the cases related to child care were in the Denver metro area. Orchard Valley Learning Center, in Arapahoe County, reported two adults and one child have tested positive. The other adult cases were at The Learning Experience Westminster, in Jefferson County.
Children are at a lower risk for severe complications of COVID-19, though at least three children in New York have died from an immune overreaction to the virus.
So far, 6,110 of Colorado’s COVID-19 cases and 673 deaths have been linked to 206 outbreaks across Colorado. That means about 30% of all cases and 63% of all deaths have come from a known outbreak.
All told, Colorado now has recorded 1,062 deaths and 20,475 confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 since the virus first was detected in the state in early March, according to the latest state data case released Wednesday.
Outbreaks have been reported in a dairy plant, a mushroom farm, six grocery stores, 17 food manufacturing facilities and 11 prisons or jails. The vast majority of Colorado’s outbreaks are still in facilities serving older people and those with disabilities, though. Of the 192 active outbreaks, 134 were in residential care facilities.
Five outbreaks in Colorado have exceeded 100 cases, and aren’t yet over:
Sterling Correctional Facility: 458 cases, 2 deaths
JBS meatpacking plant, Greeley: 316 cases, 6 deaths
Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center, Denver: 184 cases, 0 deaths
Cherry Creek Nursing Center, Aurora: 139 cases, 32 deaths
Orchard Park Health Care Center, Centennial: 129 cases, 5 deaths
The Cherry Creek Nursing Center also had the most deaths of any outbreak in the state. The other outbreaks with the highest death tolls also were in nursing facilities:
Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, Brush: 96 cases, 20 deaths
Centennial Healthcare Center, Greeley: 87 cases, 20 deaths
Laurel Manor Care Center, Colorado Springs: 76 cases, 18 deaths
Mountain Vista Health Care, Wheat Ridge: 72 cases, 15 deaths
Julia Temple Health Care Center, Englewood: 66 cases, 15 deaths
This week, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment declared 14 outbreaks resolved — meaning there’s no longer evidence of COVID-19’s spread within that setting. The resolved outbreaks include a bridge tournament in El Paso County, housing for employees of Copper Mountain and 12 senior living facilities.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--DU Pioneers commit Aidan Thompson of Fort Collins on NHL teams’ radar ahead of draft

If and when the NHL draft takes place next month , Fort Collins native and University of Denver commit Aidan Thompson is in position to hear his name called .
A former youth star with the Rocky Mountain Roughriders and Colorado Thunderbirds , Thompson is ranked 124th by Central Scouting among North American skaters .
He said he ’ s interviewed with “ most ” NHL teams over the phone .
“ I ’ m excited for the draft .
Hopefully , it goes well .
But you never know what could happen , ” he said Wednesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a July 5 virtual draft , with the order based on points percentage for the teams not in position to be included in the preceding draft lottery .
Thompson , 18 , is approaching the three-year anniversary of committing to DU while playing for the 16-under triple-A Thunderbirds .
He did so at age 15 in July 2017 — some three months after the Pioneers won the NCAA championship in Chicago .
Jim Montgomery was Denver ’ s coach at the time , and assistant David Carle was Thompson ’ s primary recruiter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head coach but he can not publicly talk about unsigned recruits .
Thompson will likely join DU as a freshman in the fall of 2021 .
Thompson , who will play junior-A next season for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League , said he never wavered in his decision to commit to DU at such a young age while playing for Berkshire School in Sheffield , Mass.
, over the last two seasons .
He led the Bears in scoring with 52 points ( 20 goals ) in 29 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 18U triple-A team that mostly consisted of players from New England prep schools .
“ I ’ m very excited — I couldn ’ t be more excited and proud to play for DU , ” Thompson said .
“ It ’ s a great program and I ’ m very lucky to have the opportunity .
There ’ s no other school I would want to go to for college .
Committing so early , I guess , shut other doors but … the ( DU ) coaching staff , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the best possible opportunity for me.
” Thompson ’ s father played prep hockey in Minnesota prior to moving to Fort Collins before Aidan was born .
Aidan played mites ( 8-under ) , squirt ( 10-under ) and peewee ( 12-under ) for the Jr. Eagles out of the NoCo Ice Center in Fort Collins before joining the triple-A Roughriders , who play out of the north Denver suburbs .
After one season , he switched to the Thunderbirds , who mostly play out of the south Denver suburbs .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program went to the Thunderbirds .
It was probably better triple-A competition — triple-A travel — around , ” Thompson said .
“ ( The commute from Fort Collins ) , in the end , was probably why I decided to leave and go to prep school .
”

If and when the NHL draft takes place next month, Fort Collins native and University of Denver commit Aidan Thompson is in position to hear his name called.
A former youth star with the Rocky Mountain Roughriders and Colorado Thunderbirds, Thompson is ranked 124th by Central Scouting among North American skaters. He said he’s interviewed with “most” NHL teams over the phone.
“I’m excited for the draft. Hopefully, it goes well. But you never know what could happen,” he said Wednesday.
The NHL last week outlined what could be a July 5 virtual draft, with the order based on points percentage for the teams not in position to be included in the preceding draft lottery.
Thompson, 18, is approaching the three-year anniversary of committing to DU while playing for the 16-under triple-A Thunderbirds. He did so at age 15 in July 2017 — some three months after the Pioneers won the NCAA championship in Chicago.
Jim Montgomery was Denver’s coach at the time, and assistant David Carle was Thompson’s primary recruiter. Carle is now the Pioneers’ head coach but he cannot publicly talk about unsigned recruits. Thompson will likely join DU as a freshman in the fall of 2021.
Thompson, who will play junior-A next season for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League, said he never wavered in his decision to commit to DU at such a young age while playing for Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass., over the last two seasons. He led the Bears in scoring with 52 points (20 goals) in 29 games. He also played 31 games on an 18U triple-A team that mostly consisted of players from New England prep schools.
“I’m very excited — I couldn’t be more excited and proud to play for DU,” Thompson said. “It’s a great program and I’m very lucky to have the opportunity. There’s no other school I would want to go to for college. Committing so early, I guess, shut other doors but … the (DU) coaching staff, the players and how I fit in there is the best possible opportunity for me.”
Thompson’s father played prep hockey in Minnesota prior to moving to Fort Collins before Aidan was born. Aidan played mites (8-under), squirt (10-under) and peewee (12-under) for the Jr. Eagles out of the NoCo Ice Center in Fort Collins before joining the triple-A Roughriders, who play out of the north Denver suburbs.
After one season, he switched to the Thunderbirds, who mostly play out of the south Denver suburbs.
“A lot of the kids from my program went to the Thunderbirds. It was probably better triple-A competition — triple-A travel — around,” Thompson said. “(The commute from Fort Collins), in the end, was probably why I decided to leave and go to prep school.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Former Greeley teacher pleads guilty to sexually assaulting teenage student

A former Greeley school teacher has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage student .
Christopher Adams-Wenger , 32 , @ @ @ @ @ Weld County District Court to one count of sex assault on a child by a @ @ @ @ @ trust , according to a news release .
Adams-Wenger , who taught at Union Colony @ @ @ @ @ “ intimate relationship with a female student between March and September of 2019 , ” @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
He faces a prison sentence of 12 years to life , @ @ @ @ @ A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5 .

A former Greeley school teacher has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage student.
Christopher Adams-Wenger, 32, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Weld County District Court to one count of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, according to a news release.
Adams-Wenger, who taught at Union Colony Preparatory School, had an “intimate relationship with a female student between March and September of 2019,” according to the district attorney’s office.
He faces a prison sentence of 12 years to life, according to the release. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Editorial: Polis’ message to Musk should have been, “shame on you”

Instead of encouraging Elon Musk to move business operations to Colorado , Gov .
Jared Polis should have admonished the billionaire for deliberately disobeying a local coronavirus health order in Alameda County , Calif. Musk reopened a Tesla factory in Fremont despite a local order deeming the factory was non-essential and must be shuttered with other businesses to stem the tide of coronavirus cases .
The dispute led Musk to threaten to pull his factory out of California .
The only problem is that Polis had , a day earlier , admonished a Castle Rock restaurant owner for opening its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health orders and the state health department suspended the restaurant ’ s business license .
“ If the state didn ’ t act and more businesses followed suit , it ’ s a near guarantee that people would lose their lives and it would further delay the opening of legitimate businesses , ” Polis said .
That should have been Polis ’ message to Musk too , and we ’ re confused about what the difference is between opening a manufacturing facility in defiance of a county health order and opening a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypocritical and feeds to the narrative that across the United States , elected officials are selecting winners and losers with their shutdown order .
There is a long proud history of civil disobedience in America .
Our country has created and enforced many unjust and unconstitutional laws and some of those laws have been repealed or struck down by courts only after protesters and activists have been willing to face jail , police brutality and fines as they stood for what was right .
Given the threat of the coronavirus , we think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders closing businesses were just , based on law and applied equally .
We ’ d disagree with those choosing to violate the laws that their civil disobedience is justified , unlike the historic examples from the Civil Rights movement .
Business owners who are understandably eager to restart their businesses should pursue more constructive means of advocating for a change in rules — including demonstrating an ability to operate without contributing to the spread of the virus .
Musk is in the wrong and Polis shouldn ’ t encourage his bad behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Colorado businesses .
Musk is wrong to imply that governors across this nation are infringing on people ’ s liberties with their public health orders — lawmakers across this nation chose to give their executives sweeping powers during a crisis for just such once-in-a-century events .
“ Frankly , I would call it forcible imprisoning of people in their homes against all of their constitutional rights , in my opinion , ” Musk said during the Tesla meeting .
“ It ’ s breaking people ’ s freedoms in ways that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to America or built this country.
” Musk should consider that the preamble to the U.S. Constitution says that in addition to liberty and justice and domestic tranquility , the goal of a more perfect union should be to “ promote the general welfare.
” There are times for civil disobedience , and while we don ’ t think this is such a time , there is also a penalty to pay for disobeying any law and Musk ( who did ask , according to media reports , that he be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared to be treated like any other American violating an order rather than threatening the retaliation of moving his company .
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 .

Instead of encouraging Elon Musk to move business operations to Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis should have admonished the billionaire for deliberately disobeying a local coronavirus health order in Alameda County, Calif.
Musk reopened a Tesla factory in Fremont despite a local order deeming the factory was non-essential and must be shuttered with other businesses to stem the tide of coronavirus cases. The dispute led Musk to threaten to pull his factory out of California.
Polis tweeted:
We want you here @elonmusk in Colorado, we are the best of all worlds. We’re very pro-business, low taxes, also pro-immigration, pro-LGBT, globally-minded. Bright, smart, motivated ppl love to live here. @Tesla HQ, Cybertruck, gigafactory look no further! @kimbal — Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) May 13, 2020
The only problem is that Polis had, a day earlier, admonished a Castle Rock restaurant owner for opening its doors to sit-down customers in defiance of public health orders and the state health department suspended the restaurant’s business license.
“If the state didn’t act and more businesses followed suit, it’s a near guarantee that people would lose their lives and it would further delay the opening of legitimate businesses,” Polis said.
That should have been Polis’ message to Musk too, and we’re confused about what the difference is between opening a manufacturing facility in defiance of a county health order and opening a dining area. Polis’ tweet was hypocritical and feeds to the narrative that across the United States, elected officials are selecting winners and losers with their shutdown order.
There is a long proud history of civil disobedience in America. Our country has created and enforced many unjust and unconstitutional laws and some of those laws have been repealed or struck down by courts only after protesters and activists have been willing to face jail, police brutality and fines as they stood for what was right.
Given the threat of the coronavirus, we think Polis’ emergency declaration and subsequent health orders closing businesses were just, based on law and applied equally. We’d disagree with those choosing to violate the laws that their civil disobedience is justified, unlike the historic examples from the Civil Rights movement. Business owners who are understandably eager to restart their businesses should pursue more constructive means of advocating for a change in rules — including demonstrating an ability to operate without contributing to the spread of the virus.
Musk is in the wrong and Polis shouldn’t encourage his bad behavior, especially after he discouraged bad behavior from Colorado businesses.
Musk is wrong to imply that governors across this nation are infringing on people’s liberties with their public health orders — lawmakers across this nation chose to give their executives sweeping powers during a crisis for just such once-in-a-century events.
“Frankly, I would call it forcible imprisoning of people in their homes against all of their constitutional rights, in my opinion,” Musk said during the Tesla meeting. “It’s breaking people’s freedoms in ways that are horrible and wrong and not why they came to America or built this country.”
Musk should consider that the preamble to the U.S. Constitution says that in addition to liberty and justice and domestic tranquility, the goal of a more perfect union should be to “promote the general welfare.”
There are times for civil disobedience, and while we don’t think this is such a time, there is also a penalty to pay for disobeying any law and Musk (who did ask, according to media reports, that he be the only one arrested) should have been prepared to be treated like any other American violating an order rather than threatening the retaliation of moving his company.
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--2020-05-13--President Trump praises Colorado’s coronavirus response in meeting with Gov. Jared Polis

President Donald Trump praised Colorado ’ s response to the coronavirus , and its Democratic leader , in a meeting at the White House on Wednesday .
“ You ’ re both doing an excellent job , and it ’ s an honor to have you at the White House , ” Trump told Gov .
Jared Polis and North Dakota Gov .
Doug Burgum , a Republican who also was invited .
The White House is grappling with a coronavirus outbreak of its own , and Polis said in a Facebook video ahead of his meeting with Trump that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and came back negative .
Polis , who has been in regular touch with the Trump administration through the coronavirus pandemic , said the president invited him to meet in person , and that he could not turn down that invitation .
Among the other attendees at Wednesday ’ s meeting in the Cabinet Room were Colorado ’ s Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner ; Jill Hunsaker Ryan , the director of the state health department ; Deborah Birx , the White House ’ s coronavirus response coordinator ; and Interior Secretary David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s officials wore masks at the meeting , while the president , Birx and officials from North Dakota did not .
Polis took off his mask during an exchange with Trump .
Polis conveyed optimism about Colorado ’ s gradual reopening , which kicked off late last month , ahead of any other state led by a Democrat and well before most states .
“ People are back , in a safer way , ” Polis told Trump .
“ It ’ s not the way it was.
” As evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , Polis said that he ’ d recently gotten a haircut .
Trump asked how Colorado ’ s ski industry is doing .
“ I go there , as you know , and the ski slopes are fantastic , ” he told Polis , and the governor said he is hopeful that late-season skiing can resume soon .
Polis praised Gardner ’ s work in helping Colorado acquire sorely needed testing supplies , and Gardner returned the compliment : “ The governor ’ s done a good job , and I appreciate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took questions from reporters during the meeting .
Schools in Colorado are closed for in-person instruction for the year , and during his exchange with reporters , Trump indicated he disagrees with that decision .
“ Our country ’ s got to get back , and it ’ s got to get back as soon as possible , ” Trump said Wednesday .
“ I don ’ t consider the country coming back if the schools are closed.
” “ It ’ s subject to tremendous corruption — cheating , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vanguard of the all-mail voting trend , has shown that this is not true .
The state is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the country to vote , and the practice has been touted by Republican and Democratic state election officials alike .
It ’ s also increased voter participation .
Neither Gardner , who was elected during Colorado ’ s first all-mail election , nor Polis addressed the president ’ s remark about voting by mail .
“ I ’ m here to advocate around COVID-19 , around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate or correct the president when he makes inaccurate statements about the reliability of mail-in voting , ” Polis said in a press call after the meeting .
He clearly made an effort not to rankle the president .
Asked whether he was impressed by Trump , Polis said , “ He ’ s the president that we have , ” three times in a 14-second span .
Polis said that he and others , including Trump advisor Jared Kushner , met with the president for more than 20 minutes after the televised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and the need to increase supplies at nursing homes , the governor said .
Polis and Ryan , the health director , flew to D.C. Wednesday on a commercial flight , which Polis told reporters gave him “ some trepidation.
” He said his mission in Washington was seek more federal support , including testing supplies and protective equipment such as N95 masks .
Polis has said many times since March that he ’ s deeply frustrated by the lack of testing infrastructure in this country .
But the first-term governor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has mostly avoided public criticism of Trump and his cabinet , as he typically also avoids public criticism of Colorado Republicans .
Asked by a fellow Reddit user this week what he thinks of the White House ’ s response to the coronavirus , Polis responded with the “ face with hand over mouth ” emoji .
Asked Monday about his “ reluctance to criticize ” the White House , Polis said , “ I ’ ll work with anybody and everybody to help the people of Colorado.
” Polis has occasionally spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic preparedness and response .
In March , he told reporters , “ I ’ m furious that as a leader of the free world , we ’ re being forced to close down restaurants and bars , because the United States , unlike Taiwan , did not have enough ( coronavirus ) tests .
”

President Donald Trump praised Colorado’s response to the coronavirus, and its Democratic leader, in a meeting at the White House on Wednesday.
“You’re both doing an excellent job, and it’s an honor to have you at the White House,” Trump told Gov. Jared Polis and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican who also was invited.
The White House is grappling with a coronavirus outbreak of its own, and Polis said in a Facebook video ahead of his meeting with Trump that he was tested at the White House and came back negative.
Polis, who has been in regular touch with the Trump administration through the coronavirus pandemic, said the president invited him to meet in person, and that he could not turn down that invitation.
Among the other attendees at Wednesday’s meeting in the Cabinet Room were Colorado’s Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner; Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the director of the state health department; Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator; and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a Colorado native.
Colorado’s officials wore masks at the meeting, while the president, Birx and officials from North Dakota did not. Polis took off his mask during an exchange with Trump.
Polis conveyed optimism about Colorado’s gradual reopening, which kicked off late last month, ahead of any other state led by a Democrat and well before most states.
“People are back, in a safer way,” Polis told Trump. “It’s not the way it was.”
As evidence of the return of some commerce in the state, Polis said that he’d recently gotten a haircut.
“Looks good,” Trump responded.
Trump asked how Colorado’s ski industry is doing.
“I go there, as you know, and the ski slopes are fantastic,” he told Polis, and the governor said he is hopeful that late-season skiing can resume soon.
Polis praised Gardner’s work in helping Colorado acquire sorely needed testing supplies, and Gardner returned the compliment: “The governor’s done a good job, and I appreciate that,” he said.
Trump took questions from reporters during the meeting.
Schools in Colorado are closed for in-person instruction for the year, and during his exchange with reporters, Trump indicated he disagrees with that decision.
“Our country’s got to get back, and it’s got to get back as soon as possible,” Trump said Wednesday. “I don’t consider the country coming back if the schools are closed.”
Trump also spoke against all-mail voting.
“It’s subject to tremendous corruption — cheating,” he said.
Colorado, which is at the vanguard of the all-mail voting trend, has shown that this is not true. The state is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the country to vote, and the practice has been touted by Republican and Democratic state election officials alike. It’s also increased voter participation.
Neither Gardner, who was elected during Colorado’s first all-mail election, nor Polis addressed the president’s remark about voting by mail.
“I’m here to advocate around COVID-19, around coronavirus, not to get into a debate or correct the president when he makes inaccurate statements about the reliability of mail-in voting,” Polis said in a press call after the meeting.
He clearly made an effort not to rankle the president. Asked whether he was impressed by Trump, Polis said, “He’s the president that we have,” three times in a 14-second span.
Polis said that he and others, including Trump advisor Jared Kushner, met with the president for more than 20 minutes after the televised portion of the meeting. They discussed testing and the need to increase supplies at nursing homes, the governor said.
Polis and Ryan, the health director, flew to D.C. Wednesday on a commercial flight, which Polis told reporters gave him “some trepidation.” He said his mission in Washington was seek more federal support, including testing supplies and protective equipment such as N95 masks.
Polis has said many times since March that he’s deeply frustrated by the lack of testing infrastructure in this country. But the first-term governor, who was previously a U.S. congressman, has mostly avoided public criticism of Trump and his cabinet, as he typically also avoids public criticism of Colorado Republicans.
Asked by a fellow Reddit user this week what he thinks of the White House’s response to the coronavirus, Polis responded with the “face with hand over mouth” emoji.
Asked Monday about his “reluctance to criticize” the White House, Polis said, “I’ll work with anybody and everybody to help the people of Colorado.”
Polis has occasionally spoken out against the White House’s pandemic preparedness and response. In March, he told reporters, “I’m furious that as a leader of the free world, we’re being forced to close down restaurants and bars, because the United States, unlike Taiwan, did not have enough (coronavirus) tests.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Colorado’s coronavirus deaths rise to 1,062 as hospitalizations continue to level off

Colorado has recorded 1,062 deaths from the new coronavirus as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to level off , state health officials announced Wednesday .
The 53 additional deaths added to the tally did not occur in a single day , but rather were backdated by health officials to previous days when they actually occurred as older information is passed along to the state , according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
There have been 3,735 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state in early March , but only 522 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness as of Tuesday afternoon , state data shows .
At least 57 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care , like a rehabilitation facility .
More than 20,400 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus — though health officials have said the true number is likely far higher .
Officials recorded more than 3,800 tests on Tuesday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 people per day — remains significantly lower than the 152-per-100,000 daily number that health experts say is 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 206 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Colorado has recorded 1,062 deaths from the new coronavirus as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to level off, state health officials announced Wednesday.
The 53 additional deaths added to the tally did not occur in a single day, but rather were backdated by health officials to previous days when they actually occurred as older information is passed along to the state, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
There have been 3,735 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state in early March, but only 522 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Tuesday afternoon, state data shows. At least 57 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
More than 20,400 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus — though health officials have said the true number is likely far higher.
Officials recorded more than 3,800 tests on Tuesday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus. The testing rate — 67.3 tests per 100,000 people per day — remains significantly lower than the 152-per-100,000 daily number that health experts say is 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 206 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.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Rams unveil new uniforms with classic colors, modern twists

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams unveiled new uniforms Wednesday , putting a modern aesthetic on their classic horned helmets and traditional color scheme ahead of their move into SoFi Stadium this year .
Two of the Rams ’ three new looks are broadly similar to their primary royal-blue-and-yellow uniform from 1973-99 .
But there are several surprising touches added to an overall look that ’ s still wildly popular with California fans who stayed loyal to the franchise during its 21-year sojourn in St. Louis .
The Rams have added distinct creases to the horn on their famous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metallic sheen .
The horns circling the shoulders of their royal-blue jerseys also have the crease , echoing the style of the new team logos unveiled earlier in the spring .
The Rams took an even bigger risk with their white uniform , choosing an off-white color dubbed Bone that ’ s sure to be hotly debated .
The franchise has planned a new look since its return to Los Angeles in 2016 .
The changes were timed to coincide with the planned opening of owner Stan Kroenke ’ s multibillion-dollar arena in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be an amazing , iconic , modern building , ” Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said .
“ You wanted the uniforms to match the style and design of the building , but still have the tradition and some elements that our fans had come to know and love.
” The Rams will wear yellow or blue pants below the same blue jersey .
They slightly shrunk the horns traditionally wrapping around the blue jersey ’ s shoulders .
They also changed the look of their yellow uniform numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color gradient similar to the much-debated technique used in their new logos .
A league exception allows a color other than stark white in their Bone uniforms , which are minimalist aside from a small yellow stripe on the pants .
The numbers are blue , and the shoulder horn is even smaller .
“ The blue uniform , while you have the progressive elements , is still much more of the traditional look modernized , ” Demoff said .
“ We felt there was more creative opportunity with the second uniform to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white jerseys throughout time for the Los Angeles Rams , we didn ’ t think that the attachment to them from a fan perspective was as strong.
” The first team in football history to put logos on their helmets — fullback Fred Gehrke painted horns on his team ’ s leather headgear in 1948 — the new Rams will wear only blue helmets and one style of horns .
They alternated between white and yellow horn decals last season .
Several players already like what they see .
Receiver Robert Woods said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new look for many reasons , including the color-gradient uniform numbers that reminded him of recent Pro Bowl jerseys .
“ I was like , ’ Oh wow , they went super modern , super futuristic , ’ ” Woods said .
“ It was something that I couldn ’ t even picture , with the helmet being that color , and the Bone jerseys .
I just thought it was super creative , different than what ’ s been done before , and really fitting for our new stadium .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new stadium , just gives good vibes.
” Rams cornerback Troy Hill even compares the uniforms ’ audacity to the fashion-forward mentality at the University of Oregon , his alma mater .
“ I ’ m thinking about all the ways we can mix and match these uniforms , ” Hill said .
“ Just the Bone , that ’ s kind of innovative .
I feel like we ’ re the Oregon of the league now.
” The uniforms were the last , biggest part of the Rams ’ offseason rebranding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the Rams had hoped thanks to the coronavirus pandemic , the franchise remained confident in its decision to change its look while attempting to sell season tickets in the new arena .
The Rams unveiled their new logos , primary colors and wordmarks earlier in the offseason to mixed response .
Most fans have been slow to warm to the new “ LA ” logo with a ram ’ s horn curled around the letters .
The reception for the updated ram ’ s head logo has been more positive .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of what players do in them , not because of the designs , ” Demoff said .
“ We ’ re really excited to see it come to life .
Bringing a brand change and a design change to life during a pandemic is much harder when you ’ re asking people to take on significant change , especially when it ’ s not going backwards to something that they ’ re familiar with.
” The Rams are the last of seven NFL teams to unveil new uniforms during this offseason .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stadium with the Rams , did so last month to widespread acclaim .

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams unveiled new uniforms Wednesday, putting a modern aesthetic on their classic horned helmets and traditional color scheme ahead of their move into SoFi Stadium this year.
Two of the Rams’ three new looks are broadly similar to their primary royal-blue-and-yellow uniform from 1973-99. But there are several surprising touches added to an overall look that’s still wildly popular with California fans who stayed loyal to the franchise during its 21-year sojourn in St. Louis.
The Rams have added distinct creases to the horn on their famous blue helmets, which now have a metallic sheen. The horns circling the shoulders of their royal-blue jerseys also have the crease, echoing the style of the new team logos unveiled earlier in the spring.
The Rams took an even bigger risk with their white uniform, choosing an off-white color dubbed Bone that’s sure to be hotly debated.
The franchise has planned a new look since its return to Los Angeles in 2016. The changes were timed to coincide with the planned opening of owner Stan Kroenke’s multibillion-dollar arena in Inglewood this fall.
“This is going to be an amazing, iconic, modern building,” Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said. “You wanted the uniforms to match the style and design of the building, but still have the tradition and some elements that our fans had come to know and love.”
The Rams will wear yellow or blue pants below the same blue jersey. They slightly shrunk the horns traditionally wrapping around the blue jersey’s shoulders. They also changed the look of their yellow uniform numbers, altering their shape and adding a yellow-to-white color gradient similar to the much-debated technique used in their new logos.
A league exception allows a color other than stark white in their Bone uniforms, which are minimalist aside from a small yellow stripe on the pants. The numbers are blue, and the shoulder horn is even smaller.
“The blue uniform, while you have the progressive elements, is still much more of the traditional look modernized,” Demoff said. “We felt there was more creative opportunity with the second uniform to make changes. While there were different white jerseys throughout time for the Los Angeles Rams, we didn’t think that the attachment to them from a fan perspective was as strong.”
The first team in football history to put logos on their helmets — fullback Fred Gehrke painted horns on his team’s leather headgear in 1948 — the new Rams will wear only blue helmets and one style of horns. They alternated between white and yellow horn decals last season.
Several players already like what they see.
Receiver Robert Woods said he was “super surprised” by the new look for many reasons, including the color-gradient uniform numbers that reminded him of recent Pro Bowl jerseys.
“I was like, ’Oh wow, they went super modern, super futuristic,’” Woods said. “It was something that I couldn’t even picture, with the helmet being that color, and the Bone jerseys. I just thought it was super creative, different than what’s been done before, and really fitting for our new stadium. The blue, just seeing it in that new stadium, just gives good vibes.”
Rams cornerback Troy Hill even compares the uniforms’ audacity to the fashion-forward mentality at the University of Oregon, his alma mater.
“I’m thinking about all the ways we can mix and match these uniforms,” Hill said. “Just the Bone, that’s kind of innovative. I feel like we’re the Oregon of the league now.”
The uniforms were the last, biggest part of the Rams’ offseason rebranding. Although the changes happened with less fanfare than the Rams had hoped thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the franchise remained confident in its decision to change its look while attempting to sell season tickets in the new arena.
The Rams unveiled their new logos, primary colors and wordmarks earlier in the offseason to mixed response. Most fans have been slow to warm to the new “LA” logo with a ram’s horn curled around the letters. The reception for the updated ram’s head logo has been more positive.
“Jerseys and logos in sports become iconic because of what players do in them, not because of the designs,” Demoff said. “We’re really excited to see it come to life. Bringing a brand change and a design change to life during a pandemic is much harder when you’re asking people to take on significant change, especially when it’s not going backwards to something that they’re familiar with.”
The Rams are the last of seven NFL teams to unveil new uniforms during this offseason. The Chargers, who will share SoFi Stadium with the Rams, did so last month to widespread acclaim.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Anonymous client tips Denver hair stylist $2,500 — then leaves $3,300 more for her coworkers

Ilisia Novotny wasn ’ t even supposed to work on Saturday , the first day Floyd ’ s 99 barbershop at the University of Denver was allowed to reopen after Denver ’ s stay-at-home order had shuttered the business for nearly two months .
But she was itching to pick up a shift , and at the end of a busy day , she got a walk-in customer who had just moved to Denver from Chicago .
They talked about their beloved Chicago Cubs and how hard the past two months had been for hair stylists such as Novotny and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the man looked back as he walked out of the barbershop .
“ Just so you know , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not a mistake.
” Novotny had no idea what he was talking about .
But then the employees outside by the register rushed inside .
The man had left her a $ 2,500 tip .
“ I cried , ” Novotny said .
“ I ’ m a single mother .
It ’ s been rough the last few months not knowing what ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might reopen so I could go back to work.
” The anonymous client not only left cash for Novotny , he handed $ 500 to Floyd ’ s receptionist and $ 1,000 to the general manager .
Then he asked how many employees worked in the store , and handed the manager another $ 1,800 — $ 100 each for the store ’ s 18 employees .
For Novotny , a 32-year-old single mother , Saturday ’ s tip allowed her to pay June ’ s rent in advance .
Money was tight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the Aurora resident had to work out deals with her landlord and utility company so she could keep the lights on .
“ My son was like , ‘ If you don ’ t have a job , how are we gon na pay bills ?
’ ” she said .
Novotny said her clients stayed in touch over the past two months , sending her random Venmo payments as a show of support .
Now that she ’ s back at the barbershop , her appointment schedule is packed through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shaggy Denverites begging for some professional cleanups .
Things are looking up .
“ Coming back and having clients , even people you don ’ t know , show so much love , it felt great , ” Novotny said .

Ilisia Novotny wasn’t even supposed to work on Saturday, the first day Floyd’s 99 barbershop at the University of Denver was allowed to reopen after Denver’s stay-at-home order had shuttered the business for nearly two months.
But she was itching to pick up a shift, and at the end of a busy day, she got a walk-in customer who had just moved to Denver from Chicago.
They talked about their beloved Chicago Cubs and how hard the past two months had been for hair stylists such as Novotny and her colleagues.
With a clean cut, the man looked back as he walked out of the barbershop.
“Just so you know,” he said. “It’s not a mistake.”
Novotny had no idea what he was talking about. But then the employees outside by the register rushed inside.
The man had left her a $2,500 tip.
“I cried,” Novotny said. “I’m a single mother. It’s been rough the last few months not knowing what’s going to happen, not knowing when we might reopen so I could go back to work.”
The anonymous client not only left cash for Novotny, he handed $500 to Floyd’s receptionist and $1,000 to the general manager. Then he asked how many employees worked in the store, and handed the manager another $1,800 — $100 each for the store’s 18 employees.
All told, he gave $5,800.
For Novotny, a 32-year-old single mother, Saturday’s tip allowed her to pay June’s rent in advance. Money was tight during the two months away from work, and the Aurora resident had to work out deals with her landlord and utility company so she could keep the lights on.
“My son was like, ‘If you don’t have a job, how are we gonna pay bills?’ ” she said.
Novotny said her clients stayed in touch over the past two months, sending her random Venmo payments as a show of support. Now that she’s back at the barbershop, her appointment schedule is packed through the end of the month, with shaggy Denverites begging for some professional cleanups.
Things are looking up.
“Coming back and having clients, even people you don’t know, show so much love, it felt great,” Novotny said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--For Essang Bassey, disappointment of going undrafted replaced by excitement of joining Broncos

Essang Bassey believed he had taken every necessary step to be selected in last month ’ s NFL draft .
Durability : He played all 52 games of his Wake Forest career .
Production : Totals of 228 tackles , 50 pass break-ups and five interceptions .
Senior Bowl : Three tackles ( one for lost yardage ) in the late-January showcase game .
Combine : He did all of the drills , including a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 39 1/2-inch vertical .
But through 256 picks , including 26 cornerbacks , Bassey didn ’ t get the call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Baltimore and Cincinnati , he agreed to join the Broncos as an undrafted free agent .
“ That was pretty tough , ” Bassey said of draft weekend during a phone interview from Columbus , Ga. “ You always have that dream of hearing your name called and you see your friends drafted .
It was a roller-coaster of emotions , if I could put it in one phrase.
” Bassey admitted it was “ definitely ” tough to re-group from the disappointment .
But once he jumped into the Broncos ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the veterans this week , it was all about dealing with the present ( learning the system ) and focusing on the future ( winning a roster spot ) .
Bassey ’ s height ( 5 feet , 9 3/8 inches ) was the likely reason he wasn ’ t drafted .
“ There is no dodging it , ” he said .
There is also no ignoring how Bassey plays a physical game , capable in run support near the line of scrimmage and making the open-field tackle — two characteristics that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined an interesting Broncos ’ cornerback group .
A.J .
Bouye is a proven starter and was acquired from Jacksonville to be the top corner .
Bryce Callahan missed all of last year with a foot injury .
If healthy , he ’ ll cover the slot receiver .
Third-round pick Michael Ojemudia will get a chance for regular duty .
But then jobs are up for grabs .
Bassey joins De ’ Vante Bausby , Duke Dawson , Davontae Harris , Isaac Yiadom and Shakial Taylor — six players for two or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can play inside and outside , he could secure a roster spot .
Bassey started playing football at age 7 when prodded by a friend ’ s father , and the connection was immediate .
“ I fell in love with it , ” he said .
“ I was making plays pretty early.
” Bassey picked Wake Forest over offers from FCS programs Charleston Southern , Furman and Wofford .
“ It was a great school , first and foremost , ” he said .
“ And then it was ACC football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more — playing at the top level and going to a top-tier school.
” A role player as a true freshman , Bassey started all 39 games from 2017-19 .
He had at least 12 pass break-ups each season .
“ I was really proud of that , ” he said .
“ A mark of a good football player is doing it day in and day out , every season , through the highs and lows .
I tried to ride the highs and bring that consistency to practice every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed up on the field.
” Bassey ’ s only interception last year showed a combination of football IQ and play-making ability , traits that will come in handy with the Broncos .
Boston College faced a fourth-and-3 in Wake Forest territory .
Bassey was in off coverage and had total recall of the play .
“ We actually saw the play on film and how the quarterback would sometimes check out of the ‘ dive ’ ( run ) play and throw the quick ‘ out , ’ ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise up to pass , I knew what the route was and I jumped it.
” If Bassey can show in training camp and preseason that his nose for the football has carried over to the NFL , he could have a role on the Broncos .
Chris Harris had the only interception by a Broncos cornerback last year .
They need to create more takeaways , period , and Bassey is already soaking up the knowledge from Bouye and other new teammates .
“ I ’ m just trying to learn everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I want to last long in the league and ( the veterans ) have the tools to do it and they ’ ve done it .
I want to learn what works for them and what doesn ’ t work and use it to my advantage .
”

Essang Bassey believed he had taken every necessary step to be selected in last month’s NFL draft.
Durability: He played all 52 games of his Wake Forest career.
Production: Totals of 228 tackles, 50 pass break-ups and five interceptions.
Senior Bowl: Three tackles (one for lost yardage) in the late-January showcase game.
Combine: He did all of the drills, including a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 39 1/2-inch vertical.
But through 256 picks, including 26 cornerbacks, Bassey didn’t get the call. Hours later, after receiving calls from Baltimore and Cincinnati, he agreed to join the Broncos as an undrafted free agent.
“That was pretty tough,” Bassey said of draft weekend during a phone interview from Columbus, Ga. “You always have that dream of hearing your name called and you see your friends drafted. It was a roller-coaster of emotions, if I could put it in one phrase.”
Bassey admitted it was “definitely” tough to re-group from the disappointment. But once he jumped into the Broncos’ virtual rookie camp last week and joined the veterans this week, it was all about dealing with the present (learning the system) and focusing on the future (winning a roster spot).
Bassey’s height (5 feet, 9 3/8 inches) was the likely reason he wasn’t drafted.
“There is no dodging it,” he said.
There is also no ignoring how Bassey plays a physical game, capable in run support near the line of scrimmage and making the open-field tackle — two characteristics that undoubtedly interested the Broncos.
Bassey has joined an interesting Broncos’ cornerback group. A.J. Bouye is a proven starter and was acquired from Jacksonville to be the top corner. Bryce Callahan missed all of last year with a foot injury. If healthy, he’ll cover the slot receiver. Third-round pick Michael Ojemudia will get a chance for regular duty. But then jobs are up for grabs.
Bassey joins De’Vante Bausby, Duke Dawson, Davontae Harris, Isaac Yiadom and Shakial Taylor — six players for two or three spots. If Bassey proves he can play inside and outside, he could secure a roster spot.
Bassey started playing football at age 7 when prodded by a friend’s father, and the connection was immediate.
“I fell in love with it,” he said. “I was making plays pretty early.”
Bassey picked Wake Forest over offers from FCS programs Charleston Southern, Furman and Wofford.
“It was a great school, first and foremost,” he said. “And then it was ACC football. I couldn’t ask for much more — playing at the top level and going to a top-tier school.”
A role player as a true freshman, Bassey started all 39 games from 2017-19. He had at least 12 pass break-ups each season.
“I was really proud of that,” he said. “A mark of a good football player is doing it day in and day out, every season, through the highs and lows. I tried to ride the highs and bring that consistency to practice every day and into the meeting room and it showed up on the field.”
Bassey’s only interception last year showed a combination of football IQ and play-making ability, traits that will come in handy with the Broncos.
Boston College faced a fourth-and-3 in Wake Forest territory. Bassey was in off coverage and had total recall of the play.
“We actually saw the play on film and how the quarterback would sometimes check out of the ‘dive’ (run) play and throw the quick ‘out,’” he said. “As soon as I saw him raise up to pass, I knew what the route was and I jumped it.”
If Bassey can show in training camp and preseason that his nose for the football has carried over to the NFL, he could have a role on the Broncos. Chris Harris had the only interception by a Broncos cornerback last year. They need to create more takeaways, period, and Bassey is already soaking up the knowledge from Bouye and other new teammates.
“I’m just trying to learn everything I can,” he said. “I want to last long in the league and (the veterans) have the tools to do it and they’ve done it. I want to learn what works for them and what doesn’t work and use it to my advantage.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-13--Iconic Leadville trail races canceled due to COVID-19

Lake County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to cancel event permits through September for gatherings of more than 250 people because of COVID-19 , causing the cancellation of an iconic series of trail races that have made Leadville an international destination for endurance athletes for decades .
The Leadville Trail 100-mile race , dubbed “ The Race Across the Sky , ” put the former mining town on the map in the 1980s when it was in danger of becoming a ghost town .
Its elevation ranges from 9,200 feet to 12,600 feet with more than 15,000 feet of climbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s endurance athletes .
That race and the spinoff events it has spawned — the Leadville Trail Marathon and half marathon , the Leadville 10K and the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race that were to unfold over the summer — all are canceled .
Race organizers posted a letter to entrants on Wednesday , saying they are “ nothing short of devastated for our participants ” who have trained for the grueling high-altitude series , but they were left with no choice .
“ Here is our reality : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are limited and can not assume the risk of widespread outbreak , ” the letter said .
“ Our participants come from 40 countries and 50 states .
We can ’ t control the precautions taken in communities outside of our own , and that comes with risk .
Colorado has placed capacities on event gatherings that would greatly impact our event starting lines .
It is undetermined when these will be lifted , but we ’ re told it will not be this summer.
” Leadville is highly dependent on tourism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a difficult blow to the economy .
“ Leadville and Lake County cherish the many special events and races we traditionally host here each summer , and appreciate the thousands of athletes and their families , tourists , and visitors who participate and support our community , ” Lake County Commissioner Kayla Marcella said in a county news release .
“ This was an incredibly difficult decision for all involved .
We will miss the energy and support from our marquee events this year , and look forward to summer 2021 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our community.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

Lake County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to cancel event permits through September for gatherings of more than 250 people because of COVID-19, causing the cancellation of an iconic series of trail races that have made Leadville an international destination for endurance athletes for decades.
The Leadville Trail 100-mile race, dubbed “The Race Across the Sky,” put the former mining town on the map in the 1980s when it was in danger of becoming a ghost town. Its elevation ranges from 9,200 feet to 12,600 feet with more than 15,000 feet of climbing, making it a coveted event for the world’s endurance athletes. That race and the spinoff events it has spawned — the Leadville Trail Marathon and half marathon, the Leadville 10K and the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race that were to unfold over the summer — all are canceled.
Race organizers posted a letter to entrants on Wednesday, saying they are “nothing short of devastated for our participants” who have trained for the grueling high-altitude series, but they were left with no choice.
“Here is our reality: Leadville’s hospital and medical resources are limited and cannot assume the risk of widespread outbreak,” the letter said. “Our participants come from 40 countries and 50 states. We can’t control the precautions taken in communities outside of our own, and that comes with risk. Colorado has placed capacities on event gatherings that would greatly impact our event starting lines. It is undetermined when these will be lifted, but we’re told it will not be this summer.”
Leadville is highly dependent on tourism, so the cancellation of these races will be a difficult blow to the economy.
“Leadville and Lake County cherish the many special events and races we traditionally host here each summer, and appreciate the thousands of athletes and their families, tourists, and visitors who participate and support our community,” Lake County Commissioner Kayla Marcella said in a county news release. “This was an incredibly difficult decision for all involved. We will miss the energy and support from our marquee events this year, and look forward to summer 2021 when we can safely welcome them back to our community.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.