thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Denver employee who leaked details of sheriff’s deputy’s alleged misconduct put on leave

A Denver city employee who leaked information to the media about a sheriff ’ s deputy ’ s alleged misconduct was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday .
Brittany Iriart , a former special agent with the U.S. Department of State who has worked for the city for about three years , was placed on leave for “ breaching the rules of confidentiality , ” said Kelli Christensen , a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety .
Christensen said Iriart also “ made threatening statements toward staff.
” Iriart ’ s attorney , Laura Wolf , denied that Iriart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did leak details about a case in which she was the original investigator because Iriart felt the city ’ s conduct was so egregious that it needed to be exposed .
Iriart also testified Wednesday before the Colorado legislature in support of a police reform bill .
“ My client leaked that there were problems with an internal investigation and the discipline recommended by that investigation because of her concern for public safety , ” Wolf said .
“ That is an investigation whose results would have been made publicly available — based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been recommended and verified by the fact-finding process — until Denver overrode that decision at the highest level of authority to hide the abuse.
” The case in question involved a sheriff ’ s deputy who was accused of punching a man in a wheelchair after the man spit on him , according to Fox 31 , which ran a story last week about the allegations .
Despite video that appears to show the deputy throwing a punch at the man and knocking over the wheelchair , the deputy was cleared of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a second excessive force complaint , which Iriart said she had been charged with investigating until she was placed on leave .
Iriart alleges the case is one of several in which top city officials have overruled discipline recommendations from the Public Integrity Division , which is independent from the Department of Public Safety .
She works there as an investigator in the administrative investigations unit .
In an interview Wednesday , Iriart claimed that factual reports on deputies ’ actions have been altered in order to support lesser discipline or no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Integrity Division .
“ I have seen , personally with my eyes , the originally sustained and justified reports and I ’ ve seen the final reports that are altered to fit the new findings , ” she said , adding that she believes the changes are made after the reports leave the Public Integrity Division and are reviewed by top sheriff ’ s department and city personnel .
Christensen said reports are changed frequently throughout the investigative process .
“ We believe Ms. Iriart is referring to draft documents that are subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the multi-step process and review prior to becoming final , so we feel her allegations are untrue , ” Christensen said .
Iriart said the changes she saw happened well after reports were drafted , after they ’ d been reviewed by many people and after the findings were presented at disciplinary hearings .
“ So it ’ s somewhere at the end , ” she said .
The city can deliver whatever discipline it sees fit , Iriart said , but she does not believe facts in the reports should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is concerning to me is the altering of facts , ” she said .
“ You can ’ t do that.
” Iriart testified before state lawmakers Wednesday in support of the Senate Bill 217 , called the Law Enforcement Integrity Act , which could bring sweeping reforms to policing in the state .
“ I have seen that officers who engaged in conduct that warrants discipline , including inappropriate use of force , are being absolved of all wrongdoing , ” she testified .
“ These officers are then returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having learned that they can act with impunity , that they can harm with impunity .
It was a very difficult decision for me to come here today.
” Wolf said the city ’ s decision to place Iriart on leave shows that there is a problem within the internal investigations process and that cities should not be able to investigate themselves .
“ To me this is a classic case of Denver using an abusive process to not only hide information from the public and put the public at risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tasked with protecting the safety of our citizens and put their own jobs at risk for speaking out about what is actually happening internally with these review processes , ” she said .
The Public Integrity Division is a civilian agency that investigates complaints against the Denver Sheriff Department .
The city announced the creation of the division in December 2018 as an attempt to fix the sheriff department ’ s backlogged internal affairs unit that was inefficient and insufficient .
The Office of the Independent Monitor in 2018 recommended that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal affairs after a review of how the previous system failed to properly investigate the death of Michael Marshall , who died in jail custody .
The division is also tasked with investigating complaints against mayoral appointees in the Department of Public Safety , including the police chief and the sheriff .
The division ’ s first leader , Eric Williams , resigned from the position in October following disagreements about how to make policy decisions .
The city then named Dave Walcher , former Arapahoe County sheriff , to lead the division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 11:51 p.m. to correct the date on which the administrative leave started .

A Denver city employee who leaked information about a sheriff’s deputy’s alleged misconduct was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday.
Brittany Iriart, a former special agent with the U.S. Department of State who has worked for the city for about three years, was placed on investigatory leave for “breaching the rules of confidentiality,” said Kelli Christensen, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety. Christensen said Wednesday that Iriart also “made threatening statements toward staff.”
In a statement Thursday, Christensen said that Iriart threatened to retaliate against a Public Safety Department staff member and said she told her manager “she was just getting started” and “I’m more dangerous as former employee than a current one.”
Iriart’s attorney, Laura Wolf, denied that Iriart made any threats, but said Wednesday Iriart leaked details to the media about a case in which she was the original investigator because she felt the city’s conduct was so egregious that it needed to be exposed. Iriart also testified Wednesday before the Colorado legislature in support of a police reform bill.
“My client leaked that there were problems with an internal investigation and the discipline recommended by that investigation because of her concern for public safety,” Wolf said. “That is an investigation whose results would have been made publicly available — based on the fact there was discipline that had been recommended and verified by the fact-finding process — until Denver overrode that decision at the highest level of authority to hide the abuse.”
Christensen said Thursday that the city was not previously aware Iriart had leaked the details of that case to the media, and said the city had not been investigating Iriart in connection with that leak until after she publicly admitted to leaking the information. Rather, Christensen said, the original investigation into Iriart — and the reason she was put on leave — was prompted by a Tuesday complaint to the Public Integrity Division about posts Iriart made on social media in which she discussed the case and her investigation.
The case in question involved a sheriff’s deputy who was accused of punching a man in a wheelchair after the man spit on him, according to Fox 31, which ran a story last week about the allegations. Despite video that appears to show the deputy throwing a punch at the man and knocking over the wheelchair, the deputy was cleared of all wrongdoing.
Now, the deputy has a second excessive force complaint, which Iriart said she had been charged with investigating until she was placed on leave.
Iriart alleges the case is one of several in which top city officials have overruled discipline recommendations from the Public Integrity Division, which is independent from the Department of Public Safety. She works there as an investigator in the administrative investigations unit.
In an interview Wednesday, Iriart claimed that factual reports on deputies’ actions have been altered in order to support lesser discipline than originally recommended by the Public Integrity Division, or no discipline at all.
“I have seen, personally with my eyes, the originally sustained and justified reports and I’ve seen the final reports that are altered to fit the new findings,” she said, adding that she believes the changes are made after the reports leave the Public Integrity Division and are reviewed by top sheriff’s department and city personnel.
Christensen said reports are changed frequently throughout the investigative process.
“We believe Ms.Iriart is referring to draft documents that are subject to amendment or revisions as it goes through the multi-step process and review prior to becoming final, so we feel her allegations are untrue,” Christensen said.
Iriart said the changes she saw happened well after reports were drafted, after they’d been reviewed by many people and after the findings were presented at disciplinary hearings.
“So it’s somewhere at the end,” she said.
The city can deliver whatever discipline it sees fit, Iriart said, but she does not believe facts in the reports should be changed to support that discipline.
“What is concerning to me is the altering of facts,” she said. “You can’t do that.”
Iriart sent a frustrated email Monday to Dave Walcher, the former Arapahoe County sheriff who now leads the Public Integrity Division.
“I’m feeling picked on and belittled for voicing my concerns over the integrity of our office, which is ironically supposed to be a step in criminal justice reform,” Iriart wrote in the email obtained by The Denver Post. “My concerns regarding the integrity of the PID have not been addressed and worst of all, the focus has shifted into a bounty hunt for whoever leaked the case to the media. It should be focused on what’s going wrong in the process where these horrific decisions are being made and allowed to prevail. I just don’t get it.”
Iriart was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday, then testified before state lawmakers Wednesday in support of the Senate Bill 217, called the Law Enforcement Integrity Act, which could bring sweeping reforms to policing in the state.
“I have seen that officers who engaged in conduct that warrants discipline, including inappropriate use of force, are being absolved of all wrongdoing,” she testified. “These officers are then returned to their posts, interacting with the public, having learned that they can act with impunity, that they can harm with impunity. It was a very difficult decision for me to come here today.”
Wolf said the city’s decision to place Iriart on leave shows that there is a problem within the internal investigations process and that cities should not be able to investigate themselves.
“To me this is a classic case of Denver using an abusive process to not only hide information from the public and put the public at risk, but then to take the people who are tasked with protecting the safety of our citizens and put their own jobs at risk for speaking out about what is actually happening internally with these review processes,” she said.
Murphy Robinson, executive director of Denver’s Department of Public Safety, said Iriart violated a confidentiality agreement she signed when she took the job.
“Sharing confidential information learned during an investigation in any manner, including via social media, is not only inappropriate, but against the confidentiality agreement she signed in the scope of her position,” Robinson said in a statement.
The Public Integrity Division is a civilian agency that investigates complaints against the Denver Sheriff Department.
The city announced the creation of the division in December 2018 as an attempt to fix the sheriff department’s backlogged internal affairs unit that was inefficient and insufficient. The Office of the Independent Monitor in 2018 recommended that a civilian agency oversee the department’s internal affairs after a review of how the previous system failed to properly investigate the death of Michael Marshall, who died in jail custody.
The division is also tasked with investigating complaints against mayoral appointees in the Department of Public Safety, including the police chief and the sheriff.
The division’s first leader, Eric Williams, resigned from the position in October following disagreements about how to make policy decisions. The city then named Walcher to lead the division.
Updated 4:15 p.m. June 11, 2020: This story was updated with new information from city officials and to correct the date on which the administrative leave started.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Martin Truex Jr. ends 2020 winless skid with victory at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE , Va. — Martin Truex Jr. cruised down the stretch and won his first NASCAR Cup race of the season on Wednesday night in the first race under the lights at Martinsville Speedway .
Truex , the 2017 Cup champion , has been one of NASCAR ’ s biggest winners over the last three years , but failed to find victory lane for Joe Gibbs Racing over the first 10 races of this season .
Tick tock .
The time ran out on the losing streak .
Truex won the Martinsville grandfather clock on the paperclip-shaped track at just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time with new crew chief Jason Small .
“ I knew we were going to get one soon , ” Truex said .
“ Hopefully we can get on a roll.
” Ryan Blaney , Brad Keselowski , who has two wins this season , and Joey Logano made it a 2-3-4 finish for Team Penske .
The race started shortly after NASCAR issued a ban of the confederate flag , stating “ it will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.
” The issue was pushed to the fore this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lone black driver and an Alabama native who called for the banishment of the Confederate flag and said there was “ no place ” for it in the sport .
Wallace drove the Richard Petty Motorsports ’ No .
43 Chevrolet with a # BlackLivesMatter paint scheme .
Wallace , wearing an American flag mask , clapped his hands when asked about the decision before the start of the race .
“ It ’ s been a stressful couple of weeks , ” Wallace said on FS1 .
“ This is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight .
I ’ m excited about tonight .
There ’ s a lot of emotions on the race track.
” Wallace wore a black “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” T-shirt but did not kneel during the national anthem .
His Chevy had “ Compassion , Love , Understanding ” emblazoned on the hood .
He finished 11th at Martinsville .
The 26-year-old Wallace , who finished second in the 2018 Daytona 500 , also had a dose of newfound fame .
Already outspoken on social causes in NASCAR , Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout sports .
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted a “ BIG S/O ” to Wallace and retired NFL star Deion Sanders tweeted he was proud NASCAR “ recognized the sensitivity of our country while confronting the racial injustices.
” Wallace even made some new NASCAR fans — for a night , at least — out of other athletes .
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara replied to NASCAR ’ s statement with a tweet asking “ when the next race ?
?
” with a popcorn emoji .
He followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina Panthers safety Tre Boston .
Boston tweeted questions about the race and seemed to enjoy the action at Martinsville : “ Do y ’ all be pinned to the TV .
I ’ m watching the standing more than the drivers I feel .
Is this ok ?
Am I doing this right ?
Do y ’ all flip channels ?
” Former NFL safety Bernard Pollard Jr. joined in on the social media action and had a question on cautions answered on the FS1 broadcast .
But NASCAR ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who stewed on social media .
NASCAR helmet artist Jason Beam , who paints designs for some of the sports biggest stars , was among the loudest critics .
He unleashed a string of tweets blasting the move , writing “ You can ’ t erase history by picking and choosing what parts you want to keep and don ’ t won ’ t to keep.
” Oh well , Reese Witherspoon gave the ruling a high-five emoji on Twitter , and that alone might be enough to outweigh the haters .
Martinsville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races since it resumed without fans at the track .
That streak ends Sunday when 1,000 Florida service members , representing the Homestead Air Reserve Base and U.S. Southern Command in Doral , are allowed to attend the Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway as honorary guests and view the race from the grandstands .
The following week at Talladega Superspeedway , up to 5,000 fans will be allowed to attend the race .
NASCAR says all fans will be screened before entering , required to wear face coverings , mandated to social distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have access to the infield .

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Martin Truex Jr. cruised down the stretch and won his first NASCAR Cup race of the season on Wednesday night in the first race under the lights at Martinsville Speedway.
Truex, the 2017 Cup champion, has been one of NASCAR’s biggest winners over the last three years, but failed to find victory lane for Joe Gibbs Racing over the first 10 races of this season.
Tick tock. The time ran out on the losing streak.
Truex won the Martinsville grandfather clock on the paperclip-shaped track at just 0.526 miles. He won for the first time with new crew chief Jason Small.
“I knew we were going to get one soon,” Truex said. “Hopefully we can get on a roll.”
Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, who has two wins this season, and Joey Logano made it a 2-3-4 finish for Team Penske.
The race started shortly after NASCAR issued a ban of the confederate flag, stating “it will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”
The issue was pushed to the fore this week by Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s lone black driver and an Alabama native who called for the banishment of the Confederate flag and said there was “no place” for it in the sport. Wallace drove the Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 Chevrolet with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme. Wallace, wearing an American flag mask, clapped his hands when asked about the decision before the start of the race.
“It’s been a stressful couple of weeks,” Wallace said on FS1. “This is no doubt the biggest race of my career tonight. I’m excited about tonight. There’s a lot of emotions on the race track.”
Wallace wore a black “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt but did not kneel during the national anthem. His Chevy had “Compassion, Love, Understanding” emblazoned on the hood. He finished 11th at Martinsville.
The 26-year-old Wallace, who finished second in the 2018 Daytona 500, also had a dose of newfound fame. Already outspoken on social causes in NASCAR, Wallace denounced the flag and his message spread throughout sports. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted a “BIG S/O” to Wallace and retired NFL star Deion Sanders tweeted he was proud NASCAR “recognized the sensitivity of our country while confronting the racial injustices.”
Wallace even made some new NASCAR fans — for a night, at least — out of other athletes. New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara replied to NASCAR’s statement with a tweet asking “when the next race??” with a popcorn emoji. He followed along on social media, as did Carolina Panthers safety Tre Boston. Boston tweeted questions about the race and seemed to enjoy the action at Martinsville: “Do y’all be pinned to the TV. I’m watching the standing more than the drivers I feel. Is this ok? Am I doing this right? Do y’all flip channels?”
Former NFL safety Bernard Pollard Jr. joined in on the social media action and had a question on cautions answered on the FS1 broadcast.
But NASCAR’s decision angered a contingent of flag loyalists, who stewed on social media. NASCAR helmet artist Jason Beam, who paints designs for some of the sports biggest stars, was among the loudest critics. He unleashed a string of tweets blasting the move, writing “You can’t erase history by picking and choosing what parts you want to keep and don’t won’t to keep.”
Oh well, Reese Witherspoon gave the ruling a high-five emoji on Twitter, and that alone might be enough to outweigh the haters.
Martinsville capped a stretch of seven straight Cup races since it resumed without fans at the track. That streak ends Sunday when 1,000 Florida service members, representing the Homestead Air Reserve Base and U.S. Southern Command in Doral, are allowed to attend the Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway as honorary guests and view the race from the grandstands. The following week at Talladega Superspeedway, up to 5,000 fans will be allowed to attend the race. NASCAR says all fans will be screened before entering, required to wear face coverings, mandated to social distance at six feet, and will not have access to the infield.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Coloradans share their pain over loss of children, spouses killed by police

Vicki Trujillo carried a cream-colored , heart-shaped urn filled with her husband ’ s ashes as she entered the hearing room Wednesday at the Colorado Capitol .
Trujillo was there to testify about Senate Bill 217 , a sweeping police accountability and reform bill before the House Finance Committee .
The bill , introduced amid Denver protests after George Floyd ’ s killing , passed the Senate on Tuesday and is expected to pass the House by the end of the week .
Trujillo ’ s husband , Jason Gomez , was fatally shot multiple times by Denver police in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers to pass the bill to hold law enforcement accountable .
“ Perhaps if this bill had been passed in 2007 , Jason would be sitting next to me ( rather ) than in this urn , ” she said .
Colorado Democrats brought the bill after protests erupted around the nation calling for changes in policing .
The protests were brought on by Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police , but lawmakers say the bill isn ’ t just about that — it ’ s about what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill calls for more transparency and new controls on police use of force , including requiring all officers to use body-worn cameras , banning the use of chokeholds , and limiting when they are allowed to shoot at a person who is running away , known as the “ fleeing felon ” statute .
Cops also would be required to intervene when seeing other officers using excessive force , and the bill removes “ qualified immunity , ” allowing officers to be sued in their individual capacities when they ’ re accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the bill passed the Senate on a 32-1 vote , gaining the support of all but one Republican .
House members say they also have amendments to the bill that they planned to discuss after testimony , which continued late Wednesday evening .
Jose Hernandez and Laura Sonia Rosales spoke to the committee about the night their lives changed when their oldest daughter , 17-year-old Jessica Hernandez , was fatally shot by Denver police in January 2015 .
Jose Hernandez told the committee that it ’ s been difficult , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
“ We are here because hopefully it will make a difference , not just to us , to everybody , ” he said .
Rep. Leslie Herod , a Denver Democrat and bill sponsor , told the family that she could see the love they put in their children .
“ Your voice today will ensure that other families will not be broken like yours , ” she said .
Throughout the hearing Wednesday , attendees could be heard sniffling and crying as people shared their stories and their losses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ young man killed by Aurora police , Sheneen McClain , once again called for an independent investigation into her son ’ s death and urged the passing of Senate Bill 217 .
“ If y ’ all don ’ t do better , it ’ s going to get worse .
It ’ s not going to stop at black people , ” she said .
Civil rights attorney Qusair Mohamedbhai represented several of the people who spoke about the killings of their loved ones Wednesday , including one who received a settlement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But what we have learned is incremental small changes on the backs of people who are no longer with us is not sufficient , ” Mohamedbhai said .
“ It ’ s not fast enough , and it ’ s proven to not be effective.
” Law enforcement and a representative from the District Attorneys Council also testified before the committee Wednesday , thanking the lawmakers for their changes on the bill but asking for more time to implement training and provide more support for smaller police agencies to equip their officers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has come out in support of several provisions of the bill , and Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said the council was appreciative of the change making police officers sued in their individual capacities liable up to $ 25,000 — a quarter of the cap initially proposed .
The wife of a police officer also testified , urging members to think about the good officers who are blamed for the actions of the bad actors .
Katie Richardson said she ’ s proud of her new husband but worries about lawmakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that do uphold their part of the law.
” “ I ’ d like to ask you , to challenge you , to find another profession where the actions of the few reflect the character of the majority , where they are found guilty until proven innocent , ” Richardson said .
Rob Pride , national trustee for the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police , said the bill needs some tweaking but the bulk is much more feasible for law enforcement to implement than as first introduced .
“ We are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get our officers trained , ” he said .
“ There ’ s definitely some points to this bill , like chokeholds , that the timeframe can be immediate .
But if we ’ re going to train our officers and train them right , we ’ re going to need some time .
”

Vicki Trujillo carried a cream-colored, heart-shaped urn filled with her husband’s ashes as she entered the hearing room Wednesday at the Colorado Capitol.
Trujillo was there to testify about Senate Bill 217, a sweeping police accountability and reform bill before the House Finance Committee. The bill, introduced amid Denver protests after George Floyd’s killing, passed the Senate on Tuesday and is expected to pass the House by the end of the week.
Trujillo’s husband, Jason Gomez, was fatally shot multiple times by Denver police in 2007. Through tears, she urged lawmakers to pass the bill to hold law enforcement accountable.
“Perhaps if this bill had been passed in 2007, Jason would be sitting next to me (rather) than in this urn,” she said.
Colorado Democrats brought the bill after protests erupted around the nation calling for changes in policing. The protests were brought on by Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, but lawmakers say the bill isn’t just about that — it’s about what’s happening in this state.
The bill calls for more transparency and new controls on police use of force, including requiring all officers to use body-worn cameras, banning the use of chokeholds, and limiting when they are allowed to shoot at a person who is running away, known as the “fleeing felon” statute. Cops also would be required to intervene when seeing other officers using excessive force, and the bill removes “qualified immunity,” allowing officers to be sued in their individual capacities when they’re accused of using excessive force.
After some changes, the bill passed the Senate on a 32-1 vote, gaining the support of all but one Republican.
House members say they also have amendments to the bill that they planned to discuss after testimony, which continued late Wednesday evening.
Jose Hernandez and Laura Sonia Rosales spoke to the committee about the night their lives changed when their oldest daughter, 17-year-old Jessica Hernandez, was fatally shot by Denver police in January 2015. Jose Hernandez told the committee that it’s been difficult, but they wanted to do something to make a change.
“We are here because hopefully it will make a difference, not just to us, to everybody,” he said.
Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat and bill sponsor, told the family that she could see the love they put in their children.
“Your voice today will ensure that other families will not be broken like yours,” she said.
Throughout the hearing Wednesday, attendees could be heard sniffling and crying as people shared their stories and their losses.
The mother of Elijah McClain, a young man killed by Aurora police, Sheneen McClain, once again called for an independent investigation into her son’s death and urged the passing of Senate Bill 217.
“If y’all don’t do better, it’s going to get worse. It’s not going to stop at black people,” she said.
Civil rights attorney Qusair Mohamedbhai represented several of the people who spoke about the killings of their loved ones Wednesday, including one who received a settlement that also included some reform.
“But what we have learned is incremental small changes on the backs of people who are no longer with us is not sufficient,” Mohamedbhai said. “It’s not fast enough, and it’s proven to not be effective.”
Law enforcement and a representative from the District Attorneys Council also testified before the committee Wednesday, thanking the lawmakers for their changes on the bill but asking for more time to implement training and provide more support for smaller police agencies to equip their officers with body-worn cameras.
The District Attorneys Council has come out in support of several provisions of the bill, and Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said the council was appreciative of the change making police officers sued in their individual capacities liable up to $25,000 — a quarter of the cap initially proposed.
The wife of a police officer also testified, urging members to think about the good officers who are blamed for the actions of the bad actors. Katie Richardson said she’s proud of her new husband but worries about lawmakers and media demonizing “good men and women that do uphold their part of the law.”
“I’d like to ask you, to challenge you, to find another profession where the actions of the few reflect the character of the majority, where they are found guilty until proven innocent,” Richardson said.
Rob Pride, national trustee for the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, said the bill needs some tweaking but the bulk is much more feasible for law enforcement to implement than as first introduced.
“We are going to need a significant amount of time to get our officers trained,” he said. “There’s definitely some points to this bill, like chokeholds, that the timeframe can be immediate. But if we’re going to train our officers and train them right, we’re going to need some time.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--CU Buffs student-athletes cleared for voluntary workouts

Student-athletes at the University of Colorado are set to return for on-campus voluntary workouts on Monday .
About three months after the cancellations and stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic began , a ruling by Pac-12 presidents and chancellors has allowed for workouts to resume June 15 .
On June 1 , CU began annual physical exam testing of athletes who were in Boulder .
About 150 student-athletes have had their physicals and all must have one before returning to the facilities .
Other guidelines put in place for student-athletes returning to CU include : • A seven-day quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• COVID-19 ( PCR and antibody ) testing is a part of all physicals , while an ongoing testing program is still being developed .
• Staggered entry times and physical distancing in training rooms , locker rooms , strength and conditioning facilities and all academic areas .
( Locker rooms are closed until July 1 at the earliest ) .
• Continuous sanitization of all facilities and equipment , during workouts and in between groups .
• Temperature and symptom checks of anyone entering athletic facilities .
• Furniture in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our number one priority has been and will remain the health and welfare of our student-athletes , coaches and staff , ” athletic director Rick George said .
“ We are taking every precaution we can to ensure a safe return to our facilities to protect not only our athletics community , but also the campus and local Boulder communities .
”

Student-athletes at the University of Colorado are set to return for on-campus voluntary workouts on Monday.
About three months after the cancellations and stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic began, a ruling by Pac-12 presidents and chancellors has allowed for workouts to resume June 15.
On June 1, CU began annual physical exam testing of athletes who were in Boulder. About 150 student-athletes have had their physicals and all must have one before returning to the facilities.
Other guidelines put in place for student-athletes returning to CU include:
A seven-day quarantine for those arriving from out of state.
COVID-19 (PCR and antibody) testing is a part of all physicals, while an ongoing testing program is still being developed.
Staggered entry times and physical distancing in training rooms, locker rooms, strength and conditioning facilities and all academic areas. (Locker rooms are closed until July 1 at the earliest).
Small workout groups.
Continuous sanitization of all facilities and equipment, during workouts and in between groups.
Temperature and symptom checks of anyone entering athletic facilities.
“Curbside delivery” for student-athletes training table meals.
Limited contact with outsiders at facilities.
Furniture in all common areas has been removed.
“Our number one priority has been and will remain the health and welfare of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” athletic director Rick George said. “We are taking every precaution we can to ensure a safe return to our facilities to protect not only our athletics community, but also the campus and local Boulder communities.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--How the Rapids are approaching MLS is Back Tournament

The Colorado Rapids were thrilled with their depth coming into the 2020 season , but they didn ’ t expect to use it like this .
The Rapids , and the rest of MLS , will resume play with a month-long tournament starting July 8 in Orlando , with the winner getting $ 1.1 million and a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League .
The Walt Disney World-hosted event could see Colorado play as many as seven games if it reaches the Aug. 11 championship .
On Thursday , the Rapids learned just how difficult it will be to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group stage was revealed .
Four teams across MLS took home all six points before play was halted two weeks into the season due to COVID-19 .
Three of those teams are in Colorado ’ s group , including the Rapids themselves .
The other is Colorado ’ s biggest rival — Real Salt Lake .
Or to put it another way… “ The one team in that group that we ’ re going to face that didn ’ t make the playoffs last year went out and spent $ 9 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rapids executive Padraig Smith said Thursday , referencing Sporting KC ’ s signing of forward Alan Pulido .
Minnesota F.C .
is the fourth and final team in Colorado ’ s group .
The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically advance to a round-of-16 knockout stage , and the four best third-place finishers also advance .
Many pundits have called Group F , which features both Los Angeles teams , the “ group of death.
” The Rapids ’ group may be just as tough , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added layer of importance since they figure into the MLS regular-season standings .
“ To have the opportunity to continue to play and to play together and to try to get better and win games is something I enjoy with this group , ” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said .
“ So we ’ re excited about getting into this tournament.
” The Rapids ’ depth will be tested due to the number of games over a short span of time .
Rule changes will allow teams to carry 23 players on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norm — and five subs per game instead of the usual three .
“ It ’ s hard to say what it ’ s gon na look like down there , ” Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin said .
“ I don ’ t think anyone ’ s sort of experienced an environment like how this is going to be constructed , so it ’ s kind of just a wait and see .
Once we get down there we ’ re focusing on what ’ s going to go on in between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of that we ’ re not going to have much control of.
” MLS and MLSPA re-negotiated the CBA , which was signed this past winter , to make the tournament happen .
Restrictions will be in place to limit what players and staff can do inside the Orland bubble .
MLS has told players and clubs that immunocompromised individuals have the option of sitting out .
The Rapids do not expect any of their players to take MLS up on that , though Smith said the club could look to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to work with the clubs to try and make sure that they ’ re providing them with the opportunity to bring in numbers if needed to make sure that the players ’ health and welfare is put first , ” Smith said .
“ It ’ s going to be a strange environment .
It ’ s not easy to play in that sort of humidity with that kind of turnaround time.
” The Rapids will have plenty of depth , particularly at forward , which they could use to tire teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young Argentinian winger Braian Galvan , who the club signed last winter .
When it comes to the games , Fraser said there will be no schematic difference in how the club approaches things .
The coach expects his team to be able to flip the switch and get in the right mindset to play , both because the team has already resumed full team practices ( others have not ) and because the group already has a hardy mindset .

The Colorado Rapids were thrilled with their depth coming into the 2020 season, but they didn’t expect to use it like this.
The Rapids, and the rest of MLS, will resume play with a month-long tournament starting July 8 in Orlando, with the winner getting $1.1 million and a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.
The Walt Disney World-hosted event could see Colorado play as many as seven games if it reaches the Aug. 11 championship. On Thursday, the Rapids learned just how difficult it will be to get there, as the makeup of the group stage was revealed.
Four teams across MLS took home all six points before play was halted two weeks into the season due to COVID-19. Three of those teams are in Colorado’s group, including the Rapids themselves. The other is Colorado’s biggest rival — Real Salt Lake.
Or to put it another way…
“The one team in that group that we’re going to face that didn’t make the playoffs last year went out and spent $9 million on one player in the offseason,” Rapids executive Padraig Smith said Thursday, referencing Sporting KC’s signing of forward Alan Pulido.
Minnesota F.C. is the fourth and final team in Colorado’s group.
The top two teams from each of the six groups automatically advance to a round-of-16 knockout stage, and the four best third-place finishers also advance.
Many pundits have called Group F, which features both Los Angeles teams, the “group of death.” The Rapids’ group may be just as tough, however, and the group games will have an added layer of importance since they figure into the MLS regular-season standings.
“To have the opportunity to continue to play and to play together and to try to get better and win games is something I enjoy with this group,” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said. “So we’re excited about getting into this tournament.”
The Rapids’ depth will be tested due to the number of games over a short span of time. Rule changes will allow teams to carry 23 players on matchday rosters — up five from the norm — and five subs per game instead of the usual three.
“It’s hard to say what it’s gonna look like down there,” Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin said. “I don’t think anyone’s sort of experienced an environment like how this is going to be constructed, so it’s kind of just a wait and see. Once we get down there we’re focusing on what’s going to go on in between the white lines and everything else that happens outside of that we’re not going to have much control of.”
MLS and MLSPA re-negotiated the CBA, which was signed this past winter, to make the tournament happen. Restrictions will be in place to limit what players and staff can do inside the Orland bubble.
MLS has told players and clubs that immunocompromised individuals have the option of sitting out. The Rapids do not expect any of their players to take MLS up on that, though Smith said the club could look to make a transaction.
“The league is going to work with the clubs to try and make sure that they’re providing them with the opportunity to bring in numbers if needed to make sure that the players’ health and welfare is put first,” Smith said. “It’s going to be a strange environment. It’s not easy to play in that sort of humidity with that kind of turnaround time.”
The Rapids will have plenty of depth, particularly at forward, which they could use to tire teams out. That includes the addition of young Argentinian winger Braian Galvan, who the club signed last winter.
When it comes to the games, Fraser said there will be no schematic difference in how the club approaches things. The coach expects his team to be able to flip the switch and get in the right mindset to play, both because the team has already resumed full team practices (others have not) and because the group already has a hardy mindset.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Injured climber on Mount Neva rescued with help of Black Hawk helicopter

A 22-year-old climber who was severely injured in a fall on Mount Neva and a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter helped Thursday in the rescue effort .
At about 8 a.m. the Boulder County Communications Center received a report from a family member that an emergency alert GPS device had been activated by the injured man who was climbing solo , according to a sheriff ’ s office news release .
Rescuers used the GPS coordinates to locate the injured climber who had fallen about 1,300 feet down a snow field , the release said .
He hit rocks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries .
Search and rescue teams , on the ground and from the air , using Flight For Life Colorado , reached the man and aided him while awaiting a guard Black Hawk helicopter with a hoist .
The Black Hawk flew the man to Boulder Airport where a waiting ambulance took him to a local hospital .
“ Although he was climbing by himself , he did have proper safety equipment with him , including the handheld GPS device and an orange rescue blanket , both of which helped rescuers to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release said .
The rescue took about four hours .
The sheriff ’ s office , Rocky Mountain Rescue Group , Nederland Fire , American Medical Response , Flight For Life Colorado and the Colorado Army National Guard took part in the rescue .

A 22-year-old climber who was severely injured in a fall on Mount Neva and a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter helped Thursday in the rescue effort.
At about 8 a.m. the Boulder County Communications Center received a report from a family member that an emergency alert GPS device had been activated by the injured man who was climbing solo, according to a sheriff’s office news release.
Rescuers used the GPS coordinates to locate the injured climber who had fallen about 1,300 feet down a snow field, the release said. He hit rocks in the fall and suffered serious lower body injuries.
Search and rescue teams, on the ground and from the air, using Flight For Life Colorado, reached the man and aided him while awaiting a guard Black Hawk helicopter with a hoist. The Black Hawk flew the man to Boulder Airport where a waiting ambulance took him to a local hospital.
“Although he was climbing by himself, he did have proper safety equipment with him, including the handheld GPS device and an orange rescue blanket, both of which helped rescuers to be able to quickly locate him,” the release said.
The rescue took about four hours. The sheriff’s office, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Nederland Fire, American Medical Response, Flight For Life Colorado and the Colorado Army National Guard took part in the rescue.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Flag ban fallout: Now comes the tricky part for NASCAR

NASCAR ’ s decision to ban the Confederate flag from its races and venues grabbed headlines and stars like actress Reese Witherspoon and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara were quick to praise the stock car series for ridding itself of a symbol long associated with slavery and racism .
Now comes the tricky part .
In a matter of days , NASCAR will be faced with a daunting question : How to enforce the ban at its sprawling , rowdy tracks once fans are allowed back in and campers start setting up their RVs for race weekends ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed into Sunday ’ s race near Miami and become the first fans at a NASCAR event since the pandemic shut down sports in March .
The enforcement question is much more likely to be an issue when the series holds races June 20-21 at Talladega , Alabama , where up to 5,000 fans are expected to be allowed in .
Flags are a common sight at the superspeedway in the heart of NASCAR ’ s Southern base .
“ That will certainly be a challenge .
We ’ ll try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASCAR executive vice president Steve O ’ Donnell told SiriusXM on Thursday .
“ We ’ ll get ahead of it as we are today in letting people know that , ‘ Hey , we ’ re all about pride , we ’ re all about America , fly your U.S. flag high , fly your drivers flags high and come on into the track.
’ But if we see something displayed at the track we ’ re going to have react and we will .
More details to come but I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ ll do that in a smart way.
” Fellow drivers were quick to credit Bubba Wallace , NASCAR ’ s lone black driver , for pushing NASCAR to enact the ban .
Years of bad press and hand-wringing over the fate of the flag evaporated within 48 hours once Wallace publicly condemned the relic of racing ’ s good ol ’ boy roots .
“ I ’ ve seen too many comments and too many stories from first-time fans that come to a race in years past and the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen the Confederate flag flying and it made me feel uncomfortable , ’ ” Wallace told the “ Today ” show .
“ We shouldn ’ t have anybody feeling uncomfortable.
” Wallace finished 11th at Martinsville on Wednesday night , hours after the ban was announced , driving a Black Lives Matter paint scheme with “ Compassion , Love , Understanding ” emblazoned on the hood .
“ It was really cool to see what Bubba was able to do , ” 2018 NASCAR champion Joey Logano said .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s made for the African-American community in our sport .
He always has just by being here , but when you look at the comments he made on CNN the other day and then NASCAR completely answered it .
Kudos to NASCAR .
Kudos to Bubba for bringing it up and using his platform for something good.
” There were , of course , fans furious at the decision , howling on social media that their rights are being been trampled on and they would continue to wave the stars and bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who paints designs for Jimmie Johnson , Kyle Busch and other star drivers , tweeted that he did not support “ erasing only particular elements of history ” to please a particular audience .
Wallace ripped Beam on social media , tweeting : “ You made it clear of where you stand in today ’ s matter .
All respect lost for ya dawg.
” Johnson , the seven-time NASCAR champion , also cut ties with BEAMdesigns .
“ Due to recent posts on social media I have decided to end my relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For weeks , NASCAR has been the only live U.S. sport on television an ratings are up a tick in this most unusual of seasons .
Through the first 11 races , Cup Series racing on FOX/FS1 is averaging a 2.38 share , up 1 % over last year ’ s average of 2.35 out of 44 market averages .
And now comes the publicity surrounding the flag ban .
“ As far as the optics , NASCAR didn ’ t have a choice , ” NASCAR historian Dan Pierce said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
But the cynical person in me , especially when you ’ re dealing with NASCAR , is , did they get the OK from their sponsors ahead of time or from NASCAR ?
You have to give them credit for making a stand , which isn ’ t necessarily popular with a significant portion of their fan base .
”

NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag from its races and venues grabbed headlines and stars like actress Reese Witherspoon and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara were quick to praise the stock car series for ridding itself of a symbol long associated with slavery and racism.
Now comes the tricky part.
In a matter of days, NASCAR will be faced with a daunting question: How to enforce the ban at its sprawling, rowdy tracks once fans are allowed back in and campers start setting up their RVs for race weekends? Approximately 1,000 members of the military will be allowed into Sunday’s race near Miami and become the first fans at a NASCAR event since the pandemic shut down sports in March.
The enforcement question is much more likely to be an issue when the series holds races June 20-21 at Talladega, Alabama, where up to 5,000 fans are expected to be allowed in. Flags are a common sight at the superspeedway in the heart of NASCAR’s Southern base.
“That will certainly be a challenge. We’ll try to do that the right way,” NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell told SiriusXM on Thursday. “We’ll get ahead of it as we are today in letting people know that, ‘Hey, we’re all about pride, we’re all about America, fly your U.S. flag high, fly your drivers flags high and come on into the track.’ But if we see something displayed at the track we’re going to have react and we will. More details to come but I’m confident we’ll do that and we’ll do that in a smart way.”
Fellow drivers were quick to credit Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s lone black driver, for pushing NASCAR to enact the ban. Years of bad press and hand-wringing over the fate of the flag evaporated within 48 hours once Wallace publicly condemned the relic of racing’s good ol’ boy roots.
“I’ve seen too many comments and too many stories from first-time fans that come to a race in years past and the first thing they say, ‘I’ve seen the Confederate flag flying and it made me feel uncomfortable,’” Wallace told the “Today” show. “We shouldn’t have anybody feeling uncomfortable.”
Wallace finished 11th at Martinsville on Wednesday night, hours after the ban was announced, driving a Black Lives Matter paint scheme with “Compassion, Love, Understanding” emblazoned on the hood.
“It was really cool to see what Bubba was able to do,” 2018 NASCAR champion Joey Logano said. “He should be proud of the movement he’s made for the African-American community in our sport. He always has just by being here, but when you look at the comments he made on CNN the other day and then NASCAR completely answered it. Kudos to NASCAR. Kudos to Bubba for bringing it up and using his platform for something good.”
There were, of course, fans furious at the decision, howling on social media that their rights are being been trampled on and they would continue to wave the stars and bars. NASCAR helmet artist Jason Beam, who paints designs for Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and other star drivers, tweeted that he did not support “erasing only particular elements of history” to please a particular audience.
Wallace ripped Beam on social media, tweeting: “ You made it clear of where you stand in today’s matter. All respect lost for ya dawg.”
Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR champion, also cut ties with BEAMdesigns.
“Due to recent posts on social media I have decided to end my relationship with Beam Designs,” Johnson tweeted.
For weeks, NASCAR has been the only live U.S. sport on television an ratings are up a tick in this most unusual of seasons. Through the first 11 races, Cup Series racing on FOX/FS1 is averaging a 2.38 share, up 1% over last year’s average of 2.35 out of 44 market averages.
And now comes the publicity surrounding the flag ban.
“As far as the optics, NASCAR didn’t have a choice,” NASCAR historian Dan Pierce said. “I applaud the drivers for standing up. But the cynical person in me, especially when you’re dealing with NASCAR, is, did they get the OK from their sponsors ahead of time or from NASCAR? You have to give them credit for making a stand, which isn’t necessarily popular with a significant portion of their fan base.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--New Colorado coronavirus cases remain low as hospitalizations continue decline

Colorado health officials confirmed another 148 new coronavirus cases on Thursday , as the state continues to see hospitalizations for the respiratory disease COVID-19 decline .
Gov .
Jared Polis said he is concerned about a potential increase in infections that could result from recent racial justice protests throughout the state .
Neighboring states , including Arizona and Utah , are seeing their coronavirus cases increase .
“ I think it is likely there will be some transmission , it ’ s almost a certainty there was some transmission at those large gatherings , ” he said during a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know is , is it tens of people or hundreds of cases that arise from people who weren ’ t able to avoid the physical proximity as they participated in those.
” There are 28,647 people confirmed to have the novel coronavirus , up from 28,499 individuals .
Hospitalizations for the disease declined by 14 people , going from 182 individuals to 168 , according to the latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
Twenty-seven more people have died from COVID-19 , with the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptick in cases that might come from the protests will start showing in the data within the next few days .
It takes two to 14 days for COVID-19 symptoms — which include fever , cough , shortness of breath , sore throat , loss of taste or smell and nausea — to appear .
Denver officials have urged protesters to get tested for COVID-19 at the Pepsi Center , where the city has a free , drive-up testing site .
People who go to get tested must first register online or by @ @ @

Colorado health officials confirmed another 148 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, as the state continues to see hospitalizations for the respiratory disease COVID-19 decline.
Gov. Jared Polis said he is concerned about a potential increase in infections that could result from recent racial justice protests throughout the state. Neighboring states, including Arizona and Utah, are seeing their coronavirus cases increase.
“I think it is likely there will be some transmission, it’s almost a certainty there was some transmission at those large gatherings,” he said during a press briefing Thursday. “What we don’t know is, is it tens of people or hundreds of cases that arise from people who weren’t able to avoid the physical proximity as they participated in those.”
There are 28,647 people confirmed to have the novel coronavirus, up from 28,499 individuals. Hospitalizations for the disease declined by 14 people, going from 182 individuals to 168, according to the latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Twenty-seven more people have died from COVID-19, with the total number of deaths at 1,339 people.
Any uptick in cases that might come from the protests will start showing in the data within the next few days. It takes two to 14 days for COVID-19 symptoms — which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste or smell and nausea — to appear.
Denver officials have urged protesters to get tested for COVID-19 at the Pepsi Center, where the city has a free, drive-up testing site. People who go to get tested must first register online or by calling 311.
—


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Two people on a motorcycle die in collision with truck in Frederick

Two people on a motorcycle were killed Wednesday in a collision with a truck in Frederick , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ 6:30 p.m. at the East I-25 Frontage Road and Tipple Parkway intersection , according to @ @ @ @ @ traffic collision involved two motorcycles and a truck .
Two people on the second motorcycle @ @ @ @ @ hospital with injuries .
Police and the Colorado State Patrol are investigating the crash .
@ @ @ @ @ not released on Thursday .
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call @ @

Two people on a motorcycle were killed Wednesday in a collision with a truck in Frederick, police said.
The crash happened at about 6:30 p.m. at the East I-25 Frontage Road and Tipple Parkway intersection, according to a news release.
The traffic collision involved two motorcycles and a truck. Two people on the second motorcycle were taken to a local hospital with injuries.
Police and the Colorado State Patrol are investigating the crash. Identities of people involved were not released on Thursday.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call 720-382-5700.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Rockies select Douglas County pitcher Case Williams in fourth round

The Rockies certainly didn ’ t stick to the beaten path in the 2020 draft .
In a surprise move on Thursday , the club drafted Douglas County High School right-handed pitcher Case Williams in the fourth round .
Although most draft prognosticators didn ’ t have Williams ranked especially high , Colorado made him the 110th overall pick of the draft .
In 2014 , The Rockies selected Colorado native and Thomas Jefferson High School graduate Kyle Freeland in the first round .
With Williams , the Rockies could be thinking that selecting a player who ’ s pitched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last season , the 6-foot-3 Williams posted an 8-1 record with a 1.81 ERA while striking out 79 in 50 1/3 innings .
He ’ s committed to playing collegiate baseball at Santa Clara .
Longtime Cherry Creek coach Marc Johnson called Williams “ easily the best pitcher in the state.
” Wednesday , the Rockies started the draft by taking an unconventional route , selecting high school outfielder Zac Veen in the first round with the ninth overall all pick , and then tabbed high school catcher Drew Romo in the Competitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the 35th overall pick .
Colorado stocked up on pitching Thursday .
In the second round ( 46th overall pick ) , it selected right-handed pitcher Chris McMahon , a fourth-year junior out of the University of Miami .
In the third round ( No .
81 ) , the Rockies picked left-hander Sam Weatherly out of Clemson .
McMahon , 21 , stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 217 pounds .
His bread-and-butter pitches are a sinking fastball and a slider .
In a 2020 college baseball season cut short by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.05 earned run average and 38 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings pitched in four starts .
McMahon went 3-2 with a 3.72 ERA in his 12 starts as a sophomore in 2019 .
He made six appearances and four starts as a freshman , posting a 4.44 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings .
Weatherly , 20 , was Clemson ’ s Friday starter in the virus-shortened season , going 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA , .096 opponents ’ batting average and 43 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings over four starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weatherly was a reliever for the Tigers .
In his career , Weatherly was 4-0 with a 3.48 ERA , striking out 106 72 1/3 innings over 33 appearances ( nine starts ) .
Scouts say he has a big-league slider .
Veen , 18 , was drafted out of Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange , Fla. Romo from Woodlands ( Texas ) High School is a catcher prized for his defensive skills .
It was the earliest the Rockies selected a catcher since they began drafting in 1992 .
This @ @ @ @

The Rockies certainly didn’t stick to the beaten path in the 2020 draft.
In a surprise move Thursday, the club drafted Douglas County High School right-handed pitcher Case Williams in the fourth round.
Although most draft prognosticators didn’t rank Williams especially high, Colorado made him the 110th overall pick of the draft. Williams did not show up on MLB.com’s list of its top 200 draft prospects, nor did he make Baseball America’s top-500 list.
But Williams worked hard over the winter to build strength and hone technique, and he believes that videos illustrated his improvement. Still, Williams, who said his fastball hit 96 mph last July, admitted he was surprised when the Rockies called him Thursday.
“It was pretty unexpected, honestly,” he said. “I watched (the draft) last night and went to bed not knowing I would be in the situation I’m in now.”
The Rockies, however, saw Williams up close last fall and the Douglas County senior made a strong impression.
“Case was involved in our scout-team program that played out in the fall with (senior director of scouting) Marc Gustafson and (assistant scouting director) Sterling Monfort and our coaches,” said Bill Schmidt, Colorado’s vice president of scouting. “We saw the adjustments and changes he made and we got to know him and that made us very comfortable.”
General manager Jeff Bridich added that some of the predictions regarding Williams’ talents and where he might be drafted — as well as some of the things written about him on draft websites — presented “a little bit (of) outdated information.”
“We are excited about him,” Bridich added. “He’s a very powerful, big kid with a good frame to work with.”
In 2014, the Rockies selected Colorado native and Thomas Jefferson High School graduate Kyle Freeland in the first round. With Williams, the Rockies could again be thinking that selecting a player who’s pitched at altitude has a big upside.
“I think it could be a reason, but I don’t think it’s the sole reason,” Williams said.
Bridich agreed with that assessment.
“I think Case put it perfectly,” Bridich said. “Him living at altitude and pitching at altitude is a little piece of it. It’s an important piece but it’s not the only piece. He’s got a lot of talent and he’s improved over the last year with a lot of hard work.”
Last season, the 6-foot-3 Williams posted an 8-1 record with a 1.81 ERA while striking out 79 in 50 1/3 innings. He also threw a no-hitter. He’s committed to playing collegiate baseball at Santa Clara. Longtime Cherry Creek coach Marc Johnson called Williams “easily the best pitcher in the state.”
Asked if he will sign with the Rockies or decide to play college baseball, Williams said: “I just have to figure it out right now. Everything is super crazy and unbelievable and I’m super grateful for the opportunity. I’ll talk it over with my family and we’ll figure it out.”
A day earlier, the Rockies opened the draft by taking an unconventional route, selecting high school outfielder Zac Veen in the first round with the ninth overall all pick, and then tabbed high school catcher Drew Romo in the Competitive Balance Round A selection later that night with the 35th overall pick.
Colorado stocked up on pitching early Thursday. In the second round (46th overall pick), it selected right-handed pitcher Chris McMahon, a fourth-year junior out of the University of Miami. In the third round (No. 81), the Rockies took left-hander Sam Weatherly out of Clemson.
In the fifth round, the Rockies grabbed Michigan shortstop Jack Blomgren, their final pick of the draft.
McMahon, 21, stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 217 pounds. His bread-and-butter pitches are a sinking fastball and a slider.
In a 2020 college baseball season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, McMahon went 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings pitched in four starts.
McMahon went 3-2 with a 3.72 ERA in his 12 starts as a sophomore in 2019. He made six appearances and four starts as a freshman, posting a 4.44 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Weatherly, 20, was Clemson’s Friday starter in the virus-shortened season, going 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA, .096 opponents’ batting average and 43 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings over four starts. Before he became a starter, Weatherly was a reliever for the Tigers. In his career, Weatherly was 4-0 with a 3.48 ERA, striking out 106 in 72 1/3 innings over 33 appearances (nine starts). Scouts say he has a big-league slider.
Veen, 18, was drafted out of Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Fla. Romo, from Woodlands (Texas) High School, is a catcher prized for his defensive skills. It was the earliest the Rockies selected a catcher since they began drafting in 1992.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Colorado lawmakers to vote on putting tobacco and vaping tax on ballot

After weeks of back-room negotiations with health care advocates and a tobacco producer , Colorado lawmakers introduced a measure Thursday to put a tobacco and vaping tax measure on the November ballot .
The bill — an effort to avoid a costly and difficult campaign to put the measure on the ballot via petition — comes a day before the session was scheduled to conclude .
If it clears its first hurdles , lawmakers will need to meet Saturday for a final vote .
“ Even though we know the polling shows we have a very strong chance of winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an industry with a limitless budget to oppose us , ” said Jake Williams , executive director of Healthier Colorado .
House Bill 1427 calls for smaller increases in taxes than the citizen-led Initiative 292 , but it comes with a commitment from the governor and proponents that there will be no more taxes on the products for six years , according to a document obtained by The Denver Post .
The bill calls for asking voters to increase the cigarette tax from 1 cent to 6.5 cents until July 1 , 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 1 , 2027 ; and then increasing it to 10 cents .
The tax on other tobacco products , such as chewing tobacco , would increase from 20 % of the manufacturer ’ s list price to 30 % until July 1 , 2024 , then to 36 % until July 1 , 2027 , and then to 42 % .
It would also create a tax on nicotine products such as on vape products that would be equal to 50 % of the manufacturer ’ s list price until July 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2027 ; and 62 % after .
It would make the minimum price for a cigarette pack $ 7 and $ 70 for a carton until July 1 , 2024 , and then going up to $ 7.50 and $ 75 , respectively .
For the first two and a half years of the tax , $ 450 million would go toward the state ’ s general fund and after that , the money would toward preschool education .
A similar effort pushed by Gov .
Jared Polis failed to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bill doesn ’ t address all the concerns that came up last year , Williams said , but it makes significant progress .
“ We have a deal with the largest tobacco company in America , who was the exclusive funder of the opposition campaign last time , ” he said .
Altria did not respond to requests for comment .
The governor ’ s office said Polis would sign the bill as introduced if it makes it to his desk .
“ The governor strongly supports the initiated ballot measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s current revenue challenges require smart solutions such as this , ” said spokesperson Conor Cahill .
House Speaker KC Becker said she was open to bringing the bill forward because it addresses a growing teen vaping problem in Colorado and would help with the state ’ s revenue shortfall due to the pandemic .
“ Any time there ’ s a tax of any sort , it ’ s always hard to move through the legislature , ” said Becker , D-Boulder .
But , she added , “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than it was a year ago.
” Whether the bill would get introduced has been touch and go for the past few days as health care groups negotiated with lawmakers and the governor ’ s office .
Williams said they decided it was worth seeing whether they could pass something that would relieve budgetary problems and improve public health .
One of the sponsors of the bill , Rep. Yadira Caraveo , D-Thornton , said they believe they have the votes .
Smaller vape groups and locally owned businesses have expressed frustration at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were left out of the process again .
Amanda Wheeler of the Rocky Mountain Smoke-Free Alliance , a nonprofit representing small Colorado vape businesses , said her group is negotiating to have the nicotine tax be phased in .
Small shops also want to get rid of a provision in the proposal that will allow tobacco products with a federal “ modified risk tobacco product ” designation to get a 50 % reduction in taxes .
Wheeler said only larger corporations are able to spend the millions of dollars required to obtain @ @ @ @

After weeks of back-room negotiations with health care advocates and a tobacco producer, Colorado lawmakers introduced a measure Thursday to put a tobacco and vaping tax measure on the November ballot.
The bill — an effort to avoid a costly and difficult campaign to put the measure on the ballot via petition — comes a day before the session was scheduled to conclude. If it clears its first hurdles, lawmakers will need to meet Saturday for a final vote.
“Even though we know the polling shows we have a very strong chance of winning, we also have to go against an industry with a limitless budget to oppose us,” said Jake Williams, executive director of Healthier Colorado.
House Bill 1427 calls for smaller increases in taxes than the citizen-led Initiative 292, but it comes with a commitment from the governor and proponents that there will be no more taxes on the products for six years, according to a document obtained by The Denver Post.
The bill calls for asking voters to increase the cigarette tax from 1 cent to 6.5 cents until July 1, 2024; increasing it to 8 cents until July 1, 2027; and then increasing it to 10 cents.
The tax on other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, would increase from 20% of the manufacturer’s list price to 30% until July 1, 2024, then to 36% until July 1, 2027, and then to 42%.
It would also create a tax on nicotine products such as on vape products that would be equal to 50% of the manufacturer’s list price until July 1, 2024; 56% until July 1, 2027; and 62% after.
It would make the minimum price for a cigarette pack $7 and $70 for a carton until July 1, 2024, and then going up to $7.50 and $75, respectively.
For the first two and a half years of the tax, $450 million would go toward the state’s general fund and after that, the money would toward preschool education.
A similar effort pushed by Gov. Jared Polis failed to pass the legislature last year. This year’s bill doesn’t address all the concerns that came up last year, Williams said, but it makes significant progress.
“We have a deal with the largest tobacco company in America, who was the exclusive funder of the opposition campaign last time,” he said.
Altria did not respond to requests for comment.
The governor’s office said Polis would sign the bill as introduced if it makes it to his desk.
“The governor strongly supports the initiated ballot measure, but it’s undeniable the state’s current revenue challenges require smart solutions such as this,” said spokesperson Conor Cahill.
House Speaker KC Becker said she was open to bringing the bill forward because it addresses a growing teen vaping problem in Colorado and would help with the state’s revenue shortfall due to the pandemic.
“Any time there’s a tax of any sort, it’s always hard to move through the legislature,” said Becker, D-Boulder. But, she added, “the state is in a very different place than it was a year ago.”
Whether the bill would get introduced has been touch and go for the past few days as health care groups negotiated with lawmakers and the governor’s office. Williams said they decided it was worth seeing whether they could pass something that would relieve budgetary problems and improve public health.
One of the sponsors of the bill, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton, said they believe they have the votes.
Smaller vape groups and locally owned businesses have expressed frustration at the bill’s arrival, saying they were left out of the process again. Amanda Wheeler of the Rocky Mountain Smoke-Free Alliance, a nonprofit representing small Colorado vape businesses, said her group is negotiating to have the nicotine tax be phased in.
Small shops also want to get rid of a provision in the proposal that will allow tobacco products with a federal “modified risk tobacco product” designation to get a 50% reduction in taxes. Wheeler said only larger corporations are able to spend the millions of dollars required to obtain such a designation.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--CU Boulder cuts pay for employees earning more than $60k

University of Colorado Boulder will cut pay for a broad swath of employees as campus leaders wrestle with funding cuts brought on by the economic impacts of the coronavirus .
Employees earning more than $ 60,000 a year or $ 28.85 per hour will have their pay cut by 5 % for one year , Chancellor Phil DiStefano announced in a letter to faculty and staff today .
Employees who are exempt from the pay cuts include those who are temporary , students , on certain work visas or classified , those who are already on a similar furlough through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 50 % funded by sponsorships or gifts .
The pay cuts are effective from July 1 to June 30 , 2021 .
Campus leaders in officer positions — the chancellor , provost , chief operations officer , vice chancellors , associate vice chancellors and deans — are taking unpaid furloughs that equate to a 10 % reduction in pay .
“ We are facing one of the most challenging times in university history , and we do not take lightly the financial decisions we ’ ve made over the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We know that livelihoods are in the balance and are trying to be as creative as possible to address financial shortfalls.
” Some employees who see pay reductions will receive 12 additional paid days off , including university staff , researchers and library faculty .
Faculty members who work nine months a year — including tenured and tenure-track faculty — will not get additional paid leave .
CU Boulder is facing funding shortfalls that could range from $ 121 million to $ 651 million , and temporary pay cuts are meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus statement .
Reducing employee pay will save an estimated $ 15.1 million .
Employees who make more than $ 60,000 but are on continuous furlough will also be subject to the pay cuts once they return to work .
If an employee earning more than $ 60,000 would make less than $ 60,000 after the 5 % cut — for example , those earning $ 61,000 — their pay will instead be reduced to $ 60,000 , according to the university .
CU Boulder ’ s Human Resources will begin notifying employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all notifications will be sent out by June 19 .

University of Colorado Boulder will cut pay for a broad swath of employees as campus leaders wrestle with funding cuts brought on by the economic impacts of the coronavirus.
Employees earning more than $60,000 a year or $28.85 per hour will have their pay cut by 5% for one year, Chancellor Phil DiStefano announced in a letter to faculty and staff today.
Employees who are exempt from the pay cuts include those who are temporary, students, on certain work visas or classified, those who are already on a similar furlough through their department and employees whose positions are at least 50% funded by sponsorships or gifts.
The pay cuts are effective from July 1 to June 30, 2021. Campus leaders in officer positions — the chancellor, provost, chief operations officer, vice chancellors, associate vice chancellors and deans — are taking unpaid furloughs that equate to a 10% reduction in pay.
“We are facing one of the most challenging times in university history, and we do not take lightly the financial decisions we’ve made over the last few months,” DiStefano wrote to employees. “We know that livelihoods are in the balance and are trying to be as creative as possible to address financial shortfalls.”
Some employees who see pay reductions will receive 12 additional paid days off, including university staff, researchers and library faculty.
Faculty members who work nine months a year — including tenured and tenure-track faculty — will not get additional paid leave.
CU Boulder is facing funding shortfalls that could range from $121 million to $651 million, and temporary pay cuts are meant to save jobs, according to a campus statement. Reducing employee pay will save an estimated $15.1 million.
Employees who make more than $60,000 but are on continuous furlough will also be subject to the pay cuts once they return to work.
If an employee earning more than $60,000 would make less than $60,000 after the 5% cut — for example, those earning $61,000 — their pay will instead be reduced to $60,000, according to the university.
CU Boulder’s Human Resources will begin notifying employees of pay cuts on Friday, and all notifications will be sent out by June 19.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--During weird offseason, Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur took “full advantage” of allowed m

During weird offseason, Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur took “full advantage” of allowed meeting times

During a video conference Thursday , new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur provided a perfect example of how unorthodox the offseason program has been for teams .
Shurmur was hired by the Broncos on Jan. 14 … and just met receiver Courtland Sutton for the first time last weekend .
The spring is usually reserved for new coaches to spend valuable meeting room and practice field time with players they ’ ve only watched on game video .
But the coronavirus pandemic forced teams to conduct sessions via Zoom , robbing a young offense like the Broncos from connecting in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of the virtual Zoom meetings , ” Shurmur said .
“ As a teacher , the first Zoom meeting was not as smooth as the one we just had ( Thursday ) morning .
You just keep looking for ways to inspire them to learn , and along the way , you ’ re constantly testing them and asking them questions for feedback.
” Nonetheless , once Shurmur and Co. , report for training camp in late July , it will be a race for the offense to be ready for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Shurmur ’ s hiring were running back Melvin Gordon , right guard Graham Glasgow , center Lloyd Cushenberry , tight end Nick Vannett and receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler .
In his first media availability since Feb. 6 , Shurmur addressed several topics : What ’ s the story : Quarterback Drew Lock went 4-1 to finish last season , enough evidence for the Broncos ’ brain-trust to make him the no-doubt starter entering this year .
Shurmur said : “ It ’ s been awesome to work with him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think he ’ s embraced what we ’ re planning to do on offense .
There ’ s a rumor that he is working with the players by himself ( for throwing sessions ) and I also heard it ’ s going well.
” Analysis : If the Broncos ’ offense is to end their four-year scoring slump ( rankings of 22nd , 27th , 24th and 28th ) , Lock is the linchpin .
Lock getting the five games of experience , even though he is learning a new playbook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what Lock does best .
What ’ s the story : Consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons wasn ’ t enough for running back Phillip Lindsay to remain the No .
1 option .
The Broncos signed Gordon to a two-year deal in March .
Shurmur swiftly debunked the notion he spear-headed Gordon ’ s signing , calling it a “ false narrative.
” Shurmur said : “ Listen , I ’ m all for adding good players at every position .
I feel like Phillip Lindsay is an outstanding player we can hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to .
The fact we have two running backs now that can be very explosive with the ball in their hands , whether you throw it or run it , I think it ’ s a good thing.
” Analysis : In Shurmur ’ s two years as the New York Giants ’ coach/play-caller , running back Saquon Barkley had 77.2 % and 69.6 % of the team ’ s non-quarterback rushing attempts .
The Broncos and Shurmur likely figure that a more even distribution of work for Gordon and Lindsay is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story : The Broncos drafted Jeudy and Hamler with their first two picks in April , but Sutton should still be considered the No .
1 after increasing his Year 1-to-Year 2 production by 30 catches , 408 yards and two touchdowns ( and making the Pro Bowl ) .
Shurmur said : “ Obviously a very dynamic player .
He can make plays down the field , which is so important for a receiver of his size ( 6-foot-4/215 pounds ) .
But he runs good short and intermediate routes as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he ’ s got a great feel for the game and I ’ m anticipating he ’ s going to pick up where he left off a year ago.
” Analysis : Even with a full offseason , the transition for rookie receivers is occasionally rocky because they ’ re going against better cornerbacks , learning a larger playbook and aren ’ t the top option .
As Jeudy and Hamler get acclimated to the NFL game , the Broncos passing game should go through Sutton and tight end Noah Fant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos ’ most expensive free-agent signing was right guard Graham Glasgow ( four years , $ 44 million ) , the hope being he can bring durability to a position that rolled through several players in 2018-19 .
Shurmur said : “ He ’ s a solid player and he ’ s been very , very productive .
… When he was available and decided he wanted to come here , we were thrilled .
He ’ s an interior player who has done an outstanding job and when you can bring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very well for a very long time , it will be helpful .
That experience will help us along with the fact he ’ s an outstanding pass blocker as well as a run blocker.
” Analysis : Plan A … and maybe Plans B-Z , should be for Glasgow to stay put at right guard so he can be a pillar next to right tackle Ja ’ Wuan James and potentially Cushenberry at center .
Glasgow has 58 regular season starts .

During a video conference Thursday, new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur provided a perfect example of how unorthodox the offseason program has been for teams.
Shurmur was hired by the Broncos on Jan. 14 … and just met receiver Courtland Sutton for the first time last weekend.
The spring is usually reserved for new coaches to spend valuable meeting room and practice field time with players they’ve only watched on game video. But the coronavirus pandemic forced teams to conduct sessions via Zoom, robbing a young offense like the Broncos from connecting in-person with Shurmur.
“We took full advantage of the virtual Zoom meetings,” Shurmur said. “As a teacher, the first Zoom meeting was not as smooth as the one we just had (Thursday) morning. You just keep looking for ways to inspire them to learn, and along the way, you’re constantly testing them and asking them questions for feedback.”
Nonetheless, once Shurmur and Co., report for training camp in late July, it will be a race for the offense to be ready for the Sept. 14 opener against Tennessee. Acquired since Shurmur’s hiring were running back Melvin Gordon, right guard Graham Glasgow, center Lloyd Cushenberry, tight end Nick Vannett and receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.
In his first media availability since Feb. 6, Shurmur addressed several topics:
Working with Lock
What’s the story: Quarterback Drew Lock went 4-1 to finish last season, enough evidence for the Broncos’ brain-trust to make him the no-doubt starter entering this year.
Shurmur said: “It’s been awesome to work with him. Unfortunately, it’s been remotely. I think he’s embraced what we’re planning to do on offense. There’s a rumor that he is working with the players by himself (for throwing sessions) and I also heard it’s going well.”
Analysis: If the Broncos’ offense is to end their four-year scoring slump (rankings of 22nd, 27th, 24th and 28th), Lock is the linchpin. Lock getting the five games of experience, even though he is learning a new playbook, should provide Shurmur with a semi-foundation of what Lock does best.
Running back situation
What’s the story: Consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons wasn’t enough for running back Phillip Lindsay to remain the No. 1 option. The Broncos signed Gordon to a two-year deal in March. Shurmur swiftly debunked the notion he spear-headed Gordon’s signing, calling it a “false narrative.”
Shurmur said: “Listen, I’m all for adding good players at every position. I feel like Phillip Lindsay is an outstanding player we can hand the ball to or throw the ball to. The fact we have two running backs now that can be very explosive with the ball in their hands, whether you throw it or run it, I think it’s a good thing.”
Analysis: In Shurmur’s two years as the New York Giants’ coach/play-caller, running back Saquon Barkley had 77.2% and 69.6% of the team’s non-quarterback rushing attempts. The Broncos and Shurmur likely figure that a more even distribution of work for Gordon and Lindsay is the best course.
Impressed with Sutton
What’s the story: The Broncos drafted Jeudy and Hamler with their first two picks in April, but Sutton should still be considered the No. 1 after increasing his Year 1-to-Year 2 production by 30 catches, 408 yards and two touchdowns (and making the Pro Bowl).
Shurmur said: “Obviously a very dynamic player. He can make plays down the field, which is so important for a receiver of his size (6-foot-4/215 pounds). But he runs good short and intermediate routes as well. He’s got great questions, he’s got a great feel for the game and I’m anticipating he’s going to pick up where he left off a year ago.”
Analysis: Even with a full offseason, the transition for rookie receivers is occasionally rocky because they’re going against better cornerbacks, learning a larger playbook and aren’t the top option. As Jeudy and Hamler get acclimated to the NFL game, the Broncos passing game should go through Sutton and tight end Noah Fant.
Glasgow a big addition
What’s the story: The Broncos’ most expensive free-agent signing was right guard Graham Glasgow (four years, $44 million), the hope being he can bring durability to a position that rolled through several players in 2018-19.
Shurmur said: “He’s a solid player and he’s been very, very productive. … When he was available and decided he wanted to come here, we were thrilled. He’s an interior player who has done an outstanding job and when you can bring a guy in that’s done it very well for a very long time, it will be helpful. That experience will help us along with the fact he’s an outstanding pass blocker as well as a run blocker.”
Analysis: Plan A … and maybe Plans B-Z, should be for Glasgow to stay put at right guard so he can be a pillar next to right tackle Ja’Wuan James and potentially Cushenberry at center. Glasgow has 58 regular season starts.