thedenverpost--2020-06-12--“People are going to end up homeless”: Inside lawmakers’ failed effort to extend Colorado’s eviction

“People are going to end up homeless”: Inside lawmakers’ failed effort to extend Colorado’s eviction moratorium

In the closing hours of Colorado ’ s 2020 legislative session and with a statewide eviction moratorium set to expire , Senate Democrats worked feverishly on a last-minute plan to protect hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who may be at risk of eviction in the coming months .
State Sen. Julie Gonzales , D-Denver , hoped to extend the moratorium through October .
As she spoke emotionally on the Senate floor for more than an hour about housing insecurity , Sen. Jeff Bridges , D-Greenwood Village , was working to broker a last-minute deal that would satisfy tenant advocates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wavering Democratic lawmakers .
But the talks collapsed and as the Senate adjourned just before 11 on Thursday night , it seemed unlikely that any extension of the eviction moratorium would materialize before the legislature adjourns in coming days .
There ’ s additional urgency beyond lawmakers ’ calendar : Gov .
Jared Polis , responding to ongoing economic ruin and job loss , issued a temporary executive order banning evictions and foreclosures , and it expires at the end of this week .
If the legislature does not act by then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor .
Polis said he ’ s committed to working with the General Assembly to protect renters but has not committed to extending his executive order .
Few expect he will take action on the scale of what Gonzales and others have in mind .
“ At the end of the day , if the legislature doesn ’ t act , the responsibility of responding to the impending tsunami of evictions that threaten our state — upwards of 400,000 people , 61,000 in the city and county of Denver alone — that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gonzales said .
“ It ’ s extraordinarily clear that he will have to act , if we don ’ t do something.
” Unemployment has shot into double digits in the state since the coronavirus took hold here in March , creating an unexpected financial crisis for many Coloradans .
“ The big moment that this all will become acute is on July 31 , when federal enhanced unemployment benefits turn off , ” said Sam Gilman , co-founder of Colorado ’ s Eviction Defense Project , which formed in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this funding as a lifeline to be able to pay their rent will immediately face huge difficulty paying their rent.
” Landlords have been free to continue filing evictions during the governor ’ s moratorium , even though they haven ’ t been processed .
The floodgates could open as soon as next week , depending on whether and how the legislature and Polis act .
Gonzales spent the week in nearly nonstop negotiations , trying to secure support from at least 17 other members of the 35-member Senate to pass an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , but several were uncommitted on extending the moratorium , as is often the case with progressive legislation in that chamber .
Democratic Sen. Joann Ginal of Fort Collins owns rental property herself and has proven an especially difficult sell on a moratorium extension .
A month ago , Democrats said they had big plans for a housing relief bill .
They would not pursue a rent and mortgage freeze — they are convinced they don ’ t have the legal authority , to say nothing of the question of political will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures , a temporary ban on late-fee enforcement by landlords , and an extension of the current 10-day grace period people are given to come up with overdue rent money and keep their homes .
But once the legislature reconvened May 26 , lawmakers who had been bullish on sweeping housing relief said they weren ’ t sure what the plan was .
Talks stalled to the point that Gonzales and the Senate majority leader , Steve Fenberg , D-Boulder , both said late Wednesday they didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Quite honestly , it ’ s been landlords , ” Gonzales said , when asked why it has taken so long to introduce the proposal .
“ Fundamentally , I don ’ t believe the Apartment Association wants a moratorium .
They — how should I say this ?
— they want to be able to continue to evict people even amidst the pandemic.
” Democratic Sen .
Faith Winter lamented late Thursday that the housing lobby is still potent , even as housing insecurity skyrockets .
“ Power dynamics in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Winter , who along with Gonzales is one of the Senate ’ s progressive leaders .
The association has indeed been working behind the scenes and on social media to thwart the planned Gonzales bill .
But spokeswoman Michelle Lyng rejected the idea that property owners want to evict tenants .
Lyng noted that on average , landlords pocket only a fraction of the amount of money they bring in from rents .
The majority goes to mortgage payments , upkeep and staffing , she said , arguing that if the legislature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may struggle to meet their obligations .
Lyng said landlords want to keep tenants and use eviction filings as a last resort .
The prominent eviction law firm Tschetter Sulzer has been sending out regular email blasts , urging recipients to be prepared to fight against a possible eviction moratorium bill .
“ We can not stress enough , that we need ALL of our clients to call and/or email these senators IMMEDIATELY and express your opposition , ” read one email .
As word has spread of the legislature ’ s last-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists on the pro-moratorium side rallied their troops , too .
Mariah Wood , a 24-year-old who lost her job in March , was seen confronting Ginal at the Capitol on Wednesday .
“ I actually had to leave my apartment and throw out pretty much everything I own that doesn ’ t fit in the backseat of my car , ” Wood told the senator .
“ I heard you ’ re actually opposing the eviction moratorium .
… If it doesn ’ t go through , people are going to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
Ginal quietly responded that Wood was misinformed and after about a minute she walked away .
Ginal told The Post that she later returned to speak with Wood and other members of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America .
“ I feel for them , ” the senator said .
“ I ’ m trying to find a balance.
” Ginal declined to be interviewed beyond that .
Some of her Senate colleagues are quite frustrated with her , though she is not the sole focus of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance House Bill 1410 , which would provide about $ 20 million of assistance to renters and homeowners with mortgages .
Democrats could still move to tack an eviction moratorium onto that bill as an amendment , though such a move now appears highly improbable .
Gonzales said she ’ s open to any course of action that preserves the moratorium , even as the possible paths seem fewer and fewer .
“ I ’ ve been on 11 p.m. phone calls , 7:30 a.m. phone calls , to have these conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appeal to people ’ s better natures and remind them of the crisis that we are still very much in , ” she said .
“ I feel like I ’ m screaming at the top of my lungs , and I think there are some members of my caucus who are more concerned about the landlords , and making sure that they ’ re whole .
”

In the closing hours of Colorado’s 2020 legislative session and with a statewide eviction moratorium set to expire, Senate Democrats worked feverishly on a last-minute plan to protect hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who may be at risk of eviction in the coming months.
State Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, hoped to extend the moratorium through October. As she spoke emotionally on the Senate floor for more than an hour about housing insecurity, Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, was working to broker a last-minute deal that would satisfy tenant advocates, the housing lobby and a handful of wavering Democratic lawmakers.
But the talks collapsed and as the Senate adjourned just before 11 on Thursday night, it seemed unlikely that any extension of the eviction moratorium would materialize before the legislature adjourns in coming days.
There’s additional urgency beyond lawmakers’ calendar: Gov. Jared Polis, responding to ongoing economic ruin and job loss, issued a temporary executive order banning evictions and foreclosures, and it expires at the end of this week. If the legislature does not act by then, the matter will fall back to the governor. Polis said he’s committed to working with the General Assembly to protect renters but has not committed to extending his executive order. Few expect he will take action on the scale of what Gonzales and others have in mind.
“At the end of the day, if the legislature doesn’t act, the responsibility of responding to the impending tsunami of evictions that threaten our state — upwards of 400,000 people, 61,000 in the city and county of Denver alone — that all goes back to Gov. Polis,” Gonzales said. “It’s extraordinarily clear that he will have to act, if we don’t do something.”
Unemployment has shot into double digits in the state since the coronavirus took hold here in March, creating an unexpected financial crisis for many Coloradans.
“The big moment that this all will become acute is on July 31, when federal enhanced unemployment benefits turn off,” said Sam Gilman, co-founder of Colorado’s Eviction Defense Project, which formed in March. “The renters who have relied on this funding as a lifeline to be able to pay their rent will immediately face huge difficulty paying their rent.”
Landlords have been free to continue filing evictions during the governor’s moratorium, even though they haven’t been processed. The floodgates could open as soon as next week, depending on whether and how the legislature and Polis act.
Gonzales spent the week in nearly nonstop negotiations, trying to secure support from at least 17 other members of the 35-member Senate to pass an eviction moratorium. There are 19 Senate Democrats, but several were uncommitted on extending the moratorium, as is often the case with progressive legislation in that chamber. Democratic Sen. Joann Ginal of Fort Collins owns rental property herself and has proven an especially difficult sell on a moratorium extension.
A month ago, Democrats said they had big plans for a housing relief bill. They would not pursue a rent and mortgage freeze — they are convinced they don’t have the legal authority, to say nothing of the question of political will — but were considering an extension of the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, a temporary ban on late-fee enforcement by landlords, and an extension of the current 10-day grace period people are given to come up with overdue rent money and keep their homes.
But once the legislature reconvened May 26, lawmakers who had been bullish on sweeping housing relief said they weren’t sure what the plan was. Talks stalled to the point that Gonzales and the Senate majority leader, Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, both said late Wednesday they didn’t know how they would proceed.
“Quite honestly, it’s been landlords,” Gonzales said, when asked why it has taken so long to introduce the proposal. “Fundamentally, I don’t believe the Apartment Association wants a moratorium. They — how should I say this? — they want to be able to continue to evict people even amidst the pandemic.”
Democratic Sen. Faith Winter lamented late Thursday that the housing lobby is still potent, even as housing insecurity skyrockets.
“Power dynamics in this building haven’t changed,” said Winter, who along with Gonzales is one of the Senate’s progressive leaders.
The association has indeed been working behind the scenes and on social media to thwart the planned Gonzales bill. But spokeswoman Michelle Lyng rejected the idea that property owners want to evict tenants. Lyng noted that on average, landlords pocket only a fraction of the amount of money they bring in from rents. The majority goes to mortgage payments, upkeep and staffing, she said, arguing that if the legislature suspends evictions, small-scale landlords in particular may struggle to meet their obligations.
Lyng said landlords want to keep tenants and use eviction filings as a last resort.
The prominent eviction law firm Tschetter Sulzer has been sending out regular email blasts, urging recipients to be prepared to fight against a possible eviction moratorium bill.
“We cannot stress enough, that we need ALL of our clients to call and/or email these senators IMMEDIATELY and express your opposition,” read one email.
As word has spread of the legislature’s last-minute push for a temporary eviction ban, activists on the pro-moratorium side rallied their troops, too.
Mariah Wood, a 24-year-old who lost her job in March, was seen confronting Ginal at the Capitol on Wednesday.
“I actually had to leave my apartment and throw out pretty much everything I own that doesn’t fit in the backseat of my car,” Wood told the senator. “I heard you’re actually opposing the eviction moratorium. … If it doesn’t go through, people are going to end up homeless, like I am right now.
“That’s on your hands.”
Ginal quietly responded that Wood was misinformed and after about a minute she walked away. Ginal told The Post that she later returned to speak with Wood and other members of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
“I feel for them,” the senator said. “I’m trying to find a balance.”
Ginal declined to be interviewed beyond that. Some of her Senate colleagues are quite frustrated with her, though she is not the sole focus of their ire.
Meanwhile, the legislature continues to advance House Bill 1410, which would provide about $20 million of assistance to renters and homeowners with mortgages. Democrats could still move to tack an eviction moratorium onto that bill as an amendment, though such a move now appears highly improbable. Gonzales said she’s open to any course of action that preserves the moratorium, even as the possible paths seem fewer and fewer.
“I’ve been on 11 p.m. phone calls, 7:30 a.m. phone calls, to have these conversations with my colleagues, the stakeholders, to appeal to people’s better natures and remind them of the crisis that we are still very much in,” she said. “I feel like I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, and I think there are some members of my caucus who are more concerned about the landlords, and making sure that they’re whole.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--DPS board votes to phase police out of schools

Police officers will be phased out of working in Denver ’ s public schools over the next year , with all school resource officers gone from middle and high schools by June 2021 .
The Denver school board voted unanimously Thursday to end Denver Public Schools ’ contract with the Denver Police Department to provide school resource officers .
The vote comes after weeks of local and nationwide protests against racist policing sparked by the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis .
“ What we saw in our streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer tolerate , ” said board Vice President Jennifer Bacon , who drafted the resolution to end the police contract along with board member Tay Anderson .
“ This topic is not new or knee-jerk.
” The vote represents a victory for community activists who have pressed the district for more than a decade to remove sworn officers from campus because of the higher rate at which students of color are referred to law enforcement .
The district ’ s own force of more than 100 unarmed and armed campus security officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
Before the board voted Thursday , it heard from educators , parents and community members who support removing police from schools and those who don ’ t .
Derek Hawkins , a dean at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr .
Early College , said the process to remove police — which went from a public announcement to a vote in six days — was rushed .
He and others said school resource officers are role models for students .
“ Some have made it seem the SROs are wearing helmets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue tickets , ” Hawkins said .
“ I see something different.
” TaNesha Carter , who graduated from the former Montbello High School in 2012 , said she had a positive relationship with the officer at her school .
“ Officer Henry was not like a police officer in our eyes as students , ” Carter said .
“ He was there to protect us .
Even when there were situations where students needed to go to jail , he was there to mentor them through that process.
” Others spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Graduate Tiera Brown said being referred to law enforcement as a 13-year-old middle schooler was traumatizing .
Priscilla Sandoval said her teenage son was searched repeatedly by police , who found nothing .
Eloisa Palacio said her 10-year-old son , who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , ended up in court after contact with police at school .
The court dismissed his case , she said .
“ Students need support , not to be treated as criminal , ” Palacio said .
Jen Jackson , principal at Academy of Urban Learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago to redirect funding for a school resource officer to hire more counselors .
“ When we employ police in our schools over mental health counselors , over nurses , over arts education , we are saying as a district that ’ s where our values lie , ” Jackson said .
The resolution passed by the board reduces the number of school resource officers — police officers who are specially trained to work with youths — by 25 % by Dec. 31 , which would eliminate at least four officers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2021 .
The resolution also directs the superintendent to “ redefine school safety ” in Denver Public Schools and clarify the role that law enforcement should play .
It says the superintendent and community members should craft a district policy that ensures students will no longer be ticketed , arrested or referred to law enforcement “ unless there are no other available alternatives for addressing imminent threats of serious harm.
” And the resolution directs the superintendent to create a monthly school discipline report that would include the number of students ticketed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handcuffed and the number of times police are called to schools , among other information .
State data shows Denver ’ s black students are disproportionately referred to law enforcement , ticketed , and arrested at school .
One in four tickets or arrests in the 2018-19 school year involved black students , even though only about one in seven students are black , according to data from the Colorado Department of Criminal Justice .

Police officers will be phased out of working in Denver’s public schools over the next year, with all school resource officers gone from middle and high schools by June 2021.
The Denver school board voted unanimously Thursday to end Denver Public Schools’ contract with the Denver Police Department to provide school resource officers.
The vote comes after weeks of local and nationwide protests against racist policing sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
“What we saw in our streets was a reaction to what we will no longer tolerate,” said board Vice President Jennifer Bacon, who drafted the resolution to end the police contract along with board member Tay Anderson. “This topic is not new or knee-jerk.”
Read the full story at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit co.chalkbeat.org.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--An ozone alert is issued for the the metro area and Front Range

The Front Range , from Castle Rock to the Wyoming border , is under an air quality advisory until 4 p.m. on Friday .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council have issued an Ozone Action Day Alert which includes Denver , Greeley , Fort Collins and other cities along the Front Range .
Counties in the alert are : Adams , Arapahoe , Boulder , Broomfield , Denver , Douglas , Jefferson , Larimer and Weld .
Health officials , as part of the alert , ask area residents to limit driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Light winds , hot weather and lots of sunshine are fueling ozone concentrations that are in a moderate to unhealthy range for sensitive groups , according to the CDPHE .
Parts of the metro area west of Interstate 25 , including the foothills , could see the highest concentrations .
For more information online go to the state health department ’ s air quality page .
Active children and adults , and people with lung disease , such as asthma , should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion , the alert warns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing discomfort could be brought on by current air quality in the alert zone .

The Front Range, from Castle Rock to the Wyoming border, is under an air quality advisory until 4 p.m. on Friday.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council have issued an Ozone Action Day Alert which includes Denver, Greeley, Fort Collins and other cities along the Front Range. Counties in the alert are: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld.
Health officials, as part of the alert, ask area residents to limit driving gas and diesel vehicles if possible.
Light winds, hot weather and lots of sunshine are fueling ozone concentrations that are in a moderate to unhealthy range for sensitive groups, according to the CDPHE. Parts of the metro area west of Interstate 25, including the foothills, could see the highest concentrations.
For more information online go to the state health department’s air quality page.
Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, the alert warns. An increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort could be brought on by current air quality in the alert zone.


thedenverpost--2020-06-13--MLB draft affected by significant financial jockeying, with most players selected in rounds three an

MLB draft affected by significant financial jockeying, with most players selected in rounds three and beyond agreeing to bonuses under slot value

With the MLB draft abbreviated this year due to the coronavirus pandemic , there was significant financial jockeying that occurred on the second day of the draft — jockeying that was not in the players ’ favor .
“ Beginning in round three , the draft went almost wholly under-slot value , ” one major league agent said .
“ If you wanted to be drafted after the first couple rounds , you had to go under ( slot value ) , with obviously some exceptions.
” In an unprecedented year for baseball , the trend was not a surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially considering MLB ’ s rule that undrafted players can not get more than a $ 20,000 signing bonus in 2020 or 2021 .
With just five rounds instead of the usual 40 , in pre-draft negotiations that $ 20,000 cap gave high school and college players incentive to agree to sign for less than the slotted value of their pick .
“ There ’ s kids out there who signed for $ 40,000 or so in the third round , ” the agent said , noting the wide disparity between that bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a third-round pick this year .
“ Even if you were a college junior , in a year where you would ’ ve gotten half-a-million dollars , the good ones got just about half of that , if you got taken.
” The good news for players like Arkansas catcher and Heritage graduate Casey Opitz who didn ’ t hear their names called as draft-eligible college juniors — a year amateurs have higher leverage in signing bonus negotiations — is they can return to college and repeat their season of athletic eligibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
Next year ’ s draft could be as short as 20 rounds .

With the MLB draft abbreviated this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was significant financial jockeying that occurred on the second day of the draft — jockeying that was not in the players’ favor.
“Beginning in round three, the draft went almost wholly under-slot value,” one major league agent said. “If you wanted to be drafted after the first couple rounds, you had to go under (slot value), with obviously some exceptions.”
In an unprecedented year for baseball, the trend was not a surprise to the game’s insiders, especially considering MLB’s rule that undrafted players cannot get more than a $20,000 signing bonus in 2020 or 2021. With just five rounds instead of the usual 40, in pre-draft negotiations that $20,000 cap gave high school and college players incentive to agree to sign for less than the slotted value of their pick.
“There’s kids out there who signed for $40,000 or so in the third round,” the agent said, noting the wide disparity between that bonus and the $689,300 average slot value of a third-round pick this year. “Even if you were a college junior, in a year where you would’ve gotten half-a-million dollars, the good ones got just about half of that, if you got taken.”
The good news for players like Arkansas catcher and Heritage graduate Casey Opitz who didn’t hear their names called as draft-eligible college juniors — a year amateurs have higher leverage in signing bonus negotiations — is they can return to college and repeat their season of athletic eligibility, per the NCAA’s ruling in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Next year’s draft could be as short as 20 rounds.


thedenverpost--2020-06-13--NFL Journal: Spreading wealth should be achievable goal for Broncos offense

Asked about rookie receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler on Thursday , Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur made a point of how the best offenses have player-to-player balance .
“ I really do think you have to spread the ball around , ” Shurmur said .
“ Typically , in games that you win and play good offense , when you look at the stat sheet at the end of the game , there ’ s probably six or seven guys that caught passes and there ’ s probably two or three guys that ran the ball.
” The Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that should allow Shurmur to mix things up : Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay at running back , Jeudy , Hamler and Courtland Sutton at receiver .
Noah Fant and Nick Vannett at tight end .
So how often did Shurmur achieve his preferred kind of balance as the New York Giants ’ coach/play-caller in 2018-19 ?
I looked at the Giants ’ eight wins under Shurmur .
Receptions : The Giants had two games with six players catching at least two passes , three games with four players catching at least three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catching at least four passes .
That kind of balance should be reachable for the Broncos .
Rushing : The Giants had a superstar in Saquon Barkley , which meant in the eight wins , only twice did two backs have at least 10 carries in the same game ( Barkley missed the second game with an injury ) .
Having Gordon and Lindsay should make Shurmur more willing to divvy up the carries .
Signings delayed .
Usually by the end of the offseason program , a majority of a team ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in rounds 3-7 .
But the Broncos have not signed any of their 10 selections so far .
What gives ?
“ Clubs have been advised not to sign draft picks until the travel restrictions begin to ease up , ” an NFL executive said via email Thursday .
“ I think there are a lot of concerns about recouping signing bonus money so the thought is , ‘ Why bother signing these guys right now until we get a clearer picture come training camp.
’ ” Last year , Fant signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Risner ( July 16 ) and quarterback Drew Lock ( July 17 ) did not sign until just before training camp .
Fan of Lock .
Lock ’ s fan base in the national media has grown rapidly this offseason .
Chris Simms of NBC Sports ranked Lock as the No .
25 quarterback in the league , up from No .
37 last year .
“ Drew Lock really excites me as a football player , ” Simms said .
“ I was a huge fan of his coming into the ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the second-best quarterback in the draft behind Kyler Murray .
He has a lot of things I look at and go , ‘ This guy can be great.
’ “ First off , he ’ s a natural , pure thrower of the football .
The ball explodes out of his hand with great ease .
The other thing I find fascinating about the guy , he can throw the 96-mph fastball off his back foot and falling backward .
He reminds me a little of ( Detroit ’ s ) Matthew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s the kind of a guy , sitting here a year or two from now , if everything goes right , I can say Drew ’ s a top-10 quarterback and one of the five best arms.
” Early start idea .
An idea the league and NFLPA should toss around is establishing an early training camp report date for rookies and first-year players ( five or fewer regular season games of experience ) .
Bring those young players in 10-14 days before the full-squad report date so they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broncos safety Alijah Holder has two games of experience so he would be eligible to participate .
“ I would be there , ” he said .
“ It would be a good change of scenery to get out ( on the field ) as soon as possible.
” Briefly .
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson will host a charity golf challenge July 15 at Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton to benefit his foundation .
The price for a foursome is $ 2,500 and can be purchased at kareemjackson.org .
… Wednesday was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Las Vegas to recognize the former Broncos linebacker .
Marshall , who is a free agent , has been a charitable force in his hometown as well as the Denver area .
… The Broncos ’ coaches returned to the team facility last week .
They worked from home in the morning ( Zoom meetings with players ) and spent afternoons in the office ( staff meetings ) .
… The Pro Football Writers Association of America announced its awards nominations .
Three of the Broncos ’ connections : Safety Justin Simmons ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessible to the media ) , former left tackle Russell Okung ( “ George Halas Award ” for overcoming adversity ) and former running backs coach Bobby Turner ( “ Dr .
Z Award ” for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach ) .
Okung is now with the Carolina Panthers and Turner is on the San Francisco 49ers ’ staff .
Cook not happy .
Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook was reportedly absent from the Vikings ’ virtual offseason meetings last week to express displeasure with the lack of a new deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of training camp , though .
Under the new collective bargaining agreement , any player who doesn ’ t report for Day 1 of camp will not receive an accrued season of service .
For Cook , that is the difference between unrestricted free agency ( four years of service ) and restricted free agency ( three years ) .
Further weakening Cook ’ s leverage is the running backs currently scheduled for March 2021 free agency : Derrick Henry ( Tennessee ) , Leonard Fournette ( Jacksonville ) , Todd Gurley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Orleans ) , James Conner ( Pittsburgh ) , Chris Carson ( Seattle ) and Marlon Mack ( Indianapolis ) .
Motivated Rivers .
Last year , I picked the Los Angeles Chargers to win the AFC .
That didn ’ t work out , paving the way for quarterback Philip Rivers to sign with Indianapolis .
Rivers threw 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions last year .
“ At times , I think what may have aggravated me a little bit was ( the thought ) that I just couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
“ When you heard that , it bothered me because I wanted to go , ‘ Shoot , let ’ s turn on the tape and watch all the good things .
”

Asked about rookie receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler on Thursday, Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur made a point of how the best offenses have player-to-player balance.
“I really do think you have to spread the ball around,” Shurmur said. “Typically, in games that you win and play good offense, when you look at the stat sheet at the end of the game, there’s probably six or seven guys that caught passes and there’s probably two or three guys that ran the ball.”
The Broncos have assembled the kind of skill-position talent that should allow Shurmur to mix things up: Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay at running back, Jeudy, Hamler and Courtland Sutton at receiver. Noah Fant and Nick Vannett at tight end.
So how often did Shurmur achieve his preferred kind of balance as the New York Giants’ coach/play-caller in 2018-19? I looked at the Giants’ eight wins under Shurmur.
Receptions: The Giants had two games with six players catching at least two passes, three games with four players catching at least three passes and one game with four players catching at least four passes.
That kind of balance should be reachable for the Broncos.
Rushing: The Giants had a superstar in Saquon Barkley, which meant in the eight wins, only twice did two backs have at least 10 carries in the same game (Barkley missed the second game with an injury).
Having Gordon and Lindsay should make Shurmur more willing to divvy up the carries.
Signings delayed. Usually by the end of the offseason program, a majority of a team’s draft picks have been signed, particularly in rounds 3-7. But the Broncos have not signed any of their 10 selections so far. What gives?
“Clubs have been advised not to sign draft picks until the travel restrictions begin to ease up,” an NFL executive said via email Thursday. “I think there are a lot of concerns about recouping signing bonus money so the thought is, ‘Why bother signing these guys right now until we get a clearer picture come training camp.’”
Last year, Fant signed May 23, but left guard Dalton Risner (July 16) and quarterback Drew Lock (July 17) did not sign until just before training camp.
Fan of Lock. Lock’s fan base in the national media has grown rapidly this offseason. Chris Simms of NBC Sports ranked Lock as the No. 25 quarterback in the league, up from No. 37 last year.
“Drew Lock really excites me as a football player,” Simms said. “I was a huge fan of his coming into the (2019) draft — I thought he was the second-best quarterback in the draft behind Kyler Murray. He has a lot of things I look at and go, ‘This guy can be great.’
“First off, he’s a natural, pure thrower of the football. The ball explodes out of his hand with great ease. The other thing I find fascinating about the guy, he can throw the 96-mph fastball off his back foot and falling backward. He reminds me a little of (Detroit’s) Matthew Stafford as far as his skill set. He’s the kind of a guy, sitting here a year or two from now, if everything goes right, I can say Drew’s a top-10 quarterback and one of the five best arms.”
Early start idea. An idea the league and NFLPA should toss around is establishing an early training camp report date for rookies and first-year players (five or fewer regular season games of experience). Bring those young players in 10-14 days before the full-squad report date so they can get oriented with the pro game.
Broncos safety Alijah Holder has two games of experience so he would be eligible to participate.
“I would be there,” he said. “It would be a good change of scenery to get out (on the field) as soon as possible.”
Briefly. Broncos safety Kareem Jackson will host a charity golf challenge July 15 at Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton to benefit his foundation. The price for a foursome is $2,500 and can be purchased at kareemjackson.org. … Wednesday was “Brandon Marshall Day,” in North Las Vegas to recognize the former Broncos linebacker. Marshall, who is a free agent, has been a charitable force in his hometown as well as the Denver area. … The Broncos’ coaches returned to the team facility last week. They worked from home in the morning (Zoom meetings with players) and spent afternoons in the office (staff meetings). … The Pro Football Writers Association of America announced its awards nominations. Three of the Broncos’ connections: Safety Justin Simmons (“Good Guy Award” for being accessible to the media), former left tackle Russell Okung (“George Halas Award” for overcoming adversity) and former running backs coach Bobby Turner (“Dr. Z Award” for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach). Okung is now with the Carolina Panthers and Turner is on the San Francisco 49ers’ staff.
Around the NFL
Cook not happy. Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook was reportedly absent from the Vikings’ virtual offseason meetings last week to express displeasure with the lack of a new deal. Expect him to report for the start of training camp, though. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, any player who doesn’t report for Day 1 of camp will not receive an accrued season of service. For Cook, that is the difference between unrestricted free agency (four years of service) and restricted free agency (three years).
Further weakening Cook’s leverage is the running backs currently scheduled for March 2021 free agency: Derrick Henry (Tennessee), Leonard Fournette (Jacksonville), Todd Gurley (Atlanta), Alvin Kamara (New Orleans), James Conner (Pittsburgh), Chris Carson (Seattle) and Marlon Mack (Indianapolis).
Motivated Rivers. Last year, I picked the Los Angeles Chargers to win the AFC. That didn’t work out, paving the way for quarterback Philip Rivers to sign with Indianapolis. Rivers threw 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions last year. “At times, I think what may have aggravated me a little bit was (the thought) that I just couldn’t play anymore,” he told Colts reporters. “When you heard that, it bothered me because I wanted to go, ‘Shoot, let’s turn on the tape and watch all the good things.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--NFL star Antonio Brown gets probation for fight with driver

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. — NFL free agent Antonio Brown pleaded no contest Friday to charges related to a fight with a moving truck driver outside his South Florida home earlier this year .
As part of a deal with Broward County prosecutors , Brown pleaded no contest to burglary with battery , burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief .
He will serve two years of probation , undergo a psychological evaluation and follow-up treatment , attend an anger management course , perform 100 hours of community service and follow a stay-away order from the truck driver and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merrigan Jr. withheld adjudication , meaning Brown won ’ t receive a criminal conviction on his record if he successfully completes his probation .
Brown ’ s attorney , Carson Hancock , said in a statement that the case resulted from a misunderstanding between Brown and the moving company about payments and should have been handled as a civil dispute .
“ Rather than engage in a protracted legal case , Mr. Brown decided to resolve this matter in an expeditious manner in consideration of his family and his football career , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL ’ s top wide receivers during his nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers .
He was traded to the Oakland Raiders last year but released before ever playing a regular season game following several off-the-field incidents .
He was then signed by the New England Patriots , who released Brown in September after a second woman in 10 days accused him of sexual misconduct .
Police responded Jan. 21 to a disturbance call at Brown ’ s Hollywood , Florida , home , where the moving truck driver said Brown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to pay $ 4,000 to the driver to release his household goods , according to police .
The driver told officers that Brown threw a rock as he drove away , causing a small dent on the moving truck and chipping the paint .
When the driver returned later , Brown paid the $ 4,000 but refused to pay $ 860 for damaging the truck , police said .
The driver returned to his truck to call his company , and Brown pulled him out of the vehicle , while the trainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown , the trainer and others began removing boxes from the truck , until the driver told them the boxes belonged to another client .
Brown had left the scene by the time police arrived , and the trainer was taken into custody .
Brown turned himself in two days later .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — NFL free agent Antonio Brown pleaded no contest Friday to charges related to a fight with a moving truck driver outside his South Florida home earlier this year.
As part of a deal with Broward County prosecutors, Brown pleaded no contest to burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief. He will serve two years of probation, undergo a psychological evaluation and follow-up treatment, attend an anger management course, perform 100 hours of community service and follow a stay-away order from the truck driver and the moving company owner.
Judge Edward Merrigan Jr. withheld adjudication, meaning Brown won’t receive a criminal conviction on his record if he successfully completes his probation.
Brown’s attorney, Carson Hancock, said in a statement that the case resulted from a misunderstanding between Brown and the moving company about payments and should have been handled as a civil dispute.
“Rather than engage in a protracted legal case, Mr. Brown decided to resolve this matter in an expeditious manner in consideration of his family and his football career,” Hancock said.
Brown was one of the NFL’s top wide receivers during his nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders last year but released before ever playing a regular season game following several off-the-field incidents. He was then signed by the New England Patriots, who released Brown in September after a second woman in 10 days accused him of sexual misconduct.
Police responded Jan. 21 to a disturbance call at Brown’s Hollywood, Florida, home, where the moving truck driver said Brown and his trainer hit him.
Brown had refused to pay $4,000 to the driver to release his household goods, according to police. The driver told officers that Brown threw a rock as he drove away, causing a small dent on the moving truck and chipping the paint.
When the driver returned later, Brown paid the $4,000 but refused to pay $860 for damaging the truck, police said. The driver returned to his truck to call his company, and Brown pulled him out of the vehicle, while the trainer grabbed the keys, officials said. Brown, the trainer and others began removing boxes from the truck, until the driver told them the boxes belonged to another client.
Brown had left the scene by the time police arrived, and the trainer was taken into custody. Brown turned himself in two days later.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--MLB offers players 80% of prorated salaries, 72-game season

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has offered players 80 % of their prorated salaries and a 72-game schedule beginning July 14 in an effort to start the pandemic-delayed season , according to details of the proposal obtained by The Associated Press .
Players would get 70 % of their prorated salaries during the regular season and the rest for completion of the postseason under MLB ’ s plan , given to the union on Friday .
The players ’ last offer , on Tuesday , was for an 89-game regular season at full prorated pay .
The union said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss its response , but players repeatedly have said they don ’ t intend to move off their stance for full prorated pay .
“ This represents our final proposal for a 72-game season , ” Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem wrote in a letter to union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer that was obtained by the AP .
“ You should let us know by the end of the day on June 14 whether players desire to accept it.
” MLB proposed that players be guaranteed about $ 1.27 billion in salaries including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 1.45 billion if the postseason is completed .
The union ’ s proposal would guarantee players $ 2.25 billion .
Before the new coronavirus caused opening day to be pushed back from March 26 , salaries had been set to total $ 4 billion .
Each side includes a $ 50 million postseason pool .
Players have insisted they receive 100 % of their prorated salaries , the terms the sides agreed to in March .
But MLB told the union that playing in empty ballparks without gate revenue would cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional game played and that teams can ’ t afford 100 % prorated pay .
The union has said it doubts MLB ’ s figures but has not received sufficient financial disclosure to make a full evaluation .
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has threatened to unilaterally call for a schedule of about 50 games if teams must pay 100 % prorated salaries .
That would guarantee just under $ 1.25 billion — close to the new offer without the postseason portion .
Both sides say they would agree to expand the playoffs from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , but an agreement is needed for that to happen .
MLB is to receive $ 787 billion from Fox , Turner and ESPN in its current postseason format .
Expanded playoffs would create new games to sell , the total depending on the format agreed to .
Baseball ’ s highest-paid players , Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole , would each be guaranteed $ 11.2 million and have the chance to earn $ 12.8 million under the new plan .
They would receive $ 19,777,778 under the union plan , down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
A player at the $ 563,500 minimum would be guaranteed $ 175,311 under the MLB plan with the chance to rise to $ 200,356 .
He would get $ 309,577 under the union proposal .
In addition , a $ 50 million postseason players ’ pool in each side ’ s proposal would result in a full share being worth about $ 250,000 for the World Series winner and $ 170,000 for the loser .
Normally , tickets fund the postseason pool .
MLB has made three proposals , starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then cutting it to 76 on Monday and now reducing the season further .
Cole and Trout each would have been guaranteed about $ 5.58 million under MLB ’ s first proposal and about $ 8.72 million in the second with the chance to earn $ 12.19 million if the postseason is completed .
Players started at 114 games on May 31 and dropped to 89 on Tuesday .
“ We still see no justification for paying players less than a full day ’ s pay for a full day ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday in a letter obtained by the AP .
“ Your refusal to play any games in October remains unreasonable and unsupported .
You can play more baseball games than that and you owe it to your players and fans to do so .
Among other things , concerns about a second wave in October and November are apparently not going to stop other leagues from playing during those months.
” While the sides agreed to prorated pay in March , they also said they would engage in “ good faith ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halem , in his letter Friday , reminded Meyer that before the deal Manfred had been prepared to exercise the provision allowing him to suspend Uniform Player Contracts after a declaration of a national emergency .
“ The association ’ s rhetoric that players ‘ remain opposed to any further pay cuts ’ is quite misleading because players were never entitled to be paid in the first place … when games were not being played as a result of the ongoing national emergency , ” Halem wrote .
Players want to extend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 27 and push back the World Series deep into November .
“ At least 12 states have experienced a rising rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last week , including some states where our clubs are located , ” Halem wrote .
“ We must disagree with your position that it is in the interests of player safety and health to both cram in as many games as possible through the scheduling of doubleheaders and complete the postseason in mid-November , a time when the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it remains willing to suspend for this offseason the loss of amateur draft picks for teams signing qualified free agents .
The union said this week it was not interested in that .
Both sides have expressed interest in using joint funds to assist minor league players , who are not likely to have a season , and social justice initiatives .

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has offered players 80% of their prorated salaries and a 72-game schedule beginning July 14 in an effort to start the pandemic-delayed season, according to details of the proposal obtained by The Associated Press.
Players would get 70% of their prorated salaries during the regular season and the rest for completion of the postseason under MLB’s plan, given to the union on Friday.
The players’ last offer, on Tuesday, was for an 89-game regular season at full prorated pay. The union said it will convene a call of players to discuss its response, but players repeatedly have said they don’t intend to move off their stance for full prorated pay.
“This represents our final proposal for a 72-game season,” Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem wrote in a letter to union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer that was obtained by the AP. “You should let us know by the end of the day on June 14 whether players desire to accept it.”
MLB proposed that players be guaranteed about $1.27 billion in salaries including projected earned bonuses, increase the total to $1.45 billion if the postseason is completed. The union’s proposal would guarantee players $2.25 billion.
Before the new coronavirus caused opening day to be pushed back from March 26, salaries had been set to total $4 billion. Each side includes a $50 million postseason pool.
Players have insisted they receive 100% of their prorated salaries, the terms the sides agreed to in March. But MLB told the union that playing in empty ballparks without gate revenue would cause a loss of $640,000 for each additional game played and that teams can’t afford 100% prorated pay. The union has said it doubts MLB’s figures but has not received sufficient financial disclosure to make a full evaluation.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has threatened to unilaterally call for a schedule of about 50 games if teams must pay 100% prorated salaries. That would guarantee just under $1.25 billion — close to the new offer without the postseason portion.
Both sides say they would agree to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 in 2020 and 2021, but an agreement is needed for that to happen. MLB is to receive $787 billion from Fox, Turner and ESPN in its current postseason format. Expanded playoffs would create new games to sell, the total depending on the format agreed to.
Baseball’s highest-paid players, Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole, would each be guaranteed $11.2 million and have the chance to earn $12.8 million under the new plan. They would receive $19,777,778 under the union plan, down from their original $36 million salaries this year.
A player at the $563,500 minimum would be guaranteed $175,311 under the MLB plan with the chance to rise to $200,356. He would get $309,577 under the union proposal.
In addition, a $50 million postseason players’ pool in each side’s proposal would result in a full share being worth about $250,000 for the World Series winner and $170,000 for the loser. Normally, tickets fund the postseason pool.
MLB has made three proposals, starting with an 82-game schedule on May 26, then cutting it to 76 on Monday and now reducing the season further. Cole and Trout each would have been guaranteed about $5.58 million under MLB’s first proposal and about $8.72 million in the second with the chance to earn $12.19 million if the postseason is completed.
Players started at 114 games on May 31 and dropped to 89 on Tuesday.
“We still see no justification for paying players less than a full day’s pay for a full day’s work, ” Meyer wrote to Halem on Tuesday in a letter obtained by the AP. “Your refusal to play any games in October remains unreasonable and unsupported. You can play more baseball games than that and you owe it to your players and fans to do so. Among other things, concerns about a second wave in October and November are apparently not going to stop other leagues from playing during those months.”
While the sides agreed to prorated pay in March, they also said they would engage in “good faith” negotiations over playing in empty ballparks. Halem, in his letter Friday, reminded Meyer that before the deal Manfred had been prepared to exercise the provision allowing him to suspend Uniform Player Contracts after a declaration of a national emergency.
“The association’s rhetoric that players ‘remain opposed to any further pay cuts’ is quite misleading because players were never entitled to be paid in the first place … when games were not being played as a result of the ongoing national emergency,” Halem wrote.
Players want to extend the regular season past its scheduled end on Sept. 27 and push back the World Series deep into November.
“At least 12 states have experienced a rising rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last week, including some states where our clubs are located,” Halem wrote. “We must disagree with your position that it is in the interests of player safety and health to both cram in as many games as possible through the scheduling of doubleheaders and complete the postseason in mid-November, a time when the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation is now predicting worsening COVID-19 trends.”
MLB said it remains willing to suspend for this offseason the loss of amateur draft picks for teams signing qualified free agents. The union said this week it was not interested in that.
Both sides have expressed interest in using joint funds to assist minor league players, who are not likely to have a season, and social justice initiatives.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Body of man found on top of post office semi-trailer investigated by Wheat Ridge PD

Wheat Ridge police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found on top of a U.S. Post @ @ @ @ @ .
Investigators believe that Vincent Sager , 20 , “ died after falling onto the @ @ @ @ @ an overpass on I-70 in Wheat Ridge , ” according to a news release .
@ @ @ @ @ morning by a post office employee when the truck stopped in Grand Junction .
The @ @ @ @ @ police are not looking for any persons of interest in the case .
Investigators suspect @ @ @ @ @ semi-trailer in Wheat Ridge .
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call @ @ @ @

Wheat Ridge police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found on top of a Postal Service semi-trailer in Grand Junction.
Investigators believe Vincent Sager, 20, “died after falling onto the top of the semi-trailer from an overpass on I-70 in Wheat Ridge,” according to a news release.
The body was found Thursday morning by a post office employee when the truck stopped in Grand Junction. The incident remains under investigation, police are not looking for any persons of interest in the case.
Investigators suspect that Sager died striking the semi-trailer in Wheat Ridge. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 303-235-2947.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Colorado coronavirus cases increase by 175 infections, 9 deaths

Colorado health officials on Friday reported 175 new COVID-19 infections across the state , as hospitalizations for the respiratory disease @ @ @ @ @ 28,822 cases of the new coronavirus as of Thursday , up from 28,647 the day @ @ @ @ @ latest data from the state Department of Public Health and Environment .
Hospitalizations remain mostly @ @ @ @ @ people to 167 , according to the agency and Colorado Hospital Association .
Nine more @ @ @ @ @ , with the total number of deaths at 1,348 people as of June 6 , @ @ @ @ @ data is available for cases in which death certificates show the person died from the @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 patients who have died , even if their deaths weren ’ t directly @ @ @ @ @ stood at 1,595 on Friday .
That figure does not have as large of a @ @

Colorado health officials on Friday reported 175 new COVID-19 infections across the state, as hospitalizations for the respiratory disease remained flat.
There were 28,822 cases of the new coronavirus as of Thursday, up from 28,647 the day before, according to the latest data from the state Department of Public Health and Environment.
Hospitalizations remain mostly unchanged, dropping from 168 people to 167, according to the agency and Colorado Hospital Association.
Nine more people have died from COVID-19, with the total number of deaths at 1,348 people as of June 6, the latest date for which data is available for cases in which death certificates show the person died from the respiratory disease.
The number of COVID-19 patients who have died, even if their deaths weren’t directly attributed to the virus, stood at 1,595 on Friday. That figure does not have as large of a lag.
—


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--75-year-old man suspected of unlawfully touching 2 children in Jeffco park

A 75-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of unlawfully touching two juveniles in a public park .
Terry Joe Thompson @ @ @ @ @ the Jefferson County Jail for investigation of two counts of sexual assault on a child @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
The alleged incident happened at The Ridge at West Meadows Park @ @ @ @ @ Way , and adults at the park kept the suspect from leaving the area until @ @ @ @ @ information on the incident is asked to call the sheriff ’ s office at 303-271-5612 @ @ @ @ @ at 720-913-7867 ( STOP ) .

A 75-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of unlawfully touching two juveniles in a public park.
Terry Joe Thompson on Wednesday was booked into the Jefferson County jail for investigation of two counts of sexual assault on a child, according to the sheriff’s office.
The alleged incident happened at The Ridge at West Meadows Park, 6325 S. Van Gordon Way, and adults at the park kept the suspect from leaving the area until deputies arrived.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 303-271-5612 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 (STOP).


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Mountain magnet:  River Run Resort up in Granby has big resort homes from $239,900, wrapped in mount

Mountain magnet:  River Run Resort up in Granby has big resort homes from $239,900, wrapped in mountain attractions

Anybody that has shopped mountain resort properties between Winter Park and Granby knows that prices for new single-family homes with access to the trails and ski areas have climbed over the past decade into the $ 500s to well into the million-dollar range .
Which makes it more remarkable that you can buy a resort home in Granby , 25 minutes from Winter Park or Rocky Mountain National Park , wrapped in family-pleasing amenities , from $ 239,900 .
That ’ s a real price for a ‘ Lookout Lodge ’ you can tour as a model—an appealing single-family ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of them a near-1,500-foot 2-bedroom/2-bath home for you ; and across the deck , a second complete unit for your family , your cousins , your best friends , or whomever .
The way Sun Communities makes those prices happen is with manufactured housing , and with a monthly resort fee that covers a huge range of attractions—big pool , year-round hot tubs , a convivial bar and grill , bowling alley , lots of kids-themed activities , plus the maintenance aspects including some snow removal .
That runs $ 850/month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and includes property taxes .
“ Nobody can match our amenities , ” says Janelle Yeagley , who will show you , three models , including a lavish ‘ Mountain Hideaway ’ plan , almost 1,800 feet with luxury-vinyl-plank floors and stainless appliances including wine fridge , at $ 274,900 .
Few have even seen these models , which opened just as the coronavirus crisis arrived .
Yeagley is now getting visits timed to the reopening , from families that are taking a new look at where they would want to shelter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hideaway .
To put the $ 850 monthly fee in perspective , River Run offers a rental management program that has that same Mountain Hideaway plan priced to rent out starting at $ 325 per night during ski season and the mud months ; and for $ 375/night May to mid-October .
Yeagley can give you more specifics to help you do the math on how quickly that offsets the monthly fee .
Part of the attraction is the site itself—renowned from when fly-fishing outfitter Orvis attempted to do a very expensive resort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same direct access to the Colorado River .
As just one more amenity , you can fish the river from the property , or choose a big stocked pond on site ( Colorado license and a special Granby town permit required ) .
You can explore River Run by basing your RV here for a weekend ; or better yet , try out a resort cottage for $ 149 ( first night only , up to two adults and two kids , and stay by July 15 ; call 844-666-6301 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountain National Park is ( 25 minutes ) , or kid-friendly skiing at Granby Ranch ( 15 minutes ) .
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

Anybody that has shopped mountain resort properties between Winter Park and Granby knows that prices for new single-family homes with access to the trails and ski areas have climbed over the past decade into the $500s to well into the million-dollar range. Which makes it more remarkable that you can buy a resort home in Granby, 25 minutes from Winter Park or Rocky Mountain National Park, wrapped in family-pleasing amenities, from $239,900.
River Run Resort by Sun Communities What: River Run Resort by Sun Communities, resort single-family villas wrapped in amenities, pool, kids activities, bar/grill, close to Winter Park, Grand Lake, Rocky Mtn National Park
River Run Resort by Sun Communities, resort single-family villas wrapped in amenities, pool, kids activities, bar/grill, close to Winter Park, Grand Lake, Rocky Mtn National Park Where: 1051 Summit Trail, Granby; from I-70 west of Idaho Spgs, head west on U.S. 40 over Berthoud Pass, past Winter Park, 21 more miles to U.S. 34 to Grand Lake, turn right on 34 1/3-mile
1051 Summit Trail, Granby; from I-70 west of Idaho Spgs, head west on U.S. 40 over Berthoud Pass, past Winter Park, 21 more miles to U.S. 34 to Grand Lake, turn right on 34 1/3-mile Price: From $239,900 to $339,900
From $239,900 to $339,900 When: Weekends & daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Weekends & daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Phone: 844-666-6301
844-666-6301 More Info: RiverRunRVresort.com
That’s a real price for a ‘Lookout Lodge’ you can tour as a model—an appealing single-family ‘villa’ with two separate living units, one of them a near-1,500-foot 2-bedroom/2-bath home for you; and across the deck, a second complete unit for your family, your cousins, your best friends, or whomever.
The way Sun Communities makes those prices happen is with manufactured housing, and with a monthly resort fee that covers a huge range of attractions—big pool, year-round hot tubs, a convivial bar and grill, bowling alley, lots of kids-themed activities, plus the maintenance aspects including some snow removal. That runs $850/month regardless of the size unit you buy and includes property taxes.
“Nobody can match our amenities,” says Janelle Yeagley, who will show you, three models, including a lavish ‘Mountain Hideaway’ plan, almost 1,800 feet with luxury-vinyl-plank floors and stainless appliances including wine fridge, at $274,900.
Few have even seen these models, which opened just as the coronavirus crisis arrived. Yeagley is now getting visits timed to the reopening, from families that are taking a new look at where they would want to shelter, and liking the idea of a remote hideaway.
To put the $850 monthly fee in perspective, River Run offers a rental management program that has that same Mountain Hideaway plan priced to rent out starting at $325 per night during ski season and the mud months; and for $375/night May to mid-October. Yeagley can give you more specifics to help you do the math on how quickly that offsets the monthly fee.
Part of the attraction is the site itself—renowned from when fly-fishing outfitter Orvis attempted to do a very expensive resort community on the same ground, with the same direct access to the Colorado River. As just one more amenity, you can fish the river from the property, or choose a big stocked pond on site (Colorado license and a special Granby town permit required).
You can explore River Run by basing your RV here for a weekend; or better yet, try out a resort cottage for $149 (first night only,
up to two adults and two kids, and stay by July 15; call 844-666-6301). You’ll see how close Rocky Mountain National Park is (25 minutes), or kid-friendly skiing at Granby Ranch (15 minutes).
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--John Hickenlooper fined $2,750 for ethics violations as Colorado governor

U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper must pay a $ 2,750 fine for gifts he inappropriately accepted as governor but he faces no further consequences for a contempt citation , the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission determined Friday .
The fines are twice the commission ’ s estimated cost for a one-way private flight and limousine rides Hickenlooper improperly accepted at different points in 2018 .
“ Governor Hickenlooper accepts the Commission ’ s findings and takes responsibility , ” Melissa Miller , a spokeswoman for his campaign , said Friday .
Commission Vice Chair William Leone noted that the body has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” penalties .
It ’ s less about the money , anyway , he said .
Instead it ’ s about the complaint , a breach of trust and violation of state ethics laws .
The commission shot down a request from Hickenlooper ’ s attorney , Mark Grueskin , to purge a contempt citation they leveled against the former governor after he refused to cooperate with a subpoena requiring his testimony .
But the group also agreed they wouldn ’ t attempt to charge Hickenlooper for attorney fees over that citation given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body might not have the authority to do so .
The commission ’ s ruling comes just a week after it determined Hickenlooper violated state ethics laws by allowing large corporations to pay for a private jet trip to Connecticut , a Maserati limousine ride and plush dinners in 2018 .
Hickenlooper did not address the commission Friday , though he listened in on the call .
He has also downplayed the case as a smear attempt from Republicans before the June 30 primary .
The initial complaint was filed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and GOP officials have taken to hammering Hickenlooper over the ordeal .
The commission found that Hickenlooper violated the state ’ s ban on gifts to public officials in June 2018 when he attended secretive Bilderberg Meetings in Italy .
The commission also found last week that Hickenlooper had also violated ethic rules when he accepted a flight and fancy dinners from MDC Holdings in March 2018 .
Republicans have had a lot to say in recent days about the outcome of the long-running ethics investigation .
“ It ’ s now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right thing : take full responsibility for violating the Colorado Constitution and pay back Colorado taxpayers over $ 127,000 for his taxpayer-funded attorney fees that came from a 9/11 economic recovery fund , ” Republican Sen. Cory Gardner said in a statement after the commission ’ s ruling Friday .
Hickenlooper ’ s Democratic primary opponent , Andrew Romanoff , has used the violations to demand that the former governor drop out of the race .
“ When he said he wasn ’ t “ cut out ” to be a senator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d try so hard to prove it , ” Romanoff said after the ruling .
The pressure from both sides of the aisle put Hickenlooper on the defensive over the last week , including in two debates with Romanoff .

U.S. Senate candidate John Hickenlooper must pay a $2,750 fine for gifts he inappropriately accepted as governor but he faces no further consequences for a contempt citation, the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission determined Friday.
The fines are twice the commission’s estimated cost for a one-way private flight and limousine rides Hickenlooper improperly accepted at different points in 2018.
“Governor Hickenlooper accepts the Commission’s findings and takes responsibility,” Melissa Miller, a spokeswoman for his campaign, said Friday.
Commission Vice Chair William Leone noted that the body has never been able to assess “robust” penalties. It’s less about the money, anyway, he said. Instead it’s about the complaint, a breach of trust and violation of state ethics laws.
The commission shot down a request from Hickenlooper’s attorney, Mark Grueskin, to purge a contempt citation they leveled against the former governor after he refused to cooperate with a subpoena requiring his testimony. But the group also agreed they wouldn’t attempt to charge Hickenlooper for attorney fees over that citation given concerns voiced by Commissioner Yeulin Willett that the body might not have the authority to do so.
The commission’s ruling comes just a week after it determined Hickenlooper violated state ethics laws by allowing large corporations to pay for a private jet trip to Connecticut, a Maserati limousine ride and plush dinners in 2018.
Hickenlooper did not address the commission Friday, though he listened in on the call.
He has also downplayed the case as a smear attempt from Republicans before the June 30 primary. The initial complaint was filed by a former Republican speaker of the Colorado House, and GOP officials have taken to hammering Hickenlooper over the ordeal.
The commission found that Hickenlooper violated the state’s ban on gifts to public officials in June 2018 when he attended secretive Bilderberg Meetings in Italy.
The commission also found last week that Hickenlooper had also violated ethic rules when he accepted a flight and fancy dinners from MDC Holdings in March 2018.
Republicans have had a lot to say in recent days about the outcome of the long-running ethics investigation.
“It’s now up to Governor Hickenlooper to do the right thing: take full responsibility for violating the Colorado Constitution and pay back Colorado taxpayers over $127,000 for his taxpayer-funded attorney fees that came from a 9/11 economic recovery fund,” Republican Sen. Cory Gardner said in a statement after the commission’s ruling Friday.
Hickenlooper’s Democratic primary opponent, Andrew Romanoff, has used the violations to demand that the former governor drop out of the race.
“When he said he wasn’t “cut out” to be a senator, we didn’t know he’d try so hard to prove it,” Romanoff said after the ruling.
The pressure from both sides of the aisle put Hickenlooper on the defensive over the last week, including in two debates with Romanoff.


thedenverpost--2020-06-12--Colorado’s historic police reform bill one step away from being signed into law

Tears streamed down Colorado lawmakers ’ faces as House Speaker KC Becker , choking up , read the final vote count : 52-13 .
A bill that promises to bring historic changes to policing in the state passed the House on Friday afternoon , likely leaving one last step before it can be signed into law .
The vote came after lawmakers spent hours sharing personal experiences they and their loved ones have had with law enforcement and the need for accountability to keep black and brown communities in Colorado safe .
Several stressed that the bill isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrusted with protecting their communities accountable .
Senate Bill 217 was introduced in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death at police hands in Minneapolis , but lawmakers stressed that the issues are not new and are very much Colorado issues , too .
Among the biggest changes , the bill requires all officers to use body-worn cameras , bans the use of chokeholds and carotid control holds and limits when police are allowed to shoot at a person who is running away , known as the “ fleeing felon ” statute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objective justification to make stops , be required to intervene when seeing other officers using excessive force and could be sued as individuals for excessive force allegations , removing “ qualified immunity ” protections .
It also restricts the use of force officers can use on protesters .
“ I am feeling incredibly proud and grateful that this legislative body has stood up and listened to the protesters and listened to the families and said , ‘ we ’ re going to do something about this injustice in our society and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Rep. Leslie Herod , a bill sponsor and Denver Democrat , after the vote .
Herod said she wants to tell Coloradans and the people of Denver that the bill passed because they showed up , protested and demanded change , which helped push the legislation forward .
But most importantly , she said , it honors families like those of Elijah McClain and De ’ Von Bailey , both of whom were killed by Colorado police last year .
The bill is headed back to the Senate , which passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , because of amendments that the House made to it .
They ’ re expected to vote on the final bill later Friday .
Gov .
Jared Polis has previously indicated his support of the bill .
This is a developing story and will be updated .

Tears streamed down Colorado lawmakers’ faces as House Speaker KC Becker, choking up, read the final vote tally.
52-13.
House members passed a bill Friday that promises to bring sweeping changes to policing in the state, and it was expected to get a final vote in the Senate later in the evening. A dozen House Republicans joined all Democratic representatives in voting for the bill.
“I am feeling incredibly proud and grateful that this legislative body has stood up and listened to the protesters and listened to the families and said, ‘we’re going to do something about this injustice in our society and we’re going to start today,'” said Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat, said after the vote.
The bill passed the Senate 32-1 earlier this week, and Gov. Jared Polis said he will sign it.
The House vote came after lawmakers spent nearly two hours Friday sharing personal experiences they and their loved ones have had with law enforcement and the need for accountability to keep black and brown communities in Colorado safe. Several stressed that the bill isn’t about demonizing good cops but about holding those entrusted with protecting their communities accountable.
Prior to Friday’s vote, lawmakers debated the bill for hours in the House and Senate, and committees heard testimony from both families of victims and representatives of law enforcement.
Senate Bill 217 was introduced in the wake of George Floyd’s death at police hands in Minneapolis and the protests that followed, but lawmakers stressed that the issues are not new and are very much Colorado issues, too. Among the biggest changes, the bill requires all officers to use body-worn cameras and a public release of footage within 45 days, bans the use of chokeholds and carotid control holds and limits when police are allowed to shoot at a person who is running away from them, commonly referred to as the “fleeing felon” statute.
Officers would need legal justification to make stops, be required to intervene when seeing other officers using excessive force or face a criminal charge and officers could be sued in their personal capacities and held personally liable up to $25,000 for constitutional violations, removing the”qualified immunity” protection that previously didn’t allow it. The bill also restricts the use of force officers can use on protesters and changes the standards for when police can use deadly force.
The bill requires agencies to report data annually so issues can be identified and addressed. It entrusts the Peace Office Standards and Training board to decertify officers who are fired for excessive force so they aren’t able to just get rehired by another department.
Herod said she wants to tell Coloradans and the people of Denver that Senate Bill 217 passed because they showed up, protested and demanded change, which helped push the legislation forward. But most importantly, she said, it honors families like those of Elijah McClain and De’Von Bailey. McClain died after a violent arrest by Aurora police in August and Bailey was fatally shot by Colorado Springs police in December last year.
Although the Republicans who voted against the policing bill cited concerns with how quickly it was pushed through — the bill was introduced just nine days earlier — supporters said these issues have been studied and worked on for years, but the political will to pass them just wasn’t there. They also worked with law enforcement and groups that would be affected throughout the process.
“Our communities are tired. And we have been asking for change for generations. Now is the time,” said sponsor Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver.
House Republicans who voted in favor of the bill said they were convinced by not only the stories shared but the need to hold accountable those entrusted with protecting their communities. Republicans previously opposed to the bill changed their minds after sponsors worked with them and stakeholders to make changes, they said.
House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, said he was voting for it because it calls for policy changes that are needed.
“It’s my prayer that this bill will be a step forward and that’s why I’m voting yes,” he said.
Still, not every Republican was on board. Rep. Rod Bockenfeld of Watkins questioned the bill’s impact on officers on the street, saying many worry about whether they can continue to work in Colorado.
After discussions and some changes, law enforcement organizations came out in support of the bill.
“As difficult as this legislative process has been, we really do believe this is going to make us better,” Steve Schulz, president of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, said in a statement. “… We are committed to keeping the lines of communication open between law enforcement agencies, the communities we serve and lawmakers so that we can continue to work together and make necessary changes before crises arise.”
Thirteen House Republican representatives voted against the bill: Bockenfeld; Mark Baisely of Roxborough Park; Perry Buck of Windsor; Terri Carver, Larry Liston, Shane Sandridge and Dave Williams of Colorado Springs; Colin Larson of Littleton; Hugh McKean of Loveland; Rod Pelton of Cheyenne Wells; Lori Saine of Firestone; Matt Soper of Delta; and Perry Will of New Castle.
The Democratic governor applauded its passage.
“This is about a pattern of injustice and unfair treatment that Black Americans and communities of color have endured, not only in our criminal justice system but also in aspects of every day life,” Polis said in a statement. “Coloradans should be proud our state is leading the way to make policing more accountable, restore trust in law enforcement, uphold an individual’s civil liberties, and lay the groundwork for future discussions of criminal and juvenile justice reform.”
Senate Bill 217, the police accountability and reform bill, has passed the Colorado House on third reading. The room erupts in applause. #copolitics #coleg pic.twitter.com/2TcQ3WYG0T — Saja Hindi (@BySajaHindi) June 12, 2020
Earlier versions of the story incorrectly said the bill requires an outside investigation of all in-custody deaths by police. That was removed from the bill.


thedenverpost--2020-06-13--Saunders: New Rockies catcher Drew Romo should heed some sage advice from Chris Iannetta

New York Yankees Hall of Fame manager Miller Huggins got it right nearly a century ago .
“ A good catcher is the quarterback , the carburetor , the lead dog , the pulse taker , the traffic cop and sometimes a lot of unprintable things , but no team gets very far without one , ” Huggins said .
Which brings us to 18-year-old Drew Romo , whom the Rockies selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft out of The Woodlands ( Texas ) High School .
It ’ s the earliest the franchise has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love catching , ” Romo said .
“ Just not a lot of people do it .
It ’ s a grind and I love the hard work .
You go to showcases growing up and there are 50 shortstops and 50 outfielders and then , like , seven or eight catchers .
For me , it was really easy to stand out and I just loved doing it.
” He also revels in the toil and grit of life behind the plate .
“ I love getting all sweaty , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaked with sweat I have to air it out and hang it up in my garage.
” That ’ s exactly what you want to hear from your catcher .
After all , a career spent squatting in the dirt , taking foul tips off the facemask and tutoring temperamental pitchers takes a special athlete .
With that in mind , I reached out to former Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta , who made his big-league debut at age 23 and is now 37 .
Before the coronavirus struck , Iannetta was trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one final season .
I asked Iannetta , one of the smartest players I ’ ve ever covered , what advice he would give Romo .
“ First off , tell him congrats , ” Iannetta said .
Then he got down to the nitty-gritty .
“ His biggest challenge on the way up is going to be prioritizing his development as a catcher , ” Iannetta said .
“ I remember always asking the question , ‘ When does someone teach me to get better at calling games ?
’ ” Iannetta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it ’ s not easy , especially since minor league teams dictate what pitches should be thrown .
That is , teams insist that developing young pitchers must throw X number of changeups in a game and demand that certain pitches are thrown in certain counts .
“ So when it came time to call a game in the minors , it wasn ’ t truly about getting guys out and learning how to do that , ” Iannetta said .
“ If it was the fourth inning , I still had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quota.
” In other words , developing pitchers always takes priority , so a catcher must find a way to learn to call a game .
Iannetta ’ s second tip is not an easy one for any player , let alone a catcher , to embrace .
“ Learn to separate hitting from your defense , ” Iannetta said .
“ Defense is your oasis .
It ’ s your constant .
Own it .
Hitting will always be a challenge even when you are going well because that ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s difficult.
” Iannetta also provided some words of encouragement as Romo begins to move up the minor-league ladder .
“ Defense will get easier as you climb , ” he said .
“ Pitchers will be better.
” Finally , Ianetta , who ’ s played in 1,197 games in his 14-year career , offered this bit of baseball-weary advice .
“ Start taking Pilates or yoga now , ” he said .
“ You won ’ t need it until you are 28 , but if you want to play past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

New York Yankees Hall of Fame manager Miller Huggins got it right nearly a century ago.
“A good catcher is the quarterback, the carburetor, the lead dog, the pulse taker, the traffic cop and sometimes a lot of unprintable things, but no team gets very far without one,” Huggins said.
Which brings us to 18-year-old Drew Romo, whom the Rockies selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft out of The Woodlands (Texas) High School. It’s the earliest the franchise has ever drafted a catcher.
“I love catching,” Romo said. “Just not a lot of people do it. It’s a grind and I love the hard work. You go to showcases growing up and there are 50 shortstops and 50 outfielders and then, like, seven or eight catchers. For me, it was really easy to stand out and I just loved doing it.”
He also revels in the toil and grit of life behind the plate.
“I love getting all sweaty,” he said. “My gear gets so soaked with sweat I have to air it out and hang it up in my garage.”
That’s exactly what you want to hear from your catcher. After all, a career spent squatting in the dirt, taking foul tips off the facemask and tutoring temperamental pitchers takes a special athlete.
With that in mind, I reached out to former Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, who made his big-league debut at age 23 and is now 37. Before the coronavirus struck, Iannetta was trying to hook up with the Yankees and play one final season.
I asked Iannetta, one of the smartest players I’ve ever covered, what advice he would give Romo.
“First off, tell him congrats,” Iannetta said.
Then he got down to the nitty-gritty.
“His biggest challenge on the way up is going to be prioritizing his development as a catcher,” Iannetta said. “I remember always asking the question, ‘When does someone teach me to get better at calling games?’ ”
Iannetta encouraged Romo to learn that art, though it’s not easy, especially since minor league teams dictate what pitches should be thrown. That is, teams insist that developing young pitchers must throw X number of changeups in a game and demand that certain pitches are thrown in certain counts.
“So when it came time to call a game in the minors, it wasn’t truly about getting guys out and learning how to do that,” Iannetta said. “If it was the fourth inning, I still had to call seven changeups to meet the quota.”
In other words, developing pitchers always takes priority, so a catcher must find a way to learn to call a game.
Iannetta’s second tip is not an easy one for any player, let alone a catcher, to embrace.
“Learn to separate hitting from your defense,” Iannetta said. “Defense is your oasis. It’s your constant. Own it. Hitting will always be a challenge even when you are going well because that’s just the nature of hitting. It’s difficult.”
Iannetta also provided some words of encouragement as Romo begins to move up the minor-league ladder.
“Defense will get easier as you climb,” he said. “Pitchers will be better.”
Finally, Ianetta, who’s played in 1,197 games in his 14-year career, offered this bit of baseball-weary advice.
“Start taking Pilates or yoga now,” he said. “You won’t need it until you are 28, but if you want to play past 28 you better have a great regimen.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-13--As some Colorado hotspots start seeing an uptick in visits, tourism office launches COVID-conscious

As some Colorado hotspots start seeing an uptick in visits, tourism office launches COVID-conscious campaign

This summer , the Colorado Tourism Office ’ s usual tips for visitors — stick to trails , respect wildlife , scoop up dog poop — come with advice on wearing masks , staying 6 feet way from people and hand washing .
Welcome to vacations in the era of COVID-19 .
The tourism office launched a “ Care for Coloradans ” campaign Thursday .
Its latest video features cartoon moose , elk , bears and other creatures urging people to keep their distance from each other , don masks and stay home if they don ’ t feel well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you and me , ” a moose on the slopes suggests .
“ Mask !
Keep one in your pocket in case you need to rock it , ” is another tip .
“ We want to continue to make sure that the health and safety of both residents and visitors are the highest priority , ” said Abby Leeper , spokeswoman for the tourism office .
Tourism officials are working closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on protocols and guidelines for businesses , communities and visitors as restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus are eased , Leeper said .
The tourism office welcomed a June 1 executive order by Gov .
Jared Polis on the transition from the statewide stay-at-home order to safer at home “ or in the great outdoors ” while staying away from others as much as possible .
“ While we are all still safer at home , we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces , ” Polis said when he announced the executive order .
The tourism office ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ Are You Colo-Ready ?
” brochure .
The brochure and animated videos advise visitors on how to dress for the weather and different altitudes , tend to camp fires , keep wildlife wild by not feeding them and leaving no traces in wild places .
The brochure and other information will be available at state visitors ’ centers .
The centers are still closed , but Leeper said the tourism office is talking to the CDPHE about ways to keep employees and visitors safe when the centers reopen .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when COVID-19 cases began spreading across Colorado , people from other parts of the state were discouraged from visiting the mountains because of concerns that smaller communities wouldn ’ t have enough resources to respond to outbreaks .
“ After the great sacrifices that have been made to protect our state , it ’ s vitally important to set clear expectations so we can maintain all the gains that have been made and stay on course to reopen Colorado ’ s tourism economy , ” Cathy Ritter , the tourism office director , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typical year , the tourism economy in Colorado is big .
Travelers spent a record $ 22.3 billion on trips and vacations in Colorado in 2018 , up 6.7 % from 2017 , the tourism office said .
Tourism was the state ’ s second-largest employer in 2018 with 174,400 jobs supported by the industry , Leeper said .
The number of visitors from the U.S. were 85.2 million and about 1 million from other countries .
The numbers for 2019 will be released soon , Leeper said .
While the 2020 tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders in a couple of Colorado vacation hot spots say things are starting to pick up .
Hotels in Eagle County are capped at 50 % capacity under rules to stem the spread of coronavirus .
“ Many of our hotel partners are telling us they ’ re reaching that on the weekends , so there ’ s demand for travel to the mountains from the Front Range and drive markets , ” said Chris Romer , president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership , a business association .
Eagle County ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 50 people was approved by the state health department .
The county submitted a request this week seeking approval for gatherings of up to 250 people and 100 % occupancy of hotels .
State health officials have granted local governments exemptions from restrictions on size of public gatherings and the number allowed in businesses with the caveat that a rise in cases could result in a return to more stringent safeguards .
Romer said adhering to health guidelines , including social distancing , is required under the variances .
He said businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working together to ensure that everyone knows the appropriate protocols and are conveying the same information to guests .
The information and guidance from the state tourism office complements local communities ’ efforts , Romer said .
People are calling to see if places are open for business .
“ They ’ ll ask ‘ Is there anything for my family to do ?
’ and the answer here and in many locations around the state is yes , ” Romer said .
There ’ s fly fishing , whitewater rafting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romer said .
Many large events , such as music festivals , a staple in the mountains in the summer , have been canceled or postponed .
But producers and organizers are looking at alternatives , including “ pop-up ” music events in smaller venues , Romer added .
A big boost for the Estes Park was the reopening of Rocky Mountain National Park .
The park opened May 27 , ending a 10-week shutdown .
Park officials are taking a phased approach , limiting the number of people in the park and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Lund said he ’ s beginning to see more people around the town of Estes Park , a gateway to the national park that logged 4.6 million visits in 2019 .
Lund is CEO of Visit Estes Park , which promotes the area ’ s tourism .
Area hotels received an exemption from the state that allows them to operate at full capacity .
“ I ’ ve been talking to some of our lodging partners and they ’ re starting to sell out on the weekends .
That ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He hopes restrictions on the size of gatherings will eventually be loosened because Estes Park is a popular destination for weddings and family reunions .
It ’ s home to the country ’ s largest YMCA facility , the sprawling YMCA of the Rockies .
Limits remain on the number of people who can be in restaurants and stores .
About 5.5 million people visit Estes Park annually , with the largest numbers turning out in the summer and early fall .
“ Visitors want to have things to do and they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area , ” Lund said .
“ And it ’ s important that at the same time we keep people healthy and are respectful of being responsible to our local community .
”

This summer, the Colorado Tourism Office’s usual tips for visitors — stick to trails, respect wildlife, scoop up dog poop — come with advice on wearing masks, staying 6 feet way from people and hand washing.
Welcome to vacations in the era of COVID-19.
The tourism office launched a “Care for Coloradans” campaign Thursday. Its latest video features cartoon moose, elk, bears and other creatures urging people to keep their distance from each other, don masks and stay home if they don’t feel well.
“How about a ski between you and me,” a moose on the slopes suggests. “Mask! Keep one in your pocket in case you need to rock it,” is another tip.
“We want to continue to make sure that the health and safety of both residents and visitors are the highest priority,” said Abby Leeper, spokeswoman for the tourism office.
Tourism officials are working closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on protocols and guidelines for businesses, communities and visitors as restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus are eased, Leeper said.
The tourism office welcomed a June 1 executive order by Gov. Jared Polis on the transition from the statewide stay-at-home order to safer at home “or in the great outdoors” while staying away from others as much as possible.
“While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces,” Polis said when he announced the executive order.
The tourism office’s new initiative includes a new edition of the “Are You Colo-Ready?” brochure. The brochure and animated videos advise visitors on how to dress for the weather and different altitudes, tend to camp fires, keep wildlife wild by not feeding them and leaving no traces in wild places.
The brochure and other information will be available at state visitors’ centers. The centers are still closed, but Leeper said the tourism office is talking to the CDPHE about ways to keep employees and visitors safe when the centers reopen.
As businesses and activities were closed or curtailed when COVID-19 cases began spreading across Colorado, people from other parts of the state were discouraged from visiting the mountains because of concerns that smaller communities wouldn’t have enough resources to respond to outbreaks.
“After the great sacrifices that have been made to protect our state, it’s vitally important to set clear expectations so we can maintain all the gains that have been made and stay on course to reopen Colorado’s tourism economy,” Cathy Ritter, the tourism office director, said in a statement.
In a typical year, the tourism economy in Colorado is big. Travelers spent a record $22.3 billion on trips and vacations in Colorado in 2018, up 6.7% from 2017, the tourism office said.
Tourism was the state’s second-largest employer in 2018 with 174,400 jobs supported by the industry, Leeper said. The number of visitors from the U.S. were 85.2 million and about 1 million from other countries.
The numbers for 2019 will be released soon, Leeper said.
While the 2020 tourism season is anything but typical, business leaders in a couple of Colorado vacation hot spots say things are starting to pick up. Hotels in Eagle County are capped at 50% capacity under rules to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“Many of our hotel partners are telling us they’re reaching that on the weekends, so there’s demand for travel to the mountains from the Front Range and drive markets,” said Chris Romer, president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership, a business association.
Eagle County’s request to allow gatherings of up to 50 people was approved by the state health department. The county submitted a request this week seeking approval for gatherings of up to 250 people and 100% occupancy of hotels.
State health officials have granted local governments exemptions from restrictions on size of public gatherings and the number allowed in businesses with the caveat that a rise in cases could result in a return to more stringent safeguards.
Romer said adhering to health guidelines, including social distancing, is required under the variances. He said businesses and tourism offices in the Vail Valley are working together to ensure that everyone knows the appropriate protocols and are conveying the same information to guests.
The information and guidance from the state tourism office complements local communities’ efforts, Romer said. People are calling to see if places are open for business.
“They’ll ask ‘Is there anything for my family to do?’ and the answer here and in many locations around the state is yes,” Romer said.
There’s fly fishing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking and swimming, Romer said. Many large events, such as music festivals, a staple in the mountains in the summer, have been canceled or postponed.
But producers and organizers are looking at alternatives, including “pop-up” music events in smaller venues, Romer added.
A big boost for the Estes Park was the reopening of Rocky Mountain National Park. The park opened May 27, ending a 10-week shutdown. Park officials are taking a phased approach, limiting the number of people in the park and requiring reservations that have time limits.
Eric Lund said he’s beginning to see more people around the town of Estes Park, a gateway to the national park that logged 4.6 million visits in 2019. Lund is CEO of Visit Estes Park, which promotes the area’s tourism.
Area hotels received an exemption from the state that allows them to operate at full capacity.
“I’ve been talking to some of our lodging partners and they’re starting to sell out on the weekends. That’s a great sign,” Lund said.
He hopes restrictions on the size of gatherings will eventually be loosened because Estes Park is a popular destination for weddings and family reunions. It’s home to the country’s largest YMCA facility, the sprawling YMCA of the Rockies. Limits remain on the number of people who can be in restaurants and stores.
About 5.5 million people visit Estes Park annually, with the largest numbers turning out in the summer and early fall.
“Visitors want to have things to do and they want to be able to enjoy the amenities in the area,” Lund said. “And it’s important that at the same time we keep people healthy and are respectful of being responsible to our local community.”