thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Colorado lawmakers let governor mass-pardon marijuana possession convictions

The governor would be able to mass-pardon marijuana convictions for possession of 2 ounces or less if he signs a bill that gives him that authority .
It was the last amendment to the last bill considered Monday before Colorado ’ s General Assembly ended its work for the year .
Lawmakers added the mass expungement option to House Bill 1424 , which aims to open the marijuana industry to people of color and those who were previously convicted on drug charges that wouldn ’ t be crimes now .
A spokesperson for Gov .
Jared Polis didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but sounded supportive Tuesday afternoon .
“ The Governor is happy that a meaningful , bipartisan bill addressing marijuana equity passed the legislature and thanks lawmakers for their efforts to get this bill to his desk , ” Conor Cahill said .
Longmont Democrat Rep. Jonathan Singer had been working on a bill earlier this year to automatically clear past marijuana convictions , but a shortage of time and money in the Capitol forced him to drop it after the pandemic struck .
In a last-minute move in his final days as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get an amendment on another bill that would at least pave the way to get convictions cleared .
“ When we talk about a business licensing and equity model , we need to be thinking about people behind left in the War on Drugs , ” Singer said .
“ There are people who are still paying for their crimes that are now legal and constitutional.
” Those impacts , he said , disproportionately affect communities of color .
“ As someone that ended up making a lot of their career in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with substance abuse to creating the legal marijuana industry as we know it now , this is the biggest blind spot , ” Singer said .
A conference committee considering the amendment ultimately approved it with one caveat — allowing the governor to consult with others about pardons if he wishes .
Not everyone agreed with adding the expungement amendment .
Rep. Matt Soper , a Delta Republican , decided to withdraw as a bill sponsor .
Soper said he doesn ’ t disagree with clearing people ’ s past marijuana convictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He called the late addition an analogy for how the entire session was led by the Democratic majority .
“ It shifted from a marijuana business licensing bill to becoming a criminal justice bill concerning mass expungement and record sealing for an entire class of offenders , ” he said .
The change would not only apply to people who qualified for the social equity program but everyone who had previous convictions , making them two separate issues , Soper said .
The main bill expands who ’ s allowed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been arrested or convicted on a marijuana offense , subject to civil asset forfeiture from a marijuana offense , or lived in an area designated as high crime or economically disadvantaged .
The District Attorneys Council declined to comment on the bill Tuesday .
Rep. Terri Carver , a Republican in Colorado Springs , challenged the amendment on the House floor , saying it violated the state ’ s single-subject rule and went beyond the scope of the conference committee ’ s charge .
She also pointed out that the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ounce for recreational marijuana , not 2 ounces , as it is for medical marijuana .
Ultimately , House Democratic leaders ruled that the bill and amendment could move forward , despite an appeal from Soper .
Bill sponsor Julie Gonzales , a Democratic senator from Denver , said the two issues go hand in hand .
The point of the social equity program was to create more equity and diversity in the industry , she said .
This year ’ s bill was about clarifying who qualified at the request of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years , heard from people who were harmed by the drug war who had marijuana convictions on their record who were therefore functionally barred from being able to participate in the industry , ” Gonzales said .

The governor would be able to mass-pardon marijuana convictions for possession of 2 ounces or less if he signs a bill that gives him that authority.
It was the last amendment to the last bill considered Monday before Colorado’s General Assembly ended its work for the year. Lawmakers added the mass expungement option to House Bill 1424, which aims to open the marijuana industry to people of color and those who were previously convicted on drug charges that wouldn’t be crimes now.
A spokesperson for Gov. Jared Polis didn’t directly answer whether he would sign it but sounded supportive Tuesday afternoon.
“The Governor is happy that a meaningful, bipartisan bill addressing marijuana equity passed the legislature and thanks lawmakers for their efforts to get this bill to his desk,” Conor Cahill said.
Longmont Democrat Rep. Jonathan Singer had been working on a bill earlier this year to automatically clear past marijuana convictions, but a shortage of time and money in the Capitol forced him to drop it after the pandemic struck. In a last-minute move in his final days as a lawmaker, Singer decided to try to get an amendment on another bill that would at least pave the way to get convictions cleared.
“When we talk about a business licensing and equity model, we need to be thinking about people behind left in the War on Drugs,” Singer said. “There are people who are still paying for their crimes that are now legal and constitutional.”
Those impacts, he said, disproportionately affect communities of color.
“As someone that ended up making a lot of their career in the legislature on everything from helping people struggling with substance abuse to creating the legal marijuana industry as we know it now, this is the biggest blind spot,” Singer said.
A conference committee considering the amendment ultimately approved it with one caveat — allowing the governor to consult with others about pardons if he wishes.
Not everyone agreed with adding the expungement amendment. Rep. Matt Soper, a Delta Republican, decided to withdraw as a bill sponsor. Soper said he doesn’t disagree with clearing people’s past marijuana convictions, but he denounced the way it happened.
He called the late addition an analogy for how the entire session was led by the Democratic majority.
“It shifted from a marijuana business licensing bill to becoming a criminal justice bill concerning mass expungement and record sealing for an entire class of offenders,” he said.
The change would not only apply to people who qualified for the social equity program but everyone who had previous convictions, making them two separate issues, Soper said. The main bill expands who’s allowed to get marijuana business licenses to Colorado residents who have been arrested or convicted on a marijuana offense, subject to civil asset forfeiture from a marijuana offense, or lived in an area designated as high crime or economically disadvantaged.
The District Attorneys Council declined to comment on the bill Tuesday.
Rep. Terri Carver, a Republican in Colorado Springs, challenged the amendment on the House floor, saying it violated the state’s single-subject rule and went beyond the scope of the conference committee’s charge. She also pointed out that the state’s 2012 legalization of possession was for 1 ounce for recreational marijuana, not 2 ounces, as it is for medical marijuana.
Ultimately, House Democratic leaders ruled that the bill and amendment could move forward, despite an appeal from Soper.
Bill sponsor Julie Gonzales, a Democratic senator from Denver, said the two issues go hand in hand. The point of the social equity program was to create more equity and diversity in the industry, she said. This year’s bill was about clarifying who qualified at the request of local jurisdictions.
“I have, for years, heard from people who were harmed by the drug war who had marijuana convictions on their record who were therefore functionally barred from being able to participate in the industry,” Gonzales said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--CU to re-examine buying furniture made with prison labor after petition from students, faculty

The University of Colorado is examining its relationship with the Colorado Department of Corrections after students and faculty raised concerns about the university ’ s purchase of furniture made with inmate labor .
Many state entities and universities buy furniture through the Colorado Correctional Industries program , including Colorado State University and Fort Lewis College , said Ken McConnellogue , CU system spokesman .
State statute previously required the university and other state agencies to use CCI as an exclusive supplier , but the statute was revised in 2012 so CCI was no longer the only option .
CCI employs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which the DOC said are intended to educate and train inmates for the workforce when they leave prison .
“ Regarding our relationship with CCI , we ’ ve been talking about that for several months now as part of our normal sourcing , ” McConnellogue said .
“ Obviously , recent events have kind of brought an additional urgency to that.
” CU Boulder Black Student Alliance members , CU staff and faculty sent a petition to university administration demanding an end to the partnership between the largest university system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response , CU President Mark Kennedy established a working group last week consisting of six CU administrators , a staff member , faculty member and a student to continue the conversation about CU ’ s partnership with CCI .
The petition comes as waves of reforms around policing and other issues largely impacting people of color are brought to the forefront in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police last month .
Thousands of Coloradans took to the streets after Floyd ’ s death protesting police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have spurred widespread change including state legislation reforming police accountability laws and Denver Public Schools phasing out its partnership with Denver Police Department .
The petition also sought the end of partnerships with the Boulder Police Department , investing 1 % of the university ’ s $ 1.8 billion endowment in initiatives run by formerly incarcerated people and developing anti-racism and de-escalation training for staff , faculty and campus police .
McConnellogue said CU does not have investments in private prisons and that 6.6 % of CU ’ s endowment is already invested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarcerated people .
The university would have an upcoming discussion about ending its relationship with Boulder police , McConnellogue said .
“ It has long been documented that police and prisons have targeted Black and brown communities at much higher rates than any other communities in the country , ” the petition read .
“ We as a public university , should also demonstrate leadership and divest from our commitments to these institutions… ” Olivia Gardner , a May CU Boulder graduate , helped start the petition along with CU Boulder Black Student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she took a CU course in which students frequently met with people incarcerated in Colorado who expressed discomfort in the way they were treated as workers .
CU spends $ 7 million to $ 10 million annually on furniture through CCI , McConnellogue said .
Inmates in CCI earn an average of $ 4.50 a day , said Annie Skinner , spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Corrections .
“ Colorado Correctional Industries is currently undergoing a business reorganization process in order to ensure that they can continue to provide opportunities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help them better transition back into the community , ” Skinner said .
“ This year , CCI is committed to raising inmate pay in as many areas of our business as possible .
We have already begun to have initial conversations with CU Boulder regarding inmate pay and we look forward to continuing those conversations.
” McConnellogue said CU ’ s main priority in the working group is to ensure the relationship with CCI is beneficial for the university and supplier .
“ Certainly issues of wages , working conditions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnellogue said .
“ We ’ re looking to engage CCI as part of that .
We ’ ve been a valued customer , and we ’ re believers in what they do .
We ’ re a big buyer… a lot of the big players able to meet the needs of organizations our size are in India or China , so that ’ s something we have to consider .
”

The University of Colorado is examining its relationship with the Colorado Department of Corrections after students and faculty raised concerns about the university’s purchase of furniture made with inmate labor.
Many state entities and universities buy furniture through the Colorado Correctional Industries program, including Colorado State University and Fort Lewis College, said Ken McConnellogue, CU system spokesman. State statute previously required the university and other state agencies to use CCI as an exclusive supplier, but the statute was revised in 2012 so CCI was no longer the only option.
CCI employs 1,800 inmates in 60 voluntary employment programs, which the DOC said are intended to educate and train inmates for the workforce when they leave prison.
“Regarding our relationship with CCI, we’ve been talking about that for several months now as part of our normal sourcing,” McConnellogue said. “Obviously, recent events have kind of brought an additional urgency to that.”
CU Boulder Black Student Alliance members, CU staff and faculty sent a petition to university administration demanding an end to the partnership between the largest university system in the state and the DOC. In response, CU President Mark Kennedy established a working group last week consisting of six CU administrators, a staff member, faculty member and a student to continue the conversation about CU’s partnership with CCI.
The petition comes as waves of reforms around policing and other issues largely impacting people of color are brought to the forefront in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police last month. Thousands of Coloradans took to the streets after Floyd’s death protesting police brutality locally and nationally. The movements have spurred widespread change including state legislation reforming police accountability laws and Denver Public Schools phasing out its partnership with Denver Police Department.
The petition also sought the end of partnerships with the Boulder Police Department, investing 1% of the university’s $1.8 billion endowment in initiatives run by formerly incarcerated people and developing anti-racism and de-escalation training for staff, faculty and campus police.
McConnellogue said CU does not have investments in private prisons and that 6.6% of CU’s endowment is already invested in companies that provide employment for formerly incarcerated people. The university would have an upcoming discussion about ending its relationship with Boulder police, McConnellogue said.
“It has long been documented that police and prisons have targeted Black and brown communities at much higher rates than any other communities in the country,” the petition read. “We as a public university, should also demonstrate leadership and divest from our commitments to these institutions…”
Olivia Gardner, a May CU Boulder graduate, helped start the petition along with CU Boulder Black Student Alliance vice president Ruth Woldemichael. Gardner said she took a CU course in which students frequently met with people incarcerated in Colorado who expressed discomfort in the way they were treated as workers.
CU spends $7 million to $10 million annually on furniture through CCI, McConnellogue said.
Inmates in CCI earn an average of $4.50 a day, said Annie Skinner, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Corrections.
“Colorado Correctional Industries is currently undergoing a business reorganization process in order to ensure that they can continue to provide opportunities for inmates to learn marketable job skills that will help them better transition back into the community,” Skinner said. “This year, CCI is committed to raising inmate pay in as many areas of our business as possible. We have already begun to have initial conversations with CU Boulder regarding inmate pay and we look forward to continuing those conversations.”
McConnellogue said CU’s main priority in the working group is to ensure the relationship with CCI is beneficial for the university and supplier.
“Certainly issues of wages, working conditions and rehabilitation factor into the discussion,” McConnellogue said. “We’re looking to engage CCI as part of that. We’ve been a valued customer, and we’re believers in what they do. We’re a big buyer… a lot of the big players able to meet the needs of organizations our size are in India or China, so that’s something we have to consider.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Customers turn out for reopening of Cripple Creek casinos; Black Hawk, Central City ready to welcome

Customers turn out for reopening of Cripple Creek casinos; Black Hawk, Central City ready to welcome back public

Crews were busy spraying antimicrobial protection and disinfectant throughout the Monarch Casino and employees were posting signs with a list of COVID-19 symptoms and social-distancing requirements before opening the doors three months after shutting them to the public .
About 250 employees of the Black Hawk casino went through updated training and were tested for the coronavirus to be ready when the doors open at 8 a.m. Wednesday .
All the staff was COVID-19 free , a spokeswoman said .
Now it ’ s a matter of seeing how comfortable folks are to spend time with strangers after weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep their distance from others to curb the spread of the illness that has sickened and killed people around the world .
“ Through the 12-week closure we ’ ve had the opportunity to talk to some of our best guests on a number of occasions .
They all tell us they ’ re very excited to come up and see us again , ” said Erica Ferris , Monarch ’ s marketing director .
The casino has taken steps to offer customers an “ incredibly clean and safe place , ” Ferris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re ready for them.
” Several people were ready to venture into Cripple Creek casinos , which opened Monday .
All the casinos , including in Central City , had to get exemptions from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reopen .
They must follow certain guidelines and restrictions .
“ We had in excess of a thousand people the first five hours we were open , ” Matt Andrighetti , general manager of Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek , said Monday .
Wildwood monitored the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t too many at one time , Andrighetti said .
The exemptions from state coronavirus-related restrictions require that casinos limit occupancy to 50 % of the capacity allowed by the fire code , or 175 people in a confined , indoor space , whichever is lower .
Wildwood has different sections where people can be .
“ We let in a couple hundred people to start .
We wanted to make sure the staff was equipped , ” Andrighetti said .
“ We didn ’ t have many people waiting in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a dining area .
“ So at the end of the day , the most people we ’ ll end up having in the building at any one time is about 600 , spread over a very wide area , ” Ferris said .
Monarch will use a color code on its website , Facebook and Instagram accounts to let the public know how busy the casino is .
The code will go from green for low occupancy from yellow to orange to red , which means it ’ s busy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular casino-goers .
Gamblers won ’ t be shoulder to shoulder at the slot machines .
At Monarch , every other machine will be turned off so players can keep their distance .
Wildwood has removed every other chair and could include plexiglass dividers .
Table games are off-limits for now .
The state health department said it will reconsider the decision in about three weeks .
The casinos are going big on cleanliness , both Ferris and Andrighetti said .
The slot machines at Wildwood have lights that players can activate when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees know the machine needs to be cleaned .
Cleaning crews will make routine rounds .
And everyone entering will have their temperatures checked , will be asked whether they have any coronavirus-associated symptoms and will need to wear a face mask .
Wildwood will strongly encourage customers to wear masks inside .
It will be a requirement in Gilpin County casinos .
The Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk said on its website that it will have floor decals and signs to enforce social distancing and will provide stations with sanitizer throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casino-goers , are off the dining tale for now .
Monarch will use the space for a traditional sit-down dining area .
When table games are allowed , Monarch will bring back more of its team , Ferris said .
The casino is in the process of hiring more people because new restaurants and a portion of a new hotel will open soon , she said .
However , Ameristar is laying off 117 employees .
The company said in a letter last week to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures due to COVID-19 in the states where it operates , new restrictive conditions “ and the negative impact this would have on business volumes.
” Ameristar didn ’ t respond to a request for comment on its preparations for reopening .

Crews were busy spraying antimicrobial protection and disinfectant throughout the Monarch Casino and employees were posting signs with a list of COVID-19 symptoms and social-distancing requirements before opening the doors three months after shutting them to the public.
About 250 employees of the Black Hawk casino went through updated training and were tested for the coronavirus to be ready when the doors open at 8 a.m. Wednesday. All the staff was COVID-19 free, a spokeswoman said.
Now it’s a matter of seeing how comfortable folks are to spend time with strangers after weeks of being urged to stay at home and keep their distance from others to curb the spread of the illness that has sickened and killed people around the world.
“Through the 12-week closure we’ve had the opportunity to talk to some of our best guests on a number of occasions. They all tell us they’re very excited to come up and see us again,” said Erica Ferris, Monarch’s marketing director.
The casino has taken steps to offer customers an “incredibly clean and safe place,” Ferris said. “When people are ready, we’re ready for them.”
Several people were ready to venture into Cripple Creek casinos, which opened Monday. All the casinos, including in Central City, had to get exemptions from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reopen. They must follow certain guidelines and restrictions.
“We had in excess of a thousand people the first five hours we were open,” Matt Andrighetti, general manager of Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek, said Monday.
Wildwood monitored the number of customers to make sure there weren’t too many at one time, Andrighetti said. The exemptions from state coronavirus-related restrictions require that casinos limit occupancy to 50% of the capacity allowed by the fire code, or 175 people in a confined, indoor space, whichever is lower.
Wildwood has different sections where people can be.
“We let in a couple hundred people to start. We wanted to make sure the staff was equipped,” Andrighetti said. “We didn’t have many people waiting in line too long.”
Monarch has three floors and a dining area.
“So at the end of the day, the most people we’ll end up having in the building at any one time is about 600, spread over a very wide area,” Ferris said.
Monarch will use a color code on its website, Facebook and Instagram accounts to let the public know how busy the casino is. The code will go from green for low occupancy from yellow to orange to red, which means it’s busy.
Things will look a little different to regular casino-goers. Gamblers won’t be shoulder to shoulder at the slot machines. At Monarch, every other machine will be turned off so players can keep their distance. Wildwood has removed every other chair and could include plexiglass dividers.
Table games are off-limits for now. The state health department said it will reconsider the decision in about three weeks.
The casinos are going big on cleanliness, both Ferris and Andrighetti said. The slot machines at Wildwood have lights that players can activate when they’re ready to leave so employees know the machine needs to be cleaned. Cleaning crews will make routine rounds.
And everyone entering will have their temperatures checked, will be asked whether they have any coronavirus-associated symptoms and will need to wear a face mask. Wildwood will strongly encourage customers to wear masks inside. It will be a requirement in Gilpin County casinos.
The Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk said on its website that it will have floor decals and signs to enforce social distancing and will provide stations with sanitizer throughout the building. Buffets, a favorite of casino-goers, are off the dining tale for now. Monarch will use the space for a traditional sit-down dining area.
When table games are allowed, Monarch will bring back more of its team, Ferris said. The casino is in the process of hiring more people because new restaurants and a portion of a new hotel will open soon, she said.
However, Ameristar is laying off 117 employees. The company said in a letter last week to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that the layoffs are the result of the closures due to COVID-19 in the states where it operates, new restrictive conditions “and the negative impact this would have on business volumes.”
Ameristar didn’t respond to a request for comment on its preparations for reopening.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Colorado lost more than 7,000 clean energy jobs since coronavirus pandemic, industry organization sa

Colorado lost more than 7,000 clean energy jobs since coronavirus pandemic, industry organization says

Colorado and the country continue to lose clean energy jobs by the thousands since the coronavirus began spreading , a national industry group said Monday .
A new analysis by E2 , Environmental Entrepreneurs , said the industry lost 27,000 jobs nationwide in May , increasing the total to 620,500 since the coronavirus caused an economic clampdown .
Colorado lost 7,531 jobs , a 11.2 % drop from March through May , according to the report .
The jobs range from construction to manufacturing to engineering and include work in renewable energy , energy efficiency , electrified transportation and biofuels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of new applications for jobless benefits , the clean energy industry isn ’ t seeing a recovery , Bob Keefe , E2 executive said in a call with reporters .
“ That ’ s not what we ’ re seeing yet in what , pre-COVID-19 , was one of the fastest-growing sectors of our economy , ” Keefe said .
Colorado had 62,420 clean-energy jobs at the end of 2019 , according to the industry group .
Nearly 3.4 million people across the country worked in the industry at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keefe and Gregory Wetstone , president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy , said they hope Congress will address the industry ’ s concerns as it considers more legislation to aid the economy .
One way to help would be to make the wind and solar tax credits refundable , Wetstone said .
Customers and investors would be able to take direct payment in place of a tax credit .
Refunds were temporarily approved in 2009 in response to the Great Recession , according to the Solar Energy Industries Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to focus on clean energy jobs , Wetstone said .
Gov .
Jared Polis has asked federal officials to extend the wind and solar tax credits as well as make them refundable , Will Toor , executive director of the Colorado Energy Office , said in an email .
The value of federal tax credits for wind and solar projects is being reduced in phases and will eventually be ended .
“ Colorado and the nation as a whole would benefit from a concerted federal investment in infrastructure and clean energy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has an opportunity to help businesses and communities recover from the effects of the pandemic while building the industries of the future and tackling our climate and clean air challenges.
” Polis has set a goal of seeing Colorado get 100 % of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040 .
Laws passed in 2019 set goals for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions .
While the clean energy industry and the overall economy continue to struggle , there is a ray of hope on the renewable energy front in Colorado .
Mike Kruger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado Solar and Storage Association , said companies that work on residential and rooftop solar installations are starting to bring back furloughed employees .
“ On the rooftop and residential solar side , we ’ ve stopped the bleeding and shedding of jobs , ” Kruger said .
Before the coronavirus outbreak , the solar industry had more jobs than qualified workers , Kruger said .
Solar companies have tried to hold onto those people during the downturn .
“ The assumption is the future is still very strong , that the demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kruger said .

Colorado and the country continue to lose clean energy jobs by the thousands since the coronavirus began spreading, a national industry group said Monday.
A new analysis by E2, Environmental Entrepreneurs, said the industry lost 27,000 jobs nationwide in May, increasing the total to 620,500 since the coronavirus caused an economic clampdown. Colorado lost 7,531 jobs, a 11.2% drop from March through May, according to the report.
The jobs range from construction to manufacturing to engineering and include work in renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrified transportation and biofuels.
Despite recent declines nationally in the number of new applications for jobless benefits, the clean energy industry isn’t seeing a recovery, Bob Keefe, E2 executive said in a call with reporters.
“That’s not what we’re seeing yet in what, pre-COVID-19, was one of the fastest-growing sectors of our economy,” Keefe said.
Colorado had 62,420 clean-energy jobs at the end of 2019, according to the industry group. Nearly 3.4 million people across the country worked in the industry at the end of last year, according to E2.
Keefe and Gregory Wetstone, president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy, said they hope Congress will address the industry’s concerns as it considers more legislation to aid the economy.
One way to help would be to make the wind and solar tax credits refundable, Wetstone said. Customers and investors would be able to take direct payment in place of a tax credit.
Refunds were temporarily approved in 2009 in response to the Great Recession, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Congressional committee hearings scheduled Tuesday were expected to focus on clean energy jobs, Wetstone said.
Gov. Jared Polis has asked federal officials to extend the wind and solar tax credits as well as make them refundable, Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, said in an email.
The value of federal tax credits for wind and solar projects is being reduced in phases and will eventually be ended.
“Colorado and the nation as a whole would benefit from a concerted federal investment in infrastructure and clean energy,” Toor said. “The federal government has an opportunity to help businesses and communities recover from the effects of the pandemic while building the industries of the future and tackling our climate and clean air challenges.”
Polis has set a goal of seeing Colorado get 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040. Laws passed in 2019 set goals for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
While the clean energy industry and the overall economy continue to struggle, there is a ray of hope on the renewable energy front in Colorado. Mike Kruger, president and CEO of the trade group Colorado Solar and Storage Association, said companies that work on residential and rooftop solar installations are starting to bring back furloughed employees.
“On the rooftop and residential solar side, we’ve stopped the bleeding and shedding of jobs,” Kruger said.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, the solar industry had more jobs than qualified workers, Kruger said. Solar companies have tried to hold onto those people during the downturn.
“The assumption is the future is still very strong, that the demand for solar is not going away,” Kruger said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Ask Amy: My wife is an alcoholic and I’m thinking of leaving her

Dear Amy : My wife and I are in our mid-50s .
We have been married over 30 years .
She is an alcoholic , but is trying to stay sober through AA .
She has been successful for periods of time , but relapses , usually at difficult periods in our lives ( like the current COVID-19 crisis ) .
We have seen several marriage counselors throughout the years .
I can honestly say that we have both tried hard to make things work when many relationships would have broken up after going through what we have .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criteria for me to leave .
( You can ’ t have ultimatums in Al-Anon ) .
She has frequently crossed the line , and yet I have stayed .
Like all of us , she has traits that I would rather she didn ’ t have .
But the worst is chronic lying .
It is usually related to drinking , but it tells me she may never be able to stay sober for a longer period of time .
It has created a trust issue I fear I may never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently away at treatment — again — and I am thinking of leaving when she gets back .
I feel that I don ’ t have an equal partner in my life .
Do you have thoughts , besides more counseling ?
Dear Corner : There are different ways to frame what is basically an ultimatum .
One way is : “ Unless you stop drinking , I ’ m going to leave.
” This is a way of seeking to control another person ’ s actions , by leveraging a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequence .
Obviously , since you have never been able to follow through on your “ criteria , ” you have no way of knowing if your own behavior would influence hers , but you should assume that her addiction disorder is stronger than your criteria .
Al-Anon encourages you to find ways to accept your powerlessness over your partner ’ s addiction , while learning to take care of yourself .
Another way to frame your situation is to basically state your own truth : “ Your alcoholism has become unbearable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want the best for you .
But we haven ’ t been partners for a long time now .
I ’ ll continue to support your sobriety , but I ’ ve decided to move out.
” That ’ s it .
Continued counseling ( for you ) would help you to cope with the challenges presented by your own choice .
Dear Amy : I was recently on a group chat with a bunch of friends .
One of these people , “ Kelly , ” “ outed ” another of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kevin has not mentioned this to any of us .
I had talked with him the day before and feel terrible because I called him by his “ dead name ” and referred to him by the wrong gender .
Now , I don ’ t know what to do , for Kevin or myself .
I ’ ve been dealing with my own questions of sexuality and I ’ m afraid that someone will “ out ” me before I ’ m ready .
Dear Worried : You ’ ve learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ever trust Kelly with any information you might consider private .
You should contact “ Kevin ” and say what was discussed in the group chat – not to embarrass Kevin , but to get the story straight .
Let Kevin respond to you .
They might want to clarify things to the group .
You should maintain control of your own story , if at all possible .
Only discuss your sexuality when you are ready , and do so with the knowledge that you can ’ t trust everyone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear Amy : “ Untexted in Texas ” said her husband “ Barney ” is texting with a woman that he knew in high school .
You stated that his wife is correct in wanting this to stop .
You state that his anger at her demand is proof that there is something untoward about his relationship .
Is he not allowed friends ?
What would you say if he demanded that she stop a friendship with a man she knew from high school ?
This relationship could be a blessing for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband on his negative behavior .
He might hear that in a way that he couldn ’ t hear from his wife because of too much emotional baggage .
Dear Upset : Everybody gets to have friends .
But when a relationship interferes with the marriage – as this one did – then it is important for the person conducting the friendship to be open about it .
In this case , “ Barney ’ s ” secrecy about the nature of the friendship created the problem , and that is fixable .

Dear Amy: My wife and I are in our mid-50s. We have been married over 30 years. She is an alcoholic, but is trying to stay sober through AA.
She has been successful for periods of time, but relapses, usually at difficult periods in our lives (like the current COVID-19 crisis).
We have seen several marriage counselors throughout the years. I can honestly say that we have both tried hard to make things work when many relationships would have broken up after going through what we have.
The problem is that I have laid out the criteria for me to leave. (You can’t have ultimatums in Al-Anon).
She has frequently crossed the line, and yet I have stayed.
Like all of us, she has traits that I would rather she didn’t have. But the worst is chronic lying. It is usually related to drinking, but it tells me she may never be able to stay sober for a longer period of time.
It has created a trust issue I fear I may never be able to get over.
She is currently away at treatment — again — and I am thinking of leaving when she gets back. I feel that I don’t have an equal partner in my life.
Do you have thoughts, besides more counseling?
— In a Corner
Dear Corner: There are different ways to frame what is basically an ultimatum. One way is: “Unless you stop drinking, I’m going to leave.” This is a way of seeking to control another person’s actions, by leveraging a threat, and tying her drinking to the consequence. Obviously, since you have never been able to follow through on your “criteria,” you have no way of knowing if your own behavior would influence hers, but you should assume that her addiction disorder is stronger than your criteria.
Al-Anon encourages you to find ways to accept your powerlessness over your partner’s addiction, while learning to take care of yourself.
Another way to frame your situation is to basically state your own truth: “Your alcoholism has become unbearable for me. I love you and I want the best for you. But we haven’t been partners for a long time now. I’ll continue to support your sobriety, but I’ve decided to move out.”
That’s it. Continued counseling (for you) would help you to cope with the challenges presented by your own choice.
Dear Amy: I was recently on a group chat with a bunch of friends. One of these people, “Kelly,” “outed” another of our friends, “Kevin” as transgender.
Kevin has not mentioned this to any of us. I had talked with him the day before and feel terrible because I called him by his “dead name” and referred to him by the wrong gender.
Now, I don’t know what to do, for Kevin or myself. I’ve been dealing with my own questions of sexuality and I’m afraid that someone will “out” me before I’m ready.
— Worried
Dear Worried: You’ve learned something important about “Kelly.” Never, ever trust Kelly with any information you might consider private.
You should contact “Kevin” and say what was discussed in the group chat – not to embarrass Kevin, but to get the story straight. Let Kevin respond to you. They might want to clarify things to the group.
You should maintain control of your own story, if at all possible. Only discuss your sexuality when you are ready, and do so with the knowledge that you can’t trust everyone in your circle to respect your privacy.
Dear Amy: “Untexted in Texas” said her husband “Barney” is texting with a woman that he knew in high school.
You stated that his wife is correct in wanting this to stop. You state that his anger at her demand is proof that there is something untoward about his relationship.
Is he not allowed friends? What would you say if he demanded that she stop a friendship with a man she knew from high school?
This relationship could be a blessing for the wife. This friend might call the husband on his negative behavior. He might hear that in a way that he couldn’t hear from his wife because of too much emotional baggage.
— Upset
Dear Upset: Everybody gets to have friends. But when a relationship interferes with the marriage – as this one did – then it is important for the person conducting the friendship to be open about it.
In this case, “Barney’s” secrecy about the nature of the friendship created the problem, and that is fixable.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Man stabbed to death at Denver Coliseum, police say

A man was stabbed to death at the Denver Coliseum on Tuesday , police said .
Officers shortly before 9 @ @ @ @ @ incident at 4600 North Humbolt Street , where the victim was stabbed and taken to @ @ @ @ @ died of his injuries .
A man was in custody by 8:30 p.m. , police @ @ @ @ @ been used as a shelter for the homeless amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
More information @ @ @ @ @

A man was stabbed to death at the Denver Coliseum on Tuesday, police said.
Officers shortly before 9 p.m. were still investigating the incident at 4600 North Humbolt Street, where the victim was stabbed and taken to a hospital. The man died of his injuries.
A man was in custody by 8:30 p.m., police said.
The coliseum has been used as a shelter for the homeless amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information was not yet available.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Platte River Power Authority to close coal-fired power plant by 2030

The Platte River Power Authority said Tuesday that it will retire a coal-fired power plant by 2030 , 16 years earlier than planned .
The closure of the Rawhide Unit 1 northwest of Wellington and the end of Platte River ’ s ownership interest when a power plant in Craig shuts down will eliminate coal from the utility ’ s fuel mix by 2030 .
The Rawhide coal plant started operating in 1984 .
About 100 people work at the plant , which can produce 280 megawatts of electricity .
Platte River Power , based in Fort Collins , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources in its fuel mix by 2030 .
The community-owned utility said more than 50 % of its energy will come from non-carbon resources by the end of this year and include wind and solar energy and hydropower.
, The Rawhide plant has served the communities well , but it ’ s time to move toward a cleaner energy future while providing reliable and financially and environmentally sustainable service , Wade Troxell , Platte River board chairman and Fort Collins mayor , said in a statement .
Platte River ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado reach its goals to increase renewable energy and reduce climate-changing emissions , said Will Toor , executive director of the Colorado Energy Office .
In addition to Rawhide Unit 1 , the 4,560-acre Rawhide Energy Station is the site of five natural gas combustion turbines and a 30 megwatt solar farm .
A 22 megawatt solar installation and battery storage are under construction .
Energy from the 225 megawatt Roundhouse wind farm in southern Wyoming will be transmitted to the Rawhide station and to the communities .

The Platte River Power Authority said Tuesday that it will retire a coal-fired power plant by 2030, 16 years earlier than planned.
The closure of the Rawhide Unit 1 northwest of Wellington and the end of Platte River’s ownership interest when a power plant in Craig shuts down will eliminate coal from the utility’s fuel mix by 2030.
The Rawhide coal plant started operating in 1984. About 100 people work at the plant, which can produce 280 megawatts of electricity.
Platte River Power, based in Fort Collins, has set a goal of having no carbon sources in its fuel mix by 2030. The community-owned utility said more than 50% of its energy will come from non-carbon resources by the end of this year and include wind and solar energy and hydropower.,
The utility serves Fort Collins, Estes Park, Longmont and Loveland. It’s developing a comprehensive resource management plan.
The Rawhide plant has served the communities well, but it’s time to move toward a cleaner energy future while providing reliable and financially and environmentally sustainable service, Wade Troxell, Platte River board chairman and Fort Collins mayor, said in a statement.
Platte River’s decision to close the Rawhide coal plant will help Colorado reach its goals to increase renewable energy and reduce climate-changing emissions, said Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office.
In addition to Rawhide Unit 1, the 4,560-acre Rawhide Energy Station is the site of five natural gas
combustion turbines and a 30 megwatt solar farm. A 22 megawatt solar installation and battery storage are under construction.
Energy from the 225 megawatt Roundhouse wind farm in southern Wyoming will be transmitted to the Rawhide station and to the communities.


thedenverpost--2020-06-18--Calls to defund the Denver Police Department continue during contentious council meeting

City council members grilled Denver ’ s top public safety officials Wednesday during a contentious meeting where the police chief and department brass were repeatedly told they had lost the public ’ s trust because of their actions during the city ’ s George Floyd protests .
Denver ’ s police chief and public safety director appeared Wednesday before the city council ’ s Safety , Housing , Education , and Homelessness Committee , the first time they ’ ve formally addressed the council since protests began on May 28 .
The council chambers filled — as much as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of community members , including many who wore T-shirts or masks calling for the abolishment of the police .
Chief Paul Pazen and Executive Director of Public Safety Murphy Robinson promised reform , but those who spoke during public comment called for the police department to be defunded or disarmed .
“ I ’ ve had enough of empty promises to reform , ” said Brian Hushaw during public comment .
“ I ’ ve had enough of police kneeling only to assault us hours later.
” “ They are the image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) money , ” Nicholas Titus said .
Robinson said he plans to realign some of the Department of Public Safety ’ s resources to focus on criminal justice reform .
The department is also working to create a streamlined way to fire an officer in an egregious case , Robinson said .
He also said that if the Office of the Independent Monitor disagrees with a disciplinary decision by the Department of Public Safety — as happened in a recent controversial case — that he will have the final say on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to make systemic changes , ” Robinson said .
“ I agree that we need to move the needle forward.
” But multiple councilmembers voiced frustration that despite the department having a strong use of force policy , and despite the hours of training that officers undergo , excessive force cases continue to mount , especially in connection to the protests .
“ Why hasn ’ t this worked ?
” Councilwoman Robin Kniech said .
“ Why are we still here ?
” As Denver police Chief Paul Pazen tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ You ’ re a war criminal !
Quit your job !
” Robinson said he and Pazen are discussing adopting the mandates of a temporary restraining order by a federal judge into permanent policy .
The order restricts how and when officers can use less-lethal munitions like tear gas and pepper balls .
Due to the protests , the Denver Sheriff Department is also returning rifles it received through a program by the federal government that allows local law enforcement agencies access to surplus military supplies , Robinson said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies from the program , he said .
Pazen during the meeting explained two programs underway that try to address social needs .
The co-responder program pairs an officer with a mental health clinician and the Support Team Assisted Response program , launched June 1 , sends a social worker and a paramedic to calls instead of police .
The two programs aim to respond to calls involving homelessness or substance abuse where the person needs social services .
Kniech questioned whether the programs should even exist inside the police department at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jamie Torres asked the chief if he ’ d be willing to make space for other agencies to address community needs .
Pazen said he would be open to reconsidering whether those programs should be under the police department and to giving up tasks to other entities .
The discussions of defunding police come as the city drastically reduces its budget to make up for pandemic-induced tax revenue shortfalls .
The police department ’ s $ 254 million budget has already faced a 4.8 % budget cut of $ 12 million , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both Pazen and Robinson pushed back on calls to abolish the police or defund it to provide money for social programs .
“ We still have serious crimes that take place in our city , ” Pazen said .
“ We do need someone to arrest those people .
”

City council members grilled Denver’s top public safety officials Wednesday during a contentious meeting where the police chief and department brass were repeatedly told they had lost the public’s trust because of their actions during the city’s George Floyd protests.
Denver’s police chief and public safety director appeared Wednesday before the city council’s Safety, Housing, Education, and Homelessness Committee, the first time they’ve formally addressed the council since protests began on May 28. The council chambers filled — as much as possible due to social distancing requirements — with dozens of community members, including many who wore T-shirts or masks calling for the abolishment of the police.
Chief Paul Pazen and Executive Director of Public Safety Murphy Robinson promised reform, but those who spoke during public comment called for the police department to be defunded or disarmed.
“I’ve had enough of empty promises to reform,” said Brian Hushaw during public comment. “I’ve had enough of police kneeling only to assault us hours later.”
“They are the image of nightmares, take their (expletive) money,” Nicholas Titus said.
Robinson said he plans to realign some of the Department of Public Safety’s resources to focus on criminal justice reform. The department is also working to create a streamlined way to fire an officer in an egregious case, Robinson said. He also said that if the Office of the Independent Monitor disagrees with a disciplinary decision by the Department of Public Safety — as happened in a recent controversial case — that he will have the final say on what happens.
“I agree that we need to make systemic changes,” Robinson said. “I agree that we need to move the needle forward.”
But multiple councilmembers voiced frustration that despite the department having a strong use of force policy, and despite the hours of training that officers undergo, excessive force cases continue to mount, especially in connection to the protests.
“Why hasn’t this worked?” Councilwoman Robin Kniech said. “Why are we still here?”
As Denver police Chief Paul Pazen tried to answer a member of the crowd shouted, “You’re a war criminal! Quit your job!”
Robinson said he and Pazen are discussing adopting the mandates of a temporary restraining order by a federal judge into permanent policy. The order restricts how and when officers can use less-lethal munitions like tear gas and pepper balls.
Due to the protests, the Denver Sheriff Department is also returning rifles it received through a program by the federal government that allows local law enforcement agencies access to surplus military supplies, Robinson said. The Denver Police Department did not have any supplies from the program, he said.
Pazen during the meeting explained two programs underway that try to address social needs. The co-responder program pairs an officer with a mental health clinician and the Support Team Assisted Response program, launched June 1, sends a social worker and a paramedic to calls instead of police. The two programs aim to respond to calls involving homelessness or substance abuse where the person needs social services.
Kniech questioned whether the programs should even exist inside the police department at all or with another city agency. Councilwoman Jamie Torres asked the chief if he’d be willing to make space for other agencies to address community needs.
Pazen said he would be open to reconsidering whether those programs should be under the police department and to giving up tasks to other entities.
The discussions of defunding police come as the city drastically reduces its budget to make up for pandemic-induced tax revenue shortfalls. The police department’s $254 million budget has already faced a 4.8% budget cut of $12 million, including the cancellation of an academy class.
Both Pazen and Robinson pushed back on calls to abolish the police or defund it to provide money for social programs.
“We still have serious crimes that take place in our city,” Pazen said. “We do need someone to arrest those people.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-18--RTD faces new budget crisis that jeopardizes plan to restore service

Metro Denver ’ s transit system will take years to recover from recent pandemic-induced bus and train service cuts if new RTD revenue projections — which forecast a $ 252 million shortfall next year — are accurate .
Based on a steep drop in projected 2021 revenue compared to a pre-coronavirus budget forecast , the shortfall would amount to roughly 30 % of the Regional Transportation District ’ s operating budget .
And that ’ s just the beginning of years of predicted fiscal pain .
Driven by a new normal — fiscal analysts project the sales tax revenue RTD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-coronavirus levels for years — the agency foresees a cumulative $ 1.3 billion hole in its finances through 2026 .
“ We are looking at the budget very carefully , and it really is daunting , ” RTD Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede said Wednesday , referring to the tax projections .
“ This is a long-term issue that we need to look at — not just as the RTD Board of Directors but for the entire region , to ensure that we have this mass transit program that serves the whole community.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which Gov .
Jared Polis and state legislative leaders announced the formation of an outside advisory committee .
The RTD Accountability Committee , rooted in legislative discussions about agency reforms that were shelved amid the pandemic , will scrutinize RTD ’ s finances , operations , services , rider equity issues and even its elected governance structure , among other items , and make recommendations in the next year .
RTD ’ s elected board , briefed this week on the budget forecast , is early in discussions about potential cuts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Options include more furlough days for nonunion employees , who already are taking several this year , a continued hiring freeze and other across-the-board trims to expenses .
But bus and train frequencies and routes are likely an unavoidable part of the discussion .
RTD was largely sheltered from a severe budget hit this year by federal pandemic aid .
It ’ s been approved for up to $ 232 million in reimbursement for immediate expenses and negative effects from the coronavirus .
But its budget projections assume such robust aid won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .
While state and local governments across the board are contending with tighter budget forecasts in the pandemic-induced recession , RTD long has been in a fiscal vice .
It ’ s one borne of many issues , including both higher-than-expected costs and lower-than-expected sales tax proceeds in the 2004 voter-approved FasTracks expansion program .
“ The truth is , RTD has never been able to fully catch up from the last recession that we had , ” state Rep. Matt Gray , who chairs the House ’ s transportation committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency ’ s leaders started the year hoping to modernize RTD ’ s mission and fine-tune service as part of the Reimagine RTD planning process , with modest cuts seen as likely .
Then the pandemic hit Colorado — sending both ridership and tax revenue plummeting in March amid stay-at-home orders and other restrictions .
Daily ridership was 73 % lower than normal by late April , according to RTD figures .
Ridership has recovered a little bit since but remained down 61 % as of June 2 .
In response , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , beginning April 19 , curtailed service by about 40 % .
The result for most routes was weekend levels of service , with a handful suspended .
The changes were supposed to be temporary , with service levels restored later this year to a new baseline established March 24 that included less-severe cuts intended to weather an operator shortage .
Now that ’ s in question .
Even if ridership recovers , RTD must grapple both with its new budgetary constraints and the new reality of reduced capacities aboard buses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We recognize that we are going into a situation where things are going to be very different , and we want to make sure that we will be able to provide the kind of service that our customers need , while being mindful with the limitations we have with the budget , ” RTD spokesperson Tina Jaquez said .
“ And we have to keep in mind the need for social distancing in the future.
” This week , RTD reduced light-rail trains to two cars because of the anemic ridership , spurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who expressed concern to RTD officials and The Denver Post about what she observed to be cramped conditions on several trains .
Jaquez said RTD is monitoring train lines to decide when to add more cars .
Earlier this year , RTD officials resisted legislative calls for accountability and more scrutiny for the agency .
But Wednesday , Rivera-Malpiede expressed optimism that the new committee — which will include transit advocates and local officials around the region — will provide a welcome set of fresh eyes for its budget woes .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this committee to come together , ” she said .

Metro Denver’s transit system will take years to recover from recent pandemic-induced bus and train service cuts if new RTD revenue projections — which forecast a $252 million shortfall next year — are accurate.
Based on a steep drop in projected 2021 revenue compared to a pre-coronavirus budget forecast, the shortfall would amount to roughly 30% of the Regional Transportation District’s operating budget. And that’s just the beginning of years of predicted fiscal pain.
Driven by a new normal — fiscal analysts project the sales tax revenue RTD depends on won’t rebound to pre-coronavirus levels for years — the agency foresees a cumulative $1.3 billion hole in its finances through 2026.
“We are looking at the budget very carefully, and it really is daunting,” RTD Board Chair Angie Rivera-Malpiede said Wednesday, referring to the tax projections. “This is a long-term issue that we need to look at — not just as the RTD Board of Directors but for the entire region, to ensure that we have this mass transit program that serves the whole community.”
Rivera-Malpiede spoke during a video news conference in which Gov. Jared Polis and state legislative leaders announced the formation of an outside advisory committee. The RTD Accountability Committee, rooted in legislative discussions about agency reforms that were shelved amid the pandemic, will scrutinize RTD’s finances, operations, services, rider equity issues and even its elected governance structure, among other items, and make recommendations in the next year.
RTD’s elected board, briefed this week on the budget forecast, is early in discussions about potential cuts to close next year’s large gap.
Options include more furlough days for nonunion employees, who already are taking several this year, a continued hiring freeze and other across-the-board trims to expenses. But bus and train frequencies and routes are likely an unavoidable part of the discussion.
RTD was largely sheltered from a severe budget hit this year by federal pandemic aid. It’s been approved for up to $232 million in reimbursement for immediate expenses and negative effects from the coronavirus.
But its budget projections assume such robust aid won’t be available for transit agencies next year.
While state and local governments across the board are contending with tighter budget forecasts in the pandemic-induced recession, RTD long has been in a fiscal vice. It’s one borne of many issues, including both higher-than-expected costs and lower-than-expected sales tax proceeds in the 2004 voter-approved FasTracks expansion program.
“The truth is, RTD has never been able to fully catch up from the last recession that we had,” state Rep. Matt Gray, who chairs the House’s transportation committee, said during the news conference.
The agency’s leaders started the year hoping to modernize RTD’s mission and fine-tune service as part of the Reimagine RTD planning process, with modest cuts seen as likely.
Then the pandemic hit Colorado — sending both ridership and tax revenue plummeting in March amid stay-at-home orders and other restrictions.
Daily ridership was 73% lower than normal by late April, according to RTD figures. Ridership has recovered a little bit since but remained down 61% as of June 2.
In response, the RTD board approved unprecedented service reductions that, beginning April 19, curtailed service by about 40%. The result for most routes was weekend levels of service, with a handful suspended.
The changes were supposed to be temporary, with service levels restored later this year to a new baseline established March 24 that included less-severe cuts intended to weather an operator shortage.
Now that’s in question. Even if ridership recovers, RTD must grapple both with its new budgetary constraints and the new reality of reduced capacities aboard buses and trains to maintain social distancing.
“We recognize that we are going into a situation where things are going to be very different, and we want to make sure that we will be able to provide the kind of service that our customers need, while being mindful with the limitations we have with the budget,” RTD spokesperson Tina Jaquez said. “And we have to keep in mind the need for social distancing in the future.”
This week, RTD reduced light-rail trains to two cars because of the anemic ridership, spurring at least one complaint from a commuter who expressed concern to RTD officials and The Denver Post about what she observed to be cramped conditions on several trains. Jaquez said RTD is monitoring train lines to decide when to add more cars.
Earlier this year, RTD officials resisted legislative calls for accountability and more scrutiny for the agency. But Wednesday, Rivera-Malpiede expressed optimism that the new committee — which will include transit advocates and local officials around the region — will provide a welcome set of fresh eyes for its budget woes.
“This timing … could not be better for this committee to come together,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--One man is dead in a double shooting in Denver

Denver police said Wednesday evening that one man is dead and another person injured after a shooting in the 1700 @ @ @ @ @ , near the Aurora city line , that police attributed to a “ neighbor dispute.
@ @ @ @ @ tweet Wednesday that an adult male has been arrested in the double shooting and is @ @ @ @ @ .
The other person shot is in critical but stable condition , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ from the incident .
Police closed Willow Street between East 17th and East 19th avenues @ @ @ @ @

Denver police said Wednesday evening that one man is dead and another person injured after a shooting in the 1700 block of North Willow Street, near the Aurora city line, that police attributed to a “neighbor dispute.”
Police said in a tweet Wednesday that an adult male has been arrested in the double shooting and is being investigated for first-degree murder. The other person shot is in critical but stable condition, police said.
No names have been released from the incident.
UPDATE: One adult male victim of 17th/Willow shooting was pronounced deceased, the other victim is in critical, but stable condition. An adult male was arrested for Investigation of 1st Degree Murder. Shooting appears to be
related to a neighbor dispute. https://t.co/Dx4BRd3Gan — Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) June 18, 2020
Police closed Willow Street between East 17th and East 19th avenues Wednesday after the shooting.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--PDC Energy will pay $688K to settle allegations that it tapped federal minerals without getting leas

PDC Energy will pay $688K to settle allegations that it tapped federal minerals without getting lease, permits

PDC Energy Inc. has agreed to pay $ 688,500 to resolve allegations that it drilled and produced publicly owned oil and gas in Weld County without obtaining a lease and permit , the U.S. attorney ’ s office said .
A federal investigation focused on allegations that the Denver company drilled a well in July 2013 and operated it without getting the required approval , officials said Tuesday .
The alleged trespass of federal minerals stretched from 2013 to April 30 , 2019 , they said .
Companies drilling for publicly owned minerals must first obtain a lease from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
PDC cooperated with the investigation and the settlement resolves the company ’ s liability , said Matthew Kirsch , the attorney for the federal government .
“ Companies have to follow the rules governing those public lands .
If they don ’ t , they will pay an additional price , ” Kirsch said in a statement .
PDC worked with the BLM and Department of Justice over several months of the investigation , company spokeswoman Courtney Loper said in an email Wednesday .
“ Typically , these cases presume an intentional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the trespass was unintentional , ” Loper said .
“ As a result of constructive negotiations between PDC and the DOJ , the parties agreed to settle the matter for $ 688,500 , which essentially split the difference between the initial starting positions of the respective parties.
” The company will have to submit an application for a drilling permit for the well and amend its existing lease application , according to the settlement agreement .
The settlement is the result of an investigation by several federal agencies , including the BLM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in charge for the Interior Department ’ s Office of Inspector General ’ s Energy Investigations Unit .
Revenue produced from leasing public lands , including for oil and gas development , is split between the federal and state governments .

PDC Energy Inc. has agreed to pay $688,500 to resolve allegations that it drilled and produced publicly owned oil and gas in Weld County without obtaining a lease and permit, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
A federal investigation focused on allegations that the Denver company drilled a well in July 2013 and operated it without getting the required approval, officials said Tuesday. The alleged trespass of federal minerals stretched from 2013 to April 30, 2019, they said.
Companies drilling for publicly owned minerals must first obtain a lease from the Bureau of Land Management and drilling permits. PDC cooperated with the investigation and the settlement resolves the company’s liability, said Matthew Kirsch, the attorney for the federal government.
“Companies have to follow the rules governing those public lands. If they don’t, they will pay an additional price,” Kirsch said in a statement.
PDC worked with the BLM and Department of Justice over several months of the investigation, company spokeswoman Courtney Loper said in an email Wednesday.
“Typically, these cases presume an intentional trespass, but PDC presented strong evidence that the trespass was unintentional,” Loper said. “As a result of constructive negotiations between PDC and the DOJ, the parties agreed to settle the matter for $688,500, which essentially split the difference between the initial starting positions of the respective parties.”
The company will have to submit an application for a drilling permit for the well and amend its existing lease application, according to the settlement agreement.
The settlement is the result of an investigation by several federal agencies, including the BLM, said Ron Gonzales, special agent in charge for the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General’s Energy Investigations Unit.
Revenue produced from leasing public lands, including for oil and gas development, is split between the federal and state governments.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Drug ring busted in Larimer County as authorities seize pot, cocaine, meth and guns

Officials with the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force arrested six people and seized methamphetamine , heroin , fentanyl , cocaine @ @ @ @ @ , counterfeit currency , handguns and a stolen semi-automatic rifle this week as part of @ @ @ @ @ County .
The investigation , which began last fall and was dubbed Operation La Familia @ @ @ @ @ criminals with histories of illegal narcotics distribution , authorities said .
The arrests happened Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ until Wednesday .
Warrants were served at several residences in Fort Collins and Wellington on @ @ @ @ @ the drugs seized , officers also found a firearm with a missing serial number and @ @ @ @ @ said the case is ongoing and that additional arrests are anticipated .

Officials with the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force arrested six people and seized methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, pot, counterfeit currency, handguns and a stolen semi-automatic rifle this week as part of a drug-trafficking bust in Larimer County.
The investigation, which began last fall and was dubbed Operation La Familia, focused on several career criminals with histories of illegal narcotics distribution, authorities said. The arrests happened Tuesday but weren’t announced until Wednesday.
Warrants were served at several residences in Fort Collins and Wellington on Tuesday. In addition to the drugs seized, officers also found a firearm with a missing serial number and narcotics distribution equipment.
Authorities said the case is ongoing and that additional arrests are anticipated.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Kiszla: After games in a bubble, what if sports fans decide buying over-priced tickets is over-rated

Kiszla: After games in a bubble, what if sports fans decide buying over-priced tickets is over-rated?

Searching for the words to describe the weirdness of playing sports in a bubble , Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog offered a concise description of what it ’ s like to be alive in 2020 .
“ The world feels , at times , like it ’ s turned upside down , ” Landeskog said .
“ Everything else is different .
So why would the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs be normal ?
” From thousands of COVID-19 deaths to the killing of George Floyd , with all upheaval this sad , crazy and life-altering year has put us through , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never be quite the same ?
We miss sports , we do .
But going out to the ballgame ?
That ’ s a whole different story .
It ’ s a story that bears watching , as the bubble boys of the NBA and NHL get back to work , intent on crowning a champ without fans in the stands .
I recently asked Nuggets guard Jamal Murray what ’ s it going to be like playing in an arena with no home-court advantage , because no spectators will be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s one of the big game-changers for everybody , me included , me especially , ” Murray said , “ just because the fans get me going , I get the fans going and it ’ s a back-and-forth energy.
” No disrespect to any rose-bearing hunk on “ The Bachelor , ” but sports are the original — and remain the best — reality television show in America .
Here ’ s the new twist : Like spending money in a restaurant or sitting through a meeting at the office , maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old sporting event is over-rated , especially when you have a better seat in front of a high-definition , wide-screen TV at home .
I hate to be the one to break this to Rockies owner Dick Monfort or the Denver Broncos , but fighting traffic to pay a king ’ s ransom for tickets and beer , is a bad habit that 2020 is coaxing us to break .
Nothing about the party deck at Coors Field works with social distancing .
Social distancing has caused many of us to re-evaluate if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mall , or sit in a theater to watch a movie , or put up with a drunk fan in the stands at a Broncos game .
Peter Grondorf and his wife were season-ticket holders in the South Stands for nearly 30 years .
Even before the coronavirus hit , they decided to let the tickets go , because Grondorf said the stadium now seems like a “ 76,000-seat bar without enough bouncers .
We enjoyed going in the past , but will not miss it now.
” After the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win back the loyalty of ticket-buyers .
In ways both small and large , 2020 will change how we do sports forever .
After more than 40 years in the presence of naked men in the locker room , I might never again stand and wait for Nuggets center Nikola Jokic to pull on his SpongeBob underpants before I get to ask him about the no-look pass .
Once the locker room is closed during a pandemic , it might be difficult for the media to pry open that door again .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask is considered a sign of weakness despite a recent spike in coronavirus cases , the NBA is building Pleasantville , complete with a 100-page manual of safe practices for coaches and players in the bubble .
It ’ s a document that seems to be inspired by Robert Lopshire ’ s classic children ’ s book , “ Put Me in the Zoo.
” Two of my favorite NBA guidelines for a hermetically sealed resumption of this season : Licking of fingers or wiping the ball on a jersey before shooting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the court , ping-pong is an acceptable recreational activity , so long as there are no doubles games that would violate 6 feet of distancing protocols .
Without fans in the stands , sports are robbed of more than the 40 percent revenue that ’ s the root cause of bickering between major-league baseball players and franchise owners .
The sense of community , which I cherish as sports ’ most essential beauty , is lost when there ’ s no roar of the crowd .
Like the Thanksgiving meal or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be enjoyed alone .
Seeing Daniel Berger win a PGA tourney on an empty golf course felt weird ; it felt like a Jim Nantz report from Zombie Land .
So while I respect NHL and NBA players for their willingness to put on a show for us in these strange times , it ’ s going to feel odd , almost voyeuristic , to watch the bubble boys under glass .
“ The world is a crazy place right now , ” Landeskog said .
So why should the sports world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , be any different ?
Landeskog said it better than I ever could : “ Some days , it feels like the apocalypse … ”

Searching for the words to describe the weirdness of playing sports in a bubble, Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog offered a concise description of what it’s like to be alive in 2020.
“The world feels, at times, like it’s turned upside down,” Landeskog said. “Everything else is different. So why would the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs be normal?”
From thousands of COVID-19 deaths to the killing of George Floyd, with all upheaval this sad, crazy and life-altering year has put us through, could it be that sports in America will never be quite the same?
We miss sports, we do.
But going out to the ballgame? That’s a whole different story. It’s a story that bears watching, as the bubble boys of the NBA and NHL get back to work, intent on crowning a champ without fans in the stands.
I recently asked Nuggets guard Jamal Murray what’s it going to be like playing in an arena with no home-court advantage, because no spectators will be allowed inside the bubble.
“That’s one of the big game-changers for everybody, me included, me especially,” Murray said, “just because the fans get me going, I get the fans going and it’s a back-and-forth energy.”
No disrespect to any rose-bearing hunk on “The Bachelor,” but sports are the original — and remain the best — reality television show in America.
Here’s the new twist: Like spending money in a restaurant or sitting through a meeting at the office, maybe we’ve discovered attending just any old sporting event is over-rated, especially when you have a better seat in front of a high-definition, wide-screen TV at home.
I hate to be the one to break this to Rockies owner Dick Monfort or the Denver Broncos, but fighting traffic to pay a king’s ransom for tickets and beer, is a bad habit that 2020 is coaxing us to break.
Nothing about the party deck at Coors Field works with social distancing. Social distancing has caused many of us to re-evaluate if we really need to go shopping at the mall, or sit in a theater to watch a movie, or put up with a drunk fan in the stands at a Broncos game.
Peter Grondorf and his wife were season-ticket holders in the South Stands for nearly 30 years. Even before the coronavirus hit, they decided to let the tickets go, because Grondorf said the stadium now seems like a “76,000-seat bar without enough bouncers. We enjoyed going in the past, but will not miss it now.”
After the pandemic, teams will have to work harder to win back the loyalty of ticket-buyers. In ways both small and large, 2020 will change how we do sports forever.
After more than 40 years in the presence of naked men in the locker room, I might never again stand and wait for Nuggets center Nikola Jokic to pull on his SpongeBob underpants before I get to ask him about the no-look pass. Once the locker room is closed during a pandemic, it might be difficult for the media to pry open that door again.
And down in Florida, where wearing a mask is considered a sign of weakness despite a recent spike in coronavirus cases, the NBA is building Pleasantville, complete with a 100-page manual of safe practices for coaches and players in the bubble. It’s a document that seems to be inspired by Robert Lopshire’s classic children’s book, “Put Me in the Zoo.”
Two of my favorite NBA guidelines for a hermetically sealed resumption of this season: Licking of fingers or wiping the ball on a jersey before shooting a free throw is a no-no. Away from the court, ping-pong is an acceptable recreational activity, so long as there are no doubles games that would violate 6 feet of distancing protocols.
Without fans in the stands, sports are robbed of more than the 40 percent revenue that’s the root cause of bickering between major-league baseball players and franchise owners. The sense of community, which I cherish as sports’ most essential beauty, is lost when there’s no roar of the crowd.
Like the Thanksgiving meal or a rock concert, sports are not meant to be enjoyed alone. Seeing Daniel Berger win a PGA tourney on an empty golf course felt weird; it felt like a Jim Nantz report from Zombie Land. So while I respect NHL and NBA players for their willingness to put on a show for us in these strange times, it’s going to feel odd, almost voyeuristic, to watch the bubble boys under glass.
“The world is a crazy place right now,” Landeskog said.
So why should the sports world, or how we watch sports in 2020, be any different?
Landeskog said it better than I ever could: “Some days, it feels like the apocalypse …”


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--MLB, players association take positive steps toward a 60-game season

There could be a 2020 Major League Baseball season after all .
Positive negotiations took place Wednesday between MLB and the players ’ union with the possibility emerging for a 60-game season starting July 19 with the players receiving their full-pro-rated salaries , two major league sources confirmed .
“ There will still be more work to be done , but it ’ s a step in the right direction , ” said Rockies reliever Scott Oberg , the club ’ s player representative .
A face-to-face meeting in Phoenix between commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB Players Association executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward a possible deal as baseball attempts to start up its season in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
USA Today was among media outlets first reporting the news .
“ We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents , ” Manfred said in a statement Wednesday .
“ I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today .
Consistent with our conversations yesterday , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I trust Tony is doing the same.
” According to USA Today , the two sides are scheduled to negotiate again Thursday with the goal of reaching a deal by Friday .
The latest proposal , the fourth by the owners , marks the first time the owners have agreed to pay full prorated salaries , something the players ’ union has insisted upon since the MLB and the players agreed to shut down the game on March 26 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In return , the players would agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 teams and also would agree not to file a grievance against MLB , according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations .
Clark had cut off talks on Saturday , a day after MLB ’ s third proposal , saying additional negotiations “ would be futile.
” On Monday , Manfred told ESPN he was “ not confident ” that a 2020 baseball season would be played , walking back comments from last week when he said , “ unequivocally , we are going to play Major League Baseball this year.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 89-game season in their last proposal , could still ask for a longer season if the union makes a counter-proposal , according to a source .
The players could ask for a season of perhaps 65 to 70 games .

There could be a 2020 Major League Baseball season after all.
Positive negotiations took place Wednesday between MLB and the players’ union with the possibility emerging for a 60-game season starting July 19 or 20 with the players receiving their full-pro-rated salaries and expanded playoffs, two major league sources confirmed.
“There will still be more work to be done, but it’s a step in the right direction,” said Rockies reliever Scott Oberg, the club’s player representative.
The work to be done includes negotiations about the players’ desire for a season longer than 60 games. Although various reports on Twitter indicated the two sides were close to an agreement, the MLBPA, said that agreement in principle has not been reached and tweeted, “Reports of an agreement are false.”
Still, Wednesday’s developments are viewed as progress.
A face-to-face meeting in Phoenix between commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark on Tuesday opened the door toward a possible deal as baseball attempts to start up its season in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. USA Today was among media outlets first reporting the news.
“We left that meeting with a jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective constituents,” Manfred said in a statement Wednesday. “I summarized that framework numerous times in the meeting and sent Tony a written summary today. Consistent with our conversations yesterday, I am encouraging the Clubs to move forward and I trust Tony is doing the same.”
According to USA Today, the two sides are scheduled to negotiate again Thursday with the goal of reaching a deal by Friday.
The latest proposal, the fourth by the owners, marks the first time the owners have agreed to pay full prorated salaries, something the players’ union has insisted upon since the MLB and the players agreed to shut down the game on March 26 because of the coronavirus pandemic. In return, the players would agree to expand the postseason from 10 to 16 teams and also would agree not to file a grievance against MLB, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
According to a report by The Associated Press, each team would play 60 games over 10 weeks starting July 20, though a Sunday opener on July 19 could be added. The framework would result in players receiving about 37% of their salaries and would come to roughly $1.48 billion from salaries originally totaling $4 billion.
Baseball’s postseason would expand from 10 teams to 16 this year, and the two wild-card games would transform into an eight-team wild-card round with eight best-of-three series. That would create a minimum of 14 new playoff games whose broadcast rights could be sold, and MLB would have the option of 14 or 16 postseason teams in 2021.
MLB would guarantee a $25 million postseason players’ pool, creating postseason shares for players in the event no tickets are sold, the AP reported.
Clark had cut off talks on Saturday, a day after MLB’s third proposal, saying additional negotiations “would be futile.”
On Monday, Manfred told ESPN he was “not confident” that a 2020 baseball season would be played, walking back comments from last week when he said, “unequivocally, we are going to play Major League Baseball this year.”
The players, who requested an 89-game season in their last proposal, will ask for a longer season when the union makes a counter-proposal, according to a source. The players could ask for a season of perhaps 65 to 70 games.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Broncos safety Kareem Jackson tests positive for COVID-19

Jackson is the second Broncos player with a known positive test .
On April 16 , outside linebacker Von Miller @ @ @ @ @ , but after a self-quarantine , tested negative and was well enough to attend the @ @ @ @ @ in downtown Denver on June 6 .
Jackson flew from Houston to Denver for the @ @ @ @ @ point people for organizing the Broncos ’ attendance .
Jackson , who was back in @ @ @ @ @ expected to quarantine for two weeks .

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson recently tested positive for COVID-19, a league source confirmed on Wednesday.
Jackson is the second Broncos player with a known positive test. On April 16, outside linebacker Von Miller announced he had tested positive, but after a self-quarantine, tested negative and was well enough to attend the team’s protest march in downtown Denver on June 6.
Jackson flew from Houston to Denver for the protest, serving as one point people for organizing the Broncos’ attendance.
Jackson, who was back in Houston this week, is expected to quarantine for two weeks.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Larimer Square, Glenarm Place first to close for in-street dining

Dining al fresco in Denver will start to look a lot different by the end of the week , when the city ’ s first street patios open in Larimer Square and by the Denver Pavilions .
As of Wednesday , Larimer Street between 14th and 15th streets was blocked to thru-traffic .
Glenarm Place between 15th and 17th streets is also blocked off starting this week , according to a release .
At least a dozen restaurants will expand into Larimer Square for the summer season , according to Sarah Cullen , a representative of Larimer Square developer Urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partitioning their new patio spaces .
Each patio will be separated from the next , so diners shouldn ’ t move between them , according to Cullen .
A 20-foot fire lane will run down the middle of the pedestrian block with marked walkways on each side .
Urban Villages is working with Denver artist Pat Milbery , who also coordinated the Black Lives Matter mural on Broadway , to create a new mural for Larimer Street .
“ We ’ re hoping this is a fun Friday night , ” Cullen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get the street patio open and diners enjoying the open space .
“ Let ’ s get out.
” As of Wednesday , the city also had issued 85 permits to restaurants for temporary outdoor patio expansions .
Restaurants are still required to operate at 50 % capacity or less inside , with no more than 50 people in their dining rooms .
Subscribe to our food newsletter , Stuffed , to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox .

Dining al fresco in Denver will start to look a lot different by the end of the week, when the city’s first street patios open in Larimer Square and by the Denver Pavilions.
As of Wednesday, Larimer Street between 14th and 15th streets was blocked to thru-traffic. Glenarm Place between 15th and 17th streets is also blocked off starting this week, according to a release.
At least a dozen restaurants will expand into Larimer Square for the summer season, according to Sarah Cullen, a representative of Larimer Square developer Urban Villages. Those participating businesses are currently partitioning their new patio spaces.
Each patio will be separated from the next, so diners shouldn’t move between them, according to Cullen. A 20-foot fire lane will run down the middle of the pedestrian block with marked walkways on each side.
RELATED: Denver bars and restaurants with expanded summer patios
Urban Villages is working with Denver artist Pat Milbery, who also coordinated the Black Lives Matter mural on Broadway, to create a new mural for Larimer Street.
“We’re hoping this is a fun Friday night,” Cullen said of the rush that’s happening to get the street patio open and diners enjoying the open space. “Let’s get out.”
As of Wednesday, the city also had issued 85 permits to restaurants for temporary outdoor patio expansions. Restaurants are still required to operate at 50% capacity or less inside, with no more than 50 people in their dining rooms.
Subscribe to our food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Case Williams, Rockies’ fourth-round pick out of Douglas County High, signs contract

The Rockies ’ fourth-round draft choice out of Douglas County High School agreed to terms with the club , making him the first of the Rockies ’ six draft picks to sign a contract .
Williams , the 110th overall pick in the draft , signed for a $ 450,000 bonus .
The assigned slot value for the 110th pick was $ 527,800 .
“ It ’ s a dream come true , ” Williams said .
“ I ’ m so grateful for being drafted and signing with my hometown team and being able to represent my state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 210-pounder had been committed to Santa Clara University .
Williams , ranked as the top right-handed pitcher in the state by both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report , went 14-2 with a 2.98 ERA with 134 strikeouts in his high school career , including an 8-1 record with a 1.81 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 2019 .
Williams joins Pine Creek ’ s Ryan Warner ( third round , 2012 ) and Greeley Central ’ s Shawn Chacon ( third round , 1996 ) as the only Colorado high school players to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first four rounds of the draft .
It is the highest a Colorado high school player has been drafted since left-handed pitcher Brock Burke was selected in the third round out of Evergreen High School by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014 .

Case Williams’ big-league dream was recorded on paper Wednesday.
The Rockies’ fourth-round draft choice out of Douglas County High School agreed to terms with the club, making him the first of the Rockies’ six draft picks to sign a contract. Williams, the 110th overall pick in the draft, signed for a $450,000 bonus. The assigned slot value for the 110th pick was $527,800.
“It’s a dream come true,” Williams said. “I’m so grateful for being drafted and signing with my hometown team and being able to represent my state. Go Rockies!”
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder had been committed to Santa Clara University.
Williams, ranked as the top right-handed pitcher in the state by both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report, went 14-2 with a 2.98 ERA with 134 strikeouts in his high school career, including an 8-1 record with a 1.81 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 2019.
Williams joins Pine Creek’s Ryan Warner (third round, 2012) and Greeley Central’s Shawn Chacon (third round, 1996) as the only Colorado high school players to be selected by the Rockies in the first four rounds of the draft. It is the highest a Colorado high school player has been drafted since left-handed pitcher Brock Burke was selected in the third round out of Evergreen High School by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014.


thedenverpost--2020-06-18--3 years ago, Rockies’ Nolan Arenado hits for the cycle in amazing fashion on Father’s Day

Three years ago today , Nolan Arenado accomplished what he called at the time , “ probably the best moment of my career.
” With the Rockies down 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning to the Giants on Father ’ s Day 2017 , Arenado crushed a walk-off , three-run homer off San Francisco closer Mark Melancon to send the 48,341 in attendance at Coors Field home happy .
From the original game story , Denver Post beat writer Patrick Saunders writes : “ Nolan Arenado wore the cut above his left eye like a prizefighter .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke to his blue-collar style .
The giant smile finished off the perfect picture.
” Saunders also listed this as the No .
3 greatest moment in Coors Field history .
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
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+ Broncos Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
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+ Nuggets Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Singer here .
+ Avs Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Patrick Saunders here .
There could be a 2020 Major League Baseball season after all .
Positive negotiations took place Wednesday between MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility emerging for a 60-game season starting July 19 or 20 with the players receiving their full-pro-rated salaries and expanded playoffs , two major league sources confirmed .
Read more… Life inside the NBA bubble : What to know from the NBA ’ s 113-page memo As detailed in an exhaustive 113-page memo released to teams on Tuesday night and obtained by The Denver Post , maintaining a safe environment while preventing the spread of the coronavirus is the league ’ s priority for the reboot .
The NBA knows positive tests will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After games in a bubble , what if sports fans decide buying over-priced tickets is over-rated ?
We miss sports , we do .
But going out to the ballgame ?
That ’ s a whole different story .
It ’ s a story that bears watching , as the bubble boys of the NBA and NHL get back to work , intent on crowning a champ without fans in the stands .
Read more… + Stadium officials outline safety measures being taken in time for Broncos ’ season + Paul Goldschmidt hits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in MLB The Show 20 .
+ Prepping on a new court , Serena Williams will enter U.S. Open .
If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

Three years ago today, Nolan Arenado accomplished what he called at the time, “probably the best moment of my career.”
With the Rockies down 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning to the Giants on Father’s Day 2017, Arenado crushed a walk-off, three-run homer off San Francisco closer Mark Melancon to send the 48,341 in attendance at Coors Field home happy.
From the original game story, Denver Post beat writer Patrick Saunders writes: “Nolan Arenado wore the cut above his left eye like a prizefighter. The infield dirt smeared across his white uniform spoke to his blue-collar style. The giant smile finished off the perfect picture.”
Saunders also listed this as the No. 3 greatest moment in Coors Field history.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
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Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
Must-Read
There could be a 2020 Major League Baseball season after all. Positive negotiations took place Wednesday between MLB and the players’ union with the possibility emerging for a 60-game season starting July 19 or 20 with the players receiving their full-pro-rated salaries and expanded playoffs, two major league sources confirmed. Read more…
As detailed in an exhaustive 113-page memo released to teams on Tuesday night and obtained by The Denver Post, maintaining a safe environment while preventing the spread of the coronavirus is the league’s priority for the reboot. The NBA knows positive tests will likely occur. Read more…
We miss sports, we do. But going out to the ballgame? That’s a whole different story. It’s a story that bears watching, as the bubble boys of the NBA and NHL get back to work, intent on crowning a champ without fans in the stands. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Broncos safety Kareem Jackson tests positive for COVID-19
+ Case Williams, Rockies’ fourth-round pick out of Douglas County High, signs contract
+ Stadium officials outline safety measures being taken in time for Broncos’ season
Jerry Sturm, member of Broncos’ Top 100 team, dies at age 83.
+ Broomfield’s Mallory Mooney named Gatorade Colorado girls soccer player of the year.
+ Paul Goldschmidt hits 3 homers as Rockies fall to Cardinals in MLB The Show 20.
+ Prepping on a new court, Serena Williams will enter U.S. Open.
+ Christian Coleman, world’s fastest man, suspended for missing doping tests.
+ Dale Jarrett announces coronavirus diagnosis during TV show.
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.