thedenverpost--2020-08-12--Pac-12 football in the spring: It can work (if coronavirus is under control), and we have a plan

A spring football season is like so much else in the COVID-19 era — it ’ s like wearing masks and infection danger and the idea of playing college football this fall .
The only consensus is the conflicting viewpoints .
“ It makes zero sense , ’ ’ a longtime college football administrator said .
“ If you can ’ t play in the fall , then let ’ s get through the virus , come back in January and have a full offseason.
” “ Of course you can play in the spring , ’ ’ a current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a matter of if you want to play in the spring.
” We ’ re not sure of the Pac-12 ’ s collective desire to play in the spring , especially in the immediate , emotional aftermath of canceling the fall season for the first time in conference history .
But we know the Pac-12 plans to explore the possibility of a spring season .
It will make the attempt because the conference wants money , the fans want football , and the players want to play .
Of course , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a single year — 12 in the spring and 12 more next fall — but they won ’ t have to .
( We ’ ll get to that matter in a moment . )
“ We wouldn ’ t have said we were postponing if we didn ’ t think we could play in the spring , ” said Colorado athletic director Rick George , the conference ’ s representative on the CFP selection committee .
Before diving deep into a potential framework for spring football , we ’ ll start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be the same as a normal fall season — can ’ t be , won ’ t be — so fans should drop their expectations a level or two .
Or three .
But it doesn ’ t have to be .
By the time we hit February , college football fans will have gone 13 months without college football .
Come early 2021 , that gristly piece of skirt steak will look like a prime cut of ribeye .
A widely-available vaccine is not required to play in the spring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend , but not for the players to compete .
The Pac-12 ’ s medical advisory team listed six criteria for the resumption of competition ( available in this account ) and made no mention of a vaccine .
But the advisors were clear on two pieces of the coronavirus puzzle : Testing and community spread .
The former must improve , the latter must diminish .
— “ Testing access and capacity to satisfy testing recommendations above , including the ability to test within 24 hours of competition and have results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capability to isolate new positive cases and quarantine high-risk contacts .
Campus or community access to housing and food options to effectively ensure basic conditions for successful quarantine and isolation , point-of-care testing must become readily available in order for teams ” So our outline for spring football really makes three assumptions : 1 .
It ’ s not the same as fall football .
2 .
Testing improves by the late fall or early winter .
OK , now let ’ s get to the logistics — to the details of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football : “ It ’ s a complex formula , and we ’ d have to get our best minds on trying to build a model that ’ s workable , ’ ’ Washington State athletic director Pat Chun .
“ There a lot of hurdles : the timing , the health-and-safety piece , the number of games .
“ But we ’ ve done a good job building a ( scheduling ) methodology that we put in place for the fall , and so we have that available for us to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move forward.
” It is the Hotline ’ s belief that the ACC , SEC and Big 12 will succumb to the challenges posed by coronavirus — especially once students return to campus — and eventually abort their plans for the fall .
At that point , the Power Five could turn its collective focus — to the extent anything is done collectively these days — to the spring .
But the Pac-12 and Big Ten could move forward on their own if needed , with the conference champions facing each other in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bowl game in Pasadena , California .
The most significant logistical challenges facing a spring season would involve eligibility , roster size , the NFL Draft and , the physical demands on the players .
They can not be asked to play two full seasons in one calendar year .
Spring football becomes a nine-game , conference-only season — similar to what the Pac-12 had planned for this fall , but removing one game from the lineup .
But within those nine games , each player could compete in no more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calendar we ’ ll lay out in a moment .
Because that ’ s essentially half of a normal season : Teams that compete in bowl games play 13 , and teams that participate in the conference championship and a bowl game play 14 .
Again , two full seasons in one calendar year is too much , but one-and-a-half seasons in a calendar year ?
That ’ s manageable , in part because the net increase in wear-and-tear would be less than a half season .
Normally , teams have four weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrimmages .
Speaking of spring practice : The Pac-12 should move it to late November or December , if the health and safety piece will allow .
Our calendar calls for training camp to begin in late January and the season to start Saturday , Feb. 20 .
Teams would play nine games and finish up on April 17 , with the conference championship the following weekend .
A greatly reduced bowl season would play out in early May , and you ’ re done .
Players would then have 13 weeks off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 9 for a normal start to the 2021 fall season .
Critical point : Even a reduced spring season is a big ask of the players , both in terms of the physical demands — the reason behind our seven-game-per-player limit — and their eligibility .
They would be using a full year on a half season .
Some might opt out , understandably , and in those cases the NCAA must grant a waiver .
“ The eligibility piece is a huge uncertainty , ’ ’ said Chun , who represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Division I Council , the group responsible for day-to-day oversight of major college athletics .
As for the NFL piece : No , we don ’ t believe the league will delay the draft — it ’ s currently scheduled for April 29 – May 1 — to accommodate a spring college season .
Yes , we assume every top prospect , and the vast majority of all prospects , will skip the spring season .
Count on each roster losing 20 players to the draft and another 10-15 to health or eligibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 60-65 players , including walk-ons — not enough , especially if each player is limited to seven games .
Here ’ s what you do : Transfers would be eligible immediately , as would high school players who enroll early .
The true freshmen would be granted waivers to play in up to six games without losing the year of eligibility .
Add the transfers and early enrollees , and roster flexibility becomes more manageable .
But even with that , more changes would be needed : In-season practices must be light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the conferences should consider tweaks to the rules , like a running clock in the fourth quarter of lopsided games , to further benefit the players .
Also , schedules could be crafted in such a way that cold-weather teams play most of their home games in late March and April , when they would typically be conducting spring practice .
Bottom line : It would take significant creativity and maximum effort for the Pac-12 to produce a spring season .
We ’ re not sure the schools have the requisite desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotions are too raw , and the mere prospect of February kickoffs is too jarring to be fully comprehended at the moment .
Nor do we know how the conference ’ s TV partners feel ( and what they would pay ) .
But if they want to play in the spring … if they really want to play … there ’ s a path forward .
Support the Hotline : Several Hotline articles will remain free each month ( as will the newsletter ) , but for access to all content , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve secured a rate of $ 1 per week for a full year or — introductory offer alert !
— just 99 cents for the first month , with the option to cancel anytime .
Click here .
And thanks for your loyalty .
*** Send suggestions , comments and tips ( confidentiality guaranteed ) to pac12hotline @ bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference , and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference .

A spring football season is like so much else in the COVID-19 era — it’s like wearing masks and infection danger and the idea of playing college football this fall.
The only consensus is the conflicting viewpoints.
“It makes zero sense,’’ a longtime college football administrator said. “If you can’t play in the fall, then let’s get through the virus, come back in January and have a full offseason.”
“Of course you can play in the spring,’’ a current athletic director said. “It’s a matter of if you want to play in the spring.”
We’re not sure of the Pac-12’s collective desire to play in the spring, especially in the immediate, emotional aftermath of canceling the fall season for the first time in conference history.
But we know the Pac-12 plans to explore the possibility of a spring season.
It will make the attempt because the conference wants money, the fans want football, and the players want to play.
Of course, they might not want to play 24 games in a single year — 12 in the spring and 12 more next fall — but they won’t have to. (We’ll get to that matter in a moment.)
“We wouldn’t have said we were postponing if we didn’t think we could play in the spring,” said Colorado athletic director Rick George, the conference’s representative on the CFP selection committee.
Before diving deep into a potential framework for spring football, we’ll start with an admission:
It won’t be the same as a normal fall season — can’t be, won’t be — so fans should drop their expectations a level or two. Or three.
But it doesn’t have to be. By the time we hit February, college football fans will have gone 13 months without college football.
Come early 2021, that gristly piece of skirt steak will look like a prime cut of ribeye.
OK, let’s proceed ….
A widely-available vaccine is not required to play in the spring. It likely would be necessary for fans to attend, but not for the players to compete.
The Pac-12’s medical advisory team listed six criteria for the resumption of competition (available in this account) and made no mention of a vaccine.
But the advisors were clear on two pieces of the coronavirus puzzle: Testing and community spread.
The former must improve, the latter must diminish.
Specifically:
— “Testing access and capacity to satisfy testing recommendations above, including the ability to test within 24 hours of competition and have results prior to that competition”
— “Capability to isolate new positive cases and quarantine high-risk contacts. Campus or community access to housing and food options to effectively ensure basic conditions for successful quarantine and isolation, point-of-care testing must become readily available in order for teams”
So our outline for spring football really makes three assumptions:
1. It’s not the same as fall football.
2. Testing improves by the late fall or early winter.
3. The level of community spread diminishes.
OK, now let’s get to the logistics — to the details of what would be an unprecedented endeavor for college football:
Producing a competitive, safe and entertaining spring season.
“It’s a complex formula, and we’d have to get our best minds on trying to build a model that’s workable,’’ Washington State athletic director Pat Chun.
“There a lot of hurdles: the timing, the health-and-safety piece, the number of games.
“But we’ve done a good job building a (scheduling) methodology that we put in place for the fall, and so we have that available for us to see if there’s a way to move forward.”
It is the Hotline’s belief that the ACC, SEC and Big 12 will succumb to the challenges posed by coronavirus — especially once students return to campus — and eventually abort their plans for the fall.
At that point, the Power Five could turn its collective focus — to the extent anything is done collectively these days — to the spring.
But the Pac-12 and Big Ten could move forward on their own if needed, with the conference champions facing each other in a bowl game … perhaps even in a bowl game in Pasadena, California.
The most significant logistical challenges facing a spring season would involve eligibility, roster size, the NFL Draft and, the physical demands on the players.
They cannot be asked to play two full seasons in one calendar year.
So here’s the plan:
Spring football becomes a nine-game, conference-only season — similar to what the Pac-12 had planned for this fall, but removing one game from the lineup.
But within those nine games, each player could compete in no more than seven.
Why nine?
Because it works with the calendar we’ll lay out in a moment.
Why seven?
Because that’s essentially half of a normal season: Teams that compete in bowl games play 13, and teams that participate in the conference championship and a bowl game play 14.
Again, two full seasons in one calendar year is too much, but one-and-a-half seasons in a calendar year?
That’s manageable, in part because the net increase in wear-and-tear would be less than a half season.
Normally, teams have four weeks of spring practice, which includes several scrimmages.
Speaking of spring practice: The Pac-12 should move it to late November or December, if the health and safety piece will allow.
(Get the players on the field in some fashion as soon as it’s safe, for the physical and mental well being.)
Our calendar calls for training camp to begin in late January and the season to start Saturday, Feb. 20.
Teams would play nine games and finish up on April 17, with the conference championship the following weekend.
A greatly reduced bowl season would play out in early May, and you’re done.
Players would then have 13 weeks off, with training camp beginning Monday, Aug. 9 for a normal start to the 2021 fall season.
(The fall schedule could be moved back a few weeks to give the players more time, but then non-conference contracts must be revised. Our calendar was crafted with the assumption that coaches, athletic directors, presidents and television partners want as little disruption to the fall season as possible.)
Critical point: Even a reduced spring season is a big ask of the players, both in terms of the physical demands — the reason behind our seven-game-per-player limit — and their eligibility.
They would be using a full year on a half season.
Some might opt out, understandably, and in those cases the NCAA must grant a waiver.
“The eligibility piece is a huge uncertainty,’’ said Chun, who represents the Pac-12 on the NCAA’s Division I Council, the group responsible for day-to-day oversight of major college athletics.
As for the NFL piece:
No, we don’t believe the league will delay the draft — it’s currently scheduled for April 29 – May 1 — to accommodate a spring college season.
Yes, we assume every top prospect, and the vast majority of all prospects, will skip the spring season.
Count on each roster losing 20 players to the draft and another 10-15 to health or eligibility opt outs.
That would leave teams with 60-65 players, including walk-ons — not enough, especially if each player is limited to seven games.
Here’s what you do:
Transfers would be eligible immediately, as would high school players who enroll early. The true freshmen would be granted waivers to play in up to six games without losing the year of eligibility.
Add the transfers and early enrollees, and roster flexibility becomes more manageable.
But even with that, more changes would be needed:
In-season practices must be light — as light as NFL practices.
And the conferences should consider tweaks to the rules, like a running clock in the fourth quarter of lopsided games, to further benefit the players.
Also, schedules could be crafted in such a way that cold-weather teams play most of their home games in late March and April, when they would typically be conducting spring practice.
Bottom line: It would take significant creativity and maximum effort for the Pac-12 to produce a spring season.
We’re not sure the schools have the requisite desire. It’s too soon, emotions are too raw, and the mere prospect of February kickoffs is too jarring to be fully comprehended at the moment.
Nor do we know how the conference’s TV partners feel (and what they would pay).
But if they want to play in the spring … if they really want to play … there’s a path forward.
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of $1 per week for a full year or — introductory offer alert! — just 99 cents for the first month, with the option to cancel anytime. Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.


thedenverpost--2020-08-12--Democrats, Steven Mnuchin at odds after “overture” for coronavirus aid talks

WASHINGTON — The White House ’ s top negotiator tried to revive stalled talks Wednesday over coronavirus aid , but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the “ overture , ” saying the Trump administration is still refusing to meet them halfway .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reached out to the Democratic leaders as it becomes increasingly unlikely there will not be any new relief for Americans until Congress resumes in September .
The two sides are wide apart .
“ The White House is not budging , ” Pelosi and Schumer said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shot back : “ The Democrats have no interest in negotiating.
” The House is now on recess with the Senate only nominally in session until the end of this week .
Lawmakers are being told they could be recalled to Washington on 24-hour notice , but there are few signs of a breakthrough , despite the mounting death toll , surpassing 161,000 in the U.S. , and more than 5 million people infected .
In their joint statement , the Democrats said Mnuchin made an “ overture ” to meet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call .
“ Democrats have compromised , ” they said , noting that they dropped their initial $ 3.5 trillion proposal by $ 1 trillion and expect President Donald Trump ’ s team to raise its $ 1 trillion offer by a similar amount to $ 2 trillion .
“ However , it is clear that the Administration still does not grasp the magnitude of the problems that American families are facing.
” They said , “ We have again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are willing to resume negotiations once they start to take this process seriously.
” Mnuchin said the Democrats ’ statement “ is not an accurate reflection of our conversation.
” He said Pelosi made it clear that she was unwilling to continue negotiations “ unless we agreed in advance to her proposal , costing at least $ 2 trillion.
” Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows also briefed GOP senators privately on Wednesday , but Republicans said there was no further information on next steps .

WASHINGTON — The White House’s top negotiator tried to revive stalled talks Wednesday over coronavirus aid, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the “overture,” saying the Trump administration is still refusing to meet them halfway.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reached out to the Democratic leaders as it becomes increasingly unlikely there will not be any new relief for Americans until Congress resumes in September. The two sides are wide apart.
“The White House is not budging,” Pelosi and Schumer said in a joint statement.
Mnuchin disputed their account and shot back: “The Democrats have no interest in negotiating.”
The House is now on recess with the Senate only nominally in session until the end of this week. Lawmakers are being told they could be recalled to Washington on 24-hour notice, but there are few signs of a breakthrough, despite the mounting death toll, surpassing 161,000 in the U.S., and more than 5 million people infected.
In their joint statement, the Democrats said Mnuchin made an “overture” to meet. The treasury secretary called the Democratic leaders on Wednesday, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call.
“Democrats have compromised,” they said, noting that they dropped their initial $3.5 trillion proposal by $1 trillion and expect President Donald Trump’s team to raise its $1 trillion offer by a similar amount to $2 trillion. “However, it is clear that the Administration still does not grasp the magnitude of the problems that American families are facing.”
They said, “We have again made clear to the Administration that we are willing to resume negotiations once they start to take this process seriously.”
Mnuchin said the Democrats’ statement “is not an accurate reflection of our conversation.” He said Pelosi made it clear that she was unwilling to continue negotiations “unless we agreed in advance to her proposal, costing at least $2 trillion.”
Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows also briefed GOP senators privately on Wednesday, but Republicans said there was no further information on next steps.


thedenverpost--2020-08-12--Joe Biden introduces VP choice Kamala Harris; much history, no crowd

WILMINGTON , Del .
— Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his newly chosen running mate Kamala Harris campaigned together for the first time Wednesday , as the former primary rivals sought to solidify their advantage over President Donald Trump and secure their place in American history .
Biden , a 77-year-old white man , embraced the significance of naming the first Black woman to a major party ’ s presidential ticket , but he focused on other attributes Harris brings to the ticket .
He hailed the California senator , the 55-year-old former prosecutor who a year ago excoriated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the right woman to help him defeat Trump and then lead a nation facing crises in triplicate : a pandemic , wounded economy and long-simmering reckoning with systemic racism .
Harris , Biden said at a high school gymnasium in his hometown of WIlmington , Delaware , is “ smart , she ’ s tough , she ’ s experienced , she ’ s a proven fighter for the backbone of this country.
” “ Kamala knows how to govern .
She knows how to make the hard calls .
She ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day one , ” he continued .
Biden spoke of her experience questioning Trump administration officials in the Senate , and highlighted the historic nature of her pick , noting she ’ s the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica , “ This morning , all across the nation , little girls woke up — especially little black and brown girls , who so often feel overlooked and undervalued in their communities .
But today , today , just maybe , they ’ re seeing themselves for the first time in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris sat feet away from Biden , listening with her mask off .
Taking the stage after him , Harris said she was “ mindful of all the ambitious women before me , whose sacrifice , determination and resilience makes my presence here today even possible.
” She then launched into an attack on Trump , lambasting him for a lack of leadership on the coronavirus pandemic .
“ This is a moment of real consequence for America .
Everything we care about — our economy , our health , our children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — it ’ s all on the line , ” she said .
The event began an hour late .
A momentous candidacy aside , the surreal nature of the scene was not only a woman of color stepping into the role of would-be national executive but doing so in a mostly empty high school gym .
Masked reporters nearly outnumbered campaign aides and the candidates ’ families members in a grim reminder of a coronavirus pandemic that has killed 165,000 Americans , while yielding Depression-level unemployment and World War II-level national deficits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice-presidential picks are greeted with adoring throngs , and Harris , given her profile , almost certainly could have expected an even more enthusiastic welcome to the ticket .
On Wednesday , about 100 supporters stood outside the gymnasium waving signs prior to her arrival , with no hopes of being allowed inside .
The event was the first in a rollout that Biden aides say blends the historic nature of Harris ’ selection with the realities of the 2020 campaign and the gravity of the nation ’ s circumstances .
Later Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grassroots fundraiser ; they will continue campaigning together though Democrats ’ virtual convention that runs next Monday through Thursday .
Harris was considered a favorite throughout Biden ’ s search , and she ’ s been a regular surrogate campaigner and fundraiser for him since he became the presumptive nominee .
They ’ ll nonetheless have to paper over differences exposed during the primary campaign , from Harris ’ initial support for a single-payer health insurance system and the Green New Deal to her deeply personal debate-stage broadside against Biden over his opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in the 1970s .
Trump seized on those dynamics , tagging Harris as “ Phony Kamala ” and casting her as the latest evidence that Biden , a five-decade veteran of the Democratic establishment , is captive to his party ’ s left flank .
White House adviser Kellyanne Conway on Wednesday insisted Harris is “ very much part of the radical left ” and suggested the senator will have a hard time not outshining Biden , whose age and fitness for office Conway frequently mocks .
“ He ’ s overshadowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with , ” she said .
Biden ’ s campaign seemed prepared for the counteroffensive , noting that just weeks ago , Trump said Harris would be a “ fine choice.
” And campaign finance records show that Trump contributed as a private citizen to Harris ’ attorney general campaigns in California .
Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016 .
Further muddying the GOP message , national operatives on Wednesday highlighted progressives ’ criticism of Harris ’ record as a prosecutor and California attorney general , essentially criticizing her as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harris no longer supports a single-payer health insurance system , aligning instead with Biden ’ s proposal to add a public insurance option to compete alongside private plans .
Still , Harris memorably raised her hand during one Democratic primary debate when candidates were asked whether they could back a system that scrapped private health insurance altogether .
She has broadly endorsed the Green New Deal , progressives ’ most ambitious set of proposals to combat the climate crisis , but she didn ’ t make that an anchor of her presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his climate proposals during the 2020 campaign but has not fully embraced the Green New Deal .
In Washington , Harris has advocated overhauling the criminal justice system , intensifying her efforts since George Floyd ’ s killing by a white Minneapolis officer in May .
And she ’ s called for sweeping domestic programs to benefit the working and middle class .
But she has taken heat for some of her aggressive stances as a local prosecutor in the San Francisco area and for not prosecuting bank executives in the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record could have unpredictable effects in a national campaign .
Biden bets that , on balance , Harris has broad appeal that will shore up any weaknesses with Black women , an anchor of the Democratic Party , and other voters of color , while juicing turnout among white liberals and coaxing support from independents and Republican-leaning white voters who have soured on Trump .
Karen Finney , a prominent Black strategist in the Democratic Party , pointed to immediate fundraising success as evidence that Biden ’ s take on Harris is better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats ’ online fundraising arm , reported taking in almost $ 11 million in the hours after Biden ’ s announcement , and the Biden campaign expects a massive haul from Wednesday evening ’ s grass-roots fundraiser , potentially rivaling previous events with former President Barack Obama and former 2020 rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Those virtual events raised about $ 11 million and $ 6 million , respectively .
“ We won ’ t get the visual , ” Finney said , referring to the realities of a coronavirus-era campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy and excitement.
” The ticket , she said , “ makes clear that Biden is serious about having people who like the diversity of our country and our future at the highest decision-making tables .
That gives people hope.
” Barrow reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press reporter Aamer Madhani contributed from Washington .

Bill Barrow, Alexandra Jaffe, Will Weissert

WILMINGTON, Del. — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his newly chosen running mate Kamala Harris campaigned together for the first time Wednesday, as the former primary rivals sought to solidify their advantage over President Donald Trump and secure their place in American history.
Biden, a 77-year-old white man, embraced the significance of naming the first Black woman to a major party’s presidential ticket, but he focused on other attributes Harris brings to the ticket. He hailed the California senator, the 55-year-old former prosecutor who a year ago excoriated Biden on a primary debate stage, as the right woman to help him defeat Trump and then lead a nation facing crises in triplicate: a pandemic, wounded economy and long-simmering reckoning with systemic racism.
Harris, Biden said at a high school gymnasium in his hometown of WIlmington, Delaware, is “smart, she’s tough, she’s experienced, she’s a proven fighter for the backbone of this country.”
“Kamala knows how to govern. She knows how to make the hard calls. She’s ready to do this job on day one,” he continued.
Biden spoke of her experience questioning Trump administration officials in the Senate, and highlighted the historic nature of her pick, noting she’s the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica,
“This morning, all across the nation, little girls woke up — especially little black and brown girls, who so often feel overlooked and undervalued in their communities. But today, today, just maybe, they’re seeing themselves for the first time in a new way,” Biden said.
Harris sat feet away from Biden, listening with her mask off.
Taking the stage after him, Harris said she was “mindful of all the ambitious women before me, whose sacrifice, determination and resilience makes my presence here today even possible.” She then launched into an attack on Trump, lambasting him for a lack of leadership on the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a moment of real consequence for America. Everything we care about — our economy, our health, our children, the kind of country we live in — it’s all on the line,” she said.
The event began an hour late. A momentous candidacy aside, the surreal nature of the scene was not only a woman of color stepping into the role of would-be national executive but doing so in a mostly empty high school gym. Masked reporters nearly outnumbered campaign aides and the candidates’ families members in a grim reminder of a coronavirus pandemic that has killed 165,000 Americans, while yielding Depression-level unemployment and World War II-level national deficits.
In any other presidential election, vice-presidential picks are greeted with adoring throngs, and Harris, given her profile, almost certainly could have expected an even more enthusiastic welcome to the ticket. On Wednesday, about 100 supporters stood outside the gymnasium waving signs prior to her arrival, with no hopes of being allowed inside.
The event was the first in a rollout that Biden aides say blends the historic nature of Harris’ selection with the realities of the 2020 campaign and the gravity of the nation’s circumstances. Later Wednesday, the pair will lead an online grassroots fundraiser; they will continue campaigning together though Democrats’ virtual convention that runs next Monday through Thursday.
Harris was considered a favorite throughout Biden’s search, and she’s been a regular surrogate campaigner and fundraiser for him since he became the presumptive nominee.
They’ll nonetheless have to paper over differences exposed during the primary campaign, from Harris’ initial support for a single-payer health insurance system and the Green New Deal to her deeply personal debate-stage broadside against Biden over his opposition to federally mandated busing to integrate public schools in the 1970s.
Trump seized on those dynamics, tagging Harris as “Phony Kamala” and casting her as the latest evidence that Biden, a five-decade veteran of the Democratic establishment, is captive to his party’s left flank.
White House adviser Kellyanne Conway on Wednesday insisted Harris is “very much part of the radical left” and suggested the senator will have a hard time not outshining Biden, whose age and fitness for office Conway frequently mocks. “He’s overshadowed basically by almost everyone he comes in contact with,” she said.
Biden’s campaign seemed prepared for the counteroffensive, noting that just weeks ago, Trump said Harris would be a “fine choice.” And campaign finance records show that Trump contributed as a private citizen to Harris’ attorney general campaigns in California. Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016.
Further muddying the GOP message, national operatives on Wednesday highlighted progressives’ criticism of Harris’ record as a prosecutor and California attorney general, essentially criticizing her as part of the Democratic establishment.
Indeed, Harris no longer supports a single-payer health insurance system, aligning instead with Biden’s proposal to add a public insurance option to compete alongside private plans. Still, Harris memorably raised her hand during one Democratic primary debate when candidates were asked whether they could back a system that scrapped private health insurance altogether.
She has broadly endorsed the Green New Deal, progressives’ most ambitious set of proposals to combat the climate crisis, but she didn’t make that an anchor of her presidential bid. Biden has moved left on his climate proposals during the 2020 campaign but has not fully embraced the Green New Deal.
In Washington, Harris has advocated overhauling the criminal justice system, intensifying her efforts since George Floyd’s killing by a white Minneapolis officer in May. And she’s called for sweeping domestic programs to benefit the working and middle class. But she has taken heat for some of her aggressive stances as a local prosecutor in the San Francisco area and for not prosecuting bank executives in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse.
That mixed record could have unpredictable effects in a national campaign.
Biden bets that, on balance, Harris has broad appeal that will shore up any weaknesses with Black women, an anchor of the Democratic Party, and other voters of color, while juicing turnout among white liberals and coaxing support from independents and Republican-leaning white voters who have soured on Trump.
Karen Finney, a prominent Black strategist in the Democratic Party, pointed to immediate fundraising success as evidence that Biden’s take on Harris is better than Trump’s. Act Blue, Democrats’ online fundraising arm, reported taking in almost $11 million in the hours after Biden’s announcement, and the Biden campaign expects a massive haul from Wednesday evening’s grass-roots fundraiser, potentially rivaling previous events with former President Barack Obama and former 2020 rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Those virtual events raised about $11 million and $6 million, respectively.
“We won’t get the visual,” Finney said, referring to the realities of a coronavirus-era campaign. “But you can already feel the energy and excitement.”
The ticket, she said, “makes clear that Biden is serious about having people who like the diversity of our country and our future at the highest decision-making tables. That gives people hope.”
Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press reporter Aamer Madhani contributed from Washington.


thedenverpost--2020-08-12--Apartments off of I-25 in Castle Pines area evacuated because of grass fire

Some apartments in Douglas County near Interstate 25 and the Castle Pines interchange were evacuated Wednesday afternoon because of a @ @ @ @ @ Metro Fire and Rescue responded to the fire and evacuated units , as a safety @ @ @ @ @ highway and south of Castle Pines Parkway .
The fire grew to more than an @ @ @ @ @ out .
It did not reach the apartment complex .
There were no reported injuries @ @ @ @ @ fire is under investigation .

Some apartments in Douglas County near Interstate 25 and the Castle Pines interchange were evacuated Wednesday afternoon because of a nearby grass fire.
Crews working grass fire south of Castle Pines Pkwy and west of I-25, approximately an acre and a half. They were able to stop the fire before it reached the apartment complex. Fire has been marked under-control. No injuries. Cause under investigation. pic.twitter.com/JFvho8kIgP — South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) August 12, 2020
South Metro Fire and Rescue responded to the fire and evacuated units, as a safety precaution, west of the highway and south of Castle Pines Parkway.
The fire grew to more than an acre before firefighters put it out. It did not reach the apartment complex. There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.


thedenverpost--2020-08-13--US jobless claims fall below 1 million but remain high

WASHINGTON — The number of laid-off workers applying for unemployment aid fell below 1 million last week for the first time since the pandemic intensified five months ago yet still remains at a high level .
The viral pandemic keeps forcing layoffs just as the expiration of a $ 600-a-week federal jobless benefit has deepened the hardships for many .
The Labor Department said applications fell to 963,000 , the second straight drop , from 1.2 million the previous week .
The decline suggests that layoffs are slowing , though last week ’ s figure still exceeds the pre-pandemic record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the shutdowns that are meant to fight it and the reluctance or inability of many people to shop , travel or eat out are continuing to weaken the economy and force companies to cut staff .
Twenty-three states have paused or reversed their business re-openings .
In a hopeful sign , the rate of new confirmed viral cases has declined in the past couple of weeks , though it remains far above the rates that prevailed in May and June .
All told , fewer people are also continuing to receive state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15.5 million , from 16.1 million the previous week .
For months , the unemployed had also been receiving the $ 600 a week in federal jobless aid on top of their state benefit .
But the federal payment has expired , and negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit , likely at a lower level of payment , have collapsed in rancor .
The supplemental federal aid had enabled many jobless Americans to afford rent , food and utilities , and its expiration threatens to weaken consumer spending and further slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 5 % of national income since April , a larger share than even Social Security .
The loss of the $ 600 has shrunk benefits for the average recipient by one-half to three-quarters .
Michelle Meyer , an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch , says that the loss of the additional aid will reduce Americans ’ incomes by $ 18 billion a week .
“ That ’ s a big hit to purchasing power , ” she said .
Last week , President Donald Trump issued an executive order that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal aid to the jobless to replace the expired $ 600-a-week benefit .
But experts say it would take weeks for the states to implement that payment .
In addition to people who applied last week for state benefits , nearly 489,000 others sought jobless aid under a new program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time .
That figure isn ’ t adjusted for seasonal trends , so it ’ s reported separately .
But including that group , the Labor Department says 28.2 million people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though that figure may be inflated by double-counting by some states .
For states to set up systems to distribute a new $ 300 federal jobless benefit , their labor departments would need more guidance from the federal government , noted Michele Evermore , a senior researcher at the National Employment Law Project .
The money , which is supposed to come from a federal disaster relief fund , would likely require states to hire more people and possibly contract with software vendors to establish a system to process the payments , Evermore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine that this goes up in less than a month anywhere , ” she said .
After the pandemic hit , Congress approved a $ 2 trillion aid package .
Among other things , it provided the $ 600-a-week benefit and made self-employed and gig workers newly eligible for unemployment aid .
Both programs required the states to create new processing systems while handling a crush of benefit applications .
That influx resulted in huge backlogs and left millions of the unemployed frustrated by their inability to access benefits .
Washington state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard troops to help process applications .
In the meantime , with confirmed virus cases still high , it ’ s not clear when business owners will be able to reopen or will have enough customers to rehire .
Grace Della is one of them .
She opened her food tour business in Miami a decade ago with $ 300 from her mother .
On weekends , she led the tours herself and eventually built up a business with 13 tour guides , averaging 10 tours a day through culinary hot spots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the risk of infection still high and with scant customer demand , it ’ s been more than four months since Miami Culinary Tours has taken out guests , and Della , 46 , says she doesn ’ t expect to recall her employees anytime soon .
She hopes to reopen later this month but isn ’ t sure she can , given the state ’ s high level of confirmed infections .
Della said she tries to stay positive but confesses to moments of crippling fear .
At one point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There ’ s no money coming in , ” Della said .
“ We ’ re all scared.
” AP writer Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — The number of laid-off workers applying for unemployment aid fell below 1 million last week for the first time since the pandemic intensified five months ago yet still remains at a high level. The viral pandemic keeps forcing layoffs just as the expiration of a $600-a-week federal jobless benefit has deepened the hardships for many.
The U.S. Labor Department said applications fell to 963,000, the second straight drop, from 1.2 million the previous week. The decline suggests that layoffs are slowing, though last week’s figure still exceeds the pre-pandemic record of just under 700,000.
New unemployment filings climbed in Colorado last week, hitting a combined 15,235, up from 14,723 the week ending Aug.1, according to data from the state’s department of labor and employment.
Last week’s total is well below the state’s peak of more than 100,000 new claims filed in a single week back in late March and early April but is still nearly twice as high as pre-pandemic records as the state and national economy continues to sputter under the weight of the pandemic and resulting public health orders.
State labor officials on Thursday announced the launch of an extended benefits program, granting qualified residents 13 weeks of additional support if they have already exhausted their base 26 weeks of state payments and the additional 13 weeks of federal support granted them by the CARES Act. That means that, in total, qualified Coloradans will be entitled to up to a full year’s worth of benefits. People eligible for that extended state support will be contacted by the labor department, officials announced Thursday.
“They do not have to take further action other than certifying and applying for their weekly benefits,” Jeff Fitzgerald, the state unemployment insurance director, said during a press call.
The pandemic, the shutdowns that are meant to fight it and the reluctance or inability of many people to shop, travel or eat out are continuing to weaken the economy and force companies to cut staff. Twenty-three states have paused or reversed their business re-openings including Colorado. In a hopeful sign, the rate of new confirmed viral cases has declined in the past couple of weeks, though it remains far above the rates that prevailed in May and June.
All told, fewer people are also continuing to receive state jobless aid. That figure dropped to 15.5 million, from 16.1 million the previous week.
More than 280,000 Coloradans filed continuing claims for support for the week ending Aug. 1, down from 310,000 the week ending July 25.
In total, the Colorado unemployment office has doled out an estimated $4.5 billion in state and federal benefits since March 29. The state’s unemployment trust fund had just $1.1 billion dollars on hand when the pandemic first took hold this spring. As of Thursday, the balance was less than $50 million according to state labor economist Ryan Gedney.
“Trust fund insolvency will likely occur early next week,” Gedney said Thursday. “When insolvency occurs, Colorado will join 10 other states and the Virgin Islands that are already borrowing from the Federal Unemployment Account.”
Loans from that account are interest-free through the end of the year.
Of the new filers in Colorado last week, 9,048 sought support through the federally-funded pandemic unemployment assistance program set up to support self-employed people, independent contractors and others. That system has been beset by fraud in Colorado and across the country. As many as half of all new applications on a daily basis are flagged for fraud. It adds another layer of complexity to running a state-administered benefits system that has left many desperate for support amid delays and dysfunction.
For months, the nation’s unemployed had also been receiving the $600 a week in federal jobless aid on top of their state benefit. But the federal payment has expired, and negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit, likely at a lower level of payment, have collapsed in rancor.
The supplemental federal aid had enabled many jobless Americans to afford rent, food and utilities, and its expiration threatens to weaken consumer spending and further slow the economy. Unemployment benefits have accounted for roughly 5% of national income since April, a larger share than even Social Security. The loss of the $600 has shrunk benefits for the average recipient by one-half to three-quarters.
Michelle Meyer, an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, says that the loss of the additional aid will reduce Americans’ incomes by $18 billion a week.
“That’s a big hit to purchasing power,” she said.
Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that would provide $300 a week in federal aid to the jobless to replace the expired $600-a-week benefit. But experts say it would take weeks for the states to implement that payment.
In Colorado, the labor department received guidance on the $300 payments late Wednesday night, according to Cher Haavind, the department’s deputy executive director. The money would be drawn from a pot of Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief funds. The $100 match states are expected to contribute could be drawn from any other source of state money including existing unemployment trust fund payments, even if the trust fund is borrowing federal dollars.
Ultimately, it is up to Gov. Jared Polis to apply for that program, something he has yet to do, Haavind said. Once an application is submitted, the labor department expects that it will take weeks to find out how much support the state will receive from FEMA and two to four weeks more to program systems to handle the new payment and attached requirements.
“Again, (we’re) waiting for the governor’s office to continue reviewing the opportunities available with this funding,” Haavind said.
In addition to people who applied last week for state benefits, nearly 489,000 others sought jobless aid under a new program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time. That figure isn’t adjusted for seasonal trends, so it’s reported separately.
But including that group, the Labor Department says 28.2 million people are receiving some form of unemployment benefits, though that figure may be inflated by double-counting by some states.
For states to set up systems to distribute a new $300 federal jobless benefit, their labor departments would need more guidance from the federal government, noted Michele Evermore, a senior researcher at the National Employment Law Project. The money, which is supposed to come from a federal disaster relief fund, would likely require states to hire more people and possibly contract with software vendors to establish a system to process the payments, Evermore said.
“I can’t imagine that this goes up in less than a month anywhere,” she said.
After the pandemic hit, Congress approved a $2 trillion aid package. Among other things, it provided the $600-a-week benefit and made self-employed and gig workers newly eligible for unemployment aid.
Both programs required the states to create new processing systems while handling a crush of benefit applications. That influx resulted in huge backlogs and left millions of the unemployed frustrated by their inability to access benefits. Washington state, for one, eventually called in National Guard troops to help process applications.
In the meantime, with confirmed virus cases still high, it’s not clear when business owners will be able to reopen or will have enough customers to rehire.
Grace Della is one of them. She opened her food tour business in Miami a decade ago with $300 from her mother. On weekends, she led the tours herself and eventually built up a business with 13 tour guides, averaging 10 tours a day through culinary hot spots in South Beach and Little Havana.
Yet with the risk of infection still high and with scant customer demand, it’s been more than four months since Miami Culinary Tours has taken out guests, and Della, 46, says she doesn’t expect to recall her employees anytime soon.
She hopes to reopen later this month but isn’t sure she can, given the state’s high level of confirmed infections. Della said she tries to stay positive but confesses to moments of crippling fear. At one point, hyperventilating with anxiety, she contacted firefighters.
“There’s no money coming in,” Della said. “We’re all scared.”
AP writer Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-08-13--Oil, gas industry can be vehicle for U.S. economic recovery, energy secretary says

The U.S. oil and gas industry , which leads the world in production , is a vehicle for recovery from the pandemic-driven economic downturn , Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said Wednesday in a virtual , round table discussion with Colorado policy and business leaders .
Brouillette joined Mike Sommers , president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute , in talking with Colorado legislators , industry workers and representatives of trade organizations .
They later took questions from reporters .
Before the API-sponsored session , Brouillette visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden , where he announced the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems , or ARIES , is intended to address integrating different energy resources on the electric grid .
Referring to his visit to NREL , Brouillette said renewable energy works “ hand in glove ” with oil and gas .
He said wind and solar power are dependent on natural gas to provide the base-load power for daily use .
As more utilities and communities increase their use of renewable energy because of declining prices and climate change concerns , debate over how long natural gas will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brouillette made clear where he stands on the issue .
“ Until we reach a day in America where we have battery technology that allows grid-scale storage , which is not in the near term , ” Brouillette said , “ renewable energy will be in fact dependent on this energy.
” His bullishness on the oil and gas industry comes as thousands of jobs have been lost in Colorado and other energy-producing states because of a crash in demand as businesses and activities cut back or shut down to try to curb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in demand combined with a pre-pandemic glut of oil and a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia sent prices into negative territory for a brief time .
However , oil prices and demand have started rising , Sommers said .
During the worst of the pandemic , oil use dropped to about 70 million barrels a day worldwide from 100 million barrels and is now at about 90 million barrels a day , he added .
The U.S. was producing about 13 million barrels of oil a day before the coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now roughly 11 million barrels .
Sommers and Brouillette said the energy industry can play a big part in restoring the U.S. economy , but there are regulatory and legal challenges .
“ We ’ ve done a great job producing energy .
One of our bigger challenges , however , is getting that product to the marketplace , developing infrastructure to move that product from point A to point B and , importantly , to get it to the coast so we can get it to the open ocean to sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
On July 6 , the energy secretary issued an order authorizing the export of liquefied natural gas from the proposed Jordan Cove terminal in Coos Bay , Ore .
The terminal is opposed by Oregon state officials , landowners and some members of the congressional delegation .
It ’ s supported by industry backers in western Colorado because of the opportunities it would create for companies there .
Other challenges are regulations , Brouillette and Sommers said .
The Trump administration is expected to roll back methane-pollution regulations approved in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the administration is rescinding required inspections for leaks and repairs at newer oil and gas sites to capture methane , a greenhouse gas that is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term .
Sommers said the regulations aren ’ t necessary because emissions from oil and gas sites have dropped as production has more than doubled .
Through API , the industry is collaborating on technology and techniques to cut emissions even further , he said .
However , Lauren Pagel , policy director at Earthworks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environmental organization sees on the ground .
She said that trained staff members using optical gas imaging cameras consistently see a lot of emissions streaming from oil and gas well sites .
Environmentalists working with academics on monitoring the sites believe emissions are seriously under reported , she added .
Pagel noted that the industry was party to the negotiations that resulted in Colorado ’ s methane regulations in 2014 , the first state-level rules in the nation .
And the industry continued to thrive after the regulations were adopted , she @ @

The U.S. oil and gas industry, which leads the world in production, is a vehicle for recovery from the pandemic-driven economic downturn, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said Wednesday in a virtual, round table discussion with Colorado policy and business leaders.
Brouillette joined Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, in talking with Colorado legislators, industry workers and representatives of trade organizations. They later took questions from reporters.
Before the API-sponsored session, Brouillette visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, where he announced the launch of a new research platform. The Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems, or ARIES, is intended to address integrating different energy resources on the electric grid.
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner toured the lab with Brouillette. He noted that NREL “provides a sizable economic impact for Colorado.” The economic contribution to the state was $875 million in fiscal 2019, according to the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Referring to his visit to NREL, Brouillette said renewable energy works “hand in glove” with oil and gas. He said wind and solar power are dependent on natural gas to provide the base-load power for daily use.
As more utilities and communities increase their use of renewable energy because of declining prices and climate change concerns, debate over how long natural gas will be needed to generate electricity has grown. Brouillette made clear where he stands on the issue.
“Until we reach a day in America where we have battery technology that allows grid-scale storage, which is not in the near term,” Brouillette said, “renewable energy will be in fact dependent on this energy.”
His bullishness on the oil and gas industry comes as thousands of jobs have been lost in Colorado and other energy-producing states because of a crash in demand as businesses and activities cut back or shut down to try to curb the coronavirus pandemic. The drastic drop in demand combined with a pre-pandemic glut of oil and a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia sent prices into negative territory for a brief time.
However, oil prices and demand have started rising, Sommers said. During the worst of the pandemic, oil use dropped to about 70 million barrels a day worldwide from 100 million barrels and is now at about 90 million barrels a day, he added.
The U.S. was producing about 13 million barrels of oil a day before the coronavirus crisis hit .Brouillette said. The daily production is now roughly 11 million barrels.
Sommers and Brouillette said the energy industry can play a big part in restoring the U.S. economy, but there are regulatory and legal challenges.
“We’ve done a great job producing energy. One of our bigger challenges, however, is getting that product to the marketplace, developing infrastructure to move that product from point A to point B and, importantly, to get it to the coast so we can get it to the open ocean to sell it around the world,” Brouillette said.
On July 6, the energy secretary issued an order authorizing the export of liquefied natural gas from the proposed Jordan Cove terminal in Coos Bay, Ore. The terminal is opposed by Oregon state officials, landowners and some members of the congressional delegation. It’s supported by industry backers in western Colorado because of the opportunities it would create for companies there.
Other challenges are regulations, Brouillette and Sommers said. The Trump administration Thursday rolled back methane-pollution regulations approved in 2015. The Environmental Protection Agency reduced required inspections for leaks and repairs at newer oil and gas sites meant to capture methane, a greenhouse gas that is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. Low-producing wells and tanks and pipelines used for storage and transmission were exempted from the regulations.
Sommers said the regulations aren’t necessary because emissions from oil and gas sites have dropped as production has more than doubled. Through API, the industry is collaborating on technology and techniques to cut emissions even further, he said.
However, Lauren Pagel, policy director at Earthworks, said that isn’t what the environmental organization sees on the ground. She said that trained staff members using optical gas imaging cameras consistently see a lot of emissions streaming from oil and gas well sites. Environmentalists working with academics on monitoring the sites believe emissions are under reported, she added.
Pagel noted that the industry was party to the negotiations that resulted in Colorado’s methane regulations in 2014, the first state-level rules in the nation. And the industry continued to thrive after the regulations were adopted, she said.


thedenverpost--2020-08-13--Samuel Cosmi to the Broncos? ESPN’s NFL mock draft has Texas tackle heading to Denver in 2021.

Another year , another question mark at tackle for the Broncos .
With Ja ’ Wuan James having just three starts under his belt in his first two seasons in Denver and Garett Bolles ’ Broncos future in question , it would make sense for the team to look to the draft to alleviate the problem .
That ’ s what ESPN ’ s Todd McShay believes in his early 2021 NFL mock draft .
McShay has Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi heading to Denver with the No .
12 overall pick .
“ Even before right tackle Ja ’ Wuan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tackle was a concern .
Garett Bolles hasn ’ t been great and could be gone after this season .
Cosmi brings 6-foot-7 , 310-pound size with superb mobility .
He still has to develop a bit , but he has the talent to emerge as a high-end left tackle .
And if you want a glimpse of his athleticism and quickness , check out his 12-yard touchdown from last October , ” McShay writes .
Pro Football Focus listed Cosmi as the top returning offensive lineman to the Big 12 this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup Sports are back .
Never miss a story .
Subscribe to The Denver Post .
Get started for 99¢ .
.
If you have any questions or suggestions , hit me up on Twitter @ joenguyen or by email .
+ 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the team ?
Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Patrick Saunders here .

Another year, another question mark at tackle for the Broncos.
With Ja’Wuan James having just three starts under his belt in his first two seasons in Denver and Garett Bolles’ Broncos future in question, it would make sense for the team to look to the draft to alleviate the problem. That’s what ESPN’s Todd McShay believes in his early 2021 NFL mock draft.
McShay has Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi heading to Denver with the No. 12 overall pick.
“Even before right tackle Ja’Wuan James opted out of the NFL season, tackle was a concern. Garett Bolles hasn’t been great and could be gone after this season. Cosmi brings 6-foot-7, 310-pound size with superb mobility. He still has to develop a bit, but he has the talent to emerge as a high-end left tackle. And if you want a glimpse of his athleticism and quickness, check out his 12-yard touchdown from last October,” McShay writes.
Pro Football Focus listed Cosmi as the top returning offensive lineman to the Big 12 this year.
— 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
Sports are back. Never miss a story.
Subscribe to The Denver Post.
Get started for 99¢.
. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
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.


thedenverpost--2020-08-13--Pandemic has cost Colorado communities $1 billion in retail sales, but in some cities revenue is act

Pandemic has cost Colorado communities $1 billion in retail sales, but in some cities revenue is actually up. Here’s why.

The pandemic ’ s downward pull on consumer spending in Colorado is undeniable , but so far declines in retail sales are lower than forecast in many places , with the brunt of losses concentrated in communities dependent on outside spending .
Colorado municipalities captured $ 1 billion fewer retail sales between January and May of this year compared to last year , which works out to a 2 % drop , according to net taxable retail sales numbers reported to the Colorado Department of Revenue and compiled by the Colorado News Collaborative .
But what that number doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or town in the state that had a decline in retail sales , another two showed gains , according to the state numbers .
That same ratio applies to county-level retail sales , which were up in 44 counties and down in 20 .
The pandemic appears to have shifted spending patterns in a big way .
There were 81 towns and cities that suffered a $ 2.36 billion loss in retail sales .
Of those losses , half came from Denver , with another 20 % coming from Boulder , Lone Tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 171 towns and cities , however , saw a $ 1.3 billion gain in net taxable retail sales , something most probably didn ’ t envision as shutdown orders went into place .
“ Initially , we had estimated some huge decreases because we didn ’ t understand what was going to happen with the pandemic , ” said John Lewis , finance director for the city of Fountain , which is south of Colorado Springs .
Instead , the city is in a place it didn ’ t expect to be , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail sales tax collections and looking at the possibility of having to refund some of the extra money it has collected under TABOR limits .
There were 17 communities , mostly smaller and east of the Front Range , where retail sales more than doubled over last year from January to May .
Arvada had the biggest dollar gain in net retail sales , $ 75.4 million , a 13 % increase per the state ’ s count of retail sales .
“ Arvada is a grocery and gasoline community , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of finance .
“ Our biggest retailers were all deemed essential.
” They included Home Depot , Lowe ’ s , Costco , Sam ’ s Club , King Soopers and Safeway .
Retail sales , which were robust in the first three months of the year , did pull back sharply in April .
But in May and June they were moving higher again .
If it weren ’ t for auto sales , which fall under a separate “ use ” tax , the city would be on track for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado consumers registered 16.7 % fewer new vehicles in the first half of 2020 than they did in the first half of 2019 , which works out to 22,286 fewer cars and trucks for local governments to collect revenues on , according to the Colorado Auto Outlook from the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association .
Longmont was planning on a 40 % hit to its sales and use tax collections this year during the second quarter of the year , and expected the second half of the year to be down 8 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s chief financial officer .
In the first five months of the year , Longmont sales and use taxes were only down 0.6 % of what they brought into the city in the same months in 2019 .
“ That can happen in a tight year even without COVID , ” said Golden .
“ We ’ ve been lucky so far.
” In March , tax collections were up 6 % from the prior year .
In April , collections went down 12.7 % .
But in May , the taxes actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which Golden attributes to a couple of large audit collections .
Longmont ’ s revised forecast now calls for only a 6 % decline in sales and use taxes in the second half of the year , though collections in June may drop the projected decline even further .
As expected , grocery sales are up , but so are sales at big-box stores , liquor stores and marijuana retailers .
The declines came in restaurants as well as auto sales , building permit revenues and equipment purchases , the latter three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places are treading water , which itself is an accomplishment given the severity of the economic contraction .
State counts show Aurora ’ s retail sales up 3 % in the first five months , part of which reflects momentum at the start of the year .
January sales tax collections , which include Christmas sales and other December purchases , were up 11 % and February collections were up 13 % , said Aurora Budget Manager Greg Hays .
In March , sales taxes were up 1.7 % and then up 1.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more robust grocery store purchases as everyone stocked up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer .
May saw the city ’ s second-largest dip ever : 12.6 % .
The record drop was set in January 2002 , Hays said .
June numbers are back up , though only by 0.1 % .
Many of the places that suffered a major drop in sales in May started to go back up after much of the state began reopening .
Clothing stores , for example , were down 94 % in May compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June .
Like Longmont , however , the city is seeing major drops in auto sales .
And of course , every city is experiencing shortfalls in lodging tax revenue .
Because Aurora doesn ’ t tax groceries , officials don ’ t expect to make up any taxes there .
Communities that relied on retail spending by their own residents did better than those that catered to tourists and outside visitors .
Bedroom communities captured sales that had gone to downtown areas and office parks .
And those with more drive-through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that skewed toward sit-down restaurants .
Lewis said for years Fountain has struggled with what he called “ leakage.
” People would head up to Colorado Springs or Denver to make large purchases .
But as closures took hold , they spent more dollars closer to home , and they bought more online .
After years of watching revenues from online sales evade them , more local governments in Colorado are now capturing them because of the Wayfair decision .
Those newer collections boosted year-over-year comparisons .
Archer offers the hypothetical example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a computer or tech gear to work remotely .
In the past , he or she might have gone to a physical Best Buy location in a nearby city .
But because more residents were buying online , it generated tax revenues for Arvada .
But the unexpected gains in retail sales in a majority of places in Colorado were not enough to compensate for the massive declines elsewhere .
In Denver , taxable retail sales went from $ 7 billion in the first five months of 2019 to $ 5.8 billion this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Colorado Department of Revenue .
Leading the declines were restaurants and bars , down 35.7 % ; clothing retailers , down 35.4 % ; department stores , down 24.6 % , and sports , hobby , music and book stores , down 23.6 % , according to numbers from the city .
The pandemic hit Denver ’ s economy on multiple fronts , turning areas of strength into weaknesses .
Tourism dried up and the city ’ s convention business disappeared .
Cultural facilities and sporting venues shut down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thousands of office workers who populated the Central Business District and Cherry Creek remain hunkered down at home , not buying lunches , doing their shopping , or partaking in happy hours after work .
“ We anticipate about a $ 227 million loss of revenue in our general fund in 2020 and believe it will take at least through 2021 to recover to our pre-pandemic economic levels , ” said Brendan Hanlon , Denver ’ s chief financial officer .
Retail sales taxes account for about half of the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city during both the 2001 recession and the Great Recession and the budget challenge is unlike any Denver has ever seen , including the Great Depression .
“ The city is deploying all the financial management tools available to balance the budget while striving to maintain our city services .
Without federal support of local government revenue losses , these financial conditions will result in substantial cuts to municipal budgets which will directly affect our state and national economies , ” he said .
Like Denver , Boulder experienced an exodus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , including Amazon engineers who now design self-driving carts and robots in their garages .
“ One of the challenges Boulder has is that we do have a large proportion of in-commuters , ” said Tax and Special Projects Manager Joel Wagner .
“ When all of those commuters stopped coming into work , we saw a lot less spending in Boulder.
” Couple that with the students leaving because of the cancellation of in-person classes at the University of Colorado , and suddenly , Boulder ’ s tax base is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly to address the pandemic , saw “ pretty immediate and rapid declines ” in sales taxes from most of its storefront and retail businesses as well as restaurants during statewide closures , he said .
City data show that as of May , its apparel stores , restaurants and furniture stores have seen more than 30 % declines in sales tax , year to date .
In May , tax collections were down 18.8 % year over year .
But Wagner notes a “ few bright spots ” too , with sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also seeing success in a unique area : digital software sales that are taxed .
Beyond the pandemic , Grand Junction has had to deal with a slump in oil and gas activity because of depressed commodity prices earlier this year , said city manager Greg Caton .
But its economy is much more diversified than the past , and that has helped .
So too have all the federal dollars circulating , whether via the $ 1,200 per person payments the IRS sent to households , the enhanced federal unemployment insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the billions in loans made to small businesses through the SBA .
“ We are actually faring quite well and better than some of the resort-based communities , ” Caton said .
Retail sales tax collections were down 25.3 % in April , down 8.3 % in May , and June , which is still being tabulated , looks flat .
“ Given that we are in the pandemic , I feel good about this , ” he said .
Not surprisingly , areas more dependent on tourism have taken some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially the state ’ s ski resorts and gaming towns .
“ We are down $ 67 million in retail activity , with a 22 % drop in sales through May , ” said Brian Waldes , director of finance and information technology for the town of Breckenridge in Summit County .
The year was off to a promising start , with retail sales up 2 % in January and 6 % in February , and then “ bang , ” the ski resort closed .
In April , sales plummeted 65 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lodging taxes were hit even harder .
“ Even if you decide one thing , the pandemic could decide another .
Our No .
1 plan going into 2021 is to be agile , ” Waldes said .
Black Hawk , which relies heavily on gaming for revenues , had limited options once its casinos closed .
“ When things get shut down , they come to a screeching halt , ” said Lance Hillis , finance director for Black Hawk .
State numbers show a 28 % annual decline in retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a loss of $ 8.2 million in retail sales .
But the town is tracking a much steeper 37 % drop in tax collections .
In April , during casino shutdowns , sales tax collections went down 85 % .
In May , it was still a 63.3 % reduction , Hillis said .
Taxes on retail sales , along with the use tax on auto sales , are key revenue sources in most communities , but not the only sources .
Just because retail sales held up better than expected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that overall tax collections aren ’ t down .
Aurora , for example , anticipates a continued hit from the recession .
Based on projections completed in April , revenues were expected to fall about $ 25 million short in 2020 and about $ 30 million in 2021 .
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland estimates that municipal governments in Colorado could face a $ 377 million loss in sales tax revenues this fiscal year , with counties , which are more dependent on property taxes , down $ 64 million and special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state won ’ t be in a position to backstop those losses .
The same study estimates a $ 207 million loss in state income tax collections and a $ 367 million loss in state sales tax collections .
The Colorado Municipal League surveyed its members during the first week of July and 80 % of the 99 who responded said they faced a general fund shortfall which averaged 17 % .
A decline in travel has meant fewer hotel stays , hollowing out lodging tax collections .
Facility closures and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rentals , hurting service fees .
Licenses and permitting fees were down in 40 % of communities surveyed , and so were utility charges .
The shortfall is severe enough that the Colorado Municipal League has joined counterparts in lobbying Congress for state and local fiscal relief in the next round of federal stimulus , said Kevin Bommer , executive director .
The issue of support for local governments has divided Congress , with Democrats proposing more than $ 1 trillion in aid , while Republicans are hesitant , viewing the amount as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of bad fiscal management , including backfilling underfunded pensions .
Local governments contacted for this story said they are cutting costs where they can , with furloughs and delays in capital projects and equipment purchases .
In a bid to prevent temporary losses from becoming permanent , some have diverted coronavirus relief funds to support small businesses until sales revive .
“ They are trying to put a tourniquet on the wound in the hope that relief comes soon , ” Bommer said .
But there is a serious concern that help @ @ @ @ @

The pandemic’s downward pull on consumer spending in Colorado is undeniable, but so far declines in retail sales are lower than forecast in many places, with the brunt of losses concentrated in communities dependent on outside spending.
Colorado municipalities captured $1 billion fewer retail sales between January and May of this year compared to last year, which works out to a 2% drop, according to net taxable retail sales numbers reported to the Colorado Department of Revenue and compiled by the Colorado News Collaborative.
But what that number doesn’t show is that for every city or town in the state that had a decline in retail sales, another two showed gains, according to the state numbers. That same ratio applies to county-level retail sales, which were up in 44 counties and down in 20.
The pandemic appears to have shifted spending patterns in a big way. There were 81 towns and cities that suffered a $2.36 billion loss in retail sales. Of those losses, half came from Denver, with another 20% coming from Boulder, Lone Tree, Grand Junction and Breckenridge.
Another 171 towns and cities, however, saw a $1.3 billion gain in net taxable retail sales, something most probably didn’t envision as shutdown orders went into place.
“Initially, we had estimated some huge decreases because we didn’t understand what was going to happen with the pandemic,” said John Lewis, finance director for the city of Fountain, which is south of Colorado Springs.
Instead, the city is in a place it didn’t expect to be, up 19% in June year-over-year in retail sales tax collections and looking at the possibility of having to refund some of the extra money it has collected under TABOR limits.
There were 17 communities, mostly smaller and east of the Front Range, where retail sales more than doubled over last year from January to May. Arvada had the biggest dollar gain in net retail sales, $75.4 million, a 13% increase per the state’s count of retail sales.
“Arvada is a grocery and gasoline community,” said Bryan Archer, Arvada’s director of finance. “Our biggest retailers were all deemed essential.” They included Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, Sam’s Club, King Soopers and Safeway.
Retail sales, which were robust in the first three months of the year, did pull back sharply in April. But in May and June they were moving higher again. If it weren’t for auto sales, which fall under a separate “use” tax, the city would be on track for a gain in tax collections this year.
Colorado consumers registered 16.7% fewer new vehicles in the first half of 2020 than they did in the first half of 2019, which works out to 22,286 fewer cars and trucks for local governments to collect revenues on, according to the Colorado Auto Outlook from the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association.
Longmont was planning on a 40% hit to its sales and use tax collections this year during the second quarter of the year, and expected the second half of the year to be down 8%, said Jim Golden, the city’s chief financial officer.
In the first five months of the year, Longmont sales and use taxes were only down 0.6% of what they brought into the city in the same months in 2019.
“That can happen in a tight year even without COVID,” said Golden. “We’ve been lucky so far.”
In March, tax collections were up 6% from the prior year. In April, collections went down 12.7%. But in May, the taxes actually were up 1.6% year over year, which Golden attributes to a couple of large audit collections. Longmont’s revised forecast now calls for only a 6% decline in sales and use taxes in the second half of the year, though collections in June may drop the projected decline even further.
As expected, grocery sales are up, but so are sales at big-box stores, liquor stores and marijuana retailers. The declines came in restaurants as well as auto sales, building permit revenues and equipment purchases, the latter three down 15% through May.
Other places are treading water, which itself is an accomplishment given the severity of the economic contraction. State counts show Aurora’s retail sales up 3% in the first five months, part of which reflects momentum at the start of the year.
January sales tax collections, which include Christmas sales and other December purchases, were up 11% and February collections were up 13%, said Aurora Budget Manager Greg Hays. In March, sales taxes were up 1.7% and then up 1.4% in April, likely because of more robust grocery store purchases as everyone stocked up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer. May saw the city’s second-largest dip ever: 12.6%. The record drop was set in January 2002, Hays said.
June numbers are back up, though only by 0.1%. Many of the places that suffered a major drop in sales in May started to go back up after much of the state began reopening. Clothing stores, for example, were down 94% in May compared to last year but only down 50% in June.
Like Longmont, however, the city is seeing major drops in auto sales. And of course, every city is experiencing shortfalls in lodging tax revenue. Because Aurora doesn’t tax groceries, officials don’t expect to make up any taxes there.
Places that were hit hardest
Communities that relied on retail spending by their own residents did better than those that catered to tourists and outside visitors. Bedroom communities captured sales that had gone to downtown areas and office parks. And those with more drive-through and fast-casual chains fared better than those that skewed toward sit-down restaurants.
Lewis said for years Fountain has struggled with what he called “leakage.” People would head up to Colorado Springs or Denver to make large purchases. But as closures took hold, they spent more dollars closer to home, and they bought more online.
After years of watching revenues from online sales evade them, more local governments in Colorado are now capturing them because of the Wayfair decision. Those newer collections boosted year-over-year comparisons.
Archer offers the hypothetical example of an Arvada resident who needed to buy a computer or tech gear to work remotely. In the past, he or she might have gone to a physical Best Buy location in a nearby city. But because more residents were buying online, it generated tax revenues for Arvada.
But the unexpected gains in retail sales in a majority of places in Colorado were not enough to compensate for the massive declines elsewhere.
In Denver, taxable retail sales went from $7 billion in the first five months of 2019 to $5.8 billion this year, a 17% drop, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. Leading the declines were restaurants and bars, down 35.7%; clothing retailers, down 35.4%; department stores, down 24.6%, and sports, hobby, music and book stores, down 23.6%, according to numbers from the city.
The pandemic hit Denver’s economy on multiple fronts, turning areas of strength into weaknesses. Tourism dried up and the city’s convention business disappeared. Cultural facilities and sporting venues shut down, removing the sales those visits provided. Thousands of office workers who populated the Central Business District and Cherry Creek remain hunkered down at home, not buying lunches, doing their shopping, or partaking in happy hours after work.
“We anticipate about a $227 million loss of revenue in our general fund in 2020 and believe it will take at least through 2021 to recover to our pre-pandemic economic levels,” said Brendan Hanlon, Denver’s chief financial officer.
Retail sales taxes account for about half of the city’s revenues. Hanlon said he worked for the city during both the 2001 recession and the Great Recession and the budget challenge is unlike any Denver has ever seen, including the Great Depression.
“The city is deploying all the financial management tools available to balance the budget while striving to maintain our city services. Without federal support of local government revenue losses, these financial conditions will result in substantial cuts to municipal budgets which will directly affect our state and national economies,” he said.
Like Denver, Boulder experienced an exodus of white-collar workers who shifted to working at home, including Amazon engineers who now design self-driving carts and robots in their garages.
“One of the challenges Boulder has is that we do have a large proportion of in-commuters,” said Tax and Special Projects Manager Joel Wagner. “When all of those commuters stopped coming into work, we saw a lot less spending in Boulder.”
Couple that with the students leaving because of the cancellation of in-person classes at the University of Colorado, and suddenly, Boulder’s tax base is a lot smaller.
Boulder, which moved quickly to address the pandemic, saw “pretty immediate and rapid declines” in sales taxes from most of its storefront and retail businesses as well as restaurants during statewide closures, he said.
City data show that as of May, its apparel stores, restaurants and furniture stores have seen more than 30% declines in sales tax, year to date. In May, tax collections were down 18.8% year over year. But Wagner notes a “few bright spots” too, with sales increasing in food and liquor. Boulder is also seeing success in a unique area: digital software sales that are taxed.
Beyond the pandemic, Grand Junction has had to deal with a slump in oil and gas activity because of depressed commodity prices earlier this year, said city manager Greg Caton. But its economy is much more diversified than the past, and that has helped. So too have all the federal dollars circulating, whether via the $1,200 per person payments the IRS sent to households, the enhanced federal unemployment insurance payments of $600 a week or the billions in loans made to small businesses through the SBA.
“We are actually faring quite well and better than some of the resort-based communities,” Caton said. Retail sales tax collections were down 25.3% in April, down 8.3% in May, and June, which is still being tabulated, looks flat.
“Given that we are in the pandemic, I feel good about this,” he said.
Not surprisingly, areas more dependent on tourism have taken some of the bigger percentage hits to retail sales, especially the state’s ski resorts and gaming towns.
“We are down $67 million in retail activity, with a 22% drop in sales through May,” said Brian Waldes, director of finance and information technology for the town of Breckenridge in Summit County.
The year was off to a promising start, with retail sales up 2% in January and 6% in February, and then “bang,” the ski resort closed. In April, sales plummeted 65% and were down 44% in May. Lodging taxes were hit even harder.
“Even if you decide one thing, the pandemic could decide another. Our No. 1 plan going into 2021 is to be agile,” Waldes said.
Black Hawk, which relies heavily on gaming for revenues, had limited options once its casinos closed.
“When things get shut down, they come to a screeching halt,” said Lance Hillis, finance director for Black Hawk.
State numbers show a 28% annual decline in retail sales in Black Hawk through May, or a loss of $8.2 million in retail sales. But the town is tracking a much steeper 37% drop in tax collections. In April, during casino shutdowns, sales tax collections went down 85%. In May, it was still a 63.3% reduction, Hillis said.
A call for help
Taxes on retail sales, along with the use tax on auto sales, are key revenue sources in most communities, but not the only sources. Just because retail sales held up better than expected in many places doesn’t necessarily mean that overall tax collections aren’t down.
Aurora, for example, anticipates a continued hit from the recession. Based on projections completed in April, revenues were expected to fall about $25 million short in 2020 and about $30 million in 2021.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland estimated in May that municipal governments in Colorado could face a $377 million loss in sales tax revenues this fiscal year, with counties, which are more dependent on property taxes, down $64 million and special districts down $78 million.
And the state won’t be in a position to backstop those losses. The same study estimates a $207 million loss in state income tax collections and a $367 million loss in state sales tax collections.
The Colorado Municipal League surveyed its members during the first week of July and 80% of the 99 who responded said they faced a general fund shortfall which averaged 17%.
A decline in travel has meant fewer hotel stays, hollowing out lodging tax collections. Facility closures and have meant fewer recreation center visits and facility rentals, hurting service fees. Licenses and permitting fees were down in 40% of communities surveyed, and so were utility charges.
The shortfall is severe enough that the Colorado Municipal League has joined counterparts in lobbying Congress for state and local fiscal relief in the next round of federal stimulus, said Kevin Bommer, executive director.
The issue of support for local governments has divided Congress, with Democrats proposing more than $1 trillion in aid, while Republicans are hesitant, viewing the amount as excessive and concerned aid could cover for years of bad fiscal management, including backfilling underfunded pensions.
Local governments contacted for this story said they are cutting costs where they can, with furloughs and delays in capital projects and equipment purchases. In a bid to prevent temporary losses from becoming permanent, some have diverted coronavirus relief funds to support small businesses until sales revive.
“They are trying to put a tourniquet on the wound in the hope that relief comes soon,” Bommer said. But there is a serious concern that help isn’t coming.


thedenverpost--2020-08-13--Inflation in metro Denver is rising three times faster than the national average

Consumer prices in metro Denver in July rose at triple the U.S. rate , with gasoline , auto insurance , clothing and meat prices outpacing the gains measured nationally , according to the latest inflation report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood shot up 1.6 % for the two months ending in July .
Measured over the past 12 months , from July to July , metro Denver ’ s annual consumer inflation rate is up 3.1 % versus a 1 % increase nationally .
Driving metro Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are above-average gains in the price indices for gasoline , auto insurance , clothing , furniture , meat and poultry , and dining out .
After cratering in the first four months of the year because of a supply glut and reduced demand , gasoline prices have rebounded sharply this summer .
They remain down 20.3 % nationally compared to July 2019 .
But in metro Denver , they are only 3.1 % below year-ago levels .
Auto insurance customers in Colorado also aren ’ t getting as good a break on premiums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in the U.S. over the past year , reflecting fewer accident claims as people drive fewer miles because of the pandemic .
In metro Denver , auto insurance costs are up 11.8 % year over year , even after accounting for the rebates insurers have passed on , according to the BLS .
There are other categories where metro Denver consumers are paying up .
Clothing costs are up 2.4 % locally , but down 6.5 % nationally .
And all the cattle raised in the state haven ’ t kept local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price index for meat , poultry , fish and eggs is up 14.4 % over the past year compared to an 8.4 % gain for the U.S. index .
Denver-area consumers are getting a better than average price break in some categories , including fruits and vegetables , cereals and baked goods , electricity , medical costs and alcohol .
Time will tell if Denver ’ s higher inflation rate is an anomaly or a harbinger .
Dean Baker , a senior economist with the Center for Economic and Policy Research , cautioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than expected spike in consumer prices last month .
“ We may see another month or two of high inflation , but there is little reason to believe that this is the start of an upward spiral , ” he said in an analysis of the July CPI numbers .
“ It is overwhelmingly attributable to reversals of sharp price declines during the shutdown period .
In addition , there are sectors that are experiencing one-time and temporary cost pressures as a result of adjustments necessary to cope with the pandemic.
” Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably aren ’ t coming back to haunt U.S. consumers .
But if they do , Denver residents could be the first to get spooked .

Consumer prices in metro Denver in July rose at triple the U.S. rate, with gasoline, auto insurance, clothing and meat prices outpacing the gains measured nationally, according to the latest inflation report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood shot up 1.6% for the two months ending in July. Measured over the past 12 months, from July to July, metro Denver’s annual consumer inflation rate is up 3.1% versus a 1%increase nationally.
Driving metro Denver’s outsized inflation rate this summer are above-average gains in the price indices for gasoline, auto insurance, clothing, furniture, meat and poultry, and dining out.
After cratering in the first four months of the year because of a supply glut and reduced demand, gasoline prices have rebounded sharply this summer. They remain down 20.3% nationally compared to July 2019. But in metro Denver, they are only 3.1% below year-ago levels.
Auto insurance customers in Colorado also aren’t getting as good a break on premiums. Auto insurance costs are down 1.9% in the U.S. over the past year, reflecting fewer accident claims as people drive fewer miles because of the pandemic. In metro Denver, auto insurance costs are up 11.8% year over year, even after accounting for the rebates insurers have passed on, according to the BLS.
There are other categories where metro Denver consumers are paying up. Clothing costs are up 2.4% locally, but down 6.5% nationally. And all the cattle raised in the state haven’t kept local protein prices in check. The Denver price index for meat, poultry, fish and eggs is up 14.4% over the past year compared to an 8.4% gain for the U.S. index.
Denver-area consumers are getting a better than average price break in some categories, including fruits and vegetables, cereals and baked goods, electricity, medical costs and alcohol.
Time will tell if Denver’s higher inflation rate is an anomaly or a harbinger. Dean Baker, a senior economist with the Center for Economic and Policy Research, cautioned against reading too much into the larger than expected spike in consumer prices last month.
“We may see another month or two of high inflation, but there is little reason to believe that this is the start of an upward spiral,” he said in an analysis of the July CPI numbers. “It is overwhelmingly attributable to reversals of sharp price declines during the shutdown period. In addition, there are sectors that are experiencing one-time and temporary cost pressures as a result of adjustments necessary to cope with the pandemic.”
Baker argues the ghosts of the inflationary 1970s probably aren’t coming back to haunt U.S. consumers. But if they do, Denver residents could be the first to get spooked.