thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Post Premium: Our best stories for the week of June 15-21

The accounting is still underway , but authorities believe more than a third of the nation ’ s coronavirus deaths can be traced to senior-care facilities .
As the state locked down to prevent the virus ’ spread , so did nursing homes , hoping to prevent it from ever entering and attacking the vulnerable people inside .
Our question was what was happening behind those closed doors ?
Reporters Jon Murray and David Migoya set out to tell that story , contacting multiple nursing homes and asking them to give us access to their staff and talk frankly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manor and its manager , Vivage Senior Living , agreed , in part because they are local so they knew The Denver Post and had trust in our work .
That decision was an important first step , but this story could not have happened without the families who also trusted us to share their experiences .
We thank them for that .
Fairacres is a highly rated establishment hit hard by the pandemic .
Our goal wasn ’ t to write a “ gotcha ” story .
Instead , we hope you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making available only to subscribers , with a better understanding of those who lived through this crisis , and its impact on their lives and their loved ones .
As always , thank you for supporting The Denver Post and journalism like this .
A nursing home under siege : Coronavirus pushed facility to limit as it preyed on Colorado ’ s most vulnerable RELATED : Coronavirus outbreaks at Colorado nursing homes spurred emergency push to inspect all of them Five of our best stories from the past week Protesters demanded changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now Colorado law enforcement must implement the sweeping changes amid a global pandemic that has crippled budgets while also quelling fears among rank-and-file officers about their new liability .
And there are deadlines for getting it done .
Read more about Colorado ’ s new police reform law from Elise Schmelzer… How Colorado found the political will to pass a sweeping police reform law in just 16 days By the time gunshots rang out near the State Capitol in the early evening on May 28 , most Colorado state lawmakers already had left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them would mistake the change in the air outside in the days ahead .
Those shots injured no one — and may have been fired from outside the crowd , onlookers said — but their sound sent many scrambling around and into the Capitol .
Among them was state Rep. Leslie Herod , a Denver Democrat who chairs the state ’ s Black Democratic Legislative Caucus .
As the increasingly volatile situation played out that night , it deepened a drive in Herod , and soon others , to respond to the pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators .
The result was a sweeping police accountability measure written and passed at a near-record pace , drawing once-unthinkable support , and signed into law by Gov .
Jared Polis on Friday morning .
Read more from Alex Burness and Saja Hindi… RELATED : 12 bills Colorado lawmakers passed in 2020 that you should know about The future of Stapleton : How a neighborhood changes its name Last Sunday , in the wake of landmark protests against systemic racism and police brutality in Denver and across the country , Stapleton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name , setting in motion a series of votes and discussions about what the new name should be and how it should be decided .
The Stapleton family says they support the change , as does Mayor Michael Hancock and the neighborhood ’ s developers .
The historic announcement has elicited cheers and celebration , but also frustration and anger over the process .
Read more from Sam Tabachnik… Colorado Dreamers respond after U.S. Supreme Court blocks Trump ’ s decision to end DACA The Supreme Court blocked President ’ s Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , prompting young Colorado immigrants to celebrate but worry about the challenges ahead .
Read more from Elizabeth Hernandez… Can I take a summer vacation during the pandemic ?
Here are a few things to consider .
Summer has unofficially arrived , and after recent stay-at-home orders , many Coloradans are ready for — and in much need of — a vacation .
But not so fast .
While states , including Colorado , are beginning to reopen restaurants and parks , public health officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into staycations .
And when a person does go out , public health experts said , they should enjoy the outdoors and minimize their exposure to others .
Here are a few things to consider before you book a vacation… + From Block 162 to McGregor Square , Denver developers have high expectations despite coronavirus + Entrepreneur picks Juneteenth , “ day of celebration , freedom , ” to launch new faith-based tech venture + RTD faces new budget crisis that jeopardizes plan to restore service + Polis announces new “ protect your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events in some counties + Customers turn out for reopening of Cripple Creek casinos ; Black Hawk , Central City ready to welcome back public + Denver bars and restaurants with expanded summer patios — The Know + Alcohol takeout , delivery will continue in Colorado for another year + Working from home : The pros , cons and potential pitfalls of it becoming permanent + John Hickenlooper dominates Senate fundraising , but Andrew Romanoff reports his best haul + Kenneth Felts came out as gay at age 90 — and he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Know See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .

The accounting is still underway, but authorities believe more than a third of the nation’s coronavirus deaths can be traced to senior-care facilities.
As the state locked down to prevent the virus’ spread, so did nursing homes, hoping to prevent it from ever entering and attacking the vulnerable people inside.
Our question was what was happening behind those closed doors?
Reporters Jon Murray and David Migoya set out to tell that story, contacting multiple nursing homes and asking them to give us access to their staff and talk frankly about the enormous challenges they faced.
Fairacres Manor and its manager, Vivage Senior Living, agreed, in part because they are local so they knew The Denver Post and had trust in our work.
That decision was an important first step, but this story could not have happened without the families who also trusted us to share their experiences. We thank them for that.
Fairacres is a highly rated establishment hit hard by the pandemic. Our goal wasn’t to write a “gotcha” story. Instead, we hope you finish this project, which we are making available only to subscribers, with a better understanding of those who lived through this crisis, and its impact on their lives and their loved ones.
As always, thank you for supporting The Denver Post and journalism like this.
— Lee Ann Colacioppo, editor
RELATED: Coronavirus outbreaks at Colorado nursing homes spurred emergency push to inspect all of them
Five of our best stories from the past week
Protesters demanded changes to policing. State lawmakers ordered it. Now Colorado law enforcement must implement the sweeping changes amid a global pandemic that has crippled budgets while also quelling fears among rank-and-file officers about their new liability.
And there are deadlines for getting it done. Read more about Colorado’s new police reform law from Elise Schmelzer…
By the time gunshots rang out near the State Capitol in the early evening on May 28, most Colorado state lawmakers already had left for the day. But none of them would mistake the change in the air outside in the days ahead.
Those shots injured no one — and may have been fired from outside the crowd, onlookers said — but their sound sent many scrambling around and into the Capitol. Among them was state Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat who chairs the state’s Black Democratic Legislative Caucus.
As the increasingly volatile situation played out that night, it deepened a drive in Herod, and soon others, to respond to the pain and outrage being expressed by those early demonstrators. The result was a sweeping police accountability measure written and passed at a near-record pace, drawing once-unthinkable support, and signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis on Friday morning. Read more from Alex Burness and Saja Hindi…
RELATED: 12 bills Colorado lawmakers passed in 2020 that you should know about
Last Sunday, in the wake of landmark protests against systemic racism and police brutality in Denver and across the country, Stapleton’s neighborhood delegates announced they would support changing the name, setting in motion a series of votes and discussions about what the new name should be and how it should be decided. The Stapleton family says they support the change, as does Mayor Michael Hancock and the neighborhood’s developers.
The historic announcement has elicited cheers and celebration, but also frustration and anger over the process. Read more from Sam Tabachnik…
The Supreme Court blocked President’s Donald Trump’s 2017 decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, prompting young Colorado immigrants to celebrate but worry about the challenges ahead. Read more from Elizabeth Hernandez…
Summer has unofficially arrived, and after recent stay-at-home orders, many Coloradans are ready for — and in much need of — a vacation. But not so fast.
While states, including Colorado, are beginning to reopen restaurants and parks, public health officials are encouraging Coloradans to turn their summer holidays into staycations. And when a person does go out, public health experts said, they should enjoy the outdoors and minimize their exposure to others.
Here are a few things to consider before you book a vacation…
A few more important stories
+ From Block 162 to McGregor Square, Denver developers have high expectations despite coronavirus
+ Entrepreneur picks Juneteenth, “day of celebration, freedom,” to launch new faith-based tech venture
+ RTD faces new budget crisis that jeopardizes plan to restore service
+ Polis announces new “protect your neighbor” phase that would allow large events in some counties
+ Customers turn out for reopening of Cripple Creek casinos; Black Hawk, Central City ready to welcome back public
+ Denver bars and restaurants with expanded summer patios — The Know
+ Alcohol takeout, delivery will continue in Colorado for another year
+ Working from home: The pros, cons and potential pitfalls of it becoming permanent
+ John Hickenlooper dominates Senate fundraising, but Andrew Romanoff reports his best haul
+ U.S. Senate passes major public lands bill backed by Colorado senators
+ Kenneth Felts came out as gay at age 90 — and he’s only just getting started — The Know
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.


thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Why Harvey Grant is one of the “proudest dads in the world” on Father’s Day

Nuggets forward Jerami Grant , one of his five kids and four sons , was at DeMatha High School in Maryland .
The elder Grant was about a decade removed from his bruising NBA playing days .
The two were squared up one-on-one and , well , it ’ s better if he tells it .
“ I ’ m never going to take any pity on them , not no slack or nothing , ” Harvey said .
“ I ’ m going hard .
Next thing I know , I ’ m playing Jerami , he just went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m like , ‘ Oh shucks , like , OK. ’ Of course the competitiveness came out in me .
I ’ m trying to put my forearm on him .
Man , after that , I ’ m like , ‘ I ’ m done.
’ ” But the proud 11-year NBA forward didn ’ t go quietly .
“ Then he started to go by me and dunking and I was like , ‘ OK , you know what ?
It ’ s time for me to hang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , Harvey ceded the family basketball reins to his longer , bouncier offspring .
Three of Grant ’ s sons ( Jerai , Jerian and Jerami ) play professional basketball , while the fourth and youngest , Jaelin , is a chef .
Harvey , who also has a daughter , Mikayla , remembers a lot of “ excitement ” around the house .
“ If you know anything about us , the Grants , we hate to lose at anything , ” he said .
“ So we had some knock-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they all trotted in their dad ’ s shadow and basked in the perks of having a father ( and uncle , Horace ) who played in the NBA .
After practices , Harvey recalled his kids gamely challenging his Washington teammates to lopsided one-on-one battles .
Before games , Harvey remembers his kids snacking on bubble gum in the locker room .
Some nights , they ’ d even get to be ball boys .
That is , as long as it wasn ’ t a school night .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a part of the basketball scene , the basketball world , ” Harvey said .
Still , as a self-described “ laid-back ” father , he encouraged his kids to pursue any career .
“ I always told them , ‘ I want you to do whatever you want to do , what ’ s going to make you happy as long as it is a positive thing , ” he said .
“ ’ If you want to be the best lawyer in the world , be the best lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best doctor , whatever you want to be , just try to be the best at it as long as it is a positive thing .
They kind of just grew up around ( basketball ) .
” And yet , for all of his children ’ s accomplishments , few things made Harvey prouder than their actions just weeks ago amid the peaceful protests against police brutality outside the White House .
In early June , Jerami , two of his brothers , his step-sister , sister-in-law and niece made the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s waiting for the right moment to discuss the event with them , but while he wasn ’ t physically there , his heart soared .
“ I ’ ll tell you , I was one of the proudest dads in the world , ” he said .
“ Those kids , my sons and my daughter , they give back to the community .
I tell them this all the time .
They are the future .
So whatever they do now , that ’ s going to impact them right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids and their grandkids .
So whatever they believe in , truly in their hearts , go out and do it peacefully , go out and make a difference and make a change .
I was so proud when I saw them do that .
”

Longtime NBA veteran Harvey Grant remembers his light-switch moment.
Nuggets forward Jerami Grant, one of his five kids and four sons, was at DeMatha High School in Maryland. The elder Grant was about a decade removed from his bruising NBA playing days. The two were squared up one-on-one and, well, it’s better if he tells it.
“I’m never going to take any pity on them, not no slack or nothing,” Harvey said. “I’m going hard. Next thing I know, I’m playing Jerami, he just went by me like I was standing there. I’m like, ‘Oh shucks, like, OK.’ Of course the competitiveness came out in me. I’m trying to put my forearm on him. Man, after that, I’m like, ‘I’m done.’”
But the proud 11-year NBA forward didn’t go quietly.
“Then he started to go by me and dunking and I was like, ‘OK, you know what? It’s time for me to hang it up.’”
And just like that, Harvey ceded the family basketball reins to his longer, bouncier offspring. Three of Grant’s sons (Jerai, Jerian and Jerami) play professional basketball, while the fourth and youngest, Jaelin, is a chef. Harvey, who also has a daughter, Mikayla, remembers a lot of “excitement” around the house.
“If you know anything about us, the Grants, we hate to lose at anything,” he said. “So we had some knock-down, drag-out Monopoly games.”
As kids, they all trotted in their dad’s shadow and basked in the perks of having a father (and uncle, Horace) who played in the NBA. After practices, Harvey recalled his kids gamely challenging his Washington teammates to lopsided one-on-one battles. Before games, Harvey remembers his kids snacking on bubble gum in the locker room. Some nights, they’d even get to be ball boys.
That is, as long as it wasn’t a school night.
“I was lucky and blessed that they wanted to be a part of the basketball scene, the basketball world,” Harvey said. Still, as a self-described “laid-back” father, he encouraged his kids to pursue any career.
“I always told them, ‘I want you to do whatever you want to do, what’s going to make you happy as long as it is a positive thing,” he said. “’If you want to be the best lawyer in the world, be the best lawyer. If you want to be the best doctor, whatever you want to be, just try to be the best at it as long as it is a positive thing. They kind of just grew up around (basketball).”
And yet, for all of his children’s accomplishments, few things made Harvey prouder than their actions just weeks ago amid the peaceful protests against police brutality outside the White House.
In early June, Jerami, two of his brothers, his step-sister, sister-in-law and niece made the protests a family affair. Harvey said he’s waiting for the right moment to discuss the event with them, but while he wasn’t physically there, his heart soared.
“I’ll tell you, I was one of the proudest dads in the world,” he said. “Those kids, my sons and my daughter, they give back to the community. I tell them this all the time. They are the future. So whatever they do now, that’s going to impact them right now, us right now, their kids and their grandkids. So whatever they believe in, truly in their hearts, go out and do it peacefully, go out and make a difference and make a change. I was so proud when I saw them do that.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Denver weather: Warm with a chance for thunderstorms

The Mile High City should be plenty warm on Sunday , but afternoon thunderstorms could ruin afternoon activities .
Denverites @ @ @ @ @ around 88 degrees , according to the National Weather Service .
Highs in the upper @ @ @ @ @ in the mountains and the Eastern Plains will likely reach the low 90s .
Isolated @ @ @ @ @ the northern part of the state Sunday afternoon , the weather service reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ up to 50 mph .
On Monday and Tuesday highs in the low 80s are @ @ @ @ @ possible in the afternoons , NWS predicts .
Wednesday is expected to be sunny with @ @ @ @ @

The Mile High City should be plenty warm on Sunday, but afternoon thunderstorms could ruin afternoon activities.
Denverites can expect a high temperature around 88 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Highs in the upper 60s and 70s are expected in the mountains and the Eastern Plains will likely reach the low 90s.
Isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible in the northern part of the state Sunday afternoon, the weather service reported. The storms could bring strong winds up to 50 mph.
On Monday and Tuesday highs in the low 80s are expected and more storms are possible in the afternoons, NWS predicts. Wednesday is expected to be sunny with a high near 90.


thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Working from home: The pros, cons and potential pitfalls of it becoming permanent

Employers had to scramble when the pandemic took hold in mid-March , emptying out workplaces and sending workers home to do their jobs for what was expected to be at most two or three months .
But the coronavirus outbreak has persisted , productivity hasn ’ t taken a big hit , and a large percentage of workers actually prefer skipping the commute .
More employers are extending remote work assignments , and in some cases , planning to make them permanent .
“ Some of my clients are thinking about more permanent remote work situations .
I have one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and letting everyone work remotely , ” said Elizabeth Wylie , a partner at Snell & Wilmer in Denver specializing in employment law .
But that will require revamping a host of rules and procedures that weren ’ t always dealt with , like tracking time worked , using paid time-off , worker safety , cybersecurity , inclusivity and maintaining workplace culture .
Going fully remote remains the exception .
A spokeswoman for the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce said the group wasn ’ t aware of any members doing that .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more permanent remote work is growing .
Google , Zillow and Mercedes Benz plan to maintain work-at-home policies until next year .
Mastercard said it will keep them in place until concerns about the virus subside , according to a crowdsourced list of remote work policies .
And as restrictions lift and more office locations reopen , tech companies Twitter , Facebook and Square have said their workers will have a choice on coming back .
“ Our best estimate is that 25-30 % of the workforce will be working from home multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , ” Kate Lister , president of Global Workplace Analytics , said in recent comments on how the COVID-19 outbreak is changing remote work .
That ’ s up significantly from the 3.6 % of workers the U.S. Census Bureau estimates were telecommuting before the crisis .
Gallup in a mid-April poll found that just over half of U.S. workers were working remotely full-time , 18 % were working remotely some days and 31 % had not worked remotely .
Given a taste of remote work , what did workers think ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them , they would prefer to continue working at home even after exposure concerns faded .
A quarter said they wanted to go back to the workplace ASAP , while another quarter said they would go back once concerns about the coronavirus subsided , according to Gallup .
“ While some of these workers may reluctantly head back to their workplace , others may decide to look for new jobs that allow them to maintain the remote work lifestyle they ’ ve grown accustomed to , ” the Gallup report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it appears most workers would be fine staying home .
Because the switch happened so quickly , many employers didn ’ t always think through procedures and policies .
They are going back and trying to fill in the blanks .
“ Now that people are getting more of a routine around virtual work , the next step is how do they sustain that , ” said Laurie Cure , CEO for Innovative Connections , a consulting firm based in Fort Collins .
Being in a crisis mode created its own energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole , employers found that productivity didn ’ t suffer , a fear some had , Cure said .
The question now is how to sustain remote work arrangements on a large scale for longer periods of time .
Managers need to be less controlling and more empowering , Cure said , but they can ’ t be absentee leaders either .
Many will need to shift from a focus on activities to results .
She also notes that signs of exhaustion are starting to emerge and more attention needs to be paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to detect in a remote setting .
For example , studies have found that attending a video meeting is more mentally draining than attending an in-person meeting , Cure said .
People lack the nonverbal cues they use to judge what people are communicating beyond their words .
Wylie said one issue that has come up involves time management , noting that attendance policies weren ’ t always enforced during the transition .
“ Expectations were not well defined .
Let ’ s just get through this period and we ’ ll get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll resume life , ” Wylie said .
“ Employers are now thinking about how to make this remote work situation tenable for a longer period of time , through the fall or even into the winter.
” A worker who disappeared for a couple of hours from the office would probably get noticed , but not so much now that they are working at home .
It isn ’ t necessarily that workers were slacking .
Some burned the midnight oil , so they could handle other tasks , such as looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One question employers will need to ask is do they want workers back on a regular schedule or are they more interested that the work getting done , whenever that happens .
Looser attendance rules have also meant workers have been taking less paid time off , a bottom-line issue in that the unused time accumulates as a liability .
Someone might slip out for a dentist ’ s appointment and work an extra two hours rather than use their time off .
Wylie said it is also a fairness issue if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and booking personal time , while others aren ’ t .
Another concern is inclusivity , said Wylie .
Video meetings raise issues of who is getting screen time and being seen and heard .
One reason the transition to remote work was possible is that employees had already formed bonds they could draw on , said Marianne Wanamaker , an associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee during a webinar hosted by ThinkWhy on Tuesday .
Her graduating seniors are dreading the idea of entering a workplace where they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videoconferencing application , she said .
“ This is not their idea of fun .
They will have a hard time building the connections they will need to be successful new workers remotely , ” she said .
Cure agrees that one of the biggest challenges involves bringing on new workers remotely and integrating them into the company culture .
But she also said the shift is forcing a rethinking of that culture and whether it needs to change .
“ What elements of our culture do we want to make different going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies are asking right now .
One of the issues that more extended work-at-home arrangement raises is that of liability .
“ A lot of injuries that occur for people working remotely at their house will be compensable .
Your home is now your workplace , ” said Robert Fitz-Patrick , an attorney at Hall Estill , a Tulsa law firm with an office in Denver .
While employers can address safety issues in the workplace , they don ’ t have the same sway when it comes to an employee ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kids to pick up their toys so mom and dad don ’ t trip while going down the stairs or require the family dog to stay in the garage until the shift is over .
As remote work arrangements become more extended , expect more concrete rules in that area .
Enforcement , however , is a whole other issue .
“ Employers can develop work-at-home policies , which dictate among other things that the employee create a dedicated safe workspace for work-related tasks .
Work-at-home job descriptions can also help define @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fitz-Patrick said .
Pinnacol , Colorado ’ s largest provider of workers ’ compensation coverage , said claims overall are down since the coronavirus hit , largely because fewer people are working and fewer workers are driving , meaning fewer accidents .
“ We ’ ve seen just a few claims that appear to be for remote workers and prior to coronavirus , these were quite rare , although it can be hard to get an exact count , ” said spokeswoman Liz Johnson .
On the whole , homes can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one notable exception : ergonomics .
Employees who might have enjoyed that precisely tuned Herman Miller Aeron chair in the office are making due for hours on dining room table chairs hunched over a laptop .
Home office ergonomics were a lower priority during the rush to get everyone out .
But they will increasingly need to be addressed .
“ Pinnacol is educating Colorado ’ s employers about typical home-based hazards like poor ergonomics .
Our occupational safety consultants have been offering free virtual safety consultations to all businesses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have new hazards to manage , ” said Johnson .
The company will investigate and evaluate claims because of at-home injuries and illnesses just as it would if they originated in the workplace , she said .
Fitz-Patrick said someone who trips over the dog while grabbing a file would be covered , a case tested in the courts years ago .
Same if they were injured going to get a glass of water or grab lunch under what is known as the “ personal comfort ” provision .
And what if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while taking a load of clothes out of the dryer ?
That is a gray area .
One big difference is that there are likely to be fewer witnesses at home than in the workplace .
Another issue is overlapping coverages on insurance policies .
Health insurance coverage usually takes care of injuries that happen while at home , but not if they are work-related .
Likewise , homeowners insurance won ’ t cover personal injuries , but they will cover injuries to visitors , unless they are there for commercial purposes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your property and it can be proven the cause was directly work-related , your company ’ s liability insurance would likely be responsible and your homeowners insurance would either not cover it or would be a secondary coverage , ” said Carole Walker , executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association .
Business owners who have moved their business operations into their homes have another consideration to weigh , one they should talk to an insurance professional about , Walker said .
They will need a Business Owners Policy to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses that occur tied to their commercial operations .
And while they are at it , they should make sure they aren ’ t violating rules that the Homeowners Association might have in place .

Employers had to scramble when the pandemic took hold in mid-March, emptying out workplaces and sending workers home to do their jobs for what was expected to be at most two or three months.
But the coronavirus outbreak has persisted, productivity hasn’t taken a big hit, and a large percentage of workers actually prefer skipping the commute. More employers are extending remote work assignments, and in some cases, planning to make them permanent.
“Some of my clients are thinking about more permanent remote work situations. I have one client who is giving up all leases and letting everyone work remotely,” said Elizabeth Wylie, a partner at Snell & Wilmer in Denver specializing in employment law.
But that will require revamping a host of rules and procedures that weren’t always dealt with, like tracking time worked, using paid time-off, worker safety, cybersecurity, inclusivity and maintaining workplace culture.
Going fully remote remains the exception. A spokeswoman for the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce said the group wasn’t aware of any members doing that. But the list of companies considering shifting toward more permanent remote work is growing.
Google, Zillow and Mercedes Benz plan to maintain work-at-home policies until next year. Mastercard said it will keep them in place until concerns about the virus subside, according to a crowdsourced list of remote work policies.
And as restrictions lift and more office locations reopen, tech companies Twitter, Facebook and Square have said their workers will have a choice on coming back.
“Our best estimate is that 25-30% of the workforce will be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021,” Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, said in recent comments on how the COVID-19 outbreak is changing remote work.
That’s up significantly from the 3.6% of workers the U.S. Census Bureau estimates were telecommuting before the crisis. Gallup in a mid-April poll found that just over half of U.S. workers were working remotely full-time, 18% were working remotely some days and 31% had not worked remotely.
Given a taste of remote work, what did workers think? About half said if it were up to them, they would prefer to continue working at home even after exposure concerns faded. A quarter said they wanted to go back to the workplace ASAP, while another quarter said they would go back once concerns about the coronavirus subsided, according to Gallup.
“While some of these workers may reluctantly head back to their workplace, others may decide to look for new jobs that allow them to maintain the remote work lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to,” the Gallup report said.
And if the outbreak flared up again, it appears most workers would be fine staying home.
Rules changes
Because the switch happened so quickly, many employers didn’t always think through procedures and policies. They are going back and trying to fill in the blanks.
“Now that people are getting more of a routine around virtual work, the next step is how do they sustain that,” said Laurie Cure, CEO for Innovative Connections, a consulting firm based in Fort Collins.
Being in a crisis mode created its own energy and pushed things forward. On the whole, employers found that productivity didn’t suffer, a fear some had, Cure said. The question now is how to sustain remote work arrangements on a large scale for longer periods of time.
Managers need to be less controlling and more empowering, Cure said, but they can’t be absentee leaders either. Many will need to shift from a focus on activities to results.
She also notes that signs of exhaustion are starting to emerge and more attention needs to be paid to burnout, which might be harder to detect in a remote setting.
For example, studies have found that attending a video meeting is more mentally draining than attending an in-person meeting, Cure said. People lack the nonverbal cues they use to judge what people are communicating beyond their words.
Wylie said one issue that has come up involves time management, noting that attendance policies weren’t always enforced during the transition.
“Expectations were not well defined. Let’s just get through this period and we’ll get back to the office and we’ll resume life,” Wylie said. “Employers are now thinking about how to make this remote work situation tenable for a longer period of time, through the fall or even into the winter.”
A worker who disappeared for a couple of hours from the office would probably get noticed, but not so much now that they are working at home.
It isn’t necessarily that workers were slacking. Some burned the midnight oil, so they could handle other tasks, such as looking after kids doing their schooling at home. One question employers will need to ask is do they want workers back on a regular schedule or are they more interested that the work getting done, whenever that happens.
Looser attendance rules have also meant workers have been taking less paid time off, a bottom-line issue in that the unused time accumulates as a liability. Someone might slip out for a dentist’s appointment and work an extra two hours rather than use their time off.
Wylie said it is also a fairness issue if some employees are adhering to the rules and booking personal time, while others aren’t.
Another concern is inclusivity, said Wylie. Video meetings raise issues of who is getting screen time and being seen and heard.
One reason the transition to remote work was possible is that employees had already formed bonds they could draw on, said Marianne Wanamaker, an associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee during a webinar hosted by ThinkWhy on Tuesday.
Her graduating seniors are dreading the idea of entering a workplace where they are known only by a square on a videoconferencing application, she said.
“This is not their idea of fun. They will have a hard time building the connections they will need to be successful new workers remotely,” she said.
Cure agrees that one of the biggest challenges involves bringing on new workers remotely and integrating them into the company culture. But she also said the shift is forcing a rethinking of that culture and whether it needs to change.
“What elements of our culture do we want to make different going forward,” is a question many companies are asking right now.
Who is liable?
One of the issues that more extended work-at-home arrangement raises is that of liability.
“A lot of injuries that occur for people working remotely at their house will be compensable. Your home is now your workplace,” said Robert Fitz-Patrick, an attorney at Hall Estill, a Tulsa law firm with an office in Denver.
While employers can address safety issues in the workplace, they don’t have the same sway when it comes to an employee’s home. They can’t order the kids to pick up their toys so mom and dad don’t trip while going down the stairs or require the family dog to stay in the garage until the shift is over.
As remote work arrangements become more extended, expect more concrete rules in that area. Enforcement, however, is a whole other issue.
“Employers can develop work-at-home policies, which dictate among other things that the employee create a dedicated safe workspace for work-related tasks. Work-at-home job descriptions can also help define the scope of the at-home employment,” Fitz-Patrick said.
Pinnacol, Colorado’s largest provider of workers’ compensation coverage, said claims overall are down since the coronavirus hit, largely because fewer people are working and fewer workers are driving, meaning fewer accidents.
“We’ve seen just a few claims that appear to be for remote workers and prior to coronavirus, these were quite rare, although it can be hard to get an exact count,” said spokeswoman Liz Johnson.
On the whole, homes can be one of the safest work environments available, with one notable exception: ergonomics. Employees who might have enjoyed that precisely tuned Herman Miller Aeron chair in the office are making due for hours on dining room table chairs hunched over a laptop.
Home office ergonomics were a lower priority during the rush to get everyone out. But they will increasingly need to be addressed.
“Pinnacol is educating Colorado’s employers about typical home-based hazards like poor ergonomics. Our occupational safety consultants have been offering free virtual safety consultations to all businesses in Colorado, not just customers, that have new hazards to manage,” said Johnson.
The company will investigate and evaluate claims because of at-home injuries and illnesses just as it would if they originated in the workplace, she said.
Fitz-Patrick said someone who trips over the dog while grabbing a file would be covered, a case tested in the courts years ago. Same if they were injured going to get a glass of water or grab lunch under what is known as the “personal comfort” provision.
And what if they throw out their back between Zoom meetings while taking a load of clothes out of the dryer? That is a gray area. One big difference is that there are likely to be fewer witnesses at home than in the workplace.
Another issue is overlapping coverages on insurance policies. Health insurance coverage usually takes care of injuries that happen while at home, but not if they are work-related. Likewise, homeowners insurance won’t cover personal injuries, but they will cover injuries to visitors, unless they are there for commercial purposes.
“If someone else is injured on your property and it can be proven the cause was directly work-related, your company’s liability insurance would likely be responsible and your homeowners insurance would either not cover it or would be a secondary coverage,” said Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association.
Business owners who have moved their business operations into their homes have another consideration to weigh, one they should talk to an insurance professional about, Walker said. They will need a Business Owners Policy to make sure they are protected for any liability or losses that occur tied to their commercial operations. And while they are at it, they should make sure they aren’t violating rules that the Homeowners Association might have in place.


thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Darian Hagan elevated CU from regional bully to national football power

Editor ’ s Note : The second in a five-part series on Colorado football icons .
The first one profiled Floyd Little .
He was ahead of his time , but Darian Hagan came along at the perfect time for the CU Buffs .
If Lamar Jackson could throw for 3,600 yards and run for 1,600 in a collegiate season , what kind of numbers might a young “ Mr .
Magic ” put up with today ’ s spread out , zone-read , high-tempo offenses ?
“ I tell the guys all the time , I wish I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone-read , RPOs , play-action , all that stuff , ” the longtime Buffs running backs coach and iconic former CU signal-caller said with a chuckle .
“ I ’ ll tell you what : If I was playing in this day and age , it ’ d be bad .
My man ( Kansas State quarterback ) Skylar Thompson ?
We ’ d be going at it .
( Oklahoma quarterback ) Jalen Hurts ?
We ’ d be going at it .
And Baker ( Mayfield ) .
There ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big 12.
” Hagan turned 50 in February .
And if that makes you feel old , hey , imagine how he feels .
“ Yeah , ( CU players ) will come in and say , ‘ Coach , man , you were fast , ’ ” Hagan laughed .
“ ’ Like , you were really good .
I didn ’ t even know you were that fast.
’ Stuff like that .
I always tell them , ‘ Yeah , man .
That was about 18 pounds ago.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don a CU football uniform , the former Buffs quarterback was all about fun .
And speed .
And winning , mostly .
As a starter , the Los Angeles native steered CU to a 20-0-1 conference mark and three Big Eight titles from 1989-91 .
The straw that stirred the Buffs ’ triple-option attack , the 5-foot-10 Hagan as a sophomore in ’ 89 became the first CU quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards and run for 1,000 in the same season .
Hagan finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first of consecutive Orange Bowl showdowns with Notre Dame .
“ Darian ’ s streaking down the sideline on the triple option , making things happen from the first time he was given a real shot , ” said CU defensive icon Alfred “ Big Al ” Williams , Hagan ’ s former Buffs teammate .
“ And it was magical , man .
He would always make a play when there was no play .
“ I would say right now — this is a big statement — I would say he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever had.
” With the exception of maybe Kordell Stewart , few Buffs faithful would put up much of an argument .
Even three decades after the fact , Hagan remains beloved in CU circles as the signal-caller that elevated the Buffs under then-coach Bill McCartney from a regional bully to a national power .
And even more beloved for his perfect record in three years as a starter against Nebraska ( 2-0-1 ) , while also helping CU post a 3-0 mark against Oklahoma from 1989-91 .
“ ( The Sooners ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hagan , who ’ d also visited Nebraska , Oklahoma , Washington and Arizona before casting his lot with CU .
“ ( Former OU quarterback ) Jamelle ( Holieway ) was from Banning High ( in Los Angeles ) and he said , ‘ They ’ re not going let you play quarterback.
’ ” Hagan landed in Boulder , and the rest is history .
And after leading CU to a 20-3 win over the Sooners in Norman 31 years ago , the Buffs ’ old quarterback remembers getting an earful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Switzer , the former OU coach .
“ In 1989 , when we played down there , Switzer said , ‘ I ’ ve got ta find that that ( expletive ) Scott Hill , ” Hagan said , referring to Hill , the former Oklahoma assistant .
“ ( Switzer ) said , ‘ That son of a ( expletive ) told me you couldn ’ t throw .
You ’ re better than anybody we had in our quarterback room.
’ ” Of Hagan ’ s three “ acts ” at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player , was the most dynamic — but the latest , as a coach , has been the most enduring .
A member of the Buffs ’ Athletic 2002 Hall of Fame class , the Californian worked for about a year and a half as Alumni C Club Director in the late ‘ 90s before going into private business .
Hagan returned to the Buffs ’ fold as an intern-turned-assistant under Gary Barnett , his old offensive coordinator and position coach , in 2004 — and hasn ’ t looked back .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , in my mind , that lives and breathes CU , ” Buffs football coach Karl Dorrell said .
“ You need guys like him and ( offensive coordinator ) Darrin Chiaverini — those guys have played , they ’ ve had success here , they know what it looks like , they know what it should look like , in terms of building this program into the caliber of team that we ’ ve had in the past.
” The Buffs have cycled through six head coaches now in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a half years .
Yet Hagan ’ s been the one staff constant over that same span , serving in various roles under six different bosses .
“ It ’ s crazy , being able to survive that , ” Hagan said .
“ That tells you I ’ m doing something right .
It ’ s a blessing to be at one place and not have to uproot your family and not have to go out and look for jobs and not be in stressful situations and being able to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people love and respect you at something .
“ But I was also blessed , as an 18-year-old , that Coach McCartney stepped into my life and recruited me .
Him and Coach Barnett , they stepped into my life and recruited me , along with ( former CU assistant ) Oliver Lucas .
If those three people would never have been in my life , I don ’ t know where I would be right now .
”

Editor’s Note: The second in a five-part series on Colorado football icons. The first one profiled Floyd Little.
He was ahead of his time, but Darian Hagan came along at the perfect time for the CU Buffs. If Lamar Jackson could throw for 3,600 yards and run for 1,600 in a collegiate season, what kind of numbers might a young “Mr. Magic” put up with today’s spread out, zone-read, high-tempo offenses?
“I tell the guys all the time, I wish I could’ve been able to run the zone-read, RPOs, play-action, all that stuff,” the longtime Buffs running backs coach and iconic former CU signal-caller said with a chuckle.
“I’ll tell you what: If I was playing in this day and age, it’d be bad. My man (Kansas State quarterback) Skylar Thompson? We’d be going at it. (Oklahoma quarterback) Jalen Hurts? We’d be going at it. And Baker (Mayfield). There’d have been some fun games in the Big 12.”
Hagan turned 50 in February. And if that makes you feel old, hey, imagine how he feels.
“Yeah, (CU players) will come in and say, ‘Coach, man, you were fast,’” Hagan laughed. “’Like, you were really good. I didn’t even know you were that fast.’ Stuff like that. I always tell them, ‘Yeah, man. That was about 18 pounds ago.’”
Arguably the most electric athlete ever to don a CU football uniform, the former Buffs quarterback was all about fun. And speed. And winning, mostly.
As a starter, the Los Angeles native steered CU to a 20-0-1 conference mark and three Big Eight titles from 1989-91. The straw that stirred the Buffs’ triple-option attack, the 5-foot-10 Hagan as a sophomore in ’89 became the first CU quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards and run for 1,000 in the same season. Hagan finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting that fall and piloted the Buffs to the first of consecutive Orange Bowl showdowns with Notre Dame.
“Darian’s streaking down the sideline on the triple option, making things happen from the first time he was given a real shot,” said CU defensive icon Alfred “Big Al” Williams, Hagan’s former Buffs teammate. “And it was magical, man. He would always make a play when there was no play.
“I would say right now — this is a big statement — I would say he’s the best quarterback CU has ever had.”
With the exception of maybe Kordell Stewart, few Buffs faithful would put up much of an argument.
Even three decades after the fact, Hagan remains beloved in CU circles as the signal-caller that elevated the Buffs under then-coach Bill McCartney from a regional bully to a national power. And even more beloved for his perfect record in three years as a starter against Nebraska (2-0-1), while also helping CU post a 3-0 mark against Oklahoma from 1989-91.
“(The Sooners) wanted to recruit me,” said Hagan, who’d also visited Nebraska, Oklahoma, Washington and Arizona before casting his lot with CU. “(Former OU quarterback) Jamelle (Holieway) was from Banning High (in Los Angeles) and he said, ‘They’re not going let you play quarterback.’”
Hagan landed in Boulder, and the rest is history. And after leading CU to a 20-3 win over the Sooners in Norman 31 years ago, the Buffs’ old quarterback remembers getting an earful in the visiting locker room from Barry Switzer, the former OU coach.
“In 1989, when we played down there, Switzer said, ‘I’ve gotta find that that (expletive) Scott Hill,” Hagan said, referring to Hill, the former Oklahoma assistant. “(Switzer) said, ‘That son of a (expletive) told me you couldn’t throw. You’re better than anybody we had in our quarterback room.’”
Of Hagan’s three “acts” at CU, the first, as a player, was the most dynamic — but the latest, as a coach, has been the most enduring. A member of the Buffs’ Athletic 2002 Hall of Fame class, the Californian worked for about a year and a half as Alumni C Club Director in the late ‘90s before going into private business.
Hagan returned to the Buffs’ fold as an intern-turned-assistant under Gary Barnett, his old offensive coordinator and position coach, in 2004 — and hasn’t looked back.
“He’s definitely one of those people, in my mind, that lives and breathes CU,” Buffs football coach Karl Dorrell said. “You need guys like him and (offensive coordinator) Darrin Chiaverini — those guys have played, they’ve had success here, they know what it looks like, they know what it should look like, in terms of building this program into the caliber of team that we’ve had in the past.”
The Buffs have cycled through six head coaches now in the last 15 seasons, or one every two and a half years. Yet Hagan’s been the one staff constant over that same span, serving in various roles under six different bosses.
“It’s crazy, being able to survive that,” Hagan said. “That tells you I’m doing something right. It’s a blessing to be at one place and not have to uproot your family and not have to go out and look for jobs and not be in stressful situations and being able to do your job and being at a place where people love and respect you at something.
“But I was also blessed, as an 18-year-old, that Coach McCartney stepped into my life and recruited me. Him and Coach Barnett, they stepped into my life and recruited me, along with (former CU assistant) Oliver Lucas. If those three people would never have been in my life, I don’t know where I would be right now.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Improving Investor Behavior: Getting back to better

As a dad , I ’ ve always embraced my inner Tim “ The Tool Man ” Taylor when it comes to Father ’ s Day .
Whether it ’ s a new drill , pressure washer , or some other home improvement gadget , I ’ ve always enjoyed gifts that keep me building .
In a way , I enjoy the metaphorical message behind it too : Tools give me the ability to enhance the environment that keeps my family safe , warm , and protected .
It ’ s what I ’ ve always strived to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a parent has always been to build a better future for my kids and to give them opportunities that I didn ’ t have .
Whether that ’ s financial , educational , personal or whatever it may be .
It ’ s an essential part of my “ why.
” I think deep down there ’ s a part of us that wants our kids to be better than we ever were .
To me , that ’ s progress and hope .
It ’ s an innate and immeasurable desire — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than our today .
The last several months have been unprecedented , heartbreaking , innovative — choose your adjective .
I think it ’ s safe to say that we ’ ve experienced a vast range of emotions over the past quarter , with no reprieve yet in sight .
Are we better today than we were last month ?
In some ways , yes .
Some vaccines look promising , infection rates have stabilized , and businesses are cautiously opening their doors again .
Folks are getting back to work and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But at the same time , we ’ ve seen social unrest driven by issues that should have been resolved decades ago yet continue to find a foothold in modern America .
In some parts of the country , COVID-19 cases seem to be rising .
The Federal Reserve , while promising to use “ all their available tools , ” including keeping interest rates near zero for quite some time , offered a gloomy outlook for the economy in the near term .
As investors , and as people , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow be better than today ?
” I believe the answer is “ yes.
” Asking the simple question helps to define and recognize improvement .
It highlights the reason markets have historically always gone up .
They are a measure of progress .
Just like the personal growth of our children , progress can be a difficult thing to measure .
There ’ s no door frame for the United States upon which we can write feet and inches .
Nor can our development as a country be measured by the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps one lens through which we can view progress is the financial markets .
It may not be the best indicator , especially when we zoom in on specific events or time periods , but the correlation is there .
As our country grows , so does the economy .
This line of thinking comes with its hazards , however , especially if we make the mistake of using the markets as a signal for progress instead of progress .
We can not confuse the outcome with the input .
If we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to overvaluations and bubbles .
The markets are going up , and progress is being made .
Therefore , the markets should increase further , which means more progress is being made , and so on .
Have we seen some of this lately ?
Time will tell , but it ’ s entirely possible .
On a long enough time horizon , the market has always gone up .
Every temporary downturn has given way to a longer-lasting increase .
Progress is much the same way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ask , “ Will tomorrow be better ?
” The answer may be “ yes , ” or it may be “ no.
” People love to speculate and gamble on this , but wise investors stretch that line of thinking .
Will things be better next week ?
Next month ?
Next year ?
If you have an optimistic outlook , the answer will eventually be “ yes.
” The Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 850 when I started my investment career in 1978 ; today it is around 25,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time , we have had wars , inflation , unemployment , unrest and even pandemics .
Over your investment lifetime , you will experience troubles like this , yet the markets move higher .
That ’ s why we invest .
The longer the time horizon , the higher the probability of progress , both in the economy and in the markets .
We choose to invest in companies with staying power that have stood the test of time ; companies I ’ m proud to own , even when they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ re not always perfect .
Their progress is not always linear or straight up .
But that doesn ’ t mean I ’ m going to trade them away .
The very thought of that seems laughable , yet many people do it with their “ investments ” all the time .
According to Barron ’ s , about $ 9 billion was pulled out of mutual funds in March when prices were down 30 % or more , only to recover 30-40 % in the next 70 days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over days ; they ’ re measured over years and decades .
As a father , I want to share my kids ’ successes and failures .
I want to watch them grow , innovate , and discover .
We ’ re in a strange place right now — in the markets , in life , even interpersonally .
Things are changing in ways no one expected or anticipated .
Yet progress is being made .
Some of it will be hard-fought , some of it may not even look like progress at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build and believe in a better future , then I think we will get there .
It may not be tomorrow or the day after , but eventually , we will find our way back to better .
To all the Dads out there : Happy Father ’ s Day !
Steve Booren is the founder of Prosperion Financial Advisors in Greenwood Village .
He is the author of “ Intelligent Investing : Your Guide to a Growing Retirement Income , ” published in March 2019 and was recently named by Forbes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Colorado .

As a dad, I’ve always embraced my inner Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor when it comes to Father’s Day. Whether it’s a new drill, pressure washer, or some other home improvement gadget, I’ve always enjoyed gifts that keep me building. In a way, I enjoy the metaphorical message behind it too: Tools give me the ability to enhance the environment that keeps my family safe, warm, and protected. It’s what I’ve always strived to do as a father.
My goal as a parent has always been to build a better future for my kids and to give them opportunities that I didn’t have. Whether that’s financial, educational, personal or whatever it may be. It’s an essential part of my “why.” I think deep down there’s a part of us that wants our kids to be better than we ever were. To me, that’s progress and hope. It’s an innate and immeasurable desire — to want our tomorrow to be better than our today.
The last several months have been unprecedented, heartbreaking, innovative — choose your adjective. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve experienced a vast range of emotions over the past quarter, with no reprieve yet in sight. Are we better today than we were last month? In some ways, yes. Some vaccines look promising, infection rates have stabilized, and businesses are cautiously opening their doors again. Folks are getting back to work and at a pace far higher than expected.
But at the same time, we’ve seen social unrest driven by issues that should have been resolved decades ago yet continue to find a foothold in modern America. In some parts of the country, COVID-19 cases seem to be rising. The Federal Reserve, while promising to use “all their available tools,” including keeping interest rates near zero for quite some time, offered a gloomy outlook for the economy in the near term.
As investors, and as people, we have to ask the question, “Will tomorrow be better than today?” I believe the answer is “yes.” Asking the simple question helps to define and recognize improvement. It highlights the reason markets have historically always gone up. They are a measure of progress.
Just like the personal growth of our children, progress can be a difficult thing to measure. There’s no door frame for the United States upon which we can write feet and inches. Nor can our development as a country be measured by the number of candles on a birthday cake. Perhaps one lens through which we can view progress is the financial markets. It may not be the best indicator, especially when we zoom in on specific events or time periods, but the correlation is there. As our country grows, so does the economy.
This line of thinking comes with its hazards, however, especially if we make the mistake of using the markets as a signal for progress instead of progress. We cannot confuse the outcome with the input. If we do, it creates a feedback loop: a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to overvaluations and bubbles. The markets are going up, and progress is being made. Therefore, the markets should increase further, which means more progress is being made, and so on. Have we seen some of this lately? Time will tell, but it’s entirely possible.
On a long enough time horizon, the market has always gone up. Every temporary downturn has given way to a longer-lasting increase. Progress is much the same way. If we look at the markets today and ask, “Will tomorrow be better?” The answer may be “yes,” or it may be “no.” People love to speculate and gamble on this, but wise investors stretch that line of thinking. Will things be better next week? Next month? Next year? If you have an optimistic outlook, the answer will eventually be “yes.”
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 850 when I started my investment career in 1978; today it is around 25,000 or about 30 times higher. During that time, we have had wars, inflation, unemployment, unrest and even pandemics. Over your investment lifetime, you will experience troubles like this, yet the markets move higher. That’s why we invest. The longer the time horizon, the higher the probability of progress, both in the economy and in the markets.
We choose to invest in companies with staying power that have stood the test of time; companies I’m proud to own, even when they may have a stumble. Like my sons, they’re not always perfect. Their progress is not always linear or straight up. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to trade them away. The very thought of that seems laughable, yet many people do it with their “investments” all the time.
According to Barron’s, about $9 billion was pulled out of mutual funds in March when prices were down 30% or more, only to recover 30-40% in the next 70 days. Progress and growth aren’t measured over days; they’re measured over years and decades. As a father, I want to share my kids’ successes and failures. I want to watch them grow, innovate, and discover.
We’re in a strange place right now — in the markets, in life, even interpersonally. Things are changing in ways no one expected or anticipated. Yet progress is being made. Some of it will be hard-fought, some of it may not even look like progress at the moment. But if we continue to build and believe in a better future, then I think we will get there. It may not be tomorrow or the day after, but eventually, we will find our way back to better.
To all the Dads out there: Happy Father’s Day!
Steve Booren is the founder of Prosperion Financial Advisors in Greenwood Village. He is the author of “Intelligent Investing: Your Guide to a Growing Retirement Income,” published in March 2019 and was recently named by Forbes to its 2020 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-06-21--Colorado’s 3rd District has the state’s only congressional primaries as 3 seek to topple Scott Tipto

Colorado’s 3rd District has the state’s only congressional primaries as 3 seek to topple Scott Tipton

From Grand Junction to Pueblo and all the mountain towns in between , Republican voters must decide this month between Colorado ’ s most taciturn congressman and a restaurateur who is anything but .
Democrats , meanwhile , are considering whether to invest their hopes in a former state lawmaker who lost in 2018 — or a political neophyte who recently moved into the district .
This is the state of play in Colorado ’ s 3rd Congressional District , a massive swath of land that encompasses the Western Slope , significant portions of the mountains and Pueblo .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both parties June 30 , giving unaffiliated voters a choice of which to weigh in on .
The 3rd District also is one of only two districts in the state that is expected to be competitive in November .
Republican Rep. Scott Tipton , of Cortez , is the five-term incumbent and presumed front-runner in the Republican race , though there has been no public polling .
That leaves some uncertainty about his chances against Lauren Boebert , a bold and brash gun-toting restaurant owner from Rifle who has attacked Tipton consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary can seem at times like a contest over who is more pro-Trump .
Boebert , 33 , has tried convincing conservatives that Tipton is unfaithful to both their values and the president ’ s priorities .
But Tipton , 63 , is a co-chair of Trump ’ s re-election campaign , and he received Trump ’ s “ complete and total endorsement ” in December .
More recently , Donald Trump Jr. recorded a radio ad for Tipton .
“ Scott Tipton is the only candidate in the race who has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. says in the ad , referring to Make America Great Again , his father ’ s 2016 campaign slogan .
“ As far as endorsements go , ” Boebert said Thursday , “ voters completely understand that President Trump ’ s endorsement happened within days of me joining the race — and that I ’ m going to be the candidate he will be proud to endorse in the general election this fall.
” The soft-spoken and low-profile Tipton had ignored Boebert ’ s fiery attacks until this month , when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her “ Lying Lauren ” on several occasions .
It also features a large photo of Tipton at a rally with Trump and a screenshot of Trump ’ s tweeted endorsement of Tipton .
“ Lying Lauren has been lying to voters — that ’ s why President Trump endorsed Scott Tipton !
” it states .
The two Republicans , who seem to agree on nearly all major issues , have squabbled over two little-known pieces of legislation , neither of which has become law .
Tipton voted for both and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first is H.R .
5038 , the Farm Workforce Modernization Act , which would modify a visa program to give non-citizen farm workers a path to further work , but not citizenship .
Boebert calls it an “ amnesty ” bill for undocumented immigrants .
The second is H.R .
6467 , the Coronavirus Community Relief Act , which would set aside $ 250 billion in aid for cities with fewer than 500,000 people , including every city in the 3rd District .
Boebert calls it the “ Boulder Bailout ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neguse , a Lafayette Democrat who represents Boulder in Congress .
“ As expected , Scott Tipton ’ s D.C. double talk is failing to explain away his horrible voting record , so now all he has left is to call me a liar , ” Boebert said in response to the Tipton mailer .
“ I take that as a good sign that I ’ m about to surprise the establishment and win this primary.
” On the Democratic side , the contest is between James Iacino , 37 , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ridgway , and Diane Mitsch Bush , 70 , a former state legislator and county commissioner from Steamboat Springs .
It ’ s a race between new and old .
Iacino had never run for office before this election cycle and only recently moved to the 3rd District from Denver .
Bush has lived in the district longer than Iacino ’ s been alive and held elected office , but lost to Tipton in 2018 .
“ Unlike James , I have a record , and it ’ s a record I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s record , ” Mitsch Bush said in an interview Thursday .
“ I have big name recognition .
My opponent in this Democratic primary had to start from zero , ” she added .
Iacino readily acknowledges that name recognition has been his biggest hurdle .
But , he says , considering Tipton ’ s history of reelection victories , Democrats would be wise to choose a non-politician .
“ He ’ s faced four former state legislators and he ’ s attacked them for being career politicians — which is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first non-politician , ” Iacino said , referring to Tipton ’ s reelection victories beginning in 2012 .
“ I have a strong business background and know how to create jobs in the state , ” he added .
“ I think that , particularly in light of the crisis we ’ re facing now , has resonated with a lot of independents and moderate Republicans — folks who , in addition to those in our party , are looking for something different this time.
” National Democratic groups have had an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years but have failed to recruit a prominent Democrat into the race .
Tipton faced his toughest reelection in 2018 , when he beat Mitsch Bush by eight percentage points , the closest Colorado congressional race that year .
“ I know how to go after him and what to go after him on , ” Mitsch Bush said about her eagerness for a rematch , noting that Tipton first lost a race against then-U.S. Rep. John Salazar in 2006 before winning their 2010 rematch .
Mitsch Bush said she prioritizes health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voters .
Iacino said he hears most about those three issues , too .
When asked how he addresses questions about his short residency in the 3rd District , he said he talks about his family history .
“ I ’ m a third-generation Coloradan .
My family ’ s been here 115 years , my company ’ s been here for 102 years and we ’ re a Colorado-based company , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve spent my career doing business across the state of Colorado .
”

From Grand Junction to Pueblo and all the mountain towns in between, Republican voters must decide this month between Colorado’s most taciturn congressman and a restaurateur who is anything but.
Democrats, meanwhile, are considering whether to invest their hopes in a former state lawmaker who lost in 2018 — or a political neophyte who recently moved into the district.
This is the state of play in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, a massive swath of land that encompasses the Western Slope, significant portions of the mountains and Pueblo. It is the only congressional district hosting primaries for both parties June 30, giving unaffiliated voters a choice of which to weigh in on.
The 3rd District also is one of only two districts in the state that is expected to be competitive in November.
The Republican primary
Republican Rep. Scott Tipton, of Cortez, is the five-term incumbent and presumed front-runner in the Republican race, though there has been no public polling. That leaves some uncertainty about his chances against Lauren Boebert, a bold and brash gun-toting restaurant owner from Rifle who has attacked Tipton consistently since entering the race.
The Republican primary can seem at times like a contest over who is more pro-Trump.
Boebert, 33, has tried convincing conservatives that Tipton is unfaithful to both their values and the president’s priorities. But Tipton, 63, is a co-chair of Trump’s re-election campaign, and he received Trump’s “complete and total endorsement” in December. More recently, Donald Trump Jr. recorded a radio ad for Tipton.
“Scott Tipton is the only candidate in the race who has helped pass the MAGA agenda,” Trump Jr. says in the ad, referring to Make America Great Again, his father’s 2016 campaign slogan.
“As far as endorsements go,” Boebert said Thursday, “voters completely understand that President Trump’s endorsement happened within days of me joining the race — and that I’m going to be the candidate he will be proud to endorse in the general election this fall.”
The soft-spoken and low-profile Tipton had ignored Boebert’s fiery attacks until this month, when he sent voters a mailer that bluntly calls her “Lying Lauren” on several occasions. It also features a large photo of Tipton at a rally with Trump and a screenshot of Trump’s tweeted endorsement of Tipton.
“Lying Lauren has been lying to voters — that’s why President Trump endorsed Scott Tipton!” it states.
The two Republicans, who seem to agree on nearly all major issues, have squabbled over two little-known pieces of legislation, neither of which has become law. Tipton voted for both and has been criticized by Boebert for doing so.
The first is H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would modify a visa program to give non-citizen farm workers a path to further work, but not citizenship. Boebert calls it an “amnesty” bill for undocumented immigrants.
The second is H.R. 6467, the Coronavirus Community Relief Act, which would set aside $250 billion in aid for cities with fewer than 500,000 people, including every city in the 3rd District. Boebert calls it the “Boulder Bailout” because it was sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat who represents Boulder in Congress.
“As expected, Scott Tipton’s D.C. double talk is failing to explain away his horrible voting record, so now all he has left is to call me a liar,” Boebert said in response to the Tipton mailer. “I take that as a good sign that I’m about to surprise the establishment and win this primary.”
The Democratic race
On the Democratic side, the contest is between James Iacino, 37, a former Seattle Fish Co. CEO who lives in Ridgway, and Diane Mitsch Bush, 70, a former state legislator and county commissioner from Steamboat Springs.
It’s a race between new and old. Iacino had never run for office before this election cycle and only recently moved to the 3rd District from Denver. Bush has lived in the district longer than Iacino’s been alive and held elected office, but lost to Tipton in 2018.
“Unlike James, I have a record, and it’s a record I can hold up proudly against Scott Tipton’s record,” Mitsch Bush said in an interview Thursday.
“I have big name recognition. My opponent in this Democratic primary had to start from zero,” she added.
Iacino readily acknowledges that name recognition has been his biggest hurdle. But, he says, considering Tipton’s history of reelection victories, Democrats would be wise to choose a non-politician.
“He’s faced four former state legislators and he’s attacked them for being career politicians — which is a little ironic — but I’m the first non-politician,” Iacino said, referring to Tipton’s reelection victories beginning in 2012.
“I have a strong business background and know how to create jobs in the state,” he added. “I think that, particularly in light of the crisis we’re facing now, has resonated with a lot of independents and moderate Republicans — folks who, in addition to those in our party, are looking for something different this time.”
National Democratic groups have had an eye on the 3rd District for several years but have failed to recruit a prominent Democrat into the race.
Tipton faced his toughest reelection in 2018, when he beat Mitsch Bush by eight percentage points, the closest Colorado congressional race that year.
“I know how to go after him and what to go after him on,” Mitsch Bush said about her eagerness for a rematch, noting that Tipton first lost a race against then-U.S. Rep. John Salazar in 2006 before winning their 2010 rematch.
Mitsch Bush said she prioritizes health care, the economy and climate when talking to voters. Iacino said he hears most about those three issues, too. When asked how he addresses questions about his short residency in the 3rd District, he said he talks about his family history.
“I’m a third-generation Coloradan. My family’s been here 115 years, my company’s been here for 102 years and we’re a Colorado-based company,” he said. “I’ve spent my career doing business across the state of Colorado.”