thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Loveland man knelt on black CSU football player’s neck while holding him, coworker at gunpoint, affi

Loveland man knelt on black CSU football player’s neck while holding him, coworker at gunpoint, affidavit states

The Loveland man who allegedly held two roofing salesmen at gunpoint because he thought they were members of antifa reportedly kneeled on the neck of one of the victims , who is African-American , and pointed a gun at his back , according to an arrest affidavit .
Scott Gudmundsen , 65 , is facing charges of felony menacing and false imprisonment in connection with the alleged incident that took place June 11 in the 600 block of Edinburgh Drive in Loveland .
According to his arrest affidavit , the salesmen told the police they had been in the neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling roof inspections .
They contacted Gudmundsen at his home , and he asked them to leave .
While they were talking to another resident , Gudmundsen approached them and demanded to see their identification , the affidavit said .
They showed him their IDs , and Gudmundsen reportedly apologized and left .
While they were canvassing a different area of the same neighborhood Thursday , Gudmundsen approached them again with what looked like a small assault rifle , the affidavit said .
He started yelling at them to get on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , saying that they were with antifa and that he would shoot them .
The two victims are not being named to protect their privacy .
One of them is a football player for Colorado State University .
According to the affidavit , one of the victims told police he did not want to die so he lay on the ground as Gudmundsen ordered .
The other victim , who is African-American , told police that Gudmundsen kneeled on his neck and jammed a gun into his back .
“ He asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the affidavit said .
“ Gudmundsen told him he was not going to kill him ; the police would.
” Gudmundsen called police to tell them that he was holding antifa members hostage .
Several witnesses also called the police to report that a man was pointing a gun at people .
Loveland Police Department officer Matt Sychla responded to a 911 call and arrived at the scene to see Gudmundsen standing over the victim pointing a pistol at his back , the affidavit said .
Gudmundsen was armed with two loaded pistols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vest he was wearing .
Officer Geoff Reeves responded to a 911 phone call from Gudmundsen on Thursday in which he told dispatchers that he was confronting antifa members in his neighborhood .
“ Gudmundsen reported he was wearing tactical gear , was armed and was a former police officer , ” the affidavit said .
“ He told dispatchers when we arrived he would drop to the ground to show he was not a threat.
” Dispatchers received additional calls about a standoff , and when Reeves arrived at the scene at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two victims on the ground at gunpoint , the affidavit said .
The officers took Gudmundsen into custody at 6:14 p.m. Gudmundsen was released from Larimer County Jail on a $ 500 bond and is scheduled to have his first appearance in court Thursday .
Gudmundsen has no prior criminal history in Colorado , according to court records .

The Loveland man who allegedly held two roofing salesmen at gunpoint because he thought they were members of antifa reportedly kneeled on the neck of one of the victims, who is African-American, and pointed a gun at his back, according to an arrest affidavit.
Scott Gudmundsen, 65, is facing charges of felony menacing and false imprisonment in connection with the alleged incident that took place June 11 in the 600 block of Edinburgh Drive in Loveland.
According to his arrest affidavit, the salesmen told the police they had been in the neighborhood the day before, on Wednesday, selling roof inspections. They contacted Gudmundsen at his home, and he asked them to leave.
While they were talking to another resident, Gudmundsen approached them and demanded to see their identification, the affidavit said. They showed him their IDs, and Gudmundsen reportedly apologized and left.
While they were canvassing a different area of the same neighborhood Thursday, Gudmundsen approached them again with what looked like a small assault rifle, the affidavit said. He started yelling at them to get on the ground and calling them terrorists, the affidavit said, saying that they were with antifa and that he would shoot them.
The two victims are not being named to protect their privacy. One of them is a football player for Colorado State University.
According to the affidavit, one of the victims told police he did not want to die so he lay on the ground as Gudmundsen ordered.
The other victim, who is African-American, told police that Gudmundsen kneeled on his neck and jammed a gun into his back.
“He asked Gudmundsen not to kill him,” the affidavit said. “Gudmundsen told him he was not going to kill him; the police would.”
Gudmundsen called police to tell them that he was holding antifa members hostage. Several witnesses also called the police to report that a man was pointing a gun at people.
Loveland Police Department officer Matt Sychla responded to a 911 call and arrived at the scene to see Gudmundsen standing over the victim pointing a pistol at his back, the affidavit said. Gudmundsen was armed with two loaded pistols and had more ammunition in a tactical vest he was wearing.
Officer Geoff Reeves responded to a 911 phone call from Gudmundsen on Thursday in which he told dispatchers that he was confronting antifa members in his neighborhood.
“Gudmundsen reported he was wearing tactical gear, was armed and was a former police officer,” the affidavit said. “He told dispatchers when we arrived he would drop to the ground to show he was not a threat.”
Dispatchers received additional calls about a standoff, and when Reeves arrived at the scene at 6:02 p.m. Sychla was holding Gudmundsen and the two victims on the ground at gunpoint, the affidavit said. The officers took Gudmundsen into custody at 6:14 p.m.
Gudmundsen was released from Larimer County Jail on a $500 bond and is scheduled to have his first appearance in court Thursday.
Gudmundsen has no prior criminal history in Colorado, according to court records.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Breckenridge woman sentenced to 16 years in prison for fatal drunken driving crash

A 32-year-old Breckenridge woman was sentenced Monday to 16 years behind bars for driving drunk and killing two people in @ @ @ @ @ .
Lindsey Leigh Ward had more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in @ @ @ @ @ the center line on Colorado 9 near Breckenridge and struck a car occupied by Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ Nichole Gough , 43 — both of whom were killed in the crash , authorities @ @ @ @ @ Ward pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide-DUI , both class 3 felonies , @ @ @ @ @ 2019 collision .
Police say she had .290 blood alcohol content after consuming mixed drinks @ @ @ @ @ a beer at the Breckenridge Golf Course .
Ward stopped by a liquor store , @ @ @ @ @ and tequila , shortly before the crash , police said .

A 32-year-old Breckenridge woman was sentenced Monday to 16 years behind bars for driving drunk and killing two people in a head-on crash last summer.
Lindsey Leigh Ward had more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in her system when she crossed the center line on Colorado 9 near Breckenridge and struck a car occupied by Benjamin Mitton, 41, and Nichole Gough, 43 — both of whom were killed in the crash, authorities said.
In April, Ward pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide-DUI, both class 3 felonies, in the Aug. 30, 2019 collision. Police say she had .290 blood alcohol content after consuming mixed drinks, downing shots and having a beer at the Breckenridge Golf Course.
Ward stopped by a liquor store, where she bought more beer and tequila, shortly before the crash, police said.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Gabe Landeskog back for Avalanche voluntary skates “to make sure I’m ready” for playoff run

Gabe Landeskog read 9-10 books , spent months of quality time with his wife and young daughter , and found ice time in Toronto to train during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
But there was something about being back on the Avalanche ’ s Pepsi Center ice on Monday .
It was something normal — skating with a handful of teammates .
It was something different – back in the arena for the first time since March 11 .
And he said it was something “ awesome ” — one day closer to the Stanley Cup Playoffs .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really exciting , ” Landeskog said on a media call Tuesday night .
“ I know it ’ s a weird circumstance and there are a lot of protocols to follow .
My attitude has always been to make the best of the situation and that ’ s what I ’ m trying to do.
” The Avalanche ’ s unique situation : Date of next game ?
Don ’ t know .
Site of next game ?
Ditto .
First-round opponent ?
Same .
In the NHL ’ s return-to-play plan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will be followed by Phase 3 ( July 10 for a training camp of possibly three weeks ) and Phase 4 ( playing games ) .
Landeskog , whose 47 points were fourth on the Avalanche when the league was shuttered , said it was an easy decision to return to the Denver area once the league re-opened team facilities for voluntary skates .
“ I skated a few times in the Toronto area and was able to get ice and find a younger goalie to work with and get out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit , ” he said .
“ I wanted to make sure I got back here , even though it ’ s 5-6 guys at a time .
It ’ s still NHL quality .
That was one of the reasons I wanted to get back here , to make sure I ’ m ready.
” Teams will have to be ready from the first puck-drop .
The Avalanche will play St. Louis , Dallas and Vegas to determine the top four seeds in the Western Conference .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in each conference will play a best-of-five series to advance to the 16-team tournament .
The teams that transition back into semi-top form the quickest will have the advantage .
“ Once we get back to playing , you ( will ) need good special teams and good goaltending , ” Landeskog said .
“ Usually at the start of the year , the first 5-10 games of the season are maybe not the tightest structurally or systems-wise , but it will be important we get off and running right off the bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoff time.
” Could the Avalanche be that team ?
The case can certainly be made , chiefly because the lineup will actually be healthy .
When it last played , the Avalanche had just seen defenseman Cale Makar return from injury , but center Nathan MacKinnon ( and his team-high 93 points ) , right wing Mikko Rantanen , goalie Philipp Grubauer , center Nazem Kadri and left wings Matt Calvert and Andre Burakovsky were on the shelf .
Only left wing Matt Nieto and defenseman Sam Girard had appeared in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all the time : Every team goes through a stint of injuries , ” said Landeskog , who missed 16 games .
“ For us , it felt like this year , for whatever reason , it wasn ’ t just one guy at a time , it was always 2-3 guys that went down for longer periods of time .
I ’ m proud of the way the group responded .
It does benefit us to have this time off and allow the guys that were hurt or had been battling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back to full strength.
” During his video conference , Landeskog also addressed playing in empty arenas during the playoffs and the world ’ s current racial climate following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 and the protests that followed it .
Of playing in empty arenas , Landeskog said : “ I ’ m sure it will be weird at the start , but once we get to elimination games ( or ) third periods , it doesn ’ t matter if we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next goal wins , it gets pretty heated.
” Of the current events , Landeskog said : “ It ’ s about time the racism stops .
I ’ m sure it ’ s a long road there , but I ’ m glad this conversation is being had and I think it ’ s important .
It ’ s a tough topic to speak about , whether you ’ re black or white , but I do think everybody needs to make sure they have an open heart on this matter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying you ’ re going to listen is a follower-type of move , but in my opinion , it ’ s Step 1 to understanding .
”

Gabe Landeskog read 9-10 books, spent months of quality time with his wife and young daughter, and found ice time in Toronto to train during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But there was something about being back on the Avalanche’s Pepsi Center ice on Monday.
It was something normal — skating with a handful of teammates. It was something different – back in the arena for the first time since March 11. And he said it was something “awesome” — one day closer to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“It was some positive news, which was really exciting,” Landeskog said on a media call Tuesday night. “I know it’s a weird circumstance and there are a lot of protocols to follow. My attitude has always been to make the best of the situation and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
The Avalanche’s unique situation: Date of next game? Don’t know. Site of next game? Ditto. First-round opponent? Same.
In the NHL’s return-to-play plan, the current Phase 2 began last week and will be followed by Phase 3 (July 10 for a training camp of possibly three weeks) and Phase 4 (playing games).
Landeskog, whose 47 points were fourth on the Avalanche when the league was shuttered, said it was an easy decision to return to the Denver area once the league re-opened team facilities for voluntary skates.
“I skated a few times in the Toronto area and was able to get ice and find a younger goalie to work with and get out there and feel the puck and skate around a little bit,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I got back here, even though it’s 5-6 guys at a time. It’s still NHL quality. That was one of the reasons I wanted to get back here, to make sure I’m ready.”
Teams will have to be ready from the first puck-drop.
The Avalanche will play St. Louis, Dallas and Vegas to determine the top four seeds in the Western Conference. At the same time, the Nos. 5-12 teams in each conference will play a best-of-five series to advance to the 16-team tournament.
The teams that transition back into semi-top form the quickest will have the advantage.
“Once we get back to playing, you (will) need good special teams and good goaltending,” Landeskog said. “Usually at the start of the year, the first 5-10 games of the season are maybe not the tightest structurally or systems-wise, but it will be important we get off and running right off the bat because it’s going to be playoff time.”
Could the Avalanche be that team? The case can certainly be made, chiefly because the lineup will actually be healthy.
When it last played, the Avalanche had just seen defenseman Cale Makar return from injury, but center Nathan MacKinnon (and his team-high 93 points), right wing Mikko Rantanen, goalie Philipp Grubauer, center Nazem Kadri and left wings Matt Calvert and Andre Burakovsky were on the shelf.
Only left wing Matt Nieto and defenseman Sam Girard had appeared in all 70 Avalanche games.
“I say it all the time: Every team goes through a stint of injuries,” said Landeskog, who missed 16 games. “For us, it felt like this year, for whatever reason, it wasn’t just one guy at a time, it was always 2-3 guys that went down for longer periods of time. I’m proud of the way the group responded. It does benefit us to have this time off and allow the guys that were hurt or had been battling injuries all year long to recover and get back to full strength.”
During his video conference, Landeskog also addressed playing in empty arenas during the playoffs and the world’s current racial climate following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 and the protests that followed it.
Of playing in empty arenas, Landeskog said: “I’m sure it will be weird at the start, but once we get to elimination games (or) third periods, it doesn’t matter if we’re playing a scrimmage in practice and the next goal wins, it gets pretty heated.”
Of the current events, Landeskog said: “It’s about time the racism stops. I’m sure it’s a long road there, but I’m glad this conversation is being had and I think it’s important. It’s a tough topic to speak about, whether you’re black or white, but I do think everybody needs to make sure they have an open heart on this matter and listens. Some people say that just saying you’re going to listen is a follower-type of move, but in my opinion, it’s Step 1 to understanding.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--MLB, MLBPA headed for “disaster” as owners insist players waive right to grievance hearing

That ’ s how Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred described the contentious negotiations that have derailed attempts to begin a 2020 season stalled by the coronavirus pandemic .
And the chance that MLB will not have a season increased dramatically this week when the commissioner ’ s office told the MLB Players ’ Association that it will not begin a season , nor set a schedule unless the MLBPA waives its right to claim that MLB violated the March 26 agreement between the two sides .
The league asked the players to sign away the right to a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could pursue perhaps a billion dollars in damages , according to the Los Angeles Times .
The owners fear that the MLBPA will argue the owners did not make the “ best efforts to play as many games as possible ” as required by the March agreement .
“ As players , we ’ ve always been about playing as many games as possible , as long as it ’ s safe , ” a Rockies player said Tuesday , asking for anonymity due to the contentious of the negotiations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the owners .
Look , they are going to have the value of their franchise long after all of this is over , but they ’ re still worried we will come back at them and ask for more money .
That ’ s not what we want .
We want to play baseball by the terms we agreed to.
” At the crux of the argument is this : The union said that MLB agreed to pay prorated salaries this season , with or without fans at the games .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discussion if games had to be played without fans .
On Monday , Manfred was asked about baseball ’ s image as the rest of the sports world is finding ways to start up again .
“ It ’ s just a disaster for our game , absolutely no question about it , ” he said on a ESPN roundtable .
“ It shouldn ’ t be happening , and it ’ s important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , as part of MLB Network ’ s draft coverage , Manfred was asked whether he could guarantee that the 2020 season would take place in some fashion .
“ We ’ re going to play baseball in 2020 , 100 percent ” Manfred responded .
“ If it has to be under the March 26 agreement , if we get to that point in the calendar , so be it .
But one way or the other we ’ re playing Major League Baseball.
” On Monday , however , Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m not confident ( in a season ) .
I think there ’ s real risk ; and as long as there ’ s no dialogue , that real risk is gon na continue.
” Manfred ’ s about-face created a backlash from many players , including Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer , a member of the union ’ s eight-man executive subcommittee , who tweeted : “ Rob Manfred and the owners are walking back on their word…AGAIN .
The fans do not deserve this .
So I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell us when and where.
” By virtue of an agreement reached March 26 in the wake of COVID-19 , MLB has the right to hold a season , which would likely be between 48 and 54 games .
Players would be paid at a full 100 % of their prorated salaries , but there would be no expanded playoffs .
Over the weekend , the MLBPA told MLB that it was done talking and challenged Manfred to begin the season .
“ It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clark said in a statement .
“ It ’ s time to get back to work .
Tell us when and where .
”

“A disaster.”
That’s how Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred described the contentious negotiations that have derailed attempts to begin a 2020 season stalled by the coronavirus pandemic.
And the chance that MLB will not have a season increased dramatically this week when the commissioner’s office told the MLB Players’ Association that it will not begin a season, nor set a schedule unless the MLBPA waives its right to claim that MLB violated the March 26 agreement between the two sides.
The league asked the players to sign away the right to a potential grievance hearing in which the union believes it could pursue perhaps a billion dollars in damages, according to the Los Angeles Times. The owners fear that the MLBPA will argue the owners did not make the “best efforts to play as many games as possible” as required by the March agreement.
“As players, we’ve always been about playing as many games as possible, as long as it’s safe,” a Rockies player said Tuesday, asking for anonymity due to the contentious of the negotiations. “But we don’t see that from the owners. Look, they are going to have the value of their franchise long after all of this is over, but they’re still worried we will come back at them and ask for more money. That’s not what we want. We want to play baseball by the terms we agreed to.”
At the crux of the argument is this: The union said that MLB agreed to pay prorated salaries this season, with or without fans at the games. The league said the union agreed to reopen the discussion if games had to be played without fans.
On Monday, Manfred was asked about baseball’s image as the rest of the sports world is finding ways to start up again.
“It’s just a disaster for our game, absolutely no question about it,” he said on a ESPN roundtable. “It shouldn’t be happening, and it’s important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans.”
Last Wednesday, as part of MLB Network’s draft coverage, Manfred was asked whether he could guarantee that the 2020 season would take place in some fashion.
“We’re going to play baseball in 2020, 100 percent” Manfred responded. “If it has to be under the March 26 agreement, if we get to that point in the calendar, so be it. But one way or the other we’re playing Major League Baseball.”
On Monday, however, Manfred walked that back, telling ESPN: “I’m not confident (in a season). I think there’s real risk; and as long as there’s no dialogue, that real risk is gonna continue.”
Manfred’s about-face created a backlash from many players, including Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer, a member of the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee, who tweeted: “Rob Manfred and the owners are walking back on their word…AGAIN. The fans do not deserve this. So I’ll say it one more time, tell us when and where.”
By virtue of an agreement reached March 26 in the wake of COVID-19, MLB has the right to hold a season, which would likely be between 48 and 54 games. Players would be paid at a full 100% of their prorated salaries, but there would be no expanded playoffs.
Over the weekend, the MLBPA told MLB that it was done talking and challenged Manfred to begin the season.
“It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile,” union head Tony Clark said in a statement. “It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--NBA lays out its vision for Disney restart to teams, players

Here ’ s some of what awaits NBA players going to Disney next month : game rooms , golf course access , cabanas with misters to combat the heat , fishing areas , bowling , backstage tours and salon services .
It only sounds like vacation .
The NBA described very specific plans to players and teams for the restart on Tuesday , doing so in a memo and handbook both obtained by The Associated Press .
With safety being of the foremost importance during the coronavirus pandemic , players were told they will be tested regularly — but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must adhere to strict physical distancing and mask-wearing policies .
The league and the National Basketball Players Association have been working on the terms of how the restart will work for weeks , all while constantly seeking advice from medical experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci , perhaps the best-known physician in the country when it comes to the battle against COVID-19 .
“ My confidence , it didn ’ t exist at the beginning of this virus because I was so frightened by it , ” union executive director Michele Roberts told AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathed , and suffered through the hours and hours of understanding the virus , and listening to our experts , and comparing different alternative protocols , I can ’ t even think of anything else we could do short of hermetically seal the players that would keep them safe.
” Players must tell their teams by June 24 if they intend to play or not , according to a memo sent to NBPA members .
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said that if a player does not feel comfortable playing at Disney — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social causes facing the country right now — then he does not have to report with his team and will not be disciplined , other than losing salary for games missed .
Most teams will arrive in Florida on July 7 , 8 or 9 .
A person with knowledge of the situation said the reigning champion Toronto Raptors , the lone NBA team based outside of the U.S. , will be permitted to gather for some pre-camp workouts — under strict guidelines that other teams will follow in their own cities — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are likely to train somewhere in Florida , said the person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because no deal with a training site has yet been signed .
For the Raptors , it ’ s been an area of concern largely because of current Canadian government regulations that call for a 14-day quarantine for people returning to Canada .
Some Raptors players are in Toronto right now ; some are in the U.S. Nobody on the NBA ’ s Disney campus , which has been loosely described as a bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sleeping room .
The NBA also told players and teams that it will work with one or more outside health care companies to provide a medical clinic with X-ray and MRI capability on the campus — critical , since in theory the league would not want players and team staff leaving and potentially facing coronavirus exposure by going outside of the Disney property for such exams .
The league ’ s plan also spells out how training rooms and meeting rooms will be utilized , the procedures for practice-court usage — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one open hour in between sessions for cleaning and sanitizing — and even how team and player laundry will be handled .
It also addresses the polarizing issue of how the league and its players will be able to address social injustice and racial inequality — two issues of constant importance , particularly now across the country .
The NBA said it would be “ a central goal of our season restart ” to bring attention and what it called “ sustained action to issues of social injustice , including combating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities across the Black community , enacting meaningful police and criminal justice reform and promoting greater civic engagement.
” The league said it remains in talks with the NBPA how best to make that happen .
Some NBA players , such as NBPA executive board member Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard , have suggested that playing could take away from the movement to spur immediate and dramatic change on racial issues in the country .
Roberts lauded Silver ’ s willingness to work with players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The very fact that our players have the option of not playing , I think says a lot about the commissioner ’ s ability to appreciate how big an issue this is , not just for African-American players but for all of our members , ” Roberts said .
“ There ’ s not been one ounce of skepticism about the sincerity of the players ’ feelings about this.
” The NBA is planning on games in three arenas during the seeding-game portion of the restart , the ones where each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN Wide World of Sports complex will play eight games before the playoffs begin .
Teams will be housed in three hotels , with between six and eight teams in each .
Other plans the NBA has for the restart include mental health professionals being available for players and coaches ; pregame chapel services , done virtually ; yoga and meditation ; three meals a day and four meals on game days ; and restaurant availability .
Teams can bring up to 35 people as part of the basketball operations group , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an athletic trainer , a strength and conditioning coach , an equipment manager and security .

Here’s some of what awaits NBA players going to Disney next month: game rooms, golf course access, cabanas with misters to combat the heat, fishing areas, bowling, backstage tours and salon services.
It only sounds like vacation.
The NBA described very specific plans to players and teams for the restart on Tuesday, doing so in a memo and handbook both obtained by The Associated Press. With safety being of the foremost importance during the coronavirus pandemic, players were told they will be tested regularly — but not with the deep nasal swabs — and must adhere to strict physical distancing and mask-wearing policies.
The league and the National Basketball Players Association have been working on the terms of how the restart will work for weeks, all while constantly seeking advice from medical experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci, perhaps the best-known physician in the country when it comes to the battle against COVID-19.
“My confidence, it didn’t exist at the beginning of this virus because I was so frightened by it,” union executive director Michele Roberts told AP. “Now having lived, and breathed, and suffered through the hours and hours of understanding the virus, and listening to our experts, and comparing different alternative protocols, I can’t even think of anything else we could do short of hermetically seal the players that would keep them safe.”
Players must tell their teams by June 24 if they intend to play or not, according to a memo sent to NBPA members. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said that if a player does not feel comfortable playing at Disney — whether for health reasons or because of social causes facing the country right now — then he does not have to report with his team and will not be disciplined, other than losing salary for games missed.
Most teams will arrive in Florida on July 7, 8 or 9. A person with knowledge of the situation said the reigning champion Toronto Raptors, the lone NBA team based outside of the U.S., will be permitted to gather for some pre-camp workouts — under strict guidelines that other teams will follow in their own cities — before that arrival date. The Raptors are likely to train somewhere in Florida, said the person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because no deal with a training site has yet been signed.
For the Raptors, it’s been an area of concern largely because of current Canadian government regulations that call for a 14-day quarantine for people returning to Canada. Some Raptors players are in Toronto right now; some are in the U.S.
Nobody on the NBA’s Disney campus, which has been loosely described as a bubble, will be allowed in anyone else’s sleeping room. The NBA also told players and teams that it will work with one or more outside health care companies to provide a medical clinic with X-ray and MRI capability on the campus — critical, since in theory the league would not want players and team staff leaving and potentially facing coronavirus exposure by going outside of the Disney property for such exams.
The league’s plan also spells out how training rooms and meeting rooms will be utilized, the procedures for practice-court usage — three-hour blocks per team, all scheduled, with one open hour in between sessions for cleaning and sanitizing — and even how team and player laundry will be handled.
It also addresses the polarizing issue of how the league and its players will be able to address social injustice and racial inequality — two issues of constant importance, particularly now across the country.
The NBA said it would be “a central goal of our season restart” to bring attention and what it called “sustained action to issues of social injustice, including combating systemic racism, expanding educational and economic opportunities across the Black community, enacting meaningful police and criminal justice reform and promoting greater civic engagement.”
The league said it remains in talks with the NBPA how best to make that happen. Some NBA players, such as NBPA executive board member Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, have suggested that playing could take away from the movement to spur immediate and dramatic change on racial issues in the country.
Roberts lauded Silver’s willingness to work with players who may be uncomfortable restarting the season.
“The very fact that our players have the option of not playing, I think says a lot about the commissioner’s ability to appreciate how big an issue this is, not just for African-American players but for all of our members,” Roberts said. “There’s not been one ounce of skepticism about the sincerity of the players’ feelings about this.”
The NBA is planning on games in three arenas during the seeding-game portion of the restart, the ones where each of the 22 teams going to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex will play eight games before the playoffs begin. Teams will be housed in three hotels, with between six and eight teams in each.
Other plans the NBA has for the restart include mental health professionals being available for players and coaches; pregame chapel services, done virtually; yoga and meditation; three meals a day and four meals on game days; and restaurant availability.
Teams can bring up to 35 people as part of the basketball operations group, which includes players, a senior executive, an athletic trainer, a strength and conditioning coach, an equipment manager and security.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--DIA welcomes back first international flight in 75 days

Denver International Airport handled its first international flight Tuesday since overseas flights were suspended on April 1 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic , according to an airport press release .
DIA said Mexico-based Volaris is now operating service between Denver and Guadalajara for those with essential or repatriation needs .
Nonessential travel to Mexico is suspended through July 21 , the airport said .
The last nonstop international service to operate at DIA was an Air Canada flight to Vancouver on April 1 — 75 days ago .
Volaris last operated at DIA on March 31 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are excited to welcome back our first foreign-flag carrier , Volaris , as air travel begins to increase following impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said airport CEO Kim Day .
“ We have implemented a number of measures to keep passengers and employees safe and look forward to welcoming international passengers once again.
” Flights between Denver and Guadalajara will operate two days per week .
Volaris expects to continue to operate service between the two cities through the rest of the year and anticipates resuming nonstop flights from Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve .
Around the time , as international non-stop flights ceased service to DIA , passenger traffic had plunged by 90 % compared to a year earlier .

Denver International Airport handled its first international flight Tuesday since overseas flights were suspended on April 1 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an airport press release.
DIA said Mexico-based Volaris is now operating service between Denver and Guadalajara for those with essential or repatriation needs. Nonessential travel to Mexico is suspended through July 21, the airport said.
The last nonstop international service to operate at DIA was an Air Canada flight to Vancouver on April 1 — 75 days ago. Volaris last operated at DIA on March 31, with a flight to Mexico City.
“We are excited to welcome back our first foreign-flag carrier, Volaris, as air travel begins to increase following impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said airport CEO Kim Day. “We have implemented a number of measures to keep passengers and employees safe and look forward to welcoming international passengers once again.”
Flights between Denver and Guadalajara will operate two days per week. Volaris expects to continue to operate service between the two cities through the rest of the year and anticipates resuming nonstop flights from Denver to Mexico City and Chihuahua as conditions improve.
Around the time, as international non-stop flights ceased service to DIA, passenger traffic had plunged by 90% compared to a year earlier.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Editorial: Release the video of Denver police shooting and killing William DeBose

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann should release videos from Denver police-worn body cameras and any potential nearby surveillance footage from the night police shot and killed 21-year-old William DeBose .
Police say that on May 1 , DeBose ran away from his vehicle after police pulled him over for speeding in west Denver .
According to the police report , DeBose fled on foot , turned , and pointed a gun at a police officer who shot DeBose .
However , DeBose ’ s wife , who was in the car with him before he was shot , has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says her husband told her he was afraid of the police before getting out of the car and running away .
Police have said a gun was found nearby .
McCann ’ s office said on Tuesday that the district attorney had received a report from the coroner and would release the video later this week after making a decision and talking with DeBose ’ s family .
We are glad the video will be released soon , but to be clear we don ’ t think these types of videos should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand jury , decide whether or not charges should be brought .
Colorado lawmakers , nearly unanimously , determined last week that the public has a right to see police body-camera videos in the days after police kill or injure someone .
Polis is expected to sign a bill into law any day now that will require that body-worn camera footage be released within 21 days of any incident and 45 days if there is concern that releasing the video could interfere with an ongoing investigation .
It has now been 46 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown the video last week .
We are willing to concede that the video might be inconclusive — body-camera footage can be dark and grainy and very shaky .
We are reminded of the body-worn camera footage from October 20 when an Aurora police officer shot and killed a man outside an apartment complex .
In the video , several people run toward a police officer and scream warnings that a man has a gun .
The officer fires several times at what appears on the video to be a dark shadow across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives the context that the officer had reason to suspect that the shadowy man had a gun and was a threat , but the video makes it impossible to determine if the man actually had a gun .
Videos should not be mistaken to show exactly what officers see .
But sometimes the videos are conclusive – like in Colorado Springs where it ’ s clear from the video that officers never saw a gun that was hidden in the shorts of De ’ Von Bailey .
They shot Bailey in the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the videos show an officer doing everything exactly right in a volatile situation and still dying at the hands of an armed suspect — like when Deputy Zach Parrish was killed in 2017 .
Yes , everyone should get a fair trial and the officers involved in this shooting shouldn ’ t be tried in the media .
But these are extraordinary times and releasing this video is in the public ’ s best interest .
The days where Americans gave cops the benefit of the doubt are over .
Millions of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd for almost nine minutes .
Floyd , who is black , died and Chauvin , who is white , has been charged with murder .
Then a flood of videos , some old and some new , capturing officers behaving badly toward men and women of color helped refute any remaining claim that Floyd ’ s treatment was purely an anomaly .
A police officer in Atlanta shot and killed Rayshard Brooks , 27 , on June 12 .
Body cameras and dashcam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than half an hour , getting patted down and taking a sobriety test , before the police attempt to arrest him .
Brooks resists arrest and gets into a physical altercation with the two police officers .
He takes one of the officer ’ s Tasers , and as he runs away , points the Taser at an officer who is chasing after him .
The officer drops his Taser , pulls his gun , and shoots Brooks .
Resisting arrest , stealing an officer ’ s Taser and assaulting an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly needed to be arrested .
But the videos do not support the use of deadly force .
If the officers felt they could not catch Brooks on foot , killing him is not a secondary option .
As we ’ ve been told by police departments for years , Tasers are not deadly weapons .
This week Americans have watched officers in Los Angeles hold Saturday Night Live star Jay Pharoah at gunpoint and demand he get on the ground .
Pharoah , who was out exercising at the time , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrified for his life and officers simply told him that he matched the description of a black suspect in gray sweatpants .
An officer knelt on his neck .
Pharoah said the event occurred a week before the footage of Ahmaud Arbery being shot and killed while on a jog in Georgia was released .
“ Black lives always matter .
My life matters .
I am here to tell my story but I could have easily been an Ahmaud Arbery or a George Floyd .
And I ’ m not and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said before urging young black men to educate themselves about their rights and to be prepared in case police officers attempt to “ flip anything.
” Given this backdrop of events — there have been more videos and incidents capturing racism in recent weeks than we can mention here — we can understand why a month and a half after DeBose was killed , protesters have started demanding the video evidence in the investigation be released .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email or mail .

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann should release videos from Denver police-worn body cameras and any potential nearby surveillance footage from the night police shot and killed 21-year-old William DeBose.
Police say that on May 1, DeBose ran away from his vehicle after police pulled him over for speeding in west Denver. According to the police report, DeBose fled on foot, turned, and pointed a gun at a police officer who shot DeBose. However, DeBose’s wife, who was in the car with him before he was shot, has said that is not what happened. She says her husband told her he was afraid of the police before getting out of the car and running away. Police have said a gun was found nearby.
McCann’s office said on Tuesday that the district attorney had received a report from the coroner and would release the video later this week after making a decision and talking with DeBose’s family. We are glad the video will be released soon, but to be clear we don’t think these types of videos should be held until prosecutors or, ideally a grand jury, decide whether or not charges should be brought.
Colorado lawmakers, nearly unanimously, determined last week that the public has a right to see police body-camera videos in the days after police kill or injure someone. Polis is expected to sign a bill into law any day now that will require that body-worn camera footage be released within 21 days of any incident and 45 days if there is concern that releasing the video could interfere with an ongoing investigation. It has now been 46 days and DeBose’s family was only shown the video last week.
We are willing to concede that the video might be inconclusive — body-camera footage can be dark and grainy and very shaky. We are reminded of the body-worn camera footage from October 20 when an Aurora police officer shot and killed a man outside an apartment complex. In the video, several people run toward a police officer and scream warnings that a man has a gun. The officer fires several times at what appears on the video to be a dark shadow across a parking lot. The video certainly gives the context that the officer had reason to suspect that the shadowy man had a gun and was a threat, but the video makes it impossible to determine if the man actually had a gun. Videos should not be mistaken to show exactly what officers see.
But sometimes the videos are conclusive – like in Colorado Springs where it’s clear from the video that officers never saw a gun that was hidden in the shorts of De’Von Bailey. They shot Bailey in the back as he fled. And sometimes, the videos show an officer doing everything exactly right in a volatile situation and still dying at the hands of an armed suspect — like when Deputy Zach Parrish was killed in 2017.
Yes, everyone should get a fair trial and the officers involved in this shooting shouldn’t be tried in the media. But these are extraordinary times and releasing this video is in the public’s best interest.
The days where Americans gave cops the benefit of the doubt are over.
Millions of people have watched a video of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd for almost nine minutes. Floyd, who is black, died and Chauvin, who is white, has been charged with murder.
Then a flood of videos, some old and some new, capturing officers behaving badly toward men and women of color helped refute any remaining claim that Floyd’s treatment was purely an anomaly.
A police officer in Atlanta shot and killed Rayshard Brooks, 27, on June 12. Body cameras and dashcam videos show that Brooks complied with police for more than half an hour, getting patted down and taking a sobriety test, before the police attempt to arrest him. Brooks resists arrest and gets into a physical altercation with the two police officers. He takes one of the officer’s Tasers, and as he runs away, points the Taser at an officer who is chasing after him. The officer drops his Taser, pulls his gun, and shoots Brooks.
Resisting arrest, stealing an officer’s Taser and assaulting an officer are all felony offenses. Brooks certainly needed to be arrested. But the videos do not support the use of deadly force. If the officers felt they could not catch Brooks on foot, killing him is not a secondary option. As we’ve been told by police departments for years, Tasers are not deadly weapons.
This week Americans have watched officers in Los Angeles hold Saturday Night Live star Jay Pharoah at gunpoint and demand he get on the ground. Pharoah, who was out exercising at the time, says in a powerful video that he was terrified for his life and officers simply told him that he matched the description of a black suspect in gray sweatpants. An officer knelt on his neck. Pharoah said the event occurred a week before the footage of Ahmaud Arbery being shot and killed while on a jog in Georgia was released.
“Black lives always matter. My life matters. I am here to tell my story but I could have easily been an Ahmaud Arbery or a George Floyd. And I’m not and I can tell my story,” Pharoah said before urging young black men to educate themselves about their rights and to be prepared in case police officers attempt to “flip anything.”
Given this backdrop of events — there have been more videos and incidents capturing racism in recent weeks than we can mention here — we can understand why a month and a half after DeBose was killed, protesters have started demanding the video evidence in the investigation be released.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Colorado coronavirus infections increase by 143 as hospitalizations remain relatively flat

Colorado health officials on Tuesday reported 143new COVID-19 infections across the state .
There were 29,442 cases of the new @ @ @ @ @ up from 29,299 the day before , according to the latest data from the state @ @ @ @ @ Environment .
No new COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed .
There is a lag in @ @ @ @ @ can take several days for the agency to get that information .
Overall,1,617people have died @ @ @ @ @ , which is is an increase of 12 people since Sunday .
Daily hospitalization numbers @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , but they have remained relatively flat since last week with 161 people hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ the health department and the Colorado Hospital Association.comment= ” cq ” ] In total , @ @ @ @ @ for the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to @ @ @ @ @ to your inbox .

Colorado health officials on Tuesday reported 143 new COVID-19 infections across the state.
There were 29,442 cases of the new coronavirus as of Monday, up from 29,299 the day before, according to the latest data from the state Department of Public Health and Environment.
No new COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed. There is a lag in death certificate data so it can take several days for the agency to get that information.
Overall, 1,617 people have died with COVID-19 in their system, which is is an increase of 12 people since Sunday.
Daily hospitalization numbers weren’t available for Tuesday, but they have remained relatively flat since last week with 161 people hospitalized on Monday, according to the health department and the Colorado Hospital Association.
In total, 5,272 people have been hospitalized for the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Cherry Creek to welcome back shoppers Wednesday for the first time since March

The reopening of metro Denver ’ s centers of commerce continues this week , with Cherry Creek Shopping Center announcing that it will swing its doors back open for business at 11 a.m. Wednesday for the first time since the novel coronavirus struck three months ago .
The Denver mall , with 160 stores , will operate on reduced hours for the time being — from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday .
Cherry Creek will abide by strict measures to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission , including cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , requiring the use of masks , using signs and decals to help customers with social distancing , offering hand sanitizer , closing the play area and disabling drinking fountains .
The re-opening of Cherry Creek Shopping Center comes on the heels of several other metro area malls welcoming back shoppers after shutdowns that went into effect in March , as the coronavirus began its spread in Colorado .
On Tuesday , dozens of shops inside Flatiron Crossing Mall in Broomfield opened for the first time since March , while stores with exterior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dillard ’ s , Dick ’ s Sporting Goods and Forever 21 — re-opened in recent days .
Several more stores at Flatiron , like J. Jill and Aeropostale , are scheduled to re-open by the weekend .
Colorado Mills mall in Lakewood opened to the public last week as did Southwest Plaza mall , following state officials granting Jefferson County a variance to re-open shopping centers .
Of all the major metro malls , only Park Meadows in Douglas County has been open a significant amount of time since the pandemic hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it too is re-opening in fits and starts and Park Meadows senior general manager Pamela Kelly told The Denver Post earlier this month that it likely won ’ t be 100 % operational until August .

The reopening of metro Denver’s centers of commerce continues this week, with Cherry Creek Shopping Center announcing that it will swing its doors back open for business at 11 a.m. Wednesday for the first time since the novel coronavirus struck three months ago.
The Denver mall, with 160 stores, will operate on reduced hours for the time being — from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Cherry Creek will abide by strict measures to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission, including cleaning and disinfecting the center around the clock, requiring the use of masks, using signs and decals to help customers with social distancing, offering hand sanitizer, closing the play area and disabling drinking fountains.
The re-opening of Cherry Creek Shopping Center comes on the heels of several other metro area malls welcoming back shoppers after shutdowns that went into effect in March, as the coronavirus began its spread in Colorado.
On Tuesday, dozens of shops inside Flatiron Crossing Mall in Broomfield opened for the first time since March, while stores with exterior entrances at the mall — such as Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Forever 21 — re-opened in recent days.
Several more stores at Flatiron, like J. Jill and Aeropostale, are scheduled to re-open by the weekend.
Colorado Mills mall in Lakewood opened to the public last week as did Southwest Plaza mall, following state officials granting Jefferson County a variance to re-open shopping centers.
Of all the major metro malls, only Park Meadows in Douglas County has been open a significant amount of time since the pandemic hit. It reopened on May 24. But it too is re-opening in fits and starts and Park Meadows senior general manager Pamela Kelly told The Denver Post earlier this month that it likely won’t be 100% operational until August.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--2021 Pro Bowl to be played at new Las Vegas stadium

LAS VEGAS — The Pro Bowl is headed to Las Vegas .
The NFL announced Tuesday that the 2021 all-star game will be played at the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday , Jan. 31 — one week before the Super Bowl in Tampa .
Plans include what the league calls a week-long celebration of football , and will include NFL FLAG Championship games and a Pro Bowl skills showdown in which players compete in a variety of events .
There will be community and charity initiatives as well .
“ We look forward to partnering with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Visitors Authority to bring the excitement of Pro Bowl week to our Las Vegas fans and community for the first time , ” said Peter O ’ Reilly , NFL executive vice president of club business and league events .
The game was played in Orlando the past four years .
• Broncos reach agreement with sports betting platform Betfred that includes hospitality tent outside stadium • At stadium , Broncos preparing for all scenarios , but hope fans can attend games • Broncos Mailbag : After Gordon , Lindsay , how will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Broncos land on ESPN ’ s best ( and worst ) NFL free agent signings of the past decade All NFL activities during Pro Bowl week will adhere to the latest public safety guidelines set by medical and public health officials , as well as operate in full compliance with all local and federal government regulations , the league said .
The game has gone back to the traditional AFC versus NFC format and will have 88 players voted in by fans , players and coaches .

LAS VEGAS — The Pro Bowl is headed to Las Vegas.
The NFL announced Tuesday that the 2021 all-star game will be played at the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, Jan. 31 — one week before the Super Bowl in Tampa.
Plans include what the league calls a week-long celebration of football, and will include NFL FLAG Championship games and a Pro Bowl skills showdown in which players compete in a variety of events. There will be community and charity initiatives as well.
“We look forward to partnering with the Raiders and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to bring the excitement of Pro Bowl week to our Las Vegas fans and community for the first time,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president of club business and league events.
The game was played in Orlando the past four years.
All NFL activities during Pro Bowl week will adhere to the latest public safety guidelines set by medical and public health officials, as well as operate in full compliance with all local and federal government regulations, the league said.
The game has gone back to the traditional AFC versus NFC format and will have 88 players voted in by fans, players and coaches.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Denver man charged with first-degree murder in shooting death of woman over dog poop dispute in Ball

Denver man charged with first-degree murder in shooting death of woman over dog poop dispute in Ballpark neighborhood

A Denver man accused of fatally shooting a 21-year-old woman following a dispute over the woman and her boyfriend taking their dog to the bathroom outside his Ballpark neighborhood home has been charged with first-degree murder .
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann on Tuesday announced the murder charge against 36-year old Michael R. Close , along with several other criminal charges , including charges for using a high-capacity ammunition magazine .
The shooting occurred on June 10 when police said Close began yelling at the couple as they were taking their dog to the bathroom .
The victim told police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use the bathroom and then “ a person yelled at him through a ground floor apartment asking if the victim was going to train the dog or just yell at it , ” according to a Denver police probable cause statement .
Police said Close then began firing at the couple from his apartment , killing Isabella Thallas .
The medical examiner ’ s autopsy report concluded that Thallas died from a gunshot wound and that the manner of death is homicide .
Her boyfriend , Darian Simon , was shot twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was apprehended by the Park County Sheriff ’ s Office after he was stopped in his vehicle on U.S. 285 .
Deputies found a rifle and a handgun on the floor of the front passenger seat , authorities said .
In addition to two counts of first-degree murder , Close also faces two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree , two counts of first-degree assault , six counts of using a prohibited large-capacity magazine during the commission of a crime , three counts of possessing a prohibited large-capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct .
Close has no previous criminal record in Colorado .
The dog was uninjured in the shooting .

A Denver man accused of fatally shooting a 21-year-old woman following a dispute over the woman and her boyfriend taking their dog to the bathroom outside his Ballpark neighborhood home has been charged with first-degree murder.
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann on Tuesday announced the murder charge against 36-year old Michael R. Close, along with several other criminal charges, including charges for using a high-capacity ammunition magazine.
The shooting occurred on June 10 when police said Close began yelling at the couple as they were taking their dog to the bathroom. The victim told police he had given his dog a command to use the bathroom and then “a person yelled at him through a ground floor apartment asking if the victim was going to train the dog or just yell at it,” according to a Denver police probable cause statement.
Police said Close then began firing at the couple from his apartment, killing Isabella Thallas.
The medical examiner’s autopsy report concluded that Thallas died from a gunshot wound and that the manner of death is homicide. Her boyfriend, Darian Simon, was shot twice but is expected to survive.
Close was apprehended by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office after he was stopped in his vehicle on U.S. 285. Deputies found a rifle and a handgun on the floor of the front passenger seat, authorities said.
In addition to two counts of first-degree murder, Close also faces two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree, two counts of first-degree assault, six counts of using a prohibited large-capacity magazine during the commission of a crime, three counts of possessing a prohibited large-capacity magazine, and one count of disorderly conduct.
Close has no previous criminal record in Colorado.
The dog was uninjured in the shooting.
A previous version of this story misidentified the department that made the arrest due to incorrect information given in court documents.


thedenverpost--2020-06-16--Four finalists announced as candidates for Aurora police chief

Aurora city leaders want community input on which of four final candidates should become the city ’ s next chief of police .
The finalist pool includes two longtime Aurora police leaders as well as candidates from departments in Baltimore County and Dallas .
The city announced the finalists on Tuesday and will host a virtual town hall at 7 p.m. June 23 .
The hiring comes as protesters across the country demand reform of policing and a movement in Aurora for more transparency and civilian oversight following the death of Elijah McClain in police custody .
The four finalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Aurora police commander who leads the department ’ s internal affairs bureau • Alexander Jones , a colonel and bureau chief at the Baltimore County Police Department Community members with questions for the candidates ’ town hall are asked to submit them in advance at AuroraGov.org/PoliceChiefTownHall .
A survey for community members to submit their thoughts about the candidates will be available at that website after the town hall .
All finalists will be in Aurora next week to meet with city leaders , Aurora Police Department employees , community organizations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force .
The City Council on Monday appointed 13 people to serve on the task force , which includes representatives from the schools , community groups , law enforcement and churches .
The group is tasked with evaluating the police department ’ s policies and studying ways to establish civilian oversight of the agency .
“ A lot has happened in the world since we began this search late last year , but I believe we have an excellent group of candidates to consider and look forward to meeting with each of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ This has been a difficult time for all communities as people look to re-examine the role and operations of police departments across the country , and the timing of our search for the next Aurora Chief of Police provides us with a prime opportunity to understand how we as a city want to look forward and ask questions of those who wish to lead our department.
” Former Aurora police Chief Nick Metz retired from the department Dec. 31 , and former Deputy Chief Paul O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a new chief was selected .
Instead , O ’ Keefe announced he would retire after becoming embroiled in the department ’ s controversial decision to not fire nor criminally investigate an on-duty officer caught passed out drunk behind the wheel of his running department car .

Aurora city leaders want community input on which of four final candidates should become the city’s next chief of police.
The finalist pool includes two longtime Aurora police leaders as well as candidates from departments in Baltimore County and Dallas. The city announced the finalists on Tuesday and will host a virtual town hall at 7 p.m. June 23.
The hiring comes as protesters across the country demand reform of policing and a movement in Aurora for more transparency and civilian oversight following the death of Elijah McClain in police custody.
The four finalists are:
Vanessa Wilson, the department’s interim chief
Marcus Dudley Jr., an Aurora police commander who leads the department’s internal affairs bureau
Alexander Jones, a colonel and bureau chief at the Baltimore County Police Department
Avery Moore, assistant police chief at the Dallas Police Department
Community members with questions for the candidates’ town hall are asked to submit them in advance at AuroraGov.org/PoliceChiefTownHall. A survey for community members to submit their thoughts about the candidates will be available at that website after the town hall.
All finalists will be in Aurora next week to meet with city leaders, Aurora Police Department employees, community organizations, businesses and the newly-formed Community Police Task Force.
The City Council on Monday appointed 13 people to serve on the task force, which includes representatives from the schools, community groups, law enforcement and churches. The group is tasked with evaluating the police department’s policies and studying ways to establish civilian oversight of the agency.
“A lot has happened in the world since we began this search late last year, but I believe we have an excellent group of candidates to consider and look forward to meeting with each of them,” Aurora city manager Jim Twombly said in a statement. “This has been a difficult time for all communities as people look to re-examine the role and operations of police departments across the country, and the timing of our search for the next Aurora Chief of Police provides us with a prime opportunity to understand how we as a city want to look forward and ask questions of those who wish to lead our department.”
Former Aurora police Chief Nick Metz retired from the department Dec. 31, and former Deputy Chief Paul O’Keefe was slated to lead the department while a new chief was selected. Instead, O’Keefe announced he would retire after becoming embroiled in the department’s controversial decision to not fire nor criminally investigate an on-duty officer caught passed out drunk behind the wheel of his running department car.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--One year ago, the Rockies and Padres set an MLB record for most runs in a four-game series

Man , 2019 sure felt like it was an eternity ago .
While we sit and wait for the 2020 Major League Baseball season to begin — hopefully — let ’ s take a walk down memory lane to revisit one of the most insane baseball series ever .
From June 13-16 , the Rockies and the Padres split a four-game series with two wins apiece .
That part ’ s not super noteworthy , but the fact that they combined for 92 runs is .
It was the most in a four-game series since 1900 , breaking the 88 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia Phillies in 1929 , according to the Rockies .
After the fourth game , Charlie Blackmon said he ’ d “ never seen anything like that.
” Some other crazy numbers they posted : — Colorado ’ s 48 runs were the third most in a four-game series in franchise history ( the record is 52 back in 1996 against the Dodgers ) .
— The Rockies totaled 69 hits , tying their mark in 1996 against the Dodgers .
— The 44 runs allowed by Colorado is tied for the third-most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed 62 hits , tying the mark for most in franchise history .
— Charlie Blackmon had an absurd 15 hits in the series , the most in a four-game series in the modern era .
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At stadium , Broncos preparing for all scenarios , but hope fans can attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have adopted a hope-and-prepare strategy for the upcoming season .
The organization hopes it can host fans for the Sept. 14 opener against the Tennessee Titans while also preparing for other scenarios due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Read more… MLB , MLBPA headed for “ disaster ” as owners insist players waive right to grievance hearing “ A disaster.
” That ’ s how Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred described the contentious negotiations that have derailed attempts to begin a 2020 season stalled by the coronavirus pandemic .
Read more… Gabe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure I ’ m ready ” for playoff run Gabe Landeskog read 9-10 books , spent months of quality time with his wife and young daughter , and found ice time in Toronto to train during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
But there was something about being back on the Avalanche ’ s Pepsi Center ice on Monday .
Read more… + Keeler : Rob Manfred lost PR war with MLB players — and he ’ s about to lose Rockies fans , too + NBA lays out its vision for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nuggets hold town hall Zoom meeting with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock ; more meetings in the works + Broncos reach agreement with sports betting platform Betfred that includes hospitality tent outside stadium + Champ Bailey , Rashaan Salaam among those on 2021 College Football Hall of Fame ballot + 2021 Pro Bowl to be played at new Las Vegas stadium If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

Man, 2019 sure felt like it was an eternity ago.
While we sit and wait for the 2020 Major League Baseball season to begin — hopefully — let’s take a walk down memory lane to revisit one of the most insane baseball series ever.
From June 13-16, the Rockies and the Padres split a four-game series with two wins apiece. That part’s not super noteworthy, but the fact that they combined for 92 runs is. It was the most in a four-game series since 1900, breaking the 88 totaled by the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1929, according to the Rockies.
After the fourth game, Charlie Blackmon said he’d “never seen anything like that.”
Some other crazy numbers they posted:
— Colorado’s 48 runs were the third most in a four-game series in franchise history (the record is 52 back in 1996 against the Dodgers).
— The Rockies totaled 69 hits, tying their mark in 1996 against the Dodgers.
— The 44 runs allowed by Colorado is tied for the third-most in franchise history.
— Colorado pitchers allowed 62 hits, tying the mark for most in franchise history.
— Charlie Blackmon had an absurd 15 hits in the series, the most in a four-game series in the modern era.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
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Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
Must-Read
Behind the scenes, the Broncos have adopted a hope-and-prepare strategy for the upcoming season. The organization hopes it can host fans for the Sept. 14 opener against the Tennessee Titans while also preparing for other scenarios due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more…
“A disaster.” That’s how Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred described the contentious negotiations that have derailed attempts to begin a 2020 season stalled by the coronavirus pandemic. Read more…
Gabe Landeskog read 9-10 books, spent months of quality time with his wife and young daughter, and found ice time in Toronto to train during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But there was something about being back on the Avalanche’s Pepsi Center ice on Monday. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Keeler: Rob Manfred lost PR war with MLB players — and he’s about to lose Rockies fans, too
+ NBA lays out its vision for Disney restart to teams, players
+ Nuggets hold town hall Zoom meeting with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock; more meetings in the works
+ Broncos reach agreement with sports betting platform Betfred that includes hospitality tent outside stadium
+ Champ Bailey, Rashaan Salaam among those on 2021 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
+ 2021 Pro Bowl to be played at new Las Vegas stadium
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Alcohol takeout, delivery will continue in Colorado for another year

While it wasn ’ t the two-year extension some were hoping for , a new law passed Monday in the Colorado legislature allows bars and restaurants to continue selling alcohol to-go for another year at least .
The law will take effect as soon as Gov .
Jared Polis ’ executive order with the same effect expires ( that date is still unknown ) .
Liquor takeout and delivery will continue then through July 2021 , when the legislature will have to decide again on the future of alcohol to-go .
“ This bill provides critical relief for an industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Colorado Restaurant Association CEO and president Sonia Riggs said in a release .
“ For some it will literally be the difference between surviving and closing.
” According to the Association , 87 % of Colorado restaurants have reported making revenue from alcohol to-go sales , with 20 % reporting “ significant ” revenue made from those sales .
“ It ’ s very very important for it to be an option to sustain businesses for the next year , ” said Angela Neri , who owns the downtown Denver bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to survive the shutdown just barely by selling to-go alcohol .
Now she worries that restaurants and bars will have to go back to takeout-only service at some point if coronavirus case numbers increase , in which case another shift in their business model would “ need to be quick , ” she said .
“ So let us keep the option.
” Her LoDo bar ’ s biggest sales months are usually during the start of baseball season .
This past weekend , with Pony Up open for walk-in seating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to make the same amount of money that she would have made previously on one spring weekend night .
“ We ’ re still at only half capacity , so how do we make up at least a little bit of that ?
” she asked .
During a Monday press conference , Gov .
Polis said that , in addition to restaurants , bars and night clubs could start to open as early as next week at 25 % capacity or 50 people max indoors .
As soon as July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state could start to increase their capacities .
This will depend on current COVID-19 cases , though , according to Polis ’ draft guidelines released this week .
But Neri is watching the news in places like Arizona where there ’ s been a resurgence of cases .
She ’ s seeing fellow business owners respond to this in a range of ways — some restaurants and bars are seating fewer people than required to play it safe , while others are packing their houses while they can .
She worries the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses like hers long-term .
Of selling alcohol to go amid everything else , she said , “ It ’ s a nice bonus , but it ’ s not going to make or break us.
” What Neri and other independent operators are really hoping for is the passing of a restaurant stabilization fund or the RESTAURANTS Act , which would grant $ 120 billion to the ailing industry nationwide in order to survive the rest of the year .
She ’ s not sure of its chances ; she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ dead in the water.
” As the alcohol delivery bill headed towards a vote last Friday in the House , legislators took the floor to speak on its behalf .
Someone commented that the discussion was reminiscent of the “ dogs on restaurant patios ” bill , which passed back in March , a week into the coronavirus shutdown .
“ Coloradans , we love our freedom and we love our beer , ” Representative Bri Buentello said on Friday of alcohol takeout .
“ This is simply to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … something to hang our hats on.
” The bill passed unanimously with a vote of 65-0 .
Subscribe to our food newsletter , Stuffed , to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox .

While it wasn’t the two-year extension some were hoping for, a new law passed Monday in the Colorado legislature allows bars and restaurants to continue selling alcohol to-go for another year at least.
The law will take effect as soon as Gov. Jared Polis’ executive order with the same effect expires (that date is still unknown). Liquor takeout and delivery will continue then through July 2021, when the legislature will have to decide again on the future of alcohol to-go.
“This bill provides critical relief for an industry that has been uniquely hard-hit by COVID-19,” Colorado Restaurant Association CEO and president Sonia Riggs said in a release. “For some it will literally be the difference between surviving and closing.”
According to the Association, 87% of Colorado restaurants have reported making revenue from alcohol to-go sales, with 20% reporting “significant” revenue made from those sales.
“It’s very very important for it to be an option to sustain businesses for the next year,” said Angela Neri, who owns the downtown Denver bar Pony Up. Neri said her business was able to survive the shutdown just barely by selling to-go alcohol.
Now she worries that restaurants and bars will have to go back to takeout-only service at some point if coronavirus case numbers increase, in which case another shift in their business model would “need to be quick,” she said. “So let us keep the option.”
Her LoDo bar’s biggest sales months are usually during the start of baseball season. This past weekend, with Pony Up open for walk-in seating, Neri said it took her four days to make the same amount of money that she would have made previously on one spring weekend night.
“We’re still at only half capacity, so how do we make up at least a little bit of that?” she asked.
During a Monday press conference, Gov. Polis said that, in addition to restaurants, bars and night clubs could start to open as early as next week at 25% capacity or 50 people max indoors.
As soon as July, restaurants and other gathering places across the state could start to increase their capacities. This will depend on current COVID-19 cases, though, according to Polis’ draft guidelines released this week.
But Neri is watching the news in places like Arizona where there’s been a resurgence of cases. She’s seeing fellow business owners respond to this in a range of ways — some restaurants and bars are seating fewer people than required to play it safe, while others are packing their houses while they can. She worries the latter will do more to ruin the success of businesses like hers long-term.
Of selling alcohol to go amid everything else, she said, “It’s a nice bonus, but it’s not going to make or break us.”
What Neri and other independent operators are really hoping for is the passing of a restaurant stabilization fund or the RESTAURANTS Act, which would grant $120 billion to the ailing industry nationwide in order to survive the rest of the year. She’s not sure of its chances; she’s heard from another restaurateur that it’s “dead in the water.”
As the alcohol delivery bill headed towards a vote last Friday in the House, legislators took the floor to speak on its behalf. Someone commented that the discussion was reminiscent of the “dogs on restaurant patios” bill, which passed back in March, a week into the coronavirus shutdown.
“Coloradans, we love our freedom and we love our beer,” Representative Bri Buentello said on Friday of alcohol takeout. “This is simply to call a spade a spade and give us … something to hang our hats on.”
The bill passed unanimously with a vote of 65-0.
Subscribe to our food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-06-17--Rockies Mailbag: Who’s to blame for MLB’s mess as it tries to start 2020 season?

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag .
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag .
The next time you talk to Nolan Arenado please tell him the “ fans ” know exactly what is going on .
Ask him how players can expect 100 % of their salaries , prorated or full , from the owners who have lost 48 % of their revenue stream sans fans .
We know the problem of not having any baseball this year , clearly the MLBPA is totally at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— Jerry , Parker Jerry , you are not alone in your criticism of Arenado in the wake of my story in Tuesday ’ s Denver Post in which Arenado had strong comments about the war of words between Major League Baseball and the players union .
I had numerous emails similar to yours .
I understand the frustration of fans who love their team and the players but cringe at $ 15 beers at the ballpark and consider players whose average salary is $ 4 million a year to be selfish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But hear me out .
The owners have to carry the biggest part of the blame in the current mess .
The players simply do not believe owners who claim the sport is not highly profitable .
I share the players ’ skepticism .
The players noticed that the Kansas City Royals sold for $ 1 billion last year after being purchased for $ 96 million in 2000 .
They are aware that MLB got a huge revenue boost last weekend in its new deal with Turner Sports for a portion of postseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average value of an MLB franchise in 2020 is $ 1.85 billion , a 20 % increase from just three years ago .
It ’ s the players , not the owners , who would have to play baseball during a global pandemic .
Owners have to take some responsibility and carry the weight for the fans and the city that houses them .
If a team has a great season , if fans stream through the turnstiles and if money pours in because of merchandise that is sold , the owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The players don ’ t .
The players get paid what their contracts say they get paid .
From everything I have read and been told , the owners agreed to pay the players 100 % of their prorated salaries once the games resumed .
Now the owners are trying to back out of the agreement and make the players look bad .
One of the ballplayers ( I forget who ) was quoted saying “ we ’ re not negotiating for us , we are negotiating for future ballplayers.
” We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ?
— Gregory Weiss , Denver If I ’ m reading between the lines , I believe you think that most players only care about making as much money as they can in their career and are not really concerned about the next generation of players .
There is some validity to your argument .
There are a lot of players who really don ’ t know , care or understand the history of baseball ’ s labor struggles .
They don ’ t appreciate the things that players such as Curt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to free agency and allow players to reap the monetary rewards they do today .
Notice that I said a lot of players , not all of them .
There are many who are very much aware of what ’ s at stake during times such as these .
The bigger issue for the current players is staying loyal to their fellow members of the Major League Baseball Players Association .
Highly paid players such as the Rockies ’ Nolan Arenado or the Nationals ’ Max Scherzer believe it ’ s important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Any chance there ’ s going to be baseball this year ?
I ’ ll gladly take a 30-game season or some insane all-season playoff with all 30 teams if that ’ s all we can muster .
— Mary , Denver Mary , you are a true believer , aren ’ t you ?
I mean that in a good way .
At this point , it looks like we are going to get about 50 games and the same , old playoff format .
There were proposals being negotiated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last Friday , MLB submitted its latest proposal , which included a 72-game season to begin July 14 with 70 % prorated salaries for the regular season and 80 % if the postseason is completed .
The MLB Players Association rejected it .
In my opinion , a 50-game season with limited playoffs is a joke , but if the two sides want more they better come together quickly … .
like , yesterday .
Now that the draft is finished , are the players not selected signed as free agents ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a free-for-all in signing them like after the NFL draft ?
Is there a minimum/maximum salary and is there a limit on how many you can sign ?
It seems it might be an ideal time for the Rockies to bolster their farm system and possibly add some more pitching ?
— Mike Gourley , Longmont This year ’ s draft was shortened from 40 rounds to just five because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Under the new rules , any undrafted player can now sign with any team , but for no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , it ’ s like the NFL in that manner , except that there is a hard salary .
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com described it well when he wrote : “ Some scouts have likened it to a college recruiting process , with each organization putting together proposals of what it has to offer that might help set it apart from other interested teams.
” As for the Rockies , you ’ re right , this is a chance to bolster their pitching and their farm system , but that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some free agents will be fierce , but some of the best talents will decide to return to college or even junior college rather than signing for $ 20,000 .
The first player the Rockies pursued under the new rules was Luke Leisenring , a switch-hitting catcher from the University of South Carolina Aiken .
Shortly after he agreed to terms with the Rockies , he tweeted : “ Blessed to be a part of the Rockies organization !
Can ’ t wait to start my professional career with the team I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thank everyone who has helped me get to this point.
” Leisrnring checks in at 6-foot-4 , 205 pounds .
As a sophomore in 2019 , he batted .297 with six home runs , 11 doubles , two triples and 29 RBIs .
In 20 games of the shortened 2020 season , he batted .348 , led the team with four home runs and drove in 12 runs .
After this draft , I can ’ t help but think back to a few years ago when we drafted Kyle Parker out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He seemed like he was well on his way to making it to the big leagues .
— Paul , Fort Collins Paul , great question .
I had forgotten about Parker until this year ’ s draft when I noted that Zac Veen was only the third outfielder ever selected by the Rockies with their first draft pick , joining Parker in 2010 and David Dahl in 2012 .
Anyway , Park was the first athlete in NCAA Division I history with 20 homers and 20 touchdown passes in the same school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league career before recording a .513 OPS in 132 big-league at-bats .
He played in 64 games for the Rockies in 2014-15 but hit just .182 and struck out 39 % of time time .
He signed with the Reds in April 2016 but was released less than two months later .
He spent part of the 2016 season in Double-A ball but and then called it quits .
Patrick , we ’ ve had some very strong starting pitchers who just tailed off at the end of their run in Colorado .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jennings had signs of being a legitimate staple in the rotation .
Heck , even Mike Hampton opened up his career here going 9-2 with a sub-3.00 ERA before he crashed and burned .
Is it diminishing skills ?
Overwhelming mental exertion pitching at mile-high altitude ?
A little of both ?
— Keith Bader , Los Angeles Keith , it ’ s a combination of many things .
I ’ m not sure it ’ s so much “ diminishing skill ” as it is the physical wear and tear of pitching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mental exertion is a big part of it and something that not a lot of fans understand .
As for Ubaldo Jimenez , who was trying to make a comeback with the Rockies before the coronavirus struck , a lot of his problems with the Rockies during his final season with them in 2011 were due to his funky mechanics .
He has a lot going on with his windup and delivery and those problems followed him after he was traded to Cleveland then later signed with Baltimore .

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
The next time you talk to Nolan Arenado please tell him the “fans” know exactly what is going on. Ask him how players can expect 100% of their salaries, prorated or full, from the owners who have lost 48% of their revenue stream sans fans. We know the problem of not having any baseball this year, clearly the MLBPA is totally at fault. Their greed is the issue.
— Jerry, Parker
Jerry, you are not alone in your criticism of Arenado in the wake of my story in Tuesday’s Denver Post in which Arenado had strong comments about the war of words between Major League Baseball and the players union. I had numerous emails similar to yours.
I understand the frustration of fans who love their team and the players but cringe at $15 beers at the ballpark and consider players whose average salary is $4 million a year to be selfish when so many are without work.
But hear me out. The owners have to carry the biggest part of the blame in the current mess.
The players simply do not believe owners who claim the sport is not highly profitable. I share the players’ skepticism. The players noticed that the Kansas City Royals sold for $1 billion last year after being purchased for $96 million in 2000. They are aware that MLB got a huge revenue boost last weekend in its new deal with Turner Sports for a portion of postseason TV rights.
According to Forbes, the average value of an MLB franchise in 2020 is $1.85 billion, a 20% increase from just three years ago. It’s the players, not the owners, who would have to play baseball during a global pandemic. Owners have to take some responsibility and carry the weight for the fans and the city that houses them.
If a team has a great season, if fans stream through the turnstiles and if money pours in because of merchandise that is sold, the owners make a ton of extra money. The players don’t. The players get paid what their contracts say they get paid. From everything I have read and been told, the owners agreed to pay the players 100% of their prorated salaries once the games resumed. Now the owners are trying to back out of the agreement and make the players look bad.
One of the ballplayers (I forget who) was quoted saying “we’re not negotiating for us, we are negotiating for future ballplayers.” We’re not believing this nonsense, are we?
— Gregory Weiss, Denver
Gregory, I assume that’s a rhetorical question.
If I’m reading between the lines, I believe you think that most players only care about making as much money as they can in their career and are not really concerned about the next generation of players.
There is some validity to your argument. There are a lot of players who really don’t know, care or understand the history of baseball’s labor struggles. They don’t appreciate the things that players such as Curt Flood went through to open the doors to free agency and allow players to reap the monetary rewards they do today.
Notice that I said a lot of players, not all of them. There are many who are very much aware of what’s at stake during times such as these.
The bigger issue for the current players is staying loyal to their fellow members of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Highly paid players such as the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado or the Nationals’ Max Scherzer believe it’s important to present a unified front as a union.
Any chance there’s going to be baseball this year? I’ll gladly take a 30-game season or some insane all-season playoff with all 30 teams if that’s all we can muster.
— Mary, Denver
Mary, you are a true believer, aren’t you? I mean that in a good way.
At this point, it looks like we are going to get about 50 games and the same, old playoff format. There were proposals being negotiated that would have included an expanded playoff format. Last Friday, MLB submitted its latest proposal, which included a 72-game season to begin July 14 with 70% prorated salaries for the regular season and 80% if the postseason is completed. The MLB Players Association rejected it.
In my opinion, a 50-game season with limited playoffs is a joke, but if the two sides want more they better come together quickly …. like, yesterday.
Now that the draft is finished, are the players not selected signed as free agents? And, if so, is it a free-for-all in signing them like after the NFL draft? Is there a minimum/maximum salary and is there a limit on how many you can sign? It seems it might be an ideal time for the Rockies to bolster their farm system and possibly add some more pitching?
— Mike Gourley, Longmont
This year’s draft was shortened from 40 rounds to just five because of the coronavirus pandemic. Under the new rules, any undrafted player can now sign with any team, but for no more than $20,000. So, yes, it’s like the NFL in that manner, except that there is a hard salary.
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com described it well when he wrote: “Some scouts have likened it to a college recruiting process, with each organization putting together proposals of what it has to offer that might help set it apart from other interested teams.”
As for the Rockies, you’re right, this is a chance to bolster their pitching and their farm system, but that’s true for every team. The competition for some free agents will be fierce, but some of the best talents will decide to return to college or even junior college rather than signing for $20,000.
The first player the Rockies pursued under the new rules was Luke Leisenring, a switch-hitting catcher from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Shortly after he agreed to terms with the Rockies, he tweeted: “Blessed to be a part of the Rockies organization! Can’t wait to start my professional career with the team I grew up watching. I want to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point.”
Leisenring checks in at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. As a sophomore in 2019, he batted .297 with six home runs, 11 doubles, two triples and 29 RBIs. In 20 games of the shortened 2020 season, he batted .348, led the team with four home runs and drove in 12 runs.
After this draft, I can’t help but think back to a few years ago when we drafted Kyle Parker out of Clemson. Whatever happened to him? He seemed like he was well on his way to making it to the big leagues.
— Paul, Fort Collins
Paul, great question. I had forgotten about Parker until this year’s draft when I noted that Zac Veen was only the third outfielder ever selected by the Rockies with their first draft pick, joining Parker in 2010 and David Dahl in 2012.
Anyway, Park was the first athlete in NCAA Division I history with 20 homers and 20 touchdown passes in the same school year. Parker produced throughout his minor league career before recording a .513 OPS in 132 big-league at-bats. He played in 64 games for the Rockies in 2014-15 but hit just .182 and struck out 39% of time time. He signed with the Reds in April 2016 but was released less than two months later. He spent part of the 2016 season in Double-A ball but and then called it quits.
Patrick, we’ve had some very strong starting pitchers who just tailed off at the end of their run in Colorado. Ubaldo Jimenez was a beast. Jason Jennings had signs of being a legitimate staple in the rotation. Heck, even Mike Hampton opened up his career here going 9-2 with a sub-3.00 ERA before he crashed and burned. Is it diminishing skills? Overwhelming mental exertion pitching at mile-high altitude? A little of both?
— Keith Bader, Los Angeles
Keith, it’s a combination of many things. I’m not sure it’s so much “diminishing skill” as it is the physical wear and tear of pitching in Denver. But you are correct that mental exertion is a big part of it and something that not a lot of fans understand.
As for Ubaldo Jimenez, who was trying to make a comeback with the Rockies before the coronavirus struck, a lot of his problems with the Rockies during his final season with them in 2011 were due to his funky mechanics. He has a lot going on with his windup and delivery and those problems followed him after he was traded to Cleveland then later signed with Baltimore.