thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Aussie league: LaMelo Ball’s bid to buy club not a done deal

SYDNEY — LaMelo Ball ’ s bid to be a club owner before making his NBA debut isn ’ t a done deal , yet .
Australia ’ s National Basketball League issued a statement Friday in response to reports overnight that Ball had bought the Illawarra Hawks , the club south of Sydney where he played 12 games last season .
Ball ’ s business manager , Jermaine Jackson , on Thursday told ESPN : “ We own the team .
It ’ s a done deal.
” The 18-year-old American , who is expected to be first-round pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury-shortened season with the Hawks because of a bone bruise on his left foot .
“ Melo loves the Illawarra fans .
He loves that community .
They opened their arms to him .
They made us feel like we are at home , ” Jackson told ESPN .
“ When we started hearing about the issues they were going through , we talked about it and decided , ‘ Let ’ s own the team.
’ “ He is going to be locked into his NBA career , but we are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything.
” The NBL confirmed Ball and his manager had discussions with the Hawks ’ owners while he was in Australia , but “ at this point we are continuing to work with current license holder Simon Stratford on a number of options for what we hope will be a fruitful outcome for Illawarra and the NBL.
” “ The NBL has final approval on any transfer of license and no application has been made to date , ” the league ’ s statement said .
Ball joined Illawarra as part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged 17 points , seven assists and seven rebounds in 12 games until December He helped draw big crowds , including a league-record 17,514 for the Hawks ’ November game against the Sydney Kings in Sydney .
Ball also donated a month of his salary , which was not disclosed , to a national relief fund in aid of wildfire victims in Australia in January .

SYDNEY — LaMelo Ball’s bid to be a club owner before making his NBA debut isn’t a done deal, yet.
Australia’s National Basketball League issued a statement Friday in response to reports overnight that Ball had bought the Illawarra Hawks, the club south of Sydney where he played 12 games last season.
Ball’s business manager, Jermaine Jackson, on Thursday told ESPN: “We own the team. It’s a done deal.”
The 18-year-old American, who is expected to be first-round pick in the NBA draft, had an injury-shortened season with the Hawks because of a bone bruise on his left foot.
“Melo loves the Illawarra fans. He loves that community. They opened their arms to him. They made us feel like we are at home,” Jackson told ESPN. “When we started hearing about the issues they were going through, we talked about it and decided, ‘Let’s own the team.’
“He is going to be locked into his NBA career, but we are going to hire the right people to oversee everything.”
The NBL confirmed Ball and his manager had discussions with the Hawks’ owners while he was in Australia, but “at this point we are continuing to work with current license holder Simon Stratford on a number of options for what we hope will be a fruitful outcome for Illawarra and the NBL.”
“The NBL has final approval on any transfer of license and no application has been made to date,” the league’s statement said.
Ball joined Illawarra as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program and averaged 17 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in 12 games until December
He helped draw big crowds, including a league-record 17,514 for the Hawks’ November game against the Sydney Kings in Sydney.
Ball also donated a month of his salary, which was not disclosed, to a national relief fund in aid of wildfire victims in Australia in January.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Outdoor Retailer cancels summer show in Denver because of coronavirus

The Outdoor Retailer ’ s summer show , scheduled June 23-25 at the Colorado Convention Center , is the latest large event to cancel because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Emerald Expositions , which operates the event , said Thursday that it was canceling the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2020 because of the growing concerns about the coronavirus crisis and after talking to a number of participants .
The Outdoor Retailer is the country ’ s premiere trade show for the outdoor recreation industry .
The event was moved to Denver from its longtime host site of Salt Lake City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snow Show in January , more than 1,000 brands were on display at the convention center .
The Outdoor Industry Association , based in Boulder , said that it supports the decision by Emerald Expositions .
“ While we will greatly miss the gathering of our outdoor community , it is the right thing to do for our industry , our partners and our larger community across the world .
It is critical that we do our part to slow the spread of the virus and keep everyone as healthy as possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s executive director , said in an email .

The Outdoor Retailer’s summer show, scheduled June 23-25 at the Colorado Convention Center, is the latest large event to cancel because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Emerald Expositions, which operates the event, said Thursday that it was canceling the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2020 because of the growing concerns about the coronavirus crisis and after talking to a number of participants.
The Outdoor Retailer is the country’s premier trade show for the outdoor recreation industry. The event was moved to Denver from its longtime host site of Salt Lake City in 2017. During the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in January, more than 1,000 brands were on display at the convention center.
The Outdoor Industry Association, based in Boulder, said that it supports the decision by Emerald Expositions.
“While we will greatly miss the gathering of our outdoor community, it is the right thing to do for our industry, our partners and our larger community across the world. It is critical that we do our part to slow the spread of the virus and keep everyone as healthy as possible,” Lise Aangeenbrug, the national trade group’s executive director, said in an email.


thedenverpost--2020-04-02--Massive multistate vehicle chop shop broken up in Weld County

A Denver man has been arrested on suspicion of running a massive chop shop in Weld County that involved more than $ 300,000 of stolen vehicles from Colorado , South Dakota , Wyoming and New Mexico .
Kevin Abelbert Chavez , 29 , was arrested Wednesday for investigation of 22 felonies including 11 counts of motor vehicle theft , according to a Weld County sheriff ’ s news release .
He is being held at the Weld County jail .
An investigation began in January when Chavez ’ s ex-wife contacted authorities , the release said .
She told investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars annually from the chop shop , but she and her children were awarded no support money from the divorce because it was a criminal enterprise .
She knew of stolen pickups , all-terrain vehicles , trailers and utility vehicles .
On Feb. 10 , investigators encountered Chavez allegedly driving a stolen vehicle on U.S. 85 near Fort Lupton .
Chavez fled , and investigators did not chase him because of public safety traffic concerns .
Last week , investigators seized several stolen vehicles including two pickups and three ATVs , bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation to more than $ 300,000 , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Weapons also were seized .
Other members of the chop shop and stolen vehicle ring , as well as some victims , have been identified by investigators , according to the news release .

A Denver man has been arrested on suspicion of running a massive chop shop in Weld County that involved more than $300,000 of stolen vehicles from Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming and New Mexico.
Kevin Abelbert Chavez, 29, was arrested Wednesday for investigation of 22 felonies including 11 counts of motor vehicle theft, according to a Weld County sheriff’s news release. He is being held at the Weld County jail.
An investigation began in January when Chavez’s ex-wife contacted authorities, the release said. She told investigators that Chavez was making hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from the chop shop, but she and her children were awarded no support money from the divorce because it was a criminal enterprise. She knew of stolen pickups, all-terrain vehicles, trailers and utility vehicles.
On Feb. 10, investigators encountered Chavez allegedly driving a stolen vehicle on U.S. 85 near Fort Lupton. Chavez fled, and investigators did not chase him because of public safety traffic concerns.
Last week, investigators seized several stolen vehicles including two pickups and three ATVs, bringing total seizures from the long, ongoing investigation to more than $300,000, the sheriff’s office said. Weapons also were seized. Other members of the chop shop and stolen vehicle ring, as well as some victims, have been identified by investigators, according to the news release.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Anti-abortion group is short of signatures for ban at 22 weeks

An anti-abortion group did not turn in enough valid signatures to place a 22-week abortion ban on Colorado ’ s November ballot , the Secretary of State ’ s Office says .
The group , Due Date Too Late , will now have 15 days to collect more signatures .
Because of a Denver judge ’ s order Thursday in favor of the activists , those 15 days will not begin until after the state ’ s emergency stay-at-home order is lifted .
The proposed Initiative 120 would make performing an abortion after 22 weeks a misdemeanor punishable by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s to save the mother ’ s life .
A woman receiving an abortion can not be punished under the proposed law .
Last month , Due Date Too Late turned in 137,624 signatures .
An initial sampling found the group was likely short of the 124,632 valid signatures needed .
Line-by-line verification of the signatures was then conducted , concluding Friday , and 114,647 signatures were accepted .
“ Coloradans have repeatedly rejected abortion bans by landslide margins , so it ’ s not a surprise that this one failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Karen Middleton , president of Cobalt , a Colorado abortion-rights group .

An anti-abortion group did not turn in enough valid signatures to place a 22-week abortion ban on Colorado’s November ballot, the Secretary of State’s Office says.
The group, Due Date Too Late, will now have 15 days to collect more signatures. Because of a Denver judge’s order Thursday in favor of the activists, those 15 days will not begin until after the state’s emergency stay-at-home order is lifted.
The proposed Initiative 120 would make performing an abortion after 22 weeks a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, with an exception if it’s to save the mother’s life. A woman receiving an abortion cannot be punished under the proposed law.
Last month, Due Date Too Late turned in 137,624 signatures. An initial sampling found the group was likely short of the 124,632 valid signatures needed. Line-by-line verification of the signatures was then conducted, concluding Friday, and 114,647 signatures were accepted.
“Coloradans have repeatedly rejected abortion bans by landslide margins, so it’s not a surprise that this one failed to gather enough signatures to make the ballot,” said Karen Middleton, president of Cobalt, a Colorado abortion-rights group.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Kiszla: As Broncos Country yearns for return of NFL, Shelby Harris warns: Don’t rush it.

Here in Broncos Country , is life worth living without NFL games ?
We ’ re all going stir-crazy , looking out the window , praying coronavirus doesn ’ t come knocking for us next .
Like you and me , Broncos defensive lineman Shelby Harris is antsy to get back to football .
So long as haste and bad judgment don ’ t kill his grandma .
I asked Harris if he expected there to be NFL games in September .
“ You want to go back out there and work , but you want to be safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the definition of safe in a time of plague ?
How soon can we hug grandma , much less stand alongside 75,000 screaming Broncomaniacs at the stadium ?
Nobody , from the best medical minds in America to money-grubbing commissioner Roger Goodell , knows the answer .
With March Madness down the tubes , the Avalanche ’ s quest for a Stanley Cup in jeopardy and the Masters vacating spring in hopes of teeing it up before the snow flies , sports fans don ’ t want to think about the possibility that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 .
But at what cost ?
The NFL season must be listed as questionable at this point , if you listen to the league ’ s chief medical officer .
“ As long as we ’ re still in a place where when a single individual tests positive for the virus , you have to quarantine every single person who was in contact … in any shape , form or fashion , then I don ’ t think you can begin to think about re-opening a team sport , ” Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to have positive cases for a very long time.
” Nothing about the blood , sweat and cheers of pro football works with social distancing .
Yes , I selfishly want to see the Broncos open their season shortly after Labor Day .
Harris also wants to see his grandma alive and happy on Christmas day .
Can you blame him ?
Even a knucklehead like me understands what ’ s more important , in the grand scheme .
“ It ’ s about the masses , not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rare athlete capable of keeping his eye on the ball , while simultaneously seeing the big picture .
“ I ’ m worried about some things , like about people bringing ( the virus ) to my grandma , bringing it to my mom , bringing it to my family .
I just think the important thing right now is just focus on social distancing.
” The idea has been floated the NBA playoffs could be staged , from start to finish , exclusively in Las Vegas , turning LeBron James and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off from family and the outside world , all in the name of the almighty dollar .
If that sounds like an impossible dream , it ’ s because sports are played by athletes with spouses , kids and real-world responsibilities bigger than keeping score .
Let ’ s raise a toast to Harris for finding reasons for gratitude rather than surrendering to bitterness in these challenging times .
It ’ s not always easy .
For anyone .
Instead of rolling in the Monopoly money of free agency , Harris was humbled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos on a one-year deal at a mere fraction of the riches he sought .
“ At the end of the day , I ’ m just happy to have a job , ” said Harris , after “ settling ” for a $ 3 million salary , which ain ’ t anywhere near bad .
“ There are millions of Americans who have lost their job because of this ( virus ) .
” I am grateful to sports for the decades of unpredictable drama and handsome paychecks provided me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 88-year-old mother , hospitalized in Florida for nearly a month with congestive heart failure , one more time than see the Broncos win the Super Bowl again .
So here ’ s a humble thank you to Harris for reminding us athletes aren ’ t the real heroes to cheer at this point , and prayers for the NFL ’ s quick return would be better directed elsewhere .
“ We have to give our thanks out to the nurses and the doctors and the first responders and everyone that has the essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know about you .
But while stuck in the house , counting the days until the Broncos take the field is way more therapeutic for me than dancing to Drake .
At the same time , it would be foolhardy to think the NFL schedule is worth more than the paper it ’ s printed on until this country gets down to the serious business of producing enough COVID-19 tests for every person in America and also ensures no doctor or nurse ever has to enter the ICU without a proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people putting their lives and putting their family ’ s lives on the line , so that we can somehow live , ” said Harris , saluting heroes on the front lines in this fight against a pandemic .
“ Out of respect for them , we have to do what ’ s best for the community and not try to rush anything.
” The NFL can wait .
A hug from grandma beats playing football .

Here in Broncos Country, is life worth living without NFL games? We’re all going stir-crazy, looking out the window, praying coronavirus doesn’t come knocking for us next. Like you and me, Broncos defensive lineman Shelby Harris is antsy to get back to football.
So long as haste and bad judgment don’t kill his grandma.
I asked Harris if he expected there to be NFL games in September.
“You want to go back out there and work, but you want to be safe,” Harris replied.
What’s the definition of safe in a time of plague?
How soon can we hug grandma, much less stand alongside 75,000 screaming Broncomaniacs at the stadium?
Nobody, from the best medical minds in America to money-grubbing commissioner Roger Goodell, knows the answer.
With March Madness down the tubes, the Avalanche’s quest for a Stanley Cup in jeopardy and the Masters vacating spring in hopes of teeing it up before the snow flies, sports fans don’t want to think about the possibility that coronavirus could also wipe out pro football in 2020.
Harris harbors optimism football will return. Eventually.
But at what cost?
The NFL season must be listed as questionable at this point, if you listen to the league’s chief medical officer.
“As long as we’re still in a place where when a single individual tests positive for the virus, you have to quarantine every single person who was in contact … in any shape, form or fashion, then I don’t think you can begin to think about re-opening a team sport,” Dr. Allen Sills said. “Because we’re going to have positive cases for a very long time.”
Nothing about the blood, sweat and cheers of pro football works with social distancing.
Yes, I selfishly want to see the Broncos open their season shortly after Labor Day. Harris also wants to see his grandma alive and happy on Christmas day. Can you blame him? Even a knucklehead like me understands what’s more important, in the grand scheme.
“It’s about the masses, not just a single person,” said Harris, a rare athlete capable of keeping his eye on the ball, while simultaneously seeing the big picture. “I’m worried about some things, like about people bringing (the virus) to my grandma, bringing it to my mom, bringing it to my family. I just think the important thing right now is just focus on social distancing.”
The idea has been floated the NBA playoffs could be staged, from start to finish, exclusively in Las Vegas, turning LeBron James and Nikola Jokic into bubble boys, sealed off from family and the outside world, all in the name of the almighty dollar.
If that sounds like an impossible dream, it’s because sports are played by athletes with spouses, kids and real-world responsibilities bigger than keeping score.
Let’s raise a toast to Harris for finding reasons for gratitude rather than surrendering to bitterness in these challenging times. It’s not always easy. For anyone.
Instead of rolling in the Monopoly money of free agency, Harris was humbled by the market place and returned to the Broncos on a one-year deal at a mere fraction of the riches he sought.
“At the end of the day, I’m just happy to have a job,” said Harris, after “settling” for a $3 million salary, which ain’t anywhere near bad. “There are millions of Americans who have lost their job because of this (virus).”
I am grateful to sports for the decades of unpredictable drama and handsome paychecks provided me. But I’d rather hug my 88-year-old mother, hospitalized in Florida for nearly a month with congestive heart failure, one more time than see the Broncos win the Super Bowl again.
So here’s a humble thank you to Harris for reminding us athletes aren’t the real heroes to cheer at this point, and prayers for the NFL’s quick return would be better directed elsewhere.
“We have to give our thanks out to the nurses and the doctors and the first responders and everyone that has the essential jobs,” Harris said.
Don’t know about you. But while stuck in the house, counting the days until the Broncos take the field is way more therapeutic for me than dancing to Drake.
At the same time, it would be foolhardy to think the NFL schedule is worth more than the paper it’s printed on until this country gets down to the serious business of producing enough COVID-19 tests for every person in America and also ensures no doctor or nurse ever has to enter the ICU without a proper surgical mask.
“There are literally people putting their lives and putting their family’s lives on the line, so that we can somehow live,” said Harris, saluting heroes on the front lines in this fight against a pandemic. “Out of respect for them, we have to do what’s best for the community and not try to rush anything.”
Amen, brother.
The NFL can wait. A hug from grandma beats playing football.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Colorado defense attorneys petition state to release some inmates as coronavirus spreads in jails

Vomiting inmates are preparing food for hundreds .
Jail phones are not being sanitized after each call .
Coughing inmates are not being separated from others .
Deputies are wearing gloves , but are using the same ones all day as they interact with dozens of other people .
Those are the conditions that Colorado ’ s defense attorneys say their clients are subjected to inside Colorado ’ s jails during the coronavirus pandemic .
As deputies and inmates continue to test positive for COVID-19 , the state ’ s defense attorneys are asking the state ’ s highest court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at decreasing the number of people locked up and preventing the spread of the coronavirus in courts .
The filing comes two days after the first Colorado law enforcement officer — an El Paso County sheriff ’ s detention Deputy Jeff Hopkins — died from the respiratory disease .
The Colorado Office of the Public Defender , the criminal defense attorney bar and the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel on Friday filed two petitions asking the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court to issue statewide rules about jail depopulation .
Chief Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide order suspending many court operations , but left each of the state ’ s 22 judicial districts to make their own decisions on how to best address the threat of the virus .
The order did not address the jails .
“ Businesses , restaurants , schools , government offices , and churches are closed , ” one petition states .
“ But for incarcerated people , who live in conditions ripe for rampant spread of disease and lack the autonomy to self-isolate , daily life continues as usual.
” The Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept jurisdiction over the petition and how to proceed .
The court could also reject the petition completely , said Maureen Cain , director of legislative policy and external communications for the Colorado State Public Defender .
The petitions from the defense attorneys ask the chief justice to mandate lower courts do the following : • reduce the number of arrests and release arrestees on personal recognizance bonds , where possible .
• review cases of people held in jails because they can not afford their bonds and release them , if safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appear in court via telephone , waiving the need to ask permission .
• limit groups of people in courthouses to no more than 10 .
The population of state ’ s largest jails has declined by about a third in response to the threat of the virus , but inmates in many facilities still can not practice social distancing and rates of depopulation varies by county .
That means whether an inmate is released often depends on where they were arrested .
Meanwhile , the coronavirus continues to spread inside Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests include : an inmate at the Weld County jail , three Weld County sheriff ’ s deputies , a Jefferson County jail deputy , eight El Paso County deputies , three inmates at the Denver downtown jail , three Department of Corrections staff members , multiple public defenders and a Colorado Springs prosecutor .
Thirty-two staff members of the Denver Public Safety Department have tested positive , department spokeswoman Kelli Christensen said Friday , but the city will not identify which agencies they belong to “ due to patient privacy.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s department , fire department , 911 communications and community corrections .
A positive diagnosis inside a jail isn ’ t confined to facility walls , as recent cases show .
Two of the Denver jail inmates who tested positive have since been released from the facility on bond , Christensen said .
A Weld County inmate contracted the disease despite been incarcerated since 2018 , meaning someone brought it into the facility .
“ If you spread the disease around the jail , the first responders get sick , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The conditions inside jails are creating widespread fear and anxiety among those inside , defense attorneys said in letters attached to the petitions .
“ Inmates are starting to feel like they ’ re getting sick ; it felt like a riot was about to break out a few nights ago because people were upset no one was doing anything to keep them from getting sick , ” one inmate at the El Paso County jail told his attorney , according to a letter from the Colorado Springs Public Defender ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week by multiple members of Colorado ’ s U.S. House delegation that ICE release non-violent immigration detainees on parole .
“ ICE detention centers and their contract facilities are a hotbed for the spread of the coronavirus and are a tremendous threat to the health of the detainees , staff , and community as a whole , ” Rep. Jason Crow , D-Aurora , said in a news release .
“ If there are measures we can take to prevent the spread of the virus , we take them .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorneys and local nonprofits said an unprecedented number of people were released from the Aurora immigration detention center with ankle monitors late last week .
A group of 12 women were released together on March 26 , said Sarah Jackson , founder of Casa de Paz , a nonprofit that helps detainees and their families .
The following day , 16 men were released .
Jackson believes the detainees are being released on humanitarian parole in response to the virus , though officials have not confirmed that to her organization .
When asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was releasing inmates from the Aurora facility in reaction to COVID-19 concerns , a local ICE spokeswoman directed a Denver Post reporter to a webpage about national response to the pandemic that did not contain any information about the local facility .
A report from Crow ’ s office released March 27 found that 633 people were detained in the facility and nine were quarantined for illness .
Seventy-seven detainees had been tested for COVID-19 but results had not yet come in , according to the report

Vomiting inmates are preparing food for hundreds. Jail phones are not being sanitized after each call. Coughing inmates are not being separated from others. Deputies are wearing gloves, but are using the same ones all day as they interact with dozens of other people.
Those are the conditions that Colorado’s defense attorneys say their clients are subjected to inside Colorado’s jails during the coronavirus pandemic. As deputies and inmates continue to test positive for COVID-19, the state’s defense attorneys are asking the state’s highest court to intervene and create standard rules aimed at decreasing the number of people locked up and preventing the spread of the coronavirus in courts.
The filing comes two days after the first Colorado law enforcement officer — an El Paso County sheriff’s detention Deputy Jeff Hopkins — died from the respiratory disease.
The Colorado Office of the Public Defender, the criminal defense attorney bar and the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel on Friday filed two petitions asking the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court to issue statewide rules about jail depopulation. Chief Justice Nathan Coats on March 16 issued a statewide order suspending many court operations, but left each of the state’s 22 judicial districts to make their own decisions on how to best address the threat of the virus. The order did not address the jails.
“Businesses, restaurants, schools, government offices, and churches are closed,” one petition states. “But for incarcerated people, who live in conditions ripe for rampant spread of disease and lack the autonomy to self-isolate, daily life continues as usual.”
The Colorado Supreme Court will now decide whether to accept jurisdiction over the petition and how to proceed. The court could also reject the petition completely, said Maureen Cain, director of legislative policy and external communications for the Colorado State Public Defender.
The petitions from the defense attorneys ask the chief justice to mandate lower courts do the following:
reduce the number of arrests and release arrestees on personal recognizance bonds, where possible.
review cases of people held in jails because they cannot afford their bonds and release them, if safe.
reduce sentence lengths, convert jail time into home detention or temporarily release inmates.
automatically allow defendants and attorneys to appear in court via telephone, waiving the need to ask permission.
limit groups of people in courthouses to no more than 10.
provide hand sanitizer inside all courtrooms.
The population of state’s largest jails has declined by about a third in response to the threat of the virus, but inmates in many facilities still cannot practice social distancing and rates of depopulation varies by county. That means whether an inmate is released often depends on where they were arrested.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus continues to spread inside Colorado’s criminal justice system. Positive tests include: an inmate at the Weld County jail, three Weld County sheriff’s deputies, a Jefferson County jail deputy, eight El Paso County deputies, three inmates at the Denver downtown jail, three Department of Corrections staff members, multiple public defenders and a Colorado Springs prosecutor.
Thirty-two staff members of the Denver Public Safety Department have tested positive, department spokeswoman Kelli Christensen said Friday, but the city will not identify which agencies they belong to “due to patient privacy.” The safety department includes the police department, sheriff’s department, fire department, 911 communications and community corrections.
A positive diagnosis inside a jail isn’t confined to facility walls, as recent cases show. Two of the Denver jail inmates who tested positive have since been released from the facility on bond, Christensen said. A Weld County inmate contracted the disease despite been incarcerated since 2018, meaning someone brought it into the facility.
“If you spread the disease around the jail, the first responders get sick,” Cain said. “Everybody gets sick.”
The conditions inside jails are creating widespread fear and anxiety among those inside, defense attorneys said in letters attached to the petitions.
“Inmates are starting to feel like they’re getting sick; it felt like a riot was about to break out a few nights ago because people were upset no one was doing anything to keep them from getting sick,” one inmate at the El Paso County jail told his attorney, according to a letter from the Colorado Springs Public Defender’s Office.
The petitions Friday follow calls last week by multiple members of Colorado’s U.S. House delegation that ICE release non-violent immigration detainees on parole.
“ICE detention centers and their contract facilities are a hotbed for the spread of the coronavirus and are a tremendous threat to the health of the detainees, staff, and community as a whole,” Rep. Jason Crow, D-Aurora, said in a news release. “If there are measures we can take to prevent the spread of the virus, we take them. That’s how this needs to work.”
Attorneys and local nonprofits said an unprecedented number of people were released from the Aurora immigration detention center with ankle monitors late last week.
A group of 12 women were released together on March 26, said Sarah Jackson, founder of Casa de Paz, a nonprofit that helps detainees and their families. The following day, 16 men were released. Jackson believes the detainees are being released on humanitarian parole in response to the virus, though officials have not confirmed that to her organization.
When asked last week if the federal immigration agency was releasing inmates from the Aurora facility in reaction to COVID-19 concerns, a local ICE spokeswoman directed a Denver Post reporter to a webpage about national response to the pandemic that did not contain any information about the local facility.
A report from Crow’s office released March 27 found that 633 people were detained in the facility and nine were quarantined for illness. Seventy-seven detainees had been tested for COVID-19 but results had not yet come in, according to the report


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Broncos Draft Board: Small-school safety Kyle Dugger would also bring cornerback skills

EDITOR ’ S NOTE : One of a series of profiles on draft prospects who would fit the Broncos ’ needs .
A player from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne has not been drafted since 2000 .
That will change this year .
And a player from Lenoir-Rhyne has never been drafted in the top four rounds or 105 picks .
That will change this year .
Introducing safety Kyle Dugger , who followed up a strong college career with solid showings at the Senior Bowl and scouting combine .
The top safeties are LSU ’ s Grant Delpit , California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xavier McKinney .
But Dugger is expected to be selected in rounds 2-3 .
The Broncos have three third-round picks if Dugger falls and could view him as a third-safety/dime personnel option while getting him ready to eventually take over for Kareem Jackson .
Dugger , who spent six years in college and is 24 , will be the first Lenoir-Rhyne player to be drafted since defensive end John Milem by San Francisco in 2000 ( fifth round/No .
150 ) .
Not bad for a player who didn ’ t start until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I can honestly say there were a lot of times when I stood on the sideline and asked myself , ‘ What am I doing ?
’ ” Dugger said at the combine .
Dugger ’ s three offers were from Lenoir-Rhyne ( N.C. ) , Berry College ( Ga. ) and Reinhardt University ( Ga. ) .
He redshirted in 2014 , but despite not playing , he set his focus toward the NFL .
“ My redshirt year , I was able to catch my body up and really set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a goal , ” Dugger said .
“ My head coach had a meeting with me and told me I had a special skill set and the NFL was a possibility for me.
” Playing cornerback in ’ 15 , he started all 10 games and had 43 tackles and a team-high four interceptions .
Following a missed year , he moved to safety and made 86 tackles .
As a senior , he was limited to seven games because of a hand injury ( 31 tackles ) .
At the combine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.49 seconds ( at 217 pounds ) was sixth-fastest among the safeties and his arm length of 32 7/8 inches was the longest of the 27 safeties .
But what will help Dugger most is his reputation to run and hit .
One video collection of his highlights showed sideline-to-sideline speed , but also the ability to cover the slot receiver , which could be useful to him as a sub-package player .
Dugger didn ’ t have many opportunities to play the football because teams went away from him .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances ) at times , but I wouldn ’ t describe it as boring , ” he said .
“ I liked playing down by the line of scrimmage .
I was involved in the action a lot down there.
” Dugger said he studies several current safeties , including Baltimore ’ s Earl Thomas , the Chargers ’ Derwin James , Buffalo ’ s Micah Hyde and Minnesota ’ s Harrison Smith .
Thomas , James and Smith were first-round picks , but Hyde rose from the fifth round to become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bills .
Regardless of where Dugger is drafted , his mindset won ’ t change .
“ I kind of like the underdog role , ” he said .
“ It ’ s something that ’ s going to continue to drive me.
” Statistics : Intercepted seven passes in college career and had seasons of 43 , 86 , 76 and 31 tackles .
… First-team league as a junior in 2018 as defensive back and returner when he had three interceptions , two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries .
… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college defensive player of the year in ’ 19 and played in Senior Bowl .
Fit for Broncos : Drafting Dugger would allow them to groom an eventual replacement for Kareem Jackson and potentially allow coach Vic Fangio to play more dime personnel ( three cornerbacks and safeties apiece ) .

EDITOR’S NOTE: One of a series of profiles on draft prospects who would fit the Broncos’ needs.
A player from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne has not been drafted since 2000.
That will change this year.
And a player from Lenoir-Rhyne has never been drafted in the top four rounds or 105 picks.
That will change this year.
Introducing safety Kyle Dugger, who followed up a strong college career with solid showings at the Senior Bowl and scouting combine.
The top safeties are LSU’s Grant Delpit, California’s Ashtyn Davis and Alabama’s Xavier McKinney. But Dugger is expected to be selected in rounds 2-3. The Broncos have three third-round picks if Dugger falls and could view him as a third-safety/dime personnel option while getting him ready to eventually take over for Kareem Jackson.
Dugger, who spent six years in college and is 24, will be the first Lenoir-Rhyne player to be drafted since defensive end John Milem by San Francisco in 2000 (fifth round/No. 150).
Not bad for a player who didn’t start until his senior year of high school.
“I can honestly say there were a lot of times when I stood on the sideline and asked myself, ‘What am I doing?’” Dugger said at the combine.
Dugger’s three offers were from Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), Berry College (Ga.) and Reinhardt University (Ga.). He redshirted in 2014, but despite not playing, he set his focus toward the NFL.
“My redshirt year, I was able to catch my body up and really set goals and make (the NFL) a goal,” Dugger said. “My head coach had a meeting with me and told me I had a special skill set and the NFL was a possibility for me.”
Playing cornerback in ’15, he started all 10 games and had 43 tackles and a team-high four interceptions. Following a missed year, he moved to safety and made 86 tackles. As a senior, he was limited to seven games because of a hand injury (31 tackles).
At the combine, Dugger’s 40-yard dash time of 4.49 seconds (at 217 pounds) was sixth-fastest among the safeties and his arm length of 32 7/8 inches was the longest of the 27 safeties.
But what will help Dugger most is his reputation to run and hit. One video collection of his highlights showed sideline-to-sideline speed, but also the ability to cover the slot receiver, which could be useful to him as a sub-package player.
Dugger didn’t have many opportunities to play the football because teams went away from him.
“The competitor in me definitely wanted more (chances) at times, but I wouldn’t describe it as boring,” he said. “I liked playing down by the line of scrimmage. I was involved in the action a lot down there.”
Dugger said he studies several current safeties, including Baltimore’s Earl Thomas, the Chargers’ Derwin James, Buffalo’s Micah Hyde and Minnesota’s Harrison Smith.
Thomas, James and Smith were first-round picks, but Hyde rose from the fifth round to become a starter for Green Bay and now the Bills. Regardless of where Dugger is drafted, his mindset won’t change.
“I kind of like the underdog role,” he said. “It’s something that’s going to continue to drive me.”
Dugger File
Age: 24
Position: Safety
School: Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
Height/weight: 6-1/217
Statistics: Intercepted seven passes in college career and had seasons of 43, 86, 76 and 31 tackles. … First-team league as a junior in 2018 as defensive back and returner when he had three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. … Won Cliff Harris Award as best small college defensive player of the year in ’19 and played in Senior Bowl.
Fit for Broncos: Drafting Dugger would allow them to groom an eventual replacement for Kareem Jackson and potentially allow coach Vic Fangio to play more dime personnel (three cornerbacks and safeties apiece).


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Denver to close several streets starting Saturday to allow for more outdoor activities

Portions of several Denver streets will close to vehicles Saturday to allow for pedestrian and bicycle traffic as residents weather the city ’ s weeks-long stay at home order to combat the spread of coronavirus , city officials said in a release .
“ We want to encourage folks to get outdoors to enjoy themselves , ” Mayor Michael Hancock said in a video posted on Twitter .
“ Whether you ’ re walking , taking a nice jog or a nice bike ride , do us all a favor : Practice physical distancing .
It ’ s extremely important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re on ; it ’ s important that we practice those guidelines.
” The following roads will close Saturday : Additional streets are under consideration and more closures will be listed at denvergov.org soon , the release said .
Densely populated neighborhoods and those without immediate park or trail access will receive priority .
Emergency vehicles , residents and people carrying out essential activities will still be allowed to drive on the streets , the release said .
On-street parking is still allowed .
Group gatherings , picnics , furniture and play @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Portions of several Denver streets will close to vehicles Saturday to allow for pedestrian and bicycle traffic as residents weather the city’s weeks-long stay at home order to combat the spread of coronavirus, city officials said in a release.
“We want to encourage folks to get outdoors to enjoy themselves,” Mayor Michael Hancock said in a video posted on Twitter. “Whether you’re walking, taking a nice jog or a nice bike ride, do us all a favor: Practice physical distancing. It’s extremely important no matter what street or road you’re on; it’s important that we practice those guidelines.”
The following roads will close Saturday:
East 11th Avenue from Lincoln to Humboldt streets.
Bryon Place from Zenobia to Stuart streets.
Stuart Street from 24th to 21st avenues.
East 16 Street from Lincoln Street to City Park Esplanade.
Additional streets are under consideration and more closures will be listed at denvergov.org soon, the release said. Densely populated neighborhoods and those without immediate park or trail access will receive priority.
Emergency vehicles, residents and people carrying out essential activities will still be allowed to drive on the streets, the release said. On-street parking is still allowed. Group gatherings, picnics, furniture and play equipment are not allowed, however.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--At least 111 coronavirus-related deaths in Colorado as COVID-19 hospitalizations surpass 800

At least 111 people in Colorado now have died of complications related to the novel coronavirus , as hospitalizations continue to spike , state health officials said Friday .
Officials said 4,173 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus , as the state has ramped up its testing capabilities to more than 2,000 per day .
Still , the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is likely four to 10 times higher than reported , top health officials previously said .
At least 823 people have been hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed 27 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities .
El Paso and Weld counties — with 18 and 16 deaths respectively — have seen the most deaths in the state related to the global outbreak .
Gov .
Jared Polis on Friday said anyone leaving their homes to buy groceries or to take a neighborhood walk should now be wearing non-medical face masks to stop the spread of the virus .
Based on new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control , which says as many as 1 in 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show symptoms , Polis said old T-shirts or any type of cloth will do as a makeshift mask , reserving the medical N95 masks for health care workers .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

At least 111 people in Colorado now have died of complications related to the novel coronavirus, as hospitalizations continue to spike, state health officials said Friday.
Officials said 4,173 people have now tested positive for COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus, as the state has ramped up its testing capabilities to more than 2,000 per day. Still, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus is likely four to 10 times higher than reported, top health officials previously said.
At least 823 people have been hospitalized with the illness, while health officials confirmed 27 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.
El Paso and Weld counties — with 18 and 16 deaths respectively — have seen the most deaths in the state related to the global outbreak.
Gov. Jared Polis on Friday said anyone leaving their homes to buy groceries or to take a neighborhood walk should now be wearing non-medical face masks to stop the spread of the virus. Based on new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which says as many as 1 in 4 people infected with the virus may not show symptoms, Polis said old T-shirts or any type of cloth will do as a makeshift mask, reserving the medical N95 masks for health care workers.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--RTD to suspend fares, halt downtown shuttle amid coronavirus pandemic

Starting Sunday , RTD will stop charging fares for bus or train service , suspend the 16th Street Free MallRide and Free MetroRide and implement rear-door boarding on buses to create distance between driver and passenger as part of an effort to reduce the likelihood of coronavirus spread .
The Regional Transportation District announced the changes Friday after meeting with its safety consultant about how best to run its trains and buses in the face of a world pandemic .
An RTD spokeswoman on Friday said fares will be suspended because fare boxes on buses are at the front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver sits .
She said the fare suspension is being applied across the whole system “ so as not to discriminate against any group of riders.
” Passengers who use a wheelchair should continue to board RTD vehicles at the front , where a wheelchair lift is available .
Passengers using RTD ’ s over-the-road coaches will need to continue using the front door , as there is no rear door on those regional buses .
The agency is working through processes for refunds and exchanges on applicable fare products as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being suspended on the 16thStreet Free MallRide and Free MetroRide because both lines are experiencing low ridership as people stay home from work and restaurants and shops remain closed .
Because the MallRide buses offer multiple-door boarding and exiting , RTD will move as many of them as possible to regular routes .
RTD has seen a dramatic drop in ridership across its entire system over the last few weeks , as stay-at-home orders have kept people from their regular commuting patterns .
The agency is putting in place a dramatic service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections move past 4,000 in Colorado , with 111 deaths .

Starting Sunday, RTD will stop charging fares for bus or train service, suspend the 16th Street Free MallRide and Free MetroRide and implement rear-door boarding on buses to create distance between driver and passenger as part of an effort to reduce the likelihood of coronavirus spread.
The Regional Transportation District announced the changes Friday after meeting with its safety consultant about how best to run its trains and buses in the face of a world pandemic.
An RTD spokeswoman on Friday said fares will be suspended because fare boxes on buses are at the front of the vehicle, next to where the driver sits. She said the fare suspension is being applied across the whole system “so as not to discriminate against any group of riders.”
Passengers who use a wheelchair should continue to board RTD vehicles at the front, where a wheelchair lift is available. Passengers using RTD’s over-the-road coaches will need to continue using the front door, as there is no rear door on those regional buses.
The agency is working through processes for refunds and exchanges on applicable fare products as part of the district-wide fare suspension.
Service is also being suspended on the 16thStreet Free MallRide and Free MetroRide because both lines are experiencing low ridership as people stay home from work and restaurants and shops remain closed. Because the MallRide buses offer multiple-door boarding and exiting, RTD will move as many of them as possible to regular routes.
RTD has seen a dramatic drop in ridership across its entire system over the last few weeks, as stay-at-home orders have kept people from their regular commuting patterns. The agency is putting in place a dramatic service reduction starting April 19 as confirmed coronavirus infections move past 4,000 in Colorado, with 111 deaths.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Colorado Shakespeare Festival postponed until summer 2021 due to the coronavirus

Colorado Shakespeare Festival announced Friday that due to the coronavirus it would no longer continue its 2020 summer season at the University of Colorado Boulder .
Despite all spring events hosted by the College of Music and Department of Theatre & Dance being canceled , CSF had initially planned on continuing its longtime tradition of theater under the stars and taking extra precautions regarding sanitization .
“ It was a very easy decision to make from a health and safety standpoint , ” said Tim Orr , producing artistic director .
“ It was an extremely hard decision to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and income because of this.
” The festival , originally scheduled from June to August , was set to include performances of “ A Midsummer Night ’ s Dream , ” “ All ’ s Well That Ends Well , ” “ Coriolanus ” and “ Pericles.
” The season is now planned for 2021 .
“ The first day of work was approaching — May 12 , ” Orr said .
“ Much of our company comes here from out of state and were anticipating a place to live in Boulder this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer wasn ’ t right.
” While CSF has no definite plans to offer virtual performances , company members are discussing ways to deliver engaging content this summer .
Read more on our sister site The Boulder Daily Camera .

By Kalene McCort, The Daily Camera
Colorado Shakespeare Festival announced Friday that due to the coronavirus it would no longer continue its 2020 summer season at the University of Colorado Boulder. Despite all spring events hosted by the College of Music and Department of Theatre & Dance being canceled, CSF had initially planned on continuing its longtime tradition of theater under the stars and taking extra precautions regarding sanitization.
“It was a very easy decision to make from a health and safety standpoint,” said Tim Orr, producing artistic director. “It was an extremely hard decision to make knowing how many artists are losing jobs and income because of this.”
The festival, originally scheduled from June to August, was set to include performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “All’s Well That Ends Well,” “Coriolanus” and “Pericles.” The season is now planned for 2021.
“The first day of work was approaching — May 12,” Orr said. “Much of our company comes here from out of state and were anticipating a place to live in Boulder this summer. Holding out on them any longer wasn’t right.”
While CSF has no definite plans to offer virtual performances, company members are discussing ways to deliver engaging content this summer.
Read more on our sister site The Boulder Daily Camera.


thedenverpost--2020-04-03--Silverii: Polis’ response will save lives — other leaders will regret their lack of action

Right now , two-thirds of Americans are under some version of a state or local shelter-in-place order to combat the spread of COVID-19 , flatten the curve of contagion and reduce the strain on our already-overtaxed and soon to be overwhelmed health care system .
However , even as the exponential curve ramps upwards at a terrifying pace and the U.S. death toll doubles — or worse — every day , the lack of a federal response thus far to the crisis has left it in the hands of our nation ’ s governors .
This creates a patchwork of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , equipment and protective gear , and , ultimately , the infection and mortality rates of Americans depending on which state they live in .
Many of our nation ’ s governors , from both parties , are taking this as deadly-serious as the moment demands , but unfortunately , many governors have been more frightened for the life of their states ’ economies than the health and life of their residents .
To be clear , I don ’ t think these are easy calls , to force millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down entire sectors of our economy can not be an easy choice , but at this point , it is an obvious and necessary one if we are to stem the toll this virus takes on our country .
On one hand , you have our governor , Jared Polis , who from day one took COVID-19 suit-and-tie-on-a-Sunday seriously .
His daily briefings have been extremely helpful , science-based , and severe , but not panic-inducing .
His candor and desire to get Coloradans the most accurate and up-to-date information in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially compared to our commander in chief ’ s daily campaign rallies disguised as outbreak updates , where he introduces us to his political allies like the My Pillow guy .
Gov .
Polis resisted issuing a statewide stay-at-home order as long as was practicable , allowing local governments and local health agencies to craft plans suited best to their communities , but the moment the state ’ s medical professionals said it was time to do so , he made the tough choice to ask us all to stay indoors .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make , and he is rising to the occasion by every measure available .
On the other hand , you have governors like Florida ’ s Ron DeSantis who resisted calls from Florida ’ s medical community to issue stay at home orders until mid-day on April 1 .
Every day that we are not practicing social distancing or taking precautions is a day the virus will find thousands of more footholds in the bodies of our friends and family members .
Beaches in Florida were flooded with Floridians and out-of-state spring-breakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying the virus home , increasing the amount of time this horrid infection has to wreak havoc on our populous , and our economy as well .
The fact that your chance of exposure or survival could very well depend on the partisanship of your governor on whether or not he or she was nice enough to Donald Trump is as un-American as it is terrifying .
Trump finally acknowledges that fatalities from COVID-19 in the U.S. will be high , and could easily pass 200,000 before this is over .
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be on track to be one of the worst in the world .
As of April 1 , the virus has claimed the lives of more than 4,500 Americans , up from 4,000 on March 31 and 555 on March 23rd .
That ’ s a 710 % increase in deaths in one week .
This thing shows no signs of slowing down , unless we all listen to what public health and medical professionals are telling us and do everything we can to flatten the curve .
I ’ m grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership has taken this pandemic seriously from day one , and genuinely scared for my friends and family members who live elsewhere .
It ’ s tempting to smack around state Senate Republicans who sent a letter tisk-tisking Polis for his stay-at-home order , but history will quickly do so itself without this columnist ’ s input .
For now , my fellow Coloradans , I implore you , stay indoors unless you are an absolutely essential worker , wear masks if you can , wash your hands until they are raw , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and please , please stay safe and healthy as we try and get through this together .
Ian Silverii is the executive director of ProgressNow Colorado , the state ’ s largest progressive advocacy group .
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 .

Right now, two-thirds of Americans are under some version of a state or local shelter-in-place order to combat the spread of COVID-19, flatten the curve of contagion and reduce the strain on our already-overtaxed and soon to be overwhelmed health care system. However, even as the exponential curve ramps upwards at a terrifying pace and the U.S. death toll doubles — or worse — every day, the lack of a federal response thus far to the crisis has left it in the hands of our nation’s governors.
This creates a patchwork of policies, a state-by-state inequity in medical staff, equipment and protective gear, and, ultimately, the infection and mortality rates of Americans depending on which state they live in.
Many of our nation’s governors, from both parties, are taking this as deadly-serious as the moment demands, but unfortunately, many governors have been more frightened for the life of their states’ economies than the health and life of their residents. To be clear, I don’t think these are easy calls, to force millions of Americans to stop earning a living and to shut down entire sectors of our economy cannot be an easy choice, but at this point, it is an obvious and necessary one if we are to stem the toll this virus takes on our country.
On one hand, you have our governor, Jared Polis, who from day one took COVID-19 suit-and-tie-on-a-Sunday seriously. His daily briefings have been extremely helpful, science-based, and severe, but not panic-inducing. His candor and desire to get Coloradans the most accurate and up-to-date information in the midst of this nightmare is refreshing, especially compared to our commander in chief’s daily campaign rallies disguised as outbreak updates, where he introduces us to his political allies like the My Pillow guy.
Gov. Polis resisted issuing a statewide stay-at-home order as long as was practicable, allowing local governments and local health agencies to craft plans suited best to their communities, but the moment the state’s medical professionals said it was time to do so, he made the tough choice to ask us all to stay indoors. These are the tough calls Coloradans elected Polis to make, and he is rising to the occasion by every measure available.
On the other hand, you have governors like Florida’s Ron DeSantis who resisted calls from Florida’s medical community to issue stay at home orders until mid-day on April 1. Every day that we are not practicing social distancing or taking precautions is a day the virus will find thousands of more footholds in the bodies of our friends and family members. Beaches in Florida were flooded with Floridians and out-of-state spring-breakers, many of whom are no doubt carrying the virus home, increasing the amount of time this horrid infection has to wreak havoc on our populous, and our economy as well.
The fact that your chance of exposure or survival could very well depend on the partisanship of your governor on whether or not he or she was nice enough to Donald Trump is as un-American as it is terrifying. Trump finally acknowledges that fatalities from COVID-19 in the U.S. will be high, and could easily pass 200,000 before this is over.
Indeed, the US death toll from COVID-19 appears to be on track to be one of the worst in the world. As of April 1, the virus has claimed the lives of more than 4,500 Americans, up from 4,000 on March 31 and 555 on March 23rd. That’s a 710% increase in deaths in one week. This thing shows no signs of slowing down, unless we all listen to what public health and medical professionals are telling us and do everything we can to flatten the curve.
I’m grateful to live in a state whose elected leadership has taken this pandemic seriously from day one, and genuinely scared for my friends and family members who live elsewhere. It’s tempting to smack around state Senate Republicans who sent a letter tisk-tisking Polis for his stay-at-home order, but history will quickly do so itself without this columnist’s input.
For now, my fellow Coloradans, I implore you, stay indoors unless you are an absolutely essential worker, wear masks if you can, wash your hands until they are raw, wipe down every package you get, and please, please stay safe and healthy as we try and get through this together.
Ian Silverii is the executive director of ProgressNow Colorado, the state’s largest progressive advocacy group.
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--2020-04-03--Editorial: Ethics in the time of coronavirus

The world has been thrust into an unprecedented time .
The White House has estimated that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans could die in the coming months as a new virus sweeps through the nation , and that ’ s if we implement and execute the recommendations from our doctors and scientists .
About 700,000 jobs were lost in the U.S. in March as mayors and governors across the nation responded responsibly by forcing all but the most essential businesses to close .
The chain reaction from both the virus and the economic fallout of stay-at-home orders has every American pondering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time of a pandemic .
It ’ s a question no one can answer for someone , but it ’ s clear that America needs everyone to step up and do what they can .
And what we can do is entirely dependent on each individual ’ s situation .
We all have to be honest with ourselves and do our very best .
Someone who was laid off and has only $ 1,000 in savings faces a dilemma between paying for rent , food or other bills .
Obviously food should take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10,000 in savings it might make sense for them to cut back where they can and continue to pay essential bills like rent .
If that individual has $ 20,000 saved — let ’ s say for a down payment on a house — the world will be better off if they are able to use that hard-saved cushion to weather unemployment .
For those who have accumulated significant wealth , now is not the time to start cutting back .
Some landlords might have the savings to be able to absorb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenants , but can that individual or company survive a month without rent from any tenants or from only half ?
Landlords faced without income will have the same hard decisions about their own bills and food .
The answer is they need to absorb the losses they can and pay the bills they can just like everyone else .
Also , it ’ d be prudent for landlords to consider the dubious ethics of late fees in the time of a national disaster , just as the University of Colorado should reconsider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students who were forced to leave the dorms .
Businesses ’ top priority must be having enough cash to reopen their doors when restrictions are lifted , and enough cash to weather the long , slow return to “ normal ” business .
We can ask nothing more of our local businesses than that , please reopen , rehire and restart .
But some exemplary businesses are maintaining some or all of their payroll even as the state or city has shuttered their business .
We applaud them and hope all employers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can .
The reality is none of us will be made whole from this period , nor should we expect to be .
The stimulus checks coming to individuals are woefully inadequate for those who have lost their job — we assume more will be coming if unemployment numbers don ’ t rebound in May .
The individual saving for a home may have to start from scratch after all is said and done .
Businesses that get federal bailouts should be expected to carry their fair share of losses too — it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bailout the airline industry must not lay off employees .
These are hard times and we must all do our part .
Fortunately , each individual is the only one who knows what they are able to do at this moment .
We should all resist judging the actions of others as we can not truly know the situation .
We should all set the best example we can of generosity and support .
And we should all plan for this to be a time of sacrifice .
To send a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

The world has been thrust into an unprecedented time. The White House has estimated that 100,000 to 240,000 Americans could die in the coming months as a new virus sweeps through the nation, and that’s if we implement and execute the recommendations from our doctors and scientists. About 700,000 jobs were lost in the U.S. in March as mayors and governors across the nation responded responsibly by forcing all but the most essential businesses to close.
The chain reaction from both the virus and the economic fallout of stay-at-home orders has every American pondering their ethical role in society in the time of a pandemic. It’s a question no one can answer for someone, but it’s clear that America needs everyone to step up and do what they can.
And what we can do is entirely dependent on each individual’s situation. We all have to be honest with ourselves and do our very best.
Someone who was laid off and has only $1,000 in savings faces a dilemma between paying for rent, food or other bills. Obviously food should take priority. But if that individual has $10,000 in savings it might make sense for them to cut back where they can and continue to pay essential bills like rent. If that individual has $20,000 saved — let’s say for a down payment on a house — the world will be better off if they are able to use that hard-saved cushion to weather unemployment. For those who have accumulated significant wealth, now is not the time to start cutting back.
Some landlords might have the savings to be able to absorb a month without rent from a few tenants, but can that individual or company survive a month without rent from any tenants or from only half? Landlords faced without income will have the same hard decisions about their own bills and food. The answer is they need to absorb the losses they can and pay the bills they can just like everyone else. Also, it’d be prudent for landlords to consider the dubious ethics of late fees in the time of a national disaster, just as the University of Colorado should reconsider the ethics of keeping rental deposits from students who were forced to leave the dorms.
Businesses’ top priority must be having enough cash to reopen their doors when restrictions are lifted, and enough cash to weather the long, slow return to “normal” business. We can ask nothing more of our local businesses than that, please reopen, rehire and restart. But some exemplary businesses are maintaining some or all of their payroll even as the state or city has shuttered their business. We applaud them and hope all employers will follow the example of doing what they can.
The reality is none of us will be made whole from this period, nor should we expect to be. The stimulus checks coming to individuals are woefully inadequate for those who have lost their job — we assume more will be coming if unemployment numbers don’t rebound in May. The individual saving for a home may have to start from scratch after all is said and done.
Businesses that get federal bailouts should be expected to carry their fair share of losses too — it’s good that to qualify for a bailout the airline industry must not lay off employees.
These are hard times and we must all do our part. Fortunately, each individual is the only one who knows what they are able to do at this moment. We should all resist judging the actions of others as we cannot truly know the situation. We should all set the best example we can of generosity and support. And we should all plan for this to be a time of sacrifice.
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--2020-04-04--Ask Amy: After his scam-sham wedding, friend tries again

Dear Amy : Our ostentatious friend is getting married ( again ) — for real , this time .
His first wedding was an extravagant affair , complete with a destination bachelor party , a destination wedding at a fancy resort , expensive bottles — the works .
We gave him a sizable gift on top of our over-the-top travel expenses .
When the unhappy couple split up , after three tumultuous years , we discovered they were never married at all !
These two successful lawyers took a look at their relationship and decided not to file the marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were procrastinating , hoping their relationship would improve to a point where marriage would become less risky , but it never got there .
They certainly blew the 60-day window to file the license , but never returned any gifts .
Now our friend is engaged to a new woman .
In true fashion , his bachelor party and wedding will be in fabulous destinations and will demand great expense .
We plan to give the couple a modest gift .
We can ’ t help but feel some injustice has been done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what .
He never even sent us a gift for our wedding .
Is it petty to consider this all in the past ?
Dear Witness : Your friend ’ s sense of entitlement is … impressive .
However — if you don ’ t like the way this wedding is structured , you don ’ t have to participate in it .
Being invited to an extravaganza does not obligate a person to attend .
I hope you spoke your mind ( to him and his “ bride ” ) when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scam , and I wonder if you like or respect him enough to continue to have a close relationship with him .
It must be tempting to punish him for his previous behavior , but it is important to remember that he isn ’ t the only person participating in this wedding .
His bride should be presumed innocent ( until proven to be equally craven ) .
If you attend , a modest gift is called for .
If you don ’ t attend , you ’ re off the hook .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been married for almost seven years .
He has seven sisters ( he is the only male in the family ) .
He has one sister who always has to be the center of attention at family gatherings .
It ’ s so damn annoying !
She always has to bring up the expensive family trips she has planned for the summer , and is always bragging about how good she has it , as if to say , “ Don ’ t you wish your husband was rich like mine ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell her to shut up !
If I sit down with one of his other sisters , she butts right into our conversation because she ’ s “ assuming ” that I ’ m talking smack about her .
I go to these gatherings for the sake of my husband and in order for our son to spend time with his cousins .
Should I just sit in a corner and not talk to anyone , so I won ’ t get bitten by the “ poisonous serpent ?
” Dear Confused : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenager , then perhaps you should treat her like one .
My preferred technique is to remember that I am the grown-up .
Sometimes — reacting at all is just feeding the serpent .
You should practice behaving in a way that comes off as mature , detached , and overall neutral .
Be aware that your body language can betray tension , and so try not to clench when you encounter her .
In a family as large as this one , it should be fairly easy to avoid your sister-in-law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations with your other relatives at these gatherings .
Never gossip about this in-law with her siblings — even if they invite you to trash her , the rules of sisterhood dictate that they can criticize her , but you can not .
Dear Amy : “ Stepmom-to-be ” shared her concerns that her future adolescent stepson didn ’ t do some little things around the house , like “ pushing in his chair after dinner.
” This made the hair on the back of my neck stand up .
Thank you for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to choose ways to contribute , go easy on him when he flakes out , and give him credit when he does well.
” I got a stepmom when I was his age , and I felt like she only noticed when I messed up !
Dear Stepson : The whole “ step ” relationship is a long game .
Yes , positive reinforcement is vital .

Dear Amy: Our ostentatious friend is getting married (again) — for real, this time. His first wedding was an extravagant affair, complete with a destination bachelor party, a destination wedding at a fancy resort, expensive bottles — the works.
We gave him a sizable gift on top of our over-the-top travel expenses.
When the unhappy couple split up, after three tumultuous years, we discovered they were never married at all!
These two successful lawyers took a look at their relationship and decided not to file the marriage license. They would say that they were procrastinating, hoping their relationship would improve to a point where marriage would become less risky, but it never got there.
They certainly blew the 60-day window to file the license, but never returned any gifts.
Now our friend is engaged to a new woman. In true fashion, his bachelor party and wedding will be in fabulous destinations and will demand great expense.
We plan to give the couple a modest gift.
We can’t help but feel some injustice has been done, though we’re not sure what. He never even sent us a gift for our wedding. Is it petty to consider this all in the past?
— Witness
Dear Witness: Your friend’s sense of entitlement is … impressive. However — if you don’t like the way this wedding is structured, you don’t have to participate in it. Being invited to an extravaganza does not obligate a person to attend.
I hope you spoke your mind (to him and his “bride”) when you learned that his previous extravaganza was a scam, and I wonder if you like or respect him enough to continue to have a close relationship with him.
It must be tempting to punish him for his previous behavior, but it is important to remember that he isn’t the only person participating in this wedding. His bride should be presumed innocent (until proven to be equally craven).
If you attend, a modest gift is called for. If you don’t attend, you’re off the hook.
Dear Amy: My husband and I have been married for almost seven years. He has seven sisters (he is the only male in the family). He has one sister who always has to be the center of attention at family gatherings.
It’s so damn annoying! She always has to bring up the expensive family trips she has planned for the summer, and is always bragging about how good she has it, as if to say, “Don’t you wish your husband was rich like mine?”
She acts like a snotty, spoiled teenager.
I would like to scream and tell her to shut up! If I sit down with one of his other sisters, she butts right into our conversation because she’s “assuming” that I’m talking smack about her.
I go to these gatherings for the sake of my husband and in order for our son to spend time with his cousins.
Should I just sit in a corner and not talk to anyone, so I won’t get bitten by the “poisonous serpent?”
— Confused
Dear Confused: If your sister-in-law acts like a spoiled teenager, then perhaps you should treat her like one. My preferred technique is to remember that I am the grown-up. Sometimes — reacting at all is just feeding the serpent.
You should practice behaving in a way that comes off as mature, detached, and overall neutral. Be aware that your body language can betray tension, and so try not to clench when you encounter her.
In a family as large as this one, it should be fairly easy to avoid your sister-in-law. You should strive to engage in positive conversations with your other relatives at these gatherings. Never gossip about this in-law with her siblings — even if they invite you to trash her, the rules of sisterhood dictate that they can criticize her, but you cannot.
Dear Amy: “Stepmom-to-be” shared her concerns that her future adolescent stepson didn’t do some little things around the house, like “pushing in his chair after dinner.”
This made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Thank you for this line: “You should ask him to choose ways to contribute, go easy on him when he flakes out, and give him credit when he does well.”
I got a stepmom when I was his age, and I felt like she only noticed when I messed up!
— Stepson
Dear Stepson: The whole “step” relationship is a long game. Yes, positive reinforcement is vital.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-04-04--Coors Field sits empty on annual LoDo holiday that is Rockies opening day: “I’m heartbroken.”

Friday dawned cold and gray , but by noon the sun peeked through and the morning snow was a memory .
By 2:10 p.m. , the first-pitch temperature at Coors Field had inched up to 39 degrees , not ideal for baseball , but not too bad for an early April day in Colorado .
Except that there was no first pitch .
The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the Rockies ’ home opener , just as it has altered so many aspects of our lives .
LoDo wasn ’ t completely a ghost town Friday .
Construction workers hammered away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by on 20th and Blake , and a young woman jogged by the ballpark , led by her black lab .
But overall LoDo was a lonely place , especially compared to the opening-day holiday fans have come to love .
Typically , more than 49,000 fill the ballpark and tens of thousands more pile into the LoDo bars and restaurants .
The party begins at breakfast and lasts past dinner .
Things are different this year .
Following are snapshots of five people who weathered Friday without baseball while crossing their fingers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point this summer : Of course , Lindsay Wiener misses the cash .
During a typical home opener , she pockets several hundred dollars .
Slinging beers and concocting mixed drinks for baseball-starved Rockies fans can be lucrative .
But it wasn ’ t just money that Wiener that longed for Friday .
The Blake Street Tavern was empty and that left her feeling a little hollow .
“ It ’ s such a special day and just so much fun , ” said Wiener , 34 , a Colorado native and Cherry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Blake Street for eight years .
“ It ’ s always body-to-body in the bar , inside and outside .
It starts early and goes on all day long .
I miss that.
” “ What stands out for me is that year after year , I see all of these diehard Rockies fans , ” Wiener said .
“ We see them all of the time during the summer , then when the season ends I don ’ t see them for a long time .
Sports bars are very seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it feels invigorating .
I really love that part of it.
” She feels for her fellow bartenders , servers and cooks in the restaurant business , and looks forward to the warmth of summer and , perhaps , a delayed Rockies ’ opener .
“ It ’ s so sad from a financial standpoint and it hits all of us hard , ” she said .
“ But I ’ m in the business of people and I ’ m going to miss not seeing those people .
Opening day is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is so happy .
I ’ m missing that.
” The Rockies have hosted 27 openers and Bill Matzinger has been to every one of them , from Eric Young ’ s leadoff home run at Mile High Stadium in 1993 , to Dante Bichette ’ s 14th-inning walk-off to christen Coors Field in 1995 , to Charlie Blackmon ’ s six-hit extravaganza in 2014 .
“ My favorite ?
It has to be the very first one when EY hit that homer , ” said Matzinger , 57 , a Lakewood High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We had waited so long for baseball and we finally had it .
There were 80,000 people in the stands and I remember standing up when EY hit that home run .
You can ’ t imagine the excitement.
” Matzinger shares season tickets with his longtime friend , Steven Hays .
They sit 20 rows up from the field in section 123 at Coors .
They endured 2018 ’ s snowy opener when the first pitch finally came at 3:11 p.m. and it was 27 degrees .
Friday ’ s chilly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Matzinger would have kept his streak alive if given the chance .
“ I ’ m heartbroken , really , ” he said .
“ To me , the home opener is so many things .
It ’ s the unofficial kickoff of spring and summer .
Every year , a group of 6 to 12 of us would go down to LoDo about 10 o ’ clock , eat some early lunch and drink bloody marys and go to Coors .
I miss that.
” Ever since Coors Field opened , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog cart on the southwest corner of 19th and Wynkoop streets .
“ Diamond Dogs , ” adorned with a purple umbrella and spiced by Watkins ’ engaging personality , is a LoDo institution .
“ Opening day is probably my favorite day of the year , ” said the 59-year-old Watkins .
“ I love the life and energy it brings to downtown.
” On his best opening day , Watkins can gross $ 1,500 .
That ’ s a brisk business considering that he ’ s raised the cost of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning loyal customers pay $ 2 for a dog and $ 4 for a brat .
“ Opening day kind of shakes me out of the gloomy winter , ” he said .
“ But this year , I really don ’ t have plans .
Some friends were talking about a barbeque with brats and baseball and stuff .
But you can only watch so many reruns of games .
But I don ’ t know .
It ’ s pretty upsetting , but I don ’ t want to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a staple at KOA radio since 2002 , working the “ Colorado Morning News ” and fielding calls from irate fans after Broncos games .
He ’ s filled in behind the mic at Rockies game for years , usually calling about six games a year .
Teaming with Jack Corrigan , this was supposed to be Rice ’ s first call of a Rockies ’ home opener .
Rice , 51 , was chosen to replace the popular Jerry Schemmel , who was laid off this winter when iHeartMedia made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Friday was something I was really looking forward to , of course , ” Rice said .
“ I was down at spring training and I saw the Rockies gearing up and I was seeing some momentum beginning to build .
So , hopefully , we ’ ll still have a season.
” But Rice keeps things in perspective .
“ So many people are facing so much adversity right now , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t want to make this sound like I have some selfless attitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much time dwelling on ( missing opening day ) .
This crisis has become so all-encompassing.
” This is supposed to be David Dahl ’ s year .
The 25-year-old outfielder , whose career has been tripped up by so many injuries , was a first-time all-star in 2019 , even though his season ended in early August because of a severely sprained ankle .
“ I was really excited for this season to start , ” Dahl said from his home in Scottsdale , Ariz. “ I ’ ve put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play a full season.
” During last year ’ s home opener vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers , Dahl started in left and batted second .
It marked the first time he was introduced on opening day , enabling him to stand along the first-base line as the giant American flag unfurled in the outfield and jets roared overhead .
“ You look forward to that moment , ” Dahl said .
“ You have the whole city out supporting you .
You wake up with all of the adrenaline .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the butterflies in your stomach and you can ’ t wait for your turn at-bat .
It ’ s an unreal experience .
”

Friday dawned cold and gray, but by noon the sun peeked through and the morning snow was a memory.
By 2:10 p.m., the first-pitch temperature at Coors Field had inched up to 39 degrees, not ideal for baseball, but not too bad for an early April day in Colorado.
Except that there was no first pitch. The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the Rockies’ home opener, just as it has altered so many aspects of our lives.
LoDo wasn’t completely a ghost town Friday. Construction workers hammered away on high-rises, a few cars streamed by on 20th and Blake, and a young woman jogged by the ballpark, led by her black lab.
But overall LoDo was a lonely place, especially compared to the opening-day holiday fans have come to love. Typically, more than 49,000 fill the ballpark and tens of thousands more pile into the LoDo bars and restaurants. The party begins at breakfast and lasts past dinner.
Things are different this year. Following are snapshots of five people who weathered Friday without baseball while crossing their fingers that the sport will return at some point this summer:
The Bartender
Of course, Lindsay Wiener misses the cash. During a typical home opener, she pockets several hundred dollars. Slinging beers and concocting mixed drinks for baseball-starved Rockies fans can be lucrative.
But it wasn’t just money that Wiener that longed for Friday. The Blake Street Tavern was empty and that left her feeling a little hollow.
“It’s such a special day and just so much fun,” said Wiener, 34, a Colorado native and Cherry Creek High graduate who’s worked at Blake Street for eight years. “It’s always body-to-body in the bar, inside and outside. It starts early and goes on all day long. I miss that.”
Opening day is Wiener’s annual reunion.
“What stands out for me is that year after year, I see all of these diehard Rockies fans,” Wiener said. “We see them all of the time during the summer, then when the season ends I don’t see them for a long time. Sports bars are very seasonal that way. So on opening day, it feels invigorating. I really love that part of it.”
She feels for her fellow bartenders, servers and cooks in the restaurant business, and looks forward to the warmth of summer and, perhaps, a delayed Rockies’ opener.
“It’s so sad from a financial standpoint and it hits all of us hard,” she said. “But I’m in the business of people and I’m going to miss not seeing those people. Opening day is the universal kickstart to summer and everyone is so happy. I’m missing that.”
The Fan
The Rockies have hosted 27 openers and Bill Matzinger has been to every one of them, from Eric Young’s leadoff home run at Mile High Stadium in 1993 ,to Dante Bichette’s 14th-inning walk-off to christen Coors Field in 1995, to Charlie Blackmon’s six-hit extravaganza in 2014.
“My favorite? It has to be the very first one when EY hit that homer,” said Matzinger, 57, a Lakewood High graduate who now lives in Littleton. “We had waited so long for baseball and we finally had it. There were 80,000 people in the stands and I remember standing up when EY hit that home run. You can’t imagine the excitement.”
Matzinger shares season tickets with his longtime friend, Steven Hays. They sit 20 rows up from the field in section 123 at Coors. They endured 2018’s snowy opener when the first pitch finally came at 3:11 p.m. and it was 27 degrees.
Friday’s chilly weather wasn’t ideal either, but Matzinger would have kept his streak alive if given the chance.
“I’m heartbroken, really,” he said. “To me, the home opener is so many things. It’s the unofficial kickoff of spring and summer. Every year, a group of 6 to 12 of us would go down to LoDo about 10 o’clock, eat some early lunch and drink bloody marys and go to Coors. I miss that.”
The Vendor
Ever since Coors Field opened, Joel Watkins has set up his hot dog cart on the southwest corner of 19th and Wynkoop streets. “Diamond Dogs,” adorned with a purple umbrella and spiced by Watkins’ engaging personality, is a LoDo institution.
“Opening day is probably my favorite day of the year,” said the 59-year-old Watkins. “I love the life and energy it brings to downtown.”
On his best opening day, Watkins can gross $1,500. That’s a brisk business considering that he’s raised the cost of a hot dog just 50 cents since 1995, meaning loyal customers pay $2 for a dog and $4 for a brat.
“Opening day kind of shakes me out of the gloomy winter,” he said. “But this year, I really don’t have plans. Some friends were talking about a barbeque with brats and baseball and stuff. But you can only watch so many reruns of games. But I don’t know. It’s pretty upsetting, but I don’t want to get too depressed about it.”
The Broadcaster
Mike Rice has been a staple at KOA radio since 2002, working the “Colorado Morning News” and fielding calls from irate fans after Broncos games. He’s filled in behind the mic at Rockies game for years, usually calling about six games a year.
Teaming with Jack Corrigan, this was supposed to be Rice’s first call of a Rockies’ home opener. Rice, 51, was chosen to replace the popular Jerry Schemmel, who was laid off this winter when iHeartMedia made massive job cuts around the country.
“Friday was something I was really looking forward to, of course,” Rice said. “I was down at spring training and I saw the Rockies gearing up and I was seeing some momentum beginning to build. So, hopefully, we’ll still have a season.”
But Rice keeps things in perspective.
“So many people are facing so much adversity right now,” he said. “I don’t want to make this sound like I have some selfless attitude, but I haven’t spent too much time dwelling on (missing opening day). This crisis has become so all-encompassing.”
The Player
This is supposed to be David Dahl’s year.
The 25-year-old outfielder, whose career has been tripped up by so many injuries, was a first-time all-star in 2019, even though his season ended in early August because of a severely sprained ankle.
“I was really excited for this season to start,” Dahl said from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. “I’ve put in a lot of work and was ready to play a full season.”
During last year’s home opener vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dahl started in left and batted second. It marked the first time he was introduced on opening day, enabling him to stand along the first-base line as the giant American flag unfurled in the outfield and jets roared overhead.
“You look forward to that moment,” Dahl said. “You have the whole city out supporting you. You wake up with all of the adrenaline. It’s a great time. You get the butterflies in your stomach and you can’t wait for your turn at-bat. It’s an unreal experience.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-04--Colorado restaurant and bar employees can now legally deliver food, drinks

In addition to offering takeout food and alcohol during the coronavirus shutdown , Colorado restaurants and bars can now deliver their products without having to go through third-party services and drivers .
Gov .
Jared Polis on Friday announced this latest , temporary loosening of the law for restaurant and bar businesses .
Polis had previously allowed for restaurants and bars to sell their usual alcoholic beverage offerings to-go , even though third-party delivery services couldn ’ t legally deliver them .
Now the restaurants ’ own employees can .
But the process to do so is tricky .
Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing he asks restaurant and bar clients when they want to start delivering is , “ ‘ Do you have insurance for this ? '
” “ If that person gets in a wreck , you ’ re totally on the hook , ” he said of business owners ’ responsibility .
“ I would be very , very wary of doing deliveries where I don ’ t already have coverage.
” Since the new guidelines were posted on April 1 from the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division .
Laszlo said the businesses he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a way to safely deliver alcohol using any means available .
I mean we have a lot of leeway here ( with the new law ) , and I like it.
” Ryan Fletter , who owns Barolo Grill and Chow Morso Osteria , isn ’ t sure he ’ ll take advantage of the rule , though .
“ It ’ s not as easy as just saying delivery is now opened and relaxed , ” Fletter said .
He has already checked with his insurance company , which estimated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery policy .
“ We ’ ve never had to do the math before on what it would take to install that program and keep it viable , ” Fletter said .
“ How much delivery service would you do , and would it be worth having that insurance policy and the staff members to do it ?
” Still , he ’ s looking into the possibility if it means employing more staff members .
Since the shutdown started three weeks ago , Fletter has been encouraging customers to drive to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former valet drivers as meal runners , wearing masks and gloves to deliver orders from inside the restaurants to customers parked outside in their cars .
The process has been “ dialed in ” even .
“ There ’ s major liability in leaving the premises , ” Fletter said .
“ What if ( employees ) contract the disease , how do you get into an apartment building ?
This adds a whole other catastrophic layer of complexity to what was already a catastrophic layer of complexity.
” Adding yet another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that delivery apps such as DoorDash and Grubhub are charging restaurants up to 30 % of the cost of every order .
“ Even in normal times , the fees the delivery apps charge … can be crippling , ” Helen Rosner wrote this week for The New Yorker .
“ For restaurants currently facing sharp declines in revenue , these percentages make already unsteady balance sheets even more precarious.
” Fletter says he ’ s not sure how those delivery apps ’ charges compare to paying and insuring his own drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third party to the equation worries him because of all the unknown factors , like how they ’ re handling the food and how long it takes to be delivered .
“ ( T ) he simplest way to insure that restaurants are getting as much money as they can , at a time when they desperately need all they can get , is to eliminate the middleman entirely , ” Rosner of The New Yorker wrote , “ … just pick up the phone and call the restaurants directly.
” Fletter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population ( in Denver ) has a very healthy fleet of vehicles at their disposal .
They ’ re kind of like little escape pods from your house.
” Meanwhile , parking lots at grocery stores and liquor stores are full , and lines to get into them are down the block , he ’ s noticed .
“ I ’ m suggesting and hoping that people will kind of turn their car now towards the restaurants .
”

In addition to offering takeout food and alcohol during the coronavirus shutdown, Colorado restaurants and bars can now deliver their products without having to go through third-party services and drivers.
Gov. Jared Polis on Friday announced this latest, temporary loosening of the law for restaurant and bar businesses.
Polis had previously allowed for restaurants and bars to sell their usual alcoholic beverage offerings to-go, even though third-party delivery services couldn’t legally deliver them. Now the restaurants’ own employees can. But the process to do so is tricky.
Colorado liquor attorney Michael Laszlo said the first thing he asks restaurant and bar clients when they want to start delivering is, “‘Do you have insurance for this?'”
“If that person gets in a wreck, you’re totally on the hook,” he said of business owners’ responsibility. “I would be very, very wary of doing deliveries where I don’t already have coverage.”
Since the new guidelines were posted on April 1 from the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division. Laszlo said the businesses he talks to “are actively trying to find a way to safely deliver alcohol using any means available. I mean we have a lot of leeway here (with the new law), and I like it.”
Ryan Fletter, who owns Barolo Grill and Chow Morso Osteria, isn’t sure he’ll take advantage of the rule, though.
“It’s not as easy as just saying delivery is now opened and relaxed,” Fletter said. He has already checked with his insurance company, which estimated at least $5,000 to open a new delivery policy.
“We’ve never had to do the math before on what it would take to install that program and keep it viable,” Fletter said. “How much delivery service would you do, and would it be worth having that insurance policy and the staff members to do it?” Still, he’s looking into the possibility if it means employing more staff members.
Since the shutdown started three weeks ago, Fletter has been encouraging customers to drive to his restaurants for curbside pickup. He employs his former valet drivers as meal runners, wearing masks and gloves to deliver orders from inside the restaurants to customers parked outside in their cars. The process has been “dialed in” even.
“There’s major liability in leaving the premises,” Fletter said. “What if (employees) contract the disease, how do you get into an apartment building? This adds a whole other catastrophic layer of complexity to what was already a catastrophic layer of complexity.”
Adding yet another layer to the mounting complexity is the fact that delivery apps such as DoorDash and Grubhub are charging restaurants up to 30% of the cost of every order.
“Even in normal times, the fees the delivery apps charge … can be crippling,” Helen Rosner wrote this week for The New Yorker. “For restaurants currently facing sharp declines in revenue, these percentages make already unsteady balance sheets even more precarious.”
Fletter says he’s not sure how those delivery apps’ charges compare to paying and insuring his own drivers. But he does know that adding a third party to the equation worries him because of all the unknown factors, like how they’re handling the food and how long it takes to be delivered.
“(T)he simplest way to insure that restaurants are getting as much money as they can, at a time when they desperately need all they can get, is to eliminate the middleman entirely,” Rosner of The New Yorker wrote, “… just pick up the phone and call the restaurants directly.”
Fletter agrees with the sentiment. “The population (in Denver) has a very healthy fleet of vehicles at their disposal. They’re kind of like little escape pods from your house.”
Meanwhile, parking lots at grocery stores and liquor stores are full, and lines to get into them are down the block, he’s noticed. “I’m suggesting and hoping that people will kind of turn their car now towards the restaurants.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-04--Roadwork on U.S. 36 this week between Federal and Pecos

Extensive road work is scheduled to begin Sunday on a two-mile stretch of U.S. 36 from Federal Boulevard to Pecos @ @ @ @ @ require double lane closures in each direction with one lane remaining open each way , @ @ @ @ @ of Transportation .
Drivers should expect delays .
The work , which will be around @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and will run through Friday .
Drivers are urged to take alternate routes if @ @

Extensive road work is scheduled to begin Sunday on a two-mile stretch of U.S. 36 from Federal Boulevard to Pecos Street.
The work will require double lane closures in each direction with one lane remaining open each way, according to the state Department of Transportation. Drivers should expect delays.
The work, which will be around the clock, begins Sunday afternoon and will run through Friday. Drivers are urged to take alternate routes if possible.