thedenverpost--2020-05-21--11 years ago today, Chauncey Billups inbounded a pass off of Kobe Bryant’s back

On this date 11 years ago , one of the greatest moments in Nuggets history occurred : Chauncey Billups inbounded the ball off of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant back to himself and then scored a layup .
And it wasn ’ t even the first time he did in a crucial game — he made the same play against Horizon for George Washington in the 6A state title game as a junior .
“ Last time I did that .
.
.
I dunked it .
That tells you where my athleticism went , ” Billups told The Denver Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Melo to come off .
Looked like he was switching it off , turning his back to me the whole time .
“ My read was if I could throw it off ( Bryant ’ s ) back and still get the layup … “ It ’ s just an instinct play that worked.
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Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have a question about the team @ @ @ @ @ @

On this date 11 years ago, one of the greatest moments in Nuggets history occurred: Chauncey Billups inbounded the ball off of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant back to himself and then scored a layup.
And it wasn’t even the first time he did in a crucial game — he made the same play against Horizon for George Washington in the 6A state title game as a junior.
“Last time I did that . . . I dunked it. That tells you where my athleticism went,” Billups told The Denver Post in 2009. “Kobe was looking for Melo to come off. Looked like he was switching it off, turning his back to me the whole time.
“My read was if I could throw it off (Bryant’s) back and still get the layup …
“It’s just an instinct play that worked.”
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
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thedenverpost--2020-05-21--More than 3 weeks into safer-at-home, Colorado leaders see promising signs — but are girding for the

More than 3 weeks into safer-at-home, Colorado leaders see promising signs — but are girding for the long fight

So far , so good .
That ’ s the restrained refrain espoused by Gov .
Jared Polis and Colorado ’ s public health officials more than three weeks after the statewide stay-at-home mandate ended and the new , longer-term safer-at-home phase of the state ’ s coronavirus response began .
Coloradans have done their part in flattening the curve and preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed , the governor and health officials said Wednesday in separate news conferences .
They ’ ve widely adopted social distancing measures that have decreased daily positive COVID-19 cases , lowered the number of hospitalizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of critical care ventilators .
But , Polis and his health team cautioned , Colorado can not become a victim of its own success as it eases more restrictions to help people return to a semblance of normal life .
If social distancing levels get too low , we could be right back in crisis mode , public health officials said , noting that the state still doesn ’ t have all the tools needed — such as mass testing , treatment and even information about how the virus works — to adequately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re really still at the beginning of this epidemic , ” Jill Hunsaker Ryan , executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , told reporters on a conference call .
Hospital capacity has been one of the prevailing worries for state public health officials throughout this crisis .
Early images from New York City , where medical facilities were being overrun by COVID-19 patients , showed the devastating effects of a lack of bed space for those with the most serious cases of the new coronavirus .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cavernous Colorado Convention Center as crews hurried to ready the event hall to be used as an emergency hospital .
Four days later , Colorado hit its high-water mark with 888 people hospitalized with COVID-19 , according to state data .
But beginning on April 23 , four days before Polis allowed the state ’ s stay-at-home order to expire , hospitalizations began to steadily decrease .
On April 27 , there were 776 people with the virus in Colorado hospitals .
On May 4 , it was down to 689 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday afternoon , that number was 466 — a 47.9 % decrease from the peak a month prior .
And the convention center still hasn ’ t been used as an overflow hospital .
Health experts say they ’ re most closely watching hospitalization numbers as an indicator for how the virus is spreading .
“ The fact that we ’ re seeing a decline in hospitalizations three weeks after the transition to safer at home , it ’ s really promising and encouraging , ” said Elizabeth Carleton , an assistant professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her team has been modeling the virus and monitoring hospitalization numbers as they try to project the pandemic ’ s future in Colorado .
A caveat to the encouraging numbers , Carleton said , is that much of metro Denver only moved to the safer-at-home phase on May 8 .
The effects of that policy change should become clearer in the next few days , she said .
“ It ’ s not time to say we ’ re done … but we hope this trend will continue , ” Carleton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right direction since April : Ventilator usage across the state has dropped to 356 from 463 in the past month , while outbreaks at senior living facilities also have tapered off since April , state data shows .
As of Wednesday , there had been 249 total outbreaks at residential care centers , correctional facilities , factories and stores , with 208 ongoing .
When public health officials listed Colorado ’ s top goals moving forward through the crisis in Wednesday ’ s presentation , slowing the spread of the virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of the agenda .
That ’ s especially true as summer turns to fall and the regular flu season returns .
National and local public health officials have warned this could be when a second wave hits , and hospitals would need bed space for influenza patients as well as those with COVID-19 .
“ If too many people get the regular flu , that ’ s fewer beds for COVID patients , ” Ryan said .
In order to prevent this spike in patients , Colorado ’ s top public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain at least 55 % social distancing levels — that is , 55 % of their normal interpersonal interactions from January .
If that number sinks to 45 % , hospitals would quickly need thousands more ICU beds for acute patients , according to state models .
The state should know by the end of May whether that 55 % level is being maintained , Ryan said .
Colorado ’ s top public health officials and the governor ’ s office are looking at several indicators to determine how the state is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time ; hospitalizations , ventilators and ICU bed availability ; outbreaks ; and people ’ s mobility , tracked with publicly available cellphone data .
“ The behavior of this virus is pretty unpredictable , ” Ryan said .
“ The main message as restrictions are relaxed : We need to go slow to understand how different policies , how different behavior , impacts viral transmission.
” Two major pieces informing health officials and the governor about the steps to take going forward are testing and contact tracing , which help officials track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it .
The lack of testing in particular has been a source of frustration for Polis , who has lamented that the state has the capabilities to test thousands more people than they currently are ; a lack of supplies has made that impossible .
But the testing front has increased dramatically over the past month , and officials say capabilities should be even higher soon .
Polis on Monday announced anybody in the state experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can be tested for free .
And on Wednesday , Scott Bookman , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 response , said the state can currently test between 3,000 and 4,500 people per day , with the goal of increasing that number to 8,500 by the end of the month .
( Though that ’ s fewer tests than the 10,000-a-day goal that Polis has repeatedly mentioned . )
If the state reached 8,500 tests per day , that would put it close to the 152 tests per 100,000 people target that health experts say is necessary to safely monitor the outbreak .
The state has acquired 10 workflow kits from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and detection materials for 96,000 tests , Bookman said , while officials also are looking into more experimental ways to conduct testing , including nasal and saliva methods .
Meanwhile , officials unveiled new steps the state is taking to increase its workforce to better track people with the virus .
That includes a partnership with AmeriCorp to serve as the backbone for the contact tracing , Rachel Herlihy , Colorado ’ s state epidemiologist , said Wednesday .
In addition , 50 public health students will be added to conduct case investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the tools we need ” But for all the positive indicators over the past month , Colorado ’ s top public health officials warned that there ’ s still so much the state doesn ’ t have — and doesn ’ t know — as it girds for the long fight against the new coronavirus .
Ryan ticked off all the things she called “ game-changers ” for the future of living with COVID-19 : rapid testing kits , at-home testing kits and more sensitive tests that can detect the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then there ’ s the lack of information about how the virus works — which Polis likened to the early days of the AIDS epidemic .
Health officials still don ’ t know exactly how much immunity a person might have after they recover from the virus , Ryan said .
Right now , an estimated 167,000 Coloradans have had COVID-19 , roughly 3 % of the population , according to state models presented Wednesday .
“ We would need an additional 67 % to get it to , in theory , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But you can imagine the number of deaths we ’ d experience.
” More game-changers would include a version of Tamiflu , an antiviral medication that can treat and prevent influenza .
Colorado recently acquired a small number of Remdesivir , an experimental antiviral .
Its efficacy and safety , however , is still unknown .
Ultimately , a vaccine is needed to really turn the pandemic around , Ryan said .
“ We don ’ t have all the tools we need to control this virus , ” she said .

So far, so good.
That’s the restrained refrain espoused by Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado’s public health officials more than three weeks after the statewide stay-at-home mandate ended and the new, longer-term safer-at-home phase of the state’s coronavirus response began.
Coloradans have done their part in flattening the curve and preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed, the governor and health officials said Wednesday in separate news conferences. They’ve widely adopted social distancing measures that have decreased daily positive COVID-19 cases, lowered the number of hospitalizations and prevented the state from running out of critical care ventilators.
But, Polis and his health team cautioned, Colorado cannot become a victim of its own success as it eases more restrictions to help people return to a semblance of normal life.
If social distancing levels get too low, we could be right back in crisis mode, public health officials said, noting that the state still doesn’t have all the tools needed — such as mass testing, treatment and even information about how the virus works — to adequately fight the global pandemic.
“We’re really still at the beginning of this epidemic,” Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, told reporters on a conference call.
Monitoring hospital beds
Hospital capacity has been one of the prevailing worries for state public health officials throughout this crisis. Early images from New York City, where medical facilities were being overrun by COVID-19 patients, showed the devastating effects of a lack of bed space for those with the most serious cases of the new coronavirus.
On April 10, Polis stood in Denver’s cavernous Colorado Convention Center as crews hurried to ready the event hall to be used as an emergency hospital. Four days later, Colorado hit its high-water mark with 888 people hospitalized with COVID-19, according to state data.
But beginning on April 23, four days before Polis allowed the state’s stay-at-home order to expire, hospitalizations began to steadily decrease. On April 27, there were 776 people with the virus in Colorado hospitals. On May 4, it was down to 689.
By the time Polis spoke on Wednesday afternoon, that number was 466 — a 47.9% decrease from the peak a month prior. And the convention center still hasn’t been used as an overflow hospital.
Health experts say they’re most closely watching hospitalization numbers as an indicator for how the virus is spreading.
“The fact that we’re seeing a decline in hospitalizations three weeks after the transition to safer at home, it’s really promising and encouraging,” said Elizabeth Carleton, an assistant professor at the Colorado School of Public Health. Her team has been modeling the virus and monitoring hospitalization numbers as they try to project the pandemic’s future in Colorado.
A caveat to the encouraging numbers, Carleton said, is that much of metro Denver only moved to the safer-at-home phase on May 8. The effects of that policy change should become clearer in the next few days, she said.
“It’s not time to say we’re done … but we hope this trend will continue,” Carleton said.
Other indicators have also trended in the right direction since April: Ventilator usage across the state has dropped to 356 from 463 in the past month, while outbreaks at senior living facilities also have tapered off since April, state data shows. As of Wednesday, there had been 249 total outbreaks at residential care centers, correctional facilities, factories and stores, with 208 ongoing.
Colorado’s strategy
When public health officials listed Colorado’s top goals moving forward through the crisis in Wednesday’s presentation, slowing the spread of the virus to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed appeared on the top of the agenda.
That’s especially true as summer turns to fall and the regular flu season returns. National and local public health officials have warned this could be when a second wave hits, and hospitals would need bed space for influenza patients as well as those with COVID-19.
“If too many people get the regular flu, that’s fewer beds for COVID patients,” Ryan said.
In order to prevent this spike in patients, Colorado’s top public health officials say the public needs to maintain at least 55% social distancing levels — that is, 55% of their normal interpersonal interactions from January.
If that number sinks to 45%, hospitals would quickly need thousands more ICU beds for acute patients, according to state models.
The state should know by the end of May whether that 55% level is being maintained, Ryan said.
Colorado’s top public health officials and the governor’s office are looking at several indicators to determine how the state is doing on its trajectory, including case doubling time; hospitalizations, ventilators and ICU bed availability; outbreaks; and people’s mobility, tracked with publicly available cellphone data.
“The behavior of this virus is pretty unpredictable,” Ryan said. “The main message as restrictions are relaxed: We need to go slow to understand how different policies, how different behavior, impacts viral transmission.”
Two major pieces informing health officials and the governor about the steps to take going forward are testing and contact tracing, which help officials track who has the virus and where they have it. The lack of testing in particular has been a source of frustration for Polis, who has lamented that the state has the capabilities to test thousands more people than they currently are; a lack of supplies has made that impossible.
But the testing front has increased dramatically over the past month, and officials say capabilities should be even higher soon. Polis on Monday announced anybody in the state experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can be tested for free.
And on Wednesday, Scott Bookman, the state’s incident commander for the COVID-19 response, said the state can currently test between 3,000 and 4,500 people per day, with the goal of increasing that number to 8,500 by the end of the month. (Though that’s fewer tests than the 10,000-a-day goal that Polis has repeatedly mentioned.)
If the state reached 8,500 tests per day, that would put it close to the 152 tests per 100,000 people target that health experts say is necessary to safely monitor the outbreak.
The state has acquired 10 workflow kits from the federal government, which include extraction and detection materials for 96,000 tests, Bookman said, while officials also are looking into more experimental ways to conduct testing, including nasal and saliva methods.
Meanwhile, officials unveiled new steps the state is taking to increase its workforce to better track people with the virus. That includes a partnership with AmeriCorp to serve as the backbone for the contact tracing, Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s state epidemiologist, said Wednesday. In addition, 50 public health students will be added to conduct case investigations.
“We don’t have all the tools we need”
But for all the positive indicators over the past month, Colorado’s top public health officials warned that there’s still so much the state doesn’t have — and doesn’t know — as it girds for the long fight against the new coronavirus.
Ryan ticked off all the things she called “game-changers” for the future of living with COVID-19: rapid testing kits, at-home testing kits and more sensitive tests that can detect the virus in people who do not have symptoms.
Then there’s the lack of information about how the virus works — which Polis likened to the early days of the AIDS epidemic.
Health officials still don’t know exactly how much immunity a person might have after they recover from the virus, Ryan said. Right now, an estimated 167,000 Coloradans have had COVID-19, roughly 3% of the population, according to state models presented Wednesday.
“We would need an additional 67% to get it to, in theory, have herd immunity,” Ryan said. “But you can imagine the number of deaths we’d experience.”
More game-changers would include a version of Tamiflu, an antiviral medication that can treat and prevent influenza. Colorado recently acquired a small number of Remdesivir, an experimental antiviral. Its efficacy and safety, however, is still unknown.
Ultimately, a vaccine is needed to really turn the pandemic around, Ryan said.
“We don’t have all the tools we need to control this virus,” she said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Winds calm down Thursday in Denver as seasonal weather returns

The threat of afternoon thunderstorms will diminish on Thursday in northeastern Colorado as winds lighten up and the weather turns @ @ @ @ @ skies will be mostly sunny and the high temperature will top out at a seasonal @ @ @ @ @ the National Weather Service .
There ’ s a 20 % chance of showers and @ @ @ @ @ but storms will be isolated and not severe .
Winds will be in the 5- @ @ @ @ @ clouds are expected Friday in Denver with a high temperature of 82 degrees , the @ @ @ @ @ skies should be partly sunny on Saturday as the high temperature tops out at 80 @ @ @ @ @ rise on Friday and Saturday , fueled by dry and breezy conditions , according to @ @ @ @ @ cooldown , however , is expected by Sunday along with an increased chance of showers @ @ @ @ @ s high temperature in Denver will be about 69 degrees .

The threat of afternoon thunderstorms will diminish on Thursday in northeastern Colorado as winds lighten up and the weather turns seasonal.
In Denver, skies will be mostly sunny and the high temperature will top out at a seasonal 75 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. There’s a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m., but storms will be isolated and not severe. Winds will be in the 5- to 8-mph range.
Increasing clouds are expected Friday in Denver with a high temperature of 82 degrees, the weather service said. Denver skies should be partly sunny on Saturday as the high temperature tops out at 80 degrees.
Concerns about wildfires rise on Friday and Saturday, fueled by dry and breezy conditions, according to the weather service. A cooldown, however, is expected by Sunday along with an increased chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunday’s high temperature in Denver will be about 69 degrees.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Avs Mailbag: Will Bo Byram make the Colorado roster next season?

Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season .
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag .
I haven ’ t seen any live play , or even much tape of the play of Bo Byram .
But he seems like he has a lot of similarities to Cale Makar : size , speed , skating ability , excellent puck movement , PP skills , passing , shot , a savvy hockey awareness , & high overall potential .
Do you have the same take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see him on the Avs next year ?
We will have to just wait and see , Christopher .
The Avs have four current defensemen under contract next season — Erik Johnson , Ian Cole , Cale Makar and Sam Girard .
Two others — Nikita Zadorov and Ryan Graves — are restricted free agents .
Graves will get a nice new contract with the Avs .
Zadorov might not .
If the Avs move Zadorov , Byram has a far better chance to play in the NHL .
In terms of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to Dallas stud D Miro Heiskanen , who went No .
3 ( a spot ahead of Makar ) in the 2017 draft .
But , certainly , Makar also has those qualities — just a strong overall defensemen with special instincts .
I feel like the rest of the season is going to be cancelled and we won ’ t see any hockey until the fall… please tell me I ’ m wrong .
You might be wrong .
How ’ s that ?
The NHL needs revenue and the TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s why UFC is fighting with its ESPN pay-per-view deal .
But the virus and the experts will ultimately dictate if the completion of the 2019-20 season is possible .
How are the guys doing and how are you doing ?
I feel like it might be a little hard for them to go from seeing each other all the time to not seeing each other anymore .
Hope you are well and healthy Thank you , sir .
Most of the guys , like me , are at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ton of golf !
Hockey players are big golfers , with the typical offseason providing plenty of warmth and sunshine .
Hi Mike , if the season ended today and the playoffs started where would the Avs be as far as seeding goes ?
How do you see the postseason playing out ?
The Avs stand second in the Central Division and Western Conference behind St. Louis .
But the Blues have played one more game and Colorado owns the head-to-head tiebreaker .
So if the season continues , they ’ ll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or allow teams to play the same amount of regular-season games and use traditional seeding .
Which players in the next draft are the Avalanche interested in ?
And I ’ m sorry for my English , because I speak French normally !
Based on current points percentage the Avs would pick 29th overall .
So that deep in the draft , the candidate list is long .
I wrote a piece earlier this month about who might be available at 29 .
Among the players mentioned were forwards John-Jason Peterka , Seth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL , Colorado will have the luxury of not having to draft for need .
That could make for an interesting draft — whenever it happens .
Mike , I really enjoyed the Q & A with John Mitchell .
Do you have any others lined up ?
I need a hockey fix bad .
Hey , thanks for that .
Mitchell was good , eh ?
I play hockey with him and I already knew about losing his three front teeth in Germany .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private skates — his big toothless smile .
As for doing more , I ’ ll certainly try .
Kyle Quincey is also around .
Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season .
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag .

Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.
I haven’t seen any live play, or even much tape of the play of Bo Byram. But he seems like he has a lot of similarities to Cale Makar: size, speed, skating ability, excellent puck movement, PP skills, passing, shot, a savvy hockey awareness, & high overall potential. Do you have the same take? And, do you expect to see him on the Avs next year?
— Christopher, Berthoud
We will have to just wait and see, Christopher. The Avs have four current defensemen under contract next season — Erik Johnson, Ian Cole, Cale Makar and Sam Girard. Two others — Nikita Zadorov and Ryan Graves — are restricted free agents. Graves will get a nice new contract with the Avs. Zadorov might not. If the Avs move Zadorov, Byram has a far better chance to play in the NHL. In terms of his style of play, Byram is often compared to Dallas stud D Miro Heiskanen, who went No. 3 (a spot ahead of Makar) in the 2017 draft. But, certainly, Makar also has those qualities — just a strong overall defensemen with special instincts.
I feel like the rest of the season is going to be cancelled and we won’t see any hockey until the fall… please tell me I’m wrong.
— Christie, Aurora
You might be wrong. How’s that? The NHL needs revenue and the TV deal with NBC is a big stream. That’s why UFC is fighting with its ESPN pay-per-view deal. But the virus and the experts will ultimately dictate if the completion of the 2019-20 season is possible.
How are the guys doing and how are you doing? I feel like it might be a little hard for them to go from seeing each other all the time to not seeing each other anymore. Hope you are well and healthy
— Alejandro, Longmont
Thank you, sir. Most of the guys, like me, are at their offseason homes — and probably playing a ton of golf! Hockey players are big golfers, with the typical offseason providing plenty of warmth and sunshine.
Hi Mike, if the season ended today and the playoffs started where would the Avs be as far as seeding goes? How do you see the postseason playing out?
— Trevor, Denver
The Avs stand second in the Central Division and Western Conference behind St. Louis. But the Blues have played one more game and Colorado owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. So if the season continues, they’ll have to base seeding off current points percentage or allow teams to play the same amount of regular-season games and use traditional seeding.
Which players in the next draft are the Avalanche interested in? And I’m sorry for my English, because I speak French normally!
— Cédrick Lefebvre, Louiseville, Quebec
Based on current points percentage the Avs would pick 29th overall. So that deep in the draft, the candidate list is long. I wrote a piece earlier this month about who might be available at 29. Among the players mentioned were forwards John-Jason Peterka, Seth Jarvis and Vasili Ponomaryov. With one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, Colorado will have the luxury of not having to draft for need. That could make for an interesting draft — whenever it happens.
Mike, I really enjoyed the Q&A with John Mitchell. Do you have any others lined up? I need a hockey fix bad.
— Alex, Centennial
Hey, thanks for that. Mitchell was good, eh? I play hockey with him and I already knew about losing his three front teeth in Germany. He looks like a real goon at our private skates — his big toothless smile. As for doing more, I’ll certainly try. Kyle Quincey is also around.
Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Natural Grocers’ new Green Valley Ranch store not the only recent opening in east metro area

Many grocery stores have introduced new business practices over the last two months in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
In Denver ’ s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood , about 100 shoppers lined up Wednesday morning to go into a store that is itself new .
At 8 a.m. Wednesday Natural Grocers welcomed the first customers into its location at 18471 Green Valley Ranch Blvd .
Originally scheduled to open on March 25 with a celebration that would have included a raffle and a ribbon cutting with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock , the store instead got its start with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the age of 60 , pregnant women and customers with underlying health conditions .
Jim and Jessie Collins were among the early batch of shoppers , stopping in for bacon , eggs and pears .
The couple , both in their early 70s , are devotees of the Lakewood-based natural and organic grocery chain , previously making the trek to a store on Wadsworth Boulevard , a long way from their Green Valley Ranch home .
“ It ’ s going to be nice to have one right down the street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very impressed .
Not only was everyone wearing a mask , but I was impressed with the way they handled things .
They ’ re still helpful , as they always have been.
” Shoppers Wednesday were greeted by an employee enforcing a strict 65-person limit on how many people could be inside at one time .
That ’ s about 20 % of the shoppers the 13,300-square-foot business was built the accommodate .
The greeter was cheerful even if his smile was obscured by a mask .
One of 20 employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he also wiped down and sanitized carts and baskets as shoppers exited .
The store is running discounts on a variety of items through the end of the month including bacon and bacon alternatives , organic avocados and other meats and produce .
Free-range , non-GMO chicken was a hot-ticket item Wednesday , selling out before Andra Wharton could get his hands on some .
The 66-year-old didn ’ t leave disappointed , buying some cage-free eggs and other items .
The Green Valley Ranch area , home to a King Soopers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store , has been waiting for a health-focused option for years .
Urban farming brand Gotham Greens celebrated its own Centennial State debut on Wednesday .
Last fall , the New York-based company , which specializes in growing leafy greens and herbs hydroponically , broke ground on a 30,000-square-foot greenhouse behind Stanley Marketplace , 2501 Dallas St. , in Aurora .
The greenhouse has been quietly growing food for the last month or so , and on Wednesday Gotham Greens ’ products hit the shelves stores in Colorado Whole Foods , Choice Market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
The greenhouse can have up to 30 people working in at one time but because of the compartmentalized nature of the work — separate rooms for growing , packing , storage and shipping — the company hasn ’ t had to change much around the COVID-19 pandemic , Gotham Greens CEO Viraj Puri said this week .
For him , the strain the pandemic has put on national food supply chains demonstrates the importance of growing things close to consumers .
“ Essentially , with our local and regional distribution model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores within a day of harvest , ” he said .
About six miles away from the greenhouse , in the shopping center at 2222 S. Havana St. in Aurora , a new Korean dumpling restaurant opened Saturday .
Seoul ManDoo is the latest business from J.W .
Lee , the owner of Thank Sool Pocha pub in the same complex , nearby Seoul Korean B.B.Q .
& HotPot , and a handful of other restaurants in the Denver area .
Manager Rose Lee said the small space in perfect for carry-out service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialty giant dumplings , have been a hit over the first few days in business .
She credits social media .
“ I was actually surprised that a lot of people started walking in , ” she said .
“ A lot of people have come because of Instagram and Facebook .
”

Many grocery stores have introduced new business practices over the last two months in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. In Denver’s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood, about 100 shoppers lined up Wednesday morning to go into a store that is itself new.
At 8 a.m. Wednesday Natural Grocers welcomed the first customers into its location at 18471 Green Valley Ranch Blvd. Originally scheduled to open on March 25 with a celebration that would have included a raffle and a ribbon cutting with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, the store instead got its start with an hour of shopping reserved for people over the age of 60, pregnant women and customers with underlying health conditions.
Jim and Jessie Collins were among the early batch of shoppers, stopping in for bacon, eggs and pears. The couple, both in their early 70s, are devotees of the Lakewood-based natural and organic grocery chain, previously making the trek to a store on Wadsworth Boulevard, a long way from their Green Valley Ranch home.
“It’s going to be nice to have one right down the street,” Jessie Collins said. “I was very impressed. Not only was everyone wearing a mask, but I was impressed with the way they handled things. They’re still helpful, as they always have been.”
Shoppers Wednesday were greeted by an employee enforcing a strict 65-person limit on how many people could be inside at one time. That’s about 20% of the shoppers the 13,300-square-foot business was built the accommodate. The greeter was cheerful even if his smile was obscured by a mask. One of 20 employees who worked at the store on Wednesday, he also wiped down and sanitized carts and baskets as shoppers exited.
The store is running discounts on a variety of items through the end of the month including bacon and bacon alternatives, organic avocados and other meats and produce. Free-range, non-GMO chicken was a hot-ticket item Wednesday, selling out before Andra Wharton could get his hands on some. The 66-year-old didn’t leave disappointed, buying some cage-free eggs and other items. The Green Valley Ranch area, home to a King Soopers and a discount Save A Lot grocery store, has been waiting for a health-focused option for years.
“Overall, a pretty good experience,” Wharton said. “Good service.”
Urban farming brand Gotham Greens celebrated its own Centennial State debut on Wednesday.
Last fall, the New York-based company, which specializes in growing leafy greens and herbs hydroponically, broke ground on a 30,000-square-foot greenhouse behind Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., in Aurora. The greenhouse has been quietly growing food for the last month or so, and on Wednesday Gotham Greens’ products hit the shelves stores in Colorado Whole Foods, Choice Market and Alfalfa’s stores, among others.
The greenhouse can have up to 30 people working in at one time but because of the compartmentalized nature of the work — separate rooms for growing, packing, storage and shipping — the company hasn’t had to change much around the COVID-19 pandemic, Gotham Greens CEO Viraj Puri said this week. For him, the strain the pandemic has put on national food supply chains demonstrates the importance of growing things close to consumers.
“Essentially, with our local and regional distribution model, we can get fresh produce to stores within a day of harvest,” he said.
About six miles away from the greenhouse, in the shopping center at 2222 S. Havana St. in Aurora, a new Korean dumpling restaurant opened Saturday. Seoul ManDoo is the latest business from J.W. Lee, the owner of Thank Sool Pocha pub in the same complex, nearby Seoul Korean B.B.Q. & HotPot, and a handful of other restaurants in the Denver area.
Manager Rose Lee said the small space in perfect for carry-out service and that its dumplings, including its specialty giant dumplings, have been a hit over the first few days in business. She credits social media.
“I was actually surprised that a lot of people started walking in,” she said. “A lot of people have come because of Instagram and Facebook.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Colorado’s K-12 budget: Does COVID-19 suddenly make the unpalatable possible?

The prospect of school budget cuts the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Recession is reigniting longstanding debates about the way Colorado funds K-12 education .
As of Wednesday evening , lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee still had more than $ 1 billion to go toward filling a $ 3.3 billion hole caused by the economic impacts of the coronavirus .
They ’ ve already made deep reductions to higher education , transportation , human services , and other departments and walked back a 2018 deal to shore up the state pension system in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts to K-12 for the very end of the budget process .
Colorado ’ s school finance formula directs more money to well-off school districts with high cost of living than to districts serving large numbers of children in poverty , and voter-approved local property taxes exacerbate inequities between districts .
Meanwhile , the legislature ’ s go-to mechanism for cutting school funding to balance the budget — an across-the-board cut to per-pupil funding — hits rural districts harder than others .
Rural districts get more money per student to make up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each percentage-point reduction costs them more money .
“ Depending on the magnitude of necessary reductions , some school districts and charter schools may struggle to continue core operations ” if changes aren ’ t made , analysts warned in a memo laying out options for lawmakers .
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues .
For more , visit co.chalkbeat.org .

The prospect of school budget cuts the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Recession is reigniting longstanding debates about the way Colorado funds K-12 education.
As of Wednesday evening, lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee still had more than $1 billion to go toward filling a $3.3 billion hole caused by the economic impacts of the coronavirus. They’ve already made deep reductions to higher education, transportation, human services, and other departments and walked back a 2018 deal to shore up the state pension system in which most teachers participate.
They saved the cuts to K-12 for the very end of the budget process.
Colorado’s school finance formula directs more money to well-off school districts with high cost of living than to districts serving large numbers of children in poverty, and voter-approved local property taxes exacerbate inequities between districts.
Meanwhile, the legislature’s go-to mechanism for cutting school funding to balance the budget — an across-the-board cut to per-pupil funding — hits rural districts harder than others. Rural districts get more money per student to make up for their small size, but that means each percentage-point reduction costs them more money.
“Depending on the magnitude of necessary reductions, some school districts and charter schools may struggle to continue core operations” if changes aren’t made, analysts warned in a memo laying out options for lawmakers.
Read more at chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit news organization covering education issues. For more, visit co.chalkbeat.org.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Ask Amy: Grandparents risk health to see grandson

Dear Amy : My wife and I have been self-isolating and practicing social distancing .
We both really miss our 3-year-old grandson .
I am 71 and in relatively good health , although I do have a couple of “ underlying conditions , ” ( in addition to my age ) that put me in a higher risk group , so I am holding firm about keeping my distance from other people , including my children and grandson .
The problem is , my wife is 64 and believes that she is not at high risk and “ has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babysitting our grandson .
Unfortunately , this has become a contentious issue between us , making a bad situation even worse .
While I would love to have our grandson stay with us , doing so would put us all at additional risk .
I have suggested to her that I would not want her poor judgment to risk my well-being , and offered as an alternative for her to stay with my daughter ’ s family so she could spend time with our grandson without compromising my safety .
So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to become more depressed every day .
Her negativity is toxic to us both .
I would appreciate your thoughts .
Dear Perplexed : Your “ never-been-sick ” wife could be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 ( so could you ) , and — if so — her desire to be with your grandson ( at either house ) could expose the little guy — and his family — to the virus .
I raise this possibility , because you should both be tested before you end your exile , and should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the go-ahead from your doctor .
Your grandson ’ s family should also be tested before mingling with you .
We are all lonely .
We all want this to end .
But each household should adjust their standards and behavior to the needs and risks of their most vulnerable family member .
In your household – that ’ s you .
Your wife has legitimate needs , too , and if her depression seems not to be lifting , or is worsening , please reach out to your family doctor for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups also offer free , nonjudgmental support and guidance during this challenging time .
Social media is the most wide-reaching way to connect .
Search “ coronavirus support groups ” on Facebook and click on the “ groups ” tab at the top of the page .
There are many groups devoted to sharing information ( and virtual hugs ) in your state .
Dear Amy : With great disappointment , our nephew has canceled his wedding reception next month due to COVID-19 , but will still tie the knot as scheduled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reception for family and friends is now scheduled for June of next year .
Our families would like to know when to send wedding gifts to the couple .
This seems like more than an etiquette question in these strange times .
Sending them now would honor the event , let them know we are thinking of them , and celebrate their union with more immediacy .
If we wait until their reception next year , perhaps the thought of receiving gifts might be more celebratory for the couple .
These two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we love them and want to show our support the best way we can .
Dear Devoted : When it comes to wedding etiquette , the pandemic seems to have opened up an entirely new set of challenges .
There is no one way to respond to a postponed wedding , but the best way is always to anchor to sincerity and kindness .
I suggest you send your gift ( along with a warmly written letter ) to coincide with their wedding ceremony .
You might also want to donate masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby hospital or nursing home .
Dear Amy : I disagreed with your response to “ Sad Dad , ” whose very accomplished daughter was missing her high school graduation ( along with the rest of her class , and so many others ) .
A family member had responded to this sadness by saying , basically , “ That ’ s life .
Buck up.
” I couldn ’ t believe that you agreed with this !
Wow , are you always this mean ?
Dear Upset : The family member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but , “ Welcome to adult life .
How you handle bad luck and disappointment will determine your long-term success.
” I agreed with this statement , and said it should have been offered with more gentleness and compassion .
Then : “ My heart goes out to these kids .
I wish I could take each and every one of them to the prom.
” And I sincerely mean that .

Dear Amy: My wife and I have been self-isolating and practicing social distancing. We both really miss our 3-year-old grandson.
I am 71 and in relatively good health, although I do have a couple of “underlying conditions,” (in addition to my age) that put me in a higher risk group, so I am holding firm about keeping my distance from other people, including my children and grandson.
The problem is, my wife is 64 and believes that she is not at high risk and “has never been sick.” She wants to resume babysitting our grandson.
Unfortunately, this has become a contentious issue between us, making a bad situation even worse.
While I would love to have our grandson stay with us, doing so would put us all at additional risk.
I have suggested to her that I would not want her poor judgment to risk my well-being, and offered as an alternative for her to stay with my daughter’s family so she could spend time with our grandson without compromising my safety.
So far, she has declined this alternative, but seems to become more depressed every day. Her negativity is toxic to us both.
I would appreciate your thoughts.
— Perplexed Grampa in Florida
Dear Perplexed: Your “never-been-sick” wife could be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 (so could you), and — if so — her desire to be with your grandson (at either house) could expose the little guy — and his family — to the virus.
I raise this possibility, because you should both be tested before you end your exile, and should only venture back out into the world on the go-ahead from your doctor. Your grandson’s family should also be tested before mingling with you.
We are all lonely. We all want this to end. But each household should adjust their standards and behavior to the needs and risks of their most vulnerable family member. In your household – that’s you.
Your wife has legitimate needs, too, and if her depression seems not to be lifting, or is worsening, please reach out to your family doctor for a referral to a therapist.
Support groups also offer free, nonjudgmental support and guidance during this challenging time. Social media is the most wide-reaching way to connect. Search “coronavirus support groups” on Facebook and click on the “groups” tab at the top of the page. There are many groups devoted to sharing information (and virtual hugs) in your state.
Dear Amy: With great disappointment, our nephew has canceled his wedding reception next month due to COVID-19, but will still tie the knot as scheduled, with only parents and siblings present.
The reception for family and friends is now scheduled for June of next year.
Our families would like to know when to send wedding gifts to the couple. This seems like more than an etiquette question in these strange times. Sending them now would honor the event, let them know we are thinking of them, and celebrate their union with more immediacy. If we wait until their reception next year, perhaps the thought of receiving gifts might be more celebratory for the couple.
These two folks don’t NEED anything, but we love them and want to show our support the best way we can.
— Devoted Aunt
Dear Devoted: When it comes to wedding etiquette, the pandemic seems to have opened up an entirely new set of challenges.
There is no one way to respond to a postponed wedding, but the best way is always to anchor to sincerity and kindness.
I suggest you send your gift (along with a warmly written letter) to coincide with their wedding ceremony. You might also want to donate masks or other PPE in their honor to a nearby hospital or nursing home.
Dear Amy: I disagreed with your response to “Sad Dad,” whose very accomplished daughter was missing her high school graduation (along with the rest of her class, and so many others). A family member had responded to this sadness by saying, basically, “That’s life. Buck up.”
I couldn’t believe that you agreed with this! Wow, are you always this mean?
— Upset
Dear Upset: The family member didn’t say “buck up,” but, “Welcome to adult life. How you handle bad luck and disappointment will determine your long-term success.”
I agreed with this statement, and said it should have been offered with more gentleness and compassion. Then: “My heart goes out to these kids. I wish I could take each and every one of them to the prom.”
And I sincerely mean that.
(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--2020-05-21--Landspout tornado near Eaton causes minor damage to several outbuildings

WELD COUNTY , Colo. – A landspout tornado in Weld County caused damage to several outbuildings near Eaton Wednesday evening @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Office .
The landspout tornado was spotted near Eaton sometime before @ @ @ @ @ 8 p.m. , the Weld County Sheriff ’ s Office said in a Facebook post @ @ @ @ @ some outbuildings near County Road 47 and Highway 392 .
Joe Moylan , a spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office said there were no reported injuries and no homes were damaged “ @ @ @ @ @

WELD COUNTY, Colo. – A landspout tornado in Weld County caused damage to several outbuildings near Eaton Wednesday evening, according to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
The landspout tornado was spotted near Eaton sometime before 7:30 p.m.
Shortly after 8 p.m., the Weld County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post the landspout tornado had damaged some outbuildings near County Road 47 and Highway 392.
Joe Moylan, a spokesperson with the Weld County Sheriff’s Office said there were no reported injuries and no homes were damaged “at this time.”
Incredible video shows the landspout tornado passing dangerously close to a home in Weld County this evening. The sheriff's office says no injuries or damage to homes has been reported, but a couple of agricultural outbuildings were damaged. #COwx pic.twitter.com/S3seqUJnmS — Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) May 21, 2020
Full story via Denver 7


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Denny Hamlin scores 2nd win of season at rain-shortened Darlington

DARLINGTON , S.C. — Denny Hamlin won NASCAR ’ s first Wednesday race since 1984 when rain stopped the event with 20 laps remaining at Darlington Raceway .
The Daytona 500 winner was out front but out of fresh tires and trying to hang on when he got unintended help from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch .
The reigning Cup champion caused Chase Elliott to crash eight laps earlier to bring out the caution .
A furious Elliott waited for Busch on the apron of the track and flipped Busch the middle finger as he passed .
As NASCAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain and the cars were called to pit road under red-flag .
It was an already active evening at “ The Track Too Tough To Tame ” as drivers were racing against the field and the weather .
As the drivers sat in their cars waiting for NASCAR to pull the plug , a handful of Elliott ’ s crew members sat on the pit wall starring down Busch .
One of Busch ’ s crew members sat between them on the wall and NASCAR eventually ordered everyone back over the wall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ called and Busch was greeted by Alan Gustafson , Elliott ’ s crew chief and Busch ’ s former crew chief when he drove for Hendrick Motorsports , for a conversation between two masked competitors .
“ There ’ s no question I made a mistake and just misjudged the gap , ” Busch said .
“ They are upset .
They are mad .
I ’ m not going to just go fix and go have ice cream tomorrow.
” Meanwhile , a fox was scampering across the deserted track and Hamlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual smile , was having a muted celebration in the rain .
He walked to victory lane under a large black umbrella .
It was a 1-2 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota .
Hamlin has won three times at Darlington and has two wins this season .
The start of NASCAR ’ s second race back during the coronavirus pandemic was moved up an hour because of poor weather , but that was then delayed nearly 90 minutes because it rained most of the day .
When the action finally began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start to finish because drivers were unsure if they were racing to the halfway point — the mark a race becomes official — or the distance .
NASCAR returned to action Sunday at Darlington after a 10 weeks off by using a a strict health protocol and limiting those in attendance to only the most essential for conducting a race .
Health screenings were required to enter the track and each of the 40 cars were allowed just 16 team members .
Fox Sports again broadcast the race primarily from a studio in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one pit reporter at Darlington .
For its prerace show , drivers used varying technology to make brief appearances while sitting alone in their motorhomes .
Drivers had to travel to the track alone , pass through a health screening and then isolate before the race .
They are required to wear face masks .
NASCAR has an ambitious return plan of 20 races spanning its three national series between Sunday ’ s return and June 21 .
Spectators are not expected to be permitted to any of the events in this span @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Xfinity Series was washed out .
That race is now scheduled to be held Thursday afternoon .

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin won NASCAR’s first Wednesday race since 1984 when rain stopped the event with 20 laps remaining at Darlington Raceway.
The Daytona 500 winner was out front but out of fresh tires and trying to hang on when he got unintended help from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch. The reigning Cup champion caused Chase Elliott to crash eight laps earlier to bring out the caution.
A furious Elliott waited for Busch on the apron of the track and flipped Busch the middle finger as he passed. As NASCAR cleaned the track, it started to rain and the cars were called to pit road under red-flag.
It was an already active evening at “The Track Too Tough To Tame” as drivers were racing against the field and the weather. As the drivers sat in their cars waiting for NASCAR to pull the plug, a handful of Elliott’s crew members sat on the pit wall starring down Busch.
One of Busch’s crew members sat between them on the wall and NASCAR eventually ordered everyone back over the wall. Eight minutes later, the race was called and Busch was greeted by Alan Gustafson, Elliott’s crew chief and Busch’s former crew chief when he drove for Hendrick Motorsports, for a conversation between two masked competitors.
Busch immediately copped to the error.
“There’s no question I made a mistake and just misjudged the gap,” Busch said. “They are upset. They are mad. I’m not going to just go fix and go have ice cream tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, a fox was scampering across the deserted track and Hamlin, wearing a mask that depicted his actual smile, was having a muted celebration in the rain.
He walked to victory lane under a large black umbrella. It was a 1-2 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. Hamlin has won three times at Darlington and has two wins this season.
The start of NASCAR’s second race back during the coronavirus pandemic was moved up an hour because of poor weather, but that was then delayed nearly 90 minutes because it rained most of the day.
When the action finally began, the 310-mile affair was spirited from start to finish because drivers were unsure if they were racing to the halfway point — the mark a race becomes official — or the distance.
NASCAR returned to action Sunday at Darlington after a 10 weeks off by using a a strict health protocol and limiting those in attendance to only the most essential for conducting a race.
Health screenings were required to enter the track and each of the 40 cars were allowed just 16 team members.
Fox Sports again broadcast the race primarily from a studio in Charlotte, North Carolina, with just one pit reporter at Darlington. For its prerace show, drivers used varying technology to make brief appearances while sitting alone in their motorhomes.
Drivers had to travel to the track alone, pass through a health screening and then isolate before the race. They are required to wear face masks.
NASCAR has an ambitious return plan of 20 races spanning its three national series between Sunday’s return and June 21. Spectators are not expected to be permitted to any of the events in this span.
Rain disrupted the schedule Tuesday night when the Xfinity Series was washed out. That race is now scheduled to be held Thursday afternoon.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--NCAA to lift moratorium on football, basketball workouts

The NCAA Division I Council voted Wednesday to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts by football and basketball players effective June 1 as a growing number of college leaders expressed confidence that fall sports will be possible in some form despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic .
This decision clears the way for individual workouts by athletes , mostly on their own , subject to safety and health protocols decided by their schools or local health officials.. NCAA officials noted that the workouts could go on as long as all local , state and federal regulations are followed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be determined later .
“ We encourage each school to use its discretion to make the best decisions possible for football and basketball student-athletes within the appropriate resocialization framework , ” Penn athletic director and council chair M. Grace Calhoun said in a statement .
“ Allowing for voluntary athletics activity acknowledges that reopening our campuses will be an individual decision but should be based on advice from medical experts.
” From Notre Dame to LSU and more , a number of schools have announced plans to reopen campuses for the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans for how to play football amid the pandemic .
The latest came this week with the Florida State system announcing plans for its 12 schools and more than 420,000 students .
Many questions remain , including specific safety protocols and whether fans would be allowed if games proceed .
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in conference call Wednesday that he believes the Buckeyes could safely play home games with 20,000 to 30,000 fans in its 105,000-seat stadium .
“ I think we can get there , ” Smith said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out yet how those 20,000 to 30,000 spectators would be chosen .
He said masks and other precautions would be required to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Smith added that Ohio State is ready to open the 15,000-square-foot Woody Hayes Athletic Center to athletes starting June 8 if the NCAA allows it .
About 10 players at a time would be allowed to work out on staggered scheduled with social-distancing and other hygiene precautions in place .
Some coaches returned to the complex on a limited basis this week .
Other schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold workouts as safely as possible .
Middle Tennessee athletic director Chris Massaro said his school plans to take the temperature of players daily and make sure they are wearing masks .
Massaro has even discussed moving some equipment from the weight room to the Red Floyd Stadium concourse to make sure workouts allow social distancing .
“ We ’ re a little bit kind of almost like guinea pigs , ” Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill said .
“ We ’ re the ones that are coming back first , football ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
So we ’ ve got to make sure we ’ re doing our part so there ’ s not a setback , and it ’ s going to take all of us buying in and doing whatever we can to keep everybody else healthy and safe.
” The presidents of Miami and Notre Dame said in separate interviews they expect the football season to be played .
Notre Dame President Fr .
John Jenkins told MSNBC he expects to have clarity on how — or if — the football season can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The team itself , I feel we can manage that one , ” Jenkins said .
“ Then the question is people in the stands .
We have an 85,000-person stadium .
Can we get 85,000 people in there ?
That will be a big challenge to do that .
But could we get a smaller number — 10,000 , 15,000 , 20,000 ?
I don ’ t know.
” Miami President Julio Frenk told CNN he hopes the Hurricanes can play this fall and that safety would be the top priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empty stadiums , like so many other sports , ” Frenk said .
Scott Woodward , the athletic director at defending national champion LSU , has said that his school was preparing to welcome back its athletes after the Southeastern Conference ’ s closure of athletic facilities to students is slated to end May 31 .
LSU will offer summer classes online and doesn ’ t have plans to reopen its campus to the general student population at least until the fall semester .
The Division I Council also passed a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance required of Football Bowl Subdivision members for two years .
Most athletic departments need the revenue generated from football to fund their other sports .
Hundreds of schools are reeling financially from the effects of the pandemic .
Athletic departments , particularly at smaller schools and in Division II , have already cut a number of sports .
The NCAA this week lowered the minimum and maximum number of games Division II schools are required to play in all sports next year .
The move includes a 33 % reduction in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and championship qualification in most sports .
Under the plan , D-II schools must play at least five football games to maintain NCAA sponsorship and at least seven games to be eligible for playoff consideration .
The maximum number of allowable games is 10 .
The requirements would return to normal in 2021-22 .

The NCAA Division I Council voted Wednesday to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts by football and basketball players effective June 1 as a growing number of college leaders expressed confidence that fall sports will be possible in some form despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
This decision clears the way for individual workouts by athletes, mostly on their own, subject to safety and health protocols decided by their schools or local health officials..
NCAA officials noted that the workouts could go on as long as all local, state and federal regulations are followed. The status of voluntary workouts for other sports will be determined later.
“We encourage each school to use its discretion to make the best decisions possible for football and basketball student-athletes within the appropriate resocialization framework,” Penn athletic director and council chair M. Grace Calhoun said in a statement. “Allowing for voluntary athletics activity acknowledges that reopening our campuses will be an individual decision but should be based on advice from medical experts.”
From Notre Dame to LSU and more, a number of schools have announced plans to reopen campuses for the fall semester and conferences have begun setting up plans for how to play football amid the pandemic. The latest came this week with the Florida State system announcing plans for its 12 schools and more than 420,000 students.
Many questions remain, including specific safety protocols and whether fans would be allowed if games proceed.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in conference call Wednesday that he believes the Buckeyes could safely play home games with 20,000 to 30,000 fans in its 105,000-seat stadium.
“I think we can get there,” Smith said.
Smith said he hadn’t figured out yet how those 20,000 to 30,000 spectators would be chosen. He said masks and other precautions would be required to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Smith added that Ohio State is ready to open the 15,000-square-foot Woody Hayes Athletic Center to athletes starting June 8 if the NCAA allows it. About 10 players at a time would be allowed to work out on staggered scheduled with social-distancing and other hygiene precautions in place. Some coaches returned to the complex on a limited basis this week.
Other schools also are looking into ways they can hold workouts as safely as possible.
Middle Tennessee athletic director Chris Massaro said his school plans to take the temperature of players daily and make sure they are wearing masks. Massaro has even discussed moving some equipment from the weight room to the Red Floyd Stadium concourse to make sure workouts allow social distancing.
“We’re a little bit kind of almost like guinea pigs,” Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill said. “We’re the ones that are coming back first, football’s coming back first all across the country. So we’ve got to make sure we’re doing our part so there’s not a setback, and it’s going to take all of us buying in and doing whatever we can to keep everybody else healthy and safe.”
The presidents of Miami and Notre Dame said in separate interviews they expect the football season to be played.
Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins told MSNBC he expects to have clarity on how — or if — the football season can happen in the next few weeks.
“The team itself, I feel we can manage that one,” Jenkins said. “Then the question is people in the stands. We have an 85,000-person stadium. Can we get 85,000 people in there? That will be a big challenge to do that. But could we get a smaller number — 10,000, 15,000, 20,000? I don’t know.”
Miami President Julio Frenk told CNN he hopes the Hurricanes can play this fall and that safety would be the top priority.
“They will probably play in empty stadiums, like so many other sports,” Frenk said.
Scott Woodward, the athletic director at defending national champion LSU, has said that his school was preparing to welcome back its athletes after the Southeastern Conference’s closure of athletic facilities to students is slated to end May 31.
LSU will offer summer classes online and doesn’t have plans to reopen its campus to the general student population at least until the fall semester.
The Division I Council also passed a series of waivers that included suspending the minimum football attendance required of Football Bowl Subdivision members for two years.
Most athletic departments need the revenue generated from football to fund their other sports. Hundreds of schools are reeling financially from the effects of the pandemic. Athletic departments, particularly at smaller schools and in Division II, have already cut a number of sports.
The NCAA this week lowered the minimum and maximum number of games Division II schools are required to play in all sports next year. The move includes a 33% reduction in the minimum number of games needed for sponsorship and championship qualification in most sports.
Under the plan, D-II schools must play at least five football games to maintain NCAA sponsorship and at least seven games to be eligible for playoff consideration. The maximum number of allowable games is 10.
The requirements would return to normal in 2021-22.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--North Capitol Hill bar shut down by city for on-site consumption

A North Capitol Hill music bar , which mostly boogies to Grateful Dead tunes , was shut down Tuesday by Denver health officials for on-site consumption of food and drink .
Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple Bar , 1700 Logan St. , was ticketed by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment for not complying with the city ’ s safer-at-home order , according to city officials .
The owner , Jay Bianchi , who also owns nearby Sancho ’ s Broken Arrow , also a dead head bar , was cited with a court summons and shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed on the business , according to the city .
Sancho ’ s was cited and shut down on April 24 , under stay-at-home orders , for failure to comply with previous orders , failure to comply with then Denver stay-at-home orders , and hindering an investigation .
On Thursday , Bianchi said he opened the Ripple Bar last Friday , May 15 , from 4 to 8 p.m. to sell take-out orders for hamburgers , hot dogs and drinks , including bar items .
Music was turned on , a garage door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no customers were inside the building eating .
After making a purchase , customers stopped to linger and chat , catching up and resparking friendships , in the parking lot and an alleyway .
“ I was trying to follow the rules , trying to make people happy and give them hope and all of that stuff , ” Bianchi said .
“ We tried to shoo them away , they kept on gathering and then taking off their mask when they talked .
That didn ’ t go well.
” Bianchi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Ripple Bar and he opened it last Friday to try and keep his business afloat .
With the current safer-at-home order , Bianchi believed he was operating within the rules .
Through the weekend business was brisk , Bianchi said , with more than 100 people passing through each day .
Monday and Tuesday was much slower , he said .
The city received two complaints over the weekend and issued an order on Monday to respond .
An inspection was done on Tuesday and an “ order to vacate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front door .
“ The facility has been closed and shall not have anyone onsite , ” according to the city .
Bianchi said he wasn ’ t given a court date with the Ripple Bar closure .
He ’ s hoping to reopen by June 5 with some help from the city .
“ I ’ ll make sure I bring one of the department of health officials in to make sure I ’ m doing everything correct , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a difficult time , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down.
” As for Sancho ’ s Broken Arrow , Bianchi has an Aug. 4 court date .

A North Capitol Hill music bar, which mostly boogies to Grateful Dead tunes, was shut down Tuesday by Denver health officials for on-site consumption of food and drink.
Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple Bar, 1700 Logan St., was ticketed by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment for not complying with the city’s safer-at-home order, according to city officials.
The owner, Jay Bianchi, who also owns nearby Sancho’s Broken Arrow, also a dead head bar, was cited with a court summons and shut down, with a placard for on-site consumption placed on the business, according to the city.
Sancho’s was cited and shut down on April 24, under stay-at-home orders, for failure to comply with previous orders, failure to comply with then Denver stay-at-home orders, and hindering an investigation.
On Thursday, Bianchi said he opened the Ripple Bar last Friday, May 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. to sell take-out orders for hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks, including bar items. Music was turned on, a garage door on the building was open, but no customers were inside the building eating.
After making a purchase, customers stopped to linger and chat, catching up and resparking friendships, in the parking lot and an alleyway.
“I was trying to follow the rules, trying to make people happy and give them hope and all of that stuff,” Bianchi said. “We tried to shoo them away, they kept on gathering and then taking off their mask when they talked. That didn’t go well.”
Bianchi said he had three people working with him at the Ripple Bar and he opened it last Friday to try and keep his business afloat. With the current safer-at-home order, Bianchi believed he was operating within the rules.
Through the weekend business was brisk, Bianchi said, with more than 100 people passing through each day. Monday and Tuesday was much slower, he said.
The city received two complaints over the weekend and issued an order on Monday to respond. An inspection was done on Tuesday and an “order to vacate, access restricted” was taped to a front door.
“The facility has been closed and shall not have anyone onsite,” according to the city.
Bianchi said he wasn’t given a court date with the Ripple Bar closure. He’s hoping to reopen by June 5 with some help from the city.
“I’ll make sure I bring one of the department of health officials in to make sure I’m doing everything correct,” he said. “It’s a difficult time, it feels like the world is turned upside down.”
As for Sancho’s Broken Arrow, Bianchi has an Aug. 4 court date.


thedenverpost--2020-05-22--Two immigrants confirmed to have COVID-19 in Aurora detention facility

Two immigrants in the Aurora detention center have contracted COVID-19 , marking the first outbreak among people being held there after employees reported getting sick .
The two are among 1,181 confirmed cases inside immigration detention centers across the country .
This comes after two ICE employees at the Aurora detention center , operated by private prison company GEO Group , were confirmed to have the virus .
Colorado immigration advocates identified one of the Aurora detainees with COVID-19 as Oscar Perez Aguirre , a 58-year-old man with hypertension and an enlarged heart .
Perez Aguierre was in the Sterling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister , but ICE detained him and booked him into the Aurora detention center , according to a news release from the American Friends Service Committee .
He had tested negative for COVID-19 in Sterling .
Advocates are calling for an investigation and are asking for Perez Aguierre ’ s release to family in Mexico when safe .
They say that ICE did not inform his lawyer that he was moved to a hospital for 36 hours and refused him access to his attorney before he was hospitalized .
ICE officials say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own medical housing room or in a medical airborne infection isolation room and transports those who need it to hospitals .

Two immigrants in the Aurora detention center have contracted COVID-19, marking the first outbreak among people being held there after employees reported getting sick.
The two are among 1,181 confirmed cases inside immigration detention centers across the country. This comes after two ICE employees at the Aurora detention center, operated by private prison company GEO Group, were confirmed to have the virus.
Colorado immigration advocates identified one of the Aurora detainees with COVID-19 as Oscar Perez Aguirre, a 58-year-old man with hypertension and an enlarged heart. Perez Aguierre was in the Sterling prison expecting to be released to his sister, but ICE detained him and booked him into the Aurora detention center, according to a news release from the American Friends Service Committee. He had tested negative for COVID-19 in Sterling.
Advocates are calling for an investigation and are asking for Perez Aguierre’s release to family in Mexico when safe. They say that ICE did not inform his lawyer that he was moved to a hospital for 36 hours and refused him access to his attorney before he was hospitalized.
ICE officials say the agency places detainees with COVID-19 symptoms in their own medical housing room or in a medical airborne infection isolation room and transports those who need it to hospitals.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--‘Safe and Simple’ ways to view ranches ready for move-in:  Lennar lets you take advantage of the mar

‘Safe and Simple’ ways to view ranches ready for move-in:  Lennar lets you take advantage of the market while staying safe

With the coronavirus still on everybody ’ s mind , Lennar has been going way out of its way to make buyers feel absolutely safe at a moment when they ’ re caught between wanting to stay home and wanting to take advantage of the market when rates are oh-so low .
That ’ s a double conflict for age-55-plus buyers , extra cautious about the virus , but also anxious to get out of their older , high maintenance houses in favor of something like what Lennar shows at its two age-55-plus communities , Heritage Todd Creek , near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Inspiration near Parker .
Just as the crisis was arriving , Lennar opened new model homes in both areas – including for its very last sites at Todd Creek , on an ‘ island ’ wrapped by the Arthur Hills signature golf course , with views that cross the fairways to the snowcapped Indian Peaks .
Lennar has a home with that exact view — a new ranch with two bedrooms , a study , three baths , over 2,700 feet plus basement , and a 3-car garage .
It ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is priced at $ 697,050 .
Lennar has other roomy ranch plans from as low as $ 524,000 , two of them ready to move into right now .
Meanwhile , if your world is centered further south , you can explore three new , roomy ranch models at Inspiration , south of E-470 at Gartrell Road , along with some homes ready for early move-in .
At either area Lennar can accommodate you regardless of your current sheltering practices .
You can take completely virtual tours of ranch models and homes near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can arrange a ‘ Safe and Simple ’ personal tour of the actual homes , without meeting a single soul .
You just provide a little information at the web link , then receive a time to come look and a code that will let you open the smart lock .
“ We want you to feel as safe as we can , ” says Tina Veltri , who will be on site today at Heritage Todd Creek .
She wipes down horizontal surfaces after visits , has masks and hand cleaner ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to Loveland last month to pick up an earnest money check from a buyer reluctant to venture out .
In either area , you ’ ll hear about the very active social components that are important to these buyers ; and about how far communities are going to keep the social life active during the coronavirus crisis .
Heritage Todd Creek ’ s lifestyle director Heather Shay has been setting up virtual card games , a breadmaking class taught by a chef , and a wine tasting arranged by sommelier Paul Bonacquisti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice cream social and piano concert – on-site at the club while residents can stay in their cars .
Either community is anxious to show you around , virtually or on-site .
To reach Lennar ’ s new models at Inspiration , take Gartrell south from E-470 one mile to Inspiration Lane .
For Heritage Todd Creek , Lennar ’ s models are just north of the clubhouse ; take Highway 7 east from I-25 to Yosemite and turn south to Heritage Drive .
Or visit Lennar.com/Denver .
The news and editorial staffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this post ’ s preparation .

With the coronavirus still on everybody’s mind, Lennar has been going way out of its way to make buyers feel absolutely safe at a moment when they’re caught between wanting to stay home and wanting to take advantage of the market when rates are oh-so low.
That’s a double conflict for age-55-plus buyers, extra cautious about the virus, but also anxious to get out of their older, high maintenance houses in favor of something like what Lennar shows at its two age-55-plus communities, Heritage Todd Creek, near E-470 and Quebec Street in Thornton, and Inspiration near Parker.
Age-55-plus Heritage Todd Creek and Inspiration by Lennar What: Quick move-ins at Heritage Todd Creek and at Inspiration, age-55-plus communities, 3-car garage option, clubs/activities, arrange a ‘Safe and Simple’ self-guided tours
Quick move-ins at Heritage Todd Creek and at Inspiration, age-55-plus communities, 3-car garage option, clubs/activities, arrange a ‘Safe and Simple’ self-guided tours Where: Heritage Todd Creek: 15345 Willow St., Thornton; take I-25 north past 470 to Hwy 7; east 5 mi. to Yosemite St., turn south to Heritage Dr., then west 3 blks to Willow. Inspiration: 8425 S. Winnipeg Ct, Aurora; take E-470 to Gartrell Rd, south 1 mi. to Inspiration Ln, right
Heritage Todd Creek: 15345 Willow St., Thornton; take I-25 north past 470 to Hwy 7; east 5 mi. to Yosemite St., turn south to Heritage Dr., then west 3 blks to Willow. Inspiration: 8425 S. Winnipeg Ct, Aurora; take E-470 to Gartrell Rd, south 1 mi. to Inspiration Ln, right Price: Move now $524,900
Move now $524,900 When: Sat May 23, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Sun May 24 11 a.m until 6 p.m., private showing available
Sat May 23, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Sun May 24 11 a.m until 6 p.m., private showing available Phone: Todd Creek 720-608-6408 Inspiration 303-552-2925
Todd Creek 720-608-6408 Inspiration 303-552-2925 More Info: Lennar.com/Denver
Just as the crisis was arriving, Lennar opened new model homes in both areas – including for its very last sites at Todd Creek, on an ‘island’ wrapped by the Arthur Hills signature golf course, with views that cross the fairways to the snowcapped Indian Peaks.
Lennar has a home with that exact view — a new ranch with two bedrooms, a study, three baths, over 2,700 feet plus basement, and a 3-car garage. It’ll be ready for move-in by August and is priced at $697,050.
Lennar has other roomy ranch plans from as low as $524,000, two of them ready to move into right now.
Meanwhile, if your world is centered further south, you can explore three new, roomy ranch models at Inspiration, south of E-470 at Gartrell Road, along with some homes ready for early move-in.
At either area Lennar can accommodate you regardless of your current sheltering practices. You can take completely virtual tours of ranch models and homes near completion via Lennar.com/Colorado. Or, you can arrange a ‘Safe and Simple’ personal tour of the actual homes, without meeting a single soul. You just provide a little information at the web link, then receive a time to come look and a code that will let you open the smart lock.
“We want you to feel as safe as we can,” says Tina Veltri, who will be on site today at Heritage Todd Creek. She wipes down horizontal surfaces after visits, has masks and hand cleaner ready for drop-ins … even drove all the way to Loveland last month to pick up an earnest money check from a buyer reluctant to venture out.
In either area, you’ll hear about the very active social components that are important to these buyers; and about how far communities are going to keep the social life active during the coronavirus crisis. Heritage Todd Creek’s lifestyle director Heather Shay has been setting up virtual card games, a breadmaking class taught by a chef, and a wine tasting arranged by sommelier Paul Bonacquisti. Next week there’s an ice cream social and piano concert – on-site at the club while residents can stay in their cars.
Either community is anxious to show you around, virtually or on-site. To reach Lennar’s new models at Inspiration, take Gartrell south from E-470 one mile to Inspiration Lane. For Heritage Todd Creek, Lennar’s models are just north of the clubhouse; take Highway 7 east from I-25 to Yosemite and turn south to Heritage Drive. Or visit Lennar.com/Denver.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Denver to open state’s largest free community testing site for COVID-19

Denver is opening a new drive-up COVID-19 testing site Friday , lauded as the largest free testing site in Colorado and a significant step toward increasing the state ’ s testing capacity .
The goal is to ensure everyone who needs testing is able to get it , regardless of where they live , Mayor Michael Hancock said during a Thursday afternoon news conference .
He also made it clear that no one will ask about citizenship status .
“ I don ’ t want you to believe that in any means this is about anything other than getting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on top of this virus and stay on this side of the curve so that we can begin to restore and repair and once again reignite our economy and the healthiness of our people , ” he said .
Coloradans who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested for the virus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Pepsi Center 1000 Chopper Circle .
The testing center will be closed on holidays , including Memorial Day .
People are asked to check the symptom tracker on the Colorado Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see if they qualify before going to the testing site .
Anyone who wants to get tested must register online and bring a document verifying their name .
Testing will take place in the parking lot on the west side of the Pepsi Center .
Entry will be from 7th Street at the intersection with Auraria Parkway , and walking or biking to the site is discouraged .
Denver residents who are physically unable to make it to the testing site can call 311 to have a mobile unit sent to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to get re-tested for at least seven days .
Gov .
Jared Polis joined Hancock at the news conference Thursday , noting that those who use Denver ’ s site can expect much shorter waiting times than when the state first opened its drive-thru site in Lowry .
“ This is easy to get tested , ” Polis said .
“ We ’ ve now reached a point , by the way through a lot of hard work … .
to have enough tests and enough testing capacity for it to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state opened its drive-thru testing site in March , it was one of the first in the country , Polis said .
“ So everybody went there .
People drove an hour , two hours to get there .
Now , we have 34 community testing sites across the state.
” Health officials in Aurora and Westminster on Friday announced the opening of two free testing sites .
Tests will be administered from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. , Mondays , Wednesdays and Fridays in Walmart parking lots at 7155 Sheridan Blvd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exposition Ave. in Aurora , a news release stated .
The technology for testing has also changed .
It no longer requires a medical professional with personal protective equipment to insert the swab .
Patients will give themselves a nasal swab that will be sent to LabCorp for analysis .
Results can be expected within 72 hours .
Polis urged Coloradans to continue social distancing measures as Memorial Day weekend arrives , limiting activities to groups of 10 or less .
About half the people who have the virus don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not displaying symptoms .
One in 300 Coloradans are contagious with coronavirus , Polis added .
If people don ’ t heed the health recommendations , “ that would mean we would move backward , our hospitals will fill up again and communities that were directly affected would have to take additional steps to keep communities safe , ” Polis said .
Polis set a goal for testing 10,000 people per day across the state .
The Denver site has a goal of testing 500 people per day but has the capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Denver used $ 3.5 million from the federal CARES Act to fund the testing site , according to the city ’ s Joint Information Center .
“ This testing site will enable us to have data to understand what this spread is all about and what does it look like in the city and county of Denver and frankly the metro area , ” public safety director Murphy Robinson said .
For more information on the drive-up testing site or to make a reservation , go to denvergov.org .
Polis also announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Colorado State University , which will test asymptomatic nursing home workers and residents in up to 30 facilities over an eight-week period .

Denver is opening a new drive-up COVID-19 testing site Friday, lauded as the largest free testing site in Colorado and a significant step toward increasing the state’s testing capacity.
The goal is to ensure everyone who needs testing is able to get it, regardless of where they live, Mayor Michael Hancock said during a Thursday afternoon news conference. He also made it clear that no one will ask about citizenship status.
“I don’t want you to believe that in any means this is about anything other than getting people tested and making sure that we get on top of this virus and stay on this side of the curve so that we can begin to restore and repair and once again reignite our economy and the healthiness of our people,” he said.
Coloradans who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested for the virus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Pepsi Center 1000 Chopper Circle. The testing center will be closed on holidays, including Memorial Day. People are asked to check the symptom tracker on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website to see if they qualify before going to the testing site.
Anyone who wants to get tested must register online and bring a document verifying their name. Testing will take place in the parking lot on the west side of the Pepsi Center. Entry will be from 7th Street at the intersection with Auraria Parkway, and walking or biking to the site is discouraged.
Denver residents who are physically unable to make it to the testing site can call 311 to have a mobile unit sent to help.
Those who get tested are asked not to get re-tested for at least seven days.
Gov. Jared Polis joined Hancock at the news conference Thursday, noting that those who use Denver’s site can expect much shorter waiting times than when the state first opened its drive-thru site in Lowry.
“This is easy to get tested,” Polis said. “We’ve now reached a point, by the way through a lot of hard work …. to have enough tests and enough testing capacity for it to be free, easy and quick.”
When the state opened its drive-thru testing site in March, it was one of the first in the country, Polis said. “So everybody went there. People drove an hour, two hours to get there. Now, we have 34 community testing sites across the state.”
Health officials in Aurora and Westminster on Friday announced the opening of two free testing sites. Tests will be administered from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Walmart parking lots at 7155 Sheridan Blvd. in Westminster and at 14000 E. Exposition Ave. in Aurora, a news release stated.
The technology for testing has also changed. It no longer requires a medical professional with personal protective equipment to insert the swab. Patients will give themselves a nasal swab that will be sent to LabCorp for analysis. Results can be expected within 72 hours.
Polis urged Coloradans to continue social distancing measures as Memorial Day weekend arrives, limiting activities to groups of 10 or less. About half the people who have the virus don’t know they have it because they’re not displaying symptoms. One in 300 Coloradans are contagious with coronavirus, Polis added.
If people don’t heed the health recommendations, “that would mean we would move backward, our hospitals will fill up again and communities that were directly affected would have to take additional steps to keep communities safe,” Polis said.
Polis set a goal for testing 10,000 people per day across the state. The Denver site has a goal of testing 500 people per day but has the capacity to increase to 1,000 daily, Hancock said.
Denver used $3.5 million from the federal CARES Act to fund the testing site, according to the city’s Joint Information Center.
“This testing site will enable us to have data to understand what this spread is all about and what does it look like in the city and county of Denver and frankly the metro area,” public safety director Murphy Robinson said.
For more information on the drive-up testing site or to make a reservation, go to denvergov.org.
Polis also announced Thursday the details of a state partnership with Colorado State University, which will test asymptomatic nursing home workers and residents in up to 30 facilities over an eight-week period.


thedenverpost--2020-05-21--Reaching for room:  Master-planned Reunion sees a wave of buyers, as virus puts a premium on places

Reaching for room:  Master-planned Reunion sees a wave of buyers, as virus puts a premium on places to enjoy outdoors

For a view of just how much more attractive the suburbs are looking now to families who were locked up for a month in tight quarters , just look at master-planned Reunion near DIA , where more 20 new homes sold in the first two weeks of May .
Twelve of those were Carriage House single-family designs by Oakwood – ‘ new urban ’ styled designs on low-maintenance sites that have the appeal that buyers see in areas like LoHi and Sloan ’ s Lake , but at prices way , way lower .
You can take a socially-distanced tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Reunion Coffee House , once again open Tuesdays through Saturdays for take-out , in a lakeside setting overlooking 52-acre Reunion Park – space enough to get totally lost in , without getting close to anybody .
Oakwood has Carriage House designs from the $ 340s and a totally new collection of Sterling Duet paired homes from the high $ 200s ( they took six sales , even before the models were completed ) .
Both of those collections are oriented around new Reunion neighborhoods that are getting their own complement of parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community will offer .
There ’ s also Buffalo Run Golf Course , bordering the northwest area of Reunion , where Richmond American Homes was suddenly seeing a surge of traffic at its ‘ Back Nine ’ neighborhood , with roomy patio ranches with all have 3-car garages and finished basement space included , at prices from the low $ 500s .
Richmond American has three of those ready now , including a Coronado design backing up to the course , more than 2,700 square feet , not counting a large added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s priced at $ 655,578 .
“ You can tell that buyers are once again becoming very confident in the market , ” says Ryan Delp , regional sales manager for Oakwood .
That ’ s resulting in strong sales in the lower price ranges , where these offerings are such a contrast to the low inventory and high pricing of Denver city areas ; but also in the mid-ranges , benefiting from the remarkably low-interest rates available now .
Among the ways to take advantage of those are Oakwood ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300s and $ 400s – new models ready for hardhat tours before completion ( you can see completed models a few miles south at Green Valley Ranch ) .
And you can visit Oakwood ’ s premium ‘ Overlook ’ neighborhood beside the golf course , where a ‘ Boulderado ’ 5-bedroom/4-bath design , almost 4,400 square feet , is at $ 849,000 .
All builders are taking every precaution to keep you safe and distanced during a visit , says Delp .
You ’ ll hear about a second large pool complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood ; and about Reunion Center , where residents will have events center , ice pavilion , a baseball complex , a market , and food hall , putting course , and the L.C .
Fulenwider Campus STEAD School , set to arrive in 2021 , with a curriculum set in real-world , tangible problem-solving .
Exit the DIA freeway exit at Tower Road ( or E-470 ) , head north to 104th , then west to Reunion Pkwy and north .
Or from Thornton , take 104th east past U.S. 85 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post ’ s preparation .

For a view of just how much more attractive the suburbs are looking now to families who were locked up for a month in tight quarters, just look at master-planned Reunion near DIA, where more than 20 new homes sold in the first two weeks of May.
Twelve of those were Carriage House single-family designs by Oakwood – ‘new urban’ styled designs on low-maintenance sites that have the appeal that buyers see in areas like LoHi and Sloan’s Lake, but at prices way, way lower.
Master-planned Reunion What: Master-planned community featuring 8 models by Oakwood Homes & Richmond American Homes; 10 miles of trail, 152 acres of parks, lakes, 21,000-ft rec center; 2nd pool & Reunion Center complex underway
Master-planned community featuring 8 models by Oakwood Homes & Richmond American Homes; 10 miles of trail, 152 acres of parks, lakes, 21,000-ft rec center; 2nd pool & Reunion Center complex underway Where: 10601 Reunion Pkwy, Commerce City; from DIA/Peña Blvd take Tower Rd. north to E. 104th Ave; west 1/2 mi. to Reunion Pkwy, turn north or south; or from U.S. 85 take E. 104th Ave east five miles to Reunion Pkwy.
10601 Reunion Pkwy, Commerce City; from DIA/Peña Blvd take Tower Rd. north to E. 104th Ave; west 1/2 mi. to Reunion Pkwy, turn north or south; or from U.S. 85 take E. 104th Ave east five miles to Reunion Pkwy. Price: Oakwood from high $2s, Richmond Am from low-$5s
Oakwood from high $2s, Richmond Am from low-$5s When: By appointment May 24 and daily
By appointment May 24 and daily Phone: Oakwood 303-486-8915; Richmond American 303-289-1853
Oakwood 303-486-8915; Richmond American 303-289-1853 More Info: ReunionCO.com
You can take a socially-distanced tour of those models today, just across from Reunion Coffee House, once again open Tuesdays through Saturdays for take-out, in a lakeside setting overlooking 52-acre Reunion Park – space enough to get totally lost in, without getting close to anybody.
Oakwood has Carriage House designs from the $340s and a totally new collection of Sterling Duet paired homes from the high $200s (they took six sales, even before the models were completed). Both of those collections are oriented around new Reunion neighborhoods that are getting their own complement of parks and of the ten miles of trails the community will offer.
There’s also Buffalo Run Golf Course, bordering the northwest area of Reunion, where Richmond American Homes was suddenly seeing a surge of traffic at its ‘Back Nine’ neighborhood, with roomy patio ranches with all have 3-car garages and finished basement space included, at prices from the low $500s.
Richmond American has three of those ready now, including a Coronado design backing up to the course, more than 2,700 square feet, not counting a large added component of finished space below. It’s priced at $655,578.
“You can tell that buyers are once again becoming very confident in the market,” says Ryan Delp, regional sales manager for Oakwood. That’s resulting in strong sales in the lower price ranges, where these offerings are such a contrast to the low inventory and high pricing of Denver city areas; but also in the mid-ranges, benefiting from the remarkably low-interest rates available now.
Among the ways to take advantage of those are Oakwood’s Meridian and Horizon designs from the $300s and $400s – new models ready for hardhat tours before completion (you can see completed models a few miles south at Green Valley Ranch). And you can visit Oakwood’s premium ‘Overlook’ neighborhood beside the golf course, where a ‘Boulderado’ 5-bedroom/4-bath design, almost 4,400 square feet, is at $849,000.
All builders are taking every precaution to keep you safe and distanced during a visit, says Delp. You’ll hear about a second large pool complex arriving in Reunion’s South Lawn neighborhood; and about Reunion Center, where residents will have events center, ice pavilion, a baseball complex, a market, and food hall, putting course, and the L.C. Fulenwider Campus STEAD School, set to arrive in 2021, with a curriculum set in real-world, tangible problem-solving.
Exit the DIA freeway exit at Tower Road (or E-470), head north to 104th, then west to Reunion Pkwy and north. Or from Thornton, take 104th east past U.S. 85 to Reunion Pkwy.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.