thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Altitude Sports’ Nuggets broadcasts to feature walkoff interviews, other creative elements

If someone curses , the NBA is ready .
Beginning with next Wednesday ’ s exhibition between the Nuggets and Wizards , Altitude Sports will carry all three of the team ’ s scrimmages in the ramp up to the Orlando restart .
It will also carry all eight seeding games , including at least two exclusive games against the Spurs and the Blazers , as well as side-by-side national broadcasts of the first round of the NBA playoffs .
At least in Denver , DirecTV and Charter subscribers will be able to watch all of them .
Like all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had to make significant adjustments as a result of the ongoing pandemic .
One will include broadcasting games on a seven-second delay in case microphones pick up an errant swear word .
Fans will hear an ambient noise – not a beep – when an emotional player or coach lets one loose .
For the three scrimmages , Altitude plans to take a different approach than fans are accustomed to seeing .
On top of the games , four Zoom-like screens will feature Altitude personalities Chris Dempsey , Katy Winge , Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be offering commentary — a reintroduction to the team instead of the typical play-by-play from Marlowe .
Broadcasts could also feature special guest call-ins .
Once the seeding games start Aug. 1 , Altitude will be producing the games from Pepsi Center in a safe , socially-distanced manner .
( Avalanche games will be produced out of the Altitude studios ; the network needed to consider both teams potentially playing at the same time . )
Dempsey and Winge will be on the floor , while Marlowe and Hastings will be upstairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ booth .
Altitude analysts Vic Lombardi and Bill Hanzlik will be on the concourse , and Todd Romero will be stationed in the Nuggets ’ hallway .
In addition , Altitude is waiting for the league ’ s approval on a number of other creative fronts .
That could include attempting to recreate an in-arena experience from home with Rocky , or possibly showing live fan reactions after big plays , similar to what ’ s been done during English Premier League broadcasts .
“ The NBA wants to wow everybody on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a game camera experience , ” said a source with knowledge of the NBA ’ s plans .
“ It ’ s not like you ’ re going to be seeing empty seats.
” From there , Altitude will mostly be at the mercy of ESPN ’ s feed in Orlando .
Though Altitude will have one dedicated camera at games to chase stories , it will largely be relying on the eight cameras provided by ESPN and the NBA .
One feed is called the All-10 lock off and provides a fullcourt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court , similar to the NFL ’ s All-22 camera .
Altitude will also be sent effect audio that it can mix and manipulate at its discretion .
Altitude broadcasts will have the ability to splice their coverage with instant replays that ESPN ’ s feed might not show .
For games where the Nuggets are supposed to be the “ home ” team , in-game operations will treat the production as if it was in Pepsi Center with similar music and elements .
Though there are some obstacles , like having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relay official calls , Altitude is doing what it can to normalize the broadcast .
There will even be walkoff interviews that filter in camera and audio from Pepsi Center directly to the game courts in Orlando .
Altitude plans to use the scrimmages to iron out the logistics .

If someone curses, the NBA is ready.
Beginning with next Wednesday’s exhibition between the Nuggets and Wizards, Altitude Sports will carry all three of the team’s scrimmages in the ramp up to the Orlando restart. It will also carry all eight seeding games, including at least two exclusive games against the Spurs and the Blazers, as well as side-by-side national broadcasts of the first round of the NBA playoffs. At least in Denver, DirecTV and Charter subscribers will be able to watch all of them.
Like all entities associated with the NBA, Altitude has had to make significant adjustments as a result of the ongoing pandemic. One will include broadcasting games on a seven-second delay in case microphones pick up an errant swear word. Fans will hear an ambient noise – not a beep – when an emotional player or coach lets one loose.
For the three scrimmages, Altitude plans to take a different approach than fans are accustomed to seeing. On top of the games, four Zoom-like screens will feature Altitude personalities Chris Dempsey, Katy Winge, Chris Marlowe and Scott Hastings. All four will be offering commentary — a reintroduction to the team instead of the typical play-by-play from Marlowe. Broadcasts could also feature special guest call-ins.
Once the seeding games start Aug. 1, Altitude will be producing the games from Pepsi Center in a safe, socially-distanced manner. (Avalanche games will be produced out of the Altitude studios; the network needed to consider both teams potentially playing at the same time.)
Dempsey and Winge will be on the floor, while Marlowe and Hastings will be upstairs in Pepsi Center’s visiting hockey booth. Altitude analysts Vic Lombardi and Bill Hanzlik will be on the concourse, and Todd Romero will be stationed in the Nuggets’ hallway.
In addition, Altitude is waiting for the league’s approval on a number of other creative fronts. That could include attempting to recreate an in-arena experience from home with Rocky, or possibly showing live fan reactions after big plays, similar to what’s been done during English Premier League broadcasts.
“The NBA wants to wow everybody on what you’re going to see from a game camera experience,” said a source with knowledge of the NBA’s plans. “It’s not like you’re going to be seeing empty seats.”
From there, Altitude will mostly be at the mercy of ESPN’s feed in Orlando. Though Altitude will have one dedicated camera at games to chase stories, it will largely be relying on the eight cameras provided by ESPN and the NBA. One feed is called the All-10 lock off and provides a fullcourt view of all 10 players on the court, similar to the NFL’s All-22 camera. Altitude will also be sent effect audio that it can mix and manipulate at its discretion. Altitude broadcasts will have the ability to splice their coverage with instant replays that ESPN’s feed might not show.
For games where the Nuggets are supposed to be the “home” team, in-game operations will treat the production as if it was in Pepsi Center with similar music and elements.
Though there are some obstacles, like having to rely on a timeout coordinator on site to relay official calls, Altitude is doing what it can to normalize the broadcast. There will even be walkoff interviews that filter in camera and audio from Pepsi Center directly to the game courts in Orlando. Altitude plans to use the scrimmages to iron out the logistics.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--A year after U.S. 36 highway collapse, Colorado still seeks compensation

The state of Colorado is still fighting a year later to hold road builders accountable for the unusual highway collapse on U.S. 36 that shut down toll lanes , snarled northwest metro traffic for months and required breakneck repair work .
The Colorado Department of Transportation hasn ’ t released the findings of a forensic investigation into the July 2019 incident , in which a “ slope failure ” destroyed an eastbound overpass approach near Church Ranch Boulevard in Westminster .
The Colorado Attorney General ’ s Office denied The Denver Post ’ s most recent request for the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the findings confidential until the state ’ s probe ends .
What began as cracking concrete on the approach — which had been rebuilt as part of a large highway project about five years earlier — quickly turned into something far worse : Pavement shifted and the retaining wall buckled as water-saturated clay in the embankment ’ s soil sank and receded .
As the scope of the problem became clear on the 300-foot stretch next to a railroad overpass , CDOT fully closed the eastbound side late on July 12 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting the initial cracks .
In the following days , the retaining wall bulged and sagged even more .
For nearly four months , both directions of traffic were shoehorned into the westbound lanes of the highway , causing bottlenecks for commuters while crews raced to repair and rebuild the eastbound side ’ s embankment and retaining wall .
It reopened to traffic Oct. 3 .
Last week , CDOT spokesperson Matt Inzeo told The Post that the final repair tab was $ 17.6 million , shy of the $ 20 million set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the days after the collapse , state Rep. Matt Gray and state Sen .
Faith Winter , who chair the legislature ’ s transportation committees , issued a joint statement demanding accountability for the roadway ’ s failure .
“ Something definitely went wrong , ” Gray , a Democrat whose district is just north of the failure site , said in an interview .
“ It ’ s not something that should have happened , and whoever is responsible does need to answer to the folks who spent hours of additional time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a preventable mistake .
“ So I understand the legal process can take some time , but those people still deserve answers — as do taxpayers.
” Lawrence Pacheco , the spokesperson for Attorney General Phil Weiser , declined to address questions about the state ’ s approach to seeking damages or reimbursement .
The office also is holding tight to the findings by CTL Thompson , a Denver geotechnical engineering firm paid about $ 125,000 by CDOT to investigate the causes of the collapse and help assign blame .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it are confidential and privileged attorney-client communications ” under the Colorado Open Records Act , Pacheco wrote in an email .
U.S. 36 from Denver to Boulder was rebuilt from 2012 to 2016 by Ames Construction and Granite Construction in two phases that had different contract setups .
The section that failed was part of the straightforward first phase , when the companies acted as a joint venture .
A consortium called Plenary Roads Denver won a 50-year public-private partnership deal that included the second phase of construction — also handled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation of new tolled express lanes and maintenance of the entire stretch for decades to come .
After the failure , an expert told The Post that construction was a more likely culprit than maintenance , but there ’ s plenty of complexity in the matter .
The state ’ s discussions with Ames and Granite have been underway for months .
It ’ s not clear whether the AG ’ s office has pursued a claim or is engaging in less formal talks .
Ames and Granite are both large companies based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ames general counsel Todd Goderstad said it was premature to discuss the issue .
Granite spokesperson Erin Kuhlman also declined comment .
Typically the state could seek reimbursement for repair work , damages for construction flaws and other forms of compensation if it establishes a contractor is to blame for a failure .
During last year ’ s extended closure , Plenary Roads Denver lost out on months of toll revenue while the express lanes were closed in both directions .
Plenary declined to provide an estimate , but spokesperson Gil Rudawsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation claim with the High-Performance Transportation Enterprise , the CDOT arm that oversees its partnership agreement .

The state of Colorado is still fighting a year later to hold road builders accountable for the unusual highway collapse on U.S. 36 that shut down toll lanes, snarled northwest metro traffic for months and required breakneck repair work.
The Colorado Department of Transportation hasn’t released the findings of a forensic investigation into the July 2019 incident, in which a “slope failure” destroyed an eastbound overpass approach near Church Ranch Boulevard in Westminster. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office denied The Denver Post’s most recent request for the report last week, saying it was keeping the findings confidential until the state’s probe ends.
What began as cracking concrete on the approach — which had been rebuilt as part of a large highway project about five years earlier — quickly turned into something far worse: Pavement shifted and the retaining wall buckled as water-saturated clay in the embankment’s soil sank and receded.
As the scope of the problem became clear on the 300-foot stretch next to a railroad overpass, CDOT fully closed the eastbound side late on July 12, 2019 — about 36 hours after drivers began reporting the initial cracks. In the following days, the retaining wall bulged and sagged even more.
For nearly three months, both directions of traffic were shoehorned into the westbound lanes of the highway, causing bottlenecks for commuters while construction crews raced to repair and rebuild the eastbound side’s embankment and retaining wall.
It reopened to traffic Oct. 3. Last week, CDOT spokesperson Matt Inzeo told The Post that the final repair tab for an outside contractor was $17.6 million, shy of the $20 million set aside for the emergency work.
In the days after the collapse, state Rep. Matt Gray and state Sen. Faith Winter, who chair the legislature’s transportation committees, issued a joint statement demanding accountability for the roadway’s failure.
“Something definitely went wrong,” Gray, a Democrat whose district is just north of the failure site, said in an interview. “It’s not something that should have happened, and whoever is responsible does need to answer to the folks who spent hours of additional time in traffic away from their families because of a preventable mistake.
“So I understand the legal process can take some time, but those people still deserve answers — as do taxpayers.”
Lawrence Pacheco, the spokesperson for Attorney General Phil Weiser, declined to address questions about the state’s approach to seeking damages or reimbursement. The office also is holding tight to the findings by CTL Thompson, a Denver geotechnical engineering firm paid about $125,000 by CDOT to investigate the causes of the collapse and help assign blame.
“This is an ongoing investigation and materials related to it are confidential and privileged attorney-client communications” under the Colorado Open Records Act, Pacheco wrote in an email.
U.S. 36 from Denver to Boulder was rebuilt from 2012 to 2016 by Ames Construction and Granite Construction in two phases that had different contract setups. The section that failed was part of the straightforward first phase, when the companies acted as a joint venture.
A consortium called Plenary Roads Denver won a 50-year public-private partnership deal that included the second phase of construction — also handled by Ames and Granite — as well as operation of new tolled express lanes and maintenance of the entire stretch for decades to come.
After the failure, an expert told The Post that construction was a more likely culprit than maintenance, but there’s plenty of complexity in the matter.
The state’s discussions with Ames and Granite have been underway for months. It’s not clear whether the AG’s office has pursued a claim or is engaging in less formal talks.
Ames and Granite are both large companies based out of state. Reached this week, Ames general counsel Todd Goderstad said it was premature to discuss the issue. Granite spokesperson Erin Kuhlman also declined comment.
Typically the state could seek reimbursement for repair work, damages for construction flaws and other forms of compensation if it establishes a contractor is to blame for a failure.
During last year’s extended closure, Plenary Roads Denver lost out on months of toll revenue while the express lanes were closed in both directions. Plenary declined to provide an estimate, but spokesperson Gil Rudawsky said that it has not pursued a compensation claim with the High-Performance Transportation Enterprise, the CDOT arm that oversees its partnership agreement.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Trials to begin in Denver next week as courts prepare for statewide return of jurors in August

The people summoned to jury duty next week for the first trials in Denver courts since March will be met with distanced seating , hand sanitizer and lots and lots of plexiglas barriers .
The two felony criminal trials scheduled to begin next week in Denver District Court will serve as test runs for the court ’ s new procedures meant to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 .
Those summoned for jury duty will have the chance to give feedback to the court before Aug. 3 — the day statewide restrictions on jury trials are scheduled to lift , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado .
The chief judges of each judicial district and the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court are tasked with balancing the health and well-being of jurors , court staff , attorneys , defendants and victims with the constitutional rights of the hundreds of accused people whose trials have been postponed due to the pandemic , which has halted most trials across the state since March 16 .
“ We absolutely have to start hearing these cases , ” Denver District Court Chief Judge Michael Martinez said .
“ People who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have their case heard in a timely manner.
” Postponed trials mean that defendants who are not granted bond or who can not afford to pay bond have been stuck in county jails — hosts of some of the largest coronavirus outbreaks in the state — without a chance to have their cases heard .
“ The problems that we have from the defense perspective is that we have to be the guardians of our clients ’ constitutional rights , ” said Tristan Gorman , legislative policy coordinator for the Colorado Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bound to do that .
A lot of the clients who would be going to trial are either being held without bond , like on a homicide case , or they ’ re being held on a bond that they can ’ t pay.
” The Colorado Supreme Court in July granted a handful of judicial districts , including El Paso , Arapahoe and Douglas counties , variances to begin a limited number of trials earlier than the Aug. 3 date set by Chief Justice Nathan Coats for all trials to resume .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some delays in trials due to the pandemic will not count against defendants ’ speedy trial rights .
Prosecutors can request the delay of trial if , due to the coronavirus , some evidence would not be available at trial — including witnesses who could not be safely compelled to testify amid the public health crisis .
Colorado law mandates that a trial be held within six months of a defendant entering a not guilty plea , otherwise the charges must be dismissed .
A defendant can waive this requirement and prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some circumstances .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down and made it virtually impossible to hold jury trials in criminal cases , ” Colorado Supreme Court Justice Carlos Samour Jr. wrote in the opinion of the court .
“ Yet defendants continue to have a statutory right to speedy trial under section 18-1-405 ( 1 ) .
This has unfairly placed our trial courts in a catch-22.
” In Denver alone , there are more than 100 felony criminal cases that were postponed due to the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceedings will now have to be rescheduled , along with the hundreds of civil and misdemeanor criminal cases .
“ Obviously we ’ re sensitive to people who have concerns about appearing for jury service during this pandemic and we encourage those people to express those concerns to a jury commissioner and we ’ ll try to work with them , ” Martinez said .
In preparation , staff at Denver ’ s Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse installed multiple plexiglass barriers in courtrooms : around the witness stand , between jurors ’ seats and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the normally crowded jury waiting room have been spaced six feet apart .
Some jury selection — when attorneys whittle down a group of dozens of people to the jurors who will hear the case — will take place in the larger jury assembly rooms instead of courtrooms .
Microphones will be covered with plastic , which will be swapped out after every person ’ s turn at the mic .
Denver District Court will start out with only a few trials a week in August and then ramp up the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall .
The state ’ s top judges have met multiple times a week since February to discuss court operations during the pandemic , Martinez said .
But even the most stringent precautions aren ’ t foolproof .
If a juror were to fall ill during a trial , the proceeding likely would have to start over .
“ The strong likelihood , especially in a criminal proceeding , is that a mistrial would be declared , ” Martinez said .
The state ’ s chief district judges have considered holding virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional concerns are too high to consider going that route right now , Martinez said .
Other criminal hearings have largely moved online , he said .
“ It ’ s not something we ’ re currently prepared to do but we are exploring , ” he said of online trials .
Even the modifications to in-person trials will likely have significant impacts , Gorman said .
It will be difficult to gauge the reaction of a jury if they are all wearing masks .
Similarly , a jury may struggle to decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that person ’ s face is covered and their voice is muffled through a mask and plexiglass , he said .
“ We ’ re in a new world here , ” Gorman said .
“ I hate to be a person to identify a bunch of problems but not come up with solutions , but that ’ s kind of where we are .
”

The people summoned to jury duty next week for the first trials in Denver courts since March will be met with distanced seating, hand sanitizer and lots and lots of plexiglas barriers.
The two felony criminal trials scheduled to begin next week in Denver District Court will serve as test runs for the court’s new procedures meant to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Those summoned for jury duty will have the chance to give feedback to the court before Aug. 3 — the day statewide restrictions on jury trials are scheduled to lift, even as coronavirus cases are rising again in Colorado.
The chief judges of each judicial district and the chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court are tasked with balancing the health and well-being of jurors, court staff, attorneys, defendants and victims with the constitutional rights of the hundreds of accused people whose trials have been postponed due to the pandemic, which has halted most trials across the state since March 16.
“We absolutely have to start hearing these cases,” Denver District Court Chief Judge Michael Martinez said. “People who are accused of these crimes are entitled to have their case heard in a timely manner.”
Postponed trials mean that defendants who are not granted bond or who cannot afford to pay bond have been stuck in county jails — hosts of some of the largest coronavirus outbreaks in the state — without a chance to have their cases heard.
“The problems that we have from the defense perspective is that we have to be the guardians of our clients’ constitutional rights,” said Tristan Gorman, legislative policy coordinator for the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. “We are ethically bound to do that. A lot of the clients who would be going to trial are either being held without bond, like on a homicide case, or they’re being held on a bond that they can’t pay.”
The Colorado Supreme Court in July granted a handful of judicial districts, including El Paso, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, variances to begin a limited number of trials earlier than the Aug. 3 date set by Chief Justice Nathan Coats for all trials to resume.
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled June 29 that some delays in trials due to the pandemic will not count against defendants’ speedy trial rights. Prosecutors can request the delay of trial if, due to the coronavirus, some evidence would not be available at trial — including witnesses who could not be safely compelled to testify amid the public health crisis.
Colorado law mandates that a trial be held within six months of a defendant entering a not guilty plea, otherwise the charges must be dismissed. A defendant can waive this requirement and prosecutors can ask for an extension of time in some circumstances.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down and made it virtually impossible to hold jury trials in criminal cases,” Colorado Supreme Court Justice Carlos Samour Jr. wrote in the opinion of the court. “Yet defendants continue to have a statutory right to speedy trial under section 18-1-405(1). This has unfairly placed our trial courts in a catch-22.”
In Denver alone, there are more than 100 felony criminal cases that were postponed due to the virus, Martinez said. All of those multi-day proceedings will now have to be rescheduled, along with the hundreds of civil and misdemeanor criminal cases.
“Obviously we’re sensitive to people who have concerns about appearing for jury service during this pandemic and we encourage those people to express those concerns to a jury commissioner and we’ll try to work with them,” Martinez said.
In preparation, staff at Denver’s Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse installed multiple plexiglass barriers in courtrooms: around the witness stand, between jurors’ seats and around attorneys’ tables. The chairs in the normally crowded jury waiting room have been spaced six feet apart.
Some jury selection — when attorneys whittle down a group of dozens of people to the jurors who will hear the case — will take place in the larger jury assembly rooms instead of courtrooms. Microphones will be covered with plastic, which will be swapped out after every person’s turn at the mic.
Denver District Court will start out with only a few trials a week in August and then ramp up the number of trials held each week into September and the fall.
The state’s top judges have met multiple times a week since February to discuss court operations during the pandemic, Martinez said. But even the most stringent precautions aren’t foolproof. If a juror were to fall ill during a trial, the proceeding likely would have to start over.
“The strong likelihood, especially in a criminal proceeding, is that a mistrial would be declared,” Martinez said.
The state’s chief district judges have considered holding virtual trials, but the logistical roadblocks and constitutional concerns are too high to consider going that route right now, Martinez said. Other criminal hearings have largely moved online, he said.
“It’s not something we’re currently prepared to do but we are exploring,” he said of online trials.
Even the modifications to in-person trials will likely have significant impacts, Gorman said. It will be difficult to gauge the reaction of a jury if they are all wearing masks. Similarly, a jury may struggle to decide whether they find a witness credible if that person’s face is covered and their voice is muffled through a mask and plexiglass, she said.
“We’re in a new world here,” Gorman said. “I hate to be a person to identify a bunch of problems but not come up with solutions, but that’s kind of where we are.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--The graffiti on Colorado’s Capitol will likely be there for a while

The amount of graffiti and other vandalism on the Colorado Capitol building and its grounds — which began to appear during late May protests of police violence — has increased almost daily since then .
So have frustrations about the lack of visible cleanup efforts .
A state official says an assessment of the damage and cleanup strategies is now underway .
But given the challenges of dealing with a historic building and spray paint that ’ s had time to seep into the building ’ s granite walls , it ’ s unclear when the work will start or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The damage has slowed to a point where we can now go about evaluating exactly what it will take , ” said Doug Platt , a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration .
The DPA includes Capitol Complex Facilities Management , which maintains the State Capitol and other nearby buildings .
Graffiti scrawled on the building and several monuments , much of it about the need for accountability for police officers and justice for victims of police brutality , reflects the messages of protests that began May 28 .
Demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd in Minneapolis police custody , later focusing on local incidents .
But Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg , a Sterling Republican , took exception to the many “ vulgarities ” that remain on the building in a letter he sent last week to Gov .
Jared Polis , asking why cleanup hasn ’ t occurred more quickly .
Several broken windows also remain boarded up .
“ It ’ s not only a disgrace , it ’ s embarrassing , ” he tweeted Wednesday , echoing his comments in a CBS4 story .
Polis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor , who appointed DPA Executive Director Kara Veitch , shares his concerns .
“ While the governor supports free speech and the right to protest , he is outraged over damage to the Capitol , ” spokesperson Conor Cahill wrote in an email .
“ He hopes that those responsible are apprehended .
… The governor has expressed frustration over the slow rate of fixing up the Capitol and has directed that our Capitol is cleaned and washed as quickly as possible , and the building is further fortified.
” But any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in part because state officials figured there was little point until the recurring vandalism ended .
In late June , protesters toppled a statue of a Union soldier atop a Civil War monument in front of the Capitol that includes a commemoration of the Sand Creek Massacre .
Days later , others set a fire atop the pedestal of the graffiti-covered monument ; police apprehended three people .
Denver Police Department spokesperson Christine Downs said DPD is still investigating two cases of Capitol vandalism .
Police arrested a man June 27 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag pole was damaged and the flag stolen .
Recent nights have seen less activity on the grounds , which Colorado State Patrol monitors around the clock but has been unable to protect from vandalism .
“ We ’ re reaching out to contractors , and we ’ re also having to have contractors basically put together estimates of procedures , timeline , costs , those types of things , ” Platt said .
“ We ’ re also having to deal with insurance — some of the costs of repairs will most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Workers are testing different methods of graffiti removal on the stonework , he said , calling the scope of the vandalism unprecedented — far beyond the occasional tagging that occurred during the Occupy Denver protests in 2011 and 2012 .
“ The granite is somewhat porous , so depending on what was used to paint the building … we have to evaluate the best process , ” Platt said .
“ It ’ s not the kind of thing where you can just come with a wire brush and scrape it off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the granite itself.
” He declined to speculate on how long cleanup will take or estimate the expense , saying the department was “ moving forward as cautiously and responsibly as we can.
” Late last month , a Denver city spokesperson said vandalism to city-owned property across Civic Center during the protests was estimated at just over $ 1 million .
Workers recently erected fencing along the east side of the Capitol for the latest phase of a multiyear project to restore windows and clean granite .
Platt said project-related fencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building , which may help prevent more graffiti while the state puts together a removal plan .

The amount of graffiti and other vandalism on the Colorado Capitol building and its grounds — which began to appear during late May protests of police violence — has increased almost daily since then.
So have frustrations about the lack of visible cleanup efforts.
A state official says an assessment of the damage and cleanup strategies is now underway. But given the challenges of dealing with a historic building and spray paint that’s had time to seep into the building’s granite walls, it’s unclear when the work will start or how much it will cost.
“The damage has slowed to a point where we can now go about evaluating exactly what it will take,” said Doug Platt, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration. The DPA includes Capitol Complex Facilities Management, which maintains the State Capitol and other nearby buildings.
Graffiti scrawled on the building and several monuments, much of it about the need for accountability for police officers and justice for victims of police brutality, reflects the messages of protests that began May 28. Demonstrators initially reacted to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, later focusing on local incidents.
But Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, a Sterling Republican, took exception to the many “vulgarities” that remain on the building in a letter he sent last week to Gov. Jared Polis, asking why cleanup hasn’t occurred more quickly. Several broken windows also remain boarded up.
“It’s not only a disgrace, it’s embarrassing,” he tweeted Wednesday, echoing his comments in a CBS4 story.
Polis’ office said Thursday that the Democratic governor, who appointed DPA Executive Director Kara Veitch, shares his concerns.
“While the governor supports free speech and the right to protest, he is outraged over damage to the Capitol,” spokesperson Conor Cahill wrote in an email. “He hopes that those responsible are apprehended. … The governor has expressed frustration over the slow rate of fixing up the Capitol and has directed that our Capitol is cleaned and washed as quickly as possible, and the building is further fortified.”
But any attempts at cleanup have been slow going, in part because state officials figured there was little point until the recurring vandalism ended. In late June, protesters toppled a statue of a Union soldier atop a Civil War monument in front of the Capitol that includes a commemoration of the Sand Creek Massacre. Days later, others set a fire atop the pedestal of the graffiti-covered monument; police apprehended three people.
Denver Police Department spokesperson Christine Downs said DPD is still investigating two cases of Capitol vandalism. Police arrested a man June 27 in a third incident, in which a flag pole was damaged and the flag stolen.
Recent nights have seen less activity on the grounds, which Colorado State Patrol monitors around the clock but has been unable to protect from vandalism.
“We’re reaching out to contractors, and we’re also having to have contractors basically put together estimates of procedures, timeline, costs, those types of things,” Platt said. “We’re also having to deal with insurance — some of the costs of repairs will most likely be covered by an insurance claim.”
Workers are testing different methods of graffiti removal on the stonework, he said, calling the scope of the vandalism unprecedented — far beyond the occasional tagging that occurred during the Occupy Denver protests in 2011 and 2012.
“The granite is somewhat porous, so depending on what was used to paint the building … we have to evaluate the best process,” Platt said. “It’s not the kind of thing where you can just come with a wire brush and scrape it off, because that will damage the finish or the granite itself.”
He declined to speculate on how long cleanup will take or estimate the expense, saying the department was “moving forward as cautiously and responsibly as we can.”
Late last month, a Denver city spokesperson said vandalism to city-owned property across Civic Center during the protests was estimated at just over $1 million.
Workers recently erected fencing along the east side of the Capitol for the latest phase of a multiyear project to restore windows and clean granite. Platt said project-related fencing soon will expand to surround much of the building, which may help prevent more graffiti while the state executes a removal plan.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Ask Amy: Elder wonders why parents socialize with kids in tow

Dear Amy : When I was growing up , I never saw my parents or their friends socialize along with their children .
My parents always had friends their own age , and so did the children .
In the last 30 to 40 years , I have watched my siblings , nieces and nephews , and even my friends socializing with their children .
They have even brought their young children to parties where there would be a lot of bad behavior going on .
I don ’ t understand this phenomenon .
Is it because it makes these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kind of loneliness in their youth ?
What could they possibly talk about with these kids , having such an age difference ?
Dear Curious : It is safe to say that parents did a lot of things when you were growing up that they don ’ t do now ( my father used to send me to the store on my bike to buy his cigarettes ) .
When you were growing up , the majority of households had one parent who was more or less a full-time parent .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the children , and so when there was an opportunity to spend time with adults , the parents hired a babysitter .
A recent ( pre-pandemic ) finding from the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in American households with married parents , 64 percent of these families have both parents who are employed .
Parents now seem to have integrated their children more into their adult lives , and are also much more engaged in the lives of their children than were parents in previous generations .
( Did your folks attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportion of parents are in single-parent working households now .
These parents include their children in adult activities sometimes out of guilt , and sometimes necessity .
Many parents don ’ t feel comfortable leaving the children with a babysitter , unless the person is a family member .
Childcare is expensive , and hard to come by .
Fewer teenagers babysit ( perhaps because they are all at cocktail parties with their parents ) .
Dear Amy : My spouse and I socialize with a group of about 12 people , several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group , “ Jon , ” is quite outspoken on all issues .
We purposely avoid discussing politics , but Jon can overreact regarding many different social issues and current events .
Jon will assert his opinion , but when someone else brings up an opposing view , Jon gets vocal , sometimes shouting , calling people sophomoric names , gesticulating , and often – and repeatedly — telling others that if they don ’ t like the way things are right now , they are welcome to leave the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The host and hostess are silent during these episodes .
This situation is extremely unpleasant and ruins the evening because everyone feels extremely uncomfortable .
How do you suggest we handle these events and/or this person ?
We are considering declining future invitations , even though we enjoy the rest of the group .
Dear Frustrated : I ’ m not sure why none of the other 11 adults at the table don ’ t step in to ask “ Jon ” to display courteous and adult behavior .
We parents are forever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullies , and yet here you are saying you would stay home rather than ask someone you are dining with to change his tone and convey even minimal manners .
One or both of the hosts should step in when this is happening to say , “ Jon , you ’ re a guest here .
Please lower your voice , and I ’ d appreciate it if you didn ’ t insult people at our table.
” Furthermore , if you are at a group event in the future and Jon behaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has ruined the evening ) , you should tell him so , either in the moment or afterward , when you can choose your words carefully : “ Jon , last night you shouted at your friends and insulted several of us .
Your behavior ruined the evening for me .
This is not the first time .
You don ’ t seem to enjoy these get-togethers , and I know I don ’ t enjoy them when you behave that way.
” Dear Amy : I vehemently disagree with your terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored her parent ’ s “ bigotry ” at family gatherings .
I could not believe that you told this woman to openly disrespect her 80-year-old parents – at their own home !
Dear Upset : These elderly people were behaving disrespectfully , with no feedback from their daughter regarding how their statements had been received over the years .
I believe she owes them an honest reaction .

Dear Amy: When I was growing up, I never saw my parents or their friends socialize along with their children.
My parents always had friends their own age, and so did the children.
In the last 30 to 40 years, I have watched my siblings, nieces and nephews, and even my friends socializing with their children.
They have even brought their young children to parties where there would be a lot of bad behavior going on.
I don’t understand this phenomenon. Is it because it makes these parents feel younger, or was there some kind of loneliness in their youth?
What could they possibly talk about with these kids, having such an age difference?
— Beyond Curious
Dear Curious: It is safe to say that parents did a lot of things when you were growing up that they don’t do now (my father used to send me to the store on my bike to buy his cigarettes).
When you were growing up, the majority of households had one parent who was more or less a full-time parent. This parent spent a lot of time with the children, and so when there was an opportunity to spend time with adults, the parents hired a babysitter.
A recent (pre-pandemic) finding from the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in American households with married parents, 64 percent of these families have both parents who are employed.
Parents now seem to have integrated their children more into their adult lives, and are also much more engaged in the lives of their children than were parents in previous generations. (Did your folks attend your school events?)
A higher proportion of parents are in single-parent working households now. These parents include their children in adult activities sometimes out of guilt, and sometimes necessity.
Many parents don’t feel comfortable leaving the children with a babysitter, unless the person is a family member.
Childcare is expensive, and hard to come by. Fewer teenagers babysit (perhaps because they are all at cocktail parties with their parents).
Dear Amy: My spouse and I socialize with a group of about 12 people, several times a year.
One person in the group, “Jon,” is quite outspoken on all issues.
We purposely avoid discussing politics, but Jon can overreact regarding many different social issues and current events.
Jon will assert his opinion, but when someone else brings up an opposing view, Jon gets vocal, sometimes shouting, calling people sophomoric names, gesticulating, and often – and repeatedly — telling others that if they don’t like the way things are right now, they are welcome to leave the country.
He drowns out any opposing conversation. The host and hostess are silent during these episodes.
This situation is extremely unpleasant and ruins the evening because everyone feels extremely uncomfortable.
How do you suggest we handle these events and/or this person? We are considering declining future invitations, even though we enjoy the rest of the group.
— Frustrated
Dear Frustrated: I’m not sure why none of the other 11 adults at the table don’t step in to ask “Jon” to display courteous and adult behavior.
We parents are forever telling our children to stand tall against bullies, and yet here you are saying you would stay home rather than ask someone you are dining with to change his tone and convey even minimal manners.
One or both of the hosts should step in when this is happening to say, “Jon, you’re a guest here. Please lower your voice, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t insult people at our table.”
Furthermore, if you are at a group event in the future and Jon behaves this way (and you genuinely believe he has ruined the evening), you should tell him so, either in the moment or afterward, when you can choose your words carefully: “Jon, last night you shouted at your friends and insulted several of us. Your behavior ruined the evening for me. This is not the first time. You don’t seem to enjoy these get-togethers, and I know I don’t enjoy them when you behave that way.”
Dear Amy: I vehemently disagree with your terrible advice to “Teacher,” who ignored her parent’s “bigotry” at family gatherings.
I could not believe that you told this woman to openly disrespect her 80-year-old parents – at their own home!
— Upset
Dear Upset: These elderly people were behaving disrespectfully, with no feedback from their daughter regarding how their statements had been received over the years. I believe she owes them an honest reaction.
(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--2020-07-18--Extraction, WorldRemit and American Airlines add to Colorado’s layoff tally

Layoffs in Colorado are on the rise again , just as federal unemployment benefits of $ 600 per week are set to end on July 25 .
Denver-based Extraction Oil & Gas informed the state that it had permanently let go of 62 workers at its Windsor operating base effective Friday , according to a filing made to the state under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act .
“ We slowed our pace of operational activity earlier in the year , and the positions that were recently eliminated exceeded current operational staffing needs .
Our Windsor office remains in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cain , a company spokesman .
“ This was a difficult decision .
We value these individuals and greatly appreciate their contributions to Extraction .
We wish them the best in their future endeavors.
” In mid-February , low oil and gas prices resulted in the company purging five dozen workers .
In an effort to address long-term debts of more than $ 1.5 billion , the once rapidly growing oil and gas producer filed for bankruptcy protection a month ago .
On Wednesday , American Airlines warned about 25,000 employees nationally that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come October , and urged them to take buyouts and early retirements .
The hit to Colorado became more specific when the airline informed the state it planned to dismiss two workers and put 107 on temporary furloughs effective Oct. 1 or shortly after .
The reduction pales , however , to the 2,820 job cuts that United Airlines , the largest carrier operating out of Denver International Airport , informed the state earlier this month that it might need to make on Oct. 1 .
That reduction , if it happens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the workers it employs in Denver .
WorldRemit , a global money transfer company , told the state Tuesday that it would terminate 54 employees on Sept. 14 , nine on Halloween , and one on Jan. 31 , 2021 .
The white-collar jobs are at its Denver office , which serves as the London company ’ s U.S. headquarters .
In May , about two-thirds of unemployed workers in Colorado described their situation as temporary , while about 10 % reported suffering a permanent job loss , said Ryan Gedney , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press call Friday morning .
Last month , a little over half described their loss of work as temporary , and 20 % said it was because of a more permanent cut .
And the state ’ s unemployment rate , rather than falling in June as it did in most states , rose to three-tenths of a percentage point to 10.5 % .
“ Rather than a short and sharp two or three-month shock , consumers and businesses must now prepare for a more prolonged pandemic with no clear endpoint in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief economist with Bank of the West , in a commentary Friday .
“ Risk-averse households and businesses will need to more closely guard their future spending and pull-back on nonessential categories , prolonging the economic malaise into next year .
”

Layoffs in Colorado are on the rise again, just as federal unemployment benefits of $600 per week are set to end on July 25.
Denver-based Extraction Oil & Gas informed the state that it had permanently let go of 62 workers at its Windsor operating base effective Friday, according to a filing made to the state under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
“We slowed our pace of operational activity earlier in the year, and the positions that were recently eliminated exceeded current operational staffing needs. Our Windsor office remains in operation as normal,” said Brian Cain, a company spokesman. “This was a difficult decision. We value these individuals and greatly appreciate their contributions to Extraction. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.”
In mid-February, low oil and gas prices resulted in the company purging five dozen workers. In an effort to address long-term debts of more than $1.5 billion, the once rapidly growing oil and gas producer filed for bankruptcy protection a month ago.
On Wednesday, American Airlines warned about 25,000 employees nationally that their services may no longer be required come October, and urged them to take buyouts and early retirements. The hit to Colorado became more specific when the airline informed the state it planned to dismiss two workers and put 107 on temporary furloughs effective Oct. 1 or shortly after.
The reduction pales, however, to the 2,820 job cuts that United Airlines, the largest carrier operating out of Denver International Airport, informed the state earlier this month that it might need to make on Oct. 1. That reduction, if it happens, would represent about four in 10 of the workers it employs in Denver.
WorldRemit, a global money transfer company, told the state Tuesday that it would terminate 54 employees on Sept. 14, nine on Halloween, and one on Jan. 31, 2021. The white-collar jobs are at its Denver office, which serves as the London company’s U.S. headquarters.
In May, about two-thirds of unemployed workers in Colorado described their situation as temporary, while about 10% reported suffering a permanent job loss, said Ryan Gedney, a senior labor economist with the state on a press call Friday morning.
Last month, a little over half described their loss of work as temporary, and 20% said it was because of a more permanent cut. And the state’s unemployment rate, rather than falling in June as it did in most states, rose to three-tenths of a percentage point to 10.5%.
“Rather than a short and sharp two or three-month shock, consumers and businesses must now prepare for a more prolonged pandemic with no clear endpoint in sight,” advised Scott Andersen, chief economist with Bank of the West, in a commentary Friday. “Risk-averse households and businesses will need to more closely guard their future spending and pull-back on nonessential categories, prolonging the economic malaise into next year.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Commerce City man sentenced to federal prison for illegal marijuana grow

A Commerce City man has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for illegal cultivation of marijuana in a @ @ @ @ @ 26 , a Chinese national and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. , was @ @ @ @ @ years of supervised release following his prison term , according to a U.S. Attorney Office @ @ @ @ @ release .
On Jan. 31 , 2019 , investigators with the Drug Enforcement Agency and @ @ @ @ @ marijuana plants , at various stages of growth , in Wang ’ s home .
@ @ @ @ @ marijuana product was found in the residence .
“ The cultivation of marijuana is a @ @ @ @ @ ” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn in the release .
“ Mr .
Wang grew @ @ @ @ @ without concern for the consequences .
He was caught and is now paying the price.
@ @ @ @ @ sentencing hearing free on bond , and was ordered to report to a facility designated @ @ @ @ @ by August 21 , 2020 .

A Commerce City man has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for illegal cultivation of marijuana in a residence.
Zhiming Wang, 26, a Chinese national and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was also sentenced Friday to three years of supervised release following his prison term, according to a U.S. Attorney Office, District of Colorado news release.
On Jan. 31, 2019, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Agency and local law enforcement found 809 marijuana plants, at various stages of growth, in Wang’s home. About 1/2 pound of finished marijuana product was found in the residence.
“The cultivation of marijuana is a violation of federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn in the release. “Mr. Wang grew marijuana in a residential neighborhood without concern for the consequences. He was caught and is now paying the price.”
Wang appeared at the sentencing hearing free on bond, and was ordered to report to a facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons by August 21, 2020.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Personal assistant charged after tech CEO found dismembered

NEW YORK — A personal assistant arrested Friday in the death and dismemberment of a 33-year-old tech entrepreneur was believed to have owed his boss a “ significant amount of money , ” New York City police said .
Tyrese Haspil faces a murder charge in the death of Fahim Saleh , whose beheaded , armless body was found Tuesday by a cousin who had gone to his luxury Manhattan condo to check on him .
Haspil , 21 , handled finances and personal matters for Saleh , whose ventures included a ride-hailing service in Africa .
Haspil , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brooklyn , was taken into police custody Friday morning in the lobby of another luxury apartment building several blocks from where Saleh was killed , NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said .
Information on Haspil ’ s arraignment and a lawyer who could speak on his behalf was not immediately available .
Officers responding to the cousin ’ s 911 call discovered Saleh ’ s clothed torso , bags containing a head and arms and an electric saw in the living room of his luxury seventh-floor apartment on the Lower East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security video showing Saleh exiting an elevator that leads directly into the full-floor , two-bedroom apartment , closely followed by a masked person dressed entirely in black , according to a law enforcement official who was briefed on the case .
The video also showed a struggle between the two that ensued at the entrance to the apartment , said the official , who wasn ’ t authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
Harrison said investigators determined that Haspil assaulted Saleh in the elevator with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found .
Speaking to reporters about the arrest , Harrison would not say when police believe Saleh was killed , nor would he discuss other details about the case or take questions .
Investigators initially believed that the cousin who went to check on Saleh may have interrupted the attack and that the assailant fled out a back exit .
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide after an autopsy found the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the body .
Saleh was the chief executive officer of ride-hailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nigeria in 2018 .
Saleh ’ s LinkedIn biography described him as a self-taught businessman who founded Gokada , building on his experience of first “ seeing an opportunity in his parent ’ s native country of Bangladesh ” and starting that country ’ s largest ride-sharing company .
It said he also invested in a similar venture in Colombia .
“ The headlines talk about a crime we still can not fathom , ” Saleh ’ s family said in a statement after his death .
“ Fahim is more than what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more .
His brilliant and innovative mind took everyone who was a part of his world on a journey and he made sure never to leave anyone behind.
” Apartments in the 10-story building where Saleh ’ s remains were found sell for more than $ 2 million .
The building was completed in 2017 as part of a wave of gentrification in the neighborhood .
Associated Press writer Tom Hays contributed to this report .

NEW YORK — A personal assistant arrested Friday in the death and dismemberment of a 33-year-old tech entrepreneur was believed to have owed his boss a “significant amount of money,” New York City police said.
Tyrese Haspil faces a murder charge in the death of Fahim Saleh, whose beheaded, armless body was found Tuesday by a cousin who had gone to his luxury Manhattan condo to check on him.
Haspil, 21, handled finances and personal matters for Saleh, whose ventures included a ride-hailing service in Africa.
Haspil, who grew up on Long Island and lives in Brooklyn, was taken into police custody Friday morning in the lobby of another luxury apartment building several blocks from where Saleh was killed, NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said.
Information on Haspil’s arraignment and a lawyer who could speak on his behalf was not immediately available.
Officers responding to the cousin’s 911 call discovered Saleh’s clothed torso, bags containing a head and arms and an electric saw in the living room of his luxury seventh-floor apartment on the Lower East Side, police said.
Investigators recovered security video showing Saleh exiting an elevator that leads directly into the full-floor, two-bedroom apartment, closely followed by a masked person dressed entirely in black, according to a law enforcement official who was briefed on the case.
The video also showed a struggle between the two that ensued at the entrance to the apartment, said the official, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Harrison said investigators determined that Haspil assaulted Saleh in the elevator with a stun gun a day before his body was found. Speaking to reporters about the arrest, Harrison would not say when police believe Saleh was killed, nor would he discuss other details about the case or take questions.
Investigators initially believed that the cousin who went to check on Saleh may have interrupted the attack and that the assailant fled out a back exit. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide after an autopsy found the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the body.
Saleh was the chief executive officer of ride-hailing motorcycle startup Gokada that started operating in Nigeria in 2018.
Saleh’s LinkedIn biography described him as a self-taught businessman who founded Gokada, building on his experience of first “seeing an opportunity in his parent’s native country of Bangladesh” and starting that country’s largest ride-sharing company. It said he also invested in a similar venture in Colombia.
“The headlines talk about a crime we still cannot fathom,” Saleh’s family said in a statement after his death. “Fahim is more than what you are reading. He is so much more. His brilliant and innovative mind took everyone who was a part of his world on a journey and he made sure never to leave anyone behind.”
Apartments in the 10-story building where Saleh’s remains were found sell for more than $2 million. The building was completed in 2017 as part of a wave of gentrification in the neighborhood.
___
Associated Press writer Tom Hays contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Colorado officials announce $20 million rental assistance fund

State officials are allocating nearly $ 20 million in federal funding to help Coloradans with rental assistance amid the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ Polis announced on Friday .
Polis and the Department of Local Affairs announced the Property @ @ @ @ @ result of House Bill 1410 for COVID-19-related housing assistance .
The funding comes from the @ @ @ @ @ those with financial hardships related to COVID-19 .
“ This has been an incredibly challenging @ @ @ @ @ ” Polis said in a news release .
“ This fund will help Coloradans who @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and need rent assistance .
This pandemic is far from over , and @ @ @ @ @ do everything we can to help provide some relief to those who have been significantly @ @ @ @ @ will be used for rental assistance , mortgage assistance and guidance on how to access @ @ @ @ @ .
Our partners at The Denver Channel have the full story .

State officials are allocating nearly $20 million in federal funding to help Coloradans with rental assistance amid the COVID-19 crisis, Gov. Jared Polis announced on Friday.
Polis and the Department of Local Affairs announced the Property Owner Preservation Program, a result of House Bill 1410 for COVID-19-related housing assistance. The funding comes from the federal CARES act to help those with financial hardships related to COVID-19.
“This has been an incredibly challenging time for many Coloradans,” Polis said in a news release. “This fund will help Coloradans who have been financially impacted by the pandemic and need rent assistance. This pandemic is far from over, and we will continue working to do everything we can to help provide some relief to those who have been significantly impacted.”
The program funds will be used for rental assistance, mortgage assistance and guidance on how to access other housing services in Colorado.
Our partners at The Denver Channel have the full story.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Denver Public Schools to start school year online, transition to classrooms in September at the earl

Denver Public Schools to start school year online, transition to classrooms in September at the earliest

Denver Public Schools will delay the fall semester by one week and begin classes remotely , with students using online-learning platforms starting Aug. 24 and not returning to their classrooms until September at the earliest , district officials announced Friday .
Colorado ’ s largest district will not reopen its schools until “ at least Sept. 8 , ” based on new COVID-19 guidance from local public health officials , Superintendent Susana Cordova notified principals and other senior staff in a letter ahead of the announcement .
“ We know that the educational , emotional and social needs of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID crisis is not over , ” Cordova said during an evening news conference .
“ Our priority remains reopening schools safely for in-person learning when it is safe.
” New coronavirus infections have been increasing in Colorado for the last month , and health officials in Denver and statewide have raised concerns about a late-summer spike in cases that could strain area hospitals ’ intensive care units .
Based on current models of COVID-19 spread in Denver , “ we have come to the determination that it would not be possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cohorts we ’ d been planning , ” she said .
The district ’ s draft reopening plan , obtained by The Denver Post earlier this week , had suggested schools would have “ cohorts ” — groups of kids who stay together to minimize contact with others — of 30 students .
While social distancing will be encouraged in schools , DPS officials were not planning to reduce class sizes .
Starting the week of Aug. 17 , teachers will begin reaching out to individual students to build relationships and assess their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed out laptops and hotspots in the spring to students who needed them and plans to expand that effort going into the fall , Cordova said .
Most classes will begin Aug. 24 , though dates for charter and innovation schools may be different .
The change affects all students in kindergarten through 12th grade .
Early childhood education will not be available in this format , Cordova said ; however , the district will provide activities for families to use at home in lieu of remote education .
Athletics can proceed outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado High School Activities Association standards , according to the announcement .
This is not the first time DPS has shifted its plan for the fall .
In May , the district floated the idea of a hybrid approach that would have kids in school for in-person instruction part-time and have them supplement that with online work remotely .
In June , DPS leaders announced plans to welcome students back for in-person learning five days a week with the option of a 100 % online curriculum for families that did not feel comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents were informed that the district was considering delaying the start of the school year and in-person learning , even as officials were making plans for a full return to school .
When DPS surveyed families about their preferences , about 75 % said they wanted schools to reopen fully , Cordova said .
Enrollment for the online option opens July 27 .
Cordova acknowledged the new format may be a challenge for many families .
It wasn ’ t an easy decision , she said , adding the district aims to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the students might transition back to in-person learning .
That decision will be made at a later date based on analysis of local rates of COVID-19 , she said .
Metro school districts including those in Douglas County , Aurora and Littleton also have announced delayed openings to their fall semesters , but so far have not revealed plans to start students online before returning to the classroom .

Denver Public Schools will delay the fall semester by one week and begin classes remotely, with students using online-learning platforms starting Aug. 24 and not returning to their classrooms until September at the earliest, district officials announced Friday.
Colorado’s largest district will not reopen its schools until “at least Sept. 8,” based on new COVID-19 guidance from local public health officials, Superintendent Susana Cordova notified principals and other senior staff in a letter ahead of the announcement.
“We know that the educational, emotional and social needs of our students are best met in person… but the COVID crisis is not over,” Cordova said during an evening news conference. “Our priority remains reopening schools safely for in-person learning when it is safe.”
New coronavirus infections have been increasing in Colorado for the last month, and health officials in Denver and statewide have raised concerns about a late-summer spike in cases that could strain area hospitals’ intensive care units.
Based on current models of COVID-19 spread in Denver, “we have come to the determination that it would not be possible to open schools with the size of cohorts we’d been planning,” she said.
The district’s draft reopening plan, obtained by The Denver Post earlier this week, had suggested schools would have “cohorts” — groups of kids who stay together to minimize contact with others — of 30 students. While social distancing will be encouraged in schools, DPS officials were not planning to reduce class sizes.
Starting the week of Aug. 17, teachers will begin reaching out to individual students to build relationships and assess their technology needs for remote learning. DPS handed out laptops and hotspots in the spring to students who needed them and plans to expand that effort going into the fall, Cordova said.
Most classes will begin Aug. 24, though dates for charter and innovation schools may be different. The change affects all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Early childhood education will not be available in this format, Cordova said; however, the district will provide activities for families to use at home in lieu of remote education.
Athletics can proceed outdoors as planned and will continue to follow Colorado High School Activities Association standards, according to the announcement.
This is not the first time DPS has shifted its plan for the fall.
In May, the district floated the idea of a hybrid approach that would have kids in school for in-person instruction part-time and have them supplement that with online work remotely. In June, DPS leaders announced plans to welcome students back for in-person learning five days a week with the option of a 100% online curriculum for families that did not feel comfortable returning to school.
This week, parents were informed that the district was considering delaying the start of the school year and in-person learning, even as officials were making plans for a full return to school.
When DPS surveyed families about their preferences, about 75% said they wanted schools to reopen fully, Cordova said. Enrollment for the online option opens July 27.
Cordova acknowledged the new format may be a challenge for many families. It wasn’t an easy decision, she said, adding the district aims to be thoughtful and proactive in informing families of when the students might transition back to in-person learning.
That decision will be made at a later date based on analysis of local rates of COVID-19, she said.
Metro school districts including those in Douglas County, Aurora and Littleton also have announced delayed openings to their fall semesters, but so far have not revealed plans to start students online before returning to the classroom.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Rockies release highly paid relievers Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw, ushering in new era for Colorado’s

Rockies release highly paid relievers Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw, ushering in new era for Colorado’s bullpen

The Rockies released veteran pitchers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee on Friday in a move aimed at reinvigorating the club ’ s bullpen , which posted a 5.18 ERA last year .
Colorado ’ s waiving of the duo brings an end to a pricey and ineffective tenure for both pitchers , who each signed three-year , $ 27 million deals prior to the 2018 season .
“ The primary piece of the decision was past performance and expected future performance , ” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said .
“ The last couple of years has been a rough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistency of performance.
” Shaw , 32 , had 5.38 ERA over 70 appearances last season .
This year , he was due the prorated amount ( based on the amended 60-game season ) of his $ 9 million salary , while McGee , 33 , was due to make a prorated amount of $ 9.5 million after posting a combined 5.42 ERA the last couple of years .
The Rockies are on the hook for those prorated salaries , as well as their buyouts for next season .
The duo did little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the coaching staff in spring training in Arizona , or during summer camp at Coors Field this month .
Shaw originally signed with Colorado as a free agent following a successful five-year stint in Cleveland , where he never had an ERA over 3.52 .
McGee , who came to Colorado by trade from Tampa Bay in 2016 , posted a 4.17 ERA in his first couple of seasons in Colorado , but largely unraveled after that .
“ Their stuff was similar to what we ’ ve seen the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The direction of our pitching staff , for this season and moving forward , ( needed to be different ) .
” Their departures open the door for a number of up-and-coming pitchers .
Right-handers Carlos Estevez , Jairo Diaz and Jesus Tinoco will surely see more opportunities for innings , as will right-hander Yency Almonte , right-hander Tyler Kinley , and potentially left-handers James Pazos , Phillip Diehl and Tim Collins .
Plus , right-hander Daniel Bard and two other non-roster invitees in camp , outfielder Matt Kemp and utilityman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be included on the team ’ s opening day 30-man roster .
Hence , the Rockies needed to create roster space , and Shaw and McGee were blocking the way for some of those players .
“ The second piece of the decision is connected to the third piece , ” Bridich explained .
“ We have a number of players on our roster currently who are out of options ( like right-hander Jeff Hoffman ) , and you expect them and want them to be part of this club .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of decisions on additions to the roster that we will make or intend to make.
” The Rockies currently have 35 players on their 40-man roster , so even with the coming additions of Bard , Kemp and Owings , Bridich said the Rockies will be making more roster moves this weekend .
“ We have some decisions to make still , and I think you ’ ll see a slew of those decisions in the next couple days here that affect our roster and some of the players already on our @ @ @ @ @ @

The Rockies released veteran pitchers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee on Friday in a move aimed at reinvigorating the club’s bullpen, which posted a 5.18 ERA last year.
Colorado’s waiving of the duo brings an end to a pricey and ineffective tenure for both pitchers, who each signed three-year, $27 million deals prior to the 2018 season.
“The primary piece of the decision was past performance and expected future performance,” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said. “The last couple of years has been a rough go for both guys in terms of consistency of performance.”
Shaw, 32, had 5.38 ERA over 70 appearances last season. This year, he was due the prorated amount (based on the amended 60-game season) of his $9 million salary, while McGee, 33, was due to make a prorated amount of $9.5 million after posting a combined 5.42 ERA the last couple of years. The Rockies are on the hook for those prorated salaries, as well as their buyouts for next season.
The duo did little to impress manager Bud Black or the rest of the coaching staff in spring training in Arizona, or during summer camp at Coors Field this month.
Shaw originally signed with Colorado as a free agent following a successful five-year stint in Cleveland, where he never had an ERA over 3.52. McGee, who came to Colorado by trade from Tampa Bay in 2016, posted a 4.17 ERA in his first couple of seasons in Colorado, but largely unraveled after that.
“Their stuff was similar to what we’ve seen the past couple years,” Black said Friday. “The direction of our pitching staff, for this season and moving forward, (needed to be different).”
Their departures open the door for a number of up-and-coming pitchers. Right-handers Carlos Estevez, Jairo Diaz and Jesus Tinoco will surely see more opportunities for innings, as will right-hander Yency Almonte, right-hander Tyler Kinley, and potentially left-handers James Pazos, Phillip Diehl and Tim Collins.
Plus, right-hander Daniel Bard and two other non-roster invitees in camp, outfielder Matt Kemp and utilityman Chris Owings, were told Friday they will be included on the team’s opening day 30-man roster. Hence, the Rockies needed to create roster space, and Shaw and McGee were blocking the way for some of those players.
“The second piece of the decision is connected to the third piece,” Bridich explained. “We have a number of players on our roster currently who are out of options (like right-hander Jeff Hoffman), and you expect them and want them to be part of this club. In addition to that, there are a number of decisions on additions to the roster that we will make or intend to make.”
The Rockies currently have 35 players on their 40-man roster, so even with the coming additions of Bard, Kemp and Owings, Bridich said the Rockies will be making more roster moves this weekend.
“We have some decisions to make still, and I think you’ll see a slew of those decisions in the next couple days here that affect our roster and some of the players already on our roster,” Bridich said.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Eagle County tightens restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise

Eagle County is tightening restrictions on gatherings and increasing testing efforts in response to growing COVID-19 cases in the region , local health officials announced Friday .
The county — which was one of the first and hardest-hit areas in March before becoming one of Colorado ’ s best success stories in fighting the virus — implemented an amended health order Friday limiting private gatherings to 10 people or less .
Previously , the county did not differentiate between public and private gatherings .
In the amended order , indoor public gatherings can remain at 100 people or less and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap .
The major difference : venues and businesses with enough space could previously go over these numbers under a “ multiple groups ” exception .
That exception has been eliminated in the new order , meaning the 100- and 175-person numbers can not be topped .
Local health officials said transmission has steadily risen over the past few weeks — and especially over the past five days — while the percentage of positive test results also has trended up .
Hospitalizations have not yet increased , but officials noted that this number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our community goals are based on slowing the current spread of COVID-19 and keeping transmission rates within Eagle County at low levels , ” said Heath Harmon , director of Eagle County Public Health and Environment .
“ Taking actions now will directly support our longer-term goals including maintaining the current economy , keeping our workforce employed , opening schools , and preparing for a winter with ski resorts opened.
” Other changes include increasing testing capacity and ensuring results within two day , while also assuring paid leave for those forced to @ @ @ @

Eagle County is tightening restrictions on gatherings and increasing testing efforts in response to growing COVID-19 cases in the region, local health officials announced Friday.
The county — which was one of the first and hardest-hit areas in March before becoming one of Colorado’s best success stories in fighting the virus — implemented an amended health order Friday limiting private gatherings to 10 people or less. Previously, the county did not differentiate between public and private gatherings.
In the amended order, indoor public gatherings can remain at 100 people or less and outdoor public gatherings stayed at a 175-person cap. The major difference: venues and businesses with enough space could previously go over these numbers under a “multiple groups” exception. That exception has been eliminated in the new order, meaning the 100- and 175-person numbers cannot be topped.
Local health officials said transmission has steadily risen over the past few weeks — and especially over the past five days — while the percentage of positive test results also has trended up. Hospitalizations have not yet increased, but officials noted that this number lags behind by several weeks.
“Our community goals are based on slowing the current spread of COVID-19 and keeping transmission rates within Eagle County at low levels,” said Heath Harmon, director of Eagle County Public Health and Environment. “Taking actions now will directly support our longer-term goals including maintaining the current economy, keeping our workforce employed, opening schools, and preparing for a winter with ski resorts opened.”
Other changes include increasing testing capacity and ensuring results within two day, while also assuring paid leave for those forced to isolate or quarantine.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Aurora police officer left restrained woman on floor of patrol car for 21 minutes despite pleas she

Aurora police officer left restrained woman on floor of patrol car for 21 minutes despite pleas she couldn’t breathe

For 21 minutes , an Aurora police officer refused to help a restrained woman who fell to the floor of his patrol vehicle despite her pleas that she could not breathe and that her neck was going to break .
The officer , Levi Huffine , was fired for his inaction in February but the department declined at the time to say what led to his termination , citing an ongoing appeals process .
Internal affairs records obtained by The Denver Post through a public records request shed light for the first time on the incident — which interim police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On Aug. 27 , Huffine transported the woman , whose name is redacted , to jail on suspicion of municipal code violations in connection with a fight , according to a summary of the internal affairs investigation .
The woman was placed in a soft restraint hobble , which controls a person ’ s ankles and can be connected to a waist chain or belt .
During the drive , the woman slid to the floorboard in the backseat of the patrol car , with her head on the floor , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an inverted position while restrained for about 21 minutes until Huffine arrived at the jail , according to the summary .
During that time , the woman “ repeatedly asked for help , said that her neck was going to break , said that she could not breathe and that she did not want to die like that , ” according to the police records .
Huffine did not stop the car to check on the woman and reposition her , or even look to see if she was OK. “ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your detainee when you did not take appropriate action in response to her numerous requests for help , ” Wilson wrote in her Feb. 6 letter informing Huffine he was fired .
“ You lost visual contact for a long period of time and did nothing to ensure her welfare.
” “ It is my expectation that officers always treat individuals with dignity and respect , and you failed to do so on this occasion , ” Wilson wrote .
“ You displayed complete disregard for her as a human being and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in your care during transport.
” Wilson overruled a lesser punishment recommended to her by the Chief ’ s Review Board , a panel of department staff that reviews discipline cases and make recommendations to the chief .
The board recommended that Huffine be suspended for 180 days .
Huffine received a copy of the letter on Feb. 24 , the records show .
He appealed the decision to the city ’ s Civil Service Commission shortly after and has a hearing for that appeal set for late September .
Huffine joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman previously said the officer had no significant prior disciplinary records .
Aurora police policy states that using a hobble on someone increases the risk for medical complications , including positional asphyxia .
The policy also bans officers from transporting people who are hobbled in patrol vehicles , like Huffine did .
“ Members will not transport detainees in patrol vehicles while the detainee is restrained by soft leg restraint systems ( hobbles ) , ” the policy states .
“ When transporting a detainee with a soft leg restraint system enabled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A man died of restraint asphyxia in Aurora police custody in December 2018 after he was left face-down on the ground with his hands and feet hobbled after an extensive fight with officers .
The man , David Baker , had struggled with mental health issues in the weeks before his death , his family said .
The 18th Judicial District Attorney ’ s Office declined to file charges against any of the officers involved in the case .

For 21 minutes, an Aurora police officer refused to help a restrained woman who fell to the floor of his patrol vehicle despite her pleas that she could not breathe and that her neck was going to break.
The officer, Levi Huffine, was fired for his inaction in February but the department declined at the time to say what led to his termination, citing an ongoing appeals process. Internal affairs records obtained by The Denver Post through a public records request shed light for the first time on the incident — which interim police Chief Vanessa Wilson called “severe misconduct.”
On Aug. 27, Huffine transported the woman, whose name is redacted, to jail on suspicion of municipal code violations in connection with a fight, according to a summary of the internal affairs investigation. The woman was placed in a soft restraint hobble, which controls a person’s ankles and can be connected to a waist chain or belt.
During the drive, the woman slid to the floorboard in the backseat of the patrol car, with her head on the floor, according to the document. The woman laid in an inverted position while restrained for about 21 minutes until Huffine arrived at the jail, according to the summary.
During that time, the woman “repeatedly asked for help, said that her neck was going to break, said that she could not breathe and that she did not want to die like that,” according to the police records.
Huffine did not stop the car to check on the woman and reposition her, or even look to see if she was OK.
“You failed to ensure the safety and security of your detainee when you did not take appropriate action in response to her numerous requests for help,” Wilson wrote in her Feb. 6 letter informing Huffine he was fired. “You lost visual contact for a long period of time and did nothing to ensure her welfare.”
“It is my expectation that officers always treat individuals with dignity and respect, and you failed to do so on this occasion,” Wilson wrote. “You displayed complete disregard for her as a human being and any suffering she may have been experiencing while in your care during transport.”
Wilson overruled a lesser punishment recommended to her by the Chief’s Review Board, a panel of department staff that reviews discipline cases and make recommendations to the chief. The board recommended that Huffine be suspended for 180 days.
Huffine received a copy of the letter on Feb. 24, the records show. He appealed the decision to the city’s Civil Service Commission shortly after and has a hearing for that appeal set for late September.
Huffine joined the department in 2012 and a police spokesman previously said the officer had no significant prior disciplinary records.
Aurora police policy states that using a hobble on someone increases the risk for medical complications, including positional asphyxia. The policy also bans officers from transporting people who are hobbled in patrol vehicles, like Huffine did.
“Members will not transport detainees in patrol vehicles while the detainee is restrained by soft leg restraint systems (hobbles),” the policy states. “When transporting a detainee with a soft leg restraint system enabled, rescue will be requested for the transport.”
A man died of restraint asphyxia in Aurora police custody in December 2018 after he was left face-down on the ground with his hands and feet hobbled after an extensive fight with officers. The man, David Baker, had struggled with mental health issues in the weeks before his death, his family said. The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against any of the officers involved in the case.


thedenverpost--2020-07-17--Reality shows shortfalls of Trump’s claim to world’s “best testing” for coronavirus

WASHINGTON — Here are some snapshots from what President Donald Trump describes as the nation with the “ best testing in the world ” for the coronavirus : In Sun Belt states where the virus is surging , lines of cars with people seeking tests snake for hours in the beating sun , often yielding results so far after the fact that they ’ re useless .
In Pittsburgh , adults who are afraid they ’ ve been exposed to the coronavirus are being asked to skip testing if they can quarantine at home for 14 days to help reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor will wait another month to lift a two-week quarantine on visitors because of test supply shortages and delays that potential visitors are facing in getting results .
“ Testing has been a challenge everywhere , ” says Utah Republican Gov .
Gary Herbert .
The White House insists it ’ s giving states whatever they need .
But public health experts say the testing system is in shambles and federal leadership is lacking .
Trump ’ s persistent salesmanship about the prowess of testing in the United States is colliding with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the explosion in coronavirus cases .
The long lines and processing delays are contributing to the virus ’ spread and upending plans to reopen stores , schools and other activities that are vital to the economic rebound that Trump himself is intent on bringing about .
“ We have the best testing in the world , ” the president insisted Tuesday .
He falsely claimed “ the cases are created because of the fact that we do tremendous testing.
” But U.S. testing on a per-capita basis lags other countries that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their outbreaks .
And state , local and federal officials are warning of the consequences of testing bottlenecks — including tests rendered useless because results come too late .
“ It ’ s essentially worthless to have a test result that comes back after 48 hours , ” said Dr. Leana Wen , an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University who previously served as Baltimore ’ s health commissioner .
She explained that after that time , the window to begin contact tracing and prevent additional infections has essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being able to rein in this virus with the amount of testing we have available at the moment , ” she added .
“ Testing is the linchpin.
” The Trump administration plays down the problem .
Adm. Brett Giroir , assistant health secretary , says more than half of U.S. states are processing test results in three days or less , adding “ everybody is doing a really good job as much as they can.
” Guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that states , as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnaround time under two days .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany suggests that it ’ s states that need to do more .
“ There are various different types of tests in this country , ” she said Thursday .
“ Some take longer to process than others .
But we have surged testing to the states and we encourage them to use it to their best ability and to process those tests as quickly as possible.
” Yet even Republican governors say they need more federal help .
Maryland Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governors Association , is deeply critical of the administration ’ s testing response .
“ We expected something more than constant heckling from the man who was supposed to be our leader , ” Hogan wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post this week .
“ Trump soon disabused us of that expectation .
“ On April 6 , he declared that testing wasn ’ t Washington ’ s responsibility after all , ” Hogan went on .
“ ’ States can do their own testing , ’ ” he quoted Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re the federal government .
We ’ re not supposed to stand on street corners doing testing.
’ ” Whoever is responsible for testing shortfalls , the result is working against Trump ’ s own goals to move beyond the virus and get the economy moving .
In Hawaii , Democratic Gov .
David Ige said a shortage of chemical reagents used in testing was one reason the state will delay a plan to make it easier for tourists to visit .
It was a huge disappointment to many in Hawaii hoping for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , get people back to work and reduce the state ’ s 22.6 % unemployment rate .
In Pennsylvania ’ s Allegheny County , which encompasses Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents , health officials are trying to triage the demand for tests .
Dr. Debra Bogen , director of the county ’ s Health Department , is asking adults who are concerned that they were exposed , but do not have symptoms , to put off getting tested .
Even as the White House sticks with its rosy outlook , the U.S. government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus testing is urging Americans not to get retested for COVID-19 to confirm they ’ ve recovered .
“ It ’ s clogging up the system , ” Giroir said .
He said U.S. officials will soon issue guidelines explicitly recommending against the practice , except for patients in the most severe cases .
The American Clinical Laboratory Association said many of its labs are being stretched beyond capacity or don ’ t have the supplies they need , and this week encouraged members to give priority to “ those most in need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I feel a bit like a broken record — nothing has really changed , ” said Dr. Carmen Wiley , president of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry .
“ There ’ s a huge disconnect between what the task force indicates is happening and what we are truly experiencing in the field.
” U.S. officials are aiming to increase the use of rapid tests to shorten turnaround times .
Those tests can usually be developed in 15 minutes or less and be performed at testing sites , doctor ’ s offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less accurate than the tests that need to be processed at clinical laboratories .
This week U.S. health officials announced they would begin shipping rapid testing machines and kits to nursing homes in COVID-19 hot spots .
The goal is to eventually provide the equipment to all nursing homes in the U.S .
The Health and Human Services Department has also been establishing surge test sites in hot spot areas to increase testing for vulnerable populations , said Devin O ’ Malley a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a public health expert at Georgetown University , called the Trump administration ’ s claims about effective testing “ laughable.
” “ The on-the-ground experience , in fact , is borne out by the data , ” Gostin said .
“ We don ’ t have the testing kits .
We don ’ t have the labs to process it .
There are backlogs .
All of this is very unhelpful.
” ___ Stobbe reported from New York .
Associated Press writer Matthew Perrone in Washington contributed to this report .
Join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on coronavirus in Colorado .

Zeke Miller, Darlene Superville, Mike Stobbe

WASHINGTON — Here are some snapshots from what President Donald Trump describes as the nation with the “best testing in the world” for the coronavirus:
In Sun Belt states where the virus is surging, lines of cars with people seeking tests snake for hours in the beating sun, often yielding results so far after the fact that they’re useless.
In Pittsburgh, adults who are afraid they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus are being asked to skip testing if they can quarantine at home for 14 days to help reduce delays and backlogs.
In Hawaii, the governor will wait another month to lift a two-week quarantine on visitors because of test supply shortages and delays that potential visitors are facing in getting results.
“Testing has been a challenge everywhere,” says Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert.
The White House insists it’s giving states whatever they need. But public health experts say the testing system is in shambles and federal leadership is lacking. Trump’s persistent salesmanship about the prowess of testing in the United States is colliding with a far different reality for those affected by the explosion in coronavirus cases.
The long lines and processing delays are contributing to the virus’ spread and upending plans to reopen stores, schools and other activities that are vital to the economic rebound that Trump himself is intent on bringing about.
“We have the best testing in the world,” the president insisted Tuesday. He falsely claimed “the cases are created because of the fact that we do tremendous testing.”
But U.S. testing on a per-capita basis lags other countries that have done a far better job of controlling their outbreaks. And state, local and federal officials are warning of the consequences of testing bottlenecks — including tests rendered useless because results come too late.
“It’s essentially worthless to have a test result that comes back after 48 hours,” said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University who previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner. She explained that after that time, the window to begin contact tracing and prevent additional infections has essentially closed.
“We are nowhere near being able to rein in this virus with the amount of testing we have available at the moment,” she added. “Testing is the linchpin.”
The Trump administration plays down the problem.
Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant health secretary, says more than half of U.S. states are processing test results in three days or less, adding “everybody is doing a really good job as much as they can.”
Guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that states, as they lift final virus restrictions, have a turnaround time under two days.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany suggests that it’s states that need to do more.
“There are various different types of tests in this country,” she said Thursday. “Some take longer to process than others. But we have surged testing to the states and we encourage them to use it to their best ability and to process those tests as quickly as possible.”
Yet even Republican governors say they need more federal help.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, chairman of the National Governors Association, is deeply critical of the administration’s testing response.
“We expected something more than constant heckling from the man who was supposed to be our leader,” Hogan wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post this week. “Trump soon disabused us of that expectation.
“On April 6, he declared that testing wasn’t Washington’s responsibility after all,” Hogan went on. “’States can do their own testing,’” he quoted Trump as saying. “’We’re the federal government. We’re not supposed to stand on street corners doing testing.’”
Whoever is responsible for testing shortfalls, the result is working against Trump’s own goals to move beyond the virus and get the economy moving.
In Hawaii, Democratic Gov. David Ige said a shortage of chemical reagents used in testing was one reason the state will delay a plan to make it easier for tourists to visit. It was a huge disappointment to many in Hawaii hoping for a surge in tourism to reopen hotels, get people back to work and reduce the state’s 22.6% unemployment rate.
In Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County, which encompasses Pittsburgh and 1.2 million residents, health officials are trying to triage the demand for tests. Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the county’s Health Department, is asking adults who are concerned that they were exposed, but do not have symptoms, to put off getting tested.
Even as the White House sticks with its rosy outlook, the U.S. government’s top official in charge of coronavirus testing is urging Americans not to get retested for COVID-19 to confirm they’ve recovered.
“It’s clogging up the system,” Giroir said. He said U.S. officials will soon issue guidelines explicitly recommending against the practice, except for patients in the most severe cases.
The American Clinical Laboratory Association said many of its labs are being stretched beyond capacity or don’t have the supplies they need, and this week encouraged members to give priority to “those most in need, especially hospitalized and symptomatic patients.”
“I feel a bit like a broken record — nothing has really changed,” said Dr. Carmen Wiley, president of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry. “There’s a huge disconnect between what the task force indicates is happening and what we are truly experiencing in the field.”
U.S. officials are aiming to increase the use of rapid tests to shorten turnaround times. Those tests can usually be developed in 15 minutes or less and be performed at testing sites, doctor’s offices and clinics. They tend to be less accurate than the tests that need to be processed at clinical laboratories.
This week U.S. health officials announced they would begin shipping rapid testing machines and kits to nursing homes in COVID-19 hot spots. The goal is to eventually provide the equipment to all nursing homes in the U.S.
The Health and Human Services Department has also been establishing surge test sites in hot spot areas to increase testing for vulnerable populations, said Devin O’Malley a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the coronavirus task force.
Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University, called the Trump administration’s claims about effective testing “laughable.”
“The on-the-ground experience, in fact, is borne out by the data,” Gostin said. “We don’t have the testing kits. We don’t have the labs to process it. There are backlogs. All of this is very unhelpful.”
___ Stobbe reported from New York. Associated Press writer Matthew Perrone in Washington contributed to this report.
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