thedenverpost--2020-08-31--“Start acting like men, not boys”: More Boulder fraternities fined for parties flouting COVID-19 hea

“Start acting like men, not boys”: More Boulder fraternities fined for parties flouting COVID-19 health rules

Five Boulder fraternities now face more than $ 10,000 in fines between them and condemnation from a fellow fraternity brother who presides over the chapters following a weekend of parties and gatherings that violated COVID-19 public health protocols .
New fines against four fraternities , in addition to those levied against another chapter last week , were detailed in an email the president of Boulder ’ s Interfraternity Council on the Hill sent to the presidents and alumni advisers of all 22 member chapters .
“ The behavior of your fraternities over the last two weeks has been nothing short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and president of IFC on the Hill .
“ It is my responsibility to ensure that our community is represented in the most positive light possible .
Your lack of control over the members of your chapters makes it nearly impossible to accomplish that goal .
The actions that have been displayed by a majority of our member chapters are completely indefensible .
I am at a loss for words as to how to further communicate to all of you the severity of our situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Over 183,000 people in the United States have died from COVD-19 .
We truly find ourselves in a life and death situation .
You have failed your chapters and you have failed our community .
WE MUST DO BETTER.
” Last week , The Denver Post reported the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in Boulder was the first to be fined for a gathering that drew 120 students to the organization ’ s house on University Hill , flouting Boulder County ’ s COVID-19 health protocols .
Sigma Alpha Epsilon received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which scores of young men met for a pre-rush event that lacked social distancing and masks .
The additional chapters fined after weekend parities and gatherings : Marc Stine , who oversees IFC on the Hill , said Phi Kappa Tau is facing a higher fine because the chapter held two gatherings that violated COVID-19 rules .
One Phi Kappa Tau party was partially captured on video shared on social media .
The footage shows a large group of unmasked young men chanting and pumping their fists .
Eventually , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The new violations all happened after Thursday evening , when IFC on the Hill fraternity members were told about the potential fines and consequences they could face for breaking public health rules in the midst of a pandemic , Stine said .
Chana Goussetis , spokeswoman for Boulder County Public Health , said gatherings should be limited to 10 people with social distancing , mask wearing and hygiene guidance being followed if the people attending do not live in the same household .
COVID-19 cases spiked in Boulder County in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge partially blamed on parties .
It isn ’ t entirely clear how many COVID-19 cases the University of Colorado Boulder has confirmed through its testing because the school does not yet report cumulative case counts , though it has said it plans to revamp its online dashboard following complaints .
• Boulder fraternity to be fined over large gathering of CU students without masks or social distancing • Fraternity shuts down Boulder chapter amid allegations CU students were drugged on University Hill • 15 years after pledge ’ s hazing death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fraternities “ nonexistent ” • As Colorado ’ s college campuses reopen , schools look to students to help control COVID-19 • What can Colorado college freshmen expect the fall semester to be like in a pandemic ?
Boulder County has seen more than 2,300 positive COVID-19 cases since March with nearly 200 people hospitalized due to the contagious respiratory illness , according to the county .
CU Boulder , along with other colleges , has been adamant about placing responsibility for a safe and successful in-person semester on its students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of the pandemic or face consequences .
The fines for these five fraternity chapters will be donated to Clinica , a local health care organization , Wenzlaff wrote in his email .
“ In case it is not already clear to you , I am disgusted with the lack of leadership that many of you have displayed , ” Wenzlaff wrote .
“ As presidents , you are the sole individual responsible for the behavior of your chapter .
That means that the school can hold you accountable for their violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At your chapter meetings this week , you need to light a fire under your men .
Wear your masks , practice social distancing , and keep groups to ten or under .
These are not suggestions ; they are requirements .
We all need to step up and start acting like men , not boys.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Five Boulder fraternities now face more than $10,000 in fines between them and condemnation from a fellow fraternity brother who presides over the chapters following a weekend of parties and gatherings that violated COVID-19 public health protocols.
New fines against four fraternities, in addition to those levied against another chapter last week, were detailed in an email the president of Boulder’s Interfraternity Council on the Hill sent to the presidents and alumni advisers of all 22 member chapters.
“The behavior of your fraternities over the last two weeks has been nothing short of outrageous,” wrote Adam Wenzlaff, a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and president of IFC on the Hill. “It is my responsibility to ensure that our community is represented in the most positive light possible. Your lack of control over the members of your chapters makes it nearly impossible to accomplish that goal. The actions that have been displayed by a majority of our member chapters are completely indefensible. I am at a loss for words as to how to further communicate to all of you the severity of our situation.
“People are dying all around the country. Over 183,000 people in the United States have died from COVD-19. We truly find ourselves in a life and death situation. You have failed your chapters and you have failed our community. WE MUST DO BETTER.”
Last week, The Denver Post reported the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in Boulder was the first to be fined for a gathering that drew 120 students to the organization’s house on University Hill, flouting Boulder County’s COVID-19 health protocols.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon received a $1,610 fine for the gathering in which scores of young men met for a pre-rush event that lacked social distancing and masks.
The additional chapters fined after weekend parities and gatherings:
Phi Kappa Psi is being fined $1,610
Tau Kappa Epsilon is being fined $1,860
Theta Xi receiving is being fined $1,500
Phi Kappa Tau is being fined $4,470
Marc Stine, who oversees IFC on the Hill, said Phi Kappa Tau is facing a higher fine because the chapter held two gatherings that violated COVID-19 rules. One Phi Kappa Tau party was partially captured on video shared on social media. The footage shows a large group of unmasked young men chanting and pumping their fists. Eventually, one of them leaps onto a table, breaking it.
The new violations all happened after Thursday evening, when IFC on the Hill fraternity members were told about the potential fines and consequences they could face for breaking public health rules in the midst of a pandemic, Stine said.
Chana Goussetis, spokeswoman for Boulder County Public Health, said gatherings should be limited to 10 people with social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene guidance being followed if the people attending do not live in the same household.
COVID-19 cases spiked in Boulder County in June, especially among college-aged people, in a surge partially blamed on parties.
It isn’t entirely clear how many COVID-19 cases the University of Colorado Boulder has confirmed through its testing because the school does not yet report cumulative case counts, though it has said it plans to revamp its online dashboard following complaints.
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Boulder County has seen more than 2,300 positive COVID-19 cases since March with nearly 200 people hospitalized due to the contagious respiratory illness, according to the county.
CU Boulder, along with other colleges, has been adamant about placing responsibility for a safe and successful in-person semester on its students, asking them to alter their behavior in the face of the pandemic or face consequences.
The fines for these five fraternity chapters will be donated to Clinica, a local health care organization, Wenzlaff wrote in his email.
“In case it is not already clear to you, I am disgusted with the lack of leadership that many of you have displayed,” Wenzlaff wrote. “As presidents, you are the sole individual responsible for the behavior of your chapter. That means that the school can hold you accountable for their violations. YOU CAN BE EXPELLED.
“At your chapter meetings this week, you need to light a fire under your men. Wear your masks, practice social distancing, and keep groups to ten or under. These are not suggestions; they are requirements. We all need to step up and start acting like men, not boys.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-08-31--Bandimere Speedway to host rally in protest of coronavirus precautions, sparking concern with public

Bandimere Speedway to host rally in protest of coronavirus precautions, sparking concern with public health officials

The Jefferson County racetrack that health officials took to court for violating social distancing requirements at its events is hosting a “ Stop the COVID Chaos ” rally Tuesday , renewing concerns from the county health department about public safety amid a pandemic .
Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville and right-wing activist Michelle Malkin are slated to attend the evening rally at Bandimere Speedway , according to a statement on the racetrack ’ s website .
Attorney Randy Corporon , who has represented the racetrack , and members of the Bandimere family will also attend the event , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why public health orders regarding coronavirus precautions are unconstitutional , according to the statement .
Malkin and Neville filed a lawsuit against Gov .
Jared Polis earlier this month in which they asked the state Supreme Court to strike down the statewide mask mandate on the grounds that the governor and health departments overstepped their authority .
The court on Friday declined to hear the case .
Corporon , John Bandimere III and Neville did not immediately return requests for comment Monday .
Ashley Sever , a spokeswoman for Jefferson County Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court to enforce social distancing requirements at the speedway ’ s events — said in a statement that the department was concerned about the rally .
“ People have a right to express their opinions and grievances , and we fully respect freedom of speech and expression , ” the statement said .
“ At the same time , we are concerned about public health and safety.
” Under current county public health orders , the health department must pre-approve large events , and masks must be worn in outdoor settings when social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the statement .
The health department has notified Bandimere Speedway of its requirements under the law , the statement said .
The racetrack ’ s announcement made no mention of enforcing social distancing , limiting crowd size or taking any other coronavirus precautions during the event .
It did say the rally may include some casual racing , with “ all local media personalities ” invited to attend and “ challenge one of the co-hosts to a safe , supervised run down the race track in one of Bandimere ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The rally will end with a photo of attendees on the racetrack , according to the statement , which encouraged attendees to wear red , white and blue clothing .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

The Jefferson County racetrack that health officials took to court for violating social distancing requirements at its events is hosting a “Stop the COVID Chaos” rally Tuesday, renewing concerns from the county health department about public safety amid a pandemic.
Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville and right-wing activist Michelle Malkin are slated to attend the evening rally at Bandimere Speedway, according to a statement on the racetrack’s website.
Attorney Randy Corporon, who has represented the racetrack, and members of the Bandimere family will also attend the event, which will include speeches and a presentation on why public health orders regarding coronavirus precautions are unconstitutional, according to the statement.
Malkin and Neville filed a lawsuit against Gov. Jared Polis earlier this month in which they asked the state Supreme Court to strike down the statewide mask mandate on the grounds that the governor and health departments overstepped their authority. The court on Friday declined to hear the case.
Corporon, John Bandimere III and Neville did not immediately return requests for comment Monday.
Ashley Sever, a spokeswoman for Jefferson County Public Health — which previously took the racetrack to court to enforce social distancing requirements at the speedway’s events — said in a statement that the department was concerned about the rally.
“People have a right to express their opinions and grievances, and we fully respect freedom of speech and expression,” the statement said. “At the same time, we are concerned about public health and safety.”
Under current county public health orders, the health department must pre-approve large events, and masks must be worn in outdoor settings when social distancing can’t be maintained, according to the statement. The health department has notified Bandimere Speedway of its requirements under the law, the statement said.
The racetrack’s announcement made no mention of enforcing social distancing, limiting crowd size or taking any other coronavirus precautions during the event.
It did say the rally may include some casual racing, with “all local media personalities” invited to attend and “challenge one of the co-hosts to a safe, supervised run down the race track in one of Bandimere’s challenge cars,” according to the statement.
The rally will end with a photo of attendees on the racetrack, according to the statement, which encouraged attendees to wear red, white and blue clothing.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-08-31--Aurora man sentenced to 60 years in prison for sex assaults of two girls

An Aurora man who sexually assaulted two preteen girls has been sentenced to 60 years to life in prison .
Jeremy Hasani Scott , 44 , was sentenced Thursday in Arapahoe County District Court after a jury found him guilty in February on all counts related to the assaults of the two girls , according to a district attorney ’ s office news release .
The victims were daughters of a woman with whom Scott had a relationship , according to the release .
One victim was a 9-year-old when the assaults began in 2008 .
The second victim was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
“ After a pattern of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old girl for years from a position of trust , this serial predator chose to force his survivors onto the stand to face accusations that they were liars , ” said District Attorney George Brauchler in the release .
“ The girls are to be commended for their courage .
He is to be condemned for his conduct.
” Scott was convicted on five counts of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed down the sentence .
Both girls , supporters and family members gave impact statements to the judge during sentencing arguments .
The first girl assaulted , now an adult , told the court : “ For all those years he had the power , but now I am taking control .
Life is too short to stay in the past .
Bottled-up fear continued to expand because my voice was silenced … I never thought I would be taken seriously .
Until now.
” The second girl said : Scott “ raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s hard for me to sleep at night .
I am strong because I know that I am more than a victim — I am a survivor of the very terrible things that man did to me .
”

An Aurora man who sexually assaulted two preteen girls has been sentenced to 60 years to life in prison.
Jeremy Hasani Scott, 44, was sentenced Thursday in Arapahoe County District Court after a jury found him guilty in February on all counts related to the assaults of the two girls, according to a district attorney’s office news release.
The victims were daughters of a woman with whom Scott had a relationship, according to the release.
One victim was a 9-year-old when the assaults began in 2008. The second victim was a 10-year-old when assaults on her began in 2019.
“After a pattern of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old and a 10-year-old girl for years from a position of trust, this serial predator chose to force his survivors onto the stand to face accusations that they were liars,” said District Attorney George Brauchler in the release. “The girls are to be commended for their courage. He is to be condemned for his conduct.”
Scott was convicted on five counts of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust.
Arapahoe District Court Judge John Scipione handed down the sentence. Both girls, supporters and family members gave impact statements to the judge during sentencing arguments.
The first girl assaulted, now an adult, told the court: “For all those years he had the power, but now I am taking control. Life is too short to stay in the past. Bottled-up fear continued to expand because my voice was silenced … I never thought I would be taken seriously. Until now.”
The second girl said: Scott “raised me, but he also hurt me. It’s hard for me to sleep at night. I am strong because I know that I am more than a victim — I am a survivor of the very terrible things that man did to me.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--CO Eagles Logan O’Connor, Conor Timmins play big roles for Avalanche

The Colorado Eagles , proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Avalanche , had two recent full-time players in the Avs ’ starting lineup Monday night in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars in Edmonton .
Defenseman Conor Timmins , making his NHL playoff debut , started alongside partner Sam Girard in Colorado ’ s 6-3 victory at Rogers Place .
And forward Logan O ’ Connor , who was playing in his third NHL playoff game , was the starting right winger on Colorado ’ s fourth line .
They both played well .
Timmins logged 14:44 , fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was plus-1 .
O ’ Connor , the former University of Denver standout , played 12:23 and had the primary assist on the Avs ’ first goal scored by veteran Pierre-Edouard Bellemare .
“ We know he ’ s got speed , ” Bellemare , 35 , said of O ’ Connor , 24 , who collected his first career playoff point with a back-pass from the right wing to the trailer .
“ He ’ s got such good speed he got the puck and tried to attack and he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind , I don ’ t know if he sees me at no , but it ’ s an unbelievable pass .
And it ’ s just there for me to shoot it .
“ At the end of the day , his legs and his ( skating ) , it ’ s not that easy to come in like this and just jump in but he ’ s doing an unbelievable job.
” Avs coach Jared Bednar used Timmins in place of Kevin Connauton , who had replaced Erik Johnson after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Timmins , 21 , made his NHL debut on opening night in October but was sent after the second game with the Avs .
He and O ’ Connor each played 40 games with the Eagles .
“ We ’ ve like what he ’ s done since we ’ ve been here , ” Bednar said of Timmins , selected by the Avs with the 32nd pick in the 2017 draft .
“ We ’ ve moved him into the big group when EJ got hurt .
Watching him practice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on meetings and bringing him up to speed .
We kind of run two groups on most days .
We ’ ve liked what we ’ ve seen.
” Bednar partly chose Timmins over Connauton because the former gives the blueline a second right-shot that Johnson provided .
Young star Cale Makar is the other available right-shot defenseman .
“ I thought he was great , ” Bednar said of Timmins .
“ To come in as a young guy into that type of game against a real good team in Dallas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I thought he had a lot of poise .
He moved the puck real well , used his first option , didn ’ t complicate things .
He was a real good defender .
I really liked his night.
” MacKinnon .
Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon had two points ( goal ) to increase his NHL playoff scoring lead to 23 points .
He has now scored in all 13 postseason games , the longest playoff run since Chicago ’ s Jonathan Toews had a 13-game stretch in 2010 .
MacKinnon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of four players to have a point streak of 13 or more games to start the postseason , joining Bryan Trottier ( 18 games in 1981 ) , Mark Messier ( 14 games in 1988 and 13 games in 1994 ) and Bobby Orr ( 14 games in 1970 and 13 games in 1972 ) .
Footnotes .
MacKinnon and teammate Nazem Kadri each have eight goals this postseason , the first time the Avs have had two players with eight-plus goals in the playoffs since 2002 ( Joe Sakic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … Makar , who had an assist in a team-high 24:26 , has 14 points in the playoffs — tied for second-most in NHL history among rookie defensemen behind Boston ’ s Glen Wesley in 1988 ( 16 ) .

The Colorado Eagles, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Avalanche, had two recent full-time players in the Avs’ lineup Monday night in Game 5 against the Dallas Stars in Edmonton.
Defenseman Conor Timmins, making his NHL playoff debut, played alongside partner Sam Girard in Colorado’s 6-3 victory at Rogers Place. And forward Logan O’Connor, who was playing in his third NHL playoff game, was the right winger on Colorado’s fourth line.
They both played well. Timmins logged 14:44, fifth among the Avs’ six defensemen, and was plus-1. O’Connor, the former University of Denver standout, played 12:23 and had the primary assist on the Avs’ first goal scored by veteran Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.
“We know he’s got speed,” Bellemare, 35, said of O’Connor, 24, who collected his first career playoff point with a back-pass from the right wing to the trailer. “He’s got such good speed he got the puck and tried to attack and he made a play. I’m coming behind, I don’t know if he sees me … but it’s an unbelievable pass. And it’s just there for me to shoot it.
“At the end of the day, his legs and his (skating), it’s not that easy to come in like this and just jump in but he’s doing an unbelievable job.”
Avs coach Jared Bednar used Timmins in place of Kevin Connauton, who had replaced Erik Johnson after the alternate captain was injured in Game 1. Timmins, 21, made his NHL debut on opening night in October but was sent back to the Eagles after the second game with the Avs. He and O’Connor each played 40 games with the Eagles.
“We’ve liked what he’s done since we’ve been here,” Bednar said of Timmins, selected by the Avs with the 32nd pick in the 2017 draft. “We’ve moved him into the big group when EJ got hurt. Watching him practice, letting him get comfortable, sitting in on meetings and bringing him up to speed. We kind of run two groups on most days. We’ve liked what we’ve seen.”
Bednar partly chose Timmins over Connauton because the former gives the blueline a second right-shot that Johnson provided. Young star Cale Makar is the other available right-shot defenseman.
“I thought he was great,” Bednar said of Timmins. “To come in as a young guy into that type of game against a real good team in Dallas and do what he did for us tonight, I thought he had a lot of poise. He moved the puck real well, used his first option, didn’t complicate things. He was a real good defender. I really liked his night.”
MacKinnon streak. Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon had two points (one goal) to increase his NHL-leading playoff scoring total to 23 points. He has now scored in all 13 postseason games, the longest playoff run since Chicago’s Jonathan Toews had a 13-game stretch in 2010.
MacKinnon, who turns 25 on Tuesday, is one of four players to have a point streak of 13 or more games to start the postseason, joining Bryan Trottier (18 games in 1981), Mark Messier (14 games in 1988 and 13 games in 1994) and Bobby Orr (14 games in 1970 and 13 games in 1972).
Footnotes. MacKinnon and teammate Nazem Kadri each have eight goals this postseason, the first time the Avs have had two players with eight-plus goals in the playoffs since 2002 (Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg each had nine). … Makar, who had an assist in a team-high 24:26, has 14 points in the playoffs — tied for second-most in NHL history among rookie defensemen behind Boston’s Glen Wesley in 1988 (16).


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--Guest commentary: Hickenlooper has proven he is effective leader for affordable health care

As our country deals with an unprecedenteΩd global pandemic , I ’ m tempted to tell you stories about John Hickenlooper , crisis governor , who effectively guided Colorado through fires , floods , and mass shootings .
But instead , I ’ m going to tell you about Gov .
John Hickenlooper ’ s bold initiatives to reform our broken health care system .
Gov .
Hickenlooper ’ s commitment to improving access and reducing costs in our health care system contrasts sharply to the more-than-disappointing record of Sen. Cory Gardner .
As a Colorado House of Representatives staffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2017 , I saw firsthand what Gov .
Hickenlooper did for people struggling to afford high-quality health care coverage .
The Affordable Care Act , while imperfect , was a huge step forward for many reasons , including protections for people with preexisting conditions .
In 2011 , one of then-Congressman Gardner ’ s very first votes in Congress was to repeal the ACA .
That same year , Gov .
Hickenlooper signed a bill establishing Connect for Health Colorado , a cost-effective and transparent tool to help people shop for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care reformer , Sue Birch , to head the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing where she led efforts to integrate behavioral and physical health care and move away from fee-for-service and towards paying-for-value in our Medicaid program .
In May 2013 , as Congressman Gardner voted for the 37 th time to gut the ACA , Hickenlooper signed the Medicaid expansion bill , giving coverage to half a million more Coloradans .
Also in 2013 , Hickenlooper signed an executive order establishing the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerge as a national leader on fighting the opioid crisis , which is killing nearly 50,000 Americans each year even while COVID-19 has killed 173,000 this year .
In 2014 , Congressional Republicans–including Cory Gardner–finally achieved one of their goals and defunded the risk corridors program , which was a critical component of the ACA designed to ensure costs wouldn ’ t spike in rural regions like Colorado ’ s western slope , where people pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the whole country .
This action directly contributed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several years .
The premium increases were so bad that many people opted out of buying health insurance at all .
The reduced enrollment elevated the risk of a potential collapse of the individual market that would shift higher costs onto everyone else .
Toward the end of the 2017 session , Gov .
Hickenlooper ’ s team approached me about sponsoring a bill to study the potential for a “ reinsurance ” program to reduce premiums , stabilize the market , and prevent the cost shift .
In 2018 , Hickenlooper supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the corporate health care interests to establish a reinsurance program .
We passed the bill in the House with bipartisan support , but it was killed by the GOP Senate majority .
But we tried again in 2019 with Democratic majorities in both House and Senate , passing the reinsurance bill which reduced premiums on the individual market by an average of 20.2 % in the first year .
Governor Hickenlooper also had our back on demanding cost transparency from hospitals and drug companies , protecting consumers from surprise bills at free-standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the high cost of health care .
And , he appointed more reformers to top positions in his cabinet including Donna Lynne , Michael Conway , and Kim Bimestefer .
As governor , Hickenlooper worked tirelessly to clean up the mess Gardner helped create .
And now we need him to do it again .
Over his decade in Washington , Cory Gardner has shown us exactly who he is–a Trump loyalist who consistently sides with big corporations at the expense of regular , hard-working Americans .
Even during this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rip care from hundreds of thousands of Coloradans and gut protections for millions of Coloradans with pre-existing conditions .
I ’ m voting for John Hickenlooper this November because I ’ ve seen his character and commitment to getting things done for regular folks .
I ’ m voting for John because he wants to build on the ACA , not repeal it .
I ’ m voting for John because he knows we can add competition to the market and further reduce costs by creating a public option , allowing Medicare to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better prices , and expand access to telemedicine .
Especially during these difficult times , we need leaders who will fight for a better future for all of our neighbors .
Please join me in voting for John Hickenlooper for U.S. Senate this November .
Chris Kennedy represents House District 23 in Lakewood and Central Jeffco and serves as Assistant Majority Leader .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

As our country deals with an unprecedenteΩd global pandemic, I’m tempted to tell you stories about John Hickenlooper, crisis governor, who effectively guided Colorado through fires, floods, and mass shootings. But instead, I’m going to tell you about Gov. John Hickenlooper’s bold initiatives to reform our broken health care system. Gov. Hickenlooper’s commitment to improving access and reducing costs in our health care system contrasts sharply to the more-than-disappointing record of Sen. Cory Gardner.
As a Colorado House of Representatives staffer from 2010-2013 and as a representative myself since 2017, I saw firsthand what Gov. Hickenlooper did for people struggling to afford high-quality health care coverage. The Affordable Care Act, while imperfect, was a huge step forward for many reasons, including protections for people with preexisting conditions. In 2011, one of then-Congressman Gardner’s very first votes in Congress was to repeal the ACA. That same year, Gov. Hickenlooper signed a bill establishing Connect for Health Colorado, a cost-effective and transparent tool to help people shop for health insurance. And he appointed a health care reformer, Sue Birch, to head the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing where she led efforts to integrate behavioral and physical health care and move away from fee-for-service and towards paying-for-value in our Medicaid program.
In May 2013, as Congressman Gardner voted for the 37 th time to gut the ACA, Hickenlooper signed the Medicaid expansion bill, giving coverage to half a million more Coloradans. Also in 2013, Hickenlooper signed an executive order establishing the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, a first-of-its-kind collaboration that has helped Colorado emerge as a national leader on fighting the opioid crisis, which is killing nearly 50,000 Americans each year even while COVID-19 has killed 173,000 this year.
In 2014, Congressional Republicans–including Cory Gardner–finally achieved one of their goals and defunded the risk corridors program, which was a critical component of the ACA designed to ensure costs wouldn’t spike in rural regions like Colorado’s western slope, where people pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the whole country. This action directly contributed to the huge increases in premiums over the next several years. The premium increases were so bad that many people opted out of buying health insurance at all. The reduced enrollment elevated the risk of a potential collapse of the individual market that would shift higher costs onto everyone else. Toward the end of the 2017 session, Gov. Hickenlooper’s team approached me about sponsoring a bill to study the potential for a “reinsurance” program to reduce premiums, stabilize the market, and prevent the cost shift.
In 2018, Hickenlooper supported me and my colleagues as we took on the corporate health care interests to establish a reinsurance program. We passed the bill in the House with bipartisan support, but it was killed by the GOP Senate majority. But we tried again in 2019 with Democratic majorities in both House and Senate, passing the reinsurance bill which reduced premiums on the individual market by an average of 20.2% in the first year.
Governor Hickenlooper also had our back on demanding cost transparency from hospitals and drug companies, protecting consumers from surprise bills at free-standing emergency rooms, and several other strategies to reduce the high cost of health care. And, he appointed more reformers to top positions in his cabinet including Donna Lynne, Michael Conway, and Kim Bimestefer.
As governor, Hickenlooper worked tirelessly to clean up the mess Gardner helped create. And now we need him to do it again. Over his decade in Washington, Cory Gardner has shown us exactly who he is–a Trump loyalist who consistently sides with big corporations at the expense of regular, hard-working Americans. Even during this pandemic, Gardner has worked with Trump to rip care from hundreds of thousands of Coloradans and gut protections for millions of Coloradans with pre-existing conditions.
I’m voting for John Hickenlooper this November because I’ve seen his character and commitment to getting things done for regular folks. I’m voting for John because he wants to build on the ACA, not repeal it. I’m voting for John because he knows we can add competition to the market and further reduce costs by creating a public option, allowing Medicare to negotiate with big drug companies to get better prices, and expand access to telemedicine.
Especially during these difficult times, we need leaders who will fight for a better future for all of our neighbors. Please join me in voting for John Hickenlooper for U.S. Senate this November.
Chris Kennedy represents House District 23 in Lakewood and Central Jeffco and serves as Assistant Majority Leader.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--Colorado forging direct trade ties with Mexican state of Jalisco

Gov .
Jared Polis and Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Executive Director Betsy Markey met virtually on Monday with Enrique Alfaro Ramírez , governor of the Mexican state of Jalisco , to set the stage for closer trade relations under the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement .
“ International partners play a vital role in Colorado ’ s economy and USMCA provides long-term stability in our North American trade and investment partners , ” Markey said in a statement .
“ Jalisco ’ s strong agricultural industry and focus on growing tech-enabled industries make it a great partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 states in Mexico to choose from , and other northern Mexican states have closer cultural and familial ties , why Jalisco ?
For starters , Jalisco ’ s economy is one of that country ’ s largest after Mexico City and surrounding areas .
Likewise , its capital Guadalajara and suburbs make up the second-largest metropolitan area in the country after Mexico City .
Like Colorado , Jalisco also has a robust agricultural economy , especially when it comes to beef and pork production , and a strong tourism sector , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a hub of the craft beer industry , while Jalisco pretty much owns tequila .
Not as well known is that Jalisco has an emerging financial technology sector , which the state ’ s economic development office said makes it an “ ideal partner to explore collaborative initiatives.
” Monday ’ s meeting will kick off a series of industry-level discussions among business and economic leaders from the two states to discuss global supply chain trends and leveraging relationships and the USCMA to drive economic development .
COVID-19 is also playing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more regional partnerships to secure its supply chains .
The nation ’ s heavy reliance on China for medical supplies contributed to shortages that left states competing with each other during the early months of the pandemic .
Also participating on the call were the US-Mexico Foundation , Mexican Council for Foreign Trade , and Biennial of the Americas , which Denver has hosted .
Colorado exports to Mexico declined 15.5 % last year , but the country remains the second-largest buyer of Colorado goods after Canada , according to the U.S. Census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exports to Mexico are manufactured food products , chemicals , non-electrical machinery and fabricated metal products .
Mexico purchased $ 261 million in Colorado agricultural goods last year , according to COEDIT .

Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Executive Director Betsy Markey met virtually on Monday with Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, governor of the Mexican state of Jalisco, to set the stage for closer trade relations under the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
“International partners play a vital role in Colorado’s economy and USMCA provides long-term stability in our North American trade and investment partners,” Markey said in a statement. “Jalisco’s strong agricultural industry and focus on growing tech-enabled industries make it a great partner for Colorado.”
Given that Colorado had 32 states in Mexico to choose from, and other northern Mexican states have closer cultural and familial ties, why Jalisco? For starters, Jalisco’s economy is one of that country’s largest after Mexico City and surrounding areas. Likewise, its capital Guadalajara and suburbs make up the second-largest metropolitan area in the country after Mexico City.
Like Colorado, Jalisco also has a robust agricultural economy, especially when it comes to beef and pork production, and a strong tourism sector, with Puerto Vallarta a big draw. Colorado is a hub of the craft beer industry, while Jalisco pretty much owns tequila. Not as well known is that Jalisco has an emerging financial technology sector, which the state’s economic development office said makes it an “ideal partner to explore collaborative initiatives.”
Monday’s meeting will kick off a series of industry-level discussions among business and economic leaders from the two states to discuss global supply chain trends and leveraging relationships and the USCMA to drive economic development.
COVID-19 is also playing a role, in that the state wants more regional partnerships to secure its supply chains. The nation’s heavy reliance on China for medical supplies contributed to shortages that left states competing with each other during the early months of the pandemic.
Also participating on the call were the US-Mexico Foundation, Mexican Council for Foreign Trade, and Biennial of the Americas, which Denver has hosted.
Colorado exports to Mexico declined 15.5% last year, but the country remains the second-largest buyer of Colorado goods after Canada, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Among Colorado’s top exports to Mexico are manufactured food products, chemicals, non-electrical machinery and fabricated metal products. Mexico purchased $261 million in Colorado agricultural goods last year, according to COEDIT.


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--Colorado’s historic Pine Gulch fire darkens immediate future for Western Slope ranchers

The Pine Gulch fire north of Grand Junction , now the largest wildfire in Colorado ’ s recorded history , hasn ’ t destroyed scores of homes and other structures like some of the mammoth fires of the past .
But the tens of thousands of acres it has scorched on the Western Slope include ranch land and wildlife habitat tied to many people ’ s livelihoods .
“ I know people think it ’ s just barren land but it ’ s really not , ” said Meg Latham , whose family ranches north of De Beque in Mesa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifeblood for the ranchers , the wildlife , the ( hunting ) guides and outfitters , recreation .
It ’ s big , beautiful country , very rugged .
Cattle do well out here , when you have a decent year.
” This year has been anything but decent for ranchers and farmers statewide .
Most of western Colorado is in extreme drought .
The Lathams didn ’ t grow hay this year because it was so dry .
The Pine Gulch fire that quickly tore through crackling-dry brush , trees and grass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western Colorado with much of their land blackened and useless for grazing The wildfire surpassed the 2002 Hayman fire last week when it grew to just over 139,000 acres — or about 217 square miles .
The Hayman fire , which burned 137,760 acres in Jefferson , Douglas , Park and Teller counties , destroyed 132 homes and 466 outbuildings , and was the second most costly fire in terms of insured losses .
The Pine Gulch fire , which is now 79 % contained , is mostly on public lands and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blaze has charred vast tracts of federally managed land and private property that provide grazing for cattle ranches across the region .
The land is important habitat for Colorado ’ s deer and elk herds , among the largest in North America .
Lightning sparked the fire , about 18 miles north of Grand Junction , on July 31 .
Although the flames spared the Lathams ’ hay field , it charred most of their grazing land , including the public lands and private acreage they lease or own .
It wiped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which could cost at least $ 15,000 a mile to replace , said Dick Latham , Meg ’ s husband .
The family lost eight of their cows and seven of their calves .
They are hauling hay from Nebraska to help feed their remaining cattle .
“ Every mountain as far as the eye can see has burned .
Mountain and valley both , ” said Dick Latham , whose parents moved to the area in 1920 .
“ Every one of these mountains has memories for us .
Every hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter , Amy Largent , runs the ranch now with her husband , Aaron .
Dick Latham ’ s sister and her husband manage a hunting guide business .
“ Both careers have been negatively impacted , ” Meg Latham said .
“ There is no game because there is no grazing .
And there is no hay production.
” The area where the Lathams live runs along the north side of the Colorado River in Mesa County .
What looks like rugged and rocky country from Interstate 70 turns into rolling green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and head north .
The countryside of pinyon pine , juniper and cedar trees , mixed with Gambel oak and sagebrush , is from 6,000 to 7,400 feet in elevation , changing from canyons to steep slopes to mesas with sweeping views .
“ This is God ’ s country .
It is so beautiful up here .
We live in God ’ s country .
To have it taken away and have no control over it is just heartbreaking , ” said Todd Brackett , who has lived on his land about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1976 .
Brackett figures that roughly 90 % of the 2,000 acres of public land he leases is badly burned and about 400 acres of the 1,400 private acres the family owns or leases will be unusable .
Stretches of once-green hillsides and fields are dusty charcoal with pockets of occasional green .
“ Even when the fire stops there is so much to worry about , ” Brackett said .
“ The animals , the fish in the high mountain lakes and streams , the trees , the land .
Recovery will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we recover at all .
It is a nightmare.
” The rains , seemingly welcome after drought and wildfires , are a potential source of trouble .
The Lathams and Bracketts worry about the runoff and erosion without trees , grass or bushes to slow the water .
“ We had a pretty hard little rain here , about 40 , 50 minutes , the day before yesterday , and it started washing a lot of that dirt off the sides , ” Brackett said .
Area ranchers are waiting to hear from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversees the federal land , and state officials about rehabilitating and reseeding the area when the fire is out .
Federal and state agencies often team up after fires to restore forests or range land and prevent flooding caused by the loss of vegetation .
A federal BAER team — Burned Area Emergency Response — has been ordered , Colorado BLM spokesman Jayson Barangan said in an email .
“ They will conduct an analysis and develop a rehabilitation plan for the area , which the Grand Junction Field Office will execute.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magnitude of the fire , it will take several years to complete the work .
As for wildlife , over the long term , wildfires can be of benefit because when plants and trees burn they restore nutrients to the soil , according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife .
Wildfires have long been common in Colorado and wildlife has evolved with them , the agency said .
But Meg Latham said deer , elk and other animals have been scarce since the Pine Gulch fire started .
A camera set up at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals before the fire erupted .
A day later , she said the camera caught an elk , a bear “ and one poor magpie that looked like it was on the brink of demise.
” The only tracks they ’ ve seen for a while are coyotes , Latham said .
Jodie Brackett , Todd Brackett ’ s daughter-in-law , said neighbors “ have graciously allowed us to put some of our cattle on their land.
” Over the long haul , the future of the operation isn ’ t clear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get something figured out , ” Brackett said .
“ We ’ re working on trying to figure out if we ’ ve got any hope to hang out for next spring or not.
” A possibility is moving the cattle out of state where there ’ s grazing land .
If they have to do that , Brackett said he doesn ’ t see staying in the business .
“ I love calving season .
I love feeding and being with the cattle .
My life is all about being with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we own we have hand-raised ourselves , ” Brackett said .
He works part-time in the oil and gas industry , but wants to get to the point where he no longer depends on another source of income .
His dream is to pass on the land and business to his grandchildren , but hopes of making that a reality are uncertain at this point .
“ It is going to be hard over the next three to five years , ” Dick Latham said .
However , he ’ s optimistic that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said they ’ ve worked to stay out of debt .
“ It takes more than a little fire to do us in .
”

The Pine Gulch fire north of Grand Junction, now the largest wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history, hasn’t destroyed scores of homes and other structures like some of the mammoth fires of the past.
But the tens of thousands of acres it has scorched on the Western Slope include ranch land and wildlife habitat tied to many people’s livelihoods.
“I know people think it’s just barren land but it’s really not,” said Meg Latham, whose family ranches north of De Beque in Mesa County. “It’s the lifeblood for the ranchers, the wildlife, the (hunting) guides and outfitters, recreation. It’s big, beautiful country, very rugged. Cattle do well out here, when you have a decent year.”
This year has been anything but decent for ranchers and farmers statewide. Most of western Colorado is in extreme drought. The Lathams didn’t grow hay this year because it was so dry.
The Pine Gulch fire that quickly tore through crackling-dry brush, trees and grass has left them and other ranchers in western Colorado with much of their land blackened and useless for grazing
The wildfire surpassed the 2002 Hayman fire last week when it grew to just over 139,000 acres — or about 217 square miles. The Hayman fire, which burned 137,760 acres in Jefferson, Douglas, Park and Teller counties, destroyed 132 homes and 466 outbuildings, and was the second most costly fire in terms of insured losses.
The Pine Gulch fire, which is now 79% contained, is mostly on public lands and has burned few if any buildings.
But the blaze has charred vast tracts of federally managed land and private property that provide grazing for cattle ranches across the region. The land is important habitat for Colorado’s deer and elk herds, among the largest in North America.
Lightning sparked the fire, about 18 miles north of Grand Junction, on July 31. Although the flames spared the Lathams’ hay field, it charred most of their grazing land, including the public lands and private acreage they lease or own. It wiped out more than two miles of fence, which could cost at least $15,000 a mile to replace, said Dick Latham, Meg’s husband.
The family lost eight of their cows and seven of their calves. They are hauling hay from Nebraska to help feed their remaining cattle.
“Every mountain as far as the eye can see has burned. Mountain and valley both,” said Dick Latham, whose parents moved to the area in 1920. “Every one of these mountains has memories for us. Every hill has a story.”
The Lathams’ daughter, Amy Largent, runs the ranch now with her husband, Aaron. Dick Latham’s sister and her husband manage a hunting guide business.
“Both careers have been negatively impacted,” Meg Latham said. “There is no game because there is no grazing. And there is no hay production.”
“God’s country”
The area where the Lathams live runs along the north side of the Colorado River in Mesa County. What looks like rugged and rocky country from Interstate 70 turns into rolling green hills once you get off the highway and head north. The countryside of pinyon pine, juniper and cedar trees, mixed with Gambel oak and sagebrush, is from 6,000 to 7,400 feet in elevation, changing from canyons to steep slopes to mesas with sweeping views.
“This is God’s country. It is so beautiful up here. We live in God’s country. To have it taken away and have no control over it is just heartbreaking,” said Todd Brackett, who has lived on his land about 20 miles north of De Beque since 1976.
Brackett figures that roughly 90% of the 2,000 acres of public land he leases is badly burned and about 400 acres of the 1,400 private acres the family owns or leases will be unusable. Stretches of once-green hillsides and fields are dusty charcoal with pockets of occasional green.
“Even when the fire stops there is so much to worry about,” Brackett said. “The animals, the fish in the high mountain lakes and streams, the trees, the land. Recovery will take three to five years, if we recover at all. It is a nightmare.”
The rains, seemingly welcome after drought and wildfires, are a potential source of trouble. The Lathams and Bracketts worry about the runoff and erosion without trees, grass or bushes to slow the water.
“We had a pretty hard little rain here, about 40, 50 minutes, the day before yesterday, and it started washing a lot of that dirt off the sides,” Brackett said.
Rehabilitation plans
Area ranchers are waiting to hear from the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the federal land, and state officials about rehabilitating and reseeding the area when the fire is out. Federal and state agencies often team up after fires to restore forests or range land and prevent flooding caused by the loss of vegetation.
A federal BAER team — Burned Area Emergency Response — has been ordered, Colorado BLM spokesman Jayson Barangan said in an email. “They will conduct an analysis and develop a rehabilitation plan for the area, which the Grand Junction Field Office will execute.”
However, Barangan added, considering the magnitude of the fire, it will take several years to complete the work.
As for wildlife, over the long term, wildfires can be of benefit because when plants and trees burn they restore nutrients to the soil, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Wildfires have long been common in Colorado and wildlife has evolved with them, the agency said.
But Meg Latham said deer, elk and other animals have been scarce since the Pine Gulch fire started. A camera set up at a water tank on their land showed several animals before the fire erupted. A day later, she said the camera caught an elk, a bear “and one poor magpie that looked like it was on the brink of demise.”
The only tracks they’ve seen for a while are coyotes, Latham said.
Jodie Brackett, Todd Brackett’s daughter-in-law, said neighbors “have graciously allowed us to put some of our cattle on their land.”
Looking forward
Over the long haul, the future of the operation isn’t clear.
“We’re working on trying to get something figured out,” Brackett said. “We’re working on trying to figure out if we’ve got any hope to hang out for next spring or not.”
A possibility is moving the cattle out of state where there’s grazing land. If they have to do that, Brackett said he doesn’t see staying in the business.
“I love calving season. I love feeding and being with the cattle. My life is all about being with my cows. All of the cattle we own we have hand-raised ourselves,” Brackett said.
He works full-time in the oil and gas industry, but wants to get to the point where he no longer depends on another source of income. His dream is to pass on the land and business to his grandchildren, but hopes of making that a reality are uncertain at this point.
“It is going to be hard over the next three to five years,” Dick Latham said.
However, he’s optimistic that his family’s business will survive. He said they’ve worked to stay out of debt.
“It takes more than a little fire to do us in.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--Denver business specializing in “tin-can glam” fashions jewelry from recycled tomato sauce cans

What seemed like a fluke to Thomas Paul Althaus seven years ago is a steadily growing business that transforms used tin cans into earrings , cuff bracelets , necklaces and other jewelry .
The company , Canned Goods , made The Oprah Magazine ’ s “ O list ” of sustainable products in April .
Althaus , who still works in his garage in Denver , has built a network of stores that sell his jewelry .
And online sales continue to increase .
Althaus said it still feels surreal , the fact that what started out as a homemade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It began in June 2013 when he wanted to make a 10th wedding anniversary present for his wife , Emily .
They had decided to spend money on travel , not gifts , but he still wanted to give her something .
“ I looked up the 10th anniversary online and I saw that the traditional gift was tin , ” Althaus said .
Looking at an empty can of beans , he wondered if he could turn it into something .
“ I said to my two boys , who were 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s go out to the garage and see what we can make for mamma.
’ ” Althaus eventually crafted a pair of earrings and a bracelet , which he said his wife assumed he bought .
When she learned he made them , she encouraged him to do more and came up with the name of Canned Goods for a company .
“ She said , ‘ We have to talk about this .
You have some skills we haven ’ t tapped into yet , ’ ” Althaus recalled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , Althaus said it made sense in a lot of ways .
He was a stay-at-home dad who previously had worked as the director of events at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and in marketing , sales and training at American Crew , a leader in men ’ s grooming products .
Althaus said he was always intrigued by fashion and dabbled a little in modeling .
He also had a lot of experience working with his hands and adapting materials for different tasks , “ manufacturing something out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on a farm in northern Illinois .
There was plenty of material around for him to work with in his new endeavor .
“ Early on , I started walking the alleys on recycling day , sifting through people ’ s recycling bins .
But that wasn ’ t very efficient , ” Althaus said .
He found a local company that makes pasta sauce and salsa that agreed to give him as many as he wanted of the 500 empty tomato and chili cans usually tossed in the recycling bins every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” began , resulting in what Althaus calls “ tin-can glam.
” Besides wanting to make jewelry that looks good , Althaus said he wanted to make sustainable products that could do good .
In support of its motto “ We can do good together , ” the business donates a can of food to charity for each item it sells .
Canned Goods also employs people involved with Street ’ s Hope , an organization that works with people who have experienced human trafficking .
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working.Stores that sell the jewelry closed for a while and are slowly reopening .
“ Thankfully , our online sales have kept up and are growing , ” Althaus said .
To help the businesses that helped expand Canned Goods ’ customer base , the company launched “ Better Together.
” “ If the stores promote ordering through our website using a coupon code that we provide them , we actually give them their regular retail cut back , ” Althaus said .
While not revealing the volume of Canned Goods ’ sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donated nearly 20,000 cans of food .
He said he ’ s happy with the “ very low organic churn ” when it comes to growth .
The company has looked at partnering with large businesses that would place their products in many more outlets .
“ As exciting as that would be , we feel like a slower healthy organic growth curve is more our speed , and it seems to suit our lifestyle , ” Althaus said .
“ Ultimately , we hope it creates a healthier work environment and healthier @ @ @ @

What seemed like a fluke to Thomas Paul Althaus seven years ago is a steadily growing business that transforms used tin cans into earrings, cuff bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry.
The company, Canned Goods, made The Oprah Magazine’s “O list” of sustainable products in April. Althaus, who still works in his garage in Denver, has built a network of stores that sell his jewelry. And online sales continue to increase.
Althaus said it still feels surreal, the fact that what started out as a homemade gift morphed into a thriving enterprise. It began in June 2013 when he wanted to make a 10th wedding anniversary present for his wife, Emily. They had decided to spend money on travel, not gifts, but he still wanted to give her something.
“I looked up the 10th anniversary online and I saw that the traditional gift was tin,” Althaus said.
Looking at an empty can of beans, he wondered if he could turn it into something. “I said to my two boys, who were 6 and 8 at the time, ‘Let’s go out to the garage and see what we can make for mamma.’ ”
Althaus eventually crafted a pair of earrings and a bracelet, which he said his wife assumed he bought. When she learned he made them, she encouraged him to do more and came up with the name of Canned Goods for a company.
“She said, ‘We have to talk about this. You have some skills we haven’t tapped into yet,’ ” Althaus recalled.
Although the new venture seemed surprising at the time, Althaus said it made sense in a lot of ways. He was a stay-at-home dad who previously had worked as the director of events at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and in marketing, sales and training at American Crew, a leader in men’s grooming products.
Althaus said he was always intrigued by fashion and dabbled a little in modeling. He also had a lot of experience working with his hands and adapting materials for different tasks, “manufacturing something out of nothing,” from having grown up on a farm in northern Illinois.
There was plenty of material around for him to work with in his new endeavor.
“Early on, I started walking the alleys on recycling day, sifting through people’s recycling bins. But that wasn’t very efficient,” Althaus said.
He found a local company that makes pasta sauce and salsa that agreed to give him as many as he wanted of the 500 empty tomato and chili cans usually tossed in the recycling bins every week. So, the “upcycling” began, resulting in what Althaus calls “tin-can glam.”
Besides wanting to make jewelry that looks good, Althaus said he wanted to make sustainable products that could do good. In support of its motto “We can do good together,” the business donates a can of food to charity for each item it sells. Canned Goods also employs people involved with Street’s Hope, an organization that works with people who have experienced human trafficking.
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Canned Goods has had fewer people working.Stores that sell the jewelry closed for a while and are slowly reopening.
“Thankfully, our online sales have kept up and are growing,” Althaus said.
To help the businesses that helped expand Canned Goods’ customer base, the company launched “Better Together.”
“If the stores promote ordering through our website using a coupon code that we provide them, we actually give them their regular retail cut back,” Althaus said.
While not revealing the volume of Canned Goods’ sales, Althaus did say the company has donated nearly 20,000 cans of food. He said he’s happy with the “very low organic churn” when it comes to growth. The company has looked at partnering with large businesses that would place their products in many more outlets.
“As exciting as that would be, we feel like a slower healthy organic growth curve is more our speed, and it seems to suit our lifestyle,” Althaus said. “Ultimately, we hope it creates a healthier work environment and healthier business climate.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--For the best new dinner in town, head to these Boulder chefs’ home

Without realizing it , chefs Syd Younggreen and Brian De Souza had been practicing to open their pandemic-friendly restaurant , The Guest , all along .
The 24- and 27-year-old couple met while working in New York kitchens ; their respective résumés include stints at high-end spots like Blue Hill and Le Bernardin .
When they discovered that they cooked not just well but really quite creatively together , they started to scheme .
First , there were special meals served in NYC dining rooms on restaurants ’ nights off .
Then came private pop-ups hosted on their apartment balcony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
By the time Younggreen and De Souza hit the road to throw ticketed dinner parties with friends around the country in cities such as Austin and San Francisco , their concept began to coalesce .
Earlier this month , they opened The Guest inside a central Boulder bungalow .
It ’ s a dinner series that happens only on weekends , with a private invitation and an intimate , practically secluded setting still in the heart of town .
Then there ’ s the food , which recalls those fine NYC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ menu , or a World ’ s 50 Best destination in De Souza ’ s native Peru .
High points of the 10-course meal are something to behold .
At a time when many restaurants are rethinking their entire operations , or else closing altogether , these young chefs are laying it all out .
“ Given the location and layout for the space , honestly , it works perfectly for what we ’ re doing , ” Younggreen said .
The pair want to keep details like The Guest ’ s address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under wraps .
Their idea is that attendees will sign up online , then receive invites with a menu and location .
Once there , diners are ushered into a private dining room , or a cozy great room corner or , if you ’ re lucky , onto the backyard deck .
At most , 18 people can enjoy The Guest each night , with jazz playing over the home sound system and a “ restaurant ” practically to yourself .
It ’ s B.Y.O .
wine , and know that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tall and pretty at $ 175 a head , for a Very Special Night Out .
“ I find it so fun , ” De Souza said of the format and process behind creating the dinners .
“ I don ’ t think we focus on any culture or flavors .
We ’ ll sit down on a couch , or in bed watching something , and out of nowhere , it ’ s ‘ Let ’ s write a menu.
’ ” “ It ’ s kind of crazy , ” Younggreen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked with a lot of chefs , and it doesn ’ t usually happen so naturally or easily.
” De Souza is self-taught ; he grew up cooking for his mom and sister and traveled the world with them before landing in New York , where he got his foot in the door at the Peruvian-influenced Her Name Was Carmen .
That ’ s where he met Younggreen , who had moved to the city after graduating from CU Boulder .
She planned to attend medical school , but decided to pursue a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When I first started ( at Her Name Was Carmen ) , I had very little experience , ” Younggreen said .
“ Brian was in charge of showing me the ropes and teaching me how to open oysters .
We had to open about 300 oysters a night at that place .
And I basically destroyed all of them.
” As the two spent more time getting to know each other , “ All we would do together was cook , ” Younggreen said .
The dinner parties came next , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Younggreen ’ s Iowa-based family had relocated .
Before the pandemic , they worked at Boulder restaurants Corrida and Frasca .
Now , the results on their plates at The Guest show all of these influences and more .
On their first menu in August , a black garlic and peach “ tea ” infusion opened the meal , followed by a bite-sized , caviar-topped blini .
Fresh peaches , cucumbers and tomatoes came next , with surprising pops of flavor from Japanese shiso and Peruvian huacatay .
Then , the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a perfectly cooked filet wrapped in a fine layer of smoked salmon , prosciutto and leek with a dollop of whipped blue cheese “ panna cotta ” on the side .
This plate-licking steak was the grand finale of the meal , served after a handful of small bites , a generous salmon in dashi and a Vietnamese rau ram and chile oil palate-cleansing sorbet .
“ I think that , for Brian , it ’ s a lot more visual than it is for me .
He ’ ll imagine the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Younggreen explained of the dinner ’ s progression .
Meanwhile , she ’ s classically trained in French cooking , and starts with the flavors before anything else : “ So I think in that way we really complement each other .
But I ’ d say neither of us likes to be tied down to any one … culture while we ’ re cooking.
” The couple plans to change their menu monthly and possibly add a brunch service for those who can ’ t afford the dinner splurge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the most beautiful brunch anybody has seen , ” De Souza said .
Until then , you can plan for your Most Exclusive Night Out of the year .
You ’ ll sign up online , watch for the invite and menu , pick out your bottle of wine and celebrate whatever you can in someone else ’ s home with two up-and-coming chefs and one of the more memorable dining experiences you ’ ve ever had .
Subscribe to our new food newsletter , Stuffed , to get Denver food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Without realizing it, chefs Syd Younggreen and Brian De Souza had been practicing to open their pandemic-friendly restaurant, The Guest, all along.
The 24- and 27-year-old couple met while working in New York kitchens; their respective résumés include stints at high-end spots like Blue Hill and Le Bernardin. When they discovered that they cooked not just well but really quite creatively together, they started to scheme.
First, there were special meals served in NYC dining rooms on restaurants’ nights off. Then came private pop-ups hosted on their apartment balcony (can you imagine the squeeze?). By the time Younggreen and De Souza hit the road to throw ticketed dinner parties with friends around the country in cities such as Austin and San Francisco, their concept began to coalesce.
Earlier this month, they opened The Guest inside a central Boulder bungalow. It’s a dinner series that happens only on weekends, with a private invitation and an intimate, practically secluded setting still in the heart of town.
Then there’s the food, which recalls those fine NYC kitchens, or a Michelin-starred European tasting menu, or a World’s 50 Best destination in De Souza’s native Peru. High points of the 10-course meal are something to behold. At a time when many restaurants are rethinking their entire operations, or else closing altogether, these young chefs are laying it all out.
“Given the location and layout for the space, honestly, it works perfectly for what we’re doing,” Younggreen said.
The pair want to keep details like The Guest’s address and menu (which changes monthly) under wraps. Their idea is that attendees will sign up online, then receive invites with a menu and location. Once there, diners are ushered into a private dining room, or a cozy great room corner or, if you’re lucky, onto the backyard deck.
At most, 18 people can enjoy The Guest each night, with jazz playing over the home sound system and a “restaurant” practically to yourself. It’s B.Y.O. wine, and know that even without alcohol, the price tag sits tall and pretty at $175 a head, for a Very Special Night Out.
“I find it so fun,” De Souza said of the format and process behind creating the dinners. “I don’t think we focus on any culture or flavors. We’ll sit down on a couch, or in bed watching something, and out of nowhere, it’s ‘Let’s write a menu.’ ”
“It’s kind of crazy,” Younggreen added, “because I’ve worked with a lot of chefs, and it doesn’t usually happen so naturally or easily.”
De Souza is self-taught; he grew up cooking for his mom and sister and traveled the world with them before landing in New York, where he got his foot in the door at the Peruvian-influenced Her Name Was Carmen. That’s where he met Younggreen, who had moved to the city after graduating from CU Boulder. She planned to attend medical school, but decided to pursue a culinary degree in New York instead.
“When I first started (at Her Name Was Carmen), I had very little experience,” Younggreen said. “Brian was in charge of showing me the ropes and teaching me how to open oysters. We had to open about 300 oysters a night at that place. And I basically destroyed all of them.”
As the two spent more time getting to know each other, “All we would do together was cook,” Younggreen said. The dinner parties came next, then a move back to Boulder, where Younggreen’s Iowa-based family had relocated. Before the pandemic, they worked at Boulder restaurants Corrida and Frasca. Now, the results on their plates at The Guest show all of these influences and more.
Josie Sexton, The Denver Post A carrot crisp with smoked creme fraiche, rice vinegar gelee and dill from The Guest.
Josie Sexton, The Denver Post A black garlic and Colorado peach infusion starts the August dinner at The Guest.
Josie Sexton, The Denver Post Saffron blini with caviar and chives at The Guest.
On their first menu in August, a black garlic and peach “tea” infusion opened the meal, followed by a bite-sized, caviar-topped blini. Fresh peaches, cucumbers and tomatoes came next, with surprising pops of flavor from Japanese shiso and Peruvian huacatay.
Then, the most predictable menu item was anything but: a perfectly cooked filet wrapped in a fine layer of smoked salmon, prosciutto and leek with a dollop of whipped blue cheese “panna cotta” on the side. This plate-licking steak was the grand finale of the meal, served after a handful of small bites, a generous salmon in dashi and a Vietnamese rau ram and chile oil palate-cleansing sorbet.
“I think that, for Brian, it’s a lot more visual than it is for me. He’ll imagine the way it looks and then backtrack from there,” Younggreen explained of the dinner’s progression. Meanwhile, she’s classically trained in French cooking, and starts with the flavors before anything else: “So I think in that way we really complement each other. But I’d say neither of us likes to be tied down to any one … culture while we’re cooking.”
The couple plans to change their menu monthly and possibly add a brunch service for those who can’t afford the dinner splurge.
Still, “I want it to be the most beautiful brunch anybody has seen,” De Souza said.
Until then, you can plan for your Most Exclusive Night Out of the year. You’ll sign up online, watch for the invite and menu, pick out your bottle of wine and celebrate whatever you can in someone else’s home with two up-and-coming chefs and one of the more memorable dining experiences you’ve ever had.
Subscribe to our new food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--Denver leaders had big plans to curb youth violence in 2019, but a pandemic and bureaucracy got in t

Denver leaders had big plans to curb youth violence in 2019, but a pandemic and bureaucracy got in the way.

A pandemic , city bureaucracy and vacancies in one of the Denver ’ s key violence prevention organizations combined to stymie citywide efforts to combat rising youth violence over the past year , even as the number of young people killed in homicides this year surpasses the death toll of 2019 .
Last fall , city officials released a flurry of statements and convened a series of meetings about the crisis .
In September , the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver hosted a two-day summit with nearly 200 city officials , community leaders and intervention workers to discuss solutions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office convened top public safety officials and created a task force to respond to the crisis , and City Council held passionate and frustrated meetings about the killings .
But the toll of dead and wounded teens and children keeps rising , despite the task forces and summits .
Nearly a year later , community leaders and anti-violence workers question the city ’ s response , which they criticize as slow and bureaucratic .
They ’ ve stopped waiting and have created their own programs .
Meanwhile , vacant positions stymied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as it tried to coordinate a response .
“ I don ’ t feel like they ’ ve done anything , ” said Jason McBride , an anti-gang intervention worker .
“ We ’ ve still had kids dying .
The only thing that was slowing it down was the pandemic.
” Much of the past year has been consumed by city leaders holding a “ massive convening ” around coordinating responses and how to make faster decisions , said Denver City Attorney Kristin Bronson , chair of the mayor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What we ’ re trying to do through this effort is broaden the city ’ s perspective , bring more public voice and community voices into strategies and streamline our own internal decision making processes , ” Bronson said .
The city is working hard on the problem , she said , while having to pivot to also address the simultaneous crisis of COVID-19 .
Bronson said she was aware of criticism that the city ’ s response has been slow and bureaucratic .
“ We hear those sentiments too , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important that city leaders listen to community frustrations in this area .
Youth violence is nothing new to Denver .
When COVID hit everyone knew that we ’ d see an uptick in violence , which we have.
” More changes to come City agencies will ask for more money for youth violence prevention in the 2021 budget , Bronson said .
They want to hire a youth violence prevention coordinator , who will lead the mayor ’ s task force and solicit philanthropic donations to the cause , and they want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrepreneurial center that will be a safe place for young people and a physical space for community organizations to use , Bronson said .
The goal of the action table , founded in November , is to coordinate response and make sure agencies are talking with each other .
More than 100 people are part of the group , representing every level of government as well as the leaders of local anti-violence organizations .
Of the 27 goals listed in a plan for the group , six have been completed : creating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drafting an equity statement , developing a 2021 budget request , informing people about community based organizations , creating an action plan and starting a gun safety information campaign .
Incomplete goals include creating a survey on youth violence , addressing gaps in mental health treatment , hosting an art contest and streamlining the grant application process .
The mayor ’ s task force will present a final report with strategies and recommendations to Hancock by the end of the year , Bronson said , though some changes have been made along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pivot to incorporate the realities of COVID-19 , which delayed progress , Bronson said .
“ We have not lost sight of the long-term goal , ” she said .
But the city ’ s former top gang and violence intervention leader says few of the listed goals have anything to do with preventing youth violence .
“ It is embarrassing that after almost a year since the planning began , the city ’ s solution to reducing youth violence is limited at this point to remind parents to know where their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locks and a short-term violence reduction plan that calls for the establishment of a Youth COVID-19 advisory board and an art contest , ” said Paul Callanan , who led the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver from 2011 until he left in December .
“ A year ago , there was expressed concern about the number of youth arrested for gun violence ; the same level of concern remains today.
” The city has devoted money and resources to other programs meant to engage young people and reduce violence , Bronson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and launched a summer employment program that was so popular it had a lengthy waitlist .
It also gave microgrants between $ 5,000 and $ 8,000 to 17 organizations working with young people , including some organizations that have other violence prevention contracts with the city .
The city has also given nearly $ 20,000 to a coalition of organizations hosting weekend events , called Safe Zones , that provide young people a violence-free place to be , complete with video games , food and movies .
Hundreds have attended the six Safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tootle , one of the organizers .
That ’ s exactly what the city should be doing — giving resources to community organizations already doing the work instead of trying to replicate what already exists , said LaKeshia Hodge , CEO of community group Struggle of Love .
The city pays for two of the nonprofit ’ s positions and the group received one microgrant , though the money is still not enough to cover all the needs , she said .
“ We ’ re trying to take on every challenge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
Throughout the continuing violence over the past year , the city ’ s primary gang-intervention agency has been riddled with vacancies , including in its top positions , that have stalled progress .
Not all youth violence is gang violence , but GRID serves as a coordinating agency for youth violence prevention that connects community organizations to city resources , GRID ’ s interim manager Sherry Jackson said .
GRID ’ s outreach workers respond to neighborhoods after shootings to talk to those affected , help gang members leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at risk of joining .
The program hosted that September summit where attendees created a list of 58 recommendations .
“ I don ’ t know that it got much traction ” since Callanan left , Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Kelli Christensen said of the goals developed during the summit .
Over the past year , three of the program ’ s seven positions have been vacant , some for more than nine months .
The program ’ s second-in-command position , the intervention coordinator , became vacant in September and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jackson said .
Callanan left in December and the job remains open , though the city hopes to fill it by September .
A position for an outreach worker — the frontline people who work with gang members and communities — also has been open since July .
Jackson fills in as interim director , but still retains responsibilities from her previous job inside the Department of Public Safety .
She never moved offices , she said , and hasn ’ t made any major changes because she ’ s temporary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic wreaked havoc on the city ’ s budget and holding the positions open helped GRID make the spending cuts necessitated by the pandemic , Jackson said .
“ We ’ re trying to do the best we can , ” she said .
Two other positions connected to the city ’ s youth violence prevention efforts were eliminated in June when City Council members declined to continue a state contract for funding for probation officer positions .
One position was dedicated to teaching violence prevention to classrooms and the other worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as other tasks related to GRID .
Eight council members who voted against the contract cited concerns that it sent probation officers into schools and a failure by city staff to bring the contract to them in time to negotiate details .
Those positions were important to gang prevention and had been part of the city ’ s work since 2018 , Callanan said .
Overall , the city ’ s actions have not effected much change in the year since the first big citywide conversations about preventing youth gun violence , McBride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , and Aurora , to nip it in the bud for future generations , ” McBride said .
“ The level of violence is going to go up .
The frequency is already high .
”

A pandemic, city bureaucracy and vacancies in one of the Denver’s key violence prevention organizations combined to stymie citywide efforts to combat rising youth violence over the past year, even as the number of young people killed in homicides this year surpasses the death toll of 2019.
Last fall, city officials released a flurry of statements and convened a series of meetings about the crisis. In September, the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver hosted a two-day summit with nearly 200 city officials, community leaders and intervention workers to discuss solutions to rising youth violence. The mayor’s office convened top public safety officials and created a task force to respond to the crisis, and City Council held passionate and frustrated meetings about the killings.
But the toll of dead and wounded teens and children keeps rising, despite the task forces and summits. Nearly a year later, community leaders and anti-violence workers question the city’s response, which they criticize as slow and bureaucratic. They’ve stopped waiting and have created their own programs. Meanwhile, vacant positions stymied the city’s primary gang intervention program even as it tried to coordinate a response.
“I don’t feel like they’ve done anything,” said Jason McBride, an anti-gang intervention worker. “We’ve still had kids dying. The only thing that was slowing it down was the pandemic.”
Much of the past year has been consumed by city leaders holding a “massive convening” around coordinating responses and how to make faster decisions, said Denver City Attorney Kristin Bronson, chair of the mayor’s Youth Violence Prevention Action Table.
“What we’re trying to do through this effort is broaden the city’s perspective, bring more public voice and community voices into strategies and streamline our own internal decision making processes,” Bronson said.
The city is working hard on the problem, she said, while having to pivot to also address the simultaneous crisis of COVID-19.
Bronson said she was aware of criticism that the city’s response has been slow and bureaucratic.
“We hear those sentiments too,” she said. “It’s really important that city leaders listen to community frustrations in this area. Youth violence is nothing new to Denver. When COVID hit everyone knew that we’d see an uptick in violence, which we have.”
More changes to come
City agencies will ask for more money for youth violence prevention in the 2021 budget, Bronson said. They want to hire a youth violence prevention coordinator, who will lead the mayor’s task force and solicit philanthropic donations to the cause, and they want to buy a building to set up an entrepreneurial center that will be a safe place for young people and a physical space for community organizations to use, Bronson said.
The goal of the action table, founded in November, is to coordinate response and make sure agencies are talking with each other. More than 100 people are part of the group, representing every level of government as well as the leaders of local anti-violence organizations.
Of the 27 goals listed in a plan for the group, six have been completed: creating a youth advisory council for the task force, drafting an equity statement, developing a 2021 budget request, informing people about community based organizations, creating an action plan and starting a gun safety information campaign.
Incomplete goals include creating a survey on youth violence, addressing gaps in mental health treatment, hosting an art contest and streamlining the grant application process. The mayor’s task force will present a final report with strategies and recommendations to Hancock by the end of the year, Bronson said, though some changes have been made along the way. The task force had to pivot to incorporate the realities of COVID-19, which delayed progress, Bronson said.
“We have not lost sight of the long-term goal,” she said.
But the city’s former top gang and violence intervention leader says few of the listed goals have anything to do with preventing youth violence.
“It is embarrassing that after almost a year since the planning began, the city’s solution to reducing youth violence is limited at this point to remind parents to know where their children are at, handing out gun locks and a short-term violence reduction plan that calls for the establishment of a Youth COVID-19 advisory board and an art contest,” said Paul Callanan, who led the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver from 2011 until he left in December. “A year ago, there was expressed concern about the number of youth arrested for gun violence; the same level of concern remains today.”
The city has devoted money and resources to other programs meant to engage young people and reduce violence, Bronson said. The city gave away free gun locks and launched a summer employment program that was so popular it had a lengthy waitlist. It also gave microgrants between $5,000 and $8,000 to 17 organizations working with young people, including some organizations that have other violence prevention contracts with the city.
The city has also given nearly $20,000 to a coalition of organizations hosting weekend events, called Safe Zones, that provide young people a violence-free place to be, complete with video games, food and movies. Hundreds have attended the six Safe Zones held so far, said Doretta Tootle, one of the organizers.
That’s exactly what the city should be doing — giving resources to community organizations already doing the work instead of trying to replicate what already exists, said LaKeshia Hodge, CEO of community group Struggle of Love.
The city pays for two of the nonprofit’s positions and the group received one microgrant, though the money is still not enough to cover all the needs, she said.
“We’re trying to take on every challenge and meet the community’s need,” she said.
Cuts and vacancies
Throughout the continuing violence over the past year, the city’s primary gang-intervention agency has been riddled with vacancies, including in its top positions, that have stalled progress.
Not all youth violence is gang violence, but GRID serves as a coordinating agency for youth violence prevention that connects community organizations to city resources, GRID’s interim manager Sherry Jackson said. GRID’s outreach workers respond to neighborhoods after shootings to talk to those affected, help gang members leave groups and work with young people who are at risk of joining.
The program hosted that September summit where attendees created a list of 58 recommendations.
“I don’t know that it got much traction” since Callanan left, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Kelli Christensen said of the goals developed during the summit.
Over the past year, three of the program’s seven positions have been vacant, some for more than nine months. The program’s second-in-command position, the intervention coordinator, became vacant in September and wasn’t filled until early August, Jackson said. Callanan left in December and the job remains open, though the city hopes to fill it by September. A position for an outreach worker — the frontline people who work with gang members and communities — also has been open since July.
Jackson fills in as interim director, but still retains responsibilities from her previous job inside the Department of Public Safety. She never moved offices, she said, and hasn’t made any major changes because she’s temporary.
Hiring was put on hold when the pandemic wreaked havoc on the city’s budget and holding the positions open helped GRID make the spending cuts necessitated by the pandemic, Jackson said.
“We’re trying to do the best we can,” she said.
Two other positions connected to the city’s youth violence prevention efforts were eliminated in June when City Council members declined to continue a state contract for funding for probation officer positions. One position was dedicated to teaching violence prevention to classrooms and the other worked with juveniles facing gun possession charges as well as other tasks related to GRID.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Ann White during prayer at a gathering hosted by Families Against Violent Acts Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at Montbello High School in Denver. Clergy led the group in prayer and provided information on community resources.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Clergy, educators, students, and community members gathering for prayer hosted by Families Against Violent Acts Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at Montbello High School in Denver. Clergy led the group in prayer and provided information on community resources.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Clergy, educators, students, and community members gathering for prayer hosted by Families Against Violent Acts Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at Montbello High School in Denver. Clergy led the group in prayer and provided information on community resources.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Clergy, educators, students, and community members gathering for prayer hosted by Families Against Violent Acts Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at Montbello High School in Denver. Clergy led the group in prayer and provided information on community resources.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Now Faith Christian Center Church Pastor Kenneth Greene leads a prayer during a gathering hosted by Families Against Violent Acts Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at Montbello High School in Denver. Clergy led the group in prayer and provided information on community resources.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Adorable Mitchell participates in prayer during a gathering hosted by Families Against Violent Acts Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 at Montbello High School in Denver. Clergy led the group in prayer and provided information on community resources.
Eight council members who voted against the contract cited concerns that it sent probation officers into schools and a failure by city staff to bring the contract to them in time to negotiate details.
Those positions were important to gang prevention and had been part of the city’s work since 2018, Callanan said.
Overall, the city’s actions have not effected much change in the year since the first big citywide conversations about preventing youth gun violence, McBride said.
“Denver has an opportunity right now, and Aurora, to nip it in the bud for future generations,” McBride said. “The level of violence is going to go up. The frequency is already high.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-01--Colorado’s new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations plateau after July spike

New COVID-19 cases in Colorado dropped again last week to finish out August , though it appears the pandemic may be hitting a plateau .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 1,913 cases of the new coronavirus during the week ending Sunday .
That ’ s about 144 , or 7 % , fewer cases than in the previous week .
New cases began dropping in the last week of July following six weeks or rising infections .
The new cases had fallen faster in the weeks immediately following that mid-July spike , but the decline started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also remained relatively steady to end August .
As of Monday , 241 people were hospitalized in Colorado with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 .
The number of combined hospitalizations has fluctuated between 210 and 270 for the second half of the month .
It appears deaths might be falling , though it ’ s difficult to be certain because of delayed reporting .
So far , 10 deaths have been reported in the week ending Sunday .
The state reported about 30 deaths per week in late July and early August .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Public Health , said new cases , hospitalizations and deaths have plateaued at a sustainable level .
What remains to be seen is whether they will start to increase again as people celebrate a holiday weekend , students return to their classrooms and cooler weather drives socialization indoors , he said .
It ’ s important to continue wearing masks and keeping your distance , even though cases are down , Samet said .
It ’ s also safest to go outdoors for recreation , he said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to stay there , ” he said .
“ To me , that means that we need to keep doing the things we ’ re doing.
” About 2.1 % of COVID-19 tests came back positive over the last three days , which is well below the 5 % threshold experts recommend .
If more than 5 % of tests are positive , it could indicate a state is missing infections .
A total of 57,424 people have had the new coronavirus in Colorado , and 7,028 were hospitalized .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus , and 96 others had it in their system when they died .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

New COVID-19 cases in Colorado dropped again last week to finish out August, though it appears the pandemic may be hitting a plateau.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported 1,913 cases of the new coronavirus during the week ending Sunday. That’s about 144, or 7%, fewer cases than in the previous week.
New cases began dropping in the last week of July following six weeks or rising infections. The new cases had fallen faster in the weeks immediately following that mid-July spike, but the decline started to level out in mid-August.
Hospitalizations also remained relatively steady to end August. As of Monday, 241 people were hospitalized in Colorado with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The number of combined hospitalizations has fluctuated between 210 and 270 for the second half of the month.
It appears deaths might be falling, though it’s difficult to be certain because of delayed reporting. So far, 10 deaths have been reported in the week ending Sunday. The state reported about 30 deaths per week in late July and early August.
Dr. Jonathan Samet, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, said new cases, hospitalizations and deaths have plateaued at a sustainable level. What remains to be seen is whether they will start to increase again as people celebrate a holiday weekend, students return to their classrooms and cooler weather drives socialization indoors, he said.
It’s important to continue wearing masks and keeping your distance, even though cases are down, Samet said. It’s also safest to go outdoors for recreation, he said.
“We’re in a pretty good place and we want to stay there,” he said. “To me, that means that we need to keep doing the things we’re doing.”
About 2.1% of COVID-19 tests came back positive over the last three days, which is well below the 5% threshold experts recommend. If more than 5% of tests are positive, it could indicate a state is missing infections.
A total of 57,424 people have had the new coronavirus in Colorado, and 7,028 were hospitalized. So far, 1,849 people have died directly from the virus, and 96 others had it in their system when they died.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.