thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Trump or Biden: Teen Columnists on the 2020 presidential race

Young Coloradans are incredibly passionate about this election , but many can ’ t vote themselves .
So we asked teens what they wanted voters to keep in mind as they cast their ballots this November .
Here ’ s what they have to say about the presidential race between current President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Read what teens have to say about Colorado ’ s senate race , climate change , COVID in schools and policing in schools .
We all remember the 2016 presidential election .
It was an extremely unique and impactful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we all remember the results .
Donald Trump won .
Although this was a shocker to many living in the Denver metro area , my father and I actually predicted a Trump victory .
Frustrations among blue-collared white Americans along with the expected low voter turnout from young progressives due to an unpopular and controversial democratic candidate , Hillary Clinton , made Trump the favorite in our eyes .
It was the perfect storm for Trump , and he seized on the opportunity .
Now here we are , almost four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , and almost nothing has changed .
You would think the Democratic National Committee would learn their lesson from the last election and pick a different type of candidate as the nominee to beat Trump , but instead , they went with Joe Biden , essentially a Hillary Clinton 2.0 .
Now Biden is different in many respects to Clinton , but the optics are still the same : a long history in politics , no enthusiasm , and out of touch with the public .
I look at this situation we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am worried .
Worried that if Biden wins , he is not mentally prepared to fulfill his duty in the oval office .
The fact that I can look up a ten-minute montage video of Biden stumbling with his words , is very alarming .
I ’ m worried that if Trump wins , we will have another four years of ranting tweets and instability within the domestic affairs of our country and relations with other nations , as well as the continuing destruction of our environment .
I am registered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I want to see our democracy prevail , but the outlook does not seem hopeful either way .
However , today young people in this country are more passionate than ever to actually create positive systemic change , whether it ’ s on the issue of racial injustice and inequality or climate change .
The one difference between this presidential election and the last one is that these young people are willing to vote for Biden in large numbers just to get Trump out of office and have a chance at making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As for me , my eyes are set on 2024 .
Obviously , most are concerned about the results of the general presidential election , and rightly so .
However , I ’ m very concerned about the effect the Democratic nominations may have on America .
For the past few months , those concerned about police brutality , mass incarceration , and racial discrimination in the criminal justice system have been protesting what they consider a great injustice .
The murders of Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor , and George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and one of which has not been prosecuted ) motivated millions across the country to demand reform .
The results have been disappointing .
America must reform not its syrup bottles but its courts , prisons , and police departments .
Politicians and CEOs have given their lip service , but aside from the odd Justin Amash or Ayanna Pressley ( who are attempting to end qualified immunity ) few promote any actual change .
The words of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris seem especially empty , considering their records on criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run with a woman of color .
His specific choice , however , is questionable .
Senator Harris has long protected the police and filled the prisons as a prosecutor and later as the Attorney General of California .
She has often been a proponent of the failed war on drugs .
Would progressives be as happy if Biden was running with Candace Owens ?
Gender and race do not a liberal make .
Biden himself has one of the worst records on criminal justice and racial issues of any current politician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed busing , not because of states ’ rights as he now claims , but because he thought that if schools were desegregated too quickly , they would become a “ racial jungle.
” ( This quote has often been taken out of context and made to sound worse than it was , but it was a troubling statement nonetheless . )
He authored an incredibly harmful crime bill , advocated mass incarceration under Reagan , and voted to make student loans ineligible for bankruptcy .
Harris is set up as the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden will likely become the most powerful man in the world next January .
Through these nominations , the Democratic Party has elected to put social justice on the back burner .
On the other hand , Donald Trump has openly made racist remarks and sent federal troops to crackdown on protesters in Portland .
I fear that , in spite of the protests , our country is moving backwards .
It is one of the most unique moments in history , in addition to this year ’ s election , that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many .
Numerous issues were brought to light and many of which are still yet to be resolved .
As a Hispanic woman , I view this election as either the stepping stone for my academic career or the obstacle because of the current political climate .
It is what will allow me to go to college or instead take on a 9-5 job .
My community has been under fire , specifically the Dreamers , who seek to further their education and pursue college or university .
Being unable to vote means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to be heard , and we will have to live with the uncertainty of tomorrow .
It means that I will not be able to achieve my goals no matter how passionate I am about healthcare and the pre-med path .
Ultimately , I would like to study to become a doctor in order to be able to connect with different people and see myself represented in the healthcare system .
It would be one step forward for my Hispanic community , but an even greater accomplishment for my family who without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To be able to continue learning and challenging myself is my ambition .
My dream that I will be able to fulfill my aspirations because there will be someone as president who cares about people like me ; my dream that I will be seen as a daughter , friend , and student .
Not by the stereotypical or offensive labels that have become a part of political propaganda .
My hope is that my community will not be left in the dark as decisions are made but instead will be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
But most importantly , my hope is that we have community out there who is willing to have an open mind and heart .
Your vote has an impact – way beyond words .
Even if this election is not what you expected , look beyond what it means to you .
Remember all we have is now to make a difference .
Voting is a responsibility and blessing that will permit you to rewrite my story and many others .
Remember the American Dream .
Remember that you can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have the power to change everything .
It is no secret that my generation , Gen Z , is an unhinged wild child .
We don ’ t listen to old rules .
We care more about the next quick fix of dopamine than in-person contact .
We document the gritty , boring , and sometimes scandalous parts of our lives and will all likely have tons of data to destroy political careers in fifteen years .
Do I sound like a “ Boomer ” yet ?
Gen Z takes the hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to teach us in society : character .
While distant relatives and resentful housewives post criticism after criticism of “ young people today !
” on their Facebook walls , I often question if it is really my generation ’ s fault for lacking a moral compass when our political systems don ’ t even have an idea of direction .
I was fourteen when the Washington Post published the tape and article about President Trump ’ s “ grab her by the pussy ” comment was released .
High school taught me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought , but there was still an ounce of hope that the transition to manhood would abandon the foul-mouthed , misogynist beliefs that are normalized in modern culture as “ boys being boys.
” But what better way to perpetuate this behavior and lack of character than to not only condone it with excuses but to reward it with an entire country ?
I never thought that the first presidential election I would vote in would be a decision between two alleged predators .
From Trump fraternizing with one of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and allegedly raping a thirteen-year-old girl to Biden being accused of sexual assault by Tara Reade and called out for multiple instances of inappropriate touching , it is safe to say that the bar for behavior , character , and personal values is on the floor .
In the eyes of a young woman , I don ’ t see either side winning as a success .
I see the same lesson of condoning inappropriate behavior taught in the biggest classroom of all , the country .
I see young men being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a hurdle to jump over on their way to a political office .
I see young women being taught that this is “ normal.
” It saddens me to feel guilty about the vote I should be proud to have .
Instead of singling out Tik Tok stars and Instagram influencers as the loose threads of our society , perhaps a look at our elected officials would be appropriate .
But that is a word we ’ ve lost all definition of , right ?
— Alexandra Hall , 18 , University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May from Cheyenne Mountain High School “ You also had people that were very fine people , on both sides.
” Those are President Donald Trump ’ s words during a press conference after being questioned about the deadly August 12th , 2017 protests in Charlottesville , Virginia , in which the “ Unite The Right ” neo-Nazi rally culminated in a right-wing terrorist driving his car into counter-protestors , killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others .
Watching the leader of my country defend these white supremacists , I felt a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , the fear of my country turning against me , simply because I was born Jewish .
I wonder when my great grandfather left Austria for the United States just before World War Two if he felt something similar , though he had no idea all the members of his family he had said goodbye to would soon lose their lives at the hands of the Nazis in the Theresienstadt Ghetto .
The question that I most frequently ask myself is how did he know when to leave ?
Perhaps it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fascism and supported Hitler , a man who preached hatred against his race .
Or maybe , the right-wing takeover and lack of democracy had driven him out .
Recently , this question has come with another , how would I know when my country is no longer safe for my race , before it ’ s too late ?
I could look at our leader , for he is supposed to be our figurehead , but that would only instill greater fear .
Son of a white supremacist who was once arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long antisemitic history which includes : posting comics featuring stereotyped Jewish people with the words “ Global Power Structure ” , calling Jewish democrats “ disloyal ’ ” , using the slur “ sleepy eyes ” , defending white supremacists , and much more .
I could look around me , at the people killed for being born a minority , the protestors killed for wanting it not to happen , and the police ignoring our rights .
Through this I can now know , I do not feel safe in my country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would make like my great grandfather and leave .
But where does this leave me ?
I am seventeen , I have not started college , how could I uproot my life without the resources ?
This leaves me with all I have left , hope .
Hope for the future , hope that progressive change will overtake backwards hateful ways , and that love will prevail .
Subscribe to our newsletter , Sound Off , to get opinion news sent straight to your inbox .
To send a letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Jim Carr, Special to The Denver Post
Young Coloradans are incredibly passionate about this election, but many can’t vote themselves. So we asked teens what they wanted voters to keep in mind as they cast their ballots this November.
DENVER POST TEEN COLUMNISTS Want to be a part of our Teen Columnists project in the future? Sign up here and we’ll notify you when we reopen for submissions.
Here’s what they have to say about the presidential race between current President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Read what teens have to say about Colorado’s senate race, climate change, COVID in schools and policing in schools.
We all remember the 2016 presidential election. It was an extremely unique and impactful one for young Americans . More importantly, we all remember the results. Donald Trump won. Although this was a shocker to many living in the Denver metro area, my father and I actually predicted a Trump victory. Frustrations among blue-collared white Americans along with the expected low voter turnout from young progressives due to an unpopular and controversial democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, made Trump the favorite in our eyes. It was the perfect storm for Trump, and he seized on the opportunity.
Now here we are, almost four years later in the midst of the 2020 election, and almost nothing has changed. You would think the Democratic National Committee would learn their lesson from the last election and pick a different type of candidate as the nominee to beat Trump, but instead, they went with Joe Biden, essentially a Hillary Clinton 2.0. Now Biden is different in many respects to Clinton, but the optics are still the same: a long history in politics, no enthusiasm, and out of touch with the public.
I look at this situation we are currently in this election, and I am worried. Worried that if Biden wins, he is not mentally prepared to fulfill his duty in the oval office. The fact that I can look up a ten-minute montage video of Biden stumbling with his words, is very alarming. I’m worried that if Trump wins, we will have another four years of ranting tweets and instability within the domestic affairs of our country and relations with other nations, as well as the continuing destruction of our environment. I am registered to be a poll worker on election day because I want to see our democracy prevail, but the outlook does not seem hopeful either way.
However, today young people in this country are more passionate than ever to actually create positive systemic change, whether it’s on the issue of racial injustice and inequality or climate change. The one difference between this presidential election and the last one is that these young people are willing to vote for Biden in large numbers just to get Trump out of office and have a chance at making the revolutionizing changes they want to see. As for me, my eyes are set on 2024.
— Yonatan Manor, 17, East High School
Obviously, most are concerned about the results of the general presidential election, and rightly so. However, I’m very concerned about the effect the Democratic nominations may have on America. For the past few months, those concerned about police brutality, mass incarceration, and racial discrimination in the criminal justice system have been protesting what they consider a great injustice. The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd (two of which were committed by police and one of which has not been prosecuted) motivated millions across the country to demand reform. The results have been disappointing.
America must reform not its syrup bottles but its courts, prisons, and police departments. Politicians and CEOs have given their lip service, but aside from the odd Justin Amash or Ayanna Pressley (who are attempting to end qualified immunity) few promote any actual change. The words of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris seem especially empty, considering their records on criminal justice.
I applaud Biden for committing to run with a woman of color. His specific choice, however, is questionable. Senator Harris has long protected the police and filled the prisons as a prosecutor and later as the Attorney General of California. She has often been a proponent of the failed war on drugs. Would progressives be as happy if Biden was running with Candace Owens? Gender and race do not a liberal make.
Biden himself has one of the worst records on criminal justice and racial issues of any current politician, from either party. He fiercely opposed busing, not because of states’ rights as he now claims, but because he thought that if schools were desegregated too quickly, they would become a “racial jungle.” (This quote has often been taken out of context and made to sound worse than it was, but it was a troubling statement nonetheless.) He authored an incredibly harmful crime bill, advocated mass incarceration under Reagan, and voted to make student loans ineligible for bankruptcy.
Harris is set up as the Democratic Party’s heir apparent, and Biden will likely become the most powerful man in the world next January. Through these nominations, the Democratic Party has elected to put social justice on the back burner. On the other hand, Donald Trump has openly made racist remarks and sent federal troops to crackdown on protesters in Portland. I fear that, in spite of the protests, our country is moving backwards.
— Luke E Henson, 17, Colorado Early Colleges
It is one of the most unique moments in history, in addition to this year’s election, that is a difficult one to soak in for many. Numerous issues were brought to light and many of which are still yet to be resolved.
As a Hispanic woman, I view this election as either the stepping stone for my academic career or the obstacle because of the current political climate. It is what will allow me to go to college or instead take on a 9-5 job.
My community has been under fire, specifically the Dreamers, who seek to further their education and pursue college or university. Being unable to vote means that there is no guarantee for my people to be heard, and we will have to live with the uncertainty of tomorrow.
It means that I will not be able to achieve my goals no matter how passionate I am about healthcare and the pre-med path. Ultimately, I would like to study to become a doctor in order to be able to connect with different people and see myself represented in the healthcare system.
It would be one step forward for my Hispanic community, but an even greater accomplishment for my family who without a doubt believes in the American Dream. To be able to continue learning and challenging myself is my ambition.
My dream that I will be able to fulfill my aspirations because there will be someone as president who cares about people like me; my dream that I will be seen as a daughter, friend, and student. Not by the stereotypical or offensive labels that have become a part of political propaganda. My hope is that my community will not be left in the dark as decisions are made but instead will be taken into consideration as valid members of this world. But most importantly, my hope is that we have community out there who is willing to have an open mind and heart. Your vote has an impact – way beyond words. Even if this election is not what you expected, look beyond what it means to you.
Remember all we have is now to make a difference. Voting is a responsibility and blessing that will permit you to rewrite my story and many others. Remember the American Dream. Remember that you can be the voice of the voiceless.
Remember you have the power to change everything.
— Daijah Mijares-Morales, 16, DSST College View High School
It is no secret that my generation, Gen Z, is an unhinged wild child. We don’t listen to old rules. We care more about the next quick fix of dopamine than in-person contact. We document the gritty, boring, and sometimes scandalous parts of our lives and will all likely have tons of data to destroy political careers in fifteen years. Do I sound like a “Boomer” yet?
Gen Z takes the hit for what “Boomers” have failed to teach us in society: character. While distant relatives and resentful housewives post criticism after criticism of “young people today!” on their Facebook walls, I often question if it is really my generation’s fault for lacking a moral compass when our political systems don’t even have an idea of direction.
I was fourteen when the Washington Post published the tape and article about President Trump’s “grab her by the pussy” comment was released. High school taught me very early on how boys behaved and thought, but there was still an ounce of hope that the transition to manhood would abandon the foul-mouthed, misogynist beliefs that are normalized in modern culture as “boys being boys.”
But what better way to perpetuate this behavior and lack of character than to not only condone it with excuses but to reward it with an entire country?
I never thought that the first presidential election I would vote in would be a decision between two alleged predators. From Trump fraternizing with one of the world’s most accomplished pedophiles, Jeffery Epstein, and allegedly raping a thirteen-year-old girl to Biden being accused of sexual assault by Tara Reade and called out for multiple instances of inappropriate touching, it is safe to say that the bar for behavior, character, and personal values is on the floor.
In the eyes of a young woman, I don’t see either side winning as a success. I see the same lesson of condoning inappropriate behavior taught in the biggest classroom of all, the country. I see young men being taught that accusations of assault are nothing but a hurdle to jump over on their way to a political office. I see young women being taught that this is “normal.” It saddens me to feel guilty about the vote I should be proud to have.
Instead of singling out Tik Tok stars and Instagram influencers as the loose threads of our society, perhaps a look at our elected officials would be appropriate. But that is a word we’ve lost all definition of, right?
— Alexandra Hall, 18, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, graduated in May from Cheyenne Mountain High School
“You also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.” Those are President Donald Trump’s words during a press conference after being questioned about the deadly August 12th, 2017 protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which the “Unite The Right” neo-Nazi rally culminated in a right-wing terrorist driving his car into counter-protestors, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others.
Watching the leader of my country defend these white supremacists, I felt a fear that I had never truly realized before, the fear of my country turning against me, simply because I was born Jewish.
I wonder when my great grandfather left Austria for the United States just before World War Two if he felt something similar, though he had no idea all the members of his family he had said goodbye to would soon lose their lives at the hands of the Nazis in the Theresienstadt Ghetto. The question that I most frequently ask myself is how did he know when to leave? Perhaps it was the Austrians around him who leaned into fascism and supported Hitler, a man who preached hatred against his race. Or maybe, the right-wing takeover and lack of democracy had driven him out. Recently, this question has come with another, how would I know when my country is no longer safe for my race, before it’s too late? I could look at our leader, for he is supposed to be our figurehead, but that would only instill greater fear. Son of a white supremacist who was once arrested for Klan activity, Trump has a long antisemitic history which includes: posting comics featuring stereotyped Jewish people with the words “Global Power Structure”, calling Jewish democrats “disloyal’”, using the slur “sleepy eyes”, defending white supremacists, and much more. I could look around me, at the people killed for being born a minority, the protestors killed for wanting it not to happen, and the police ignoring our rights.
Through this I can now know, I do not feel safe in my country, and if I were smart, I would make like my great grandfather and leave. But where does this leave me? I am seventeen, I have not started college, how could I uproot my life without the resources? This leaves me with all I have left, hope. Hope for the future, hope that progressive change will overtake backwards hateful ways, and that love will prevail.
— Ben Firestone, 17, Goal Academy High School
Subscribe to our newsletter, Sound Off, to get opinion news sent straight to your inbox.
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--2020-10-04--Colorado is one of just six states where Latinos are more likely to die prematurely than white resid

Colorado is one of just six states where Latinos are more likely to die prematurely than white residents

Colorado has a reputation as a healthy place to live , but that doesn ’ t seem to benefit the state ’ s Hispanic residents , who are more likely to die of causes that could have been treated or prevented .
In all but six states , Hispanic Americans are less likely to die of potentially preventable causes than white Americans , according to a Denver Post analysis of data from the Commonwealth Fund ’ s state health system scorecard .
In Colorado , however , Hispanic residents are about 20 % more likely than white residents to die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks , diabetes complications , appendicitis or certain cancers .
Deaths of people older than 75 aren ’ t included in the data .
The information was collected before the pandemic , so it doesn ’ t reflect COVID-19 ’ s disproportionate hit on communities of color .
Colorado ’ s Hispanic population is more likely to be uninsured and to go without health care , but that ’ s also true of the rest of the country , including states where they ’ re less likely to die prematurely .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in deaths , experts say , with factors including a history of discrimination , Colorado ’ s high cost of living and unequal access to quality jobs , education and housing playing a role .
Colorado ’ s white population has one of the lowest rates of premature death in the country , but that doesn ’ t fully explain the gap .
Some other states , like Minnesota and Massachusetts , have lower-than-average rates of preventable deaths for both their white and Hispanic populations .
In Colorado , the Hispanic population actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average .
The things that make Colorado a healthy place , like the abundant opportunities for outdoor exercise , aren ’ t equally available to people who work lower-paying jobs and don ’ t have the money or free time to enjoy them , said Patricia Valverde , a faculty member at the Colorado School of Public Health ’ s Latino Research and Policy Center .
And who works in low-wage jobs , which also tend to be more dangerous and may not offer health insurance , isn ’ t random , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a civil rights movement in the 1960s and ’ 70s because of widespread discrimination against Latinos in education and other parts of public life , Valverde said .
While much has improved since then , people who were discriminated against in school were less able to pursue higher education , which then reduced how much they earned later in life and what opportunities they could give their children — all of which contributes to worse health , she said .
“ With each generation , their economic opportunities increase , but you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Some parts of the state , like many of the southern counties , have high rates of premature deaths for all ethnic groups , according to data from the Colorado Health Institute .
Others , like Denver and Mesa counties , have relatively low rates for white residents , but high ones for Hispanics .
In Denver , predominantly Latino neighborhoods tend to have less access to healthy food and more pollution , said Emily Cervantes , program manager for public policy research and analysis at the Colorado Latino Leadership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event in Globeville drove home how a neighborhood ’ s surroundings affect its residents ’ health , she said .
“ After being outside for only a few hours , our eyes were red and stinging and our throats were sore from breathing the emissions from I-70 nearby , ” she said .
Bethany Pray , legal director of the Colorado Center on Law and Policy , said it ’ s difficult to point to one factor to explain the disparities in health outcomes , but state programs haven ’ t served parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most information about programs like Medicaid and food assistance is in both Spanish and English , a state audit found critical pieces were sometimes available only in English , making it difficult for people who prefer to communicate in Spanish to enroll and maintain access to services they need , she said .
In some counties , non-citizens who are eligible for Medicaid have been turned away , either because of training problems or bias among the workers handling the applications , Pray said .
“ Although ( the Department of Health Care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving training , that is difficult to do when budgets are limited and we have 64 counties involved in administering these complex programs , ” she said .
Marc Williams , spokesman for the state Department of Health Care Policy and Finance , said all materials are available in English and Spanish , and the policy is to review all applications .
Most legal permanent residents become eligible for Medicaid after five years , while children , pregnant women and refugees who are legal residents are eligible immediately , he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to process applications for anyone who comes in their door , regardless of their citizenship status , ” he said .
“ Even if they ’ re not an eligible non-citizen , we do provide services for those individuals if they have an emergency — through emergency Medicaid — that covers specific emergencies such as ‘ life or limb ’ emergencies for one month.
” People who don ’ t have health insurance can get primary care at community health centers , but not specialist care , Valverde said .
Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job managing issues they ’ re equipped to handle , patients still face long waits for appointments with a specialist , if they can get one at all , and may have to wait until they ’ re sick enough to visit an emergency room before getting the next level of care , she said .
“ People with chronic conditions that are ( well ) managed… those would not contribute to premature death , ” she said .
It ’ s possible that Colorado ’ s expensive housing and health care are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those working in low-wage jobs , said Joe Hanel , director of communications at the Colorado Health Institute .
In some ways , workers in agricultural and resort communities are “ invisible ” in the health system , he said .
“ The system is geared to work for people who are wealthier , ” he said .
“ When everything ’ s expensive , health care is often the expense that you don ’ t take care of .
”

Colorado has a reputation as a healthy place to live, but that doesn’t seem to benefit the state’s Hispanic residents, who are more likely to die of causes that could have been treated or prevented.
In all but six states, Hispanic Americans are less likely to die of potentially preventable causes than white Americans, according to a Denver Post analysis of data from the Commonwealth Fund’s state health system scorecard.
In Colorado, however, Hispanic residents are about 20% more likely than white residents to die of treatable conditions, such as asthma attacks, diabetes complications, appendicitis or certain cancers. Deaths of people older than 75 aren’t included in the data.
The information was collected before the pandemic, so it doesn’t reflect COVID-19’s disproportionate hit on communities of color.
Colorado’s Hispanic population is more likely to be uninsured and to go without health care, but that’s also true of the rest of the country, including states where they’re less likely to die prematurely.
There’s no one explanation for the disparity in deaths, experts say, with factors including a history of discrimination, Colorado’s high cost of living and unequal access to quality jobs, education and housing playing a role.
Colorado’s white population has one of the lowest rates of premature death in the country, but that doesn’t fully explain the gap. Some other states, like Minnesota and Massachusetts, have lower-than-average rates of preventable deaths for both their white and Hispanic populations. In Colorado, the Hispanic population actually has more preventable deaths than the national average.
The things that make Colorado a healthy place, like the abundant opportunities for outdoor exercise, aren’t equally available to people who work lower-paying jobs and don’t have the money or free time to enjoy them, said Patricia Valverde, a faculty member at the Colorado School of Public Health’s Latino Research and Policy Center. And who works in low-wage jobs, which also tend to be more dangerous and may not offer health insurance, isn’t random, she said.
Denver was a center of a civil rights movement in the 1960s and ’70s because of widespread discrimination against Latinos in education and other parts of public life, Valverde said. While much has improved since then, people who were discriminated against in school were less able to pursue higher education, which then reduced how much they earned later in life and what opportunities they could give their children — all of which contributes to worse health, she said.
“With each generation, their economic opportunities increase, but you’re already starting behind,” she said.
Some parts of the state, like many of the southern counties, have high rates of premature deaths for all ethnic groups, according to data from the Colorado Health Institute. Others, like Denver and Mesa counties, have relatively low rates for white residents, but high ones for Hispanics.
In Denver, predominantly Latino neighborhoods tend to have less access to healthy food and more pollution, said Emily Cervantes, program manager for public policy research and analysis at the Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy and Research Organization. A recent event in Globeville drove home how a neighborhood’s surroundings affect its residents’ health, she said.
“After being outside for only a few hours, our eyes were red and stinging and our throats were sore from breathing the emissions from I-70 nearby,” she said.
Bethany Pray, legal director of the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, said it’s difficult to point to one factor to explain the disparities in health outcomes, but state programs haven’t served parts of the Hispanic community well.
While most information about programs like Medicaid and food assistance is in both Spanish and English, a state audit found critical pieces were sometimes available only in English, making it difficult for people who prefer to communicate in Spanish to enroll and maintain access to services they need, she said.
In some counties, non-citizens who are eligible for Medicaid have been turned away, either because of training problems or bias among the workers handling the applications, Pray said.
“Although (the Department of Health Care Policy and Finance) has committed to improving training, that is difficult to do when budgets are limited and we have 64 counties involved in administering these complex programs,” she said.
Marc Williams, spokesman for the state Department of Health Care Policy and Finance, said all materials are available in English and Spanish, and the policy is to review all applications. Most legal permanent residents become eligible for Medicaid after five years, while children, pregnant women and refugees who are legal residents are eligible immediately, he said.
“We have provided counties guidance that they are to process applications for anyone who comes in their door, regardless of their citizenship status,” he said. “Even if they’re not an eligible non-citizen, we do provide services for those individuals if they have an emergency — through emergency Medicaid — that covers specific emergencies such as ‘life or limb’ emergencies for one month.”
People who don’t have health insurance can get primary care at community health centers, but not specialist care, Valverde said. Even though community health centers largely do a good job managing issues they’re equipped to handle, patients still face long waits for appointments with a specialist, if they can get one at all, and may have to wait until they’re sick enough to visit an emergency room before getting the next level of care, she said.
“People with chronic conditions that are (well) managed… those would not contribute to premature death,” she said.
It’s possible that Colorado’s expensive housing and health care are exacerbating the difficulties obtaining care, especially for those working in low-wage jobs, said Joe Hanel, director of communications at the Colorado Health Institute. In some ways, workers in agricultural and resort communities are “invisible” in the health system, he said.
“The system is geared to work for people who are wealthier,” he said. “When everything’s expensive, health care is often the expense that you don’t take care of.”


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Post Premium: Top stories for Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2020

When the story was first reported in early September that scammers had sought to defraud Colorado of up to $ 1.25 billion from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program , the number seemed like it was a typo .
More than a billion dollars and about 73,000 fraudulent claims , just in Colorado ?
The numbers were accurate and indicative of just how widespread the attempted fraud was .
Although the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment was successful in fending off most of the theft , the question remained : Who was behind such vast graft ?
Reporter Aldo Svaldi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to emerge of coordinated attacks on the system by sophisticated cybercrime rings , often using stolen identities claimed off of the dark web that ended up there via previous data breaches .
If that isn ’ t jarring enough , some scammers increasingly don ’ t need to steal an identity — they can make one up .
Svaldi ’ s report shines a light on the difficulty agencies can have getting financial assistance into the hands of the folks who need it .
But it also illuminates that where there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be aspiring criminals in front of computer terminals around the world intent on stealing what they can .
Stolen identities set stage for unemployment scams in Colorado and elsewhere Five don ’ t-miss stories from last week A plot of land given to Denver Urban Gardens for $ 1 to house a community garden will be sold to developers for $ 1.2 million Alan Olds is more accustomed to nurturing things than fighting them .
As a former garden leader and member at El Oasis Community Garden for the last five years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents find and cultivate plots at the roughly 22,000-square-foot green space at 1847 W. 35th Ave. That changed when he got a surprise call from Violeta Garcia , then-executive director of Denver Urban Gardens , the first week of September .
Read More… As ex-judge faces possible prison time , those who appeared in his Greeley courtroom wonder why his judgements stand For most of her life , Amanda Harmon believed the courts were fair and just .
Save for a few traffic-related instances , Harmon had rarely dealt with legal issues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety .
It didn ’ t give her fear .
But her whole perception of justice changed after her time in Judge Ryan Kamada ’ s Greeley courtroom .
“ I knew right away he was crooked , ” Harmon said .
“ There was something corrupt and vile about him.
” Read More… Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis plans to mass-pardon 2,732 convictions of low-level marijuana possession through an executive order Thursday after signing a bill earlier this year that gave him that authority .
Read More… Colorado sued over limits on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal organization representing Andrew Wommack Ministries sued Gov .
Jared Polis on Monday in an effort to halt Colorado ’ s COVID-19 public health orders that limit the size of religious and other gatherings ahead of a conference the Woodland Park ministry is holding next week .
The lawsuit , filed in U.S. District Court in Denver , asks for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against multiple public health orders issued by state officials during the coronavirus pandemic .
Read More… President Trump said to be improving but next 48 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a “ very concerning ” period Friday and faces a “ critical ” next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital , his chief of staff said Saturday — in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors , who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission .
Trump offered his own assessment Saturday evening in a video from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , saying he was beginning to feel better and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read More… See more great photos like this on The Denver Post ’ s Instagram account .

When the story was first reported in early September that scammers had sought to defraud Colorado of up to $1.25 billion from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the number seemed like it was a typo. More than a billion dollars and about 73,000 fraudulent claims, just in Colorado?
The numbers were accurate and indicative of just how widespread the attempted fraud was. Although the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment was successful in fending off most of the theft, the question remained: Who was behind such vast graft?
Reporter Aldo Svaldi talked to security experts and a picture began to emerge of coordinated attacks on the system by sophisticated cybercrime rings, often using stolen identities claimed off of the dark web that ended up there via previous data breaches. If that isn’t jarring enough, some scammers increasingly don’t need to steal an identity — they can make one up.
Svaldi’s report shines a light on the difficulty agencies can have getting financial assistance into the hands of the folks who need it. But it also illuminates that where there are large caches of money, there will be aspiring criminals in front of computer terminals around the world intent on stealing what they can.
— Donovan Henderson, The Denver Post
Five don’t-miss stories from last week
Alan Olds is more accustomed to nurturing things than fighting them. As a former garden leader and member at El Oasis Community Garden for the last five years, he has helped dozens of Lower Highland residents find and cultivate plots at the roughly 22,000-square-foot green space at 1847 W. 35th Ave.
That changed when he got a surprise call from Violeta Garcia, then-executive director of Denver Urban Gardens, the first week of September. Read More…
For most of her life, Amanda Harmon believed the courts were fair and just.
Save for a few traffic-related instances, Harmon had rarely dealt with legal issues. A courtroom didn’t give her anxiety. It didn’t give her fear.
But her whole perception of justice changed after her time in Judge Ryan Kamada’s Greeley courtroom.
“I knew right away he was crooked,” Harmon said. “There was something corrupt and vile about him.” Read More…
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis plans to mass-pardon 2,732 convictions of low-level marijuana possession through an executive order Thursday after signing a bill earlier this year that gave him that authority. Read More…
A legal organization representing Andrew Wommack Ministries sued Gov. Jared Polis on Monday in an effort to halt Colorado’s COVID-19 public health orders that limit the size of religious and other gatherings ahead of a conference the Woodland Park ministry is holding next week.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, asks for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against multiple public health orders issued by state officials during the coronavirus pandemic. Read More…
President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and faces a “critical” next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital, his chief of staff said Saturday — in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors, who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission.
Trump offered his own assessment Saturday evening in a video from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, saying he was beginning to feel better and hoped to “be back soon.” Read More…
Photo of the week
See more great photos like this on The Denver Post’s Instagram account.


thedenverpost--2020-10-05--“Saturday Night Live” re-creates debate in 46th season opener

LOS ANGELES — “ Saturday Night Live ” went political with a parody of this week ’ s presidential debate , Chris Rock ’ s jab at President Donald Trump and Megan Thee Stallion ’ s message supporting Black people during her performance .
The NBC late-night sketch series on Saturday night jumped into the reenactment of the recent debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
The series opened its 46th season , returning to the studio this week after the coronavirus pandemic halted production .
Alec Baldwin returned to play Trump before the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carrey made his feature debut as Biden .
In the sketch , Baldwin ’ s Trump commandeered the debate in the same fashion as on Tuesday , trying to trip up Biden by interrupting and insulting him .
Meanwhile , Carrey ’ s Biden tried to maintain his anger by breathing into a paper brown bag and talking to himself .
“ Look man , I ’ m a nice guy , but you give anymore guff tonight , I ’ ll rip your face off like a mad chimp , ” Carrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The country ’ s counting on you Joe .
Just stand here and look lucid.
” Maya Rudolph made a cameo appearance as Sen. Kamala Harris calling for a WAP ( Woman As President ) — a nod to the hit song by Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B — before Carrey ’ s Biden pulled out a remote control to pause Trump .
“ Let ’ s bask in the Trumplessness , ” Carrey said .
The show was hosted by Chris Rock who stepped onstage with a mask before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He opened in front of a live audience , which included about two dozen first responders who all wore masks .
Rock joked about how the coronavirus pandemic has ruined much of 2020 .
The actor-comedian also sarcastically showed empathy toward Trump being hospitalized after his virus diagnosis .
“ President Trump is in the hospital from COVID , and I just want to say that my heart goes out to COVID , ” he joked .
Rock offered his thoughts on America needing to “ renegotiate their plans ” with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have for 4 years no matter what ?
Just show me one job .
If you hired a cook , and he was making people vomit every day , do you sit there and say ‘ Oh , he ’ s got a 4-year deal , ’ ” he said .
“ We just got to vomit for four more years.
” Rock was once part of an “ SNL ” cast that included Chris Farley , Mike Myers , David Spade and Adam Sandler .
Rock spent three years on the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thee Stallion hit the stage as the musical guest performing her hit single “ Savage.
” While wearing a black-and-white ensemble , the rapper delivered a message calling for the protection of Black people , in addition to the words “ Protect Black Women ” flashing on the screen behind her .

LOS ANGELES — “Saturday Night Live” went political with a parody of this week’s presidential debate, Chris Rock’s jab at President Donald Trump and Megan Thee Stallion’s message supporting Black people during her performance.
The NBC late-night sketch series on Saturday night jumped into the reenactment of the recent debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The series opened its 46th season, returning to the studio this week after the coronavirus pandemic halted production.
Alec Baldwin returned to play Trump before the president’s COVID diagnosis, while Jim Carrey made his feature debut as Biden.
In the sketch, Baldwin’s Trump commandeered the debate in the same fashion as on Tuesday, trying to trip up Biden by interrupting and insulting him. Meanwhile, Carrey’s Biden tried to maintain his anger by breathing into a paper brown bag and talking to himself.
“Look man, I’m a nice guy, but you give anymore guff tonight, I’ll rip your face off like a mad chimp,” Carrey yelled before talking to himself again saying, “The country’s counting on you Joe. Just stand here and look lucid.”
Maya Rudolph made a cameo appearance as Sen. Kamala Harris calling for a WAP (Woman As President) — a nod to the hit song by Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B — before Carrey’s Biden pulled out a remote control to pause Trump.
“Let’s bask in the Trumplessness,” Carrey said.
The show was hosted by Chris Rock who stepped onstage with a mask before snatching it off to perform his monologue. He opened in front of a live audience, which included about two dozen first responders who all wore masks.
Rock joked about how the coronavirus pandemic has ruined much of 2020. The actor-comedian also sarcastically showed empathy toward Trump being hospitalized after his virus diagnosis.
“President Trump is in the hospital from COVID, and I just want to say that my heart goes out to COVID,” he joked.
Rock offered his thoughts on America needing to “renegotiate their plans” with the government.
“What job do you have for 4 years no matter what? Just show me one job. If you hired a cook, and he was making people vomit every day, do you sit there and say ‘Oh, he’s got a 4-year deal,’” he said. “We just got to vomit for four more years.”
Rock was once part of an “SNL” cast that included Chris Farley, Mike Myers, David Spade and Adam Sandler. Rock spent three years on the show before he left in 1993.
Megan Thee Stallion hit the stage as the musical guest performing her hit single “Savage.” While wearing a black-and-white ensemble, the rapper delivered a message calling for the protection of Black people, in addition to the words “Protect Black Women” flashing on the screen behind her.


thedenverpost--2020-10-05--What we know, and what we don’t, about Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis

A White House physician ’ s comments on Sunday about the health of President Donald Trump amid his coronavirus diagnosis added a new layer of confusion even as the doctor sought to clarify contradictory statements from the day before .
Here ’ s what we know and what we don ’ t know : WHAT WE KNOW : TRUMP ’ S MEDICAL CONDITION Dr. Sean Conley , the president ’ s physician , said Trump was given a steroid dexamethasone after his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days , but he “ has continued to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as early as Monday .
Conley said Trump had a “ high fever ” and a blood oxygen level below 94 % on Friday and during “ another episode ” on Saturday .
Conley was evasive when asked whether Trump ’ s blood oxygen level had dropped below 90 % : “ We don ’ t have any recordings here on that.
” The level currently stands at 98 % , Trump ’ s medical team said .
Blood oxygen saturation is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A normal reading is between 95 and 100 .
A drop below 90 is concerning .
Trump ’ s team said Sunday that Trump received oxygen at the White House on Friday .
They were not clear on whether he received any Saturday .
The additional details emerged after White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Saturday said some of Trump ’ s vital signs were “ very concerning ” Friday .
That disclosure contradicted a rosy assessment Trump ’ s doctors had initially provided .
Along with a steroid , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , doctors said .
On Friday , Trump was given a single dose of a drug that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing to supply antibodies to help his immune system fight the virus .
Trump also has taken two doses of a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients .
Trump ’ s team said Sunday that Trump is “ up and around ” and doing well .
They said if things continue to go well , Trump will be able to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue his treatment .
WHAT WE DON ’ T KNOW : TRUMP ’ S MEDICAL CONDITION Trump ’ s medical team continued to dodge many questions Sunday , such as the specific timing of the president ’ s dip in oxygen and the impact of the disease on his lungs .
Asked repeatedly about what lung scan tests found and whether there have been any signs of pneumonia or other damage , Conley responded : “ We ’ re tracking all of that .
There ’ s some expected findings but nothing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t specified where Trump is in the “ disease course ” of COVID-19 .
Days seven to 10 typically are a time of higher concern , he said .
WHAT WE KNOW : WHEN TRUMP FELL ILL Trump started showing symptoms by Thursday , a full day before the White House announced what were initially called “ mild symptoms.
” Conley said Trump showed some common signs of COVID-19 on Thursday — a mild cough , stuffy nose and fatigue .
The president tested positive that evening , the doctor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how transparent Trump , his staffers and doctors are being about the president ’ s health and whether Trump should have known he may have been spreading the virus as he mingled with campaign donors , staffers and others Thursday .
WHAT WE DON ’ T KNOW : WHEN TRUMP FELL ILL Conley declined to say when Trump had last been tested before Thursday ’ s test confirmed COVID-19 .
WHAT WE KNOW : HOW TRUMP WAS INFECTED It ’ s not clear , but attention is focusing on a White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court nominee .
Trump gathered more than 150 people in the Rose Garden , where they mingled , hugged and shook hands — overwhelmingly without masks .
Photos also show several indoor receptions , where Trump ’ s nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett , her family , senators and others gathered in the close quarters in the White House .
Among those who attended who have now tested positive : former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , the president of the University of Notre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis .
WHAT WE DON ’ T KNOW : HOW TRUMP WAS INFECTED There ’ s no way to know for sure if the Rose Garden event was where Trump — who typically shuns a mask and has kept holding big public gatherings during the pandemic — was exposed .
The president had a full week of official and campaign events before his hospitalization Friday .
A third Republican senator , Ron Johnson of Wisconsin , announced his positive test Saturday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination kickoff .
The administration says a White House medical team is tracing contacts .

A White House physician’s comments on Sunday about the health of President Donald Trump amid his coronavirus diagnosis added a new layer of confusion even as the doctor sought to clarify contradictory statements from the day before.
Here’s what we know and what we don’t know:
WHAT WE KNOW: TRUMP’S MEDICAL CONDITION
Dr. Sean Conley, the president’s physician, said Trump was given a steroid dexamethasone after his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days, but he “has continued to improve” since then. Conley said Trump could be discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as early as Monday.
Conley said Trump had a “high fever” and a blood oxygen level below 94% on Friday and during “another episode” on Saturday.
Conley was evasive when asked whether Trump’s blood oxygen level had dropped below 90%: “We don’t have any recordings here on that.” The level currently stands at 98%, Trump’s medical team said.
Blood oxygen saturation is a key health marker for COVID-19 patients. A normal reading is between 95 and 100. A drop below 90 is concerning.
Trump’s team said Sunday that Trump received oxygen at the White House on Friday. They were not clear on whether he received any Saturday.
The additional details emerged after White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Saturday said some of Trump’s vital signs were “very concerning” Friday. That disclosure contradicted a rosy assessment Trump’s doctors had initially provided.
Along with a steroid, Trump has been treated with two experimental drugs, doctors said.
On Friday, Trump was given a single dose of a drug that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is testing to supply antibodies to help his immune system fight the virus. Trump also has taken two doses of a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients.
Trump’s team said Sunday that Trump is “up and around” and doing well. They said if things continue to go well, Trump will be able to return to the White House on Monday to continue his treatment.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: TRUMP’S MEDICAL CONDITION
Trump’s medical team continued to dodge many questions Sunday, such as the specific timing of the president’s dip in oxygen and the impact of the disease on his lungs.
Asked repeatedly about what lung scan tests found and whether there have been any signs of pneumonia or other damage, Conley responded: “We’re tracking all of that. There’s some expected findings but nothing of any major clinical concern.”
Conley also hasn’t specified where Trump is in the “disease course” of COVID-19. Days seven to 10 typically are a time of higher concern, he said.
WHAT WE KNOW: WHEN TRUMP FELL ILL
Trump started showing symptoms by Thursday, a full day before the White House announced what were initially called “mild symptoms.”
Conley said Trump showed some common signs of COVID-19 on Thursday — a mild cough, stuffy nose and fatigue. The president tested positive that evening, the doctor said.
The timeline matters as an indication of how transparent Trump, his staffers and doctors are being about the president’s health and whether Trump should have known he may have been spreading the virus as he mingled with campaign donors, staffers and others Thursday.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: WHEN TRUMP FELL ILL
Conley declined to say when Trump had last been tested before Thursday’s test confirmed COVID-19.
WHAT WE KNOW: HOW TRUMP WAS INFECTED
It’s not clear, but attention is focusing on a White House event Sept. 26 introducing Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. Trump gathered more than 150 people in the Rose Garden, where they mingled, hugged and shook hands — overwhelmingly without masks. Photos also show several indoor receptions, where Trump’s nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, her family, senators and others gathered in the close quarters in the White House.
Among those who attended who have now tested positive: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, the president of the University of Notre Dame and at least two Republican lawmakers — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: HOW TRUMP WAS INFECTED
There’s no way to know for sure if the Rose Garden event was where Trump — who typically shuns a mask and has kept holding big public gatherings during the pandemic — was exposed. The president had a full week of official and campaign events before his hospitalization Friday.
A third Republican senator, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, announced his positive test Saturday, and he had not attended Barrett’s nomination kickoff.
The administration says a White House medical team is tracing contacts.


thedenverpost--2020-10-05--Analysis: Trump faces credibility crisis over health scare

WASHINGTON — One month from Election Day , President Donald Trump is facing a credibility crisis as yawning as his health crisis , at a moment when he needs the public ’ s trust the most .
The president ’ s coronavirus infection , as well as the illnesses of several aides and allies , has imperiled the highest levels of the U.S. government .
The White House ’ s efforts Saturday to project calm backfired in stunning fashion , resulting in a blizzard of confusing and contradictory information about the health and well-being of the commander in chief .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase confidence , with Trump ’ s doctor saying he was trying to project an “ upbeat attitude ” while also revealing new details about the president ’ s condition that he had not previously disclosed .
It ’ s a moment months in the making , the collision of Trump ’ s repeated defiance of his own administration ’ s guidelines for staying safe during the pandemic and his well-known disregard for facts .
The result : deep uncertainty for Americans over whom and what to believe about the health of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perilous moment in U.S. history .
“ This is bigger than Donald Trump .
It ’ s about the institution of the presidency , ” said Robert Gibbs , who served as President Barack Obama ’ s first White House press secretary .
For any president , credibility in a crisis is paramount — the ability to rally Americans of every political persuasion around a commonly accepted understanding of the situation .
For a president on the brink of an election , particularly one held in as tumultuous a year as 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one term or two .
Yet Trump has squandered widespread credibility from the very start of his presidency , spending his first full day in office disputing official tallies of the crowd size at his inauguration and asking Americans to disregard photographic evidence showing that he drew fewer people to the National Mall in Washington than his predecessor .
The episode set the tone for the rest of his administration , with Trump creating alternate realities around issues big and small , amplified by the help of friendly media outlets .
He frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t exist .
He spreads baseless rumors about his political opponents , including declaring without evidence that Joe Biden , his Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential campaign , might be on drugs in their debate .
Yet Trump ’ s credibility has come under even greater scrutiny during the pandemic , the single biggest test of his presidency .
He ’ s repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus in public , despite telling journalist Bob Woodward privately in February that COVID-19 was more deadly than the flu .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting Americans could inoculate themselves by injecting bleach .
In April , just weeks after the pandemic took hold in the U.S. , only 23 % of Americans said they had high levels of trust in the information the president was providing the public about the virus , according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
As Election Day draws near , Trump has increasingly flouted public health guidelines and many of the scientists advising his administration , eager to make the case to voters that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every aspect of American life is behind them .
For weeks , Trump has been traveling across the country holding large rallies and hosting events at the White House without social distancing or requiring guests to wear masks .
That includes a crowded ceremony in the Rose Garden last weekend to announce the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
Several attendees , including two U.S. senators and first lady Melania Trump , have since announced they have tested positive for coronavirus .
They , and the president himself , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans who have been infected .
More than 205,000 Americans have died .
It ’ s not clear how Trump became infected .
He announced on Twitter at 1 a.m. Friday that he and Mrs. Trump had tested positive for the virus ; the following evening , he was transported via the presidential helicopter to a military hospital just outside of Washington .
The only details the White House provided were that the hospitalization was precautionary and that Trump ’ s symptoms were mild .
On Saturday , the White House tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing by Trump ’ s physician , who painted a sunny picture of the president ’ s situation , emphasizing that he was still working , walking on his own and not laboring to breathe .
But Dr. Sean Conley notably refused to provide some specific details , including repeatedly sidestepping questions about whether the president had at any point required oxygen .
Shortly after , and off camera , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows gave journalists a more troubling depiction .
After describing Trump ’ s symptoms as “ mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the president ’ s situation had been “ very concerning.
” Though his health was improving , Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical .
On Sunday , Conley conceded that he had been trying to be “ upbeat ” in his assessments .
But his second briefing revealed how much he had withheld : the fact that the president had required supplemental oxygen on Friday morning and that the president was given steroids because of a second drop in oxygen levels on Saturday .
Conley said Sunday that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplemental oxygen on Saturday and that he would have to ask the nurses .
He also sidestepped questions about the results of Trump ’ s lung scans .
Still , Conley said the president could be discharged from Walter Reed as soon as Monday .
To those who have grown weary of Trump ’ s record on transparency and the truth , there was little hope that the coming days would bring a greater level of clarity .
“ These are the patterns of this presidency , and for Trump , the patterns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wehner , a Republican who served in President George W. Bush ’ s administrations and a Trump critic .
“ There ’ s no reason to believe he or his inner circle are going to change.
” EDITOR ’ S NOTE — Julie Pace has covered the White House and politics for the AP since 2007 .
Follow her at http : //twitter.com/jpaceDC

WASHINGTON — One month from Election Day, President Donald Trump is facing a credibility crisis as yawning as his health crisis, at a moment when he needs the public’s trust the most.
The president’s coronavirus infection, as well as the illnesses of several aides and allies, has imperiled the highest levels of the U.S. government. The White House’s efforts Saturday to project calm backfired in stunning fashion, resulting in a blizzard of confusing and contradictory information about the health and well-being of the commander in chief. A cleanup effort on Sunday did little to increase confidence, with Trump’s doctor saying he was trying to project an “upbeat attitude” while also revealing new details about the president’s condition that he had not previously disclosed.
It’s a moment months in the making, the collision of Trump’s repeated defiance of his own administration’s guidelines for staying safe during the pandemic and his well-known disregard for facts. The result: deep uncertainty for Americans over whom and what to believe about the health of the nation’s leader at a perilous moment in U.S. history.
“This is bigger than Donald Trump. It’s about the institution of the presidency,” said Robert Gibbs, who served as President Barack Obama’s first White House press secretary.
For any president, credibility in a crisis is paramount — the ability to rally Americans of every political persuasion around a commonly accepted understanding of the situation. For a president on the brink of an election, particularly one held in as tumultuous a year as 2020, it could be the difference between serving one term or two.
Yet Trump has squandered widespread credibility from the very start of his presidency, spending his first full day in office disputing official tallies of the crowd size at his inauguration and asking Americans to disregard photographic evidence showing that he drew fewer people to the National Mall in Washington than his predecessor.
The episode set the tone for the rest of his administration, with Trump creating alternate realities around issues big and small, amplified by the help of friendly media outlets. He frequently touts records and milestones that don’t exist. He spreads baseless rumors about his political opponents, including declaring without evidence that Joe Biden, his Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential campaign, might be on drugs in their debate.
Yet Trump’s credibility has come under even greater scrutiny during the pandemic, the single biggest test of his presidency. He’s repeatedly downplayed the threat of the virus in public, despite telling journalist Bob Woodward privately in February that COVID-19 was more deadly than the flu. He’s floated unverified and harmful treatments, including suggesting Americans could inoculate themselves by injecting bleach.
In April, just weeks after the pandemic took hold in the U.S., only 23% of Americans said they had high levels of trust in the information the president was providing the public about the virus, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
As Election Day draws near, Trump has increasingly flouted public health guidelines and many of the scientists advising his administration, eager to make the case to voters that the worst of the pandemic that upended nearly every aspect of American life is behind them.
For weeks, Trump has been traveling across the country holding large rallies and hosting events at the White House without social distancing or requiring guests to wear masks. That includes a crowded ceremony in the Rose Garden last weekend to announce the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Several attendees, including two U.S. senators and first lady Melania Trump, have since announced they have tested positive for coronavirus.
They, and the president himself, are now among the more than 7 million Americans who have been infected. More than 205,000 Americans have died.
It’s not clear how Trump became infected. He announced on Twitter at 1 a.m. Friday that he and Mrs. Trump had tested positive for the virus; the following evening, he was transported via the presidential helicopter to a military hospital just outside of Washington. The only details the White House provided were that the hospitalization was precautionary and that Trump’s symptoms were mild.
On Saturday, the White House tried to fill in the details with a televised briefing by Trump’s physician, who painted a sunny picture of the president’s situation, emphasizing that he was still working, walking on his own and not laboring to breathe. But Dr. Sean Conley notably refused to provide some specific details, including repeatedly sidestepping questions about whether the president had at any point required oxygen.
Shortly after, and off camera, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows gave journalists a more troubling depiction. After describing Trump’s symptoms as “mild” the previous day, Meadows now said the president’s situation had been “very concerning.” Though his health was improving, Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical.
On Sunday, Conley conceded that he had been trying to be “upbeat” in his assessments. But his second briefing revealed how much he had withheld: the fact that the president had required supplemental oxygen on Friday morning and that the president was given steroids because of a second drop in oxygen levels on Saturday. Conley said Sunday that he didn’t know whether Trump required supplemental oxygen on Saturday and that he would have to ask the nurses. He also sidestepped questions about the results of Trump’s lung scans.
Still, Conley said the president could be discharged from Walter Reed as soon as Monday.
To those who have grown weary of Trump’s record on transparency and the truth, there was little hope that the coming days would bring a greater level of clarity.
“These are the patterns of this presidency, and for Trump, the patterns of a lifetime,” said Peter Wehner, a Republican who served in President George W. Bush’s administrations and a Trump critic. “There’s no reason to believe he or his inner circle are going to change.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — Julie Pace has covered the White House and politics for the AP since 2007. Follow her at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Jalen Ramsey, Golden Tate fight after Rams-Giants game

INGLEWOOD , Calif. — Until Jalen Ramsey and Golden Tate traded postgame punches in the culmination of an estranged family ’ s feud , there wasn ’ t much drama in the New York Giants ’ visit to Los Angeles .
The Rams hung on to win a mostly dismal game with just enough big plays on offense and a redemptive interception by Darious Williams .
Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a 55-yard touchdown with 6:56 to play , and the Rams grinded out a 17-9 victory over New York on Sunday before the wild fight between Ramsey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Los Angeles 7 with 52 seconds to play as the Rams ( 3-1 ) barely stayed unbeaten at new SoFi Stadium and kept first-year Giants coach Joe Judge winless .
Los Angeles managed 240 total yards and went nearly 45 minutes between its two touchdowns , but it was enough .
“ Being 3-1 , it ’ s still a good start , ” Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said .
“ Definitely made mistakes here and there , but I ’ d rather fix things off of winning instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 190 yards and rushed for 45 for the Giants ( 0-4 ) , who haven ’ t scored a touchdown in their last two games .
New York had two chances with the ball after Kupp ’ s TD , but the Giants turned it over on downs before Jones drove them deep into Rams territory .
That ’ s when Williams stepped up .
The fourth-year cornerback was whistled for a debatable pass interference penalty on fourth down in the final minute of the Rams ’ 35-32 loss at Buffalo last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning TD on the next play .
One week later , Williams came up huge on a pass by Jones intended for Damion Ratley , diving to get both hands on the ball just above the turf .
Williams said he recognized the Giants ’ play call from earlier in the game , allowing him to anticipate the throw .
“ I felt like they were going to come back to it , ” Williams said .
“ Basically just seeing that play , seeing him , everything , I knew that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just made a play on it.
” After the kneeldown , even more action happened : Ramsey and Tate scuffled at midfield after a game filled with trash-talking between the two Nashville-area natives .
Ramsey has two young children with Tate ’ s sister , and Tate was publicly upset last year when the couple went through a nasty breakup .
Ramsey and Tate both walked toward midfield when the game ended , and they immediately took swings at each other , eventually going to the turf in a heap .
The veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no players professed knowledge of what happened .
New York ’ s defense gave an admirable effort against the NFL ’ s third-ranked offense entering Week 4 , but the Giants ’ offense stalled three times in the red zone before its late misadventures .
Graham Gano kicked three field goals in the Giants ’ first game in the Los Angeles area since 1994 .
“ That ’ s the type of team we want to be , ” Giants linebacker Blake Martinez said .
“ But at the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and getting wins is what we want .
We are not going to be satisfied until that happens.
” Tight end Gerald Everett had his first career rushing touchdown for the Rams on their opening drive , but they managed just three points from their next six drives before Kupp took off through New York ’ s defense to cap a 91-yard march .
“ It was frustrating when we gave that deep touchdown pass to Coop and I wasn ’ t able to get him on the ground , ” Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was frustrated with that .
There are going to be points in the game where you ’ re frustrated , but you have to keep going on.
” Everett ’ s early fumble allowed the Giants to kick their first field goal , but the Rams battered Jones with four sacks in the first four drives .
The Giants trailed only 10-6 at halftime despite gaining 67 total yards .
“ I thought their defense played really well and should get a lot more credit than they have been , ” Goff said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You guys seem awfully upset about us winning , so I ’ m trying to keep the mood up in here.
” Before their fight , Ramsey and Tate clashed several times on the field .
They visibly trash-talked each other before and after whistles , and Ramsey made a spectacular hit on Tate early in the fourth quarter to force a fourth down .
Tate has spoken publicly in the last year about his disappointment with Ramsey .
Tate ’ s sister , Breanna , was a track star at Ole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run behind the New York linebackers was the only TD pass for Goff , who went 25 of 32 for 200 yards .
Los Angeles had racked up at least 400 total yards in each of its first three games .
“ We just couldn ’ t get into a rhythm offensively , but the defense did a great job , ” Rams coach Sean McVay said .
“ We were probably a little bit more conservative than I would have liked to have been offensively , but we couldn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Rams improved to 28-0 when leading at halftime under McVay .
Giants : LBs Oshane Ximines ( shoulder ) and Kyler Fackrell ( neck ) got hurt in the third quarter .
… DB Adrian Colbert injured his neck in the fourth quarter .
Rams : Rookie S Jordan Fuller didn ’ t suit up due to a shoulder injury incurred last week .
… LB Micah Kiser ( groin ) got hurt in the third quarter .
Giants : Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett returns to Dallas when New York faces the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third cross-country trip in four weeks , this time to face Washington on Sunday .

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Until Jalen Ramsey and Golden Tate traded postgame punches in the culmination of an estranged family’s feud, there wasn’t much drama in the New York Giants’ visit to Los Angeles.
The Rams hung on to win a mostly dismal game with just enough big plays on offense and a redemptive interception by Darious Williams.
Following their game today, the Rams and Giants had a huge fight at midfield which included Golden Tate and Jalen Ramsey in the middle of it. pic.twitter.com/nq7A4Qphv1 — Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 4, 2020
Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a 55-yard touchdown with 6:56 to play, and the Rams grinded out a 17-9 victory over New York on Sunday before the wild fight between Ramsey and Tate.
Williams made a diving pick at the Los Angeles 7 with 52 seconds to play as the Rams (3-1) barely stayed unbeaten at new SoFi Stadium and kept first-year Giants coach Joe Judge winless. Los Angeles managed 240 total yards and went nearly 45 minutes between its two touchdowns, but it was enough.
“Being 3-1, it’s still a good start,” Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. “Definitely made mistakes here and there, but I’d rather fix things off of winning instead of off a loss.”
Daniel Jones passed for 190 yards and rushed for 45 for the Giants (0-4), who haven’t scored a touchdown in their last two games. New York had two chances with the ball after Kupp’s TD, but the Giants turned it over on downs before Jones drove them deep into Rams territory.
That’s when Williams stepped up. The fourth-year cornerback was whistled for a debatable pass interference penalty on fourth down in the final minute of the Rams’ 35-32 loss at Buffalo last week, and the Bills scored the winning TD on the next play.
One week later, Williams came up huge on a pass by Jones intended for Damion Ratley, diving to get both hands on the ball just above the turf. Williams said he recognized the Giants’ play call from earlier in the game, allowing him to anticipate the throw.
“I felt like they were going to come back to it,” Williams said. “Basically just seeing that play, seeing him, everything, I knew that was kind of his play. Luckily I just made a play on it.”
After the kneeldown, even more action happened: Ramsey and Tate scuffled at midfield after a game filled with trash-talking between the two Nashville-area natives. Ramsey has two young children with Tate’s sister, and Tate was publicly upset last year when the couple went through a nasty breakup.
Ramsey and Tate both walked toward midfield when the game ended, and they immediately took swings at each other, eventually going to the turf in a heap. The veterans’ teammates pulled them apart, but no players professed knowledge of what happened.
New York’s defense gave an admirable effort against the NFL’s third-ranked offense entering Week 4, but the Giants’ offense stalled three times in the red zone before its late misadventures. Graham Gano kicked three field goals in the Giants’ first game in the Los Angeles area since 1994.
“That’s the type of team we want to be,” Giants linebacker Blake Martinez said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a production league, and getting wins is what we want. We are not going to be satisfied until that happens.”
Tight end Gerald Everett had his first career rushing touchdown for the Rams on their opening drive, but they managed just three points from their next six drives before Kupp took off through New York’s defense to cap a 91-yard march.
“It was frustrating when we gave that deep touchdown pass to Coop and I wasn’t able to get him on the ground,” Giants cornerback James Bradberry said. “I was frustrated with that. There are going to be points in the game where you’re frustrated, but you have to keep going on.”
Everett’s early fumble allowed the Giants to kick their first field goal, but the Rams battered Jones with four sacks in the first four drives. The Giants trailed only 10-6 at halftime despite gaining 67 total yards.
“I thought their defense played really well and should get a lot more credit than they have been,” Goff said on his postgame Zoom with reporters. “You guys seem awfully upset about us winning, so I’m trying to keep the mood up in here.”
NASTY RIVALRY
Before their fight, Ramsey and Tate clashed several times on the field. They visibly trash-talked each other before and after whistles, and Ramsey made a spectacular hit on Tate early in the fourth quarter to force a fourth down.
Tate has spoken publicly in the last year about his disappointment with Ramsey. Tate’s sister, Breanna, was a track star at Ole Miss.
THAT WAS OFFENSIVE
Kupp’s catch and run behind the New York linebackers was the only TD pass for Goff, who went 25 of 32 for 200 yards. Los Angeles had racked up at least 400 total yards in each of its first three games.
“We just couldn’t get into a rhythm offensively, but the defense did a great job,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We were probably a little bit more conservative than I would have liked to have been offensively, but we couldn’t get anything going in the run game.”
STILL PERFECT
The Rams improved to 28-0 when leading at halftime under McVay.
INJURIES
Giants: LBs Oshane Ximines (shoulder) and Kyler Fackrell (neck) got hurt in the third quarter. … DB Adrian Colbert injured his neck in the fourth quarter.
Rams: Rookie S Jordan Fuller didn’t suit up due to a shoulder injury incurred last week. … LB Micah Kiser (groin) got hurt in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Giants: Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett returns to Dallas when New York faces the Cowboys on Sunday.
Rams: Their third cross-country trip in four weeks, this time to face Washington on Sunday.


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Denny Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladega’s longest race

TALLADEGA , Ala. — Denny Hamlin finally got a playoff win in a messy wreck-fest that took three overtimes Sunday , the longest race in Talladega Superspeedway history .
Hamlin made the winning pass on the 200th lap — 12 more or nearly 32 miles longer than scheduled — with a three-wide sweep coming out of the fourth turn .
The Daytona 500 winner had the throttle open on the No .
11 Toyota to nip Matt DiBenedetto and Erik Jones at the finish line .
Hamlin , a title favorite who has had a rough start through the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the out-of-bounds line to take the lead and NASCAR needed several minutes to determine if the move was illegal .
The crowd of 15,000 — the most allowed to attend the Alabama superspeedway — booed Hamlin as he was declared the winner .
He was basically one of the last title contenders standing after 13 cautions , two more than the record , and he again denied blue-collar favorite DiBenedetto his first career victory .
DiBenedetto , who stood devastated on pit road after a second-place finish , was then dropped to 21st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalized him for forcing William Byron below the line in the third overtime .
The race went more than four hours , so long that it was moved from NBC to NBC Sports Network because local news and then NFL football needed the big network .
The brutality of the day was punctuated by Kyle Busch , who was at last given a merciful exit when he was collected in an accident during the second overtime .
Busch is still winless this season and on the verge of playoff elimination .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Talladega , including a 13-car accident in which older brother , Kurt , went airborne over Cole Custer .
That accident brought out the first of two red-flag stoppages .

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Denny Hamlin finally got a playoff win in a messy wreck-fest that took three overtimes Sunday, the longest race in Talladega Superspeedway history.
Hamlin made the winning pass on the 200th lap — 12 more or nearly 32 miles longer than scheduled — with a three-wide sweep coming out of the fourth turn. The Daytona 500 winner had the throttle open on the No. 11 Toyota to nip Matt DiBenedetto and Erik Jones at the finish line.
Hamlin, a title favorite who has had a rough start through the first half of the playoffs, dipped below the out-of-bounds line to take the lead and NASCAR needed several minutes to determine if the move was illegal.
The crowd of 15,000 — the most allowed to attend the Alabama superspeedway — booed Hamlin as he was declared the winner. He was basically one of the last title contenders standing after 13 cautions, two more than the record, and he again denied blue-collar favorite DiBenedetto his first career victory.
DiBenedetto, who stood devastated on pit road after a second-place finish, was then dropped to 21st in the final finishing order. NASCAR penalized him for forcing William Byron below the line in the third overtime.
The race went more than four hours, so long that it was moved from NBC to NBC Sports Network because local news and then NFL football needed the big network. The brutality of the day was punctuated by Kyle Busch, who was at last given a merciful exit when he was collected in an accident during the second overtime.
Busch is still winless this season and on the verge of playoff elimination. He was involved in a dizzying number of incidents at Talladega, including a 13-car accident in which older brother, Kurt, went airborne over Cole Custer. That accident brought out the first of two red-flag stoppages.


thedenverpost--2020-10-04--Boulder City Council set to hold first public hearing on 2021 budget

Boulder residents on Tuesday will have their first opportunity to comment on the city ’ s proposed $ 341.2 million budget that reflects the continued challenges facing Boulder due to the economic downturn from the coronavirus pandemic .
The proposed 2021 budget includes $ 28.5 million in reductions , marking a 7.7 % decrease from the approved 2020 budget .
The economic crisis affected some 70 % of Boulder ’ s revenue sources , including an expected 11 % decline in revenue from sales and use taxes .
The city uses those funds for safety , roads , parks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communication .
According to documents from the Oct. 6 meeting packet , the proposed budget includes cuts to programs , services and jobs , along with furloughs for most employees and no merit increases for nonunion city employees , members of the Boulder Municipal Employees Association and members of the International Association of Firefighters .
Emergency personnel will not be furloughed and members of the Boulder Police Officer ’ s Association will be the only employees to receive a raise due to a contract that mandates it .
City employees will also face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may experience higher deductibles and more out-of-pocket expenses .
In a budget message , City Manager Jane Brautigam acknowledged the challenges facing the city and called 2020 an unprecedented year .
“ The COVID-19 crisis brought harrowing decisions , along with economic hardships Boulder has not experienced in a long time , ” Brautigam said in the message .
The budget , called “ conservative ” by Brautigam , was first proposed and discussed in a Sept. 8 study session .
The Boulder City Council is hosting the first public hearing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be Oct. 20 .
In the Oct. 6 agenda packet , city officials said they considered reductions strategically , looking at impacts to service while using guidance from the City Council budget focus and the Rapid Response Equity Assessment Tool .
However , the proposed budget will impact all departments .
“ With that approach , rather than an across-the-board reduction strategy , the percentage reductions by department will vary , ” the budget notes .

Boulder residents on Tuesday will have their first opportunity to comment on the city’s proposed $341.2 million budget that reflects the continued challenges facing Boulder due to the economic downturn from the coronavirus pandemic.
The proposed 2021 budget includes $28.5 million in reductions, marking a 7.7% decrease from the approved 2020 budget. The economic crisis affected some 70% of Boulder’s revenue sources, including an expected 11% decline in revenue from sales and use taxes. The city uses those funds for safety, roads, parks, housing and human services, libraries and communication.
According to documents from the Oct. 6 meeting packet, the proposed budget includes cuts to programs, services and jobs, along with furloughs for most employees and no merit increases for nonunion city employees, members of the Boulder Municipal Employees Association and members of the International Association of Firefighters.
Emergency personnel will not be furloughed and members of the Boulder Police Officer’s Association will be the only employees to receive a raise due to a contract that mandates it.
City employees will also face changes to their health care plans and may experience higher deductibles and more out-of-pocket expenses.
In a budget message, City Manager Jane Brautigam acknowledged the challenges facing the city and called 2020 an unprecedented year.
“The COVID-19 crisis brought harrowing decisions, along with economic hardships Boulder has not experienced in a long time,” Brautigam said in the message.
The budget, called “conservative” by Brautigam, was first proposed and discussed in a Sept. 8 study session. The Boulder City Council is hosting the first public hearing on the matter Oct. 6. The second will be Oct. 20.
In the Oct. 6 agenda packet, city officials said they considered reductions strategically, looking at impacts to service while using guidance from the City Council budget focus and the Rapid Response Equity Assessment Tool. However, the proposed budget will impact all departments.
“With that approach, rather than an across-the-board reduction strategy, the percentage reductions by department will vary,” the budget notes.