thedenverpost--2020-05-11--What might college in Colorado look like this fall? Mix of in-person and online, single dorm rooms,

What might college in Colorado look like this fall? Mix of in-person and online, single dorm rooms, spread-out desks

Dorms without roommates .
Classes held in hotel conference rooms with desks spaced out .
Small numbers of students grouped together , taking the same blocks of courses to avoid mingling with too many people .
These are some of the ideas leaders at Colorado ’ s major colleges and universities are considering as they try to grasp what the fall semester will look like in the midst of an ongoing pandemic .
The new coronavirus prompted a swift transition to online learning for Colorado campuses in March .
Now , as the academic year comes to a surreal close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abyss of unknowns — depleting finances , rapidly changing public health guidelines , and questions about how many students actually will show up — as they try to prepare for the start of the fall semester .
“ The leadership of campus has been focusing on day-to-day operations , and now that the semester is wrapping up , we ’ re all lifting our heads up and looking to the future , ” said Andy Feinstein , president of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley .
“ Not only the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is this going to forever change the landscape of higher education at UNC ?
” University leaders across the country are walking a tightrope as they try to balance safety best-practices with providing students the educational and campus experience some are paying tens of thousands of dollars to obtain .
“ It ’ s not going to be the same , ” Feinstein said .
“ But truth be told , we don ’ t have a lot of clarity this early on about what the guidelines will be at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what-if scenarios and contingency planning.
” The University of Colorado Boulder expects to host a mix of in-person and online classes this fall for its more than 35,000 students in an effort to suit the varying needs of its campus community , said Dan Jones , CU Boulder ’ s associate vice chancellor of integrity , safety and compliance .
Jones said CU ’ s plans need to be flexible enough to rapidly switch to remote learning again in the event that worsening public health triggers another round of stay-at-home measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidified plans at the end of May after university committees planning for the campus ’ s re-opening have finished their work .
“ As we consider when and how we return to campus , it ’ s important for us to emphasize that the primary consideration will be the health and safety of our campus community members , particularly those who are most vulnerable , ” CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano wrote in a letter to students , faculty and staff last week .
Suggestions on the table at CU Boulder include : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person attendance ; increasing transition times between classes to reduce the density of students and faculty ; and delivering large lectures remotely with smaller in-person supplementary class meetings .
In a letter to the Colorado State University community , President Joyce McConnell said CSU fully intends to be back on campus and operational for the fall semester , but she acknowledged a worst-case scenario could mean remote learning through January if the pandemic worsens .
“ I am convinced that for us to make it through this crisis , we must learn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good faith , work together with trust , expect grace and give it to others , and put the common good before self-interest , ” she wrote .
At UNC , Feinstein is in talks with local hotels to see whether they could serve as potential housing solutions for students normally crammed in small living spaces together on campus .
“ It ’ s not just about the 3,000 students we have living on campus , but you can imagine we have thousands of students that aren ’ t living in university-owned properties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five , six students in an apartment , ” Feinstein said .
“ We don ’ t have control or oversight in how they live , but we ’ re going to have to figure out how we educate and ensure the safety of all students when they do come to campus.
” CU Boulder , which requires thousands of freshmen to live on campus , is considering beginning the semester as planned in August , but placing first-year students in “ closely-knit peer groups where they share academic courses and experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local campus environments.
” The UNC president is considering whether hotel conference rooms could double as classrooms so students are able to learn in-person , but spread out in a larger space .
During a normal semester , UNC houses more than 3,000 students on campus .
Feinstein and his team are looking into whether UNC has enough housing to assign students rooms sans roommates in the name of virus-induced social distancing .
If more than 1,500 students live on campus in the fall , Feinstein said it would be challenging to assign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonders what enrollment numbers will look like .
“ One of my responsibilities as the university president is you hope for the best and plan for the worst , ” Feinstein said .
Planning for the worst looks at a possibility of 10 % to 20 % decline in enrollment , he said .
“ Families and students are on the sidelines deciding what to do because of the uncertainty of the fall , ” Feinstein said .
“ We have a number of students who still have not made a commitment or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .
They ’ re waiting for clarity .
“ I suspect if we were to deliver all our instruction online in the fall , we would probably have a large number of students who would take a gap year or push their education back by a year .
I understand and feel for them .
They are having a difficult time committing to an uncertain future.
” Kevin Cincotta , 22 , withdrew from his final semester at the University of Denver this spring , uninterested in paying to study music recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s recording studio would be off-limits and his music ensembles wouldn ’ t be able to jam together .
He hopes to start back up in the fall , but understands things will be different .
Cincotta said his comfort level attending in-person classes come fall would depend on COVID-19 ’ s trajectory .
“ I ’ m hoping to be back in small classes but still have some restrictions , ” Cincotta said .
“ I ’ d like it if everyone in class wore a mask .
I ’ d love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone .
I could see if big lecture classes where there are 50 or 90 kids together needed to be online still .
I think if people right now continue to stay at home and go out as little as possible , doing that right now and not getting sloppy about that is what ’ s going to allow us to be back in the fall.
” Regis University — Denver ’ s private , Jesuit Catholic institution — altered its fall academic schedule in light of the virus .
Students attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Aug. 17 , and end Nov. 20 .
After Thanksgiving break , finals will be conducted online Nov. 30 to Dec.6 .
“ This schedule will provide the same amount of instruction time to students but allow them to return home before the forecasted peak activity for the flu in December , which is likely to coincide with a second wave of COVID-19 , ” Regis University officials said in a news release .
The Community College of Denver plans on operating as normal come fall , assuming the relaxation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dean of the college ’ s Center for Math , English and First Year Experience .
Budget woes , felt by many industries across the world amid the coronavirus pandemic , are further compounding university unknowns in Colorado , which funds higher education less than nearly every state in the country .
About a week before Colorado college campuses began to close due to the new coronavirus , UNC announced an elimination of approximately 80 vacant positions along with layoffs to address its $ 10 million structural deficit , according to a UNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.5 million decline in revenue this fourth quarter , Feinstein said .
The University of Colorado could lose more than $ 1 billion in revenue if required to continue remote learning through the 2020-2021 school year , the Daily Camera reported .
Despite all the what-ifs and worry , Colorado colleges are committed to opening their doors — or , at the very least , their computer screens — to degree-seeking students for the fall semester .
“ We ’ re here for you , ” Feinstein said .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have shown incredible creativity and hard work to ensure that continues .
We ’ re working tirelessly to find ways to provide the educational experience people have come to expect from UNC .
”

Dorms without roommates. Classes held in hotel conference rooms with desks spaced out. Small numbers of students grouped together, taking the same blocks of courses to avoid mingling with too many people.
These are some of the ideas leaders at Colorado’s major colleges and universities are considering as they try to grasp what the fall semester will look like in the midst of an ongoing pandemic.
The new coronavirus prompted a swift transition to online learning for Colorado campuses in March. Now, as the academic year comes to a surreal close, college leaders are left staring into an abyss of unknowns — depleting finances, rapidly changing public health guidelines, and questions about how many students actually will show up — as they try to prepare for the start of the fall semester.
“The leadership of campus has been focusing on day-to-day operations, and now that the semester is wrapping up, we’re all lifting our heads up and looking to the future,” said Andy Feinstein, president of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. “Not only the immediate future but even further out. How is this going to forever change the landscape of higher education at UNC?”
University leaders across the country are walking a tightrope as they try to balance safety best-practices with providing students the educational and campus experience some are paying tens of thousands of dollars to obtain.
“It’s not going to be the same,” Feinstein said. “But truth be told, we don’t have a lot of clarity this early on about what the guidelines will be at the end of August. It makes for a lot of what-if scenarios and contingency planning.”
Health and safety
The University of Colorado Boulder expects to host a mix of in-person and online classes this fall for its more than 35,000 students in an effort to suit the varying needs of its campus community, said Dan Jones, CU Boulder’s associate vice chancellor of integrity, safety and compliance.
Jones said CU’s plans need to be flexible enough to rapidly switch to remote learning again in the event that worsening public health triggers another round of stay-at-home measures. He said CU officials will have more solidified plans at the end of May after university committees planning for the campus’s re-opening have finished their work.
“As we consider when and how we return to campus, it’s important for us to emphasize that the primary consideration will be the health and safety of our campus community members, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano wrote in a letter to students, faculty and staff last week.
Suggestions on the table at CU Boulder include: enhanced physical distancing in classrooms; staggering in-person attendance; increasing transition times between classes to reduce the density of students and faculty; and delivering large lectures remotely with smaller in-person supplementary class meetings.
In a letter to the Colorado State University community, President Joyce McConnell said CSU fully intends to be back on campus and operational for the fall semester, but she acknowledged a worst-case scenario could mean remote learning through January if the pandemic worsens.
“I am convinced that for us to make it through this crisis, we must learn to be open to new ideas, assume good faith, work together with trust, expect grace and give it to others, and put the common good before self-interest,” she wrote.
Housing students
At UNC, Feinstein is in talks with local hotels to see whether they could serve as potential housing solutions for students normally crammed in small living spaces together on campus.
“It’s not just about the 3,000 students we have living on campus, but you can imagine we have thousands of students that aren’t living in university-owned properties but in surrounding areas with maybe four, five, six students in an apartment,” Feinstein said. “We don’t have control or oversight in how they live, but we’re going to have to figure out how we educate and ensure the safety of all students when they do come to campus.”
CU Boulder, which requires thousands of freshmen to live on campus, is considering beginning the semester as planned in August, but placing first-year students in “closely-knit peer groups where they share academic courses and experience student life and co-curricular activities together in local campus environments.”
The UNC president is considering whether hotel conference rooms could double as classrooms so students are able to learn in-person, but spread out in a larger space.
During a normal semester, UNC houses more than 3,000 students on campus. Feinstein and his team are looking into whether UNC has enough housing to assign students rooms sans roommates in the name of virus-induced social distancing. If more than 1,500 students live on campus in the fall, Feinstein said it would be challenging to assign everyone their own rooms, but he wonders what enrollment numbers will look like.
“One of my responsibilities as the university president is you hope for the best and plan for the worst,” Feinstein said.
Planning for the worst looks at a possibility of 10% to 20% decline in enrollment, he said.
“Families and students are on the sidelines deciding what to do because of the uncertainty of the fall,” Feinstein said. “We have a number of students who still have not made a commitment or decision to come to school in the fall. They’re waiting for clarity.
“I suspect if we were to deliver all our instruction online in the fall, we would probably have a large number of students who would take a gap year or push their education back by a year. I understand and feel for them. They are having a difficult time committing to an uncertain future.”
Adjusting plans
Kevin Cincotta, 22, withdrew from his final semester at the University of Denver this spring, uninterested in paying to study music recording and production when the music school’s recording studio would be off-limits and his music ensembles wouldn’t be able to jam together.
He hopes to start back up in the fall, but understands things will be different.
Cincotta said his comfort level attending in-person classes come fall would depend on COVID-19’s trajectory.
“I’m hoping to be back in small classes but still have some restrictions,” Cincotta said. “I’d like it if everyone in class wore a mask. I’d love it if the school could administer masks for everyone. I could see if big lecture classes where there are 50 or 90 kids together needed to be online still. I think if people right now continue to stay at home and go out as little as possible, doing that right now and not getting sloppy about that is what’s going to allow us to be back in the fall.”
Regis University — Denver’s private, Jesuit Catholic institution — altered its fall academic schedule in light of the virus.
Students attending on-campus courses will start a week early, on Aug. 17, and end Nov. 20. After Thanksgiving break, finals will be conducted online Nov. 30 to Dec.6.
“This schedule will provide the same amount of instruction time to students but allow them to return home before the forecasted peak activity for the flu in December, which is likely to coincide with a second wave of COVID-19,” Regis University officials said in a news release.
The Community College of Denver plans on operating as normal come fall, assuming the relaxation of social-distancing guidelines, said Peter Lindstrom, dean of the college’s Center for Math, English and First Year Experience.
Dire financial forecast
Budget woes, felt by many industries across the world amid the coronavirus pandemic, are further compounding university unknowns in Colorado, which funds higher education less than nearly every state in the country.
About a week before Colorado college campuses began to close due to the new coronavirus, UNC announced an elimination of approximately 80 vacant positions along with layoffs to address its $10 million structural deficit, according to a UNC news release.
UNC expects a $4.5 million decline in revenue this fourth quarter, Feinstein said. The University of Colorado could lose more than $1 billion in revenue if required to continue remote learning through the 2020-2021 school year, the Daily Camera reported.
Despite all the what-ifs and worry, Colorado colleges are committed to opening their doors — or, at the very least, their computer screens — to degree-seeking students for the fall semester.
“We’re here for you,” Feinstein said. “We’re committed to the success of our students. We have shown incredible creativity and hard work to ensure that continues. We’re working tirelessly to find ways to provide the educational experience people have come to expect from UNC.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--This former CSU-Pueblo wrestler could be the next WWE champion

In the near future , the next WWE or WWE universal champion could have some Colorado flair to him .
Otis , whose real name is Niko Bogojevic , won the men ’ s Money in the Bank ladder match Sunday .
The winner of the contest receives a contract in a briefcase that gives him a title shot any time he wants .
Only four winners have failed to cash in to win the title since the Money in the Bank made its debut in 2005 .
Otis wrestled at CSU-Pueblo from 2012-15 before pursuing a career in professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he wrestled for Colorado-based New Revolution Wrestling where he won the NRW Charged title in 2016 .
If Otis wins the either of WWE ’ s top titles , he would be the first wrestler to do so since Bobby Lashley was the ECW world champion in 2007 .
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup .
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Ask Mike Singer here .
+ Avs Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Mike Chambers here .
+ Rockies Mailbag : Have a question about the team ?
Ask Patrick Saunders here .

In the near future, the next WWE or WWE universal champion could have some Colorado flair to him.
Otis, whose real name is Niko Bogojevic, won the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match Sunday. The winner of the contest receives a contract in a briefcase that gives him a title shot any time he wants. Only four winners have failed to cash in to win the title since the Money in the Bank made its debut in 2005.
Otis wrestled at CSU-Pueblo from 2012-15 before pursuing a career in professional wrestling. Before signing with the WWE, he wrestled for Colorado-based New Revolution Wrestling where he won the NRW Charged title in 2016.
If Otis wins the either of WWE’s top titles, he would be the first wrestler to do so since Bobby Lashley was the ECW world champion in 2007.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Money, social issues look for another path onto Colorado’s 2020 ballot as coronavirus complicates si

Money, social issues look for another path onto Colorado’s 2020 ballot as coronavirus complicates signature gathering

Before coronavirus , Colorado voters were facing the likelihood of a long November ballot — pages filled with questions about hot-button issues such as paid family leave , abortion and taxes .
But the fate of many of these issues now hangs in the balance as Colorado and the rest of the country fight a global pandemic through closures and social distancing measures .
It has left advocates and state leaders scrambling to figure out the best way for groups to meet signature-gathering requirements before the final August deadline to get their measures on the ballot .
Campaigns for ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it onto the ballot worry about how they can realistically do so amid coronavirus shutdowns and social distancing measures .
At least one has already thrown in the towel .
Others are advocating for changes to the rules .
The offices of the secretary of state , governor and attorney general have been exploring ways to address the issue .
Lawmakers , who plan to return to the Capitol on May 26 , are considering referring at least a couple of measures to the ballot themselves , bypassing the need to collect signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot this fall is in part because it ’ s a presidential year — the election that brings the highest turnout , especially among unaffiliated and Democratic voters .
And in Colorado , which has been trending bluer , liberal advocates don ’ t want to wait to get their measures passed , said Sheena Kadi , a progressive political strategist .
“ In 2018 , voters overwhelming rejected the Trump administration agenda , ” Kadi said .
“ There are folks running that they feel like they need to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker KC Becker , a Boulder Democrat , is considering asking the legislature to put a referendum on the ballot that would give communities local control of gaming limits .
Otherwise supporters will have to gather 124,632 valid signatures by Aug. 3 , as do backers of other citizen initiatives , to get it on the ballot .
For constitutional amendments , initiatives also need to collect signatures from 2 % of the registered electors in each of the 35 state Senate districts .
The proposed gaming measure would ask voters to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold local elections on whether to expand gaming .
Becker decided to take on the issue because she represents Gilpin County , which a Wall Street Journal and USA Today study found to be the hardest hit by the coronavirus because 70 % of its revenue comes from gaming .
That doesn ’ t mean lawmakers intend to put every citizen initiative on the ballot .
Becker gave her caucus a mantra to govern by : The majority of the bills they introduce — or keep — when they return must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The world has changed , ” Becker said .
“ We don ’ t have money , we don ’ t have a lot of time in the building , and we need to be focusing on the legislature ’ s response to coronavirus.
” Republican Rep. Hugh McKean of Loveland said groups that don ’ t think they ’ ll be able to collect enough signatures have been lobbying lawmakers to refer their questions to the ballot .
He ’ s not signing on to any yet , but he said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that voters have already made decisions about before , such as gambling .
The legislature can ’ t change the number of signatures required for ballot measures — that ’ s set in the state Constitution .
But Christopher Jackson , a constitutional law and elections attorney , said there may be more leeway for changes in other areas .
The Secretary of State ’ s Office is working with Gov .
Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser on possible options .
“ We recognize the challenges posed by the coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Secretary of State ’ s Office spokesperson , in a written statement .
“ … Ultimately , any option must be both fair and constitutionally valid.
” Some progressive campaigns have discussed suing to get direction from the courts , but it would take too long with the upcoming deadlines .
Also , the outcome is unpredictable .
After the effort to ban abortions after 22 weeks fell almost 10,000 votes short , a Denver judge ruled organizers could have more 15 days to recirculate petitions once the stay-at-home order lifted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ collect thousands more valid signatures when activities are still far from normal .
Colorado Families First , the coalition behind the paid family and medical leave measure , is lobbying state officials to make collection easier , spokeswoman Lynea Hansen said — such as by allowing signatures to be mailed or even allowing electronic signatures , but it ’ s still unclear what they plan to do .
“ We ’ re trying to walk that fine line between access to democracy and then also protecting and securing our elections , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an option for the governor .
“ He is actively weighing the best path forward for how to ensure citizens have various avenues to circulate and sign petitions safely , while ensuring equivalent effort for signors to qualify measures and candidates for the November ballot as what is currently required , ” Polis spokesperson Conor Cahill said in a statement to The Post on Saturday .
“ The Governor is actively exploring options that we believe are allowable under the Constitution and is not pursuing an all-electronic form of signature gathering.
” Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all .
Democratic strategist Ted Trimpa believes it would set a bad precedent and leave constitutional and statutory questions .
“ It ’ s Pandora ’ s box .
Once we start allowing this , we ’ re going to have a book of a ballot , ” he said .
In the meantime , the family leave campaign expects to begin collecting signatures in a couple of weeks .
Hansen said the progressive groups behind the measure believe they have the resources to collect enough .
Circulators will set up tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space between people , and provide gloves , sanitizer and one-time-use pens .
“ We ’ re sort of blessed in people understanding why paid family and medical leave is important , ” she said .
“ People are seeking us out to be able to sign , asking ‘ when can we sign ’ and ‘ where can we go ? '
” Williams said the campaign to increase taxes on tobacco products and tax nicotine and vaping products is also preparing to move forward , similarly citing support for the measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules don ’ t change , then it ’ s all about our assessment of public health and safety and whether we have an environment in Colorado where we feel comfortable sending out people to get signatures , ” he said .
“ It ’ s just impossible to predict right now .
”

Before coronavirus, Colorado voters were facing the likelihood of a long November ballot — pages filled with questions about hot-button issues such as paid family leave, abortion and taxes.
But the fate of many of these issues now hangs in the balance as Colorado and the rest of the country fight a global pandemic through closures and social distancing measures. It has left advocates and state leaders scrambling to figure out the best way for groups to meet signature-gathering requirements before the final August deadline to get their measures on the ballot.
Campaigns for ballot initiatives that haven’t already made it onto the ballot worry about how they can realistically do so amid coronavirus shutdowns and social distancing measures. At least one has already thrown in the towel. Others are advocating for changes to the rules. The offices of the secretary of state, governor and attorney general have been exploring ways to address the issue. Lawmakers, who plan to return to the Capitol on May 26, are considering referring at least a couple of measures to the ballot themselves, bypassing the need to collect signatures.
Groups’ urgency to get on the ballot this fall is in part because it’s a presidential year — the election that brings the highest turnout, especially among unaffiliated and Democratic voters. And in Colorado, which has been trending bluer, liberal advocates don’t want to wait to get their measures passed, said Sheena Kadi, a progressive political strategist.
“In 2018, voters overwhelming rejected the Trump administration agenda,” Kadi said. “There are folks running that they feel like they need to be able to speak to their constituency.”
House Speaker KC Becker, a Boulder Democrat, is considering asking the legislature to put a referendum on the ballot that would give communities local control of gaming limits. Otherwise supporters will have to gather 124,632 valid signatures by Aug. 3, as do backers of other citizen initiatives, to get it on the ballot. For constitutional amendments, initiatives also need to collect signatures from 2% of the registered electors in each of the 35 state Senate districts.
The proposed gaming measure would ask voters to let Central City, Cripple Creek and Black Hawk to hold local elections on whether to expand gaming. Becker decided to take on the issue because she represents Gilpin County, which a Wall Street Journal and USA Today study found to be the hardest hit by the coronavirus because 70% of its revenue comes from gaming.
That doesn’t mean lawmakers intend to put every citizen initiative on the ballot. Becker gave her caucus a mantra to govern by: The majority of the bills they introduce — or keep — when they return must be fast, friendly and free.
“The world has changed,” Becker said. “We don’t have money, we don’t have a lot of time in the building, and we need to be focusing on the legislature’s response to coronavirus.”
Republican Rep. Hugh McKean of Loveland said groups that don’t think they’ll be able to collect enough signatures have been lobbying lawmakers to refer their questions to the ballot. He’s not signing on to any yet, but he said he’d be willing to support questions that voters have already made decisions about before, such as gambling.
The legislature can’t change the number of signatures required for ballot measures — that’s set in the state Constitution. But Christopher Jackson, a constitutional law and elections attorney, said there may be more leeway for changes in other areas.
The Secretary of State’s Office is working with Gov. Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser on possible options.
“We recognize the challenges posed by the coronavirus in collecting signatures,” said Betsy Hart, Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson, in a written statement. “… Ultimately, any option must be both fair and constitutionally valid.”
Some progressive campaigns have discussed suing to get direction from the courts, but it would take too long with the upcoming deadlines. Also, the outcome is unpredictable. After the effort to ban abortions after 22 weeks fell almost 10,000 votes short, a Denver judge ruled organizers could have more 15 days to recirculate petitions once the stay-at-home order lifted. That’s a short time to collect thousands more valid signatures when activities are still far from normal.
Colorado Families First, the coalition behind the paid family and medical leave measure, is lobbying state officials to make collection easier, spokeswoman Lynea Hansen said — such as by allowing signatures to be mailed or even allowing electronic signatures, but it’s still unclear what they plan to do.
“We’re trying to walk that fine line between access to democracy and then also protecting and securing our elections,” she said.
Electronic signatures aren’t an option for the governor.
“He is actively weighing the best path forward for how to ensure citizens have various avenues to circulate and sign petitions safely, while ensuring equivalent effort for signors to qualify measures and candidates for the November ballot as what is currently required,” Polis spokesperson Conor Cahill said in a statement to The Post on Saturday. “The Governor is actively exploring options that we believe are allowable under the Constitution and is not pursuing an all-electronic form of signature gathering.”
Not everyone agrees changes need to be made at all.
Democratic strategist Ted Trimpa believes it would set a bad precedent and leave constitutional and statutory questions.
“It’s Pandora’s box. Once we start allowing this, we’re going to have a book of a ballot,” he said.
In the meantime, the family leave campaign expects to begin collecting signatures in a couple of weeks. Hansen said the progressive groups behind the measure believe they have the resources to collect enough. Circulators will set up tables, ensure at least 6 feet of space between people, and provide gloves, sanitizer and one-time-use pens.
“We’re sort of blessed in people understanding why paid family and medical leave is important,” she said. “People are seeking us out to be able to sign, asking ‘when can we sign’ and ‘where can we go?'”
Jake Williams, executive director of Healthier Colorado, said the campaign to increase taxes on tobacco products and tax nicotine and vaping products is also preparing to move forward, similarly citing support for the measure amid COVID-19 concerns.
“If the rules don’t change, then it’s all about our assessment of public health and safety and whether we have an environment in Colorado where we feel comfortable sending out people to get signatures,” he said. “It’s just impossible to predict right now.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Q&A with former Avalanche center John Mitchell

John Mitchell played in 548 NHL games , the last 326 with the Avalanche in five seasons ending in 2017 .
He played two seasons in Germany before returning to Colorado and retiring last summer .
He was named to the Denver Post all-decade team ( 2010-19 ) in December .
Mitchell , 35 , is beginning a youth coaching career with the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds , who added former longtime NHLer David Clarkson to the mix a year ago .
Clarkson and Mitchell both grew up in Ontario , Canada , and will coach the T-Birds ’ 16-under team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back do you go with David Clarkson and is coaching just a hobby or a career move for you ?
Mitchell : I played against Clarkie basically every season from 16 until I was 32 when I was done playing hockey , whether it was junior or the NHL .
He knew I was here , in the Denver area , and one day I got a hold of him and told him I was interested in helping him out a little bit .
He was like , ‘ Man , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So it was quick and pretty seamless .
I don ’ t know if this is a career thing .
I ’ ve never done it .
I ’ m ( also ) the skills coach for the T-Birds , so I ’ ll be dealing with the young kids all the way up to the 18-year-olds .
Q : Who among the current Avs do you stay in touch the most ?
Mitchell : Probably ( Gabe ) Landeskog .
We have a little group chat .
Q : What does a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like these days ?
Mitchell : My daughter ( Gracyn ) is 8 and in third grade , so she does school online .
It ’ s a matter of keeping her on-time , on-schedule because obviously 8-year-olds ’ time management lacks sometimes .
So I make sure she ’ s on the ball .
She has a little brother ( Oliver ) who is 2 1/2 years old and always flying all over the place .
I have to make sure he ’ s occupied and not bugging his sister .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to find new things to do .
Mitchell : We found iMovie on the iPad where you can make your own trailer for a movie .
Gracyn took a bunch of videos so now I ’ m helping her cut up videos to make a movie trailer .
It ’ s actually pretty fun and entertaining and they ’ re having a ball with it .
Q : From major-junior to the pros , you played 17 years in North America with all your teeth .
What happened in Germany ?
Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wish it was something cooler , like in a game or whatever , but ( losing three teeth ) happened in probably the third practice of the year .
Some young German defenseman — I don ’ t know what he was doing — he stepped right up on me when I was trying to go around him .
The crown of his helmet went straight into my front teeth .
Knocked two of them out and another was dangling by a thread .
Q : Do you blame that accident on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Young defenseman that really isn ’ t sure about what he ’ s doing .
I mean , c ’ mon man .
I was , what 33 years old at the time ?
Leave me alone , it ’ s practice .
Don ’ t step up on me .
Q : You ’ ve got a flipper with three fake teeth .
I heard you can get a free permanent replacement from the insurance with your German team .
When is that going to happen ?
Mitchell : Sooner rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just a matter of weighing my options , whether I should go to Germany and do it because they ’ ll cover it , or buck up and do it here .
Trying to figure that one out .
Q : Future plans for you and family when life returns to normal ?
Mitchell : I ’ ll get with the T-Birds right away .
Hopefully , the rinks open up and we can get on the ice with four players at a time , a small group of players who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normalcy , I ’ ll be helping these kids with skill development — and that ’ s not just strictly stick-handling .
I want to teach these kids situational , positional things , using your body to protect the puck the right way .
Mitchell : Yes , I ’ m willing to do one-on-one lessons with kids in the Denver area .
Best way to get ahold of me is my email on the T-Birds ’ website ( jmitch.079 @ gmail.com ) .

John Mitchell played in 548 NHL games, the last 326 with the Avalanche in five seasons ending in 2017. He played two seasons in Germany before returning to Colorado and retiring last summer. He was named to the Denver Post all-decade team (2010-19) in December.
Mitchell, 35, is beginning a youth coaching career with the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds, who added former longtime NHLer David Clarkson to the mix a year ago. Clarkson and Mitchell both grew up in Ontario, Canada, and will coach the T-Birds’ 16-under team next season.
Q: How far back do you go with David Clarkson and is coaching just a hobby or a career move for you?
Mitchell: I played against Clarkie basically every season from 16 until I was 32 when I was done playing hockey, whether it was junior or the NHL. He knew I was here, in the Denver area, and one day I got a hold of him and told him I was interested in helping him out a little bit. He was like, ‘Man, I’m so glad you called me.’ So it was quick and pretty seamless. I don’t know if this is a career thing. I’ve never done it. I’m (also) the skills coach for the T-Birds, so I’ll be dealing with the young kids all the way up to the 18-year-olds.
Q: Who among the current Avs do you stay in touch the most?
Mitchell: Probably (Gabe) Landeskog. We have a little group chat.
Q: What does a typical day in the Mitchell household look like these days?
Mitchell: My daughter (Gracyn) is 8 and in third grade, so she does school online. It’s a matter of keeping her on-time, on-schedule because obviously 8-year-olds’ time management lacks sometimes. So I make sure she’s on the ball. She has a little brother (Oliver) who is 2 1/2 years old and always flying all over the place. I have to make sure he’s occupied and not bugging his sister. We go on plenty of bike rides and trying to find new things to do.
Q: What’s the family’s latest new entertainment?
Mitchell: We found iMovie on the iPad where you can make your own trailer for a movie. Gracyn took a bunch of videos so now I’m helping her cut up videos to make a movie trailer. It’s actually pretty fun and entertaining and they’re having a ball with it.
Q: From major-junior to the pros, you played 17 years in North America with all your teeth. What happened in Germany?
Mitchell: It was just in practice. I wish it was something cooler, like in a game or whatever, but (losing three teeth) happened in probably the third practice of the year. Some young German defenseman — I don’t know what he was doing — he stepped right up on me when I was trying to go around him. The crown of his helmet went straight into my front teeth. Knocked two of them out and another was dangling by a thread.
Q: Do you blame that accident on stupidity from the young guy?
Mitchell: Young defenseman that really isn’t sure about what he’s doing. I mean, c’mon man. I was, what 33 years old at the time? Leave me alone, it’s practice. Don’t step up on me.
Q: You’ve got a flipper with three fake teeth. I heard you can get a free permanent replacement from the insurance with your German team. When is that going to happen?
Mitchell: Sooner rather than later, for sure. It’s just a matter of weighing my options, whether I should go to Germany and do it because they’ll cover it, or buck up and do it here. Trying to figure that one out.
Q: Future plans for you and family when life returns to normal?
Mitchell: I’ll get with the T-Birds right away. Hopefully, the rinks open up and we can get on the ice with four players at a time, a small group of players who can get together. Once we get to normalcy, I’ll be helping these kids with skill development — and that’s not just strictly stick-handling. I want to teach these kids situational, positional things, using your body to protect the puck the right way.
Q: You’re also coaching private lessons outside T-Birds families, correct?
Mitchell: Yes, I’m willing to do one-on-one lessons with kids in the Denver area. Best way to get ahold of me is my email on the T-Birds’ website (jmitch.079@gmail.com).


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Ask Amy: Employee in dream job gets a “B”

Dear Amy : I ’ m a 22-year-old woman .
I scored a dream job that I feel very fortunate to have .
The CEO is a really nice and smart person .
I essentially got hired as someone who deals with customer issues .
However , he realized I had a talent for making things look modern and hip , so I ’ ve been designing flyers , booklets , brochures , and working on web design .
I think I have a real talent for this .
My co-worker is creating similar content , and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her .
Unfortunately , her work looks like a rough draft .
Not a final copy .
It looks essentially like high school work .
I tried showing her a couple of tricks I ’ ve learned , thinking she ’ d be OK with me editing her stuff .
One day she came into my office and accused me of going behind her back .
She said she wouldn ’ t be working on creating content anymore .
Since then I ’ ve felt like I ’ ve had to walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss if it was OK if I made some minor edits , and he said he was OK with it .
Now I ’ m just scared/nervous to voice my opinion .
I just want to do what ’ s best for the company .
How do I communicate to her that I ’ d like to do some edits without her blowing up at me ?
— Not Trying to be a B Dear Not Trying : Striving for excellence does not make you a “ B.
” Your co-worker didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her desire to submit her own work .
Does this make her a B ?
No .
She ’ s defending her own mediocrity .
You will encounter this dynamic often in your work life .
When I was your age and in my very first professional job , I allowed myself to be thoroughly dominated by a co-worker who was at the same level professionally as I was .
Yet , somehow , I let him gaslight me into believing that I worked for him .
When I ( basically ) whined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to me , “ There will always be people like this at work , and more often than not , they ’ re the ones who end up being vice presidents of the division .
Don ’ t complain .
Do something about it .
Find your own way.
” ( Hmmm … I wonder whatever became of that guy . )
Your fear in speaking up is on you .
Get over it , and use your voice .
If your name is attached to this content , don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do what you need to do , and — if necessary — explain ( or apologize ) later .
At your next performance review , you should pitch to your boss : “ I ’ d like to create all the marketing content for the company .
I think I can take it to the next level.
” Successful CEOs appreciate brave , ambitious , and creative workers – because , most often – they are reminded of themselves .
Dear Amy : Imagine my surprise when I learned that my family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not really get married to her husband , but put on a fake ceremony to give her family and friends the illusion that she was actually getting married .
The marriage ceremony had all of the usual features — minister , vows , rings and reception .
They were introduced to those in attendance as “ Mr .
and Mrs. ” The problem is they purposely never got a marriage license .
They both knew they weren ’ t legally getting married , but wanted everyone to think they were .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that she wanted to continue to receive monetary benefits that her late husband had earned while he was alive , ( like Social Security ) .
I ’ m sure her family and friends would have been just as happy for her if she had a commitment ceremony .
I believe in the institution of marriage and the traditions and formality of it , just as she has always espoused , too .
Do you have any advice or direction for those of us that have learned of this deception ?
Dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express yourself , simply and directly , to “ Barb ” and her deception-partner : “ I want you both to know how upset I am regarding your wedding-that-wasn ’ t .
I feel totally deceived , and believe that you owe me an apology.
” Dear Amy : Thank you for running the letter from “ Bored Dad , ” who admitted to succumbing to boredom during the COVID shelter-in-place .
Yes !
I agree with you that boredom can be a gift .
Modern life has not equipped us to simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dear Wandering : Free association can lead to ideas , insight , or mentally cataloguing every episode of Seinfeld .
It ’ s OK !

Dear Amy: I’m a 22-year-old woman. I scored a dream job that I feel very fortunate to have.
The CEO is a really nice and smart person. I essentially got hired as someone who deals with customer issues. However, he realized I had a talent for making things look modern and hip, so I’ve been designing flyers, booklets, brochures, and working on web design.
I think I have a real talent for this. My co-worker is creating similar content, and I’m happy to bounce ideas back and forth with her.
Unfortunately, her work looks like a rough draft. Not a final copy. It looks essentially like high school work.
I tried showing her a couple of tricks I’ve learned, thinking she’d be OK with me editing her stuff.
One day she came into my office and accused me of going behind her back. She said she wouldn’t be working on creating content anymore.
Since then I’ve felt like I’ve had to walk on eggshells. I even asked the boss if it was OK if I made some minor edits, and he said he was OK with it.
Now I’m just scared/nervous to voice my opinion. I just want to do what’s best for the company.
How do I communicate to her that I’d like to do some edits without her blowing up at me?
— Not Trying to be a B
Dear Not Trying: Striving for excellence does not make you a “B.”
Your co-worker didn’t hesitate to confront you and express her desire to submit her own work. Does this make her a B? No. She’s defending her own mediocrity.
You will encounter this dynamic often in your work life.
When I was your age and in my very first professional job, I allowed myself to be thoroughly dominated by a co-worker who was at the same level professionally as I was. Yet, somehow, I let him gaslight me into believing that I worked for him.
When I (basically) whined about him to a supervisor, she said to me, “There will always be people like this at work, and more often than not, they’re the ones who end up being vice presidents of the division. Don’t complain. Do something about it. Find your own way.” (Hmmm … I wonder whatever became of that guy.)
Your fear in speaking up is on you. Get over it, and use your voice. If your name is attached to this content, don’t ask her permission to improve the work. Do what you need to do, and — if necessary — explain (or apologize) later.
At your next performance review, you should pitch to your boss: “I’d like to create all the marketing content for the company. I think I can take it to the next level.” Successful CEOs appreciate brave, ambitious, and creative workers – because, most often – they are reminded of themselves.
Dear Amy: Imagine my surprise when I learned that my family member, “Barb,” did not really get married to her husband, but put on a fake ceremony to give her family and friends the illusion that she was actually getting married.
The marriage ceremony had all of the usual features — minister, vows, rings and reception. They were introduced to those in attendance as “Mr. and Mrs.”
The problem is they purposely never got a marriage license. They both knew they weren’t legally getting married, but wanted everyone to think they were.
I’ve learned the reason she did this is that she wanted to continue to receive monetary benefits that her late husband had earned while he was alive, (like Social Security).
I’m sure her family and friends would have been just as happy for her if she had a commitment ceremony.
I believe in the institution of marriage and the traditions and formality of it, just as she has always espoused, too. Do you have any advice or direction for those of us that have learned of this deception?
— Deceived
Dear Deceived: You (personally) should express yourself, simply and directly, to “Barb” and her deception-partner: “I want you both to know how upset I am regarding your wedding-that-wasn’t. I feel totally deceived, and believe that you owe me an apology.”
Dear Amy: Thank you for running the letter from “Bored Dad,” who admitted to succumbing to boredom during the COVID shelter-in-place.
Yes! I agree with you that boredom can be a gift. Modern life has not equipped us to simply be still and let our minds wander.
— Wandering
Dear Wandering: Free association can lead to ideas, insight, or mentally cataloguing every episode of Seinfeld. It’s OK!
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Man shot Sunday night in Green Valley Ranch

Denver police are investigating a shooting Sunday night that left one man wounded in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood , @ @ @ @ @ shooting occurred in the 5400 block of north Odessa Street .
There have been no @ @ @ @ @ information about a suspect released .

Denver police are investigating a shooting Sunday night that left one man wounded in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood, the department tweeted.
The shooting occurred in the 5400 block of north Odessa Street. There have been no arrests made and or any information about a suspect released.
This is a developing story.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--As graduation nears, former Colorado youth hockey star Cale Morris awaits NHL future

Having grown up a short walking distance from the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur , Cale Morris has traveled far to become a historical figure in Notre Dame hockey lore .
Morris , who was named to the Big Ten all-conference team for a third consecutive year , will graduate Sunday as the Fighting Irish ’ s all-time leader in career save percentage ( .931 ) and second in both goals-against average ( 2.18 ) and victories ( 58 ) .
The 2018 Mike Richter Award winner as college hockey ’ s best goalie led Notre Dame to the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 NCAA Northeast Regional final against Cale Makar and UMass .
His college career ended March 8 as rebuilding Notre Dame lost in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals to Minnesota .
Morris , 23 , is currently with his girlfriend in Pittsburgh but will participate in Sunday ’ s virtual graduation with his family in Larkspur .
He probably won ’ t realize the next step of his hockey career by then , but the undrafted NHL free agent will surely sign his first professional contract before next season .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first contract , ” Morris , a former youth star with the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds , said in a phone interview .
“ It will definitely be a special moment for me and my family and everyone else who made sacrifices to give me opportunities or believed in me throughout the way .
I think it ’ s exciting for me and everyone who has been involved.
” The American Hockey League canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 season Monday while its NHL affiliate teams continue to work with the league to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Morris said he has to be patient .
“ I ’ m just kind of waiting as more news comes about the NHL .
Obviously , the AHL season , they called it today .
Teams have to start preparing for next season and that ’ s when you ’ ll see some free-agent goalies getting signed , ” Morris said .
Morris knows of just one free agent NCAA goalie who has signed professionally — Penn State ’ s Peyton Jones recently agreed to a two-year AHL deal with the Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Jones and will probably hold out for a two-way NHL entry-level contract .
He is represented by Denver-based KO Sports Inc. , with primary agent Kevin Magnuson in Chicago .
“ I think everything is going to work out the way it should , ” Morris said .
“ I ’ m definitely anxious to find out where I ’ m off to next and really looking forward to wherever that is .
But with the weird situation we have at hand , it ’ s kind of just a waiting game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career on his own terms .
On March 8 in Minneapolis , the Fighting Irish lost 3-2 to Minnesota .
Notre Dame ( 15-15-7 ) had to win the Big Ten tournament for a third consecutive year to advance to the national tournament , which was ultimately canceled because of the COVID-19 crisis .
Morris was named the Big Ten tournament MVP in 2018 and ’ 19 .
“ With the situation going on now , it has given me some time to reflect back and look at all the things as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individually , of what we have achieved over the last four years , ” said Morris , who served as alternate captain as a senior — a rare honor for a goalie .
“ It was a special time in my life and I wouldn ’ t change it for the world .
I ’ m really proud of what I accomplished , and the team accomplished .
”

Having grown up a short walking distance from the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur, Cale Morris has traveled far to become a historical figure in Notre Dame hockey lore.
Morris, who was named to the Big Ten all-conference team for a third consecutive year, will graduate Sunday as the Fighting Irish’s all-time leader in career save percentage (.931) and second in both goals-against average (2.18) and victories (58).
The 2018 Mike Richter Award winner as college hockey’s best goalie led Notre Dame to the 2018 NCAA championship game against Minnesota-Duluth and the 2019 NCAA Northeast Regional final against Cale Makar and UMass. His college career ended March 8 as rebuilding Notre Dame lost in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals to Minnesota.
Morris, 23, is currently with his girlfriend in Pittsburgh but will participate in Sunday’s virtual graduation with his family in Larkspur. He probably won’t realize the next step of his hockey career by then, but the undrafted NHL free agent will surely sign his first professional contract before next season.
“This is what you dream of — signing your first contract,” Morris, a former youth star with the triple-A Colorado Thunderbirds, said in a phone interview. “It will definitely be a special moment for me and my family and everyone else who made sacrifices to give me opportunities or believed in me throughout the way. I think it’s exciting for me and everyone who has been involved.”
The American Hockey League canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 season Monday while its NHL affiliate teams continue to work with the league to find a way to play through the summer. Morris said he has to be patient.
“I’m just kind of waiting as more news comes about the NHL. Obviously, the AHL season, they called it today. Teams have to start preparing for next season and that’s when you’ll see some free-agent goalies getting signed,” Morris said.
Morris knows of just one free agent NCAA goalie who has signed professionally — Penn State’s Peyton Jones recently agreed to a two-year AHL deal with the Colorado Eagles. Morris is far more decorated than Jones and will probably hold out for a two-way NHL entry-level contract.
He is represented by Denver-based KO Sports Inc., with primary agent Kevin Magnuson in Chicago.
“I think everything is going to work out the way it should,” Morris said. “I’m definitely anxious to find out where I’m off to next and really looking forward to wherever that is. But with the weird situation we have at hand, it’s kind of just a waiting game now.”
Morris concluded his distinguished NCAA career on his own terms. On March 8 in Minneapolis, the Fighting Irish lost 3-2 to Minnesota. Notre Dame (15-15-7) had to win the Big Ten tournament for a third consecutive year to advance to the national tournament, which was ultimately canceled because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Morris was named the Big Ten tournament MVP in 2018 and ’19.
“With the situation going on now, it has given me some time to reflect back and look at all the things as a program, a team, and obviously individually, of what we have achieved over the last four years,” said Morris, who served as alternate captain as a senior — a rare honor for a goalie. “It was a special time in my life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m really proud of what I accomplished, and the team accomplished.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Man arrested as suspect in fatal shooting in Denver’s Green Valley Ranch area

A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of first-degree murder for a shooting death in the Green Valley Ranch area , according to Denver police .
Edward Sandoval is suspected of the Sunday night shooting in the 5400 block of Odessa Street , according to a news release .
The shooting occurred as part of a “ family disturbance.
” The victim will be identified by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner .
Police responded to a residence just before 8:30 p.m. on a 911 call about a shooting , according to an arrest affidavit in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was taken by ambulance to University Hospital and pronounced dead at 8:54 p.m .
Witnesses on scene told investigators that the suspect and the victim had argued twice in the basement of the home prior to the shooting .
Sandoval allegedly came upstairs armed with a rifle and shot the victim , who was armed with a handgun , according to the affidavit .
After the shooting , Sandoval allegedly fled the scene , still armed with the rifle , in a Jeep .
Rifle shell casings casing and “ two bullet strikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home as part of the ongoing investigation .
An arrest warrant was issued for Sandoval .
He is being held at the Denver jail on suspicion of first-degree murder .

A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of first-degree murder for a shooting death in the Green Valley Ranch area, according to Denver police.
Edward Sandoval is suspected of the Sunday night shooting in the 5400 block of Odessa Street, according to a news release. The shooting occurred as part of a “family disturbance.”
The victim will be identified by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.
Police responded to a residence just before 8:30 p.m. on a 911 call about a shooting, according to an arrest affidavit in the case. Officers arrived and the victim was taken by ambulance to University Hospital and pronounced dead at 8:54 p.m.
Witnesses on scene told investigators that the suspect and the victim had argued twice in the basement of the home prior to the shooting. Sandoval allegedly came upstairs armed with a rifle and shot the victim, who was armed with a handgun, according to the affidavit.
After the shooting, Sandoval allegedly fled the scene, still armed with the rifle, in a Jeep.
Rifle shell casings casing and “two bullet strikes” were found in the kitchen of the home as part of the ongoing investigation. An arrest warrant was issued for Sandoval.
He is being held at the Denver jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Second Colorado prison inmate dies of coronavirus; more mass testing underway

A second person incarcerated at Colorado ’ s largest prison has died of the novel coronavirus as more mass testing continues to reveal positive cases at the facility .
Little information was available Monday afternoon about the second death at the Sterling Correctional Facility , beyond the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 ticking up from one to two on a Colorado Department of Corrections data dashboard .
A spokeswoman for the department did not return a request for more information .
The death comes as broader testing reveals hundreds of inmates at the facility on Colorado ’ s Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday from the Colorado Department of Corrections shows that 329 Sterling inmates have tested positive — about 23 % of the 1,415 inmates who have been tested there .
The Sterling prison housed a total of 2,321 inmates as of April 30 .
The increased number of cases — up 67 since Wednesday — once again makes the prison the largest outbreak in the state .
The department also announced Monday that mass testing is underway at a second facility , Crowley County Correctional Facility .
Of the 299 inmates tested there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those two facilities , 109 inmates in 12 other prisons have been tested .
Of those tests , only two were positive : one case at the Buena Vista Correctional Complex and one at the Denver Diagnostic and Reception Center .
The inmate at the Buena Vista facility has recovered .
Eight of Colorado ’ s 22 prisons have not conducted any testing on inmates .
The new data comes amid renewed calls that prisoners be released to prevent more infections and deaths .
While some inmates have been released , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again asked Gov .
Jared Polis to increase the number .
“ Colorado just abolished the death penalty , ” the coalition wrote Friday in a letter to the governor .
“ We can not keep elderly and medically vulnerable Coloradans incarcerated in prisons that are likely to become their death traps.
” Over the past month , the state ’ s prison system has more than doubled the number of empty beds in its facilities .
The system had 1,854 open beds on Friday , far more than the 688 open on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 90 % of the state ’ s 17,452 prison beds are full .
“ With Colorado prisons operating at around 90 % capacity , and many people locked in small cells with one or more cellmates and no possibility of social distancing , the population reduction efforts to date are woefully insufficient to mitigate spread of the virus , ” the coalition ’ s letter states .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

A second person incarcerated at Colorado’s largest prison has died of the novel coronavirus as more mass testing continues to reveal positive cases at the facility.
Little information was available Monday afternoon about the second death at the Sterling Correctional Facility, beyond the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 ticking up from one to two on a Colorado Department of Corrections data dashboard. A spokeswoman for the department did not return a request for more information.
The death comes as broader testing reveals hundreds of inmates at the facility on Colorado’s Eastern Plains have COVID-19. New data released Monday from the Colorado Department of Corrections shows that 329 Sterling inmates have tested positive — about 23% of the 1,415 inmates who have been tested there.
The Sterling prison housed a total of 2,321 inmates as of April 30.
The increased number of cases — up 67 since Wednesday — once again makes the prison the largest outbreak in the state.
The department also announced Monday that mass testing is underway at a second facility, Crowley County Correctional Facility. Of the 299 inmates tested there, 37 have received positive results.
Outside of those two facilities, 109 inmates in 12 other prisons have been tested. Of those tests, only two were positive: one case at the Buena Vista Correctional Complex and one at the Denver Diagnostic and Reception Center. The inmate at the Buena Vista facility has recovered.
Eight of Colorado’s 22 prisons have not conducted any testing on inmates.
The new data comes amid renewed calls that prisoners be released to prevent more infections and deaths. While some inmates have been released, a coalition of health and civil rights organizations again asked Gov. Jared Polis to increase the number.
“Colorado just abolished the death penalty,” the coalition wrote Friday in a letter to the governor. “We cannot keep elderly and medically vulnerable Coloradans incarcerated in prisons that are likely to become their death traps.”
Over the past month, the state’s prison system has more than doubled the number of empty beds in its facilities. The system had 1,854 open beds on Friday, far more than the 688 open on April 13.
But that means that nearly 90% of the state’s 17,452 prison beds are full.
“With Colorado prisons operating at around 90% capacity, and many people locked in small cells with one or more cellmates and no possibility of social distancing, the population reduction efforts to date are woefully insufficient to mitigate spread of the virus,” the coalition’s letter states.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-05-12--Colorado oil and gas regulators say they remain vigilant despite economic woes

Responding to concerns about oil and gas producers shutting down wells and possibly walking away amid the industry ’ s economic upheaval , state regulators said Monday they continue to conduct inspections and enforce regulations to protect the public and the environment .
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission issued a paper and held a public meeting via the internet to say that while companies might slow or suspend production , shutting or temporarily abandoning a well doesn ’ t increase risks .
“ I just want to quell the notion that this downturn equates to some sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s just simply , from my perspective , not the case , ” said Jeff Robbins , COGCC director .
“ We feel confident with my management team and the professional staff that I have that we will be able to continue to regulate this industry in a manner that ’ s protective.
” Plummeting demand driven by the coronavirus pandemic and a price war between Saudi Arabia that added to the glut of oil have led companies to cut back or halt production , dramatically reduce spending and lay off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time ever in April when contracts came due and some people had to pay to unload oil they didn ’ t want or had no place to store .
Before the coronavirus outbreak , companies across the country had begun scaling back spending because of pressure from lenders to pay down debt and free up cash .
The prospect of companies in Colorado turning off wells has spurred fears of more so-called “ orphan ” wells — ones that are abandoned without being properly closed down .
A COGCC report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 422 associated sites as of July 1 , 2019 .
It falls to the state to pay to plug the well and restore well sites if the company doesn ’ t .
The cost is usually six times the amount of the bond paid by the company , according to a 2017 letter from Matt Lepore , the former COGCC director .
The average cost of plugging an abandoned well on Colorado ’ s north Front Range is about $ 82,500 .
Former Gov .
John Hickenlooper issued an executive order in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the sites .
In an April 28 letter , four environmental groups asked how the COGCC will ensure that the oil and gas industry ’ s economic troubles don ’ t undermine the implementation of Senate Bill 181 , passed last year to overhaul regulations .
Robbins said Monday that the COGCC continues to conduct inspections and enforce rules and regulations .
In April 2019 , COGCC staff logged 2,894 well inspections , compared to 4,193 this year .
The difference is partly due to bad weather last April .
Drilling is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has been one of the country ’ s major oil producers .
The COGCC said there are currently only four drilling rigs in the basin , down from a little over 20 at the start of the year .
Out of the state ’ s roughly 52,000 active wells , 2,049 had been temporarily abandoned as of March .
The total was 1,486 in March 2019 .
A company might temporarily abandon a well when slowing or suspending operations .
The company must get COGCC approval and remove production equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to check the well ’ s integrity .
At the end of March , about 9,000 wells had been shut in .
In March 2019 , about 9,600 wells were shut in .
Wells are typically shut in to allow the operator to repair or replace equipment or because low prices make production unprofitable , according to the COGCC .
“ We ’ re going to be nimble , and we ’ re going to work with operators , and we ’ re going to ensure that as wells move into a shut-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and regulations that are in place will ensure safety first , ” Robbins said .

Responding to concerns about oil and gas producers shutting down wells and possibly walking away amid the industry’s economic upheaval, state regulators said Monday they continue to conduct inspections and enforce regulations to protect the public and the environment.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission issued a paper and held a public meeting via the internet to say that while companies might slow or suspend production, shutting or temporarily abandoning a well doesn’t increase risks.
“I just want to quell the notion that this downturn equates to some sort of environmental issue with more orphaned wells. It’s just simply, from my perspective, not the case,” said Jeff Robbins, COGCC director. “We feel confident with my management team and the professional staff that I have that we will be able to continue to regulate this industry in a manner that’s protective.”
Plummeting demand driven by the coronavirus pandemic and a price war between Saudi Arabia that added to the glut of oil have led companies to cut back or halt production, dramatically reduce spending and lay off employees. Oil prices dropped below zero for the first time ever in April when contracts came due and some people had to pay to unload oil they didn’t want or had no place to store.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, companies across the country had begun scaling back spending because of pressure from lenders to pay down debt and free up cash.
The prospect of companies in Colorado turning off wells has spurred fears of more so-called “orphan” wells — ones that are abandoned without being properly closed down. A COGCC report said there were 275 orphaned wells and 422 associated sites as of July 1, 2019.
It falls to the state to pay to plug the well and restore well sites if the company doesn’t. The cost is usually six times the amount of the bond paid by the company, according to a 2017 letter from Matt Lepore, the former COGCC director.
The average cost of plugging an abandoned well on Colorado’s north Front Range is about $82,500. Former Gov. John Hickenlooper issued an executive order in 2018 allocating $5 million annually to clean up the sites.
In an April 28 letter, four environmental groups asked how the COGCC will ensure that the oil and gas industry’s economic troubles don’t undermine the implementation of Senate Bill 181, passed last year to overhaul regulations.
Robbins said Monday that the COGCC continues to conduct inspections and enforce rules and regulations. In April 2019, COGCC staff logged 2,894 well inspections, compared to 4,193 this year. The difference is partly due to bad weather last April.
Drilling is down in Colorado’s Denver-Julesburg Basin, which has been one of the country’s major oil producers. The COGCC said there are currently only four drilling rigs in the basin, down from a little over 20 at the start of the year.
Out of the state’s roughly 52,000 active wells, 2,049 had been temporarily abandoned as of March. The total was 1,486 in March 2019. A company might temporarily abandon a well when slowing or suspending operations. The company must get COGCC approval and remove production equipment and plug the well. Tests are required to check the well’s integrity.
At the end of March, about 9,000 wells had been shut in. In March 2019, about 9,600 wells were shut in. Wells are typically shut in to allow the operator to repair or replace equipment or because low prices make production unprofitable, according to the COGCC.
“We’re going to be nimble, and we’re going to work with operators, and we’re going to ensure that as wells move into a shut-in capacity or temporarily abandoned capacity all the rules and regulations that are in place will ensure safety first,” Robbins said.


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Coronavirus prompts Denver City Council to postpone plastic bag fees

Denver ’ s upcoming 10-cent fee for single-use plastic bags won ’ t start for more than a year , @ @ @ @ @ .
The fees were set to begin July 1 after the council approved them in @ @ @ @ @ unanimously voted to push that start to July 1 , 2021 , as the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ are considered less sterile .
Some stores are longer allowing customers to use them , @ @ @ @ @ bag their own groceries and goods if they bring bags from home .
The fees @ @ @ @ @ to switch away from single-use bags in favor of more environmentally friendly options — a @ @ @ @ @ other cities in Colorado and around the country .
Some council members had expressed hopes @ @ @ @ @ be followed by new measures limiting the use of single-serve styrofoam packages and more , @ @ @ @ @ plastics .
However , those plans are on hold now as communities across the country @ @ @ @ @ of the new coronavirus .

Denver’s upcoming 10-cent fee for single-use plastic bags won’t start for more than a year, City Council unanimously agreed Monday.
The fees were set to begin July 1 after the council approved them in December. But the council unanimously voted to push that start to July 1, 2021, as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Reused bags are considered less sterile. Some stores are longer allowing customers to use them, while others require customers to bag their own groceries and goods if they bring bags from home.
The fees are meant to encourage shoppers to switch away from single-use bags in favor of more environmentally friendly options — a strategy that has worked in other cities in Colorado and around the country.
Some council members had expressed hopes that the fees could soon be followed by new measures limiting the use of single-serve styrofoam packages and more, effectively launching a war on plastics. However, those plans are on hold now as communities across the country work to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Man shot dead by state trooper in Mesa County is identified

A man who was shot dead in Mesa County by a Colorado State Patrol trooper was identified Monday and investigators released additional information about the officer-involved shooting .
Jayson Thompson , 33 , of Bisbee , Ariz. , was shot on Saturday , according to the Mesa County Coroner ’ s Office .
Thompson died of gunshot wounds to the torso and his manner of death is a homicide .
Toxicology test results , as part of the autopsy , are pending .
On Saturday morning , a state trooper responded to a report of a person exhibiting “ odd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Incident Response Team news release .
The initial report to 911 described a person who had been standing still , in the same position , for a “ couple of hours.
” “ When a citizen approached and asked the person if they needed help , they did not answer or acknowledge their presence , ” the CIRT news release said .
At about 9 a.m. , a trooper attempted to speak with the man near the intersection of U.S. 50 and County Road 29 .
The man became aggressive and brandished a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ultimately an officer involved shooting occurred , ” the release said .
The trooper , who has not been identified , was not injured .
The trooper is on administrative leave pending the investigation .
Investigators have spoken with multiple witnesses and they ’ re reviewing several sources of video that captured various elements of incident .
Any witness who has not already talked with investigators is asked to call the sheriff ’ s office tip line at 970-244-3526 .

A man who was shot dead in Mesa County by a Colorado State Patrol trooper was identified Monday and investigators released additional information about the officer-involved shooting.
Jayson Thompson, 33, of Bisbee, Ariz., was shot on Saturday, according to the Mesa County Coroner’s Office. Thompson died of gunshot wounds to the torso and his manner of death is a homicide. Toxicology test results, as part of the autopsy, are pending.
On Saturday morning, a state trooper responded to a report of a person exhibiting “odd behavior,” according to a Critical Incident Response Team news release. The initial report to 911 described a person who had been standing still, in the same position, for a “couple of hours.”
“When a citizen approached and asked the person if they needed help, they did not answer or acknowledge their presence,” the CIRT news release said.
At about 9 a.m., a trooper attempted to speak with the man near the intersection of U.S. 50 and County Road 29. The man became aggressive and brandished a 10-inch knife, the release said.
“Ultimately an officer involved shooting occurred,” the release said. The trooper, who has not been identified, was not injured. The trooper is on administrative leave pending the investigation.
Investigators have spoken with multiple witnesses and they’re reviewing several sources of video that captured various elements of incident. Any witness who has not already talked with investigators is asked to call the sheriff’s office tip line at 970-244-3526.


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Inadequate coronavirus prevention at Weld County jail violates rights of medically vulnerable inmate

Inadequate coronavirus prevention at Weld County jail violates rights of medically vulnerable inmates, judge rules

The Weld County jail is violating the constitutional rights of medically vulnerable inmates by not adequately protecting them from the coronavirus , a federal judge ruled Monday .
The judge ordered the Weld County Sheriff ’ s Office to take specific steps to better isolate inmates who are older or have underlying health conditions , including identifying inmates who are at higher risk from the virus .
The ruling is the first time in Colorado that a federal judge has ordered an agency to change how it is managing the virus in its correctional facilities .
Judges in other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after similar lawsuits .
“ The record indicates that defendant has failed to take adequate measures to protect members of the plaintiff class from COVID-19 given that they face a heightened risk of serious illness or death from the virus , ” Philip Brimmer , chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado , wrote in his order .
“ Accordingly , plaintiffs ’ conditions of confinement violate the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution , and plaintiffs are entitled to a limited preliminary injunction to ameliorate those conditions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Weld County jail had tested positive for COVID-19 and one inmate has died , according to outbreak data from the state health department .
Four staff members at the facility have also tested positive .
Seven inmates at the facility , supported by a coalition of advocacy groups and civil rights attorneys , filed the lawsuit against Weld County Sheriff Steven Reams on April 7 .
The filing asked the judge to intervene on behalf of the inmates , all of whom have underlying health issues or are elderly .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has asthma .
Another wrote that he watched sick inmates work in the kitchen , preparing food for the entire facility .
To comply with the judge ’ s order , the Weld County Sheriff ’ s Office will have to : • Create a list of inmates who are medically vulnerable to COVID-19 by May 18 • Develop policies to distance the medically vulnerable inmates from others , including during the intake process • Make a plan to acquire more masks for inmates so that they are not required to use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time • Create a procedure to better clean the housing areas where medically vulnerable inmates are housed The ruling sets precedent for other potential lawsuits against Colorado jails , said Mark Silverstein , legal director at the ACLU of Colorado and one of the attorneys on the case .
It shows that sheriffs have a constitutional duty to protect medically vulnerable inmates from the virus and has implications for every jail in the state , he said .
“ It should serve as a warning to sheriffs around the state , ” Silverstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the case , Reams said that his office had worked hard to protect inmates and staff from the virus .
He said planning began in late February , but that the agency had struggled to find masks .
An attorney representing the sheriff ’ s office defended the agency ’ s efforts during the hearing and said the judge could not legally hold them to standards created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ If this were such a cesspool , as it was described in this hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be more than one person die in the Weld County jail , ” Andrew Ringel said .
The sheriff ’ s office did not offer a response when asked for comment on the ruling Monday afternoon .
Brimmer noted in his order the difficulty of creating social distancing in jails , but said that the sheriff ’ s office needed to try harder .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic presents a nearly unprecedented challenge to every person and institution in our society , and the Court acknowledges that defendant faces difficult considerations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brimmer wrote .
“ However , prison walls do not form a barrier separating prison inmates from the protections of the Constitution.
” Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

The Weld County jail is violating the constitutional rights of medically vulnerable inmates by not adequately protecting them from the coronavirus, a federal judge ruled Monday.
The judge ordered the Weld County Sheriff’s Office to take specific steps to better isolate inmates who are older or have underlying health conditions, including identifying inmates who are at higher risk from the virus.
The ruling is the first time in Colorado that a federal judge has ordered an agency to change how it is managing the virus in its correctional facilities. Judges in other states have intervened in correctional facilities’ operations after similar lawsuits.
“The record indicates that defendant has failed to take adequate measures to protect members of the plaintiff class from COVID-19 given that they face a heightened risk of serious illness or death from the virus,” Philip Brimmer, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, wrote in his order. “Accordingly, plaintiffs’ conditions of confinement violate the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, and plaintiffs are entitled to a limited preliminary injunction to ameliorate those conditions.”
As of Wednesday, eight inmates at the Weld County jail had tested positive for COVID-19 and one inmate has died, according to outbreak data from the state health department. Four staff members at the facility have also tested positive.
Seven inmates at the facility, supported by a coalition of advocacy groups and civil rights attorneys, filed the lawsuit against Weld County Sheriff Steven Reams on April 7. The filing asked the judge to intervene on behalf of the inmates, all of whom have underlying health issues or are elderly. One of the inmates is 55 years old and has asthma. Another wrote that he watched sick inmates work in the kitchen, preparing food for the entire facility.
To comply with the judge’s order, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office will have to:
Create a list of inmates who are medically vulnerable to COVID-19 by May 18
Develop policies to distance the medically vulnerable inmates from others, including during the intake process
Make a plan to acquire more masks for inmates so that they are not required to use the same masks beyond the recommended length of time
Create a procedure to better clean the housing areas where medically vulnerable inmates are housed
The ruling sets precedent for other potential lawsuits against Colorado jails, said Mark Silverstein, legal director at the ACLU of Colorado and one of the attorneys on the case. It shows that sheriffs have a constitutional duty to protect medically vulnerable inmates from the virus and has implications for every jail in the state, he said.
“It should serve as a warning to sheriffs around the state,” Silverstein said.
During an April 30 hearing on the case, Reams said that his office had worked hard to protect inmates and staff from the virus. He said planning began in late February, but that the agency had struggled to find masks.
An attorney representing the sheriff’s office defended the agency’s efforts during the hearing and said the judge could not legally hold them to standards created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“If this were such a cesspool, as it was described in this hearing, the court would certainly expect that there would be more than one person die in the Weld County jail,” Andrew Ringel said.
The sheriff’s office did not offer a response when asked for comment on the ruling Monday afternoon.
Brimmer noted in his order the difficulty of creating social distancing in jails, but said that the sheriff’s office needed to try harder.
“The COVID-19 pandemic presents a nearly unprecedented challenge to every person and institution in our society, and the Court acknowledges that defendant faces difficult considerations in how best to respond,” Brimmer wrote. “However, prison walls do not form a barrier separating prison inmates from the protections of the Constitution.”
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Colorado’s coronavirus deaths approach 1,000 as confirmed cases near 20,000

Nearly 1,000 people have died from the novel coronavirus in Colorado and lab testing has confirmed almost 20,000 cases in the state .
As many as 987 people now have died from COVID-19 , according to data provided daily by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment .
Still , the state ’ s health care system has not been overwhelmed by patients and state officials said the strict stay-at-home order — which has now lifted — helped reduce the spread of the virus .
By Monday , 392 ventilators were in use with 684 available , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients currently are hospitalized with COVID-19 , and about 53 improved enough to be discharged from hospitals or transferred to lower levels of care in the past 24 hours .
More than half of those who have died from the disease were over the age of 80 , according to state data .
The virus causes mild or moderate symptoms in many patients , but can be severe and even fatal , particularly in patients with underlying health conditions or risk factors , like advanced age .
State health officials have estimated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus is much higher than the cases confirmed through testing , both because of asymptomatic carriers of the virus and because of limited testing .
With more than 106,000 tests now completed , 19.879 people have been confirmed to have or are suspected to have COVID-19 .
Gov .
Jared Polis has said the state is working to increase its testing and contact tracing — identifying quickly those who have the virus and those who might have been exposed — as the state enters the second phase of pandemic response .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ news sent straight to your inbox .

Nearly 1,000 people have died from the novel coronavirus in Colorado and lab testing has confirmed almost 20,000 cases in the state.
As many as 987 people now have died from COVID-19, according to data provided daily by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Still, the state’s health care system has not been overwhelmed by patients and state officials said the strict stay-at-home order — which has now lifted — helped reduce the spread of the virus. By Monday, 392 ventilators were in use with 684 available, according to the state health agency.
About 557 patients currently are hospitalized with COVID-19, and about 53 improved enough to be discharged from hospitals or transferred to lower levels of care in the past 24 hours.
More than half of those who have died from the disease were over the age of 80, according to state data. The virus causes mild or moderate symptoms in many patients, but can be severe and even fatal, particularly in patients with underlying health conditions or risk factors, like advanced age.
State health officials have estimated that the number of people actually infected with the novel coronavirus is much higher than the cases confirmed through testing, both because of asymptomatic carriers of the virus and because of limited testing. With more than 106,000 tests now completed, 19.879 people have been confirmed to have or are suspected to have COVID-19.
Gov. Jared Polis has said the state is working to increase its testing and contact tracing — identifying quickly those who have the virus and those who might have been exposed — as the state enters the second phase of pandemic response.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-05-11--Colorado parks reopen to camping this week, decision on spring skiing and restaurants to follow

Gov .
Jared Polis on Monday laid out a new timeline by which state officials will consider reopening recreation areas and additional parts of Colorado ’ s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
State parks will once again allow camping beginning Tuesday , Polis said , while a decision on whether ski resorts , restaurants and summer camps can reopen will be made May 25 .
Additional steps in the state ’ s ongoing “ safer at home ” plan to gradually restart businesses and ease some social distancing will be considered after June 1 , the governor added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability of data on the novel coronavirus in Colorado , Polis said , which lags about 10 to 14 days behind the actual spread of the virus in the state .
As of Monday , the state had recorded as many as 987 deaths and 19,879 cases of the COVID-19 respiratory disease , although it ’ s suspected far more people have contracted the virus .
“ In the next week , we ’ re just starting to see the very first people who could have become infected as the initial restrictions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the end of Colorado ’ s statewide stay-at-home order late last month .
Before deciding whether to allow summer camps to operate and whether restaurants can resume dine-in services , Polis said he wants to see the data on second- and third-generation cases of the virus .
The state can not go purely off of data collected in the two weeks since the stay-at-home order was lifted , Polis said , but rather must wait until later in May to understand the degree to which new cases are being spread to others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country were to go too fast in embracing people getting together again , whether it is in nightclubs or bars or large parties , there would be another wave of COVID infections and there would need to be — either at the county , municipal level or , God forbid , at the state level — even harsher restrictions that are then placed temporarily in that area .
We don ’ t want another wave to set us back from our goals , ” he said .
But Polis feels comfortable making at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen state parks on Tuesday for camping , he said — though counties that want to continue prohibiting the activity may do so .
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife , the state will conduct a phased reopening of campgrounds , beginning at 50 % capacity .
All campers must make reservations in advance , and they ’ re urged to bring all food and supplies from their home areas and not go shopping on the way to , or near , campgrounds .
“ Plan as if you are going to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet .
Likewise , Polis has for weeks urged Coloradans to stay within 10 miles of home .
The governor did not explicitly state that he is pulling that restriction with the reopening of campsites in state parks , but he did strongly indicate as much .
“ Fill up your automobile in your local area , ” he said , “ and then , yes , you can go hike or you can go camp , and then you can return home.
” He also said , “ The danger was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The danger is when you go camping , in old times , you often would stop in local ( businesses ) .
” As for further reopenings under “ safer at home ” come June , Polis said he ’ s not sure when concerts , sporting events and any other gatherings of 10 or more people might be able to resume , because he doesn ’ t yet have enough data .
“ Burials , baptisms , rituals that are important to people for religious reasons absolutely can occur , ” Polis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ festive celebrations around them that often can ’ t .
”

Gov. Jared Polis on Monday laid out a new timeline by which state officials will consider reopening recreation areas and additional parts of Colorado’s economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
State parks will once again allow camping beginning Tuesday, Polis said, while a decision on whether ski resorts, restaurants and summer camps can reopen will be made May 25.
Additional steps in the state’s ongoing “safer at home” plan to gradually restart businesses and ease some social distancing will be considered after June 1, the governor added.
Those dates were chosen based on the availability of data on the novel coronavirus in Colorado, Polis said, which lags about 10 to 14 days behind the actual spread of the virus in the state.
As of Monday, the state had recorded as many as 987 deaths and 19,879 cases of the COVID-19 respiratory disease, although it’s suspected far more people have contracted the virus.
“In the next week, we’re just starting to see the very first people who could have become infected as the initial restrictions were loosened,” he said, referring to the end of Colorado’s statewide stay-at-home order late last month.
Before deciding whether to allow summer camps to operate and whether restaurants can resume dine-in services, Polis said he wants to see the data on second- and third-generation cases of the virus.
The state cannot go purely off of data collected in the two weeks since the stay-at-home order was lifted, Polis said, but rather must wait until later in May to understand the degree to which new cases are being spread to others.
“If any state in the country were to go too fast in embracing people getting together again, whether it is in nightclubs or bars or large parties, there would be another wave of COVID infections and there would need to be — either at the county, municipal level or, God forbid, at the state level — even harsher restrictions that are then placed temporarily in that area. We don’t want another wave to set us back from our goals,” he said.
But Polis feels comfortable making at least one decision now: Colorado will reopen state parks on Tuesday for camping, he said — though counties that want to continue prohibiting the activity may do so.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the state will conduct a phased reopening of campgrounds, beginning at 50% capacity. All campers must make reservations in advance, and they’re urged to bring all food and supplies from their home areas and not go shopping on the way to, or near, campgrounds.
“Plan as if you are going to the moon,” parks officials said in a tweet.
Likewise, Polis has for weeks urged Coloradans to stay within 10 miles of home. The governor did not explicitly state that he is pulling that restriction with the reopening of campsites in state parks, but he did strongly indicate as much.
“Fill up your automobile in your local area,” he said, “and then, yes, you can go hike or you can go camp, and then you can return home.”
He also said, “The danger was never really the campground itself. … The danger is when you go camping, in old times, you often would stop in local (businesses).”
As for further reopenings under “safer at home” come June, Polis said he’s not sure when concerts, sporting events and any other gatherings of 10 or more people might be able to resume, because he doesn’t yet have enough data.
“Burials, baptisms, rituals that are important to people for religious reasons absolutely can occur,” Polis noted. “It’s the festive celebrations around them that often can’t.”