thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Colorado joins coalition of states setting goals to jump-start transition to electric trucks

ALBANY , N.Y. — A coalition of states is following California ’ s lead in setting goals to jump-start a transition to electric-powered trucks , vans and buses in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for communities choked by diesel fumes .
The 15 states , plus Washington , D.C. , announced last week that they ’ ve agreed to develop an action plan aimed at having 100 % of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2050 , with an interim target of 30 % zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending a powerful signal to industry with directions on where we need to be going with transportation , ” said Bill Van Amburg , executive vice president of CALSTART , a nonprofit consortium focused on building a clean transportation industry .
“ You can now justify further investment to develop more products.
” Details are yet to be worked out .
One option would be to adopt the mandate California ’ s Air Resources Board announced in June requiring that all new commercial trucks and vans purchased must be zero-emission by 2045 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states could focus more on subsidies and incentives , as well as investment in charging infrastructure .
“ This memorandum of understanding magnifies what California did in adopting its regulation , ” said Paul Cort , an attorney for the environmental group Earthjustice .
“ It tells manufacturers that they not only have to produce these trucks for California but also for these other states , ” which represent the market for 40 % of truck sales .
The states that signed the agreement are California , Connecticut , Colorado , Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Vermont and Washington .
The group had already committed to an action plan to foster electrification of passenger vehicles .
“ The important step will be the details that emerge from this agreement , ” said Jimmy O ’ Dea , a vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists .
“ The direction the states need to go should be in response to the urgency of the situation , both on air quality and climate change.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buses — about 10 % of all vehicles — in the United States , according to a 2019 report authored by O ’ Dea .
They account for 28 % of total carbon emissions in the transportation sector .
Truck and engine manufacturers , oil companies , and farming and other industries opposed California ’ s mandate , saying it was expensive and unrealistic .
Jed Mandel , president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association , said the California rule would “ collapse ” for lack of charging infrastructure .
Van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fast-tracked by federal incentives to support charging infrastructure and purchases of zero-emission trucks .
In New York , a package of clean transportation initiatives announced by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Thursday includes a utility-funded program to deploy more than 50,000 charging stations by 2025 .
There ’ s also an allocation of nearly $ 50 million from the Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement to boost the use of electric transit and school buses and expand charging infrastructure .
The U.S. and Canada are on track to have 169 models of zero-emission commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2020 , compared to 95 models in 2019 , according to projections from CALSTART ’ s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory , launched in March .
The fastest-growing segments are transit buses and urban delivery trucks that have known routes and the ability to recharge at depots overnight .
Amazon , IKEA , FedEx and UPS have made commitments and investments in manufacturers of zero-emission commercial vehicle companies such as Rivian , Arriva and Chanje in recent months .
It will take longer for zero-emissions technology to meet the distance and payload capacities needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandel , CALSTART ’ s Northeast regional director .
Daimler , Tesla , Volvo and China ’ s BYD are among the manufacturers working on electric big rigs .

ALBANY, N.Y. — A coalition of states is following California’s lead in setting goals to jump-start a transition to electric-powered trucks, vans and buses in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for communities choked by diesel fumes.
The 15 states, plus Washington, D.C., announced last week that they’ve agreed to develop an action plan aimed at having 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2050, with an interim target of 30% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.
“This is a really big deal in sending a powerful signal to industry with directions on where we need to be going with transportation,” said Bill Van Amburg, executive vice president of CALSTART, a nonprofit consortium focused on building a clean transportation industry. “You can now justify further investment to develop more products.”
Details are yet to be worked out. One option would be to adopt the mandate California’s Air Resources Board announced in June requiring that all new commercial trucks and vans purchased must be zero-emission by 2045, with milestones along the way. Or the states could focus more on subsidies and incentives, as well as investment in charging infrastructure.
“This memorandum of understanding magnifies what California did in adopting its regulation,” said Paul Cort, an attorney for the environmental group Earthjustice. “It tells manufacturers that they not only have to produce these trucks for California but also for these other states,” which represent the market for 40% of truck sales.
The states that signed the agreement are California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. The group had already committed to an action plan to foster electrification of passenger vehicles.
“The important step will be the details that emerge from this agreement,” said Jimmy O’Dea, a vehicles analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “The direction the states need to go should be in response to the urgency of the situation, both on air quality and climate change.”
There are about 28 million trucks and buses — about 10% of all vehicles — in the United States, according to a 2019 report authored by O’Dea. They account for 28% of total carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
Truck and engine manufacturers, oil companies, and farming and other industries opposed California’s mandate, saying it was expensive and unrealistic. Jed Mandel, president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, said the California rule would “collapse” for lack of charging infrastructure.
Van Amburg said growth of the industry could be fast-tracked by federal incentives to support charging infrastructure and purchases of zero-emission trucks.
In New York, a package of clean transportation initiatives announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday includes a utility-funded program to deploy more than 50,000 charging stations by 2025. There’s also an allocation of nearly $50 million from the Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement to boost the use of electric transit and school buses and expand charging infrastructure.
The U.S. and Canada are on track to have 169 models of zero-emission commercial vehicles available for purchase by the end of 2020, compared to 95 models in 2019, according to projections from CALSTART’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory, launched in March.
The fastest-growing segments are transit buses and urban delivery trucks that have known routes and the ability to recharge at depots overnight. Amazon, IKEA, FedEx and UPS have made commitments and investments in manufacturers of zero-emission commercial vehicle companies such as Rivian, Arriva and Chanje in recent months.
It will take longer for zero-emissions technology to meet the distance and payload capacities needed by heavy-duty trucking fleets, said Benjamin Mandel, CALSTART’s Northeast regional director. Daimler, Tesla, Volvo and China’s BYD are among the manufacturers working on electric big rigs.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Kansas dog makes 50-mile trek to her old home in Missouri

LAWSON , Mo .
— A dog named Cleo who disappeared from her home in Kansas earlier this month turned up a few days later at her old home in Missouri , about 50 miles ( 80 kilometers ) away .
Colton Michael told television station KMBC that the 4-year-old Labrador retriever-border collie mix showed up on the front porch of his family ’ s home in Lawson , which is about 30 miles ( 48 kilometers ) northeast of Kansas City .
At first , she wouldn ’ t let anyone get near her , said Michael , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years .
“ She finds her way home , and there ’ s some strangers living in it .
That would be scary for anybody , ” he said .
Eventually , he was able to gain Cleo ’ s trust and to get her checked for a microchip , which showed that she belonged to the former owners of his house .
Cleo ’ s owners , who had moved to Olathe , Kansas , about 50 miles ( 80 kilometers ) southwest of Lawson , couldn ’ t believe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had turned up at their old home .
They had posted on Facebook a week earlier about the missing dog .
Neither family knows how Cleo made the trip , which would have required her to cross at least one river .

LAWSON, Mo. — A dog named Cleo who disappeared from her home in Kansas earlier this month turned up a few days later at her old home in Missouri, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) away.
Colton Michael told television station KMBC that the 4-year-old Labrador retriever-border collie mix showed up on the front porch of his family’s home in Lawson, which is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Kansas City.
At first, she wouldn’t let anyone get near her, said Michael, who has lived in the home for nearly two years.
“She finds her way home, and there’s some strangers living in it. That would be scary for anybody,” he said.
Eventually, he was able to gain Cleo’s trust and to get her checked for a microchip, which showed that she belonged to the former owners of his house.
Cleo’s owners, who had moved to Olathe, Kansas, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Lawson, couldn’t believe it when Michael called and said the dog had turned up at their old home. They had posted on Facebook a week earlier about the missing dog. Neither family knows how Cleo made the trip, which would have required her to cross at least one river.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Nuggets’ Gary Harris, Torrey Craig en route to Orlando bubble, source confirms

After nearly two weeks in the Orlando bubble , reinforcements are coming for the Nuggets .
Gary Harris and Torrey Craig were en route as of Sunday afternoon , a league source confirmed to The Denver Post , meaning it won ’ t be long before the Nuggets have their entire starting five on the practice court together .
Outside of Harris , the rest of the Nuggets ’ starters have been in Orlando at least a week following Nikola Jokic ’ s arrival last weekend .
Harris and Craig will need to quarantine for 36-48 hours upon arrival and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per league protocol .
The Nuggets have their first scrimmage on Wednesday against the Washington Wizards , and it ’ s unlikely either will play out of precaution .
Almost all of Denver ’ s frontcourt is in Orlando , and because of that , Nuggets coach Michael Malone said there ’ s bound to be some unique lineups when the team finally suits up for the first time since March 11 .
Malone even joked that 7-foot-2 Bol Bol , a standout over the first two weeks of practice , could handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of their other ball-handlers .
Including Harris and Craig , the Nuggets will now have 12 players in the bubble .
The Athletic first reported Harris and Craig ’ s trip .

After nearly two weeks in the Orlando bubble, reinforcements are coming for the Nuggets.
Gary Harris and Torrey Craig were en route as of Sunday afternoon, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post, meaning it won’t be long before the Nuggets have their entire starting five on the practice court together.
Outside of Harris, the rest of the Nuggets’ starters have been in Orlando at least a week following Nikola Jokic’s arrival last weekend.
Harris and Craig will need to quarantine for 36-48 hours upon arrival and then clear two negative PCR tests, per league protocol.
The Nuggets have their first scrimmage on Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, and it’s unlikely either will play out of precaution. Almost all of Denver’s frontcourt is in Orlando, and because of that, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said there’s bound to be some unique lineups when the team finally suits up for the first time since March 11.
Malone even joked that 7-foot-2 Bol Bol, a standout over the first two weeks of practice, could handle point guard duties in the absence of some of their other ball-handlers. Including Harris and Craig, the Nuggets will now have 12 players in the bubble.
The Athletic first reported Harris and Craig’s trip.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Anti-police protesters mob rally supporting law enforcement in Denver’s Civic Center

Dueling rallies in downtown Denver devolved into chaos and some violence Sunday afternoon as protesters crashed a pro-police rally in Civic Center .
The anti-police protesters greatly outnumbered the pro-police crowd , and moved into their rally ’ s space in the park ’ s amphitheater shortly after the demonstration supporting law enforcement started around 3 p.m .
The protesters banged drums , blew whistles , clanged pots , clapped and shouted obscenities to drown out the pro-police rally , where a band had been playing music to a small crowd .
The chaotic clash between groups led to some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in isolated disputes .
Law enforcement officers attempted to form a line around the two groups , but could not completely separate them .
After about an hour , most of the pro-police demonstrators left the plaza , and police also began to retreat .
The anti-police protesters followed officers as they retreated and at least one officer fired pepper spray into the crowd of protesters .
It was not immediately clear what prompted the use of the spray .
Minutes later , protesters stood in front of a police vehicle to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers again used chemical agents and less-than-lethal weapons before speeding away .
Denver Police confirmed they used chemical sprays in three situations , in accordance with their policy and with a supervisor on scene .
Police also made one arrest , for assault , but did not provide details .
“ We had two pepper ball deployments and one hand-held fog device deployment .
and we made one arrest for assault , ” agency spokesman Tyrone Campbell said .
“ We have a policy that dictates when and how those tools are used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure there ’ s a reasonable reason for those devices to be utilized .
And any time we use any of this stuff , there will be a review .
It seems as if they were used in an appropriate fashion , ” Campbell said .
“ Our goal is to make sure everybody has the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights .
Those tools are used only if there is some sort of disruption or threat to safety.
” The pro-police rally had been billed as a family-friendly event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was promoted by Randy Corporon , an attorney who has recently represented two businesses in high-profile legal disputes about coronavirus precautions .
Corporon represented C & C Breakfast and Korean Kitchen , a Castle Rock restaurant that was shut down by the state after it opened for dine-in eating on Mother ’ s Day , as well as Bandimere Speedway , which faced legal action from county health officials when a July 4 event saw large crowds and limited social distancing .
Corporon said Sunday that Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally , expressing concern that police officers would be put in harm ’ s way by the event .
“ He was agitated that we ’ re going to get his officers hurt , ” Corporon said before the event .
“ My response to him was that he should allow his officers to do their job and if people are down there breaking the law , to stop them .
Because they ’ ll have nothing to fear from us.
” Denver police spokesman Campbell confirmed that police had been in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think the conversation was such that said , ‘ We appreciate it , but if you ’ re doing it on our behalf , we don ’ t want you to do that .
We absolutely appreciate the sentiment , we know there is public support .
But in the event you are doing it to exercise your First Amendment right , then by all means we ’ ll make sure you have the space to do that , ’ ” he said .
Corporon said the rally organizers decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in part because it ’ s happened annually in Civic Center Park for five years .
“ We ’ re exercising our constitutional right to peacefully assemble , and we have no intention of giving up that ground to these domestic terrorists , ” Corporon said , referring to the counter-protesters .
He added that he believes Pazen doesn ’ t support his own officers .
“ This chief of police is the guy who walked hand-in-hand with Black Lives Matter , ” he said , describing that movement as a push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reached after the rally .
Lillian House , an organizer for the Party of Socialism and Liberation , said they planned the counter-protest because a celebration of police is “ unacceptable.
” “ It ’ s just all around out of touch with the struggles people are facing , ” she said .
Adina Chapman said she came to the Denver rally from Colorado Springs to support law enforcement .
“ I ’ m not saying there doesn ’ t need to be reforms , ” she said .
“ But if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t have safety.
” Ahead of the rallies , Campbell said Denver police would aim to protect both sides ’ right to free speech .
“ In the event it becomes contentious we ’ ll absolutely do what we can to make sure everybody is safe , ” he said before the event .
“ But I don ’ t think we ’ re going to prevent one side from being heard or make sure one side is louder or anything like that .
Our job is to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ensure everyone ’ s safety .
”

Dueling rallies in downtown Denver devolved into chaos and some violence Sunday afternoon as protesters crashed a pro-police rally in Civic Center.
The anti-police protesters greatly outnumbered the pro-police crowd, and moved into their rally’s space in the park’s amphitheater shortly after the demonstration supporting law enforcement started around 3 p.m.
The protesters banged drums, blew whistles, clanged pots, clapped and shouted obscenities to drown out the pro-police rally, where a band had been playing music to a small crowd. The chaotic clash between groups led to some violence, with several people throwing punches in isolated disputes. Law enforcement officers attempted to form a line around the two groups, but could not completely separate them.
After about an hour, most of the pro-police demonstrators left the plaza, and police also began to retreat. The anti-police protesters followed officers as they retreated and at least one officer fired pepper spray into the crowd of protesters. It was not immediately clear what prompted the use of the spray.
Minutes later, protesters stood in front of a police vehicle to try to stop it from leaving, and officers again used chemical agents and less-than-lethal weapons before speeding away.
Denver police confirmed they used chemical sprays in three situations, in accordance with their policy and with a supervisor on scene. Police also made one arrest, for assault, but did not provide details.
“We had two pepper ball deployments and one hand-held fog device deployment, and we made one arrest for assault,” Denver police spokesman Tyrone Campbell said.
“We have a policy that dictates when and how those tools are used. And we have supervisors on scene to make sure there’s a reasonable reason for those devices to be utilized. And any time we use any of this stuff, there will be a review. It seems as if they were used in an appropriate fashion,” Campbell said.
“Our goal is to make sure everybody has the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights. Those tools are used only if there is some sort of disruption or threat to safety.”
The pro-police rally had been billed as a family-friendly event with music, speakers and food, and was promoted by Randy Corporon, an attorney who has recently represented two businesses in high-profile legal disputes about coronavirus precautions. Corporon represented C&C Breakfast and Korean Kitchen, a Castle Rock restaurant that was shut down by the state after it opened for dine-in eating on Mother’s Day, as well as Bandimere Speedway, which faced legal action from county health officials when a July 4 event saw large crowds and limited social distancing.
Corporon said Sunday that Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen asked him to reschedule or move the pro-police rally, expressing concern that police officers would be put in harm’s way by the event.
“He was agitated that we’re going to get his officers hurt,” Corporon said before the event. “My response to him was that he should allow his officers to do their job and if people are down there breaking the law, to stop them. Because they’ll have nothing to fear from us.”
Denver police spokesman Campbell confirmed that police had been in touch with rally organizers about the event beforehand.
“I think the conversation was such that said, ‘We appreciate it, but if you’re doing it on our behalf, we don’t want you to do that. We absolutely appreciate the sentiment, we know there is public support. But in the event you are doing it to exercise your First Amendment right, then by all means we’ll make sure you have the space to do that,’” he said.
Corporon said the rally organizers decided not to move or reschedule the event, in part because it’s happened annually in Civic Center Park for five years.
“We’re exercising our constitutional right to peacefully assemble, and we have no intention of giving up that ground to these domestic terrorists,” Corporon said, referring to the counter-protesters. He added that he believes Pazen doesn’t support his own officers.
“This chief of police is the guy who walked hand-in-hand with Black Lives Matter,” he said, describing that movement as a push toward anarchy. He could not immediately be reached after the rally.
Lillian House, an organizer for the Party of Socialism and Liberation, said they planned the counter-protest because a celebration of police is “unacceptable.”
“It’s just all around out of touch with the struggles people are facing,” she said.
Adina Chapman said she came to the Denver rally from Colorado Springs to support law enforcement. “I’m not saying there doesn’t need to be reforms,” she said. “But if we don’t have police, we don’t have safety.”
Ahead of the rallies, Campbell said Denver police would aim to protect both sides’ right to free speech.
“In the event it becomes contentious we’ll absolutely do what we can to make sure everybody is safe,” he said before the event. “But I don’t think we’re going to prevent one side from being heard or make sure one side is louder or anything like that. Our job is to make sure that everybody’s rights are respected and we ensure everyone’s safety.”
Denver Post reporter Bruce Finley contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--Rockies’ Scott Oberg remains questionable for opener vs. Rangers

One thing is certain : the Rockies need right-hander Scott Oberg pitching late in games .
One thing is uncertain : whether Oberg will be ready to pitch when the Rockies open their season Friday night at the Texas Rangers .
Oberg , battling a strained back , pitched in his first intrasquad game of summer camp on Sunday night .
He fared well .
Oberg induced an infield grounder from David Dahl and covered the first-base bag , got Trevor Story to pop out and retired Charlie Blackmon on a grounder .
“ I felt all right , overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Better than it has been the last week or so .
My arm felt good .
And there is a chance I can be ready Friday .
I ’ m still going to take things a day at a time.
” Oberg added that he had “ no issues ” on the play where he had to cover first base .
The next big test will come Monday morning when Oberg checks to see how his back feels , and then on Tuesday night when he ’ s scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Then we see where we are , ” manager Bud Black said .
“ I mean , this truly will go down to the wire — when we make the call on Scott .
I ’ ve spoken with him and he ’ s feeling much better .
He ’ s confident in where he is with the back , the arm is fine .
Obviously , he just hasn ’ t gotten a lot of reps. ” Rodgers bulks up .
Rookie infielder Brendan Rodgers has added noticeable muscle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scales at 210 pounds .
He hopes the muscle adds power to his bat .
“ I added about 10 pounds and lost some bad weight , so I feel great right now , ” said Rodgers , who lifted weights in his native Florida alongside catcher Drew Butera and Zac Veen , the Rockies ’ 2020 first-round draft choice .
“ My swing feels great and I think I definitely added some power .
My motto has always been , ‘ less is more ’ when I ’ m in the box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to play.
” Rodgers , who made his major-league debut last season , batted .224 in 25 games before he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July .
He failed to hit a homer in 76 big-league at-bats .
Virtual scouting .
The Rockies , along with other big-league teams , won ’ t be allowed to have advance scouts in ballparks to scope out opposing teams .
That doesn ’ t mean the Rockies won ’ t get some good looks at upcoming opponents .
“ We will watch games on television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will tape them and we will review them , we will have , obviously , tape on our opponent .
… The video component will be in place to go along with all the statistical data that we accrue.
” Footnotes .
The Rockies must decide on who makes their initial 30-man roster by 10 a.m. MDT on Thursday .
… Veteran slugger Matt Kemp , who has been told he will make the 30-man roster , continues to impress .
He hit a long home run to dead center off right-hander Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
Gray also served up a home run to utility player Chris Owings .

One thing is certain: the Rockies need right-hander Scott Oberg pitching late in games.
One thing is uncertain: whether Oberg will be ready to pitch when the Rockies open their season Friday night at the Texas Rangers.
Oberg, battling a strained back, pitched in his first intrasquad game of summer camp on Sunday night. He fared well. Oberg induced an infield grounder from David Dahl and covered the first-base bag, got Trevor Story to pop out and retired Charlie Blackmon on a grounder.
“I felt all right, overall, out there today,” Oberg said. “Better than it has been the last week or so. My arm felt good. And there is a chance I can be ready Friday. I’m still going to take things a day at a time.”
Oberg added that he had “no issues” on the play where he had to cover first base.
The next big test will come Monday morning when Oberg checks to see how his back feels, and then on Tuesday night when he’s scheduled to pitch in an exhibition game at Texas.
“Then we see where we are,” manager Bud Black said. “I mean, this truly will go down to the wire — when we make the call on Scott. I’ve spoken with him and he’s feeling much better. He’s confident in where he is with the back, the arm is fine. Obviously, he just hasn’t gotten a lot of reps.”
Rodgers bulks up. Rookie infielder Brendan Rodgers has added noticeable muscle to his 6-foot frame and now tips the scales at 210 pounds. He hopes the muscle adds power to his bat.
“I added about 10 pounds and lost some bad weight, so I feel great right now,” said Rodgers, who lifted weights in his native Florida alongside catcher Drew Butera and Zac Veen, the Rockies’ 2020 first-round draft choice. “My swing feels great and I think I definitely added some power. My motto has always been, ‘less is more’ when I’m in the box, but I think the power is going to play.”
Rodgers, who made his major-league debut last season, batted .224 in 25 games before he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July. He failed to hit a homer in 76 big-league at-bats.
Virtual scouting. The Rockies, along with other big-league teams, won’t be allowed to have advance scouts in ballparks to scope out opposing teams. That doesn’t mean the Rockies won’t get some good looks at upcoming opponents.
“We will watch games on television,” Black said. “We will tape them and we will review them, we will have, obviously, tape on our opponent. … The video component will be in place to go along with all the statistical data that we accrue.”
Footnotes. The Rockies must decide on who makes their initial 30-man roster by 10 a.m. MDT on Thursday. … Veteran slugger Matt Kemp, who has been told he will make the 30-man roster, continues to impress. He hit a long home run to dead center off right-hander Jon Gray in Sunday night’s intrasquad game. Gray also served up a home run to utility player Chris Owings.


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--Why Patrick Neville is expected to lose top GOP spot in Colorado House

It is increasingly likely that Patrick Neville , the far-right leader of Colorado ’ s shrunken House GOP caucus , will be overthrown later this year .
Neville , of Castle Rock , has been minority leader since 2016 , but Rep. Hugh McKean , a Loveland Republican , has been public about his plans to seek the job of minority leader heading into the 2021 legislative session in January .
More than a dozen lawmakers and other Capitol sources say they believe McKean ’ s victory is all but assured .
This outcome was made much more likely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slate of Republican candidates more aligned with Neville ’ s vision was trounced by a group of less hard-right candidates .
Like other statehouse leadership positions , the minority leader can ’ t be elected until at least the day after the November election .
The House GOP currently holds just 24 seats in the 65-seat house — a 17-seat deficit — and there is virtually no chance that the majority flips later this year .
The best-case scenario for the caucus , most believe , would be to pick up a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in the minority , whether we like it or not .
That ’ s the reality for a period of time , ” said McKean .
The state is now controlled by Democrats , who occupy every constitutional office and hold majorities in both legislative chambers .
But Republican lawmakers still have the opportunity to act as moderating forces and even , in some cases , to thwart or amend bills they oppose .
Unlike the Senate GOP , the House GOP has mostly failed to make a dent in major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and I hate to say it — that the House GOP is basically irrelevant , ” said Brian DelGrosso , Neville ’ s predecessor as minority leader .
“ The numbers are so far skewed that , quite frankly , the voice of the GOP doesn ’ t even need to be considered for them to push legislation through.
” A number of lawmakers said they believe at least 15 or 16 likely members of next session ’ s House GOP caucus plan to support McKean , who is far from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate than Neville .
The latest plan would also have Rep. Colin Larson of Littleton replace Rep. Kevin Van Winkle of Highlands Ranch as assistant majority leader .
McKean wouldn ’ t offer a vote count , but he did say , “ Am I positive that we have all the votes ?
I sure think , from the conversations we ’ ve had , that we do.
” Echoed Larson : “ I think there ’ s a big appetite for a change in leadership.
” Neville brushed off questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is more focused on the November elections than on internal party politics .
He said , though , of those laying the groundwork to oust him : “ I don ’ t think it ’ s helpful , all the talk and going very public .
… I wish they would spend more time actually trying to help Republicans in the general , instead of building up a leadership election.
” There are many reasons for growing discontent with the leadership of Neville , who has held the top spot in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the caucus is bleeding seats .
The GOP , which dominated the House as recently as 2002 , had a three-seat deficit after the 2014 election — a number that has grown to 17 today , and could grow again in November .
Much of the slide can be attributed to forces outside of Neville ’ s control ; Colorado was trending bluer well before he got into state politics .
But the fact that Neville has presided over further decline is reason enough , for some , to replace him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they lose seats like that , ” said Rep. Lois Landgraf of Colorado Springs , who is term-limited .
She seriously considered challenging Neville for minority leader in 2018 , but bailed because , she said , she thought she was one vote shy .
The discontent , Landgraf and others said , goes much deeper than electoral outcomes .
“ We haven ’ t had leadership for years , since Patrick took over , ” she said .
In general , those who support a change at the top feel that Neville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equitably support members , instead favoring a far-right faction that includes Dave Williams of Colorado Springs , Steve Humphrey of Severance and Lori Saine of Dacono .
This group is closely allied with Rocky Mountain Gun Owners ( RMGO ) , an organization that has a history of targeting sitting Republicans who lean even a smidge to the right , and whose now-former director , Dudley Brown , has described himself as being to the right of the National Rifle Association .
Larson , the possible next assistant minority leader , just won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Everett , a longtime friend of Neville ’ s who was backed by RMGO .
“ The real implication with my race , frankly , is just this whole idea that leadership should be supportive of the members of the Republican caucus , ” Larson said .
“ My race really illustrated where the current leadership fell short in that , because of the active role leadership took in my race , opposing me .
I think it speaks to the need for a different set of leadership.
” In a June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ battle for the heart and soul of the Republican efforts in Colorado.
” With non-RMGO Republicans having emerged victorious , there is little doubt in the mind of informed lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that Neville ’ s ouster is inevitable .
Said one likely caucus newcomer , Erie Republican Dan Woog , who defeated an RMGO candidate : “ I ’ m seeing that it looks like people are ready for change.
” That doesn ’ t mean Democrats think a change in leadership will actually lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just don ’ t know if I buy that Hugh represents a new , moderate option to Patrick , ” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett , a Denver Democrat and the favorite to replace term-limited KC Becker as speaker of the House next session .
“ I keep hearing that there ’ s going to be this move back to the center , and there ’ s just no evidence of that from a policy perspective that I can point to.
” Indeed , it ’ s a staunchly conservative bunch top to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacing Neville would likely mean a change in messaging .
He is among the most inflammatory Republicans of any influence in the state ; he likened the state stay-home order this spring to the Gestapo .
And , Neville opponents hope , a change in leadership would mean members could operate without fear of retribution from their own leader .
“ What ’ s not acceptable to me is members who go after other members because they are too squishy , ” Landgraf said .
“ I don ’ t care how someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why they need to care how I vote .
They not only care , but they attack.
” She added , of the outlook for next session : “ The caucus will be considered , respected , honored .
Everybody there has talent and skills and they should all be utilized .
I think that ’ ll happen .
… I think it ’ ll just be fairer and more balanced .
”

It is increasingly likely that Patrick Neville, the far-right leader of Colorado’s shrunken House GOP caucus, will be overthrown later this year.
Neville, of Castle Rock, has been minority leader since 2016, but Rep. Hugh McKean, a Loveland Republican, has been public about his plans to seek the job of minority leader heading into the 2021 legislative session in January. More than a dozen lawmakers and other Capitol sources say they believe McKean’s victory is all but assured.
This outcome was made much more likely on primary night in June, when a slate of Republican candidates more aligned with Neville’s vision was trounced by a group of less hard-right candidates.
Like other statehouse leadership positions, the minority leader can’t be elected until at least the day after the November election. The House GOP currently holds just 24 seats in the 65-seat house — a 17-seat deficit — and there is virtually no chance that the majority flips later this year. The best-case scenario for the caucus, most believe, would be to pick up a few seats.
“We’re going to be in the minority, whether we like it or not. That’s the reality for a period of time,” said McKean.
The state is now controlled by Democrats, who occupy every constitutional office and hold majorities in both legislative chambers. But Republican lawmakers still have the opportunity to act as moderating forces and even, in some cases, to thwart or amend bills they oppose. Unlike the Senate GOP, the House GOP has mostly failed to make a dent in major recent policies.
“The reality is — and I hate to say it — that the House GOP is basically irrelevant,” said Brian DelGrosso, Neville’s predecessor as minority leader. “The numbers are so far skewed that, quite frankly, the voice of the GOP doesn’t even need to be considered for them to push legislation through.”
A number of lawmakers said they believe at least 15 or 16 likely members of next session’s House GOP caucus plan to support McKean, who is far from a liberal but who many see as more moderate than Neville. The latest plan would also have Rep. Colin Larson of Littleton replace Rep. Kevin Van Winkle of Highlands Ranch as assistant minority leader.
McKean wouldn’t offer a vote count, but he did say, “Am I positive that we have all the votes? I sure think, from the conversations we’ve had, that we do.”
Echoed Larson: “I think there’s a big appetite for a change in leadership.”
Neville brushed off questions about the race for minority leader, saying that he is more focused on the November elections than on internal party politics.
He said, though, of those laying the groundwork to oust him: “I don’t think it’s helpful, all the talk and going very public. … I wish they would spend more time actually trying to help Republicans in the general, instead of building up a leadership election.”
There are many reasons for growing discontent with the leadership of Neville, who has held the top spot in the caucus for four years. For starters, the caucus is bleeding seats. The GOP, which dominated the House as recently as 2002, had a three-seat deficit after the 2014 election — a number that has grown to 17 today, and could grow again in November. Much of the slide can be attributed to forces outside of Neville’s control; Colorado was trending bluer well before he got into state politics.
But the fact that Neville has presided over further decline is reason enough, for some, to replace him.
“No one stays in office when they lose seats like that,” said Rep. Lois Landgraf of Colorado Springs, who is term-limited. She seriously considered challenging Neville for minority leader in 2018, but bailed because, she said, she thought she was one vote shy.
The discontent, Landgraf and others said, goes much deeper than electoral outcomes.
“We haven’t had leadership for years, since Patrick took over,” she said.
In general, those who support a change at the top feel that Neville and the minority office staff do not equitably support members, instead favoring a far-right faction that includes Dave Williams of Colorado Springs, Steve Humphrey of Severance and Lori Saine of Dacono.
This group is closely allied with Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (RMGO), an organization that has a history of targeting sitting Republicans who lean even a smidge to the left, and whose now-former director, Dudley Brown, has described himself as being to the right of the National Rifle Association.
Larson, the possible next assistant minority leader, just won a GOP primary challenge by former Rep. Justin Everett, a longtime friend of Neville’s who was backed by RMGO.
“The real implication with my race, frankly, is just this whole idea that leadership should be supportive of the members of the Republican caucus,” Larson said. “My race really illustrated where the current leadership fell short in that, because of the active role leadership took in my race, opposing me. I think it speaks to the need for a different set of leadership.”
In a June interview, Williams called the Larson-Everett race a “battle for the heart and soul of the Republican efforts in Colorado.”
With non-RMGO Republicans having emerged victorious, there is little doubt in the mind of informed lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that Neville’s ouster is inevitable.
Said one likely caucus newcomer, Erie Republican Dan Woog, who defeated an RMGO candidate: “I’m seeing that it looks like people are ready for change.”
That doesn’t mean Democrats think a change in leadership will actually lead to a change in policy.
“I just don’t know if I buy that Hugh represents a new, moderate option to Patrick,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, a Denver Democrat and the favorite to replace term-limited KC Becker as speaker of the House next session. “I keep hearing that there’s going to be this move back to the center, and there’s just no evidence of that from a policy perspective that I can point to.”
Indeed, it’s a staunchly conservative bunch top to bottom. But at a minimum, replacing Neville would likely mean a change in messaging. He is among the most inflammatory Republicans of any influence in the state; he likened the state stay-home order this spring to the Gestapo.
And, Neville opponents hope, a change in leadership would mean members could operate without fear of retribution from their own leader.
“What’s not acceptable to me is members who go after other members because they are too squishy,” Landgraf said. “I don’t care how someone votes. I don’t know why they need to care how I vote. They not only care, but they attack.”
She added, of the outlook for next session: “The caucus will be considered, respected, honored. Everybody there has talent and skills and they should all be utilized. I think that’ll happen. … I think it’ll just be fairer and more balanced.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--Kids and COVID-19: What experts do (and do not) know about how the virus affects children

As the debate about reopening schools rages at the local , state and national levels , infectious disease and engineering experts are trying to keep up with the ever-evolving situation with the coronavirus pandemic so they can advise administrators considering — and reconsidering — whether and when to open facilities for the year .
On Friday , Denver Public Schools rolled back its plan to host in-person classes five days a week this fall , opting instead to start the year online on Aug. 24 , a week later than originally planned .
The decision came after consultation with local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The district will consider gradually reopening schools and welcoming students back after Labor Day .
Colorado is experiencing an upward trend in COVID cases with more than 2,900 new ones reported the second week of July , the highest increase the state has seen since May .
Still , the circumstances are not as alarming as many other places in the United States .
So far , most districts plan to welcome students back for full-time , in-person instruction this fall while implementing safety protocols such as mask requirements , student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of a potential outbreak .
But school and public health leaders caution that plans could change — again .
In May , districts floated the idea of a hybrid approach that would have kids in school for in-person instruction part-time and have them supplement with online work remotely .
That ’ s still a contingency plan for many should the circumstances around COVID-19 escalate .
“ What happens in schools is going to be reflective of the broader community no matter how good a job we do in implementing the mitigation measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leary , professor and pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Colorado ’ s School of Medicine in Aurora .
“ If we see that in mid-August we are seeing similar levels of disease to what we ’ re seeing in Texas and Arizona , I don ’ t know that it ’ s safe to open schools at that point because there ’ s so much virus circulating.
” Much of the guidance around reopenings suggests the benefits of sending kids back to school outweigh the risks , as children appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We spoke with pediatric doctors , as well as public health and engineering experts to parse what ’ s known — and unknown — about kids and their COVID-associated risks .
What we know Dr. Glen Mays , professor and chair of the Department of Health Systems , Management and Policy in the University of Colorado ’ s School of Public Health , says medical experts have been looking at observational data from reported cases nationally and internationally to deduce how the novel coronavirus affects children .
Mays called the data “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s helpful in identifying patterns and trends among sectors of the population .
For example , kids appear to be at lower risk of contracting COVID-19 and those who do are at a substantially lower risk of developing health complications , he said .
Fewer children have been hospitalized with the disease and very few deaths have been reported compared to adults , said Dr. Sam Dominguez , an infectious disease specialist at Children ’ s Hospital Colorado .
“ Overall , kids are doing much better with this virus , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transmission among children is lower , meaning they don ’ t spread the disease between one another as easily as adults do , doctors said .
But if they catch it , COVID-19 symptoms are typically different for youths .
Dominguez said children can experience a runny nose and cough similar to a mild cold , as well as vomiting and diarrhea .
While about 80 % of infected adults get a fever , Dominguez said , only about 50 % of children do .
And evidence shows that many kids who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 30 % to 40 % of them , O ’ Leary estimated .
Complicating matters further , COVID symptoms and severity can also vary between teenagers and younger kids .
“ As we approach the fall and the winter , we assume influenza will come back , SARS-V will come back .
We ’ ll have those regular seasons , but it will be in the context of this virus also circulating , ” Dominguez said .
“ It ’ s going to be a huge challenge to differentiate this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
” Another important fact to consider when discussing reopenings , the doctors said , is that children suffer academically , emotionally and oftentimes physically when they are not in school .
A recent survey of U.S. school social workers conducted by searchers at The University of California Los Angeles , Loyola University Chicago , Cal State Fullerton and Hebrew University found that many students and families are struggling to have their basic needs met during the pandemic .
Of the 1,275 social workers who responded , about 62 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food insufficiency , about 62 % cited needs for individualized tutoring , and more then 75 % said their students needed access to mental health services — all services typically provided by schools .
“ Increases in obesity , increases in mental health issues , anxiety , depression , suicidality , ” said O ’ Leary .
“ Many , many things have already come to light in the short time that kids were out.
” What we don ’ t know For as many indicators experts have about kids and the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The biggest one ?
“ I think the big research question is , why is that the case ?
” said Dominguez .
“ We don ’ t really fully understand why kids are doing better than adults and maybe why they don ’ t spread it as efficiently.
” There are theories , of course .
Doctors suspect biological differences could play a role .
For example , children have fewer of the receptors that the coronavirus uses to gain entry into cells , O ’ Leary said .
Kids also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dominguez said .
Some have developed a multisystem inflammatory syndrome , known as MIS-C , after becoming infected .
Doctors don ’ t fully understand what causes it or how common it is , he said , but it ’ s believed to be a rare condition .
Factors driving youth trends could also be circumstantial , doctors said .
Perhaps because the nation shut down schools in March , children had fewer opportunities to be exposed to the virus , Dominguez said .
It ’ s also worth considering how kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another and how that could cause variances in transmission rates among teens versus young children , he added .
Despite not having answers to those questions , Dominguez , O ’ Leary and Mays were in favor of reopening schools .
That ’ s not to say they don ’ t have concerns .
“ Even if we take kids out of the equation , there ’ s still a large number of adults in an indoor setting for a long period of time .
That ’ s a higher-risk activity , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kids , at least as of today , it does appear to be similar to other respiratory viruses that we accept regularly , ” O ’ Leary said , adding that he and his wife caught COVID-19 earlier this year while their kids , ages 16 and 12 , did not .
“ It ’ s much more severe in adults and people with chronic medical conditions than influenza , ” he said .
“ But for children , the risk from COVID-19 seems to be in line with influenza , roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been thinking of it as a parent.
” What experts say we should do about it Shelly Miller , a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder , was one of more than 200 scientists who implored the World Health Organization to consider COVID-19 an airborne illness .
That distinction is important , she said , because it informs which precautions schools should take to create a safe environment .
Engineers have been rapidly studying how COVID-19 spreads based on factors such as ventilation , how many sick people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re in a space , and different measures of social distancing .
Miller has conducted studies on how singing and playing wind instruments could propagate the virus , as well as the rate of transmission in a nursing home where a ward of 30 rooms were converted to negative pressure ventilation .
She believes the three most effective ways to mitigate the spread of the virus in schools are to require masks , to circulate outdoor air inside school buildings , and to minimize the time students and faculty spend indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the space to dilute the virus concentration , ” Miller said .
“ If you can ’ t get virus concentration down by adding air , you can by filtering it with an air purifier.
” Even if many kids won ’ t show a fever , it ’ s important that schools still conduct health screenings as one measure to find potential cases , doctors said .
Additionally , O ’ Leary said , there ’ s never been a more important time to make sure kids are up to date on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can handle is a vaccine preventable disease outbreak in our school in addition to COVID-19 , ” he said .

As the debate about reopening schools rages at the local, state and national levels, infectious disease and engineering experts are trying to keep up with the ever-evolving situation with the coronavirus pandemic so they can advise administrators considering — and reconsidering — whether and when to open facilities for the year.
On Friday, Denver Public Schools rolled back its plan to host in-person classes five days a week this fall, opting instead to start the year online on Aug. 24, a week later than originally planned. The decision came after consultation with local public health experts, Superintendent Susana Cordova said. The district will consider gradually reopening schools and welcoming students back after Labor Day.
Colorado is experiencing an upward trend in COVID cases with more than 2,900 new ones reported the second week of July, the highest increase the state has seen since May. Still, the circumstances are not as alarming as many other places in the United States.
So far, most districts plan to welcome students back for full-time, in-person instruction this fall while implementing safety protocols such as mask requirements, student cohorting and modified schedules to mitigate the risk of a potential outbreak. But school and public health leaders caution that plans could change — again.
In May, districts floated the idea of a hybrid approach that would have kids in school for in-person instruction part-time and have them supplement with online work remotely. That’s still a contingency plan for many should the circumstances around COVID-19 escalate.
“What happens in schools is going to be reflective of the broader community no matter how good a job we do in implementing the mitigation measures,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, professor and pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine in Aurora. “If we see that in mid-August we are seeing similar levels of disease to what we’re seeing in Texas and Arizona, I don’t know that it’s safe to open schools at that point because there’s so much virus circulating.”
Much of the guidance around reopenings suggests the benefits of sending kids back to school outweigh the risks, as children appear to be less susceptible to the virus. We spoke with pediatric doctors, as well as public health and engineering experts to parse what’s known — and unknown — about kids and their COVID-associated risks.
What we know
Dr. Glen Mays, professor and chair of the Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy in the University of Colorado’s School of Public Health, says medical experts have been looking at observational data from reported cases nationally and internationally to deduce how the novel coronavirus affects children. Mays called the data “imperfect,” but said it’s helpful in identifying patterns and trends among sectors of the population.
For example, kids appear to be at lower risk of contracting COVID-19 and those who do are at a substantially lower risk of developing health complications, he said. Fewer children have been hospitalized with the disease and very few deaths have been reported compared to adults, said Dr. Sam Dominguez, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“Overall, kids are doing much better with this virus,” he said.
Data also suggests the rate of transmission among children is lower, meaning they don’t spread the disease between one another as easily as adults do, doctors said. But if they catch it, COVID-19 symptoms are typically different for youths.
Dominguez said children can experience a runny nose and cough similar to a mild cold, as well as vomiting and diarrhea. While about 80% of infected adults get a fever, Dominguez said, only about 50% of children do. And evidence shows that many kids who catch COVID-19 are asymptomatic — possibly as many as 30% to 40% of them, O’Leary estimated.
Complicating matters further, COVID symptoms and severity can also vary between teenagers and younger kids.
“As we approach the fall and the winter, we assume influenza will come back, SARS-V will come back. We’ll have those regular seasons, but it will be in the context of this virus also circulating,” Dominguez said. “It’s going to be a huge challenge to differentiate this virus from other viruses or other causes of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.”
Another important fact to consider when discussing reopenings, the doctors said, is that children suffer academically, emotionally and oftentimes physically when they are not in school. A recent survey of U.S. school social workers conducted by searchers at The University of California Los Angeles, Loyola University Chicago, Cal State Fullerton and Hebrew University found that many students and families are struggling to have their basic needs met during the pandemic.
Of the 1,275 social workers who responded, about 62% said their students had needs related to food insufficiency, about 62% cited needs for individualized tutoring, and more then 75% said their students needed access to mental health services — all services typically provided by schools.
“Increases in obesity, increases in mental health issues, anxiety, depression, suicidality,” said O’Leary. “Many, many things have already come to light in the short time that kids were out.”
What we don’t know
For as many indicators experts have about kids and the novel coronavirus, there are as many questions. The biggest one?
“I think the big research question is, why is that the case?” said Dominguez. “We don’t really fully understand why kids are doing better than adults and maybe why they don’t spread it as efficiently.”
There are theories, of course. Doctors suspect biological differences could play a role. For example, children have fewer of the receptors that the coronavirus uses to gain entry into cells, O’Leary said.
Kids also have different immune system responses to disease, Dominguez said. Some have developed a multisystem inflammatory syndrome, known as MIS-C, after becoming infected. Doctors don’t fully understand what causes it or how common it is, he said, but it’s believed to be a rare condition.
Factors driving youth trends could also be circumstantial, doctors said. Perhaps because the nation shut down schools in March, children had fewer opportunities to be exposed to the virus, Dominguez said. It’s also worth considering how kids in different age groups interact with one another and how that could cause variances in transmission rates among teens versus young children, he added.
Despite not having answers to those questions, Dominguez, O’Leary and Mays were in favor of reopening schools. That’s not to say they don’t have concerns.
“Even if we take kids out of the equation, there’s still a large number of adults in an indoor setting for a long period of time. That’s a higher-risk activity,” Mays said.
“The overall risk to kids, at least as of today, it does appear to be similar to other respiratory viruses that we accept regularly,” O’Leary said, adding that he and his wife caught COVID-19 earlier this year while their kids, ages 16 and 12, did not.
“It’s much more severe in adults and people with chronic medical conditions than influenza,” he said. “But for children, the risk from COVID-19 seems to be in line with influenza, roughly. That’s how I’ve been thinking of it as a parent.”
What experts say we should do about it
Shelly Miller, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, was one of more than 200 scientists who implored the World Health Organization to consider COVID-19 an airborne illness. That distinction is important, she said, because it informs which precautions schools should take to create a safe environment.
Engineers have been rapidly studying how COVID-19 spreads based on factors such as ventilation, how many sick people are in a room, how long they’re in a space, and different measures of social distancing. Miller has conducted studies on how singing and playing wind instruments could propagate the virus, as well as the rate of transmission in a nursing home where a ward of 30 rooms were converted to negative pressure ventilation.
She believes the three most effective ways to mitigate the spread of the virus in schools are to require masks, to circulate outdoor air inside school buildings, and to minimize the time students and faculty spend indoors.
“You need outside air into the space to dilute the virus concentration,” Miller said. “If you can’t get virus concentration down by adding air, you can by filtering it with an air purifier.”
Even if many kids won’t show a fever, it’s important that schools still conduct health screenings as one measure to find potential cases, doctors said. Additionally, O’Leary said, there’s never been a more important time to make sure kids are up to date on their vaccines.
“The last thing we can handle is a vaccine preventable disease outbreak in our school in addition to COVID-19,” he said.


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--Ask Amy: COVID-19 transforms house guest to housemate

Dear Amy : Three months ago , my husband and I took in a friend of our daughter ’ s , who quite suddenly lost her housing and whose college switched to all online classes , due to COVID-19 .
We have been hosting her without asking for any kind of payment .
All we ’ ve requested is that she cook one night a week .
She ’ s a lovely girl and usually washes the dishes after dinner , but does not do any other housework .
When she came to live with us , her parents ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
They said they would be in touch weekly .
Aside from that phone call we have not heard one word from them .
We assumed she would be with us until her semester ended .
Instead , she is still living with us — and we just learned that she plans to stay another two months , after which she will go to live with her parents .
Since she clearly is no longer a house guest but rather a housemate , I ’ ve discussed with my husband the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial contribution to our household , but he is hesitant to do so .
Prior to COVID-19 , her parents were paying her tuition and for at least some of her living costs .
She is getting some kind of financial help from them now , too .
Three months in , I ’ m feeling taken advantage of by the parents .
I ’ d like to ask them to make a financial contribution , but don ’ t know how to broach the subject and how to convince my husband that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear Taken : You stepped in during a global emergency .
Let ’ s assume that this phase of the emergency has now passed .
The school semester has also ended .
And so – if travel home is possible , it seems logical that your housemate would return to live with her parents .
This situation has taken up a tidy space in the void you yourselves have created , by refusing to communicate .
Do you want this person to leave the household ?
Then say so : “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but now that things have settled down , you need to return to your folks ’ .
” Do you want her to do more than make one meal a week ?
Then say so !
Would you feel better if you agreed to let her stay , and she paid you $ 50/week ?
Then tell her .
Maybe after considering all of your options , you would decide to let her stay – but if you do , then you should do so with open intentions .
My point is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taking advantage of you , but she is young , she can not read your minds , and because you are too afraid to have a conversation , you and your husband are now squabbling in the broom closet .
If her parents are really in charge of her situation , then you should call them and review how you envision her current options .
Dear Amy : I am over 60 and have autoimmune disease , as well as a treasured parent in their late 90s that I look after .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID virus .
My spouse does not share my concern and is no longer willing to forgo the gym , hair appointments , out-of-our-home hobbies , etc.
, just as the cases in our state are increasing !
Other couples must be having this issue ; what have they done ?
Dear Disappointed : As the pandemic grows and the risk assessment seems to change regularly , many people seem to lack the fortitude to adhere to medical guidelines .
It is as if they decided : “ I can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m done.
” The medically safest choice for you might be to leave your home and – if possible – cohabit with your elderly parent .
You will also be faced with some tough realizations about your spouse .
I will run responses from people facing this very challenging dilemma .
Dear Amy : Responding to the letter from “ Teacher , ” you stated : “ I can imagine not wanting to waste your breath on your in-laws.
” It ’ s statements like that one that perpetuates the notion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-laws are eager to babysit , do errands for the family , transport children , help with needed household items , loan money , etc.
, and that is strictly out of love for their grandchildren and the family .
Dear Offended : I agree with you .
In-laws sometimes get a bad rap .
In this case , however , according to “ Teacher , ” her in-laws were bigoted gasbags ( as were her own parents ) .

Dear Amy: Three months ago, my husband and I took in a friend of our daughter’s, who quite suddenly lost her housing and whose college switched to all online classes, due to COVID-19.
We have been hosting her without asking for any kind of payment. All we’ve requested is that she cook one night a week. She’s a lovely girl and usually washes the dishes after dinner, but does not do any other housework.
When she came to live with us, her parents (who live overseas) called to thank us. They said they would be in touch weekly. Aside from that phone call we have not heard one word from them. We assumed she would be with us until her semester ended.
Instead, she is still living with us — and we just learned that she plans to stay another two months, after which she will go to live with her parents.
Since she clearly is no longer a house guest but rather a housemate, I’ve discussed with my husband the idea of asking her parents to make a financial contribution to our household, but he is hesitant to do so.
Prior to COVID-19, her parents were paying her tuition and for at least some of her living costs. She is getting some kind of financial help from them now, too.
Three months in, I’m feeling taken advantage of by the parents. I’d like to ask them to make a financial contribution, but don’t know how to broach the subject and how to convince my husband that we aren’t being cheap.
— Taken Advantage Of
Dear Taken: You stepped in during a global emergency. Let’s assume that this phase of the emergency has now passed. The school semester has also ended. And so – if travel home is possible, it seems logical that your housemate would return to live with her parents.
This situation has taken up a tidy space in the void you yourselves have created, by refusing to communicate.
Do you want this person to leave the household? Then say so: “We’ve been happy to host you, but now that things have settled down, you need to return to your folks’.”
Do you want her to do more than make one meal a week? Then say so!
Would you feel better if you agreed to let her stay, and she paid you $50/week? Then tell her.
Maybe after considering all of your options, you would decide to let her stay – but if you do, then you should do so with open intentions.
My point is that you are basically accusing this young person of taking advantage of you, but she is young, she cannot read your minds, and because you are too afraid to have a conversation, you and your husband are now squabbling in the broom closet. If her parents are really in charge of her situation, then you should call them and review how you envision her current options.
Dear Amy: I am over 60 and have autoimmune disease, as well as a treasured parent in their late 90s that I look after.
I am quite concerned about the danger of the COVID virus.
My spouse does not share my concern and is no longer willing to forgo the gym, hair appointments, out-of-our-home hobbies, etc., just as the cases in our state are increasing!
Other couples must be having this issue; what have they done?
— Disappointed Spouse
Dear Disappointed: As the pandemic grows and the risk assessment seems to change regularly, many people seem to lack the fortitude to adhere to medical guidelines. It is as if they decided: “I can do this for four months, and then I’m done.”
The medically safest choice for you might be to leave your home and – if possible – cohabit with your elderly parent. You will also be faced with some tough realizations about your spouse.
I will run responses from people facing this very challenging dilemma.
Dear Amy: Responding to the letter from “Teacher,” you stated: “I can imagine not wanting to waste your breath on your in-laws.”
It’s statements like that one that perpetuates the notion that in-laws are naturally disliked. Most in-laws are eager to babysit, do errands for the family, transport children, help with needed household items, loan money, etc., and that is strictly out of love for their grandchildren and the family.
— Offended
Dear Offended: I agree with you. In-laws sometimes get a bad rap.
In this case, however, according to “Teacher,” her in-laws were bigoted gasbags (as were her own parents).
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--Kanye West criticizes Harriet Tubman at his political rally

COLUMBIA , S.C. — Rapper Kanye West , in his first event since declaring himself a presidential candidate , ranted against historical figure Harriet Tubman on Sunday , saying the Underground Railroad conductor “ never actually freed the slaves , she just had them work for other white people , ” comments that drew shouts of opposition from some in the crowd .
West delivered a lengthy monologue , touching on topics from abortion and religion to international trade and licensing deals , before a crowd in North Charleston , South Carolina .
Whether he is actually seeking the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tubman is one of the most respected figures of 19th century America .
An African American who escaped slavery , she helped enslaved Black men and women travel north to freedom and fought for the Union during the Civil War .
She later became a supporter of women ’ s suffrage .
On abortion , West said that while he believes it should be legal , financial incentives to help struggling mothers could be a way to discourage the practice .
“ Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wearing a protective vest and with “ 2020 ” shaved into his head , the entertainer appeared on a livestream of the event .
Several hundred people gathered in a venue , where gospel music played before West ’ s appearance .
The event was reportedly for registered guests only , although a campaign website had no registration or RSVP information .
Speaking without a microphone , West became tearful at one point while talking about his mother , who died following plastic surgery complications in 2007 .
West missed the deadline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it was unclear if he was willing or able to collect enough signatures required to qualify in others .
Last week , he qualified to appear on Oklahoma ’ s presidential ballot , the first state where he met the requirements before the filing deadline .
West needed to collect 10,000 signatures by noon Monday to appear on the South Carolina ballot , according to state law .
The entertainer tweeted out a list of locations around the Charleston area where petitions could be signed .
Email to an address purportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday afternoon .
West , who is married to reality television star Kim Kardashian West , initially announced his candidacy on July 4 .

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Rapper Kanye West, in his first event since declaring himself a presidential candidate, ranted against historical figure Harriet Tubman on Sunday, saying the Underground Railroad conductor “never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other white people,” comments that drew shouts of opposition from some in the crowd.
West delivered a lengthy monologue, touching on topics from abortion and religion to international trade and licensing deals, before a crowd in North Charleston, South Carolina. Whether he is actually seeking the nation’s highest office remains a question.
Tubman is one of the most respected figures of 19th century America. An African American who escaped slavery, she helped enslaved Black men and women travel north to freedom and fought for the Union during the Civil War. She later became a supporter of women’s suffrage.
On abortion, West said that while he believes it should be legal, financial incentives to help struggling mothers could be a way to discourage the practice.
“Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars,” he said as an example.
Wearing a protective vest and with “2020” shaved into his head, the entertainer appeared on a livestream of the event. Several hundred people gathered in a venue, where gospel music played before West’s appearance.
The event was reportedly for registered guests only, although a campaign website had no registration or RSVP information.
Speaking without a microphone, West became tearful at one point while talking about his mother, who died following plastic surgery complications in 2007.
West missed the deadline to qualify for the ballot in several states, and it was unclear if he was willing or able to collect enough signatures required to qualify in others. Last week, he qualified to appear on Oklahoma’s presidential ballot, the first state where he met the requirements before the filing deadline.
West needed to collect 10,000 signatures by noon Monday to appear on the South Carolina ballot, according to state law. The entertainer tweeted out a list of locations around the Charleston area where petitions could be signed. Email to an address purportedly associated with the campaign was not returned Sunday afternoon.
West, who is married to reality television star Kim Kardashian West, initially announced his candidacy on July 4.


thedenverpost--2020-07-20--PHOTOS: Rallies supporting and protesting police clash in Denver’s Civic Center

A member of the Denver SWAT team is forced to use pepper spray to calm an angry crowd as they @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter supporters at Civic Center Park on July 19 , 2020 in Denver .
@ @ @ @ @ planned in the amphitheater at Civic Center Park .
Black Lives Matter had a rally @ @ @ @ @ state capitol .
Black Lives Matter supporters moved their rally to Civic Center to engage @ @ @ @ @ Denver Police Department SWAT team had to intervene to keep the peace .

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A member of the Denver SWAT team is forced to use pepper spray to calm an angry crowd as they get pushed backwards by Black Lives Matter supporters at Civic Center Park on July 19, 2020 in Denver. Pro-police rally had a rally planned in the amphitheater at Civic Center Park. Black Lives Matter had a rally planned in front of the state capitol. Black Lives Matter supporters moved their rally to Civic Center to engage with Pro-Police Rally supporters. Denver Police Department SWAT team had to intervene to keep the peace.


thedenverpost--2020-07-19--Wildfire burns 2,000 acres in Weld County, state and federal firefighting aircraft called in to cont

Wildfire burns 2,000 acres in Weld County, state and federal firefighting aircraft called in to contain flames

A wildfire burned about 2,000 acres in Weld County on Sunday , spreading through dry grass and weeds , threatening structures , drawing firefighters from eight agencies , and forcing state and federal authorities to engage using heavy air tankers .
Flames devoured grass and kicked up smoke around homes and oil and gas facilities near the intersection of Weld County Roads 49 and 22 , forcing fire departments to call for air support , sheriff ’ s department spokesman Joe Moylan said .
State authorities deployed two single-engine tankers and two large tankers equipped with infrared sensors .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppression work .
Multiple drops of slurry were made to snuff flames .
By 7 p.m. , authorities deemed the fire contained .
Ground crews were dousing hot spots .
The fire destroyed a farmhouse and shed , authorities said .
They weren ’ t sure what sparked the fire but were looking into the possibility that lightning striking dry grass as storms moved through the area .
County dispatchers received a call around 3 p.m. reporting flames in that area .
“ Obviously it is a large fire , with multiple agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get two aircraft in the air .
The command team is on scene .
They ’ re trying to get everyone organized and working to get this thing contained , ” Moylan said around 5 p.m .
It was the second largest fire burning around Colorado on Sunday .
A federal wildfire database showed that the Fawn Creek wildfire , 25 miles southwest of Meeker in northwest Colorado , had burned 3,208 acres .

A wildfire burned about 2,000 acres in Weld County on Sunday, spreading through dry grass and weeds, threatening structures, drawing firefighters from eight agencies, and forcing state and federal authorities to engage using heavy air tankers.
Flames devoured grass and kicked up smoke around homes and oil and gas facilities near the intersection of Weld County Roads 49 and 22, forcing fire departments to call for air support, sheriff’s department spokesman Joe Moylan said.
State authorities deployed two single-engine tankers and two large tankers equipped with infrared sensors. Federal agencies deployed two aircraft, coordinating fire suppression work. Multiple drops of slurry were made to snuff flames.
By 7 p.m., authorities deemed the fire contained. Ground crews were dousing hot spots.
A couple dozen homes were evacuated.
The fire destroyed a farmhouse and shed, authorities said. They weren’t sure what sparked the fire but were looking into the possibility that lightning striking dry grass as storms moved through the area.
County dispatchers received a call around 3 p.m. reporting flames in that area.
“Obviously it is a large fire, with multiple agencies involved. We’re trying to get two aircraft in the air. The command team is on scene. They’re trying to get everyone organized and working to get this thing contained,” Moylan said around 5 p.m.
It was the second largest fire burning around Colorado on Sunday. A federal wildfire database showed that the Fawn Creek wildfire, 25 miles southwest of Meeker in northwest Colorado, had burned 3,208 acres.


thedenverpost--2020-07-21--Keeler: CSU Rams, CU Buffs dancing around the truth. There won’t be college football this fall.

Oh , Joe Parker knows .
He won ’ t say it , not with a microphone or a tape recorder jammed in his mug .
But he knows .
Until the CSU Rams glom onto a bubble or a vaccine in the next three weeks , they ’ re not playing football this fall .
Period .
Neither are the CU Buffs .
Or the Zoomies .
Or Ed McCaffrey ’ s Bears .
Or That Team Up North .
We ’ re dancing around the truth .
Delaying the inevitable .
Another day , another kick of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within conferences , it kind of brings other people in particular directions , ” Parker , the Rams ’ athletic director , said during a Zoom call with reporters Monday afternoon .
“ If , for whatever reason , we have to forgo the idea of fall sports and we try and push all those activities that would ’ ve occurred in the fall into the spring … we ’ re interested in finding ways to make this an experience that our student-athletes will value .
If you talk to our kids , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to normal as possible.
” Normal caught the Katy and left us a mule to ride .
Look , you want the games .
I want the games .
Everybody wants the games .
But facts are facts .
And they ’ re killing us .
Slowly .
CSU is slated to visit Vanderbilt on Sept. 26 .
New COVID-19 cases in Tennessee have doubled since June 20 .
UNLV , on Oct. 23 .
New coronavirus cases in Nevada have tripled over the last month .
San Diego State , Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are up 52 percent in four weeks .
It doesn ’ t look like never .
It just doesn ’ t look like right now .
“ We ’ re not going to rule anything out , ” Parker said .
Nobody can control this beast now .
Not Parker .
Not CU athletic director Rick George .
Not Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott .
Not NCAA president Mark Emmert .
Not ESPN .
“ By the end of July or early August , as much as they ’ re trying to push this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the decision , ” longtime pundit Kirk Herbstreit told SportsCenter recently .
“ I would be surprised if they canceled ( the season ) .
I think they would keep postponing , keep pushing and hoping that at some point , the ( case ) data starts to come down .
Because as you know , the data , it just about seems almost every day , is higher and higher .
“ The optics aren ’ t good … I think they ’ re holding on as long as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decline and go back to where we were 5-7 weeks ago .
But I think a lot of us were optimistic at that point.
” California won ’ t be ready .
You can be assured of that .
It ’ s another reason why the Pac-12 bailed on everything it couldn ’ t nail to the floor , including the Rocky Mountain Showdown .
High school football in the talent-rich Golden State has already been mothballed until winter .
Texas can ’ t admit it won ’ t be ready , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Florida is Larry Vaughn , the mayor from the movie “ Jaws , ” keeping those beaches open , denying there ’ s a problem until that problem swims up and bites somebody on the backside .
It doesn ’ t look like never .
It just doesn ’ t look like right now .
“ We haven ’ t picked a date ( for ) certain , but we do know that time can be our friend , ” Parker said .
“ But it can also be working against us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of hitting that point in time where we know we ’ ve got to start solidifying our decision , picking a path forward and then trying to implement against that plan.
” “ Obviously , if we end up with no nonconference opponents , which could be possible , then the decision gets pushed off , or we can push it a little bit further into the future , ” Parker continued .
“ Unless , of course , we wanted to try and take advantage of the September weekends.
” So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what are the odds you ’ re playing league games in September ?
The odds that you ’ re playing anybody ?
“ Yeah , I ’ m still employed by a university , ” Parker replied dryly .
“ And I ’ d have to adhere by the rules of the NCAA , so I ’ m not allowed to bet.
” He knows .
They all do .
At some point soon , when it comes to kicking the can , the Power 5 schools are going to run out @ @ @ @ @ @

Oh, Joe Parker knows. He won’t say it, not with a microphone or a tape recorder jammed in his mug. But he knows.
Until the CSU Rams glom onto a bubble or a vaccine in the next three weeks, they’re not playing football this fall. Period.
Neither are the CU Buffs. Or the Zoomies. Or Ed McCaffrey’s Bears. Or That Team Up North.
We’re dancing around the truth. Delaying the inevitable. Another day, another kick of the can.
“As decisions are made within conferences, it kind of brings other people in particular directions,” Parker, the Rams’ athletic director, said during a Zoom call with reporters Monday afternoon.
“If, for whatever reason, we have to forgo the idea of fall sports and we try and push all those activities that would’ve occurred in the fall into the spring … we’re interested in finding ways to make this an experience that our student-athletes will value. If you talk to our kids, they’re interested in continuing as close to normal as possible.”
Normal?
Normal caught the Katy and left us a mule to ride.
Normal?
Normal is 2021’s problem. If we’re lucky.
Look, you want the games. I want the games. Everybody wants the games. But facts are facts. And they’re killing us. Slowly.
CSU is slated to visit Vanderbilt on Sept. 26. New COVID-19 cases in Tennessee have doubled since June 20.
UNLV, on Oct. 23. New coronavirus cases in Nevada have tripled over the last month.
San Diego State, Nov. 7. New COVID cases in California are up 52 percent in four weeks.
Boise, Nov. 28. Idaho: Quadruple the new cases.
Say it, Joe.
It doesn’t look like never.
It just doesn’t look like right now.
“We’re not going to rule anything out,” Parker said.
Nobody can control this beast now. Not Parker. Not CU athletic director Rick George. Not Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott. Not NCAA president Mark Emmert. Not ESPN.
“By the end of July or early August, as much as they’re trying to push this thing down the road, they have to make the decision,” longtime pundit Kirk Herbstreit told SportsCenter recently. “I would be surprised if they canceled (the season). I think they would keep postponing, keep pushing and hoping that at some point, the (case) data starts to come down. Because as you know, the data, it just about seems almost every day, is higher and higher.
“The optics aren’t good … I think they’re holding on as long as they can, hoping that those numbers start to decline and go back to where we were 5-7 weeks ago. But I think a lot of us were optimistic at that point.”
California won’t be ready. You can be assured of that. It’s another reason why the Pac-12 bailed on everything it couldn’t nail to the floor, including the Rocky Mountain Showdown. High school football in the talent-rich Golden State has already been mothballed until winter.
Texas can’t admit it won’t be ready, because it’s Texas. Florida? Florida is Larry Vaughn, the mayor from the movie “Jaws,” keeping those beaches open, denying there’s a problem until that problem swims up and bites somebody on the backside.
Say it, Joe.
It doesn’t look like never.
It just doesn’t look like right now.
“We haven’t picked a date (for) certain, but we do know that time can be our friend,” Parker said. “But it can also be working against us as well. And we’re kind of hitting that point in time where we know we’ve got to start solidifying our decision, picking a path forward and then trying to implement against that plan.”
Say it, Joe.
Go on.
Say it.
“Obviously, if we end up with no nonconference opponents, which could be possible, then the decision gets pushed off, or we can push it a little bit further into the future,” Parker continued. “Unless, of course, we wanted to try and take advantage of the September weekends.”
So if you’re a betting man, what are the odds you’re playing league games in September? The odds that you’re playing anybody?
“Yeah, I’m still employed by a university,” Parker replied dryly. “And I’d have to adhere by the rules of the NCAA, so I’m not allowed to bet.”
He knows. They all do. At some point soon, when it comes to kicking the can, the Power 5 schools are going to run out of road. And excuses.